The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-08
The LastINight Of Fredericksburg.


The LastINight Of Fredericksburg.
After day of what was called rest
from the stress of battle, but really of
confusion and solicitude, broken biv-
ouac on the pavement in the town,
amidst the enemy's shells crashing
through the roofs and walls, by turns
dreaming or wakefully expecting that
Lee would take advantage of our situa-
ton to strike our right flank and drive
us into the river, we had managed at
dark to sink into dismal sort of sleep.
But suddenly we were summoned
three regiments-to move forth to some
unknown service. Picking our way
amidst the terrible relics of the battle
up to that fatal front again, we found
here, mingled with the thick-strewn
dead, and scarcely to be distinguished
from them, thin line of our troops,
lying flat on their faces and fairly shiv-
ering with apprehension. And with
reason. For it was not soldierly quail
ties alone that were tested by that ex-
perience. So far out beyond support,
with only the CHASTITY lines of the dead
behind, and the half-disembodied hor-
rors around, scarcely more than a hun
dred yards from the enemy's fortifica-
tions, the rifle-pits of their picket-line
close in front, strange, stealthy move
ments heard at intervals, then lost in
dismal gusts of wind, and the murky
darkness wrapping all as with shroud,
asense of strange defencelessness might
naturally seize the mind, feeling of
lurking evil, against which all mortal
weapons are vain. To be creeping
about amidst these emblems of the sa-
tanic power to hurt, sure only that
every living human being before you,
and perhaps around you is an enemy,
whose one object is to compass your
destruction-this is situation and a
business wherein the man of stoutest
physical courage and the soldier of
highest discipline may find that he has
something of himself yet to learn.
We knew now that our business was
to picket the front above the town. OF
the rest we knew nothing The troops
whom we relieved informed us with
the extreme of frankness that Just after
dusk whole bridgade of ours had been
crushed off from that spot, and the
enemy had planted battery so as to
entilade the position and sweep away
the whole line at the first dawn: and
also had been pushing up their picket
line and rihe-pits all the night close
upon our own. Our friends babe us
significant good-bye-a curious min
Cling of emotion, half glad for them
selves, half sad for us-and filed away
silently down the slope.
Hold this ground at all hazards, and
to the very last" This was the only
order or instruction we received. 1t was
long stretch for us, and the men had
to be stationed by the rule of few and
far between. Cropping cautiously about,
we got hold of some picks and spades
that were scattered around, and each
man went to work with will to settle
himself into the ground; that seemed
about the surest way to hold it."
Each few or each alone threw up lit
tie earth-work covering their front and
right, as man would protect his head
from blow by raising his right elbow
1t was the right especially that must
be made strong; to guard against the
expected Smelling from that quarter, so
that shot striking in the line would
not be likely to kill more than the men
in any one pit.
We worked in silence, speaking only
in whisper, and the least possible move
ment that might expose the person in
relief against the sky, for, dark as it
was, such disclosure was sure to
bring a shot. Often we were inter-
rupted by vague alarms; the men would
drop their spades, seize their muskets
and sink on their knees, ready for the
oniectured blow.
We were anxious that the men
should keep their true bearings, so as
to throw the earth on the angle need
ing protection. My over-anxiety for
this brought some sharp and uneX-
pected warnings. Feeling along what
| believed to be my line, came upon
a man settling himself into his pit with
what seemed to me more diligence
than judgment. "Throw to the other
side, my man; that's where the trouble
is" my undertone braced with the con-
fidence of superior wisdom. Don't
We s'pose l know where them Yanks
be? They're right on to us now!" was
the imperturbable answer of the man
who, WIS thankful to find, was think.
ing more of his own business than OF
mine. "Dig away then, and keep a
sharp lookout for 'eml" was the some
what rapidly enunciated reply, which
advice | proceeded to put into prompt
execution myself, after a figurative in,
depreciation
The men had now got themselves
pretty well secured, when a sudden
clatter came up from the left, and 6
voice called out, " Where is the officer
commanding this line?" He was ex,
cited and evidently not enjoying his
mission. "The whole army is across
the river. Get out of this as quick as
God will let you" was his highly con
densed message. "Who are you, sir?"
asked, with severity not wholly feigned
He gave his name and rank on the staff
Report yourself to your general in ar
restl" was my return to him for this in
telligence. "You're crazy" he rejoins
"you've got all you can do not to b'
gobbled up as it isl" The men who
heard this were scrambling out of theil
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