Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-16

ment was later part of the famous Ver-
mont brigade. Promotions came to him in
rapid succession until he commanded his
regiment This regiment had as its first
commander General w. f. Smith popular
ly known, and in history, too. as "Baldy").
The regiment took part in the Peninsula
campaign under Mcclellan in 1862 at Lees
Mills, and all the battles of that campaign.
Colonel Veazey served with the regiment
continuously until October, 1862, except for
q time as chief Of staff under General Smith
or when in command of other regiments by
special detail. He was discharged early in
that month for promotion to the Colonelcy
of the Sixteenth Vermont Regiment and
this promotion was the turning point in his
military career. This was fully demonstrated
by subsequent events, for his regiment was
destined to achieve a reputation at Gettys-
burg which made it famous the world over.
HIS BRAVERY AT GETTYSBURG.
At the reunion of his regiment, held at
Chester, VT, in 1878, Colonel Veazey deliv-
cred an address, in which his action at that
eventful time was explained. In describing
the events of the Sd of July, he said: "And
then toward noon came the lull, and after
that the cannonades and the vigorous assault
on the left center, which we occupied. You
remember how steadily you rallied and
formed as you fell back before the main
body of the enemy as he charged down the
slope. You remember how you rose, as if
suddenly grown out of the earth, and
poured deadly volleys into the opposing
ranks, and how the enemy broke and surged
off to the right as though to pass by; how
you wheeled out and formed, and then
moved on the rebel flank, firing as you ad-
vanced. His lines withered and disap-
peared under the destructive fire, and an
other column came rushing down to carry
him by our flank and rear. In the move
ment the regiment had made in the capture
of prisoners the regiment was much broken,
and the appearance of a new force, about to
pass us as just described, made it necessary
for rapid and decided action on our part.
sit was plain that we must do one of two
things, either double quick back to our orig
inal position, with view of reaching it be-
fore the enemy did, and so be there to receive
him as he came down and advanced on our
artillery, which was on the rise of ground to
our rear, or change front 1--WE then being
faced at nearly right angles toward the
right, so as to face obliquely to the left,
and charge the enemy's flank as he should
reach the bottom of the valley, along which
was the ditch and bushes where we had been
during the forenoon. 1t seems to me now
almost inconceivable that in the confusion
of that terrible battle that a regiment that
had begun its fight on the skirmish line,
had formed into battalion under fearful
fire and, in the face of charging foe, had
made change of front and counter charge
with vigor that resulted in disorganiza-
ton, could in a moments time be straight
ened out, reformed, make another change of
front in the very center of the field where
the battle ragged in its greatest fury and men
again. But at that time my confidence in
you was such that did not even Debate the
matter in nv mind. There was in fact, no
time for that, for the whole movement took
place quicker that it can be described. 1
decided instantly to make the charge, be-
cause felt and knew you would make it if
ordered. At that moment we were ordered
back to our original position.
A BRILLIANT CHARGE.
"This order was sent, as I now under
stand, before this new column of the enemy
appeared, but did not reach me until after
its appearance, and then understood it was
made with reference to the approaching
enemy. I therefore sent word back that we
would be in season to take care of him. And
while you were going through the movement
of O change of front, 1 saw General Stan
nard and explained my plan, which he was
quite willing should be carried out, but at
first thought 1t was impossible. so we'll re-
member his remark: Good God, Colonel,
your men will do almost anything, but the
men don't live this side of hell that can be
made to charge down therep My reply,
whatever it was, convinced him to let US try.
By that time you had completed the change
OF front, and the enemy had reached the
point to be struck, and / remember,
as I stepped in your front and
said: Men, are you ready for
charger your shout of respone seemed to me
could be heard from Virginia to Vermont,
and instantly the order was given, and be-
fore the enemy could change his front to
meet you or could fall back you reached his
flank and swept down his line, capturing
regiment after regiment, and stand after
stand of colors, until the whole line had dis
appeared, and the battle of Gettysburg was
VIGOROUSLY closed by the sons of Vermont
all unused to battle, amid the laundering