Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-07-18
Army ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the
Ssli Regiment.
DEs AEvMENr or ruE GULF, HEAD
QUARTERS OF rnE STu, REer. VI. =
Vol. Agiers, La. june 23lh 1862. J

v VI. ~ Sitfc, In. Juht -rth iNN-'
FGIENp SwAIN;-Thlnking that lette
from the Sth, would not be unacceptable L
you, and as we have experienced in thu
last few days, some of the stern realities Q
war, | will endeayor to post you up in re
gard to some things that have transpireC
in our regiment. May 30lh, the Sth, re
ceiyed orders TO move across the river IL
Algiers, to relieve the 2lst, Indiana, regi
ment who were ordered up the river. W.
were TO guard the n. .. o. and i. w
Rail Road, from a band Of guerillas VIII {
were known 10 be some fifty miles above
taring up the track, and burning bridges
and had on one occasion fired upon train
and captured two Lieutenants and several
men belonging to the 2lst, Indiana. AL.
low me TO state here that Gen. Buffers Oh
ject in keeping open the road was, that the
planters might send their produce to the suf-
fering poor in the city. A detail Of zoe
men were sent up to Bayou Lafouche, 81
miles, under command of Capt. Perkins,
and Lit Spaldng. After remaining there
some six or eight days, they were relieved
by Cos. A, E, and !, apder the COM
mand of Captain Grant. Asseyeral armed
parties had been seen in the vicinity of the
Bayou, Col. Thomas sent up company f. on
the 10th, the company in camp were paid
of, and company II, and X, sent up 10 re-
lieVe company II, at the Bayou, who
were ordered back to camp for the purpose
OF being paid. On the arrival of Cos. II,
and X, Captain Grant, and the Officers I'M
der his command deemed it imprudent
to leave so small force as a considerable
body of rebel horsemen had been seen
during the day, and portion of the track
torn up in his rear the day before. After
some consideration it was decided to re-
man until more men could be sent up, sew
erai parties were sent out during the day
IN different directions, and they reported
seeing several squads of rebels who took
good care to keep out of tho reach of our
rifles. In the afternoon the Colonel ar
rived and after learning al the facts, CALI
ed the men in, and ordered all aboard the
train and started toward Algiers. AT Des
Aliemans, twenty miles this side the Bay
on, Captain Dutton Co. II, were order 10
remain and guard the rail road bridge.
Nothing of Importance happened until
June 2oih, some forty negroes who had come
INTO camp, were sent up on train to be
returned to their owners. While the train
was passing over the road several shots were
ired from the woods, no one was injured.
and the train after leaving the negroes at
he Bayou, returned without meeting with
my further adventures.
On the twenty second, Sunday morning,
Intelligence was brought to Captain Dutton
hat gang Of despefadoes had torn up the
rack a few miles above him. lie imme-
la'ely dispatched a tgain, and thirty two
len under command Of Lieuteaant Franklin
nd Holton, to investigate the natter
'eyeral men were sent in advance. the
ram moyining very slowly to examine the
rack. Arriving within about one hundred
ards of the place were the track had been
orn up, the train stopped, and the boys be-
AN to get out OF the cars. Sergts. Smith,
Ninslow, Corpls. Mcclure and Sanders. and
wo or three priYates, were in advance Of the
rain; suddenly from the dense woods
within thirty feet of the train, terrible
discharge Of musketry burst forth Instantly
'illing the fireman, Corps. Mcclure, San.
ers, and one Private, and wounding Ser.
ent Smith. About the same time I,ieuten-
mt Franklin and Holton, who had got out of
ne ears were severally wounded. Lieut..
franklin, seeing his men falling around him
nd no enemy, gave the order to fall into
he cars, and lie flat on the floor of the
airs, loading their pieces in this position
nd only exposing themselves, while passing
through the train to give orders to the en-
'ineer to reverse the engine, received
mother sever wound, but nothing daunted
Ie stood endeavoring to fulfil his orders.
'ut before he reached the door fen COM
'letely exhausted. Sergent Smith, imme-
Iiately volunteered to pass across the open
ar to the engine, exposed to CALLING fire,
md gave the order to reverse the engine
Fhieh was promptly done much regret is
cit in camp that the bodies of three
rave men fell into the hand of the sneak
1g foe; but it were madness TO have en-
Favored to have brought them off.
To much praise cannot be bestowed up
n both officers and men during this trying
ccasion.
On the arrival at the camp Captain Dut-
on ordered the train with the wounded TO
roceed TO Algiers, with all possible des-
atch, disdaining to withdraw his men
'iIhout orders, aud leaving him with only
'rty men, with no way of escape if attack |
y superior numbers. The dead and wound.
d arrived at about IL o'clock, and were
AIKEN to the hospital and their wounds
ressed with all possible care. Lieutenant
'ranklin's wounds were severe but not dan
erous' Lieutenant Holton, received eight