Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-04-07
Special correspondence Of the Journal.
THIRD VERMONT BATTERY.
CAMP NEAR PATRtoKs

Y
STATION. March 26
EptroR JouRNAL :-Yesterday NOR ing n
portion Of the 9th corps was aroused by what
seemed to be wholesale desettion on the
part of the enemy. The Johnnies' deserted
to our lines in large and small bodies, bring
| ing their arms and equipments and shaking
hands with our men--iuqured in rega 10
the amount Of Z" greenbacks" they were likely
to receive for the rlhes, ,&c., a. per Gen Grant
order. and express, the opinion thst the
rebellion was " played" During the mean
/ time deserters continued to arrive until quite
large force with their arms bad entered our
/ lines-when strange to say they commenced
to show a disposition to hsh'. Our men
were tfeked, aud therefore easily made prl-
soners. Our army soon learned the state OF
affairs and we're soon in " battle array
I be men Of the h corps were ordered to
the point Of the hue broken by the enemy
and after brief engagement succeeded IN
reaching the rear OF the "rebs' and cAptur-
iug--it is said--seventeen hundred reos
and recspturipg our men, which consisted OF
two regiments 4nd two batteries. The line
was re-estabhshed and the sighting ceased
Bat the day was not to end so. Il was in
tended to have review and ORDERS bad al
ready been issued to that Effect in the -
corps. But il VS. supposed Giant was . 1T
tie wfathy As be Immediately commanded that
the lines on the LEFT should be advanced. -
Orders came for our battery to be IN reAdl-
ners. The csissous were ordered out OF
range. and the 8 b corps were IN line OF bat
tie. Every tent was struck and every thing
put in preparation fOI the attsck. Two rex
iments Of the 6 corps were ordered to lead
the charge-they started With yell on the
double quick, but soon came back IN disorder
-repuised. The "rebs" opened with artii-
lery and we replied. Battery Lee, where
there is section Of battery under Command oi
Lieut.. laplin--aod battery Of Blk guns
$50 FOUNDER Psrrotts) manned by company
vi the 9Th n \. heavy artillery-having fair
range replied vigorously Soon another
charge was made and then another-when
the Vermont brigade was ordered in and Gen
l.. A. Grant with bis brigade flag carried oy
Sergt. McCaulty y--lead the line, and tue
Green Mountain Boys with run carried the
enemys line Of works taking host Of prison
ets. Our four pieces in Fort Fisher having
chance opened upon the euemy and did gooc
execution. Lieut.. Kowell being ordered tc
report to Gen. Warn=T (tJrmerly Colonel ] II
Vermou) with section Of artillery, ordered
two pieces from FoG Fisher ana advanced tC
tue captured rebel liue, where the pieces wer'
drawn into line by the prolong and ordered
to FIRE solid shot upon u troublesome battery
Of the enemy. Although the shells and bull
let, flew dangerously near, the section execu
led the movement, advancing 70 the extrem'
outer ltue and poured the solid sho; into tn
rebel work until the enemy's guns were 81
euced. when they were ordered back to thei
original posiuou IN FjrtFisher. Both Lieuts
Kowell and Perm acc impanied the section
Gen. Wsrner gave the battery much praise
saying all bad been accomplished which he in
tended. Gen. Wright. who Commands th
corps. occupied position upon the parape
Of Fort Fisher, exposed to The shells an
bullets. " hich he maintained all day. Tn
position gave him the best view Of the hel
which could be had and be directed sfair
wit1 great success
: have hastily gwen you brief sketch OF th
3 part taken by our corps (6.h) The 2i an
y b corps were holly engaged TO our left
. result unknown.
3 The 6 h corps must have taken al least iy
y hundred prisoners. The p isoners seemed >
be in excellent spirits aud quite glad TO
released from rebsdOm.
Cap. Start having received leave OF ht
sence was not present, aud the command fe
upon Lieut.. Kowell ALI our officers and me
done their duty worthy Of praise, aod fortr
nately we have not lost man killed or wounc
ed.
The l0th Vermont lost ll---only one kille'
The 4,h Vermont, wounded. Ihe total lO'
IN the Vermoht brigade did not exceed
me1 killed aud wo nded. There were /
Montpelier boys inj ired
esuppose " Cavalry Phil 20 be hove
ing uear us, and expect " Tecumseh h
struck the war trail for the po.ut. Lo4
for "Glorious News" combined in fe
days. Yours impatienuy, J. B. L.