The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-06-05
Col. Grants Report of the Stormlng
of Fredericksburg Hlghts.
CAMP IN THE FIELD, !
May II, 1863. :

May II, 1868.
Peter I. Uash}mn, Adjutamt and lnspecto,
General:
SIK:-ln my account of the part taken by
the Vermont troops in the storming of the
nights of Fredericksburg, | promised to fur
nish further particulars. The rush of events
tha, followed, and a constant employment Of
tine since, must be my excuse for the delay.
The brigade crossed the river on the eve.
ming Of the ID inst, and rested on its arms
for few hours. Long before light on the
morning of the 81 inst, the head of the col,
umn was moving up the Bowling Green road
into Fredericksburg. Then the action COM
menced. Newtons division and the Light
Brigade occupied the streets Of Fredercks-
burg. This division, Gen Howe command
ing, occupied the Bowling Green road, just
outside and on the left of Fredericksburg
its right resting on a creek which flows into
the kappahannock Immediately on the left
Of Fredericksburg.
Commanding Fredericksburg are two
ranges Of hills. The lower range, or May
rre's hill, is on the right of the creek and
jlst in the rear of Fredericksburg. The
higher or principal range Of hills is to the
left of the creek and Immediately in front
of the position occupied by this brigade
Between the Bowling Green road and the
base of the principal hills, is an open plain
nearly mile in extent through which passes
railroad Nearly parallel with the railroad
were rifle pits in these rifle pits and behind
the railroad were posted rebel infantry. The
entire plain was commanded by the enemy's
guns upon the principal range of hills. 1t
was determined that Newton's division and
the Light Brigade should storm the lower
rang, or Mayree's hill, from the streets of
fredericksburg. An attack in our immediate
front was also planned which was to be made
at the same time of Newton's attack on the
right 1t was designed TO drive the enemy
from the railroad and rifle pits, to assist
Nr~ton'S attack on the right, and, i: posi-
be- to take the principal nights. The plan
Of our attack was in two lines of battle of
three regiments each. The 33d New York,
IN Maine and 2lst New Jersey regiments
from N;els brigade, constituted the first line
TIE 9Th Vermont, 26th New Jersey and I'd
Vermont, from this brigade, constituted the
second line, and they arranged from right to
lett IN the order above named, the right of
the 9th Vermont resting on the creek. The
attack OF Newton on the right was the sig
nal fo. our attack. 1t commenced about II
NJ The lines started over the plain at a
double quick in splendid style, the rebels
opening at the same time all their batteries
on the principal nights, pouring terrible
ire upon the advancing lines; but on they
vent driving the rebels before them. Hav-
ing gained possession of the railroad and RI
tie pits, the 33d New York and 7th Maine
bore to the right, crossed the creek and
gained the extreme left of the lower range
The 9th VT. followed the 33d n. Y, and was
tae second regiment that gained the nights
OF Mayree's Hill. What became Of the olst
New Jersey regiment at this juncture am
unable to say. The Doth n. J. and I'd Vt.
now constituted the principal line advancing
across the plain directly towards the princi-
pal nights. The enemy's batteries concen-
trated their fire full upon us. The Goth
broke and in some confusion bore to the left,
getting partially in front of the I'd Vermont
| immediately ordered the I'd by the right
flank, and led it to the right and front near
the creek, gaining a steep bank, where the
regiment was protected from the shower o.
Shell and canister thrown from the hill
Here we halted and the men took breath
~ the command the regiment moved forward
again, up the bank and hill, gaining a deer
ditch or rife-pit. Here we halted again anC
sent forward'two companies as skirmishers
Seeing regiment down the creek near
Mayree's hill, | despatched an aid to urge
II forward. 1t proved to be the 33d n Y.
Col. Taylor, who came forward at the word
rs soon as the 33d had arrived withir
supporting distance, | ordered the I'd VI
forward. The regiment bounded FORWARD
charged up the hill and drove the rebels from
their works in great confusion. We wer'
now in possession of their works on the righ
of the principa! heights.
The rebels rallied on swell of ground
short distance beyond and opened fire on tn
ID, which was returned in earnest. Col
Tay lor now came up and taking positio,
on the right of the I'd, went into the engage
ment. The 7th Maine, 1t. Col. Conner
came CALAMITY to our support. l at ono
assumed command of the regiment and thre,
Il into the engagement. The rebels wer
completely routed and driven from thi
portion OF the heights.
While this was going on the Sd VT, Co
Seaver, the 4.h Vt. Col. Stoughton, the jt
VI, 1t Col. Lewis, advanced across the Mai
and scaled the heights further to the lef
As soon as the Sd VT, had gained the height
an infantry force beyond opened upon then
Go! Seaver Immediately returned the fire
The lth and 9TH w., and 2lst n. J. soon cam
Up AID the rebels were driven from that po
ton Of the heights. The 9th VT, Col. Ba
ney' was retained on Mayree's hill, by ordt
OF the General from Newtons Division, wt