Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-06-01

soldier said no, II am so weak" and the
surgeons said no, he was too weak too I'M
dertake the journey. In few days more
he was dead. He died through sickness
for Monochrome and the loved ones there
Your kindness emboldens me to ask a still
further indulgence. | want to say few
words of the old Vermont brigade. Cir
cumstances seem to Justify and demand
! it.
Look upon that shining list of names of
men killed in battle and who died from
wounds received in battle and know you
that IS of that list of 10 heroes belonged
to the old Vermont brigade. This you
may say is remarkable fact. Yes, it is a
remarkable fact, and l remark it in your
hearing to-day. All save one-John S.
| Ford of the Tenth regiment-belonged to,
and fought, bled and died in the old
brigade.
All honor to the heroes of the old
brigade Al honor to the heroes of the
Second brigade to the heroes of the
| Tenth regiment, and of every command
from the Green Mountain State. | would
not eXalt one at the expense of another.
Every command and every organization
from the State did nobly and reflected
honor upon the State. saw and knew
the most of them, and here bear willing
testimony of their gallantry and heroism.
| would not pluck one leaf from the laurel
which wreathS the brow of any OrganiZa-
ton, but would rather add fresh laurels,
ing this much before venturing to speak
of the old brigade loved so well, lest the
ardor of my feelings towards that COM
mand might seem invdious
The old brigade first frightened the reb-
els and broke their lines at Lees Mills
near Yorktown ; it was the last to leave
the banks of the Chickahominy near
Richmond it turned back the rebel at
tack upon our flank at Savage Station,
and enabled the retreating army to pur-
sue its change of base; it withstood the
shock of the terrific artillery attack at
White Oak Swamp, and presented its
front to the advancing foe it crossed the
South Mountain at Burketsville and cap
tured most of the opposing forces; it re
covered lost ground at Antletam and
held it during the engagement it adj
vanced with the only advance upon the
enc my's right at first Fredericksburg at
second Fredericksburg it carried the
principal heights, drove the enemy from
the hill and captured part of his artillery
at Salem Heights it bore the brunt OF the
main attack, doubled back the enemy's
lines, and held the front while the re
mander of the corps recrossed the river
on the second of July, 1868, it marched
thirty-two miles, and went into the en-
gagement at Gettysburg just as its bay
onets glistened in the setting sun, and
later in the evening it rested its right or
Round Top and swung its left across the
Taneytown road and thus protected the
extreme left of the army ; at Funkstown
, deployed rs skirmishers along line Of
nearly three miles in extent, it repulset
.eueated attacks of rebel lines of infan
, try mt Mine Run il was selected a.
the command TO turn the enemy $ left n
, the Wilderness it stood the shock of tn,
determined attack, held the enemy at bay
and the key of the position, while Hancock
was coming up from the left, thus SAVING
orr reserve artillery. and saving Hancock
, from being cut off from the rest of the ar
my. on the first day at Spottsylyania i
, arrived late upon the field and receive,
the cheers of the army of the Potomac II
it passed along the line to its position /
held with others the bloody angle at Spott
I sylvana, May 18th, and captured the full
, length of the enemys line 1T made a de
termined but unsuccessful assault upol
the enemy's strong lines at Spottsylvan
May 18th it occupied the front during tn
p, twelve days battle at Cold Harbor; 1t rem
dered important service before Petersburg
! it responded to the President ; call to drv
the army of Early from the vicinity o
Washington, it shared in Sheridan's bril-
=, liant exploits in the valley of the Shenar
> doah it fought alone the bal tie of Charles
town and kept back the advance of tn
enemys largely superior force; II TOOK al
important part IN the battle OF Opequan
4, at FISHERS Hlli 1t assisted III sendlng Earl
whlrling up the valley ana at Ceda
! creek IL checked tne enemy Tle'0rlou
advance, ana later IN the DAY IL leo the al
!, TACK when crowned the victories Oh the al
u my OF the SHENANDOAH returhlhs TO the al
. y on tie aotoit IT leu te Steat a..uoH ~
etel sp5i WITH u, Ii.e t1 ".
. tioii vi ltICnliloliu am; 'he suu'.el Ioliaps
VI me toiI'euerac3 ~ Joineu ia e,,5 pui
= suns ~ hee let,ra. ,nS army an wa
!, nalu ny a. tne SUI - ,elIuet Mlth 'n!llhe'
> Ialihs anu tti'le.eu htss Us esi,iieilts &c
turned 10 .he otale, Where eacn man re
ceiVeu an nonoraoie uIscIa'ee' an
J Ihlneleu WIN ~ l's clli%ehs III lhe peacelu
! pursuits vi liie'
= The commanders of the army had conf
+ dence i'll it, and used it on great occasions
: ~ was especially seiecled 10 MAKE IN
: Hhal greal ATTACK at PETERSBURG, an
= formed the poihI OF tne escheioh "euS
Whlch penetrated the INES ana ehdeu IN
. War' Inc solulers Oh other commands lei
SAFE Wheh occupying posltiohs near IT,
me me Whole army knew ana respected II
; men troops Oh Intelligence ana dlScrt
!. uoh' rs well as OF Nalor, were needed I
n queil ana prevent the occurrence OF TN