Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-06-02
Frem the Vermont Cavalry-Shcr'
u IN idan's Late Raid.
INTERESTING ACCOUNT.


Cavalry, though delayed in its transmits
sion to us, will be read with much in
terest: 'il'.a
~ BryouAo OF FIRST VT. CAVALRY,
tr Carries Landing, Nay 10, 1854.
Editor Rutland Herald .a,.s tt,8.F ii
Again we have emerged from rebel
darkness, and have halted for a short
time here on large meadow on the left
hanA .f James River, Ave miles above
City Point. The wnoie cavalry corps is
encamped near by, and is now drawing
rations for both men and horses from
some of Buffers transports. We are
feeling somewhat tired for our duty
during the last ten days has been weari-
some and decidedly unpleasant as the
We left camp at Stevensburg, where
we had been for only three or four days
after rejoining the Third division, at one
O'Clock on Wednesday morning, and
marched towards Germania Ford. We
knew that we should not want for trav
cling companions, for far away over the
level country and on the hill sides could
be seen innumerable fires, which at that
time of night denoted general break
ing up of camps 1t was a grand and
awful sight; but it only told the SOL
der that soon he must be engaged in
mortal combat with the enemies of his
country. fqg. 45 H 8a e vf
Our division was on the advance and
crossed at Germania Ford at break of
day, meeting with but little opposition,
Gen. Wilson Immediately proceeded on
the plank road towards Mine Run,
scouting the country well in all direc-
TONS but finding only few struggling
rebels until we got near Mine Run,
where we halted for the night, making
all the show we could Of having large
force. The division started early the
+ next morning, marching to the left of
Mine Run where the rebels were en-
camped. Our regiment was on the ad
vance and soon met the enemy who were
ready to give US battle. Their cavalry
drove our advance guard back on the
charge to where our regiment was in line;
but retraced the road as fast as they
came with our boys close upon them.
Lt.-Col. Preston then sent out heavy
line of skirmishers dismounted, and the
fight commenced in earnest. We slowly
Z drove them back two miles into their
breastworks, when the First Vermont
was relieved by the Third Indiana and
Eighth New York, our regiment having
been engaged five or six hours, and lost
some four or five men killed and about
thirty wounded The rebel cavalry
were now reinforced by their infantry,
and drove our men back so that Lt.-Col.
Preston was obliged to send out his men
again. We had one piece of artillery
well to the front which the rebels tried
hard to take; but our brave lieutenant
colonel with only few men charged
them and held them in check until the
piece was run back and got away. AS
we fell back to where the First brigade
was in position, the rebels would charge
us at every opportunity until the shell
from our batteries halted them. Gen.
Wilson continued to fall back until he
met Gen. Gregg with his division ready
for fight when the rebels came up, for
they were closely on our rear. 1t is ev-
ident that Gen. Wilson accomplished
what was intended he should: that is, to
find out their position, attack them and
bring on battle. @
Next morning at dawn CT day we were
surprised by hearing terrific roar of
musketry and artillery just to our right.
1t was then that we knew Grant and
Lee had met, and would face eacn other
until one or the other should be whip
ped, which meant that thousands Of
brave men must die in that wild Will
derness. After our division was reliev-
ed by the First division, we fell back to
Charlottesville, where we got little
rest and drew rations.
Saturday about noon our division
marched from Charlottesville around
to the left of our army and took posi-
tion, but although heavy lighting was
kept up all along the line, we were not
engaged excrs,t In slight skirmishing,
during the day.
Sunday dawned bright and still; but
instead Of bringing to us soldiers peace
and quiet which was enjoyed at oul
homes in pleasant Vermont, we were
called to the field Of battle. About
o'clock A. n. our division reached Spott
syivania, where we found Stuart's cav
alry and baggage train. The Eight
eenth Pennsylvania charged the trair
capturing sixteen wagons, and mum
Der of rebels who were guarding then
General Wilson's orders were not t
bring on q hattie at that places SO b
slowly fell back towards Frederick
burg. Issi
Next morning [May sth) Gen. She
idan With the whole cavalry corp