Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-05-26

ing to SkedaddIe for our very lives was much more
imminent. We packed up instanter, faced about
and marched back to take up a position for de-
tense. We marched from place to place, taking
position in one spot, and then moving to another,
so that to the enemy it might appear that we had
considerable force. At last we halted in an
open field sheltered by slight swell in the
ground while strong line Of battle was posted
in front OF US. Pickets were thrown out and
everything was quiet till about FIVE o'clock in the
afternoon when the attack on US commenced.
Our line was in the shape Of an ex bow, With
both ends resting on the Rappahaunock, and Gov
ering Banks Ford, some four or Ave miles above
edercksburg. We were on the eastern side
OF the arc, facing the city where the heaviest attack
was made. Gen. Brooks division was on our
right aud Gen. NeWton's on our LETT, while an.
other brigade guarded the bridge at Banks Ford.
Our line was far from being strong enough 10 re-
sist such bold attack as the rebels brought against
Us, outnumberiug our forces three to one.
The attack was made in regular Jackson style,
and for while we supposed that that intrepid
General had brought large reinforcements against
US and was leading them in person, but the pris-
oners said that Gen. Lee was there in command
and that be intended to capture the whole Of the
sixth corps
In front Of the Vermont Brigade was a deep
hollow covered with trees, mostly low pine. The
bill beyond commanded Fredericksburg on that
side. Here our skrmishes were depoyed while
troops in line Of battle were posted close behind
them. About FIVE the occasional crack of musk
ct warned US that the attack had commenc.
ed aud the enemy's skirmisber we're engaged
with ours. In lew nom ents more the continu-
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 our
view. We waited 10 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.strieken. They had the same
old story to tell; their regiment was all cut TO
pieces and there VS. no use fighting. the enemy
we're comirg in 6ve lines of battle and would
surely ovsrwhelm US. Some OF these men were
forced into our nks and compelled to fight, hut
as general thing, they were too thoroughly
| frightened 10 be OF much USE. One fellow
that was forced TO take hi' place in the rear rank
little to the righ, Of me was so beside himself
wth fear that be discharged hs gun as soon as he
could after getting into his place, without waiting
u even raise hi, piece from tn. ground. We
were lyiag on our faces, and il 90 happened that
he fired directly unaer hi, Gle.leadsr in the front
rank, the ball going his whole length hut so close
10 the ground that it did him no injury The es-
cape was almost miraculous. I be Captain con-
cuded after that, that il would be as safe to let
the skrdsddIers run. Some of,hese men belong
ed to lhe 2l,t aud some to the 26lh New Jersey,
and others belonged to the 2OIh New York.
! Meantime the rebels were coming 10 all their
Jury. A. soon as they we're fairly though the
woods so that we could see them, we arose at the
word, and let them have il without mercy. They
were completely taken by surprise, aud such fire
sas more than they could stand when finding
that they could make no impression on our right
line they beat has,y 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
altheir shots passed over. The Sixth on our right
charged on the retreaIirg foe aud captured large
number OF prisoners. Gen. Howe complimented
US very highly for cur bravery and steadiness.
I Said he 10 the Colonel, " You have reason 10 be
proud Of your men. They did well yesterday
and they have done well 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. fon't see how man in the whole |
corp, could have escaped do no, wish to be
understood as trying to convey the idea that this
regiment did all the fighting or was braver than
every other regiment. only bear testimony to
what saw, Other regiments Tough, equally as
well, no doubt, perhaps better. There was some
as brave fighters among the Jerseys as can be
Iouud anywhere in the army When we charged
up the bill Sunday, some oil these fellows left their
own regimen, and joined US and fought bravely
to the end. They did the same here, aud seemed |
TO feel ashamed and mortified a, the conduct of
their regiment, which they sail was caused in
great measure by the ineficiency of.her line off-
GERS. Their Geld officers they said did all that
men could do TO rally their men, but the company
officers we're 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 s,and in line, which W. lef, vacap,
because We had not suiicien, force to fIl it.
There was a sort OF rayine between US into which
the enemy threw a column Of men to get into our
rear. They were trying to funk us also at another
point further down 20 the eh. OF course we
could preserve our lines only by falling back.
" Ii is too bad to leave this position, said Col.
Grants aid as he delivered the order for be.
Iieve We could hold it, bu. your regiment is or.
dered to fall back TO the rear Of that house,
pointing to house abou, hundred rods to our
rear. We started double quick, and some Of the
plher regiments seeing us run, gave rise to ,he