National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-07-19
Battle OF FairvieW.

oi 1863 in camp at White Oa,
Church. This count ap
pcarcd in a New Jersey paper and
puts the number of Jerseys at mnch
too small figure. They mustered
for the ARRAY about 700 men, and
the Vermonters between five and
six hundred.
Your readers are probably aware
that the Second Brigade Of this Di-
vision consists of four Vermont re
cimentS besides the Twenty Sixth.
During the late heavy tall of SNOW
The NcrmontcrS twice made an at
tack on the encampment of the
Twenty Sixth, sending p perfect
shower Of SNOW balls at the head OF
every lucbless Jcrseyma.., who
made his appearance without hi,
tent. The first attack was o com
plete surprise to us, but we essaycd
a sally from the camp, and dGoVC
the attacking party back to their
reserves. Being heavily rc-cnforceo
they charged on us again, and after
"A desperate resistance we were
driven back into camp, fighting res
olutely from the shelter Of our tents
until darkness put an end to the
contest. Our casualties were quite
heavy, but those of the enemy it is
thought exceeded ours. 4 few
days attcrward the attack was re
newed, but We took up strong
position on Hill IN the rear Of the
camp, and rcpulsed every assault of
the foe. The snow was crmsoned
with the blood issuing from the oil
factory organs Of the NeImontcrs
and the appearance Of the battle
field indicated the fierce nature of
the contest. The enemy raised a
flag Of truce, Mn aI1nIsucc OF a few
hours was concluded, and then en-
sued that novel spectacle Of war,
men, who but a few minutes pre-
Nions were engaged in one of the
most sanguinary battles Of modern
times, harmonizing and fIatcrni2ing
with clasped hands.
But the matter did not rest here.
The night of the 2lth had enyeloped
terra iirma with its dusky shades.
Many WaXcn nose in the camps Of
the I'd brig. suorcd sonorouslY, hap.
PLY unconscious OF its ruby uiScOl
Grafton ON the morrow. Many an
eye placidly closed in slumbcr was
to be violently closed in battle ere
the approach OF another mghtfall.
And many chronological bump
sparscly developed on the night in
question was TO be suddenly brought
TO an age of puberty on the APP
preaching day. The eventfui morn
ing opened. Cot. Morrison sent u
Third Vermont to engage in die
open field At 3 O'Clock, +. VI. The
challenge was accepted, on the cen.
dition that the Fourth Vermont
should be included with the Third
This was agreed to by the Colonel.
Before the appointed time some Of
ON men Wclr detailed ON fatigue
duty, and at the time OF the engage
ment We were only able to muster
some three hundred men.
Nothing dauntcd by the SUPER
orty OF numbers, Col. Morrison or
dercd Lieut.. Nee 'eese, of Company
& Captain Pembcrton being sick
to fortity a small hill on our right.
make as much ammunition as posi-
bic. and pile the SNOW balls in pNra-
mids. This arduous duty was hast.
lily performed. 1t was a strong po-
sItlon, q swollen brook NJ its base an
Hwerng the purpose OF Il moat-too
strong, III fact, for the Ncrmontcrs
and they declined to attacl, us while !
occupying this miniature Chcpultc- /
pee. commissioners were appoint /
ed, ana after a barley. the Twenty
sixth was marched across the brook.
and formed in line OF battle on the !
held fronting the Nermontcrs. The
hills were covered with spectators.
ana the caGerncSs 10 M1taySs the no.
vel contest knew no bounds. Com.
panleS \ and Il were thrown ont rs
NkirmiShcrs. Company T. OCCUPIED
the right, { was given ,he centre
ana II rested on the left. The colo
mel dashed over the field in all di.
rcctionS, encouraging the men TO
stand fast, amid the blue wrcatLs
curling from n "bricr wood Anu.
ehalently held in his left hand. and
the Adiutant danced about on =
SPIRITED charger, apparently fmpa
'ichtiy awaiting the hour of contest.
lhc llght OF battle dilatmg within
ms eyes, ana quid of "uavy pluo"
.tpOslng beneath his eLe.h. icgt
" Gods, of the Ambulance Corps.
ma Leut.---actcd as mounted ,
lIds to the Colonel, while the "Srr :
cant and John X. Shaw. nm aspir :
lg Newark youth OF eighteen. acted
S perambulating aids. The line
eng formed and everything in !
'adlncSs for the contest. u red nlo d
as raised aSa signal. and in n +,
reath OF time strong body Of the /
nemt drove in our skifmisher,.aud i.
ere, V attacked ourccntrc. AT the !,
it'e moment another strong force q
Wv "heed against our right. bat on II
~ femt for they suddenly +,
nteled to the wight, and Joined a
iclr folngddcs IN furious charge ~ =,
:, our centre. Major Morris order ~
= up company + from our riubf -,
u, 10" tate to be Of any adyautooe ~ ~
y" NY were completely emf n0. I1
'H y. 'he main body Of ON ARM i, -
'i'ho"sh ilmked and pressed I, W,
, overwhelming numbers. our COO" e'
~ neioic1ili contested the advann. '''
tbc enemy Animated il, H.
rcScnca Of the Colonel. tL,,. rf,' -.