Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-06-19
Bellows falls Times.
bellows FALLS, JUNE 10, 1868.
From the Third-Incidents Of an
Army Mail Agent.
Correspondence Of the Bellows Falls Times. c
HEADQUARTERS ID Div Cru Army CORPS,
June 8, 1868.

Mr.. EDITOR: Perhaps it would be in
teresting to your readers to give brief
history Of a Vermonter, who has been
mail agent in the Army Of the Potomac for
eighteen months. The subject Of my nara
tive is John Carmody, a member of Com
pany A, Sd Vermont. Having an opportu-
nifty of knowing him for the past fourteen
months, have been delighted to hear Of
his adventures.
Carmody was one of the first members Of
his regiment detailed by General Smith,
after crossing Chain bridge, as mounted
orderly. The Generalend his Staff noticed
his soldierly qualities, and Major Mundee,
Chief ofthe Staff; declared he was the only
orderly at headquarters to comprehend and
deliver dispatches, written or verbal, with
safety. When the command arrived at
Fort Monroe, General Smith ordered him
to take charge of the Cd Division mail
Each regimentai mail was in separate bags;
he would strap eight or ten bags on his
horse behind, and the Vermonters were sure
to have their mail daily.
On HAT fatal day at Lees Mills, Carmody
came up with the mail as the fight was 90
ing on Not finding the General or his Staff
at Headquarters, he inquired where they
were. He was told they were on the left
and that il would be sure death for any body
to Gloss an opening on the way, to where
the General was.
Never mind" said Carmody, lit will
make them cheerful to hear from home."--
We thought this would be the last of him,
but on he went. crossed the opening in front
Of the rebel batteries, shot flew around
him, but the mail was delivered.
On another occasion when Gen'l Nc Clel-
lan's Headquarters were in front of York
town, Carmody was coming with his mail
bags piled behind him, as usual The reb-
els seeing his white bags, as he was cross
ing in front of their battery, opened two
guns on him. His horse got frightened at
the bursting of shells, and one of his mail
bags fell off "But," said Carmody, it
won't do to leave this" and dsmounting, be
very coolly picked up the bag. As he was
mounting, she'll ploughed the ground near
him, filling his eyes with dust, and then he
damned the rebels.
About noon the day Ct the battle Of Will
liamsburg, Carmody came up with the mail,
distributing ii to Gen'ls Smith and Brooks.
The battle was raging, and the officers COM
plimented Carmody for delivering mail so
near the enemy. 81 have letter for Gen.
eral Hancock, where is he?" Being an
swered that he was on our right, surround
ed by the rebels, "All right" says Car
mody, the old General will be glad 10 hear
from his wife, at the same time mounting
his favorite Billy. "When arrived at the
dam," said he. the wounded were coming
across on litters, inquired for General
Hancock one of the 9th Wisconsin told me
the Brigade was fighting hard, half mile
[ q head of me. / crossed the dam, and rode
up as the Brigade was emerging from the
woods, on the left, and forming line of bat
tie. handed he General his letter; when
he looked at the address, he smiled. In
: another moment heard the orders given !:
Charge, gentlemen. charged" This charge
decided the day. Carmody rode back to
i Smiths Headquarters ard told what he had
: seen. General Smith WIS orerjoresl--
Hancock's success, and rode TO the right,
, where he and Hancock bivouaced on the
, field of battle that night.
, During the shelling of General Smiths
Headquarters at Golden's Farm, as Car
mody was hitching his horse near his tent,
10-pounder ploushed the ground under
his hcrse, but nothing daunted at this, he
went to work, picked up all his mail, and
was, to my own knowledge, the last man to
e leave headquarters, when the rebels were
$ not actually within 80 yards from him.
On our retreat 20 Harrison Landing, he
o led the Headquarter wagons at White
q Oak Swamp, where shell were carlessly
: thrown among wild mules and horses, Car
mody took his train safely through, and wa.
q complimented by Chief Quartermastel
e Mundee, and Assistant Quartermaster Crail
of Springfield.
K This Carmody, l believe, is of Irish par
10 entage, and has resided in Springfield fo
several years; he has family, ard com
\ Portable home. He was one of the first {,
rotixy IN dafa,.e ,c H., aJor,aJ .annfrx nm.