St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-01-15
position to foil the enemy, who was
closely pursuing.

"The next day." says General Grant,
"while hating and taking coffee beyond White
Oak swamp, the enemy unexpectedly and sud-
denly opened upon us with terrific cannon
ade at short range. II probably exceled any
open field cannonade Of the war except that
Of the third day Of Gettysburg All commands
suddenly and unavoidably went to the rear In
confusion. II was the work Of a moment and
the work of only few moments to rally the
different regiments. There WAS no fear or
thought of danger. The first thing to be done
was to rally the regiments into line, and until
that was done the excitement and the effort
overcame fear. But after that was done we
waited in limo long time expecting the enemy
to make an infantry attack That waiting was
fearful. was suffering from swamp fever,
and the terrible fighting at Savage Station the
day before and the all night march through
White Oak swamp had nearly exhausted my
powers Of physical endurance That was ter
ribly sad and long afternoon, and II ever / felt
the coward felt it then. ] did wish the enemy
would let US alone, and | longed for night to
come. ! never had slsth feeling before and
never since. 1t was feeling OF weakness-of
fear. ] though II the enemy would only let us
alone that day didn't much care what he did
afterward. He did let us alone excepting to
keep up an irregular artillery fire. and lived
to fight another day.
"TLe second day of the second battle OF
fredericksburg, or rather the battle Of Salem
Heights, May, 1868, was one Of the times when
really enjoyed the fight. Lee according to
his report. had crippled Hooker at Chanoellors-
vile, and leaving small force to watch Hook.
Ell, went with his main army to meet Sedgwick,
me- cching up from Fredericksburg. Lee met
Sedgwick near Salem church and checked his
advance just before night. Lee had a large
force in Sedgwick's front and had extended
his limo around to the left so that Sedgwicks
retreat upon fredericksburg was cut off. Lee
took nearly all the next day 70 arrange his
forces for attack. 1t came latT in the after
noon. 1t was splendid attack, His large force
moved down on US in three loHg lines OF bat
tie. 1t was splendid sight u sight that incit-
ed admiration rather than fear. My brigade
was well posted on a crescent shaped swell.
Before reaching us the enemy's lines became
somewhat confused In passing ravine in
driving out small force on our front, but
they came upon us with great force and in
pretty good order, and their attack was hand
somely repulsed and part Of the brigade adj
vanced upon the attacking party and captured
many prisoners. The attack was 80 grand and
exhiarating and the countercharge SO com
plete and successful, nearly all in open field
and plain view that could not help enjoying
1t.
"The other time when ! enjoyed the fight
was at the Wilderness, May 0, 1864. The battle
commenced May s, when General Getty, with
three brigades tone of which was mine), was
compelled to attack Hills Confederate corps
without waiting for Hancock s corps. confess
that / went into the attack with fear and
trembling, because it seemed almost like a
forlorn hope. 1t was we'll known that we
were to attack greatly superior force
and under great disadvantage. But the dan
ger was imminent. and the attack must
be made, and it was made. The result was
that the enemy, who was about to attack, was
held in check until dark, and our army was
saved from great disaster, but with the loss
of half Of my officers and one third Of my en-
listed men. Ie were relieved by Hancock
about dark. Soon after that an order came
stating in substance that the whole army
would attack the enemy ut daylight. Such an
order was new experience, and, coming, as it
did, Just after such fearful slaughter and
while we were burying our dead and caring
for our wounded, produced fearful impression
on my mind. Supposing that we must repeat
the attack of that day, i Immediately concluded
that 1t would be the last of many men and that
was among the number destined to fall. The
impression amounted to conviction, and could
not shake it off nor overcome 1t. In the morn
ing gave my poeketbook to one comrade and
my watch to another, with directions what to
do with each. l also gave directions as to the
disposition Of my horses The certainty OF
death seemed real to me. There seemed nc
reasonable doubt Of it,
"But the attack was quito different from
that of the day before. There were four lines
OF battle in our 'front.' and we did not fire shot
until after an advance Of mile or more and
after our advance was checked and those four