Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-05-14
r.s ouermstons Of sedgwick's Corps

The New lOFh iiiiNs
furnishes the following details of operations
ON the left. from the time OF the capture Oh
Fredericksburg heights by our force; par
ticulars of which capture have already ap-
reared in our columns. Writing from
Falmouth under date of May 9th, he says
Yesterday tive terrible battles were
fought by the Sixth corps, Gen. SedgwleK,
resulting IN fearful carnage on both SIDES
Owing to the sudden appearance OF the
enemy in rear, was unable yesterday to
eomuiete nv account of Sundays opera
lions. and win now go back and refer
briefly to them. After the charge OF the
hving division on the Washington ARTILLERY;
portion's of Howe's charged up the hill
further to the right, under most CALLING
fire. capturing four guns. They were taken
| Inv Mills, brigade and the Vermont -, |
which suffered the most. One orass AZ
pounder was charged and taken by the
FThirty-third New York, Col. Taylor
which atterward, together with the seventy
seventh New York, pushed on after the
fleeing rebels, who getting under the pro
lection of woods, returned not nre. 1hey
stood but short time, however, and then
fed. The earthworks were stormed, II
Gums captured, and the stars and stripes
planted. ,c.-a,
The various divisions OF the corps Sixth,
Gen. Sedgwick's, moved rapidly forward
nm the Gordonsville turnpike, TO the dis
lance of four miles, skirmishlng all the
way. where they found the enemy IN force
when another battle ensued, III which
Brooks Newton's, and the Flying dlyls-
ion were engaged--the first suffering Sc
verelv. The rebels were in woods, and
as we advanced to it, opened CALLING
fire. Russell's brigade, composed OF the
Ninetv-6fth and One hundred and Seven
teenth Pennsylvania, and One hundred ana
Twentv-frst New York, made a charge,
and suffered severely, the Ninety fifth be-
inga lmost annlhilated, While the battl
was progressing the enemy suddenly com p
menced firing on our left to the rear, and
Brooks division was obliged to change
ront. The battle lasted till dark without
any decisive results being obtained on
either side. During the night the woods
took fire, and it is feared that many OF the
wounded on both SIDES persisted IN the
flames. Monday morning the rebels sud
denly made their appearance on the hills
, to the left of fredericksburg, and coming
down rapidly, occupied the city thus get
ting in the rear of the corps.
One whole corps came down and form
ing in line of battle Immediately marched
e after the corps. The only line Of retreat
: Law bv Banks Ford, five miles above tht
= the CITY. Gen. Sedgwick was sgnallec
3. from this side of the river of the CONDITION
e of affairs and immediate ely turning about
d formed line Of bate facing this way
holding the rebels in check, and working
down toward the ford. The lines Of bat
- tie remained in this condition until about
- the middle of the day, when the rebels at
Q tackled us, and were calamity repuIsed-
~ Howe's division capturing three hundred
y prisoners. The rebel rentorcements had
fought none, while our troops had fought
more or less since the previous Tuesday
night. For time it was feared that the
IS CORPS could not make communication a.
It Banks Ford, and that the whole Of Il
y must be captured. But at noon connec
q ton was made and General Sedgwicb
st sent for supplies. Meantime the wounded
y in Frederick burgh were being taken across
,; the pontoons to this side, all of them being
A, got away on the sudden appearance o
'r the enemy on the outskirts above.
Skrmshing occurred all along the
whole line unul $50 in the evening when
the rebels attacked us from wo ways.
II We were arranged in two lines of bat
Il tie. The enemy attacking the second di
' vision of the Second corps and Howes al
first approaching them diagonally from
u Fredericksburgh and the country directly
Is beyond. Gen. Miles brigade, consisting
: Of the 33d New York, 77th New York
. Goth New York, 49th New York together
= with the Vermont brigade and 9TH Maine
. . bore the brunt Of the charge, repulsine
J. = the enemy handsomely. The Vernon
- brigade were on the left of Gen. Mills
- brigade and other troops made counter
- charge but reintorcements cemlng up tt
the enemy we were not able to drive them
TIE other lines of battle were now at
3 tackled by overwhelming numbers ant
1t obliged to fall back to the river While
% the battle was raging terribly our sleg'
st guns on this side of the river opened ;
Of rapid fire on the enemy, but they advanced
: so far in driving our forces that the shell
d after short time failed to reach them.
e Our forces were pursued back steadily
y musketry and artillery firing continuin!
g all night. Our guns made terrible havo
y among the enemy, as they charged up
Ell on ther in solid column. The artller.
$ reserved their fire until the charging par
ties were within few rods, and thel
1T poured the shot and canister into them a
J. fearful rate. Having broken the col
st umn they would fall back to new posi-
ID ton and prepare TO receive another column
The Vermont brigade suffered very Sc
/ verely, as well as many other commands.
le An officer from Banks Ford this morn