Horace K. Ide
history of the first Vermont volunteers in the war of the great rebellion
Page 258

On April 1 we worked on the roads a spell, and then leaving the wagons, we proceeded to Dinwiddie, and as the enemy had fallen back to five Forks, we followed up, passing some of the fifth corps on the way. The distance was about 5 miles and we were a company to buy anything a an enthusiastic news boy who was bound to sell his newspapers with a full account of the fight at Fort Stedman

The firing in front of us was very heavy and as we came up in rear of the first brigade, we found them engaged with the enemy (who were behind the breastworks), while the led horses were being taken to the rear, and as we were at full speed, things looked rather lively. We passed along the rear till we came to the left of the line, and as the enemy seemed to be flanking the first brigade, the 15th New York cavalry was sent to charge the enemy, and drive them back, while the balance of the brigade came into line. We saw them (the 15th) charge, and supposing we were to follow, advanced Carbines, and then drew saber and started, but were ordered back, and came into line under the shelter of a little ridge, while Custer stationed his band on top of the ridge in front of us and ordered them to play.

The rebels shoulders shoulder shell us some, dropping the branches of the pine trees onto us, but inflicting no damage. The 15th New Yorkers were repulsed, returning, took position along side of us. After a while customer made a short speech to us, the bugle sound of the charge, and where we went. The other regimens were ahead while we went slower, keeping in line by battalions. The enemy fight well, Batoon gave away all along the way. I think we are just like the breastworks on the left. I called him of the enemies Calvary came towards us in good order, although the 15th New York was on their right, our infantry was on their left hand in front, or pouring in their fire as fast as possible.

Colin came right down towards us as cool and N is good order as if Andres parade, tool within pistol shot, when they broke in and we after them Helter skelter till we struck a crossroads which we followed a short distance, then across the fields and onto another road leading to the right. We had captured several prisoners, but as it was getting dark now went slow. We assume saw on the road before us, but not knowing if if they were eggs or ribs we told Woodard and King Bree who were in advance, to find out. They rode close up to the strangers when they asked her demanded “who are you? “Someone said “we are [page 258 ends] Vermonters “and they replied “we are Carolinians “and fired. One of them had a pistol very close to Kingsbury space but it was so dark, and they were in so much of a hurry that no one on our side was hurt

It threw us into some confusion, and when we got straightened out, the rebels were gone. We followed after them and short distance, someone claiming to know that there was a gun I had stuck in the mud, but after going through the same operation again, and hearing customers bugle on the other road, which showed us which showed that we were rather too far ahead, we were turned to the column, which marched about a mile and went into bivouac
it threw us into some confusion, and when we got straightened out, the rebels were gone. We followed after them in short distance, someone claiming to know that there was a gun I had stuck in the mud, but after going through the same operation again, and hearing customers bugle on the other road, which showed us which showed that we were rather too far ahead, we were turned to the column, which marched about a mile and went into bivouac