Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-01-09

tempts to run, use your bayOnets." Captains
each in his own way. added their encourage
ments to good behavior. And the men On then
part, either needing no incentive, or eatchin:
the spirit of their officers, held themselves il
readiness for action, with what seemed to me
(my observations being mainly confined to Go
c, but extending to several other companies,
almost perfect self possession. If there wer'
towards in our line they concealed vel their aP
prehensions, and have no doubt, had its posses
sion been contested, that line Of earthvorks woul,
have been held against any hostile force in a wa!
which would have brought no disgrace on oul
Green Mountain State.
We waited in silence a few minutes, when sud
denly our ears caught faint tramp Of cavalry
beyond the point Of wood. half mile before US
where our skirmishers were posted, then som'
scattered pistol shots then the shrill cheers Of
cavalry squad Of perhaps thirty or forty mel
on a charge, and then with startling dstiurtnes'
the bright fash and sharp rattle Of the first hos
tile yolley fired by any portion of the Twelfth il
this war. II was splendid volley. TOO. Both
companies fired at once. anl their guns went Of
Ike one piece without scattering shot. The
effects Of the yolley were not fully learned TIL
daylight hut l may as well anticipate little
my story. and give them here. They were
eight rebel troopers wounded, and removed by
their comrades. this our men learned from a
Eel.
the rebel, ralliell; three horses killed, tirec
saddles, a rebel carb;ne or Sharp'- rife, manu-
facturel in Richmond. and bearing the place,
name of maker and date. 1852. Ola the lock
plate. a good Colt'- revolver and three secesh
hats-tlc>e articles captured. and pretty good
horse. with L. :. on his flank. found riierles- in
the road and thus recaptured The rebel troops
scattered in al directions ut the fire, AMI rallied
and formed again further back. Our men cx-
Yectei second charge. and were ready for it,
This time they would have allowed them to come
closer and made the fire more deadly but after
a short halt the rebel, turned AMI rapidly re-
treated.
tails. We only heard the yoley, and taking It
for the opening drops Of the rain. waited pa
tielr,ly for whatever should come next. Nothing
came. however All Wa still again. In halt
an hour or So. lights Ike camp fire. began u
show themselves about mile in front, and our
artillery was ordered to Try It's hand. Four shells
were frci Bang went the guns, almost under cur
noses. Co e.. was posted close 10 the read and
whiz went the shells hut they drew uo response.
\ reconnaissance WAS next ordered. Capt. orm--
by Of Go. G.-one Of our very best Captains,
and Of one Of our very best companie--vith SD
men Of hi, own and Co. r marched straight up
TO the fire.. a bold act under the circumstances.
They were found TO De fires of brush bull, %
deceive Us. A free ucgr, Whose house was near
by. informed Capt o. that the rebels had just
been there. under command Of Gems. Fi,zhugh
Lee and Stuart. both Of whom had been M hi,
house an hour before
They had. they ~aid. two brissle- If cavalry
and some artillery. and they hal pushed on e
the ao-fb Thi, news vs- somewhat startling
I fancy. Co. our ofi.or-. II was taken 90 mean
that the rebel, were circumt.ntiu. us and
vouli probably shortly close In on Us from tho
North orWe,t wevcre accordingly Withdrawn
from the bral-tvork-. double qlickel lack Q,
Fairfax C,ur House. and were rs,,el II speak
now only of the l.th1 ~ tie fields al,ua Oh,
brow Of % hin. In -,aI position O., rc.e.,e q
charge II Cavalry. Here we va.,-l through
the remaining hours or thc night The uer
SGT; the mir grew coll: the ground fr,zc uuIs,
our feet. Iut re lsl nothing s..r. &, .ia. ll- g.
,l.serauI mol over our guns. til dwight
There ra-a r.r.r. excitement 10 one Tim. a-.r
some fires s..n near our camp. which g,e f.ar-
tle re.s..- m gilt De- rIl~i skiing tu- scouts sent
believe. At sunrise $500 ~,,e -ili TO- De- l.r.h-
Oh