Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-06-13
From the Cavalry Regiment.

FRIEND EARLE,-Feeling it my duty
TO give you something of detailed ac-
count of circumstances not altogether
pleasant, which have attended my com
pany for the last four days, | will at this,
the first opportunity, give you brief ac-
count of the facts as ! saw them. Sat
urdav morning | received orders at one
O'Clock to be ready to march at the ear
Iliest moment. AT daylight, six compa-
MES Of our regiment, under command Of
Colonel Thompkins, marched to Wood
stock, found no rebels there, and return
ed to our old camp, and there remained
for the pickets 10 come in until two
O'Clock P. NJ. Then we stated to join
the column with Gen. Hatch, some six
miles ahead of US. We proceeded past
Strasburq. to Middletown, where we
found we were cut off from our column
ahead by a strong force of artillery, in
fanry and cavairy we bad nothing but
cavalry and three pieces Of artillery,
which were put into position, and the
cavalry drawn up for charge; but the
rebel infantry, except their skirmishers,
remained under cover, and from their
movements it became evident they want
ed to have US charge through the town,
which, had we done so, would have left
but few to tell the fate Of the unfOrtu-
nate.
p, We retired across Cedar Creek under
the fire of the rebel battery and Skin
mishers, and formed line just over the
brow Of q hill. l was ordered to fern
az extended line on the left Of Co. X,
which brought my company in fair range
of the battery across the stream, and
was fully impressed with the fact by a
solid shot passing but few feet over
our heads. | ordered the company TO
RIM hazel, ont Of rance.
AT this point it was decided TO take a
mountain road, and eudeavor TO pass
them, as it was perfectly futile to attempt
, 10 pass them down the Pike. Sergeant
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About the time our artillery and IN
fan'Fy gave way our regiment was Or
dered TO pass 10 the 'front.' ana companies
d, and /, were ordered to cover The re-
treat back through the town, and when
we take into account that the rebel cav
airy and artillery charged into town, but
few yards behind US, when we turned
to go out, you can see that we were IN q
dangerous position. The bullets came
from all directions, but these two compa
MES moved out in as good order as they
would have come out a Union town.
never wish to see men act better than
they did. Company d lost one man there
can't understand why the rebel caYaI-
ry did not charge on US, but they did not
They planted their batteries, and com.
menced sbclIing Us at once; but although
they got splendid range, they hurt NJ
lone in our regiment. Our squadron was
under the fire Of the rebels for four miles
and | have only TO say that it was re-
marhable that we were not struck by the
shelisj but few OF them burst, however
After we had formed the rear guard tol
some five miles, we were then ordered tc
join our column which we did. In
few moments my squadron was ordered