The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-29
From the Third acknowledgement.

ceived orders to be ready, with eight days
rations, to move the next morning. We
knew then there was work ahead. Although
the rain poured down the next day. we
marched out from our old quarters at II
o'clock, and after proceeding about FIVE miles
we bivouacked for the night. The pontoon
train commenced moving forward, and it was
midnight before they all had passed our en-
campment. Very early the next morning we
were ordered to " fall in,' and we reached
the left bank of the Rappahannock about 10
o'clock, A. M. Here we rested on our arms,
on what is called the Old Washington
Farm" near which the " Father of his Coun-
try was born. Saturday night, we were Or
dered to cross the river, and storm the flights
beyond, and join Gen. Hooker at all hazards,
at an early hour on Sunday morning. We
crossed over, and halted on the opposite plains
" Just as the sun came out Of his chamber
in the East, rejoicing as strong man to run
race" our Vermont Brigade FASTENED across
the plain toward the hill, under the euemy's
guns. Crossing the deep ravine, they rushed
up the hill in face of grape and canister, not
finching in the least, led on by their brave
commanders The 81 Vermont pressed on
ward, leaving the Regiment it was to support
in the rear, and, regardless Of shot and shell,
did not halt until the Old Flag waved in tri-
umph over what our enemies considered their
invunerable fortifcations,-they having once
proved impreguable to the Army of the
Potomac. never before saw so sublime a
scene. Vermont may we'll be proud of the
aurels won by her noble sons. Braver hearts
do not beat in sympathy with our righteous
au5e.
Our hospital was moved from the plain, to
the almost deserted city of Fredericksburg.
AS we passed through its streets we met a
long procession Of reb ell prisoners, taken by
our soldiers in the fight The public build
iDgs and churches of this Inflated city are
perforated by balls even the monuments in
the cemetery are sadly mutilated, for the enc
my sought shelter within its enclosure, it be-
ing surrounded by thick brick wall. In the
Southeast part Of tie city stands a monument
to the memory of Mrs. Washington the
mother of George Washington. We selected
some of the best houses for hospital purposes,
and remained In the city, administering to TIE
wants Of the wounded until Monday morning,
when the Minnie balls of the enemy re-
minded us that we had no time to lose 10
looking for other quarters. for the Grey
Backs were seen in the Notifications we
had taken the day before. Those OF the
wounded who could walk were ordered across
the river and all who could be moved over
were taken across.
{ The battle at Banks Ford commenced about
FIVE o'clock on Monday and ragged with great
slaughter, until after dark and picket firing
and cannonading was continued through the
night.
1t seems that the enemy had been heavily
reinforced during the night, and with fresh
troops from Richmond, they came upon our
exhausted division (Which consisted of only
one corps, Gen. Sedgwick commandiug,) with
overwhelming numbers. So bold and despor
perate was the first attack that some of the
lox.o;u. Al H. &C bottlo