Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-05-20
Grants Summer Campaign
MEADE'S MOVEMENTS,
The Great Exploit of the Second
Vermont.

The correspondent Of the New York Her.
aid thus describes Il
In rnE FIEbp, NEAR SPoTTsYLvANGA,
CoURr HOUSE,, May ~.
The line Of eerthworks captured by Gen.
Russell and Col. Upton. in their gallant
charge on the afternoon Of Tuesday, the 10th
inst, would have been held had the support
which they expected come up in time. The
rebels bad three several lines Of rife pits built
parallel with each other, and constructed in
such a manner that each line could rake the
other advsntageously, II it were taken by us.
The 6rst which was taken had solid EN-
bankment Of earth at least six feet in height,
the top Of which was protected with heavy
logs, like the roof Of house, which protect
ed their men completely from our Shells
The top of the work was mounted with heavy
logs, hewn fat end pierced at intervals with
loopholes. like bookhouse or stockade.
Our officers agree that it without ex-
ception the strongest work Of the kind we
have yet encountered.
CHARGE OF THE VERMONT BRIGADE.
Too much cannot be said in praise Of the
gallant charge Of the Vermont brigade COM
manded by Col. Grant. After the line of reb-
Ell works described above was carried, and
their expected support did not come up, the
division of Gen. Russell, not being able to
remain. owing to the CALLING FIRE poured into
their serried ranks by the second line of the
enemys rife pits, and being in imminent
danger of being cut off from the main line,
on account OF their advanced position, had to
fall back and along with them their prison.
ers, nearly two thousand in number. Twelve
pieces Of cannon in the works. These
had to be left, as they could not be removed.
and they had not with them the necessary
implements for spkng them. The Vermont
brigade utterly refused to fall back upon the
main line, even after the position had been
occupied two hours, and they had given up
all hopes OF being reinforced. Col. Upton
rode down to them aud told them how dam
geruus it was to attempt to hold the works
they in, since their last round of
fridge had been discharged at the enemy and
they rapidly being fanked. But the
blood of the Green Mountain boys WIS up,
aud they absolutely refuseu to bulge single
hair from he field they hao wrested from the
enemy, and from the spot where their COM
rades had fallen. Col. Upton, assisted by
some Of their own officers, by promising them
another charge when they bad supplied them
selves with ammunition, at last induced them
sullenly to retire. 1t Is proud thing for
you, Vermont that the patriotic fire which
burned in our sres' bosoms in l776 should
burn in that Of your sons in 1864 with so
brig a flame.
Another correspondent speaks oft thus -
The line did not have 10 move far before it
come upon The enemy--ther old enemy which
they had met on the hill at Gettysburgh
1t was past o'clock There was a few
minutes Of terrible fighting, in ferceness and
intensity surprising even that on Friday af-
ternoon at Gettysburg. when the uproar
widest there was eheer-a shout,
sharper and louder than .he din Of arms. II
not the savage cry Of the enemy, but
buoyant, thrilling shout. Away they went
INTO the storm over the intervening space,
with bayonets firmly set, Vermont leading
the charge, plunging into Dale's brigade of
Rhodes division and leading it captive from
the field. Ewsll poured in his men to cover
his works, but the I'd Vermont was in poss-
ession and were determined not to give them
up. Far in advance of all the line, lay that
regiment, pouring its Ere upon the enemy.
They were so far ahead that Gen. Wright
feared to have them remain through the night.
HI about TO withdraw them. I'VE don't
want to 60 back. Give rations and ammu-
ton and we will hold it six months" said
soldiers.
Gen. Wright rode to Gen Grant "What
shall do ;" he asked
"Pilein the men and hold it," was the re-
ply. Gen. Wright went back, but mean
while by some they had been ordered
to return.
That charge 1t will be forever memora-
BILE. Even now ! seem to hear that shout,
ringing like trumpet blast above the thun-
ders of the cannonade, and the crashing of
fifty thousand muskets. 1t was Vermont
which took rebel brigade prisoners of war
IN the last charge OF Longstreet at Gettys-
burg. Then they were on the defensive, and
now it is Vermont again, on the offensive,
cuts out a second brigade. Glorious always
and forever