The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1892-03-11

in church or Sunday School. The first
words spoken by Lieut.. Thompson
were "well you got down there lust in
time" 1t was all blank to me and |
asked for an explanation. The Lieut..
says "See where that she'll cut through
the ground going over you by just three
inches and covering YOU with dirt un-
til YOU are literally buried alive. The
shell that had so demoralizcd me was
the same that passed through the two
horses How | could have seen the
two horses and their riders taking their
tumble and then slowed myself away
in that hole before the shell could reach
me when it had only ten yards to travel
will to me remain one of the mysteries
of the war.
The division was soon placed in
position where it remained during the
night. The musketry fire was kept up
all night and men were shot and Killed
while rolled up in their blankets and
sleeping soundly. At two o'clock the
disvision was called up. Orders were
Issued to be ready to charge at four.
Our assault was to be the signal for
general advance along the whole line.
In routing Company G one of the re-
cruits resisted all efforts to awaken
him. Ny attention was called to his
case, and Iknelt down by his side to see
if he might not be dead While MAX
ing the examination which proved that
he was not numbered with the slain,
Lieut.. Thompson came along and ask
ed what was the matter. When in
formed he says "Put The bayonet to
him. that will bring him to life" /
gave him sharp prod with the bayo-
net and il had the desired effect. The
same recruit behaved very badly all
that day and came very near being
court martialed for cowardice in face
of the enemy. He was killed near the
close of the war.
Daylight was breaking in the east
when the signal gun was fired which was
to start us forward to begin the bloody
work. Gen. Ricketts, walked to the
picket line to see what was in front
and make calculations as to the point
to be attacked, and the best way to
reach that point. One glance was
enough. The ground beyond the
picket was open and level as floor
while the enemy had so constructed his
works that his guns would enfilade
every part of the field. The distance
was so great that very large percent
age of those engaged in the assault
would fall before the charging column
could reach the works. while the few
that remained would fall into the
enemies hands. Gen. Ricketts, decided
not to make the attack.
1t was not long until a message was
received from Gen. Sedgewick inquire
ing why the attack had been delayed
aud asking him to begin it at once.
Gen. Ricketts, says to the officer who
brought the message, 'Tell Gen. Sedge-
wick cannot move without sacrificing
my division" About nine O'Clock,
five hours after the attack should have
been mabe, Gems. Meade and Sedge-
wick rode up to see why the order had
been dissobeyed. AS they approach
ed the division it was plain to be seen
that both were out of patience. |
think Gen. Meade was the first to speak.
And he asked for an explanation.
Gen. Ricketts, said pleasantly "Gentle-
men dismount and walk to the picket
Inc, think you will justify me-"
They were gone about twenty minutes
when they returned in the best of
lumor. AS the two Generals were
about to remount Gen Meade after put
ing one foot in the stirrup said seen.
you are not only justified in
the attack but | should like
o congratulate your division on hav-
NO so able commander" From this
line forth to the close of the war, Gen.
James B. Ricketts, was the idolized
eador of the Sd Division. ,
During the forenoon the I'd Brigade
was placed in position on a hill some
four hundred Yards to our right, The
brigade occupied the front line and
vas commanded by Gen. Seymour.
The sun was just sinking behind the
ill when our attention was attracted
hat way by hearing heavy firing in
'front.' of Seymour's brigade. Looking
II that direction we saw the enemy adj
1ancing with three lines of battle.
Suddenly Seymour's brigade began to
vaver. and then broke and ran. Gen.
Norris was in command ofour brigade
md when he saw Seymour's line waver
le jumped to his feet to order the
brigade to fall in. The men were as
luick to see as Gen. Morris and before
le could say a word they were in their
)ldCcS lI61I uluShCJS III uduh, QUA
without orders faced towards the
broken line. TWAS not a double quick
'ut run trough the brush scratching
ace and eyes but nothing delays the
rrand old brigade. The 106th New
York had the lead and as they swung
nto line at the foot of the hill by far
he larger portion of Seymour's brigade
lad already passed. Our regiment was
'ext to the 106th and took position in
ear of that regiment in close order;
The enemy was shelling the woods and
heir shots enfilated both regiments.
While our regiment YVES taking position
jol. Townsend, the brave commander
# the 106th, ordered his men to cheer.
The men did cheer with will, our
egiment joining them.
The rebel gunners mistook the
heers of those regiments for that OF
heir own men and took it for granted
hat the field was in possession of their
wn troops and withheld their fire:
This saved our brigade from fearful