Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-30

mlCnlBan ChValfy IL WIS, Us ubcIWuiu
learned-let history preserve the brave boys
name) who, having had his horse shot under
him, and seeing that first named shell ex-
plode in Company c with such disaster, ex-
claimed, '"That is the company for me !" He
remained with the regiment all day, doing
good service with his carbine, and he escaped
unhuTt
"Here they come, boys; wen have to go
IN at them on charge, guess !" Creeping
close around the corner of the Lighthouse, |
can see the long lines Of gray sweeping up in
fine style over the fields but feel the Col
onel's hand on my shoulder.
"Keep back, my boy; no use exposing
yourself in that way"
AS get back behind the house and look
around, an old man is seen approaching our
line through the orchard in the rear He is
dressed in long, blue, swallow.tailed coat
and high silk hat, and coming up to the Col
onel, he asks
"Would you let an old chap like me have
a chance to fight in your ranks, Colonelf"
'Can you shoot ~ inquiries the Colonel.
ooh yes, ] can shoot, | reckon" says he.
"But where are your cartridges 7"
GIVE got 'em here, sir, says the old man,
slapping his hand on his pantaloons pocket.
And so 'old John Burns, i" of whom every
schoOl-boy has heard, takes his place In the
line and loads and fires with the best Of them,
and is left wounded and insensble on the
field when the day is done.
Reclining there under a tree while the
diminishing is going on in front and the
shells are tearing up the sod around us, OBJ
serve how evidently hard pressed is that bat
terry yonder in the edge Of the wood, about
fifty yards to our right. The enemy's bat
teries have excellent range on the poor fe-
lows serving it. And when the smoke lifts
or rolls away in great clouds for moment,
we can see the men running, and ramming,
and sighting, and firing, and swabbing, and
changing position every few minutes TO
throw the enemies guns out of range little.
The men are becoming terribly few, but new
ertheless their guns, with a rapidity that
seems undated, belch forth great clouds of
smoke and send the shells shrieking over the
plain.
Meanwhile, events occur which give us
something more to think Of than mere Skin
mishing and Smelling. Our beloved Brigadier-
general, stepping out a moment to reconnoi-
ter the enemy's position and movements, is
seen by some sharp shooter off in a tree, and
is carried severely wounded into the barn.
Our Colonel assumes command of the brig
hut. OuT TtHlllltnl luClIB WtbtWhTu1 WIlle
the line on our right faces to the north, is
observed 10 be exposed 10 an enfilading fire
from the enemys guns, as well as from the
long line of gray now appearing in full sight
on our right. So our regiment must form in
line and charge front forward, in order to
come in line with the other regiments Ac-
complished swiftly, this new movement
brings our line at once face to face with the
enemy's, which advances to within fifty
yards, and exchanges few voeys, but is
soon checked and staggered by our FIRE.
Yet now, see Away to our left, and con-
sequently on our flank, a new line appears,
rapidly advancing out Of the woods a half
mile away, and there must be some quick
and sharp work done now, boys, or, between
the old foes in front and the new ones on
our flank, we shall be annihilated. To clear
us of these old assailants in front before the
new line can sweep down on our flank, our
brave Colonel, in a ringing command, orders
a charge along the whole line. Then, before
the cleaning and bristling bayonets of our
"Buck-tail" brigade, as it yells and cheers,
sweeping resistlessly over the field, the enc
my gives way and flies in confusion But
there is little time to watch them fly, for that
new line on our left is approaching at a rapid
pace and, with shells falling thick and fast
into our ranks, and men dropping every
where, our regiment must reverse the former
movement by Changing front to rear" and
so resume its original position facing west
ward, for the enemy's new line is approach
ing from that direction, and il II takes US in
flank, we are done for.
To ''change front to rear" is difficult
movement TO execute even on drill, much
more 80 under severe fire; but it is executed
now steadily and without confusion, vet not
q minute too soon For the new line of gray
is upon us in a mad tempest of lead, sup.
ported by cruel artillery fire, almost before
our line can steady itself TO receive the shock.
However, partially protected by post-and
, nail fence, we answer fercely, and with ef.
feet so terrific that the enemy's line waivers,
and at length moves off by the right flank,
, giving US a breathing space for time.
During this struggle, there had been many
an exciting scene all along the line as it sway
ed backward and forward over the field
, scenes which we have had no time to men
ton yet
, See yonder, where the colors of the regi
, ment on our right-our sister regiment, tn,
: l49th-have been advanced a little to draw
the enemy's fire, while our line sweeps on I,
2 the charge. There ensues about the flags ,
wild melee and close hand-to-hand encoun
= ter Some of the enemy have seized the col
: ors and are making off with them in triumph
shouting victory. But squad of our owl
regiment dashes out, and amid yells ant
cheers and smoke, you see the battle-hag
rise and fall, and sway htheE and thither up
e on the surging mass, as II tossed on the bill
} lows of a tempest, until, wrenched away by
strong arms, they are borne back in triumph
/ to the l:ne Of the l49th.