Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-02

months Of Marcsa and April, the first since we

Ell VERMONT e eE sdca0
Our regiment had suffered from the expe-
lition more than any other, but, notwith-
tanding, we were encamped about one mile
rom the river and upon the very ground
where a portion of the battle was afterwards
ought. Here the regiment began the work
If recuperation. On the first day of August
went on duty, although not entirely we'll,
and there was a marked improvement visible
among both officers and men, so that ON the
day before the fight our morning report
showed rs officers and 29S enlisted mem
81 in all--ior duty, who would be reckoned
among the fighting men, The sergeant ma
ior's book OF details shows that from this
number officer and AZ enlisted men were
on guard duty, leaving in all 26s, which was
all the force we could expect to engage in
the battle OF the 9th. This small force was
augmented by such soldiers from the camp
and hospitals as, although unfit for duty, pre-
ferred sharing the dangers of their comrads
to remaining in security and inactivity, and
bravely came forward and took their places
in the ranks, some of them remaining with US
until the fight was over, when they again re-
tired. Dat of ll8 days since my arrival at
Ship Island, the consolidated morning report
of the regiment shows Col. Roberts to have
been present for duty and therefore in COM
mand 81 days; / have been in command AZ
days in all, and Maj. Holbrook 10 days, up
to the battle. During that whole time we
had not been able to drill as battalion on
more than 80 days, and never to any effect
since May l4th. Under such circumstances
could it be supposed that the regiment could
have been we'll disciplined ? -'.. ..
From the occupation of Baton Rouge,
about the middle of May, up to the time Of
the battle, although II was well understood
that our troops were Liable to attack upon
any day when rebel force from any of the
neighboring states might choose to come
upon us, the earth had not been broken, nor
had a single tree been felled TO prepare de-
fences and we found ourselves, weakened
| by disease, with no chance for retreat IN a
| position in which our gunboats could not aid
us, opposed to superior force, undisciplined
and almost in state of Reorganization, with
not 90 much as a rife PIT or breastwork,
and no obstruction to prevent the enemy's
approaching US from any direction. Two or
three days before the fight, Gen. Williams
came to our camp and directed that in case
of an attack, the regimrnt should be formed
| in front of our camp and wait for orders, and
if there should be sharp firing in any direc-
ton, that Col Roberts might, if he thought
| best, move the regiment TO the aid of onr
forces engaged. There was no position as
| signed us other than this, nor did | ever
learn that any of the regiments were better
| informed in relation to their duties. The
| camp of the 21st Indiana was directly in
front of us, and beyond this | did not know
at the time of the battle the position of any
corps. When the regiment was formed, Col.
Roberts took command, and took my posi-
ton behind the centre of the right wing
Mai Holbrook was field officer OF the day on
the 4th, and was not relieved from duty un til
| the fight was over, and consequently was not
| with the regiment during the battle. The
| fighting In front of US commenced at 4 12
o'clock in the morning, and although we
were able to do nothing, we remained in our
| place for some time, the missiles of the enemy
meanwhile whistlng over our heads or
blowing up the earth before u.s. One six
FOUNDER struck short distance before US,
rebounded, passed through our ranks knock
ing down one man, and fell, its force expend-
| ed, within ten feet of me.
About this time Maj Holbrook came ur
and communicated with Col. Roberts and. al
he afterwards told me, informed him that the
principal attack of the enemy was expected
further to the left. Col. Roberts thereupor
moved the regiment in that direction, as
now suppose that he might be better able tt
assist in repelling such an attack and afte
waiting here short time, again changeC
position, and moved further towards tht
front. While here he sent me forward ant
to the right to reconnoitre and if possible
ascertain the position of the 21st Indiana.
went to their camp, but was only able tt
learn that they had moved further to thu
right. / returned and reported to Colone
Roberts, who again moved the regiment for
ward and took new position, somewha
sheltered behind slight eminence, ant
facing to the left and front, with our line @
battle running obliquely to the line frs
formed. We soon discovered there was som
force in a cornfeld in front of us, but whethe
friend or foe we had no means of knowing
The morning was so foggy that We could nc
see to any great distance, but we sool
learned from the commands given that tn
, position was occupied by battery and sup
= posed from its nearness, and no. havln
f already fred upon us that it was part {
r our own force. Before we had time TO ascel
| tain in relation to this matter a round she
from piece of artillery in our rear which
/ was afterward informed belonged TO the At
g Massachusetts battery, struck in our mid
, and within or feet Of our sergeant majo
E which was Immediately followed by she
e from the cornfeld in front which passed owe
: us. Col. Roberts thereupon again move
| the regiment and sent me to communicat
: with the officer in charge Of the gun to th
Q rear, which had made our last position S
e untenable. As soon as | hal executed TIL
a order, attempted TO reioin the regimen
o On the way | met and caught me horse {
S Col, Roberts and was leading him with m
t up the road, when | was assailed by sudde
r shower of balls. The ColonePs horse W;
b frightened and broke away from me, viii
= my own was seriously wounded, and judgin
o it impossible for me to reach the regiment ;
h that route, took another further to the RICH
e and came in through the right OF our cam