New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-05-30

Bravery OF the Vermont Cavalry I'm the
late Attack on Gen. Banks.
From Our Special Correspondenr.

from Out cPrclA toIresNondthf.
learn from Major Sawyer Of the let Vermont
Cavalry, who arrived in this city tonight badly in-
jured from his horse falling upon his foot, the fol-
lowing interesting details in regard to the recent at
tack upon Gen. Banks al Middetown aud other
places. On Friday last Brighten. Hatch ordered
the Major with four companies Of the Vermont and
two companies of the Cavalry to make reconnos-
sance toward Woodstock. He complied with the
order and secured the country az far IA Woodstock,
and even Went through the town, but saw no signs
Of the enemy in that direction. They returned
10 the camp, which lay between Strasburg
and Woodstock, and about II o'clock the same night
the entire command Of Gen. Banks received orders
10 strike tents. The General said that an attack
was expected and that all baggage mus, be cent to
the rear. Two companies OF the LET Vermont Cav
airy Company A, Capt. Plstt and Company o.,
Capt Bean, under Major Collins, with several COM
panies from other regiments. were ordered to recon-
noitre on Saturday morning toward Winchester.
over which road Gen. Banks, with strong advance,
pushed forward.
AZ econ as the baggage was disposed OF at the
rear, the balance Of the Vermont Cavalry. under
Col Tompkins, made another Reconnaissance o. and
through Woodstock, and even beyond the town,
but still saw 40 enemy. They returned 10 the old
camp ground, leaving Company Is, Capt Conger, ne
q picket about two mlles this side Of Woodstock,
with instruction to remain out until o clock IN the
afternoon and watch for the enemy. AZ that time
Capt. Conger reported himself and that he had
signs of the enemy. Shortly after o'clock thi-
reg ment took NJ march for Winchester. Gen.
Banks having advanced rome hours.
No one entertained the least thought OF an attack
in this direction, il being generally supposed that
the enemy would make bis appearance from the
direction of Woodstock. The regiment proceeded
without molestation until abou. three-Quarters OF
a nile beyond Cedar Creek, when they net the
baggage train retreaiing - confusion, wilh Ioofc
horses and mules, struggling men leading borsts
and great disordery - jam" In the midet OF which
was one company Of Gen. BaIk's body guard
sodiers teams,ers, bOrs,s, mules, and wagons we've
scattered along the field.
Heavy caunOnadiDg az that time was going on III
the advance when Col. 1ompkins, after te baggage
train bad passed, drew his men W for charge, SUI
porting three sections Of IA New-fork battery, wbIch
was brought in JosIrion. The battery commenced
shel ing the woods from which Rebel skirinishers
appeared. Not more than half ii dozen ehot bad
been fired beior tie enemy appeared III much larger
numbers from the woods disclosing force OF about
:, 900 infantry, supported by light battery.
The Rebel, yelled aud hCOtcd like devils. II soon
became obvious 10 Col Tompkins that his regiment
and the scattered baggagetrain above referred to
Wac completely cut. Heavy cannODading WAS suli
heard in The Gis,anee in front toward Winchester.
but no one 10 the rearguard had any idea as to The
fate of Cen Banks and bis advance Ak his couriers
were probabably intercepted and taken prisoners.
In this emergency Col. Tompkins drew his COM
mand up for d charge, determined to cut his way
through, and from fifteen minutes to hall sn hour
bis men stood like veterans under mort CALLING ire
The battery which he supported and the Rebel Dat
tery were blazing away all ths time. AZ tie enemy
crowded up Major Sawyer suggefted to the Colonel
that the regimen, might be saved BY reirea'ing over
the mountain road which he knew very well that
they might cut their way through the enemy, but u
would be al great racIilce . .c
Tie Colonel, who knew well what the sacrifice OF
an adyance would be- readily assented TO the Ma
jor's plan Retreating behind knoll, the regiment
aud the battery struck off through the woods ana
BY a flank movement succeeded III reaching the
mountain grade thus efecing safe retreat 10 w IN
chester. A part Of the 9Th Regiment New-fork
Cavalry Col. DE Forest which alec formed por-
ton of the rear guard, effected their escape ~ tne
same manner and aiso cached Winchester safe IL
was during the attack on the following day lSnn-
day) that Major Sawyers horne stumbled, and, iaii'
ing upon him, injured his left foot.
On account of the injury he was unable 10 par
tcipale in the fight that elsued and saw but iii'ie
Of it. lie Gays that the correspondent oil me IT'
oid was taken prisoner and that the correspondent
Of The Uoyid only escaped by keeping up WIN
Gen Banks. II was ut iirst thought that Coi he
Forest was taken prisoner, but after many hours
absence be came up with the main body with many
hundreds Of the straggers who had broken the ranks
end fed in confusion and who, but for bis exertlohs
would have been killed or taken prisoners.