Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-07-25
THE 5th IN THE LATE FIGHT.

eiil report Of the part taken by his regiment
in the rtle Of Savage's Station. Colonel
Smalley was absent and Major Pro,tor j.. at
home seriously i'll of consumption, meantime
Lieut. Col Grant is winning laurels. It
will be noticed that Capt. J. r. Lewis Of
this place, has honorable mention. for gal
LIANT conduct:
HE.DoUARrERs sra REoMEST VI Vols,
Camp in the field, July 9, 1862.
Capt. The5aor, Read, 4. 4. GsHgaL
SIR I have the honor TO report the part taken
by the 5ih Vt. Regiment in the action near saw
ages station, on the 29th ult.
The Regiment was deployed about half a mile
from the scene Of conflict, and marched in line
through the woods skiriing the road running 20
the left Of, and nearly parallel TO- the railroad,
our right resting on the wood. skirmishers from
another Regiment were deployed in front. We
came up to and passed the Enthusiastically were
then engaged with the enemy's-at point where
the road leaves the great open field Of Savages Sta
tion. Pressing forward we Immediately came in
TO another open fld. At this point the road in
lines TO the left, so that our right rested across
the road, and we advanced in the open field our
right company was thrown into the thick brush,
which there skiTted tle wood on the right. and
the company next to the right was mainly IN the
road. To our right and little to the front was a
Union Regiment engaged with a rebel force in Z
deep gorge 200 yards directly in our front. This
rebel force was completely protected that it was
visible only as it rose to FIRE / Immediately or
dered bsyonet charge, which was executed Al
double quick in splendid style. Approaching
within 40 or so yards Of the gorge, the rebel force
protected there, broke an ran In nearly every di-
rectioR. l then ordered a halt, snd assunins the
..-fs1s 4
opened FIRE upon an infantry force in front and
beyond the gorge, which fire continued almost
without cessation until that Of the enemy had en-
tirely ceased and we were ordered from the field
Our position was mainly in the open field, our
left partially protected By few scattering trees
and our centre and right by a few trees and a
slight swell Of the ground in front. The enemy
opened upon us two volleys of musketry from
(appareutly) that number Of regiments and con-
tinued CALLING FIRE until after dark. battery
further down the road poured into our ranks
grape and canister with deadly effect. Two cor
panies directed their ERE mainly upon that battery
which am persuaded did much towards slencing
it. During the engagement close fire was also
opened upon US from the edge Of the wood to our
left.
The men fought nobly and bravely ,oheerei on &
encouraged by their officers. Some used their en-
tire number Of co ROUNDS Of cartridges. Muskets
became heated and unserviceable ani were eX-
changed for those OF fallen comrades. 1t would
seem almost invidious to discriminate where ali
did their duty so well. l cannot, however, with
out injustice fail to mention the signal services II
Capt. Charles P. Dudley, Capt John r. Lewis
and lst Lieut.. Friend II. Barney. Others, doubt
less did equally we'll, but the heroic conduct Of
these particularly attracted NY attention. Being
the only field officer present, had called Caps.
Charles W. Rose and Capt. Reuben Q. Benton,
two able and efficient officers, to assist me as act
ing field oifcers. They were both wounded in the
early part Of the engagement and LET; the field.
At the time the cross fire opened upon Us, 1
deemed It prudent TO throw back two or three Of
the lett companies, and to so change their front
that they would partially face the woods and
thereby escape an eufladng FIRE. Capt. Dudley
his own company having been almost entirely cut
to pieces-stepped calamity forward and assisted
ne in tits hazardous movement. Adj. Gil. Forbes
performed efhcient service. The enemy's fire
irely ceased shortly after dark, and were left
in undisputed possession Of the position assumed.
shortly afterwards received orders 10 withdraw
rom the field, which was done in good order.
Our loss WAS heavy. The list Of casualties al
eady furnished shows 81 kille -, l43 wounded, i
md 3 missing. This includes one man killed and /
hree wounded BY shells before leaving our camp, /
ls0 one man taken prisoner a few hours before /
he action commenced. In round numbers our
oss in killed, wounded and missing, was 205- /
urgeoa William P. Russell and Assistant surgeon /
henry c. Shaw we're uutiring in their attention
o the wounded. Surgeon Russell was detailed
o remain with them and share their fate.
remain very respectfully
Your obi. Servant,
L. A. GRANT,
1t. Col. Commanding the Regiment.