The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-06-17

"After l left you became convinced
that you were right, and that l was
wrong; so at once despatched mes
senger 10 tell you to have your own
wav When told that no such mes
sage had been received by me he asked
in what way had withdrawn my men.
l told him that l had braved court
martial, disobeyed his order and had
withdrawn the men according to my
own ideas. His answer was this,
"Sergt. you have done well and | am
heartily glad your disobeyed my order
in this instance; but | hope you may
never feel called upon to disobey an
other order of mine or any other of
your superior officers. This time you
were right"
From Cold Harbor we marched to
the James river. Beyond the fact that
it was long hard march made in the
quickest possible time there is not
much to relate here. This march was
similar to all others made in close prox-
unity to the enemy. Badly" Smiths
corps was in the rear so our division
was, on its arrival at the James order
ed to the works formerly occupied by
the 18th corps. The orders given Gen,
Ricketts, were to help hold the works
until the arrival of the 18th Corps, and
then cross to the south side of the river
and join his corps wherever he found
it,
Butler had built magnificent line of
works, 1t was strong as engineering
skill could make it. We expected to
occupy these works for the short time
we were to remain at Bermuda Hun
dred. Gen. Butler was ambitious. He
wanted to capture the enemy's works
on his front before Gen. Grant could
place his army IN position. According.
ly he advanced our division over the
works under cover of the darkness and
ordered Gen. Ricketts, to be ready to
assault the enemy's works at four
o'clock. Gen. Butler had charged his
own troops over the same ground and
against the same position that he now
asked Gen. Ricketts, to assault. Now
the enemy's works were strongly man
ned while the force behind them at the
time OF Buffers assault had been small.
Gen. Ricketts, had no faith in the sue
cess of such an assault. Besides he
knew by the orders he had received
from Gen. Mead that he was not there
to assault the works OF the enemy in
order to build up the reputation of
some broken down military comman-
der. Accordingly he telegraphed Gen.
Mead the orders he had received and
asked for instructions. The answer
that came back countermanded Buffers |
order and we moved back into the
works.
The following day was Sunday and
while nothing extraordinary transpired |
it may safel Y be called day of exciting
events. We were second line and |
some thirty feet back of the works and
on higher ground. The enemy had his
guns so trained that he could rake the
ground our regiment occupied.
1t was about half past eight a. M,
when | spread my blanket and laid
down for sleep but was soon up
again. Cheering could be heard down
he line and it was rapidly advancing
% our position. The cause of 30 much
cheering was apparent when Gems.
Grant and Butler made their appear
ance. They were on tour of inspec-
ton and as they passed us the regiment
gave them three times three and a tiger.
AS soon as they had passed again
aid down for rest. Ny head was to
he front and against a small stump
about three inches in diameter. A
shelter tent fastened to three musket
ocks afforded the only shelter | had
from the scorching sun. | was about
lalf asleep when the enemy fired the
irst shell. 1t broke just before it
cached the works and sent shrapnel
;lap against the stump at my head. |
vas somewhat confused by the jar,
)ut was soon on my feet and compre-
lended the situation. | saw some of
he commissioned officers making
Freak for the bomb-proofs. Bursting
shells were flying in every direction.
It was no time for ceremony so |
gathered up my belongings AMI started
or the works calling on the bows to
iollow. When half way to the works
looked over my shoulder to see if the
Company was on the move. To my
surprise | found not man had stirred.
They stood there with the shells Tear.
ng the ground all around them, and
rom under them, and they would STAY
here until they should receive an or {
Ter in regular military style if the ,,
asst one was killed while waiting for {
he order to come. There was no help
or the order to come. There was no
lelp for it must return at the risk c
If my own life give the proper order
nd take the company to place of
heller. On the spur of the moment |
aid some hard things of company
hat could be so particular at such
ime. When / had brought the bows {
Up 20 the works where they were COM )
'aratively safe and cooled off little
realized that the disposition to obey \
riders and stay where they were put !
nder any and all circumstance was '
What made Company G and the 10th 7
'ermont Regiment second to none in 5
he service and | was proud of the boys. a
1t was past one O'Clock when the en- !
mics fire slackened and all firing 4
eased shortly after that time. !
Three regiments were huddled into p
pace usually occupied by one. All 2
7ere anxious for dinner but no one a
ad the cOuraOe to venture ont lest the