Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-22

enemys on the opposite heights
when we were ordered to recross the
river for the purpose of reinforcing
General Hooker on the extreme right.
This retiring across the river by
daylight was r"ther hazardous
movement, as the enemy's guns not
only eonfladed the entire plain on the
south side of the river, but also swept
the north side to the distance of
mile back.
Our brigade vas the last to retire,
and five companies of the seventh
were left to cover and support the
piekets in retiring. The companies
left were A, First Lieutenant Sloat,
commanding; D, Captain Bean; @
Captain Newman; F Captain Young;
G, Lieutenant Miller, commanding.
Company e. Captain Pond, was out
on picket. After the division had
crossed over and passed out of range
the pickets retired and these COM
panies removed over in good order,
deliberately and handsomely.
we reached the vicinity of the
United States ford late Saturday eve
ming and arrived on the battle field of
the Rapidan, near Charlottesville.
about o'clock on Sunday morning.
We were Immediately deployed a
few yards to the right of the point
where the battle was at that time rag
ing. This position we held until We'd
nesday morning, the 9th, when the
army retired. Although our position
was close to the points where the
heaviest fighting occurred on Sunday
and on the following days, we did not
fire a gun. This is the first time the
"Old Brigade" has escaped participa-
ton in the hardest part of the strug-
gle in any of the battles where it has
been present-seven in number-be-
sides a number of affairs"
In retiring our army on the 9Th, our
division acted as rear guard and COW
cred the crossing. We reached our
present camp on the 7th in good order
and in as good trim, with the excep-
ton of the above mentioned losses, as
when We left Belle Plain on the 2Sth
ult.
/ cannot speak in too high praise of
the conduct of the entire command;
both officers and enlisted men per-
formed their whole duty, and for cool
bravery they are unsurpassed by any
troops in the world. Lieutenant Col
onel John B. Calls and Major Mark
Finnicum, rendered efficient assist
ance in crossing the river and storm
ing the enemy's works. Their GOODNESS,
promptness and efficiency during the
seven days under fire. shows them to
be officers to be depended upon in any
position. Adjutant Robert Montieth
was on hand ready for any and all
duties, bullets or no bullets. Surgeon
D. Cooper Ayers and Assistant Sur
geon E. F. Spaulding, as usual with
them, accompanied the regiment on
the field, and were at all times pres
ent with their instruments, bandages,
cordials and arrangements for prompt
care and removalof the wounded. At a
crossing of the river on the 29th. they
were among the first to reach the
Heights. and were promptly engaged
in dressing the wounds of friends and
foes. Assistant Surgeon Brainard, was
absent, sick. Captain Hobart, company
B, Captain Palmer, company HI, Sec
ond Lieutenant Prutsman, command
ing company I, First Lieutenant Hoyt,
death of Captain Gordon, and First
Lieutenant Sloat of company F, who
was assigned to the command of Com
pany A after the wounding of Lieu
tenant Ryan, as we'll as the balance
of the line officers, behaved with their
usual gallantry; no better officers can
be found. Second Lieutenant Johnson
of company A, and Captain Warner,
of G, were absent on leave in Wiscon-
sin. Captain Richardson, of A, was
serving on General Meredith's staff.
| must here be allowed to bear tes-
timony of the valuable service of our
very worthy chaplain. Rev. Samuel wi
Eaton. During such times as we have
Just passed through, as well as the
more quiet times in camp. he promptly
and cheerfully attends to the sick and
wounded. and freely performs any
other necessary duties compatible
with his position. and does not hest
tate to follow us to the battlefield In
the performance of such duties.
w. w. Robinson
Colonel commanding 7th Wisconsin
Volunteers