The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-07-08

occurred ana unen DaCK towards IeUeFi
burg, where the regiment built anothe
lire of works making the third sine
crossing the James river.
Life in trenches during the he
weather was anything but desirable
The weather was sultry and the al
polluted When the order came on tn
morning of the 9th of July for the 81
division to march for Baltimore, tn
order was hailed with delight. TIL
rapid march in the hot sun was NOR
endurable because of the fact that w
were going to Goods Country" as tn
boys expressed it.
1t was a glorious change when tn
tired and worn soldiers stepped from
the hot ant dusty roads on board thu
clean. cool decks of the steamer. Or
the boat they enjoyed the best nights
restin long time. When the regi
ment landed in Baltimore it had tC
wait for transportation. 1t was the
night of July 9TH when the first trair
left for Monocacy junction. 1t had or
board the 10th Vermont regiment, anC
reached Monocacy about Z the next
morning. During the day the regi'
ment was drawn up in line of battle al
dozen different points. When the
second train arrived on the field and
added one more regiment to the fight,
force it was not one hour to soon. On
the heights beyond was Early's army
of twenty thousand ready to swoop
down on the little handful of Union
men at any time. Early seemed to be
waiting for larger force to conquer.
By night all the regiments Of the
division were up but two, and evening
found the entire force in Frederick
City. Ii was nine o'clock when the
march to the junction was begun. The
distance travelled by the division was
over fourteen miles. The enemy held
the pike making a long march a neces-
sity. The roads were rough enough
but the fields that were traversed and
the sloughs that were crossed were the
worst in the state. 1t was swearing
tearing march, and it was O'Clock in
the morning when the troops went in
to camp at MonocacY Junction. Pickets
were thrown out for the protection of
the little force and then the tired SOL
diers dropped to the ground to snatch
an hours sleep.
1t was well for that little band that
they did not know what the country
expected of them before the sun should
set again. 1t was well that they did
not know that they were to fight an
army whose strength was five times
their own. AS it was they slept nearly
two hours and then the division was
under arms. RatiOns were short, but
enough for breakfast. Surgeon Ruth
9rford and Chaplain Haynes thought
o ride to Frederick for breakfast They
we're not more than three.forths of
nile from camp when they were fired
1t by rebel pickets. They returned to
lamp having made up their minds that
lard tack was good enough for them.
L with two Others concluded to take
| morning bath in the clear waters of
he Monocacy. We were nearly half
way across that river when a shell |
vent whizzing over our heads, and the |
attic of Monocacy was begun. 1t |
id not take us long to recross that
iver and reach our clothes. The bull
ITS were whizzing about us and strik-
lg the ground at our feet. We were
taking our toilet under difficulties.
or second or two we shook like we
ad the ague. Soon the nerves were
uiet and we were dressed and on our
ray to the regiment. The camp was
lst over the ridge but the regiment
vas gone before we got back. Hasti-
7 gathering up our effects we rejoin-
i the regiment a half mile farther
own the river. Troops were moving
l every direction and everything was
eng done to strengthen our position
lat was possible TO be done. The di-
ision extended south from the rail-
Dad along the ridge by the river for
Istance of three-fourths of mile with
ne regiment in reverse on the extreme
'uth. North of the railroad was
'giment of hundred day Maryland
oops a thousand strong. Beyond
lat regiment was hundred and fifty
the Sth Illinois Cavalry. On the
e hill to the rear was another small
'rce of cavalry ready to 90 either Wav.
Across the pike bridge was a small
cket force consisting of about one
inbred and fifty men belonging to
e 10th Vermont and one of the nine
day Maryland regiments and all
lder the command of that Prince of
,od fellows, Capt. Geo. E. Davis.
e was assisted by Capt. j. S. Thomp-
N another of the officers of the 10th
9rmont.
The only artillery belonging to the
Mon army was a section of hundred
y Maryland battery. Those two
ms were in position just in rear of
e 10th. The shots from these guns
)uld go over the heads of the men by
ly about three feet. Two guns work
by hundred day men must be serv-
against the the thirty guns of the
envy worked by veteran artillerist.
AT a house just back of the ridge
Is the Headquarters of Gen. Levi
allace commander of the Union
rces. Here was also the Headquart-
of Gen. Ricketts,. The Union army
ready for battle. Every man in that
lie army from Gen. Wallace down
the humblest privates in the ranks
lilies that the fate of the National
pitol depends on the defense made
this little band, and they were pre-
ed to fight as they had never fought
ore. .
ITO be continued.