The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-07-05
VT. BRIGADE AT GETTYSBURG
Montreal Man Tells of the valor of the
Green Mountain Boys.

GitSH MUuutdlH DoyS.
Writing to the Boston Globe, I, +. l..
of Montreal gives the following inter-
esting description OF the Vermonters'
part in the great battle of Gettysburg:
Editor Peoples Column take the
liberty Of sending you some notes on
how the ID Vermont brigade helped to
win the battle of Gettysburg, Your
daily war stories have the merit, with
accompanying plans and illustrations, Of
being understood, which cannot be said
of most battle descriptions.
Many histories of the war, for exam
pie, though admirable as whole, fail
TO explain Gettysburg when they say
Pickett's charge was broken up when
the Confederates fell into the hands of
the Vermonters. This was so, but the
reader is not enlightened on how the
enemy was drawn into situation by
which he suffered both d frontal and
flank attack at short range.
When Gen. Pickett's division was
about half way across the open fields,
between the rival battle lines, it was
forced to oblique toward the Federal
right for a distance of about go rods, in
order to bear against The Clump of
Trees" which had been selected as a
point OF attack. The column then came
straight on to a point near where the
Vermont Brigade was stationed. The
movement was fatal.
Seeing his opportunity, Brig. Gen.
George J. Stannard acted promptly The
charging column was about 900 yards
wide and consisted Of some 1000 men.
When the mass of infantry swerved to
the right Gen Stannard, by moving two
OF his large regiments forward to the
left and turning toward the enemy. de-
livered flank attack while the bat
teries and the remainder OF the Union
line continued to pour in fire OF mus
kerry and grape from the front
The order OF the general was. Charge
front forward on first company" This
movement was executed by the Green
mountain boys while under heavy fire,
condition which rendered it difficult to
accomplish but nevertheless it was sue
cessful.
The 18th and 10th regiments moved
forward 30 TO 30 rods. and then, turning
on the flank OF Pickett's men, poured in
deadly yolleys at pistol range. Many
prisoners were taken.
Almost Immediately afterward an
other Confederate force was seen com
ing across the field The 10th Regiment
turned towards them and flanked them
in the same manner. The 18th regiment
remained in front supplying direct
fire.
These three regiments comprise the
fighting force Of the I'd Vermont as en-
gagged Two other regiments, the 18th
and 18TH were. much to their disgust, |
guarding a train in the rear.
The brigade was composed Of nine
months men, whose terms were lust |
expiring. The brigade marched away
from Gettysburg home. and what they
did on July and July ; is still talked |
about in their native state.
On July the Nermonters recaptured |
a Union battery from the Confederates /
and re-established the left center, the
Federal line which had been broken by |
4 desperate charge Nothing could |
dampen the spirit of these citizen sol
diers On this same day Co. A. 18th !
Vermont, recruited and commanded by /
the late Capt. John Lonergan, advanced |
at double quick on houseful of sharp /
shooters near the Peach orchard, and /
50 prisoners--more men than
were in the company. The commission
ed officers and four-fifths of the rank /
and file of the company were Irish
Americans. For this brave deed, Capt.
Lonergan was awarded a medal of honor
Dy Congress, on which is the inscription,
For distinguished gallantry in action
1t Gettysburg, July ?, 1868. IT. F. L.,
Montreal