The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-04-04

F W. Hft8 AtlH attsttA ffia htstAtt4''s HttA
portion of them femaned ia ~ rebe
works until ih last
The Brigade retained lis position
through the lilh d Mas, constant,
under fre, and early en- lhe morning
of The l2ih moved With ihe corps L
thc lett, % cooperate with tbe Seeou.
Corps. under Hancock. Hancock hat
made his celebrated charge, capturing
two General officers. several guns ans
many prisoners, nud ,he enemy were
Eendeayurins 90 rtAke ihe works which
he had captured aud wheuihe Brig
ade marched into position, it did %
under a terrific Gre from ihe eue ny s
batteries, losing quite number 81
men. The btieale aas then formed
in two lines, on Tie extreme lei, with
skirmishers deployed nuder a brisk
fire Of muskeiry and artillery AZ
this time the enemy were making the
most determined effort 70 re,ake the
line Of works carried by Hancock. aud
now held BY dc Sixth Corps, the key
Of the position being a; he angle in
the centre, and that being the point
at which the most desperate attacks
were made. Brig. Gen. Grant, with
the regiments Of the second line, was
ordered TO the right, 10 assist Gen.
Wheaton, and Col Seayer was left in
command Of the front line and Of the
skirmishers. Gen. Wheaton, with
his brigade. was endeayoring to adj
vance through thick brush, and in face
of a deadly fire from the enemy 3 rifle
pits, and t e Vermont Regiments
moved up promptly to his support,tho
Fouth Regiment, under Major Pratt,
taking and holding the front line. IT
was found impracticable 10 carry the
enemy's works upon the right BY a
direct attack, and the enemy were
gaining advantage in the centre
Leaving the Fourth Regiment in its
position, Gen Grant returned to to
centre, and being joined by Col Seay-
er, with the residue OF the Brigade,
the whole were pat into the engage
ment,exceptthe Sixth Regiment which
was held in reserve.
This was the important point for
both armies, and the lighting here, up
on both sides, Was Of the most despe-
rate character. II was a hand TO hand
fight. The combatants were separat-
ed only by breastwork of logs and
rails, and they fred into each others
faces, and frequently clubbed their
muskets, to make or repel assault In
this way the Brigade was engaged for
about eight hours, when they were
relieved and marched TO the rear.
The loss of the brigade was heavy,
but the works were held. After dark
the brigade was marched to the ex.
treme right, through dense woods, and
took position for lie night.
Ga the 18th, only a small portion
Of the Brigade WAS engaged in skir-
mi,hing, and towards eyerdng they
were marched to the left aud took po-
silion near the scene Of action of the
previous day. On the llth the Sixth
Corps was marched to The left, and
took position on the Ny river, tile Yer
mont Brigade holding tile extreme left
Of the army. On the 18th, the Eley-
enth Regiment, with about 1900 eilec-
tive men, joined the Brigade and
the Sixth Regiment was strengthened
by the addition Of two companies Of
drafted men, who had been on duty at
since the draft in 1868.
On the 18th. Col. Seaycr with bis
Dwn regiment and a Massachusetts
regiment, made a reconnaissance in
The direction Of Spottsylyania Court
House, driving in the encmy's skir-
nishers to their main line of works,
md successfully accomplishing t he
duty to which it was assigned. Al
daylight on the morning Of tie 18Th, /
he Second and Sixth Corps charged
he enemy's works, advancing about
lalf a mile, under heavy artillery Gre
The Vermont Brigade held the front, /
inc for some time, and then the whole |
we're orderedto retire. In this charge
Col. Warner, Of the Eleventh Regi- |
nent was severely wounded. The |
sixth Corps tI,en crossed the NJ riy- /
r, and took position upon tie Iefi I
gain. Early on the 18Th the Brig /
de advanced with the residue Of tire I
Corps, about one mile and fortified Us +
,osition. remaining there tno days, heI
kirmish lines being engaged more or
es5 during the time. AT noon Of The
lst, the Brigade moved about three
Jurths Of mile % tie rear, leaving
i tie front works a strong sk.rmish /.
me. Tie residue Of tie army wa,
loying towards tho North Anna riy-
r, and the Sixth Corps was prepaf-
Ig to follow. just before dark tie
aemy in strong force, broke through
he skirmish line, and Col. Seayer
.as ordered out, with his regiment, to
e-establi-h H. This was a4llnny
one, and many prisoners taken. That
ight the Corp. marched toward Gui- /
ea's Station. I
The total losses oI the Brigade from
le time OF crossing tie Rapidan On
ie fourth Of May, to this date, were /
$50. Il
OF this number, 1854 were from ,
e original regiments Of the Brigade, 4
hich had crossed the Rapidan May +
ID with $500 men,--a loss IN seven r
en- days exceeding one half Of the 9
,tira force