We have not had, by telegraph a clear and satisfactory account of the fight near Yorktown, in which the Vermont regiments were engaged. Neither do the letters from the army tell all we want to know about its purpose and proceedings. The following from a letter dated near Lee’s Mills, gives the clearest account of it we have seen:—
“Four companies of the Vermont 3rd, were called up at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, formed into line, and told by their colonel in a pithy speech that the work expected of them was to charge across the creek and lake the enemy’s intrenchments. Ayres’s guns—all of the batteries, numbering 22 pieces, were under the command of their accomplished artillery officer—covered the Vermonters advance. They marched steadily at the quick to the edge of the creek, and plunged in, on the run. The water deepened unexpectedly. The men were soon wading to their breasts, their cartridge-boxes slung up on their shoulders, and their muskets held up high. The moment they entered the stream, the rebels swarmed on the edge of their rifle pit, and rained a fire of bullets on the advancing line. The stream, as dammed was about twelve rods wide. The Vermonters loaded and fired as they waded. Their killed and wounded began to fall from the instant of entering the water. Many of the latter were sustained by their arms and the collars of their coats, and so helped across and laid down on the opposite side.
The 3d, as soon as they emerged and got foothold received the order to “charge!” With a yell, with true Green Mountain ring in it, they dashed at the extended rifle pit. At least a regiment of rebels broke from behind it, and ran into the redoubt to the rear, leaving the Vermonters in the pit. For at least an hour they fought from here against overwhelming numbers, receiving reinforcements in that time, first of four companies of the 6th Vermont, and afterwards of four companies of the 4th Vermont. They shot their foe principally through the head, and so superior was their fire, and their pluck so impressive that the rebels moved two additional regiments into the fort, and into a flanking position on the left of the rifle pit.
Exposed now to a crossfire as well as an increased fire in front, the Vermonters, though they wanted to stay, had to go. In good order, covering themselves behind trees, and fighting as they went, they recrossed the stream, carrying with them all their wounded whose condition at all promised survival of their hurts. Many were now shot in the water, and drowned beyond all possibility of help
Worcester Daily Spy, Worcester, MA