The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-04-04
- 80 1880

The regiments iu serNice from this
State have contributed 10 largely, iu.
ring the year, 70 The history of the
STATE. and have sacrificed "a freely oi
their be, and braytst men, that they
arc entitled q more than a passing
notice. Ever placed 10 ihc front, sel-
dom IN reserve, tbey have fought their
way from the KapIdan through the
Wilderness, BY Spotisylyania, the
North Anna and Cold Harbor, across
the james River to the heights Of Pc,
tersburg.-and then from Harpers
Ferry, through the valley oi the Shen-
nndoab, TO Harrisonburgh Partici.
pants ia the active campaigns OF Grant
aud Sheridan, they have been engag-
10 every battle since the Rapidan was
crossed on the fourth Of May,and have
been distinguished for bravery and
endurance, alike on the battlefield
and on the march. They are eutit-
led to tile grateful remembrance Of the
people OF Vermont
The SECOND, THIRD, FoURTH
Firth AND SIXTH REGIMENTS, and
since the fifteenth Of May, the ELEy-
ENTH REGIMENT, have constituted as
during the previous year. the Second
Brigade Of the Secoud Division, Sixth
Corps OF the Army Of the Potomac.
Col. Lewis A. Grant, Of the Fifth
Regiment, was promoted, on the 29lh
Of June, to be BrIgadier General of
Volunteers, and has commanded the
brigade during the year. The brig.
ade has acquired the distinctive name
Of the Vermont Brigade" and known
by no other, and is the only brigade
h the army which is thus distinguish
cd by the name Of the State to which
it belongs. As such, is glory is Pc
culiarly that OF the State, and its
movements have been watched with
the greatest interest.
Ga tie fourth Of May the brigade
crossed the Rapidan az Germania
Ford and ancamped for the night two
miles south Of the Ford. The next
two days they were engaged in The
battle of the Wilderness, one Of the
most important and ,anguinaryof me
war On the morning Of the fifth,
they were moved up the Brock road,
across the "old pike" to where the
brock road crosses the plank road.
The rebels were moving, in heavy
columns, down the old pike and the
plank road--which ruE nearly parall-
el, from Orange Court House TO Chan.
cellorsville, about two miles apart,
and in the general direction of the riv-
Intending TO cut the Union lines
and sever from the main army Han
cocks Corps, which had crossed the
river at ford below the Germania
Ford, and was coming into position,
from the direction OF Chanceilorsville,
upon the Brock Road, beyond the
point where that road crosses the
plank road. The Vermont Brigade,
and two other brigades Of the same
divisions, (the Let and 4th) were de-
tached for this occasion, from the Sixth
Corps As the brigade came to the
point where the roads crossed, they
found the rebel advance driving be-
fore them the Union Cavalry down
tile plank road and within a short dis
tance Of the crossing, which was the
key OF the position. Here the brig
ade was formed and hastily threw up
slight intrenchments upon the right Of
the road and in its direction. They
were then ordered to advance and at
il would seem that the en-
emY were advancing to attack at the
same time. The two lines met in the |
compact woods, where neither could T,
see the other at any distance, and the /
sanguinary battle Of the "Wilderess'
commenced. Probably no more fear
fully destructive fire Of musketry was
ever maintained. The rebels had the |
Of being protected by a /
slight swell of ground, and rained their
showers Of bullets upon the unprotec-
ted ranks Of the "Old Brigade" And I
their fire was unfinchingly met and
returned. Officers Of rank and men
were falling very moment, the ranks
were becoming tearfaily thinned, but
no man-thought OF relrcating. They
held the key Of the position Of the
whole army. II they fal,erel, Han
cocks Corps, which was then coming
inlo position Apon their let, would
De cut OIL from de residue of the ar
my and perhaps be destroyed by the
Simultaneous aitack,on front and flank,
1y overwhelming misses Ot the enc
ny. But lhe brave men d Vermdbt
held their position, and rtpul,ed- g!o-
'iou,ly, every attempt o disIodge
hem, and notwithstanding every reg
mental commander in tie Brigade,
.xcept one, was ether killed or woun-
led. They slept that night amid the
iorrors Of the battlefield, with the
lead bodies of their comrades about
hem, and tie gJoans Of the wounded |
nd dying filling tue air. Que thou. !
and brase officers and men Of the |
Vermont Brigade fell on that bloody !
eld.
On the morning Of the sixth, The !
rigade advanced to the attack, NOV ,
1g up the plank road, with four lines {
{ battle in their front. The enemy
ad fallen back, but were. met about
mile from the cross roads, and the q
cree conflict again commenced. The 8