The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-02-12

men, returned to his works, and our sol
diers started back to camp. We covered
the retreat.
The Confederates flew no particular
flag, and Col. Woodruff, Lieut.. Col. Neff,
Capts. Austin and Hurd, Second Ken
lucky, and Col De Villiers, Eleventh
Ohio, actually rode into the rebel camp
and were captured, feeling confident
that we had won the day. 1t was said
that the excitable French colanel was so
chagrined at his carelessness that he
wanted to be shot or hanged, asking no
quarter ana giving none. lie escaped
from Richmond. The colonel command
ing this movement was killed in the next
engagement.
Our time was now out-three months
and Gen. Cox gave us the privilege of
voting on the question of going home or
going with him on to Charleston, now
the capital of West Virginia. We voted
to go home. That night orders were re-
ceived to prepare rations, and happy we
were, but in the morning, instead OF go
ing back, we were required to take our
places in the brigade and on to Charles
ton. Here eight companies were sent
back by boat and two remained to guard
the town, the rest of the brigade moving
toward Gauley.
In tire days we were relieved by one
company of the Fourth Virginia, Capt.
Vance. An odd incident, but showing
the suspicion of soldiers against citizens,
is worth telling here. At Gallipoils our
commissory was Mr.. Vance, a citizen.
We formed dislike to his food, and to
Mr.. Vance, also. On our excursion into
Virginia we found Vance. Words were
not strong enough-lebel, traitor, spy,
etc. He explained, but no explanation
was taken, and he was placed under
guard and taken to camp. 1t is won
der he was not killed that night but
next day he proved his innocence and
was released. And it was this same
Vance, now captain of Yankee COM
pany, who relieved us at Charleston.
More than one man asked to be forgiven,
and then hurried for his traps.
In an hour we were on the boat and re-
turning to Cincinnati, and then to Column
bus, into Camp Chase, paid off, mustered
out, and directed to be at the station at
a certain hour to take train for home.
This was all carried out, and we were re-
ceived at home by warm hearts. Only
one man out of the company had been
wounded, and that accidentally, and he
met us. Almost every man swore he had
had enough, but events showed how
many kept their word, and how differ
ent three-year soldiers were from three
month.
The three-month soldiers were drilled
in careful manner, both officers and
men, before they were forwarded to the
front, while there are thousands of men
yet living who will tell you that the best
drilling they ever had was actual cam
paining. Furthermore, unless you exer-
else men in camp, not barracks, there
will be sickness, therefore drilling is nee
essary. An army has far less sickness on
the march, in all kinds of weather, than
in camp The sick CALI is seldom
heard in the former, but is regular in the
latter. The new soldier in 1861 was
loaded down with superhuous luggage.
| Wagon trains for tents, ETC., impeded
movements, while in 1864 it was found
that one dilapidated mule carried enough
cooking utensils for regiment, and
tents were unnecessary, except for Off
GERS headquarters, and many colonies
were without them. My experience with
"Uncle Bilr' Sherman, and not with those
those who had "base of supplies
within few miles. We had to rough
| it." and there never was so hearty oil
so ragged an army in existence as thai
| same lot of "bummersh