Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-07-04

THE AuAgs AsD EEruisE.
They advanced heroically upon the iott flank u
the work Con cur rights as soon as ttcy came
within short ranse, not more than two hundred
yards from the rampant, the enemy commenced n
terrible fire of Erapeshot canister, and nusketrv.
In spite Of this the noble Michigan troops pressed
their way forward struggled through au atattIs Of
stakes and trees, and some Of them succeeded IN
climbing up some fifteen or twenty feet 90 the ton
Of the rampant; but here thy were met by a
trightfu FIRE from rihepits, with which the inside
Of the worz was crowded. Il was impossible for
them 20 remain. Already the ramparts were piled
with ihoir dead, and they uuwillingly recoiled.
By this time the Seventh Connecticut had come
into the field, had formed in battalion ia front.
still marching At double quick across the ridges.
The line was formed with the design Of attacking
the right flank OF the work. but as the regiment
advanced, the left Of the line came Unexpectedly
upon a ravine or bank which slopes Of into q
morl-s. tuaole o. advance -traishtfUrward. the
left necessarily crowded upon the mid lie and right,
forcing them out under the fire Of the enemy
guns as well a, throwing tde line into some con-
fusion. When the line had got within perhaps
I two hundred yards Of the work, the enemys guns
/ opened with an internal hail OF grape canister.
and musketry, which seemed 60 NOV the men down
IN winr0ws. They advanced, however, till the
coI0rs stood within probably hundred or a hun
drgl and twenty yards Of the work. The men bv
this time were using their guns brisklv and were
firing, ss they advanced, at the cunuers on the
paraqets- good many a IvaucCd far beyond the
c0llrs, and some reached the face Of the work.
ana from what shelter they could gain behind be
ridges of the field, they continued 90 Ere.
The line, however, witherei under the de.truc-
tive fire The men, worn with previous fatigue.
were exhausted with the rapid run for a mile or
more across the ridsed ground. They had not the
physical energy % press forward and scale the
work. The line fell back for about a hundred
yards, and there was comp .etely reformed. dress
ing the cOlors. The order was then received {,
march TO the light and attempt the work On the
left angle So the line was formed under the
continued FIRE / have sroken Of, and the regiment
was marched by the lett flank (the companies
keeping n0bly tosetler), right along the face Of
the euemy's work. Al this point If time the
order received 10 retire beyond the first ditch
ami await orders there. This was done. and the
regiment remained behind this cover Mcanwhiie
the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts had advanced
toward the work, but had broken, nor can speak
from personal observation of their furtder move
mcnts. The Seventy New York also had
made a most gallant charge upon the works, but
the most desperate valor WAS uuavailin-, and thew
Connectieut AND eve ttsbtb MICHIGAN; ssveath
10 line in the ditch just spoken Of The order
was now given by the general in command III n
the men should retreat 20 the next field, where
was the shelter Of thick hedge surmounting A
wall OF flAE- OF eafaus saw some uf a.e ~pVsn-
ty-ninth lingering behind reluctant To retreat.
firing the ridge at the fort, all unavaiIinr as
the EFFORT was 1t the stance Of probably 600 or
200 yards, with the enemy sheltered BY their
works. The regiments Tetreatel 20 the second
ditch, for the most part in good order. though
with numbers sadly thinnei.
Two pieces Of the First Connecticut Light Bat
terry bad now been playing from behind this same
hedge, probably producing some relief 20 the in
fantry. 1t was difficult to observe any marked
effect Of the FIRE on the works, though the shots
were delivered with accuracy and upiiity. Ham
iltons Bate from point out Of sight on cur
left, had been at work, had also the battery rut
up by General Steyenss division on our right
few days age, which played on the works When
ever it could do without the risk O.. DESTROYING
OUT own forces. Not long after the attack on the
front Of the work, part Of Williams's brigade
consisting OF the Third New Hampshire. and SIX
companies of the Third Rhode Island had moved
forward, from our left, to attack some works on
the right Of the enemy, which we're either a mart
of the main work, or were smaller works put up
to prevent it from being flnked. The regiments
struggled through a part Of the morass. an
pushed on under fire Of sharps o0ters in the
thiekets beyond. Dislodging the snarpshooters
they moved toward the works and under such
cover as they could gain, picked of the sunnsrs.
In this way they kept the guns silenced for some
thirty minutes, when field pieces from the woods
in the rear Of the works began to attack tbsn.
They fcund it impossible to hold their position
against these, and after sending, without avail.
TO entreat that they might be supported or that
a piece from Hamilton's battery might he sent TO
their aid, they were forced to retire with a loss
which attested the valor they had displayed. and
the odds they had encountered
Let return TO the Stevens Division. After
remaining Ii tie while under cover Of the frsr
ridge, the troops were ordered out in front Of il
They lay a little while in this exposed position
and then were ordered 10 advance to the cover of
the ditch nearest the fort il order to be able To
defend, if necessary the Connecticut Light Battery
which advanced 10 the same point The bat I
terry continued 10 FIRE for an hour, perhaps Some I
attempts at the gunner on the work were made BIZ
the men with their rifles, but, presume, with I
little effect.
By this time it was evident that the dav was 4
lost beyond redeeming, aud the word was given
FOR the battery to retire. As soon ss this was
afely out Of the way, the troops were commanded
20 retreat, removing all the dead and wounded so
ar as this could be effected The troops retired for
he most part in good order. l saw the Seventh
Connecticut half to dress and correct the alignment
within, perhaps, thousand yards Of the battery.
nd then retire with as well-preserved battalion
rout, as if on parade.
The day was utterly lost. 1t only remained 10
ct away the dead and wounded as far as possible.
I'd to remove the arms that had been thrown
own BY the wounded, or dropped from the hands
the dying Two surgeons Of enc OF the regi-
tents, with the hospital orderly, followed by men
18th stretehers, trayersed the field Of battle ven
iring to within rife range Of the fort. They were