Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-09-17
[St. Adams Mess .nger.l

Major Josiah Grout, who has since be-
come an eminent citizen of the State, at
the age of 90 years was mustered into the
|, First Vermont cavalry, Oct. 81, 1861.
He early became well and favorablv
known in the regiment and recognized as
among the most promising of the subor-
dinate officers. He served with that or
ganization through all Its campaigns, I'M
til he fell severely wounded, April l, 1868
The story of his last fight is remarkable
one.
The headquarters of the regiment dur
ing the winter of 1862 and 1868 were across
long bridge, near Alexandria, Va, and the
troopers were detailed for picket duty on
the outposts adjacent A long line of
picket posts We're held far out in the
country by few men, really unsupported
by the heavy brigades, and they We're CON
stantly menaced by Mosbys bushwhack-
ers and swept away. Captain Henry c.
Flint of Co. a. had returned from fur
Tough in Vermont to Camp Scott during
the latter days of March, and soon after
Moseby had gobbled up Major, now Gen,
eral Wells, Lieutenants Cheney, Watson
and others, and felt the frequently recur-
ring disasters keenly. The height of his
ambition was to capture MOseby. Soon
after a detail from his company was sent
to relieve the picket post at Annandale, of
which Captain Flint was in command, ac
compAuied by Lieut.. GrOut
Our scouts brought word that Moseby
with his bushwhackers was lowering near
by, and had bivouacked at IA farm house
near Broad Run. Early in the morning
of April /, Capt Flint rallied his command
with detachments from other companies
at the post, and dashed out to capture
MoSeby. Just before reaching Broad
Run, our cavalry boys passed through II
considerable forest where their progress
was retarded, and restricted to bride
path, so that the captains command trail
ed Il long distance, When Capt, Flint,
and Lieut.. Grout emerged from the woods
they espied Moseby ut the farm house, and
fearing that he might escape on sight,
Capt. Flint at once put spurs to his horse
with Lieut. Grout at his side. Those
who had got through the woods kept well
closed up, but others were too far in the
rear to render immediate service.
Captain Flint dashed up to a farm yard
enclosed with high fence, in which
Moseby and his men had taken refuge,
and at once showed fight. The fierce af-
forded all desirable protection for the
bushwhackerS, and in resisting the charge
they had the best of 1t. Captain Flint
was killed AT almost the first fire, and
Lieut.. Grout fell from his horse rid
died with bullets The tide soon turned
in favor of Moseby, and our loss
was severe in killed and wounded and
captured prisoners. Among the killed
was Lieut. Charles 4. Woodbury., brother
of the present mayor of Burlington. 1t
was thought at the time that the wounds
of Lieut.. Grout We're mortal as he was
completely riddled with carbine and pistol
shots. He was brought back to camp,
went into the hospital and his life was
saved. 1t is doubtful il there was another
! instance of recovery from greater mum
Der of wounds. The great mass OF men
would have died from injuries far less,
But his courage was high, his habits
good, and he lives to day to be a candidate
for speaker of the next House of Repre-
| sentatlves