Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-15

are mere working night ana uaYs lhc N"u"u7
ed able to be taken to Washington and north
ern hospitals are transported. One train Of
twenty cars nf wounded had received no re-
freshment for two days. They came down.
and the Sanitary Commission carried them
coffee and crackers. while waiting reshipment
for Washington. Otherwise they would pro-
badly 60 eight hours longer without food.
shall never forget that early Wednesday morn
ing nor the remembrance Of their gratitude
quickly fade. Do not lose faith in our success.
We shall be victorious. Undated energy is
everywhere apparent. In your hours OF sus-
pense pray: let Relief Associations work on,
trusting in God, and righteous cause. 1t
has done my heart good to meet Vermont
boy now and then--they grasp ones hand so
cordially. The storm still continues. There
is little news this morning the telegraph here
is in charge of the Government, and mot corr
respondents, therefore be patient
EARNEST.
BELLE PLAIN, Va, May I, 1868.
DEAR Journal: - After lying at Aqua
Creek in the most anxious suspense for week,
we are back here again temporarily, to supply
a little forage to the left wing Of the army
The advance began on Monday, April 9th.
Fighting on Wednesday by skirmishers,
which has been going on more or. less every
day till to-day Last Sabbath morning the
Sixth corps stormed and took the heights of
Fredericksburg The charge was witnessed
from this side the river with the greatest in
terest, by Vermoniors especially, as our brig
ade went in in most splendid style. Captain
Crossman and Adjuiant Clarke were severely
wounded at this time. Our troops reserved
their FIRE till they we're q1ite up TO the breast
works they then poured ir a deadly volley
upon the rebels and sprang over the wall with
a shout. while tho rebels that could run saved
themselves by fight, though our folk. took
quite a number Of prisoners They pursued
them towards the right ill dark, and sup
posed they had them safe, but the rebels
evaded them in the night and came round in
to the same works they were driven from the
day before, and at daylight attacked our folks
in the rear they had been reinforced, and
our troops could not rout them again; so to
save themselves from being cut of, they
we're forced to recruss the river. The most
of the troops have been masscd upon the reb-
ell left above Falmouth, where the most des-
prrate fighting upon record has been done,
General Hooker having the advantage steadi-
ly until the disaster 20 the lth corps then
it became evident the rebels had been greatly
reinforced, and he deemed it prudent to re-
cross the river and is now back with his entire
army, having lost not near az many men OF
guns as the enemy. The men are IN the best
spirits and ready to march upon the rebels
again to-day, perfectly confident that they
can drive them when they are opposed to any
thing lise equRi numbers. have not yet
seen the man that has expressed any dissatis
faction with Gen. Hooker, but al agtce thai
he handled the troops in the most skiiliu
manner from the commencement OF the NOV,
to the Withdrawal across the river. 1t is un
derstood by prisoners captured by our folks
I that the rebels were reinforced after the
fighting begun by Longstreets division from
the vicinity OF Suffolk and Hill from NORTH
Carolina and Jackson-in all over 100 00C
men--showing very plainly they considered
Richmond was to be save. or lost, Tor the
present at least, at Fredericksburg,
II seems the Administration failed to see
this point, ard govern themselves according.
ly, by massing their troops here from Wash.
ington, from Fortress Monroe, Nurth CARROLL
ma, and Charleston even, if necessary and
the feeling here is, if this campaign fails, the
entire responsibility is with them, and may
God forgive them, but we never can, for they
have failed to use the means He has put into
their hands. But we have a brighter view
OF the prospect, for the rebels are in a tight
place, with our cavalry in their rear, wher,
they have broken up the railroad and de
suoyed the bridges within four miles OF Rich
mond, and this army ready TO fall upon then
whichever direction they may take.
Our second and sixth regiments suflere,
most the % lost l3l lied and wounded
mostly in the charge when they took th
hoighths SUNDAY, for IL was no other than
Vermont regiment that first scaled the work
where so many unsuccessful attempts ha,
been made before.
New Jersey regiment nine months men
OF the same Brigade, wa. first ordered t.
make the charge but broke and scattered
when our I'd Immediately formed IN front an,
advanced without wavering, reserying thei
fire till they were upon the works as I hav
stated before. This regiment now account
for every man, without straggl er,which prob
ably cannot be said of another one in the 6tl
corps The 9th regiment lost 70 killed an,
wounded. We have not been able to learn III
names of the brave sufferers in thee regl
menls but will send them as soon as possible
There is to be no lime lost, the army is IN
der order to move at moments notice.
You're and with good courage.
CtvtrrAN