The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-03-01

and the creek, and connecting with Whar-
toms division, which had meanwhile cros-
sed the creek little below the turnpike
bridge. Early himself, with Kershaws
large division. was near the bridge with
artillery planted ON the hills, ready to
cross as soon as Crook should be swept
aside, while his cavalry were Oh the back
road far away to the west near the Little
North mountains.
1t was at this latter point that the bat
tie commenced very early, probably be-
fore 4 o'clock, we were aroused by a
dropping fire of musketry in that .'direc-
ton, at one time quite considerable in
amount, but as il diminished soon we
wrapped ourselves again in our blankets
and resumed our sleep, fully confident
that our pickets could take care of the
reconnaissance or whatever it might be-
The few prisoners reported lost from the
brigade in the days battle were taken at
that time. Captain G. j. Lewis, of the
1lth Vermont an exceedingly careful
officer, was in charge of our extreme
right reserve post, and Colonel Foster Of
the 4th Vermont, was field officer Of the
day. The cavalry OH his right were de-
ceived by the stale trick of an attack and
II feigned retreat, leaving their posts to
follow. A larger force instantly passed d
through the gap and fell with yell upon
the rear Of the infantry reserves; the
greater part of them escaped, and after
a rapid detour towards our camp, deploy-
ed into rude skirmish line and still COW
cred the corps, keeping up free fight on
their own account until they knew from
the sound of the battle behind them that
our army had left its ground, when they
came in and participated in the final
charge Of the day.
/ The alarm created By this little affair
had almost subsidized, when sulrn roar
of musketry, dull at first, but only too
easily interpreted, arose from the distant
left. 1t was the charge of the enemy in
solid lines, without skirmishers, upon the
works Of General Crook. When the fir.
ing began, Early AT once opened with his
artillery from across the creek, thus
raising doubt rs to the real point of at
tack Crook brigodes could not even
attempt to maintain their position or their
integrity the enemy captured the pickets
who did not fire a shot, rushed upon the
main line, which was first made aware Of
the attack by full volley poured into
their camp and it was rapidly crowded
towards the west The men sprang from
their tents and fed without boots or cloth
ing save what they had worn through the
night the very tents were pulled of
from some as they lay in their blankets
many with soldicrly instinct placed
themselves without orders behind the
breast works, only to find themselves
hanked and taken in reverse ile by file.
eaeh successively by the whole rebel col
umn and in simply time enough for the
enemy in his impetuous charge to pass
over the ground covered by the Army
of Western Virginia" that whole CON-
mand was disorganizel, routed. demor-
allied, terrified mob of iugitivcs, their
camp equipage left behind officers and
men all rushing to the rear in reckless
an organization during the entire day.
That these men were brave no one
doubts; their previous brilliant conduct
had amply shown it but night surprise,
total and terrific, is too trying for the
morale of the best troops in the world to
survive.
The 18th corps across the pike had
sprung to arms at the first sound of the
conflict the men for the most part leav.
/, ing their tents and extra clothing as they
stood, and forming their lines like soldi-
ers. One brigade under Colonel, since
; Brigadier General, and now Lieutenant
Governor Stephen II. Thomas, of the Sth
Vermont, which regiment it included
was formed for the march at the time the
: fight commenced, having been ordered
out on an early reconnaissance it plung
: ed at once across the pike into the woods
: stemming the rout, and facing the enemy
/ General Wright endeavored to use it as {
: nucleus on which to reform Crooks com.
, mand, and SO gain time to bring up til,
rest of the army to the strong line o
i the turnpike, but his hopes We're disap
, poited the sih corps refused 10 rally ,ant
: in few moments Thomas brigade wa
swept back overpowered, retiring sullen
y and leaving in the forest the larges
rroportionate loss suffered by any brigsd,
during the day
: The attacking column having nov
4 reached the pike, Early at once crosse,
the creek with kcrshaw's division, anC
! assumed command in person He attack
cd the 18th corps without delay. Tha
1 organization was, as above mentioned
t drawn up in its works, some of the troop
e being actually formed on the reverse sid
\ Of their entranchments But Gordon
5 powerful right extended lar to Emory
4 rear; and the 18th corps, in turn hankel
I and enfladed, although it offered an or
t ganized and energetic resistance, Wa
= soon crushed by piecemesl, aud brgad
: after brigade first losing heavily fed i
Y disorder.
d General Wright and Sheridan'- sta
n worked bravely aud vigorously, endeayoi
il ing to stop the rout aud reform the strae
3 glers, the gallant General riding wounde
=. over the field, his bleeding face boun
r with a handkerchief. Bnt bravery simpl
d could not arrest the torrent the TT
n corps was ordered iu. but the exceler
+ disposition of this corps, aud the cavalr
d directed hy General Wright, failed {
y success through lack OF time, and on a'
II count of the fog.
It Getty's division, two miles to the rigl
Of Crook, heard all this firing with Al
t tonishmeni simply; We could only SUI
l. pose that the attack was in 'front.' for W
% did not dream that the position could }
il turned on the leii. and We expected ii
v easy repulse of the enemy; still We il
y stantly struck tents. packed knapsack
formed our lines, and were ready