Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-16

ulths III Nnlh nOllON u eiNuhNtu Aut oNOnt
House" of which mention has been made in
all the accounts of The battle. and just be-
yond IL the turnpike TO Manassas runs at
right angles to the Waueuton turnpike, on
which the main part Of out nmy was advance
ing The rebels retrcated through the fields
on either side Of this Manassas road, the
main part of their forces beng on the left Of
the road advancing, as our uoops we're be-
tween it and Bull Run.
Our party, after taking geursl view of
the field from the top Of the hill beyond
Bull Run, and learning from Col Randall the
general disposition made Of our orces, now
filed off into the open field, for tbc fences are
nearly all thrown down in the direction Of
Manassas, to make more minute inspection
of the battle ground the cavalry patrol pro-
ceeding on the Warrenton tnrnpike, as we
supposed, towards Gainsville The ground
was literally covered with relics OF all kinds
of implements Of war, from the remnants Of
broken artillery carriages and caissons down
to cartridge and cap boxes; while the bleached
bones of horses told Of the sad havoc that
was made among them, in some cases 1t APP
bearing as though every horse on piece OF
artillery was stricken down by single dis
charge The numerous graves, that we're
everywhere to be seen, also reminded us OF
the bloody scenes that have been so often dis
cribed by those who took part in that battle.
short distance further on we came to the
long trench in which we're buried promiscuous-
ly both friend and foe. The field through
which we were now passing was a gradual
slope towards the Warenton turnpike, and
from here the rebels could plainly see Cen.
IN
slope towards their left and rear, and they
continued their retreat back to the woods to-
wards Manassas To avoid being cut off. Pass
ing along to the right, we came to the ruins
Of the house where the sick woman was kill
ed while being removed, which house was
pulled down 10y two couiendtng forces TO pre-
vent either side from taking shelter behind
it, Between this house and the Manassas
road were posted Rickeie' celebrated battery.
on our side, and about forty rods distant a
rebel battery. 1t was here that Lieut. Ram
sey Of Ricketts, battery was killed, and Col.
Randall pointed out to us the spot, in little
shrubbery near the house, where he was bu-
ried. This spot is memorable as the scene o
probably the most holly contested artillery
duels that occurred during the battle. Almost
within speaking distance, the coniendinp
forces poured the " iron hail" upon each 9th
er, until the tide of battle was turned and
Ricketts, battery was captured by the enemy
and our forces Tell back
Crossing the Manassas road we came dowr
to ravine, running obliquely between Ga,
Manassas and Warrenton roads, on the let
Of which, and up gentle slope towards al
oak woods the rebels were retreating befor,
Al n. e
emerging from pine woods and pouring dowr
the slope on the right. In this ravine Lieut.
Hitchcock was killed while bravely leading
his little band OF marines against the rebel
hordes that were fast falling back towards
Manassas Passing through the ravine, aud
up to the slope on the right, we stood upon
he spot where the Vermont Brigade-then
n Gen. Heintzleman's corps-were posted =.
md where they performed their share in the
,rand drama that was being enacted. 1t was
While forcing their way down through this
avine that Johnson's forces appeared on an
,pen field up at the head of it, marching a.
ound on the right flank of Gen. Heintzle-
mans corps. Almost simultaneously with
lohnson's appearance, battery OF artillery
vas suddenly posted by the rebels so as to
command the whole right slope of the raviue;
md under raking FIRE from this battery,
ien. Heintzleman's troops were compelled to
retreat to the pine woods, and finally to make
their way back, as they came, by the way of
Sudley's Church. The appearance of John
SON 3 forces YOU ,uill ~-~-tl~ss suTBeu the tffc
Of battle, until now most signally in our favor,
and we were compelled to leave the field or
at least, our forces did yield it, though AS
we surveyed the different positions which
were held respectively by the two contending
armies, it is difficult to see why we were COM
piled to give up victory already, as it WERE
within our grasp. SO far as position was
concerned, the odds were decidedly in our
favor our men were flushed with the pros
pect Of success, and were driving the rebels
before them, and had but little more than
two miles more to gain to reach Manassas
What an eventlul moment But there were
Johnsons fresh troops pouring down upon
our already weary forces, and as stood upon
that now desolate field, and saw for myself
the true position Of things as they were des.
cribed to me by an eye witness and partici
pant in the action, almost instinctively turn
ed towards Sudley's Church, now year and
a half after the action, in hopes of hearing
that like force appeared on our side. But
cheering report could be given, but only thu
sad tale that rom this time we retreated from
the field, the battle even now almost won.
After minute examination of the field
and the lines of approach and retreat, cover
ed everywhere with the graves Of the fallen
both friend and foe, and the relics of san
culinary battle such as must be seen to be ap
preciated, we turned our horses towards GU
picket lines with better appreciation of tn
true nature of that memorable battle than W,
could possibly gain from any written descrip
ton, however wildly the picture might b
painted. Our visit was made on the 24tl
day of December--the day before Christina
and it was remarked by all Of our party
when returning, that few of our friends il
Vermont would celebrate Christmas will
more Of interest than we had done. On gu
way back, Col, Randall pointed out to US tn,
points where our retreating forces were sew
eral times attacked; and the scattered ruins
wagons of all descriptions, dead horses, anC
in fact everything that goes to make up thu
equipment of an army, showed plainly tina
the retreat was one Of the most precipitate
Arriving again at the sold blacksmith shop,
where the cavalry reserve is now posted, W,
found that the cavalry scouts, which went gu
with us, had retVned by the way of Sudey
Church, leaving us between two and tire,
miles out in rebeldom, with no protection