The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 3

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064

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reached over, and sharply punching his ex- tended leg, in a low, eager, half-whispered tone, exclaimed, " That is right ! give it to 'em give it to 'em, Uncle Ziba !" And it is said that he did give it to 'em in a manner which very likely never had a par- allel in the shape of a prayer. The Dem- ocrats opened the meeting with a very zealous speech for the administration, which was often interrupted by applause. Mr. Baylies, an astute lawyer and of com- manding talents as a speaker, proceeded in his reply, and, having to his own satis- faction proved the fallacy of the position of his rival, commenced a general attack upon Mr. Madison and his advisers at Washington. He had not proceeded far, however, when old Matthew Wallace, of Berlin, a tall, resolute man, leaped sud- denly to his feet, and, in a voice which seemed to be the tocsin of war, exclaimed, " Can't stand that ! can't stand that, Mr. Chairman ! anything in reason, but, by heavens, sir," his eye flashing and fist raised, " I sha'nt sit here to listen to out- right treason !" Mr. Baylies, before he got through, was hissed and coughed down. Resolutions supporting the administration were read, and passed with a tremendous acclamation.

The chairman of the meeting in the ear ly part of the day was Hon. Ezra Butler one of the oldest settlers of the County, who was a Democrat. Finding the meet- ing likely to be controlled by the Federal party, at this time so well organized into what was called the Washington Societies, le resigned, and the Federals elected Hon. Charles Bulkley, a most bitter opponent of the war. But when the convention was thoroughly represented from the surround- ing towns coming in, the war party was found to be in such majority they had ev- erything their own way, and Esquire Bulk- ley, as Chairman of the convention, saw his name signed to the war resolutions so triumphantly passed, and thus was made to give his sanction to what he had intend- ed, with his friends, to defeat. The war was heartily supported by a large majority of the County, and patriotic volunteers were not wanting to defend the country's

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

honor. When the news of Prevost's army invading the State reached our inhabit- ants, it was but a grand rallying-cry from the Border, which was responded to by almost every able-bodied man shouldering his musket and marching for the front. They flocked from the hills and the glens, swarming down the Winooski, the same patriotism firing them that characterized the Green Mountain Boys in the days of Allen and Warner. An example to illus- trate may be given in the person of Capt. Timothy Hubbard, who, when the news of the invasion of Plattsburg, N. Y., by the British, reached Montpelier, in Sep- tember, 1814, sallied out cane in hand into the streets, summoning a drummer and a fifer to his side, one of them being a hired man, and marching the streets all day beating up volunteers to start forthwith to the scene of action. And such were his appeals, and such the heat of patriotism in the community, that before night nearly or quite two thirds of the male population were enlisted, and ready to march on the following morning, which they did, they reaching Plattsburg in season to take place in the line of battle. Capt. Campbell, of- ten known as " old Captain Blue," from Waitsfield and vicinity, summoned with the same alacrity the war spirits of Mad River. Other towns with equal right offer their muster-rolls to vindicate their claim to equal honors.

There are a few individuals so prominent in the affairs of the State and nation, born or residing more or less in this County, it seems fitting their names and services should be noticed here. And first among these stands Gen. Benjamin Wait, a dis- tinguished revolutionary veteran and asso- ciate of Ethan Allen and the men who made the heroic epoch of Vermont ?- [There will be in Waitsfield, this volume, a notice of Gen. Wait.]

JOHN CLOUD,

a long-time resident of this County, was in many engagements in the Revolution- ary War ; in his last battle, while leading a retreat and firing back, he was shot through the thigh, which had to be ampu- tated.

WILLIAM PHEN,

also an old resident, was in the campaigns of the Duke of Wellington.

[We reserve a sketch of Col. John Tap- lin for Berlin, and notice of other eminent men here introduced, for the towns to which they more specially belong .- Ed.]

Conspicuously identified with the growth of the County or connected with its inter- nal improvements were

JUDGE ELIJAH PAINE,

living on the borders of the County in Williamstown. [See vol. II, page 1150. Ed.] and his son,

GOV. CHARLES PAINE,

who passed most of his life in the County, a man of exceeding active, practical mind and indomitable will. In addition to run- ning a large manufacturing establishment he did more than all others toward secur- ing our present railroad facilities.

HORACE HOLLISTER

built most of the old County road, going north from Montpelier through Calais.

MAHLON COTTRILL,

the long-time popular landlord of the Pa- vilion, was proprietor of several lines of stage in the County, and at one time was more largely connected with the public travel in this vicinity than any other per- son before or since. One of his lines was over the great thoroughfare from Boston to Burlington and Montreal via Montpelier, with coaches drawn by from four to six superb horses, and the finest stage equip- ments ever known in New England. Thompson relates a wonderful feat of a driver by the name of Blaisdell, performed on this road, which was the difficult and dangerous task of leaping from his seat on the coach-box on to, and over the near wheel-horse to the ground, and seizing the pole which had just dropped with a cant to run off a precipice 60 feet deep, the wheel being within a yard of the edge, and, holding also to the neck-yoke, guidng a heavy load of passengers safely to the foot of the hill. The rock, which is a mile and a half south of Waterbury street, on the

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Moretown side of Winooski river, has since been known as Blaisdell's Rock.

WILLIAM UPHAM

was a most remarkable advocate before a jury, and his speeches in the United States Senate were very highly complimented by Daniel Webster.

SAMUEL PRENTISS,

as a jurist, said Chancellor Kent in speak- ing of him, "Judge Story, the only man to be thought of in comparison, is certainly a very learned and able man, but I cannot help regarding Judge Prentiss as the best jurist in New England." He was also held in high estimation in the Senate of the United States.

PUBLIC MORALS AND EDUCATION, a very active interest in, sprang up in the County about the time of its organization, the leader of which was Rev. Chester Wright ; and which under the influence of James H. Langdon extended also to trade. In addition to a new impetus in the com- mon district-schools, sabbath-schools were organized, libraries purchased and lyceums formed ; the effect of which was felt in all parts of the County, and in 1858, the Union School at the Capital was put in operation, which has really revolutionized the old manner of teaching. Hon. Rod- erick Richardson superintended the erec- tion of the building, and was chairman of the committee-men. The example was fol- lowed by other towns. Academies and seminaries made their appearance ; one at Barre, under the auspices of the New Eng- land Universalist societies, and one at Montpelier, under the auspices of the Ver- mont Methodist Conference, and one at Waterbury, under the management of the Baptist denomination ..

The County has also been very creditably represented in the number and character of its authors and publications, as well as many able articles from its pens entering into the journalism of different parts of the country.

" The Indian Captive," by Horace Steele, was published in Montpelier in 1812: "Baylies Index," in 3 vols., by Hon. Nicholas Baylies, in 1814; Judge Baylies published beside a book on Free-

agency in 1821. "The Battle of Platts- burgh," a poem in pamphlet, by Samuel Woodworth, in 1815 ; " The Gift," 16 mo., a smal poetic book, by Miss Sophia Wat- rous, of Northfield, published at Montpel- ier in 1840. The Rev. F. W. Shelton, formerly Rector of the Episcopal Church in Montpelier, has published at different times " Salander and the Dragon," " The Rector of Bardolph, " Chrystaline," " Up the River," and " Peeps from a Belfry," which have given the author a wide and pleasant reputation. Here was also the long-time home-at Montpelier -- of Charles G. Eastman, one of the few American poets complimented with notice by the Edinburgh critics. Here was published his book, some 200 pages, of very fine lyrical and descriptive verse.

The native birdlike melody of some of Eastman's songs has rarely been equalled in our country. An excellent painter of nature, he reflects with much felicity the living features of the rural life of the Green Mountain land. [A full notice of East- man and his poems will be found in his native Barnard, Windsor Co.]

Daniel P. Thompson held the most pro- lific pen of any man born or ever residing in the County, the novelist of Vermont, whose books have run through fifty edi- tions. [For full notice of, see Berlin.]

There have also been published in Mont- pelier, The Astronomical Discourses of Thomas Chalmers in 1819, Thomas Cook's Universal Letter-writer, in 1816; James Dean's Vermont Gazetteer, in 1808 ; Life of Benjamin Franklin, in 1809; Religious Courtship, 1814, The Accident, or Henry and Julia, by Wm. Perrin, 1815 ; Peter the Great, 1811; Infantry Exercise, 1820; Thompson's Vermont Gazetteer, 1824 and 1840; "A Thanksgiving Discourse," by John Gridley, wherein was given a con- densed history of Montpelier, in 1843 ; “A Geographical Poem" of the County, by Ithamer Smith, some years ago ; “ A His- tory of the 13th Regiment," in journal form, by Edwin Palmer, Esq., of Water- bury, in 1866; in 1870, "The Harvest Moon and other Poems," by G. N. Brig- ham, M. D. [See Fayston.]

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

Other several noted authors have had a temporary residence within the County. Samuel Hopkins, author of an Ecclesiasti- cal History in relation to the Seceders and the Puritans ; John S. C. Abbott, and the Hon. Isaac F. Redfield, a long-time res- ident at Montpelier, and for 25 years a member of the Supreme Court of Ver- mont, and nearly 10 years its Chief Jus- tice, whose more recently published work, called a " Practical Treatise on the Law of Railways," has become a standard work, and given Mr. Redfield, at home and abroad, rank with the first of American and English jurists.

The County has sustained within the last fifty years two, and much of the time five, weekly journals, which have been ably conducted for what is known as the country newspaper, the " Vermont Watch- man," the "Free Press," which was chang- ed to the " Vermont Patriot," and more recently to the " Argus and Patriot," the "Voice of Freedom," now the " Green Mountain Freeman," the " Christian Mes- senger," and the " Christian Repository."

CENSORS :

Ezra Butler, 1806; J. Y. Vail, 1820 ; Jos. Reed, 1834; H. C. Reed, 1841; H. F. Janes, 1848 ; Wm. W. Wells, 1855 ; Jos, Prentiss, 1862 ; Chas. Reed, 1869; T. P. Redfield, 1869.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS :

Ezra Bntler in 1804, '20, '28, '32 ; Dr. Edward Lamb, 1836; Jos. Reed, 1840.

UNITED STATES SENATORS :

Samuel Prentiss, 1831-42 ; William Up- ham, 1843-53; Matt. Carpenter, Senator from Wisconsin, born in this County.

REPRESENTATIVES TO CONGRESS :

Ezra Butler, 1813-15; H. F. Janes, 1835-37 ; Paul Dillingham, 1843-47 ; L. B. Peck, 1847-51; E. P. Walton, 1857-63 ; C. W. Willard, 1869-73. A son of Judge Rice, of Waitsfield, has also been a terri- torial Representative, and we have fur- nished District Judge, Samuel Prentiss ; and one District Clerk, Edw. H. Prentiss ; and two District Attorneys, Lucius B. Peck and B. F. Fifield.

S. B. Colby received the appointment of first register in the office of the secretary of the treasury under Abraham Lincoln.

Ezra Butler was Governor from 1826 to '28 ; Chas. Paine from 1841 to '43 : Paul Dillingham, Lieut. Governor in 1862, '3, '4, and Governor in 1865 to '67. Gov. Dil- lingham was also Lieut. Governor for 3 years preceding his election to the chief magistracy.

D. M. Camp and Geo. N. Dale were long-time residents of the County; the former being Lieut. Governor from 1836 to '41, and the other being the present in- cumbent of that office (1869).

The office of State treasurer has chiefly been held by individuals of the County since the location of the State House here. H. F. Janes, John Spaulding, E. P. Jew- ett, Geo. Howes, H. M. Bates and John A. Page being the persons receiving at dif- ferent times the election to that office to 1869.

The office of Secretary of State has also been held by County residents : David Wing, Jr., Timothy Merrill, C. L. Knapp, F. F. Merrill, D. P. Thompson, C. W. Willard, Geo. W. Bailey, Jr., and Geo. Nichols. Mr. Nichols also was chosen president of the last Constitutional Con- . vention.

Major Charles H. Joyce, the present Speaker of the House of Representatives, was a long time resident of this County. Timothy Merrill, O. H. Smith, F. F. Mer- rill, G. R. Thompson, have been severally elected to the position of clerk of the House. David Wing, Jr., of Montpelier, was assistant judge of Caledonia Co. in · 1800, and first judge from 1803 to 1805; Chas. Bulkley, [judge and Ezra Butler, see Berlin and Waterbury]; Cyrus Ware of Montpelier was chief judge of Caledo- nia Co. Court in 1808. The judges of Washington County Court have been Ezra Butler in 1811-'12; Chas. Bulkley, 1813; Dennison Smith, 1814; Ezra Butler, 1815 to '18, when Jno. Peck presided for one year ; Ezra Butler from 1819 to '25. Of the judges of the State supreme and cir- cuit courts Samuel Prentiss, Nicholas Bay- lies, Isaac F. Redfield, Asahel Peck, and

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Timothy P. Redfield, are or have been residents of this County. The first Rep- resentatives from this County were Sam'l Harris from Middlesex and Jacob Davis from Montpelier, who took seats in the assembly held at Bennington, Jan. 10, 1791. Ezra Butler was Councillor from 18cg to '13, and from 1815 to '26; Nich- olas Baylies in 1814; George Worthing- ton from 1826 to '30 ; Henry F. Janes from 1830 to '35 ; Milton Brown, 1835.

STATE SENATORS.

In 1836, by a change in the constitu- tion a Senate was substituted for the Coun- cil, to which we sent first Arunah Water- man and Newell Kinsman two years, and after : Jos. A. Curtis and Israel Goodwin, 1838, '39; O. W. Butler, 1840; Nathan- iel Eaton, 1840, '41 ; Paul Dillingham, 1841, '42, '61; Wooster Sprague, '42, '43 ; Jacob Scott, '43, 44: Roderick Richard- son, '44, '45 ; O. H. Smith, '45, '46; Mo- ses Robinson, '46, '47 ; Nath'l Bancroft, '47, '48; Wm. Carpenter, '48, '49; Asaph Town, '49, '50; Leonard Keith. '50, '51 ; C. G. Eastman, '51, '52 ; Royal Wheeler, '52, '53; Jos. Moody, '53, '54; Horace Hollister and James Green, '54, '55 ; John Gregory and F. A. Wright, '56-'7; Jo- · seph Poland and Enoch Putnam, '58-'9 ;

· Calvin Fullerton, '60-1 ; C. W. Willard, '60, '61 ; Roderick Richardson, Addison Peck and P. D. Bradford, '62, '63; Chas. Reed, '64, '65, '66; Denslow Upham, '64, '65; M. P. Wallace, '64; Wm. W. Henry, '65, '66, '67 ; J. H. Orcutt, '66, '68; Chas. Dewey, '67, '68, '69; C. H. Heath, '68, '(9), '70 ; J. H. Hastings, '70 ; Heman · Carpenter, '70, '71, '72, '73; Clark King, '72, '73, '74, '75; Eliakim P. Walton, '74, '75, '76, '77 ; Ira Richardson, '76, '77 ; W. P. Dillingham, '78, '79, '80, '81 ; Albert Dwinell, '78, '79. '80, '81.

WASHINGTON COUNTY RECORD IN THE REBELLION OF 1861.

If in men's minds were doubt whether there were those who could uphold the honor of their sires in the generation of to-day, the illusion dispelled with the an- swer to the call for men to defend the country's flag : yeoman and clerk and pro-

fessional man, with the sound of the fife and drum, all moving on, like a sudden blast from the north to the terrible storm- ing of the ramparts and charge of the battle-field, proved more than words can blazon the heroism still in the race-a soul- working principle profound in the Ver- monter, which needed but a spark to fan it into a blaze of patriotism. War meet- ings were held, union leagues formed, lib- eral bounties paid to men, and the fam- ilies of those in the field cared for. Our heroes and martyrs did well ; where shines the lustre of so glorious an epoch, we still feel all of our old State pride when we look on our war-soiled banners, and hear re- cited the· later deeds of our sons. Our dead are on most of the battle-fields from Bull Run to Apomattox ; individual deeds they have achieved which will not suffer in comparison with the martial prowess of any time. Instance our old Vt. 2d de- tached as a reserve to the 26th New Jer- sey, ordered to carry the heights of Mary's Hill. Our Col. Joyce, who had won the cognomen of Murat in the regiment, had the command. The Jersey boys, meeting tornadoes of lead and iron rained from the battlements above, surging back, “For- ward, Vermont Brigade," cried the gallant Joyce, and our gallant 2d :

" Then came our gallant Second up, Aud passed them on the run;"

" Vermont might well be proud that day For every martial son."

. "St. Mary's Heights were won.

Sergeant Bennett, a soldier of intrepid daring, was the first to mount the par- apets ; as he sprang over the breast-work, a rebel officer met him, sabre in hand, and aimed a blow, he dexterously parried with his musket, and pressed to close quarters by several soldiers joining the officer, clubbed his musket in a twinkling, ex- claiming. " I'll clean you out of here !" levelled them all to the earth ; the next in- stant tell, pierced by a dozen bullets, and expired at once.

During the battle of the Wilderness, after forcing the rebels from strong in- trenchments and capturing and holding them a half mile in front of the main line,

WASHINGTON COUNTY.

the Vt. 2d were asked if they could hold their position until supports could be brought up. "Send us ammunition and provisions and we can hold it six months if you want." Besides the battle of Bull Run, the second regiment, in which our County had two companies, was in the battles of Lee's Mills, Apr. 15, 1862 ; Wil- liamsburgh, May 5 ; Golding's Farm, June 26; Savage Station, June 29; White Oak Swamp, June 30 ; Malvern Hill, July 1 ; South Mountain, Sept. 14 ; Antietam, Sept. 17; Fredericksburgh, Dec. 13; Mayre's Heights, May 3, 1863 ; Sailor's Heights, May 4 ; Fredericksburgh, June 5 ; Gettys- burgh, July 3 ; Funckstown, July 10 ; Rap- pahannock, Nov. 7 ; Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 10, 12, 14 and 18 ; Cold Harbor, June 1-12 ; Petersburgh, June 18 ; Charlestown, Aug. 21 ; Opequan, Sept. 19; Fisher's Hill, Sept. 21 ; Mount Jackson, Sept. 24 ; Cedar Creek, Oct. 19; Petersburgh, March 25, 1865; Peters- burgh, April 2 ; Sailor's Run, April 6, and after Bull Run. five additional regiments participated in these battles, to which also they would add a few other engagements, and in all our County found itself ; repre- sented in the 6th Regiment by two com- panies. In the Seventh Regiment, at the siege of Vicksburgh, Baton Rouge, Gon- zales Station, Spanish Fort and Whistler. In the Eighth Regiment at Cotton, Bis- land, Siege of Port Hudson, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Newton. In the Ninth Regiment, at Harper's Ferry, Newport Barracks, Chapin's Farm, Fair Oaks. In the Tenth Regiment, at Orange Grove, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Tolo- potomy, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad. Monocacy, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Ce- dar Creek, Petersburgh Mar. 25 and Apr. 2, 1865, and Sailor's Creek. In the Eleventh Regiment, at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburgh June 8, '64, Weldon Rail- road, Washington, Charlestown, Opcquan. Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburgh, Mar. 25, 27, and Apr. 2, 1865, and in the Thirteenth at Gettysburgh, July 2 and 3, 1863 ; Seventeenth Regiment, at the battles of the Wilderness, May 6 to 9, 1864; Spottsylvania, 12 to 15 and May

18, 1864; North Anna, Tolopotomy, Be- thesda Church, Petersburgh June 17, and the mine July 30, 1864, Weldon Railroad, Poplar Grove Church, Hatcher's Run, Petersburgh April 2, 1865.

In the First Regiment Cavalry, in the battles of Mount Jackson, Fort Republic, Middletown, Winchester May 25, 1862, Surry Court House, Culpepper Court House July 10, '62, Orange Court House, Kel- ley's Ford, Waterloo Bridge, Bull Run, Ashby's Gap, Broad Run, Greenwich, Hanover, Huntersville, Gettysburgh, Mon- terey, Lightersville, Hagerstown July 6, 1863, Boonsboro, Hagerstown July 13, 1863, Falling Waters, Port Conway Aug. 26, '63 and Sept. 1, '63, Culpepper Court House Sept. 13, '63, Somerville Ford, Ra- coon Ford, Falmouth, James City, Brandy Station, Gainesville, Buckland Mills, Mor- ton's Ford, Mechanicsville; Piping Tree, Craig's Church, Spottsylvania, Yellow Tav- ern, Meadow Bridge, Hanover Court House, Ashland, Hawe's Shop, Bottom Bridge, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Ream's Station, June 23, Nottaway Court House, Keysville, Roanoke Station, Stony Creek, June 28 and 29, 1864, Ream's Station, June 29, '64, Ridley's Shop, Winchester Aug. 17, 1864. Summit Point, Charlestown, Kearneysville, Opequan, Front Royal, Mooney's Grade, Milford, Waynesboro Sept. 28, '64, Columbia Furnace, Tom's Brook, Cedar Creek Oct. 13, 1864, Cedar Creek Oct. 19, '64, Middle Road, Middle and Back Road, Lacy's Springs, Wayes- boro Mar. 2, 1865, Five Forks, Namozine Church, Appomattox Station Apr. 8, '65, and Appomattox Court House April 9, 1865.

Gen. Wm. Wells enlisted from Water- bury.

In all of the given Regiments the County had commissioned officers as high as cap- tain. It also furnished men to the Ist, 2d and 3d Batteries of Light Artillery. Of commissioned officers there have been killed in battle and died from wounds, twelve from the County: Lieuts. A. M. Nevins, of Moretown, David B. Daven- port, of Roxbury ; Major Richard B. Cran-

VERMONT HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

dall, of Berlin ; of wounds received at Lee's Mills, Apr. 16, 1862, David B. Davenport, of Roxbury: of wounds at Lee's Mills, April 16, '62, Major Richard B. Crandall and Lieut. A. J. Davis, of Berlin : Captain Luther Ainsworth, of Waitsfield ; Major Edwin Dillingham, Lieut. J. E. Henry, Capt. Lucian D. Thomp- son, of Waterbury; Capt. Edward Hall and Lieut. A. K. Cooper, of Worcester ; Lieut. W. E. Martin, of Barre; Lieut. Ezra Stetson, of Montpelier ; Lieut. Isaac G. Putnam, of East Montpelier; Lieut. Luther B. Scott and Adjutant Abel Mor- rill, of Cabot. [Of whom further account will be piven in their respective towns in this volume.]

Chas. H. Anson, of Montpelier, was brevetted Captain for gallantry in the as- sault on Petersburgh, April 2, 1865.

This County furnished for the war 44 captains, 5 adjutants, 7 quarter-masters, 10 majors, 7 lieut. colonels, 4 colonels and 2 generals.

Grand list of the towns in the County ; town-bounties paid and number of nien raised by each town :

TOWNS.

Men. Grand List.|

Bounty.

Barre

161

$7,375.17

36,500.64

Berlin.

144

4,674.26

31,399.54

Cabot.

174

4,177.52

6,376.22

Calais.

4,500.85

26,095.23

Duxbury

152

2,145.68

9,940.00

E. Montpelier.

5,292.36

12,808.83

Fayston.

121

1,221.32

16,840.25

Marshfield.

150

2,636.56

13,952.20

Middlesex.

338

3,229 20

20,882.42

Montpelier

146 11,972.79

24,585.65

Moretown.

351

2.954.80

19,830.00

Northfield.

8,002.20

32,664.84

Plainfield.

113

2,250.34

Roxbury

104

2,227.10

15,598.52 200.00

Waitsfield.

110

3,267.84

10,671.17

Warren ..

236

2,560.20

13,438.88

Waterbury

7,729.22

23,766.26

Woodbury.

1,965.59

22.50

Worcester

1,637.01

5,245.95

Total.

2965 79,519.95 320,826.00

Col. Randall's statement of the

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG :

" The 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Vermont Regiments constituted Stannard's

Brigade, and were attached to the First or Reynolds' corps at the battle of Gettys- burg. This brigade arrived on the field at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the first day, and took position in the rear of Cemetery Ilill, in the rear of the main line of battle, where they remained through the night, and through the fore part of the next day. At about noon of the second day the fighting in our front and to our left was quite animated, Generals Sickles and Hancock being at our left. At about 2 o'clock in the afternoon I was ordered to advance my regiment to the front, and somewhat to the left, and took a position some thirty rods in advance of the rest of our brigade, where I held my regiment in column by divisions at rest until about 4 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon. At this time the battle was raging at our left, in front of Hancock's corps, with much vio- lence, and many stragglers were passing to the rear. The balance of Stannard's brig- ade were lying in their original position. At about this time an officer came riding from the front directly towards where my regiment lay, very fast. As he approach- ed the spot he halted, and asked me what regiment that was. I told him it was the 13th Vermont, of Stannard's brigade. He asked where Stannard and the rest of the brigade were. I pointed out the brigade, some 30 rods in my rear, and also the spot where Stannard and his staff were, a little way in the rear of the brigade. He then said to me will your regiment fight ? I told him they were comparatively new troops, but that I thought I could rely on them. He then said, " I am Gen. Double- day, and now command the first corps." He also told me he had just come from Gen. Hancock, that that officer was hard pressed, and he was afraid unless he had help very quick he would lose his artillery, or some of it. He ordered me to take my regiment, or what I had of it, pro- ceed in the direction from which he came, and report to Gen. Hancock, and act as he directed, but before I started he said, " Colonel, introduce me to your regiment." I turned with him to the regiment, and said,

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The History of Washington County in the Vermont historical gazetteer : including a county chapter and the local histories of the towns of Montpelier., Part 3

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press Number of Pages: 1064

Author: Hemenway, Abby Maria, 1828-1890
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Montpelier, Vt. : Vermont Watchman and State Journal Press
Number of Pages: 1064