Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-25

% you through the pa
pers; there are many incidents, however, which
VIII be OF interest, particularly to Vermonters
who are all anxious to know what part the
Vermont boys played in the affair and how
they played it. -.
on the morning Of the 1Ith we left camp
and IND marched down to the eRappahannock,
about one mile to the left of the town wbare
the pontoon bridges were being laid by the
pontoon corps. We stood on the bank all day,
surrounded by the incessant fire of our artille-
ry above, below and around us. Night COM
ing on, we were marched back to the woods
near by and encamped. The next morning
we again approached the river and crossed
over without molestation. All day there was
constant stream of soldiers coming on TO the
helds which constituted our battle-ground
TO the rear of which is a line of bills, where
the enemy have erected thei, batteries for !
miles, The position of the enemy is avery
strong one, as we have found out at the sx-
pense of the lives of thousands Of as brave men
ever drew sword or faced an enemy. On
the morning of the 18th Saturday, the fight
ing began on the left, where our corps was
placed. a3e asa as.s sg7e 4.-.a4aDif
Tho Vermont brigade was in the front al
day, except the 9th Regiment, which was on
duty the day before, and think was not in
the Saturdays fight. The I'd Regiment was
skirmishing all day in front, and lost quite
heavily Also the 4th, which shot away all
its ammuntion-60 rounds--and was supplied
with more on the field. The Sd end 5th we're
supporting battery on crest in the line of
battle. About two or three o'clock the fight
ing became quite general along the whole
line, and shells and bullets from the enemy
flew all around our position. % sao,sI ~ .ys'4 5
AT this point the Sd Vermont was ordered
to advance to small crest, nearly sixty rods
IN advance of the battery it was supporting,
which it did, moving with great caution, to
keep as much as possible out of sight of the
enemy asta .gzaaltsa ai2 a i..aa .s4H
1t was interesting to SEQ them crawling
up through the weeds and dry grass, and form
ing in line of battle in the horizontal posture,
awaiting the foe. ! took my position a few
rods to the rear, under bank, with my hos
pital force, ready to take charge of the wound
ed as they should be brought to me. We
waited in this position an hour or more, when
it was evident the Rebels were approach
ing. Three regiments of North Carolina
troops advanced upon the position of the Sd
Vermont. Our boys heads could be seen by
the enemy, and they fred upon us, killing and
wounding five of the Sd. This was time Of
intense excitement, for the boys were eager to
spring upon the enemy, but they were not yet
near enough. Soon the order was given for
them to rise and FIRE. They did fire, and that
was the last that was seen of the advancing
enemy. They turned and ran without stop
ping to fire again, as l believe, for all of our
loss occurred before the regiment rose from the
ground. This was said to be the handsomest
thing done that day, although other Vermont
Regiments had more fighting and lost largely,
but this volley from the Sd stopped and re-
pulsed the Rebel line advancing in front ofeu
position.
do NOT believe there was an officer or sold
Ter in the Vermont Bri ade that day who did
not discharge his duty iesrlessly and faithfully,
and as they were in the front through The
Whole engagement, great honor belongs 70
tiem. g
| heard an officer high in command say, af-
ter the 6ghs was ever, that b never wished to