The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-01-20
AT THE FIRST BULL RUN.
AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT BY Ex-
LIEUTGoV. U. A. WOODBURY..

Col. u. A. Woodbury. has written for
the Boston Journal the following article
which will be found of especial interest
by Vermont veterans:
| was first sergeant of company ii. sec
ond regiment, Vermont volunteers. Tue
regiment rendezveused in Burlington the
first part of June, 1861, being the first
three-year troops sent from Vermont.
The members of it came largely from
rural communities-there are but few
other than rural in cur State-and they
were as hardy set of boys as ever as
sembled in camp.
In those days "rastling" was the uni
Versal sport at every village and neigh
borhood gathering, and the regimentcon-
tanned hundreds of athletes that would
have been eagerly sought for by football
enthusiasts, had that game been "on' in
those days. They could outmarch, out
run, outjump and "Outrastle" all com
petitors. They were full of good humor,
slow to wrath, but they had enlisted for
a purpose, clearly defined in their minds,
and no danger or deprivation moved them
from it. They were naturally, mentally
as well as physically strong.
We were mustered into the United
States service June 20, by Lieut-Col.
Raines, United States army, who shortly
after resigned, went into the confederate
army and was killed.
We left Burlington June 14th and ar
rived in Washington the Goth. Went in
TO Virginia the 10th of July and camped
at Bush Hill, a few miles from AleXan-
dria. There we were brgaded with the
Third, Fourth and Fifth Maine, and
placed under the command of Brigadier
General 0. 0. Howard, who afterward
distinguished himself in various COM
mands, and is now the ranking major
general in the United States army next
to Gen. Schoiield. Henry Whiting was
Our colonel, George j. Stannard after
ward brevet maior-general, U. S. A. who
distinguished himself at Gettysburg
while in command of the Second Yer
mont brigade, was orr lieutenant-colonel,
G. II. Joyce, afterward Nj. 9. from Yer
mont, was our major. w. w. Henry
afrerwaTd brigadiergeneral and the gal
liant commander of the Tenth Vermont,
which distinguished itself at the battle of
Monocacy-was lieutenant.
And Inow recall such persons as Coils.
Tracey, Walbrdge, Stone, Tyler, Johnson
and Major Dillingham;, and many others,
heroes every one, who distinguished
themselves on many bloody battlefield.
The captain Of our company was an old
military officer of fine physique, and we
thought we had a prize; but we soon
found that he did not know enough to
lead the company to mess, and he never
learned.
AT Centreville the boysmade it lively
for the honey, and the bees made it lively
for the boys. The pilferers often got
badly stung, but the simple parCakers of
the sweet luxury Toasted with delight
and safety. While we were lying at Cen
treville portion Of the Union forces had
a brisk little skirmish with the Rebs. at
Blackburn's Ford.
witnessed some of the affair, and
then first saw an armed rebel and saw
the first shOtted gun fired, l began to
think there was work ahead for us. The
evening of the 2Oth brought rs knoWl-
edge that battle might DE expected ON
the morrow. Gen. Howard had the brig
ade parade and delivered us patriotic
address.
Before daybreak, July q, we were
astir, and after breakfast was put in
marching order. Soon long lines of in
fantry, some batteries OF artillery and
some cavalry filed past us to take the po-
stiOnS assigned them by orders. 1t was
a beautiful sight to see the long line of
soldiers with their bright bayoneted guns
glistening in the sunlightas they marched
over the hill and into the depression
beyond the hamlet of Centreville. What
a contrast between the confident, brave
army at that hour and the dismayed, de-
fsated and disorganized force that fled
back over the same route few hours
later.
The army was accompanied by hoTdes
of civilians, among whom were many
members of Congress who had joined the
army to see us ''do up the rebels and
end the war. Some of these gentlemen
accompanied us to Richmond. Iremem-
Der that Congressman Ely of Rochester,
N. Y, district was in Libby when was
in the adjoining building. Their capture
created some merTiment to others be-
sides themselves, and many jokes were
cracked at their expense.
We were fully equipped. We had dress
coats. knapsacks, filed to repletion, haver-
sacks almost bursting, 40 rounds of car
tridges, canteens, ETC., and smooth bore
Springfield muskets. We had them all
on, too. We soon fell into the line OF
march and passed along toward the right
flank of our army, and were halted about
three miles from Sudley church near a
blacksmith shop.
Here we remained several hours, great
ly interested in the battle, which we
could plainly hear, but could not see.
When some louder discharge than usual
was heard, Lieut.. G. of my company
would excaim, much to our satisfaction,
another rebel battery taken" He
really thought so. He went down to
Virginia to whip the rebels and he had
no idea but what it was being done as
arranged.
Our captain having filled no to his
usual limit-when we were ordered to
advance at the double quick at p. m.-
said: sri be ID if L came down
here to make a race horse of myself
Lieut. G. you may take charge of this
company" He went to the rear and |
never saw him afterward. Just imagine
men double quicking under burning
July sun in Virginia-accOutred as we
were.
We thought we must not part with our
knapsacks, but it soon became apparent
that we should drop in our tracks if we
were not relieved, and then we began to
throw them off, and soon the line OF
march was covered with them. But, OH
wasn't it hot. Soon our thirst became
almost unbearable. At Sudley Spring
some of us filled our canteens with water
and Stacked our thirst, but we were need
ed at the front and we were hurried for.
ward. Everyone seemed anxious to dc
his duty and but few struggled, unles:
absolutely unable to 60 on on account Oi