Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-22
From a Sharpshooter.

"May I'd finds me writing by moon
light. We came here yesterday about {
o'clock, had sharp fight of about one
hour at dark, went out on picket, stait
until twelve, came in and slept until five
got up, breakfasted and went to the from
and fought until night; took about 40C
Iprisoners-but the fight has been bloody
to-day; it is not over yet, but tomorrow
will decide. We came near getting lick
ed to-day, but bark the rifles roar on
our right, and there is a complete hail
storm of lead; they are trying to turn
our right and LEFT flank, but our boys are
fighting with will.
Sd am taking care of one of my
tent mates to day-Charley Gordon; he
got sunstruck, and is lying on the ground
by my side.
Sunday Evening-Finds me about a
mile from where | was last evening, in
the same woods with few sharpshoot-
ers, trying to write. The battle lasted
nearly all night, and at five this morning
il commenced again, The musketry was
terrible, and the cannonading was beyond
all description. There was a perfect
roar from five until twelve o'clock. The
rebels turned our right flank this morning
the first thing. Our boys fell back, fight
ing as they did SO; our cannon was shell
ling them before; the ground was nearly
covered with dead the rebels fell behind
our batteries and charged on the cannon.
but the guns stood not over six feet apart,
and our folks poured canister iato them.
After enduring it about two hours thew
turned and run; the ground was covered
with piles of dead men. The rebels
were reinforced and tried to take the bat
terles again, but they fell back, and at u
both sides stopped seemingly by mutual
consent, and there has been but little
firing since, only the rebels shelled the
woods where we lay, and we were obliged
to get behind the trees. Then we fell
oack INTO some more woods and lay all
night. Now the order comes to 20 to the
'front.' 1t is nearly dark.
Monday Noon.-No firing to day, only
from pickets; it rains a little. General
Whipple was wounded this morning by
spent ball ; we fear it is fatal; three of
'ur generals are gone. Our men took
yesterday they hold the
heights and four miles beside; seven
sharpshooters killed and forty six wound
ed--so | heard the surgeon say.
May 7th.-In camp again near Fal-
mouth, in the old tent. We came 10 last
night after hard march from three in
The morning till night, mud all the way
from six inches to two feet deep; we
were covered with mud. The rebels
.ook back Fredericksburg; their force
was too strong for US. We started from
lamp one week ago last Tuesday, and to-
lay is Wednesday we have slept very
title since Monday night. 1t began to
ain and we were relieved from picket /
nd put on our duds, Gall we had left, for I
be rebels got our knapsacks and clothing)
nd stood in the rain till twelve, then we =
'ere ordered to sit down, for we would
OF march until morning. We spread D
own our rubber blankets, Qhe rebels :
'oud have had those, but it rained and
'e had them on our shoulders) and fell u
sleep. AT three o'clock they called US =
nd we were wet enough; then we start. '
d tor the river, reached there about six Il
the morning, came nearly four miles y
nd halted for breakfast. There | re- i
lived your letter dated April 9th was Il Il
'ry glad to hear from home. None of =
us company were killed, but seven were u
ounded; nine killed and sixty wounded i"
the regiment; none of my tent mates - -
ere wounded. ~
This army seems unlucky, but think
e should have gained the day if the y"
eventh corps had not run, and it came
EAR creating panic. The officers near ="
erear ordered them TO halt; they would .
1t, and they drew their revolvers and y
ct several men before they could stop ~
EN-. VI
Gen. Whipple is dead, and we lament -
loss, for he was loved by all, bat his
bors are over in this world. 49,
do not think we shall stop here long. -,
im all right yet, only tired and lame. 10
rite soon and excuse this hastily writ -
/ letter." ~
Your ever true husband, so
G. B. KENT. bo
NEW BUSINESS FOR VERMONT