Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-01-02
Letter from the Sixth Regiment
HEADoUARTERs SIXTH Rect, !
Camp near Rappah'k. Dec. 20. I

Camp near Rappah'k, Dec. 20.
FRIEND EARLE: Since my last letter
to you we have past through anoth Ter
evehtful era in the struggle for the pre-
servation of our national existence and
the sacred rights of this people and,
though bloody it was and full Of suffer-
ing, it was not one that has crowned our
arms with success, or imortalized the
name of any OF our commanders. The
battle of Fredericksburg, as it is that of
which we are writing, was unsuccessful
to our army, yet we were not defeated,
but rather we retreated As the official
report Of this battle has already reached
every American home, and is known to
you all, | will dwell more particularly
upon what the Vermont Brigade expert
enced and passed through.
We broke up camp near where are
now located, six miles from Fredericks-
burgh, early on the morning of Decem-
Der 1ltb, and marched at quick time
over the frozen ground toward Freder-
icksburg, the scenn of action. AS we
reached the city, the cannonading which
commenced early in the morning, grew
heavier and more rapid. We reached
the river, little below Falmouth, about
9 o'clock, a. M, together with the re-
mainder of our corps, and lay there the
remainder of the day in supporting dis
tance of the batteries, while they shelled
the city, driving the enemy back, and
also protecting the engineer corps while
they threw pontoons across the river for
our troops to cross upon. The cannona-
ding was kept up all day, yet the enemy
made but little reply. Fredericksburg
is now demolished city.
Early the following morning we eros
sed the river, the enemy falling back to
their Notifications in the rear; and from
that time until we recrossed the river, the
night of the 18th, we were under the
fire Of the enemy. Immediately on our
gaining the southern bank, our regiment
being in advance of the division, was de-
ployed as skirmishers, clearing front
for the whole division. In going upon
the skirmish line we relieved a regiment
that had already skirmished little way
from the river. Soon after deploying we
received orders to advance, which was
promptly obeyed, the rebel skirmisherS
falling back and continually firing upon
US, which was sharply replied to by our
men. We advanced our lines about one
mile and held our position during the
day, the enemys's skirmishers often firing
into our line, yet we lay low and but few
were wounded. There was only one of
our regiment killed, Asa Miles of Wood
stock, of Company E. He was with his
which was in the rear support
ing the front line, and was bit by stray
bullet.
During this time the lines were ex-
tended upon the right and left-5atteries
were planted and the ball was opened
Our position was the right of the left |
wing. Our regiment was all relieved but
three companies, including d, early in
the afternoon ; but we were not relieved |
from the skirmish line until about 9 o.
clock, p. M, when the 4th Vermont took |
our place. We joined our regimen. in
the rear-made US some coffee, lay down,
wrapped in our blankets upon the damp
cold ground. and were lulled to repose
by the deadening peal of the can
non, to be aroused at an early hour by
he reveille, sounded not by the drum,
but by the laundering of artillery. That
lay Saturday was one of the hardest
lighting during the whole engagement.
All along the lines there was continual
and cannonadng. The re-
,els made several and unsuccessful at
empts to turn our left wing, and though
hey fought desperately they were brave
y resisted by our out troops. Our bat
cries repeatedly silenced some of theirs
It different points, but our infantry could
lot charge upon them, owing to marshes
hat interviewed; and thus it was, every
position seemed to favor them while they
we're un!avorabIe to US. Their positions
we're chosen, and Of such nature that i