The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-05-27
Tenting on The Old Camp Ground
Or Co. G. 10th VT. Vols. to the Front.
Bg Lieut.. T. III. WHITE.
NO. ID

/ do not recall single instance VINE
Co. G failed to do its whole duty Ill
der the most trying circumstance
but there were times when it excelle
all previous records and performe
feats that were seldom equalled an
never eXcelled.
The way the boys changed positio
on the skirmish lines, as told III IN
last letter, was perhaps one of the mos
trying duties that the men were Gale
upon to perform. 1t was thirty me
against regiment, fully Differed an
equipped. The enemy opened fire tn
moment the move began, while tn
bows could not return the fire until tn
new position was reached. So wei
was the movement executed that Whel
the new position was reached and TIT
boys had dropped to the ground, TIT
alignment was perfect. The thirty
rifles of Company G cracked almos
at the same instant and with telling Ell
feet. That thirty men could make
such move while receiving the fire OF
an entire regiment, and not one OF
them be hit is little less than a miracle,
and is strong proof of the old adaage,
"Fortune favors the brave" often
wish that [ could recall the names OF
little band of heroes, but it is impossible
to give anthing but an Imperfect llst at
this late day, while to mention a rev
would be an injustice to the rest, as all
were equally deserving.
After the close of the battle OF Spot
tsy!vania, there was little that was es-
pecially exciting or interesting so far
as the company was concerned until
Cold Harbor was reached. 1t is true
that the regiment was under fire for
twenty-seyen DAYS from May 9th on,
strickly speaking for portion OF each
day during that time. Our corps was
hurried forward to assist Hancock at
the North Ann river, and our regiment
occupied the skirmish line while there.
We were in line with our division at
that point when Gen. Rickett gave the
order and a mile of the Orange and
Alexandria railroad was turned bottom
side up, and rendered useless by burn
the ties and twisting the rails. The
regiment was again put to the test at
the South Ann, but as before stated |
recall nolhlng particularly exciting and
will pass on to Cold Harbor.
On the afternoon of June LIST the 10th
Vermont was leading the army of the
Potomac. The orders were for
forced march. The Cavalry were then
in possession of a strong position and
and were fighting to hold until the in
fantry should arrive. BY three O'Clock
messengers began arriving from the
front with orders to hurry up, as the
Cavalry would not be able to hold out
much longer. By five in the afternoon
the head of the column reached the
front. Our brigade formed in rear of
the division commanded by the gallant
Custer. The momen. the line was
formed and the men ordered to lie
down they would be asleep. Minnie
balls were flying like hail, and the
shells were tearing the ranks but those
men had been called upon to perform
work beyond the power of endurance, {
and the roar of battle failed to keep {
was formed an advance was ordered. [
Its object was to draw The enemy's at s
tention while other corps were coming
up and taking position. Those moves i
were short and came often. L fell {
asleep just as soon as L struck the |
ground until three or four of those {
moves had been made.
We had just made another short adj 6
vance and were again on the ground I
when my attention was directed to S
Lieut.. Charles G. Newton who was ~ q
ing by my side. His eyes were wild
and nearly protrunidg from their L
sockets, while his muscles worked and '
twitched and his general appearance /
too was as rigid. The moment | saw t
him | felt that his hour was near at S
hand, and that he had a presentiment C
Of it. | commenced to talk to him in /
hopes to divert his mind from what | a
felt to be his coming doom. | spoke Y
TO him several times before | could at
tract his attention. When | finally i
he turned to me and in q
1azed sort of a way asked what | had Il
said. Just at that moment a bursting q
she'll tore broad gap in the line just at f
our left and | called his attention that n
way as though that might have been g
NV purpose in addressing him The U
she'll only lasted two or three minutes n
and then the Lieut.. became quite cheer
full and natural again. The 10th Vt.
was third line in this formation and
had orders not to fire shot until the Il
'ho i0S ilh0hV h"u Paseeu CWo lines OF
)attle. a
1t was not long until three of the a
,orps were in position and a general s
advance begun. Lieut.. Newton was g
n the best of spirits as we advanced q
Up to and over the brow of the hill. &
AS we descended the other slope it s
became evident that we had the enemy o
1t disadvantage. AS we neared the
foot of the slope the rebels began to Q,
brow down their arms and surrender. q
Here the Lieutenant was in his glory. o
lie was doing his best work and sue
,eeded in cheering on the Company as
he had never done before. He rolled
Up his sleeves and struck out right and
eft, and kept up the enthusiasm until
he fight at this point ended. AS L