Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-05-29
StOrming of the Heights OF Fred
cricksburg.


Brigade, ia the dashing and gallant charge
when they carried the heights of Freder'
icksburg, can hardly be overestimated, es.
pecially so, when we take into considera.
lion the probability that but for their firm.
ness and heroism, a most serious disaster to
our army must have occurred. In speaking
of the storming of the heights Of Freder-
icksburg, Newark On. j. paper has the
following, written by New Jersey officer
NEAR FREDERIcKsBuaG,l
May 9th, 1868.
II must be interesting to your readers to
hear something of the soldierly conduct of
their friends whom they have sent on, to
fight for the defence of their country. The
battles of the Sd and 4th of May upon the
Heights Of fredericksburg. if they could be
faithfully described, would crafty their
keenest sympathies and satisfy their warm
est interest. 1t was the good fortune of
Col. L. A. Grant, commanding the I'd Brig
AIDE Of the I'd Division, 9th Corps, to have
the duty assigned to his brigade to storm
these celebrated and hitherto impregna5le
heights. Col Grant executed this duty in
gallant style. handsomely supported by the
bridade of the brilliant Gen. Neill. The
batteries Of the enemy Numbered upon his
regiments in vain. On they swept like a
tempest until their impetuo>ity had carried
them across the plain, no the steep hills,
through tangled thickrts and woods, through
the fierce tempest, over entertainments and
batteries until painting and GREATNESS with
exertion and hoarse with shouts, they gained
the very crests of the formidable heights
which had been occupied by the flying en-
envy. Here these determined reg ments
were halted, and celebrated their victory
with cheers and shouts of joy. They de-
serve TO have their names recorded. They
were thu I'd, Sd, 4tb, 9th and 9th regiments
Vermont Volunteers, and the 26h New
Jersey Volunteers, constituting Col. Grants
Brigade. That afternoon the 9th Corps
made its triumphal march through the
streets of Fredericksburg.
On the morning the next day-Monday,
the fate of the 9th Corps hung trembling in
the balance. Heavy bodies of the enemy
had been massed TO force us from these
heights, pierce our line and march upon our
pontoon bridge at Banks Ford, and if sue
cessful capture the corps at one sweep. o.
they came at Us, Jackson's favorite troops
of the Louisiana, Mississippi and North
Carolina Brigsdes, standing up TO heir work
like men and fighting as they always fight
in "a manner worthy of better cause.
But it was all in vain. The cool eye of
Gen. Howe was there; the clear head and
steady hand Of Col Grant were there, and
the stout arms and willing hearts of the I'd
Brigade were once more victorious in the
hour Of trial. The enemy dashed them
selves upon us with almost irresistible pal
lantry but they were flung back after the
first shock of their onset was exhausted, as
waves recoil when they are dashed upon the
rocks in a tempest. They left their killed
and wounded in their hasty fight, and many
prisoners, including officers of every rank,
Colonies, 1t. Colonies, Majors, Captains,
and minor officers by the score. 1t is clear
that the value of the service rendered by
the I'd Brigade in repulsing this attack was
incalculable. The bridge was saved. and
when it was thought best to retire, the Corps
crossed the river upon it, and it was taken
up by the 26h. and landed upon the left
bank of the stream in safety.