Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-09-25


on the left. He took the extreme left and
advanced considerably, but the dense fog and
the increased smoke prevented him from op-
Grating safely and effectively there, and he
moved quickly by the flank to his original
position, which was now becoming the hottest
part of the field. The tents of the 9TH were
riddled with bullets and grape. Where the
line now stood was the highest ground, and
in an open, exposed spot They could see
that the Indiana Regiment was partly in front
of them. The enemy were pressing vigor-
ously, and Colonel Roberts expressed his
anxiety to return the fire, which was telling
on his men. Lieut. Col. Fullam undertook
to examine and see if there was any position
where fire could be given to the rebels
without destroying our own men, and fear
lessly rode into the thickest storm for this
important knowledge. Colonel Cahill with
the 9th Conn. and 4th Wis, we're in the same
embarrassing position further to tn left
But for Cololel Cahill's strenuous activity in
repressng the eager spirit of his men at one
time, the Vermo1ters might have suffered
inquiring what regiment that was, directed
Colonel Roberts to fire. The Colonel was by
no means certain that any friends were
directly in front, and all felt great relief
when the werd came in the same cool tones
heard on drill, Fire By Battalion, Battalion,
READY, AIM, FIRE, LOAD. But the fog
had misled the General, and three volleys
we're fred when an officer came back from
the Indiana, crying to them to stop firing, for
they were firing into their own men. 1t was
the right of the 9TH whic' Tapped the left of
| the 21st Indiana. Colonel Roberts gave the
order "Cease firing" and fell, struck by a
musket ball in tho neck, But he fell wiMom
seeing the regiment "break in confusion"
for he had given it "better discipline."-
Twas now that twenty-one brave men fel5
! the rebel lead, and six gave their lives a
proof that Vermonters were still there.'-
All this had happened in few moments, and
Lieut.. Col. Fullam had not yet returned
from what proved a rather adventurous
reconnaissance Some one told Capt. Porter
that the command devolved on him. Capt.
Cronan being at his post on the left, and no
time to spare, Capt. Porter moved the regi-
ment back the width of the camp, where the
line was formed on the new base already
taken by other corps,t he command passing to
Capt. Cronan as soon as Capt. Porter knew
| his safety and presence, and then to the Lieut..
| Colonel, who returned safely at this moment.
The enemy had been driven back by the
gallant Indlanians and the 14th Maine, and
good help from the artillery, and no little
| from those three volleys of the Vermont,
which mainly went where they were meant
to 90. General Williams fell after leaving
Colonel Roberts, and when cheering on the
gallant Hoosiers After the retrograde move
ment already described, the new line was
taken under direction of Colonel Cahill, then
commanding, and the next attack was anx-
iously awaited, but the enemy was too sore
already, and not daring to advance, he wa:
obliged to leave bis dead and many wounded
upon the field.
In this account, so far necessarily somewha
general, l have said all that is necessary Of
the first four paragraphs devoted to the 7tt
Vermont in General Order No. 50. As fol
the fifth. if the "colors they are forbidden
to bear are the colors brought off by Johr
Donaghue, | think the regiment will bear i
as merited, but if the Major General assumes
by word, to take away the colors borne by
|
form stood firm as a rock amidst the lror
hail, even when the regiment was ordered tt
lie down, with those colors firmly held which
you saw placed in his hands in Rutland las
winter, the case is different. The 7th Yer
mont saw their colors ever in their place, ant
prouder place to stand | know not thar
near that color guard Here is the truth @
what was made barbed arrow to many
brave heart and made many wounds ach
anew. John Donaghue, private of the At
Massachusetts Battery, picked up as he cam
through the 7th Vermont camp, little, tori
United States flag, which had been used II
the stern of the boarding boat at Fort Pike
and latterly for blotter in the Adjutant'
Office, and also the gudons Oittle markers wit
the figure ~ only. There is no reasor
why they should not be where they were left
The State Colors (not used in battle) wer
brought away from camp when the regimen
came, behind it. The enemy did not occup
the camp of the 7th, nor was their baggag
DESTROYED. The Maine and Indiana Reg
ments lost their camp equipage and most
their baggage. OF the infantry, these reg
ments, with the Michigan and Vermont, Dor
the brunt of the battle,
You will notice fhaal in the Order man
individual acts Of bravery are noticed, an
, many deserved all that. You see no name
OF Vermonters. This is partly owing to th
fact that in making his report the soldierl
Lieut.. Col did not consider it necessary 7
|, mention mans name who had done his d.
. and partly to some other causes. Capt. o.
and many other officers and private
the hospital to fight" could t. n of !,
| many expressions Of admiration # . Tho " ..
selfpossessed Colonel, and of ,ha .ho,,.s ~
soldier hearts who mourn, as sold;ers r.S, ,,",,
!. who see their leader fall w'aen Ie.d;na III ~.
to battle. Lieut.. Col. Fr.llam sbovad r.; us
: to be as cool and collie ected in battle a. '1 aD
, where. A full wolfe y discharged for bis 80
benefit wounded his horse, but he miraculou
iy escaped.
; Major Holbrook held nearly the most in
, portanf position OF the day. He was office
t Oh ,he oay' ana had Command of the guar
and outDOsts. Prohab h., -. .n.o.