Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-11-26

quickly as so much fog, the spur find
I'M Little Sorrel in the right spot, and
my saber threatening to fall upon his
head 1t is fresh in memory, even
after the lapse of so many busy
years, what concerned, disappoint-
ed look this boyish face wore as his
pistol lost it's aim and he his game.
By the time the boy was disposed
of the gate corner had been reached.
The ever faithful Little Sorrel always
busy at such times, carried us into
the presence of a dozen or more ro-
bust graybacks, one Of whom, quick
as fash, without reflection, or like
" it would not have been done, was
complimented with the best left saber
cut square on the head possible from
the arm that gave it. While deliver
ing, acco ding to the strict letter of
the rules governing saber exercise,
this CUT pistol shot in my right side
suspended further hostilities. The
faithful blade, that had always been
so companionable,w was dropped where
it found its mark, and the hands flew
involuntarilv up in painful recogni-
ton of the notifying fact that at
last we were whipped. Instead of
capturing Mosbv,he had captured us.
Our consolation, however, was that
we had done our best to have it 9TH
erwise. No sooner were the hands
up than q half dozen on the ground
rushed around, demanding a surren-
der. They were informed that any
boy, under the circumstances. would
accomplish such a demand. They
very thoughtfully said, ''you no
business riding round here this way,
and you get off your horse, quick !"
They were told it was impossible to
get down from the horse, and saying
they would help such an act, one fell
low gave rough push for that pur-
pose. Except for falling upon Little
Sorrel's neck and swinging down un-
der it in front, a fall to the ground
would have been the result At this
point, some of our boys who had sur
rendered, caught and carried me
away few steps under a tree. At
my request, Mosby left two of our
men to care for the wounded, and at
his own instance, as hurriedly as pos
sible gathered up the fruits of his
capture and moved away. We had
fourteen killed and wounded. The
enemy had three killed, and some that
rode away were badly wounded ; how
MANY, | never knew. In noting the
escapes, | found seven bullet holes
in my clothes, one in my body, and
knew that Little Sorrel arrested three
of that mornings busy messengers.
1t was close, sharp, hot, spiteful work,
and best described by an old lady
who lived at the corner where we left
the pike. She said the firing sounded
like popping corn. Soon after Mosby
left, the occupant of the farm house,
with an OK team, drew to the house
the wounded, and to the barn the
dead. That afternoon our regiment
came out and removed the dead and
those of the wounded who were able
to ride in an ambulance Four of our
men were left in the house, and one
rebel Three of this number died be-
fore morning.
On our way to the fight Capt. Flint
informed me that l would have the
charge of the carbineres and lead the
advance that Capt. Bean of compa-
nv G was to have charge of the bal
ance of the command, acting as a
support. Capt. Bean did not come
out of the woods into the fiel and
took no part in the fight. His part
of the detail rendered no important
service. 1t was when Mosby saw
that our supports were failing us that
he swung out of the yard. Had we
been supported the day might have
gone differently. 1t was said that
Capt. Bean was the first to reach
camp, and that he rode in barehead-
ed, shouting ''the rebels are upon
us % He was soon after dismissed
the service for his conduct that morn
ing. Lieut.. Woodbury. was killed af.
ter reaching the pike, for refusing tc
surrender. | did not see him after
our separation at the barnyard.
Capt. Flint was one of the senior
of the line. He was thought high J
of bv all in the regiment, and wa:
considered first in order for promo
, ton. He was kind, quiet and brave
He had the responsibility of The
. morning upon him. He was earnes
and determined in Mosby's destruc
ton as guerrilla plunderer and pick
: ct capturer, considering all the sur
r roundings and circumstances of thu
r affair, it is not strange that his yea
approached excitement. 1t would seen
t when the numbers, readiness and pc
t sition of the enemy were discovered
+. and we could no longer expect t
f surprise them, that a different cours
0 on our part might have been wise
+. but the cowardice of Bean was no
e anticipated If when Bean failed
: Flint had brought up the waiting me-
t with his usual dash, it would hav
:. been timely arrival. tits not, how
e ever, an occasion for oliticising com
o ment. Capt. Flint,patriotlcally' con
# scientiously and fearlessly gave
e generous, noble life to the cause. III
Of oh ~