The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-11


and after our repast, We continued our march
until twelve o'clock at night. The night was
quite cold for this section, and some of our
higher officers. who depended on Headquarter
teams for blankets and rations, were left out
in the cold ,withou, shelter or food But many
OF our men did not appear to pity them much,
as they nave an idea that cold weather and
short fare arc net much worse for officers
than privates. We made our camp just, up
Oh the other side of the Rapidan. 1t was
needlni that we should reach thiS point for
the purpose of relieving our pontoon bridge,
which was 70 be removed at the earliest pos
siblo hour after cur crossing. The rebels
made no show in force, to oppose our passage
of this stream.
At an early hour on Friday, we were again
upon the move, out made very stow progress
as we were moving heavy train, and our
advance soon fell 10 with rebel skirmishers
which We mad to drive before US, We could
only proceed with great caution, and finally
met with such strong opposition that we were
thrown into line of battle, and our advance
had quite sharp skirmish with the enemy,
and the conflict ragged sharply until the dark
ness of the night ended the struggle. The 9th
corps containing the old Vermont Brigade
was not engaged in this fight. 1t was done
by the Sd corps under General French, in
which our tenth Vermont is included and we
regret 10 learn that they suffered considerably.
Report says that eleven from this regiment
were killed, and ffty-seven wounded and ten
missing We have not learned their Names
but are told that Captain Dillingham; of Wa
terbury is among the missing and it is presu
med, that he has fallen into the hands Of the
enemy. During the night the rebels left our
front leaving US in possession Of the field with
their own dead unbured. Our men have
since buried our dead We took short rest
here, as we were called up at midnight to
prepare for our march. We marched until
daylight and then halted for our breakfast
We were just making preparations for a little
rest here, when orders came to march. The
advance were soon skirInishing again gith the
enemy. 1t commenced raining smartIy but
this did not check our movements. We march
ed upon one side of the plank road leading
from Fredericksburg to Orange County Court
House. The travelling here was through
thickest of underbrush that INSTRUCTED cur
march and gave the rebels very good chance
Of firing upon our advance from the cover of
the woods We soon came upon their iDtrench-
ments in a strong position, upon Mine Run.
We took our position upon line OF battle and
waited for orders to advance, bat these were
not received until about noon upon the Sab
bath We advanced but short distance and
wait in momentary expectation that the at
tack would be &C mmenced, but the day pas
sed and all was still quiet We were how
ever called up at II o'clock and directed to
7 axe our Coffee as we re to take posi-
ton to surprise our Toes by an unexpected
charge and no fires would be allowed. At
one o'clock we took up our line of march pas
sing under the cover Of nigAt in view of the
enemies Notifications, and extensive camp
fires.
At about four o'clock, we had reached a po-
sition partly in the rear OF their position,
where we could look in upon our foes behind
their works. We were to remain here until
quarter to nine O'clock and then advance
aud make sudden charge upon them. Al
eight O'Clock our artillery opened upon Them
and they returned the fire, and We supposed
that day Of blood and carnage was before
us, but the firing soon ceased, the time came
and went by, aud 90 orders were given for
the charge. 1t Was evident that something
did not work as was anticipated. 1t was
found very difficult to reach the enemy from
our position, as we must ford Mine Run
and then pass over lots OF trees that had been