The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-08


tory OF the siege Of the city by Gen. LoDgstreet
up % that time, from which we make the follow
ing extracts
FIRST DAY-NOv. II.
During the night our troops fell back to the
city, and they are now disposed in line Of battle
around its outskirts, awaiting the attack of the en-
envy. every available soldier has been put under
arms, the negroes have been pressed into service
20 aid in the construction Of earthworks, redoubts
and rifepits, aud everywhere are heard the sounds
OF the busy pick and spade. Gen. Burnside will
make bis final stand at knoxyil e, ar d there await
the issue of the contest. Ire wagon trains have
been parked in the valleys east of the city, near
the river and out of range of the shells, which, it
It expected, viii fly quite lively in the morning.
The position which our troops have taken up
is high ridge to the west and southwest of the
city Gu this our batteries are placed at intervals,
he gaps filed with infantry and protected by ri
tie-pits. Our outpost consisting OF cavalry and
mounted infantry, is staonsd at Armstrong; farm,
about two miles out upon the London road. II
was late in the forenoon when the pickets of the
enemy made their appearance. A sharp skirmish
commenced in the woods, resulting in the falling
back OF our videttes upon the main body, which
was dismounted and had formed in line of battle
upon hearing the firing.
After brief period in which the firing was
out splsmodic, the rebels charged out of the tim
Der, and with yell dashed over the open space.
Our main body, which to this time had reserved
It's fire, now rose to position as one man and
poured IN a volIey which checked and turned the
enemy, whose line had already become somewhat
broken in the charge, owing to the very impetu-
osity Of some OF their own men, who had started
on the run and were shot almost within pistol
range OF our line.
From the earthworks below the city we had a
complete view of the whole attack. We could
see and note every movement on both sides--the
sputtering little fire between our videttes and the
rebels, as the former fell back the beautiful line,
dotted with Jets of smoke, as the rebels charged
out OF the timber; the quick, rafting yolley from
the rail fence, as our men spraDg to their feet to
check the onset the broken and confused line
which now ensued, with the rebel officers riding
up and down, endeavoring to rally the men to the
continuance of the charge, their retreat to the
timber, and the irregular desultoly fire which
foil wed, as our men, Gu as be was ready, rose
from the ground to discharge his piece and fall
down once more to reload.
During the nigh. cur outpost on the L0udon
read, under command oil Gen. Sanders, consisting
of portions Of Two brigades from the division of
Gen. Shackleiord, fell back to the farm OF Mr..
John Armstrong, which is about d mile from the
outskirts OF the city, and here on the crest of
hill they were discovered by the enemy's skirmish-
era this morning. a desultory fire commenced
on both Sides which at length eyentuated in a
charge by the rebels Our men sprang up to
meet it, and poured in so deadly voey that the
rebels broke before it and retreated to The woods
10 re III, ,,I,
day, taught the rebels that it was no easy task to
drive in this gallant band. They now brought
artillery into position-fcur pieces on our left and
Two on the right Our men had constructed u
barricade of rails aud behind this frail defense
aid down as the guns opened. From 10th TANKS
soon whisted the tornado of shell aud canister
out stolid as rock remained each PROSTATE form,
with musket clutched at hand and bayonet gs.
,eniug above the barrcaGe, " hi the deadly mis-
Siies fell around like hail. dashing up the earth in
little clouds OF dust. Suddenly the rebels opened
from behind the house with Two pieces, which
they run out on either side and drew bat k after
dlscbargng. A hire was nov concentrating upon
lhe devoted band from three sdeS-right, centre
and eit-but still they remained lmmovable.
Benjamin opened upon the house with his Par
Eots, and was just warming up with the work,
when the rebel infantry came for ard on charge,
and With wild yell, cleared the first cornfe d
Again to their feet sprang our gallant boys to
meet it. Heroic Sanders was with them, and
grim, grizzly Wolfe. d-a host in themselves. The
rebels cane i'll mass, with Tegimenal 'front.' pour
ing their yOlleys as they came but our steady,
well directed fire gave them slight check. Their
General rode in front, conspicuous IN blue Jac
Set, ghterug with gold braid, who, as he came
near, tn One Hundred anu Twelfth Illinois
called OF: TO tie color bearer to yield his flag.
The response was yoIley of bullets, which tum-
Died him from his horse.
1t was now that Gen. Sanders was wound d.
lie had taken the musket of wounded man, aud
willie be still dire cted the movements, took few
shots himself H. the midst OF the firing he fell,
and was borne from the fed. A Minnie bullet
pierced his body above the hip. The gallant
band began 10 give way, when their leader fell,
and retiring step by step from the ridge which
they had occupied, withdrew to a new position
near the clv, While the rebels, with cheer ocGu-
pied the ridge. Nearly one half Of the killed and
wounded fell into the hands Of the rebels Oar
entire loss In the fight was about one hundred
and 6fty.
THIRD DAY-NovEMBER 10.
A novel and effective means Of d Tense has
been made use of by Col Poe, our Chief of
In. iDetrs. Two creeks flow through he civ
rom the country northward. These have been
damned up, and the back water has swoll,n to u
STR am 10 Fl ont of our rifle pits, which will ne
Oessi,ate BOATS or ponto ms to cross. lie deems
the city lmpregnabIe from that direction.
7. mi Il n n