The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-04-26
Fight Near Lees Mills.

K.
the 18th, Companies T., +, D, and X OF the
Third Vermont began the work rs skirmishcrs.
Motifs Battery supporting them with very
accurate fire of shot and shell The Vernon
tcrs SkirmiShed until noon, when they were
relieved. Their fire had been very accurate.
The Rebel braggarts, who began dancing on
their ramparts, and swinging their hats, and
drfying our troops in the customary Southern
military fashion, were dropped So rapidly Ivy
the sharpShootcls as to be soon cured of this
style Of warfare. The four companies of the
Third laid down after dinner and thoroughly
stcd themselves.
At O'Clock in the afternoon they were
called up, formed into line, and told by the if
Colonel in pithy speech that the work
expected Of them WAS to charge across the
creek and take the cncmy's entertainments
Ayres' guns all of the batteries, numbering
- pieces were under the command of their
accomplished artillery officer covered the
Vc1monters' advance. They marched stead
lily at the quick to the edge Of the creek, and
plunged in on the run. The water dccpcncd
unexpectedly. The men were soon wading
to their breasts, their cartridge boxes sung
up on their shoulders and their muSkcts held
up high. The moment they entered the
stream the Rebels swarmed on the edge OF
their rife pit. and rained fire OF bullets on
the advancing line. The stream, as damned
was about twelve rods wide. The YER
monters loaded and fired as they waded. -
Their killed and wounded began to fall from
the moment of entering the water. Many of
the latter were sustained by their arms and
the collars of their coats and so helped across
and laid down on the opposite side The
Third, as soon as they emerged and got foot
hold, received ,be order to ."charge!'' W it'll
a yell, with the true Green Mountain ring in
:, Il hal l,l ~
least regiment Of Rebels broke from bch ind
it and ran into the rcdoubt in the rear, lcav-
ing the Vermontcrs in the pit. For at least
an hour they fought from here against over
whelming numbers, receiving reinturcements
in that time, first Of funr companies Of the
Sixth Vermont. and aftcrward of four com
panics of the Fourth Vermont.
They shot their foe principally through the
head, and so superior was their fire. and their
pluck so impressive that the Rebels m owed
two additional regiments into the fort, and
into thanking position on the left of the riffs
pit. Exposed now to cross-tire as well as
an increased fire in front, the FermontGrs,
| though they wanted to stay, had to go. In
good order covering themselves behind trees,
and fighting as they went, they recrossed the
stream, carrying with them all their wounded
whose condition at all promised survival OF
their hurts. Many were now shot in the
water, and drowned beyond all possibility OF
help. The language of Lamoille county
boy, not is years old, WAY, sir, il was Just
like sap-boing in that stream-the bullets
fell So thick" is so expressive that use it as
measure Of intensity. These brave men
having backed out of the deep water, formed
on the dry land and began the fight anew,
while many, not detailed, but volunteering
through impulses of soditrly devotion and
personal affection. dashed into the stream
| again and dragged ont the wounded: who were
cnging to The trees, and sitting with their
heads just out of the water Julian A. Scott.
of the Third Vermont, Company +, under l6
! years of age, was one of these heroes. He
pulled out no less than nine OF bis wounded
comrades. He twice went under fire was
across the stream, and brought back from the
slope of the rifle pit John g. Backum, Of his
| own company, who was shot thu ough the lungs.
| Ephraim Brown, who was helping him, way
himself shot through the thigh in the inside
and disabled Scott waded back, like the
| hoy hero he is, and brought him safely over.
| 1t was u sight 10 come all the way from
| New York to see-the mastery manner in
which Captain Ayers saved the Fourth YER
mont s four companies from the fire of the
Rcbols, who swarmed more than a regiment
full in theil ritled pit. The moment he saw
them form for charge, he rode to every gun
and directed it to be sighted so as to shave
| the top of the breastwork. and then, in the
magnetic manner which distinguishes him in
the field, required his command to serve the
twenty-five pieces with the utmost possible
rapidity This fire was literally a bosom OF
destru sion. The shells burst with precision
within a few inches Of the top Of tho parap
and over ii. The Fourth's companies were
saved by it. The Rebels dared not lift them
] selves, " even elevate their beads abov =