Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-09-23


artillery changed po,ition, and was doing fearful
execution, whereupon the rebels retreated, after
burning the camp Of the l4th Maine, and por.
ton OF the 2 lst Indiana; leaving their dead upon
the field, but taking greater portion Of Their
wounded with them.
II is a singular fact that seems hardly credl-
bic, but is nevertheless true, that the rebels lost
in killed in this engagement, fully SIX to our one,
and have do doubt the wounded were nearly in
the same proportion, although | am not able to
state accurately rom personal observation IN re-
gard to the wounded for they were taken from
the field by the enemy in their retreat. Our
orces have buried, from actual count, over four
hundred confederate, and !om what can learn,
the mum of then. wounded will reach eight
hundred have also learned through rebel
sources that they admit Of loss from fifteen
hundred to two thousand, IN killed, wounded and
missing. On our side, the killed and hose who
have since died Of wounds, wi 10. exceed ninety
while the wounded viii not reach one hundred
and twenty-five The b4lI, from the enemy,
line, .u many cases passed entirely above me
heads oi our men,
noticed one thing slowing he deception VI
some OF the people Of this place, and the eniency
Of those in command. Ia looking over the ollte
feel and examining lhr llytr,acks ot the dead
rebels, they were found % contain nice biscuit,
apple turnoyers, cJd ham, &c, partially eaten,
which seemed Be prepared by the hands Of
kind mothers and sisters. Ii wa, a matter Of
considerable surprise how they could procure such
things, when il vas known that they were very
short OF provision but the mystery was soon
unrave!ed The pretended Union people OF Ba-
ton Rouge would lAae the oath Of allegiance, and
as provisions were difficult to be obtained, they
would be allowed 70 buy of the L. s. Commissary
at government prices. These provisions were
cooked up and conveyed odlsde our lines to the
rebels on the day previous to The battle.
Brig. Gen Williams va, killed early in the ac
ton; but the most sad occurrence 20 our reg-
ment was the death OF our brave Col George l..
Roberts lie TELL moraly wounded while hero
ical.y urging on bis men IN the thlckest OF the
/ fight Col Roberts survived bis wound about
twenty -four hours. Few men possess the rare
qualities which enable them to enjoy the fullest
/ confidence OF their officers and men fortunately
! Col Roberts was one of those few. am not
aware that he had an enemy in a single company.
| He WIS much esteemed and admired by all who
knew him, not ony as soldier, but as a man,
and bis loss is keenly felt by the entire regiment,
ana large circle OF newy;Imade friends.
will relate an inciden, showing the kindness
and feeling with which he was possessed towards
his men. When the regiment was ordered TO
! Nicksburg5 Col. Roberts, from ind'sposition was
LEFT behind, and was not able to proceed for some
three weeks afterwards. When he reached the
above place large portion Of the regiment were
PROSTATE from the effects OF those unhealthy
swamps, and were dying on every hand. After
he had visited The entire camp and the SICK, and
spoken a word Of encouragement and good cheer
to each afflicted soldier, he looked back aud eX-
claimed "My God. is this my regiment
Their pale cheeks and wasted forms had touched
his heart: he ,at down and wept. Yes, he wept,
as did the immortal Washington, on seeing the
sad condition OF the brave men OF the revolution.
But he is dead The soldier sleeps IN his coffin.
HIS remains are now being tendery removed u
bis hr-otf New Eng home, there 10 sleep the
houored sleep OF lhuse who dle lighting for lhelI
country and as loved ones shall gather around
his bier, AMI weep tor his uuumely end, 50 too We
his friends 10 the Crescent State can mingie ouI
tears with theirs, and mourn IKE tor the departed
dead.
noticed the other day, in the Lamo.lle .NewS
dealer. a letter from some homesck member o
1.-The 1th, making many complaints in regard TO oui
food, Aci that We had nothing to eat and n'
feather beds to sleep on, Ne, Ne, and finally th,
writer winds up With the sweeping assertion tina
the QurtermaSler steals our fauonS, sells then
and keeps the money. Now, the above hard.
needs denying, tor nearly every one knows ! to o
entirely false but lest some over credulous per
son might e led to believe H. will state tina
such transaction is impossible; and even II /
were possible, our excellent and eihcieut Quarter
master, L. A. MORSE is the last person VIII
would dream OF such thing. lie is constant
al his post, always providing aud doing everything
in bis power Tor the comfort of his regiment, an
it is injustice to a faithful officer for such scar
dal TO go undsputed,
! wish to state, also, that the hospital arrange
ments are the best OF any regiment in this depart
ment, owing to the energy and perseverance {
onr worthy surgeon, DIR. Kelley OF Derby. ne
lce thai in some regiments the sick have noth,n
but their blankets to lie on, and their knapsack
for pillows, while in ours they are provided wit
mattresses, clean bedding, &c, and everythin
necessary tor their comfort. Gen. Butler on on
occasion took pains to compliment our surgeo
, personally on the neatness ami cleanliness OF ey
rythng appertaiuing to the hospital.
, We have Just learned that it is the intention
eyacuate this place, and leave il in charge of Ii
sunboats. This morning, a guerrilla party mat
their appearance near the old battle ground, au
drove 10 the pickets. Our fleet was ordered
open upon them, which soon caused scamperin
: The Mississippi threw some twenty-five shells.
noticed among the officers on board, one town
> man, Gro. DEWEY, giving directions in regard
the firing with the cooneSs OF a veteran.
. would endeavor to give you description OF Il
: sad sights and incidents OF the battle field, b.
: the press, North, sfled with such description
!. written by able correspondents, and | am sure n
> pen would utterly hiI TO paint to your ina
u nation in words, the Irghtiul Wounds and disto
ed features Of the dead and dying, as they a