Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-22
FROM THE SIXTH REGIMENT.
CANT MAR WHITE OAK CHURCH, !
VII Mn q


Dear Editor IL will attempt but a few |
words Of my own by way Of describing the |
scenes Of the past ten days. 1t is already
known to you through what we have passed |
and /, is with feelings Of the deepest regret
that | cannot announce our complete victory.
| only hope the people will bear our defeat
with much patience and equanimity do
the soldiers ! never knew a defta to pro- I
duce SO slight shock he men are in good |
spirits and willing to meet Mr.. Reb in any /
thing like equal terms and numbers
After the movement which we commenced |
Tuesday, the 2Sth ut. Til Saturday night |
May Sd, we remained quietly on the left bank /
OF the Rappahunnock. az a,uug Development.
Saturday, about dark, Nc y~red, and imme-
diately took the front, the position General
Brooks had held for three or four days, sun
day morning the ball was opened in good earn.
est. Shot and she'll flew both ways. About
IL o'clock charge was ordered on the works
in the rear of FREDERICK sburg, and was exc
cuted with prompiness in gallant manner,
they showering US with shell as rapid at pos
sble, our regiment gaining the heights about
the same time as some of the Light Brigade
belonging to the Division. We captured
quite number OF prisoners here, but the
rebels mostly fed, leaving their guns behind,
Brooks Division pushed rapidly on, follow
ing the GordonsvIle plank road he can
OF with them, and gave them battle, which
terminated only by darkness. We rested for
the night in line of battle. and LETT Of the
road. The prisoners we had taken told us
up expected reinioTcements, which came dur
ing the night, and quietly marched around
our left flank and reoccupied the Notifications
in the rear OF Fredericksburg They were
plainly to be seen, marching only few hun
dred yalds away in the morning at daylight.
We were not a little surprised at this bold
movement, and Immediately wheeled to the
rear and moved off to the left so that the
corps, after the lines were established, form
ed an arc, both ends Of which rested upon
the river. the centre some three miles in from
our now only means of retreat. Movements
of heavy columns of the enemy were plainly
visible all the morning. Our lines were so
extended that we could not be well support
ed We we're aware Of our precarious situa-
ton, and only waited for the night in which
TO evacuate unless reinlorcements came for
us. We anxiously hoped they might come,
and woe would have been to the rebels had
but single corps come TO our relief We
had good position. Our batteries occupied
the most advantageous points and we wait
ed on our arms the bursting OF the storm
which seemed inevitable. Closely did we
watch the declining sun and the movements
Of the hosts opposed to US. We knew they
outnumbered US by nearly three to one, and
therefore were willing to act purely on the
defensive. Six o'clock comes, they advancing
slowly but steadily, skrmishers fall back
batteries are at work at the highest speed, the
men lie close the ground calm but determined
The column in our front dyanced within foul
rods of u.s. their dirty flag waving, and or
they come. We were partly secluded iron
sight by the unoyenness of the land. In an
instant at the word, we sprung to our fee
with bayonets axed and charged. We SCOT
dispersed them, and took many prisoners
Sergeant Flanders, Co. Is, took a Colonel 0
the 9th La. regiment. IL seems from tn,
prisoners, that the 7ih, 9Th aud 9th La. wer,
all before us SO completely did we div,
them that they did not rally upon us again
Their colors were only saved by being ton
from the staff and put in the pocket Of on
long-legged chap, who made good use Of hi
legs. During the night we reueated, our reg
iment being the very last Of the corps to re
cross the river
| hope the people will be mild in the
Judgments Of Hooker and above all hop
he will not be superseded cannot beev
it was fault of his, and he mas eertainl
shown his bravery and good generalship
Many at first reported missing have con
up with US.
Very truly yours, VI. SIXTH
When a part Of slonemans forces reache
the Rnppahannock, they Ind. 10 swim ii
river; and the cannon were dragged a,ro
by swimming hnres!