Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1863-12-17

The following letter is from staff officer of the
Vermont Brigade in Cen Moade's ARMY
CANT NEAR BRANDY STATION.

Inc lOllOwlng lcter Is from stan officer OF Inc
Vermont Brigade in Gen. Mcade's ARMY
CANT NEAR BRANDY STATION.
December 4th, 1853. I
1t was the intention 10 have commenced the late
campaign on the cath Of November, the roads having
become passahlc, but on the morning of the oath a
rain set in Oh account Of which It became necessary
to postpone the march until the 26th. The march
commenced early the morning Of the 26th-
Thanksgiving. The Amy advanced in two columns,
the right column, consisting Of the Sd and 9th corps
moving to cross the Rapdan at Jacobs Mill Ford;
the Sd corps led. The left column moved to cross at
Germania Ford. All the trains and artillery of the
left column. together with the trains of the right ex
ccpting part of the ambulance and ammunition and
portion Of the artillery, moved with the left. The
right moving by narrow roads through heavy woods
and most likely TO with resistance was thus to
be unencumbercd.
The roads in this section are bad whenever there is |
the least rain, aud owing to the soft nature of the
ground since the rain of the GATH the roads were soon
cut up and the trains moved slowly The troops
could not and leave the trjrns consequently
were hitchng along and did not halt until mid |
midnight, when we bvouacked on the south bank Of
the l,npidan, the ponoon bridge. The night
very cold, our light wagon containing our ar
/ rangemcnts was stuck in the mud back the road, |
consequently subsistence for Thanksgiving and
day after borrowed Of the orierlies and consisted
Of hard bread, &c. Before daylight the 9th the
head Of the right column commenced moving through
a wilderness to make junction with the left column
at Robertsons Tavern, on the Fredericksburg and
Orange Court House turnpike. We could plainly
hear tho skirnishing Of the lett column rs VIC adj
vanccd | went to the front to find out why VIC
moved slowly. Gen. French, commanding the 3D.
corps, had come to a halt, which ! could not under
stand by going to the very advance guard learned
there was no enemy to contest the advance. About
noon Gen. French rode to the front and the column
was again put in notion About two and a half
miles from our bivouac the advance commenced sSr
mshng with the enemy, and about four miles from
where started the advance guard met with serious
resistance. Our division was deployed either side
of the road in the dense woods. With the exception
of four guns our artillery could not be used. Four
brass 12-pounders were used ut random in a small
clearing Of about 200 feet square, firing into the woods
promiscuou,ly. At that time the Adiutant and my
self were at the front. and the 10th Vermont Just
going into action. This was their first engagement
they lost about 20 men killed and wounded. The
envy now made several charges and were repul-ed
The Adjutant and had Just before gone to another
small clearing half mile back where there
small house. The 9Th corps now ordered up
Our brigade led Appearances showed there was soon
to be hot work. Gen French had sent for Gen. Sedg
wick to hold council with him. Gen. 5. was prompt
to the call and the two-unmoved by any crisis
consulted together near the house. Just then the en-
+ envy opened battery somewhere in front in the
woods and the shells into the clearing thick and
fast. Charges were made by the enemy and our
wounded coming to the rear along the road in Il
stream; quite number of pioneers also Games it
+ seemed as though orr lines were giving way as the
shouts and noise Of battle increased.
Gen. French Row mounted and rode into the woods
l. out Of sight the front, it seemed to be time when
his personal efforts were needed. Gen Sedgwick or
y. dcred brigade into line the spot, as Il sort Of
basis for second lire. Musicians, pioneers, wounded
aud some towards, made for the rear. Our men
a stopped all who should not go, and formed them in
the second line. General Sedgwick and staff were
mounted and sending up Jrieades to the 'front.' the 3D.
a. brigade, Gen Neil, went to the left. Gen. Russell.
brigade engaged. Shells and bullets struck
around us as usual, she'll killing two mounted men
between Gen. Sedgwck and where we-Co Grant
and ,taf-were standing. 1t was no tie TO move; We
might move Just where the next one would come, SC
- we kept quiet.
Gen. French repu'-cd the enemy, but it was mise.
t. able ground to fight on. At midnight we Withdrew
and marched several miles round On 10 the Turnpk,
n aud joined the forces Of the main column On tic
k 2S,h we pushed forward driving The cuetly beyon,
e Mine on Mic Run where we found them concentrate,
u for final staud@auG in good position. We were OF
II the extreme right of tie enemy, and the hrnshn.
II was done by the 9Th w. l. commenced raining ii
~ torrents in the forenoon and continued till nelr'i
~ night when it cleared oil entirely Lines were estab
. ii-hed and regular pickeis thrown out. The enem,
d lines could plainly be and cir batteries in po
:, son; they might have done us a gyea; deal Of dam
d age, but for some reason they held their fire. Tha
lie night the ir.t We really got much secp-ou
10 wagon came up; we got mp tent and had someihn!
% to eat. The morning OF the 29h orders came to b.
rs ready to attack tile enemy, also to inspect the roads
re the position Of the enemy &c. At first j: sup
u posed our Brigade only to make the charge thel
l. the 3D. Brigade was added All the plans were mad
and we were Of success but the day passed ava,
~ and nothing was done. suppose movement wa
M going on on the left that we were waiting for.
At night the plans changed and the 9th ant
9th Corps sent clear round the enenys left lanl
aud mNsscd in the woods. At midnight we were t
ID commence grand assault upon the lines of the en-
C. emy-strongly mtrenchod in commanding position
+ at signal from the artillery, which was to opel
-, along the lines Orders came in the morning sayin
the movement would be postponed until further or
Vi ders The gus opened however and there was con
&c siderable noise. The night OF the Goth and all dn,
ri the 3Oh time Of suffering, for it WAS severe
~ cold and fires were allowed. The officers and mel
rk twenty hours in this position, and they KEEP
h., warm by walking round in circles, hundreds tf whic
may be seen many weeks hence as quite deep path
worn.
!