Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-04-27

ON. tue lSt prlgdue Vi ouT uifisiVu-co"-
posed of the 10Th Kentucky. 18th Him
ois, 23d Wisconsin, and the 9th Indiana.
numbering about 1900 men--was started
in advance, and about daylight commenced
skirmishing with the enemy. We-the
Chicago Mercantile Battery-starttd at
daylight with the I'd brigade and the Sd
division numbering about $500 or 5000
men. marched through dense timber until
o'clock in the afternoon, when we were
ordered to the front. To get to where the
fighting was in progress. we had to pass
the whole train of Lees cavalry division.
numbering 500 wagons; and as there
was only one road through the timber
they were pulled up to one side and we
went by them on gallop, with our guns.
caissons battery wagon and forge We
had just passed the train, when we came
to an opening about mile square. and
on the opposite side were our men engag-
ed in skirmishing.
By this time our whole division was in
action, and brigade of the Sd division.
We crossed the field, took a position near
the edge of the opposite woods. and had
just got in battery when we heard terri
Bile yell, and saw line of rebels. unbrok-
en-. charging on cur exhausted men, who
had been diminishing all day, and
had only few rounds of ammunition
left. .s.
Then came whitening volley of mus
kerry. and then our poor boys commenced
retreat, but not in order. for there were
not enough men to form line. We
walked few moments, until our men had
passed us. and commenced firing on the
rebel lines. but could not stop their pro-
cress, and we soon received orders from
Col Landrum to timber up and leave. if
VIC ever expected to get our guns off.
Two of our horses had been shot, but VIC
forced them across the field, and took up
another position in the edge of the timber
firing again on the rebel lines, which we
could see, with great distinctncss, crossing
the field on the double qnick
Here Gen. Ransom was shot in the
knee, and was obliged to leave the field.
Lieut. Throop was felled by the windage
of shell, which grazed his abdomen.
Gen. Banks was here, trying to rally the
cavalry, which was in great disordep-
The buglers sounded the rally--a sound
that never shall forget-and new
line was formed but in few moments
both our hauks were turned. and we were
obliged to timber up and retire short
distance. Here another line was formed
and few more shots delivered.
By this time the rebels were on both
our tanks and firing acrss in every direc-
tion. We got our pieces into the road.
and began to retreat. when scene of
great confusion ensued In the road was
that whole cavalry train faced to the rear,
and each man trying to escape on his own
hook, and the road so blocked up that it
was an impossibility for anything to
move Our gun was next to the rear
piece, and fired one of the last shots that
was fired by the artillery. When the
rebels got within two rodseof us, VIC re.
celved orders to cut the traces and escape
if possible. Mr.. dyer, our gunner, went
to his timber, took out file end hammer
and when the rebels had already reached
the gun behind ours, he commenced spik-
ing his gun. and was captured at his post.
Whether he was wounded or not, can not
tell.
now began to think of my own safe
ty, and ran down the road short dis
lance; then struck into the woods until
| was exhausted, when caught mule.
! mounted him, but was Immediately dis
mounted by the fractions animal Soon
after, found another mule mounted him,
was soon out Of danger, behind the 10Th
army corps.
While our division was fighting, the
10Th army corps went into camp about
eight miles to our rear, aud we're after.
wards, but too late, brought up to our
succor.
OF our whole division. numbering 5000
men, but 1000 are left to tell the fearful
odds against which they contended. Two