Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-07-31
rlKsr VERMONT BRIGADE.

HIAu4T D.
July II, 1868
PETER 7. WAsHBuRN,
adj and Inspector General:
SIR 81 have the honor to report that this
Brigade was not hotly engaged at the battle
of Gettysburg. We arrived on the battle
field at about o'clock r. NJ. OF the second
days battle, having marched thirty miles that
day. The position taken by the Brigade was
on the extreme left of the army, where it WIS
held in reserve, and to guard against any
flank attack. On the 4th inst, the 4th regi-
ment was sent forward to feel Of the enemy's
right and quite sharp skirmsh followed, in
which our men showed their usual gallantry.
Our loss was one man, John f. Marshall,
wounded in the arm and knee severely.
Yesterday, the 10th inst, at an early hour,
we advanced from Blooms boro on the Hagers-
town Pike The Brigade had the advance Of
the Infantry force, but Gen Buford's cavalry
was in the advance Of this Brigade The en-
envy was met abnut three miles from Boons-
horo and driven by the cavalry about three
miles 90 near funk-tpWn. Hero the cavalry
met The enemy iniantD. aud after ,kirmish-
ing while, Tell bauk, leaving the Brigade in
front A the time the cavalry fell back this
Brigade was about . miles in advance Of
any support except one battery. The Rcgi-
ments were disposed Of as folloYs: the 9th,
1t. Col Lewis, and two companies of the I'd
were deployed as skirmishers on the left, and
the 9th, Col. Barney, was deployed as Skin
mishers on the right, holding a skirmish line
front of about two miles, the left resting up
ON Antiotam Gre k. The Sd and 4th were
supporting the battery and the balance of the
2nd was held in reserve. The enemy seeing
the cavalry fall back, Immediately advanced
their skirmishers TO gain a crest and some
woods previously occupied 10y our cavalry.
But the 9th and 9th regiments Immediately
advanced their skirmishers and took posses.
sion OF the woods and crest before the enemy
could do SO. The enemy then opened ter
rible artillery fire upon our skrmish lines and
the woods, and continued it for several min
utes from batteries near Funkstown, beyond
the reach of our artillery
1t was evident at Il .nce that the position
was an important one, and that the enemy
would be likely to follow up the artillery fire
by an infantry attack. 70 repe this Colonel
Stoughtou, Of the 4th. was sent to support
the 9th, and Col Seayer, Of the 80, was sen,
TO support the 9th, and the ID Col. Wal.
bridge, was brought forward to support the
battery. Colonels Stoughton and Seavor hac
instructions to deploy so much Of their res
pectve regiments as might be found neoessa
ry, and to hold the line at all hazards. Thei
arrival was opportune, for the enemy not only
threw forward his skirmishers, but advanced
strong lines Of infantry and charged upon oul
skirmish line. The advance was nobly met
and severely repulsed. A considerable por-
ton of the 4th, and three companies of the
Sd were deployed to strengthen such portions
of the 9Th and 9th as were attacked by the
enemy's main force. The enemy repeated,
charged upon our line, and was as often me-
and driven back.
While this was going on in front it was
found that the enemy had advanced force
on our left and were crossing the Antietam
70 get in the rear Of the left Of our skirmisl
line. Col. Walbridge was Immediately dis,
patched with five companies of the ID to re-
pei their advance aud drive them back, which
was most ehcctually done. At this point O
time the Brigade was nearly all deployed up
on the skirmish line which extended a dis
tance OF IL or 3 miles, with no supper
within II miles except the three companie
OF the I'd which were left in support of ia,
battery.
wounded prisoner whom we took in
formed us that the attacking party was An
derson's old Brigade, Of 7 regiments. Tn
iofce whlch attempted 10 cross the Antetan
to our left and rear, belonged to another com
mand. 1t was impossible to concentrate on
forces for our entire line was threatened, an
when repulsed at one point, the enemy wou
form his lines anew and advance upon anoth
er. The officers and men all behaved nobl,
dare not particularize lest do injustice
Others. My thanks are especially due to III
commanders OF regiments and the officers
my staff. Many Of the men fired away sixI
and some eighty rounds OF cartridges, and
new supply OF ammunition was sent for an
brought up during the engagement. 1t is b,
ieyed that another instance of a ski.mis
line, necessarily extending over so great
distance, repeatedly repelling the assaults
strong liacs Of infantry at different point
cannot be found IN the history Of any war.
as the enemy's lines went bae