Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-09


had also become apprised Of the point Of attack
and were apparently beginning to appreciate ls
Importance, and were fastening 10 meet II with
all the strength at their disposal.
But, to the credit of the commaud, the hesita.
ton was but momentary, and the troops again
pushed forward with a determination that knew
no such word as fail. The remaining portion Of
tho ground was passed over under most with
erlng fire Of muskatry, but with gallanry tina,
was mover surpassed, and which betokensd the
victory subsequently won. Officers and men
wed with each other in the RAGS Of tho works,
and all organization was lost in the eagerness
and enthusiasm of the troops. The line of abat-
ts was brushed away like cob-webs, and the meD
swarmsd over the works with yells and cheers
that struck terror to tie rebels flying in all d.
reotiJns la crossing tho ground in front Of
the abIttis the casualties were very numerous.
Lieut.. Geo. o. French, lth w., was instantly
killed while CALAMITY cheering on his men, and
Lieut.. q. q. HawklnS Sd Vt, acting adjutant
4th VT, very dangercassS wounded while lead.
ing the men forward with an enthusiasm desery.
ing Of oil praise Brevcs Maj L q. Ballou, ever
conspicuous in engagements, was also wounded
by shell and Obliged 10 retire from the field
but returned during the afternoon IL is conf
IDENTIFY believed that Capt. Chas g. Gould OF
the 9Th w. was the first man OF the 9Th Corps
who mounted the enemy = works. His regimsnt
was in ths first ln7 Of the brigade, aad in the
charge be was far in advance OF his command
Upon mounting the works he received a severe
bsyonet wound in the face and was struck sever
81 times with clubbed muskets, but brave y stood
bis ground, killing with his sabre the mao who
bayoneted him, and retiring from the works on
ly after hls comrades came TO his assistance and
routed the enemy from their lnes.
Two earthwotks, one to the right Of the ra-
vine containing four guns and the other tO the
left containing two guss, were here captured.
Alter crossing the works Ihe brigade pushed for.
ward TO the crest of the hill in the rear where
short bas was ordered for the purpose Of re-
forming. The organization obtained bere was
very incomplete, owing to the eagerness Of the
troops to pursue the enemy, who were making
for the woods IN the rear, but with such organ
iIlnon as it bad, the brigade turning to the left
moved forward about hall q milo and halted al
the edge Of dense wood to reform. The brig
ade was here formed IN single line 10 numerical
order from right to left, the lth connecting
with the third division, and about half mile
distant from and inside Of the enemy's works.
The lines being formed the whole command
pushed forward vigorously through thlckets,
swamps ard pine woods, soon losing all organ-
tatlon again 10 the eagerness OF the men to sur
pass each other in the pursuit Of the enemy
who were being pursued so closely that they
could scarcely tire shot, aud appeared to have
given up all lasa Of resistance, and were only
deslrous TO be taken prisoners. 10 this manner
the pursuit continued Tor about four miles in
direction nearly parallel with the works, until
Barlsys house, near Hatcher Run was reached,
where the brigade was halted lor a few mlnut3s
and then moved to the LETT and formed 10 col
umn Of regiments Just inside the works.
Words are inadequate to express the conduct
Of the troops IN tins second charge. Every man
appeared to consider himself host, aud slsgy
or IN squads Of three or four they charged upon
whatever Ob,truotlOns came IN their paths Bre
vet Major L. v aes OF the % W., with two men
captured piece Of artillery, turned it upon the
enemy, and the shell With which the piece was
charged went bowling through the woods after
the very men who had prepared the compliment
for US. Maj. Sperry OF tue 9th VT, and Lieut.
Bailey Of the lsh VI, assisted by a few men.
captured TWO pieeles and turned them upon the
lying rebels. Being unable to procure primers
the pieces were discharged by hiring musket
into the vent OF the piece. 10 this manner
twelve rounds were fired, when a section of ar
tllery cjming up the guns were turned over 10
It's commander.
Capt. Tllien Of the II VT, with about dos-
zsn men captured two pieces Of artillery, eleven
commissioned officers and sKty.two enlisted men
Of the 32l Miss Regt. Scrgt. Lester g. Hack,
Co. 9TH VT, dashed into squad Of rebels who
had gathered around beautiful stand Of colors,
and with humanity as pratowOrtby as his dar.
ing, knocked down the color bearer, seized the
coloIs as he fell std rushed on to another portion
Of the f,ld. Corporal Charles II. Dollopb, Go.
X llth VT, also captured battle Gag. supposed
to be that Of the 42d Miss
About O'Clock A. NJ. the brigade was again
pu. in motion and moved back along the line OF
works, past the point at which the lines were
penetrated in the morning, and formed about
three miles south Of Petersburg on the left of
the road leading to the city, the spires OF which
were plainly visible in the distance, The ground
between this formation aud the city consisted of
series Of hills and matshy rsvne,, and the enc
my were distinctly seen making every dispos-
ton OF their troops and artillery to contest our
advance. The brigade formed in single line from
right To left as follows llth, u, 81, 9th, 6ih,
18th sklrmish line was advanced under Capt
Stafford Of the llth, and the command then NOV.
cd forward, its night resting on the 70 ID. The
enemy poured in very heavy FIRE OF shot and
shell from battery on the right which COM
plctelJ enfladed our lines, and u perfect hail
storm oi canister from battery OF four guns
planted IN the garden of the Turnbrell house,
where General Lee had his Headquarters d.
rectly in 'front.' Breyet Col. Floyd comm lnd-
ing 81 Vt threw forward a fes men as sklr-
mishers, with orders to advance on the double
quick and shoot the horses OF the battery to
prevent its being removed. This daring lsa,
was accomplished with perfect success, the brig
ade IN the meantime wheeling to tho ivt and
rapidly closing 10 upon the gun. Iac comm IN.
der OF the battery, finding it impossible to ,s3ape
with his guns raised a white flag, when Colonel
Floyd ordered the firing to cease ani pressed
forward TO receive his surrender. At the sane
time Capt r. Tompleton of the llth VI, with
u small squad Of men came up gal.antly from
the right aank on the double QUICK to contest
with Col. Floyd the capture OF the guns. Just
at this moment the sklTmish line OF the lat brig
ade of this division coming up on the LETT aud
not obs rsing tbs white fAg opened 6re on the
battery, when the men turned and fled. The
guns we're Immediately taken possession OF and
a guard from the brigade established over them
During this charge Capt, Morey of the p VI,
was instantly killed by canister shoi from this
battery, and Lieuls. Humphrey aud rlson Of
the 4lh were severely wounded. They were
brave oihoer, AMI were doiog their duty nobly
when they lell.
This was the last slnad made BY the cnemy
outside OF the line OF deieuses Immediately sur
rounding Petersburg The command moved
forward to the bank Of Heroic creek tlbout
mile outside the suburbs Of the sity) under 40