Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-04-25

There was severe engagement between
a portion of the Vermont troops and til,
rebels, at Yorktown, on Wednesday of las
week. The brnnt of the battle seems Il
have been borne by the Sd regiment, judg
ing from their loss, which is very heavy, be
ing reported at 80 killed, and 80 wounded
and of the latter 10 are said to be morially
wounded --wlich would make the number
OF dead ~ in the Sd regiment alone. While
dwelling on these sad tidings, the most sac
and nearest home of any received since the
war began, it is consolation 10 know that
the Green Mountain boys behaved with
such great galantry and bravery. The
blood Of Ethan Allen yet remains with the
people of Vermont, and the second siege OF
Yorktown proves it as brave as in the days
of the revolution.
1t appears that on the night of the 18th,
| it was determined 10 attack the enemy's po-
sition near to the dam above Lees Mill, and
there to shell large working parties that the
enemy had out, and if circumstances were
favorable to push the attack and obtain a
foothold within the enemy's lines.
On Wednesday, at about o'clock A. NJ,
therefore, one of the Generals of Division
Threw out party of skirmishers from the
Fourth Vermont (of the Vermont Brigade)
near to the enemy's one gun battery, at the
point named, and also advanced New York
battery. Opposite the enemy's at that
place, there is considerable space clear Of
large wood, but surrounded in every dlrec-
ton except towards the enemy by dense
forest, and overerown with low shrubs and
young pine. Warwick Creek-from four
to five feet deep and twenty rods wide
separates this field from the rebel battery.
In the low shrubs and young pine the YER
monters made their way right up to the edge
of the stream, and poured upon the enemy
a rain Of rifle shot that he soon found it i'm
possible TO withstand. After a few mo-
ments of this fire not man was to be seen
within the enemy's lines. Working parties,
gunners, officers with glasses, all disap-
peared, and "cover' was the one thing in
great demand High praise is awarded to
the Vermont regiment for their markham
ship and spirit. Two pieces of the above
mentioned battery ten FOUNDER Parrots,
under Lieut.. Fiynn-then took up posi-
ton in the edge Of the woods. at one thous-
and yards from the enemy's line, and open
ed fire, when the enemy bravely came up
to the business and responded with the
large gun in his one gun battery, and with
two others in battery behind it. Lieut..
Stewart, with the second section of the same
battery---two twelve-pounder Napoleon
guns-was ordered up, as was also the left
section, under Lieut.. O'Donald. With this
reinforcement the fire became very heavy
between the artillery on both sides our
skirmishers and numbers of the enemy's
skirmishers also biazed away whenever they
saw chance, and the fight promised 10
spread until it should become general all
along the lines. Our fire was very accu-
rate. Many of our shells burst to a nicely
at that very point in their air-drawn line
where it seemed they could serve their dan
gerous purpose best; and the artillerymen
roared with delight. In the meantime the
remainder of the Vermont Brigade lay in
woods all around in easy distance to sup
port the Fourth and another brigade, I'M
der arms, lay in the field upon the left
Three brigades had gone forward from their
camp at this point, and were held in the
woods at about two miles fren the scene OF
the fight.
While the firing went on briskly, the
Commanding General came up, and soon
after Gen. Mcclellan arrived upon the
ground and made his headquarters at a
house behind the position of the battery.
AT about 10 A. M, after two hours sharp
firing, the enemy ceased entirely to respond
not, it was thought, because his guns had
been disabled, but because our rihemen had
his position so entirely under fire that it was
almost certain death for his man to be seen.
Yet, after a short interval, he threw sever
al shell toward where body of our infant
was posted, but they fell without effect
/ Gen. Mcclellan at this time went down
to the battery, and was received with great
enthusiasm. He congratulated the captain
upon his accurate fire, and complimented
the battery as zone that could be depended
upon"
Two or three men had been wounded
among our skirmishers and the battery had
lost in killed and wounded seven men,
When our guns took their first position, the
enemy had the exact range, and in three
shots cleared gun No. l of all but a ser.
geant and corporal. Three men were kill
ed and four wounded at this place.
| Thodgh the two rebel batteries. which had
thus far been active, were now virtually '.s
lenced,' no one. as we have suggested
deemed that they were permanently so ant
it appeared to be well enough understood
that the enemy's game was TO play "possum'
and draw US on. Yet it was now deemed
necessary to know with some degree of Ger.
tainty the enemy's force at this point and
bis disposition to fight. Upon consultation
between Gen. Mcclellan and two division
commanders, il was therefore determined tc
make more decided demonstration or at
tack, and accordingly between and p
NJ, three batteries were ordered forward
into the open field, and opened fire at abou
five hundred yards. This again woke III,
enemy up, and he responded warmly 70
twenty minutes, and then once more lapset
! into silence. Not deceived by this, our thre,
batteries continued 10 play upon his position
tor some minutes longer, when word wa
brought to the General of the Vermont bri
gade that the creek was easily fordable a
Il a