Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-08-14
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
.GB VERMONT CAVALRY.
BooSsPoEo. Nj, July 10.

booNsPoEo, NJ, July 10.
2. 7. wAsHBuRx,
.7it Gss IasP. Ce7. or n,
SIR beg leave to make the following report
Of engagements Of the lst Vermont CO airs
with the enemy in Maryland and Pennsylvania
from June 90. 70 July &, 1863 At Hanover
Penn, june 90, aided in rcpelling N attack by
General Stewards forces Cos. VI and D, un-
der Capts. Woodward and Cummings charged
through the town, repulsing the enemy and
capturing many prisoner. Tie rest Of tie
regiment supported battery until TIE enemy
we're driven from the fed.
At Huntersyilie, Penn, July >, IN Al attack
ulon the left Of Gen. Lee army, this regiment
Was deployel IS skirmishers, and subjected to q
/ severe fre from the euemy's batteries.
July &, in the attack made by Gen Fitzpatrick
on the right lank Of the enemy IT Gettysburg
this cavalry lei the advance Cos. A, d. L
and |. diEmountei. were deployej a. skirmish-
ers and soon drove the enemv's sairinish n
back Of their main lines. The contest was con-
tinuei by the opposing batteries and dismount-
ed csrbineers until O'Clock r NJ, when Gen
FsrnsToTth, commanding the brigade, was 70
dered to charge the enemy strongly posted be-
hind stone walls and in the woods, and which
proved 10 he Msj. Gen. Hcod's division Of in
hntTy. With the lst Us cavalry on the left
Wells on the right. Gen. Farnsworth dashel
forward closely followed by his men, leaping one
stone wall under & severe fire. Our force drove
the enemy IN 81 directions, over still au-
other stone wall and through a field swept by
the rebel batteries and succeeded in piercing the
enemy's % line, where many Of cur dead were
found. | moved 10 the support Of the "a bat
tallion with the lst under Capt. Parsons, and
part under Capt Grover. On the hill between
the two walls We encountered = fresh regiment
Of the enemy, sent in from the right to intercept
the retrest OF our first column aud TO re-estab-
lish their lines. The struggle fer this hill be-
came most desperate hut Wss at length carried
by our boys with severe loss, the greater part Of
the enemy being captured. Our loss tins day
inkilled, wounded snd missing, WIS - men.
July 4th, We marched 50 miles TO the rear Of
the enemy, and on the morning Of the 9th at
Ligh;ersville. Nd, captured one hundred pris-
one,s, drove o. cattle snd several wagons, and
marched to Hagerstown the same night, twelve
hours in aiyance Of Lees army.
July 9Th. our division attacked tie retreating
enemy At Hsgers,owu Cls b and L dis
mounted here, drove the enemy from a strong
position snd occupied IL; Cos. ! and b hell 4
portion of tie t9Nu asilsl superior force IN
al ordered 70 rsti-e IN TIE afternoon, wien a
portion being cut cd, we're setreted 5y the Tn,
citizens until cur forces relccup.ei It on the
18th.
In the retiri1g of this division at o sht on the
WilliAmsport Roai in tae face Of Lees army,
this regiment formed part ot the rear guMd. /
snd suffered severely from assaults n ,ds upon
il BY superior numbers. Twice We were nearly /
surrounded. Cspt. Beamau, with the 81 squad
ron, whom ordered 10 hold strong position, I
being cut of was o-icred 70 surrender. lie /
coolly replied, d" Td0H't ste r." au1 letpcl
fence and by fank movement escaped with his /
nearly entire frcc. Capt Woodward, Of &C.. .
M, brave officer, s5s killed - the lead Of d +.
men, while stubbouly ~ sting the advancing .
fe- The chsrge was now made bT Co. X, W. .
der Capt Grover, upon the nam c.lUmu o. the .
enemy, which sidei mst,Tallv ia checking their
progress. 4 battery was uoe o!tn,d upon Us .
by the enemy In tic direction ol W Transport,
and being thus attacked IL front and rear vt
drew of uniet the cover o.: night % the Sharp
burgh Road 70 the left.
July ;, Gen. Stewart with iar.,e ilroe attacked .
our cavalry u Boousooro early il the morning.
The l.t Vt was held n reserve until the after
noon, then II was sent by det4cLuents 10 yarCus
parts Of the {, ! / 10 strengthen cur lines. At
.undoWn q spirited charge Us made by the ~
1attslion under Major "a els upon tie retrel;ing
slemr, sni the sah-es were fr,-iy used GA both
siies. We're l 70 give you list Of the rerito-
rious Il would comprise The nan g u every ctl-
,er sui enlisted nan engaged.
remain your very cot sers'r.
4. IS. PRESTON.
l.. Col Ccm'g i,t = Cavalry.