Year: 1862

Mr.. EDITOR: Once more / am able to
send to you some facts relating to our ar
my of the Southwest. Il is best that /
should pass over the things that trans
pired since 1 last wrote, and write few
words about the most important event that
has taken place in the South since the
bombardment of vicksburg. I refer to
the battle of the fifth of August that was
fought in the vicinity of Baton Rouge be-
tween seven of our regiments and, as near
as l can learn, 5000 strong of the enemy
under the command Of Gems. Jones and
Clark. Monday before the battle, Col.
Roberts called out his regiment, and care
fully trained them in battalion drill, warn
ing them of the coming fight, and caution
ing them to be ready at any time during
the night to march out at a minutes warn
ing. No alarm was given during the night.
Early the next morning, when most of our
men were asleep, We were awakened by the
long roll, and the near report of musketry.


It seems the rebels had killed our outer


pickets, by which means they managed to
get into our camps and fire upon us before


VIC could form brigade, or even battalion


line. But the 9TH, though much weak


ened by sickness, did not falter. The


regiment soon came into line on the east


Of our tent ground and Immediately be-


fore the rebels, who, in large force, were


coming on scarcely half mile distant


Soon their rife and cannon balls were fly


ing over and around us in most terrific


manner, but they fired too high and most


of their shots passed harmlcssly over our


heads One cannon shot, however, struck


the ground in front and ten feet from our


line, and bounding, passed harmlessly


through it, the line breaking quickly for


that purpose by Col. Roberts order. Soon


after another came, and going into the


ground, threw the earth over our Major
and some others very near. This being
the first battle in which the 9TH Vermont
has been engaged, and being taken by sur
prise they faltered and fell back little
in the time of the hottest fire, but our
brave Colonel and many of the under of.
ficers called them back. They had only
retreated across the tent ground There
, they came to an about face and gave the
0 enemy another and yet another taste oil
l federal balls.


1t afterwards appeared that our men
Q were better marksmen than their oppo.
nents. Owing to the sudden attack a
@ good deal of confusion prevailed. 1t is
true beyond doubt that our men fired into
each other several times. twas impossi.
BILE to see but short distance. Not only
D did the smoke Of powder prevent our Sec
: ing how we were situated and what VIC
; were doing, but clouds of dust were sent
t up before the morning sun by the tramp.
! ing and charging Of the combatants and
s the flying of horsemen from place to place
e giving orders to the men under them. II
was trying time. Many hero fell t.
:, rise no more, among whom, and the mos
lamcnted by his regiment, was our gallan


Colonel. He fell mortally wounded whil'
{ leading his men and inspiring them will
o fresh courage by heroic example. He wa
taken from the field on litter, and tn,
next morning was dead.


Gen. Williams was also killed, and in


stantly, by cannon ball. The last com


mand he was heard to give was, lndiani
0 boys, drive them out of your camps" tn
u rebels having come there, and charged un
0 expectedly upon this regiment (the 2ls





Is from that State) and forced them back
o little, but they rallied, and with volle.
d of balls and charge with fixed 5ayonet
It cleared the ground, leaving many dea'
e and wounded of the enemy.


u About six o'clock (the battle commence,
y about FOUR the rebels by some means be


came inspired with great hopes Of victory


We could hear their officers crying out t
is them, "Push on, boys, little longer AM
d the victory is ours" Just about thi
l. time our batteries for the first time ha
le an opportunity of playing upon then
1t The Connecticut battery now at this plac