Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-05-02

day under nag OF truce They kept the
wounded, and are taking care of them
While the 9th regiment was cnrapDc
the enemy on the left, the 4th ran ont on
double quick, led by their Colonel and on,
gagged them in front. The little fort and
rife pits were swarming with rebels Orr
artillery was in good range, but burst
not fire lest they should cut down their
own men, but soon the 4th fell fiat on tho:
ground then the roar of artillery, tho
bursting of shells and whistling of Crane
fairly made the earth shake beneath rs
Our regiment saw the 4th when thew
made the dash and saw them droppino
down. That was painful moment to ne
and many soldier in our ranks ached,
for chance to assist those brave soldiers.
who were making such bold move but
we were much relieved when we saw tLems
jump up and discharge their pieces. Bus
we were posted to protect the artillery,
and we must not move out of our tracks.
so long as that artillery kept its ground,
We hold possession of all the ground
on this side of the creek, and have thrown
up batteries sufficient to protect 20 guns.
All this is done in the darkness of night,
|
Our works are within deadly range Of
theirs; but we having once gained the
mastery, our artillerists and sharp shoot.
ers keep them quiet while we do as we
please. Their men in the rife pits anuse
themselves in firing at our pickets. They
pour in such broadsides that it makes one
think that battle has commenced for
certain. They waste their powder and
disturb our rest, but don't frighten us
much. The first time they 50 Jrayelg ap
peared from the rife pits, in the dark.
ness, was on Thursday night, just at mid.
night. Our Co. was on picket and had
just beer relieved from the outposts and.
went down behind little rise of ground
and were unotfensively going into the,
LAND Of dreams" when crack crack
CRACK went twenty -fve or thirty guns,
followed by whole volley, heavier than
ever heard before. Let me tell YOU
that volley brought us to our feet in short
order. Take arms Left face, forward"
was the command of our Captain. We
marched some ten rods, faced into lire
close to four gun battery. All this
time there was a continual roar Of mus
kerry, and some few "plumbs" flying
over our heads. When we got close to the
battery, a riied gun and two brass pieces
were discharged in among the rascals.
Then their fire dried up as unceremonious-
ly as it commenced. The outer line of
pickets held their ground and replied to
the firing. The balance of our regiment
was only about 40 rods from the picket
reserve, and came out to support the bat
terry, in very few minutes. Capt. Ayers,
chief of the ordinance, came down to the
battery and shook our Lieut. Colonel by
the hand, saying II was afraid my right
battery was goner." We all staid by
the battery short time and then went
back to our post and rested till after a.
M, when we were walked up by another
salute that again brought us to our feet
The battery feeling sure of our support,
opened at once, and stopped the firing be-
fore it gained much Roadway. The "yc-
low pups are the best thing to keep or.
ner at night Next morning one of the
cooks in Co. B, in our regiment, brought
coffee out to the men on picket. While
the men were slipping their coffee, the
cook went out towards the picket line
stray bullet came and passed through his
breast. Lieut.. Whittemorc, of Co. L, Sd
regiment, came near being drowned, re-
. turning over the creek. He could not
swim, and had to hang to tree in the
water, till dark when he escaped.
Yours as ever,
rI.-. r- r....4f FRANcIs