Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-11-13


Groyetown Va, Oct. ~, 1868.
P. T. WAsuBrRN,
Ali. and ms GenV Of Vermont,
Sm,-l have the honor to submit TO you the fol-
lowing report of the services rendered by the First
Vermont Cavalry, from August 22d to September
10Th 1868.
On the Dist Of August an order was received
transferring the First Vermont Cavalry from the
first TO the second brigade of klparick's division
said to have been done in order TO equaize the
brigades. | had been in command of the first
brigade since July both, by virtue of seniority OF
rank in that brigade. ] at once gladly resumed
command of my regiment on the 22d, near Hart
wood Church
On the night of the oath ] received orders to
have my regiment ready to march at three o'clock
next morning. We accompanied our brigade TO
King George county, and had a brisk skrmish
with the enemy, and returned to camp the same
night having marched distance of sxty-fou
miles. We remained in bivouac until the 2Sth,
when we went on picket on the Rappahannock
near Falmouth, and remained upon this duty until
the first day of September At one o'clock, A.
M, on that day | moved my regiment, with the
whole division, on the second King George county
expedition, that has giyeu General Fitzpatrick and
his division such notoriety, from the novelty OF
capturing the two gunboats. BY reason OF mis-.
take of staff officer in making the assignment OF
the order of march, my regiment was thrown in
the rear of the column, until we arrived in the
presence of the enemy near the scene of the Skin
mish ON the oath OF August. Here | was given
the post of honor. My duty was to ascertain il
there was any enemy in those" woods in our
front, and il so TO drive them out II | could. |
detached company as advance guard, and closely
supported them with the entire regiment. We
did not have TO proceed far in doubt We soon
encountered their pickets who, after exchanging
a few shots retired under cover of the woods
The road from King George Court House to Port
Conway was narrow road, running through a
dense woods for distance Of five miles and
through these woods, with less than fifty dismount-
ed carbineers, we drove the rebel infantry Skin
mishers, and passing the woods into the open
fields drove them the other side of the Kappa
hammock Here | found the two gun.hoats, and
the rebels busy getting out the machinery My
sharp-shootcrs soon drove them from the boats,
though they were anchored well under the south
shore Of the river. Next morning occurred that
famous "bonbardment' of the gunhoats OF which
the country has heard much. There was how
ever no further fighting.
The regiment returned to is old camp near
LAKEWOOD ON the Sd of September, and immedi-
ately resumed the line OF picket duty on the Rap
pahannock, and continued in the discharge of this
duty until the commencement OF the campaign
south OF the Rappahannock, on the 18th Of Sept.
il having been made known 20 me by BrigadieI
Gen. Custer, that l was TO assume the command OF
the brigade on the next Monday, during his TWEEN
~ days leave, and every appearance indicating q
long quiet, accepted three days leave to visit
| Washington ON important business private and
official saturday evening | heard a vague rumoI
/ OF some movement of the cavalry corps on the
Rappahannock | took the first train for the
| ironl-iortunately found my horses at Warrentou
| Junction, and following the trail overlook my
brigade at Racoon Ford, on the Rapidan. Cul-
! pepper had been passed, but one had no need to
spoH for want Of a fight The command Of he
second brigade now deyolyed upon me, aud being
required 20 send one regiment TO picket north
OF the kappahannock, was Obliged TO send my
own Its history for the nest twenty daysis NOR,