The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-17
[Our War Corresp ondenceI
From the LIST Vermont Cavalry.
STRASBURG, Va. Aprll 7, Is

cTRASBURG, Va, April I, 1862.
Here we are, enoamped i'll the beautiful valley
of the Shenandoah between the Blue Ridge and
Allegheny Mountains. This valley has, until
lately, been IN the possession Of the rebels, but
since the fight at Winchester, which resulted SO
ulsactrously to them, and SO gloriously TO the
Union cause, they have been retreating down
the valley, and the Union troops have been fol
lowing them up rather too closely for their
comfort or convenience. They burned all the
railroad bridges as they 1etreated, and the road
is for the present useless. Our troops are now
beyond VI oodstock five or six miles, and udging
from the hrlog which we hear every day in that
direction, the work is still going on. There is u
report that the Union troops under Gen. Rose
Grams are coming up in the rear Of Jacksons' s
army. Ii II IS true, he Is surrounded, for he
cannot get through the valley this way unless
he cuts bis way through Gen. Banks army,
which he will not attempt, probably, SO soon
Regiment, the Vermont Cavalry, is now posted
along from Winchester to Woodstock to guard
the road. Only one Or two companies are en-
canped in the same place.
An event took place last Saturday, the 9Th
inst, which has cast gloom upon us all On
that morning our Regiment, having received Or
ders to march to Woodstock, made the usual
preparations and started about o'clock A. NJ
We had proceeded IL mile or two, perhaps. on
our way, when we were startled, as if by an
electric shock, by the news which passed along
our line, that Col. Holiday had shot himself -
tie had been with US all the morning, directing
all the movements, and proceeded on with his
regiment rs usual, when he was suddenly OBJ
served to ride to the rear. Nothing unusual
however, was suspected. The Colonel rode
down steep bank leading to the Shenandoah
river, and, as soon as he was out Of sight, dis
mounted tied his horse to a tree, and then cool
y drew his pistol and shot himself through the
lead. The men In the rear with the baggage
wagons, hearing the report Of the pistol, hast
ened to the spot. They found him in tho water
where he fell. They took him out of the water
Immediately and sent for the surgeon, who ar
rived few moments 'ater, bat medical assist
ance was vi no avail lie Vas dead. lis BODY
was conveyed in an ambulance 10 Woodstock
with the regiment. On the morning of the 9th
the regiment was assembled and PRAYER was Off
cred by chaplain Woodward, when his remains
were viewed by the whole regiment, after which
ms body was conveyed to Winchester, escorted
by guard OF forty men. Tho causes which
lnpeiled him to commit this rash deed of self
destruction are entirely unknown TO us. lie
has always appeared III ;lancholy, and has had
several attacks OF arrangement since his connec-
ton with the regiment. Yet in the short time
that he has been with US he has proved an able
and experienced officer, well qualified for the
responsible position which he held. While we
deplore his tanentable end, we cannot but ad-
nlie those qualities which won the respect and
confidence OF all, both officers and men. The
regiment is now under the command OF Lieut.
Colonel kellogg, who, although he has not the
experience which Col. Holiday possessed, vet
is man in whom we all have great confidence.
ana We have no doubt of his ability to acquit
himself credit.bly to the regiment under his
command.
While write the booming of cannon beyond
Woodstock tells OF fight going on somewhere
in advance of us. Our men have been engaged
for u few days past in building bridge across
the river. in place OF the old ono burnt by the
rebels. When it Is finished fight may be ex.
peetcd. The rebels have tried 70 prevent the