Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-11-18
The Vermont Troops at Cedar
Creek,

glance that the important moment Tor
dash had arrived. Hastily calling in
his command he started with the First
Vermont Cavalry, Col. Wells, and Fifth
New York Cavalry, Major Krom, the
balance of the command, except b Q
First Connecticut, following as closely as
possible. With this small command be
pushed through rocky ravine, striking
Cedar Greek at a blind ford, but little
more than oneefourth of mile west Of
! the pike. Custer and Wells al the head,
crossed wiih the First Vermont, n d
Major Krom with the Fifth New York
following At distance If less than
half mile from the Creek, Pegram's
infantry was found drawn up behind
stone wall to receive them. Skirmishers
were hastily deployed from the First
Vermont the Fifth New York in COZ
umn, by squadrons, formed on the left
The rebel artillery could be heard run
ming over the pike--lt was too great
prize to be lost. "Charge Charge"
fairly screeched out Custer, and the small
but gallant band did charge successfully,
dispensing the enemy and not stopping
for prisoners. On the command dashed,
s rfking the pike about one mile south
Of Cedar Greek 1t was now dark, but at
a glance it was seen that the pike was
full Of artillery, horses, men, and wagons.
Col Wells dashed forward 20 beyond
Strasburgh, cutting off by the movement
forty feo pieces Of artillery, ambuances,
wagons, caissons, horses, soldiers, &c, &c.
The soldiers surrendered quietly gener-
ally, and only asked to have their lives
spared-so much does conscience haunt
even the poor traitors in he ranks Of the
rebel army. The scene that followed
must be imagined, for it cannot be pictur-
ed in the mind Of the reader. AS I have
said before, the Michigan brigade, Col.
Kipp, had forced Kershaw's command
across the river on the left, capturing
many prisoners, and in fact dispensing
the command. Devin's brigade--a por-
tion of il was on detached service-the
First New York, portion of the Sixth
and Twenty-ninth Newly ork, pursued
the enemy directly up the pike but the
rapid movement of Custer gave him the
advance, and his command, or rather the
First Vermont a d Fifth New-York,
captured majority of the guns. Mer-
rilt's division captured several battle flags,
seven or eight pieces of artillery and
large number of prisoners. Clusters di-
vision recaptured a flag belonging to the
Fifteenth New-Jersey Infantry, which
was taken in the morning, and also sew
eral battle flags n prisoners. The
First Vermont also captured more pris--
oners than there are men in the regiment.
The New York Tribune'S correspond.
emf, in speaking Of this charge, says: As
here were but As pieces Of artillery cap
ured by the whole army, this splendid
achievement Of h Green Mountain
Boys n be fully appreciated. Gen.
Sheridan states that no regiment b as
,aptured much ! n single charge
ince t h war commenced. The lst
Vermont has long been a terror to the
ebels.
AT the battle Of October 10, h 2d
Brigade of the 1st Division, 10Th Army
Corps, was commanded by Col. Stephen
Thomas Of III c Slh Vermont Veteran
Volunteers, of which officer it would be
impossible to ca in terms of too
luch praise. To his indomitabe cour-
&c and coolness may be attributed the
plendid discipline and fighting of the I'd
'rigade on that morning, when, under
,rrble enfladng fire of the enemy, they
alIantly maintained the left Of the 1st
)ivison line.
Col. Thomas is Vermonter, with all
le characteristics of a Green Mountain
10Y be was a prominent Democrat
Interior 10 the rebellion, and candidate
pom the gubernatorial ticket OF his party
1860. He nobly sacrificed party to
rinciple at his counlry's call, and has led
IS brave regiment through many battles,
ON Port Hudson TO this "added hour
victory" in the valley of the Shen-
ldoah. His speech TO h IS regiment
st before gallant charge at the late
lille of Winchester, is characteristic of
e man "Boys if any of you are in
G habit of praying (and | hope you ala
e), the time to pray has come. Pray
'lC, and pray dsroutly; remember
than Allen and Old Vermont, and we
i'll drive the enemy TO hell, where be
longs y 1t is unnecessary to add that
e 9Th Vermont and 18th Connecticut