Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-10-26

II HT1VWTN OF TTU 7 III TTTTTTT TTUTUTt TVVsT-
ment. 1t Is a part of the proud annals of
the State and nation. Nor Is II necessary
TO describe our part in this battle to those
who were here. Eat as an address for
this occasion would be incomplete without
II, and as every visit here Of comradas
adds to tho common knowledge of what
they did, / sh al, in the briefest terms at
my command, cc-tell cur part of the great
and tragic story.
We reached the field late in the after
noon of the first battle, coming over the
lImmatsburg road, crossing the meadow
and ridge near the Ccpsc of trees and
taking position in a Glove field behind
Buftord's cavalry, which was then on the
left flank Of our army. We were so OK
haustcd that we slept that night although
there was great activity all around. In
the morning how the scene had changed.
The cavalry had moved to the left and
was out of sight. Long lines of infantry
stretched to our left, while on our right,
like a glistening Gown upon the brows
of Cemetery Hill, where batteries, With
infantry before and behind. Soon we were
moved to the green field on the southcrly
slorc Of that hill and massed to support
the batteries.
The Union line was shaped like n fish
hook. the right, in point composed of the
twelfth Corps. resting on Culp's Hill and
facing northeast, while Creig's cavalry
was beyond it, far across Rock Creek. The
Eleventh and a pert Of the First Corps
TO which latter we Belonged, occupied
Cemetery lIill aud faced north and west.
The S -cond and q part of the First oC-
Cupied the left centre. from Icigles's
Grove half way to Little Round Top.
along this ridge and faced west. The
Third had taken an advanced position
from the left of tn Second and extended
along the Emmettsburg Road to the
Peach orchard, facing westward, and
thence to the left, facing south, to the
Devils Del. The Fifth. which came later,
prolonged our line in rear of the Third,
and the Sixth, when 1t arrived on the af-
|ternoon Of the second day, was east of
Round Top. facing south, to guard The
army's left flank, which was also guarded
southwest, of Round Top by Buford's cav
airy.
our position during most Of the second
day was therefore in the bend of the fish
hook, and shells came upon US from three
directions. While there the incident al
ready alluded to occurred, when IN Of
liCer and three men of Company X for Il
lcng time helped to serve a gun. There,
too, Capt. Williams of Company G fell
mortally wounded. and the honor came
to me to lake his piece. There, also, we
saw a regiment CCmc down from the
ridge at our right in wild retreat. in vain
their officers tried to halt them, where
upon a portion of our brigade dasn'd
across thcir path and we heard the claw
ion voice Of Col. Randall Ipbraid and call
attention to our firmnes5. Nothing could
have been more fortunate for our eO-
enlargement. Yet arother event occur
ecd there which was also most inspiring
The corps commanders had been required
by Gen. Meade to address their troops on
the tremendous issue of the battle. Dur
ing a little hull in the firms Gen. Double
day cdInc to us and spoke, as ! remember
it, somewhat like this:
Boys, will You fight? OF covse YOU
will; you come from Il fighting State. Not
only are youg friends at home Watching
you. but "a noble brigade of your brethren
is looking to Sc" you emulate their great
example
These stirring illusions brought forth
the heartiest cheers ana there were Gales
of Lead us on, and we will show You
what we can do" But the time was no,
yet. Nearly all day long We stood under
shells and watched with feveriSh anxiety
the terrific lighting on Little Round Top
in the Valley Of Death. over the rocks OF
the Devils Den, through the wheat FIELD
and the peach orchard and finally APP
reaching us along the Emmcttsburg Road
The fatcful hour had come. There was
connection Immediately in our left anC
front. Horsemen galloped to our positis
and Stannard was ordered to deploy tC
the left and support Gen. Hancock. Thu
movement was executed on the double
QUICK anu u LOOK us lIllb Tue iHluSN u q
Kissing storm Of lead and iron. Five com
panies of our regiment unde- Lieut.. Col
Munson, which had been sent TO the wes'
slope of the hill to guard IA battery, were
unable 10 leave it, but the rest of us push
ed on. The Sixteenth and Fourteenth
Vermont led on to our left. When W.
were descending the slope towards tn,
=. copse of trees where the Confederate
!, column under Gen. Wright had pressed
=. back and penetrated tho Union line, bu'
had in turn been repulsed. an abandoned
battery in the valley was dimly seer
through the smoke and a strong column ~
CCnfederatcs was pushing for it. stan
nard had got too far to receive an order
/, There was not a second to be lost. Dash
/, ing TO Col. Randall, Gen. Hancock said
colonel, can YOU retake those guns?
"Ycs, or die trying" replied our heroic
leader, and we ran yelling down the slope
[ 1t was q race for the guns and the Yam
? KEGS won il. though the ConfederatcS 80
so near that it seemed for a moment a!
3, though there would be a clash of steel.
I We had hardly started when Col. Ran
=, dali fell with his wounded horse. Iii
/; son Charles, though only 10 years of age
= was my lieutenant. He saw his fathe
t fall and begged permission to 80 TO Kim
= which | CTanted. But in IA moment h
t returned smiling, saying "He is all right
= it was only his horse" and before we la'
, gone many rods, the colonel, hatless bu
= with sword in hand, had overtaken tn
. line and was leading in front OF the col
$ orS.
WHOM we drew the guns up the slope
e relieved my men Of as many of their rifle
= as | could carry and I presume other of
Z ticers did the same. Private John McMa
4 hon of my company (who be
Q came the champion wrestler of the world
= then made a remaCk to me which ! for
5 rear to quote but which | shall alway
t cherish, for not even a medal of honor b
t Congress is 50 much priced by an Office
as the commentator of his mon. Whei
8 VIC were met by relief, some soldiers call
{ ed out What troops be you fellersT
t Many of the boys proudly answeS'e
e Green Mountain Boys" well,
5 thought" said he, you must BE- gree
f or you'd never gone in there, Thi
n greatly amused and also encouraged MS.
q Al soon as we turned over the guns W
4 reformed in line and charged back acros
= the valley in pursuit Of tho fleeing enemy
e After crossing "A ditch, we were fired upo
from the rear by a Confederate VINO ha
e been supposed dead. The bullet just mis-
= ed Maj. Boynton, at whom it was doubt
. less aimed. Three men of Company
i turned to bayOnet the miscraant but tn
major saved his life. When We reache
f the Peter Rogers cottage We were fire
n upon from it's windows, Company
l. swung around it, Company ( stood /
/. front, and here So prisoners were car
y: tured. Adiutant James :. Peck bravel
q going to the door and demanding the
s surrender. While this was %transuirinl
- 80, - - = ,,,1ar Cant rnhIrp Unnt =