Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-07-10
AMERICA.
THE Editor of the Courier has courteous
ly sent us the following for publication ::
A Letter from Rutland Boy, officer in
the 4sh 4, -. Infantry
Yours respectfully.
CAMP NEAR JAMES RIVER,
July 5th, 1862.

July 9Th, 1862.
DEAR BROTHER Il wrote to father yes
terday. We are now about fifty miles from
Richmond. We left Camp Lowell on Thurs
day, June &c, and went out about one mile
to o~PPots Gen Mccall in the fight of that
day, but as matters stood we were not needed.
Our men and officers laid down in an open
field that night and slept on their arms.
Friday morning we went back to our old
camp and the men got their knapsacks, the
tents and everything being sent away on
Thursday. As soon as our men got them on,
which was about five O'Clock in the morning,
we started and crossed the pond at Gaines
Mills. The bridge was then cut to prevent
the rebels from getting over too soon. They
however, soon erected new bridge, and we
retired back two miles from Gaines Mills,
and then waited for the enemy to pitch in
We had not long to wait before they were
upon us. The 4th U. s, Infantry supported
Capt. Weeds battery on the right Shell
and shot fell in all directions around US
| Four of our men were killed and seven
wounded A continual roar of artillery and
musketry was kept up for six or seven hours
| Our right flank was threatened several times
by the rebel cavalry, but Capt Weeds bat
tery-one of the best on the "sacred soil g
of Virginia-kept them back. Orders had
been sent to the 4th Infantry and Weeds
battery to retire from the field, over one hour
before we did leave, in consequence of our
failing to receive any orders from the time
we took our position at the beginning of the
engagement Acting General Buchan-
an had sent the order to retire by bis
aide-de-camp, Lieut. Parker, who was
shot through the head and killed instantly
Afterwards Capt. Scott was sent with sim
liar order. He received ball in the arm
and had to 90 back. Then Lieut.. Innaman
was sent He also was wounded and taken
back to the hospital. Then an orderly was
SENT as We now learn, and he, poor fellow,
has not been heard from since So that or
ders for US to retire were sent by four differ
ent officers, but we failed to receive them.-
Our commander seeing the rest of the army
had retired from the field, thought it about
time for US to leave. The battery that we
had supported all day NOV started, and we
followed, covering the retreat. We marched
off from the field in good order; shot and all
kinds of she'll flying around us. One OF
our officers, Lieut.. Adams, was here woun-
ded, but it is thought ne will recover. Our
regiment fell back to the Cmckahominy, then
halted, laid down and slept on our arms all
night. Next morning we crossed the stream
and after the army was over the bridges were
blown up, to prevent the rebels from crossing
just then. s< soH
/ Saturday afternoon we again fell back -
marched all night and until ten o'clock Sun.
day morning, when we again expected tc
meet the enemy, but they did not trouble u,
any on Sunday, but Generals Sumner and
/ Smith had a hard fight with them that day
/ when the gallant Vermont boys were en-,
I gagged and did their duty splendidIy. g.
! Monday morning we marched away fol