Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-06-19
From the Sixth Regiment.
WIN. c. TALLMAN.
CAMP NEAR RAPPAHANoCK,
June IL, 1868.

CAMP NEAR RAPPAHANOCK, I
June IL, 1868.
Friend Edrle-Before the day gets
warm l will take the opportunity and
hastily pen you few lines. The past
few days have been filed with stirring
events here on the Rappahannock. One
year ago the 9th of June the army of the
Potomac crossed the Chickahominy, and
just one year from that day we crossed
the Rappahannock for the third time,
and at the same place. Il has become
memorable. To effect landing our bat
teries opened a heavy cannonade upon
the enemy's entertainments, which served
to keep them down while some Of the
pontoons were taken to the river and
part of our brigade crossed in the boats.
Part of the 26th New Jersey were the
first who crossed to the opposite shore,
but they remained under the bank till
Major Dudley with portion of his reg
ment, the 9TH, had landed and charged
the enemy's rife pits. But few of the
rebels escaped most were killed or cap
tured; about fifty prisoners were taken.
Our loss thus far was slight. The 9th
Immediately deployed as skirmishers and
advanced as far upon the left as the ruins
Of the Bernard Mansion, the right to
Deep Run, and the centre touched Bow
ling Green Road. A pontoon bridge was
rapidly laid and the remainder of our
brigade crossed, and the only troops that
did cross till the next day at dark the
skirmish line was relieved by the 26th
New Jersey. 1t was about p. M. that
the landing was effected; at daylight on
Saturday morning, the 9th, our regiment
relieved the Jerseys and were on the line
till relieved by the Sd at dark. The en-
emy's sharp shooters fired upon US, and
we could but show proper resentment,
therefore a continual firing was kept up
on both sides all the day long. 1t be-
come so that it was not healthy for john
ny Reb to show his head, or our fellows
either The only casualties of that day
on our side was sustained by our regi-
ment-4 killed and Is wounded. The
following day, Sunday, was very quiet
we remained in support of the skirmish
line. AT night our brigade was relieved
and came this side to rest, where we have
ever since upon the bluffs over
looking Fredericksburg and the whole
line Of the enemy's Notifications. Mon
day morning the rebels found we had
long line of breastworks reaching from
the Bernard Mansion to Deep Run, that
had made its appearance since dark the
night before. 1t has been strengthened
every night since. Last night heavy
detail from our regiment worked upon
hem.
Everything in this reconnaissance seems
10 indicate that it is the intention to hold
his position, and by so doing heavy
orce can be thrown over the river and an {
attack made before the enemy know it,
1t any time when it will be proper to do
10.
Berdan's sharpshooters were on the |
'kirmish line yesterday, and report says l
hat they were great annoyance to the i
'ebels, that California Joe" picked off S
'bout dozen from one post, &c. }
The most inhuman thing of all the en- @
'my's doing during the whole time was t
heir firing upon our stretcher bearers C
While carrying our dead and wounded off t
he field. IT'S barbarous practice of {
civilization. b
The extent of this movement we can t
lot foresee, yet think no attack is med a
lated, at least at present. r
The mail of yesterday brought me a
opy of the Standard of June 4th, and I
was as ever welcome messenger. I
Respectfully yours, Z
T. III. KIMBALL.