The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-08-12

beavers. 1t had been hot day an6
the men were suffering from thirst
All day long they had been fighting
without water as no man could be
spared from the ranks to bring it
Four times have the enemy been re-
pulsed but it is too much to expect oul
little band to hola out against such ov
erwhelming numbers The 10th Vt
could hold their position against five
or six times their own numbers, but
other regiments are on level ground
with no protection and they cannot
long resist.
Realizing that the supreme moment
had come Gen. Wallace ordered a re-
treat. The order was received by Col
Henry, but was not Obeyed at once.
The Col. thought it was not yet time
and he continued to beat back the enc
my. Other troops gave way and left
our regiment in very exposed posi-
ton Seeing his order had not been
obeved and the dangerous position the
regiment was in Gen. Wallace sent an
other orderly to Col. Henry to move
his regiment to the rear at once, or he
would be captured. We were then
nearly surrounded but the orderly
reached the Col. but barely escaped
capture himself The situation was
understood at a glance and the regi-
ment ordered to march in retreat
The men loaded their muskets as they
went and when loaded would turn and
fire at the enemy. Before reaching
the corntield we had board fence to
climb. The enemy were on three sides
of us and pouring hot fire into us
from every side but one. Just as we
reached the divide they opened on us
with their artillery. We had piece of
timber to 90 through and they turned
their guns onhhe timber. They fired
high and our greatest danger was from
falling limbs,
Capt. Davis with his heroic band Oh
III west side of the river did not re-
ceive the order TO retreat through the
n Negligence of Lieut.. Col, Chandler,
rhe first the gallant Captain saw or
knew of the retreat the troops were
moving nor h pas tn raj O. d b idg
then his only way of retreat the pike
bridge having been burnt at ten o'clock
a. III.
Daniel B. Freeman one of the brave
boys of Company G was with Capt.
Davis. A Corporal from Company B
had been sent to rail fence the other
side of corntield to observe the move
ments of the enemy. The Corporal
was killed before reaching the fence.
After the Corporal had been killed
there was call for volunteer but
none responded Freeman was asked
to 60 and succeeded in reaching tine
fence and was holding the position
when called in, There being no time
to lose Capt. Davis commenced what
was very dangerous move, the cross
ing of a railroad bridge under fire
The bridge was forty feet above the
water and the fire of the enemy came
from the rear and the south side also.
Before Freeman had reached the |
bridge the balance of the little force |
were we'll out on the bridge with the |
exception of one man. That one man
was Morgan of Co. B, and he stood |
there like the martyr he was and fought |
the enemy back single handed and |
alone until Freeman had reached the |
bridge, then turning to save himself he
fell riddled with bullets.
Before Capt. Davis had reached the
east end of the bridge the enemy's
advance had already reached there. but
in small force. Here was another fight,
but as usual the banner of the gallant
Davis was again victorious, and he
reached pike with what was left of his
brave little band.
When Freeman reached the pike
little behind the picket force he thought
to improve his chances of escape by
the fence east of the pike.
The pike was much to hot for him and
he thought the enemy would not pur-
sue one man when there were more
men and greater possibilities by keep
ng the pike. just few rods from
The road Freeman reached an eminence
and looking down the other side saw
% his dismay that he had run into a
oand of blood thirsty Johnnies. He
brew himself to the ground rolled
over and over until partially out
'ange when he raised to his feet and
made good his escape.
The regiment when it had passed
,ut of the timber were not pursued ,
,urther until they reached the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad. They crossed
! small stream just before reaching
his railroad! Here was flour mill !
With the railroad track running past it. !
Every man filed his cup as the stream c
vas crossed and the order to halt was
.iven just as the track was reached. c
The Col and few others myself in
luded went into the mill. AS soon as
had emptied my cup it occurred toIme
o go out and see if the enemy were in
light. AS l looked up the track to the
vest saw large force of the enemy \
oming round sharp curve in the rail- b
DAD. They had almost reached the =,
light flank of the regiment as we were
marching left in front. Returning to {
be mill informed Col. Henry that he !
7as wanted outside. He was at the 4
arther end of the mill at the time. He
7alked to the door and when past the
Orner of the mill so he could see the :
rack he turned to me with smile on I
is face and said "Well | guess l am" c
nd then he gave the order that saved
he greater portion of the regiment
rom capture. On the opposite side of ,
ne track was steep side hill. 1t was