Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-10-03
From the Third Regiment.
CAMP OF THIRD REGIMENT, }
TEN MILES ABOVE HARPER's =
FERRY, MD, SEPT. 20, 1862. }

FERRY, MD, SEPT. 20, 1862.
Friend Earle,-As all is quiet along
the Potomac" this morning, | hasten to
pen you a few lines to inform you Of
some of the scenes we have passed thro'
since last wrote you. We were at that
time encamped at Harrison's Landing
Since that time we have done some hard
fighting and tall marching, of which !
will in my poor way give you a short ae-
count. We left the Landing Aug 6 for
Fort Monroe, where we arrived Aug. y.
Next day we took the steamer for Alex
andria where we arrived the 2lth and
went into camp about three miles outside
the city, ard remained there until the
29lh, when we were ordered to reinforce
Gen. Pope who was then engaging the
enemy near Bull Run. We arrived
there next day, but not until the battle
was over; went back to CentrevIle that
evening and remained there until Sept.
lst, when we were ordered to return TO
Alexandria, where we arrived next day
tired and weary. We had now marched
almost two hundred miles with but little
rest, and it seemed as though rest was
indispensable to the weary soldier now.
Bat our rest was very short. We GOT
marching orders the 9th, and about five
2. NJ. struck tents and started camped
about night at TeDaleytown, passing
over Arlington Heights, through George
town and Washington. We passed on
in northwest course each day until the
ll,h, when we discovered that the enemy
were but a short distance in front on Su-
gar Loaf Mountain, and as it wa. a grand
site for them we expected hard job in
routing them, but it was very soon over.
The Vermont brigade was to 60 in first,
and the Sd TO lead off. We were soon
ready and marching towards the foot Of
the mountain. We soon arrived there.
CO. B aud \. were deployed as skir
mishers under Capt. West, the regiment
under Major Seayer, We were ordered
forward and forward we went up the
mountain side. When near the top we
were notified that the enemy were there
by volley Of m1>ketry, and but very
few rods in front We being on very
much the lowest ground their balls went
whizzing over our beads, harming 10 one.
At them we went now and very soon had
the pleasure Of seeing them skedadd.e
over the hill. Here tic Sd nobIy done
its duty, as il did just one year ago this
day at Lewinsyi,ie, where they did their
first fighting. Not one OF US got even
the slightest wound at this skirmish.-
The enemy left six wounded on the field.
Not a man hnched in this fight Every
one done his duty as Nermonters always
do, Every one deserves praise alike
The road was once more clear, and next
morning we passed on, over Sugar Loaf
Mountain, through the valley between
this and Bull Run Range, aad over this
range into the MddIetown valley, where
we halted, the enemy being discovered in
front Of Blue Ridge. When within a
bout a mile from the Ridge they opened
upon US from the heights with shell, solid
shot, grape and canister. Gen. Frank
Inns corps was ordered to attack them,
Gen. Smiths division on the left Gen,
Slocum's on the right. The Vermont
brigade of Smiths division, was to lead
off; the 4lh and I'd ahead, the 3rd, 9TH .
and 9th to support them. N open field
of nearly a mile must be passed ere We
reached the foot of the mountain, and we
well knew that we should catch il there
but the mountain must be cleared, and
it must be done quick too. We were
ordered forward double quick across this .
plain. Across we went, and oh, c5G!d
you have seen us-shells bursting in the
ranks, on this side, and on that; solid
shot blowing the earth here and there
but on goes the Vermont brigade, as
though it was all sunshine. At last we
reach Burkitsville, small village at the
foot of the mountain. Here we are halt
ed. The skirmishers are sent forward, /
and the ball is opened in earnest. We
are ordered forward again, and are no
longer troubled wrtn their batteries, the
guns being on SO much higher ground
that they could not depresS them enough
10 harm Us in tie least. Artillery was
out of the play on their side now, but the
sharp roar of musketry told US the skir
mishers we're at work. We could see it,
the line being only few rods in advance
OF US.
Forward, up the hill, our boys so,
pouring into the enemy such volleys rs
they could no longer face. They break