Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-10-13
From the lst Vermont Cavalry.

The lollowina.has Dpen handed as or publi-
cation by Adiasint General washburni
HeADqGahrERs FlRsI VFRMoNT UAeAIRY
GRosE CnuRcH, Va, Sept. 20ih, 1868
P. I WAsnBURN,
Adjt and ms Gen Of Vermont
SIR beg leave 70 submit tue following
brel report Of the part taken by this regiment,
(the first and second battalions) IN the recent
operations by our cavalry against the enemy.
We left our camp, near Falmouth va, M
one o'clock, F. NJ, on Saturday, September
18th 1868, and proceeded with the division to
which we are attached to Kelly Ford Crossed
the Rappahannock river early the next morn
ing Sunday 18Th inst, and arrived IN ,he vi
ciSty of Cu.pepper Court House, at about
twelve O'Clock NJ. where our cavalry were
brskly engaged in skirmshng with the enc
py's cavalry ami ARTILLERY, driving them toward
the town.
The regiment was Immediately directed by
Gen Kpatrick- dylslon---to
move to The left OF the town, and endeavor
to cut oi portion of tbs enenys i'rce sta.
TONED in that erection but stream oil water
running along the border Of the village, had be-
come 30 much swollen by the rain oil the day
before, as to render 1t unlordable anu thus
ro''"s t",1o H. "o,vsd ordars 70 char,e 'nto a Al
town, which we did passing through-captur- ...r
ing eight prisoners and one gun with car iage,
| horses 6c., complete, aud 0cclped knoll on
the south side of the village, where the regl- 81.
ment was subjected to a very severe artillery lire
from the enemy guns, stationed at our front
and left We were here directed by Zen Gus
ter, commanding brigade, to attack the lorce
occupying the woods to the left OF the town,
and holding the road leading in the direction OF .I
Orange Court House. Companies and | OF
the first battalion, were TO the righ;-ds-
mounted-and engaged the skrmlsheis OF the
enemy s left The second battalion Companies sat
B, c, II and G), under Capt. Adams beng sent q.
forward charged the enemy, driving them IRON
the road, and through the woods Dack under
the protection of their artillery, capturing
! lwentysix prisoners. The fight al thus place
continued for considerable length OF time,
three separate charges having been Made by our M
men, The force in front OF the second oattallon
largely oui-numberng their opponents, and be-
ne strongly supported, rallied, and gained h
temporary advantage, during which time they aa.
succeeded IN removing their artillery stationed
in our 'front.' A movement on our Hanks was
at one time attempted, but it iailct In ito pur.
pose, the enemy being compelled to retire. The
repulso OF the enemy along the whole line, be- ais
I ng at this time--iour O'Clock Z. M,-oompete,
4 they retreated in the direction oil the kapldan
river. The pursuit was continued until dark,
bu, their forces did not make stand beflre
crossing
Ine commanding omcoI ucihB 'N"PVtU"y
disabled during the engagement BY the BURST 0ate
ing Of shell, the command was turned over d..
for a short time 10 Capt. Adams.
The engagement lasted nearly four hours, du-
ring which time, the regiment was continually te
under fire We captured about forty prisoners ag.1
during the day, the enemy leaving several killed ii d
4 and wounded gu the fold ..
All the officers and men did their whole du-
ty, and are entitled to great praise ior their
! hraverv and oood conduct. .t.# ...f
Accompanying this, is list OF the casualties. s
n | have the honor 10 be,
f Very respectful ly your obedient servant,
WILLIAM WELLS, Nn
Il Major Com'd'g Is, Vermont Cavalry. I'd
List Of casualties occurring iE Rrd rtg,msn Of a8
, Vermont Cdrdhg. Sept. 1874, 1868 ....Hf
! SlssL RAM Co. RrnAa1s.
/, " nlam Wells, MAI Wounded slight In shosjer.
4 , O. d, Gates Adit Missing
John Henry, Psiyats, u, Killed ....
4. " n. navel, setst O, Wounded IN the len
| Monroe LylofJ, Private, Z, :" Z" shoulder, IHl
y. A. Russell, Private, l, side
| D. @ Chapman, rorF. u, Missing
NJ. Aerril, Private, y,
N. Y. AdTch, Sctgi. q, .6....
A. y. nacket, Buslr, N, - - -. -.
fccmmsnding at W Cav