Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-03-13
Our armp Correspondence
FROM THE VERMONT cAvALEY.
nc Burlington lime, correspondent


FROM THE VERMONT CAvALEY.
The Burlington Times correspondent
gives the following relative to the capture Of
portion of the regiment by the rebels
CAMP FIRST VERMONT CAvAIY,
Near Fort Scot, March A, 1868.
Company NJ, which was recruited in Bur
lington last fall, was introduced to the rebels
for the first time in a fight, under rather
unfavorable circumstances, on Monday last, at
Adie. The detachment numbered fifty men,
and went out under command Of Capt Hun
toon Of Co. H.; Capt. Woodward and twenty
four men Of Co. VI. formed its quota. Leav-
ing Annandale early in the morning they
reached Alde at little past noon and halted
to feed. Having met another scouting party
belonging to the 9Th New York cavalry near
that place, which had been out much further
and had made no discovery Of rebels in arms,
no more than the usual precautions were taxi
en- to prevent a surprise. Still. two or three
yidetts had been sent out in advance. but
high hills huddle close around Aide and OBJ
struct a very extensive view Of the surround
ing country. Our men dismounted, the hors-
es unbridled were feeding as none but troop
ers horses can, on ample rations of secesh
grain taken from mill close by. The men
having been long in the saddle, were lcung-
ing about the spot, as they supposed in per-
feet security; some of them had captured
blacksmith shop and were engaged in replac-
ing shoes on their horses. Others were in
the mill where they remained secreted until
the trouble was over, and then made good
their escape.
Captains Huntoon and Woodward were at
the mill, upon the steps, when they discovered
force Of the enemy's cavalry coming down
close upon them. Not more than half an hour
had elapsed from the halt It seems the reb-
els had either captured the videttes or had
evaded them, without any alarm being given
to the force at the mill. On they came, pcH
neil, shouting and discharging their revovers.
Capt. Woodward succeeded in brdling and
mounting his horse, and had gathered a few
around him, when the enemy closed upon
them. Some OF the men commenced their re-
treat on foot, while others seated themselves
in the saddle without bridhng, and turned
their horses heads homeward. But Captain
w, with few others withstood the charge,
and returned yolley for volley. Some fought
on foot with bride in hand, dealing out to
the rebs severe blows over the head, the rob
ell Capt. Mosby lost his hat in this manner.
Such men were worthy better fate. Near
ly alone, completely overpowered, over
whelmed and severely injured Capt Wood
ward yielded himself prisoner TO Captain
M,sby in person. A prsoner-bow full Of
meaning are these words to officers about
these days. Enlisted men may be paroled,
but officers not Notwithstanding, as Capt.
Mosby said jeff. Davis had ordered different
ly, in consideration Of the injuries and ldier-
like conduct Of Capt. W., he should take the
liberty to release him on parole, which he did
and remarked to the citizens Of Aldie that
Capt w was the braveet and best fighting
man he ever saw that he could testify from
actual knowledge, as he witnessed one of bis
men fall mortally wounded with ball from
Capt. WIS revolver while under his horse
He 10 expected over our lines within a day
or two.
This is a very unfortunate affair, and is
deeply Notifying to the regiment The forces
engaged were about equal, but the surprise
complete. Our loss was Captain Huntoon
and Woodward, and fourteen men prisoners
and twenty horses captured, but no men kill
led. We understand from rebel sources that
five OF the men who made our boys So much
trouble are now in the hospital in that place,
some of them mortally wounded. II ther,
was an error, it is NOS Capt W. who was il
/ fault. He is young officer, and this hi,
/ first engagement. Capt. Huntoon is expert
enced. and considered one OF the best officer
OF his rank in the regiment.
Yours truly, SERGEANT.