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the opposite bank, where hundreds of sharp-shooters lie concealed12. The defenceless bridge builders are temporarily driven from their work, while the cannon13 from the bluffs14 behind belch15 forth16 a defiant17 response to the rebel challenge.
To return to the Twenty-seventh. Promptly18 at half-past six the regiment19 fell in and joined the rest of the brigade, a short distance from camp. Silently, through woods and across fields, we marched to the corps20 rendezvous21, in a deep hollow near the Phillips House, where General Sumner had his headquarters. On the way we passed long lines of troops moving rapidly to the river, or resting behind rows of musket22 stacks. Here we were to remain until a crossing could be effected.
Meanwhile, the frequency of cannon discharges increases. Every moment another adds its voice to the swelling23 volume, until from twenty batteries, comprising more than a hundred guns, arranged along the banks of the river, bursts a tempest of shot and shell over the rebel city. This continues, with little cessation, until noon. For three hours following, only occasionally a gun disturbs the comparative quiet. Then the ball opens again with renewed violence. A visit to the top of the hill, overlooking the city, reveals columns of smoke, with now and then a flash of flame, testifying to the effectiveness of the bombardment. At the river, all attempts to complete the pontoon bridge had hitherto failed.
With particular interest we gazed upon a regiment of the corps, as, tired, dusty, and powder smeared24, it rejoined us after a protracted25 effort at the bridge. History records but few parallels to the more than heroic valor26 which crowned that day’s work. A trusty weapon supports the soldier’s courage, but to stand, unarmed,
[24]
the target of unerring sharp-shooters, unable to respond to their attacks, and in view of almost inevitable27 death, is the highest test of courage. It became evident that the bridge could be completed only by driving the sharp-shooters from the houses on the opposite side, by a sudden dash across the river. This hazardous28 duty was intrusted to the Seventh Michigan and detachments from several other regiments29, and nobly was it performed. The rebels were driven from their hiding-places, the bridge touched the opposite shore, and the first act in this fearful drama closed. This success was received with universal joy, and all attention now concentrated in what the future should unfold. General Howard’s division of the Second Corps crossed over into the city, while Hancock’s and French’s bivouacked for the night in a strip of woods near the Phillips House.
Early the next morning, December twelfth, we crossed into Fredericksburg, over the bridge which had cost so much blood and labor31 the preceding day. Evidences of the bombardment everywhere presented themselves, in the houses perforated with shot and shell, and in the miscellaneous rubbish which hindered our progress through the street. Mattresses32, pitchers33, chairs, kitchen utensils34, and other furniture, scattered35 about in grotesque36 confusion, testified that those who had passed the night in the town had availed themselves of all the comforts within reach. We moved down Water street, and halted at the first pontoon bridge, a few rods below the railroad, where we encamped that day and night. The Twenty-seventh spent the day in bridging gullies and mud-holes with boards and planks37 from neighboring fences, so that the artillery38 could pass. Company B was detailed to lay pontoons across a stream uniting with the Rappahannock
[25]
just below the town. About the middle of the afternoon the rebel batteries attempted to annoy the men engaged in these preparations, and for a time a very brisk artillery duel39 was maintained between the opposing forces. Sheltered as we were by the steep bank, the rebels could not obtain accurate range, and most of the shells shrieked40 harmlessly over our heads, and fell into the river or struck on the opposite side.
At length the eventful thirteenth arrived—a day full of scenes and experiences which will never fade from the memory of those who participated in them. Immediately after breakfast we were marched up to Caroline street, the principal street of the town, parallel with the river. Here the division was formed in line of battle, and stacked arms, while arrangements were being completed to storm the heights back of the city. Staff officers were riding in hot haste to and fro, carrying orders, or disposing the forces, and occasionally our division general, Hancock, rode slowly and proudly up and down the line, surveying the ranks, his countenance41 wearing an aspect of quiet and cool determination. At length the sound of cannonading comes to our ears from below, indicating that General Franklin has entered upon the task assigned him, of seizing the railroad and turning the enemy’s flank. Like banks of keys in a great organ, the rebel works rise behind the town, and gradually the chorus of notes bursts forth directly in front of us. The rebel shell crash among the houses or strike in the street, while the batteries of the Second Corps, on the north bank of the Rappahannock, send their shrieking42 replies over the city. “Attention!” rings out loud and long above the din30. Every man is in his place, his musket at a shoulder. “Right face!” “Right shoulder shift arms!”
[26]
follow in quick succession. At this moment General Hancock rides up to the Twenty-seventh, and leaning forward in his saddle, with his right arm upraised, briefly43 addresses them: “You are the only Connecticut regiment in my division. Bring no dishonor upon the State you represent.” The order is given, “Forward! March!” reëchoed by commanders of brigades, regiments, and companies, and we move in quick time down the street to the railroad.
While the column is moving on, let us briefly survey the position of the battle-field. Fredericksburg is situated44 in a large amphitheatre, admirably adapted for defence. Directly in the rear of the town is a smooth field with a slightly ascending45 grade, extending back a little less than half a mile to the telegraph road, which is flanked by a stone wall, beyond which rises a ridge10 somewhat abruptly46 from a hundred to a hundred and fifty feet high. This range of high ground extends as far as Hazel Run, a little stream emptying into the Rappahannock just below the lower edge of the town, and in the other direction bends toward the river, which it very nearly touches just above Falmouth, about a mile above Fredericksburg. Rebel batteries were strongly posted along this eminence47, so that a front and enfilading fire could be secured upon any force advancing across the level plateau. General Longstreet was in command of these lines of fortifications, while Stonewall Jackson commanded the rebel right, opposite General Franklin, the whole under the supreme48 direction of General Lee. Bearing in mind that the task before us was to capture these formidable heights, let us return to the storming column.
Sheltered in a measure by the houses, it passes down
[27]
Caroline street with little interruption; but as soon as we arrived at the railroad dépôt, several rebel guns, trained upon the spot with fatal accuracy, welcome us to the encounter. Very near this point fell Captain Schweizer, the first of the long list of casualties which at nightfall told how fearfully the conflict had decimated the ranks of the Twenty-seventh. Several were knocked down, one of whom, leaping up, exclaimed earnestly, “I’ll have pay for that!” then springing to his place, rushed on to death, for no one ever saw or heard of him afterward49. The division now advanced at a double-quick into the open field; then, after resting a few moments on the ground, at the order, “Charge!” moved by the left flank with fixed50 bayonets, passing French’s division, which had been obliged to fall back. A second brief rest, then on again, while shot and shell plow51 the ground in front, burst over our heads, or make fearful gaps in the line. Yet on we rush. The wounded are left where they fall. Not a word is spoken, not a gun fired. As we approach nearer the rebel lines, all the elements of destruction ingenuity52 can devise or position afford, are concentrated upon the narrow space. From rows of rifle-pits, protected by a heavy stone wall, bursts a continuous roll of musketry; from neighboring houses flashes the deadly fire of sharp-shooters, while batteries posted on the heights behind strong field-works, and supported by infantry53, sweep the field with shot and shell and grape and canister. Enfilading batteries on the right and left of the rebel semicircle pour in their swift discharges, and behind us, the batteries of the Second Corps, on the other side of the river, shell the enemy’s works with little effect at the distance of nearly three thousand yards, but with so much danger to the storming
[28]
party, that General Couch orders them to cease firing. The line now begins to waver, and, with some disorder54, presses forward to a brick house, from which a brisk musketry fire is kept up in the direction of the stone wall. At this time the various regiments became mingled55 together, and, unfortunately, at the order to deploy56 into line to renew the charge, the Twenty-seventh, in consequence of the confusion, separated into several fragments, advancing to the right and left of the house. The time for a sudden dash had passed, and unable longer to stem the avalanche57 of fire, which seemed to gather intensity58 as we proceeded, the charge was continued only as far as a board fence, all full of bullet holes and torn with shot, less than a hundred yards from the famous stone wall, as estimated by an officer of the regiment who afterward visited the spot under flag of truce59. With the exception of a partially60 successful attempt to approach still nearer the rebel rifle-pits, the men remained at this point the rest of the afternoon, loading their guns on the ground, then rising sufficiently61 to deliver their fire.
The rebel musketry continued with almost uninterrupted violence until night overshadowed the scene, never entirely62 ceasing in our front. At times it surged off to another part of the line, with only a scattering63 fire opposite our position; then rolled back again with redoubled power, the peculiar64 rattling of separate discharges being fused into one prolonged sound. Lines of rebel troops could be seen marching along the ridge, and running down to aid their comrades in the rifle-pits below. But for a weary two hours no reënforcement advanced to the support of the union forces. At one time appearances seemed to indicate that the rebels were
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about to charge upon our feeble line, but a few well-directed volleys admonished65 them to remain behind their stone walls.
The union artillery had thus far accomplished66 comparatively little, owing to its distance from the rebel works, and to the absence of all favorable positions where guns could be posted, on the Fredericksburg side of the river. Late in the afternoon, however, several guns took position in the upper streets of the city. The battle-field shook with their combined discharge. Meanwhile Hancock’s division had been mostly withdrawn67, to give place to the other division of the Second Corps. But many of the Twenty-seventh and other regiments remained at their posts, their safety being still more endangered if they attempted to leave the field.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Howard’s division advanced to the attack, to be hurled69 back before the overwhelming fire of the rebels. Only a brief time is now left before darkness will cover the scene. A final, desperate effort must be made to take the heights. Supported by the batteries in the streets, a fresh division advances into the field. How splendidly they charge! with what a perfect line! We can look into the faces of the men as they come on. Nothing apparently70 can withstand their onset71. They come steadily72 to within a few paces of where we lie. Then bursts forth from the rebel works an iron tempest which had scarcely a parallel even on that day. Showers of bullets went whistling by or struck the ground in every direction, while pieces of shell, bits of old iron, grape and canister, rained down with a dull sound as they hit the earth. Arrested in its course, the line wavers, fires a few volleys,
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then scatters73 like chaff74. It was now about dusk, and many of the Twenty-seventh who had remained on the field after the withdrawal75 of our division, retired76 into the city. At the edge of the plateau, where a battery was stationed, mounted officers were endeavoring to rally into some sort of order the shattered remnants of the division, whose magnificent charge we have just described.
The aspect of Fredericksburg that night cannot be adequately described. Lines of troops were under arms in the streets, ready to meet the enemy should they attempt to follow up their advantage and drive the army across the river. Crowds of soldiers, all excited by the events of the day, moved rapidly along the sidewalks. Processions of stretcher bearers tenderly conveyed their mangled77 freight to the hospitals. The eloquent78 red flag waved from almost every house, suggesting that the surgeons were diligently79 at work, while the glare of candles from the windows added to the wildness of the scene without.
The next day was the Sabbath, bright and clear overhead, but inexpressibly sad to us; for one third of the three hundred and seventy-five who followed the colors of the Twenty-seventh into battle, lay dead on the field, or wounded in the hospital. That forenoon was spent in cleaning our guns, in anticipation80 of further fighting. The Connecticut Brigade, under General Harland, was drawn68 up in line of battle on the main street, under orders to be ready at any moment to charge up the heights. As will subsequently appear, they were spared this perilous81 duty. Occasionally a resident of the town came timidly forth from his hiding-place, or a family, loaded down with bundles of household effects, slowly
[31]
wended their way across the pontoon bridge, to escape the terrors surrounding them. A disagreeable uncertainty82 hung over every moment of the day, and when we awoke on the morning of the fifteenth, nothing had transpired83 to diminish our suspense84. It was plain that something must be done, and that very soon. Delay only added to the difficulties of the situation. The army must fight, or evacuate85 the city. Every few minutes during the day we were ordered to fall in. The expectation was universal that we were again to be led to the attack. Hour after hour processions of ambulances moved across the pontoon bridge, and up the opposite bank, so that by evening the town was nearly empty of the wounded. General Burnside rode by and received a hearty86 welcome. Evidently a movement of some kind was soon to be made. A short time after dark the division was ordered under arms, and all, except the Twenty-seventh Connecticut, marched down Water street toward the railway bridge. Our little band stood waiting thus during the evening, in momentary87 expectation of being led out to support the pickets88. At length orders were received to advance a few hundred yards below the railroad. As we arrived, the rest of the brigade silently arose from the ground where they had been sleeping, and like spectres vanished in the darkness. Here we remained until near midnight, obtaining what sleep was possible, then noiselessly fell in, and without a word spoken above a whisper, retired rapidly down the street to the pontoon bridge. The streets were as silent as death. A few soldiers were preparing to loosen the moorings which held the pontoons to the banks. After a brief halt, the Twenty-seventh, carrying a few boxes of ammunition, re-crossed
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the river by the same bridge on which they had entered the city four days before. On the road to Falmouth we met General Hancock, who asked, “What regiment is this?” and being informed, the Twenty-seventh Connecticut, expressed his great satisfaction with the conduct of the regiment in the events of the last few days. After losing our way in the darkness, and experiencing a heavy rain-storm, we arrived at our old camp ground on the morning of the sixteenth.
All unconscious of the night’s events, the rebels threw a few shells into the town, and meeting no response, crept cautiously down from their fortifications, expecting to find our forces concealed under the banks of the river. But no pickets challenged their advance: the union army had slipped from their grasp, the pontoons were up, and thus was accomplished one of the most skilful89 movements recorded in military history.
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1
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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picket
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| n.纠察队；警戒哨；v.设置纠察线；布置警卫 | |
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3
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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4
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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5
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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6
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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7
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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8
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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9
transpiring
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的现在分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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10
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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11
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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12
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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13
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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14
bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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15
belch
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| v.打嗝，喷出 | |
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16
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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17
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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18
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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19
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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21
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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22
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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23
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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24
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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26
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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27
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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28
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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31
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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mattresses
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| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
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pitchers
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| 大水罐( pitcher的名词复数 ) | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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39
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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40
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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42
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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43
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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44
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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45
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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46
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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47
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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48
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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49
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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50
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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51
plow
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| n.犁，耕地，犁过的地；v.犁，费力地前进[英]plough | |
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52
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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53
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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54
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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55
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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56
deploy
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| v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开 | |
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57
avalanche
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| n.雪崩，大量涌来 | |
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58
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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59
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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60
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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61
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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62
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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63
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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64
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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65
admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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66
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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67
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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68
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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69
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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70
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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73
scatters
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| v.（使）散开， （使）分散，驱散( scatter的第三人称单数 )；撒 | |
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chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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withdrawal
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| n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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80
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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81
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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82
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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84
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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85
evacuate
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| v.遣送；搬空；抽出；排泄；大(小)便 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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pickets
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| 罢工纠察员( picket的名词复数 ) | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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