HeadQuarters, 2nd Brigade, 2nd division, 6th Corps
July 11, 1863.

Peter T. Washburn, Adjutant and Inspector General:

Sir, -- I have the honor to report that this Brigade was not hotly engaged at the battle of Gettysburg. We arrived on the battle field, at about 5 o'clock P. M., on the second day's battle, having marched thirty miles that day. The position taken by the Brigade was on the extreme left of the army, where it was held in reserve and to guard against any flank attack. On the 4th inst. the 4th regiment was sent forward to feel of the enemy's right, and quite a smart skirmish followed, in which our men showed their usual gallantry. Our loss was one man, John F. Marshall, wounded in the arm and knee severely.

Yesterday, the 10th inst., at an early hour, we advanced from Boonsboro' on the Hagerstown pike. The Brigade had the advance of the Infantry force, but Gen. Buford's cavalry was in the advance of this Brigade. The enemy was met about three miles from Boonsboro', and driven by the cavalry about three miles, to near Funkstown.

Here the cavalry met the enemy's infantry, and after skirmishing a while, fell back, leaving the Brigade in front. At the time the cavalry fell back, this Brigade was about 1 1-2 miles in advance of any support except one battery.

The regiments were disposed of as follows: the 5th, Lieut. Col. Lewis, and two companies of the 2nd were deployed as skirmishers on the left, and the 6th, Col. Barney, was deployed as skirmishers on the right, holding a skirmish line front of about two miles, the left resting upon Antietam Creek. the 3d and 4th were supporting the battery, and the balance of the 2nd was held in reserve.

The enemy, seeing the cavalry fall back, immediately advanced their skirmishers to gain a crest and some woods previously occupied by our cavalry, but the 5th and 6th Regiments immediately advanced their skirmishers and took possession of the woods and crest, before the enemy could do so.

The enemy then opened a terrible artillery fire upon our skirmish line and the woods, and continued it for several minutes, from batteries near Funkstown, beyond the range of our artillery.

It was evident at a glance that the position was an important one, and that the enemy would be likely to follow up their artillery fire by an infantry attack. To repel this, Col. Stoughton, of the 4th, was sent to support the 5th, and Col. Seaver, of the 3d, was sent to support the 6th, and the 2nd, Col. Walbridge, was brought forward to support the battery.

Cols. Stoughton and Seaver had instructions to deploy so much of their respective regiments as might be found necessary, to hold the line at all hazards. Their arrival was opportune, for the enemy not only threw forward his skirmishers, but advanced strong lines of infantry, and charged upon our skirmish line. The advance was noble met, and severely repulsed. A considerable portions of the 4th, and three companies of the 3d, were deployed, to strengthen such portions of the line of the 5th and 6th as were attacked by the enemy's main force. The enemy repeatedly charge upon our line, and was as often met, and driven back.

While this was going on in the front, it was found that the enemy had advanced a force to our left, and were crossing the Antietam, to get in the rear of the left of our skirmish line. Col. Walbridge was immediately dispatched, with five companies of the 2nd, to repel their advance and drive them back, which was most effectually done. At this point of time, the Brigade was nearly all deployed upon the skirmish line, which extended a distance of 2 1-2 or 3 miles, with no support within 1 1-2 miles, except the three companies of the 2d, which were left in support of the battery.

A wounded prison whom we took, informed us that the attacking party was Anderson's old brigade of 7 regiments. the force which attempted to cross the Antietam to our left and rear, belonged to another command. It was impossible to concentrate our force, for our whole line was threatened,and when repulsed at one point, the enemy would form his line anew and advance upon another. the officers and men all behaved nobly. I dare not particularize lest I do injustice to others. my thanks are especially due to the commanders of Regiments and the officers of my Staff. Many of the men fired away sixty and some eight rounds of cartridges, and a new supply of ammunition was sent for, and brought up, during the engagement.

It is believed that another instance of a skirmish line, necessarily extending over so great a distance, repeatedly repelling the assaults of strong lines of infantry at different points, cannot be found in the history of any war.

It is said that as the enemy's lines went back in confusion, some of our men jumped upon a fence, and, tauntingly called them cowards, told them to come back, that there was nothing there but militia.

Our loss was nine killed and fifty-nine wounded, in all sixty-eight. The enemy's loss could not have been less than two hundred or three hundred, -- for at every pint, they were terribly slaughtered. A list of our killed and wounded is herewith forwarded. Among our wounded, I regret to name such gallant officers as Col. Stoughton of the 4th Vermont, Lieut. Drury of the 2d Vermont, Lieut. Martin of the 4th Vermont, and Lieut. Kimball of the 6th Vermont.

		I am very respectfully yours,
			L. A. GRANT,
				Col. comd'g Brigade.

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A Different Point of View

"The Vermont brigade, under Colonel L. A. Grant, was ordered to the front as skirmishers and deployed in a piece of woods covering a front of about half a mile. The rest of the command was massed in readiness, and a general engagement was confidently expected. The enemy advance in line of battle upon the woods where the Vermonters with one battery, somewhat in the rear of their skirmish-line, were posted. In general, a skirmish-line, upon being confronted by the advance of a line of battle, is expected to retire. The Vermonters, however, did not so understand it, and each one holding his position, they delivered such a steady and telling fire that the enemy's line was twice repulsed. The history of war furnishes few instances such as this, yet the Vermonters did not seem to think that they had accomplished anything out of the usual line of duty." (Bvt. Major General Martin T. McMahon, "From Gettysburg to the coming of Grant," in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, 4:81-2.