Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-01-13

uiv'O ItpS hune tWO tHtH We ehN tutN nuu
two lines Of breast works with several cannons and n
large force behind them The artillery fire from both
sides now was most rapid and deafening. Our in
hntry line Of battle now double qucked across an
open field to the foot of the hill on which the rebel
battery planted and about forty rods from their
works. Here we lay down fiat on our stomachs two
hours, while batteries tried to she'll the rebs out
of their works. About p. m. the order was given to
fix bayonets and charge upon their works. With n
shout and yell, rushed up the hill and in less than
five minutes the works ours. | cannot describe
the scene that followed, as scaled the walls of the
rebel fort Col Hill commanding brigade rode past
me shouting to the men to cease firing and form n
line of battle. Just then ball came whizzing over
my head and struck Col, Hill in the face killing him
instantly. Fred. Fessenden caught him as he fell
from his horse. Immediately informed Col. Marshall
Of it. He said SIS that so then have command of
the brigade now" The excitement Of the hour
great that stopped to obey the order to
firing but all rushed and on, driving the rebs before
us lik flock Of frightened sheep, until we had cap
tured the second and third line of brcastworks with
several cannon, and twelve hundred prisoners. 1t
was now night and darkness closed our work for that
day. We formed three lines of battle and lay down
on arms in the rebel camp. We cooked our sup
per the fire that the rebs built to get their supper
by, and slept on some straw that the rcbs slept on
tbs night before. About ten o'clock that night our
regimcntal Postmaster brought US mail, received
two letters which very glad to get and it S the
last mail have received. Next morning about one
hour bcfors Ssysisht were routed up and marched
about mile where lay in line of battle until 8
O'Clock. While shere we cooked our breakfast. At
s I'D tn hod
to march through thick lot of brush and then emerg-
ed into open wheat field where the rebs had full
view of us, and they improved the time by opening
upon us a hot and rapid fire of shot and she'll We
double-quicked towards them the wheat field
and found they we're ntrenched behind strong line
of breastworks. We lay down in ravine in corn
Held about an hour, while our batteries which had
got into position poured their shells upon the rebels
The firing from the batteries ON both sides now was
the most rapid and dealenng ever heard. 1usseio
battle thought was dreadful But that was small
compared TO this. We lay just about halt way be-
tween the rebel batteries and own, as the shot
and shell whizzed over us, sometimes bursting
close to us, throwing the mud all over us, and now
and then wounding some Of us as we lay there hug
ging the ground. You can imagine it was anything
but agreeable. / glad when the order came tc
advance again. We marched little to the right and
then forward about forty rods ON to little rising
ground and lay down behind a rail fence Here We
had full view of the rebel works, which were moi
more than eighty rods in front OF US. We lay flat or
the ground behind the fence and watched the move
ments of the enemy and the effects of our shells as
they burst behind their works and among tie rebs.-
We could the rebs they massed their forces on
our right and then on our left MS occasion required.
Once they sent heavy force up hill in front of our
right butin iess than half an hour heard tre-
mendous volley Of muskery firing and then cheer
ing and very soon we our extreme right had
fanked that force and they were rushing back down
the hill pcl NELL in the most demoralized condition.
While we were lying behind the fence INDUCED in
considerable sharp shooting. We could the rebel
sharpshooters posted behind some trees firing at us
and with several others of our company tried our
best to drive them of stop their work One espc-
ciay fred at several times and after the last charge
was made he was found dead by the tree. About
four o'clock p. IN. the order was given along the
whole line to charge upon the breast-works We all
Jumped up and with yell and cheer We rushed to-
wards them. Not till then did We think there was
half large force of rebels there. Directly in front
of our regiment the rebs had battery of four guns
which they had kept silent until the charge was made
and we had no idea they there until they OPEN
ed on us n most numbering fire of grippe and canister
while thousands Of muskets sent tornado shower of
bullets our advancing columns but it did not check
the line in the least although cannot imagine how il
was possible for single man to reach the breast
works alive. But in less than ten minutes our flag
upon their works, and boys were behind their
our regiment captured the four can
non that played upon me fearfully, with their old
rage of treason and rebellion) and over a thousand
prisoners. The works along the whole line were car
ried and the yictary yon. But how dearly we paid
for it. The loss of killed and wounded will tell Juat
rs we commenced the charge struck on the left
side Of my head by bullet which knocked me down
stunning me for a few seconds. | soon rallied how
'ver and told my Lieut., was wounded. He helped |
ne to take Off my haversack, canteen and rubber |
blanket Ut was raining hard at the time) and told
ne to crawl to the rear if could, my head face and
Shskers were covered with blood by that time. ! |
,rawled back few rods and lay down where was
lot so much exposed to the storm of lead that was
pouring upon US. As grew weak and faint from the
oss of blood, fell back little further to a running
rook where could drink some water and battle nv
omrades came after me and helped me into house
which was near by, and about nine O'Clock in the
vening the surgeon got round to dress my wonnd.-
)yer Que hundred wounded were brought into that
ouse, that night Soon AFTER was taken to the house
ny Lieut.. came in and found me laying on a mattress
a the parlor. lie said he got through without A
cratch and 30 Of our company with him, some Eve
six were missing and among that number was
red. Fessenden, and he asked me il had seen any
hing of him, | told him | had not. Soon aller-
'ards one of our boys come in to tell that Fred
'as killed. He said that when we had nearly reached
ne breastworks some Of the boys told Fred. that Ed
las wounded. He asked if was badly wounded
nd they told him they thought was. Just then
all struck him in the temple and he sung out Good
ye" and fell dead upon the field. Soon after we left
amp on Thursday ps~Is-s snd we were forming :
line of battle Fred. said to me, "We Edward, if
II in the battle tell my friends die trusting in God"
ow little we knew that within SO hours he would be
'lled to be with his Saviour, whom he loved. He
ed about O'Clock Friday afternoon, Dec 10th, |
'64' and probably in less than five minutes after
as wounded When fell he was about six feet |
ON me- but such was the excitement at that time he
u not notice me- Just before the charge was order
l. we were lying down near each other eating our
inner of hard tack and talking in the best of spirits
red was good soldier, ever ready to do his duty
ID always In the front rank and at his post in time
DANGER lie could always be depended upon. lie .
rs recently offered promotion, but declined to nc
pr III prelerring to serve ms private the rest of his
ne but now he Is promoted to higher and more .
Die employment than earth can give md oltbon,b