Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-07-14

NV YORK, Sept. 10, 1868.
General:
l have the honor 10 report that. on
the evening of the LIST day of July, 1868.
resumed command of the Sd Division. Of the
LIST Corps, consisting of Rowley's and Dana's
brigades. A Third brigade of Vt. troops,
under Brig. Gen StanTard, also reported 10
me about twilight of the same day. 1t con-
sisted OF the 18th, 18th. 18th. 18th and 10th
Regiments. The 18th and 18th had been
directed to act as guard TO the wagon train.
The 18th came up the next morning, but was
again ordered back for the same purpose
The remaining regiments having marched
with Gen. Sickles' troops, through some
mistake, were placed on line with them,
on the right of the first. Tney Joined me the
next morning, and were posted with my 9th
er Brigades. Principally in reserve behind
the western part of Cemetery Hill, to assist
IN the defence OF that important position.
On the 2i. the left wing of the 18th Vt.
regiment, under 1t. Col. Munson, was or
dered forward to support a battery, and
company of the 10Th Vt was sent out rs
support to the skirmishers in front. To-
wards twilight. on the evening of the q.
received orders from the Corps Commander
TO form nv men at once. and go to the assis-
lance of Hancock's Corps. which had been
driven in nv desperate charge of the enc
nv. marched my command as rapidly as
possible to the place indie ted. which was
about quarter of n mile west of the Gene
terry. and formed them in several lines, by
regiments, for charge.
1t WAS soon discovered that the enemy had
retired. and we were ordered TO halt. My
advance. however. consisting of five compa-
mics of the 18th Vt. under Colonel Randall,
met Maj. Gen Hancock. and asked permits
sion of him IT, keep on and endeavor to res
cue the guns of a regular battery, which had
just been captured. The request was grant
ed. Col Randall charged the retreating en-
envy in handsome style, and retook the four
guns that had just been lost. Shortly after
wards, sent out the 10th and l5Oth regi-
ments Pennsylvania volunteers, who sent in
two additional guns taken from the enemy.
after a short and spirited engagement, close
70 his line OF hattie.
My Division bivouacked for the night on the
ground occupied by us. The 10th Vt, un-
der Col.Veasey. was thrown out to the front
on picket. The l49th and l50th Penns.
alco Nlloc lAc2hA'''
to the enemy all night. The VermOnters,
with the Goth New York State Militia and
l5lst Penns. volunteers, held the front line
during the remainder of the action and the
troops of Rowley's and Dana Brigades the
s.cond and third lines.
About p NJ. on the Sd. 4 terrific artil-
lery fire opened upon us, from more than 100
guns. The firing was accurate and inces-ant
and lasted for several hours blowing up
caIssons from time to time. and sweeping
away men as well as artillery and staff hor-
ses in every direction. ! told the Brigade
Commanders to shelter men and officers as
much as possible, and when the fire slackcn-
ed be peplred TO spring t. their feet. and
met the enemy with the hayonrt if noces
sary.
Towards o'clock, received notice from
reveral quarters. that the fnal charge of the
enemy had commenced. The rebels were
formed IN three lines, with additional troops
deployed as wings on the right and left Of the
rearmost line. Ia this order they advanced
directly towards nv Division, overlapping
its right. They came on for a short distance
and then marched by the left flank until they
uncovered the front Of my command and
then marched forward against Hancock
troops on my right. The wing nearest to Us
did not follow the movement, but becoming
separated from the main body, moved towards
BirncY's Division on our left. Gen Stan
nard, perccvInc that the enemy had exposed
his right, at once changed front forward.
formed directly upon the TANKS Of the rebel
lines. and poured in terrible fire which
they were wholly unable to resist. lquote
from his official report everything IN refer
ence TO the Sd DAYS operations
lie SAYS: =. The front line thus established.
was held by my brigade for % hours. At
about O'Clock on the morning of the Sd,
the enemy commenced a vigorous artillery
attack, which continued for a short time upon
my position. During its continuance moved
the 18th. under command OF Col. Nichols, to
the front OF the main line about IS yards,
which was done at double quick in good or
der. | then. with PERMISSION from my
immediate commander, selected position to
occupy if attacked with infantry, some dis
lance IN front of the line A: about . o clock
p. NJ, the enemy c0mmrnced vigorous at
tack upon my position. After sulgecting ue
for an hour and half 10 the severest cannon
ade Of the whole battle, from 100 guns or
more. the enemy charged with heavy col
umn OF inIantry-at least one division, in
close column by regiments. The charge was
aimed directly upon my command, but ow- |
ing apparently to the firm front shown them, |
the enemy diyerged midway, and came upon |
the line upon nv right. but they did not |
thus escape the warm reception prepared for |
them by the VermOnters. During the charge |
the enemy suffered from the fire of the 18th |
md l4th-range being short. At the COM
nencement of the attack, called IN the 10Th |
Regiment from the skirmish line. and placed
L in close column by division in my immedi
tie rear. As soon az the change in the front
If attack became evident, | ordered a flank
attack upon the enemy's column Forming
n the open meadow in front Of our lines, I
he 18th changed front forward on iirst COM
ANY. The 10th, after deploying, performed
he same and formed on the left of the 18th,
]. right angles to the main line of our army,
ringing them in line of battle upon the flank
{ the charging division OF the enemy, and
pened a destructive fire at short range.
which the enemy sustained but a very few
loments, before the larger portion of them
lrrendered and marched IN, not as conquer
rs. but as captives. then ordered the two
,giments into their former position. The
rder was not filled. when | saw another
bel column charging Immediately upon my
#. Col Weary, of the 10th, was at once
-dered to attack it in its turn upon the flank.
his was done as successfully as before. The
bel forces, already decimated by the FIRE Of
tth Regiment, Col. Nichols commanding,
ere scooped almost en- maSSe into our linrs.
&c 10th took in this charge the regimental
lors of the % Florida and Sth Virginia Reg
tents, and the battle-fag OF another rebel ,
giment. The 10th was supported in this ,
W and advanced position by four compa- i
ss of the l4th, under command Of Lieut.. /
j Rose 7
The movements, have briefly described, I
re executed in the open field, under a very q
avy FIRE of shell, grape and musketry, and il
sy were performed with the promptness and II
ecision OF battalion drill. They ended the v
,test il the centre, and substantially closed r
; battle. d
- Officers and men behaved like veterans, n
hough it was for most OF them their frs, "
Tile !" il
To this splendid record, have only to add .
at Gen. Stannard, in his modesiy, has for u