Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-09-11

not come in, and when the firing died away IL
appeared that tho Vermonters thus deployed
ms skirmish limo had actually repulscd
full lino-of-battlo attack. Twice afterwards
the enemy advanced to carry the position,
and were each tmo again driven back by
tins pervcrso skirmish line. Tho Vermont
ors 1t is true were strongly posted in wood,
and each man fired FROM behind II tree. But
then everybody knows that the etiquette in
such matters is for n skirmish line to come
in so soon rs they are satisfied that tho one
my means business. These supplemented
patriots from the Green Mountains. howev-
or, adopted II rule of their own on this occa-
sion; and the enemy, disguised with such
stupidity very properly retired across Ben.
YER Creek
When the Vcrnontors led the column on
march, their quick movement had to be
regulated from corps or division head quar-
tiers, to avoid gaps in the column as it fol-
lowed them. II u rapid or forced march
were required, II was common thing for
Sedgowick TO say with quiet smilo;
e" Put the Vermontcrs nj the head of the
column to-day, and keep everything well
closed up"
After the riots in New York, when il was
found necessary to send troops TO the city to
prevent recurrence of the outbreak, the
Vermont brigade was specially named by
the War Department for this duty Within
two hours after the receipt OF this dispatch
the command was en- route for tho city
They occupied the public squares here for
some time, enjoyed themselves not wisely
nor set virtuously; and returned to the army
OF the Potomac sadly demornlized in all but
the two great essential qualities of fighting
and marching. 1t was n fortunate thing for
the Now York mob that ii avoided conflict
with the New England troops at that time
Upon the return of the brigade to the field
they quietly held on to their old routine OF
| life and maintained to the close of the wal
;hc splendid reputation they had won ut the
very outset.
There were many regiments equal to the
! Vermont regiments in actual battle. and
some that, like the Fifth New York Volun.
toers, not only cquallcd them in fighting
qualities, but greatly surpassed them in drill
discipline, and appearance on parade. As Il
brigade. however, they were undoubtcdl,
the best brigade in the army of the Potomac
for they not only fought us well rs it WI.
possible to fight, but they could out-march
with the utmost ease, amy other organization
in the army.
Ii was the intention of the writer only I,
refer to this brigade rs furnishing the bcs
type of the American soldier. but this article
has grown beyond its intended limit, and W,
have therefore not tho space to examine tn,
causes of this superiority. Two, hOwever
may bo briefly stated FIRST, that the regi
mcnts from Vermont were brigaded togelh
er. This rule, strange to say seemed Il
work well only in regard to the smaller
states, like Vermont and New Jersey See
ond, the fact that Vermont during tho frs
year of the war recruited for her regiments
and kept them full. Rcgimental and com
pany officers knowing that their ranks woul,
bc filled up, discharged men freely, and thu
managed to get rid of their weak and worth
less soldiers.
For these reasons the Vcrmontors wcr,
good men. They were fortunate, moreover
III having such commanders rs Gen. W. +
Smith, and Gen. w. 4. H. Brooks. 1t nat
urtlly resulted from this combination of cir
cumstancos that they became great power
in battle and earned reputation of whicl
every man and woman in Vermont ma,
| well be proud.-TrOy Times