Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-06-05
From the Second Regiment.

US for publication. We hope to have
more favors from the same sourca.-ED
/ am well and on duty at present. ]
came out of this late baptism of fire and
blood unharmed, got scratched little
and had the smell of powder about my
clothes, but would not have it other
wise there was nothing serious. We
have had some desperate fighting, suf-
fered another repulse, and the army Ct
the Potomac is now along their old line,
on the north side of the Rappahannock.
How long we shall be here-what we
shall do next, l know not, and specula-
ton is idle. You may be able TO judge
in regard loI such matters, full better
than myself.
The papers have probably given you
full particulars" in regard TO the battle
or series of battles. | cannot look at it
in any light but that Hooker got defeated {;
am ashamed to own it-and regret the
necessity Of doing so, bat it is always
wise to face the music-plt down th'
gain and loss, square the books, and com
mence new accounts. We have lost
heavily, with that exception the army
is here safe, and ready to "measure
swords again whenever the order "For.
ward" comes.
like the general outlines of Hooker's
plan, but it did not succeed. God only
knows what we can do until we try.
was for a time amost disheartened,
I wished had been shot on the field,
&C., &c. As Byron says, MY soul was
dark" but | feel better about it now,
and expect to live to yet march into
Richmond under our old regimental
colors. God speed the day
Monday night, april 27tb), we re
ceiyed orders TO be ready to march the
next morning at an early hour, with
eight days rations The cavalry had all
passed on towards Falmouth, several
days before. Early Tuesday morning,
our tents were dismantled, everything
was packed, and all impatiently awaited
the order to "Fall in" 1t commenced
raining about 10 A. NJ, and the weather
was cold, but soldiers are not permitted
to wait for a pleasant time, in which to
take a strolI-their pleasures are not
consulted in such matters, sun or storm,
day or night, its all the same.
Tuesday night we halted near the
river, and after dark the Light Division
went down to the river, got the pontoons
down, and Brooks crossed his division
at daylight. We went down to the bridge
early Wednesday morning, but did not
cross. There was but little firing, every
thing appeared to be quiet. Our skir-
mishers and theirs were within short
range of each other, but neither fired up
on the other.
The artillery broke out two or three
times, but each party appeared to be
waiting. Saturday night our whole
corps crossed; we were alone at that time.
The 1st Corps (Reynold's,) and the Sd
(Sickles) had gone up to the right to
operate with Hooker, and we bad heard
heavy firing there for the past two or
three days. Sunday morning we took
possession of the city, driving back reb-
ell skirmishers. Our Brigade lay in the
old Richmond road until about ll-30 A..
NJ, when we were ordered to storm the
heights. just below, and at the left Of the
city. Since daybresk the cannonading
had been terrific. The column was
formed, and we started, the 2nd Regimen;
leading the charge; as soon as we APP
peal ed, the rebels turned all their artill-
cry upon US, and our batteries replied,
The hills smoked, a sulphrous canopy en-
veloped the plain, and the shells went
screaming through the air, it was grand
but awful; we advanced mile over the
plain under fire, most Of the way on the
run, drove the enemy from rifle pit at
the base of the hill, then wen: up, drove
them from their works and out into an
old sunken road along on the hill before
our supports came up, the rebels then
broke and run; their whole line on the
hills gave way. There was Missis-
sippi Brigade on the hill we went up,
and they were strongly posted. A
wounded rebel Lieutenant stated that
there were eighteen or twenty thousand
men along the line Of hills. The Light
Division took the heights in rear Of
the city at the same time, and General
Brooks followed the enemy about three
miles on the Gordonsville road. They
met reinforcements and made stand
there, night closed on the scene, the reb-
els fell back a little at the last. Monday
morning we changed front to the south