Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-05-02
THE CHARGE OF THE VERMONT
CAVALRY AT MOUNT JACKSON


\ correspondent Of the y. Y World gives
the following description of the gallan.
charge of the Vt. cavalry, which saved one of
the most important bridges of the Shenan-
doab and in which our cavalry drew their first
blood and took their first prisoner. 1t was
Co. ~, our Burlington boys, under Lieut..
Erhardt, that first cleared and held the
bridge. and after being reinforced by Chap
lain Woodward and portions of other COM
pancs, chased the rebels up to the guns
of their batteries. Lieut. Cummings and
Corporal Chase, whose names arc mentioned,
are of Co. D., the Orange County com
Iany;
The writer dates from SPARTA, Va, April
2Sth
At this place Inquiries were made ia regard to
the charge made by our cavalry at the bridge
across the Shenandoah, near Mount Jackson while
the rebels we're endeavoTine, in their fight, to
burn it. "Ashby said it was remarked, " those
fellows made a desperate charge
This affair deserves more particular notice from
the valor displayed by our gallant cavalry, as
well fIom the importance Of saving structure
the destruction Of which would have delayed
army for many days. The praises Of the spirit
manifested arc on the lips sll, and have been
properly noticed by the officers Ct this division.
The Vermont cavalry claim the credit Of the deed,
ard since this was the first day Of their active
service, they deserve particular mention on hat
account.
Three miles Def ro they reached Noun. Jackson
an order was issued from Gen. shields to advance
T. the 'front.' and charge the cavalry and artillery
II the enemy. Meme were seen until they had
passel through the town, in doing which they were
frci at from house, and halted, with the excep-
ton 0ftwo companies, who, NJ Ashby an 1 his
men upon tie outskirts, charged after them, re
cciviu- s the time their shots as they Tctreatcl.
Al the brook on the cd &c Of the town several of
tie officers halted, understanding that they had
DO order TO 20 beyond the limits OF the village,
but Company A, commanded by Lieut.. EThardt,
acting ajjataut, and portion Of Company b,
under Lieut.. Cummings, pushed vigorously upon
the rebels, chasing them through the creek, AMI
driving them over the hill beyond, u the covered
briso which spans the Shenandoah. Here the re-
bells made a stand, determined t. destroy II, and
thus prevent tie advance If cur army, for the
present. beyond Mount Jackson. Our cavalry
rushed into the bridge, long covered structure
and dark, and both rebels and foderals were in
there, pelimell, discharging their weapons az one
another in the utmost confusion. Here IL was
that Ashby's lieutenant was captured, and three
others Of the rebels. They finally retreated hotly
pursued by our small detachment Of cavalry
across the plain, in spite Of the shells which re
thrown among them from the cannon posted upon
the hill beyond.
Ashby's cavalry nov, with a large reinforce
ment, assisted by artillery drove back cur little
force beyond the bridge and again set FIRE TO the
structure. M. Woodward, the chaplain fell back
fJr endorsements and met two companies (Com-
pauies IL and 81, under command Of Major Col
Inns, and succeeded iu sccuEi- the assistance Of
part q them, constantly encouraging and urging
them onward who joined the detachment that
had fallen back a sll.t distance from the bridge.
" VIII you 60 WIKI me and save that bridge
said the Lieutenant o. bis men, o. which all res
roud-i " itl shout, - Uc WILL, and with drawn
slbers, headed by their commander, they rushed
on with yell that made the vclAiu ring, through
tic tIiIcc, which was boy this time burning brisk
ly. aui a mile ,cyori, chasing the rebels right
into the mouths Il their battJrics, and then, re-
turning, extiaguishci the flames and kept the
rebels at bay until artillery arrived and prevent
Cd the possibility # another attack
shells were fyus constantly, tut, thanks O.
tie ila-euracy q their -ulue-s aud the quality
at their explosive material. scarcely any u them
tl-.t Doe, l3Fcycr. passed. directly through
the i.l i-e a-I another exploded So near cur
llsl.u- Geutlulut as tn hls-sttlr him completely
with aud r.u head O.. ...t U;t-. no doing him
any serious damage Lieut.. Cummings. who le n
mentioned i.r bis gallant conduct az the bridge.
Corr TAI Caase Is h-Vi.e spoken d! ]; was he who
cl7turci the Lieutenant ot Ashley. sat he has bis
s4tcr stained with ;Ac blood o: tle conflict IL cvi-
I-acair le-.
Swords =. led On stone walls have been shown
as evidence f the killing II seven meu in buck
ram and swords 20 -ht easily be dipped no
doubt, 10 tie blood o. pigs o- chickens b. the
roadside, and exhibited as weapons stained IN
shti Tut the praises o: III companions and the
body Of bis lieutenant prisoner raise our gallant
corporal above all such iuputatous. The rebels
fought well. however. and when about FIVE hun
lreI feet from the bridge frcd their carbincs a.
olr men continually but 81 CD great confusion
that they diI "a. little llml-e.
I1us .he bridge was saved, aud that the only
one Tll'- the rebels hase ult -ni H.. r. =
g. 80 pre-eu, position. Tais, too. 10 must be
-lit- was tie most important .ue of all, iYr the
water is deep end iupa.ablc for our army.
The chaplain evileaty has some of the spirit
Qi ll Peter Mullcllcrr, the ola rcvoiuti0usry
minister who. siter TrsacLil- 60 bic foes. cal %
then lut into the churhyarl and said, There il
lime o. pray, and time o. preach, and a tine
O. fight. AMI The time o. fight has come
AID then. calling those who were of the same
i-elia- o. Join han re- their commander. drilled
them for bate, ami Jed then o1 90 the fsht
Woodstock, through which our army has Just
passed, is the town where this romantic incident
occurred, and perhaps there was me inspiration
which still fingered about the graveyard where
this ancient -.ersyrlau instructed his hearers,
dfzt Il eel giUn ana then Do arms, WI ch secretly
stirred up this uni .aA-i-..r energy 10 quiet
"miLIs er ot peace.