Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-09-28

| To the Editor OF the Free Press and Times:
Massachusetts held the campfire on the
Winchester field last evening and it was a
grand success The 3S,h Massachusetts, had
charge of the entertainment. Enthusiastic
speeches were made by Geo. W. Powers,
Gen, Stephen Thomas of Vermont, Gen.
Blrge, formerly of Connecticut, Maj. Hunter,
and Capt. Mutton of tho Confederate army
Comradc Reed of the 26th Massachusetts, and
others. A quarsctte composed OF members
| of the excursion sang "Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground" Marching through Geor-
ga" and the band mingled Dixie aud My
Maryland with the patriotic stains OF Star
Spangled Banner and Yankee Doodle.
| These was large attendance of the people
of Winchester, who appreciated the noble,
patriotic sentiments uttered and who greeted
the era of good feeling between the North
| and south with sincere enthusiasm.
| The Ex-Confederatc officers pledged their
devotion to the Cnicn with as much enthusi-
asm as the speakers from the Union army.
The people Of Winchester have greeted us
all with the same hospitality which one
friend would give another, and their sincerity
has been attested in every possible way. The
party is under obligations to all for their
kindness and generous hospitaily,-Col.
Riley, Maj. Crebs, the Mayor and city
Council and reception committee, have not
only visited our camp but given us great
| attention.
To-day we have been over the battle
grounds at Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek.
| The morning was given to the former we
left the cars at point opposite the hill and
| followed the track just in rear OF Elrly's
breastworks, the ruins Of which still guided
us until we reached the summit. Away to
the right was Massanutten mountaiu, on
which was the enemy's signal station, from
which he could not be deposel Nearly in
front on high eminencc was the old position
of the 10Th corps, while to the left was
where the old 9th corps advanced in line OF
battle. From Fishers Hill we could trace
the route followed by the Sth corps when it
executed the flank movement which forced
Early from his position. Dissenting the
| hill We struck the pike which the cnemy fol-
lowed ON his retreat, and reaching the pike
we turned to the left aud followed the road
| which led to Strasburg, and which Early
after his defeat at Cedar Creek moved, and
on which our cavalry goGblel up his ar
tllery. The route taken by the Confcdcrates
for their attack upon our forces October 18Th
was traced around the base Of Massinutten
mountain, and it was SO secretly made
that the surprise on that fated morning, when
Gordon, Ramseur and Pegram broke
through our lines and drove us back, will
never be forgotten.
i Reaching Strasburg at nom We went
aboard the cars and were taken to n point
lust in rear of the Belle Grove mansion
where we alighted and went to the house
upon invitation of the proprietor, Mr.
Smiley. Here Sheridan made his head
quarters. 1t is situated upon a high emf
hence which affords an extensive view. Fai
away on a hill at left of the creek was the
position of one division of the Sth corps
while half mile to the rear in same line
was balance of the boys, and on its RICH
could be seen the position OF the 10Th corps
: and still further to the right was the Gil
corps. The various positions were easily
found, for the general appearance of thu
country has not changed during the past
nineteen years as much MS at Winch ster
, Going out to the then front, where our army
was posted, we could easily trace the groun,
over which the battle ragged and over which
the Union army was driven with such hcav,
losses. We easily found where The cncm,
! made his sudden assault in the early morn
ing and where Gen. Thomass brigade stooC
! for time until his losses were so great tina
it was forced TO join the retiring forces
The Sth Vermont alone lost IN tie frs
attack thirteen out OF sixteen officers wh'
were either killed or wounded. The variou
positions where stand was made by Tho
masss brigade and the old Vermont brigade
were visited by the Vermonters of the part.
/, and the personal accounts Of those VIII
participated were deeply interesting. Gen
Thomas was able to establish the variou
u positions his brigade held ON that day, ant
> was greatly assisted by Lieut.. Welch of tn
9Th Vermont and Capt. Smith of the let
Connecticut. The members Of the old Yer
mont brigade left this field feeling sure the,
|, had located the places where nineteen year
! ago they had brought so much glory to thei
old State. Looking from the Belle Grow
n mansion to the west could be seen tn
u ground where the enemy came in, Turnin
q, to the east and southeast could be seen tn
u line of retreat. Then, too, over those sam
. fields came the victorious army in the aftel
. =, noon when Sheridan told the boys, 1--WE will
sleep tonight in our old camps" Grand
y did the Union army respond TO their con
y mander's call. Once the ground within on
view we regained not only what was lost il
the morning, but so crippled Early that h
4 never afterwards was able to contest wit
. Sheridan for supremacy in the Valley of th
Shenandoah.
We could scarcely realize this warm
peaceful day that before aud around us wei
the fields where war was wagcd 50 tiercel
u and shot and shell filled the air, and BRAY
e men on both sides gave their lives fC
q {, cause they believed to be RICH
~ But when we gazed into the cd veteran
y faces and heard their descriptive words, an
u when we saw the sleeveless arms, the veal
ct walk, and heard them tell of dear conrad,
'. who lost their lives here, then We realize
- that we were upon one OF the hard ioug
u battlefields of our late war.
d, The party went aboard the tain nj p. II
u and at six O'Clock we came back TO Wi
20 chester All along the route from the tin
ee we entered the suburbs until we reached Il
ho depot, from all the houses were seen han
IT. token of greeting.
OF The excursion has been full OF incideu
cu which each day has brought to light.
w In front of our camp Capt. Brady OF I
y, Goth Massachusetts found the spot where
as tell Sept 10, 1864, badly wounded. VIII
~ he lay there Capt Berry of the 14'h Ne
NJ Hampshire came by and asked him if
could help him. Capt. Brady sad not
IN mild him. Capt. Berry gave him q drir
NY from his canteen and went along. Meth
" had seen or heard from the other since tn
Du day. Both are members of this party a
' a shook hands near the spot where the incide
no happened.
M One of the most earnest ladies in w
10 chester who has never given up her bitt,
!, ness has changed her feelings since we cal
Ny here, and on Wednesday evening visited G
ui- camp with her daughter. She said VIII
ILL., she learned that members of our party h
kindly visited the cemetery where rest /
''e Confederate dead and placed there flow,
nu in memory OF brave men, she could no Ion.
'as have any bitterness in her heart,
u, Tomorrow morning the patty leaves
uu iarrisonburg where grand reception ava
an US. We shall visit Washington in event
re- and leave at once Tor home.
'c-
c." The Last bay in Virginia.
re, ~, ,oo.
~ iASIiIiasiIu Aa SGai ai iSai