Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-05-12
FORTY SIX

Le!i, anu f-s-ec on 70 another portion OF IN
field.
Corporal Charles Il. DOIlopb, Co K, l1th Vt.
also captured battle-fag, supposed to be tba
of the i2d Mississippi.
I About O'Clock A. NJ the brizade was again
: put in motion and moved back along the lin,
of works. past the point at which the lines Vers
penetrated in the morning, and formed ab0u'
three r-iles south Of Petersburg on the left OF q
roat leading 60 the city, the spires Of whel
were plainly visible in the distance. The grouai
between this formation and the city consisted
series Of hills and marshy ravines, and II
enemy we're distinctly seen mskiag every dispC-
sitOn Of their troops and artillery 10 contest our
advance. The brigade formed il single line
from night 10 left as follows llth, 2i. 81, 9th
9th, 4th -kirmish line was advanced uni
Capt. Stafford of the Ilth, and the comnan.
then moved forward, It's right resting on n
road. The enemy pourel in very heavy f,-
/ OF shot and shell from q battery on our rig
which completely enfiladed our lines, and a per
feet hailstOrm Of canister from a battery # fcu-
s-ns planted in the garden Of the Turnbu-i
house, where General Lee had his head-quarters
directly in rent. Brevet Col Floyd, command
ing Sd Vt, threw forward few men skir-
misners, with orders to advance on the double
quick and shoot the horses Of the battery O.
prevent It's being removed. This daring fl-
was accomplished with perfect snccess. the brig
ade IN the meantime wheeling 10 the left au3
rapidly closing in upon the guns. The COM
mander - The battery, finding it impossible e.
escape with h,s guns raised white flag. whcn
Col Floyd ordered the firing to cease and pres
ed forward 10 receive bis surrender. At she
same time Capt. K. TempletOn Of the 1lth VI
with small squad of men came up gallantly
from the right flank on the double quick TO con-
test with Col Floyd the capture Of the guns.
Just at tins moment the skirInlsh line Of the lst
brigade OF this division coming up on the le'-
snd not observing the white flag, opened FIRE or
sne battery, when the men turned and fed
The guns we're Immediately ;aken possession o.
snd guard from the brigade established oyeg
them.
Durine this charge Capt. Morey Of the ID VI
was instantly killed by canister shot from this
battery, and Lieuts Humphreys and Tilson OF
the It'll were severely wounded. They were
brave officers and we're doing their duty nobly
when they fell
This was the last stand made by the enemy
outside of the line Of defences Immediately sur
Petersburg. The command moved
fo~wsri 90 the bank Of Heroic creek, about "a
miic outside the suburbs Of the city, under sr
fire iron the batteries on either hand
and desuto-y IRE Of shsrpsho0ters posted Ia
the inner deieuces. A few Of the sharpshOoters
li the ith Vt. who were on the extreme left o.
the brigade. crossed the creek on a fallen tree.
,rept up the precipitous bank on the opposite
.ije. and soon silenced the battery on the left
The men being now worn ont by want Of sleep.
-s7inq eaten nothing since the night previous,
and completely exhausted by the lAbors Of this
ong day, we're withdrawn 10 q ravine to the
right OF the road, ami the brigade reformed and
moved again 10 the left of the Nottingham hoU-s
where it threw up intrenchments and went into
amp for the night
l then, sir, reported TO you for orders at the
Iurnbull house, occupied during the past winter
BY Gen. Robert L. Lee, as his headquarters
shsre the headquarters Of the Vermont Brgats
we're established for the night
After y0c we're wounded, the command Of the
brigade was turned over 10 Lieut.. Col. TRACY o.
he n Vt, who led the assault on the enemy
gorks with gsllantry that was worthy OF the
r0ops under his command. Too much praise
snnot be awarded to this gallant officer for the
manner in which he handled the command IN
nat most trying Of all moments-the first shock
I desperate battle. Lieut. Col. Charlie Hud-
On OF the 1lth Vt. is also deserving of grear
redit, not only for great gailantry in the as
sult, but for marked energy in assisting 10 Te-
1rm the brigade after It bad passed the enemy
forks.
When II was reformed here, the command
Ias turned over 10 Breyet Col. Charles Mundee
.ss't Adj't Gen'l Of the division, who led it "
ersOn with most conspicuous gslsntry through
Ut all the subsequent movements. With per
ct confidence that the troops under his con-
,sDd would follow wherever ne would lead the
ay, re pressed forward in front Of the line o.
attic with perfect disregard Of all danger and
y his example as well as by the skill with
-hich he handled the command contribut-
e.. -
ients that day performed BY the Vermont Brig
ie.
When the troops were novel into position for
lie nigh; the command was again TUNED over
Lieut. Col Trsey.
Captains Bonett, Sessions and Baxter, snd
lieut.. Lewis, Of your staff. are entitled to the
ighest consideration at your hands for the
uties Of switch they performed the arduous
taft officers during the day. Ths
orses not coming up they were obliged 10 be on
'Ot, but notwithstanding all difficulties they
ere everywhere present throughout the entire
AZ, cheering on the men, reforming the lines,
reserving the connections ofthe regiments, and
elping on by precept and example the opera
ons of the dag.
Sergeant Thomas McColley deserves psrtcu-
II mention for the g,lantIy with which the
,lors Of the Vermont Brigade were sustained
front Of the foremost line throughout the en-
re engagement. | trust that his services will
leet with suitable recognition.
The honor Of being the frst 20 break the enc
lys line is confidently claimed by this brigade.
eing the guiding brigade of the charging col
mn, its position was nearest the enemy's line
nd most advantageous 10 reach the works be-
IRE the troops on the right or leh. The COM
landers Of the 5th. 9th, and 1lth regiments,
sch claim that the cOlors Of his command WAS
he first planted on the works, but owing TO the
arkness prevailing at the time the lines were
cached, and the distance between the points at
Ihich these colers were placed on the works, It
impossible to decide the delicate QUESTION
here Is no question, however, that the honor
elongs TO the Vermont Brigade.
The captures of the command during the day
onsist OF two batte-fags, nineteen pieces Of
rtillery, horses, mules, harnesses and EQUIP
ients, great quantities Of quartermssters's and
MEDICAL stores, and several hundred prisoners.
)wing 10 the enthusiasm Of the troops and the
apidity with which the brigade was maneuvered
,ut little attention given TO procuring credit
or the captures to which the command is entitled.
IL IL impossible for any individual to do
re,lit to all the operations Of the command on
ccount of the extended field over which they
we're carried on. The troops could not be re-
trained from pushing out in al directions from
he lines in pursuit Of adventures, and in this
hey contributed very materially to the success
4 the day, not only in capturing prisoners and
preventing organization of the enemy at sny
,ont, but also in destroying and capturing large
quantities of means Of transportation and Of
torres which we're of great value to the enemy.
Such as ars hare narrated are bot the general
eatures Of the part taken BY the command IN
he engagement for the possession Of Petersburg,
md it is by no means claimed that il comprises
III the achievements performed on that day BY
he Vermont Brigade.
am. sir, very respectfully,
Your obedlent servant,
.-i-- u BARsER,
Brsvet Maj and Asst Adi't Ger.