Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-10-01

OF large lIOpOi liohSe
Gen. Butterfield, who bore an impor
tant part in the December light, ant
who after the war gained wealth.
No special effort has been made Z
preserve this battlefield, but 1t still
lies very much as the war left u
Marye's Heights, series OF ridges
forming the first high ground bach
from the Rappahannoek, were the
KEY to Lees position as he faced
northward toward his foe occupying
Falmouth Heights three miles away
and across the river. Longstreet''
corps held these heights, while further
TO the right, down the valley, on ris'
! ing ground that was but a prolonga.
ton OF the, ridge Jackson's corps
awaited the Federal movement. II
was time when the North expected
something to be done. Mcclellan had
turned Lee back into Virginia the fall
before, but had dallied until he could
be endured no longer. He had been
superseded by Burnside, a hard
fighter, who had handled corps well
at Antietam and was now thought tit
10 command an army. The Rebels,
though smarting under reverse, had
plenty of pluck and substance LETT.
The Army of the Potomac had been
strengthened until II outnumbered Lee
two TO one, but this was unknown at
the time.
Burnside moved quickly from North
ern Virginia to the RappahannOck and
almost succeeded in crossing the river
before he was brought TO bay by the willy
Longstreet. Lee quickly concentrated
on the high ground described and
strongly fortified. Burnside decided
on a front attack. The bridges had
been broken down and he had TO cross
the river on pontoons laid in the face
OF the enemy who annoyed him great
ly for a time. Finally, he bombarded
the town in which the Rebel sharp
shooters had hid. Then be crossed in
full force and formed for the grand
assault. There were to be two dis
tinct movements one toward Marye's
Heights on the right, the other against
jackson on the left. The latter proved
for time very successful. The
Union columns debouehed on the
plain south OF the town. covered by a
fog. When IL rose they quickly
charged the Rebel line and broke Il |
in confusion. Had this attack been
well supported. Lees right must have
gone 10 pieces, but Ii was not. and |
Jackson's men soon restored their
lines and hurled the Federals back /
where they were glad 70 take refuge 4
behind a railway embankment for the
remainder Of the day.
The assault on Marye's Heights was
little better than a slaughter The /
Union columns formed within the
town and moved out through streets
and by roads now 20 be seen. As
soon as they emerged from cover they
were met with deeimating shell Ere
hat shattered their ranks. They
pressed on brayely until they came
within the zone Of musketry, when the
marksmen stationed behind
az the crown of the ridge
Ind In a sunken road in front of is
base picked them OF az viii without
receiving any damaging return. Time
and again they went forward into this
empest OF death, with the same re-
could make no Roadway.
'ix desperate charges were repulsed.
our conductor pointed out Just how
or toward the sunken wall he saw our
men advance and leave their dead and
lying. All was futile Baflled In
very direction, having lost In useless
acritice over 1900 OF his soldiers.
in desperation, wanted 70
Fad his army once more into the .
laughter pen, himself az their head.
nd stake all in one grand charge. lie
Ias dissuaded and the army spared
rom further loss Without molesta-
ion from Lee. Burnside withdrew 10 1.
be north bank OF the Rappahannock. :
'hile a deep and saddening moan /
anne from the North al this dreadful 8
dering OF blood
sedgwick's fight In May was OF
itierent nature. Hooker had clever. :
I tianked Lee and crossed his main I
rmy up the river. He lett the Sixth 1
Drps 70 mislead Lee. and to further o
lystiiy him pushed this force across ,
he river as II Tor an assault. When
&c saw through the trick he with
rev his main force. leaving only
longh to garrison Maryes Heights
nd protect his rear while he moved
q Hooker az Charlottesville. Sedp-
lex was TO press Lee aud by CO.
lerating with Hooker was 10 envelop
I'M between the two. Accordingly.
arye's Heights must be carried. and
rs was done by an assault CALAMITY Il
secuted. Sedgwick fought his way g
.veral miles toward Hooker. but was Al
lally brought 10 BAY nj Salem church v
ld compelled 20 retire across the u
yer at Banks Ford after a brilliant Of
siense against Lees concerted effort ii
destroy him. Hooker. too, crawled
Ick alter his rOut AZ Charlottesville.
ID the Rebels closed successful de-
nee Of their position.
Marye's house on the crest OF the
lights still shows the shot holes. as :,
the tumble-down negro cabins sur "a
unding. A stone wall and gate be-
zen this house and the cemetery
ar plenty OF scars OF Federal shell
ssed over from Falmouth. The
anne buildings on the outskirts Of the, 4
wn in front OF the heights contain
any ugly gashes made by plunging 1