The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-01-06
WAR "REMINISCENCES
Part Taken by 18th Vermont In Bat
tel Of Gettysburg

Part Taken by 18th Vermont In Bat
tel Of Gettysburg
The following account of the ser
vice of the 14th Vermont Volunteer
regiment in the Civil war was writ
ten for the Rutland Herald by George
F. Brown of Rutland, a member OF
Company X of that regiment:
"The reunion of the 14th Vermont
volunteer regiment, recently held in
Rutland when As of us, two of whom
had not met for AZ years, exchanged
fraternal greetings and talked over
the old times, called wildly to my |
mind our experiences while in the |
service and especially during the |
great conflict at Gettysburg, in |
which our regiment took active part.
with the exception of one man
from Derby Line and one from Troy
N. Y. the 14th regiment was recruit
ed on the west side of the Green
Mountains in the various towns Of
Rutland and Bennington counties.
The enlistments began about the LIST
of June, 1862 and the companies were
organized at different times from
Junel0 to September 10, while the
regiment was organized about the 1st
of October, going into camp at Brat
tleboro October T. We were muster.
ed into United States service Octo-
Der u and Immediately took our de-
parture for Washington
Arriving in New York rather ema-
ciated, not having Jared very well
for food, we naturally expected some
thing good for breakfast, but were
( sorely disappointed, as we were serv-
ed with live soup on tin plates which
was not very appetizing to say the
least. Unless carried away by the
tides, many of the plates are repos-
ing in the harbor now. We met with
a very different reception in Philadel-
phia, where we were served with a
most delicious meal by the ladies Of
that city. The reputation of these
ladies for hospitality to the various
regiments Of northern soldiers YVES
firmly established in the very begin
ming OF the war and their kindness
has never been forgotten although a
half century has passed away. The
veterans residing in Rutland and vi.
entity are often forcibly reminded OF
them by our own Roberts Relief
corps.
"On our arrival in Washington we
were again well fed and after rest
ing we were shown around the White
House. Nearly half of the command
had passed by when President Lin
coin, evidently having just learned
that a Vermont regiment was PASSING
hastened to the front porch with two
members Of his cabinet. He express
ed his great pleasure and apprecia
ton by bending his tall form in al
extremely low bow to the detrimen
of his tall hat, which as he swung /
: forcibly with one hand was crushed
against his leg. The gentlemen a
his side, less demonstrative, merel,
dropped their chins.
After crossing Long Bridge, fol-
ever immortalized because over
passed and repassed the whole Ur
ion army, we camped that night Of
Arlington Heights. That night
, hurricane of wind and rain came o.
and as our camp was on descendin
ground every man was wet throug
and the fly tents provided for u
were all blown skyward. In tn
= afternoon Of the following day tn
. sky cleared, giving us a chance to dr.
. our raiment and smooth our temper!
I'VE were kept I'm defense of Wash
ington until the army moved mort
late in June, 1868 After all ma
passed by us We took what was lef
, OF the road for Gettysburg. arrivin
on the field July /. and after report
ing to the commanding general OF tn
first army corps We were given a DC
sition just south of the present gov
eminent cemetery, where we remain
ed until 10 a. m, of the second day
all being quiet on both sides 70
some time afterward. When actor
finally began we were moved west o
the old cemetery where we RENAME,
until 5 p. m, of the same day whel
orders came to march double ouicl
south
We started In the following order
The 10th regiment leading, followe,
by the 18th and 14th, the 14th bein,
left in the front and we were hlghl,
complimented by the Doubleday com
mand. AS we passed by them one OF
hcer made the remark; BY -
see the Vermonters go in on as pei
feet step as they could II on dres
parade When we arrived at tn
broken line. where our battery ha,
been captured by the enemy and wa
being drawn from the field by hand
the l4th charged bayonets after tn
guns and recaptured them, and CON
l PEELED the same rebs to draw Their
back to their former position, an
i then ra.aafnhlish the Linz Of hnitIr