Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-06-17
The Seventeenth Vermont.
REPORT OF MAJ. REYNOLDS.
HEADQUARTERS, 18th Regt. Vt. Vols,
Near Spottsylvania c. H., Va,
Nav 2Nth. lS64.

PFIER /. b ASHBJRN,
Adit. & Insp. Gen. Of Vt.
srR.-i have the honor to submit the fol-
loving report IF the operations OF this Regi-
msnt. since the l0,h inst. the date Of my
previous report
Our Brigade adyanc u toward Sp1ttsv vania
on the l0Jh inst, and took up position be
for the entertainments cf the enemy which
We occupied during the llth. At A. VI. ON
the 18th. was ordered TO advance and ut
tax the enemy having the 9th y. n. Vols.
ON mv right, and the 3 LIST Ne. Vols. On my
left. IN line, our Brigade being fret on the
lett Of the 2i Army Corps
The enemy, skirmishers were som met.
and driven in about one mile, upon their
main lines
A- 5 4. VI. W. met the enemy IN line of
battle. outside his entertainments and imme-
dut"iy opened fire. The enemy being in a
rayilr. we were compelled 10 occupy thr
crest ot the low ridge IN bis front. distant
perhaps thirty rods from his line 0f battle.
y IfwIr -aniing the apparent advantage
which the enemy at FIRST held. his position
finally proved his ruin, o. be was unable
either % withdraw into his entrenchmrut-
cr tr drive Us from his front.
AZ s.. VI. having exhausted our ammuni-
iil1. Uorty rounds Ier man) as well as all
that could be procured from the dead and
wounded. We were relieved by the 18th Ee-t.
Penn Vols. and Withdrew about twenty
PAGES, where We remained. with fixed bay
ln,t>, while ammunition was brought iJr-
ward.
During the cessation of fire. while any
Er-'t. was being relieved. about fifty lf the
3.,t Ca. Vols who had been in eur 'front.'
awaited themselves Of thc moment and came
within our lines as prisoners OF war. The
few survivors %. TIC Reg made good tltir
escape from the a,inc. laavin. in our hands
a very large number OF dead and WOUNDED.
including one Field Officer. Many of the
wounded were brought within our lines az
might
AtlI A. NJ was ordered to support the
18th Penn Vol, in an advance upon the
,lsmy's works, having % move across an Omen
tr.i, about one hundred and fifty wards.
under fire from the enemy in his enjrench-
ment-. Having gained the shelter oi "a wooded
knoll ON my le.t. @ few yards from the enemy.
and hndIu. that the aJutckin. force on my
riS had been rrpulsei, Withdrew without
attacking. and with slight l>S, 20 the posi-
uon previously occupied Tae 4oth Penn.
kest- formed IN my rear, a> support, dur
in the rem .inler OF the day.
IHe enemy made several attempts, during
the day. % di>.odsr Us with shell, grape and
canister from bittrry distant about iuur
hundred yards from our front. In every at-
tempe lie met very decided q, pulse hls
gamers being s1Ot down at their guns and
his battery finally -Ilenced.
Our position was made secure at night BY
erecting a rough pampet of rails, logs and
earth, and this position We OccupI, d, Gun
stantly under IRE. without relief. and with
only such rest rs men catch who rest upon
their arms, until \. NJ Of Yesterday, 18th
instant, when we were withdrawn 20 our
present position, about three miles further
70 the LETT
From "a list which append it will he seen
that our losses are very severe several of
our most worthy nun-commissioncd officers
having been killed on the 18th inst.
| regret To add that Lieut. kingsbury Of
Co. +, while on picket, on the night OF the
18th inst was dangerously q fear mortality
wounded by picket OF the 9th y. II. Regt..
who mlsto0k him Tor an enemy.
Capt. Knapp, of Co. +, slightly wounded
in the head ON the 18th inst left the field
only by my advice. and returned 10 duty on
the l4th.
On the conduct Of the Regiment on all
occasions, | cannot speak too highly. Called
50 recently from their homes, to such bloody
discipline, the officers and men of the Regi-
ment. have eyinced courage and an end1r
ance worthy of veterans Our losses have
been heavy, but we trust our sacrifices have
not been in vain.
have the honor to be sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obi servant,
WILLIAM B. REYNOLDS,
Major COm'd. 18th Regt. Vt. Vols. /
The list Of casualties appended, has ais
ready been published by us.-Ep. F. P.I