Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-07-22

4 private letter from one OF the Vermont
cavalry has been handed us, from which we
extract the following
''You have heard Of Wilson'S rad, of course.
Well. the lst Vt. was there, as they always have
the fortune to be in any place where there Is
plenty Of trouble " as the boys denominate
fighting. We started about daylight on the
DIST Of June. crossed stony Greek without any
fighting, and proceeded at brisk pace TO
Reams' Station on the South side railroad. Our
regiment had the ill-luck to be the rearguard Of
the expedition, and when we reached the Station
the rebels hal some artillery placed with which
they proceeded to shell US. A mile or two be-
yond the Station we halted, and were again At
tackled by the rebel cavalry. We skirmished
with them al that day till about SIX P. NJ when
the 22i y. Y. was detailed to relieve us. We
we're marching past the York boys, when the
rebels attacked US again with great fury. The
22l fought bravely and held them in check
while the remainder of the column moved for
ward towards the Weldon road. The first day
we marched about 40 miles, having travelled -
hours out of24. Next day We started at 3 A.
" and marched till about IL o'clock when
We came upon the enemy again, who succeed
ed in getting between Gen. Kauts' and Gen.
Wilson'S division (ours). Our brigade was in the
advance. the lst NH. Reg being first. ours next.
wedismounted Immediately and engaged the enc
my. who fought desperately all day. They tried
several times to break our lines, but were invaria-
blvrepulsed. At about o'clock we were ordered
to charge; we drove the rebels away from their
artillery. but having no support, were obliged
to fan back to our old line. II was in this fight
Lieut.. Hall Of Co. was killed-an officer uni
versally regretted throughout the regiment. We
had four or FIVE killed, nineteen or twenty wound
ell. and seven missing from our regiment most
Of the last afterwards came in.
Next morning we started to find Gen. KautI,
easily finding his track by the burning depot:
and lumber We destroyed the Dsnville and
Richmond Railroad for 80 miles. We did not
have any more fighting till we arrived at stsun.
ton bridge, where the rebels had all their force:
collected
On the next day we commenced retracins oui
course. On the second day Of our return go
dismounted, and my feet being very sore from
previous walking, fell behind and had to TAXI
to the woods was for seven days alone inside
the enemy's lines, without rations. in a cOuntr!
where could not think Of going to a house L
get any thing to eat was at one tim
90 hours without food, and suffered consider
ably for want Of water. had to travel througl
the woods all the time, as the roads were file
with rebel troops most Of the time. lay hid b.
day and travelled by night when could see tn
North Star: lived on blaekberries and som
hoe cake got from the darkes whom had Al
opportunity of speaking to. The slaves were a
willing to run the risk of their lives to help m
through, and would direct me as well as the
could towards cur lines. After great deal {
hardship succeeded in passing their picket
and reached our lines on the 4th of July.
Our division was thoroughly used up on tn
raid and has been lying still since.