The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-14
Official from the 18th Vermont Regiment


make the following report direct to you of the
part taken by the 18th Regiment Vt. Vols. undei
my command, at the battle Of Gettysburg, July
LIST, I'd and Sd, inst Previous to the movement
meat was located at OccoQuan Va. We received
orders to march June 25, and started immediate
ly, and after a march of seven days reached the
field of battle on the lst of July, and Joined Gen.
Reynolds Corps, but not until the close of that
days fight. The next day found US in line of bat
tie, being in Doubleday's division, and located a
little to the left of the Cemetery hill, in front of
Gettysburg and occupying the open ground near
ly to the woods. There was at this time line
IN front of us composed of portion or all of the
End Army Corps. AT about five or six o'clock
in the afternoon of that day | was ordered to
move my regiment quick to the front and little
to the left Of my former position, and was told
that our front Cline was giving way and Gen.
Doubleday IN person requested me to make all
speed. My regiment was now lying in column
by divisions in mass, and moved them on run
to the front AS rode to the front | met Gen.
Hancock endeayoring to rally his men who were
giving way. AS approached with my regiment
he said to me, Colonel, can you retake that bat
terry, pointing to four guns that the enemy had
captured and were drawing off, | told him |
would try, and Immediately deployed my regi-
ment In line and ordered my men to charge. A
Al
this moment my horse was shot under me, and
the occurrence caused momentary confusion,
but was soon extricated. We moved upon the
enemy on ran. As we came in good range l
ordered my men to fire and then use the bayonet.
This they did, pouring we'll directed voey into
their ranks, which caused them to break. and we
then followed them to their own lines. retakino
the four pieces of artillery belonging to Co. C., |
9th Regular Artillery; and we also captured from
them two brass underground pieces which they
had IN position in advance of their line at the
corner of the orchard near the Brick House. We
also captured eghty-three prisoners.
My regiment In connection with the other reg
lmentS of tbs Vermont brigade under General
Stannard, were then placed or the front line. orr
right resting near the Cemetery HILL and our left
extending to the low, marShy ground near the
0ushy and wooded land. We here sustained the |
brunt of the terrific artillery fire Of the enemy on
that day, and when they advanced their infantry
column, their first demonstration Ewas directly
towards our front, but as they approached with
ID musket range, we openeda well.directed fire un-
on their column. They then faced by the left flank.
and moved IN and by the side of the road further
to our right, and directed the attack more mme.
dately upon the hill.
On seeing their intention changed front for
ward on my first company which threw nv left
INTO the field to tie front, and gave US a flank of
the enemy to our front. AS they came up to At.
tack our position on the hill,!we opened on the
flank volley and then charged the flank, when
the regiments in the front line obliqued their fire
so as not to nJure us. The enemy immediately
broke and fled, but, although the column must
have consisted OF at least brigade, very few went
back. My regiment captured in this charge, two
colones, one lieutenant colonel, one major, five
captains, two lieutenantS, and, one hundred and
hity-eight privates besides hundreds passed
through our lines to the rear that others took
charge of, as we had no time to attend to them
We had hardly accomplished this move when
column, similar to the one above described adj
'anced from the enemy's line more to the left. d
Ind opposite the position of the 18th Vermont
They opened deadly fire on them +
Ind the 10th Vermont, which had come IN to
support me, Immediately faced about and attac ked r
hem on the flank in the same manner. and !