Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-08-15
The soldiers Reunion.
A BATTLE THURSDAY EVENING.

Il he reunion OF vermont Soldiers at
Rutla nd last week seems TO have been
conceded by all as a fine success, and in
many respects the greatest public demon
stration ever held in Vermont. We are
very glad to make the record, for Of all
our population no class could possibly be
more deserving. The torch light process
sion on Thursday evening probably ex-
ceeded anything of the kind ever held
in Vermont, both in point of numbers
and brilliant display. Strong and spicy
speeches were made by Generals Hawley,
Devens, Griffin, Stannard, Doubleday,
Col. Veasey, Gov. Converse and others.
A prominent and amusing feature in
the "war department" of the reunion
was sham battle on Thursday after
noon at about 5 o'clock, in which spirited
charges and counter charges were made
in genuine style. We copy an account
of this affair from the Rutland Herald
as follows:
"All who left camp Thursday after
noon before p. M, missed rare treat
in the sham-fght which took place about
that hour. The fret intimation to the
uninitiated of the combat, was the APP
pearance of line of skirmishers sud-
denly thrown forward from the Sd brig
ade, which, under command of Capt.
Carr of Brandon, advanced across the
field toward the twelve FOUNDER, that
had commenced firing salute from the
slight elevation near the grand stand
upon the opposite side of the ground,
and Immediately in front of the quarters
of the 4th Brigade.
This evolution of Capt. Carr's Skin
mishers was admirably performed and
elected much praise from the military
men present. Meantime detachment
had formed under command Of Major
Salisbury and moved out to support the
skirmish line, their battalion flag sur
rounded by its defenders, floating hand
somely IN the air as it moved out into
position, looking like reality. Steadily
the skirmishers pushed forward, now
advancing and now lying fat upon their
faces, the support moving up as they
advanced. and the artillery pouring in
their fire until the attacking party
reached the desired point, when the order
was given to "charge," and with that
old "Yankee cheer" away they went.
Lieut.. Estes, of Rutland, and his detach-
ment who were working the gun, by this
time began to comprehend their situa-
ton and attempted to save their gun by
drawing it to the rear, but it was too
late, and after gallant resistance they
were compelled to abandon it to the enc
my, who Immediately transferred it to
the headquarters of the Sd brigade in
triumph, bearing the gunners upon their
gun as prisoners, and to work the same
for the captors. Almost Immediately a
detachment was formed to endeavor to
re- capture it, and Adjutant j. c. Stearns
of Bradford went as spy to the enc
my's camp, but was detected by Gen.
Ripley and arrested by Capt. Kelley of
his staff and placed in the guard house.
Every precaution was taken to strength
en- their position by destroying bridges,
throwing out strong picket, etc., ETC..
but the counter charge was made as gal.
lantly as the other and Judgment eff
fected in the enemy's works, when Sc
we're hand-to-hand encounter took place
over the gun, resulting in the capture o
the casson and both wheels from tn,
! gun-carriage, the gun itself remaining
in the hands of the Sd brigade. AT thi
! juncture Adjutant Stearns, who had es
capped, appeared with flag of truce anc
the battle ended.
:. In this encounter between the I'd bal
TALON of the Sd brigade, and the detach
ment of the 4th brigade, all the enthusi
: asm of actual service was displayed an,
men worked until utterly exhausted, an,
: then lay upon their gun to add thei
weight to the burden to be moved, bu
amid its excitement, not one man upo
either side displayed any anger, or fol
IL got the propriety of the occasion, an
q the utmost good humor prevailed. A
o ter the 4th brigade had abandoned tn
,e attempt to recover the gun, a treaty wa
+. entered into, the wheels brought bacl
s. and the gun escorted to the 4th brigad
a. by the same party who captured it, an
r delivered up with graceful speech. b
At Captain Kelley, which was responded [
q by band of music.
II Adjutant Stearns desires us to retur
o. his thanks to General Ripley and stat
for the kind treatment and needed SUI
plies he received at their headquarter
e while prisoner of war in their hand
T. The adjutant was much exhausted wht
r. captured and we presume had had h
C. head bathed in cold water, and possib
n he NAV have drank n LITTLE of IL In a