Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-05-19


kew to the whole position. The 26th New jersey
was to take the lead, ours to follow and support
them, and other regiments we're to advance on
our right and left. The boys started with confi-
dence and alacrty, cheering as they went. The
rebels opened on US from every piece they had,
from 24.pounder to pocket pistol. Our bit-
teries played over our heads and helped US oil
they could. The air seemed to be full of kissing
shot and bursing shells. The roar was terrific
and it required men Of nerve to stand it. The
Jerseys hltered they did no! run, but their reg
iment became SO completely broken up that but
little could be expected Of them. There didn't
seem to be any ranks anywhere. They we're scat
tered all over the ground, so that she'll could
hardly burst amiss. Behind every tree, stump, or
whatever would shelter them, they could be seen
hiding away from the storm Of iron hail and com
petely paralyz.d with terror. Sons Of them we
forced into our ranks, but such were found to be
too demoraized IN the knees to be capable of ei-
'ectiye service. We approached deep ditch
and, as we expected il was filed with the trem-
bling towards, who seemed to be dying thoua'
and deaths. A rebel shell struck 10 the ditch
Just as We came up to il, filling our faces with
dirt, and burying n4mber Of the Jerseys, where
the boys maIciously hoped they would remain
iii The resurrection. Col. Grant saw at once
thai to expect anything from that regiment would
be hanging his hopes on a rope Of sand, % he or
dered the second Vermont 10 the right OF them,
and we rushed up the bill ahead Some from the
Jersey regiment more brave than the rest, joined
With US and fought Ike heroes till the engage
ment was over.
TIE hin up which we charged, was covered with
brush besides being very steep and every way
difficult 10 climb. At the right there was deep
rayine also filed with brush and felltd trees. The
right Of the regiment had 10 make their way up
through this The rebs had set tire TO the brush
on the top Of the hill, and the hot, sutfocatns
smoke drned into orr faces, but we moved
straight onward, regardless Of everything. Ih'
air was intensely ho, and slltry the fire OF th'
/, rebel mu.ketry as We neared The top OF the NIL
Z aas hot, 'ao. hut not man ilinched. While we
. we're eros ias ,hs fiat aud till we got to the foo
Of the bill, our regiment kept in as good line
# they we're on drill Among this brush an'
2 smoke and bullets, this Of course, was impossible
r We halted moment in arebel rife pit to TAX
e breath when at the word from Col, Grant, " U
n now, my brave boys and give it to them, :"
c pushed forward as fast as possible. There Wsf
plenty Of opportunities for towards to hide ant
.kuk from duty, as we we're getting up !hrong
a tb.t brush, but do not know ola single man rh
RI aya.ied himself OF them. Our skirmi,her' drov
ie the gunner. away from two excelAnt pieces
is er,illory aud capiursd hem
.. At the top Of th- bill we we're met with mo-
ry terrific shower Of bullets than before. For m
o. men, our regimen, wavered. A little way oeys'
cS u, through the smoke, the rebels could be SEE
ne be,,a,ing the same way. Their officers we're ir
'm ing to rally them. |, was critical moment
III. onr m.n would eoms forward now they wou
certainly drive them moment more and
ol nigh, be lost. Tbs crisis was minenI, immes
~ consequences hung poised on few seconds
zen time. Some Of the rebels we're panic'si.leken al
Int running. some were rallying to renew the hs
ca A bold attack from them just then, would eersa
ose lv have driven our men, so would bold alta
fl'e f,om us drive them. Now wa, the precious
ing mept 10 strike. Oh! II our boyu only would ra
" thank God they did. They rallied in 'ton
and drove the rebs to the eminence beyond. IL
they held line for some time, but by the Il
re- our supports came up. they had skedaddled
Il Of sight. This vas the sharpest fire our resm
has been under. The men fell fast on right
Incl leh Il il Difficult, TO realize in the time OF
cks' action, the extreme peril ones life is IN. p'
be- there seems Of less consequences than anyw'
oud el.e. one gets so used to it. Leta railroad
and dent happen, or factory tumble to the gro
to maneling great many, and terrifying mum
so more and the whole country shudders, but
omit same number may be Killed and manned
saw, bri.k skirmsh, and the affair is very orlli'
the sneh IA the acknowledged difference, and
'eoly we'll ,ha, il should be SO. But when the e'
erva men, is over and we go back to camp aud Sc
much many comradc, whose society was our plea
Se an missing, we feel very keenly the 10" We hav'
tanned,
During this eight brave little fellow Just
-, = :" right was shot through the neck Inc Oal
'oS''e' he iuvular wien and he died Immediately
i'"H' M, ,old ,ha, he could not live and asked
uo"" had any word that be wanted to sci
"o0", nj, friends. oIell them says he, I" that
'W % a good soldier and truly he had been one.
""n had been with the regiment from the beg
10 our and was never excused by the surgeon ou
''o'' days during the whole time, and two oil 'hos
Jew va. in consequence Of a wound received at
a" ~ erleksburc before. The country has had
ee' az v,ce, and hi. life, and more than this no
W half ''V'' a"N -
!, .;,h, can give.
II een' Bullets play curious freaks sometimes,
""'." ery battle has its har-brea'h escapes o''
Aher ''uu 10 -. No. .r0rsd because his gut
lay was V'O'' '! -" a's s,n., ssts, p.y. of CONF
ing tw- 'SP'ea w = ~. h,,,,, with ball, bu, an
in line, "a' ','a., " go. his nfe.pre.sryer
'',U0" Ballou, Company II, had the 'kin ''ra''
ewes :" hi. nose By rebel minnie, aud that soS
ton on man almost within an inch Of hi, lie.
&c reOe' multiply incident, like these to an almost