Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-25

Mr.. VIM. Storrs Of this village, from Lieut.
Ezra b. Setson, commanding Co. b, 10th
Vermont. in its desperate fight IA, Orange
Grove, in which Mr. Storrs' son was killed
CANT NEAR BRANDY STAToN,.
Dec. 18th, 1868. !
FRTEND SToRRs, Dear Sir:
1t is under peculiarly embarrassing circum-
stances that attempt to write you, knowing
as do how fondy you loved your darling
boy and how much your hopes were center
ed in Lin yet, nevertheless fate has ordered
that those fond hopes aud aspirations should
be blasted, and that your dear boy should be
offered a sacrifice upon the Altar Of his
Country. he had been my daily and hourly
companion for more than a year. and in all
that time has always shared my bed and
board, and bad conducted himself that
became very much attached to him, in fact,
! elieye l loved him as though he we're my
own ron, and when he Tell IN attempuus To
follow me over the fence where we made our
second charge, from that moment during the
action felt no fear Of death or desire OF lite
and as we fell back the fence knelt be-
side him and took his band in mine, aud
spoke his name, but no answer came, his lips
were already closed in death !" and then and
there ayowed to be revenged for my favorte
boy, and taking musket | gave them about
twenty rounds, giving each one Gods peed for
yours and my lost boy
| received a dispatch to-day from the Hon.
Porter Baxter, NJ. c., in relation to obtaining
Gilman's remains. | shall leave no means
untried TO do so, but faint hopes Of sue
cess, in fact for the present is quite impos-
sible. have but few articles that were his,
as we we're ordered TO fall back, and our
places we're taken by brigade OF the LIST di-
vision, and when found his body again in
the night after the battle his knapsack bad
been taken hence all his little articles were
missing. | have ring that was his; also,
some articles of wearing apparel which
shall take with me when go to Montpelier
which will probably be about the fret of jan
uary, as | am second on the list for leave Of
absence
When our brigade vas moving out into the
woods to form in line OF battle, preparatory
to going INFO the engagement, Ma. Chandler
said to me he would like to have me furnish
man to take charge Of bis horse in case the
regiment became engaged. ! turned to Gin
who was as usual close beside me, and told
him he might have the privilege Of doing so
but he did not seem well pleased at the idea
and have learned since that he told some Of
the company that he should not accept the
offer unless positively ordered TO do SO, and
that when the company went into fight he
was bound to be with them, and usua
true to his word he was there, and gave uI
his young life in the defence of his Country
God certainly will reward such devoted pat
Iiotism; and although your dear boy car
never be returned to you alive, yet you and
all his dear friends can have the satisfaction
of knowing he died an afectionate son and |
true and brave Soldier, worthy son OF The
Green Mountain State. Please convey my
sincere regard to Mrs. Storrs has mother, tel
herIllnever for one moment forgot my promise
made to hel on the street, to take good cart
of her darling boy; his wishes as far as pos
sible, have been satisfied, and all | have Il
regret is that | cannot return him again tC
that loving mother who gave him into m!
care and keeping, to go forth in the def me-
ofhis Country.
Very respectfully your ob't serv't.
EZRA STETsoN,
4 ~. u n.L W.