Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-01-02

fence was of semicircular form touching
the river upon each side, and extending
back, giving a radius of about two miles,
and through its whole extent they were
screened by woodland and bluffs covered
with rife-pits and breastworks. Along
the whole range Of bluffs, reaching from
the centre to the extreme right, were
earth-works mounting many guns. Pro-
baby from the first of the battle there
were more than 100 guns bearing upon
our forces. Thus it will be seen that
they had every advantage over our ope-
rations. They were sheltered by ravines
and hills, wkile we had to advance upon
them over an open plain with nothing to
protect US from the raking fire of the en-
emy still we advanced, and every inch
gained was nobly held by our brave
troops, Sunday there was lull of hos
tilities. Two mighty armies lay in the
face of each other comparatively quiet.
Our regiment was in the support Of a
battery. Monday the fight was again re-
newed with different degrees Of success
and loss. Our lines gained but very,
little ground. Though the enemy
were strong and held their position with
determination, still felt sure that in the
end we should whip them, or they would
resort to their old tlick and get up and
get-and Monday, the 10Th, at 8, p. NJ,
when the evacuation commenced, | knew
not but that all was right. The next
morning, however, after five days fight
ing, the whole area south OF the Kappa
hammock, occupied by our troops, was a
naked plain and now here we are en-
camped near where we were the morn
ming we marched for the scene of action,
weakened army. On whom does the
blame Of this movement rest? Not on
Burnside, he obeyed orders and also
displayed good generalship in getting bis
feeble army, with its ten thousand Grip
Piles, safely back this side of the river
without bringing the enemy upon U.S.
Our entire loss was considerable proba-
bly, much more than that of the enemy,
and it is the first engagement for long
time wherein our troops suffered the
greatest loss. The Vermont brigade sus-
tanned a small loss comparatively, save
the 4th Regiment, which suffered good
deal-about 20 men killed and wounded.
Capt. Quimby was killed shot through
the throat, cutting off both arteries. He
fell, during the fight of Saturday, nobly
at his post. Eighteen of Company B
were shot down at one fire of grape by
the enemy.
The weather during the engagement
was favorable. Had it been as cold as it
was days before, or as it is now, there
must unavoidably have been a much
greater amount of suffering than there
was. The ambulances were busy and
The wounded were well cared for.
This find to be fact; Once get the
rebels routed and they are the best fell
lows in The world to drive, but so long as
hey can hold their position behind breast
works they will fght like demons. We
know this from the eight engagements in
which the 9th Vermont regiment has
first, we met the enemy at
Lees Mills, April 10th, at Williamsburg
May 9th, at Golden's Farm in front of
Richmond June 9th, at Savage Station
Iune 29th, at White Oak Creek June
'0th, at Champions Gap, Nd, Septem-
Ter 18th, at Antietam Sept. 17th, and at
Fredericksburgh Dec. 11th and 18th in.
:lusive. Our entire loss in killed and
wounded is between two and three hun
lred men, and NEVER since we babe adieu
o Camp Griffin, March 10th, nearly ten
months ago, has the 9th Vermont reo:-
nent failed to respond to every command,
md the same can be as truly said of eve-
y regiment in the brigade.
Col. Lord, who has so long command
d our regiment, has resigned and is hon.
rably discharged from the service. We
RET it, for he has been noble command
r, and never at any time or place have
re seen him falter. T. NJ. X.
------------~-~ss-~--