Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-12-09
wards we moved to Sudley's Church, up

flank Of our army during this day and
the next The division remained on and
ABOUT this field until the 18th inst. do
ing guard duty and having occasional
skirmishes with the enemy, who was now
in force at Gains> lille, and had thrown
forward his grand guards as fas as Grove
ton, near the southern border of the
field.
AT about o'clock P, NJ of Sunday
18th, was ordered to advance as rapidly
as possible toward GAINESVILLE by the New
Market road. which diverges from the di-
rect turnpike toward the left aud, con-
verging. unites with it again near Gains
vile. Immediately threw forward one
company O as skirmishcrs, who very
soou encountered the enemy. The whole
of the first battalion soon became engag-
ed, Major Bennett and Lieutenant Col.
Preston pressing the enemy vigorously,
and Major Wells keeping his reserve bat
tallion we'll up to the skirmish line. In
a few moments the rebels broke and fed
precipitately, we pursuing them so hotly,
that General Custar said he lost u.s. At
the junction of the roads we were joined
by the I'd New York, which had advanc-
ed by the turnpike and drove the enemy
upon his reserve at GAINESVILLE. 1t was
now dark. and, as he presented very
formidable line of fire, We we're ordered
to attempt no farther advance, but to hold
the woods until further orders. This
kept the regiment on duty through the
entire night,--a cold and rainy one
and, next morning, in the hope of reliev-
ing the men. sent word to General Gus
ter that | would drive the enemy from
GAINESVILLE in ten minutes if permitted.
His reply was, "drive him out as soou as
you please" Major Bennett Immediately
deployed his battalion, Major Wells sup
porting. The enemy threw forward a
strong skirmish line as if he had at
least a brigude in reserve, but, suspecting
the ruse, l pushed forward the battalion
rapidly. Company L. having no officer
, with them, seemed at first to hesitate,
but upon my sendiug item Lieutenant
Clark of Company f, they rallied and
. advanced gallantly. With this trifling
exception, the calling fire to which we
were exposed did not for moment check
, US, but the men went in with hearty
) cheers and nobly redeemed my promise
} The enemy. who had thrown his whole
, strength into his skirmish line, fed too
, rapidly to be overtaken. lost no men
and but few horses. | extract the follow
ing from General Clusters official report
of this affair: :" The First Vermont Cav
airy, under Colonel Sawyer, deserves
great credit for the rapidity with which
they forced the enemy to retire"
, But our success did not bring us the
rest had hoped,--not even time to make
: coffee. The road being now clear, an i'm
, mediate advance of the division was or
dered, with the purpose of occupying
Warrenton. Near Buckland's Mills how
ever it was fonDd that the enemy occu.
pied a strong position before US, and was
prepared with artillery to dispute our
} farther progress. was now ordered to
support Penningtons battery. When it
was evident we would be attacked upon
, our left faux, Captain Pennington ad-
vanced in that direction and opened a
brisk, and, as we then thought and the
event proved. a destructive 6rc. form
ed my regiment in columns of squadrons
} upon his left, pushing it we'll for
ward, and deploying two companies of dis
, mounted carbineers who skirmished with
the enemy until after the guns were
< withdrawn. We we're exposed here to a
very heavy fire from the large force which
was brought against the guns, but from
it's too great elevation. escaped with
slight loss. Seeing the battery safely with
drawn, aud that was to be opposed by
both infantry and cavalry, in superior
force and rapidly advancing in front and
upon both tanks. ordered the regiment
to be Withdrawn across Broad Run, which
, was done in excellent order. Toward
n;oht I ,yoa n..larad IA watob the anomv o.