The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1907-03-29

Nelson W. Cole, whose stirring adven
lures following the first battle of Bul
Run were related in his own words II
the Sutiield correspondence of the Spring
field Republican and reprinted IN The Re
former last week. is at work preparing
an account of his experiences during the
civil war for the Grand Army records
Mr. Cole took part in over 80 battles,
and his career during those historic times
wa, more eventful than that of any other
veteran in this vicinity His regiment,
the ID Vermont, was in the thlckest OF
the campaigns in Virginia, and OF these
Mr. Cole has retained vivid memory as
well as unusually complete memoranda;
Continuing his narrative from where he
left it off last week, with the regiment
encamped at Bush Hill, four miles from
Alexandria, on July 90, 1861, the young
soldiers 22d birthday, Mr.. Cole says:
Soon after my return to my regiment
We were ordered to move, and we crossed
Long bridge into Washington, going by
way Of Georgetown, near Chain bridge;
We pitched our camp there, where the 81
Vermont regiment were occupying tnelr
time building Fort Vermont. In few
days our regiment crossed over on the
Virginia side in light marching order,
and built Fort Ethan Allen and Fort
Marcy We didn't break camp as yet,
and | was left in charge Of Co. Us quar-
tiers, and drew rations and sent them to
the regiment every morning. The regi,
ment completed its work in 10 days and
returned to camp. The next day we broke
camp and moved across the river ana
established our winter quarters at Camp
Griffin. We did picket duty out to Lew
nsvlIIe and Falls Church. The 4th, 9th
and ST IA \ or papin1nntG IN IN Il
few days and went into camp near us.
We were organized by Gen. Brooks as
the lst Vermont brigade, made up OF the
I'd, 3D., 4th, 9TH and 9th Vermont regll-
ment~. about Dec. 10. | was taken sick
while on picket duty at Lewinsville, and
was removed to the field hospital IN an
ambulance. | had an attack of typhoid
fever and suffered a relapse, which kept
me confined until the regiment was or
dered to move about March |. | was NOV
ed with the rest of the sick to George
town seminary hospital, and was more
dead than alive. About April began
TO pick up, and was granted a 3O-days tur-
Tough, which l spent at my home IN Brat
tebuo.
AT the expiration of my furlough |
was unable to return, and was granted
an extension until May 10. By permission
OF Governor Holbrook who is still llv-
ing ! reported back to the hospital in
Georgetown, and after a weeks stay, l
was sent to the front with % men for |
q1liierent regiments. We went down the |
Potomac and up the York river to York
town, and then up the Pamunkey as far
as W blJe House Landing. Most OF, the
men found their regiments near there;
1jut my regiment was on the move, and
ule provost marshal told me to stay there
until he found out where they were. At
Yer Jew days | received pass and went
ny Tram to Deep Bottom and joined my
56eglmant Just before the battle of Fair
OakN. Our brigade was on the reserve
near Grapevine bridge. After the battle
we crossed the Chickahominy and went
iiIlo camp at Golden's Farms, doing picket
Q1iy N front of Richmond. We re-
NAMED al5i there until we were fanked out,
t tllI then We began the seven days re-
aLeat to Harrison's Landing. The en-
Siiuy We're close on to us, so we turned
o ooou. and went back and had a sharp en-
u-ler. Our regiment lost one man kill
r1 ahI several wounded, but the Sd Yer
- IT,; lost heavily in killed and wounded.
[ llIs vas on June 30, 1862 We then
[- slled and marched all night. We were
n, oi-e road and the rebels on the other
~. ran parallel with it. We were eau {
. ,,.lsl TO move quietly, and succeeded in
Nm White Oak swamp about day
'sN'' and went over bluff into ravine. I