Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-11-13
FIRST VERMONT CAVALRY.
OFFICIAL
HEADQUARTERS Fmsr VERMONT CAVALRY

HEADQUARTERS IHsl ' fkNONI CAVALRY, {
Groveton, Va, Oct. "a, 1868.
p. T. WAsuBURN,
Adjpton and Inspector General Of Vermont.
SIR have the honor of submitting TO you,
the following report OF the part taken by this Reg
hnent in the Maryland and Virginia campaign,
from the 10th of July to the 2jth of the same
MONTH
rcioined the Regiment at Boonsboro' on the
10th Of july having been separated from IL since
june 22nd by painful, but unavoidable necessity.
In this interim, the Regiment had passed through
an arluous, but brilliant campaign. | found il
much reduced in officers aud men, but It's spirit as
good as ever. The enemy though beaten at Get
tysburg, was in our immediate front, in strong
force, and another great and decisive battle was
daily expected
We we're ordered to advance on the afternoon
Of the 10Th, and night marches, aud skrmshing,
and pickcGng, constituted our duties We had
advanced and occupied Hagcrstown on the 18th.
On the afternoon OF the 18th of July, ! was or
dered TO report to Gen Fitzpatrick with my Regi-
mcnt, at his head quarters. ! found It To- be his
intention 10 make % reconnaissance 10 the left Of
the cnemys line Of works, above the town, with
my Regiment and some Pennsylvania Militia
Leaving the town. the infantry took the advance
Just at the outskirts OF the town strong line OF
She enemys plckcts were encountered, M front OF
their earth-works. was ordered to send forward
a squadron as skirmishcrs- which did-support-
ing them with my whole command. My shrmish-
crs took the advance, aud my whole command
passed the infantry who were covered by a strong
fence Capt. Cummings commanded the Skin
mishers aud himself and Lieut. Grant, led them
up in gallant style A very spirited sklrmish en-
sued, our boys, now assisted by the infantry Skin
mishcrs, steadily driving the enemy. Here, Gen.
Fitzpatrick ordered me 10 send squadron-"only
a squadronN-to charge. The cuemy's line OF
skrmishers were deployed upon the right aud left
Of the road, which had a very strong and high
fence ON both sides. Capt Scoield and Licnt
Newton. with companies J., and + led the charge.
! ordered them to charge up the road, passing the
enemy. skirmish line, and 10 capture some OF the
enemy. IT possible. BY this time the enemy had
rctreated to near their earth-works and TO the
over of the woods, and their fire raking the road
was sharp aud calling. Led 10y Captain Scoield
aud Lieut., Norton, the boys absolutely pitched
100. To- this charge. 1t had become apparent as
they advanced, that some force was in their 'front.'
ON the road covered by the woods The squad
ron never faltercd The enemy now opened n
heavy fire from their batteries but the boys went
calamity on until they had nearly reached the
woods, when they received a terrific volley from a
force Of about three hundred infantry, or dis
mounted cavalry, under cover of the woods and
fence which compelled them TO return not how
ever until they had accomplished their object, so
far as to capture two of the enemy whom they
brought back they retired. Skrmishiug con-
tinuod until the enemy were driven inside their
works aud ,ilenccd, when we were ordered back
TO llagerstown.
Captain Scoled was wounded u the charge
and taken prisoner and Lieutenant Newton's
horse was hit in the shoulder 10y musket ball,
which passed up, and through the saddle, giving
the Lieutenant very narrow escape with his life.
Ny loss in killed, wounded aud missing was thir-
teen men andsone officer.
This affair though not rs considerable many
the Regiment had before and has since passed
through, was one which tested the spirit and met
tie of the men and officers severely, and gave me
good earnest for the future,
Adiutant Gates did efficient service in promptly
communicating my orders and Majors Wells and
Bennett. showed GOODNESS under severe fire.
while forming their battalions to cover them from
the enemys batteries Lieut. Col. Preston hay-
ing been absent when the regiment moved, did
not 90 with MS, but returning to camp and finding
we had gone, followed, and arrived in season TO
render me important assistance.
Next morning followed the enemy TO Will
Transport, and were in at the thrilling ai
fair at Falling Water. On the 10th we returned
to Boousboro', and noxt day marched to Iarpcr's
Ferry via Berlin, and on the 18th crossed the
Shenandoah. Passing down the South bank of |
the Potomac, we arrived at Purccllvillc on the |
18th Next day marched 10 Ashbys Gap. On
the 10th the Gap was occupied by our forces, and |
we returned TO Upperyille On the Dist marched |
10 Snickersvie, and on the 22nd, occupied the |
Gap, and held it until the night of the 23d. and |
returned to Upperyille. On the 2lth marched
from Upperille, and crossed the Rappahannock .
and bivouaced near Amesville. On the 18th Join
ed brigade at that place, and Immediately pla |
ced in command of the first brigade of kpat- |
ricks division which was already formed upon
our arrival, to 20 to the front here turned the
command over to Lieut.. Col. Preston, and eXcu-
sed it from duty that day, in consideration of its
recent nreat fatimucs and proceeded with the re-