Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-05-19
The Campaign---Ano,h-r victory.
THE GLORIOUS VERMONT BRIGADE.


last week, the lighting was confined mali
ly to cavalry with the advantage on on
side. At sunset our army left thei
earthworks in the Wilderness an
marched in pursuit of the retreatin,
rebels, At half past two o'clock Sunda
morning, Gen, Warren's corps arrived
within two and half miles of Spott
sylyania Court House and immediately
went into action to relieve the cavalry
the rebel infantry Longstreet's corps
doing the same on the other side. Here
q fierce struggle occurred, during which
the Fifth corps, exhausted with previous
fighting and its rapid march after
charging the enemy and driving them
three miles, according to one account
were forced to fall back short distance,
Gen. Ayres then came in and the posi-
ton now occupied was held. 1t was au.
\ ring this engagement that Gen. Robin
son was wounded. Again in the even
ling, portions of the Fifth and Sixth corps
ma !e charge for the possession of an
Important crest, which after half an
hours desperate fighting was taken and
the enemy beaten. Darkness closed the
days struggle. Monday forenoon was
devoted to rest and replenishing the ar
my with rations. During this forenoon
Gen. Sedgwick was shot by rebel sharp
shooter. Artillery firing was kept up
during the afternoon, and towards even
ing Gen. Wright, now commanding the
Sixth corps, attacked and drove back
the enemy with considerable loss.
TUESDAYS BATTLE.
On Tuesday another grand and terri
bic battle was fought. The location was
on the banks of the River Pc, in the vi
.cinity of Spottsylvania Court House
The Tribune says;
This battle began at half past one on
Tuesday, and like the great conflicts of
Thursday and Friday OF last week, con-
tinued far into the night, and ended
with complete repulse of the enemy
Burnside's corps-two divisions of it
was on the right of our line the Fifth
and Sixth corps in the center, the Sec,
ond on the left. 1t was supposed that
Ewel.s corps had gone to the relief of
Richmond, as the prisoners captured du-
ting the early part of the battle were
all from Longstreet's and A. P. Hills
corps but If Ewell ever started, he was
Recalled, and his corps was found neces-
lsary to the preservation of the rebel ar
my in this Tuesdays battle. 1t seems
CLEAR that Grant attacked-his artillery
opening along the line of six miles in
length and being but feebly replied to
for the want of ammunition among the
rebels. There was very heavy infantry
fighting also at all parts of the field
The enemyS tactics were the same as ev-
er, and their efforts to break through at
different points were unremitting,. but
ever unsuccessful.
The contest is described as very close
fand to hand fighting, and from begin
hing to end desperate struggle. Lee
feels, apparently, that for him there is
% salvation but in such a victory as
shall destroy for the present, the power
ot the Army of the Potomac, arrest its
relentless pursuit, and relieve the intol-
cradle pressure which the steadiness of
Grant's purpose and the unwearied val
On Of his soldiers compel him to en-
dure. He adheres, therefore, in every
conflict to aggressive tactics, attacking
agaln and again, but attacking every
Where at enormous sacrifice and to no |
efectual pupose.
u 1t is asserted again that the supplies |
ol Lee are deficient, and that he has |
Bought to capture the immense stores, |
Which he knew were massed in the rear |
pf our army. To that end he arranged |
his most earnest effort just after dark
Pm Tuesday, but abandoned it before he
began its execution, finding that Grant
bad anticipated his purpose. All hope
pr its success seems to have been des-
troyed in advance by the tremendous
Dnset of the Sixth corps-the corps |
which was John Sedgwick's and which
fights now to avenge him-on the right |
center of the enemy's line. The glori- |
Gus result of their charge was the driv-
ing of the rebels back into the shelter of |
their errthworks with great slaughter,
the capture of five cannon, and of two or
three thousand prisoners. All night |
long Burnside lay on his arms expect
ing the attempt on the trains, but the
bafled, defeated, disheartened enemy,
Enough narrowly Strengthened for food,
dared not try it. The night passed and
morning came, and up to s o'clock the
battle was not renewed
During this battle the rifle pits of the
Enemy were charged and the first line
carried; and it was the glorious Yer
mont brigade, which had before fought !
DO bravely and suffered so much, that |
made this charge. Says Carleton, the
Boston Journal correspondent:
Just before sunset Wright and Burn
tide attacked the enemy with great fury.
Wright carried their rifle pits. The Sc |
cond Vermont held one against all the
efforts of the rebels to retake it. They |
said they would hold it for six months
only give them plenty ofammunition and
rations. E.t
Gen. Wright, at o'clock, went to
and reported their gallant
ry, asking for instructions whether they |
should hold it.. "Pile in the men and |
hold it at all hazards was Grants re- |