St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-04-18
A Story of Army Life.
,,., HeII,s Address before the Sons of
I"'' Veterans.

gathered in Grand Army hall to hear
Gov Bells "reminiscences of army life.
following the address short musical
,rooram was rendered consisting of a
eornet solo by ]. W. Batchelder; violin
,olo Miss Elizabeth Peck; solo, Mrs.
non c. Stiles, recitation, Miss Katie
UT H flute solo, George c. Fetch.
The Governor was introduced by H.
VI Nelson and among other interesting
things sald'
"Wben enlisted in $50 l wasn't much
ofa military man. l didn't know much
obont what war meant. had seen the
Vermont cavalry over in Burlington.
There were full a thousand men, part
If whom had never been astride horse.
1saw more men dismounted there than
N the army afterwards. The new
cavalry man, feeling that perhaps he
was going to fall off his saddle, would
dig the spurs into the sides OF his horse
and keep a good strong grip on tine
bride.
enlisted in the infantry for nine
I months, in Company B. The Company
was organized at Danville. We drilled
in Danville some three weeks. After a
y few weeks service Tor our country at
Danyille, we started for the front. We
came to St. Johnsbury and stopped to
dinner. We went to Burlington and
we're there until October. This was in
the fall of go From Burlington we
\ went to Washington.
d 1t was a rainy night when we arrived
n in Washington. We slept in shanties
n near what is row the Baltimore & Ohio
i Depot. 1t rained the day before we went
4 up on to Arlington Heights, and If there
was as much mud on every pair OF boots
I Of the Second Brigade as there was on
y mine should expect we must have taken
\ all the earth up to Arlington Heights
B and made it so much higher.
We had some skirmishes early in the
winter, but later when the rest Of the
army were moving north to Gettysburg,
h we Vermonters were not going to take a
back seat in marching. Oh the battle of
Gettysburg can say nothing but praise
4 tor the Second Brigade. l have to admit
4 that the 18th regiment was not in the
engagement. Two companies of the 18th
81 were guarding an ammunition train, and
y it was my pleasure to be one of that
&number. But the record that the Second
n Brigade changed what was defeat into
#yictory, is proud record forany brigade
&to remember. came home from the
service Of nine months in July, soon after
the battle of Gettysburg.
Fl The cavalry service, perhaps, | enjoyed
#5etter, tor the reason | had rather ride
Z than walk. The service is quite different.
n rather expect that the reason returned
n in Ga, was because the ladies said What
battles were you in ?" And had to an
swer, Il wasn't in any battle. | was in
sight of Gettysburg" | think that did
more toward sending me back than any
patriotism.
I'll We went to Windsor and mustered into
"a tbe L. 5. service. We went from Windsor
&to New Haven and took a boat there Tor
]. City Point. Finally we arrived at Wash.
hkngton, where we drew our horses. There
n was detail of men who went out to
lead in the horses, and they had their
B pick OF the horses. We drew horses and
4 Started for the Shenandoah Valley.
81 The average cavalry man probably
Z brew rations one day in ten. Frequently
i've started off on march with one days
HEIauons, hence, il anyone was not very
conscientious be was likely to pick up
something where he could find it. 1t was
gust as important to be first when you
S#are ioraging as it is 10 be first in any
#other department OF life.
General Sheridan, it is said, was prob
Aahly the most able infantry and cavalry
commander that we had; that is, COM
#manding both and keeping them doing
s9ood work. He was little fellow, not
more than FIVE feet, six inches, hardly
that, perhaps, with long faxen hair,
II wearing the Uniform of a confederate
Soldier, and always having his staff with
him. He was always in the front, never
behind.
General Custer was one of the bravest
cavalry officers. 1t requires different
kind Of man to be a cavalry officer
Ct Early in March, 65, we were leaving the
valley. Our cavalry-I don't remember
bow many-(some one in the audience
SAID 3,000) marched four abreast. We
mad only two pieces Of artillery and one
days rations. AS we came over the hill
we found that there were breastworks
thrown up and eleven guns pointing our
q way. In a few minutes a New York
3 regiment charged down the turnpike
and on the right was a Connecticut
regiment, and a Vermont regiment or
the lett, with drawn sabers, for not g
caTbine could be fired, Gas it had beer
rainy and they were wet). The result
I was that in only about two hours time
were captured 200 more men than there
! were IN our regiment. This was the last
ol the war in the Shenandoah Valley
he last time ever heard Clusters voice
10 battle was at Appomattox Station
oelore Lee surrendered. | am proud tt
say that Gen. Custer had a favorit,
81 leSIment in his division. and that was
Sne Vermont cavalry. Now, this night
Just at dark, at Appomattox Station
oTn' Custer came in through the thicket
Wnere the artillery was playing upon us
anu SAID, Vermont cavalry, | want yol
leFe, right off," The result was that w
captured 20 pieces of artillery that night
ne soldiers life is all that is terrible
A. is terrible thing to see men sho
uown' One may possibly become accus
ooned to it in way, but it is something
one can never forget. We are fast for
getting some of the sadness, as W
should. The experience of the soldier
II MuGller hnttln lie ha