Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-02-12
From the Brattleboro Phoenix.
FROM THE sTH REGIMENT.
BRAsHEAR Cry. La.
Jan. 18th, 1868


week has been more of interest to the Vt.
Sth. On Monday it was suddenly recall
ed from Thibadeaux to this place, and on
Tuesday went with five other regiments,
parts of five batteries, some companies of
cavalry, and three gun-boats up the bay
Gus Atchafalaga and Teche to attack the
famous iron clad Cotton, and drive back
the rebels collected near her. Landing at
Jacksonville few miles up, the whole
body formed in two lines about an eighth
of mile apart, and, Col. Thomas being
the second in command, the 9Th Vermont
was placed at the right of the second or
reserve line Af>er some slight skirmish-
ing of the cavalry, the troops slept on their
arms. Early Wednesday morning while
all the rest of the land forces remained on
the south side of the Teche, our regiment
was ordered to cross and advance on the
north The Teche lisa deep creek about as
broad as the Connecticut at the Brattle-
boro bridge, with low fiat banks, naviga-
Bile for gun except where obstructed
by the rebels. While we were crossing
the gunboats had tried to proceed but had
been twice driven back, the Commodore
himself and others having been killed by
sharpshooters in rifepits on the north
shore. The word came those pits must
first be cleared the answer was, lit shall
be done Forming at once as it landed
the regiment marched very rapidly up the
shore. The sun was hot, and soon blan-
kets haversacks and overcoats were thrown
aside, and the eager, steady column pres
sed forward to the work. Sixty special
volunteers under Capt. Fl. F. Dutton, and
skirmishers under Lieut.. Mcfarland, OF
Co. A, we're thrown out in front. AT
about three quarters of mile from our
landing place they came suddenly upon
the rebel sharpshooters, exchanged few
shots while rushing up to them, took sew
eral prisoners and drove the rest into the
tall cane which covers all the land, lex
cept the edge of the bayou up to cypress
swamp half mile distant. Then in long
line of battle, at right angles with the
bayou, the regiment swept through thu
deep cane, only the officers on horseback,
and the glistening bayonets rising into
view. Prompt, firm aud regular it went
on to clear that space from whatever might
be there. 1t was afterward known that
large body of cavalry and four pieces Of
Sims famous artillery aUere there, but
left too rapidly to be overtaken. So field
after field was passed, till being far in ad-
vance of both infantry and gunboats, a
pause was made No skifs were to be
had to cross, and no orders came from
Gen. Weitzel, the commander-in-chief, and
go we went on again, skirmishers in front
till we came in sight of large fort on
the opposite side. Soon shots came from
the fort at the advanced men and then at
the regiment itself. the shells bursting
nearer each time as the range was obtain
ed. Slowly then we fell back out of reach,
took possession of sugar house and there
passed the night The next morning we
with all the other troops, Unexpectedly to
us, returned to Brashear City. The gun
boats could not pass or remove the OBJ
structions, the Cotton had been burned 10y
the rebels, and the object of the expeli-
ton accomplished. For our part, we had
resolutely cleared the dangerous pits and
treacherous cane fields, killed six rebels,
wounded six, and took upwards of forty
prisoners, including their commander, and
not man harmed among ourselves.
The spirit Of the regiment was very
good. The bold, vigorous advance was
thing to see and remember. No wonder it
gave the rebels the idea we were support.
ed by a large force, and they retired. Yet
there was no rashness; the distinct object
was to be effected then and there. There
were no trees, nothing but cane where
you could sec man when you could touch
him, and the regiment went in man fash
ion, for a fair field and no favor. The
only regret was that no more was to be
done and that we must return.
The prisoners are ignorant men only
twn of WHOM ao,l 4 ,.,. j., A. =: -