St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-05-07


handed out to our weary, dust-covered
boys by some old man, with many Il
"God bless YOU" As we rode slowly
through the town, Vincent had the torn
colOrs Of the old S3d Uurolled and
brought to the front Of the brigade. As
they rustIed in the moonlight before
him, ne revercntly barred his head, and
said to one Of his staff in tones that
will never be forgotten 10y those who
heard him, "What death more glorious
can any man desire than to die on the
soil of old Pennsylvania fighting for
that tlag?n
We marched on for an hour or two
after midnight, and then bivouacked by
the roadside. The reVcille sounded be
tore daybreak, and with cup OF coffee
hastily swallowed we were iii the sad
die, and again moving to the front.
The hush Of that hour before the battle
was over all. Officers who came from
the front with orders gave them in sub
dued tones aud hurried back. Vincent
was alert and observant of everything,
but very silent, and | fancied tritie
sad. Was he thinking of his wife at
home, and what the day would bring
TO him The moving was Il weary one.
We left the road and moved into fields,
moving little and waiting much. 1t
was a time of suspense. The two ar
ihies were getting into position and pre-
pairing for the conflict.
Ihe general features of the field have
oeen 50 often described that they are
no doubt familiar to nearly all. Vim
cents brigade was Il part of the 5th
corps, occupying the left OF our line.
he line was formed with the center OH
Cemetery hill, and the Hanks somewhat
WithdraWn- III general form not unlike
DOW. At the left of our line. as if WAS
formed at this time, was Il low. wooded
rocky hill, since famous as the Little.
Round Top. This hill was the KEY to
our position. Ii occupied by the enemy.
our flank was turned if held by us. il
could not be turned except by dGtour
OF several miles. Our lines had not vet
reached 1t, but extended well out to-
ward 1t over the low country between
IL and Cemetery hill. ! was not admit
ted to the confidence of Gen. Meade or
OF Gen. Sykes, the commander of the
9TH corps. No doubt one OF both saw
the Importance of occupying the hill,
and prepared for it, but Vincent saw ii
as well. Sitting erect on his horse, and
watching the movements, he saw an
officer of Gen. Sykes staff riding rap
idly along the line, and evidently in,
quIring for some one.
''What is it, Captain ?"
81 am looking for Gen. -'' (the di.
vlslsn commander).
vincent knew where he was, but also
knew that he was not in Il condition tC
comprehend and act quickly on any or
der, and that the order he saw was nee
essary, was no doubt now waiting fol
this general.
Give me your orders. What are
they ~
"Gen. Sykes directs that a brigade of
your division be sent to occupy that
hill"
Without hesitating a moment, he re-
piled: 81 will take the responsibility OF
taking my brigade there. Forward, 81
brigadel" !" and with hasty word of di-
rection to the colonel of the leading
regiment us to the route, he dashed off,
followed by his staff. By the time the
head OF the column appeared at the top
OF the bill, he had been over the ground
and selected his line, and as each regi-
ment filed by, directed it to its posi-
ton. He was not an instant too soon.
Before he was fairly in position, Il whole
division of the enemy was hurled upon
him. On they swarmed, climbing over
the rocks, yelling like demons. Only
those who were down in that Devils
Den will ever know how they came.
The left of his line was the Goth Maine
regiment, commanded by Col. now Gen.
Chamberlain, whose name has so lately
been made prominent in connection
with the Maine election. This regiment
gave way at first before the overwhelm-
ing numbers that dashed upon their
left, but rallying under the cool voice
of their commander, they charged, re-
covered their position, and sent to the
rear more prisoners than the whole
number of their regiment.
The battle was saved, but at what Il
cost! Vincent fell in the midst of that
terrible charge on his line. That night,
after the firing had ceased, | rode back
to the farm house where he lay. He
was pale with loss of blood, but extend
ed his hand, and looked the question
he was too weak to ask. When | said,
1.-The boys are still there, colonel" the
smile that lit his face, showed that his
heart was on the field.
In the autumn of 1873, l rode again
over the field. On the spot where he
fell white stone bears his name. There
is no intimatiOn on the simple inscrip-
tlOn that he saved the battle of Gettys-
burg, but who can say that had he
waited for that aid to find his superior
officer, and the orders to come through
the regular channel, the enemy weuld
not have been i'll possession of the Lit
tie Round Top?