Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-02-10
Correspondence.


wrote you last, | will give hasty sketch OF
1t. Some two weeks ago The Sh Vermont was
attached to the Reserve Brigade and went into
camp with them near Thibedeaux. In the ex-
cursion mention, they took very important
part, and acquitted themselves so well as to elicit
the admiration of their fellow soldiers, and the
praise Of the officers in command.
THE OBJECT
Of the raid beyond Berwick's Bay by Gen.
Weltzels Brigade was TO capture or de-
stroy certain iron-clad Rebel gunboat,
called the Cotton, under command Of the
notorious rebel, Captain Fuller so perfect was
her armament, so reckless her crew, and 80 des-
perate the commander, that no boat could
safely navigate the Bayou or Bay, either TO
sengers, and 70 numerous we're their wants for
CATTLE grain, negroes and conscripts for the
Confederate army, that they had come to be u
terror to oil that country. Our noble General
determined that this state Of things should no
longer exist, and planned this raid to rid the
country of this much cared foe
TnE EXECUTION
Of bis most perfect plan was as follows Leav'
ing Camp Stevens on Saturday and Sunday, by
way of Berwick's Bay, We arrived at the VII
Iage of Pattersonvllle on Tuesday eve. No
enemy was seen during the march, save some
squads Of rebel cavalry, and these were coon
dispersed by our gallant Captain Barrett, with
his Co. B, Let Louisiana Cavalry, who charged
/ upon them, fred their carbines and 6nally,-so
unwilling we're the rebels to be driven, they
camo to hand-to-hand combat with sabres,
resulting in tho complete rout Of the rebels,
leaving Captain b. as trophies, one dead cap
tain, two wounded privates, four guns and three
horses Meeting no other opposition that day
a halt was ordered and camp pitched twelve
miles from Brashear city, and in sight of the
enemy for whose destruction we had come
This steamer Cotton lay in the Bayou Teche
ana below her were constructed obstruc
tIons found to be impossible by our gunboats
which had repeatedly been up to them to Civ
her battle, but as often as few rounds OF sho
had been fired, she retreated out of their reach
Thus it was impossible for them to encounte
the Rebel with any hope OF success. And with
out the aid Of land forces, the distractions coul'
MOI be removed, for no sooner was work com
menced upon them, than the long-range guns o
the Cotton opened upon them with shells an
land batteries, with concealed rnemen, woul
Commence the work of picking of the aborer'
NJ, fvnvs,rtl tsvvJs5e.' fls oay' ua"n0u "
, Wednesday, the Brigade moved forward in lin
of battle, in t1ls order On the right, and o
the opposite shore Of the Teche, the Sth Vermont
on this side the Teche the 18th New York, nel
, the Tooth New York, next the l2d Connect
, cut, with the artillery and cavalry, all movin
: in line of battle, with reserve of the ct
,, Michigan and Dist Indiana. The line move
|. up and at right an, les with the Bayou, an
q keeping in line with the gunboats under Lieu
u Commanding Buchanan. The enemy only al
peared iu squads OF pckets and skirmisher
= until we arrived near the distractions In II
i BAYOU, when Lieut.. Buchanan, regardless {
a danger, aud over anxious to get nearer ram
oil the Cotton, while all the gunboats were raj
= idly firing shot and shell, unaavsedly PushC
d his boat, the Calhoun, past the others and
:. advance of the Sih Vermont, who were his su
: port on that side of tho Bayou, and led Il
= entire line. When near the distractions tr
=. mendous, numbering Ere OF musketry Was open'
u upon him from riae-pits just on shore. Hee'
/ less of danger to himself and crew, he 'too
a boldly out amid perfect storm OF lead, DEF.
IL ing them, and continually returning the fIe
Is the Cotton, which he was now rapidly drivlr
~ from her position Here he stood in front
:, the pilot house, with man inside loading
p fast as possible tho rifles which he passed out
IN him, which he fred and returned them
W newly loaded ones. Once, upon eceiyipg b
y. in his breast, he was urged to come aslde for
he was sure to be killed, but with stern voice, a
I'd coutem ptuous sneer on his countenance,
only commanded them to load hs guns FAST
- But as worth and bravery are not proof again
70. bullets, the fatal shot was fired, and he
h dead. At this moment the Sth Vermont ca
rn charging up upon n double-quick, fired one v
au lev, and then with their bayonels drove
,rk rebels from their delences, leaving seven de
nj. ! and forty-one wounded and prisoners, abb
hot fifty guns, &c. As this was passing, the re
Nv n., batteries had opened and ten field pieces "
no. pouring grape. canister and shell rapidly j
our ranks. Still, steadily, with regular tire
ro- tho line advanced, not a file broken, aud As
~ M eyes ran from right to left to SEQ the effect
nn an this lrightful laundering Of the cannon, wi
hal .ug OF Shells whistling of ride balls, aud sh
at report Of bursting shells in the alr-ot
rus tearing and spatteriag OF dirt, falling OF III
~ of trees, as the shots took effect, as u mu'
,om was hit and nearly doubled by force OF
her pound balls, and as occasionally man
Sc from the effect Of wound, It was encouraI
M ,ns to see how manfully aud noby they pressed
ala and wha, but a feeling of right and I
could sutan men in such an hour and In SUI
ITO, place. At the same time, our own asti
no, were fortunately stationed, and replying to
nree rebel, ERE, aud pouring telling shots int
and Cotton.
abe In face Of this terrible fire our men adsa
,.'v y, until the advance Of the 18th New York
her in range of the Cotton, when 80 hot and a
rate fire was poured into her by their