Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-11-06
co.a,c, of Vermont Troop.


Vermont troops, we are sure the brief sum
mary, which we give below in extracts from
the Report Of Adjt. and lnsp. Gen. wash
burn, will be interesting to our readers. The
references to Vermont Troops in the larger
public journals are comparatively few, Tor
the obvious reason that their numbers in the
public service are few (tho' in full proportioh)
compared with those from the large States OF
the Union. Their record is one which Yer
monters will never be ashamed OF. The !Ad- |
jutant Generals report gives in detail
the lists of commissioned officers IN the
several regiments at the latest date, and
tables OF the aggregate number, number on
DUTY, sick and absent, for each one, at dlifer-
ent dates during the year but for these We
have no room;
The SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH, Firth AND
Sixth REGIMENTS have been brigsded together
during the year, constituting the Second Brigade,
Second Division, Sixth Corps of the Army oil the
Potomac, and have partici pated actively IN near
ly every battle in which that army has been
engaged
In the first battle fought at Fredericksburgh,
in December. 1862, the brigade, commanded by
Col. Henry Whiting, of the Second Regiment,
was distinguished for its gallantry,
The bravery and GOODNESS with which the brig
ade fought at the second battle OF FrederlcAs-
burgh, on the third of May, and at the battle OF
Banks Ford, on the fourth Of May, have never
been excelled by any troops They stormed aud
carried the heights of Freiericksburgh, On the
Sd of May, in the face Of terrific fire; and when
on the 4th they protected the rear OF the sixth
Corps and enabled it TO cross the Rappahannock
in safety, the masses Of the enemy, greatly out
numbering them, were persistently hurled
against them in vain. They were attacked by
and repulsed three rebel brgades, of four regi-
: ments each, and saved the Sixth Corps
, On the 9Th of June the brigade again crossed
the Rappahannock, at Fredericksburgh, and AS
; saulted and carried the rebel works, fighting
E most calamity and taking many prisoners. l
annex the reports of Col Grant, commanding
the brigade, and of Lieut.. Col Lewis, who CON-
manded the Fifth Regiment.
. At the battle Of Gettysburgh, on the Sd Of Ju-
Nv. the brigade was held in reserve and was not
> actively engaged But on the 10th Of July,
i near Funkstown, Maryland, the brigade again
repulsed them, holding skirmish line of somt
!. three miles IN extent, without supports within
It assisting distance, against repeated attacks O.
=, strong lines Of rebel infantry.
8 The brigade moved with the Army Of the Po
II tomac into Virginia, in pursuit Of the enemy
D. and were then detached and sent TO the City o
New York, to aid, if necessary, in enforcing
d obedience to the laws of the United States. Tn
It brigade is now with the Army Of the Potomac
10 near Culpepper, Va
ie Too much honor cannot be awarded by tn
T. People Of Vermont to the officers and men Of thi
J.. gallant brigade. They are the men who respond
ed among the earliest to the call of the nation 70
s, assistance in suppressing the rebellion and re
ie storing and preserving the National existence
: They have fought calamity in every battle, Il
A. which the Army Of the Potomac has been engag
ed since the war commenced. Distinguish
alike for bravery and discipline, they have &C
quired for themselves an imperishable record !
history, and have won for the troops of the Sta
! in the field a reputation for untinching courag
and dashing bravery, which is only equalled b
mn the distinction which the people of the State hay
earned for persistent loyalty TO the Union' whc
TX is their proudest boast.
The SEVENTH REGIMENT has been statione
90 at Pensacola and in the vicinity portion
- the companies garrisoning Fort Pickens,-dul
ing the year There has been no change in Il
Field Officers. The regiment at the close of ii
3 last year was suffering severely from exposul
during the unsuccessful attack upon Nicksbur
and afterwards in camp. Two hundred an
II, eighty-fve officers and men died previous
e December !, 1862. Since their removal to
y more healthy location the regiment has great
u improved in condition, and the men are no
more generally healthy than those Of any othC
n regiment from this State in the service.
" The unjust aspersions, which were sought
be cast upon the regiment by the General the
II commanding in the Department Of the Gul
were removed by the result Of the Court Of II
quiry, which was demanded and obtained by Il
Colonel Of the Regiment, and their colors who
had been taken from them, were restored. 1t
now known, that the officers and men, who Wei
ri on duty, fought brsyely at the battle Of Bate
Rouge as any troops who were engaged IN th'
90 action.
~ The EIGHTH REGIMENT, which, at the con
e mencement Of the year was stationed at and nes
mr. New Orleans, was removed IN December
Brashear City, constituted part OF the fore
which moved under the command u Maj. Gel
tn Banks, from that place to Alexandra, upon IL
n, Red River and thence to Port Hudson, was
part Of the besieging force at that place until j
at surrender, was moved from thence 10 Thib'
he deaux, La, and now constitutes part Of Ii
force which has been detached for service
re Texas At the date of their last report, the
us were at Brashear City, La
n In the expedition from Brashear City to Alel
andria, and during the siege of Port Hudson
Iss the regiment behaved most CALAMITY, and wo
r. for itself the reputation, which has distinguish
Vermont troops, whenever brought into actor
'' They constituted a part Of the assaulting forC
an on the 9th of May, and again on the 18th
June, and were distinguished for their infincl
ing bravery.
u The Ninth REGIMENT, which had been car
tured at Harper's Ferry, in September, lS6:
he WAS exchanged, January 10, 1868, and was r,
No tanned at Chicago, guarding camp of reb
prisoners, until the first ofApril. The regimen
It's wa, then removed to Fortress Monroe, fro
M thence to Suffolk, Va, from thence to We
We Point Va, and is now stationed at yorktown
Va. This regiment, although not in any er
gagement during the year, has suffered severed
nd in numbers as the result of their long detento
ro- as prisoners Of war. The men became niue
disheartened, many deserted, and many enliste
en- in the regular army, under the orders then
ty force, allowing the regular army to be recru' e
from the Volunteer regiments. Since the
Il transfer to Virginia, they have been employe
d. in more active service, and are now in very fai
nd condition, though suffering much from sickness
inciden, to their present location. They hsy
or not yet had a fair opportunity to distinguis
. themselves, except for patient endurance.
Id The TENTH REGIMENT has been stationed, dur
ty ing the most Of the year, near Poolesville, Ms
rylsnd, performing picket duty on the Uppe
u Potomac, brigsded with the 39th Massachusetts
90 the 18th New Hampshire and the 23d Maine
During the invasion of Maryland and Penn
sylvsnia by the rebel forces, this regiment wa
TO attached to the Third Army Corps. and is noV
n serving, in that Corps, with the Army of tn
-, Potomac.
The ELEVENTH REGIMENT was changed. b
'h special order Of the War Department, Decembe
pit 10, 1862, to Heavy Artillery, and has been sta
"A toned, during the year, at Washington, D. C.
~ occupying Forts Slocum, Totten and Steven:
al The regiment has had no active service, but ha
f performed much heavy labor in constructing