Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-05-29
LOCAL MATTERS.

Orlando b. Douglas, I'd Lieut.. 10 A.
18th Regiment Missouri Volunteers, yes
terday. He is now on visit to his rela-
tives in Brandon, where he was born
He resided with younger brother, in
Missouri, at the time the rebellion culmi-
mated in war, and promptly enlisted in
the service of the Union cause, He was
for some time at Island No. 10 during the
seige of that place, and assisted in con-
structing the famous canal by which our
transports were enabled to get below the
Island. he belonged to the command of
Gen. Prentiss, and was before the fall OF
Island No. 10, transferred to Pittsburg
Landing, where his regiment arrived lust
one week before the memorable battle
which will ever make that place historical
Lent. Douglas was in Gen. Prentiss'
division, which, it is well known, occupied
the advance position in the commence
ment of the engagement, and he informs
us most positively that Gen. Prentiss was
not surprised as has generally been rep
resented by the newspaper correspondents.
He says that the brigade to which his reg
iment belonged was formed by the special
order of Gen. Prentiss, and stood in rea-
diness some half an hour awaiting the APP
proach of the enemy, before he made his
appearance. The attacking force was
probably much stronger than was antici-
pated, but Gen. Prentiss' camp was not
surprised by reason of negligence in send
ing out pickets or scouts. Lieut.. Doug
las tells us that very heavy force of
rebel troops engaged the brigade to whc h
he was attached. They advanced four
columns deep, the rear columns loading
the muskets for the front column, COM
posed of their best sharp shooters, thus
keeping up deadly fire without the least
intermission. He was wounded early in
the action by minnie ball which struck
him in the right side, making terrib lie
wound, though fortunately not in vital
part. He was borne to the rear, and car.
ried from the field in an ambulance, and
can testify no farther from personal
knowledge of the scenes that transpired
but he says there is no question but it wa
the fiercest battle that has yet been fought
during the war. His brother who is a
corporal in the same. regiment-the 18th
Missouri-only sixteen years of age,-
loaded and fred sixty-five rounds,-many
of them after he had been severely wou nd
ed in the arm, and mostly while on re-
treat. He took deliberate aim, and testi.
fies TO feeling of intense satisfaction, I'm.
der the excitement of the hour, of seeing
the victims of his unerring aim bite the
dust. Both of these young men are now
doing well, and fast recovering from then
wounds.
Lieut.. Douglas, who by the way is
native of Brandon, and a relative of til,
late Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, (his father
was second cousin of the distinguished
SENATOR is quite anxious to serve in one
of the new regiments about being Eraised
in Vermont. We sincerely hope the op.
portunity may be presented. Il He has
proved his gallantry in sthe field, having
been in several battles and twice ound
ed. We commend him to the attention
and the consideration of our military au
thorities. He is a Vermont boy, and our
gallant little State, is justly entitled to his
services.
CoRRECTIoN.-The Stallion ST.. LAW