The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-06-02
Col Grants Report Ofths storm
ing Of Freder icksburg Heights.
Headquarters IND Rfigais. 2nd Division !
6th Corps, camp 10 shs Field, May II, 1868. !
PETiER +. WAsHrERS,
.Adrt and Ls. General

Adit and hs. GtneraL
SIR lin my account Of the part
taken BY the Vernont troops in the
siorming Of the he ghis Of Frederieks-
burg, ! promised 20 furnish further
particulars. The rush Of events that
followed, and a constant employment
of time since, mus be my excuse for
the delay.
The Brigade crossed ihe river on
the evening of the 2d inR., and rested
on its arms for a iSh hours. Ehg be-
fore light oa.;he mc~iins Of the Sd inst,
she head Of the column was moving up
the Bowling Green road into Freder-
ickeburg. Then the action commend
ed. Newton's Division, and the Light |
Brigade occupied the streets Of Fred
ericksburg. This Division, Gen. Howe |
Commanding, occupied the Bowling |
Green road, just outside and OH the
left Of Fredericksburg, its right rest
ing on creek which flows into the |
Rappahannock Immediately on the left
of Fredericksburg.
Commanding Fredericksburg are
two range of hills The lower range,
on Mayree's hil, is on the right Of the
creek and just in the rear OF Freder-
icksburg. The higher or principal
range of hills is TO the left Of the creek |
and Immediately in front Of the posi-
ton occupied by this brigade. Between
the Bowling Green road and the base |
of the principal hills is an open plain
nearly a mile in extent through which |
passes railroad. Nearly parallel
with the railroad were rfde-pits; in
these rine-pits and behind the railroad
were posted rebel infantry. The en-
tire plain was commanded by the en-
emy's guns upon the principal range
Of hills. II was determined that
Newton's division and the Light Brig |
ade hould storm the lower range, or
Mayrce's hill, from the streets Of Fred
ericksburg. An attack in our imme-
date front was also planned, which
was to be made at the same time Of
Newton's attack on tie right. 1t was
designed TO drive the enemy from the
railroad and rihe-pits, TO assist New
toms attack on the right, and, If posi-
BILE, to take the principal heights. The |
plan Of our attack was in two lines Of |
battle Of three regiments each. The
33d New York, 7th Maine 2lst, New |
Jersy regiments from Niel's brigade |
constituted the first line. The 9th VT.
26th n. j. and the I'd VT, from tLis
brigade constituted the second line,
and they were arranged from right TO
left in the order above named, the right |
of the 9th VT, resting on the creek.
The attack of Newton on the right |
was the signal for our attack. 1t com
menced about ii Il. m. The lines
started over the plain ut double
quick in splendid style, tIte rebels at
the same time opening all their batter
les on the principal heights, pouring
terrible fire upon the advancing lines
but on they went, driving the rebels
before them. Having gained possess
ion Of the railroad and rife-pits, the
SD New York and 7lh Maine bore to
the right, crossed the creek and gain
ed the extreme left Of the lower range.
The 9th VT followed the 33d n. Y.
and was the second regiment that
gained the heights Of Mayree's hill.
What became Of the 2lst n. j. regi-
ment at this juncture | am unable 10
say. The 26th \. J. and ID VT now
constituted the principle line advanc-
ing across the plain directly towards
the principal heights. The enemy's
batteries concentrated their fire full
upon US. The 26th broke and in some
confusion bore to the left getting par
italy in front Of the I'd Vt. ] imme-
diaiely ordered the I'd by the right
flank and led it to the right and front
near the creek, gaining steep bank
where the regiment was protected from
the shower Of shell and canister thrown
from the hill. Here we halted and
the men took breath. AT the command
the regiment moved forward again, up
the bank and hill gaining a deep ditch
or ride-pit, Here we halted again and
sent forward two companies as skirm-
ishers. Seeing regiment down the
creek near Mayree's bill, despatched
an aide TO urge il forward. II proved
to be tie 33d N. ", Col. Taylor, who
came forward at the word. AS soon
as the SD had arrived within support