Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-04-18
THE VERMONT TROOPS.

accounts, thus far, represent their conduc
in the most favorable manner. We hav
letter from member of the 4th regi
ment, dated Sunday Evening, April {
! Camp under the guns of the rebel batter
les at Lees Mills" from which we gathe
some particulars, and publish such as would
not be deemed contrabaud. He says: "W
Jeff our camp on Friday morning, reachin!
the rebel pickets at Young's Mills. Tn,
4ih, 9th and 9th regiments formed in tn,
woods, in line about 869 feet in front of /;
formidable rebel work, having deep ditcl
in front, 100 feet wide, full of entanglet
trees, the left of the work resting on pond
| AT the sound Of the bugle we moved for
ward, and tramped steadily across the plain
not returning a single shot, but expecting
at each step that their heavy guns would
open upon us. We intended to decide the
possession of the work by the use of cold
steel, as we had been ordered, but found
that the guns had been removed. When
within 250 yards of the work the rebels
left, aud the colors of the 4th were the first
on the work. This. though not victory
shows degree of GOODNESS and steadiness
on the part of the Vermont troops as pre-
sages good conduct in the future. Yester-
day we proceeded cautiously, driving the
rebels steadily up to their works. Their
heavy guns opened about noon, and we
briskly returned their fire, cutting down
their colors twice. At sunset the firing
ceased, we having two killed, and several
wounded-none Vermonters. Our skir-
mshers are now so near, that they handy
words across the brook and morass that
separate US. Rest assured that the reputa-
ton of the Green Mountain state will not
suffer in her representatives on the battle
field"
From sources outside f our own State
we get reports Of most favorable char
acter Of our troops and their behavior. IN
der date of April 7th the correspondent of
the Tribune says that while engaged in
hro wing up works the night previous, they
were fired at by the rebels, several shells
exploding very near, but 1.-THE Vermonters
never finched, or for moment paused,
but kept at work through the night.
The same correspondent, under April
ii, (last Friday.) says
Towards evening, while we lay in front
of the Rebel work at Lees Mills, Col.
Stoughton sent his fine band to point of
land which had been the scene of sharp
skirmishing, and where the rebels were not
far off. The band played "Star Spanged
Banner" Shall Columbia" and other patri-
oic pieces, and the rebels, instead of firing,
cheered immensely. The scene has its sig
nifcant features"
Gen. Mcclellan, whose headquarters are
about the center of the peninsula, has issu-
ed complimentary order to the 9Th Yer
mont, for the excellent manner in which,
under Gen. Hancock, they made the re-
connoissance of the Rebel positions "a few
days since. The notice is deserved, and
especially is the conduct of Gen. Hancock
deserving of commentator. He crawled
on bis hands and knees for long distance
through the woods to obtain a sight of the
Rebel fertilization, had passed considerably
ahead of bis skirmishers and, having taken
deliberate survey Of the fertilization, sud-
denly found himself in close proximity to
number Of Rebel soldiers. Seeing this,
Gen. ii. beat retreat. A volley followed
him, but lucky he was not hit, and was able
to make good his escape. A soldier came
suddenly upon number of the enemy, who
fired a: him. Suddenly retreating, his
knapsack, belt, indeed his entire straps
were shot away, but he got off without a
wound. A number of instances of personal
daring are related characteristic of the reci-
ment During the first days skirmish on
our right, two soldiers, one from Maine, tue
the other from Georgia, posted themselves
each behind a tree, and INDUCED in sundry
shots, without effect on either side, at the
same TIM keeping up a lively chat. Fl
nally, that getting little tedious, Georgia
calls out to Maine Give me a show. !.
meaning step out and give an opportunity
to hlt Maine, in response, pokes out his
head few inches, and Georgia cracks
away and misses 800 high" says Maine.
Now give me a show" Georgia pokes
out his head, and Maine blazes away. TOO
low sings Georgia.. In this way the two
alternatea several times, without hitting
Finally. Maine sends ball so as TO erazs
the tree within an inch or two of the ear Of
Georgia. "C-ase firing" shouts Georgia
" Cease it Is" responded Maine. aLook
here, says one, 1--WE have carried on Til,
business long enough for one day. 'Spose
we adjourn fer raiions r Agreed" saw.
the other. And so The two marched away
IN different directions, one whistling Yam
kee Doodle" the other, aDixie.s