Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-11-04
LoFfIoiAL.
CANT lOrH VERMONT Vol. lSF, \
New Middletown, Va.

New Middetown, Va,
Oct 20th. 1864
/ gen P T. Washburn. Adjt and Ia.p. Gen.
/ Sir 81 have the honor to submit the fol
/ lowing report Of the part taken by this regi-
I ment 10 The battle fought a. this place ON
/ yesterday the 18th inst.
The regiment went into action with II Off
GERS aud $50 men in line of battle.
About 6 A. NJ, very heavy attack was
made on the leit Of the general line. Soon
after daylight the Sch corps was formed in
line Of battle, at right angles to our original
position, and + cling towards what bad
been the left flank The enemy had at
this time broken the Left, and the lug,ives,
with wagons, &c, we're constantly passing
our line About half past seven O'Clock
the enemy opened very severe fire OF artl-
Iery and musketry from commanding crest
which they had gained in front Of the line we
had newly taken up. Their fire, well direct
ed, swept the ground we occupied, while
they attempted to cross the valley in oui
front. Under the severe fire from the front,
increased bJ partially en6lading fire from a
hill on the right, our line fell back to low
ridge about 400 yards in rear Of that at FIRST
occupied The rebels advanced their line
o. battle to q crest we had left When our
line Eel. back, three pieces Of Capt Nc
Knights battery (M, 5.h L. S.) had been
lot, and the rebels advanced 10 these guns
Seeing this, a charge was ordered, and the
reg rnent, with the coiors in advance, charged
up to the guns and recovered them. serg,.
" m. NJ shouey, of Co. e. color bearer Of the
regiment. WAS The frst TO reach th guns,
planting the colors upon ono OF them The
g..
the valley and over the ridge beyond. Tn
recaptured guns we're drawn off, It bei~g
necessary to draw two Of them some distance
by hand
The rebels having rallied, poured in a
heavy fire from the front and right, a heavy
column advancing up the valley from that
direction. The troops on the LEFT falling
back beyond our lime. We were soon exposed
60 IL FIRE from hat flank also. Ihs loss az
this poiu. was very severe, aud the liae lell
pack to the second ridge. Here sta was
made, aud the rebels were agaiu dueen from
.he crest in front. which they attempted 20
es,Iy But pursuing their advantage on the
etI, they soon hauked MS 10 such force as to
q, mpei retreat Of tue whole linz. Although
,roken and -umew bat scattered IN places The
inc fell back slowly, the men con,tiruy
.urning and firing. In this way we reurcd
bout mile The enemy having all the time
, e. oss fire of mu-kstry upon us, as well as a
sharp hre from several guns cammandug the
,hJle plain. Capt l.. d. Thompson, com
handing Go. D, was killed while thus retreat
tnx, and the loss was very heavy.
Reaching cross road, the line was halted
,ua re formed about Q A. NJ. Tne enemy
f1rebore to press Us further on this pout, but
81 they advanced on our left, our line was
withdrawn some distance further.
AZ this time Gen. Sheridan arrived on the
i-d. The line wss Immediately ro-firmed.
3tras,works Of rails and logs were thrown
lp, IN which we lay until about $3.50 p NJ.
when general advance was ordered. The
,ogiment, with the general line OF the di-
vision. moved forward through woods into an
,peu field where the advance was checs ed for
few minutes, uutil the remainder Of the line
coming up, we again pushed on and drove the
ebels from strong position behind stone
wall, forcing them back about half mile
Here they took up a very strong position on
+, continuous ridge, along the crest of which
an a store vail, and made determined
stand. The fire was In 'essant and very heavy
for about half an hour, but the enmey haally
ave way before our fire. A general charge
sas ordered, and the troops advancing on the
run, the rebels gave way in complete disor-
der. The cavalry took up the pursuit, and
title resistance was attempted after this time.
10 this last charge Sergt Mahoney, color
bearer, was shot dead while CALAMITY advance
ing with the col1fs a. the front Of the Iegi-
neut.
We advanced over the battle ground 0f the
morning, and soon after dark took possession