Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-16
FROM THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT

this time. Yours II. NJ. p.
FROM THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT
CAMP NEAR FAGRF4x c. H., }
January T. 1868.
VISIT TO THE BULL Run BATTLE-FIELD.
After an absence Of about two weeks from
the regiment by reason Of sickness, came to
this place one week ago last Monday evening,
and found the regiment out on picket duty at
Centerville, about six miles distant; but as
they were to return on Wednesday morning
remained in camp with those not able to 20
on picket, to await their return. But on
Wednesday morning the pleasant weather
tempted me to ride out and accompany
them back. found the main reserve-eight
companies, only two companies being on
picket at tme--posted in the famous re-
doubts from which the rebels retreated when
the Army of the Potomac advanced from
Washington, and of which SO much has been
said and written respecting Quaker guns"
&c 1t requires not much of a military eve
TO see at glance that the position is a strong
one, and one naturally we'll adapted for de-
tense. When, therefore. we add to the nat
ural strength of the place the skillfully pre-
pared fronts and rife pits which the rebels
had thrown up, we almost wonder that they
SO prccipitately left them withou, the least
ouoM VI tehlhthnct. nc utltuSeh VI tenteI-
vile strong and small force by the aid
of few pieces of artillery, could successful
ly resist an attack from comparatively large
body OF troops. ] reached the place ust AS
the 18th wero marching out in line, prepara-
tory to returning to camp, and the l4th were
marching in TO relieve them. We were now
but about three miles from the celebrated
Bull Run battle field, and, on the suggestion
OF Col. Nichols and Maj, Hall, Of the l4th,
Col Randall consented to accompany them
on visit to that field, that they might see
for themselves the spot on which the memo
rable battle was fought, and learn the exact
position OF the two contending forces from
one who was present and took part in the
action. i refer now to the first battle Of Bull
Run, which occurred on the 2lst and 22d OF
July, 1861; for you will remember that a
second battle occurred on the same ground
on the 3lst Of August and LIST of September
last, in which our forces were driven back
through Centerville to Shantilly, where Gems.
Kearney and Stevens were killed. | could
not resist the temptation TO accept an invita-
ton to accompany them; so having prepared
ourselves for ride Of two or three miles out
side our picket lines we started on the War
renton turnpike. There we're six in the par
ty, and by the way our horses left the road
behind them" one might well judge that they
were anxious to have the job done with and
return once more within the lines. II was
however, all free-w will on their part, for the
greatest speed was made in the outward trip
We found our pickets posted on small
stream called " Cub Run" about mile this
side Of Bull Run. Tn the top of hill about
midway between these two streams we found
detachment of the LIST Virginia cavalry Qoy.
ally stationed, as an advanced picket and pa
-. :. II a. III Il. .sl.r
shop in the accounts of the Bull Run battle
near which Gen. Hentzleman's corps, in which
was the Vermont brigade, encsmped the night
before the battle. From this place General
Hentzleman's corps filed off to the right to.
wards Sudleys church, for the purpose Of
fanking the rebels, movement in which they
were very successful until the appearance on
the field of Johnsons forces from Wlnches-
ter. What an account Gen Patterson will
have to settle for allowing him to escape his
clutches.) Not having time to visit Sudley
Church, where you will remember our wound
ed we're carried and a hospital established,
we proceeded directly towards Bull Run, be-
ing accompanied by scouting party from the
cavalry pickets. About half mile from the
81 old blacksmith's shop we came TO the
bridge across Bull Run, where our forces
first encountered the rebels. (And here
will say that but two or three nights before
while the 18th was on picket at Centeryille
scouting party of rebel cavalry-probably
guerillas from the surrounding country
came in at this point aud captured six Of our
cavalry pickets and sixteen horses, ten Of the
men escaping on foot.) This stone bridge ha'
once been destroyed, and ia now but mere
trestle-work. II was a capital place for de
tense, as the rebels from the hills and the ris
ing ground beyond could have complete com
mand Of the bridge, and the banks Of thu
stream were go abrupt as to admit of few i
any crossing places in this vicinity. save a
this solitary bridge. But in the place o
rebel batteries aud musketry, our troops
forced their way across the Run and up
steep hill, compelling the rebel forces to fall
back before them. The top Of the hill wac
gained. and then commenced the most san
culinary part OF the battle. Gen. Hentzle
mans corps, which had been sent around to
>ur ght to flank the enemy on the left, made
Is appearance on bluff to the right and front