The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-10-16

which was the headquarters of General
Lee. 1t is noble mansion, in grove
of trees, lane leading up to it from
road which enters the telegraph road
within half mile. In rear of this is
high hill which has been known as
Lees Hill ever since the battle. From
this hill, with the aid of field glass,
one gets complete view of the whole
field of operations.
AS 10 the
CONFEDERATE BREAsTwORKs.
l travelled over the whole line from
near Hamilton's crossing, on the Con-
federate right, to the Orange plank
road, and could see for long distance
still further to the left Along most of
the line the works have been leveled,
but almost invariably traces of them re-
main. From my observation 1 can
easily believe the assertion of the re-
porter of the London Times, who wrote
from Lees headquarters at the time of
the battle: "That any mortal man
could have carried the position before
which they 1.-THE Federals] were wan
tonly sacrificed, defended as it was, it
seems TO me idle to believe" My be-
lief is not at all staggered by the fact
that the Sixth Corps, in the May fol-
lowing, did actually carry those same
heights, for one condition was lacking
they were not adequately manned.
The bulk of Lees army, at that time,
was fighting Hooker at Charlottesville
Even the Sixth Corps-heroic and al
most invincible as it was-could have
done no more at the stone wall, at the
Grot hoft1a - do ~; k,,r ko,
the brigades led by such fighters as
French, Hancock, Sturgis, Humphreys,
Meagher, and others equally brave.
The position, under the conditions
which existed at the first battle, was
absolutely impregnable.
On the previous day, crossed the
Rappahannock on the railroad bridge
and walked down the
RIVERSIDE ROAD
as far as the Mason house. Thirty.two
years have wrought few changes. The
houses re main as at that day, but the
fields are now fenced and are plowed
and narrowed by the peaceful imple-
ments of husbandry, instead of by shot,
shell, shrapnel and canister, as then.
The heights on the north side of the
road, where our batteries we're planted,
are now cornfields or are grown up
with bushes and trees. Yet among
the bushes can yet be seen the ruts
made by the artillery while getting into
position. Soldiers of the Old Brigade
will remember the line of rifle-pits
across the river which was shelled by
artillery and then captured by the brig
ade on the 9th or 7th of June, 1868.
Those rife-pts are still there, though
Overgrown with grass and weeds and
brambles.
THE CITY
has population of about 5000, and
is pretty much the same as in war days.
The two streets now called A and B
streets, near the river and parallel to
it, which were pounded in pieces by
Burnside's artillery, have been rebuilt
but slightly if at all. The street now
called A street, particularly, is a mass
Of ruins-but few houses remaining
standing. The remainder of the city
shows no marks of the Smelling.
Whether the artillery refrained from
Smelling the upper part of the town, or
whether the damage has been carefully
repaired, am unable to state. Walk
business ones, you see the same south
ern dirt, unthrift and discomfort. Those
pig, goats, hens, and other live stock,
you meet on the sidewalks are not the
same you saw in war days, but there is
little doubt they are their descendants
the same lean and scrawny race. Yet
even these uncanny animals have their
uses. They serve as scavepgers by de-
vouring the melon rinds, peanut shells,
banana skins, ETC., which the untidy
people throw into the street. This
town, of about 5000 inhabitants, is a
typical southern one-sleepy and unen-
terprising.
ORANGE COURT HOUSE RAILROAD.
1t will be remembered by all who
participated in the engagements at
Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Will
derness, and Mine Run, that there was
then an unfinished roadoed for rail-
road designed to run from Fredericks-
burg to Orange Court House. That un.
finished railroad occupies prominent
position in the history of the war. A
| narrow. gauge track now laid upon