Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-11-25
THE FIRST VERMONT BRIGADE,
Battle of the 18Th Of October
OFFICIAL REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS VERMONT BRIGADE. :
SrRAsBURG, Va, Oct. 9th, lo64. I

OFFICIAL REPORT.
HEADouARTERs NFRxoNT BRCADE.j
SrRASBURG, Va, UcI. oath, loO4.
Pefer r. Wastjtrn. Adjt & hsp. Gen.
SIR Il have the honor to make the fol-
lowing report Of the part taken by this Bri--
ade in the battle OF the 10th instant, near
Middletown, Va.
At the time of the enemv's attack on the
Sth Corps. this Division was enermped On
the extreme right Of the army, there being
only one Brigade on the right of this. TIE
Division moved by the left flank and formed
on the extreme left of the army near Middle
town. and checked the enemy in hls attempt
to throw bis right around the left and rear of
our army.
In this new formation there was only one
Brigade on the left of this. Before the
troops could be got into the proper position.
| threw forward Major Walkers battalion
of the lth Regiment. and the 9Th and 6.h
Regiments, all under command Of MAJOR
johnson of the % Regiment, who deployod
them as sklrmishers and drove the rebel
skirInishers from a skirt Of woods between
our lines and the pike leading from Cedar
Creek to Middletown. The Brigade then ad
vanced IN common with the Division. throw
ing forward its left.to near MiddetowR
About this time the troops on the right
gave way. and the enemy threatened cur
flank and rear. Agreeably to orders we fell
back a short distance and took position on d
crest commanding part of the town and
the ravine between us and the pike This
Brigade, held the centre Of the Division.
The first Brigade. Colonel Warner, held the
right. and the 81 Brigade, General Bidwcll,
held the left.
The enemy advanced in heavy force. drove
in our skirmishers and attacked the line OF
battle. and met with a severe repulse. This
attack fell mainly upon this Brigade. As
soon as the enemy fell back ! threw forward
another skrmish line to follow closely, still
holding the main force upon the crest.
At this point Of time, | WAS informed By
Gen Getty that be had assumed the COM
mand of the Corps. and that wa in COM
mand of the Division, whereupon | turned
over the command of the Brigade to Lieut..
Col. Tracy, 2d Vt Vols, he being the rank
ing officer present, Col. Foster at that time
being in command Of the pckets on the
right. as Corps Officer Of the Day.
The enemy rallied again, drove IN our
skirnishers, and made vigorous assault up
7 On OuT lllltH. anu NtAt aAAi ~ lfAA-~% ''AN''
great slaughter. The attack fell the heaviest
upon the right of Bidwcll's and the left Of
this Brigade. but all parts of the line were
/ under the heavy fire Of both musketry and
artillery.
/ About this time, was informed that there
were none Of our troops on the right, and
( that the enemy held the woods on the lmme-
I date right Of WaTner's Brigade, and r.
ceived orders from Gen. Getty, commanding
the Corps. to draw back the division unless |
saw some good reason for holding the posi-
tion longer. Almost at the same instant the
rebels rushed through the woods and opened
a CALLING fire upon the flank and rear OF
Warmers Brigade, which necessarily fell
hack. and the order was Immediately given
to this Brigade.
Having retired about half mile, the Di-
vision again halted and remained about hall
an hour. The enemy did not follow closely
but kept up an incessant artillery FIRE. Ii
was however found that the troops on our
right had all fallen back, and the position
being an exposed one, the 2d Vermont, un-
der Captain Wales, was deployed as skir-
mishers, and left to hold he line, with the
Sd Vermont in support, while the balance o.
the command fell back short distance fur
ther. and took up a new position.
In this last position, tins Brigade, as be
fore. held the center OF the Division, the 81
Brigade being ON the left; and the left o
that Brigade rested on the pike just in tn
rear of Middlebury. Other troops were cCl
lected and formed on the right Of this Div
sion, and preparations for final stand wer
made.
Ii was at this crisis that General Sheridal
arrived upon the field. He rode rapid
down the pike, turned TO the right, an
uassing between this and the third Brigade
reined up in front of this Brigade ana IN
2 ouired "What troops are these ?" "TH
, | SIXTH CORPS. - The VERMONT BRIGADE =
was shouted almost simultaneously from th
ranks. ave ARE ALL RIGHT" exclaime
the General. and swinging his hat over b
head. he rapidly rode 30 the right amid h
exultant shouts Of the men.
: Upon the return of zen. Sheridan, Ger
r Wriabt resumed the command OF the Corp
" Gen. Getty the Division, and | returned
the command of the Brigade
] Quiet reigned for time, but the enem
having reformed made an attack upon q
lines to our right. was ordered with u
Brigade from the line ON the left TO the pom
of attack. The enemy was repulsed, b
another attack being expected, the Briga'
- renamed short time in support OF q
u right of the 9th and the left of the 18th corp
= The Brigade subsequently moved hack
,e wards tine left, and BY direction Of Gener
Sheridan, was held in reserve until our arm
'e assumed the offensive, when we took U
n former position on the left near the pike
An attack was ordered, and the Briga