Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-07-04

flr.s.a- fIfrrs ~ ne fref lFcfHt
I notice in the weekly Free Pres
Of the 9Th inst, what purports to be an account
given by Major sawyer Of cur retreat from Stras-
bur- The writer says-claiming to speak for
Major S.. The regiment proceeded with
out molestation, until about three quarters cf
mile beyond Cedar Greek they met the baggage
train ro.rcatinc iu confusion with loose horses
and mules, Struggling men leading horses and a
great disordorly Jam, &c" Now l venture to
say tha; 3lajor sawyer Is misrelresentcd.
never could give any man a right to say that the
march Of the regiment was 0bstructei by cur
train, or any other; for the reason that no such
thing occurred. The facts are these: The baggage
trsin was taken across Cedar Creek early in tae
morning Of May path by orders from headluar-
ie-s-the teams were formed in line facing the
roal. 60 as to be able to proceed % tie front %
rear, without the confusion likely to arise in max
i1- full turn. as +; was now certain taat the
enemy was il force on both sides Il u.s. and il was
uncertain which way we should Gai i; necessary
.. proceed. This position was maintained through
eat the day. arI was approved By the cemmauler-
ia-chief. and later by another eueral. About
ten o'clock word came that the trains 10 front
we're cut cI and we should soon be attacked this
,ausei a slight furry, which a word from ny
wagon master C. 2. Stone q Company J. instantly
guieted
Ab5at o'clock a battery Of Eaus followed by
our regiment under Col. Tompkins as a support,
cane " AID took position short distance to the
right and front Of our train. The firing was brisk
f.r over half an hour, when the battery, being
Threatened by faux movement Of tie enemy,
wlicl Dc could make under cover Of the timber
where cavalry could not act, was forced 90 Timber
up ami rotisc. This it Jill followed by our cavalry
passing iu an .ls5,fra-,,5 road within one rai of
the lice OF trains.
When The regiment had passed, the train was
put in motion, each driver taking his Fanr pace
in tie line In the mos; perfec; order. We bad no
sooner commenced 90 move than the cneny's
ssiruislors showed themselves emerging from the
timber within half riac range, aui The hiss of
bullet. soon became familiar, but rot even now
did con N.siau arise-in proof Of which / viii say
that three drivers dsmo1uted to chain thsiE wheels
in descending steep hin.
Before reaching the Greek che msn vas shot in
li- hand, sui one horse fell by the same voliey-
q course be left bis tesra, and am happy 70 say
es.areI. lis name is John Hass Of Co. c. -Four
tssus crossed the stream unhuri, the others got
into the water where several horses fell by the
FIRE which was poured in by largely increased
numbers; there being now from - 90 100 within
20 to IS rods.
still ~7fa r-1- left his seat while his horses
kept their legs. When one horss fell, another vas
cut loose. the driver would mount and be Of.
In this way seventeen horses cut Of seventy li1
we're saved.
When the passage through the sata. was OBJ
s,ructsi by dead or disabled horses the o.dsr was
given 70 the drivers c save themselves by cattins
out each horse f5r himself; and 1 have reason
to hope that all are alive, though two were cund-
- aa.i &C., r-s.,.4-iz-
Now ask is it not hard that men whose posi-
tion forbids the thoughts Of soldier laurels-
after exhibiting such devotion to their trust
should be made conspicuous, as having eoutribut-
ei by di.eraceiul fight to the disaster. Of the
day
have written nothing On helI-ay The whole
movement was made under my own observation
and direction; and again s,sert that no obstruc-
tin by wagons, horses, mules, or men, was met
By either artillery or cavalry in their approach to
the scene Of action near Cedar Creek at the time
referred to.