Bellows Falls Times

THE VERMONT TROOPS.

Five regiments of Vermont troops are now at the siege of Yorktown. and everything relating to them will of course be read with the deepest interest by their friends at home. We need hardly to say that all accounts, thus far, represent their conduct in the most favorable manner. We have a letter from a member of the 4th regiment, dated "Sunday Evening. April 6. Camp under the guns of the rebel batteries at Lee's Mills," from which we gather some particulars, and publish such as would not be deemed contraband. He says: "We left our camp on Friday morning, reaching the rebel pickets at Young's Mills. The 4th, 5th and 6th regiments formed in the woods, in line about 800 feet in front of a formidable rebel work, having a deep ditch in front, 100 feet wide, full of entangled trees, the left of the work resting on a pond. At the sound of the bugle we moved forward, and tramped steadily across the plain not returning a single shot, but expecting at each step that their heavy guns would open upon us. We intended to decide the possession of the work by the use of cold steel, as we had been ordered, but found that the guns had been removed. When within 250 yards of the work the rebels left, and the colors of the 4th were the first on the work. This, though not a victory, shows a degree of coolness and steadiness on the part of the Vermont troops as presages good conduct in the future. Yesterday we proceeded cautiously, driving the rebels steadily up to their works. Their heavy guns opened about noon, and we briskly returned their fire, cutting down their colors twice. At sunset the firing ceased, we having two killed, and several wounded-none Vermonters. Our skirmishers are now so near, that they bandy words across the brook and morass that separate us. Rest assured that the reputation of the Green Mountain state will not suffer in her representatives on the battle field."

From sources outside of our own State we get reports of a most favorable character of our troops and their behavior. Under date of April 7th the correspondent of the Tribune says that while engaged in throwing up works the night previous, they were fired at by the rebels, several shells exploding very near, but "the Vermonters never flinched, or for a moment paused. but kept at work through the night."

The same correspondent, under April 11, (last Friday.) says :-

Towards evening, while we lay in front of the Rebel work at Lee's Mills, Col. Stoughton sent his fine band to a point of land which had been the scene of sharp skirmishing, and where the rebels were not far off. The band played "Star Spangled Banner," "Hail Columbia," and other patriotic pieces, and the rebels, instead of firing cheered immensely. The scene has its significant features."

Gen. McClellan, whose headquarters are about the center of the peninsula, has issued a complimentary order to the 6th Vermont, for the excellent manner in which. under Gen. Hancock, they made the reconnoissance of the Rebel positions a few days since. The notice is deserved, and especially is the conduct of Gen. Hancock deserving of commendation. He crawled on his hands and knees for a long distance through the woods to obtain a sight of the Rebel fortification, had passed considerably ahead of his skirmishers and, having taken a deliberate survey of the fortification, suddenly found himself in close proximity to a number of Rebel soldiers. ' Seeing this. Gen. H. beat a retreat. A volley followed him, but luckily he was not hit, and was able to make good his escape. A soldier came suddenly upon a number of the enemy, who fired at him. Suddenly retreating, his knapsack, belt, indeed his entire "traps," were shot away, but he got off without a wound. A number of instances of personal daring are related characteristic of the regiment. During the first day's skirmish on our right, two soldiers, one from Maine, the other from Georgia. posted themselves each behind a tree, and indulged in sundry shots, without effect on either side, at the same time keeping up a lively chat. Finally, that getting a little tedious, Georgia calls out to Maine " Give me a show," meaning step out and give an opportunity to hit. Maine, in response, pokes out his head a few inches, and Georgia cracks away and misses. " Too high," says Maine. "Now give me a show." Georgia pokes out his head, and Maine blazes away. "Too low" sings Georgia. In this way the two alternated several times, without hitting Finally, Maine sends a ball so as to graze the tree within an inch or two of the ear of Georgia. " C-ease firing." shouts Georgia. " Cease it is," responded Maine. " Look here," says one, "we have carried on this business long enough for one day. 'Spose we adjourn fer rations?" " Agreed." says the other. And so the two marched away in different directions, one whistling Yankee Doodle," the other, " Dixie."