Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-10-23
REPORT OF BRIG GEN. GEO. j.
STANNARD, COMMANDING SEC
OND VERMONT BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, 81 BRIGADE, 81 Dr.
VISION, lsr Army CoRps,
In front of Gettysburg. July 4, 1868. )
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In front OF Gettysburg. July !, 1868. )
T. p. Washbmm,
Aqjufan and Inspector General
SR,-l have the honor to report that the Sec
ond Vermont Brigade, under my command, march
ed from the line Of the defenccs of Washington up
on the Occoquan, on the 10Th ut., under orders TO
report to Major General Reynolds, commanding
the LIST Army Corps.
The Brigade joined that corps at this place, on
the evening of July LIST, after exhausting march
of seven days. The distance marched, averaged
about Is miles per day Rain fell on every day of
the seven. The men marched well, with no strag-
Cling, and considering the condition of the roads,
the distance travelled, from the mouth of the Dc
coquan to Gettysbgurg, could not have been &C
coinplished in less time.
We reached the battle ground. in front of Get
tysburg, too late in the day to take part in the Sc
vercly contested battle of July list, and my tired
troops on their arrival took position in rear of the
line OF battle of the LIST Corps.
Before reaching the ground, the Twelfth and
Fifteenth regiments were detached, by order of
Gen. Reynolds, as guard to the corps wagon
train in the rear. The 10th reioned the Brigade
next morning, but again ordered back for the
same duty, about noon of that day After the OPP
enlng OF the battle of the End, the left wing of the
Thirteenth regiment, under Lieut. Col. Munson,
was ordered forward as support TO a battery, anda
company OF the Sixteenth was sent out as support
TO the skimishers in our front While stationing
them, Capt. a. G.. Foster, Assistant Inspector
General of my staff, was seriously wounded by a
ball through both legs, depriving me of his valua-
bic services for the remainder OF the battle inst
before dark of the same day, army line on the
left of the centre having become broken, under a
desperate charge of the enemy, my brigade was or
dered up, The right wing Of the 18th regiment
under command of Col Randall, was in the ad-
vance, and upon reaching the breach in the line,
was granted by Gen. Hancock, commanding upon
the spot, the privilege OF making effort to retake
the guns of Company &C. Regular Battery which
had just been captured by the enemy.
This they performedin gallant charge, in which
Col. Randals horse was shot under him Foui
guns of the Battery were retaken, and two rcbe
held-pieces, with about eighty prisoners were cap
tured by five companies of the 18th, in this single
charge. The front line, thus re-established, was
held by this Brigade for twenty-six hours. At a.
bout two o'clock of the Sd inst, the enemy com
menced vigorous attack upon our position. AZ
ter subjectng us, for an hour and half, TO the Sc
yerest eannonade Of the whole battle from nrar
one hundred guns, the enemy charged with heay
column OF infantry. The charge was aimed direct
ly upon my command, but owing apparently 10 thu
firm front shown them, the enemy diverged midway
and came upon the line on my right, But they d
not thus escape the reception prepared for them b
the Nermonters As soon as the point of attac
became evident, | ordered flank attack upon III
enemys column Forming in the open meadow i
front OF our line, the 18th and 10th regiments maI
ched down in column, by the flank changed frou
forward, at right angle TO the main line Of battle
the army, bringing them In line Of battle upon tn
flank of the charging column Of the enemy am
opened destructive TIRE at short range which III
enemy sustained but a very few minuteslbeiore tn
larger portion of them surrendered and marched il
not as eonquerors, but as captiyes. They had HARD
ly dropped their arms before another rebel coum
appeared charging upon our left. Col. Veazey,
the 18TH was at once ordered back 20 take IT, in II
turn, upon the flank This was done, as success
fully as before The rebel force, already decima
ted by the fire of the l4th regiment, was scooped
almost en- masse, into our lines. The 10th took
in this charge, the regmenta eolors Of the ID Flor
ida and 9th Virginia regiments, and the battle fla
of another rebel regiment.
The 10th was supported for a time in the no'
advanced position il occupied after the charge. b
four companies of the l5th, under command
Lieut.. Col. Rose
The movements have briefly described wer
executed in the open field, under very heav
hre of shell, grape aud musketry, and they wer
performed with the promptness and precision
battalion drill. They ended the contest on IN
centre, and substantially closed the battle
Officers and men behaved like veterans, alth,
IT was, for most Of them their first battle and al
content TO leave il 10 the witnesses of the hgh
whether or no they sustained the credit of the BEL
wee and the honor OF our Green Mountain Stat,
That their Efforts were approved by the Diy
ION General IS shown by the General Order, AZ
pended TO this report
The members Of my staff, Capt VIM. II Hill
Assistant Adjutant General, Lieut. g. w. Hooker
and Lieut.. G.. q. Benedict, Aides-de- Camp Lieu
Clark, Provost Marshal, and Lieut. S. f. Prentis,
Ordnance Officer executed all my orders with III
utmost promptness. and their GOODNESS under fr
and good example contributed essentially to ii
success of the day
The list of casualties appended has been prepa
ed in haste upon the field, and is probably mace
rate in some respects. OF those set down as mi
sing, but one is known 10 have been taken priso
or. and number Of them will probably appear
the lists Of killed and wounded when the full r
turns shall have been received,
am, General, with respect,
your obedcnt servant
G. !. STANDARD,
Brig. Cen com'dg 3rd Brigade,
Srd Diyis. lst Army Corps
HAN QUARTERS 81 DIyIsIoS, 1sr A. c., I
-asr 81 duly 4, 1898.
~. 81. Gcaerm OroLey 40. ---