The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-20


sixth corps.
In front Of the Vermont Brigade was a deep
hollow covered with trees mostly low pine. The
hill beyond commanded Fredericksburg on that
side. Here our skirmishes were deployed while
troops in line OF battle were posted close behind
them. About five tae occasional crack of musk
ct warned US that the attack had cOmmenc-
ed and the enemy's skirmisbers were engaged
Gus roar of musketry announced that the attack
had began in earnest and that the enemy were
close upon US with heavy force. At first we
could see that our men were falling back, but as
they approached us the woods hid them from cur
view. We waited in suspense for the issue of
the contest, but we did not have to wait long be-
fore we could see the ground covered with our
men emerging from the woods in wild disorder,
completely panic-stricken. They had the same
old story to tell their regiment was all cut to
pieces and there rs no use fighting, the enemy
were coming in five lines Of battle and would
surely oyerwhelm US. Some of these men were
forced into our ranks and compelled to fight, hut
as a general thing, they were too thoroughly
frightened to be of much use. One fellow
that was forced to take his place III the rear rank
q little to the right of me was so beside himself
with fear that he discharged his gun as soon as he
could after getting into his place without waiting
to even raise his piece from the ground. We
were lying on our faces, and it so happened that
he fired directly under his ile-leaaer in the ont
rank, the ball going his whole length but so close
to the ground that it did him no injury The es-
cape was almost miraculous. The Captain con-
cluded after that, that it would be as safe to let
the skedaddlers run. Some ofthese men belong
ed to the 2lst and some to the Goth New Jersey,
and others belonged to the Goth New York
Meantime the rebels were coming in all their
fury. AS soon as they were fairly though the
woods so that we could see them, we arose at the
word, and let them have it without mercy. They
were completely taken by surprise, and such fire
was more than they could stand when finding
that they could make no impression on our right
line they beat hasty retreat back out of sight
The left of our regiment suffered severely; the
the right was partially protected by the rise in
front which deceived the enemy so that nearly
all their shots passed over. The Sixth on our right
charged on the retreating foe and captured large
number of prisoners. Gen. Howe complimented
US very highly for our bravery and steadiness.
Said he to the Colonel, " You have reason to be
proud of your men. They did we'll yesterday
and they have done we'll now. They have saved
the day" We formed the last line and had the
enemy broken it he would have had everything
his own way. | DON'T see how man in the whole
corps could have escaped. do not wish to be
understood as trying to convey the idea that this
regiment did all the fighting or vas drawer than
every other regiment. | only bear testimony to
what saw. Other regiments fought equally as
well, no doubt, perhaps better. There was some
as brave fighters among the Jerseys as can be
found anywhere in the army. When we charged
up the hill Sunday, some of these fellows left their
own regiment and joined US and fought bravely
to the end. They did the same here, and seemed
to feel ashamed and mortifyed at the conduct of
their regiment, which they said was caused in a
great measure by the ineficency ofther line Off
GERS. Their field officers they said did all that
men could do to rally their men, but the company
officers were nowhere.
Notwithstanding we repulsed the enemy SO
handsomely we were obliged to fall back. Between
the Second regiment and the Fourth on our left,
was an intervening space large enough for two
regiments to stand in line, which was left vacant