The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1907-03-29
FROM BUSH HILL TO ROUND TOP
More Interesting "reminiscences of Nelson W. Coe For
merly of BrattlebOrO.

where swe stacked our arms, and wer
asleep before we hardly touched tn
ground.
Sometime before noon we were awak
ened with volleys of shot and shells
which were blowing up the earth al
around us. The enemy had masked bat
terry of a guns and opened them all al
once. They knocked out Motifs battery
which had taken position on the bluff
with the first round, but they were soon
silenced by other batteries We then NOV,
ed back through a piece OF timber and
out in a clearing where the supply teams
we're. and we noticed a great panic among
the teamsters. The drivers were panic
stricken, and were unhitching their mules
and riding away. There | saw grew.
some sight, which at that time seemed
very comical. A provost marshal rode up
to a colored driver who was taking out
his saddle mule, and he ordered him to
stop and move his team along. The dnv-
or paid no heed to the order of the mar
shall. and when in the act OF mounting
the mule to ride away, the officer slashed
him on the head with his saber, and split
one side of his face and ear SO IL tell
close to his shoulder The mule started
on a run, and every jump 1t took the
side of the negro's face Topped up and
until he was almost out OF sight. Soon
the ball opened at Malvern Hill and we
were ordered to support a battery. Dur
ing the time we had enough excitement to
satisfy the bravest. After dark we be-
gan a retreat and came out near the
James river, where we camped tor the
night. We marched to Harrisons Land
ing the next day, and before we got our
camp in shape we were ordered PACK ana
engaged in a sharp sklrmish with the
advance guard of the enemy. After dry
ing them back we returned to the land
ing and completed our camp, ending the
Peninsular campaign.
"On July 90, 1862, we left Harrlson's
landing and marched to Yorktown. l
was played out and was passed on trans,
mort to Fortress Monroe and renamed
until the regiment arrived, when we took
steamers up the Potomac as far as Acqula
creek. where we awaited orders. we were
soon told to move on to Alexandra, from
which we marched to Centervllle. L was
sent at the head of squad OF ~ men
to relieve the pickets at Cub Run bridge
and remained there until the rear guard
Of pone's army came. We returned to
the camp. but found nothing but the EN-
beers of the fires burning, as the regiment
had been ordered to move. We followed
along the pike to Halifax Court House;
We came to a house where large crowd
was gathered, and we inquired what the
trouble was. We were told that Gen.
K earnv had been killed and had Just
been brought in on his horse. lie was
shot in a railroad cut near Chantlllyi
where our men and the rebels got mixed
mo in the dark We moved on and came
TO some hospital tents and IN held
near bv were several horses loose and no !
ruard in sight. / made for one and go5
4 without much trouble. My chums dld
not have as good luck as | did, ana
That was the last / saw of them. !! leo
he horse off some distance and rugged
M a bride out of my gun sling and can
cen strap and was then a mounted IN
rantryman. After some little time
,aught up with my regiment and con
.inued on to Washington, where we were
informed the rebels were near Iena!ly
own. We were given big reception
n the Capital city.
"On Sept. IA, 1862, we met the enemy
If Burkettsville. We charged them
hrough the town and up the mountain
4 Champion pass. We took several prs
,ners and one Napoleon gun and con-
inued over the mountain where the en-
INV had formed. We routed them again
nd we enjoyed looking through their
.napsacks which they lett in their hurry
Q escape. We camped there over night