Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-10-10


the dense fog and the increased smoke
prevented him from operating 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 and exposed spot. They
could see that the Indiana Regiment was
partly in front of them. The enemy
were pressing vigorously, and Col. Rob
erts 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 de-
stroying our own men, and fearlessly rode
into the thickest storm for this important
knowledge. Col Cahill with the 9th
Conu. and 4th Wis, were in the same en-
brassing position further to the left
But for Col. Cahill's strenuous activity
in repressing the spirit Of his men at one
time, the Vermonters might have suff-
cred. Meanwhile Gen. Williams rodeup
inquiring what regiment that was, direc-
tend Col Roberts to fire. The Col. was
by no means certain that any friends were
directly in front, and all felt grand re-
lief when the word came in the same cool
tones heard on drill, fire By Battalion-
{ Bottalion, READY, AIM, FIRE, LOAD. But
the fog had misled the General, and three
volleys were fired 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
which Tapped the left of the 2lst lndi-
ana. Col. Roberts gave the order "Cease
firing and fell, struck by musket ball
in the neck. But he fell qojthout seeing
the regiment "break in confusin" for he
5 had given it "better discipline
Twas now that Il brave men felt the
rebel lead, and six gave their lives, as
, proof that "Vermonters were still there. v
, All this bad happened in few moments,
f and Lieut.. COL Fullam had not yet re-
turned from what proved rather adven-
turous reconnaissance. Some one told
. Capt. Porter that the command devolved
0 on him. Capt. Cronan being at his post
c on the left, and no time to spare, Capt
Porter moved the regiment back the
/ width of the camp, where the line was
q formed on the new base already taken by
other corps the command passing to Capt
q Cronan as sooon as Capt. Porter knew his
: safety and presence, and then to thu
n Lieut.. Colonel, who returned safely at this
0 moment. The enemy had been driver
f back by the gallant Indianians and th'
l4th Maine, and good help from the artill
e cry. and no little from those three vollie'
/. of the Vermont, which mainly Wen
!, where they were ment to go. Gen. Viii
liams fell after leaving Col. Roberts, anc
f when cheering on the gallant Hoosicrs
After the retrograde movement already
described the new line was taken under di
rection of Col. Cahill, then commanding
and the next attack was anxiously await
t ed but the enemy was too sore already
and not daring to advance he was obliget
to leave his dead and many wounded up
on the field.
In this account, SO far necessarily some
9 what general, | have said all that is nee
c essary of the first four paragraphs devote'
o to the 9TH Vermont in General Order No
s 90. AS for the fifth, if the"colors" the,
: are forbidden to bear are the "colors
:, brought off by John Donaghue, l thin
It the regiment will bear it as merited, bu
c if the Major General assumes by wor
n to take away the colors borne by Sergen
|, Charlie Parkhurst, whose giant form stoo
IS firm as q rock amid the iron hail, eve
IS when the regiment was ordered to Ii
h down, with those colors firmly held whic
s you saw placed in his hands in Rutlan
e last winter, the case is different The "
G Vermont saw their colors ever in thei
place, and prouder place to stand
= know not than near that color guard
+ Here is the truth of what was made
t. barbed arrow to many brave heart an
IL