Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-22
Our Armp Correspondence.
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
CAN'T MAR WRITE OAK CnuRcu,
San Arrnnn q W NJ IL


Mn. Enron AT this rather late moment
/ improve my irst leisure to give some ac-
count Of the eventful scenes through which
We have been passing,--scones which have
caused the nations heart to ,hrob with anx-
iety and hope with thankfuness too, that
no worse disaster has befallen us. For de-
spite our best efforts, budding hopes have
been blghtod and portentous clouds environ
the morning sky Of the campaign; woe to us
and our cause Il its midday and evening be
not brighter, and the boding storm dispersed. .
Near sunset Of the ID inst, we left the po-
siton we had for several days occupied on
the north side Of the Rappahannock, and .
crossed to the memorable battle ground of
last December, lying for the night in battle /
line on the plain north Of the Bernard houses, /
undisturbed except by the raid Of two pack
mules through our ranks; but at midnight
were aroused, and replenishing our rations to
the burdeusomo quota for eight days, waited
till early dawn, when we started up the Bow
ling Green road towards the city. Ere sun
rise we were in position behind the embank
ment on it's right, afterwards changing to a
position farther up and across the road well
sheltered by the embankmcnt from shells, &c.
There We lay entertained by the music of the
battle till nearly noon, when the enomys po-
sition having been turned, the ID supported
by the 26th New Jersey advanced to carry
the first height, which they did with moder
ute loss. AS they mounted the parapets the
9th and 4th started for the next height, like
their predecessors, leaving behind all traps
but canteens,--a wise precaution for as 1t
was, quick march in line for nearly two
miles, over bitches and other distractions,
under midday sun, proved well nigh fatal
to some, and nearly all were exhausted ere
reaching the summit As we advanced up
the hill the grey backs could be seen SPRING
ing away from their earthworks, and when
we had fairly reached the summit they gave
US a parting volley from height beyond,
wonndng several. We then pushed forward
across hollow to the farther height, where
we rested and then returned for our KNAPP
sacks, Col. Grant forbidding farther pursuit
a. that time. Having psrtaken Of hastt
meal Of which some laile !, we girded on our
burdens and set out Passing by corner Of
the city, we struck and followed on the plank
road, near shutdown coming up with Brooks
division holly engaged with the enemy. The
brigade was soon taken down to the right and
posted for the night. The firing having cees-
ed, skirmishers were thrown out in front
/ serving as pickets; but we were not disturb
ed, spite of the sounds Of the enemys NOV
/ ing,--he was too busily engaged in his great
scheme fox the morrow.
After getting breakfast at dawn, our atten-
ton was attracted by movements on our left,
sometime ere it was noticed by the Generals,
and we began to think the possum game had
been played on us fairly and we were about
gone up. We knew insunctively that we
had superior force against us and that they
had drawn US into trap; how we should
extricate ourselves was still problem. When
we commenced drawing back to secure a bet
ter position and protect our exposed left flank,
the chivalrous southrons paid us their COM
pliments in a few shells. Once the 4th was
in position and had just left i: when SHELL
exploded where we had been lying; thus for
tunatey we escaped. At last after marching
back two miles, we got good position in the
pine woods, where we lay quietly TIL late in
the afternoon. when in verwheiming NAM
bers the southrons rushed on the right IF the
brigade, but were checked, some OF them for
the first time, by the glorious old ID and the
9th. The 4th changed position and acted as
reserve, once charging forward, but on its
/ left not gun was fired, though constant
movements and DEVELOPMENTS kept us busy.
/ But one was killed and that retreating
Jerseyman some thirty were wounded here
and subsequently. Having held the position
until almost surrounded, Col. Stcughton re-
luciantly but coolly withdrew his little band
just in time to save it from capture. As we
were ascending hill to get in rear of our bat
teres the enemy sent yolley into our ranks,
which startled us some but we soon recovered
courage. Then the batteries opened on the
foe with their deadliest missiles at short range,
moving them like grass, and soon they with
drew, but not to leave US idle; Tor instance,
me companies were deplnyed four times,
we changing position as often, all the time
drawing farther back but we suffered little
moestaton from the euemy-they had been
too severely punished for that. But we
breathed much more freely as we wound up
the woody defle on the northern side from
the bridges, and sweet was short slumber
to our exhausted frames.
IL was well that we escaped at all, for a
force at least triple was opposed to us, ana no
doubt they thought we were theirs. We
have fallen back indeed, but as a military ne
cessity, and we have trodden the contested
heights which overlooked a wide range OF
-desolated Straford. We have the achiey-
ments Of yalor without its substantial results
but with patience and fortitude we may yet
crcumvent Lee and defeat that treason SO
basely and shamefully upheld by northern
traitors. Mny the nation have faith to purge
itself, rally its forces, and nerve for the mo-
mentous struggle now impending, for liberty
or death. Yours, S.
FROM THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT