The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-08-14

AdJWam and Inspector General.
Sir-l have the honor to report the part
the ID Vi. Battery has taken in the recent
active movements of tie army in this DEPART
ment.
We left. Baton Rouge on the 18th of May
.ast. The following day went out with Dud-
Ieys Brigade on the Rayou Sara road to the
Plains, SIX miles from this place met a
small cavalry tOlce of the enemy which dis
appeared after we had fired few rounds.
On the 2lst of May Chapn's brigade JON
ed US, the whole belonging to Maj. Gen. Au-
gurs command. Met the enemy at the Plain
Store, where they had battery posted, sup
ported by 300 infantry and 200 cavalry
One section of the 18th New York battery
was ordered up, and after firing four rounds
retired, and four pieces of Co. q, 9TH Artil-
lery, |. S. ~, were then ordered up and after
firing some time, eXhausting their ammuni-
ton, also retired, when the ID Vt. Battery
was ordered up, and after fifteen minutes
sharp iringithe enemy was completely routed.
Having succeeded in this we advanced to
The Plain Store and found the enemy posted
about 1000 yards distant on the Bayou Sara
road. We again opened fire upon them, and
while engaging battery on our front were
also exposed to flank fire from battery on
our left. After firing about one hour we sue
ceeded in dismounting one Of their pieces,
crippling one, and killing one It., sixteen
men and several horses, and silencng their
lire. After this their cavalry formed within
about 3OOlyards of us, when few rounds of
canister Immediately dispersed them This
done we then bivouacked for the night on the
field of battle
On the morning of the oath of May we
TOOK up our march for this place, and took
our position about three fourhs of a mile
from the enemys works, where we remained
until the morning of the 9th. On the morn
Ing Of the 9th one section was ordered for
ward to within about 500 yards Of the enemys
tor,iications to shell their pickets and skir-
mishers out of the woods. At O'Clock p. NJ.
the entire battery was orde red up to within
100 yards of the enemys batteries, and order
ed 10 fire one hour, when the infantry assault
e! their works and were repulsed with heavy
loss, upon which our battery resumed its for
met position, where we Remained until the
morning of the 18th Of June, when we took
aposition within 800 yards of the enemy's
works, in the centre of our line, on Clinton
road, protected by earthworks.
On the morning of the l4th, at quarter
before three O'Clock we were ordered to open
fire and continued firing rapidly until six
O'Clock, and at intervals until noon, when our
attacking party was again repulsed with great
,oss. From this time to the time of surren
der We fred more or less daily keeping the
enemy from strengthening their tortitication;
and damaging them much.
The men exhibited the utmost cooness
and the traits of the true soldier. throughout.
We lost none killed. Appended is lit
Of our wounded.
At Plain Store, May 2l, Private Frank
Sebastian, New Orleans, slightly in heel
Private David Sweenier, Whiting, in heel
slightly.
June IA, Artifcer James NJ. Pixley, Roches-
ter slightly in head; Pri. Joseph Shoro,
Brandon, slightly in face.
June IS, Corp. Edwin Ayres, Goshen, in
leg, dangerous.
June 2l Sergt. Charles Jacobs, mortally
through lung.
June 30, Pri. Geo. Schneider, n. Orleans
slightly in breast.
July2, Pri. VIM. Quinn, IN knee, leg am
putated; Pri. Joseph n. Howard, slightly in
side.
July !, Pri Jacob NJ. Myers, Hubbarton
found dead near the field, cause unknown.
| wish to bear hearty testimony to The
gallantry, good conduct and steadiness under
fire of IieutS. Chase and Dyer. Veterans
could not have behaved better in the pres
ence of an enemy.
| would respectfully recommend Sergt
Maj. Perry a. Baker and Sergt Geo. W
Daskane for promotion, for gallantry before
The enemy.
Among the non n-commissioned officers and
men it is difficult to discriminate, for all arr
brave
! am, Sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obt serv't,
p. E. HOLCOMB,
Capt. ID Vt. Battery, 1t. Artiller
p. 81 omitted to mention that at tht
battle at Plain Store and during the siege