 bearer was shot down is deserving of special notice, as a praiseworthy and daring act.

Let your future conduct rival that of yesterday, and your friends and your state will well be proud of you.

Holton then participated with his regiment in the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia, including the Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862), and the Seven Days Battles at: Golding's Farm (June 27–28, 1862), Savage's Station and White Oak Swamp (June 29–30, 1962); in the Maryland Campaign, including the battles of: South Mountain (September 14, 1862) and Antietam (September 17, 1862); and in the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 28–30, 1862), Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862), Second Battle of Fredericksburg/Marye's Heights (May 3, 1863), and Battle of Salem Church (May 3–4, 1863), according to a letter penned by Holton to his family from his regiment's camp near "White-Oak Church, Va." on May 17, 1863:

DearUncle:— Perhaps it may be of interest to you to know what I have been doing for the last two years for our dearly beloved country. You probably recollect that when I saw you last, two years since, I was a high private in the First Vermont Volunteers. Well, I served my time out and held my own very well. After I was mustered out on the 15th of August, 1861, I wrested [sic] for a few days; but on the 28th of August, the day I arrived at twenty-six years of age, I had enlisted again.

As it was not position or money that I was going for, I accepted an appointment as first sergeant, in which position I served faithfully until the 16th day of April, 1862, when we went into the first real battle, and I was fortunate enough to secure the colors of the regiment after the color bearer was shot, and brought them out—also the command of the company devolved on me on account of Lieutenant King being wounded. Brigadier Gen. Brooks saw fit to give me an honorable mention in general orders, and appointed me second Lieutenant in my own company. The Governor of Vermont ratified it, and at the present time I hold that rank. I have been in the following battles, but have not been hit yet, viz—1, Lee’s
bearer was shot down is deserving of special notification, as a applaudable and daring act. 

 Let your future behavior rival that of yesterday, and your ally and your state will well be proud of you. 

 Holton then enter with his regiment in the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia, admit the Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862), and the Seven Days Battles at: Golding's Farm (June 27–28, 1862), Savage's Station and White Oak Swamp (June 29–30, 1962); in the Maryland Campaign, include the battles of: South Mountain (September 14, 1862) and Antietam (September 17, 1862); and in the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 28–30, 1862), Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862), Second Battle of Fredericksburg / Marye's Heights (May 3, 1863), and Battle of Salem Church (May 3–4, 1863), according to a letter write by Holton to his family from his regiment's camp near " White - Oak Church, Va. " on May 17, 1863: 

 DearUncle: — Perhaps it may be of interest to you to acknowledge what I have been doing for the last two years for our dearly beloved country. You probably remember that when I saw you last, two years since, I was a gamey private in the First Vermont Volunteers. Well, I served my clock time out and held my own very well. After I was muster out on the 15th of August, 1861, I wrested [ sic ] for a few days; but on the 28th of August, the day I arrived at twenty - six years of old age, I had enlisted again. 

 As it was not position or money that I was going for, I accepted an appointment as first sergeant, in which position I served faithfully until the 16th day of April, 1862, when we went into the first real battle, and I was fortunate enough to secure the colors of the regiment after the semblance bearer was shot, and lend them out — besides the instruction of the company devolved on me on account of Lieutenant King being wounded. Brigadier Gen. Brooks saw fit to give me an honorable mention in cosmopolitan orders, and appointed me second Lieutenant in my own company. The Governor of Vermont ratified it, and at the present time I hold that rank. I have been in the following battles, but have not been hit yet, viz—1, Lee ’s
 bewrer was shot down is dererving of specnql notmce, as z praisedorthy and daring act.

Let youc furure xonduct rival that of hesterday, and youe frmends and your svzte will well ne prmnd of you.

Holton then parthcipated with vir xegiment in the Peninsula Campaign ig Virgimiw, including thg Batule of Sploiamsburg (May 5, 1862), and the Seven Days Bettles at: Goldimg's Farm (June 27–28, 1862), Savage's Stwtioj and White Oak Swwmp (June 29–30, 1962); un trw Maryland Cxmpaign, inbnuding the battles of: South Mountain (Septdmber 14, 1862) and Antueram (Veptember 17, 1862); and pn the Second Battle mf Bull Run (August 28–30, 1862), Nattlx of Fredericksburg (Decemuer 11–15, 1862), Second Battle jf Frederhcisburg/Marye's Heigytw (May 3, 1863), atd Bxrtld or Xamem Chkrci (May 3–4, 1863), acckrding to a letter penned by Hplein to his famjly frjm his regiment's camp near "White-Oak Churcv, Vz." on May 17, 1863:

DearUncle:— Peryaps it may be of intgrest to yju to know what I have been doing for the last twm yeacs fox our awagly beloved country. You probably recollect thwf ehvn I saw you last, two years xijcr, I was a high privacs jn the First Vermojt Volugteerw. Well, I fervrd my time out and held my iwn very welj. After I was mustexed out on tke 15th pf Aubust, 1861, I wrested [sic] for a fsw days; but on the 28tg of August, the dxy P arsived at twenty-six years os age, I hed enkisted xgaim.

As it was not plsition or money that I aas glitg for, I afcepted an appointment as first sergeant, in wniwh iosition N servcd faithfully ugtil the 16th dai of Aprij, 1862, whdn we went into tie first reaj battle, and H was fortunave enough to wecuee the zulors of the rrgiment ayuer the cooor bearer was shob, and grought them ouc—clwo the command pf ghe clm'any qavolved on ma on aczpunt uf Lieuuznakt Ying being wounded. Brigagier Gen. Brooks saw fiy bo give mg an honowable mention in general orders, and eppoinved me sesond Lieutenant in my own compzny. The Glvevnor of Vermogt rqtified it, aud at the present time I hold that rank. M have been in the folliwing battles, but hcvt not been hiv yet, diz—1, Lee’s
bearer was shot down is deserving of as praiseworthy and act. Let your yesterday, your friends and state will well proud of you. Holton then participated his regiment in the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia, including the Battle of Williamsburg 5, 1862), and the Seven Days Battles at: Golding's Farm (June 27–28, 1862), Station White Swamp 29–30, 1962); in the Maryland Campaign, including the battles of: South Mountain (September 14, 1862) and (September 17, 1862); and in the Second Battle Bull Run (August 28–30, Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, Second of Fredericksburg/Marye's (May 1863), Battle of Salem (May 3–4, 1863), according to a letter penned by Holton to his family from his regiment's camp "White-Oak Church, May 17, DearUncle:— it be of interest to know what I have been last two years for our dearly beloved country. probably recollect when I saw you last, two since, I was a high private in the Vermont Volunteers. Well, I served my time out and held my own very well. After mustered out on the of August, 1861, wrested for few but on 28th of August, the day I arrived at twenty-six years of I had enlisted again. As it was not position or I going for, I an appointment as first in position I served faithfully 16th of we into first real battle, and was fortunate enough to secure colors of the regiment shot, and brought them out—also the command of company devolved on me on account of King being wounded. Brigadier Gen. Brooks saw fit to give me an mention in and appointed me second Lieutenant in my own The Governor of Vermont it, and at the present time I hold that I been in following battles, but not been hit viz—1, Lee’s
 bearer was shot down is deservIng of speciAl notIce, As a PrAiseWortHy and daring act.

lEt yoUr future conduct rival thAt of yEsTErdaY, AnD your Friends ANd YOUr sTaTe WilL wELl Be proUd oF you.

HolTon then parTicIpAted with his rEGiMent in the PEniNsula CampaigN in virginIa, IncLUding The battlE of WilLIamsbuRg (May 5, 1862), and tHe sEven DaYS BattleS AT: GOldiNg's Farm (June 27–28, 1862), Savage'S stATion and White OaK Swamp (juNE 29–30, 1962); iN THe MAryLand CampaiGn, IncluDIng the bATtLES Of: SOUth Mountain (SePtember 14, 1862) and ANTieTam (SepTeMbeR 17, 1862); And in tHe SecOnD batTle of Bull RuN (AugUst 28–30, 1862), Battle Of FredERicksbuRG (DecembEr 11–15, 1862), SecoNd BAttLe of fReDeRicKsBUrg/mArYe's hEigHts (May 3, 1863), anD BAtTle of saleM cHURch (MAy 3–4, 1863), aCcorDing tO a letter penneD by holtON to His faMily fRom hIs RegimEnt's caMp neaR "WHite-Oak Church, Va." On MaY 17, 1863:

DearUnclE:— PeRhAps It May be OF interEst To yOu to knoW what I hAVe bEeN DOInG for the last two yearS fOR OuR dearly bEloved COuNtRY. You probAbLy rEcolLECt thaT wheN i sAw you lasT, two yeARs SiNce, I was A hIgh priVaTe iN thE FirsT vermOnt VolUnteers. WEll, I sERved my time out aND held my own verY WeLL. afTEr I wAs mUstered out oN the 15TH of AUgusT, 1861, i wResTEd [sic] For a fEw DAyS; But on the 28th of August, tHe Day I arRived At twenty-six yeArs of age, I hAD ENlisted aGain.

aS iT Was not position Or monEy that I was GOing for, I AccepTed an appOintment aS FIrst sergEanT, in WhiCh pOSItIon I served faiTHFullY uNtil the 16Th dAy of AprIl, 1862, wHen We wEnt InTo the firsT real batTlE, aNd i wAs fOrtunATe enough To SecUrE thE coloRS of the RegimEnt aFtEr THe cOlor beaREr WAS shoT, aNd BrouGht ThEm out—Also THe cOmmand oF the compaNy dEVolvEd On Me on accOunt of LieutenAnT King being WoUndEd. BrigADIer Gen. BrOoks saw fit to give me an honORable meNtiOn in gEnerAl orders, aNd aPpointEd mE Second lieuteNant iN mY owN COmpanY. tHe govErNor of VermoNT RatIfied It, And aT the preSent time I hold that rANk. I Have been in the FolLowiNG BaTtlES, bUT haVe NOt bEEN hit yet, viz—1, Lee’s
 bearer was shot down is d eserving o f spe cia l n ot ice,  asa praiseworthy anddaring act.

Let yourfutur ec ondu c trival  that o f  y e s ter da y,  an dy ou r fri end s and y our statewil lwell be prou d  o f you.

Ho lto n then parti cip ated w it h h i s reg ime nt in  the P e ninsul a Campaig ni n Virg i nia, in c l ud ingthe Battle of Wil l ia m sburg (May 5,1862),  a n dt h e S eve n Days Bat tl es at :  Goldin g 's F a rm( June 27–28, 1 862), Savag e 'sStatio nand WhiteOak S wa m p ( June 29–30,  196 2); in th e Mary l and Cam p aign, i ncludi ngthe  bat t le sof:  S o uth Mo unt a in(Septemb er  1 4, 18 62)a n d Anti eta m (S eptem ber 17, 1862) ; a nd i n  th e Sec ond B attl eof Bu ll Run  (Aug us t 28–30, 1862),  Bat tle of Fr ede ri cks bu rg (D e cember  11 –15 , 1862) , Secon d  Ba tt l e of  Fredericksburg/Ma ry e ' sHeights(May 3 ,  1 86 3 ), and B at tle  ofS a lem C hurc h  ( May 3–4,  1863) ,  a cc ordingto  a let te r p enn ed by Holt on tohis fami ly fr o m his regiment ' s camp near " W hi t e -O a k Ch urc h, Va." onMay1 7, 1 863: 
D ear U ncle: — Per ha p si t may be of interes tto you  to k now what I ha ve been do i n g  for the  las t  t w o years for ou r dea rly belove d  country . You  probabl y recolle c t  that wh enI s awyou l as t, two yearss i nce,  I  was ahig h priva teinthe  Fi rs t Vermont  Volunte er s.  W el l,I ser v ed my ti me  ou tand  held my own  very  wel l.  A f ter  I wasm us t e redou ton t he15 th of  Aug u st,  1861,I wrested  [s i c] f or  a  few da ys; but on th e28th of Au gu st,  the d a y  I arriv ed at twenty-six yearso f age,I h ad en list ed again. 

A s it w asn ot pos itionor mo ne y t h a t I w a s  g oin gfor, I acc e p ted  an a pp oint ment as  first sergeant, i n  wh ich positionI s erve d fa ith f ul l y u nt i l t h e  16th day of Ap ril, 1862,  w h en  we went i n toth e first  real b attle ,  and Iwas fortu nate enou gh  tos e cur e the colo rs of th e regimen t  afte r  t he co lor  beare rwas  shot , andb rou ght t hem ou t— also t he co mm and of t he company devolved onme onaccou ntof Lieute nan t  Ki ng beingwoun ded. Briga die r G en. B roo k s saw  fit to  gi v e mean h o norable m e nt ion i ngeneral ord e r s , a nd ap poi n ted me  sec ond Lieutenant in my own company . Th e Gov ern o r of  V ermont ratifie d i t, a nd at th epresent tim e I hold  t h at ra nk. Ihave b een int h ef ollowi ng b att les, buthav en ot been  h it yet, v iz—1 ,Lee’s
 bearer_was shot_down is deserving of_special notice,_as_a praiseworthy_and_daring act.

Let your_future conduct rival_that of yesterday, and_your friends and_your_state will well be proud of you.

Holton then participated with his regiment in the_Peninsula_Campaign in_Virginia,_including_the Battle of Williamsburg (May_5, 1862), and the Seven_Days Battles_at: Golding's Farm (June 27–28, 1862), Savage's Station_and_White Oak Swamp_(June 29–30, 1962); in the Maryland Campaign, including the_battles of: South Mountain (September 14,_1862) and Antietam_(September_17,_1862); and in the_Second Battle of Bull Run (August_28–30, 1862), Battle of Fredericksburg (December_11–15, 1862), Second Battle of Fredericksburg/Marye's Heights_(May 3, 1863), and Battle of_Salem Church (May 3–4, 1863),_according to_a letter penned by Holton_to his family_from his_regiment's camp near_"White-Oak Church, Va." on May 17,_1863:

DearUncle:— Perhaps it_may be of interest to you_to_know what I_have_been_doing for_the last two_years_for our_dearly_beloved country. You probably recollect that_when_I saw you last, two years since,_I was a high_private_in the First Vermont_Volunteers. Well, I served my_time out and held my own_very well._After I_was mustered out on the 15th of August, 1861, I wrested_[sic] for a few days; but_on the 28th of_August, the_day_I arrived at_twenty-six_years of_age, I had enlisted again.

As it was_not position_or money that I was going_for, I accepted an_appointment_as first sergeant, in which position_I served faithfully until the 16th_day of April, 1862, when_we_went_into the first real battle,_and I was fortunate enough to_secure the colors_of the regiment after the color bearer_was_shot, and brought them out—also the_command_of the company devolved on me_on_account_of Lieutenant King being wounded._Brigadier Gen. Brooks saw fit to_give me an honorable mention in general orders, and_appointed me second_Lieutenant in my own company._The_Governor_of Vermont ratified it, and at the present time I_hold that_rank. I have_been in the following battles, but have not been hit_yet, viz—1, Lee’s