Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-03-31

GERS could do would not induce them to de-
sist. Those who remained in line fought
with nothing like the enthusiasm they exhi-
bited las, summer, and may laid down their
arms at the first opportunity Of reaching the
rear. On witnessing this the rebel officers
deter mined to return to their own lines as
rapidly as possible, and urging their men
over the works managed to get large por-
ton of the assaulting column back in safety
Hundreds, however, ran and hid in the bomb
proofs and waited there for our men to come
and take them prisoners. The number
brought in by the OH corns was reported
yesterday correctly at 1900. The loss Of this
corps was not far from 600.
After the fighting ceased at this point il
was thought that the attack might have been
made to cover a more important one on the
left, consequently the entire army was put
under orders to be ready for any emergency.
General Humphrey was ordered to make a
reconnaissance in his front in order to de-
velope the enemys strength and ascertain
their movements. This was done shortly
before noon, and the rebel picket was driven
or captured for 4 considerable distance.
Our men continued to advance, and part Of
fhN NANinANh IthNutu anu NNhh possession OF
the second line of slight works but the
rebels soon after charged the line of battle,
and forced our men back to the line first
taken. This was principally caused by an
enhladins FIRE from two batteries, which they
we're enabled to throw along this advanced
portion.
From this time until p NJ, the firing
was not very severe, the enemy having retired
TO their works, leaving strong picket line to
hold their rife pits. At this hour the signal
signal to fall in was sounded along the rebel
line
Soon after heavy columns appeared forming
in line OF battle. They ad vanced in a charge
on Gen. Miles division, but were CALAMITY
repulsed and drove back in disorder with
heav' loss. Twice they repeated the attempt
to break through the line, and failing in this
they endesvored to turn the right flank, but
failed, and they finally fell back and dsiap-
peared, leaving their dead snd wounded on
the field, Cen Miles and his officers and
men receive he highest praise for galantry
on this occasion. The Sd division, under
Gen. Mot, held the centre Of the line and re-
pulsed each attack, although the contest here
was not 80 severe as at the front of the nrst
division. Tue I'd division held the extreme
left Of the line toward Hatchers Run. Only
one brig, de, Gen. Smy the's. of this division
y a. engaged. They Advanced at the same
time with number Of prisoners.
The engagement between the 9th Corps
and the enemy was not so severe as at other
parts of the line. Here also the object of
the attack was to feel the enemy and ascer-
tam L the works were occupied in force.
Some Of the troops reached the rebel pickets
and took 657 prisoners. driving the remainder
back TO their main works.
Brevet Brgadier General N. b. MoLaugh-
lin, who was captured in the assault on Fort
Steadman Is a captain in the Attn regular cav
airy, native Of Vernon. and graduate of
West Point. In October of 1862 he was APP
pointed Colonel of the 1T Mas. Infantry,
and when the time of that regiment expired
he was made Colonel OF the 57th Mass. Vet
eran Volunteers. He led both these regi-
ments with great gallantry, aud vas brevetted
B igader as reward for his galantry in
leading brigade of the 9th Army Corps at
Poplar Grove Church, Sept 80, 1864.