8th Vermont Infantry

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 8th Vermont Infantry


caption=Vermont State Flag
dates= February 18, 1862 to June 28, 1865
country= United States
allegiance= Union
branch= Infantry
equipment=
battles=Port Hudson
Opequon
Fisher's Hill
Cedar Creek

The 8th Regiment, Vermont Volunteer Infantry was a three-year infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in both major theaters, first in Louisiana and then in Virginia, from February 1862 to June 1865. It was a member of the XIX Corps.

The regiment was mustered into Federal service on February 18, 1862, at Brattleboro, Vermont. It was engaged in, or present at, the Occupation of New Orleans, Raceland, Boutte Station, Bayou des Allemands, the Steamer "Cotton," Bisland, and Port Hudson, in the Department of the Gulf, and Opequon, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and Newtown in the Shenandoah Valley campaign.Benedict, George Grenville, [http://www.vermontcivilwar.org/bene/22.pdf "The Eighth Regiment"] , "Vermont in the Civil War", Free Press Association, Burlington, Vermont, 1888.]

Battle of Cedar Creek

During the Battle of Cedar Creek, the 8th Vermont Infantry played a critical role in the fighting. In the early morning fog of 19 October 1864, confederates crossed Cedar Creek near Strasburg, Virginia, and attacked Union forces in their camps. After routing the Union's VIII Corps, the Confederate attack struck at the XIX Corps. While the XIX Corps fought back from entrenched position, a second Confederate Corps joined the battle flanking their trenches. In order to escape the trap Brigadier General William H. Emory, commander of the XIX Corps, ordered the 2nd Brigade of his First Division to move forward, engage, and delay the two Confederate Corps.Whitehouse, Joseph W.A., "Battle of Cedar Creek: Self-Guide Tour", (Revised Edition of publication by Center for Military History) Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation, Middletown, Virginia, 2006.]

At the time of the battle, the 2nd Brigade was composed of three under-strength units, the 12th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, the 160th New York Infantry Regiment, and the 8th Vermont Infantry Regiment. The Brigade was commanded by a Colonel Stephen Thomas, who had previously commanded the 8th Vermont. As ordered, the Brigade advance several hundred yards beyond the Federal lines and engaged the vastly superior Confederate forces in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Their stubborn fight held up the Confederate attack for thirty minutes, allowing the rest of the XIX Corps to withdraw and join forces with the VI Corps about a mile to their rear near Belle Grove plantation. As mounting casualties reduced the 2nd Brigade’s combat effectiveness, Colonel Thomas successfully withdrew his Brigade. The 8th Vermont Infantry being the last unit to pull back.

In his short engagement, the casualty rates were extremely high in all of the 2nd Brigade units, especially the 8th Vermont. Of 164 Vermont men, 110 were killed or wounded along with 13 of their 16 officers. Here is how the fighting was described by one Vermont veteran:

"Suddenly a mass of rebels confronted the flags, and with hoarse shouts demanded their surrender. Defiant shouts went back. “Never!” “Never!” A rebel soldier then leveled his musket and shot Corporal Petre, who held the colors. He cried out: “Boys, leave me; take care of yourselves and the flag!” But in that vortex of hell men did not forget the colors; and as Petrie fell and crawled away to die, they were instantly seized and borne aloft by Corporal Perham, and were as quickly demanded again by a rebel who eagerly attempted to grasp them; but Sergeant Shores of the guard placed his musket at the man's breast and fired, instantly killing him. But now another flash, and a cruel bullet from the dead rebel's companion killed Corporal Perham, and the colors fell to the earth. Once more, amide terrific yells, the colors went up, this time held by Corporal Blanchard—and the carnage went on." (George H. Carpenter, 8th Vermont)

Despite the heavy fighting and the loss of three color bearers, the 8th Vermont Infantry did not give up their flag and withdrew in good order. Falling back slowly, they rejoin the rest of the XIX Corps around Belle Grove plantation. The 8th Vermont continues to fight all day, ultimately helping to turn the dawn route at Cedar Creek into a major Union victory.Green, A. Wilson ("Will") and Joseph W.A. Whitehouse, site lecture, Pamplin Historic Park tour, 15 May 2008.]

In 1883, a monument of Vermont marble was place at the site where the 8th Vermont made their stand. The monument was paid for by Herbert E. Hill, a Vermont business man who wanted to honor his state’s civil war heroes. The monument still exists. It is located in its original place on the battlefield about 150 yards east of the Valley Pike, now U.S. Route 11 between Middletown and Strasburg, Virginia. While the monument is well maintained, it is located on private property so it is not easy to find. [8th Vermont Memorial, near Strasburg, Virginia, dedicated September 1883.]

Casualties

Cedar Creek was the last active engagement in which the 8th Vermont Infantry Regiment participated. During the course of the war a total of 1,772 men served in the 8th Vermont Infantry. Of that number, the unit lost during its term of service: 104 men killed and mortally wounded, 8 died from accident, 20 died in Confederate prisons, and 213 died from disease; for a total loss of 345 men.

The regiment mustered out of service on June 28, 1865.

References

External links

* [http://vermontcivilwar.org/units/index.php Vermont in the Civil War]