Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-09
Our Army Correspondence
FROM THE FIFTH REGIMENT.
CAMP WINFIELD Soorr,

Of that days glory and sadness for Vermo Mt
should go home without mutilation from me
But | see from the papers we get from the
North that the widest camp stories are retail
ed for truth, and men in high places lend the
influence Of their official positions to give
crcdencc to the most painful, as well as alb
surd, stories.
do not profess to speak from any kind Of
authority, OF to have been at all in the coun-
sells Of those who directed the affair, but give
you simply my own opinions based on such
observations as | could make These i'm
pressions give you for what they are WORTH
admitting they are by no means entirely salts
factory to myself
NY understanding Of the engagement is
this The rebel outworks at this, as at seve-
raj other points, crop out Of the timber into
the open land. Their forces could be seen
very busy strengthening their works. They
literally swarmed with laborers. OF course
this must be stopped. If for no other rca-
son, the Congressional Committee on the con-
duct of the war would take great umbrage at
our allowing the enemy to strengthen his
works within range of our guns. TO effect
this, as well as to make reconnaissance, a sec
ton Of Motifs Battery was thrown forward to
the edge ofthe opening in front Of their works,
and the Vermont Regiments 80 posted in the
woods as to serve the double purpose Of sup
porting the artillery and making reconnos-
sance of the enemy's works. Our artillery
opened on them and they replied with dam
aging effect. After two hours brisk firing,
their firing entirely ceased. To all appear
ance their works were entirely deserted 1t
became matter of discussion among our Of
fcers whether they had not abandoned the
place, and as a matter of course the story ran
through the lines that they had given it up.
At all events the enemy was silent, and it was
necessary to find out his intentions. To do
this, General Mcclellan directed that a small
force be sent on to discover the meaning Of
their silence. Two companies of the Sd was
the first order, which was afterwards changed
to four This force was abundantly large il
the enemy had deserted his works. On the
other hand, if he we're lying in ambush,
small force should be sent forward, on the
same principle that we send skirmshers in
advance Of the main body of an army on a
march through hostile country. In fact,
although from the nature of the ground these
companies could not be technically deployed
as skirmishers, they stood in precisely the
same relation 20 the main force.
They started, and you have already learned
tho result The enemy withheld his fire un-
I'll they had nearly crossed the stream, and
then opened with terrible effect Any other
men under heaven would have done precisely
what it was expected these companies would
do, namely, retire as soon as they had discover
ed the enemy to be in force in his position.
Not so, however, these Vermonters. Their on
ly aim was to go forward and they did So
These four parts of companies, in all 100 men,
al ofo oI Oh t.l -,
the most skillful manner, hanked by impenc-
trable thickcts, and fronted by river from
Is to 30 rods in width. They obtained
foothold on the opposite bank, and were pro-
ceeding to clear the enemy's riae-pits in de-
tail, when they were assailed by three fresh
Regiments in front. Not even then would
they yield, and had they not received express
peremptory orders to retreat, they would
have stayed till now. This was the first
act. After our men had retired, and it
began to be understood that four companies
Of the Sd had stormed their works and held
them for half an hour, men naturally suppos- .
ed they could be easily stormed and held /
Accordingly, later in the afternoon, the 9th !
attempted to cross, supported by gallant di- /
vision of the 4th in another place. The enc (
my, however, was in too great force, and the !
9th was repulsed with severe loss. Such was
the action. While it resulted in the sacri-
flee Of many noble men whom we can i'll af
ford to lose, it has given our Vermont sol
diers reputation and a prestige which may
well make their friends proud, and has given
new lustre TO the ancient renown of the
Green Mountain Boys.
Looking it over as carefully as ! can, and
certainly having as much at stake in the care
full management of the war, and particularly
the safety of the Vermont Brigade, as any
one, am not disposed to impute blame to
any officer. The only movement Of that day
which seems to me ought to be regretted was
the advance of the 9th. / have given you
reasons why consider the advance of small
portion Of the Sd more prudent than the risk
of larger force.
Why the 9th was ordered up as it was
do not undertake to explain. Yet this much
think | can safely say had it not been
done, and had we left the field without that
demonstration, we never should have heard
the end of clamors abou. the inefiicency and
cowardioe of our generals. Indeed. the very
men who are now so much disturbed because
we did make that advance, would have been
loudest in their other censure
This brings me to notice the proceedings
in Congress respecting Gen. Smith have
not been able to see Mr.. Morrill's statements,
as they were originally made in the House,
but only some newspaper notices, and also
report of Senator Hale's notice of his state
ments in the Senate. 1t is very much to be
regretted that a gentleman of Mr.. Morrill,
standing should give his endorsement to such
rumors without the clearest proof. When
every fresdc at home is in the most in
tense anxiety for the welfare of so many near
est and dearest friends, their feelings ought
not to be narrowed up by the statement that
the safety of all there hangs on the caprices
Of drunken man.
Now | am no apologist Of Gen. Smith.
never changed dozen words with him in my
life, and never expect to. | don't know as
can gain anything by hattering, or lose by
abusing him. But do deem it due to the
friends of our Vermont soldiers to say that
saw him several times that day and could
discover no signs of drunkenness about him.
] am assured by men of undoubted veracity,
who saw him later than ! did, that he was
not intoxicated 1t is true, as l am told, that
bis horse jumped at the sound of cannon and
broke his saddle girths, and he of course fell
OIL. sober man would fall off under such
circumstances.
Now have no objection to Congressman