Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-05-04

bank on The opposite side, ana soon ST.
fenced the battery on the left.
The men being now worn out by want
of sleep, having eaten nothing since the
night previous, and completely exhaust
ed by the labors of this long day, We're
withdrawn TO ravine to the right of
the road, and the brigade reformed and
moved again to the left of the Noting
ham house, where il threw up iutrench-
ments and went into camp for the
night. | then, sir, reported to you for
orders at the Turnbrell house, occupied
during the past winter by Gen. Robert
Il. Lee as his Head Quarters, where the
Head-Q Quarters of the Vermont Brigade
were established for the night,
After you were wounded the com
mand Of the brigade was turned over to
Lieut.. Col, Tracy of the I'd VT, who led
the assault ON the enemy's works with
a gallantry that was worthy of the
troops under his command Too much
praise cannot be awarded to this gallant
officer for the manner IN which he han
died the command in tAat most trying
of all mOments-the fist shock of
desperate battle. Lieut.. Col. Charles
Hudson Of the lth Vt. is also deserving
Of great credit, not only for gallautry
in the assault but for marked en-
ergy in assisting to reform the brig
AIDE after it had passed the enemy's
works.
When it was reformed here the com
mand was turned over 10 Brevet Col.
Charles Mundee, Asst ACT Gcn'l Of the
division, who led it in pe,son with most
conspicuous gallantry throughout all
the subsequent movements. With per
feet confidence that the troops under
his command would follow wherever he
would lead the way, he ppssed forward
in front of the line OF battle with a per
feet disregard of all danger, aud by his
example rs we'll as by ihe skill with
which he handled the command, con
tributed in u very great degree to the
glorious achievements that day per-
formed by the Vermont Brigade.
When the troops were moved into
position for the night tie command
was again turned over to Lieut.. Col
Tracy.
Captains BOnett Sessions and Baxter,
and Lieut. Lewis of your staff, are en-
titled to tAC highest consideration at
1Oul udllNAS III UlG lllduuGI III WllCu
they performed the arduOps duties Of
staff officers during the day The horses
not coming up they were obliged to be
on foot, but Notwithstanding ali Difficult
ties they were everywhere present
throughout the entire day, cheering on
the men, reforming the lines, preserv-
ing the connections of the regiments.
and helping on by precept ard example
the operations of the day.
Serg't Thomas McCOlley deserves par
ticular mention for the galantry with
which the COlors Of the Vermont Brig
ade were sustained in front of tie fore
most line throughout the entire engage
ment. I trust that his services will
meet with suitable recognition.
The honor Of being the first to break
the enemys line is confidently claimed
by this brigade. Being the guiding brig
ade Of the charging column its position
was nearest the enemy's line and most
advantageous to reach the works before
the troops on the right or left The COM
manders Of the 5th, 9th and 18th regi-
ments each claim that the COlors Of MS
command was the first planted on the
works. but owing to the darkness pre-
vallng at the time the lines were
reached. and the distance between the
points at vhioh these COlOrS were placed
on tho works, it is impossible to decide
the delicate question. There is no ques-
ton, however, that the honor belongs
to the Vermont Brigade.
The captures Of the command during
the day consist of two battle flags,
nineteen pieces Of artillery, horses,
mules, harnesses and equipments, great
quantities Of Quartermaster's and medi-
cal stores, and several hundred prisoners.
Owing to the enthusiasm of the troops
and the rapidity with which the brig
ade was maneuvred but little attention
was given to procuring credit for the
captures to which the command is en-
titled.
1t is impossible for any one individu-
al to do credit to all the operations of
the command on account Of the extend
ed field over which they were carried on.
The troops could not be restrained from
pushing out in all directions from the
lines in pursuit Of adventures, and in this
they contributed very materially to the
success Of the day, not only in captur-
ing prisoners and preventing Organiza-
ton OF the enemy at any point, but also
in destroying and capturing large guam
titles Of means of transportation and Of
Of stores which were Of great value to
the enemy.
Such as are here narrated are but the
general features Of the part taken by the
command in the engagement for the pos
session Of Petersburg, and it is by no
means claimed that it comprises all the
achievements performed on that day by
the Vermont Brigade.
am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
NJ. BARBER,
Bv't Maj. and Asst Adj't Gen.
4 GOOr, RpNFApJ Row I HYATT Smith