Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-06-16

operations Oh the oeNenteentn regl-
ment.
HEADQUARTERS, 18th Regt.V VT. Vols.
Near Spottsylvania c. H., Va,
May 20th, 1864
PETER 7. WAsHBURN,
Adj't. and Insp. Genl of Vt.
Sir II have the honor to submit the
following report of the operations of this
regiment since the 10th inst, the date of
my previous report
Our brigade advanced toward Spott-
sylvania on the 10th inst, and took up
position before the intrenchments of
the enemy which we occupied during the
l1th At a. m. on the 18th, was or
dered to advance and attack the enemy,
having the 9th n. H. volunteers on my
right, and the 3lst Me volunteers on my
left, in line, our brigade being first on
the left of the I'd army corps.
The enemy's skirmishers were soon
met, and driven in about one mile, upon
their main lines.
At a. IN. we met the enemy in line
of battle, outside his intrenchments, and
Immediately opened fire. The enemy
being in ravine, we were compelled TO
occupy the crest of the low ridge in his
front, distant perhaps thirty rods from
his line of battle. Notwithstanding the
apparent advantage which the enemy at
first held, his position finally proved his
ruin, as he was unable either to with
draw into his entertainments or to drive
rs from his front.
At a. m, having exhausted our am.
munition, (forty rounds per many as
well as all that could be procured from
the dead and wounded, we were relieved
by the 4Sth regiment Penn. volunteers,
and withdrew about twenty PAGES,
where we remained, with fixed bayo-
nets. while ammunition was brought
forward.
During the cessation of fire, while my
regiment was being relieved, about fifty
of the 26th Ga volunteers who had been
in our front, availed themselves of the
moment and came within our lines as
prisoners of war The few survivors of
the regiment made good their escape
from the rayine, leaving in our hands a
very large number of dead and wound
ed, including enc field officer. Many of
the wounded were brought within our
lines at night.
At IL a. m, was ordered to support
the 4Sth Penn. volunteers in an advance
upon the enemy's works, having to move
across an open field, about one hundred
and fifty yards, under fire from the enc
my in his entertainments. Having
gained the shelter OF "a wooded knoll on
my left few yards from the enemy,
and finding that the attacking force
on my right had been repulsed, | with
drew without attacking, and with slight
loss, to the position previously occu-
pied. The 4Sth Penn. regiment formed
in my rear as support, during the re-
mainder of the day.
The enemy made several attempts,
during the day, to dslodge us with shell,
grape and canister from battery dis
tant abont four hundred yards from our
front. In every attempt he met very
decided repulse his gunners being shot
down at their guus and his battery I'm
ally silenced.
Our position was made secure at night
by erecting a rough parapet of rails,
logs and earth, and this position we oc-
cupied, constantly under fire, without
relief, and with only such rest as men
catch who rest upon their arms, until
a. m. of yesterday, l9fh inst, when
we were withdrawn to our present
position, about three miles further te
the left.
From list which append it will bt
seen that our losses are very severe
several of our most worthy non-commis
stoned officers having been killed on The
18th inst.
I regret to add that Lieut. Kingsbur!
Of Co. F, while on picket, on the nigh
of the 10Th inst, was dangerously Il tea
mortality wounded by a picket OF th
9th N H. regiment, who mistook hin
for an enemy.
Capt. Knapp, of Co. E, was slight.
wounded in the head on the 18th inst
and left the field only by my advice
and returned to duty on the 14th.
OF the conduct of the regiment on al
occasions cannot speak too highly
Called so recently from their homes, +
such bloody discipline, the officers AM
men of the regiment, have evineed
courage and an endurance worthy c
veterans. Our losses have been heavy
but we trust our sacrifices have 10
been in vain.
List of casualties in the 18th regimen
vt. volunteers, in the action of Ma
18th, 1864.
(The casualties are among soldier
from the northern and eastern portion
of the state, except the following:
KILLED.
20 B-hoody L Haskell, Charlotte
Co Fist sergt Ames Il Newtol
Newfane /; Henry Gotta, Dorset.
WOUNDED.
Co D-Corp Henry Russ, Granvill
slightly elbow; BENZ Edwards, Graz
vile, severely leg.
Co E-Anson Buxtor, Benningto
slightly breast by shell; Michael Cadu
slightly neck Peter Cadue, slight
head.
Co F-Capt Lyman Knapp, Town
memo, slightly head Lieut. Geo King
pury, Chester, seriously corp Alexa
oer q Allen, Bratt eboro. slightly knee
corp Edwin R Allard, Wilmington. s
verely head Chas F Sheldon, Dorse
alightly leg.
Co d-Corp James Pollard, Ludlo'
0auUerOuSlu hao1N