Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-07-25
Tne SIN In The Late Fight,


went in the baule Of Savace's Statiea. Coz
onel SmalIey was absent and Major, Procte
is a, home seriously i'll, meantime Lieut.
Col. GRANTS winning kurels, and we ar
quite sure his official report will be rea'
with much interest by his numerous friend
in this section of the state:- -
Headquarters 9th Regiment VI. Vols, Z
Camp in the field, July 0, 1852. !
Cart Theodore Read, A. A. General,
SIR. Il have the honor to report the par
taken by the 9th VI. Regimentin the ac
Tion near Savage's Station, on the 29th ali
The Regiment was deployed about half
mile from the scene of conflict, and marchet
in line through the woods skirting the roat
running to the left, and nearly parallel to
the railroad, our right resting on the wood
Skirmishers from another Regiment wer,
deployed in front. We came up TO ant
passed the skirmishers-w were then en-
gagged with the enemys-at point where
the road leaves the great open field of Saw
ages Station. Pressing forward we i'm
mediately came into another open field. A
this point the road inclines TO the left, Sc
that our right rested across the road, and
as we advanced in the open field our right
company was thrown into the thick brush
which there skirted the wood on the right,
and the company next to the right was
mainly in the road. To our right and a
little to the front was a Union Regiment en-
gagged with rebel force in deep gorge
200 yards directly in our front This rebel
force was SO completely protected that ii
was visible only as it rose TO fire. i i'm
mediately ordered bavonet charge, which
was executed at double quick in splendid
style. Approaching within 40 or so yards
of the gorge, the rebel force protected there,
broke and ran in nearly every direction. /
then ordered halt, and assuming the best
position the nature ofthe ground admitted
OF, opened fire upon an infantry force in front
and beyond the gorge, which fire continued
almost without cessation until that of the
enemy had entirely ceased and we were or
dered from the field.
Our position was mainly in the open field
our left partially protected by a few scatter
ing trees, and our centre and right by few
trees and slight swell of the ground in
front. The enemy opened upon us two
volleys of musketry from apparently that
number of regiments and continued a CALLING
fire until after dark. A battery further
down the road poured into our ranks grape
and canister with deadly effect. Two COM
panies directed their fire mainly upon that
battery, which l am persuaded did much to-
wards silencing it. During the engage
ment close fire was also opened upon US
from the edge of the woods to our left.
The men fought nobly and bravely, cheer
ed on and encouraged by their officers
Some used their entire number of 60 rounds
Of cartridges. NIuskets became heated and
and were exchanged for those
of fallen comrades. 1t would seem almost
invidious to discriminate where all did their
duty so well. ] cannot, however, without
injustice, fail to mention the signal services
of Capt. Charles p. Dudley, Capt. r. Lewis
and LIST Lieut. Friend II. Barney. Others,
doubtless did equally well, but the heroic
conduct of these particularly attracted my
attention. Being the only field officer pre-
sent, | had called Capt. Charles w. Rose,
and Capt. Reuben c. Benton, two able and
efficient officers, TO assist me as acting field
officers. They were both wounded in the
early part of the engagement and left the
field. At the time the cross fire opened
upon us, | deemed it prudent to throw back
two or three ofthe left companies, and to
so change their front that they would par
tally face the woods and thereby escape an
enflading fire. Capt. Dudley-his own
SouPahJ haNihS pcti ALMOST eHilFely cut 10
pieces-stepped calamity forward and as
sisted me in this hazardous movement. Adj.
G. II. Forbes, performed efficient service.
The enemy's fire entirely ceased shortly af-
ter dark, and we were left in undisputed
possession of the position assumed. Short
ly afterwards received orders to withdraw
from the field, which was done in good or
der
Our loss was heavy. The list of casual
ties already furnished shows 81 killed, I43
wounded, and 81 missing. This includes
one man killed and three wounded by shells
before leaving our camp, also one man taken
prisoner few hours before the action COM
menced.. In round numbers our loss in kill
led, wounded and missing, was 200. Sur
geon William p. Russell and Assistant
Surgeon Henry c. Shaw were untiring in
their attention TO the wounded. Surgeon
Russellwas detailed to remain with them
and share their fate.
remain very respectfully
Your obi. Servant,
L. A. GRANT,
L. Col. Commanding the Regiment.