Governor
Erastus Fairbanks' first choices to command the regiment were Colonel
John W. Phelps, soon to relinquish his command of the
1st Vermont Infantry, Captain
Truman Seymour, 4th U.S. Artillery, a native Vermonter who had been present at the Confederate attack on
Fort Sumter, and Captain A. V. Colburn, U.S. Army, who later became Assistant Adjutant General of the
Army of the Potomac under General
George B. McClellan. Phelps, however, was serving as commandant of the post at
Newport News, Virginia, and the offers to Seymour and Colburn were declined.
The regiment rendezvoused at St. Johnsbury,[1] on the ground of the
Caledonia County Agricultural Society at "Camp Baxter," named in honor of Adjutant and Inspector General
H. Henry Baxter. The regiment mustered into United States service on July 16, 1861, and departed for
Washington, D.C., on July 24, under the temporary command of Lieutenant Colonel
Breed N. Hyde. At
Hartford, Connecticut, the regiment's commander, Colonel
William Farrar Smith, joined them.
Major
Walter W. Cochran, of
Bellows Falls, resigned his commission on August 6 due to a severe attack of fever and ague. Captain
Wheelock G. Veazey, of Company A, replaced him. On August 13, Colonel Smith was appointed
brigadier general of volunteers, and Hyde replaced him, now as a full colonel. Veazey was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and Captain
Thomas O. Seaver, of Company F, was promoted to major.[1]
It was also here that Private
William Scott, known to history as
the Sleeping Sentinel, was found asleep at his post on August 31, court-martialed, and sentenced to be executed. President Lincoln heard about the case, pardoned Scott, and returned him to his unit. William Scott was actually standing before a firing squad when the death sentence and pardon were both read, however no one had told him that he had been pardoned prior to being sent to the firing squad. Scott later was killed in action at the
Battle of Lee's Mill (a/k/a Dam No. 1).
On September 3, the units crossed the Chain Bridge, and occupied "Camp Advance," 1 mile (1.6 km) in advance of the bridge. On September 9, Private Scott was scheduled to be executed, but during the proceedings, after the death sentence had been read, a pardon was read, sparing his life. In 1997, the original court-martial and pardon papers were discovered, and authenticated, bringing to an end the controversy over whether President Lincoln had personally signed the pardon, which it turned out he did.[4][5] Scott served faithfully with his regiment until the
Battle at Lee's Mill, where he was mortally wounded, and was buried in the
national cemetery at Yorktown.
On September 11, the regiment participated in a reconnaissance to and beyond
Lewinsville, Virginia, where it engaged Confederate skirmishers. Returning to the camp, the regiment came under fire from Rosser's battery. A shell fell within the ranks of Company C, killing Private Amos Meserve, mortally wounding William H. Colburn, and injuring five others. On September 25, the regiment participated in another reconnaissance to Lewinsville, but suffered no casualties. Quartermaster
Redfield Proctor resigned from the regiment on this date to accept appointment as Major of the
5th Vermont Infantry.[6]
During the next two weeks, the 4th and 5th Vermont regiments joined Smith's division. On October 9, the Vermont regiments moved to Camp Griffin, about four miles from Chain Bridge. Here, on October 24, the
6th Vermont Infantry arrived, completing the initial organization of the "Old
Vermont Brigade."
The history of the regiment from this point on is essentially that of the
Vermont Brigade.[7]
The original members of the regiment, who did not reenlist, were mustered out of the service on July 27, 1864. Veterans and recruits were consolidated into six companies, July 25, 1864. One year recruits and others whose term of service was due to expire prior to October 1, 1865, were mustered out on June 19, 1865. The remaining officers and men mustered out of service on July 11.
Hawkins, Gardner C., 1st Lieutenant, Co. E, "when the lines were wavering from the well-directed fire of the enemy, this officer, acting adjutant of the regiment, sprang forward, and with encouraging words cheered the soldiers on and, although dangerously wounded, refused to leave the field until the enemy's works were taken," at the
Third Battle of Petersburg, on April 2, 1865.
Johnston, Willie, Musician Company D, 3rd Vermont Infantry The second Medal of Honor ever awarded.
Pingree, Samuel E., Captain, Co. F, "gallantly led his Co. across a wide, deep creek, drove the enemy from the rifle pits, which were within 2 yards of the farther bank, and remained at the head of his men until a second time severely wounded," at the
Battle at Lee's Mills, April 16, 1862.
Scott, Julian A., Drummer, Co. E, "crossed the creek under a terrific fire of musketry several times to assist in bringing off the wounded," at the
Battle at Lee's Mills, April 16, 1862.
Seaver, Thomas O., Colonel, while "at the head of 3 regiments and under a most galling fire, attacked and occupied the enemy's works," at the
Battle of Spotsylvania, May 10, 1864.
U.S. War Department (1880). Operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Apr 16-Jul 31, 1861. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. II–VIX. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077730186.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1881). Operations in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and West Virginia. Aug. 1, 1861-Mar 17, 1862. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. V–XIV. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077730194.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1884). The Peninsular Campaign, Virginia. Mar 17-Sep. 2, 1862 - Reports, Mar 17-Jun 24. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XI-XXIII-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924079609560.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1884). The Peninsular Campaign, Virginia. Mar 17-Sep. 2, 1862 - Reports, Jun 25-Sep 2 - Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XI-XXIII-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077730152.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1884). The Peninsular Campaign, Virginia. Mar 17-Sep. 2, 1862 - Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XI-XXIII-III. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077730137.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1885). Reports, Mar 17-Jun 25; Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Mar 17-Sep 2, 1862. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XII-XXIV-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077725921.
OCLC427057.
U.S. War Department (1885). Reports, Jun 26-Sep 2; Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Mar 17-Sep 2, 1862. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XII-XXIV-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077728222.
OCLC427057.
U.S. War Department (1886). Supplement. 1886; Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Mar 17-Sep 2, 1862. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XII-XXIV-III. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924079893701.
OCLC427057.
U.S. War Department (1885). Correspondence; Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Mar 17-Sep 2, 1862. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XII-XXIV-III. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077728222.
OCLC427057.
U.S. War Department (1887). Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. September 3-November 14, 1862. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XIX-XXXI-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924079609610.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1887). Reports, September 20-November 14, 1862; Correspondence, etc., Sept 3-Nov. 14, 1862. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XIX-XXXI-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924080772233.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1889). Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. November 15, 1862 - January 25, 1863. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXI–XXXIII. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077723017.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1889). Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. January 26-June 3, 1863 - Reports. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXV-XXXVII-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077723017.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1889). Operations in Northern Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. January 26-June 3, 1863 - Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXV-XXXVII-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077723017.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1889). Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Department of the East. June 3-August 3, 1863 - Reports. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXVII-XXXIX-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077699761.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1889). Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Department of the East. June 3-August 3, 1863 - Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXVII-XXXIX-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077728255.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1889). Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Department of the East. June 3-August 3, 1863 - Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXVII-XXXIX-III. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077700262.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1890). Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. August 4-December 31, 1863, - Reports. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXIX-XLI-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077699886.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1890b). Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. August 4-December 31, 1863, - Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXIX-XLI-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077728263.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1891). Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. January 1-April 30, 1864. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXXIII–XLV. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077699811.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1891). Operations in Northern West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. May 1-August 3, 1864 - Reports, Union and Confederate Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXXVII-XLIX-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077728289.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1891). Operations in Northern West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. May 1-August 3, 1864 - Union and Confederate Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XXXVII-XLIX-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924077723041.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1893). Operations in Northern West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. August 4-December 31, 1864. - Reports, Union and Confederate Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XLIII-LV-I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924080776929.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1893). Operations in Northern West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. August 4-December 31, 1864. - Union and Confederate Correspondence, etc. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XLIII-LV-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924079601096.
OCLC857196196.
U.S. War Department (1894). Operations in Northern and Southeastern Virginia, North Carolina (January 1-31), West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. January 1-June 30, 1865. Section 1 - Reports. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Vol. XLVI-LVIII-II. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
hdl:
2027/coo.31924079575332.
OCLC857196196.
Allen, Richard Sanders (March 1961) [1961], "The Sleeping Sentinel: Most Famous Private of the War", Vermont Life, XV (3): 51–2
Jeffrey, Nellie T (1959), The Story of William Scott the Sleeping Sentinel, Groton, VT: Groton Public Library