Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-07-29

one or Two were hit, and these were mangled
horribly Our batteries ls soon as they opened
made warm work tor the rebels 30 thar the en-
Joyment was not all on one side The enemy
were soon effectually sienced We laid that
night in the woods near by, and in the morning
we started on our backward march We passed
through the camp Of the4th New Jersey, which
came ~ near being annlhilated in the fight on
the right Of The Chickahominy stopping only
long enough 10 destroy few boxes Of hard
crackers 10 prevent them from furnishing the
rebels feast This was the first time | had
seen our own subsistence destro yed aud il was
difficult u believe that the necessity for il vas
wholly premedltated. A little farther along
and skirmisher5 we're thrown out OF our regi
ment 70 the rear, which opened our eyes 10 the
TACT that we were not only retreatlng but we
were TO uct as rear guard At Savage Station
we halted in the woods after crossing the rail
road and rested there a short time Meanwhile
the troops from the entrance, left OF the line
belonging TO lleinNeman, Keys and Summers
army corps came pouring down the road past
us. Large piles Of subsistence stores and am-
munition were burned here At length when
all the rest OF the troops had passed we had or
ders 10 move on 90. We had marched less than
back at the station, and our brigade was
immediately ordered to about tace--an order
that sAyored unmistakahy Of collision. We
returned, formed in battle array. the Fifth
taking the lead IN line ot battle. followed by
the Sec nd IN close column ready to support II
On the right Jr lett IS the extgea res Ol TIE case
might require We charged up hill throug
the woods bordering on the WilIamsburgh road
where we rad s'opped to rest With yell
the Fifth bounded forward for the rebels we're
retreatng Without stopping to get into
more lighting shape our regiment followed them
making the woods fairly rIng with their shouts.
\ the farther verge Of the woods the tag ut
war commenced. The rebels had some pieces
oi artillery winch 5ttcd the grape through our
ranks like hAil stones making huge openings AZ
every discharge. The Fifth mauiully stood
their ground, though their loss was terrible.
We drove the rebels from the ground and had
clear possession OF the field when night closed
the contest We took what care OF the wound.
ed We could which was but very little for We
were soon ordered forward All night we plod
ded onr weary way, halting just at break of
d~y sh~- .------s.e the er@ab " '.ss- oes
swamp IN = siIail uin iuenCe weilgaiculatts for
defense, We threw down ouI blankets and as
~ calculate our proximity to the enemy or our
chances Of being awakened by u compliment Of
shells.
Our slumb was short In the morning we
reconnoltered our position to the right and left,
TO assure ourselves that all was right then
stacked arms and sat down to rest While qui-
city sitting here discussing the PECULIARLY OF
our position and freely expressing opinions pro
"a
which made such mysterious movements neoes-
sary. and ruwardly doubling whether it was not
forced IN as instead Of being planned at leisure
by our Generals for the rank and file are Nv
NJ meins indifferent 10 these important matters.
We wer suddenly startled by perfect storm
Oi she Is, which the rebels threw simultaneously
from perhaps dozen plec b, artillery whitd
they had shrewdly got iuto position unperceiyed
IL WAS Is II a nest Ut earthquakes had suddenly
exploded uuder our feet. cavalry and artillery
horses. some with riders and some without
rushed helter sKeler through our ranks, 1T
ranks there wcrc-rlghJened almost to death.
We repaired % she VuOds aud there formed into
hue, and each touN a position 0's. calculated
Tor defence Here We endured another shelilns
suular 10 th,.i we were compelled 70 submit %
the Saturday previous \ cannon ball passed
close By a lrcul -Ac, near me. brushed hls
kuapsaco aud lodged just tO our GEAR. An III
cluatlon OF his heAd--ht was living on his
breast 20 one side, 1t not more than two inch
as, would have secured 10 HIM an eternal dis.
charge from ali terrestrial warfare.
lt was ncaty mldnlsag h4flre We we're ready
To leave rroi aud exhausted As we all still
We're we we're impatient to GET 10 place OF
safety, ~heie we would not be IN constant dan
ger vi being attacked with superior force at
every disadvantage As long AS have been in
the service have not yet become educated up
10 that degree ot bravery, that makes the shriuk
OF u shell music in my ears, and fear never
shall. Onght 60 have SAID the rebels guns
we're etectually sllenced On this occasion by
our artillery without the aldol infantry They
could not cross the c-erk in the tace OF such i
tire AS Captain Aver dealt them.
Once On our journey again we marched with
all possible speed MI sunrise when we halted in
an open field near the James river Here with
IN sght os the naked masls OF thu guubOatS We
telt that 4 bret respite Tor rest could u0w be
enjoyed free from the turmoil ai war. Ahs,
before we had hardly oAten our breakfast W.
were ordered back uto The woods for it was re-
ported that the enemy were advancing All
day We remained in the woods in line but no
enemy appeared There was. however. fierce
hghtIng On our left during the lay, As ,here
had been the day before
At two O'Clock IN the morning we were
aroused rhe enemy were advancing IN three
directions. We had got pretty thoroughly
rested am. began to teel our courage revive in
consequences Doubtless We should have made
n tolerably effective show of resistance it they
had pressed us 10 It but they did not, Ii began
TO ram early IN che morning and I'LL noon it
poured as II tho windows OF the heavens were
sned We were ordered to march, which We