Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-08-21

One OF the most remarkable incident, OF
the late war for the Union occurred at
Funkstowu Nd, when our army was pursu-
ing the rebels on their retreat from Gettys-
burgh. The Vermont Brigade was in adj
vance Of the Sixth Corps, and came up with
BuCord's Cavalry, holding strong position
against the enemy. At Buord's request,
General Howe sought and obtained per-
mission to send the Vermont Brigade to re-
lieve the cavalry, when Colonel LOWS, with
the Fifth Vermont and part Of the Second,
and Colonel Barney, with the Sixth Beg-
ment, at once dcploycd as Administers form
ing their line two miles long. Against this
long and thin line the rebels opened fire of
artillery aud musketry and advanced again
and again, and still again, to drive the skirm-
ishers from their position, but in vain. The
brave Green Mountain Boys never dreamed
that their skirmish line could not hold a rebel
line Of battle, and they did hold it, ropolIing
Andersons rebel brigade of seven large regi-
melts from their front, and still another from
their flank Says the historian Of the gallant
Sixth Corps, " An instance Of a skirmish line,
a mile aud a half from any support, resisting
repeated attacks of troops in line Of battle,
is rarely found in the history Of armies y
and We add that rarely, perhaps never did SO
small force contend successfully with such
odds against them. The victory Of the Yer
montcrs on this occasion cost loss Of nine
men and fhy-uino wouhdod while the enemy
lost more than two hundred men.
Ga the first Tuesday of September the Re-
publican voters Of Vermont will hold the
position of skirmislers, preparatory to the
grand and decisive national battle in Novem-
ber Alar off, in every State Of the Union,
the two great armies arc being organized for
the contest. On the one side is the grand
Union army, composed Of the loyal men of
the country-the Republicans and the Demo
Gratis, the patriots Of every party name who
supported the Government during the four
years of war for the preservation Of the
Union, aud at its head is GENERAL GRANT,
who led his armies to victory aud the country
to Unity and Peace. On the other side are
all the still unreconciled rebels, with the
Democrats who symrathized with them, aud
such Republicans as have forgotten the glory
of their party as the Saviour and Emanci-
pator of the country, and forgotten, alas the
debt of gratitude that is due to the successful
leader of the Union army-and their pre-
tended chief is Horace Greeley, but behind
him are the old rebel leaders, jeff Davis, aud
Joe johnson, and Beaurogard Let no Re-
publican of Vermont think that the force of
the enemy in Vermont is small and Of little
account. That is probably true, but it is not
the point to be considered Tho Vermont
election in September is to be skirmish with
The 1eiole rebel line in that it is to show to
them the pluck aud zeal Of the first Republi
can skirmishers of the North brought into
actual contest. If the Republicans of Yer
mont, aided by the Democrats who are still
loyal to their country, shall show an undi-
minished force, an uneonquorable energy, aud
firm resistance to every temptation that is
presented to them in the name Of the recrc-
ant GREELEY, the result will 60 out to every
State as proof that loyalty to Universal Lib
erty and the Union still remains predominant.
in the hearts Of the people Of the North aud
will be the glad sign Of yictory-as ever was
the cross of the glorious Sixth .Corps-in the
great contest in November.
Let us not then underyaue the State con-
test in November; let US not think it is simply
an election of State and county officers; but
rather that it Is skirmish before the battle
which may decide the fate Of the country.
Less than two weeks remain for preparatory
work, and We urge every Republican voter
who reads this article to put himself at once
at work to bring out every loyal voter to the
polls, and to see specially that every friend Of
Grant casts his vote for Governor That
will be the test which will tell abroad, and
not vote for JuLIus CONVERSE will be east
in vain. He is true Republican, pure and
prudent man, safe counsellor, and will be
an honest and honorable Governor Remem-
Der, that every vote for Converse in Septcm.
Der may count as thousands and tens Of
thousands for Grant in November.