Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-07-29
Correspondence Of the Free Press]
From the Cavalry Regiment.
HEAD QUARTERS FIRST VI. CAvALRY,
Light House Point, Va
July both 1864.

four days rest Can this be beaten in the histo-
ry Of war , l am inclined to think not.
Since the 81 day of May this corps have trav-
elled over fifteen hundred miles, and destroyed
over one hundred million dollars worth II Of prop
erty, including Rail- Roads, Canals, Grist Mills,
Paper Mills, Foanderies, Machine Shops, pub
lie and private property. In all this the LIST
Vermont have born an honorable part, and | am
proud in saying has kept up its old reputation
of being second to none in the army.
The conspicuous part borne by our regiment
throughout the whole campaign, has caused US
to mourn the loss of many brave and true men;
and the places of such men as Col. Preston.
Capt. Cushman and Lieutensnts Hall, Stewart,
and Williamson cannot be filled. Col. Preston
was our ahh Col. and although like all men he
had his faults, he was universally loved and
respected. Gen. Custer remarked las the news
of the Coils death reached him ale was the
best Col. in the Cavalry Corps" The bravery
Of Capt. Cushman was never doubted. At
Gettysburgh he received a fearful wound in
the face, disiguring him for life Under such
circumstances most officers would have resigned,
but the brave Capt. was not one Of that kind,
and early in October he rejoined his regiment
and was ever on duty until he received his death
wound. He came out with the regiment as Sd
Sergt. Co. +, but was soon promoted to LIST
Lieut., and after the mastering out Of It. Drury
he acted for some months as regimental Quarter
Master. He was promoted to Capt. upon the
resignation of Capt. Rundlett in Dec. 1862.
have noticed several obituary notices Of the
death Of the cool intrepid Lieut.. Hall. None
10 him the justice due him. The qualities
combined in Lieut.. Hall we're far different from
those Of officers generally.
do not think he was eager Tor a fight, but
once in he fought terribly. During the Penn
sylvania campaign he was Provost Marshal Of
the lst Brigade, Sd Division, and repeatedly
had his horse shot under him, while acting on
the staff Of the lamented FarnsEorth. He was
near the General at Gettysburg at the time he
was killed. and had his horse shot under him in
that terrific charge,-he was soon mounted
again and came out on the horse Of one Of his
men who was killed in the charge. HIS loss i.
deeply mournei by the regiment. He was
buried under a thrifty growing sapliug. three
miles from Nottoway Court House, and hs name
and regiment engraven on the tree.
Lieut.. Gilbert Stewart. Co. G. another Of Yer
mont's bavest and best sons, came out as 81
Sergeant Of his company. During the cam
paign Of 1862. he commanded the escort Of
Brig. Gen. Hatch, and soon after rejoining BIZ.
regiment was promoted to be ID Lieut.. lie was
undoubtedly the best t~actician in the regiment.
In battle he was calm, cool and collected, avoid
ing all harsh and profine language. In camp
he was aaable and kind, commanding the res
pect Of all.
Lieut. williamson came out IS a Lieut.. Of
Co. X. AMI was always considered > gooi Off
Ger, but owing to the 81 powers that were" never
received but one promotion. During the latter
part Of last winter he fllei the responsible po-
sition Of Provost Marshal Of the 81 Division on
the staff Of Gen. Fitzpatrick
Thus have passed away 1--WE as brave officers
as ever drew the sword. Their lives and deeds
are familiar in the regiment and their memories
viii ever be retained.
The entire loss Of the regiment since crossing
the Rapidan, in killed, wounded and missing, is
about two hundred aud thirty officers and men,
including eighteen officers. The present strength
Of the regiment for duty is two hundred and
ninteiy-siz men. On their return from the
famous Wilson raid only FIVE line officers
were remaining two afterwards cane in,
(Lieuts. Chandler and SawyerD
Several recent promotions have been made. IN
GLIDING orderly Serg't Seaver, Co. E, promoted
to be ID Lieut.. Lieut. H E. Brainard our new
Quartermaster has gone to Washington on sick
leave. Capt. Paige, Co. C., is quite sick at
Corps Hospital, and Capt. Grover, Co. X, sick
in quarters, leaving only one Captain in the
regiment Capt. Eiwards) on duty. Lieut.. c.
W Morse is At present on detached service. Act
ne Assistant Adjt Gen. to Maj Crumb, 9TH y.
y. Cavalry, commanding Dismounted Battalion
of the 81 Division.
Lieut.. Stranahan. Co. L. remains on the staff
Of Brig Gen. Custer, and Lieut.. Clark, Co. T.
ambulance officer Of the "a Brig Sd Div.
l had almost forgotten TO mention several cases
Of heroic fortitude exhibited in the recent raid.
Capt. W. 6. Cummings Co. D. who was danger
ously wounded in the head and face was riding
in an ambulance when the order was given to
abandon the amoulances, artillery &c. The
Capt couldn't ''see the point Of remaining in
rebellion the next two years, and therefore
mounted a horse and came out in command Of
his battalion. Lieut.. W. L. Greenleaf. Co. L.
and Sergt J. W Msttocks, Co. A, both severely
wounded attempted TO follow the brave Captains
example but they were obliged to return to
the ambulances and see their comrades leave
them. Sergt. Mattocks had recently re
joined the regiment from Veteran" leave. lie
is from Williston, Vt. and is considered one of
the finest men in the regiment.
Since the regiment has been lying here the
bill of fare has been somewhat changed and
''hard tack is laid aside for soft bread. SC. A
order from Gen. Meade requires Commiss-
aries to issue at least four days fresh potAtoe.
and three days fresh onions per week, also
string beans, cabbage, sourkrout, fresh beets,
carrots sc. in great abundance.
That noble institution, the Sanitary Commis-
sion having become a permanent organization in
the army are doing much more than could be
Through them we are furnished with
thousands of gallons of pickles. boxes of oranges
.emons, sc. and many other necessaries no, in
he Government bill Of fare. Long may they
i've , ;
Yesterday we were visited with a heavy fall
If rain. the first of any account since the sth
If May. The roads had become impossible, the
being in some places over four inches deep.
This morning everything presents a new appear
nee. Instead Of the vast clouds Of dust raised
" the moving trains and almost hiding everv- ,