Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-15
BACK FROM MANASSAS.
Survivors Tell of the Third Battle OF
Bull Run.

G., returned Tuesday from the Manassas
trip. Though wearied, sunburnt un-
shaven and sore footed, they had lost
none OF their pluck, and while they found
the experience fully as strenuous as they
anticipated, unite in declaring its worth to
them as preparation for real warfare Ii
was the next thing to the real thing, and
aside from the bloodshed lacked nothing
as an actual soldering experience. Some
idea Of what the boys went through can
be had from the following story.
The First Reg, V. n. g., assem- bled at
Brattleboro Thursday, the 1st, and re-
NAMED in camp there until Saturday
when it took train for New London, boat
TO New York, rail direct to Thoroughfare,
Va, via Washington. The regiment ar
rived at Thoroughfare at p. m. Sunday
night and went into shelter tents for that
night; next morning moved to its regular
camp near Thoroughfare, which is a one
boss station on the railway a short dis
tance from Thoroughfare Gap. noted for
its prominence IN civil war operations.
Special railroad sidings had been laid to
accommodate the troops, and good water
and other facilities were provided at this
camp, known as Camp No. 2.
These Manassas manmuvres were con-
Quoted by the United States war depart
ment for the purpose of instructing the
troops in the nearest approach possible
to actual warfare. They were participated
in by infantry, cavalry, artillery and
engineers. In all nearly 10000 men took
part, including regulars and militia from
most Of the Eastern and Southern states.
A plan OF campaign was laid out in
advance, but its execution depended on
the capacity OF officers and men. The
troops we're about evenly divided into
two armies, one known as Blues, who
wore the old army uniform, and the
t.a- -
Khaki. The Blue army commanded by
Gen. Fred Grant, son Of L. 5. Grant, was
posted so as TO cover an approach Of the
enemy toward Washington, in the neigh
borhood OF Bull Run. The Browns had
their base at Thoroughfare and were to
defend that position the first two days
against the Blues, then take the offensive
and force passage Of Bull Run the last
two days. Umpires were appointed to
accompany the several bodies ana TO de-
eide which party was entitled to the ad-
vantage whenever a clash came, basiug Z
their findings on the respective mum bers I
brought to the point OF contact and the I
positions taken for attack or defence.
The Vermont regiment was OF the 9TH .
brigade, I'd division Of the Brown or I
"Reb,n army. Having rested Monday and 4
prepared for the fray, at l O'Clock Tues 4
day morning the regiment started for the .
scene OF battle SIX miles distant. II went .
into action about $3.50 Tuesday and was
engaged all day at Llttle Bull Run on
the extreme right of the Brown line.
Here they ''annihilatedn two companies
Of Alabama troops, according to the UNI
pires decision. This days fighting
ended in favor of Gen. Yell, who had
defended his position.
Tuesday night the regiment biyouacked
IN shelter tents. During the day they
had carried two rations Of hardtack and
canned beef In the evening, when the
provision trains came up, they were
served with a good hot meal.
Wednesday mornings march began az
; o'clock The problem for that day was
Tor Gen. Grant to force Thoroughfare Gap
and capture Thoroughtare, and for the
Browns to prevent it. The 1st battalion,
v. n. G.. here made a notable movement.
Under command of Mai. Howe, it double
luicked about two miles to the Gap IN y
arriving and forming in time TO
stay the Blue attack. II was the decisive
movement OF the day. Gen. Bell rode up
and personally thanked Mai. Howe and
his command, the response being cheers
from the Nermonters, who had a little
wind in reserve. The other two battalions
we're in defensive position Wednesday.
The conflict ended at noon, with victory
for Bell.
That night the Blues had to march is
prepared to take the offensive. Thurs
DAYS movements were about Gainesville,
eight miles away. The armies did not get
IN touch all day and the award was given
to Gen. Grant, who had batiied Bells
scouts and hidden his position success
fully. Only l6 Of the Vermonters fell out
hat day. which was very hot.
The night was spent in bivouac at
Rocky brook until midnight, when Gen.
Bell started his great iianking march.
leaving his campfires burning TO deceive
the Blue force in his front, which had the
desired effect, he moved out TO Gainesvilie,
five miles, Il en- down the pike to the old
Bull Run battlefield, seven miles further'
and at dawn had a large force in position .
to threaten Grants line OF communlca-
ton across the stone Bridge, famous IN f
both the old battles. The Nermonters .
went into skirmish line, Co. being 4
posted near the Henry house, rlght whert E
Jackson was wounded and re- T
ceived his title. This days fight was .
awarded to Bell. The night march, fol- T
lowing he previous hardships, worked /
distress among all the raw troops ana
even showed its effect on the regulars.
The men struggled good deal. Many OF
them had a real army experience with .
dvsentery and sore feet. Individually
they made their way back to Gainesville E
and took train for Thoroughfare.
A grand review al Wellington was sched- +
uled for next day, but the Nermonters, as
well as other volunteer troops, did not
take part In view Of their condition, the
officers did not call upon the men 10
march "a miles TO this review and back
again merely to show themselves. After
good rest Saturday, the regiment en-
trained for home In good condition con- .
sidering what they had gone through.
There vas very little serious illness
among the Nermonters. One man, fri- f
vate Chalmers Of Co. G, Bradford. died on
the boat on the return journey. but he was
not well when be left home and took part .
in none of the duties.
There had been no rain in the section .
since June and the red dust, several inches
deep. rose in clouds under feet. The
roads, filed with gullies and strewn with
heavy stones. were simply atrocious %
blistered feet. The weight OF almost %
lbs. each man carried grew as the march
continued u was a hard, rough expert
ence, but the boys didn't look for picnic
and pnt up with il. They pronounce the
rations good. One day, however the
Blues almost captured the Vermont tram
on its way to the front, and 10 had 20 make
a wide circuit 50 that the men went hun
CRY in consequence.
The bows saw and learned a great deal
They studied the old battlefield thorough
ly. Clarence Booth found near the Henry
house perfect L. ;. bayonet that be dug
ont ~ the soil and in a bank near Grove