The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-26
(Our War Corre,pondence)
From the Fifth Vermont Regiment.
CAMP BEFORE LEES MILLS and the Engage !

/
i'll front Ut the works we engaged on the 10th
After getting two men shot down in an attemp
to raise white flag upon their battlements, tn
enemy finally succeeded in getting Il truce 0
two hours While the prelImnarles at nego
rlarl0n were going Oh our men were III excite
nent, and the rebels after the flag was acknowl
edged showed themselves from their pits an>
trenches in thousands. In Bull Run and Big
Bethel times masked batteries were all the go
Every picket, every scout, aud every skirmishcl
discovered some new ''masked battery" ant
instanter the lightning whispered it all over The
country Bnt now a-days, at least on the Pen
insula, mashed infantry is chivaIry. How long
they will be able to keep this up remains to be
seen, but if there is any truth in the report that
we are to be furnished with battery Of NOR
taIs, it will be very difficult for The enemy to
keep anything masked for any length Of time.
The flag of truce--atter u consultation OF an
hour or more, being acknoWledged-it was ascer-
taned, WAS raised for the purpose OF giving both
armies an opportunity to bury their dead. 1t is
not known how many the enemy had killed, but
1t Is known that full regiment of men were
engaged during the two hours in removing their
dead from the forts and pits, carrying them
out on rails, IN blankets, and on stretchers. "A
prisoner taken yesterday said, they had not lost
very many, not more than six or seven hundred"
But as the story of Il rebel prisoner is but little
better than camp rumor, do not give you his
report as very correct During the parley be-
tween the rebel and Federal officers, a she REBEL
that Is as respectful a term as my feelings will
allow. and | ask eyerybody's pardon, but the
feminine Of dog would be Il more suitable ad-
Junct,-showed herself upon the walls of the
tort, and throwing down her hair and waving
her handkerchief, shouted defiance to our troops
Comment is unnecessary.
Last night it began 10 rain about eight clock,
ana at nine the enemy made an attack upon our
pockets, hoping to drive them in and get posses
SION OF our batteries. But after full half hour
OF smart firing, they retired, only to renew the
attack at one clock. This second attack was
more vigorous than the first, but no longer or
successful. The third attack was made near
but they gained nothing. The night
was very dark-you could not distinguish a man
Two PAGES from you and to turn cut to meet
stormlng Toe under such circumstances led the
metle OF our men. With orders to uncap their
pieces and not to fire under any circumstances,
but to defend their lives with the bayonet, the
boys stood firm and still, the rain driving and
the darkness thickenng all around What
toollshness! Even savages would knew better
than to make such frultless attempts at conquest.
Gorman's Irish brigade, after our assault
upon the enemy g works on the 10th, solicited,
so am informed, the privilege of taking the
fort, engaging to DO it ut all hazards Well,
last night this Brigade had q strong picket out
which the enemy attacked, and | could not
help laughing this morning when met one of
their stragglcra wAo ha'i got lost. He was With
out "a cap, and his long hair hung over his fore
head like the drooplng tail feathers OF d rooster
in the ram On in faith, now, and they gave
us hi last night, and drove us IN, ana I'm
lost. Where's the Fist Minnesota I! " l5 was
really amusing to hear him, but have not the
least hesitation in saying that their Brigade
would make desperate assault.
This morning it is raining very hard and both
armies are very quiet only now and then is
gun heard.
There IS no more news this morning OF interest.
by the way, see that you have an original and
novel idea about plank roads Tor this army
Now, as you have always been very ndul gent
to lne as IL correspondents will at another time
try and ventllate your theory II little !; but be-
lo'e you enlarge upon that idea, you had better
try the experiment over such places as you will
lind In the lagoons around the outlets of Berlin
pond.
You shall hear again Tomorrow, if there is
anything to communicate.
Yours, &C., SEE. SEE. Ess.
P. S. Monday morning-wet and lowerv.
signs OF long rain no news rebels quiet all
night,
EMANClpATIoN.-The Presidents emancipation
message is working like leayen. In Missouri
public meetings are being held, and resolutions
't approval of its policy adopted. A leading
paper Of Delaware asserts that the Unionists of
that State are ready to accept the Proposition.
Various correspondents with the army write
rom slave localities saying that shareholders be-
gin to talk OF the disturbances of getting rid of
the institution, and seem to be looking forward
with nope to the contamination of the Presidents
wishes Parties are also beginning. to be found
in the border slave States, taking for their plat
form compensated emanci patton. These parties
comprise no secessionists, TO be sure, but they do
Draw into their ranks many Union men, The
message forms nucleus around which thcy can
gather And they will increase in numbers and
strength daily. The light is beginning to spread
Tho emancipation party at last, throu shout the
country, IS the Government party. This is a
great point gained. Lee US take courage and
go forward
Our correspondent SEE. SEE. Ess. is lnista.
ken, we think, in his alluson to plank roads
and the FREEMAN. We have no opinion on the