Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-07-22
TnE BArrLE oF MoNocAcY.

chpN tue eHetntlhi pdftCuihte
Early Friday afternoon Gen. Wallace be-
came satisfied that Frederick was uutenable,
his information being that Breckinrdge with
a heavy force, was striking for the Washing
ton and Frederick turnpike.
The orders Of Gen. Wallace being impera-
tive to hold Monocscy bridge to the last mo-
ment, he determined to fall back and concen-
trate upon IL. He therefore gave orders for
the evacuation Of Frederick, and during the
early evening and night the movement was
completed without raising any suspicious
among the inhabitants as TO what was going
on All the rolling stock Of The railroad, all
government stores ana property Of all kinds
we're got off, and nothing left to the enemy
but barren town.
At 8 o'clock on Saturday morning Gen.
Wallace had his forces 10 position behind the
Monocacy river, his right resting on CANDLES
mills, which are about a qusfier Of a mile TO
the left Of the railroad brtise From this
point the line OF battle stretched down the
river and parallel with it, across wheat field,
with heavy forest in the rear and open
broken ground in 'front.' falling with rather
sharp descent TO the river.
Immediately ia front Of the center of this
line was the covered bridge by which the
4
the Monocacy This line was composed Of a
/ briga e nd two batteries Of the 9h New
York heavy artillery, Colonel Lewayo, all
handled ia action by Gen. Ricketts,, the di-
vision commander Posted along this line.
at the most eligible points, were the six guns
Of Alexander heavy battery and one heavy
field piece.
On the right Of the railroad was the brig
s.ff fI,I. ~. q a
land Home brigade. Col. Oilpin, and lth
Maryland one hundred days men, Col. Land
street. to hold the railroad bridge aud pre-
vent the enemy's crossing at that point, which
they did successful during the entire action.
First, the firing WIS across the river. md
for an hour or two the action was more anu
sing than any hing else, the guns OF Alexan-
der playing upon the rebel line with no APP
parent effect, and the rebel guns Of at least
two batteries certainly doing no execution on
US. The turnpike bridge we held firmly on
til l O'Clock, handsomely repulsing several
desperate charges to take il on the part Of the
enemy, in which they suffered severe loss
each time, but Gen. Wallace d ubtng his
ability to hold it longer, at about ordered
it fred, and in a few moments it was a sheet
of fame. In the meantime the brigade OF
Gen. I yer successfully repuised all attempts
of the enemy on the railroad bridge. and dur
ing the same hour. higher up the river on
the B,l,imore nike. the l44th and l4gth Ohio
we're holding the enemy al bay at the stone
bridge by which that pike crosses the Mon
ocacy.
Thus. for three hours and half. the line
of the Monocacy was held against the sue
cessive assaults of an enemy at least twice
our strength. aud affairs had by no means an
unptosperous look.
But the character Of the Monocacy was
fatal to us. Two miles below the covered
bridge OF the Washington turnpike the
stream is only middle deep. and ealiy ap-
preached on either side.
+ Still hammering steadily on our front, the
enemy dispatched six regiments to this point,
, and this force crossing here and falling sud
! denly and heavily on our left fank, the fate Of
the little force of Gen. Wallace was sealed.
But, nevertheless it fought with a spirit and
determination worthy of chance Of victory.
During the few minutes the battle lasted aft
s er the attack on our flank occurred the most
D of our losses. Col Seward, the gallant com
mander Of the 9th New York heavy artllle-
~, went down severely wounded, but was
borne from the field. II. Col. Taft of the
E same regiment was wounded.
Captain King, General Ricketts,, Adjutanl
4 General, and Captain Lsunes, Adjutsnt Gen.
{ eral of the FIRST Brigade, both we're borne
off dangerously hurt. and Gen. Tyler carried
/ off prisoner. FIRE heavy enough TO cause
$ such loss of cfficers in so small force coulc
: not long be withstood. Our line was doubled
u up on itself like the shutting Of the blade o
T. iack-knile. In some little confusion it wat
/. pressed back over the railroad and thence
v we fell back directly across the country to th,
= Baltimore pike, which we reached two me
:, this side Of New Market. Capt. Alexande
8 brought off all his guns.
d On reaching the Baltimore pike ou. re
Is treating column was Joined by tnat portion
d of our force which bad during the battle beel
Of holding the approaches from Frederick. A
e 'he stone o''use 'ne ift'u auu ~ ~ 1
" uau oeen Gun u'Pe"'u ~ s'ts "ay' ~ - -
d VII thoy u9u 'ne'e ','eueeu 'V'e'e'
4 ana' one nuuuieu u'9s ne" "e ~,
a. luese '"o 'ee.,"eu'' 49, " '.ie'' -
N veterans anu 'ue'' 'n'nueu 'a""'
' soI,o"Iul 'es''"ohy 70 'uen ue'V,'o"' ,tO
M why we iouBht tue oatNe ot hunONaOJ