Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-08-14
FIRST VERMONT CAVALRY.

Adjt. and lns Gen. Of Vermont
SW:-l beg leave TO make the following
! report Of engagements Of the lst Vermont
cavalry with the enemy in MARYLAND and
Penosylvania, from June 80, to July s, 1868
Al Hanover Penn, juno 80. aided In repell-
ing an attack by Cen Stewards forces COS
NJ and ID, under Capt Woodward and Cum
mings charged through the town, repulsing
the enemy and capturing many prisoners.-
The rest OF the regiment SUPP orted q bate
ry until the enemy we're driven from the
field.
At Huntersyille Penn., July 2, in an at.
tack upon the left Of Gen Lees army. this
regiment was deployed as skrmishers. and
subjected to a severe fire from the cnemy's
batteries.
July 3, in the attack made by Gen. Kill
patrick on the right flank OF the enemy at
Gettysburg this cavalry led the advance --
Co.'s A, u, + AMI ! dismounted. we're de-
ployed as skirmishers and soon drove the en-.
emy's skirmishers back to their main lines
The contest was continued by the opposing
batteries aud d,smounted carbineers until
o'clock p. m. when Gen. Farnsworth, com
manding the brigade, was ordered to charge
the enemy strongly posted behind stone walls
and in the woods, and which proved to be
Mai. Con. Hoods division of infantry
With the lst Virginia cavalry On The left and
the 2l battalion Of the lst Vermont under
Maj, Weles on the right, Gen. Farnsworth
dashing forward closely followed by his men,
leaping one stone wall under severe fire.
| Our force drove the enemy in all directions
over still another stone wall and through a
| field, swept by the rebel batteries and sue
ceeded in piercing the enemys "a line, where
many OF our dead were found moved to
the support Of the ID battalion with the LIST
under Capt. Parsons, and a part of the ]
under Capt. Grover. On the hill between
the two walls we encountered fresh regi-
ment OF the enemy, sent 10 from the right
to intercept the retreat Of our first column
and to re-establish their lines The struggle
or this hill become most desperate but was
at length carried by our boys with severe
loss, the greater part Of tho enemy being cap
turcd. Cur loss this day killed. wounded
and missing, IS men.
July 4th we marched so miles to the rear
Of the enemy and on the morning of the 5th
at Lightersvlle, Md, captured one hundred
prisoners, and drove Of cattle and several
wagons, and marched to Hsgerstown the
same night 2 hours in advance Of Lees ar
my.
July 9Th our division attacked the retreat
ing enemy at Hagerstown. Co.'S D and l.
dismounted here drove the enemy from
strong position aud occupied it Co.'S A and
d held portion of the town against supe-
rior force until ordered to retire in the after
noon, when portion being cut off. were se-
creted by the Union citizens until our forces
re-occupied it on the 18th
In the retiring of this division at night on
the Williamsport road in the face of Lees
army. this regiment formed part Of the rear
qua d, and suffered severely from assaults
.-4 - A. i--tv't- lse'tirfir - ts-u 'r'.tv
nearly surrounded Capt Beeman, with the
81 squadron whom ordered to hold a strong
positl N being cut off was ordered to surrend- .
er. He coolly replied " ! don't see H." and
leaped fence and by a Aark movement es-
capped with his nearly entire force. Captain
Woodward Of Co NJ, brave officer. was
killed at the head Of his men, while stubborn
y resisting the advancing foe The charge
was now made by Co. X under Capt Grover,
upon the main column Of the enemy, which
aided materially in checking their progress
A battery was now opened upon US by the
enemy in the direction Of Williamsport, and
being thus attacked in the front and rear we
drew off under the cover of night to the
Sharpsburgh road to the left.
July sth Gen. Stewart with large force at
tackled our cavalry at Boousboro' early in the
morning. The let Vermont was held in re-
serve until the afternoon, then it was sent by
dotachmonts to various parts of the field to
strengthen our lines. Az sundown spirited
charge was made by the I'd battalion under
Maj. Wells upon the retreatlDg enemy, and
the sabres were freely used on both sdes.--
We're | to give you list Of the meritorou4
it would comprise the names of every officer
and enlisted man engaged
! remain your very ob't sew't.,
A. w. PRESTON,