Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-14
Official from the 18th Vermont Regiment
HEADQuArERs l9rH REGIMENT VI. Vols,

Official from the 18th Vermont Regiment
Headquarters 18th REGIMENT VI. Vols, !
Camp near MiddIetown, Nd, July 8, 1868. I
GENERAL In compliance with your request
| make the following report direct to you Of the
part taken by the 18Th Regiment Vt. Vols. under
my command, at the battle Of Gettysburg, July
LIST, "a and ID, inst. Previous to the movement
OF the Union Army into Pennsylvania my regi.
meat was located at Occoquan, Va We received
orders to march June rs, and started immediate
ly, and after march Of seven days reached the
field Of battle on the LIST Of July, and Joined Gen.
Reynolds Corps, but not until the close of that
days fight. The next day found US in line OF bat.
tie, being in Doubledsys division, and located
little 10 the left of the Cemetery hill, 10 front of
Gettysburg and occupying the open ground near.
ly to the woods. There was at this time line
in front Of US composed Of a portion or all Of the
2nd Army Corps. AT about five or six o'clock
in the afternoon Of that day | was ordered 10
move my regiment quick to the front and little
to the left of my former position, and was told
that our front line was giving way and Gen.
Doubleday in person requested me to make oil
speed. My regimen! was now lying in column
by divisions in mass, and moved them on q run
to the front As rode 10 the front met Gen
Hancock endeaysriog to rally bis men who we're
giving way. As approached with my regiment
he said TO me, Colonel, can you retake Iba bat.
terry, pointing to four guns that the enemy had
captured and were drawing off, | told HIN
would try, and Immediately deployed my rsgi-
ment in line and ordered my men to charge. A,
this moment my horse was shot under NE, and
the occurrence caused a monetary confusion,
but l Was soon extricated. We moved upon the
enemy on run. As We came in good range |
ordered my men TO hSV and then use the bayonet.
l his they did, pouring well directed volley into
their ranks, which caused them to break, and we
then followed them TO their own lines, relaking
the isur pieces Of artillery belonging 10 20. G.,
9th Regular ARTILLERY and We also captured from
them two brass twelve pound pieces which they
had in position 10 advance Of their line at the
corner Of the orchard near the Brick House. We
also captured eghty-three prisoners.
My reg ment IN connection With the other reg
ments OF the Vermont brigade under Genera
Stannard, were then placed or the front line, our
right resting near the Cemetery hill, and our left
extending to the )w, marshy ground near the
busby and wooded land. We here sustained the
bruut Of the terrific artillery ERE Of the enemy on
that day. and when they advanced their infantry
column, their first demonstration I.m directly
towards our front, but as they approached with.
in musket range, we opensda welldirected FIRE up.
on their column. They then faced by the left flank
and moved 10 and by the side Of the road further
to our right, and directed the attack more mme.
distey upon the hill.
On seeing their intention changed front for
J ward on my FIRST company which threw my lefl
into the field to tie front, and gave US flank oil
the enemy to our 'front.' As they came up to at.
tack our position on the bill,iwe opened on the
aank avolley, and then charged the flank, when
the regiments in the front line obliqusd their FIRE
SO as not to injure US. The enemy Immediately
broke and fed, but, although the colu mn must
have consisted Of at least brigade, very lew went
back. My regiment captured in this charge, two
colonies, one lieutenant COLONEL one major, five
captains, two eutensnts, and, one hundred and
fhy-eeht prvstes, besides hundreds passed
through our lines to the rear that others took
charge Of, as we had no time to attend to them.
We had hardly accomplished this move when
a column, similar to the one above described, ad.
vanced from the enemy's line more to the left
and opposite the position of the l4th Vermont
regiment. They opened deadly FIRE on them
and the 10th Vermont, which had come up to
support me, Immediately faced about and sttacked
them on the flank in the same manner, and |
wheeled my regiment out and started to supper,
them but, owing to the weary state Of my men,
Zen. Stannard sent me orders to fall back on my
: original position, and Col. veazy, 10th regiment,
did the job alone, as his report will undoubtedly
} show.
During the entire engagement the officers and
men Of my regiment behaved with the creates,
gallan,ry, facing the dangers like veterans, nc
: one shrinking from bis place who went on the
field at all Ny entire loss in killed and wounded
was 1877.
1t would seem invidious to mention particular
; persons above others for their galantry, where
. oil did so we'll.
Hoping that our conduct while attached n
your corps may have done you no discred, 70.
main Your obedien, servant,
F.V. RANDALL,
Col. 18th Regt, w., Vols.
To Maj. Gen. NEWTON,
Commanding lst Army Corps.