The National tribune., 1883-11-29
MARYEs HEIGHTS.
And the Gallant Charge of the Old Vermont Bril-
cade.

gade.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Marye's Heights again am glad that one
of the old 9th corps comrades has been heard
from. / refer to Comrade Chandler, late Of the
9Th Vermont volunteers, whose communication
j read in The TRIBUNE, giving an account of
the taking fthe fort by the Vermont brigade in
the charge Of May J, 1868. / was neof the boys
who sInelt a little powder on that day as a
member OF the I'd Vermont regiment. Gem
Tade Cbaadler's account is very much as I
would narTate, but find, in locking up my old
diary, that some mistakes were made as to some
of the officers who had command on that day
Instead OF the I'd being commanded by Colonel
Whiting Che had resigned previously, we
were under the gallant Colonel James Ii. Wal
bridge at the time, and the 26th New Jersey
"a nine months regiment, then attached 10 the
Vermont brigade, was commanded by Colonel
Morrison, think. The I'd division, 9th corps.
crossed the river to the left of the city On the
ID OF May, and met some opposition ii crossing
the river, but We gained :. footing, and at
o'clock on the morning Of the Sd the entire
corps was in position for action. There was
some khelling on both sides during the after
noon, but we remained inactive during this
time TIL about y o'clock IN, when the OIL
Gers call was sounded. Our line officers reported
to the coloneis headquarters. but they soon
came back 70 Us with long faces and we
found out that the orders we're to charge the
heights we had SO yaiRly tried TO take on the
18th OF December previous and, as the Ver-
mont brigade had a share IL that eyer-lnemor-
able engagement, when so many brave boys Of
the Army Of the Potomac laid down their lives
we all felt rather blue, or at least did for we
knew from our experience that il would be the
last charge Tor many of Us. We had some of the
feelings we had at Mine Run later. But the
colonel Of the 18th New jersey volunteered TO
lead the brigade in the assault with his regi-
ment, which had never been IN fight before
and, as II wa5 large regiment. we thought we
should not get much glory on this day Bot
the "a Vermont was a support, however, and
the assaultlng columns were soon in motion We
had TO cross plain for some distance in range
OF the rebel batteries on the heights. and the
shells soon demoralized the Jersey BOYS who
were breaking FOR the rear. Then the old tried
I'd had 10 take the lead, supported by the 9Th
Vermont. The rest Of the brigade were on
hand also. VIC crossed the plain on a double
+ quick, keeping a good line and hardly lost a
man in crossing, we kept SO close columns.
I Upon reaching the foot of the hills, we were
! allowed a short time 10 breathe, being out Of
range of the guns But now was coming
+ the "tug OF war" We " ere soon on our feet
I again, aud As we began 10 climb the hill VIC
/ got the grape aud canister in cur faces, but we
struggled up in good order, and soon reached
much damage capturing the entire battery,
! consisting Of six brass guns. This was the
famous Washington battery, of New Orleans
Think Medid not give the Johnnies time To get
away with the horses and caisSons and we
took some Of these and made some prisoners.
+ We passed by the captured guns and encountered
4 the rebel infantry who had been supporting
the guns. The rebels made q stand and for a
few minutes we had all we could do to hold
our position tall the supports came up. While
holding this ground We could see our adyanc-
ing lines for nearly mile, / should Judge,
both 10 right and left. We being the center.
and not having so much distance To make re-
ceiyed the brunt of battle, but as our thanking
columns came up in q line parallel TO the ore
we were so stubbornly trying TO hold, the enc
nay fell back, and were soon in full retreat.
The field was won and victory ours The
! corps were soon ia pursuit OF the retreatiEz
enemy, we taking the plank road the Ist di-
/ vision leading cur instructions being to form
junction with Hooker at Charlottesville,
I whom we expected to find there but, after
marching in columns OF forty about three
miles, we ran into the whole rebel army, who
were returning TO wipe us out Us they had the
rest Of the Army Of the Potomac. Cur lines of
battle were hastily formed and night soon
coming on the fighting ceased and we laid
down on our arms for little rest we so much
needed.
Now -Sfi -Dtbe Is NOeS ABisl! ace Chandler,
that we Of the 9th corps-especially the 2d bri-
gade-shouid not LET the light brigade carry
OF all the honoEs from US in this engagement.
l think We are entitled to some credit. as I
I find, IN looking mp my old diary, kept on the
field during my three years service, that the
I'd Vermont regiment lost in this action l20
men, and the ST Of the Vermont brigade also
suffered. They did ali that was required of
them, and entitled to All the honors for the
part done in this, one OF the most brilliant
I charges OF the war. ] am willing that the light
brigade SHOULD have their share of the honor5.
and no more, They probably did their share.
Now, wake up, comrades and let us hear
through the columns os TIE TRIBUNE some
thing more about the old 9Th corps of the Army
Of the Potomaci
send you the following poem, which vas
! written by Lieutenant Eben i. Drury, of the