Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-02
ATTLE OF THE 18TH OF OCTOBER
OFFICIAL REPORT.

49, OcN. <Otns lOOts
Peter z. Washburn, Adj. q Insp. General
Snail have the honor to make the fol-
lowing report Of the part taken by this Brig
ade in the battle Of the 10th instant, near
Middletown, Va:
At the time of the enemy's attack on the
9th Corps, this vision was encamped on the
extreme right of the army. there being only
one Brigade on the right OF this. The Dvis-
ion moved by the left flank ana formed on the
extreme left Of the army near Middleton.
and checked the enemy in his attempt to
throw his 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 5th and 9th Regiments,
all under command Of Major johnson of the
I'd Regiment, who deployed them as Skin
mishers and drove the rebel skirmishers from
skirt Of woods between our lines and the
pike leading from Cedar Creek to Middle
town. The Brigade then advanced in com
mon with the Division, throwing forward its
left to near MiddletowA.
About this time the troops on the right
gave way, and the enemy threatened our flank
and rear. Agreeably to orders we fell back
a short distance and took position on crest
commanding part Of the town and the raw
inc between us and the pike. This Brigade
held the centre of the Division. The first
Brigade, Colonel Warner, held the right. aud
the Sd Brigade, General Bidwel, held the
left.
The enemy advanced in heavy force, drove
in nj sktrp,tsbara anA 81. Ia. e
battle, and met with a severe repulse. This
attack fell mainly upon this Brigade. As
soon the enemy fell back threw forward
another skirmish 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 command
of the Corps, and that l was in command of
the Division, whereupon | turned over the
command OF the brigade to Lieut.. Col Tracy.
% VI. Vols, he being the ranking officer
present, Col. Foster at that time being 10
command OF the pickeis on the right, as Corps
Officer of the Day
The enemy rallied again, drove in our
skirmlshers, and made vigorous assault upon
our lines, and were again repulsed with great
slaughter. The attack fell the heaviest upon
the right of Bidwe.ls and the left OF this
Brigade, but all parts of the line were under
the heavy fire OF both musketry ANA artillery
About this time, was Informed that there
were mont Of our troops ON the right, and
thar the enemy held the woods on the imme-
date right OF Warmers Brigade, aud receiv-
ed orders from Gen. Getty, commanding the
Corps, to draw back the Division unless /
saw some good reason for holding the position
longer Almost at The same instant the re5-
es rushed through the woods and opened a
CALLING fire upon the flank and rear Of War
ner's Brigade. which necessarily fell back,
and the order was Immediately given to this
Brigade.
Having retired about half mile, the Divis-
on again halted and remained about half an |
hour. The enemy did not follow closely, but |
Kept up an incessant artillery fire. 1t was
lVwever found that the troors on our right |
had ali ialieu back, and the position being an \
exposed one, the I'd Vermont, under Captain /
ales, was deployed as skirmishers, and left |
o hold the line, with the Sd Vermont in sup
,ort, while the balance OF the command fell [
back short distance further, and took up Y
lew position
10 this last position, this Brigade, as be- /
ore, held the center of the Division, the Sd l
Brigade bel on the left; and the left OF
hat Brigade rested on the pike Just in the I
ear of Middletown. Other troops wese col
ected aud formed on the right Of this Divs-
on, and preparations for final stand we're
made.
1t was at this crisis that General Sheridan
arrived upon the field. He rode rapidly
down the pike, turned TO the right, and pass
ing between this and the third Brigade. rein-
ID up in front of this Brigade and enquired /: |
q What troops are these ;" The SIXTH
CoRPs," . The VERMONT BRIeADE p was
shouted almost simultaneously from the
ranks. - WE ARE ALL RIGHT" exclaimed
the General, and swinging his hat over mis-
head, he rapidly rode to the right amid the
exultant shouts of the men.
Upon the return of Gen. Sheridan, General
Wright resumed the command of the Corps,
Gen. Getty the Division, and | returned to
the command of the Brigade.
Quiet reigned for time, but the enemy
having reformed made au attack upon the
lines TO our right. was ordered with the
Brigade from the line on the left to the point
OF attack The enemy was repulsed, but an
other attack being expected, the Brigade re-
NAMED short time IN support of the right Of
the 9th and the left Of the 10th Corp.. The
Brigade subsequently moved back towards
the left, aud BY direction of Gen. sheridan
was held in reserve until our army assumed
the offensive, when we took our former posi-
ton on the left near the pike.
An attack was ordered, and the Brigade
moved forward uuder heavy fire and gained
an advanced position. Tue first and third
Brigades advanced a, the same time on the
right and left respectively, and both went back
under the enemy's calling FIRE. This Brig
ade took it's position behind stone wall and
refused to retire another inch, and opened
terrible fire upon the enemy in front. Far in
advance of all other troops, the Vermont
Brigade held its position keeping up an in
cessant and rapid ire upon the enemy. 1t
was not long before the enemy began to give
way, and movement upon the right being
apparent, the Brigade bounded forward over
the wall and down through an open ravine,
and took position behind another stone wall
from which the enemy had just been driven.
The enemy made another stand, and the Brig
ade poured into his shattered lines a terrible
fire Of musketry. The third Brigade, having
reformed, came down and took position on
our left. The enemy gave way and another
advance was ordered--an advance from which
there was no hating until the enemy had
been driven across Cedar Creek and the cav
airy had taken up the pursuit. Ii was the
last ~ ehaFoa and tia ernNyninU vi