Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-09

balu tnat Otuarte reDei cavalry nau crossed
the Occuquans river, and were on their way
towards either this place or Fairfax Station,
and we were to defend and hold both places
at all hazards. Very soon a second order
came for us to "fall in" and go at once to Gen.
Stoughton's headquarters at Fairfax Court
House and there await further orders. Be-
fore this last order could be executed, il was
countefmanded--th first order still being IN
force. Hardly had the courier left our camp
before another came with orders for us TO
"fall in and proceed at once to Fairfax Sta
ton. In vetJ lew minutes we were in line
and on the march, but before we had fairly
got beyond the limits of Fairfax Court House
village our destination was changed, and we
were ordered back to take the road towards
Alexandria, and very soon it was added
on double quick" About half a mile
from the Court House, we we're filed off to
the left CT the road into rifle pits which the
rebels had prepared for the defence of the
place while in possession of it about year
since. The 18th and l4th were placed in a
similar position on the right of the road,
while two sections-four pieces-of artillery
were placed so as to command the road, and
IN fact the whole front of the three regiments.
Two companies b and G) of the 10Th rogi-
ment, (not the 18th as the telegraph reports
1t to YOU the 10th being on picket at Center
vile about six miles from here towards the
old Bull Run battle-feld) under command of
Capt. Ormsbee Of Co. G., were sent forward
about half mile, on the road towards Alex
andria' as an advance guard or picket. Inc
lo'h hSd oeen sent TO Fairfax otauon' linus
posted we awaited tue approach OF the enemy.
viii here state that when we were called
out Col. Randall was absent at Washington
and we supposed OF course feoel force com
ing IN our rear would cut MIN on from teach-
ing the regiment but after laying IN the rihe
pits about an hour we saw a horscman APP
preaching and you may well Judge OF our
surprise when he rode up to ma that the
Coionei had made ms way saiely through from
the city though his horse showed plainly that
ne had been no loitefer by the way lie had
hearu oil the rad and determined TO JON ms
regiment before be was cut OF II possible
he succeeded, but how narrowly ne escaped
may De inferred nom the TACT that win an
hour after he arrived couriers came IN with
the Information that tho rebel cavalrymen
were approaching on the road over whlch ne
hau Just come. The pickets on the road tired
to disuado him from attempting to go
through, but nothing dsunted he pressed on,
and when within about three miles of the
Court House he heard tramping as of horse
men. on his left. which he thinks nnust have
been the rebel force which occpnied the road
Immediately alto, he n,ssod
OoI' D'unt ana AoJt. vaughn Of the lzth'
VINO were also IN the city and attempted to
reJoih their regiment did not succeed IN do
ing So oeing cut OH before they had reached
nan 'ne Instance just before COL randall
"lii'eu ~ was Iounu 'hAt tue telegfaph wires
"eie cut oe'"eeh ralfiaN otaton ana Alex
auuiia' anu mere was no communication with
ashlngtoh' Ohder these circumstances, all
'na' cou'u DC uone was 20 await an attack,
snouiu one DC attempted oy the rebels. very
9"o" eno1"ei courier came In from the front
(ou' iron" was towards Alexandra and Wash
iu8'uhj win the report mat cavalry force
was out snort distance IN front OF our pick
cts. we were then ordered to load our guns
ana De ready 10 receive them and IN very
snort ume uischarge OF carolnes, accompa-
hleu WIN yen aumohlsheu US that our pick
els hau been attacked Almost simultaneous
~ Voiey rom our pickets told that they
we're ready 70 resist the chare" aoa maintain %,
I'D ali 49,. .... ~. Al
i,.4 rn,,oa,a5 f1,''' 'ne ,eoei u, re nav
ere ~ 49, - a" .ite '''ne o'l'l'ah'
of our ,,she,s sIo,s.a ,,,", NM :" io,'
not far distant, as they could be distinctly
seen riding back and forth before the FIRE.
Scouts were sent forward to examine their
position, and if possible learn their force As
near as could be ascertained, there we're some
two or three hundred Of them, and they an
peared to be waiting either for rein(orcements
or for the appearance Of daylight. To salts
fy himself who they were-whether friends
or foes-Gen. Stoughton ordered flag Of
truce to be sent out, which was borne by Or
derby Sergeant Hall, of Co. G. of the 10Th
regiment-one of the companies that were ON
picket-accompanied by guard. Sergeant
Hall proceeded to the camp where the FIRE
was seen, and asked to communicate with the
commanding General of the forces there en-
camped. After some little DELAY. he was in
formed tha' thelr General would communl-
ca'e WIN our GENERAL IN the morning. An
examination oil the ground while the flag OF
truce was our disclosed the fact that the fire
OF our Piekets was not without It's effect up
on the rebels as one dead horse and equip
ments-( not s'p.) as reported blythe telegraph,
were ielt oy them on the held, together
"i'n earoihe' pistols, hats, eanteens, &c,
win traces OF blood as by the removal Of
ei'her Killed or wounded. 1t is not kno'on
al ~ l. Lad