Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-01-13

ERTFND COVER. - MOVING liAt Jul
friends in Grant are always glad to hear
from Us. and thinking that an account OF
the mart taken by the 7th in the battle OF
Fredercksbur.. would be the most inter
estinc Of ANYTHING we could give at present
we concluded to send you Col. RobIIson,s
official report Of the conduct Of the TN
Reo't. in the late engagement near Fred
ieksburr. ROBERT MoNTEIrH.
HrApouARrERs TrR REG'r. Wis Vol
Near Belle Plain. va, Dec 18th iSc2
]. w. SHArER. lst Lieut.. d. A. a. Z.
Alb Brigade:--Sir:
respectfully submit the following re-
mort Of the conduct of the 9TH Reg't. Wis
Vol. under my command in the late en-
oaoements. near Fredericksburg. A re.
Bort IN detail Of the man@uvers Of the
regiment during the engagement. will be
unnecessary, inasmuch as all the move
ments were under the eye and in pursu-
ance Of orders from or through the Brig
Gen. On the 18th Dec we crossed the
river about two o'clock P. il. and moved in
columns by companies down the plain to
the Stone House. During the movements
we were exposed to a CALLING fire from the
enemy's batteries on our right. At sun
rise on the 18th we advanced on the enc
I,y's right which rested upon the river
about I of a mile below the Stone House,
their extreme right on the river bank be-
! ing covered by grove of timber. within
which was number of deep rayines.
During the movement we were exposed to
the fire from their batteries on our right
as well as their Artillery in our front,
we ..ost here one killed, and three wound
ed
In our advance upon and through the
woods and ravines above mentioned we
were upon the left Of the first line, which
threw us into the woods and rayines and
brought us SO close upon the river that the
sinuosties of the bank compelled us to
break companies from the left to the rear
into column, an finally the broken ground
and underbrush compelled a movement by
the right flank ofthe lift wing Of the bat
TALON. After passing the rayines the
regiment came promptly and in good or
der into line, under sharp fire from the
enemy's artillery.
The brigade now changed front TO the
right and advanced, the 18th being on the
extreme left of the first line. Through
the balance Of the day, and until after dark
we were exposed to a constant and heavy
fire from the enemy's artillery. During
the night ofthe 18th the 7th performed
picket duty in front Of our extreme left.
On the 18th Company G, Capt. Bushnell
commanding and company II, I'd Lieut..
Hoyt com'd., were thrown forward as skis
mishers On the 18th Co. G., uuder
Capt. Drake and Co. IL, under lst Lieut..
| Palmer were thrown forward for the same
purpose. During the last two days there
was considerable firing between ours and
the enemy's skirmishers, these companies
/ behaved very handsomely in these affairs
Tho Regiment officers and men behaved
most CALAMITY throughout the engagement,
All the movements we've executed with per
feet GOODNESS aud precision, 10 fact if there
be any difference the regiment is more cas-
ily handled under fire, then out. II well
sustained the reputation won in previous
battles, the spirit manifested in the advance
aud resting under the enemy's fire looked
very much like total Indifferent to danger.
Where all performed their duties 50 well,
it is difiicrit to speak Of the individual
merits Of some officers, without a seeming
injustice to others; but without derparage-
ment to others, | wish to bring to the no
of the Brig Gen'. Lieut.. Col. Charles A.
Hamilton from whom | received very eli
Glen. assistance through the engagement;
his cool bravery through this battle a sec
ond edition to his gallantry at Gainesville
on the 2lst Of August last
From Maj George Bill fwho was also
wounded at Gainesville received al assist
anca, his cool conduct under fire shows
the spirit Of the old soldier that he is.
In this connection perhaps it viii not be
deemed improper for me to state that the
merits Of these officers does not rest solely
upon their conduct in action; they are
both able and efficient officers, who have
at all times,sin camp and field performed the
duties assigned them with ability and cheer
fulness.
| Capt. Drake commanding Co. G, Capt.
Bushnell com'd Co. G, lst Lieut.. Young,
comd Co. 7, lst Lieut.. Palmer coa,'d Co.
II, Ist Lieut.. Weeks com'd Co. b. I'd
Lieut.. johnson com'd Go. A, "a Lieut.
Bean com'd Co ID, 81 Lieut. Pond com'd
% E, 2d Lieut.. Hoyt comd Co. K. and
Serg't Putsman com'd Co. |, these off
GERS all behaved like veterans as indeed
they are; they heard and understood all
orders given and executed them with
promptness and precision.
In the absence Of Capt. Mather who is still
suffering from wounds received at Gaines
vile, Sergeant Putsnlan has been in COM
mand Of CO. |, since tie battle Of Gaines
vile, through all the subsequent battles he
has performed his duty well.
Second Lieut.. and acting Adjt Robert
Monteith rendered very efficient services
during the engagements, not only in per-
forming the customary duties of the Adiu-