The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1894-12-13

on the front line CT Cemetery Ridge be-
tween Gibbon S and Caldwell's divisions
of Hancock's corps. In other words.
they halted at the first gap met within
the line which Meade and Hancock were
rearranging on the ridge in anticipation
of the morrow, a mere accident, because
the rightful place of the brigade was in
the First corps line on Cemetery Hill,
farther north. And where it had acct
dentally halted it remained for 26 hours,
or until the close of the battle
The Vermonters lay exposed to the
artillery fire which introduced Pickett's
charge. Union batteries all around them
were demolished by their fearful hurri-
cane Of missiles, but not until their
guns had given response in kind, and
throughout that two hours terrific can
nonade those hardy, healthy, but phys
ically exhausted mountaineers from the
classic green hills lay on their arms sound
asleep. Suddenly the pickets and wake
full outlooks, watching the mysterious
fringe of woods beyond COHORTS mead
ows and the Emmittsburg road, cried
out, Boys. here they comeP' Then all
sprang into line and stood idly and ST.
lently reviewing the magnificent spec
ing the long gray lines advancing at
quick STEP The right flank of Pickett's
own division of Virginians marched
squarely upon the Vermont brigade.
Stannard told his colonies to have the
men hold their fire until the enemy was
close up, then give one volley and finish
it with the bayonet. AS the Fourteenth
regiment, the first in line, arose to de-
~ 70
left and marched obliquely across the
front of the brigade until they cleared
it, then fronted and rushed upon Han
cock S brigades at the Bloody Angle, "
Copse of Trees and Stone Wall. Mean
while the Fourteenth opened fire, fol-
lowed by the Sixteenth, which lay ON
its right flank, and was passed in turn
by the enemy's files. A long line Of
Confederate dead and wounded marked
the course of the fated column on the
front of the Vermont brigade. True.
the Virginians avoided the Vermonters'
bayonets, but Stannard was not to be
defrauded of opportunity. The instant
he saw the front facing and forward
step of Pickett's men he ordered the
Thirteenth and Sixteenth regiments to
assail them squarely on the flank. Both
moved promptly in columns of four,
then changed front forward, swinging
into a line at right angles with Pickett's,
which was several ranks deep and not
above dozen rods from the muzzles of
the Vermont rifles.
At that deadly range the Thirteenth
fired 10 or IL rounds to man, the Six
teenth half the number. The effect was
instantaneous, and Pickett's march
ceased. At first the men in gray drew
off from the flank fire, crowding to-
gether until the once orderly ranks be-
came a mob. Then hundreds threw
down their arms in surrender. Some Of
the Virginians, who were Garnett's
men, faced to the right and stood at
bay, crossing bayonets with the Yer
monters, while the front ranks, led by
Garnett on horseback, struggled for
ward to the stone wall. But the su-
preme blow had been given, and the
charge of Pickett's own division was
thing of the past.
Yet Stannard's work was not over.
While he was directing the flank attack
by the Thirteenth and Sixteenth, Han
cock rode to the spot, and receiving
wound which disabled him was helped
from his horse by Stannard and one of
his staff. Stannard cut the clothing
from the wound and bound his handker-
chief above it to stop the flow of blood.
Turning around to look to his troops,
he saw fresh body of Confederates
marching CALAMITY up the slope to the
right of the Fourteenth, which all the
time had remained in the advanced po-
sition where Pickett encountered it. The
Thirteenth and Sixteenth meanwhile
had been ordered to resume their places
near the Fourteenth.
The new enemy proved to be Florida
and Alabama brigade led by General
Wilcox as a support to Pickett. They
had started late and not kept touch with
Pickett's column. The Sixteenth Yer
mont promptly advanced down the slope,
and changing front poured its fire into
the flank of Wilcox. -Four companies of
the Fourteenth joined the Sixteenth, and
the astonished enemy went flying back
to tie Emmittsburg road, leaving three
flags and hundreds of prisoners in the
hands Of the Vermonters. To cover
Wilcox's retreat the Confederate artil-
lery hurled a shower Of grape and shell
into STANDARDS ranks, and, as though
to wreak a late revenge, shrapnel ball
entered the hero's thigh, Embedding it.
self deep in the muscles.
With Gettysburg the Vermont mill
tia passed into history and also out Of
it. The nine months term soon expired,
and the regiments disbanded.
GEORGE L. KILMER
AN EXTRAORDINARY CRIME.