Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-06-06
From the ". Y. Tribune.
The VT. Cavalry, Their Escape.

city Daltilnorel oo-hiShS o""J
from bis horse falling upon his foot, the
following interesting details in regard to
the recent attack upon Gen. Banks at
Middletown and other places On Fri
day last, Brig. Gen. Hatch ordered the
Major with four companies Of the YER
mont, and four companies of the Maine
Cavalry to make reconnaissance toward
Woodstock. He complied with the order,
and secured the country as far as Wood
stock, and even went through the town,
but saw no signs of the enemy in that d.
rection. They returned to the camp,
which lay between strasburg and Wood
stock, and about IL o'clock the same
night the entire command of Gen. Banks
received orders to strike tents. The
General said that an attack was expected,
and that all baggage must be sent to the
rear. Two companies of the LIST Vermont
Cavalry, Company A, Capt. Platt. and
Company G, Capt. Bean. under Major
Collins with several companies from other
regiments, were ordered to feconnoitre on
Saturday morning toward Winchester,
over which road Gen. Banks, with a
strong advance, pushed forward.
AS soon as the baggage was disposed
of at the rear, the balance of the Vermont
Cavalry, under Col. Tompkins, made an
other reconnaissance to and through Wood
stock, and even beyond the town, but
still saw no enemy. They returned to
the old camp ground, leaving Company
B, Capt Conger, as picket about two
miles this side of Woodstock, with in
structions to remain out until 4 o'clock
in the afternoon and watch for the enemy.
At that time Capt. Conger reported him.
self, and that he had seen signs of the
enemy. Shortly after o'clock this reg
iment took up march for Winchester,
Gen. Banks having advanced some hours.
No one entertained the least thought Of
an attack in this direction, it being gen.
orally supposed that the enemy would
make his appearance from the direction
of Woodstock. The regiment proceeded
without molestation until about three
quarters of mile beyond Cedar Creek,
when they met the baggage train retreat.
ing in confusion, with loose horses and
mules, struggling men leading horses and
a great disorderly "jam," in the midst
of which was one company of Gen. Bank
body -guard-soldicrs, transfers, horses,
mules and wagons were scattered along
the field.
Heavy cannonading at that time was
going on in advance, when Col. Temp.
kins, after the baggage train had passed,
drew his men up for charge supporting
three sections of New York battery,
which was brought in position. The
battery commenced Smelling the woods
from which Rebel skirmishers appeared
Not more than half dozen shot had beer
fired before the enemy appeared in much
larger numbers from the woods, disclosing
force of about 1000 infantry, supported
by light battery.
The rebels yelled and hootcd like dew
lis. 1t became obvious to Col. Tompkin'
, that his regiment and the scattered bag
. gage train above referred to was complete
ly cut off. Heavy cannonading was still
heard in the distance in front towart
Winchester, but no one in the rear-guart
: had any idea az to the fate of Gen. Bank
and his advance, as his couriers wer
0 probably intercepted and taken prisoners
g In this emergency Col. Tompkins drew
: his command up for charge, determines
to cut his way through, and from fftee
t minutes to half an hour his men stoo
r like veterans under most CALLING fire
: The battery which he supported and tn
Rebel battery were blazing away oil thi
time. As the enemy crowded up, Majo
: Sawyer suggested to the colonel that til
y regiment might be saved by retreatin
k over the mountain road, which he kne
very well that they might cut their wa
d through the enemy, but it would be
d great sacrifice.
). The Colonel, who knew we'll what IL
&c sacrifice Of an advance would be, readil