1 r. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^E^ . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^P ' ; ^^^^^B MAHS. ^^^^^m- «! ^^^B^^^^^^^^IN POCKET ATTACHED TO COVER.) "^^^^^^^K ^^^^Vol. I. Map No. I. — Position of Union and Confederate / ^^HE: armies on morning of July i, 1863. H^^Vol. I. Map No. II. — Battle of Gettysburg; first day; ^^Ht; position of troops. .. .^^ »^Vol II. Map No. III.— Pattle of Getty.=burg ; second day r ^I^K position of troops. \_^-'' ^fe^ Vol. II. Map No. IV — Battle of Gettysburg; third day; / ^^K. position of troops. / H Vol. III. Map No. v.— Battle of Gettysburg; third day; I ^^^^^ cavalry engagement. ^^B' ^^^^^^B-. ^^^H: r t .V Cornell University Library E 457.S3.N58 v.1« Final report on the battletield of Getty 3 1924 014 569 481 S BtEN a CO LITH NY Union. ArtUlery. BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, JULY i, 1863. FIRST DAY. GENERAL POSITION OF TEOOPS, 2 TO 3.30 P.M. Contour lines »t 20 feet Scale, 1950 feet to the Inch. ThcplaiieofreferetM-efortJiehomontal curves is taken .WOft.bciowalHjndvmariconCemetervHiU. Confederate i{ii|ii|ii|ii|ii{i ArtiHery. Army Corps — Union. Cavalry Dlrlgiong — Union. Buford'g Cavalry, June 29th. Buford— Middletown to Gettysburg. Boads used by Union Army, Virginia to Gettysburg. POSITION OF UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES ON THE MORNING OF JULY 1, 1863. Scale ; 10 Miles to 1 iiicli. B^BB Army Divisions — Confederate. 1^-^ Cavalry — Confederate. I I Ewell's Corps, June SOth. Boads used by Confederate Army, Virginia to Cbambersburg. 30 MILES Boute followed by Stuart's Cavalry. ^ L ; Longstreet'B Corps. E .: Ewell's Corps. H .= HlU's Corps. '^, Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014569481 NEW YORK MONUMENTS COMMISSION FOR THE BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG AND CHATTANOOGA. FINAL REPORT ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF GETTYSBURG. COMMISSIONERS. Maj.-Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. A. Maj.-Gen. Daniel Butterfield. BvT. Maj.-Gen. Alex. S. Webb. Bvt. Bs.ig.-Gen. Anson G. McCook. Col. Lewis R. Stegman. Col. Clinton Beckwith. , Major Charles A. Richardson. The Adjutant-General of the State, Ex-Officio. Chairman, Maj.-Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. A. Engineer and Secy., A. J. Zabriskie. Vol. I. Albany: j. b. lyon company, printers. 1900. To his Excellency, the Governor of the State of New York : Sir : — Pursuant to the provisions of chapter 932, Laws of 1895, the New York Monuments Commission for the Battlefields of Gettys- burg and Chattanooga has the honor to submit herewith its final report on that part of the work relating to the Batlefield of Gettysburg. Yours obediently, DANIEL E. SICKLES, Chairman. New York, Dec. i, 1899 AUTHORIZATION. CHAP. 466, LAWS OF 1886. AN ACT to provide for designating the positions and movements of the troops; of the State of New York on the battlefield of Gettysburg. Section i. Daniel E. Sickles, Henry W. Slocum, Joseph B. Carr, Charles A. Richardson, and the adjutant-general of this State are hereby appointed com- missioners for the State of New York to determine the positions and move- ments, at the battle of Gettysburg, of the several military organizations of this~ State that took part in that battle, and to do such other acts relating thereto as may be hereafter required. § 2. Said commissioners shall determine such positions and movements by- means of such records, reports^ maps and surveys as may be had, and by such,, other aids and means as they may judge necessary therefor; and they shall report their proceedings to the legislature at its next session, with such recom- mendations as they shall judge proper to secure the permanent marking of,: the movements and positions of such troops. § 3. The sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be neces- sary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to defray the expenses of said commissioners in carrying out, the provisions of this; act. § 4. In case of the resignation, refusal to serve, death or inability of either of said commissioners to perform the duties required, the Governor shall iilL. the vacancy by appointment. CHAP. 932, LAWS OF 1895. * * * For defraying the expenses of the final report of the commis-- sioners appointed by and pursuant to chapter four hundred and sixty-six. Laws of one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six, of their proceedings under said act, and all acts supplementary thereto, the sum of six thousand dollars, which report shall contain a representation of each monument erected by them, with a statement of its location and cost, and the dedication ceremonies, and also . a brief history of each New York regiment and battery that took part in the battle of Gettysburg as authenticated by officii reports and records. * * * = 2 NEW YORK GETTYSBURG WILLIAM F. FOX, Lieut.-Col. lojth N. Y. Vols. 3 AUTHOR'S PREFACE. The following chronicle of events at the battle of Gettysburg is inserted here as introductory to the main body of the report. Something of the kind seemed necessary in recounting the services of the New York troops on that historic field, to show not only their participation in the fighting, but, also, the relation which their action bore to other and more general events as to time, order, and place. The movements of each New York regiment and battery during the bat- tle are fully described elsewhere in the historical sketches and addresses pub- lished in this report; but the bearing which their action had on other movements can be explained only in some connected narrative reciting the entire story of the battle, and in which the services of each command is told in its due connection. Another history of Gettysburg may seem superfluous and presumptions. But there were New York regiments and batteries in every corps, in every division except one, and in forty-six brigades of the Union army. They fought and fell on every portion of the field. Any fair statement of their participation in the general action involves a story of the entire battle. At the request of the Board, the author, who had already undertaken the work of editing the final report, reluctantly assumed this addi- tional task. This history of the battle — if it may be called a history — does not purport to be the story of an eye-witness, but is based on the official reports made at the time, together with some other authentic accounts which have passed unchal- lenged during the many years that have elapsed. But the official reports are not infallible. They are somewhat conflicting at times, and on each side there is a noticeable tendency to make scant mention of any misfortune or reverse that may have occurred ; and, although a full record of such event may be found in the report of the other side, it is apt to be accom- panied by exaggerations that make it worthless for historical purposes. This is especially the case in statements as to losses inflicted on an enemy or the number of prisoners captured. With a hope of reconciling discrepancies, and obtaining information where it was needed,, the author has read carefully all of the voluminous literature, written on both sides, relating to the battle and its accompanying campaigns. Considerable difficulty was experienced in determining the order in which events occurred; for the reports show a surprising variation in this respect. Some officers differ three hours or more in their statements as to when certain incidents happened, — when troops arrived on the ground, the hour when they went into action, or, when some position was carried or abandoned. But by harmonizing so far as practicable the contradictory statements, and retaining all that agreed, a schedule was finally evolved by which the various movements were accounted for, as to time and succession, without inconsistencies or con- 5 6' Author's Preface. tradictions. Fortunately, in some of the reports the officer, instead of using the word " about " in stating when the event took place, gives both the hour and the minute with exactness, which shows that he looked at his watch and noted it precisely. Such statements were accepted in preference to others. Reference is made to this matter here, because the various movements during the battle cannot be understood until the exact order in which the events occurred is definitely determined. In the course of his work the author has made frequent and protracted visits to the battlefield, where all the various movements, together with the official reports, have been carefully studied on the ground, a task which became difficult at times owing to the erroneous location of regimental monuments and inaccu- rate inscriptions. It has been his good fortune, also, to meet on the field, from year to year, participants in the battle from each army, men whose rank and connection with important events on the field enabled them to explain clearly much that hitherto was doubtful or misunderstood. Through the liberality of the Board of New York Commissioners, substantial assistance was rendered by furnishing everything available in the way of maps, histories, official documents, and transcripts from the records of the War Departments at Wash- ington and Albany. It may seem to some that the following narrative contains matter that does not necessarily pertain to the story of New York at Gettysburg. But when a State furnishes nearly one-third of an army, some discussion of the total strength becomes necessary to establish the proportion of troops thus furnished. When almost one-third of the killed are from that State, this heroic record will be better appreciated after an examination of the entire casualty lists. And when one-third or more of the corps, division, and brigade generals are from one State, their participation, responsibility, and achievements can be fully under- stood and recognized only when the story is told in full, together with its legiti- mate deductions and conclusions. There is an unwritten law of literature that contemporaneous history must not be accepted as conclusive. Recognizing the justice of this decree the story has been conscientiously told, with no thought or care for the approbation of the present, but with a hope that the historian of the future may find something in its pages that will lighten his labors, and receive the indorsement of his pen. W. F. F. NEW YORK AT GETTYSBURG. This is the story of New York at Gettysburg; it is the story of what the men of New York did there. If, in the telling, there is little mention of other regi- ments, it is because such mention is outside the province of this narrative. Their gallant deeds will be better told by their own historians. Of the many States represented on this historic field, the Empire State, in proud fulfillment of its duty, furnished the most men and filled the most graves. More than one-fourth of the Union army marched there under the flags of the State of New York ; more than one-fourth of those who fell there followed those colors to their graves. The battle of Gettysburg has long been a fruitful theme in history. There yet remains the epic story of each State whose gallant sons fought on that field, not only for the perpetuity of the Nation, but for the honor and glory of their Commonwealth. THE FIRST DAY, Wednesday, July i, 1863. On June 30th the armies of Meade and Lee, each unaware of the other's movements, were moving towards Gettysburg. The Northern army was ap- proaching from the South ; the Southern army, from the North. The collision at Gettysburg was unexpected. Lee had no cavalry in front of his leading division. Part of his mounted troops were absent on a raid ; and part had been assigned to other portions of his army. Cavalry squads are the antennae of an army. Scattered along the line of advance, they are the feelers through which the body of the army perceives obstacles. About 10 o'clock, on the day before the battle, some Confederate infantry — Pettigrew's Brigade of Heth's Division — made their appearance near the Lutheran Theological Seminary in the western suburbs of the town and halted, their pickets advancing close to the residences along the outskirts. This brigade had been ordered to Gettysburg with instructions to search the town for army supplies, shoes especially, and return the same day. These troops did not enter the place, the officers contenting themselves with examining it through field glasses and conversing with such citizens as they could find. Learning that the advance guard of Meade's army was approaching, they withdrew towards Cashtown, leaving their pickets about four miles from Gettysburg. At II a. m., two brigades of Buford's Division of Union cavalry entered the town. The citizens, already in a state of excitement and terror over the great invasion, gazed with interest and satisfaction as the long column of veteran troopers, with trampling horses and fluttering guidons, moved through their 7 8 ' New York at Gettysburg. •treets. It was the opening scene in the grand pageant which was to make the name of Gettysburg known throughout the world. Buford's column had left Emmitsburg that morning. Passing through the town it moved out upon the Chambersburg Pike, or Cashtown Road as some- times called, and halted there. Buford brought with him two brigades, Gam- ble's and Devin's, leaving the reserve brigade, Merritt's, at Mechanicsburg to guard his trains. Scouting parties were immediately sent out in various directions, and the information thus obtained throughout the night apprised Buford of the proximity of the enemy and the rapid convergence of their hostile columns on Gettysburg. Knowing that General Reynolds, who was in command of the left wing of the Union army, was in supporting distance with the First and Eleventh Corps, he decided to resist the Confederate advance. On the eve of the approaching battle it will be instructive to note the posi- tion of the two armies. Neither has been moving with closely connected col- umns. In each, the various corps or divisions are widely separated, and a concentration is yet to be effected. Lee's army is under orders to concentrate at Gettysburg. Meade has directed two of his corps to go there also as a cov- ering movement, but follows up his instructions the next morning with orders for a concentration on the line of Pipe Creek, fourteen miles south of Gettys- burg, in case the enemy assumes the offensive. On the evening of June 30th, the day before the battle opens, the three corps composing the Confederate Army are many miles apart. The First Corps, under General Longstreet, is resting at Chambersburg, where General Lee has his headquarters, twenty-four miles west of Gettysburg. The Second Corps, Gen- eral Ewell, returning from its advance on Carlisle, York, and the Susquehanna, is halted for the night near Heidlersburg, eleven miles north of Gettysburg, with one division, Johnson's, at Fayetteville, twenty-one miles west of Gettysburg, The Third Corps, General A. P. Hill, is extended along the Chambersburg Pike, with Heth's and Pender's divisions near Cashtown, seven miles west of Gettys- burg, and Anderson's Division at Fayetteville. Lee's right and left wings are twenty-eight miles apart. His cavalry is still more widely scattered. Three brigades, under General Stuart, have been absent on a raid, and are now making a wide detour around the right of the Union Army in order to rejoin Lee; three other brigades have been left near the Potomac to guard the rear; and the remaining brigade — Jenkins' — is with Ewell's Corps. There is no cavalry with Hill's column, the one which has the advance on Gettysburg. The seven corps of the Union Army also occupied positions covering a wide extent of territory. The First Corps, under General Reynolds, bivouacked along the road, leading from Emmitsburg, Md., to Gettysburg, with its advance division at Marsh Creek, five miles from the battlefield, and with one division at Emmitsburg. The Eleventh Corps, General Howard, was at Emmitsburg, ten miles south of Gettysburg. The Third Corps, General Sickles, lay at Bridgeport, on the road from Taneytown to Emmitsburg. The Fifth, Gen- eral Sykes, was at Union Mills, Md., seventeen miles southeast of Gettys- burg. The Twelfth, General Slocum, bivouacked near Littlestown, Penn., eleven miles southeast of Gettysburg. The Sixth Corps, General Sedgwick, New York at Gettysburg. 9 occupied Manchester, thirty miles southeast of the battlefield. The Second, General Hancock, was resting at Uniontown, Md., sixteen miles south of Gettysburg. The cavalry. General Pleasanton, was covering the right and rear of the army, with two brigades of Buford's Division, already at Gettys- burg. Kilpatrick's cavalry division was at Hanover, Penn., fourteen miles east of Gettysburg, where it had encountered, earlier in the day, a part of Stuart's cavalry. The right wing of the Union Army was at Manchester ; the left wing was at Emmitsburg, over thirty miles distant. General Meade's headquarters were at Taneytown, ten miles south of Gettysburg. The left wing, composed of the First, Third and Eleventh Corps, was under command of General Rey- nolds. The Fifth and Twelfth Corps, of the right wing, were under General Slocum. A signal ofiEicer attached to Buford's Division states* that on the night of the 30th, General Buford spent some hours with Colonel Devin, of the Sixth New York Cavalry, who was in command of the Second Brigade. While commenting on the information brought in by Devin's scouts, Buford re- marked that " the battle would be fought at that point," and " he was afraid that it would be commenced in the mornmg before the infantry would get up." Devin, who did not believe in so early an advance of the enemy, said that he would " take care of all that would attack his front during the ensuing twenty-four hours." Buford answered, " No, you won't. They will attack you in the morning; and they will come 'booming' — skirmishers three deep. You will have to fight like the devil to hold your own until supports arrive. The enemy must know the importance of this position, and will strain every nerve to secure it, and if we are able to hold it we will do well." It is interest- ing to note how accurately Buford's prediction was fulfilled on the morrow. In Gamble's Brigade there was a New York regiment, the Eighth Cavalry, under command of Lieut. Col. William L. Markell; in Devin's Brigade there were two New York regiments, — the Sixth Cavalry, Maj. William E. Beards- ley, and the Ninth Cavalry, Col. William Sackett. Thus it was that New York participated in the first operations on that field. During the night the brigade picket line, made up of details from each regi- ment in Devin's Brigade (Sixth New York, Ninth New York, Seventeenth Pennsylvania, and Third West Virginia), was pushed forward on the Chambers- burg Pike to Willoughby Run, from whence the line extended northerly and easterly across the Mummasburg, Carlisle, and Harrisburg Roads. The line was in charge of Colonel Sackett, Ninth New York, who was brigade officer of the day. At daylight the advanced picket post on the Chambersburg Pike was held by Corp. Alphonse Hodges, of Company F, Ninth New. York Cav- alry, and three other cavalrymen. Men were seen approaching on the road, beyond Willoughby Run, and nearly a mile away. Acting under orders Hodges immediately sent his comrades to notify the line and the reserve, while he advanced across the Run till near enough to see that the approaching men belonged to the enemy; then he turned back, and as he did so they fired at him. He retired to the Run where, from behind the abutments of the bridge, he fired several shots at the enemy. This occiu-red about 5:30 a. m., and this. * From Decisive Conflicts of the War; by J. Watts de Peyster, Brev. Maj. Gen., N. G.,. S. N. Y. JO New York at Gettysburg. exchange of shots between the Confederate videttes and a New York trooper ,are believed to be the first fired at Gettysburg.* In the skirmishing which ensued later in the morning Cyrus W. James, of Company G, Ninth New York Cavalry, was killed, and he is said to have been the first Union soldier killed in the battle. Between 8 and 9 a. m., the pickets in front of Gamble's Brigade, gave notice that the infantry columns of the enemy, accompanied by artillery, were ap- proaching from the direction of Cashtown. The Confederate advance consisted of Archer's and Davis's Brigades, of Heth's Division, of A. P. Hill's Third Corps. No cavalry preceded them, for General Lee's mounted troops, as has been explained, were on duty elsewhere or had become separated from his army, and he was thus deprived of their services at this critical time. Archer and Davis brought forward eight regiments in their two commands. Gamble confronted them with his small brigade, which he reported officially as 1,600 ■strong. As his men fought dismounted their effective strength was still less, ■every fourth man holding the " led horses " in the rear. Unequal as their numbers were, Buford's men marched out boldly and " proudly " to the position assigned them. Moving out beyond the Seminary about one mile, Gamble formed his brigade with its right resting on the line of an unfinished railroad and its left near the Fairfield Road, the Chambersburg Pike passing through his line a little to the right of the centre and at right angles with it. Devin, with the Second Brigade, formed to the right, his line extending from the railroad to the Mummasburg Road. The opening gun of the battle was fired by the Confederates, the shot coming from a cannon in Marye's Virginia Battery, posted on the Chambersburg Pike on the first ridge west of Willoughby Run. Calef's Horse Battery — A, Second United States Artillery, — which was attached to Buford's Division, replied promptly from its position near the Chambersburg Pike, and the battle of Gettysburg began. The Confederate artillery answered the fire of Calef's Bat- tery with twelve guns, while Heth's infantry pressed Gamble's men with a strong skirmish line. The cavalrymen responded with a rapid carbine fire from behind the trees, rocks, and stone walls along their advantageous position on the ridge, their sturdy resistance giving Heth the impression that he had infantry before him, and causing him to advance slowly and cautiously. Buford, though hard pressed, held his own stoutly, knowing that reinforcements must soon arrive. The fight had raged fiercely for over an hour, when the signal officer in the belfry of the Seminary turning his anxious eyes towards the Emmitsburg Road, saw in the distance the corps flag of General Reynolds' troops, the First Corps. Buford, on receiving the welcome news, climbed hurriedly into the tower, and, looking through the telescope of the signal lieutenant, said, " Now, we can hold the place." Reynolds came galloping up with his staff, and, seeing Buford in the tower, cried out, " What's the matter, John? " " The devil's to pay," said Buford.f The two generals rode out to the field, encouraging by their presence * From a paper prepared for the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association, by Capt. Newel Cheney, Ninth New York Cavalry. t De Peyster. New York at Gettysburg. ii Gamble's hard-pressed men. Reynolds exposed himself boldly to the fire of the enemy despite Buford's entreaties to be more careful, to all of which Rey- nolds only laughed 'and moved nearer to the front. Having made a brief survey of the field Reynolds rode back to meet his corps and hurry the troops forward to Buford's relief. Instructing Wadsworth, whose division was in advance, to press forward with all speed, he sent an aide to order the two other divisions of the First Corps, which were some distance in the rear, to come on without delay. He sent word, also, to How- ard to bring up the Eleventh Corps from Emmitsburg, where it was resting. Before meeting the head of Wadsworth's column, Reynolds, glancing at Cemetery Hill, expressed the opinion that if he formed his troops there the town might be destroyed; and that he did not know whether there was time enough to get his troops into position on the other side of the town. When Wadsworth rode up Reynolds had a momentary consultation with himf as to whether the troops should go into Gettysburg or take a position in front of it. Reynolds decided that if they occupied the town the enemy might shell and destroy it, and that they had better form their lines outside. Marching to the sound of the cannon, Wadsworth's Division, of the First Corps, approaches the town; but, leaving the Emmitsburg Road at the Codori House for a shorter route to the scene of the conflict, the division, composed of Cutler's and Meredith's brigades, moves across the fields. As the column comes in sight, — the first infantry on that field, — it is seen that the blue flag carried by the leading regiment bears the coat of arms of the Empire State. It is the Seventy-sixth New York, a gallant regiment worthy of the historic numerals that form its designation. The leading brigade, Cutler's, containing four New York regiments, is formed across the Chambersburg Pike, deploying under artillery fire, with the Seventy-sixth New York, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania, and One hundred and forty-seventh New York along a ridge on the right of a deep cut in the rail- road, and at a right angle with it; the Fotfrteenth Brooklyn (Eighty-fourth New York Volunteers) and Ninety-fifth New York on the left. The first infantry volley, as is meet and proper on this field, rings out immediately from the rifles of the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania. With an echoing crash the Seventy-sixth New York follows with its fire. Hall's Second Maine Battery relieves Calef's guns, and takes position on the right of the i-oad. Meredith's " Iron " Brigade enters the McPherson woods, on Cutler's left and south of the Chambersburg Pike, being placed in position by General Doubleday, who is now in command of the First Corps, General Reynolds having been placed in command of the left wing of the Union army. Gamble's cavalry brigade having fallen back from its advanced position was now relieved. While leading forward the Nineteenth Indiana, of Meredith's Brigade, Gen- eral Reynolds receives a fatal wound and falls from his horse, expiring without t See Wadsworth's testimony before the Committee on the Conduct of the War. 12 New York at Gettysburg. a word. By this most unfortunate event, which occurred about 10:15 a- m-j General Doubleday succeeded to the command. To his able generalship in that trying hour is due much of the glory that the First Corps won on this bloody field. On the right, Davis' Brigade, composed of Mississippi and North Carolina troops, moving along the north side of the Chambersburg Pike, attacked the three regiments of Cutler's Brigade, which had gone into position there. The Seventy-sixth New York, which held the right, was outflanked by the more extended line of the enemy, but held its ground bravely, though suffering a terrible loss. In order to check the force — Fifty-fifth North Carolina — that was pressing their flank and theatening their rear, Major Grover, the comr mandant of the Seventy-sixth, ordered his five right companies to change front to rear, forming thus a hne at a right angle to that of his left companies. He had just given the order when he fell mortally wounded, and Capt. John E. Cook succeeded to the command. General Wadsworth, seeing the perilous situation of Cutler's three regiments on the right of the railroad, ordered them withdrawn to a position in the woods on Seminary Ridge. The Seventy-sixth New York and Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania, although under a severe musketry fire, withdrew in good order and with well-closed ranks to the new position assigned them. But the One hundred and forty-seventh New York did not fall back as ordered. Lieutenant Colonel Miller, who was in command, was wounded in the head immediately after receiving the order, and failed to give the command to fall back. Maj. George Harney, the next in command, held the regiment in its exposed position, unaware that an order had been given for the regiment to withdraw. In face of the musketry that was rapidly thinning its ranks the One hundred and forty-seventh held its ground manfully, until the enemy were in possession of the railroad cut on its left and the ground on its right. Just then Capt. T. E. Ellsworth, of Wadsworth's staff, rode out to the regiment, and finding Major Harney repeated the order to withdraw. The regiment then retreated, barely escaping capture. In this affair of Cutler's, lasting about half an hour, the Seventy-sixth New York lost 169, killed or woiinded, out of 27 officers and 348 men taken into action. Maj. Andrew J. Grover, Capt. Robert B. Everett, Capt. Robert Story, Lieut. Philip Keeler, and Lieut. Robert G. Noxon were killed, and thirteen other officers were wounded. Sergeant Hubbard, of the One hundred and forty-seventh New York, was in command of the provost guard of the brigade that morning. He formed the guard, consisting of eighteen men, on the right of the Seventy-sixth New York and fought there, losing twelve of his men. The One hundred and forty-seventh New York, by reason of its prolonged resistance, sustained a still greater loss, losing 207 in killed and wounded out of 380 present with the colors. Lieutenants Mace, Taylor, Van Dusen Schenck, and McAssy lost their lives, while seven other officers were wounded. Color Sergeant Hinchcliff was shot through the heart, and fell on the colors. But the blood-stained flag was rescued by Sergeant Wyboum, who brought it off the field, though seriously wounded himself. While this fight was going on between Davis' Brigade and Cutler's three regiments, the two other regiments of Cutler's Brigade — the Fourteenth New York at Gettysburg. 13 Brooklyn and Ninety-fifth New York — which had been detached by order of General Reynolds, to support Hall's Battery, remained on the left or south sfde of the Chambersburg Pike. They deployed, with the Ninety-fifth New York on the left. The two regiments, now detached from the rest of the brigade, were under command ,of Col. Edward B. Fowler, of the Fourteenth. They became engaged immediately with the enemy's skirmishers, posted in their front, and in the McPherson woods on the left. Assisted by the advance of the Iron Brigade — Meredith's — they drove the opposing line back, but soon found that the enemy, having overpowered the rest of the brigade on the right of the railroad, was advancing. Some of Davis' Mississippians passed be- tween the right of the Fourteenth and the railroad cut, forcing Hall's Battery to retire with the temporary loss of one of its guns. Fowler immediately or- dered his two regiments to about face and march to the rear. His line marched thus until abreast of the Confederate advance, when he gave the order to change front forward, thus bringing his line at right angles with the former one. His two regiments were now formed parallel with and facing the Chambers- burg Pike, and the railroad to the north of it. The enemy, halting in his ad- vance, changed front also to meet this unexpected and threatening manoeuvre. In the meantime the Sixth Wisconsin, of Meredith's Brigade, had been placed in reserve near the Seminary. It was under command of Lieut. Col. Rufus R. Uawes. General Doubleday, seeing the retreat of Cutler's three regiments, ordered the Sixth Wisconsin forward to their assistance. Dawes filed to the right and rear, and then facing to the left came up at a double-quick in Une with Fowler's two New York regiments. This new Hne opened fire on the enemy, who returned it with deadly effect, the Confederates having taken posses- sion of the railroad cut. Fowler .and Dawes ordered their men over the turn- pike fence, and then gave the command to charge. When the line reached the cut some of the Confederates threw down their rifles as evidence of sur- render, while others, more desperate, continued to fire. But a detachment of the Sixth Wisconsin moved across the east end of the cut, from which position they could enfilade its entire length with their fire. The Confederates then surrendered. The troops thus captured, about 300 in number, belonged to Davis' Brigade. Most of them were from the Second Mississippi, Maj. John A. Blair, commander of the regiment, together with the colors, being captured with the rest. A large number of Davis' men, who were opposite Fowler's left, made their way out of the west end of the cut and thus escaped. By this daring and brilliant movement of Fowler and his New York men, the lost gun of Hall's Battery was recaptured. Col. George. H. Biddle, of the Ninety-fifth New York, was wounded here, the command then devolving on Maj. Edward Pye. While Cutler's Brigade was making this gallant fight along both sides of the railroad grading, the Iron Brigade, under Meredith, was achieving honor and success farther to the left. Following Cutler closely on the field, it had been ordered by General Reynolds to seize and hold the McPherson woods on Fowler's left. Meredith's four regiments, advancing en echelon, relieved the cavalrymen of Gamble's Brigade, and entered the woods, where they encountered Archer's 14 New York at Gettysburg. Brigade. Their spirited attack forced Archer's line back and across Willoughby Run, the Union troops occupying the ground on the farther side. In this successful advance the Iron Brigade suffered terribly in men and officers, but at the same time inflicted a severe loss on the enemy. Several hundred prisoners were captured, including General Archer himself. Doubleday soon ordered Meredith to withdraw his brigade to the east side of the stream, and form line in the woods from which he had driven the enemy. In the meanwhile such of Davis' men as had escaped capture retreated from the field, and Cutler's troops advanced to their old position. It was now about 1 1 o'clock. The fighting ceased, and for three hours there was a lull in the conflict. This opening contest between the infantry of Wads- worth and Heth formed a distinct, separate period in the battle of the first day. The fighting thus far, aside from that of Buford's Cavalry, was between Cutler's and Meredith's brigades on the one side, and Davis' and Archer's on the other. The success of the Union troops in repelling this opening attack made Heth cautious, and he occupied the ensuing interval in bringing up his two other brigades, Pettigrew's and Brockenbrough's. During the two hours or more succeeding the repulse of Heth there was no infantry fighting. Each side was preparing for a renewal of the contest, Doubleday and his men disdaining to avail themselves" of this opportunity to effect a safe and honorable retreat. The skirmishers exchanged shots, and at times there was a heavy artillery fire, principally from the Confederate batteries. But during this cessation in the battle important movements were being made. Gen. A. P. Hill, commanding the Confederate Third Corps, placed Heth's Division again in) the advance. Pender's Division was placed in support of Heth. Hill's remaining division — R. H. Anderson's — did not arrive on the field in time to participate in the fighting of the first day. At the same time, on Hill's left, the advance of Ewell's Second Corps could be seen coming from the north to his support, Rodes' Division on the Carlisle, and Early's on the Heidlersburg roads. Ewell's remaining division — Johnson's — was several miles away, and did not reach the field until night, having marched twenty-five miles that day. Ewell, whose troops were at Carlisle and York the day before, had received? orders to concentrate at Cashtown, but being notified that Hill was marching towards Gettysburg he turned his columns in that direction also. On the Union side, in the meanwhile, the two other divisions of the First Corps — Robinson's and Rowley's — came up, arriving on the field about 12 o'clock. As Robinson's troops came on the ground, one of his brigades — Baxter's — ^made a short halt at the Seminary, and then moved to the front, where it went into position on Seminary Ridge, with its right resting on the Mummasburg Road. Baxter's left connected with Wadsworth's Division. Robinson's other brigade, under command of Gen. Gabriel R. Paul, was. placed in reserve at the Seminary, where it threw up a line of intrenchments,, by General Doubleday's order, to aid in holding that point in case the line was- driven back. These works were of slight construction, but Doubleday's pre- caution proved a wise one in the course of subsequeht events. New York at Gettysburg. 15 Rowley's Division was divided. One brigade, under command of Col. Roy Stone, was placed on Meredith's right, occupying the open fields on the ridge at the McPherson House, its line extending to the Chambersburg Pike. The other brigade — Col. Chapman Biddle's — was posted on the left and rear of the Iron Brigade. The Eleventh Corps, marching by the Emmitsburg and Taneytown roads, came through the town soon after this. These troops arrived on the field about 1 130 p. m.,* fatigued with a forced march of ten miles or more, made without a halt under a hot July sun, from where they were encamped that morn- ing near Emmitsburg. General Howard retained Steinwehr's Division and Wiedrich's New York Battery to hold and fortify Cemetery Hill, sending for- ward the two divisions of Schurz and Barlow to Doubleday's assistance. General Schurz was given the immediate command of the corps, Howard, by right of seniority, having assumed command of the entire field. General Schimmelfennig succeeded to the command of Schurz's Division. Schurz pushed his skirmishers forward rapidly, intending to seize Oak Ridge and make connection with the right of the First Corps, thereby prolonging the line northerly along the ridge, part of which was already occupied by Robinson's Division of that corps. This would have been a strong position, provided the attack" came from the west only. But before Schurz's troops could reach the ridge, this commanding position was occupied by the advance of Rodes' Division of Ewell's Corps, whose movement had hitherto been con- cealed by the woods. Carter's (Confederate) Artillery took a position on the ridge immediately, and opened a fire that enfiladed the entire line of the First Corps. Finding it impossible to form on Oak Ridge in prolongation of the line of the First Corps, Schurz was obliged to occupy the lower ground in the rear, and so his two divisions — Barlow's and Schimmelfennig's — deployed on the level fields and lowlands situated between Oak Ridge and Rock Creek. Instead of prolonging Doubleday's right, Schurz was forced to face the Eleventh Corps to the north to meet Ewell's advance, his line thus forming a right angle to that of Doubleday's, but failing to connect with it closely. Schimmelfennig, who was nearest the First Corps, and whose troops arrived first, deployed his two brigades in double lines, his own brigade, under Colonel von Amsberg, forming his left, and Krzyzanowski's Brigade holding the right of his line. General Barlow's Division held the extreme right of the line of battle, occupying the ground between the Carlisle and Heidlersburg roads, his right brigade — Von Gilsa's — reaching to Rock Creek. The troops that are to take part in the battle of the first day are all up now and in position. It is well to note here the comparative strength of the oppos- ing forces. The two Confederate corps of Hill and Ewellf confront respectively * The Forty-fifth New York, Schimmelfennig's Brigade, arrived in Gettysburg at ii:iS a. m., by the town clock, and four companies of this regiment, under Capt. Francis Irsch, were deployed as skirmishers, not long after, on the Mummasburg Road. Schurz's and Steinwehr's Divisions marched thirteen miles, having taken the circuitous route by Horner's Mills. t In each of these two corps — Hill's and Ewell's — there was one division absent, ao.t having arrived on the field at this time. 1 6 New York at Gettysburg. the two corps of Doubleday and Schurz. But in the Army of the Potomac the corps organization is smaller than that of the Army of Northern Virginia. Hill's two divisions which are present contain eight brigades or thirty-five regiments, while Doubleday's entire corps of six brigades contains only twenty- eight regiments.* The two divisions of Ewell's corps which are present con- tain eight brigades,! with thirty-six regiments, as opposed to Schurz's five brigades, with twenty-two regiments, including Coster's Brigade, of Steinwehr's Division, which was subsequently sent to Schurz's assistance. To the Union strength must be added the two small cavalry brigades of Buford. The Con- federates numbered about 27,300 infantry and artillery.J The Union troops opposing them numbered only 18,400, infantry, cavalry, and artillery.§ The Union line of battle forms a semi-circle. The First Corps is on the left of the Mummasburg Road, facing west and northwest; the Eleventh Corps is on the right of the road, and is faced north. It is now 2 o'clock, and the Confederates advance to the attack. The second contest of the day is about to commence. Rodes' Division, of Ewell's Corps, is the first to move, its advance being preceded by a heavy cannonade from Carter's Artillery, sixteen guns of which are posted on Oak Ridge, from where they enfilade Wadsworth's line. As Rodes' five brigades advance from the north their attack falls on the flank of the First Corps. Gen. A. P. Hill, seeing Ewell's troops engaged, gives the order for the divisions of Heth and Pender to advance. Closely succeeding these movements, Early's Division, of Ewell's Corps, from its position on the Confederate left, moves forward against the Eleventh Corps. The whole line becomes engaged, and the semi-circular lines of fire, over two miles long, mark the positions of the contending forces. Over 45,000 troops are engaged in the deadly struggle for the possession of this field. Through woods and orchards, over meadows and through fields of waving grain, the veterans of Rodes' Division moved steadily along the ridge toward the right flank of the First Corps. Cutler withdrew his brigade from its ad- vanced position and formed again on Seminary Ridge, with Baxter on his right. As Rodes advanced, his left flank became engaged first; but his right ♦There was one regiment on each side — nth Mississippi and 7th Indiana — absent with the trains. t Not including Smith's Brigade, of Early's Division, which was left on the York Road, and did not arrive on the field. t General Heth states, in the Southern Historical Society Papers, that his division at Gettysburg " numbered some seven thousand muskets." This would indicate that he carried about 7,688 officers and men into action. General Rodes reported officially the strength of his division as 8,052 officers and men. General Early, in the So. Hist Soc. Papers, states that his three brigades reported on June 20th, 4,756 officers and men present for duty. There is no official statement of the strength of Pender's Division; its four brigades, in the aggregate, probably numbered about 6,000. In addition to the infantry the Confederates had 63 pieces of artillery in action during the first day's battle. i General Doubleday, in his official report, states that the First Corps numbered 8,200 at the beginning of the fight Part of the Eleventh Corps was not on the field, one brigade and one battery having been left on Cemetery Hill. Colonel Gamble, of Buford's Division, reports officially that his brigade was " about 1,600 strong." New York at Gettysburg. 17 swung forward until most of his line conformed with that of Robinson and Wadsworth. The opening attack, made by O'Neal's Alabama Brigade and Iverson's North Carolina Brigade, was repulsed by Baxter's regiments, the Confederates suffering a severe loss. Iverson.lost here about 1,000 prisoners. The brigades of d'Neal and Iverson did not attack simultaneously, nor with a proper concert of action; if they had, Baxter's reginvnts would not have fared so well. General Robinson, to whose division Baxter's Brigade belonged, directed its movements so skillfully, changing front repeatedly to face the different directions in which O'Neal and Iverson successively approached, that Baxter and his men won a good share of the honors of the day. Baxter was materially assisted at this time by Cutler's Brigade, which, from its position on Baxter's left, delivered an effective fire against the flank of Iverson's line. In Baxter's Brigade there were two New York regiments which were con- spicuous for their dashing gallantry in this brilliant affair — the Eighty-third, under command of Lieut. Col. Joseph A. Moesch, and the Ninety-seventh, Col. Charles Wheelock. These two commands, in company with the Eighty- eighth Pennsylvania, made a charge on Iverson's. Brigade, in which the Ninety- seventh New York captured the colors of the Twentieth North Carolina, to- gether with 213 officers and men. In a second charge this gallant regiment succeeded in capturing eighty more men, the Ninety-seventh thus taking more prisoners than there were men in that regiment. In this battle of the first day. Lieutenants Morrin, Stiles and Cady, of the Ninety-seventh, were killed or mortally wounded. In the Eighty-third New York, Capt. Thomas W. Quirk and Lieut. Charles A. Clark were killed. Reinforced by Ramseur's Brigade the Confederates renewed the contest at this point, whereupon Robinson ordered up his only reserve, that of Paul's Brigade, relieving a part of Baxter's regiments and supporting the others. In Paul's Brigade were the Ninety-fourth New York, Colonel Adrian R. Root, and the One hundred and fourth New York, Col. Gilbert G. Prey. The latter regiment distinguished itself in a charge made by its three left companies on a stone wall, from which they dislodged the enemy, capturing sixty prisoners or more. Lieut. Thomas Johnson, of the One hundred and fourth, was mortally wounded. General Paul was seriously wounded, losing both S ' ^-^ J w^^^^x t , ; " . '-W^ 1^ t :> _ '^W m ■ Bi^^j^ ' ■'''" DBw liPf^AHB^BI^^^^H^ ,,. ;-, 1 < Sk'*7».^^avk--fev^. ---i^ '^^"- = •*^"^S^ ■ I 1 m s9Hi 1^^^^^^^^- ' \ ' fl ^ W'Mm^Sl^^^mS ^^^ML^1;^^^^^*^^> ' ' ^ mm ^-^^ lu*',;:', MM^^H^^^t^^- *^^;' / 5li 'f* (*^'^i/l^^HHHH ^Hj^K^^ V ' I MT'm'ir ^^gP^^ra^^. ' f 'm t \w'' ■■ ■. ^^^'f ■ ii l;'^' .. ■ ■= i^M- t-^'' New York at Gettysburg. 57 its position on the south slope of Cemetery Hill, under a heavy artillery fire, about three-fourths of a mile to the place on the slope of Cemetery Ridge to which Birney's right had fallen back. In front of this position, which was as- signed to Willard by General Birney, was a thicket along Plum Run, north of the Trostle buildings. It was now half-past 7 o'clock, and the sun had disappeared behind Seminary Ridge.* Willard formed line promptly, and gave the order to advance. The brigade charged with fixed bayonets into the thicket, where it received a deadly volley, at close quarters, from Barksdale's Brigade — the enemy being screened from view by the bushes until the Union troops were within a few feet. Willard's line staggered for an instant, but rallying with a shout, drove the enemy to the farther edge of the thicket. Here Barksdale, by his energy and violent language, became very conspicuous while trying to rally his men, and drew upon himself the fire from several rifles. He fell mortally wounded, and died that night within the Union lines. Willard's Brigade captured a large number of Confederates here. Emerg- ing from the farther side of the thicket, it advanced up the slope towards the Emmitsburg Road, under a concentrated fire of the enemy's batteries along that road, but finding no support on either flank, Willard ordered his brigade to retire. When it had reached the eastern edge of the thicket Willard was instantly killed by a cannon shot which carried away a part of his head and face. The command then devolved on Col. Eliakim Sherrill, of the One hundred and twenty-sixth New York, who subsequently conducted the brigade to its former position in the Second Corps. This brigade consisted of four New York regiments, — the Thirty-ninth, One hundred and eleventh. One hundred and twenty-fifth, and One hundred and twenty-sixth New York. It was com- manded by Col. George L. Willard, an officer of the regular army, who had been assigned to the command of the One hundred and twenty-fifth New York. In this charge the One hundred and eleventh New York suffered severely, losing 185 men in less than twenty minutes, out of about 390 engaged. The Thirty-ninth New York — " Garibaldi Guard " — did not accompany the brigade on this charge, it having been detached by order of Colonel Wil- lard and placed farther to the left to protect his flank. In the meanwhile one of Barksdale's regiments — the Twenty-first Mississippi — leaving its brigade behind, had pushed on past Willard's left flank without engagement, and in the smoke and confusion crossed Plum Run, where it succeeded in capturing Wat- son's Battery — I, Fifth United States Artillery. The " Garibaldis," accom- panied by Lieut. Peeples of the battery, and led by Captain Fassett of the Third Corps staff, attacked the Mississippians fiercely, drove them back, and recap- tured the guns. This regiment — Thirty-ninth New York — was small in numbers, having been consolidated into a battalion of four companies. It was commanded by Maj. Hugo Hildebrandt, who was wounded in this action. The sun had gone down. The field between Cemetery Ridge and the Em- mitsburg Road was a scene of various counter movements. While some portions of the Union line were falling back with shattered ranks, others were making countercharges, or holding isolated positions with a ♦ Sunset, July 2, 1863, was at 7-^3, almanac time. 58 New York at Gettysburg. sullen, bbstinate resistance. The Confederate yell, evoked by tem- porary success, was answered by defiant, angry shouts. The view was thickly veiled at times by the smoke of the batteries, anfl all concert of action had ceased. The Confederate advance had lost its con- tinuity. The battle had degenerated into a series of independent conflicts be- tween brigades or regiments. On the Union side the action was stubbornly continued by general officers, who sent in their commands wherever and when- ever opportunity occurred, in order to check the advance of the enemy until the fast approaching nightfall would end the battle and enable them to re- arrange the line. Through this confused mass of contesting forces, Wilcox's Alabama Brigade had forced its way to the line of the Union Army on Cemetery Ridge, striking a point where it had been divested of troops through calls for rein- forcements. Passing through a fringe of trees and bushes it reached this point on Cemetery Ridge unopposed and unnoticed, imtil Hancock, who was busy in " patching up " his line, saw the dangerous proximity of the Con- federate colors. He ordered the First Minnesota, of Gibbon's Division, to attack them, and this regiment drove Wilcox back, capturing the colors of the leading regiment; but only after a desperate fight in which it sustained the greatest percentage of loss of any Union regiment at Gettysburg, or during the war. In this aflEair Wilcox's left regiments were driven back by the fire from some troops belonging to Humphreys' Division, which had fallen back to this point. About the same time a regiment in Doubleday's Division — the Thirteenth Vermont — charged forward to the Rogers House on the Emmitsburg Road, recapturing the guns of a Union battery — Weir's, Fifth United States — from which the cannoneers had been driven by Perry's Florida Brigade. On the left, at Plum Run, General Meade ordered forward two regiments of Lockwood's Brigade, of the Twelfth Corps, — the First Maryland* and One hundred and fiftieth New York — and these troops drove the opposing Con- federates back nearly to the Peach Orchard. The One hundred and fiftieth New York, Col. John H. Ketcham, was about 600 strong, and as its long line rushed forward with loud cheers, the scattered forces of the enemy fell back without making any serious resistance. In its advance, this regiment regained possession of the four brass guns that Bigelow's Battery lost in the previous fighting near the Trostle House, and as the One hundred and fiftieth returned to the main line, its men, tired as they were, dragged the heavy guns back to a place of safety. After Wilcox's and Perry's Brigades, of Anderson's (Confederate) Division, had successively advanced, Wright's Georgia Brigade, the third in fine from the right, took up the movement, and achieved the most remarkable success of the Confederate forces on that part of the field. Moving forward in brigade front Wright encountered first, at the Codori House, the two regiments f of the Second Corps, which had been posted on Humphreys' flank. Forcing these troops from their slight breastworks, Wright's Georgians pushed on steadily, driving back the scattered forces that opposed them, until they * First Maryland, Potomac Home Brigade. t Eighty-second New York and Fifteenth Massachusetts. New York at Gettysburg.^ 59 reached Brown's Rhode Island Battery, which was posted in front of the angle in the stone wall on Cemetery Ridge. Charging gallantly up to and through the flaming guns of this artillery, some of these troops crossed the stone wall and reached the summit of Cemetery Ridge where, as General Wright states in his official report, they could look down on the farther side of the slope. But this part of the Union line was defended by the infantry of Hall's and Webb's Brigades, of the Second Corps, and the desperate valor of the Confederates availed them nothing. Wright made this advance without support on either flank. Perry's Brigade, on his right, had been checked half way across the field by the rally of the Excelsior Brigade, while on his left Posey's Brigade failed to move forward. Wright was unable to withstand the fierce onslaught of Hall and Webb, and with a despairing look for the assistance which was nowhere at hand, he ordered a retreat. It was another one of the many lost opportunities which made Confederate success impossible at Gettys- burg. Wright captured and had temporary possession of eighteen cannon, but was obliged to abandon them. Attacked on front and flank and in danger of being surrounded, the Georgians turned their faces to the rear, and in the gloom of the twilight cut their way out, and fought their way back to the Emmitsburg Road, So closely were they pressed that the brigade not only sustained a severe loss in falling back, but a large number of the men and several officers were taken prisoners. In this affair the Fifty-ninth New York, of Hall's Brigade, took an active part, capturing the flag of the Forty-eighth Georgia, but losing its com- mander, Lieut. Col. Max A. Thoman, who was killed. The captured flag was taken by Sergt. James Wiley. Prior to Gettysburg this regiment had been consolidated into a battalion of four companies, and it carried only 120 men into this action. On the left of the Union line, Crawford's Division, — Pennsylvania Reserves, Fifth Corps, — had gone into position on the northern slope of Little Round Top. Just before dark, McCandless' Brigade, of this division, charged down the slope with cheers that were heard even in the distant streets of Gettys- burg, and drove the Confederates out. of the valley of Plum Run and across into the woods around the Devil's Den and the Wheatfield. Fisher's Brigade, of the Reserves, moving to the left, ascended Big Round Top in support of the Twentieth Maine and Eighty-third Pennsylvania, which had already seized this point and driven out some of the enemy's skirmishers that occupied it. The Sixth Corps was massed, as a reserve, in rear of Crawford's Division, Fifth Corps. When McCandless' Brigade, of the latter division, made its advance at dusk it was supported by the heavy masses of the Sixth Corps in its immediate rear. Nevin's Brigade, of Wheaton's Division, Sixth Corps, formed on McCandless' right, where it became actively engaged and ren- dered efficient service at the close of the fighting on that ground. This brigade was commanded by Col. David J, Nevin, of the Sixty-second New York, a regiment which was in this brigade and was prominently engaged in this action. The Confederate attack had failed. The divisions of Hood, McLaws, and Anderson, with their powerful artillery support, had exhausted themselves in carrying an outer position, and were unable to make any farther advance. The line of the Union Army was still intact. The Third Corps, by interposing 6o New York at Gettysburg. itself in a strong position, had resisted an attack made by twice its numbers until the distant corps and divisions could march to that part of the field. But could it, alone and unassisted, have resisted a flank attack in its original posi- tion? Longstreet says it could not. Without a change of front no effective resistance would have been possible. The statement is frequently made that at the close of the battle on the second day the Union line on the left was established as Meade desired Sickles should occupy it in the morning, ignoring the fact that when the fighting ended that day the left was held by the Fifth and Sixth Corps, with two divisions of the First Corps — that is, by eight additional divisions as compared with two of the Third Corps — and that they remained there, occupying a much more extended front. When the fighting ended on the second day, the Union line included tlie two Round Tops and the Wheatfield, and ran thence through the woods in front of the J. Weikert House, to Cemetery Ridge, with a strong picket line on the Emmitsburg Road. All of the Union artillery which was lost during this fighting on the second day had been recaptured, except the three guns of Smith's Battery at the Devil's Den, and one of Thompson's Battery at the Peach Orchard. Bigelow's, Watson's, Turnbull's, and Weir's batteries were retaken, and that portion of the field between the Emmitsburg Road and Cemetery Ridge was held as at the beginning by the Union troops.* The Confederate brigades of Anderson's Division — Wilcox,s, Perry's, and Wright's — after their repulse retired to their original positions in the woods west of the Emmitsburg Road, from which they had started when they went into action. Some of Longstreet's troops clung to their lodgment at the Devil's Den, and held the line of the Emmitsburg Road at the Peach Orchard. But Lee would have occupied all this ground without resistance if the Third Corps had not seized these positions, compelling Longstreet to fight for hours to gain these points. And to the New York regiments in the Third Corps belongs a full share of the laurels won by that famous command on this bloody field. From 4 o'clock, when the attack commenced on Ward's Brigade, until nearly 8, when Hum- phreys' right was still fighting on the Emmitsburg Road, some part of the Third Corps, with New York regiments present, was still holding its line. In the prolonged, desperate resistance made by Ward's Brigade on the left, the regi- ments and batteries from the Empire State fought with a gallantry that was a fitting counterpart to the historic contest waged by the New York Brigade which, on Gulp's Hill, so nobly saved the right. General Lee's plan of battle provided for a general attack at all points of the line. His entire army was to engage in it, except Heth's Division, of Hill's Corps, — which was massed in reserve, west of Willoughby Run, near the ground where it fought on the previous day, — and Pickett's Division, of Long- *" The brigade was rallied and moved forward, driving the enemy and capturing many prisoners. I continued to advance until I again occupied the field I had but a few moments previous vacated. Here my pommand remained until morning, the officers and men assisting in removing Irom the field as many of the wounded as the time and facilities would admit of." LFrom the official report of General Carr. Official Records, Vol. XXVn, Part I, p. 543. See also reports of Generals Anderson, Wilcox, and Wright, and Colonel Lang. Vol. XXVII, Part II.] New York at Gettysburg. 6i street's Corps, which was still on its way to Gettysburg. Commencing on the Confederate right the various brigades of Longstreet's and Hill's corps were to have moved forward to the attack in succession; but when this movement reached Posey's Brigade, of Anderson's Division, these troops made only a partial advance, while the next brigade — Mahone's — made no movement whatever. Pender's entire division, which was next in line, remained in place awaiting the order to advance, during which General Pender was mortally wounded by a fraginent of a shell. The failure of Posey and Mahone to ad- vance, together with the inaction of Pender's Division, was an important in- cident in the battle. General Lane, who succeeded Pender, states that in assuming the command, he received orders from the fallen general to attack if a favorable opportunity presented. As Generals Lee, Hill, and Anderson were on that part of the field it may be assumed that, night having arrived with- out any definite success achieved, they declined to give the orders for a pro- longation of the doubtful conflict Still, the Confederate line along the front of Pender's Division was not wholly inactive, for this interval was occupied by the artillery battalions of Lane, Pegram, Gamett, and Mcintosh, with fifty- three cannon in position and engaged. The shadows of evening were fast hiding the field from sight when the fight- ing on the left ceased. But away to the right the roar of artillery and crashing of musketry told that the great battle of the second day was not yet over. General Ewell who, with the Confederate Second Corps, held the left of Lee's army, had received orders from the commanding general to delay his attack until he heard Longstreet's guns on his right. These orders were somewhat modified by subsequent instructions informing Ewell that the main attack was to be made by Longstreet's (First) Corps, and that when the opening guns of that fight were heard he should make a diversion in Longstreet's favor, " to be converted into a real attack if an opportunity ofifered." General Ewell accord- ingly placed his three divisions in readiness for an assault on the Union right and centre. He assigned to Johnson's Division, hitherto not engaged, the task of storming Gulp's Hill; to Early's Division the assault of East Cemetery Hill; and to Rodes' Division a co-operative attack on the west slope of Cemetery Hill, or centre of the Union line. At 4 o'clock General Johnson, hearing Longstreet's guns, ordered Major Latimer to open fire with his battalion of artillery. Latimer had posted fourteen guns on Benner's Hill, together with six twenty-pounder Parrotts, of Graham's and Raines' batteries, twenty guns in all. This elevation is opposite to and northeast of Gulp's Hill, from which it is separated by the narrow valley of Rock Creek. Latimer's fire was replied to effectively by the Union batteries on Cemetery HilL The Confederate artillery was silenced, but not until it had sustained a severe loss in men and material, Latimer, " the boy major," falling mortally wounded at the close of the affair. On the Union side. Cooper's Pennsylvania Battery suffered severely from its exposed position, and a concen- trated fire from other batteries besides its opponents on Benner's Hill. Reynolds' and Wiedrich's New York batteries, also, took a prominent and eflScient part in this artillery duel. During this action Taft's Fifth New York Battery was stationed in the Cemetery, from whence four of its six guns were turned on Benner's HilL This battery was equipped with twenty-pounder 62 New Yoek at Gettysburg. Parrotts, the heaviest guns and only ones of that pattern in Meade's artillery at Gettysburg. Some of the Twelfth Corps artillery took an active and effective part in this affair also. A section from each of Knap's and Muhlenberg's Batteries went into position on Gulp's Hill during the contest. Their guns were posted at the angle in the hne on the left of the Twelfth Corps, from which point they enfiladed the line of Confederate batteries on Benner's Hill, and contributed materially to silencing their fire. The sun had gone down when Johnson gave the order for his infantry to move to the attack of Gulp's Hill. He had with him the three brigades of Jones, Nicholls, and Steuart. His remaining brigade — Walker's — was detamed on the north side of Rock creek by the threatening presence of the Union cavalry, which had arrived on the field at noon. With the three brigades mentioned Johnson moved out from his resting place behind Benner's Hill and the Hanover Road, and at dusk- crossed Rock Creek. Driving the skirmishers of the Twelfth Corps through the forest, his troops pressed forward eagerly to the assault of the wooded height before them. Within the breastworks which outlined the summit of Gulp's Hill there was just at this time a peculiar state of affairs. The entire Twelfth Corps, except one brigade, had gone, leaving their breastworks empty and undefended, except the portion held by this one brigade. When General Longstreet opened his attack on the Union left, General Meade (H-dered the Fifth and Sixth Corps thither, together with two divisions of the First Corps. In addition to these large reinforcements he ordered General Sloctun to take the Twelfth Corps also to the left. General Meade's extreme solicitude for the safety of his right flank, as evinced by his orders in the morn- ing, contrasted strongly with his haste to strip it almost entirely of troops in the evening, especially as the enemy had not moved a regiment from that front during the day. Slocum protested so vigorously against abandoning Gulp's Hill that General Meade consented that one brigade of Geary's Division might remain, an extremely fortunate concession. This movement of the Twelfth Corps to the left was a grave error, as will appear later ; especially, as the Sixth Corps, which had not been engaged, was already on the ground, in reserve, and was available for the same purpose. General Ruger's Division,* obedient to orders, filed out of its works about 7 o'clock and marched to the scene of the fighting on the left. Geary, with two of his brigades, followed, but mistaking the road marched in the direction of Two Taverns instead of Round Tops, and halted just beyond Rock Creek Bridge. These troops had scarcely vacated their works on Gulp's Hill when Johnson's Division moved forward to the attack. The one brigade of the Twelfth Corps which had been left was a New York brigade commanded by Gen. George S. Greene, and was composed of the Sixtieth, Seventy-eighth, One hundred and second, One hundred and thirty- seventh, and One hundred arid forty-ninth New York Infantry. Upon them devolved the task hitherto assigned to a corps. The left of their line connected with Cutler's Brigade, of Wadsworth's Division, First Corps, which held the intrenchments on the western slope of the hill. On Greene's right were the empty breastworks which had been vacated by the Twelfth Corps. Greene had •Williams' Division. General Williams was in command of the Twelfth Corps, General Slocum being in command of the right wing. New York at GETTYSBuaa 63 received orders to reoccupy these entire works with his brigade, by thinning and lengthening his line. The One hundred and thirty-seventh New York, Col. David Ireland, moved accordingly into the adjoining works, which had been vacated by Kane's Brigade of Geary's Division, and formed in single line, " one man deep ; " but before any further movement could be made, Johnson's attack commenced along the entire front. From behind their works Greene's men delivered a deadly fire that forced their assailants to seek safety in the woods at the base of the hill. The Con- federates made repeated efforts to carry the works, but without success. Night- fall added to the gloom of the thick forest that covered the hill from its base to the breastworks on its summit, in which the blazing lines of musketry marked the position of the combatants. Jones' Virginia Brigade, on the right of Johnson's line, suffered some, also, from an oblique fire which was delivered by a regiment of Cutler's Brigade from its position on Gi'eene's left. The left of Johnson's line was held by Steuart's Brigade, which, overlapping Greene's right, entered the empty breastworks of Ruger's Division and occupied them without Qpposition. From this vantage ground Steuart delivered a flank fire that, combined with his attack in front, forced the One hundred and thirty- seventh New York to vacate the intrenchments of Kane's Brigade. But this regiment withdrew its right to the rear, and, in the darkness, formed a line perpendicular to the breastworks which it had been occupying. When Johnson's attack commenced, Greene sent for reinforcements. In re- sponse to his call for aid three regiments from Cutler's Brigade, numbering in all about 350 men, and four from von Amsberg's Brigade (Eleventh Corps), about 475 men, reported and rendered good service in assisting his command. Among these regiments that came to Greene's support were the Fourteenth Brooklyn and One hundred and forty-seventh New York, of which but a mere remnant remained from their desperate fighting on the first day; also, the Forty-fifth and One hundred and fifty-seventh New York, which inarched for half a mile through the complete darkness of the woods guided by the sound of the musketry. Neither side could use artillery in this contest. The sturdy defence of Gulp's Hill by Greene's New York Brigade, after tlie rest of the corps had gone, forms one of the most remarkable achievements of the day. The Sixtieth New York, Col. Abel Godard, captured two stands of colors; and some of the men, leaping the breastworks, took several of the enemy prisoners with their flags. Colonel Lane of the One hundred and second was wounded, after which the command devolved on Capt. Lewis R. Stegman. The heaviest loss fell on the One hundred and thirty-seventh, which, owing to its exposed flank, suffered severely, losing 137 of its number, including four officers who were killed. The flag of the One hundred and forty-ninth received eighty-one bullets through its folds, and seven in its staff, the color sergeant sphcing it and replacing it on the works as fast as it fell. A Confederate soldier who attempted to seize it fell riddled with bullets. The Seventy-eighth, under Lieutenant Colonel von Hammerstein, was deployed on the skirmish line at tlie foot, of the hill, where its sturdy resistance to Johnson's advance gave General Greene time to prepare for the impending assaull. The five regiments of tlie brigade numbered only 1,350, total strength. 64 New York at Gettysburg. It was after midnight when Johnson's troops, wearied with their repeated assaults in the darkness, abandoned their task until daylight. When the fight- ing ceased Greene still held his original Une, while on his right the Confederates were in possession of the intrenchments thrown up by Kane's Brigade and, fartlier on, the works of Ruger's Division. There was nothing to prevent Steuart's Confederate Brigade marching straight ahead through the woods to the Baltimore Pike, about 400 yards distant, where it would have been in the rear of the Union Army, in possession of its supply trains and reserve artillery, and on its proper line of retreat. While this fighting was in progress at Gulp's Hill, a desperate conflict was occurring on the eastern slope of Cemetery Hill. Early's Division, of Ewell's Corps, had been in position all day on the east side of the town, on the left of the main street and near the foot of the hill. It comprised the two brigades of Hays and Hoke. Gordon's Brigade, which during the day had been posted on the York Road, moved into town and took a position in support. Early's remain- ing brigade — Smith's — ^was held on the York Road, under Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, to protect that flank against the threatened advance of the Union cavalry. General Ewell directed Rodes to form his division on the south side of the town, facing the west front of Cemetery Hill, and instructed him to co-operate with Early in the assault as soon as an opportunity to do so with good effect was offered. It was just before dusk when the sound of Johnson's musketry announced that the attack on Gulp's Hill had commenced. Early then gave the order for his two brigades to advance. Hays' Brigade was composed of five Louisiana regiments which wore a semi-zouave uniform and flourished under the appalling synonym of the Louisiana Tigers. Hoke's Brigade, composed of North Carolinians, had only three of its regiments at Gettysburg. It was commanded by Col. I. E. Avery, General Hoke having been wounded at Chancellorsville. The official reports indicate that it was about 8 o'clock when these two brigades advanced. They had but a short distance to go — about 500 yards — to^ reach the Union intrenchments at the base of East Cemetery Hill. Their line of advance took them up the valley between Cemetery Hill and Gulp's Hill. Both brigades were deployed in one long line of regimental fronts, and as soon as they moved forward the Union batteries opened on them. The artillery fire did not check them, and they soon reached the base of the hill, the opposing skirmishers retreating rapidly before them. A line of stone walls and fences that ran around the base of the hill was occupied by Ames' Division of the Eleventh Corps, which delivered a musketry fire at short range as soon as Early's line came in sight. The Confederates dis- lodged most of these troops, and rushing over their works scaled the summit of East Cemetery Hill. As they swept rapidly up the slope with loud yells of triumph, the batteries on the crest of the hill opened on them with canister; but, owing to the darkness and smoke, or inability to depress the guns suffi- ciently, the assaulting column suffered but little from this fire. The left flank of Hoke's Brigade was exposed for a short time to a severe canister fire from Stevens' (Fifth Maine) Battery, which was posted on the west slope of Gulp's Hill, at the head of the valley up which the Confederates advanced. Still, the right of the assaulting column, protected by the contour of the hill, pushed New York at Gettysburg. 65 rapidly on and arriving at the first, or lower, line of batteries, rushed in among Wiedrich's and Ricketts' guns. Colonel Wainwright, chief of artillery. First Corps, had instructed his battery ofiEcers that in case of an assault they must not stop to Kmber up, but must serve their pieces to the last moment As the yelling Confederates rushed into these batteries the cannoneers, assisted by the drivers, defended their guns in a desperate hand-to-hand conflict, in which rammers, handspikes, and every weapon at hand were used. The attack was so sudden and the view so much obscured by darkness and smoke, that for awhile the batterymen fought among their guns with but little assistance from the infantry. From out the darkness could be heard the fitful shots of pistols and rifles mingled with the desperate cries and curses of the combatants. A Confederate lieutenant seized the guidon of Ricketts' Battery, but the color bearer drawing his revolver shot the lieutenant dead and then fell Ufeless beside him. A line officer of the Tigers, laying his hand on a cannon, demanded its surrender, when one of the gunners in reply crushed his skull with a blow from a handspike. One of Ricketts' lieutenants saved the life of a sergeant by feUing his assailant to the ground with a stone which he picked up, without waiting to draw his sabre. A regimental commandant in Hoke's Brigade states in his official report that the fight was made with " bayonet, clubbed musket, sword, and pistol, and rocks from the wall; " and that among the cannon the dead were lying " most all with bayonet wounds, and many with skulls broken with the breeches of our guns." Wiedrich's Battery, on Ricketts' left, was reached by the enemy first. As one of the Tigers planted his regimental colors on a lunette at the first section he was knocked down with a handspike and his flag captured. For a while this battery was in possession of Hays' Brigade. There was close fighting also by the infantry on the extreme left of Ames' line, at the point held by the One hundred and seventh Ohio, where with sabres and revolvers regimental colors were captured and recaptured on both sides. But this state of affairs could not last long. In the rear of the batteries lay the infantry of the Eleventh Corps, with three divisions of the First and Second Corps near at hand. Early's two brigades on reaching their goal found them- selves alone and unsupported. The troops that, moving with them, were to have scaled the western slope and joined them on the crest of Cemetery Hill were nowhere to be seen or found. The heavy tread of approaching regiments could be heard in the darkness, and General Hays, thinking that the converging column of Confederates was about to join him, ordered his brigade to withhold their fire. But the approaching troops were enemies, not friends. From all sides the infantry of the Eleventh Corps rushed impetuously to the assistance of the artillery. Coster's Brigade, of Steinwehr's Division, regained possession of Wiedrich's guns. The Fifty-eighth and One hundred and nine- teenth New York, of Schurz's Division, accompanied by General Schurz per- sonally, left their place in the Cemetery and hastened to Wiedrich's relief. In the meantime, General Hancock had been listening attentively to the sound of the " heavy engagement on General Howard's front; " and noticing that the firing was coming " nearer and nearer,"* directed Carroll's Brigade to hasten to that point and report to General Howard at once. Carroll's Brigade was in * General Hancock's report 5 66 New York at GETTYSBURGy, position in front of the Taney town Road, less than half a mile from the Balti- more Pike where the fight was going on. Taking three regiments of his brigade — the Fourth Ohio, Seventh West Virginia, and Fourteenth Indiana — .Carroll, moved, through the Cemetery and advancing on Hays' Louisiana Brig- ade with fixed bayonets drove it out of the batteries, down the hill,' and over the .stone wall. Hoke's North. Carolina Brigade, which had suffered severely from the artillery fire of Reynolds' (New York) Battery, fell back also. Colonel .Avery, of the Sixth North Carolina, who commanded this brigade, was mortally wounded. While dying he wrote on a blood stained slip of paper a request tliat someone would tell his father that he died with his face to the enemy. . The Confederates halted near the foot of the hill and exchanged a few volleys with Carroll's men, after which they withdrew under cover of the darkness. The eight regiments of Hays' and Hoke's brigades carried about 2,400 officers and men into the assault. They sustained a loss of 39 killed, 246 wounded, and ■i49ipissing;itotal, 434.* Most of the missing were either killed or wounded. General Hays states in his official report that on arriving at the summit, in addi- tion to. the temporary possession of several cannon, his men captured four stands of colors. . But the Confederates lost some flags also. The attack commenced at 8 p. m.; the. firing ceased at 10:20 p. m. D.uriijg: this assault by. Early's two brigades, his remaining brigade — Gordon's: — was deployed, within rifle shot of Cemetery Hill. On the opposite side pf the hill, in the fields near its base, Rodes'. Division was also in line, under orders to co-operate with Early and Johnson. But neither Gordon or Rodes gave the order to advance. Gordon's instructions did not require him to move forward .with Hays and Avery, as he was to support - them ; and when it became evident that Rodes' Division would not move Early " halted "Gordon, ■because any further attempt would only add to the useless sacrifice of life. , . General Rodes' delay, seems harder to understand; for, as he states, he first " sought General Early, with a view of making an attack in concert with hira."t RpdeS then' informed General Lane — commanding Pender's Division — of the plan, and that, he, Rodes, would attack "just at dark." General Lane sent for- jward two brigades accordingly to protect the flank of Rodes' Division.. Rodes states that he ha;d to move his troops out of the town by the flank, change direction of the line of battle, and then traverse a distance of 1,200 yai-ds, while * Mr. S. P. Bates,' in his "Battle of Gettysburg," says of the Louisiana Brigade: " They came forward 1,700 strong, maddened with liquor, and confident of crushing in our line, and holding this commanding position. They went back barely 600, and the Tigers were never afterwards known as an organization." This statement has been so widely quoted, that it may be well to note here that the losses in Hays' Louisiana Brigade were 26 killed, 153 wounded, and SS missing; total, 234, Its " organization " was not destroyed; this brigade, under its old designation, fought m every succeeding battle, and was included 'in the roster of Lee's army at Appomattox. There should be ho question as to the figures for its losses at Gettysburg. Its casualties »re given, in General Early's official report, for each day separately, and for each, regi- nient'by itself, with an evident attention to detail that implies accuracy. The intimation