Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-07-24

ground in front of our lines on the centre and
left, the dead of both armies lay by hundreds
still unburiei, though strong burial parties had
been at work for 10 or IL hours They had died
from almost every conceivable form Of mutilation
and shot-wound. When not killed outright by
a ball through the head or heart, the dead lay
for the most part on their backs, with clothes
commonly thrown open in front, and breast and
stomach exposed. The faces, as general rule,
had turned black-not purplish discoloration,
such as had imagined in reading of the "black-
ened corpses'' 80 often mentioned in descriptions
of battle-ground, but deep bluesh black, CIV
ing to a corpse with black hair the appearance
of a negro, and to one with light or red hair and
whiskers a strange and revolving aspect In the
woods on our right, where the long musketry
fight of Friday forenoon ragel, | found the rebel
dead tour own had been mostly buried) literally
covering the ground. In a circle Of 30 fee, IA
dius, as near as could estimate, | counted AZ
dead rebels The number of the enemy's dead
in two acres Of that oak grove, was estimated at
1000, and | cannot say that think it exag-
gerated On the knoll, lust on the right
Of the position of our brigade, occupied by our
batteries on Friday, l counted the dead bodies
of tireaty-aiae horses. As late as Sunday noon,
wounded men were still being brought into
the hospitals, some of whom had lain lin out Of
the way nooks) on the field since Thursday
But tine and space are failing me. The Sec
ond Brigade is broken up. The 18th regiment
having remained on arluous duty in the army
of the Potomac week beyond the utmost limit
of its time (flr which it received the thanks of
Gen Newton, commanding the LIST Corps, in a
highly complimentary order) took its leave with
the hearty good wishes and Godspced of all with
whom they have been associated,- now been
mustered out Of service, and has ceased to exist
as a military body. The 18th has also arrived
here covered with dust and laurels, and in few
days will be no more as a regiment. Two week
more will see the other regiments on their way
home.
The service of the nine months brigade has
not been exactly what we most Of us expected,
for We counted on sharp active campaigns in the
field, and hoped to be in at the death of the re-
bellon, and to share in the final triumphs of the
Great War for the Union. But ifless glorious
than that Of some, the duty which has mainly
occupied US on the Defences of Washington, has
been as honorable as any, and more laborious
than the average. And though not permitted
to see within our term the close of the war, We
have been allowed to have hand in the great
est battle, and the most disastrous to the enemy,
of any fought in the East. and can 20 to our
homes. feeling that with the glorious successes
in the West, and the opening of the Mississippi,
the " back bone of the rebellion q" is indeed
broken.
And now with prayers for the speedy tri-
umph Of the Good Cause, in the service Of which
it is honor enough to have had share with
hearticst good wishes for his comrades in arms,
for many Of whom he has formed friendships
which VIII be life long and with kindest re-
CARDS for the gentle readers who have re-
cciycl with such kind interest his hasty and IN
studied sketches, your correspondent brings this
series TO close, and takes his leave Of camps
and army correspondence.
Yours. &.