Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-06-23

FOR 1t was but two days ago that our
brave, good Colonel Preston was killed.
He died almost instantly from the effects
Of bullet which entered his left breast,
near the heart, He was shot whilst
most calamity leading his men In the
fight of day before yesterday, which our
division had with the rebel infantry OF
Ewells corps, near Harris Shop; it was
the extreme right of our line Of battle.
Our regiment were nearly all dismount-
ed and fighting with carbines. Our boys
were briskly driving the enemy when the
Colonel fell never to rise again, and as
the words passed along the line Colonel
Preston is MORALLY wounded" every
face grew dark with sorrow and
thoughts of revenge. Every officer and
soldier of our regiment deeply mourns
the loss of our Colonel. But he was not
only beloved by his own men, but by all
who knew him in the whole Cavalry
Corps. Colonel Preston had been in
nearly every fight in which our regiment
has been engaged; but never again shall
we hear his clear, ringing voice in com
mand. Captain Cushman, who was as
brave an officer as ever drew the glis-
tening blade, and who, too, was gen.
erous and able officer, fell from mer-
CHESS bullet which pierced his left side.
He was killed instantly, and nearly at
the same moment that the Col, fell. Just
eleven months ago that day June 3d) he
was wounded in the face at the battle OF
Gettysburg.
On the first day of this month our di-
vision drove a force of Infantry and
cavalry from Hanover Court House to
Ashland Station, when the rebels were
reinforced, and after a segere fight our
men returned to the Court House and
| bivouacked for the night near by. We
| burnt the bridges over the South Anna
| of the Virginia Central and Richmond
and Fredericksburg railroads, besides
numerous smaller ones, and the depot
and other property at Ashland Station.
The First brigade lost heavily. Com
pany H, of our regiment lost Lieutenant
Mathers and ten men, missing The
loss in the regiment is not as great as
was at first supposed.
Major Wells commands the First vt,
Cavalry now. 1t is reported that our
| regiment viii soon rejoin our old brig
| AIDE, (Gen. Custer's); we all hope the re-
port may be true. Our regiment has lost
heavily in officers since this campaign
commenced some companies are left
without commissioned officer with
them: such is the case with companies
II, and f.
Heavy fighting is kept up every day.
Even whilst am writing this the fight
ing is going on flercely only short dis
lance to our left l believe it is the 9th
corps and Ewell's rebel horde that are
engaged; but of late we have got so
used to the rattle of musketry and the
roar of cannon, that we pay but little
dJlcHtlOu W III uiiiceS OuIStlFcS dIC Gil
gagged.
1t is surprising, even to us soldiers,
how fast the troops are coming to this
army from Washington and elsewhere.
Thousands daily arrive, and all seem to
be in "tip top spirits. Sixteen thousand
passed us yesterday; they were going to
report to Gen. Burnside, they said. They
were relieved from duty around Wash
ington by the one hundred days men,
who said they were as ready to come
out here as to stay there in those grim
forts. We think they are not far from
right.
I wish to add that the soldiers heart
beats with pride when he thinks of how
much his friends at HOME are doing for
the sick and wounded soldiers. His arm
is nerved for the fight, and he feels
stronger when he knows that if he is
wounded he will be kindly cared for.
9o'clock p. MA most terrific fight is
now going on few miles to our left
The roar of artillery is almost deafening,
and the heavens are lighted by the red
flashes. j. B.