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Adjutant and Inspector General Reports
1863 Report
Appendix BHeadQuarters, 1st Vermont Brigade
South side of the Rappahannock,
Saturday Morning, June 6, 1863.Peter T. Washburn, Adjutant and Inspector General:
Sir:-- The Vermont Brigade has again crossed the Rappahannock at the old point about 1 1-2 miles below Fredericksburg. It is the first Brigade across, and so far as my knowledge extends, it is the only one yet over.
We left camp yesterday, soon after noon, and marched to the river, a distance of about five miles. The pontoons were on the ground, ready to be taken down the bank and thrown across the river. The rebels had constructed rifle pits in front of, and commanding the point where the bridges were to be placed. These rifle pits were occupied by rebel infantry. As soon as the artillery cold be got into position, it opened a terrible fire upon the rifle pits. It had but little effect, however, except to keep back reinforcements that were coming to the assistance of those already in the rifle pits. But very few of those in the rifle pits were injured by the artillery fire. They managed to keep up a galling musketry fire upon the engineers that attempted to construct the bridges. It was determined to drive the rebels from the rifle pits. The 5th Vermont, Lieut. Col. Lewis, and 26th New Jersey, Lieut. Col. Martindale, were ordered forward for that purpose. They rushed gallantly down the bank, and with the assistance of the engineers, and under a galling fire from the rifle pits, they launched the pontoon boats into the stream, jumped in to them, and rowed across, and landed upon the South bank.
But a few companies of the 5th had crossed, when they sprang up the bank, and with shouts charged the rifle pits, driving the enemy from them in great confusion, taking many of them prisoners.
The 26th New Jersey came gallantly in support of the 5th, and did well, but it is believed that the 5th cleared the rifle pits. the 3d Vermont, col. Seaver, the 4th Vermont, Col. Stoughton, and the 2d Vermont, Col. Walbridge, also crossed in boats, and gallantly supported the regiments already across.
The rebels were driven across the plain into the woods. One bridge was soon completed, and the 6th Vermont, col. Barney, also crossed. Our positions were taken, and are still held.
It is impossible, at this time, to give particular instances of dashing gallantry, though there were many. It was quick work, and splendidly executed.
The number of prisoners taken is not, at this time, known, but it is believed to be between one and two hundred. Capt. Davenport sent in two officers and thirty-four enlisted men, who surrendered to him, after dark, and over Deep Creek, where Capt. Davenport of the5th and Capt. Benton of the 4th had been sent on picket.
The casualties in the 5th Vermont are seven wounded. No casualties in either of the other Vermont regiments.
I remain, General, Very respectfully, Your ob't servant, L. A. GRANT, Col. Com'd'g Brigade.