Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-22
RETURN OF The REGIMENT
Companies O and M Reach Bur-
lington from the War Game.
Did Mnch Walking and Lost Many
Meals but Got Home in Good
shape after Ten Days Of
Hard Work.

Companies c and M Of the First Yer
mont infantry arrived in the city Mon
day noon over the Central Vermont
railway after putting In ten hard days
Of work in connection with the manoeu-
vers in Connecticut at the attempt Of
the Reds to capture New York city. The
Vermont regiment was engaged In the
defence, being with the Blues. No report
of the umpires has yet been made pub
lie and whether the Vermonters were
on the victorious side or not Is not yet
known but 1t Is known that the Green
Mountain regiment acquitted itself with
credit and was commended for it's work
by the umpires.
The companies forming the regiment
left the State camp ground a week ago
Friday and were taken directly to Holly
Vile, Conn.,, near the seat Of war. They
were appointed to a provisional brigade
which included also the Fifth infantry
OF the army. who are stationed at Platts-
buryh, and all were under the command
of Colonel Kirby OF the regular army
They remained there until Monday
morning and Company NJ was selected
to do outpost duty during the stay in
Monday morning the brigade hiked to
Sandy Hook Conn, and on Tuesday
was engaged for two and a half hours
in a hot fight at Zoar bridge. The Reds.
tho opposing forces. were made up Of
Maine and New York regiments. and
when the recall sounded the umpires
gave the victory to the Blues. upon
which side the Vermont men fought.
The bridage marched to Botsford in
the afternoon following the battle and
on Wednesday took the longest march OF
tho week. going to a place three miles
porth of Easton. This was a hike of over
20 miles and was done In intense heat.
but the regiment stood II exceedingly
well and fewer men dropped out than
in the Fifth. comprised of regulars.
Camp was made in Boisford and the
command did not move until Friday
when it marched 16 miles to Reservoir
HILL near Bethel. and II was here that
the brigade was stationed during the de-
occupied an almost impregnable position
on the hill behind some stone walls and
the five regiments which were found OPP
posed to them were obliged to cross a
large open place and because Of the mar
row space had to come in close forma-
ton. The machine gun platoon of the
Fifth infantry and a battery of light
artillery were also on the hill, and It Is
certain that the slaughter would have
been fearful had real battle been IN
progress. It Is thought that the number
OF the attacking force would have been
reduced to the number of those on the
defence, and that would constitute a VIC
tory. At the close Of the battle the UNI
pires asked the defenders Of the hill to
come over and look at the forces which
bad been arrayed against them.
The Burlington companies during the
entire time they were away remained In
| excellent health and this In face of the
fact that they were In one Of the hardest
! worked commands Of the army. Some
trouble was experienced with poison ivy,
| but prompt work by the medical staff
prevented any one being laid up because
OF the poison.
The only complaint made by the troops
was the trouble in getting supplies. Thu
| subsistence department was unable tn
cope with the situation and the brigade
went without about many meals as II
received. The hospitality of the Connect
cut people, however, was great and
everywhere the farmers stood ready to
feed the hungry soldiers. Some house
wives baked all day in order to provide
food for which they would take no pay
The other companies of the regimen,
also reached their homes Monday