The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-08-23
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
Beauregard (" Charge.

corps (tne seCO0d) moved to the left
bank of the Potomac, around the noun
tains to Maryland Heights and Wash
ington Rock Ga perpendicular, smooth
faced rock, several hundred feet high,)
crossed the ford above the railroad
bridge destroyed at the commencement
of the rebellion, passed the destroyed
government buildings, past the engine
house, where old John Brown fought
the first battle for the freedom of the
slaves, the men singing in chorus,
"John Browns Body" and on through
the village of Boliver to the heights of
the same name, where we were en-
camped in columns of brigades on the
21st of September, 1862. General Rich
ardson, our mucb-beloved commander,
having been killed at the recent battle
Of Antietsm, General Hancock COM
manded our division. Our brigade
consisted of the following regiments:
Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers,
Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Sixty.6rst New York Volunteers, Sixty
fourth New York Volunteers, Seventh
New York Volunteers German, } with
Petit's Battery B, First New York Par
rot Guns. The Fifth New Hampshire
occupied the extreme right and suffered
much from the terrific cold winds which
blew down our canvas as fast as the
men could put it up, so anumber of the
boys used TO dig holes and live like
wild animals.
A person may travel far and wide
in America without coming upon a
lovelier spot than the heights above
Harper's Ferry. The town itself is
low and possesses no particular attrac-
ton, but one who stands above it may
see the beautiful valley of Virginia
extending far to the folded hills of the
southwest. As he looks to the town
the Landon Heights rise boldly on his
right, and between him and them the
Shenandoah, a stream that deserves
the epithet of arrowy, as well as the
Rhone, rushes to it's uuion with broad,
yellow and sluggish Potomac. 1t was
here on the 10Th of September, 1865,
that Jackson, the Confederate general,
opened fire upon the Union forces from
the heights around, and caused the
surrender of General Miles and II, 900
men, with seventy three pieces of artil-
lery, many small arms and other stores.
1t was the proud boast of the Second
Army corps (Sumner's) that up to the
DdJllt vi AAllCldi1 III llG Cu2dgc-
ments they had been in they had never
lost gun or a stand Of colors, which
was more than any other corps Of the
Army of the Potomac could say which
has seen half the service the Second
had performed We remained on Boil
yer Heights about two weeks; most of
our duty consisted in picket guard and
occasional drill. Stories were going
about of the wonderfully oings of the
confederate cavalry; how Stewart or
Mosby was going to do this or that, and
that we must be continually on the
watch to prevent being "gobbled up"
as they termed it. Captain Nj,
gallant officer, who commanded Com
pany d of the Fifth New Hampshire
Volunteers, made up his mind that he
would test the GOODNESS of the men OF
the First Brigade by a nights surprise,
and in order to do so he resorted to the
following: In some one Of the marches
previous his company had picked up an.
old cavalry horse. 1t was stone blind
vicious brute, and was quite danger
Gus to approach. The members of D
Company, however, he allowed to ham
die him almost as they pleased, for
they kept him supplied with provender
and in return for which he used to do
great deal of the patchwork for the
company. II was quite a spectacle to
see Beauregard Gas he was called)
ready for the march, string of empty
tin cans around his neck, huge pile oil
blankets and tent flies over his back,
upon which hung camp kettles filled
with spoons, ladies', axes, tin plates
frying pans and canteens. The old
fellow felt proud of his position, ano
, marched steadily along the flank of thf
company.
1t was decided TO convert Beaure
gard into war horse and place upor
, his back fierce trooper fully armed
and equipped to be let loose in the
night some time after taps, where hi
would be most likely TO create the
most alarm. All the necessary equip
ments were collected and in the suit
lers tent the dummy man was made
He was wonderfully brave looking
fellow, and his movements were quite
natural and lifelike. When all was
ready Beauregard was brought out and
the figure was securely fastened to the
saddle by means of cords and straps. A
sabre in one hand and pistol in the
other, with the reins in his teeth, he
f looked picture of trooper in a
fierce charge. Beauregard seemed 10
enjoy it, too, and acted his part to per-
lection. When all was ready he was
led quietly down between the Sixty
fourth New York and the Seventh
German regiment and there turne |
loose after good smart slap to make
him angry and give him a good send
off. The old fellow started on dead
run, prancing over the low tents and
demolishing everything. He went over
the Germans through the Sixty, first,
over the Eighty. first Pennsylvania, and,
OF course, all was confusion. The long
roll was beaten and all flew to arms to
suppress cavalry charge, but still
onward flew Beauregard. The more
he got prodded the madden he became.
and in the darkness all were at loss
to know exactly what to do. The cries
of " Mosby !" " Stewart" Rebel
cavalry! y etc, were heard. and finally
the whole Second corps was marsballed.