Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-01-29
monirinr nnd fraterni,ing with

clasped hands 49, ~, -, r
tho 94tb had envcloped terra frma with its dusky
shades. Many waXen nose in the camps OF the
second brigade snorcd sonorously, happily uncon-
scious Of its ruby discoloration on the morrow.
Many an eve placidly closed in slumber was to be
Violently closed in battle ere the approach OF anotb-
or nich,fall And many chronological bump
sparscly developed ON the night in question was TO
be suddenly brought to an age OF puberty on the
apornachinr div. The eventiul morning opened.
Colonel Morrison sent challenge to Colonel sea
yer az the third Vermont 70 engage IN the open
field AT three O'Clock J. Nj. The challenge was
accented ON the condition that the fourth Vermons
sbonld he included with the third. This wa
agreed 10 by the colonel. Before the appointed
,'eoa sope OF our men were detailed on fatigue du-
sv and At the time Of the engagement we we're only
able 10 muster SOME three hundred men.
Nothing dsunted by the superiority OF numbers,
col,nel Morrison ordered Lieutenant McCleese,
~ comnanv { captain Pemberton being sick to
so,t;fv small hill on our right, make as much ann
,opn,t;on AS possible. and pile the snow-balls in
,,rram,ds This arduous duty hastily per-
iorued. II was strong position, aswollen brook
AZ lis base answering the purpose of moat-too
strong In fact, for the Nermonters. and they de-
olined 10 attack us while occupying this miniature
Cbepuitepcc. Commissioners were appointed aud
affer harley the twenty-sixth was marched across
the brook and formed in line Of battle on the field
fronting the Nermonters. The hills were covered
with speciators, aud the eagcrness TO witness the
novel contest knew no bounds. Companies and
b we're thrown out as skirmshers. Company +
accounted the right, was given the centre, and
n rested on the left The colonel dashed over the
field IN all directions encouraging The men 60 stand
fast amid the blue wrcaths curling Roma "brler
woodn nonchalantly held in his LETT hand, aud the
adivtant danced about on spirited charger, APP
parently impatiently awaiting the hour OF contest,
The light oi battle dilating within his eyes, and
..l....W ms ola
Iientenant Woods Of the ambulance corps aud
Lieutenant ---- acted as mounted aids TO the
colonel while the sergeant and John X. shaw,
an aspiring Newark youth OF eighteen, acted as
perambulatine aids. The line being formed and
eyerthinn IN readiness for the contest, red flag
was raised a signal, and IN breath OF time
strong body OF the enemy drove in our skirnsh-
ers, and fercely actackod our centre. At the same
moment another strong force advanced against our
right, but only as a feint for they suddenly wheel
ed to the right and joined their comrades IN iu-
rious charge on our centre. Major Morris ordered
up COMPANY L from our right, but too late to be
OF any advantage and they were completely cut
off from the man boay OF our army. Although
fauked aid pressed IN front by overwhelming mum
bers our centre hcrocaliy contested the advance
of the enemy Animated by the presence OF the
colonel. thev fought like veterans, and the white
snow balls eddied through the air ike popping
corn from a frying pan. But the enemy were
was hardly within the power Of human endurance
20 stand such a perfect fen feRfer any longer.
Gradually the centre fell back inch by inch, the
line then wavered to and fro, and finally the men
broke in confusion and rolled down the bill follow
ed by The victorious Nernonters In vain the
colonel breasted the torrent IN vain the MAJOR
urged the men TO stand fast in vain did adiutaut
White. the chiyalric DE Bayard Of the twenty
sixth. impore the gods for aid
The bows never rallied. Lieutenant Woods
made an attempt 90 rally them and form them in
hollow square the fortified hill TO the right but
he was mistaken by the boys for Nermonter, and
unceremouously pelted from their midst. But
the colonel was totally deserted Boy his men. The
Vermoniers seized his horse by the bride, and
made desperate attempt TO take him prisoner.
The 6ghi al this point was terrific beyond descrip-
tion. The men fought hand to hand Colonel
Seaver, the Achilles of the day, dashed through
the coinbatants. seized Colonel Morrison by the
shoulder, and called upon him 20 surrender But
his demand was clicked by the incessant patter of
snow-bas on his "physogN Around the rival
chieiiains the struggled feartully; there was
the Authenticated Hodge, alias ovid Dutchman,
fighting maniuly There was the fierce Teuton
captain OF company f. dropping the foe right and
left at every SWING Of his arms but all IN vain.
Amid the wild excitement consequent upon the
shouting, the rearing and plunging Of horses, the
colonel was drawn from his saddle aud taken by
the enemv Most OF his star followed him a
prisoners A desperate attempt was made 20 res
cue him, but it proved Of no avail. Major Morris
Jared no better. Adiutant White, however, made
a bold attempt 10 retrieve the fortunes of the day.
Dashing into the dense ranks Of the foe, be seized
the bre Of Col. Stoughton's Bucephaus, and
gallantly attempted the impossibllity Of capturing
che colonel. who was acting brgadier of the at
tacking party. But the adjuiant had caught
Tartar, for the Nermouters rushed around him,
like tn waves beating upon some lone rock in the
t,,1,. .1s, fnr hfe
fought like an AJAX mounted on "Black Bess,
retaninr hls position in the saddle by resting his
knee against the pommc This was at last OBJ
servedby a shrewd Yankee, who deNterously slipped
between the two horses. detached the supporting
knee, and the adiutant fell from his lofty position
like stornado-stricken oak This fall dishearten-
ed the twenty-sixth, and only detached parties OF
a dozen scattered over the field, persisted in
obstinate resistance. The ''serieAnt received a
shotin the back Of the head, and was borne to the
rear a captive and then
"The bugles sang truce"
Thus ended the great battle Of Fairyiew; une-
qualled in desperateness, and the theme Of many
future poets cogitations. Our loss very heavy,
and we were severely defeated. The spectators,
acting Upon the well-known principle Of kicking
man when he is down, pitched into us most unmer-
ciiully, when our centre was broken, and prevent
ed.us from reforming in line OF battle, The
slaughter OF the enemy was fearful, and the Prov
ess OF Pie Newark ball players ana hremen was
displayed on their battered visages. Colonel
Stoughton was honored with black eye, and the
gallant Seaver Jared but little better. The follow
ings fair recapiulation Of the casualties on both
b sides.-
Bloody noses dfty-three; bunged peppers,
,ighty-one; extraordinary chronological develop
l. nents, twenty mine shot in the neck, after the
e Engagement, unknown
The Normonters fought with the determined en-
rfy eharacterizing them when engaging Jea's
rs nryinidons.