The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-03-11
Tenting on The Old Camp Ground
Or Co. G. 10th vt. Vols. to the Front.
By Lieut.. II. H. WHITE.
NO. I6

corps. This change neceSsitated {
move of camp about one mile and the
building of new quarters. We coulC
nor expect to occupy our new camp
more than month. The weather was
getting warmer every day, and the ne
cessllv for warm quarters was CORE.
spondin9ly less. Weput up the shelter
tents and did very little more to add to
our comfort.
The changes during the winter were
as follows: Died, Henry Bnrnham,
Jan 27h, Henry M. Tenny, Feb. 9th,
Jesse Clark, Feb 10th, Corporal George
Temple. Feb. pod, George W. Perry,
Feb. 9th, Sergt Burnes l.. Senter,
Feb. 25lh, and Charles A. Edison March
Hh. Alexander Wilkey was promot-
ed list Sergt. Jan LIST, and Albert Ii.
Porter and Almon G.. Boutwell, were
promoted Corporals on the same date.
! Uriali a. Clark, one of the solid men
OF he company, was promoted Sergt.
and made Sergt. IF the Ambulance
Corps. lie was one of several whose
| services were lost to the company by
being promoted out of it. Oscar f.
Bartlett and George l.. Flanders, two
most excellent members of the compa-
ny, had been detailed as ordcrles at
Division Headquarters. These two
gallant soldiers could be seen on any
battle field carry ing orders everywhere.
They were often conspicuous in the
hottest of the fight and often carried
the orders that put regiments and brig
adiers into the charge. Charles Ii.
Carley was another Company G boy
who was early detailed as clerk for the
Brigadier Quartermaster. John Fem
was made cook at the same place.
Edward j. McKellips was detailed to
drive an ambulance wagon.
Up to January 9th the following
recruits had joined the company:
Geo. A Emery, Lewis w. Flint, Ed
win G. Hall, Perry Hopkins, Cornilus
Kellogg, David Lyman, Geo. w, Par
ker, John f. Pearson, Horace T. Smith,
David Whitney and Lyman G.. Wood
bury.
When taps sounded on the evening
of May Sd. it was heard for the last
time by thousands of brave men, and
not heard again in the army of the
Potomac for many long weeks.
The morning of the 4th found the
army once more on the move. This
time there was to be no boys play; for
Gen. Grant rode at the head of the
column. The 9th Corps was headed for
Germania Ford, and we were the last
troops to cross the Rapidan with the
exception of the 9th which was some
distance in the rear. The 9th went in
TO camp on the south bank of the river.
On the morning of the 9Th Gen.
Grant directed Gen. Meade to leave
one division at the river with orders to
hold the Ford at all hazards until Burn
side came MP and got foot hold OF
the south side, and then to move for
ward and join his Corps. Gen. Meade
turned TIE order over to Gen. Sedg-
wick and he to Gen. Ricketts,. Gen.
Ricketts, had been in command of the
only three weeks and the men
were anxious TO know him better. BY
time the sun went down Oh evening of
the 9th that grand old division was ready |
to follow wherever he might lead.
Before leaving the river Gen. Grant
knowing the importance of keeping
the road open for Burnside paid Gen
Ricketts, visit and personally gave him
tilG OIOGl lluJ IttNl lICdItN DCCI OCllt
through the regular channel.
Ten O'Clock came and with it the |
ominOus sounds that ushered in the |
great battle of the Wilderness. A half
hour had barely passed when a staff
officer appeared bearing an order from |
Gen. Sedgewick to Gen. Ricketts, TO
move his division forward and join the |
Corps as it was being cut to pieces |
Gen. tickets sent his compliments |
to Gen. SedgeWick and informed that
officer that he would move as soon as
came up. Within the next
half hour two more orders were re-
ceived and then came one from Gen.
Meade. Gen Ricketts, had received |
his order from Gen. Grant in person
and was far too good a soldier TO move
his command at the instance of an in
ferior officer. By the time the order
from Gen. Meade came Gen. Ricketts,
had lost all patience and he said to the
bearer of the order, "Tell Gen. Meade
and the Army of the Potomac 10 go
10 HI my orders are from Gen Grant"
Burnside column was in sight and in
very short time that General and one
Of his brigades were south of the Rap
dan. We were allowed sufficient time
% send up rousing cheer for the gal
ant Burnside and then came the order
forward" 1t was hot afternoon,
md our march was made in the shortest
possible time. When we reached the
front we were made part of the re-
serve force for the remainder of the
afternoon and moved on the double
luick from one point to another to re-
bel an attack.
About shutdown the division was
moved to the plank road, and then by
he flank to the front line. Just at this
ime the enemy began shelling the
Dad and every shot made sad havoc in
he ranks. The head of the column
quickly filed out of the road and short
distance to one side when it escaped
most of the shots of the enemy.
When ascending little rise ofground
bout half way to the line of battle, l
loticed Capt. Damon and Gen. Ricketts,
lifting on their horses; the General be-
ng a little i'm advance. just at tnat
Instant shell struck Damon's horse
ust behind the right stirrup and came
nut Just in front of the left stirrup, and