Class Book -~^/f^S SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT FINAL REPORT sliiri! mmm kmi NEW JERSEY. Appointed and acting under Acts of April 20th, 1885, April 27th, 1886, and March 16th, 1887. James N. Duffy, 1 Gottfried Krueger, V Commissioners. William H. Corbin, J TRENTON, N. J.: Pkinted by Thk John L. Murphy Publishing Company. 1891. fl Monument to First New Jersey Brigade, (north slope of little round top.) FINAL REPORT tyskrg Battle-fell NEV/ JERSEY. , Appointed and acting under Acts of April 20th, 1885, April 27th, 1886, and March 16th, 1887. James N. Duffy, ^ Gottfried Krueger, V Commissioners. William H. Corbin, I TRENTON, N. J.: Printed by The John L. Murphy Publishing Company. 1891. ■^15 .53 LETTER TRANSMITTING REPORT. To His Excellency Leon Ahhett, Governor of New Jersey : Sir — The undersigned Commissioners appointed pursuant to Chap- ter CXCIX. of the laws of 1886, to erect " suitable monuments to mark the position of the New Jersey regiments upon the battle-field of Gettysburg/' have the honor to submit herewith their final report ; the interesting duty with which they were charged having, as they believe, been entirely fulfilled. The Commissioners have heretofore presented two brief reports of the progress of the work, one in Decem- ber, 1886, and the other in December, 1887. They deem it proper, however, to embrace in the present report a statement covering the entire period of their operations, and in so doing will necessarily repeat, to some extent, their former reports. The Commissioners desire, in transmitting their report, to express their sincere and grateful appreciation of the interest manifested by Your Excellency and by His Excellency Governor Green, in their work. With great respect, we are, etc., JAMES N. DUFFY, GOTTFRIED KRUEGER, WILLIAM H. CORBIN, Commissioners. Dated October 1st, 1891. COMMISSIONERS' REPORT. THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought on the first, second and third days of July, 1863, by General Meade, commanding the First, Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, and the Cavalry Corps and Reserve Artillery Corps of the Army of the Potomac, on the Federal side, and General Lee, commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, on the Confederate side. The battle was the culmination of General Lee's famous Campaign of Invasion. It resulted in the signal defeat of his army with great loss, and caused his immediate withdrawal from Pennsylvania and Upper Maryland, and ended his campaign in failure and disaster. Even at the time of its occurrence the battle was deemed a most important one, but viewed from the standpoint of the present time it is regarded as the turning point of the Civil War. The Rebellion, which up to this period had, in the main, been victorious and aggres- sive, became thereafter more and more a sullen, stubborn defense, con- tinually weakening, and finally breaking down and yielding its territory and its forces to the National arms. At this battle about 85,000 men were present on the Federal side, of whom about 70,000 were engaged, with 300 guns. On the Con- federate side about 70,000 men with 250 guns were present, sub- stantially all of whom were engaged in the fight. The scene of the conflict was the village of Gettysburg, Adams county, Pennsylvania, and the plain on which it stands, stretching to the north and south, and the ridge to the east of this plain, known as Cemetery ridge, and the ridge to the west thereof, called Seminary ridge, the main lines of battle being along the crests of these ridges, the Federals on the east and the Confederates on the west. The battle extended over an area of about twenty-five square miles. The losses were severe on both sides, and nearly equal, being about 6 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 23,000 in either army. Of these not less than 3,500 in each army- were killed or died of wounds. From the very first this battle excited exceptional and extraordinary interest. The great numbers engaged, the heroism so signally dis- played, the stubbornness of the fight, its significance as marking the culmination of the Confederate invasion of the North, the fact that it was fought on Northern soil at a point apart from the " theater of war," its decisiveness as the turning point of the Rebellion, the inter- esting character of the struggle to the military critic, and the beauty of the field to the ordinary observer — all these considerations tended to make it famous. After the battle was ended the Federals came into possession of the entire field. It was strewed with thousands of the dead, as well as with hundreds of carcasses of horses bloated under the July sun. Unless these were speedily disposed of the country would be unin- habitable — a pestilence would ensue. Accordingly, the dead were buried, friend and foe, on the field where they fell — in the fertile wheat-fields, in gardens, by the roadside, in the woods on Gulp's hill, on the rocky slopes of Round Top, where there was scarcely earth enough to cover them from sight. Many were not identified, but slight marks were put up to indicate how many each trench contained and to which side they belonged. The army hastened away in pursuit of the enemy, leaving the 7,000 shallow graves to show where they had been. ACTION OF THE LOYAL GOVERNORS. Soon after the battle, and in the month of July, 1863, steps were taken by Governor Curtin and citizens of Pennsylvania to collect the bodies and give them a proper burial. The co-operation of the Governors of the eighteen Northern States having troops at Gettysburg was invited and secured. A plot of seventeen acres of ground on Cemetery hill, at the center of the Union line of battle, was purchased. The State of New Jersey was prompt to give aid to the project. Governor Parker appointed Levi Scoby his agent to meet the agents of the other Governors to formulate a plan for the establishment of a National Cemetery, and the proper commemoration of the services of the fallen soldiers. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 7 CONVENTION OF THE GOVERNORS' AGENTS, 1863. A convention of the agents of the Governors was held at Harris- burg, Pa., on December 17th, 1863. Agents were present from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsyl- vania, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. Letters were received from the Governors of New York, Michigan, Rhode Island, Dela- ware and Minnesota, signifying their approval of the purpose of the convention, and expressing a disposition to concur in any action that might be taken. The convention adopted a scheme which was sub- mitted to the Governors of the several States. It provided that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should hold the title to the National Cemetery, in perpetuity, in trust for the States having soldiers buried therein ; that the Legislature of Pennsylvania should be requested to create a corporation to have exclusive control of the cemetery, to be managed by a Beard of Trustees, one to be appointed by the Governor of each of the States having soldiers buried in the cemetery. The convention estimated that $63,500 would be required to finish the cemetery and build a monument, and asked the several States to con- tribute to the fund required, in proportion to their representation in Congress, and to contribute annually thereafter, in like proportion, for the care of the cemetery. A committee of five, with Mr. Scoby, of New Jersey, as chairman, was appointed to procure designs for a monument. The plans of Mr. William Saunders for laying out the cemetery, were adopted. It was reported that, up to the time of the convention, 2,271 bodies had been buried in the cemetery, of which 35 were the bodies of New Jersey soldiers. (Leg. Doc. 1864, pp. 1-4.) INCORPORATION OF THE GETTYSBURG SOLDIERS' NATIONAL CEMETERY, 1864. The State of Pennsylvania, by act of March 25th, 1864 (Pamph. Laws, p. 102), incorporated the "Soldiers' National Cemetery," naming one incorporator from each of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, " being one Commissioner from each State having soldiers buried in the cemetery." The act gives the corporation perpetual succession and confirms the 8 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. title to the cemetery grounds already purchased by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and declares that the title " shall vest and remain in said Commonwealth, in fee simple, in trust for all the States having soldiers buried in said grounds ; and said grounds shall be devoted in perpetuity to the purpose for which they were purchased, namely, for the burial and place of final rest of the remains of the soldiers who fell in defense of the Union, in the battle of Gettysburg ; and also the remains of the soldiers who fell at other points north of the Potomac river, in the several encounters with the enemy during the invasion of Lee in the summer of 1863, or died thereafter in conse- quence of wounds received in said battle and during said invasion." The property of the cemetery was forever exempted from taxation. GOVEENOE PAEKEE'S MESSAGE, 1864. Governor Parker, in his first message to the Legislature, in January, 1864, made the following reference to the action of the Governors with respect to the cemetery at Gettysburg (Leg. Doc. 1864, p. 22): "gettysbukg cemetery. " Shortly after the battle of Gettysburg, a proposition was made on behalf of the Governor of Pennsylvania that New Jersey should co-operate with other loyal States, in the establishment of a cemetery at that place, in which should be deposited the remains of those who there fell in defense of the Union. The plan embraced the following particulars, viz. : that after reserving a large space to be occupied in common for the burial of the unknown dead, the cemetery (which is to contain about twelve acres) should be divided into lots, in size corresponding to the number of dead belonging to the several States, in which the dead of such State should be buried ; that the ground should be tastefully laid out, and ornamented with trees and shrub- bery ; that a keeper's house should be built ; that the grave of each soldier whose name was known, should be marked with a proper inscription ; and that a suitable monument commemorative of the event should be erected ; the expense to be chargeable to a common account, and apportioned among the States according to their population, as indicated by the number of Representatives in Congress. Not having authority to purchase land without the action of the Legislature, I responded by approving the object and the general features of the plan, with the assurance that I would present the subject favorably to the Legislature. Influenced by encouraging responses from the various States, the persons having the matter in charge determined to remove GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 9 the bodies from the fields on which they fell, and to re-inter them in the cemetery, before winter should interfere with the prosecution of the work. Having been notified of such determination, I despatched an agent to Gettysburg, with instructions personally to superintend, with the greatest care, the removal of the remains of the New Jersey dead. This solemn duty he has performed in a satisfactory manner, and thirty-five bodies have been buried in the cemetery, under his superintendence. On the nineteenth day of November last, the ground was set apart to its sacred purpose, in the presence of a vast ooncourse of people." DEDICATION OF CEMETERY AND ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN, 1863. It was at the dedication of the cemetery, November 19th, 1863, above referred to by Governor Parker, that President Lincoln made his brief but incomparable address, which is here inserted in full : " Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so con- ceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and •dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remem- ber what we say here, but it never can forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly carried on. It is Tather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that <3au8e for which they gave the last full measure of devotion ; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ; and that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall Jiot perish from the earth." LEGISLATIVE ACTION, 1864. The Legislature of New Jersey, at its first session after the battle of Gettysburg, approved the action taken by Governor Parker, respect- 10 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. ing the cemetery, authorized him to make further expenditures, and to appoint a trustee to represent the State in the corporation created by the State of Pennsylvania, and appropriated from the War Fund $3,000 for the above-mentioned purposes. (P. L. 1864, p. 774.) GOVERNOR PARKER'S MESSAGE, 1865. Governor Parker, in his message to the Legislature transmitted in January, 1865, made the following allusion to the subject of the Gettysburg Cemetery : " The remains of seventy-seven New Jersey soldiers, who fell in the battle of Gettysburg, have been interred in the cemetery at that place. The grounds have been inclosed by a substantial fence. The monument has not yet been erected. In order to preserve the identity of the spot where each soldier was buried, I have caused boards, with the name and regiment neatly painted thereon, to be placed at each grave. These will soon be replaced by suitable headstones." (Leg^ Doc. 186S, p. 17.) LEGISLATIVE ACTION, 1865. The Legislature of New Jersey, by Joint Resolution, passed April 5th, 1865, after reciting that it would be necessary to make further expenditures for removing and re- interring the bodies of the soldiers who died on the battle-field near Gettysburg, and in finishing and keeping in repair the cemetery and erecting a monument, appropriated from the War Fund the further sum of $3,000. (P. L. 1865, p. 958.) GOVERNOR PARKER'S MESSAGE, 1866. Governor Parker, in his message to the Legislature transmitted in January, 1866, said : " In the cemetery at Gettysburg the bodies of seventy-seven New Jersey soldiers are entombed. The graves have been regularly graded and headstones erected. The avenues have recently been macad- amized and trees and shrubbery planted." (Leg. Doc. 1866, p. 25.) GOVERNOR WARD'S MESSAGE, 1867. Governor Ward, in his message to the Legislature transmitted ia January, 1867, said: GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 11 " Two appropriations have been made towards defraying the ex- penses of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg; one in 1864 of $3,000, and another in 1865 of a like amount, making a total of $6,000. Of this amount $4,077.05 have been expended, leaving an unexpended balance of $1,922.95." (Leg. Doc. 1867, p. 22.) GOVEKNOK WAED'S MESSAGE, 1868. Governor Ward, in his message to the Legislature transmitted in January, 1868, states that during the previous year there was dis- bursed for Gettysburg Cemetery $1,182.70, and makes the following reference to the subject : "national cemeteries. " The Commissioners of this State for the Gettysburg and Antietam National Cemeteries have fulfilled their duties, and the designs are being carried out to a successful completion. The dead of our New Jersey soldiers have a fitting resting-place where they so nobly fell in defense of the nation." (Leg. Doc. 1868, pp. 5, 21, 305.) COMPLETION OF THE CEMETERY. In the Governor's message, 1869, appears a further payment on account of Gettysburg Cemetery of $23.90; in 1870, a further expendi- ture of $73.70; in 1871, of $24,20, and in 1872, of $50. Levi Scoby and Edward M. Du Bois were successively appointed to represent the State of New Jersey in the Board of Trustees of the Gettysburg Cemetery. There was expended in establishing the cemetery, removing and re-interring bodies therein, in planting trees, laying out grounds and building the great monument, the sum of $129,523.24. Of this. New Jersey paid her full share, being $4,205.30. (Bachelder's Gettysburg,. p. 114.) The work was entirely finished and the grounds beautified and improved previous to the year 1870. TRANSFER OF CEMETERY TO THE UNITED STATES, 1870. In the year 1870, the cemetery and its monument being then com- pleted, and the Congress of the United States having made provision for the care of the national cemeteries by the general government, it was determined to turn over the Gettysburg Cemetery to the care of 12 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. Congress. This State gave its assent to the transfer on March 16th, 1870, by an act passed for the purpose. (P. L. 1870, p. 31.) From that time until the present the general government has main- tained the cemetery, having a keeper and assistants in constant charge. About the year 1866, many of the Confederate dead were disinterred, removed to Richmond, Virginia, and there given a reburial. Many were omitted, however (probably some from both armies), as is proved by the fact that bodies are annually being found by the farmers who plough the battle-field. Some have been discovered in excavating for the monuments. They are generally found near fence corners, or in other secluded places, where they escaped the notice of the parties sent to open the trenches. The following are the States represented and the number of their dead in the National Cemetery at Gettysburg : Maine 104 New Hampshire 49 Vermont 61 Massachusetts 158 Rhode Island 14 Connecticut 22 New York 867 New Jersey 78 Pennsylvania 535 Delaware 15 Total Maryland 22 West Virginia , 11 Ohio 131 Indiana 80 Illinois 6 Michigan 175 Wisconsin 73 Minnesota 56 U. S. Regulars 139 Unknown 978 3,575 THE GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. On the 30th day of April, 1864, the Legislature of Pennsylvania also created a corporation known as " The Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association," with perpetual ; succession, having for its object " to hold and preserve the battle-grounds of Gettysburg, on which were fought the actions of the first, second and third days of July, A. D. 1863, with the natural and artificial defenses, as they were at the time of said battle, and by such perpetuation and such memo- rial structures as a generous and patriotic people may aid to erect, to commemorate the heroic deeds, the struggles and the triumphs of their brave defenders." (Pamph. Laws Penna., 1864, p. 670.) The charter of this Association, as since amended, endowed the Association with the power of acquiring all needed lands, by con- demnation, if necessary, and exempts its property from taxation. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 13 The Governor of each State contributing to the funds of the Asso- ciation, is ex- officio a Director, and he may designate a citizen of hi& State to act in his stead. The Association has made very commendable progress in accom- plishing the work for which it was created. Several hundred acres, covering the most important portions of the field, have been pur- chased, avenues have been opened along the lines of battle in such a manner^ as to exhibit the field while altering its features to the least extent. Field-works have been restored and maintained ; cannon have been mounted in the position where the batteries stood, sign posts have been erected, showing the location of the regiments ; walls and fences have been maintained as they were. When it is observed that the lines of battle run through many farms and fields, gardens and woods, across brooks and over hills, without regard to the lines of agricultural operations, it will be seen that the land damages are necessarily great, and that much opposition must be encountered in fully carrying out the designs of the Associa- tion. Enough has been done, however, to prove that the undertaking will be a complete success. The funds required for the work of the Association are for the most part provided by the States whose troops fought in the Army of the Potomac. New Jersey donated |3,000 to the work of the Association. (P. L. 1886, Chap. CXCIX.) GOVERNMENT SURVEYS AND DONATIONS OF CANNON. The Federal Government has caused the entire battle-field and the adjacent country to be accurately surveyed and leveled and contour maps to be made. Upon these maps the positions of all troops engaged during the three days, have been laid down by Col. John B. Bachelder, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, a gentleman who has made a constant study of the field and of the history of the battle from its occurrence to the present time. Congress, in 1873, also donated a large number of cannon and can- non balls to the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association " for the purpose of their work of indication of the battle-field of Gettys- burg," which have been effectively used. In 1887 the Federal Government made a further donation of can- non, allowing one for each battery engaged in the battle, of the caliber 14 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. and pattern used by the battery. They are placed upon carriages in the positions occupied by the batteries, and serve to indicate, in a strik- ing way, the part played by the artillery. The New Jersey Commis- sioners obtained from this supply two ten-pounder Parrot rifles, and placed one in the position held by Clark's Battery on July 2d, and the other in the position held, in action, by Hexamer's Battery, under Lieutenant Parsons, on July 3d. These guns have been placed upon carriages made entirely of iron, and will, if properly cared for, remain in place for many years. MONUMENTS ON THE FIELD. The work of rearing monuments and posts on the battle-field to indicate the positions held by the several regiments in the fight, seems to have been begun by the veterans of the Second Massachusetts Infantry, a famous and noble regiment enlisted in April, 1861. In the year 1879 they erected, near Spangler's spring, at the right of the Union line, and near the position of their companions, the Thirteenth New Jersey, a granite block mounted upon a huge boulder, bearing a bronze tablet with the following inscription : " From the hill behind this monument, on the morning of July third, 1863, the Second Massachusetts Infantry made an assault upon the Confederate troops in the woods at the base of Gulp's hill, oppo- site. The regiment carried to the charge 22 officers and 294 enlisted men. It lost 4 officers and 41 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 6 officers and 84 enlisted men wounded. To perpetu- ate the honored memories of that hour, the survivors of the regiment have erected this stone, 1879." This modest monument with its thrilling record seems to have suggested the extensive marking and embellishing of the field that has since been undertaken. The State of Massachusetts soon made an appropriation for marking the positions of all her regiments, and erected beautiful and substantial monuments in various parts of the field. Other States followed with more or less promptness. At the present time it may be said that all the eighteen States whose troops fought under General Meade have made some provision for the erec- tion of monuments. In nearly all cases the provision has been gen- erous and ample ; in the case of the State of New York it has been munificent, the appropriations amounting to a quarter of a million dollars. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 15 There are now erected upon the battle-field more than three hundred monuments, besides numerous posts and small shafts indicating less important positions. Many others are hereafter to be erected, some of them of greater cost and elaboration than any yet built. It is believed that there will eventually be at least one monument to mark the position of each of the 350 regiments and batteries of the Union army present at Gettysburg. LEGISLATIVE PEOVISION BY NEW JERSEY FOR MONUMENTS. By act of April 20th, 1885 (P. L. 1885, p. 273), the Legislature of New Jersey appropriated $2,500, to be expended by the Gov- ernor and Comptroller of the Treasury in the erection of " suitable monuments, properly inscribed, to mark the position of any of the New Jersey regiments who took part in the battle of Gettysburg during the late War of the Rebellion." Under this act the Governor and Comptroller made no expenditures, but took some preliminary steps towards the task of erecting monu- ments. The Comptroller in his annual report, November 2d, 1885, said : " This money has not yet been paid from the treasury, but will doubtless be required in the coming year, as arrangements have been made with officers of the designated regiments to have the locations properly determined, and steps have been taken to secure a suitable design for the required monuments." By a supplement passed April 27th, 1886 (P. L. 1886, Chap. CXCIX.), the Legislature appropriated, in lieu of the appropriation of 1885, $3,000 for the use of the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association for the purchase of sites and the preservation of the battle- grounds with the natural and artificial defenses of the same; and ^6,000 "for the purpose of properly marking the positions of the New Jersey regiments, batteries and brigades, and of erecting a monument or monuments, suitably inscribed." The act provided that the Governor should appoint three Commissioners to carry out the provisions of the act ; and that they should " determine the style, number and location of the marks and monuments to be erected under this act and shall erect the same with all convenient speed ; in making «uch location they shall designate and call to their aid one officer or 16 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. enlisted man who was present at the battle of Gettysburg from each New Jersey regiment and battery there engaged, and with their assist- ance and that of the officers of said Association shall locate the lines and positions occupied by the respective regiments and batteries." By a further supplement passed March 16th, 1887, the appropriation for marking the positions and erecting monuments was increased to $15,450. APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONEKS TO BUILD MONUMENTS. Pursuant to this legislation, Governor Abbett on May 27th, 1886, appointed James N. Duify and Gottfried Krueger, of Newark, and William H. Corbin, of Elizabeth, Commissioners. The Commis- sioners met on June 8th, 1886, and organized by the election of James N. Duffy as Chairman, and William H. Corbin as Secretary. NEW JERSEY REGIMENTS ENGAGED AT GETTYSBURG. The State of New Jersey was represented at Gettysburg by twelve regiments of infantry volunteers, one of cavalry volunteers and two batteries of artillery volunteers. These were the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifteenth Infantry, constituting the " First New Jersey Brigade," First Division, Sixth Army Corps; the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Infantry, belonging to the " Second New Jersey Brigade," being the Third Brigade of the Second Division of the Third Army Corps ; the Eleventh Infantry, belonging to the First Brigade of the Second Division of the Third Army Corps; the Twelfth Infantry, belonging to the Second Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps ; the Thirteenth Infantry, belonging to the Third Brigade, First Division, Twelfth Army Corps; the First Cavalry, belonging to the First Brigade, Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac; Battery A (Hexamer's), belonging to the Fourth Volunteer Brigade of the Artillery Reserve Corps, Army of the Potomac ; Battery B (Clark's), belonging to the Artillery Brigade of the Second Division, Third Army Corps. The total strength of these commands in the battle of Gettysburg was about 4,500, the strength of each being on June 30th, 1863, "present for duty," as follows : GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 17 ORGANIZATIONS. First Cavalry , Battery A Battery B , First Infantry , Second Infantry Third Infantry Fourth Infantry , Fifth Infantry , Sixth Infantry , Seventh Infantry , Eighth Infantry , Twelfth Infantry , Thirteenth Infantry , Fifteenth Infantry Eleventh Infantry (as per report of the battle). 55 O 18 4 4 26 28 26 24 15 13 22 13 25 28 21 216 112 139 266 377 299 362 206 233 309 185 507 332 420 o H 234 116 143 292 405 325 386 221 246 331 198 532 360 441 275 4.505 DESIGNATION OF SOLDIERS TO ASSIST IN LOCATING LINES. Having determined what commands were present at the battle, the Commission next designated and called to their aid in making the locations provided for in the act, the following officers and enlisted men. Where rank is given it is the rank held at the time of the battle of Gettysburg : First Infantry — First Sergeant William Brant; Second Infantry — Surgeon Lewis W. Oakley, Lieut. Joseph Donovan ; Third Infantry — First Sergeant A. W. Cattell ; Fourth Infantry — John P. Beech; Fifteenth Infantry — Corporal Jacob Reidinger ; Fifth Infantry — Col. William J. Sewell ; Sixth Infantry — Joseph Smith ; Seventh Infantry — First Sergeant W. H. H. Con- dit, Theodore Searing; Eighth Infantry — Sergeant Benjamin Murphy; Eleventh Infantry — Frank P. Mulcahy ; Twelfth Infantry — Sergeant James White ; Thirteenth Infantry — Samuel Toombs ; First Cavalry — Lieut. George A. Bowne ; Battery A — Frederick Heuschkel ; Battery B, First Artillery — Capt. A. J. Clark. These designa- tions were made prior to the 30th of June, 1886, in order that the persons designated might be at Gettysburg with the Commission on the anniversary of the battle. It was believed that besides the advan- tage of seeing the ground at the very time of year when the battle was fought, assistance could be obtained from the many veterans who 2 18 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. would be upon the field at the time, and so it proved. Nearly all the regiments had several survivors present, and they rendered valuable assistance to the Commission and to their comrades who had been designated for the work, in tracing out the exact positions occupied. The designation for Battery A was not made until May, 1887, it being impossible before that time to find a survivor of that battery able to perform the service. LOCATION OF LINES AND POSITIONS. The Commissioners, with the officers and men designated, together with Adjutant- General Stryker, who had been deputed by the Gov- ernor to accompany and assist the Commission, proceeded to Gettys- burg, and on the first and second days of July, 1886, located the principal positions of the regiments and batteries (except Battery A). Stakes, properly marked, were driven in the center of the positions. Where several positions were occupied during the battle, the most advanced position occupied and held was selected. Positions in skirmish line, however, were not marked. The interesting task of tracing the lines ©f battle and defining the exact spots held by the regiments occupied two days. The work was done with great care, and the Commission succeeded, in every instance, in fixing the loca- tions beyond question. Owing to the fact that the New Jersey troops were represented in every arm of the service, and were attached to several diiferent corps, the positions they occupied, and which have be^en marked, are widely scattered over the battle- field. The position of the First Cavalry Regiment is about three miles from the nearest of the other positions, it having been engaged in the severe cavalry fight on the right flank on the third of July. The Eleventh and Seventh Regiments and Battery B were near the Peach Orchard, which is about three miles (measured along the line of battle) from the position of the Thirteenth, near Spangler's spring. The Eighth was in the Wheat-field ; the Fifth in the front line on the Emmettsburg road ; the Sixth at the Devil's Den ; the Twelfth and Battery A near the center, on Cemetery hill, and Gen. Torbert's brigade was on the northerly slope of Little Round Top. The New Jersey troops were represented at most of the important points of the second and third days' battles. The Commissioners are much indebted to the officers and men desig- GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 19 nated to assist in locating lines, for their cheerful and faithful aid. They entered into the task with enthusiasm, and patiently and with much painstaking followed up every means of inquiry and observation to come to the exact truth. Their comrades, also, who were present, and General Stryker, rendered the Commission valuable assistance. Questions having been subsequently raised as to the exact poeitions of the Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh and Thirteenth Regiments of Infantry, and the First Cavalry, several officers of those commands were appealed to. In some cases twelve or more survivors of a regi- ment were consulted, and went over the ground with the Commis- sioners. The result in every case was a concurrence of judgment in favor of the sites finally selected, upon which the monuments now stand, and no essential alterations were made in the positions first selected. The re-examination of the subject thus made served to con- firm by a great weight of evidence the correctness of the positions first located. In the case of the First Cavalry position, the Commission are indebted to Captains Miller and Wagner and Col. Hamp. Thomas, gallant officers of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, who, at much personal inconvenience, went to Gettysburg and pointed out upon the field the positions occupi«d and the movements made, according to their recollection. Captain Miller, having been with Major Hart, who commanded two squadrons of the First Cavalry, near the right of the line, was well qualified to speak of the operations of that por- tion of the regiment, and Captain Wagner and CoL Thomas being staff officers of General Mcintosh, who placed the regiment in the line of battle, were peculiarly fitted to assist in identifying the scene of their operations. The movements of the cavalry were so rapid and so eccentric that it Was no easy task to decide upon one point which should best represent their position in the battle, but after a prolonged and patient comparison of views. Captain Bowne, the officer of the First Cavalry selected by the Commission, reached an agreement with the officers above named, and with other survivors of the battle who were consul^d, which was entirely satisfactory to the Commission. 'THE SITES OF THE MONUMENTS. After much consideration the Commission determined that the posi- tion of each of the fifteen commands should be marked, and, as a 20 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. rule, each should have a separate monument. In the case of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifteenth Kegiments, however, which composed what was called the First New Jersey Brigade, the Commission made an exception. These regiments (except the Fourth, which was guarding ammunition a little to the rear) were together in the line of battle of July 3d, but were not engaged except on the skirmish and picket lines. The Commission therefore decided to erect one monument to this brigade on the center of its position, also placing substantial granite posts to mark the flanks of each regiment. This course met the approval of the survivors of the brigade, as expressed by a vote at their reunion in the autumn of 1886. The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Eleventh and Twelfth Regi- ments of Infantry, and Batteries A and B of the artillery, were all heavily engaged, at different places, no two being together. All suffered severely and fought with great courage and devotion to duty. The Commission determined to erect a monument to each of these commands. The survivors of the Twelfth Regiment had already erected, in the main line of battle near Bryan's barn, on Cemetery ridge, an appropriate monument. It happens that this regiment per- formed a heroic special service worthy of commemoration. On the evening of July 2d, four of its companies were ordered to charge upon a large barn in an open field, six hundred yards to their front, and dislodge the enemy's sharpshooters. The barn stood at the rear of the Confederate skirmish line and midway between the lines of battle of the two armies. The charge was made under a terrific fire of musketry and artillery ; the Confederate skirmish line was broken and ninety-seven prisoners brought back from the barn. The four companies lost forty men in the assault. On the morning of July 3d five other companies were ordered to repeat the assault, which they successfully did, capturing the barn, driving back the Confederate skirmishers and bringing back two prisoners. They also lost heavily. The barn was soon after again taken by other troops, and, by order of the division commander, burned. The Commissioners decided to raise a shaft on the site of the barn, commemorative of this incident. The Thirteenth Infantry suffered from sharpshooters in its position on the right, near Rock creek, though not heavily engaged. It moved to the support of the bloody charge made by one-half of its brigade under Col. Colgrove, on the morning of July 3d, at Spangler's GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 21 spring. It rendered other trying service during the battle. It was decided to erect a monument to the Thirteenth at its position on Rock creek. The First Cavalry made a most gallant fight at RummeFs farm, on the right flank, on July 3d, being engaged several hours. Its monument was located on its position near RummeFs house. A detailed description of the site of each monument will be found in the deed and undertaking concerning sites for monuments executed by the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association, appended to this report in Appendix A. LAND FOE THE MONUMENTS. By the act of 1886, $3,000 were appropriated, to be paid to the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association for the purpose, among others, of securing the necessary lands upon which to erect the monu- ments ; this money was paid in September, 1886, and in consideration thereof the Association covenanted with the State of New Jersey that they either did then hold or would speedily secure the land required for the monuments and cause avenues of approach to be laid out and maintained, with a perpetual right of way to the public. This covenant has been substantially, though not exactly, performed. First New Jersey Brigade. — In the case of the First New Jersey Brigade, the Association bought and now hold the entire farm of George Weikert on which the First, Sec»nd, Third and Fifteenth Regiments stood ; they also secured a legal right to erect and main- tain the shaft to the Fourth Regiment beside the highway on the farm of George Spangler. Fifth Regiment. — For the Fifth Regiment the Memorial Associa- tion bought and hold a plot containing 400 square feet on the west side of the Emmettsburg road. Sixth Regiment. — The monument of the Sixth Regiment stands upon a tract of land including DeviFs Den and a part of Round Top, bought since the battle and now owned by General S. W. Crawford. He generously and cordially gave consent in writing, directed both to the Commission and to the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association, to the erection and maintenance of the monument. To the Commis- sion he wrote : " Nothing can give me greater pleasure than to give 22 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. such permission. It is for such purpose that I hold the land, and the erection of a monument to that gallant regiment will add to its intrinsic value." (Letter to Secretary of Commission, October 7th, 1887.) Seventh Regiment and Baiter^ B. — The monuments to the Seventh Eegiment and Battery B stand upon the Trostle farm, in a broad avenue which the Association has acquired and laid out. Eighth Regiment. — The monument to the Eighth Regiment stands on the bank of a small brook at the extreme southerly corner of the Wheat-field. The Commissioners bought of Rosanna Wible, in the name of William H. Corbin, an acre of land for this monument, and upon being repaid the cost of the same conveyed it to the Memorial Association. Eleventh Regiment. — The monument to the Eleventh Regiment stands upon the Smith farm, which has been bought and is held by the Memorial Association. Twelfth Regiment. — The principal monument to the Twelfth Regi- ment stands in one of the avenues acquired and laid out by the Memorial Association. The shaft erected at the Bliss barn site stands upon land acquired by the Society of the Fourteenth Connecti- cut Regiment, an incorporated association, who bought the land for the purpose of erecting a pillar in memory of an incident of the battle in which they were the chief actors. The Society was unwill- ing to sell the land or any of it, but cheerfully accorded to the Com- mission the privilege of erecting and maintaining a pillar in honor of their comrades in arms, the Twelfth New Jersey Regiment. At their annual reunion, held at New Britain, September 17th, 1887, they unanimously adopted the following resolution : "Resolved, That in reponse to a request of the Gettysburg Battle- field Commission of the State of New Jersey, we heartily accord to said Commission the privilege of erecting upon ground owned by this Society on the Bliss place at Gettysburg, Pa., a shaft or marker to commemorate the actions of the Twelfth New Jersey Regiment of our brigade, in capturing the Bliss barn and house upon said ground on the second and third of July, 1863 ; the style of said shaft or marker, the inscriptions it shall bear and the spot upon which it shall stand, to be first approved by the Monument Committee of this Society, in GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 23 conformity with the resolution passed by this Society at the meeting September 17th, 1886. And we pledge for the memorial said Com- mission shall erect on the above conditions, the same protection and perpetuity that our own markers on the same plot of ground are entitled to." Acting upon this license, the Commission submitted their inscrip- tion and details of their proposed shaft to the Connecticut Society. The same were unanimously approved. The position was agreed on by the Commission and a representative of the Society upon the ground, the point fixed being twenty- two yards north of the Con- necticut pillar. The shaft was set up in the place so designated. Thirteenth Regiment. — The monument to the Thirteenth Regiment stands on the west bank of Rock creek, in woods belonging to the Memorial Association, acquired from Mr. McAllister. Battery A. — The monument to Hexamer's Battery stands to the east of the main battle-field avenue, on a plot of 400 square feet acquired by the Memorial Association for the purpose. First Cavalry. — The monument to the First Cavalry Regiment stands in an avenue acquired and opened by the Memorial Associa- tion along the south line of the Rummel farm. DESIGNS AND PROPOSALS— MATERIALS FOR MONUMENTS. After much consideration and no little study of the subject, the Commission determined that the most enduring materials that could be employed would be American granite and true bronze, and they accordingly resolved to exclude all other materials. A circular inviting designs and proposals was issued and sent to many well- known granite- workers and designers. The conditions and require- ments of the work were fully explained, and ample time given for contractors to prepare designs and proposals. Proposals were received from a good number of those invited to compete. In several cases the Veteran Associations of the several commands appointed " Monument Committees," who selected designs and pro- posed them to the Commission, and their action was, so far as prac- ticable, ratified, and their requests complied with. The designs for 24 GETTYSBURG BA.TTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. the monuments erected to the First Cavalry, Eighth, Eleventh and Thirteenth Infantry and Battery B were brought to the attention of the Commission by members of those commands. PERMANENCE OF THE WOEK. The purpose of the Commission has been to secure as the first and paramount condition permanence and solidity. They have accordingly required deep and massive foundations of stone laid in the best cement. The designs chosen are simple. Everything involving intricate and elaborate construction has been avoided. The effort has been made to so construct the monuments as to offer the least possible temptation to vandals and relic hunters. With this view the inscrip- tions have been made in sunken instead of raised letters. It is believed that if the monuments are left unmolested they will with- stand the effects of time for several hundred and possibly for several thousand years. The granite of which they are constructed is, so far as the tests of science can determine, as enduring as the red granite of the Nile, from which the famed obelisks were hewn three thousand years ago. The progress of decay and disintegration will probably not be so slow in America as in Egypt, but in a temperate climate like that of Gettysburg, far removed from the sea, it ought not to be rapid. PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO COST OF MONUMENTS. Soon after the appointment of the Commission, Major-General William S. Stryker, Adjutant-General of New Jersey, and other citi- zens, expressed a desire to contribute something towards the building of the monuments to the valor of our volunteer soldiers. Some of the Veteran Associations also raised funds to be spent in honor of their fallen comrades. The Commission received from these sources $5,305, all of which was expended upon the monuments for which it was donated. The Commission were enabled by these gifts to erect more massive and imposing monuments than would otherwise have been possible, and to embellish them. The contributors were the fol- lowing persons and associations : GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 25 Veteran Association Thirteenth Infantry (for Thir- teenth Regiment monument) , $1,000 00 William S. Stryker 100 00 James N. Duffy 160 00 Gottfried Krueger 160 00 William H. Corbin 160 00 John Watts Kearny 1,000 00 William Walter Phelps 500 00 John R. MePherson 100 00 George A. Halsey 100 00 Robert S. Green 100 00 T. B. Peddie 25 00 John I. Blair (for Eleventh Regiment) 100 00 Dr. C. S. Wurts (for Eleventh Regiment) 100 00 Job Male (for Eleventh Regiment) 100 00 John Kean, Jr 50 00 George Richards 100 00 Frederick A. Potts 50 00 Peter Bentley 100 00 . P. Ballantine & Sons (for Battery A) 100 00 Hexamer Post, G. A. R. (for Battery A) 25 00 Clark Brothers (for Eleventh Regiment) 25 00 E. Burd Grubb 100 00 Col. A. J. Clark and others (for Battery B) 200 00 Veteran Association Eighth Regiment (for Eighth Regiment) 350 00 Veteran Association First Cavalry (for First Cavalry) , 500 00 $5,305 00 CONTRACTS FOR MONUMENTS. A form of contract and specifications was carefully prepared and the contracts were awarded from time to time as the designs were settled upon. The Thirteenth Regiment Veteran Association having early selected a design satisfactory to the Commission, and having raised $1,000 towards the cost of their monument, the contract for its erection was given out much earlier than the others. Thirteenth Regiment. — Contract dated December 18th, 1886, awarded to the Smith Granite Company, of Westerly, R. I. ; price of monu- ment and three markers, $2,000 ; material. Westerly granite. Eighth Infantry. — Contract dated September 1st, 1887, awarded to Frederick & Field, of Quincy, Massachusetts; price of monument and two markers, $1,350 ; material, Quincy granite. 26 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. Eleventh Infantry. — Contract dated September 22d, 1887, awarded to the Smith Granite Company ; price of monument, $1,600 ; material, Westerly granite. First Cavalry. — Contract dated September 29th, 1887, awarded ta Frederick & Field ; price of monument, $1,500 ; material, Quincy and Westerly granite. Fifth Infantry. — Contract dated September 29th, 1887, awarded to Frederick & Field ; price of monument, $1,300 ; material, Hallowell granite. Sixth Infantry. — Contract dated September 29th, 1887, awarded to Frederick & Field ; price of monument and two markers, $1,100 ; material, Barre granite. Seventh Infantry. — Contract dated September 1st, 1887, awarded to Frederick & Field; price of monument, $1,140; material, Quincy granite. First New Jersey Brigade. — Contract dated October 4th, 1887, awarded to the New England Monument Company, of New York ; price of monument, with pillar for Fourth Regiment and six markers, $5,700 ; material, Quincy and Hallowell granite and bronze. Twelfth Regiment. — Contract dated October 22d, 1887, awarded to Frederick & Field for the erection of a shaft at the Bliss place, two markers on the line of battle and cutting inscription of losses on the monument already erected by the Veteran Association of the regi- ment ; price of the work, $475 ; material, Quincy granite. Battery A. — Contract dated November 26th, 1887, awarded to George Brown & Co., of Newark, N. J. ; price of the monument, $1,500 ; material, Barre granite. Battery B. — Contract dated November 26th, 1887, awarded to Frederick & Field ; priceof the monument, $1,300 ; material, Quincy granite. COST OF MONUMENTS. In addition to the contract prices agreed on as above stated, some expense was incurred for extra work which was not foreseen, the GETTYSBUKG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 27 greater part being for the cutting of inscriptions of greater length than was anticipated. The following is a statement of the entire cost of erecting the monuments. It does not include cost of land nor any expenses of locating the positions, but is confined strictly to the cost of making the monuments and putting them in place. The cost of the markers for the several regiments is included : First New Jersey Brigade $5,950 00 Fifth Infantry 1,340 00 Sixth Infantry 1,125 00 Seventh Infantry 1,175 00 Eighth Infantry 1,425 00 Eleventh Infantry 1,600 00 Twelfth Infantry 525 00 Thirteenth Infantry 2,000 00 First Cavalry 1,640 00 Battery A 1,575 00 Battery B 1,330 00 Total cost of monuments $19,685 00 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS OF THE COMMISSION. EECEIPTS, State appropriation, acts 1886 and 1887 $18,450 00 Private contributions, above stated 5,305 00 Land sold in Wheat-field and other receipts 105 80 $23,860 80 DISBUESEMKNTS. Cost of monuments as above stated $19,685 00 Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association for sites, &c. (Section 1, Act of 1886) ., 3,000 00 Expenses of locating positions, including transpor- tation and subsistence of officers and men taken to Gettysburg for that purpose, traveling ex- penses of Commission, stationery and all other expenses 990 30 Two Parrot 10-pounder rifles to mark battery posi- tions 100 00 Land bought in Wheat-field 85 50 $23,860 80 '•F-5S5;p3^-|^>-'^5fflCa"^___-SfTf^3Bfc^^ Monument to Thirteenth Infantry. (west bank of rock creek, MCALLISTER'e WOOD8. ) DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENT THIRTEENTH NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. The dedication took place in McAllister's woods, at the place where the monument stands, on July 1st, 1887, at ten o'clock. Colonel James N. Duffy, President of the Gettysburg Battle-field Commission of New Jersey, called the assembly to order and addressed them as follows : " Ladies and Gentlemen — I have the honor, as Chairman of the Gettysburg Battle-field Commission of New Jersey, of calling this assembly to order and of announcing its purpose. Charged by our State with the duty of erecting monuments to mark the positions occupied by her citizens in the battle fought on this field, we are now about to present to you for dedication, in fulfillment of that duty, in so far as it relates to the org£Bnization known, and forever to be known in her history and in the military records of the United States of America, as the Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, Infantry. We present it as the testimony of the patriotic, loyal and grateful State of New Jersey to the patriotism, loyalty and valor of her citizens." Music by the band followed, and Colonel Duffy then called upon the Rev. E. Livingston Allen, a former member of the Color Guard of the Thirteenth, who invoked the blessing of the Almighty. Mrs. W. S. Cannon, by request, sang " The Star Spangled Banner " in a voice full of emotion and power, which added to the scene an impressiveness and fervor which stirred every heart. At the close of the singing. Colonel James N. Duffy and William H. Corbin, the President and Secretary of the State Commission, removed the flags covering the monument. As soon as the monument was unveiled Colonel Duffy introduced the Governor of New Jersey, who made the following address : 30 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. GOVEENOE GEEEN'S ADDEESS. "Veterans of the Thirteenth Regiment, Ladies and Gen- tlemen — The State, the survivors of the regiment, and their friends, have erected this enduring monument to the memory of those who have gone to their last resting-place. It is no disparagement to the other regiments which New Jersey sent to the field to say that in all qualities of soldierly discipline, of untiring endurance, of conspicuous bravery, the Thirteenth New Jersey stood in the front rank of those grand organizations which formed the armies of the East and West. [Applause.] "Mustered into service in Camp Frelinghuysen in the summer, after a short time spent in camp you were hurriedly sent to join the Army of the Potomac at that critical moment of the country's history when its own — our own — McClellan, had again been called to its head, at Antietam. Although that was the first time the regiment was under fire, so nobly did it conduct itself in that fight that it called forth the encomiums of General Gordon in his report of the battle : ' And although for the first time under fire they fought like veterans, shoulder to shoulder with those who had borne the brunt of battle in the Peninsula, in the Shenandoah Valley, and from Front Royal to the Rapidan.' Again, at Chaacellorsville, you withstood the impetu- ous dash and charge of Stonewall Jackson's division. Here at Get- tysburg you were hurried to the scene, and the tablet upon that monument marks and recorols, and will hand down to history, the part that you took in this conflict. " Bidding farewell to the Army of the Potomac you were hurried to the West, and there you took part in the battles of Resaca, Cass- ville, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, in the March to the Sea, Buffalo Creek, the fight at Savannah, the campaign through the Carolinas ; and in the last battles of the war, where again you served under your gallant commander who is here with you to-day. General Slocum, you called forth these words of praise from your brigade commander, that 'the whole army owed you thanks, for you had saved it,' — in three almost resistless charges you had broken and driven back the columns of the enemy. " Such is the grand record of the Thirteenth. You came back to the State which you had honored and which had sent you forth to the field of battle. You came back with your work well done. You GETTYSBURG BA.TTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 31 "came back with the principle for which you had started established, for this was a war of principle ; it was a war of devotion to the country and for the perpetuity of the Union. The end was accom- plished, armed rebellion had been put down, peace was again restored and the integrity of the Union was established forever. [Applause.] " These monuments erected are not only mementos of the valor and bravery of those who fell. It is well that here, upon this memorable field, dotted all over among these former scenes of carnage and of blood, these stones and tablets should be erected, not only for the purpose of recording the part which the soldier took in the battle, but for the other purpose, that the lesson of the war must never be forgotten. They will be here, in the grand old State of Pennsylvania, when you and we who are contemporaries of the war have passed away — and the veterans are now going fast, fast within the vale. Within a short time Grant, McClellan and Hancock have been gathered to their fathers. In a little while you and we and all of us who were then alive and realized the dangers of the war will have gone, and these monuments will show to our children and to those who come after us how much danger there was to the unity of this country, for with all the force, and courage, and discipline of these States armed disunion came thus far within our borders. Let these monuments teach the lesson of that war, and so long as they do so teach, so long as these dead sentinels keep their watch and v^rd, so long will the integrity of the Union be established and never again will the supremacy of the Government under the Constitution be assailed." [Applause.] At the conclusion of Governor Green's address, William H. Corbin, Secretary of the Commission, made a formal presentation of the monument to the Veteran Association, to be by them turned over to the Memorial Association. ME. CORBIN'S PRESENTATION. " Veterans of the Thirteenth Regiment — T^e State of New Jersey has erected this monument for a two-fold purpose : " First, to aid in the effort to preserve the history of this fanious field ; secondly and chiefly, to place in the sight of all men a memo- rial of the gratitude and affection which the State beaft-s towards her heroic volunteer soldiers. 32 GETTYSBUEG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. " It is proper at this point that the following facts be stated : "The State, by legislative appropriation, proyided the necessary- funds for securing the positions held on this field by New Jersey troops, and for erecting and preserving perpetually monuments to all the regiments and batteries engaged. " Three Commissioners were appointed to carry out the enactment. Soon after their appointment, several survivors of the Thirteenth Regiment expressed a desire to donate something to the fund so set apart for their regiment as a tribute to the memory of their fallen comrades. " The Commission readily assented to this. The result was that not only the survivors of the regiment offered their gifts, but many citizens, being townsmen and neighbors of the men of the Thirteenth, sent in free-will offerings which were added to the others, until there was thus collected the sum of one thousand dollars, a sum equal to the State appropriation for the monument. "And so it is that we present to you to-day a work modeled and fashioned not alone by the decree of a generous and grateful Common- wealth, but a work embellished by the willing hands of neighbors and friends, and finished and made beautiful by the loving touch of comrades in battle. " To give this stone value as an item in the history of the great battle it was essential that it be located upon the exact position occupied by the line; that every statement upon it be absolute truth; that it be built not as a pretty toy to please our eyes to-day, but that it be as a mighty immovable rock, which shall defy the storms of the centuries, and remain a witness to unnumbered ages to come. " To secure these ends no pains have been spared and no effort omit- ted. The foundations of this monument are laid deep down in the earth ; the most excellent methods of construction have been followed. The materials used are the best that experience can suggest or scien- tific research approve. The monument is precisely in the line of the works occupied by the Thirteenth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry and it stands on the spot where the colors of that regiment stood on July 3d, 1863. The scene so beautifully carved by the sculptor upon this stone is not merely a conceit of the artist ; it tells a part of the story of the battle. What is shown here is very fact. Look at this picture ; thus the men of the Thirteenth fought here. Observe this soldier cut in stone ; precisely so were the men of New Jersey clad GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 33 and accoutred at Gettysburg. This rifle, poised for its fatal work, is a perfect counterfeit of the rifles used with such deadly eflPect in this place. "The words cut on this granite are a simple recital of the truth, gleaned with much care, verified with great painstaking and estab- lished beyond doubt. Disputed facts have been omitted. Doubtful assertions have not been made. It may be, nay, it must be, that much has been omitted that might be truthfully told. " All that has been said has the sanction of official record and of living witnesses. " The history of this field has been made ; we cannot add to, nor can we abate anything of its glory. We are making up the book of that history for future generations the more easily to read. If in the little page of it here inserted to-day we have made a faithful record, we may rejoice that we have even that humble part in the mighty struggle wherein the fate of our country was decided and salvation assured. " I have said this monument has a two-fold significance. As a guide- post on this field it is well. As a reminder that the soil whereon it stands is sacred, blood-bought ground, it is praiseworthy. But it has a deeper meaning. It means that he who offers up his home, his peace, his comfort and his life for his country shall be held in ever- lasting remembrance and his name honored throughout all genera- tions. It means that the State will see to it that the memory of the brave shall not decay, and that men shall not lack perpetual witnesses to the patriotism of their fathers. This monument means that we revere the memory of the fallen of the Thirteenth New Jersey Vol- unteers, and that we respect and honor their comrades who still survive. We remember their services and we do not forget their sufferings. In the darkest hour of war they willingly and ungrudg- ingly left their homes, their farms, their shops and their desks and hurried to the conflict. While they were still untrained and unused even to the parades and forms of war, they were, within one short month from the time of their enlistment, plunged into the bloody and awful battle of Antietam. From that day forth for three long years their daily lot was to march, to fight, to hunger and to suffer. They forded rivers, they toiled painfully along rough roads under a broiling sun, they fainted beneath the burdens too heavy to bear, they slept amidst cold and frost, they were wounded, mutilated, imprisoned, tormented, killed. 34 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. "They endured with fortitude, they fought with courage, they obeyed with cheerfulness. "Veterans of the Thirteenth, let not the memory of your past sufferings nor the weakness of advancing years depress your brave hearts. Believe not for a moment that your sorrows have been in vain or that your battles have been forgotten. Be assured that the flight of years shall but serve to bring to a clearer light your courage and your patriotism. Comfort your declining years with the just reflection that the unselfish sacrifice of the strength of your youth was made, by the blessing of Almighty God, an instrument for the salvation of your country and the establishment of liberty, justice and peace. " The Battle-field Commission of New Jersey have now the honor, in the name of the State, to deliver to you this monument, to be by you delivered to the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association, who have engaged, with the State of New Jersey, that it shall be for- ever unmolested, cared for and maintained. " May this stone stand till oppression shall cease and true liberty become the possession of every citizen of this Eepublic. May it be spared from the destroying hand of malice and treason. May it never suffer from indifference and neglect. May it withstand the ravages of time until wars shall cease in the earth, until hatred and envy, murder and strife, shall be at an end ; until every man shall love his neighbor as himself, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ." The response was made by General F. H. Harris, President of the Thirteenth Regiment Veteran Association. Owing to the enforced absence of General Harris, his paper was read by Surgeon J. H. H. Love, as follows : PEESIDENT HAEEIS' ADDKESS. " Colonel Duffy, President of the Battle-field Commission of New Jersey : "Sir — As the representative of the Veteran Association of the Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, I hereby accept, for the time being, the monument which has just been unveiled by your Commission. " It has been erected by the joint contributions of the State of New GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 35 Jersey and of this Association. On behalf of the Association I desire to thank the people of the State for this exhibition of affection and gratitude toward her sons who participated in the trials, dangers and hardships of the soldier's life, and present to the Commission repre- senting them our thanks for the energy and good taste displayed in the construction of this beautiful and appropriate monument. " Comrades — It is an occasion of peculiar interest on which we meet once more, the anniversary of the illustrious battle fought on this field twenty-four years ago. ** With grateful pride we reach the consummation of our wishes, as to-day we dedicate the monument inscribed with our regiment's achievements, not only upon this field, but upon many another during the war. " This monument shall stand, among the many which are to be erected here, as a silent sentinel to indicate to future generations where soldiers of bravery and renown gave up their lives in defense of their country; to show where are the graves of the true patriots who dared to die for the hopes of man and the redemption of a race from slavery. " Referring to the question of the propriety of having a National Battle-field Park, its location, and our inheritance in the same, let us briefly consider some movements, of the army and of the regiment, which preceded and accompanied the battle of Gettysburg. " With varying fortunes the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia had confronted each other on many a battle- field. They had reversed their position from victory to defeat, but victory had not often perched upon our banners. The first Bull Run battle, the Peninsula campaign, the Second Bull Run, had all been fought, and the result left these armies standing face to face almost within sight of Washington, when the Thirteenth Regiment entered the field. " In consequence of the successes that had previously attended the Southern army. General Lee decided to transfer the scene of hostilities north of the Potomac and make an invasion of Union territory. The disastrous results of this attempt at Antietam in September, 1862, sent his forces back to Virginia defeated, and the first invasion of the North proved an utter failure. "By their successes at Chancellorsville in May, 1863, the Confede- rates were greatly elated, while our own troops were correspondingly 36 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. depressed. Half the time covered by the war from Sumter to Appo- mattox had passed, and the two years of service with its losses in battle and in camp had made heavy drafts upon the resources of the Southern people, in men and munitions, making decided action neces- sary. Under this pressure, notwithstanding the result of the previous year, General Lee again decided to make the desperate attempt of invading Union territory, on this occasion among the loyal people of Pennsylvania. Assurances of assistance from the disloyal elements of the North had been given to them, and they confidently expected that a diversion would be created in their favor. The greatest alarm prevailed throughout the North, and prompt measures were taken to meet the emergency. Men were secured, but arms were not available. " General Lee's army, flushed with victory, confident in their own and their commander's invincibility, entered into the movement, which it was hoped, like a tidal wave, should sweep away every barrier, threaten Philadelphia, take possession of Baltimore, sub- merge Washington, declare the Rebellion a success, and from the National Capital dictate terms of separation to the United States Government. This was the grand scheme which had been devised, with a view of ending the war, and which, but for the noble action of our army at this point, might have proved successful. " It was under these circumstances that these old antagonists, after several days of manoeuvering, met on this battle-field. The successes of July 1st, where, upon the soil of his native State, General Reynolds fell, greatly encouraged the enemy ; and those of the second day on the right, notwithstanding their repulse at Round Top, gave them hopes of ultimate victory. Enough of success and defeat had been experienced during these two days by each army to arouse all the energies of chivalric soldiers, and to produce the most desperate deter- mination to succeed. " The Confederate host had pressed its way far toward the heart of the loyal territory and was stretching out its hand to snatch the crown of victory. A disappointment of their hopes was not to be tolerated. A defeat so far from their base of supplies might lead to the most serious consequences. To us defeat might prove equally disastrous. " On the morning of the third day, the Confederates, after several hours of hard fighting, were driven from that portion of our breast- works of which they had taken possession the previous evening. In the afternoon the most stupendous effort was to be made to break our GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 37 line at Cemetery hill. Momentous was the issue. The prize con- tended for was no less than the destinies of the nation, and the interests of mankind trembled in the balance. The people awaited the result with breathless silence. From one to three o'clock was fought the greatest artillery duel of the war. It was designed to cripple and destroy our artillery as well as to weaken our army. " In long and beautiful lines, the flower of the Southern army, full of enthusiasm, moved forward under command of General Pickett in this final charge to vanquish our forces. On and on they came, swept by artillery as they traversed the long intervening space, and by the unerring aim of our infantry when within short range. " ' Then shook the hills with thunder riven, Then rushed the steeds to battle driven, And louder than the bolts of heaven Far flashed the red artillery.' "Their ranks were thinned as the dead and wounded fell out. Shouting their peculiar war-cry, which still rings in our ears, they struggled on with indomitable perseverance and well-nigh gained the crest and the success they coveted. But our comrades, nerved by this occasion, gallantly resisted the terrific onset and drove back the enemy with immense loss. The victory was ours, the Confederacy was doomed. Its swelling waves had dashed against the citadel of free- dom, but now they recede and were ultimately stilled at Appomattox. The Confederate forces were never again to try their prowess on loyal territory. " The news of our victory at Gettysburg filled the land with joy, and, when on the following day the great commander. General Grant, telegraphed that Vicksburg had fallen, the people celebrated the anni- versary of our national independence with unwonted thankfulness and exultation, as they recognized the fact that we had met with a great deliverance, that the war to destroy the Union was a failure, and that success would eventually crown our eiForts. " Comrades— The three great battles to which I have referred, one in each of the States of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, were those in which we as members of the Army of the Potomac were engaged. We shall never forget the sudden and urgent call that came to us, to which we responded with alacrity, as we left our homes on the Slst of August, 1862. We reached Virginia as the 38 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. army was returning from the second defeat at Bull Run, in time to unite in the movement to drive the invader from Union territory. " The command of our army had again been given to our gallant Jersey man, General McCJellan. We were placed in Gordon's brigade, Williams' division of Banks' old corps, then commanded by General Mansfield. We joined in the pursuit of the enemy through Frederick City and the Middletown Valley, and on the hills of Antietam we received our first baptism of blood. The qficial report of our action is one of which we may well be proud. " General Gordon states that, having received a call from General Green for reinforcements, ' I directed the Thirteenth New Jersey to support him.' ' 1 am gratified to report that the General has spoken to me of their conduct in terms of the highest commendation.' Gen- eral Gordon further reports : ' In this battle officers and men behaved with most praiseworthy intrepidity and coolness ; being new troops they might well stand appalled at such exposure, but they did not flinch in the discharge of their duty. I have no words but praise for their conduct. They fought like veterans, and stood shoulder to shoulder with those who had borne the brunt of war on the Penin- sula, in the Shenandoah Valley, and from Front Royal to the Rapidan. They were led by those who inspired them with courage, and they followed with a determination to conquer or die.' " In this battle Captain H. C. Irish and six others of our members were killed, and seventy wounded, of whom eleven afterward died. General Mansfield also was killed, and the Twelfth Corps was placed under the leadership of our esteemed commander, whom we rejoice to have with us to-day, General Henry W. Slocum. " But time admonishes me that my reference to our record must be brief. " The camp at Maryland Heights, at Sharpsburg, the march into Virginia on December 10th to join the movement of the army then commanded by General Burnside, and known as the ' mud raid,' our camp at Fairfax Station with its discomforts, at Wolfe Run Shoals, and the winter at Stafford Court House we shall not readily forget. " Our participation in the Chancellorsville campaign, led by ' Fight- ing Joe Hooker,' its hardships and severe losses, our return to the old camp at Stafford, the regiment and the army dispirited, but still courageous, are fresh in our memory. " To join in the movement at Gettysburg, we left our camp June GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 39 13th, crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry on the 26th, and by- rapid marches approached this field. On Union soil the spirit of our army was fully restored. On this march we learned of the change of commanders from General Hooker to General Meade. " Twenty-four years ago this morning, at Littlestown, we prepared to meet a threatened attack upon the town, but the enemy hastily retired. At Two Taverns we halted at noon, but orders were received to move rapidly forward. When near and on the east side of Rock creek we formed in line of battle, and a strong skirmish line was thrown forward toward Benner's hill. They were, however, withdrawn, for it was desired not to bring on an engagement at that point. " We are nevertheless satisfied that this movement produced import- ant results, as in consequence of it the advance of the enemy was checked and they were prevented from making a contemplated effort to turn the right flank of our army and attack our rear. We subse- quently crossed the creek and occupied the line near Gulp's hill during the morning of July 2d. In the afternoon we marched to the relief of the sorely-pressed Third Corps, near Round Top. At night we returned to the right of the army. July 3d we occupied the posi- tion marked by this monument where we now are, supporting the Second Massachusetts and the Twenty-seventh Indiana in their charge upon the Confederate flank, and aided in the repulse of a counter-charge by the enemy. Toward evening we supported a cav- alry reconnoissance. " The services we rendered in this battle were important, though our losses were not heavy ; but the value of a service is not to be determined by the casualties. We joined the pursuit of the enemy into Virginia, where our service was terminated with the grand old Army of the Potomac. We were transferred to the West, there to unite in the further pursuit of the enemy. " Thus, at the commencement of your service, you received the highest encomiums of your ofificers, and in every battle you nobly sustained the glorious record of your troops from the State of New Jersey. " The ancient Jews by the direction of God set up their memorial stones on the fields of their great successes as mementos of those achievements. At our home stands the statue of our brave and beloved Kearny to keep alive the spirit of patriotism. But it seems 40 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. to us more appropriate that the monument upon which is inscribed our battle record should be located on this field, consecrated by the bravery and blood of our comrades. " By reason of the destructiveness of the appliances and engines of war now in use, the battles of modern times demand more bravery than was exhibited in other generations. When we consider the fierceness with which this battle was contested, and the number of those who fell, and the interests involved, we are confident that no battle in the history of the world was more momentous in its conse- quences or more important in its results. "At this point the climax was reached and the history of the war was changed. " In view of these facts, had the whole field of operations of the war been surveyed we are sure that no battle-field could have been found more appropriate than this upon which to locate a great battle- field memorial park. Located in one of the thirteen States of the original sisterhood, Nature has done much with her rock-ribbed hills, her fields of living green, her grandly-diversified scenery, to beautify and adorn this spot. "As the years roll on and our comrades, our citizens and future generations shall visit this scene of conflict, and read inscribed upon these monuments the record of the valor and sufferings of our army, they will be inspired with a more exalted patriotism, a deeper love of our flag, and it will not be in vain that this field has been thus dedicated. " Whatever efforts may be made ' to obliterate all traces of the Rebellion in our land,' by returning to the South the flags captured by the gallantry of our troops on many a battle-field, this monument, from the granite hills of the State that gave us General Burnside, shall never be removed, while guarded by the loyal people of the great State of Pennsylvania. " When our misguided brethren lately in arms against us say ' for- give,' let us, in accordance with the principles of the religion we profess, say, with outstretched hands and cordial greetings, ' forgiven ; ' but let us never forget that treason was treason, and that loyalty was loyalty. "Amid these hallowed surroundings, as we dedicate this monument, let us pledge each other to dedicate ourselves anew to our country. Let us swear ever to maintain this glorious Union, that her foes shall GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 41 be our foes, her friends our friends, and that her interests shall always be dear to our hearts ; and, as the nation moves grandly forward to its final destiny, may we always remember that its liberties were saved at Gettysburg. *' To the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association : "Gentlemen — It gives me great pleasure as the representative of the Veteran Association of the Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, to transfer to your care this monument which has just been unveiled, believing that your Association will, for all coming time, care for and protect the same, and that it shall always stand as a memento of the valor and sufferings of those loyal men who fought to perpetuate the liberties of our country." The monument was accepted in a brief speech by John M. Krauth, Secretary of the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association. Three cheers were given at the close of Mr. Krauth's remarks, for the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association. Adjutant-General Stryker was next introduced by Captain Matthews and spoke as follows : GENERAL STEYKER'S REMARKS. "Comrades — It gives me groat pleasure to meet to-day the veterans of one of New Jersey's regiments on this most historic battle-field. " Six weeks ago I passed over the fields of Spottsylvania and the Wilderness, pushed my way through vast cedar tracts, stood on the historic grounds of Salem church, entered the famous McCoyle house, tramped along the line of the Confederate rifle-pits, stood on the spot where the brave Sedgwick fell, leaned over the worm fence at the Bloody Angle at Spottsylvania, saw where the brave New Jersey troops charged on E well's forces again and again on those eventful days. The stillness of an almost deserted country reigned over this desolate land, but it was not hard to realize that over these fields vast bodies of veterans had lain hidden in the brushwood, and, jumping up, had attacked each other boldly. The mementos of the war were to be seen on every side. I came away from this field impressed — if it were possible for one who had been a participant in the scenes of bloody carnage — impressed more and more with the valor of a soldiery 42 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. who could, day after day, fight over such a desolate country for the honor of the flag and for the unity of the Republic. " To-day I shall stand with you opposite the stone wall where the valorous Pickett charged on Hancock's Union line; I shall clamber up with you on Round Top and wander around among the boulders in Devil's Den ; and we are here on this spot on Rock creek where the brave Jerseymen with their Massachusetts brethren resisted the foe. " Memories, no doubt, crowd upon you to-day of the fighting on the Hagerstown road near the Dunker church, where your own brave Captain Irish fell ; and it needs not, after His Excellency's remarks, for me to speak of Chancellorsville and the march to the sea, but there was one fight he omitted — the fight at Kenesaw mountain, which you can all remember, where young Lieutenant Ryerson, of the very best fighting blood of New Jersey, fell mortally wounded. "The sweet British poet Cowper, in one of his most beautiful stanzas, seems to depict the work in which you are engaged to-day. I trust I may be able to repeat it : " ' Patriots have toiled, and in their country's cause bled nobly ; And their deeds, as they deserve, receive proud recompense. The historic muse, proud of her treasure, marches with it down to latest times. And sculpture, in her turn, gives bond in stone, and everduring praise to guard it and immortalize the trust.' " New Jersey has given bond hi stone, and sculpture will to-day begin the trust which shall immortalize to latest times the services of those who bled nobly, for those who died heroically all through the Civil War, under the starry banner of the Thirteenth Jersey." [Applause.] Captain Matthews next introduced the orator of the day, General Henry W. Slocum. The oration of General Slocum was one of great interest. It abounded in reminiscences of the army and particularly of the Twelfth Corps. It was listened to throughout by the large audience present with evident satisfaction and delight. The exercises closed with a medley of national airs. LEGISLATIVE PROVISION FOR DEDICATION OF MONUMENTS, 1888. It being anticipated that all the monuments would be completed in time to be dedicated on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the battle, the Legislature of New Jersey, by an act passed March 7th, 1888 (Pamph. Laws, p. 148), directed the Governor, Adjutant-General, Comptroller and the Commissioners appointed to erect the monuments to " make and carry into effect suitable arrangements for the dedication of the monu- ments erected by the State, and for the commemoration of the heroic services of New Jersey troops on that field ; they may in their discre- tion, in the name of the State, invite all surviving officers and men who were actually present at the battle of Gettysburg, attached to New Jersey regiments or batteries, to attend the dedicatory exercises upon the battle-field, and may provide for the cost of their transportation and subsistence ; the Governor is authorized to detail a suitable portion of the National Guard to act as an escort to the Governor, State officers and veterans, and to use such camp equipage and other prop- erty of the State as may be needful for said detail of the National Guard, and for the officers and men invited by the State as aforesaid." Ten thousand dollars was appropriated to carry out the act. The Governor designated ten companies of infantry and a Gatling gun company of the National Guard, who were formed into a pro- visional regiment under Col. E. L. Campbell, as an escort. Invita- tions were issued to the survivors of the battle, and were accepted by sixteen hundred officers and men. Two camps were established on the Wheat-field at Gettysburg, one for the veterans who were the invited guests of the State, under com- mand of Col. John Schoonover, of the Eleventh New Jersey Volun- teer Infantry, and the other for the provisional regiment. The men went into camp June 29th, 1888, and remained for three days. DEDICATION OF THE MONUMENTS. The dedication exercises were held on Saturday, June 30th, 1888, on the battle-field. A stenographic report of the proceedings was made, which is below inserted in full. Monument to the Sixth Infantry. (DEVIL'S DEN.) DEDICATION OF THE NEW JKRSEY IVLONUIVLENTS ON THE BATTLE-FIELD OF GETTYSBURG, JUNE 30th, 1888. REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS. PRESENT : His Excellency Robert S. Green, Governor; Gen. William S. Stryker, Adjutant- General; Hon. Edward- J. Anderson, Comptroller of the Treasury; Col. James N. Duflfy, Hon. Gottfried Krueger, Hon. William H. Corbin, Brig.-Gen. Bird W. Spencer, Brig.-Gen. Jno. D. McGill, Brig.-Gen. J. Watts Kearny, Col. W. F. Abbett, Col. W. C. Heppenheimer, Col. Mueller, Col. Snedeker, Col. Harvey, Col. J. C. Owens, Col. Walker, Hon. A. F. R. Martin, Hon. Clias. E. Hill, Hon. J. J. Toffey, Hon. Jno. T. Van Cleef, Hon. Chas. W. Fuller, Rev. A. A. Haines, Hon. G. T. Cranmer, Hon. Geo. H. Large, Col. H. W. Sawyer, Col. Milligan, A. Winter and E. D. Fox. F. W. Gnichtel, Stenographer. Gettysburg Battle-field, Saturday, June 30th, 1888. The Governor, accompanied by the other Commissioners and the Governor's Staff and the delegation of the Legislature, left head- quarters at 2 p. M. and proceeded to the monument of the Sixth Infantry flegiment, near Devil's Den. After the Commissioners had unveiled the monument, Colonel Duffy addressed the survivors of the regiment, who were gathered about the monument, as follows : " Survivors of the Sixth New Jersey Infantry — A short address, written by Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen R. Gilkyson, will be read, in his absence, by Captain William H. Hemsing, of the Sixth Regiment." Captain Hemsing then read — 46 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE SIXTH REGIMENT. "Fellow Soldiers — We are here to dedicate this monument, erected by authority of the State of New Jersey and under the direc- tion of the Gettysburg Battle-field Monument Commission, to the Sixth Regiment, New Jersey Veteran Infantry Volunteers, who fought on this field July 2d, 1863. The Sixth Regiment was organ- ized at Trenton, New Jersey. It was mustered into the service of the United States August 19th, 1861, and left the State September 10th, 1861, fully officered and equipped, having 38 officers and 860 non-commissioned officers and privates, making a total of 898. On its arrival at Washington, it was ordered into camp at Meridian Hill, near Washington, D. C, with the Fifth Regiment, New Jersey In- fantry Volunteers. Upon the arrival of the Seventh and Eighth Regiments, the four regiments, namely, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth, were brigaded and known as the Second New Jersey Brigade, and was assigned to the Third Brigade, Hooker's Division ; afterwards it was attached to the Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps, and during the latter part of its service to the Second Corps. "The regiment participated in all the battles of the Potomac Army, except that of Antietam, Maryland, September 17th, 1862. " It was first under fire at the siege of Yorktown, Virginia, but its first actual engagement was at Williamsburg, May 5th, 1862, and the last engagement was in the operations before Petersburg, in the latter part of August, 1864. " On September 7th, 1864, the regiment was mustered out of ser- vice at Trenton, New Jersey, with about 200 men, bringing with them their battle-scarred colors, which were never dishonored. " With very few exceptions, our regimental history is identical with that of the brigade. At McClain's Ford, Virginia, October 15th, 1863, we fought alone and unaided, holding the ford against superior numbers of cavalry, and at Mine Run the regiment was detailed, by name, to lead the charge as skirmishers. "As to this engagement (Gettysburg), a brief narration of the movements of our regiment may be of interest. With 345 muskets, we were massed, with a portion of the brigade, in what was known as the Wheat-field, behind yonder woods ; an order was receiyed to sup- port this part of the line, and we were quickly in motion and at a Monument to the Eighth Infantry. (southerly corner of wheat-field.) GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 47 double-quick through the woods, and arriving at this spot, with the enemy close at hand, we secured the first fire ; the enemy gave way and soon our front was cleared. " On two occasions during that day the Sixth Regiment held this part of the line, from the woods to the base of Round Top, without the aid of a single troop, and was the last of the Third Corps on this battle-field. " The limitation to five minutes does not allow me to separately refer to the thirty battles fought by this regiment, and I have there- fore adverted to only a few of the many valorous and heroic deeds of the men, and by which the name and fame of the noble Sixth will be linked with the hallowed memories of the Rebellion." ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE EIGHTH REGIMENT. The party then proceeded to the monument of the Eighth Infantry Regiment, at the south end of the Wheat-field. The Commissioners unveiled the monument, and Colonel Duffy then said : " Survivors of the Eighth Regiment — I have the pleasure of introducing Geneial John Ramsay, who will make a short address." General Ramsay said : " Comrades of the Eighth Regiment — How quiet and still the scenes are here to-day ! We are surrounded by the quiet scenery that Nature provides for the enjoyment of man. The sun shines bright, and the atmosphere is clear, the fields are covered with a bed of green, and in the air is heard the music of the birds. " What a contrast between the quiet scenes of to-day and those that occurred here twenty-five years ago. Then we were engaged in a struggle for life, and the air filled with the messengers of death. " The neighing of war steeds — the tramping of thousands of armed men, eager and anxious for the coming struggle ; the heavy, rumbling sound of artillery going into position, the galloping across the field of mounted officers making rapid arrangements to meet the advancing foe. " Presently we hear the sharp sound of the rifles of the skirmishers, followed by the rattling noise of musketry by the infantry in line, then the roar of artillery and the agonies of the dying and the groans of 48 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. the wounded — thus, comrades, commences the battle of Gettysburg, the greatest of the war. " Such was the scene then, and the varying fortunes of the battle made those of us who were actors in this tragedy of life a part of the shifting scenery. A something that cannot be described and difficult to imagine. A scene that is grand and magnificent, yet horrible. " There is a little agitation and commotion here to-day, but it is such as emanates from the hearts and not from the passions of men. It is to commemorate the deeds of valor performed by the men that died here in the strife engendered in an hour of passion. " We are here to dedicate these beautiful monuments to the memory of the brave men who died here that the nation might live. " These men died for the safety and perpetuity of the Republic ; died that four millions of human beings with their unborn genera- tions should be free ; died that a ' government of the people, by the people and for the people should not perish from the earth.' " The struggle was grand and terrific. The issues involved were of the greatest magnitude ever submitted to arbitrament of arms. " The result of the battle decided that the Republic was to be saved. That this was to be a land of freemen. That the shackles of the slaves should be sold for old iron. That the auction block should be burned. That all men should breathe the fresh air of heaven direct, and not by inhalation from a master. That the people were strong and virtuous enough to govern themselves. " We are here to-day to do honor to the memory of the heroes who fell for these great principles ; to the men whose death gave these great blessings to the American people. " Could men die, have men ever died, for a better, purer or holier cause ? " Our form of government is a simple one, and the best on the face of the earth ; one that permits of the full exercise of a man's energy and abilities ; one that permits of the full development of the gran- deur and dignity of man. The American people are great and gen- erous. The action of our great Commander at Appomattox, when Lee surrendered, saying to those men : ' Go home ; obey the laws and this parole will protect you,' was magnanimous and was approved by the loyal sentiment of the people. " We are making history rapidly, some of it curious and singular, of which there is no record, and such that is not possible under any form of government except ours. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 49 " Imagine, if you can, an armed rebellion against the government of England, Germany or Russia, and after the suppression of such rebellion, that the Queen, the Emperor or the Czar should give to the men engaged in the attempt to destroy the government the posi- tions of honor and emoluments under it, should commit to their care the honor and safety of the nation at home and abroad. Imagine such a condition of affairs, if you can ; when you have done so it will not be difficult to picture the stormy results of such action. " Yet that is the condition of affairs which surrounds us at this time. " While we are here performing the beautiful ceremonies of the occasion in honor of our dead, dedicating these monuments to our fallen heroes, to the men that died that the nation might live, who gave their lives for the perpetuity of the Republic, and that unborn generations might enjoy the blessings of life in a land of real liberty, the men who fought against us upon this field are to-day in practical possession of the government. They shape our foreign and domestic policy ; they represent us at home and abroad ; they have the care and custody and the honor and safety of our flag in their keeping. " This is one of the recent and singular events in our history. If the American people were all lawyers they would protest because there are no authorities or precedents for such a thing. But as they are not, they make no protest but that allowed by law — go to the box and drop the ballot which executes a freeman's will. It shows the indifference of the American people to everything except the real or apparent danger. It also shows the strength and elasticity of the institutions under which we live. " I had the honor to command the Eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, upon this field, and was fortunate — or unfortunate — enough to stop one of the enemy's bullets. It is certainly a source of grati- fication to all the comrades of the regiment who survived this battle and the twenty-five years of intervening time, to take part in the dedication of these monuments, which are to stand for all time, and in commemoration of the gallant services you rendered your country here in the hour of its greatest adversity. " Comrades, time has made sad havoc in our ranks. It is painful to think of the number that in the past quarter of a century have become tired and weary of the trials and tribulations of this life and have fallen by the wayside, entering the land of everlasting sleep. 4 50 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. It cannot be long before we join those wko have gone before. When we hear the last morning's reveille admonishing us that ' tattoo ' is to follow, and to be prepared for the 'taps' which extinguish the candle of our existence ; when we leave this field of strife to join the silent majority ' in the land from which no traveler returns,' should the spirits of men there become restless, and it is necessary to beat the long roll, I want all those who belong to the gallant Eighth Regi- ment to respond as they did upon the field at their country's call, twenty-five years ago." f ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF BATTERY B. The party next proceeded to the position occupied by Battery B. The monument stands in the field south of Trostle's lane, about 150 yards northeast of the Peach Orchard. After the Commissioners had unveiled the monument, Col. Duify said : * "Survivors of Battery B, First New Jersey Artillery — I have the honor to introduce to you Col. A. Judson Clark, who will make a short address." Col. Clark said : " The officer to whom had been assigned the pleasant task of address- ing you, is unfortunately absent to-day, and this task devolves upon me. While it is a pleasant duty, it is one for which I feel I am not prepared. The memories of twenty-five years ago throng through our minds, when upon nearly such a day as this we stood upon the battle-field here. The scene is a very different one now, and many who were with us then are with us no longer. " The State has done us honor in erecting this noble tribute to the memory of those who fought here, and to show the position which was held by our battery at the time this great battle was fought. " Battery B was organized in 1861, in Newark ; it was mustered in September 3d, at Trenton, and from there went to Washington, and received its equipment of guns and horses as a six-gun light battery, and reported shortly afterwards to General Heintzelman, and was attached to his command. From there we went to the Peninsula, where we were assigned to what was then Hooker's division, and the fir HEW JEBGui i^ Monument to Battery B. ( TROSTLE'S FIELD, NEAR FEACH ORCHARD.) GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 51 troops were then organized. We fought these battles of the Peninsula, to Malvern Hill, where Captain Beam, our honored Captain was killed in action. He was a noble man, a good soldier, a grand man, a glorious Christian gentleman. We will never cease to mourn his death. From that time the command devolved upon me. After our fights upon the Peninsula we proceeded to Washington, but were unfortunately too late to take part in the battle of Antietam, and the Second Bull Run. With those exceptions the battery fought through all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, up to its close, and was the last battery in position at the time of the surrender at Appo- mattox. " Our position here is marked by this monument, which stands about the center of where we stood during the battle. The enemy's line of batteries extended on yonder crest. [Colonel Clark pointed to a crest near by, in a southerly direction.] We came here into that position in the early part of the afternoon of July 2d. Our first position was just to the right, where we fired a few shots upon the enemy's line to feel his position. Shortly afterwards a battery opened upon us and we moved to this position and replied. They opened upon us, not with one battery, but with forty guns, and the position of course would soon have become untenable, we would have been swept from the ground if their range had been good, but for the bringing in of McGilvery's brigade under General Hunt from the reserve of the artillery, which drew their fire. After a terrible can- nonade directed against our front and our right, from a line of guns through here [pointing to the south], evidently with the intention of making an assault, the assaulting columns, which were moving towards our front, came across here for the purpose of attacking ing Round Top, and turning the left of the position which our troops held. " You remember the fire of those forces and our endeavor to break this assaulting column, which we did repeatedly, and continued in our efforts here until our ammunition was nearly exhausted, with the exception of a few shots, when we were compelled to retire with a loss which is stated on the monument to be 1 killed, 16 wounded and 3 missing. The loss properly was 2 killed and 1 died right after the fight, 15 wounded and 2 missing; one of the missing men was killed. " The lesson which this great battle taught us has not been lost. The loyalty and devotion shown by the New Jersey troops then will 52 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. be shown at any time in the future, should occasion require it, but our devotion to our country lies not only in fighting great battles, but in our being good citizens and soldiers. Let us not forget the lesson we have learned, and let us be ready at all times to do our duty as citizens of our grand and glorious State, as well as citizens of one of the grandest and most glorious governments in the world." [Loud applause.] ADDKESS ON BEHALF OF THE SEVENTH EEGIMENT. The party then proceeded to the Seventh Regiment monument, in the field south of Trostle's lane, about 200 yards northeast of the Peach Orchard. After the Commissioners had unveiled the monu- ment. Colonel Duffy said : " Survivors of the Seventh Regiment — I have the honor to introduce to you Sergeant Edward F. McDonald, who will make a short address. Sergeant McDonald said : " Your Excellency, Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen — We meet upon this great occasion to commemorate what was perhaps the greatest event in the history of our Republic — the victory won during the great struggle for the preservation of our Union and its flag upon the field on which we stand to-day. " Here it was the tide of the foe's invasion was checked and turned back, and had it not been for what was here and then accomplished, we know not what our condition might have been to-day. It was an event of great importance not only to the people of this Republic, but also to the downtrodden and oppressed of all nations who here may seek and find a home. " Twenty-five years have passed, but the recollection of that great day has not faded from our memories ; particularly those who passed through the trying scene. " But it is not for the purpose of celebrating the victory, it is not as victors gloating over the vanquished, that we are here to-day ; we are here to commemorate the patriotism and bravery, the zeal and devotion, of true American citizens to their country and its flag, in defense of which they died. [Great applause.] " We who fought for the preservation of the Union fought to pre- GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 53 serve it not for ourselves alone, but just as much for the brave foes we vanquished; for our States to-day are their States, and their States are ours. Toward them we have no ill-will, but commemorate events in the great struggle in order that those who come after us may know and understand that our republican form of government is no experiment, and that those who would seek to assail its stability will be met by its brave defenders in the future as they have been in the past. [Great applause.] For there is one something greater and grander than the memory of the victory won upon this field ; some- thing greater than any recollection of the strife ; that is, the fact, to the glory of our country be it said, that since that war was over not one drop of blood has been shed in animosity or revenge ; for the same liberty-loving spirit that gave freedom to the slave humanely gave pardon and amnesty to our fallen foe. Our glorious flag came out unsullied and without dishonor, and it floats to-day over the vic- torious and the vanquished alike, and to-day they stand ready and united to defend it in the future. [Applause.] " We are proud to-day, those of us who survive of the gallant old Seventh New Jersey and the old Second Brigade, that it was given to us under the will of Providence to be part and parcel of the glorious history of our regiment and brigade that so nobly upheld tke honor of their State and proved so true to the cause in which they fought. In conclusion I need hardly say that time is limited. Much more might be said, but to do so would be in violation of courtesy and good taste ; I therefore limit what I have to say to the few words in which I have indulged. We thank the State, we thank its Commis- sioners and our Governor for their presence here to-day, and on behalf of our gallant soldiers thank them also most sincerely for the beauti- ful monument erected to the memory of our dead comrades." [Loud and long-continued applause.] ADDKESS ON BEHALF OF THE ELEVEJTTH KEGIMENT. The party next proceeded to the Eleventh Regiment position, on the east side of Emmittsburg road, south of the Smith house. After the Commissioners had unveiled the monument. Col. Duffy said : " Survivors op the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers — I have the honor of introducing Col. John Schoonover, who will make a short address." 64 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. Col. Schoonover said : "Your Excellency Gov. Green and Surviving Comrades — I rejoice with you to-day that so many of us, after the lapse of a quarter of a century, have been permitted to assemble upon this his- toric field to participate in the dedication of this beautiful monument erected by our State, not only to commemorate the valor and the patriot- ism of those who died in their country's defense, but to aid in impress- ing upon the minds of the living the fearful cost of maintaining its unity. " The Eleventh Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, left Trenton August 25th, 1862, and reported at Washington -the following day. It remained near Alexandria, Virginia, and performed various camp duties until the 16th day of November, when it was attached to the brigade of Gen. Carr, Sickles' division, and entered upon active duty with the Army of the Potomac. " Neither the time nor the location proved favorable to the health of the men, and when the regiment took up its march for Fredericks- burg 4 commissioned officers and 215 enlisted men were left behind upon the sick list. " Our first experience under fire was at Fredericksburg, with Burn- side, and cost us two men killed and five wounded. When the Elev- enth Regiment left for the field it was followed by no prophecies of a brilliant future — in fact, it was often spoken of as a regiment of boys ; but the opportunity soon arrived which enabled them to prove that though age and stature might be wanting, they possessed quali- ties which amply compensated for both. " It went into the battle of Chancellorsville with 500 men and sus- tained a loss of 192. "Two officers and 33 enlisted men were killed, 19 were left dead upon the field of battle and 12 died of wounds a short time after. Sickness near Alexandria and the heavy losses in the battle of Chan- cellorsville had so decimated our ranks that when we reached the battle-field of Gettysburg we numbered but 275 men. " Near the spot upon which we now stand the regiment took up its position on that eventful afternoon of July 2d, 1863. About 3 o'clock the enemy opened with artillery. For an hour or more the earth trembled with the jar of guns, and tons of metal were hurled over and fell around us. At this time our right was resting just in GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 55 rear of the Smith house, over there, the line extending down through the orchard, the left being under the brow of the hill. " Major Kearny, who was standing near me on the left of the regi- ment excitedly exclaimed : ' We are going to have a fight.' A moment later he was mortally wounded and carried to the rear. We were now receiving a fire from Wilcox's brigade from beyond the Emmittsburg pike, and from Barksdale's brigade, which was advanc- ing in full view just down by the road which leads to Little Round Top. " I then passed rapidly to the right of the regiment to notify the Colonel of the absence of the Major, and learned that he too had been wounded and" taken to the rear. Captain Martin, the senior officer present, was then notified that he was in command of the regiment. At this time an order was received from General Carr to slightly change the front by bringing the left to the rear. This was to check the advance of Barksdale's brigade, now in full view in the field beyond. "This movement being executed the entire regiment opened an effective fire upon the advancing line of the enemy. At this point word was conveyed to me that both Captains Martin and Logan were wounded and being carried to the rear. A moment later and Captain Ackerman fell dead by my side. The two former were killed before they reached a place of safety. "Barksdale, mounted on a spirited horse, was now riding some distance in advance of his brigade, waving his sword and urging his men forward. An order was received from General Carr to ' bring down that mounted officer.' Captain Cory, who is with us to-day, commanded the company on the extreme left of the regiment, and the execution of the order was committed to him and his command. Barksdale fell, and the Rebel army did not have among its losses a braver man than he who on July 2d, 1863, led his brigade in their gallant charge down through these fields to our left. " The fire of the enemy at this time was perfectly terrific ; men were falling on every side. Slowly and stubbornly the regiment fell back, keeping up a continuous fire. " Two color-bearers had been shot down, and as a last effort to rally what remained of the regiment, Corporal Johnson was ordered to take the colors, plant them twenty yards to the front, and not to leave his position without orders. Amidst the confusion and retreat he was 56 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. almost forgotten. I hastened back, apd Johnson was still there, with his guard standing like statues amidst the shower of shot and shell falling around them. '* But how fared the regiment all this time ? Lines cut in imperish- able granite, upon the monument which marks this sacred spot, is the record which it submits to posterity, of the part it took to stem the advancing tide of rebellion on the afternoon of July 2d, 1863. Out of 275 men taken into the fight, 152 had fallen, including every com- missioned officer above the rank of Lieutenant. "My time is too limited to give you a detailed history of our organization, but I wish to say that the regiment took part in all the subsequent battles of the Army of the Potomac. Its losses were heavy at Spottsylvania — Captain Sleeper, Adjutant Baldwin and Lieutenant Egan being among the killed. " Forty fell at Locust Grove, and at the first attack upon Peters- burg, where Captain Layton fell, we lost forty-four. " New Jersey may well be proud of the record which her soldiers made in the War of the Rebellion, and as a member of the Eleventh Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, one who was with it from the time it first set foot upon Virginia soil until the final close at Appomattox, I do not hesitate to say that it bore well its part in the grandest army that ever struck for liberty, nationality, and the rights of man." ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE FIFTH EEGIMENT. The party next proceeded to the site of the monument of the Fifth Infantry, on the west side of Emmittsburg road, south of the Roger house. After the Commissioners had unveiled the monument, Col- onel Duffy said : "SUEVIVOES OF THE FiFTH InFANTRY ReGIMENT, NeW JeESEY VoLUNTEEES — I havc the honor of introducing General James F. Rusling, who will make a short address." General Rusling then said : "Comrades and Fellow-Citizens — I stand here to-day to speak a word or two for the Fifth New Jersey — my own dear old regiment. What shall I not say of her here to-day, or rather what might I not say for her, did time suffice ? To begin with, let me Monument to Fifth Infantry. (emmittsburq road.) GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 57 state the striking fact that appears upon the very surface of her his- tory, that she produced six Brigadier-Generals, while the average of other Union regiments was only one or two. Next let me say that she left New Jersey in August, 1861, with 861 officers and men — not drafted men, but volunteers — the very flower of the young men of New Jersey ; afterwards she gained by recruits 911 more, and yet in November, 1864, when mustered out, she had only 200 left. That is to say, out of a total of 1,722 officers and men, first and last, some- where, somehow, she lost 1,522. " Now, that fact alone, I submit, speaks volumes for the Fifth New Jersey, and is more eloquent of her patriotism and heroism, her valor, her fortitude, her sufferings, than any poor words I can hope to utter here to-day. Why, first and last, the gallant old regiment — God bless her ! — participated in 32 pitched battles or sharp engagements, everywhere covering herself and the State with imperishable renown, everywhere maintaining the best traditions of the Jersey Blues, and her history to-day is simply the superb history of the Army of the Potomac, from Yorktown to Gettysburg, from Gettysburg to Petersburg. " Here at Gettysburg the Fifth New Jersey reached the field about 10 A. M., July 2d, 1863, after a rapid march from Emmittsburg, about 200 strong, and immediately went into position here on the left of the army, with the rest of the Third Corps, to confront the vete- rans of Longstreet and Hood. About 4 p. m. the regiment was ordered forward to support Seeley's Battery of Regulars (K, 4, U. S. Art.), a little south of the Apple Orchard; about 5 p. m. she became actively engaged, and, raked by a terrific fire of. musketry and artillery, 'cannon to the right of her, cannon to the left of her,' by nightfall she suffered a total loss of 94 officers and men, or nearly 50 per cent, of her whole number engaged. On the 3d, though often under fire, she suffered no casualties. But her brigade, division and corps commanders, in their official reports, all awarded her the very highest credit for her conduct here, and especially com- mended her for her gallantry and steadiness under fire. "Among the severely wounded on the 2d here was her gallant Colonel (Sewell), whom we rejoice to see with us to-day yet hale and hearty, who has since served the State conspicuously elsewhere, a typical soldier and representative Jerseyman, a true friend and gen- erous foe. God grant him length of days and higher honors yet to come. 58 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. " On a day like this at Gettysburg it behooves us to inquire briefly what was it that our fellow-Jerseymen and comrades from other States here fought and died for ? Surely it was not for themselves alone, nor was it from any vulgar love of conquest, nor for any royal house or dynasty. No ! They stood here for fair play and freedom for all, or, as Abraham Lincoln once happily expressed it ; * In order that every man might have a fair start and an equal chance in the race of life, however poor or however humble/ They fought not for the North alone, but for the South also, to save her from her own supreme wickedness and folly, as the New South now concedes. Nay^ they fought not for America alone, but for mankind here and every- where ; for every shot they fired, every drop of blood they shed, was equally for the cause of humanity and God, here and everywhere, the broad continent across and the wide world over. And to-day, by virtue of their toils and their sacrifices, not only does the Union stand one and indivisible from sea to sea, without a foe to oppose her, resplendent in her spotless robes of liberty and justice, with the smile of Heaven upon her brow, and the broken chains of four millions of human beings beneath her feet, but cheered and inspired by our example, the cause of human freedom everywhere throughout the world rises higher and still higher. As Greece had her Thermopylae and Marathon, so we have our Lexington and Bunker Hill, our Trenton and Gettysburg, and history will declare all alike memorable forever, as milestones along the golden road of human progress. " Hence, I say here to-day, thanks be unto God for Gettysburg, costly though it was. Hence, New Jersey comes here to-day, in her representative capacity, with her Chief Magistrate and high ofificers of State, with her surviving veterans and National Guard, to dedicate those stately monuments tenderly and reverently, and to honor and commemorate as best she may her gallant sons who here cheerfully laid down their lives that the Republic might live. In a larger sense she cannot honor, she need not commemorate them ; for by their deeds here upon this battle-field they honored themselves, and to- day— " 'On Fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards with solemn round The bivouac of the dead.' " But, as our mother Commonwealth, by her action here this day she can teach her citizens and the coming generations what Gettysburg GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 59 was and is (how it stands, and will ever stand, for patriotism, for manhood, for duty), and bid us one and all swear a new perpetual allegiance to the holy cause for which our comrades here fought and fell. " ' Tender and loving the hot tears flow, For these loyal and kindly hearts laid low ; But ever calm and sweet be the sleep Of them whom God and the angels keep.' " And so now, O ye Jerseymen who sleep here at Gettysburg, good friends, brave hearts, generous souls, hail and farewell ! "As for us who remain standing here to-day by these patriot graves, on this historic field, from this hallowed spot let us one and all send aloft the reverent, common prayer of all true Americans, so well expressed in those fine lines of the poet Whittier : " ' Our fathers' God, from out whose hand The centuries fall like grains of sand, O make Thou us, through ages long, In Peace secure, in Justice strong ; Around our gift of Freedom draw The safeguards of Thy righteous law ; And cast in some diviner mould, Let the new cycle^hame the old.' "And let us, now and here, one and all, register anew a solemn vow in Heaven that — " ' What God in His infinite wisdom hath planned, And armed with His weapon of thunder. Not all of earth's traitors and tyrants combined Shall ever conquer or sunder. O, our union of lakes, our union of lands. Our union of States, let none sever ; Here's to the union of hearts, the union of hands And the flag of the Union forever ! ' " [Applause.] Calls being made for General William J. Sewell, who commanded the regiment in the battle, he spoke as follows : ADDKESS OF GENERAL SEWELL. " But five minutes was allowed to each regiment for the dedication of its monuments. General Rusling has already consumed that time, 60 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. and I do not wish to delay the Governor and his party, but I cannot withstand the appeals from my comrades of the old Fifth, who stood by me on this field where we now stand. You well remember when we formed on that line, when fifty per cent, of our command bit the dust, when we stood shoulder to shoulder, as we did at Williamsburg, at Seven Pines, at all the battles of the Peninsula, and as we did at the Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and when we came here marching through what was our own ground, the States of the North, we felt as though we were on our native soil, and noth- ing but death itself could stand in the way of our victory. " This was not a fight of strategy and tactics ; it was the determi- nation on the part of the men of the line that here was their country invaded by the enemy, and here they should stand, and here they should die if necessary. " Through the providence of God the valor of the North prevailed, and here we stood, and the result was the same as General Rusling has stated. " Greece had her Thermopylae and Marathon, and as the battle of Waterloo decided the fate of Europe for a hundred years, so Gettys- burg decided the fate of this country for the next hundred years." [Applause.] The party next proceeded to the monument of the Twelfth Infantry, near Ziegler's grove, where a short halt was made, and the monument inspected,* after which they proceeded southward to the Battery A monument, which was unveiled by the Commissioners. After a brief halt the Governor led the way to the Brigade monument, on the Weikert farm, north of Little Round Top, where the provisional regiment of the National Guard of New Jersey, under Colonel Camp- bell, were drawn up in line facing the monument. Here the veterans of the different commands were also assembled, besides a great con- course of citizens. The Governor of Pennsylvania, with his military staff, in uniform, and the officers of the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association were present to receive the Governor of New Jersey and the Commis- sioners from New Jersey. Many veteran officers from different States were also present. The Confederate General Longstreet, being espied in the throng while the assembly were awaiting the arrival of the *This monument was dedicated May 26th, 1886. Medallion on East Face of Brigade Monument. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 61 New Jersey officials, was loudly cheered by the veteran "boys in blue," and after repeated calls came forward upon the platform and made a brief address expressing his thanks for the kindly reception accorded to him and his gratification in being present. His remarks were received with great enthusiasm. After the Governor of New Jersey, and those accompanying him, had taken seats upon the platform, the further formal exercises were proceeded with. - UNVEILING OF THE BRIGADE MONUMENT. Col. Duffy's remarks : " Ladies and Gentlemen — By the courtesy of my colleagues I have the honor of calling this assemblage to order. Commissioned by the State of New Jersey to erect monuments that for all coming time shall mark the positions held by her citizens on this field, we have been authorized to invite your presence here to-day for the pur- pose of dedicating the monuments, and I assure you I express but the unanimous feeling of my associates when I say that we are gratified by your presence, and particularly are we gratified by such a distin- guished representation of the National Guard of our State, both of the present day and of the days that made this field historic. Of the present day in the person of its distinguished Commander-in-Chief, Governor Green, his next in command, Major-General Plume, the general officers. Generals Sewell and Steele, with the official and per- sonal staff of each ; and of the days that made this field historic in the persons of such a large representation of the survivors of the commands that in those memorable days stood here and hereabouts. " Commencing the regular order of exercises for this occasion, I have the honor to introduce Chaplain Alanson A. Haines, late Chap- lain of the Fifteenth New Jersey Infantry Regiment, who will offer prayer." INVOCATION BY REV. ALANSON A. HAINES. " Let us unite in prayer. O Lord, Thou art God ; Thou art our fathers' God, and we would praise Thee. Thou art our God, and we would exalt Thy name. Thou hast been favorable to our land; Thou hast not dealt so with any people. " "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, 62 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. what work Thou didst in their days, in the time of old, how Thou didst drive out the heathen with Thy hand and plantedst them. " We rejoice to-day that America is the land of our birth and owr home, and for every token of goodness which Thou hast shown to our nation. We gratefully acknowledge Thy kindness in giving us a country so great and wide, stretching from ocean to ocean, for the abode of happy millions. The lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places and we have a goodly heritage. " We rejoice in the character of the men who settled these shores, fought the battles of the Revolution, and framed our Constitution ; that they were illustrious in patriotism, fearless in liberty and devoted in piety. Teach us to emulate their virtues, and maintain the love of freedom and devotion to right which characterized them. " We thank Thee that this is a nation that may govern itself; that we have no feudal system to oppress and weigh down the people. We thank Thee that the people have the government in their own hands and may decide the laws by which they are governed, and that they may choose the officers who are to execute those laws. Grant that the exercise of this freedom may be for the interests of our nation and for the preservation of these precious things bequeathed to us. We ask Thy blessing upon the President af these United States, and all associated in authority with him ; upon the Governor of New Jersey and the State officers, and upon the Governor of this State of Pennsylvania. Grant that all our rulers may rule in Thy fear ; that they may have grace and wisdom to discharge their responsible duties as shall best be for the interests of this people and for the glory of God. " Let Thy blessing be upon the solemnities of this day. We come here to unveil these various monuments. In the name of our God will we set up our banners, and in the name of our God will we dedicate these monuments. They commemorate the dead who have passed away, who fought on this battle-field so nobly, and who gave up their lives as sacrifices to the great cause of freedom and of union ; but these monuments also stand here to testify to the goodness of God, the Ruler of all things, and who made this the beginning of the end of the war, a war which has united us together as one people more thoroughly than ever before. " We rejoice that the contest ended with our Union unbroken, that to-day one flag waves over all our States, and that it was not only for GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 63 the good of the Northern people, but for the benefit of the Southern also, that the war terminated as it did ; and to Thy name will we give praise for all this. " We ask Thy blessing upon the veteran soldiers. Grant that those who survive may long enjoy the peace their valor won. And we pray for our citizen soldiers, for the young men of our land, that they may have the true spirit of patriotism and be ready at their country's call, in any hour of need, to go forth to meet the foe, whether intestine or foreign. But O forbid that there should ever again be heard the tramp of hostile armies in these States, when one section shall be arrayed against another. And if it please Thee, may we have no wars with foreign nations, but we ask that the time may be hastened when there shall be war no more. " We ask that our nation should fulfill her great mission, and feel that she is placed here on earth, not only to be true to herself but to the interests of humanity. May our example and history and the knowledge of our freedom reach the nations who suffer from oppres- sion, that they may throw off every yoke, and rejoice with us in all these privileges which Thou hast bestowed upon our people. " O God, be in covenant with us. We acknowledge no human sovereign, but do Thou rule over us. Help us by deliberate choice to take Jesus Christ, Thy Son, to be our King. Then shall we be the nation whom the God hath blest, and shall expect the preservation of our Union and liberty to the latest generation, and as long as the world shall stand shall we advance in power and usefulness. "And now, direct us in all the services of to-day, and let them inspire us with a spirit of consecration and devotion for our country, and may the results from to-day go forth to make our people more closely united than ever before — one nation, serving the God of Heaven. We ask Thee to hear our prayer, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, and then shall we render our praises to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen." The Commissioners then unveiled the monument, and a national salute was fired by the gun squad attached to the provisional regiment under Colonel Campbell. Col, Duffy — " I have the honor of introducing to you the orator of this occasion, His Excellency the Governor of New Jersey." 64 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. GOVERNOE GREEN'S ORATION. "Col. Duffy aud Gentlemen of the Commission — I feel that the occasion of the last unveiling of the monuments which have been erected under your supervision and care, should not be allowed to go by without expressing to you the appreciation of the citizens of the State for the taste and judgment which have been displayed by you in the selection and placing of these memorials. " Gov. Beaver, Survivors of the New Jersey Regiments, Members of the National Guard, Fellow-Citizens, Ladies AND Gentlemen — New Jersey dedicates these imperishable tributes to the memory of her gallant organizations which signalized her devotion to the unity of the nation. " They testify not only of the valor of her soldiers on this historic field, but of their heroism throughout the war. " They recall not only Gettysburg, but the Peninsula, from York- town to Malvern Hill, Bull Run and Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania and the Wilderness, Petersburg and the James, Atlanta and the March to the Sea. " Twenty-five years ago to-day, the Union was passing through the period of its greatest peril. Grant still thundered at the entrench- ments of Vicksburg ; flushed with its successes at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the Rebel Army invaded this grand old State of Pennsylvania, and levied tribute on the fertile fields and prosperous towns of the Cumberland Valley. With no troops to oppose them, their movement was a victorious march. Panic and consternation seized the inhabitants, and loyal cities and States seemed to be in jeopardy. " But the Army of the Potomac was still intact ; though its regi- ments were decimated, its spirit was undaunted, its discipline perfect, its endurance untiring, its valor heroic. " Gen. Meade was called to its command on the twenty-eighth day of June, and continued the pursuit of the victorious army of Gen, Lee. " Here both forces were concentrated, and for three days the battle raged with varying promises of success. For three days each point of vantage-ground was the scene of charge and counter-charge. For three days these hills and woods reverberated with the roar of GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 65 artillery and rang with the rattle of musketry, until at last the flag of the Union floated in final and assured triumph [applause], and the invading army, broken and defeated, was driven across the Potomac. From that time, never again was the tramp of rebellion in hostile ranks heard upon loyal soil. [Continued applause.] " The part taken in the battle by the individual New Jersey organi- zations has been and will be depicted more graphically than is in my power, by those who were actually here. " On this spot, fitly termed ' The High- Water Mark of the Rebel- lion,' we dedicate these monuments to those of our organizations which nobly bore their part in the battle. " What memories cluster around these monumental stones ; what glorious deeds of heroism do they each recall ; what a host of names of gallant men each marshals up from the buried past ! " Beautiful and impressive, and almost sacred as is this office which, they discharge, there is another and most important mission which they will perform. The reader of history, in the fascination which enchains him in the details of battle — the stories of personal prowess, the manceuvers of troops, the glitter and 'the glory of the crash of arms — is apt to lose sight of the object or impelling cause of the con- test. Be it that other duty of these monuments ever to teach the lesson and object of the war. " It was a war of principle ; it bore in its issue the problem of self- government; on its result depended the question whether a nation composed of separate States, each sovereign as to its own affairs, could endure; whether the free and liberal system, founded on the will of the governed, inaugurated by the sages and patriots of the Revolution, which had commanded the admiration of the world, and under which the nation had defended itself against attack and insult from without and had advanced to prosperity and glory, was strong enough to maintain its integrity and autonomy against internal dissension and armed rebellion. " The crisis was momentous ; the struggle terrific; the sacrifice of life appalling ; the cost phenomenal, but the ultimate success was com- plete and glorious. From this battle-field, onward, the cause of the Union marched triumphantly. Vicksburg fell, and Sherman in the West, and Grant and Sheridan in the East, with their armies, settled forever and for aye, the question of the indissolubility of the Union. [Continued applause.] 66 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. " And how wonderful the results which followed ! The war over, how beautifully did the characteristics of American citizen- ship and the symmetry of our complex system and its adaptability under all contingencies, assert themselves ! Peace, with that heaven- inspired sentiment of the immortal Lincoln, ' with malice toward none, with charity for all,' upon its wings, settled over the land; the voice of war was stilled, and the soldier returned to his fireside and to his accustomed occupation. Each State in rebellion renewing its allegiance to the government, resumed its relations to the Union, with no privilege lessened, no power restricted, no right impaired. States 'dissevered, discordant, belligerent,' became again united, fraternal and peaceful. A quarter of a century has rolled away and the nation is free, prosperous and happy. Regenerated by the strife of civil war, disenthralled from the cause which excited sectional distrust, every State in allegiance, each true to its duties, the Old North, with its resistless energy, its prosperous industries, its match- less development ; the Young West, with its busy and rapidly-increas- ing population, its fertile prairies, whose prolific acres can annually fill the granaries of the world, and whose mines of precious minerals rival the stories of poesy and of fable ; the New South, its energies no longer shackled with the fetters of the slave, devoting its industry to the development of its own resources, inviting capital and skill and enterprise from every quarter, lighting up the furnace and the forge with its own coal, at its own mines, and starting the hum of its own spindles, with its own power, among its own cotton-fields, with no sectionalism to excite animosity, with no contest except a generous rivalry, with no diverse interests to retard improvement, bound to- gether with sincere affection, loyal to the flag and the government — a nation of sister States with one aim, one hope, one destiny — JSsto perpetua ! [Long-continued applause.] " While I yield to no one in the earnest desire and hope that every trace of sectional hate, distrust and jealousy may be forever ob- literated, and that these States may be forever united in fraternal love, I do not want that the day will ever come when the lesson of the war shall be forgotten. Teach it to the children and to the children's children, and let these monuments, as they stand upon this battle-field, in all their beauty, solidity and effectiveness, repeat the lesson in the far-off years, that these sacrifices established that this Union cannot be dissolved [applause], and that the National Govern- GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 67 ment is, under the Constitution, supreme. [Applause, loud and long <;ontinued, followed by three cheers for Governor Green.] " Governor Beaver, it now becomes my pleasant duty to transfer these monuments, which New Jersey has erected upon the soil of Pennsylvania, into your keeping, as the representative of the State and as the President of the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association." General James A. Beaver, Governor of Pennsylvania, came for- ward, leaning upon his crutches. He was received with great ap- plause, particularly by the veteran soldiers.* ADDKESS OF GOVERNOE BEAVER. "Mr. Chairman, Governor Green and Citizens of New Jersey — You are our neighbors ; more than that, you are our own kith and kin. Your traditions are to some extent our traditions. Your history is in a measure our history. We are separated by a narrow river. Our interests are much the same ; our aims are equally high. You touch elbows with us, and we glory in your prosperity and in all that has made you great. [Applause.] " We welcome you here to Pennsylvania to-day, as you come upon your holy mission. We give you cordial 'greeting as you gather on this historic field to perpetuate the memory of the men who died here and the achievements of the men, dead and living, who fought here. We congratulate New Jersey upon her munificence in providing for the erection of these monuments. We congratulate you upon her thoughtfulness in providing transportation for 1,600 of the old boys, who live largely in the past [applause], and also for the regiment of National Guard, whose hopes are in the future. The old fellows come here to sit down upon the rocks around which they fought and behind which they sheltered themselves. [Great and long- continued laughter.] " Why, some of these old fellows who were not at the fight laugh as if that were not the thing to do. You fellows who were there know what that means. It was the proper thing, and the most natu- ral thing in the world. [Laughter.] * General Beaver lost a leg in the War of the Rebellion, in which war he served vrith much bravery and distinction. 68 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. " You come here to sit upon those rocks, to put your arms around^ each other's necks, and to say to each other, 'Don't you mind?'^ That is what brings you here, that is what you enjoy, and that is what you will enjoy for the days to come. New Jersey has been thoughtful and has spent her money well, for she has given you a chance to do it. I have seen nothing in the history of this battle- field, nor in all the assemblages I have attended, that has given me so much of real pleasure and touched me so deeply as this fact — that New Jersey has brought you here and has said to you, ' Boys, we want you to have a good time for three days.' It is fitting that it should be so. It is fitting that you should recall the scenes and inci- dents in which you took part, and which have made this field not only historic, but have made it immortal — immortal not only for the people of this land, but for all lands. For let me say to you that this battle- field in these days, and those to come — aye, in the centuries to come, because New Jersey erects her monuments, and because every State whose troops were engaged in enforcing the law and in maintaining the Constitution will erect monuments — this battle-field, I say, can be made capable of study, so that the military students of the Old World will come here to study the grandest strategy of the greatest war of which history has knowledge. We are proud in the possession of such a battle-field, won in such a cause, and we are also proud because these States are making it a field that can be the study and which will make it a lesson not only, to our children, of the patriotism that inspired the men who fought here, but also of the genius which our Generals displayed when they set our squadrons in the field, and met that grandest charge of the war which assaulted our front. [Great applause.] " We welcome you here, because your presence shows that the memories of a quarter of a century have not faded out; that the patriotism which inspired you and those who fought with you is as pure, and as true, and as lasting to-day as that which inspired you when you were here before. And therefore it seems to me that this gathering is worthy of note, and that we of Pennsylvania, and of New Jersey, and of Wisconsin, and of New York, and also of the other States, who have gathered here to-day, may well congratulate ourselves that our citizens are true tothe old flag, and to all that it symbolized in the past. " But, my comrades, we have had a strange scene here to-day, on. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. G9 this platform. The man who organized and gave directions to Pickett when he made his charge has been here to grasp hands with the men who met that charge and repulsed it, and he has expressed to you his gratification at being here. What does that mean ? Why, it means that this old flag not only symbolizes all that we held to be true and right in the conflict, but that the men who attacked it, the men who fired upon it, the men who made the assault upon it — the men who were wrong, and yet felt they were right — those men are with us to-day, and are saying, ' God bless the stars and stripes, which cover us and ours as well as cover you and yours ! We submit to the arbit- rament of the sword. The sword decided us, and we accept the result.' When men come with these sentiments upon their lips and in their hearts, we may well congratulate ourselves upon the work of a quarter of a century which is behind us, and we may well look for- ward to the future of this country, when the North and South, East and West, will vie with each other in devotion to the flag and to all that is symbolized by it. ** Mr. Chairman, Governor Green, we accept these monuments you have reared, in behalf of the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Asso- ciation. You have made a magnificent tribute to the beauty and the utility of this field. You have done much to make it what it is to be and what it ought to be. We recognize the value of your contri- butions. We pledge you that they shall be cared for. We pledge you that they shall teach their lessons, so far as we can enable them to do it, and help to make them do it to the latest generation. And we pledge you that the soil of Pennsylvania shall always be sacred to the memory of those who died and the heroism of those who live, and that, so far as in us lies, we shall conspire with you and vie with you to make that memory immortal." [Applause and cheers.] Upon the conclusion of the address of Governor Beaver, repre- sentatives of the several New Jersey regiments and batteries engaged at Gettysburg were introduced, and spoke as follows : ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE FIRST INFANTRY. BY REV. GEORGE B. WIGHT, LIEUTENANT COMPANY I, FIRST REGIMENT. " Your Excellency Governor Green, Gentlemen of the Commission and Comrades — I have the honor to address you on 70 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. behalf of the First New Jersey Infantry, and it seems singularly appropriate that these remarks should be made from a platform erected here, for this identical spot was covered by the First New Jersey as it formed in line of battle on the third day of that ever- memorable- struggle twenty-five years ago. " We have listened with deep gratification to the addresses of their Excellencies Governor Green and Governor Beaver, and we heartily thank them for their kind words, ascribing to us qualities which have ever been the soldier's pride. " These ceremonies are deeply interesting to us. Twenty-five years ago many of us were here, amid the din and shock of battle. These hill-tops swarmed with armed legions, the valley below was strewed with bodies of the wounded and slain, some of whom were comrades- dear to us. And now, after the lapse of these years, we are again here, and permitted to behold you unveil the noble monuments which New Jersey has generously erected to commemorate our part in that terrible battle. We are profoundly moved, and through Your Excel- lency and you, gentlemen of the Commission, we return our grateful thanks to the State for thus remembering us. " In the few moments to which my remarks must necessarily be limited, it would be impossible to give the record of the First New Jersey Infantry. And it is not necessary that I should. That record^ sirs, is forever a part of the battle itself, and not of this battle only, but of every engagement fought by the Army of the Potomac, from Bull Run, in 1861, to Mechanics ville, Malvern Hill, Crampton's Pass, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and the battles about Petersburg, until, in the surrender at Appomat- tox, the war ended. But, sirs, I claim no patriotism, no prowess, no achievement, for the First New Jersey Infantry superior to the other New Jersey regiments, or to the regiments of other States, but I do claim that at all times and under all circumstances we endeavored to do full duty, and to so carry ourselves as good soldiers that New Jersey should have no occasion to be ashamed of us. That we suc- ceeded in our efforts this noble shaft abundantly testifies. " But permit me to say. Your Excellency, that the efficiency of the First New Jersey Regiment, and, indeed, of the entire First Brigade,^ was largely owing to the untiring efforts of two of your predecessors in office, men whose patriotism ought never be forgotten. Governor Charles S. Olden and Governor Joel Parker, and those associated with. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 71 them in the military affairs of the State. They left nothing undone which would in any way add to the efficiency and comfort of the brigade. It is a fact not generally known, comrades, that in the early days of the war, before the government had perfected its Quarter- master-General's Department, and we greatly needed clothing, our requisitions, failing to be honored in Washington, were sent to Quar- termaster-General Perrine, at Trenton, who at once and fully supplied our wants. Then, again, we had excellent commanders, under whom we learned the duties of a soldier. In addition to our first great brigade commander, the intrepid Kearny, we had in command of the regiment the imperturbable Montgomery ; the dashing Torbert, whose face you see on yonder tablet, and afterwards in command of the brigade ; the earnest Collett, whose last words I took upon the field at Salem Church ; and the gallant Henry, Under such leaders, how could we have been inefficient ? " But thoughts other than those of battle press upon me to-day. I see before me many veterans of the First Infantry, some of whom enlisted with me in Company G. Comrades, it is with the greatest satisfaction that I greet you again. More than twenty years have passed since we looked into each other's faces ; since we wore the suit of blue and stood shoulder to shoulder upon many a hard-fought battle-field. We went from the camp into the workshop, to the farm, to the counting-room, to the office, or to the study, and in all these years we have been occupied with the thoughts which belong to busy lives, but we have not forgotten each other, and we never shall. The recollections of the past, with the memories of our departed comrades, will go with us to the end of life. But, comrades, in many ways the years are telling upon us, and by-and-by we shall go hence ; but after we have gone, these monuments shall tell to coming generations the story of your patriotism, and of your heroic deeds. And we want them to say, further, that now, after nearly a quarter of a century has passed, and we recall the history of the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, there is not a line of that history relating to us which we would wish obliterated, that we regret no act of ours in the great struggle, and that should the occasion repeat itself in our day, and we have strength remaining, to a man will we again take up the gage of battle in defense of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. And we call upon them to preserve and hand down to their posterity the free institutions we have given them, as our fathers gave them to us. 72 GETrYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. "And if these monuments will impress another truth upon the com- ing generations, and we doubt not they will, we shall not have fought in vain, and that is, our country knows no North, no South, no East, no West, but we are one nation, from ocean to ocean and from lake to gulf; that our Constitution forever binds these States together as one intelligent, free and happy people. " ' The union of lakes, and the union of lands, The union of States, none can sever ; The union of hearts, the union of hands. And the flag of our Union forever.' " ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE THIRD REGIMENT. BY MAJOR VP^ILLIAM E. BRYAN, THIRD REGIMENT, N. J. VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. " Me. Chairman, Governor of New Jersey, Comrades — I am not here from choice, I am here at a request from my superior officers. I have received many orders and many requests, and I can say to you that as long as I have been connected with the Third New Jersey I don't recollect of disobeying one. "So much has been said here that I cannot instruct you at all Where will the Third New Jersey come in ? What can I say for them ? I will say this : She will come in third in hand high, accord- ing to Kearny. [Applause.] " I followed her all through that terrible conflict which she passed through on the Peninsula, at Fredericksburg and at Getty^urg, and she stood by me, every man. I haven't a reproach to make against any of the New Jersey boys ; she was there all the time when she was called on, and don't you forget it ! [Applause.] " I will tell you a few incidents to show you the courage of the Third New Jersey — the Bloody Third. ' What regiment is that ? ' I have often been asked, and I would reply, ' The Third New Jersey.' * Oh, that is the Bloody Third.' I do not know why they called us that. I do not know that we drew any more blood from the Rebels than any other, but that is what they called us. "At Fairfax Court House, in that terrible conflict at Gaines' Mill, we hadn't a very nice position. I happened to be with the color company in that terrible fight. We went into the woods and drove the Rebels back ; they reinforced their forces and pushed us back, but we went GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 73 back in good order. We went at them again and we stayed there, and a great many of them stayed there too long. While I was in command of my company I looked along the line to see that the boys did their duty — God bless them ! — and one would come to me and say, * Captain Bryan, I am hit.' ' Where are you hit ? ' 'I am hit in the leg.' Another one came along in a few minutes and said, ' Captain Bryan, I am hit.' I asked * Where are you hit?' He would reply, ^ In the shoulder ; what shall I do ? ' I directed them to go to the rear, but they would have stayed right there if I had asked them. You may call that discipline, and who are we of the Third and of the rest of the regiments indebted to for this magnificent discipline ? " A Veteran—" To Kearny ! " Major Bryan — " Of course we are — to Phil. Kearny ! I wish he •were with us here to-day. We fought there until our ammunition was expended, and we stayed until we got orders to come out of the fight. I stayed by the flag and I came out with the flag — United States flag and the Jersey flag. " General Taylor came to me and said : ' Captain Bryan, look at the flag ; stand by the flag.' I said : ' General Taylor, if our flag is going down I will go down with it.' Well, we came out; it was raining bullets ; we were in a bad condition, but we got out safe, and I tell you I don't want to be in any worse place than that. " Yet another instance here at Salem Heights. We went into that fight with 300 muskets. Colonel Brown commanded. In twenty minutes he was shot through the leg, and I was then acting as Major — had not been commissioned yet. The old Third stood there by order of .the superior officers. We fought them till dark. They pushed us back to the fence. We rallied and came back like men. Captain Frantz was shot through the arm and sent to the rear. We went at them again, and about dark some regiment came up and reinforced us. As soon as it got dark we were ordered to fall back and go to camp. We got into camp about 9 o'clock, and they thought we were all captured, and a jolly old shout they gave us when we came in. Out of the 300 men who went into the fight we lost 99, one-third of the regiment. " I might go on for another hour and tell these things, but I don't want to take up the time. I will say to the Governor and the Com- missioners that you have the sincere thanks of our regiment for these magnificent monuments which you have erected to establish the places 74 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. where the regiments stood that took part in this fight, and I assure you you have made me one of the happiest of men to-day. God bless you!" ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE FOURTH REGIMENT. BY CAPTAIN SAMUEL M. GAUL, FOURTH NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. " Comrades — As representing the Fourth New Jersey I can say nothing except to say that the history of the First Brigade is the history of the Fourth Regiment. We were organized and joined the brigade in August. We were taught our duties by Kearny, passed through all the battles of the First Brigade, re-enlisted in December, 1863, became a veteran regiment and were mustered out July 9th, 1865. You can see our history anywhere, as it is written. The history of the First Brigade is the history of the Fourth[[Regiment." [Applause.] ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. BY CAPTAIN LEWIS VAN BLARCOM, OF THE FIFTEENTH NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. "Comrades and Friends — We are here to-day at the call of memories. We have been drawn to this historic spot to-day by that irresistible force that attracts men to visit and view the ground whereon a great and momentous event occurred, especially when we have been actors. Here a quarter of a century ago the intelligence and courage of the Western Continent armed and equipped with the most destructive means for taking human life in battle then known^ met and strove for the mastery. Here a quarter of a century ago the flower of the Confederate army led by its chosen General tried con- clusions, by the arbitrament of war, with the Army of the Potomac^ led by a General who had never marshaled an army in battle, and suffered a crushing defeat. Though that army was inferior in force to the Confederate, disparity in numbers was reinforced with that consciousness that pervaded the Union men, that the hour of their country's peril was at hand, and they fought with a courage and resistance unparalleled in the annals of warfare. " The battle of Gettysburg is a landmark in the notable events «f modern history. The result of that battle demonstrated to the enlightened world the power of a free people to maintain and preserve GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 75 a republican form of government. For it is now conceded that in results that battle was the decisive contest in the series of conflicts known as the War of the Eebellion, that proved that the prowess and patriotism of the loyal citizens of this nation were equal to the task of preserving to us and our children, liberty and law, the Constitution and the Union. Though that momentous conflict is monumented in the minds, not only of the survivors engaged therein, but of the present generation, it is the habit of man to erect some enduring material sign as a present commemoration, and as a beacon to those who come after us, when there shall be no living memories to point out the historic ground. "And so the State of New Jersey, in Legislature assembled, with the approval of its honored Governor, at the expense of the State, directed the erection of monuments in granite, to do public honor to the regimental organizations of New Jersey soldiers that formed no mean factor in the organized war power that made up the army that fought back and vanquished the supreme efibrt of rebellion in the famed battle of Gettysburg. " I know I but reflect the feeling of all the survivors of the Fif- teenth Regiment now present and of all those absent when I on this occasion express their great appreciation of the distinction which their State has conferred upon them, not only in the erection of this handsome monument, but in the liberality of the State in furnishing transportation and subsistence to attend these exercises. " Though the Fifteenth Regiment was not actively engaged in this battle, its courage and efficiency were amply demonstrated on many well-fought fields, both before and after Gettysburg. I instance Fredericksburg, Salem Heights, Spottsylvania, Cedar Creek, Win- chester and Cold Harbor. In those battles, in the forefront, fell Lindsley, Hicks, Rabadou, Walker, Yanvoy, Justice, Boeman, Shimer, Harris, Decker, Vangelder and a host of true, brave men whose names I have not the time to mention, who with their lives maintained their own honor, the honor of their country and of the Fifteenth Regiment. "And the survivors to-day of that regiment, present at these exer- cises and absent, deserve mention. I see many of them before me. No braver and truer men to duty ever shouldered a rifle, brandished a sword or faced a foe. . " How naturally our minds compare the present situation with that 76 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. of twenty-five years ago ! Then, in the first three days of July, 1863, powerful armies confronted, the crash of musketry and the thunder of cannon were heard. War in most grim-visaged form stalked over these hills and through these valleys. A very carnival of death and destruction held sway. " To-day is peaceful ; no hostile foe is near ; we are not waiting for the quick, sharp command to fall in and forward to battle, and it is a matter of high congratulation that our country is at peace, and no wars or rumors of war exist within our borders from dissension within or threatened invasion from without. " We who are here to-day should be profoundly thankful that a kind Providence spared our lives in the dangers of battle, and has permitted us to meet together on this battle-field. Many of us have not met since we parted on the field of battle, by reason of disability, from wounds, for further active service. Many recognize each other. We all know our noble Chaplain, now here. No regiment was more fortunate in having a Chaplain so true and so good, and so respected and loved. [Applause.] " Some of us may come here again, but the number will be few. The remorseless artillery of time is thinning our ranks, and soon but a few old men will survive to meet together to represent the regiment in which we take so much pride." [Applause.] ADDRESS IN BEHALF OF BATTERY A. Colonel Duffy — " By request of the Commission, the speech dedi- cating Battery A will be made by General William S. Stryker, Adjutant-General of our State." Gen. Stryker then said : "Your Excellency, Col. Duffy and Comrades — After a somewhat close study for years of the details of the history of the Civil War, I am not bold in asserting that no organization of light artillery did more effective service than Captain Hexamer's Battery of New Jersey Volunteers. [Applause.] " During the summer of 1861 the organization of the old militia known as the Hudson County Artillery volunteered for the war, was mustered into the service of the United States, August 12th, and Captain William Hexamer was commissioned its commanding oflBcer. h'^^' BATTERY i COHWWtO lKr«.S B«TU£ BV FIRST UWIESWT t ^XUCUSTINK iV. i'ARSOiSiS. - Monument to Battery A. ('main line of battle, south of copse of trees.) GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 77 "It was enrolled with 156 officers and men, and 521 men were attached to the battery at different times during the period of the war. This organization had as its commandant a soldier who had received his instruction in artillery in the best schools in Germany, and the tactics of light artillery was a familiar drill to him. His men also had, many of them, served in the German army, and, with hearts full of liberty, they were ready with patriotic heroism to con- secrate their labors and their lives to the preservation of the unity of the Republic. The battery was first equipped with four ten-pounder Parrot guns and two twelve-pounder howitzers. On reaching the front, it was assigned to Franklin's division of the First Army Corps, and came immediately under the piercing, magnificent eye of General Phil. Kearny. This one-armed hero of the Rebellion implanted his spirit in the heart of every Jerseyman he commanded, and the inspir- ation which he created remained in their breasts long after they had ' laid him low in the clover.' " It was just at the noon-day hour when Battery A, at the fight at West Point, May 7th, 1862, was ordered for the first time to prepare for action. The Sharp rifles of the Fifth Alabama Regiment in the division of Major-General Daniel H. Hill first caused this organiza- tion to feel the force of the deadly bullets of the Rebellion. But bold Hexamer was ready, and his i Parrot guns opened with spherical case and cannister, and sprinkled the sleet of death over the entire Confederate line opposed to them. Then the screeching shell was sent through the branches of the thick wood in their close front, and out of the dense smoke the groans of the dying and the scurrying of the retreating foe could be distinctly heard. A few days later, at the fight at Gaines' Mill, as the battery was coming into position in the open, they were greeted at short range with a terrific fire, which in a moment disabled seventeen horses, but without further delay a vig- orous cannonade was made, and in a few minutes the musketry fire ceased. Later, on the same day, the Confederate attack was renewed. The same brilliant artillery fire was made by Battery A, and although the loss was heavy, yet they did their work effectively, and won the hearty applause of all who witnessed their boldness and coolness under severe attack. It was quite late in the afternooa on September 17th, 1862, when the gallant Hexamer was ordered into battery near the Dunker church, and although the enemy had twenty- pounder rifle guns 78 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. throwing heavy shell and shrapnel at our infantry line, yet when the Jersey artillery opened fire ' with scream of shot and burst of shell,' after just thirty rounds the enemy withdrew from their position, out of range. Not one of you who took part in this affair but can remember the exultant cheers which greeted you after you had silenced two Confederate batteries, as you galloped by the line of the old Sixth Corps. It is the concurrent testimony of many general officers that no battery did more effective service at Antietam than our Jersey battery. "Again, at Salem Church, the sturdy artillerists opened an answer- ing cannonade upon four batteries of the foe and silenced them, fight- ing with great gallantry and success. At Banks' Ford they covered the army as they were leaving the bloody field. " This organization was not fully engaged on this historic field of Gettysburg until July 3d, but on that day this fast-worked artillery rained shrapnel and shell as that great storming army of heroic Southern men charged up to their guns. Then, as the chorus chants in Shakespeare's King Henry the Fifth, " ' The nimble gunner With lynstock now the devilish cannon touches And down goes all before him.' " So, as with stubborn courage the intrepid foe tried to gain this position and break the line of the old Second Corps, the Angel of Death spread his wings and enveloped in one long line of blood and carnage the magnificent waves of battle. "At Cold Harbor 510 rounds of shot and shell volleyed and thundered from this grand old battery, and the true-hearted, sturdy and brave Americans of German birth displayed during the ten days which followed that battle of June 1st, in fighting here and there day after day, behind breastworks and in the open field, checking the enemy's batteries, holding our own positions, shelling the camp of the foe, resisting their advance, hastening their retreat — thesd brave men at their hot guns loosed the fateful charges which scattered de- struction among the hostile army of the South. " Then before Petersburg on June 1 9th, with the enemy's cannon on their right and on their left, they engaged the foe with all their usual stubborn opposition. Their cannons, ' with bowels full of wrath, spit forth their iron indignation.' Through all the war this battery. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 79 -whenever ordered into action, bore a most honorable part. No man dare point to a single instance where any man failed to do his full duty. Membership in this organization during the war period stands for all that is brave, all that is heroic, all that is patriotic, in the con- duct of our volunteer soldiery. Those who still live may point with pride to their discharges, they may show their honorable scars received in battle, they may always glory in the fact that they did duty in this gallant company. " The sweet poet. General Lytle, who, after fighting, the bravest of the brave, fell dead at Chickamauga, had in his pocket when he was carried oflF the field a short poem (whether he was the author or not is still undetermined), which, being slightly altered, may well apply to these men around me, might with great propriety be cut upon this monument : " ' Who faltered or shivered ? Who shunned battle stroke ? Whose fire was uncertain ? Whose battle line broke ? Go ask it from history, Years from to-day, And the record shall tell you — Not Battery A.' " [Applause.] ADDRESS ON BEHALF OF THE THIETEENTH REGIMENT. Colonel Duffy — "Among the monuments erected on this field by the State of New Jersey there was one erected to the Thirteenth Regi- ment, New Jersey Volunteers. The Commissioners have requested Captain Mathews, inasmuch as there are a great number of the sur- vivors of that regiment present, to make a short address. I have the honor to introduce him." Captain Ambrose M. Mathews said : " Governor Green, Mr. Chairman, Comrades and Fellow- Citizens OF New Jersey — I have but a few remarks to make for the Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry, and will briefly run over the record of the regiment. That is all the speech I shall attempt to make. The Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry joined the Army of the Potomac in August or about the first of September, 1862. It iiadn't the advantage which the First Brigade had, of being com- 80 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. manded by that peerless soldier, Phil. Kearny, nor did it have the advantage the Second Brigade had, of having a place in the division commanded by General Joseph Hooker, but the brigade to which it belonged won laurels under Banks, and was fresh from the battle of Cedar Mountain. The brigade that we had the good fortune to be placed in was not only a veteran brigade composed of such regiments as the Second Massachusetts, Third Wisconsin, Tenth Maine and Twenty-seventh Indiana, but was one which had no superior in the army that was destined to fight the three great battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In less than three weeks after the Thirteenth Regiment had entered the service occurred the battle of Antietam. In that battle its conduct was so creditable that General George H. Gordon paid it a very high compliment in his official report, and henceforth its standing in the brigade, and in the corps to which it belonged, was assured. At Chancellorsville it met with great losses, and the Twelfth Corps there, with the Third Corps, a& you know, bore the brunt of the battle on the evening of the second and on the third day of May, 1863. During the campaign of Get- tysburg, on July Ist, 1863, as we approached this town we were sent off to the right, across the hill known as Wolf's hill, were deployed as skirmishers, and met the enemy advancing, and shots were exchanged with them, but they seemed to have received orders about that time to retire, which they did, making to our men derisive motions, and we soon afterwards received an order to take a position near Gulp's hill. " Our monument is placed upon the line which we held at the end of the second and third days of July, a little beyond Gulp's hill, in a place known as McAllister's woods. " The great battle of Gettysburg completed the service of the Thir- teenth in the Army of the Potomac, or at least the campaign that succeeded that battle did. There was no fighting that the regiment did after the battle of Gettysburg in the Army of the Potomac. In October we were moved West and joined the army that was the twin- brother of the Army of the Potomac — the Army of the Cumber- land — and were henceforth under the command of General George H. Thomas. During all the history of our brigade and regiment in that army, in the battles of Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, and all the battles to Atlanta during the March to the Sea, the capture of Savan- nah, the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville, the regiment bore well its part, and at the end we were with you of the Army of the GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 81 Potomac again, and had the great privilege of marching in review at Washington before the President of the United States and his cabinet. " Comrades, to-day I had a substitute for the first time, but my sub- stitute has not appeared, and I am here, as it were, unprepared. I have given you this brief record in order that the regiment might not b3 unrepresented. I thank you for your kindness, for your atten- tion, and will now close." [Applause.] ADDKESS IN BEHALF OF THE TWELFTH EEGIMENT. BY COL. WM. E. POTTKR, OF THE TWELFTH NEW JEBSEY INFANTRY VOLtTNTEEES. " By her Governor and principal officers, by her chosen Commis- sioners, by the battalions of her National Guard, by her surviving veterans, the State of New Jersey is present here to-day to do honor to the memories of her citizen soldiers who fell in this battle, and typically to the memories of all her sons who died in the defense of the Government of the United States in the late great struggle. " It is well that it is so. "New Jersey has always been distinguished in war. She bore honorable part in the contest which wrested the Canadas from France. During the Revolution the soil of our State was trampled into bloody mire by the feet of contending armies, and the New Jersey Brigade under the command of the gallant Gen. William Maxwell and CoL Elias Dayton, at Brandywine and Germantown, at Springfield and Monmouth, in the campaign in Northwestern New York, against the savage allies of Britain, and before Yorktown, freely shed its blood, and was distinguished, even in the army of Washington, for inflexible courage. "With a population in 1860 of but 672,000, New Jersey was more than decimated by the war against the rebellion, for ske mar- shaled under the flag 88,304 men, a surplus of 10,057 men over all the calls made upon her — a larger English-speaking army than the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, or the United Kingdom, although the pillars of its empire circled the whole globe, was ever able to set in line of battle upon any one field. For not that great army that Wellington led, that for seven years waged war among the 6 82 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. mountains of Portugal and Spain until it burst through the icy bar- riers of the Pyrenees, and brought fire and sword upon the fertile plains of Southern France ; nor that other army which, during a long summer's day, held at bay the veteran legions of France, and, with the aid of the Prussians, laid the mighty power of Napoleon in the dust ; nor that other army that for weary months in the trenches of Sebastopol confronted the assembled forces of Russia, ever numbered 60,000 English-speaking men. " Upon this very field New Jersey, relative to her population, had a large percentage of troops. We had present at this battle 12 regi- ments of infantry, 1 regiment of cavalry and 2 batteries. " The regiment whose line was marked by the low stone wall that you see before you, by the accident of its position, by its firm bearing and the energy of its officers and men, had the fortune to be among the most distinguished in its services, of the New Jersey regiments on this field. " It was the only regiment from our State in the Second Army Corps, and held the right of the left center of the army. It was the only regiment in the division of which it formed a part, armed with a smooth-bore musket. By a successful charge at a critical moment on the afternoon of the 2d of July, with a loss of two officers and forty men, it captured the Bliss barn and established a formidable force upon the flank of the line of the advance of Heth's division of Hill's corps of the Rebel army. Every brigade to the enemy's right of this point had been thrown forward to the attack of this crest, and after the Bliss barn was thus captured, no portion of Hill's corps, to the enemy's left, advanced. The hesitation of these troops paralyzed the advance of Rhodes' division of Ewell's corps, which had formed line upon the plain in front of the town for the attack of the ridge, so that Early, still further to the left, attacked alone. There can be little doubt now, that if Heth and Rhodes had assaulted with Early, the position would have been carried, and the fate of the Union might have been changed. " In the mighty assault of July 3d, this regiment, with its brigade, stood as immovably as the stone wall in its front. No troops of the enemy reached its line save as prisoners of war. "And when, on that fateful day, the heavy column of the enemy, under the withering fire which met it, melted away into a cloud of GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 83 "broken battalions, leaving the slopes in our front strewn with the soldiers and crimsoned with the blood of the great States of Virginia and North Carolina, the possibility of the existence of the slave- holders' Confederacy as an independent sovereignty among the nations of the earth had ceased to be. " From the muzzles of those death -dealing muskets there spoke the :fiat of Omnipotence, declaring in tones which overleaped the ocean, and penetrated Europe and Asia, until they reached the farthest islands of the Pacifia Sea, that henceforth the United States was to 'be, and forever remain, mighty and free, undivided and inseparable. " This regiment lost here two officers and twenty enlisted men tilled, four officers and eighty enlisted men wounded, nine enlisted men missing. Of the missing, three at least were taken prisoners ■while on the picket line, and died under the nameless tortures of Anderson ville prison. " Other regiments from our State had their particular occasions of heroic achievement, but in the long list of martial deeds performed in this battle, history will point to the especial glory of the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. " Its loss here was eighteen per cent, of the entire loss of the New Jersey troops. "This regiment, as appears by the official report of the Adjutant- General, was present in thirty-two general engagements with the enemy. "Its total loss by death during its terms of service was 261 — a larger percentage of loss than was sustained by any other of our regi- ments except the Fifteenth. " What this regiment did is but a type of what all our regi- ments did. " These veterans who are present to-day are the survivors of troops whose valor has never been surpassed. These mere squads of men once formed part of those impetuous columns which streamed up the bloody heights of Fredericksburg, spurned the onset of the enemy upon this field, fought their way through the tangled thickets of the Wilderness, won final and enduring victory. " These voices, now tremulous, many of them, once drowned the roar of artillery with their cheers ; these arms, now enfeebled, once ■wielded the saber and musket; these eyes, now dimmed, once glanced 84 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. keenly along the deadly rifle ; the army which they represent once stood a wall of living valor between the enemy and our peaceful Northern homes. "Our names, our services, our . sacrifices, our achievements, will soon be but memories. We say unto you, preserve them. We ask not rewards, but gratitude and remembrance. " The last survivors of the Grand Army of the Union must soon pass away. These monuments, though of granite, may crumble and be overthrown, but the government which we saved, the cause for which we fought and for which our comrades died, these will endure* " Our best monument will be that a mighty nation, through all coming time, shall hold our patriotism and our cause beyond com- parison — sacred. " Our services and deeds stand for patriotism, loyalty, devotion to the highest interests of the whole country, as well as for courage and resolution. " But let us cherish firm and clear ideas of the late war. " There is a great gulf fixed — as wide as the over-arching sky, as deep as the fathomless sea — between treason to the Government of the United States and unswerving devotion to the Government of the United States. Into it were flung with lavish hand not only a vast treasure, but the priceless lives of 400,000 of the best and bravest of the young men of the loyal States. " Neither time, nor space, nor changed conditions, nor false senti- ment can shroud these facts from view. " There is — there can be — no just comparison between this great government of civil liberty guarded by law and the military des- potism born amid the throes of war, overthrown by the shock of arms, without history save four years of bloody strife, impelled by the twin furies of slavery and treason. " These monuments which stand mute but eloquent sentinels along this historic crest are dedicated to the memories of those whose patri- otism led them to die for constitutional liberty. " Whatever else this occasion teaches, let this be the lesson of the hour to ourselves and to the generations yet to be. " From every grave of a New Jersey soldier that undulates the mould of yonder cemetery, from the nameless resting-places of their comrades whose precious and sacred dust lies mingled with the soil of GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 85 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 123 which were all stained with blood. The Sergeant told me that the man said that he had no relatives in this country, and that he wanted the Sergeant to take the money and divide it equally among the men of his detachment. I returned the pocketbook to the Sergeant and told him to get to his gun at once. The next was at the left gun, I thought the men were working the gun a little slow and rode up pretty cl?)se to it, when a shell from the enemy's battery burst in front and slightly above us. A small piece struck my horse, but did no harm. A piece struck an old German soldier, who was number two at the gun. He wheeled around on one foot and fell flat on his back. I jumped from my horse, bent down by him, called him by name. The only audible reply was, ' Water.' I called for a canteen, placed it to his lips. He took one swallow and was dead. I mounted my horse and ordered the dead man carried to the stone wall (which, as near as I can remember, was not more than 100 feet from my left gun), and covered with a blanket. This is the stone wall that you had reference to in your letter. My battery was on the north side of that, the wall being on my left. The old German soldier that I have just mentioned used to take care of my horses. He was a faithful and good man, and I was truly sorry to see him killed. Just before nightfall, and after the cannonading had ceased, I got the men to dig^ a grave on the north side of that stone wall. We wrapped the old soldier in his blanket and buried him as tenderly as we could, under the circumstances. It was not more than five minutes after the old German soldier was killed before a shrapnel burst over our heads and knocked down five men. None were killed. They were taken to the rear, and finally down to a barn under the hill, used as a hos- pital. One of the men was struck by a shrapnel bullet near the nose and just under the eye, which was torn out, the ball passing out near the ear. I considered him as good as dead, for to look at him (cov- ered in blood as he was) one would think half his head was blown away. Now comes the funny part of the story. This same man was sent to the hospital in Philadelphia. He got well, but of course was discharged from the service on account of disability. In due course of time I received a letter from the surgeon in charge, saying that the government furnished false eyes, but it was necessary that the applicant have a certificate from his commanding officer, stating that he lost his eye while in discharge of his duty. I at once for- warded the papers. He got the glass eye and his discharge, and was 124 APPENDIX. a free man once more. In about three months I received another letter, asking for a duplicate of the original certificate. I sent the second certificate, but never learned whether he ever got the second glass eye." * * * In a letter written May 27th, 1889, Captain Parsons says : * * * « I think that you were correct in the location. * * * Fitzhugh's battery was immediately on right and Major McGilvery's batteries on left." APPENDIX C. INSCRIPTIONS ON THE MONUMENTS. FiEST Brigade. — Front: " First Brigade, New Jersey Volunteers, Brig.-Gen. Alfred T. A. Torbert (Ist, 2d, 3d, 4th and 15th regiments Infantry), 1st Brig., 1st Div., 6th Corps ; July 2, in reserve ; July 3 and 4, detached from the Corps, held this position. " Erected by the State of New Jersey, A. D. 1888, in testimony of the patriotism, courage and patient endurance of her Volunteer Soldiers." Rear: " Kearny's New Jersey Brigade. Fought in all the import- ant battles of the Army of the Potomac from May, 1861, to the end of the War at Appomattox Court House in 1865. " Total strength, 13,805, including 10th, 23d and 40th regiments New Jersey Volunteers, which were attached to the Brigade." [The position of the Fourth Regiment is also marked by a tablet with subjoined inscription. The tablet stands at the cross-roads on George Spangler's farm, one mile to the rear of the brigade monu- ment] : "4th N. J. Vols., Train Guard— Provost Guard, July 2, 3, 1863." Battery A. — " Hexamer's New Jersey Battery. Commanded in this battle by First Lieutenant Augustine N. Parsons. Battery A, 1st New Jersey Artillery, from its position in reserve S. W. of Powers' Hill, galloped into action at 3 P. M., July 3, 1863. Fired 120 rounds shrapnel at Pickett's column, and then 80 rounds shell at a battery in left front Losses, killed, 2 ; wounded, 7. Position in action, 45 yards E. of this stone. Mustered in, August 12, 1861. Mustered out, June 22, 1865. Engaged in 30 battles. Erected by the State of New Jersey, 1888." 126 APPENDIX. Fifth Infantry. — " Fifth New Jersey Volunteers. Col. William J. Sewell, 3d Brig., 2d Div., 3d Corps, July 2, 1863. The regiment first held the skirmish line 400 yards to the front and left of this spot, and afterwards took position in the line of battle here. Losses, killed, 18 ; wounded, 60 ; missing, 16 ; total, 94 — being one-half the number engaged. Mustered in, August 22, 1861. Consolidated with 7th Regt. N. J. Volunteers, Nov. 6, 1864. Eiagaged in 32 battles. Erected by the State of New Jersey, 1888." Sixth Infantry. — "6th New Jersey Volunteers, Lieut. Col. Stephen R. Gilkyson. 3d Brig. (Burling's) 2d Div. 3d Corps. Engaged here July 2, 1863, being detached from the Brigade. Sup- ported batteries on Cemetery Ridge July 3. Losses, killed, 5; wounded 29; missing 7; total 41. Mustered in Aug. 19, 1861. Consolidated with 8th Reg., N. J. V., Oct. 12, 1864. Engaged in 30 battles. Erected by the State of New Jersey 1888." Seventh Infantry. — The die of the monument is octagonal. On the front is the figure " 7 " inclosed in a wreath. On the other seven sides the inscriptions are as follows : 1 . " 7th New Jersey Vols. July 2, 1863." 2. "3d Brig. 2d Div., 3d Corps." 3. "Mustered in Sept. 3, 1861. Mustered out July 17, 1865." 4. " First position 300 yards N. E. of this. Heavily engaged there. Moved here to reinforce Graham's Brigade." 5. " Here Colonel Francine fell." €. " Killed 24 ; wounded 77 ; missing 13 ; total 114." 7. " Erected by the State of New Jersey, 1888." Eighth Infantry. — "8th New Jersey Volunteers, Col. John Ramsay, 3d Brig., (Burling's) 2d Div., 3d Corps. Engaged here July 2, 1863, being detached from the Brigade. Supported batteries on Cemetery Ridge July 3. Took into action 170. Killed 7 ; wounded, 7 officers, 31 men; missing 2; total 47. Mustered in Sept. 14, 1861. Mustered out July 17, 1865. Engaged in 38 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 127 battles. Casualties, killed, 8 officers, 125 men ; wounded 38 officers, 683 men ; died, 2 officers, 149 men ; total 905. Erected by the State of New Jersey 1888." Eleventh Infantry. — " 11th New Jersey Volunteers, Col. Robert McAllister, 1st Brig., 2d Div., 3d Corps, July 2, 1863. Mustered in August 18, 1862. Mustered out July, 1865. Engaged in 29 battles. This stone marks the spot reached by the right of the regiment, the left extending towards the southeast. The position was held under a severe fire, which killed or disabled nearly three-fifths of the regiment, including every officer present above the rank of lieutenant. Number engaged, 275 ; killed, 31 ; wounded, 109 ; miss- ing, 12; total, 153. Of the missing six are supposed to have been killed. Erected by the State of New Jersey, 1! Battery B. — " Clark's Battery — Battery B, 1st New Jersey Art., fought here from 2 until 7 o'clock on July 2, 1863, firing 1,300 rounds of ammunition. Losses — Killed, 1; wounded, 16; missing, •3. Mustered in September 3, 1861. Mustered out June 16, 1865. Engaged in 26 battles, including all the important actions on the Peninsula, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Appomattox. Erected by the State of New Jersey, 1888." . Twelfth Regiment. — A monument was erected by the survivors of this regiment and their friends in May, 1886, on the position held by the regiment in the main line of battle of July 3d, to the south of the Bryan barn. The following is the inscription thereon : " In memory of the men of the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Infantry Volunteers, who fell upon this field July 2d and 3d, 1863, and who €lsewhere died under the flag, this monument is dedicated by their surviving comrades as an example to future generations. ' Buck and Ball, Calibre 69.' This regiment made two separate charges on the Bliss barn and captured it." The State Commission has, with the concurrence of the regimental association, added the following : *' Strength at muster in, 992; gained, 907; total, 1,899. Died in service — officers, 9 ; enlisted men, 252. Lost on this field, 2 officers, 128 APPENDIX. 20 men; wounded, 4 officers, 80 men ; missing, 9 ; total, 115." The State Commission also erected on the site of the Bliss house and barn,. 600 yards to the front of the line of battle, a granite tablet with the following inscription : " Erected by the State of New Jersey, a. d. 1888, in honor of the 12th Regiment of Volunteers, a detachment of which, in the afternoon of July 2, 1863, charged the Bliss house and barn here, capturing the enemy's skirmish reserve of 7 officers and 92 men stationed therein. On the morning of July 3 another detach- ment of the regiment charged, capturing the buildings and one officer and one man, and driving back the skirmish reserve. The regiment lost in these charges 60 officers and men." Thirteenth Regiment. — " 13th N. J. Volunteers, 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps, reached this battle-field 5 p. m. July 1, 1863, and with the brigade went into position on the north side of Wolf Hill. During the night occupied a position in support of Battery M, First N. Y. Artillery. July 2, in morning held position near Culp's Hill ; in afternoon marched to relief of Third Corps near Round Top ; at night returned to right of the army. July 3, occupied position marked by this monument supporting Second Mas- sachusetts and Twenty-seventh Indiana in their charge on Confederate flank. In the evening moved to extreme right to support Gregg's Cavalry. Killed and mortally wounded, 2; wounded, 19. Mus- tered in August 25, 1862. Discharged June 8, 1865. Engage- ments: Antietam, 1862; Chancellorsville, 1863; Gettysburg, 1863; Resaca, 1864; Cassville, 1864; Dallas, 1864; Kulp's Farm, 1864; Nancy's Creek, 1864; Peach Tree Creek, 1864; Siege of Atlanta, 1864; March to the Sea, 1864; Siege of Savannah, 1864; Averys- boro, 1865 ; Bentonville, 1865. Total losses during the war : Killed or died of wounds, 75 ; died of disease and in prison, 43 ; wounded, 244. Total, 362. This monument was dedicated on July 1, 1887." First Cavalry. — North front: " First New Jersey Cavalry, Major Myron H. Beaumont ; Ist Brigade, 2d Cavalry Division. July 3, 1863. Erected by the State of New Jersey, 1888." West side: "Organized in September, 1861, and served to the end GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 129' of the War. Participated in 97 engagements. Lost : Killed in action, 79; died of wounds, etc., 170; died prisoners of war, 34; missing, supposed dead, 12." East side: "Fought here July 3, 1863, both mounted and dis- mounted, holding this position several hours. Assisted in repelling the charges of the enemy's cavalry." 8outh side : " Officers killed in battle during the War : Col. Hugh H. Janeway, Lieut.-Col. Virgil Broderick, Maj. John H. Shelmire, Maj. James H. Hart, Maj. John H. Lucas, Capt. Thomas R. Haines, Capt. Moses H. Malesbury, Lieut. Alexander Stewart, Lieut. Edward E. Jemison, Lieut. John W. Bellis, Lieut. Voorhees Dye, Lieut^ Alanson Austin." 9 APPENDIX D. TABLE OF LOSSES IN NEW JERSEY COMMANDS AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBUEG. KILLED. WOUNDED. CAPTURED OR MISSING. COMMAND. 05 a> o o a CO 'a o m o 1 1 m o 2 "So 'a 6 ti 60 bo < First Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols . ... 2 1 3 2 Second Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols .... Third Eegf., N. J. Inf. Vols .. Fourth Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols Fifth Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols Sixth Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols Seventh Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols... Eighth Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols ... Eleventh Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols... Twelfth Eegt., N: J. Inf. Vols.... Thirteenth Ee^-t N J. Inf Vols 6 2 6f 2 11 1 14 7 14 21 1 5 3 10 7 9 4 3 60 29 76 31 115 79 17 3 7 7 16 16 8 13 2 12 9 94 41 114 47 153 115 21 Fifteenth Eegt., N. J. Inf. Vols... 3 First Eegt., N. J. Cav. Vols 7 Battery A, First N. J. Artillery.. Battery B, First N. J. Artillery . 2 1 9 3 20 For the First and Fourth Regiments, Infantry, the War Depart- ment has no record 9^ any losses, nor do the records of this office show any. State of New Jersey, ^ Office of Adjutant-General, V Trenton, November 30th, 1887. j A true transcript from the files of this office, as shown by jeturns from the War Department. WILLIAM S. STRYKER, Adjutant- General of New Jersey. APPENDIX E. OFFICIAL REPORTS OF NEW JERSEY COMMANDERS, OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. Reports of Brigadier-Q-eneral A. T. A. Torbert, First Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps. headquarters First Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps, August 3d, 1863. Sir — I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by this brigade (First, Second, Third and Fifteenth New Jersey Vol- unteers) at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa. : On the night of July 1st, about 10 o'clock, the brigade started from near Manchester, Md., for Gettysburg. The distance by the route we marched was about 35 miles, and we made it by 4 p. m. on the 2d, only stopping an hour, about 1 p. m. on the 2d, to make coffee. We rested near the battle-field about two hours, when we were ordered to the left of the line, where we arrived about dark with only 25 men absent, and they came up by the morning. The brigade was held in this position in reserve till morning. Early on the morning of the 3d the brigade was detached from the corps and put in position in front and about the center of the line. This position we held till the morning of the 5th. In the meantime, the brigade was not actively engaged, except on the picket- line, where there were 11 enlisted men wounded, and during this time the brigade was under the orders of Major-General Newton, commanding First Corps. Much credit is due to Lieutenant- Colonel Weibecke, Second Eegi- ment. New Jersey Volunteers, in charge of the picket-line, and also Lieutenant Goldsmith, additional Aide-de-Camp (his assistant), for their good management of the same on July 3d. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. T. A. TORBERT, Brigadier- General of Volunteers. Oaptain H. R. Dalton, Assistant Adjutant- General, Division Headquarters. 134 APPENDIX. HEADQUARTERS First Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army CoEPSy August 13th, 1863. Sir — Agreeable to circular from Headquarters Army of the Potomac of August 13th, I have the honor to report the following as the operations of this brigade — First, Second, Third and Fifteenth Kegiments, New Jersey Volunteers — from June 28th to July 25th : June 28th, marched from a point about half way between Ed- wards' Ferry, on the Potomac, and Poolesville, Md., to Hyattstown ; distance, about 18 miles. June 29th, marched from Hyattstown, Md,, via New Market and Ridgeville, to near New Windsor, Md. ; distance, about 22 miles. June 30th, marched from near New Windsor via Westminster to Manchester ; distance, about 23 miles. July 1st, made a forced march from Manchester to Gettysburg^ Pa. ; distance, about 35 miles. Started at 10 p. m. ; marched all night, and the next day (July 2d) until 4 p. m., only stopping about one hour, at 1 P. m., to make coifee; arrived on the battle-field with only 25 men absent ; rested near the center of the line for about two hours, when we were ordered to the left of the line, where we arrived about dark. The brigade was drawn up in two lines in reserve, in which position it was held until morning, the men sleeping on their arms. July 3d, the absentees had joined their companies. Early in the morning the brigade was detached from the corps and put in position in front and about the center of the line and picketing strongly our own front, connecting on the right with the First Corps and on the left with the Fifth Corps. The brigade was not actively engaged on this day, except on the picket-line, where there were 1 1 men wounded. A few men in the brigade were wounded by the explosion of shells. July 4th, held the same position as on the 3d. Much credit is due to Lieutenant-Colonel Weibecke, Second Eegiment, who was in charge of the picket-line on the 3d, and also Lieutenant Goldsmith, additional Aide-de-Camp, who assisted him, for their very efficient management of the same. While the brigade was detached from the corps I was under the orders of Major-General John Newton, com- manding First Army Corps. July 5th, broke camp at 3 a. m. ; joined my division and corps, taking the lead of the same. Started about 11a. m. to follow the GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 135 rear of the Rebel army, marching in line of battle about 6 miles, covered by a heavy line of skirmishers ; came up to their rear guard about 2 miles from Fairfield and had a sharp skirmish ; about 5 P. M. drove the enemy to Fairfield, and at night fell back about a mile and a half. Loss of the enemy, 2 killed, 2 ofiicers and 4 privates prisoners ; our loss, 1 killed and 2 wounded. July 6th, started at 6 p. m. as rear guard of the corps and trains for Emmittsburg ; marched all night ; arrived about daylight ; dis- tance, about 8 miles. July 7th, started at 6 A. m. ; marched all day and until 10 p. m., stopping in the mountains near Hamburg in a severe rain-storm ; dis- tance, about 15 miles. July 8th, marched at daylight over the mountain to Middletown ; distance, about 8 miles. July 9 th, started at 4 p. m. ; marched to Boonsboro ; distance, about 8 miles. July 10th, marched about 3 miles and took position in two lines. July 11th, remained in same position. July 12th, marched about 6 miles ; took position first about 2 miles from Hagerstown, on the Boonsboro and Hagerstown pike ; about 2 p. M. changed position more to the left ; 5 p. M., advanced picket- line ; drove in the enemy's pickets ; lost 3 officers and 4 men wounded. July 13th, remained in same position. July 14th, advanced and marched to Williamsport ; about 6 miles. July 15th, marched from Williamsport to Boonsboro; 16 miles. July 16th, marched from Boonsboro via Middletown and Peters- ville to Berlin ; distance, about 20 miles. July 17th, remained in camp all day. July 18th, remeved camp about 2 miles. July 19th, crossed the Potomac at Berlin on pontoon bridge; en- camped near Wheatland, Va. ; distance, 8 miles. July 20th, broke camp at 10 A. m. and marched via Purcellville to Aldie and Snickersville pike, and encamped near Philomont ; distance, 14 miles. July 21st, remained in camp all day. July 22d, broke camp at 10 p. m. and marched via Union to the Little River turnpike : distance, 12 miles. 136 APPENDIX. July 23d, broke camp at 4 a. m. ; marched via Rectortown to White PlaiDs; distance, 12 miles. July 24th, broke camp at 6 P. M. ; marched towards Warrenton ; stopped about 12 o'clock at night near New Baltimore. July 25th, broke camp at 6 a. m,, and marched to Warrenton via New Baltimore, distance 6J miles, and took position on the Sulphur Springs road. Too much praise cannot be given to officers and men for their patience and endurance on this long and tedious march of about 250 miles. There was by far less straggling than was ever known in this brigade before. I am, very respectfully, yours, &c., A. T. A. TORBERT, Brigadier- General of Volunteers. Captain H. R. Dalton, Assistant Adjutant- General, First Division. Report of Major Charles Ewing, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers. headquaktebs Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, Near Warrenton Junction, Va., August 23d, 1863. Captain — In obedience to orders received from Headquarters Artillery Reserve, I have the honor to report that on July 2d, while in charge of the ammunition train of the Artillery Reserve, my regiment arrived at the scene of action at Gettysburg, Pa. The part taken by the regiment was insignificant, being that of guarding the train, until about noon on the 3d instant, at the time of the enemy's terrific attack upon the left center, at which time the fugitives from the field began to rush towards the rear upon the road upon which I was stationed. I immediately deployed across the road and into the woods on my right flank with fixed bayonets, where I stopped and re-organized between 400 and 500 men, whom I turned over to Gen- eral Patrick. As soon as the panic subsided, I resumed my former GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 137 duty with the ammunition train, which was not again interrupted during the battle. All of which is respectfully submitted. I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHAS. EWING, Major Commanding Fourth New Jersey Volunteers. Captain C. H. Whittlesey, A. A. G., Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac. Beport of Colonel George C. Burling, Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps. headquartees Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps, August 20th, 1863. Major — I have the honor to make this as my report of the part taken by this brigade in the late marches and battles with the enemy : The brigade left camp at Falmouth, Va., on Thursday, June 11th, under command of Colonel Bowman, of the Eighty-fourth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers (that regiment being assigned to the brigade on the morning of June 11th), and marched near Hartwood Church and bivouacked for the night. The next morning the march was resumed. We reached Rappa- hannock Station near dark of that day and picketed the river from Kelly's Ford, on our left, to a short distance above the railroad, con- necting with the First Brigade of our division. We remained during Saturday and Sunday at this occupation. Sunday afternoon I received orders that the Eighty-fourth Penn- sylvania Volunteers were detailed from the brigade, and for me to report to General Humphreys, Division Commander, for instructions, which order I obeyed. In compliance with orders from General Humphreys, the brigade moved with the division that night towards Manassas Junction, reaching Catlett's Station about 7 o'clock Monday morning. Rested until near 2 o'clock, when the march was again resumed, reaching Manassas Junction about 12 o'clock that night. Remained here until Wednesday morning, when we again started 138 APPENDIX. towards Centreville, arriving there that afternoon, remaining until Friday, the 19th, and then started towards Gum Springs, arriving there near dark. Remained in this place until Thursday, the 25th, and then marched to Edwards' Ferry, crossing the river on pontoons, and continued our march to Monocacy Aqueduct, arriving about midnight. The next morning the march was resumed to Point of Rocks. Bivouacked for the night and resumed the march in the morning, passing through Jefferson about noon. Bivouacked near Middletown that night. Started in the morning ; crossed the Catoctin Mountain, passing through Frederick City, and bivouacked seven miles out on the Lib- erty turnpike. Marched the next morning at 5 o'clock through Woodsboro, Ladies- burg, and Branchville to Taneytown, arriving near dark. Marched the next day through Bridgeport and bivouacked for the night. July 1st, we reached Emmittsburg, Md., at 12 m. I was ordered by Major Hamlin, Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Division, Third Corps, to remain at this place with the brigade and Smith's battery to guard the Hagerstown road. In conjunction with Colonel Sewell, of the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, and Captain Smith, of the bat- tery, I immediately made such disposition of my command as I deemed advisable to accomplish this object. At 1:30 A. M., July 2d, I received orders from General Meade to immediately rejoin the corps, near Gettysburg, Pa. In consequence of my command covering so much ground, and the night being so dark, it was nearly 4 A. M. before I was able to march. • We joined the corps and division at 9 A. M. July 2d. The brigade was massed in column of regiments, and remained in that position until near 12 m., when General Humphreys ordered us to our position as a reserve to the First and Second Brigades of our division. Shortly after I received orders from General Humphreys to march to the left and report to General Birney, commanding First Division, Third Corps. I did so, and was ordered by him to mass the brigade in a piece of woods in the rear of his division . In a short time skirmishing commenced very heavy along his front, I was ordered then out of the woods by General Birney on an open field. Immediately on our unmasking ourselves the enemy opened GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 139 ■with a terrific artillery-fire on our left flank at a distance of not more than 1,000 yards. After remaining in this position for half an hour, upon the solicitation of several regimental commanders, whom I con- sidered equally competent with myself, I ordered the brigade to fall back about 100 yards, where they would have the protection of a small rise in the ground, which was done in perfect order. At this moment Captain Poland, of General Sickles' staff, rode up to me, and in an excited manner inquired by whose authority I moved the brigade. I answered, " By my own." He ordered me to take the brigade back again. I started with it, when an aide from General Birney ordered me to change direction to the Jeft and take a position behind a piece of woods, my front now being at right angles with my former front. I now received orders from General Birney to detail two of my largest regiments to report to General Graham, in compliance with which I detailed the Second New Hampshire and Seventh New Jersey Volunteers. Shortly after this I received orders from General Birney to detail the strongest regiment to report to General Humphreys for picket, in compliance with which I sent the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, leaving me three small regiments. I now was ordered by General Birney to form a line across a small wheat-field on my left, to connect two brigades of the First Division. Before I had executed this order I received an order from General Birney to send the largest regiment to General Ward's support, on my left, and while I was attending to that the Eighth New Jersey Volun- teers was taken from me without my knowledge, leaving me with the One Hundred and Fifteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, numbering 140 muskets. My command being now all taken from me and separated, no two regiments being together, and being under the com- mand of the different brigade commanders to whom they had reported, I, with my staff, reported to General Humphreys for instructions,, remaining with him for some time. Seeing the colors and a portion of one regiment retiring, I immedi- ately rode to them and commenced collecting the brigade. Our whole line at this time being relieved, we lay on our arms until daylight of the 3d, and then joined the division. We were marched to the rear of the position occupied by us the day before, remaining there until some time after noon. We then moved to the right to support bat- teries. We lay in this position for two hours under a severe artillery- 140 APPENDIX. fire, when night ended the battle. We now marched back to our former position, where we remained until the enemy retreated. During the two days of fighting, both officers and- men behaved with their usual gallantry. I thank Captain T. W. Eayre, Assistant Adjutant-General; Captain J. W. Crawford, Acting Commissary of Subsistence; Lieutenant Merritt Bruen, Acting Aide-de-Camp, and Lieutenant Henry R. Clarke, ambulance officer, for their gallantry and promptness in conveying my orders. The last-named was mortally wounded and died on the field. Appended is a tabular statement of the casualties, as follows : OFFICERS. ENLISTED MEN. COMMAND. M 1 1 ""l c 1 '""5 3 10 7 ""18 43 .5 i 3 H 1 6 3 11 7 ■6 di "ii 1 14 7 3 17 53 a 3 ""60 29 76 31 18 119 333 bh i ' 16 8 13 2 3 36 78 3 H 87 38 103 40 24 172 464 3 1 < Brigade StafF. 1 Fifth New Jersey Volunteers Sixth New Jersey Volunteers Seventh New Jersey Volunteers Eighth New Jersey Volunteers 93 41 114 47 One Hundred and Fifteenth Penn. Vols. ""3 6 ^^4 Second New Hampshire Volunteers.... Total 21 49 193 513 Sunday, July 5th, we received orders to be ready to move on short notice. Monday morning we started after the fleeing enemy, but after a very short march returned to our starting-point. Tuesday we started at 3 A. m. and marched through Emmittsburg and reached Mechanicstown at sunset ; bivouacked for the night. Resumed the march at daylight, passing through Frederick and bivouacked on the Middletown pike, one mile out, at 10 p. m. Started at 4 A. M,, marched through Middletown, reaching New Baltimore about noon, where we halted until near dark ; resuming the march again, halting about midnight in South Mountain Pass. Started again at 7 A. m., passing through Keedysville and crossed Antietam creek and halted until 10 p. m. ; resumed the march, recrossed the creek, and bivouacked for the night near Boolesville. Marched at 6 A. M., a short distance, where the Third Corps was massed in the rear of one of the bridges crossing Antietam creek, in reserve, starting GETTYSBUEG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 141 again at 4 p. M., crossing the Antietam, marching about three miles to the right and bivouacked for the night. Sunday, 12th, received orders that the General commanding would attack the enemy. About noon we moved to the left and massed in a woods about one and one-half miles in the rear of Marsh creek. Here we bivouacked for the night ; remained in this bivouac until Tuesday, the 14th ; started at 5 a. m. to occupy ground vacated by a division of the Twelfth Corps, which had advanced to reconnoiter the enemy's position ; as they advanced we followed within support- ing distance. It being discovered that the enemy had crossed the Potomac, we bivouacked for the night. The following morning we resumed the march at daylight, passing through Fairplay and Sharpsburg, crossing the Antietam over Burn- side's bridge, marching about half a mile, and bivouacked for the night. Marched at 6 a. m. the next morning (Thursday) to within three miles of Harper's Ferry and remained until the next afternoon. Resumed the march at 4 o'clock, crossing the Potomac and Shenan- doah at Harper's Ferry ; marched one and one-half miles towards Hillsboro and bivouacked for the night. Started at 6 a. m. and reached Hillsboro about noon. Staid here all night, starting in the morning at 8 o'clock, and marched to within five miles of Snicker's Gap, bivouacking for the night ; started in the morning at 4 o'clock and reached Upperville about 3 p. m. Remained here guarding Ashby's Gap until noon of Wednesday, July 22d, when we resumed the march and reached Piedmont Station, on the Manassas Gap railroad, about 1 p. m. At a late hour that night I was ordered to be ready to move the brigade with the division at 4 A. M., July 23d, to support the First Division of this corps. "We reached Linden Station, in Manassas Gap, near noon of the 23d. I was here ordered to detail a regiment to support a battery on the heights commanding Chester Gap road. The Seventh New Jersey Volunteers were detailed in compliance with that order, I would here state that at the time of our leaving Upperville the Sixth New Jersey Volunteers were detailed to guard the wagon-train, leaving me with four small regiments, numbering not more than 550 muskets. We advanced in column of division, closed in mass, changing our position from the right to the left side of the main road leading to Front Royal, and rising a high ridge which had been carried by the First Division. I was now ordered forward by General Prince to 142 APPENDIX. support the Second Brigade of our division, which had charged and was driving the enemy. The column was immediately put in motion and deployed while advancing and continued to advance in line of battle to a crest of a hill within easy supporting distance of the Sec- ond Brigade, where, by General Prince in person, we were ordered to halt. While in this position the enemy opened a slight artillery -fire, which wounded two men. We remained in this position all night, the men lying on their arms. Early the next morning I was ordered to advance, leading the divi- sion column. The Second New Hampshire Volunteers were deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of the road ; the One Hundred and Fifteenth Pennsylvania and the Eighth New Jersey Volunteers supported the right, and the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers the left of the skirmishers. In this order we pressed the distance of three miles to Front Royal, the enemy falling back slowly before us. In approaching Front Royal the line of skirmishers and supports passed over a steep mountain, densely wooded and with thick undergrowth. After a short stay at Front Royal I was ordered by General Prince to withdraw my skirmishers and march to the rear by the flank, the object we came for being accomplished. At Markham Station we bivouacked for the night, and next day marched to within seven miles of Warren ton. It was extremely gratifying to me to observe the promptness that both officers and men evinced in overcoming the difficulties of the advance, the weather being extremely warm and the ground very uneven and covered in many places with a thick undergrowth almost impassable for man or beast. I feel indebted to Captain T. W. Eayre, Assistant Adjutant-Gene- ral; Lieutenant Culver, Acting Assistant Inspector-General, and Lieutenant Thompson, Aide-de-Camp, for their promptness in com- municating my orders on the field. Sunday, July 26th, started at 5 A. M. and reached Warrenton at 11 A. M., where we went into camp. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEO. C. BURLING, Colonel Sixth New Jersey Volunteers, Commanding Brigade. Major Chaeles Hamlin, Assistant Adjutant- General, Second Division, Third Corps. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 143 Reports of Captain H. H. Woolsey and Colonel W. J. Sewell, Fifth Ne-w Jersey Volunteers. headquarters Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, Bivouac near Upperville, Va., July 21st, 1863. Sir — I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers in the recent engagement at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d and 3d : The regiment had been on picket on the night of the Ist instant about one mile and a half ^om Emmittsburg, Md., on the road lead- ing from that place to Hagerstown, Md. At 2 A. M. the pickets were called in and the regiment joined the brigade, and at daybreak marched with the brigade towards Gettys- burg, reaching the battle-iield at about 10 a. m. From that time until 4 p. M. the regiment, in common with the rest of the brigade, changed its position several times, being from about 2 p. m. the most of the time under a heavy fire of artillery from the enemy's batteries, which had taken position to the left of the Emmittsburg road. The casualr ties in the regiment up to this time, however, were few. At about 4 p. M. the regiment was ordered to relieve another regi- ment, in support of Battery K (Captain Seeley), Fourth U. S. Artillery, which was in position near the Emmittsburg road just south of the Apple Orchard. We took this position, moving by the right flank at the double-quick. In order to occupy the front assigned the regiment it had to be deployed as skirmishers, thus forming rather a singular line for the protection of a battery of six guns. At this point the Rebel artillery-fire was very severe and effective, one battery pouring an enfilading fire, principally of spherical case, immediately up the road. Very soon after we arrived on the road another — or more probably more than one — Rebel battery opened upon us from the woods to our left and front. Captain Seeley's battery then became engaged. A battery to our right soon after, and one to our left facing south down the road, and which had been engaggd before we arrived in the road, continued their fire. This artillery- fire was kept up very rapidly for an hour or more, our regiment all the time losing men, the most of them, however, being but slightly wounded by the spheri- cal case. During all this time there was no infantry- firing on our part of theline. 144 APPENDIX. At about 5 o'clock, however, the skirmishers in our front (the First U. S. Sharpshooters) were driven in, and immediately after a dense line of the enemy's infantry was seen advancing over a knoll about 600 yards distant to our left and front, and as this line advanced the infantry on both sides became engaged. The carnage at this time was fearful. The regiments to our left, however, were soon compelled to fall back, and our regiment, small as it was, and deployed over so large a front, could offer but little resistance to the Rebel line of battle. Seeley's battery, which we felt to be our especial care, was also compelled to fall back. The regiment was collected around the pieces of the battery, and it and the battery commenced firing in retreat. This was kept up until another line of ours was reached, near the position first occupied by our brigade in the morning, and about 100 yards from our position on the road. During this retrograde movement we lost many men, and it was at this time that Colonel Sewell, our gallant leader, was seriously wounded by a musket ball in the thigh. Captain Healy, Acting Major, was also wounded by shell in the hand and thigh. Before leaving the road I had been slightly wounded in the head by a musket ball and had left the field. The regiment was now left under the command of Captain Godfrey, and, reinforcements arriving from the Fifth Corps, was withdrawn from the field. That night the regi- ment bivouacked near the stream in the rear of the battle-field. On the morning of the 3d I rejoined the regiment and took com- mand. During the day we were under fire several times, but met with no casualties. The loss on the 2d instant was very nearly 50 per cent, of the whole number engaged. A nominal list of the casualties is furnished below. We believe that our regiment assisted materially in gaining our glorious victory over the invading Rebel army, and has added some- thing to the reputation already won on so many hard-fought fields. Every officer and man was in his place and did his duty. * * * • BECAPITULATION. Killed. Wounded. Missing. Total. Officers 2 5 ... 7 Enlisted men 11 60 16 87 Total 13 65 16 94 GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 145 I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. H. WOOLSEY, Captain Fifth N. J. Vols.y Commanding Regiment. Captain Thomas W. Eayre, Assistant Adjutant- General. The undersigned adds the following corrections to the report of Captain Woolsey, who was mistaken as regards the duty which the regiment was intended to perform : My orders were to report to General Graham for the purpose of relieving the Sixty-third Pennsylvania on picket. My right rested at a white house, my left extending to a large barn on the Emmitts- burg road, thus covering the front of the Second Division ; Seeley's battery a few paces in the rear of my center, and two brigades of the Second Division on the slope of the hill. When the enemy's column of attack appeared in sight I sent word to General Humphreys and immediately afterwards became engaged. Previous to this I had time to examine the ground, and was convinced that the only place to check the attack was on the road and crest of the hill which I held. My left became engaged first, and immediately after was entirely driven in by the giving way of some regiments of the First Division to my left and the enemy placing a battery where my left had rested. I had now a direct musketry-fire and a battery of artillery on my flank, but still held the position, hoping for the advance of the troops in my rear. When obliged to fall back I did so by rallying on my right, covering Seeley's battery, which was firing in retreat. I found, on reaching the position occupied by the Second Division, General Humphreys changing front to rear on his right, so as to connect with the First Division, which had been driven back a considerable dis- tance — so much so that the enemy was on the flank and rear of the Second Division thirty minutes after the attack commenced. I was wounded during this movement. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. J. SEWELL, Colonel Fifth New Jersey Volunteers. 10 146 APPENDIX. Beport of Lieutenant- Colonel S. R. Gilkyson, Sixth New Jersey Volunteers. headquarters Sixth New Jersey Volunteers, Camp near Warrenton, Va., July 27th, 1863. Sir — In compliance with orders from Brigade Headquarters, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Sixth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, in the late engagement at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d and 3d : The regiment, with the brigade, arrived on the battle-field about 8 A. M. of the 2d instant, where we massed and rested for about an hour, when we commenced to take position. After manoeuvering for some time, the Sixth New Jersey Volunteers was detached from the brigade and ordered to the support of General Ward's brigade, which was engaged with the enemy near the left of our line, partly in the wroods, their left resting in an open field. Advancing promptly through the woods we came to a fence. Having no one to guide me, and not knowing the position the regiment was to occupy, I formed line and opened fire on the enemy directly in our front. Soon ascer- 'taining the position of our line, under a heavy fire from the enemy, I advanced the regiment about 200 yards across the open field, directly in front of Battery D, Fourth New York Artillery, Captain Smith, taking position on the left of Ward's brigade. Here we secured a fine position and opened fire with great efiect, driving the -enemy from our immediate front, remaining in this position for about itwo hours, being during this time actively engaged. Seeing the troops on my right retiring, I ordered my regiment to retire, which it did in good order, halting with the rest of the troops. I reported to Gen- eral Ward, who informed me he had been relieved, ordering me to join my brigade, which we did about 7 p. m. July 3d, the regiment, with the brigade, took position, massed in a woods in rear and near the left of our line, remaining in this position until about 2 p. m., when we were ordered further to the right to support some batteries, lying in mass for about two hours under a heavy shell-fire, with the loss of one commissioned officer and five men wounded, when we returned to our old position. Both officers and men behaved with their usual gallantry, fully sustaining their well-earned reputation. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 147 My los8 in the two days' engagement in killed, wounded and miss- ing was as follows, viz. : Killed. Wounded. Missing. Commissioned officers 3 Enlisted men 1 30 7 Total 1 33 7 Grand total 41 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. R. GILKYSON, Lieut- Col. Commanding Sixth New Jersey Volunteers. Captain T. W. Eayre, Assistant Adjutant- General. Eeport of Major Frederick Cooper, Seventh New Jersey Volunteers. headquarters Seventh Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, In the Field, July 17th, 1863. Sir — I have the honor to report the following as the part per- formed by this regiment during the late engagement at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d and 3d : About 4 o'clock in the afternoon of the 2d instant. Colonel Fran- cine was ordered to report to Brigadier-General Graham, which was done, and soon after we were placed in position to support a battery. Soon after being posted, the enemy opened a heavy fire of shot and shell. Our position being greatly exposed, we suffered severely. We remained in this position until 5:30 p. m., when the enemy made a vigorous charge upon a battery on our left, which compelled the battery to retire. In falling back the battery broke through our ranks, creating considerable confusion for a time, but through the exertions of the officers the line was re-formed. The enemy now being on our left flank. Colonel Francine threw the right of the regiment forward and opened fire upon the enemy. After firing a few rounds a charge was ordered, which was attempted, but the enemy's fire was so severe that we were compelled to fall back a short distance. At this juncture, Colonel Francine and Lieutenant-Colonel 148 APPENDIX. Price being wounded, I assumed command of the regiment, and' re-forming the line made an effort to hold our position until rein- forcements arrived. Soon the enemy appeared upon the right flank, and there being danger of being overwhelmed and captured, I ordered the regiment to fall back to the woods. Our supports having arrived, I retired from the field and joined the brigade. We remained in the woods all night, and on the morning of the 3d instant moved with the brigade to the front. Nothing of note transpired until about 5 P. M., when we again moved with the brigade to the right, and were assigned to the support of two batteries. For a short time we were subjected to a heavy artillery-fire. The enemy not essaying to attack us, we moved back to our former position. The regiment behaved well during the whole engagement, both oflBcers and men doing their whole duty. I would especially mention Sergeant Charles A. Monks, Company C, for his bravery and gallant conduct on the field. I regret to report the death of First Lieutenant Charles F. Walker, Company B, a gallant and efficient officer, who was killed on the afternoon of the 3d instant. My loss in killed is 16; wounded, 84; missing, 12. Total, 112. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FKEDERICK COOPER, Major Commanding Seventh Regiment^ New Jersey Volunteers. Report of Colonel R. McAllister, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. Belvidere, N. J., August 3d, 1863. Captain — In compliance with circular from Brigade Headquar- ters, dated July 27th, 1863, I hereby have the honor to report the operations of my command from June 11th to July 8th, inclusive: June 11th, received orders at 12 m. to get ready for an immediate movement. Joined the brigade by order at 2:30 p. m. and marched until 9 P. M., when we halted and bivouacked near Hartwood Church. June 12th, resumed the march along the river road at 6:30 a. M; Halted at 9:30 p. m. at a point near Beverly Ford, on the Rappahan- nock. A very hard march, the heat and dust being almost intolera- ble and water scarce ; yet the men kept up well. ^•j?^"^ Monument to Eleventh Infantry. ( EMMITTSaURG ROAD.) GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 149 June 13th, under arms at daylight, and agreeable to order from Brigade Headquarters remained so half an hour. In the afternoon furnished a detail of 200 men to relieve a picket along the river. June 14th, again under arms at daylight, as on the 13th. Received orders in the afternoon to be in readiness to march at dark. Left at ^ p. M. ; marched by way of Bealeton on the Orange and Alexandria railroad and Warrenton Junction, and reached Cedar Run at 7:30 A. M. on the 15th. June 15th, resumed the march from Cedar Run at 2 p. m., and reached Manassas Junction at midnight and bivouacked. June 16th, remained as on the 15th, until late in the afternoon, when we were moved a mile. June 17th, resumed the march at 10 A. m., crossed Bull Run and halted until 3 P. M., when the command was moved to Centreville, arriving there early in the evening. June 18th, moved a mile in the afternoon, to higher ground. June 19th, left Centreville at 3 p. m. ; arrived at Gum Springs at dark and bivouacked. June 20th, 21st, 22cl, 23d and 24th, remained at Gum Springs. June 25th, left Gum Springs at 10 a. m., and made rapid march to Edwards' Ferry ; crossed the Potomac and proceeded along the Chesa- peake and Ohio canal to the Monocacy, where a remnant of the regi- ment arrived at 12:30 a. m. This march was so rapid and the road in such a bad condition that most of the men were compelled to stop at various points along the canal, from complete exhaustion. June 26th, Major Learney was sent back early in the morning to bring up the men. Left early in the forenoon, most of the men hav- ing arrived, and marched to Point of Rocks, where we arrived late in the afternoon and bivouacked on the heights half a mile from the town. June 27th, the regiment was detailed to guard the division train, and reported, according to order, to Captain Johnson. The guard was distributed as follows : one man to each wagon and the remainder of the regiment in squads in intervals along the train. Passed through Jefferson and joined the remainder of the brigade at Burkittsville at dark. June 28th, resumed the march at 9 A. M. Passed through Middle- town and arrived at Frederick at 6 p. m. Marched to and bivouacked 4)eyond the Monocacy. 150 APPENDIX. June 29th, left early this morning; marched to Taneytown and bivouacked in the woods near by. June 30th, mustered the regiment during the forenoon. Left Taneytown early in the afternoon and marched three miles on the Emmittsburg road and bivouacked. July 1st, resumed the march at 7:30 A. M. Marched by way of Emmittsburg and halted within two miles of Gettysburg, where we remained during the night. July 2d, morning dawned ; considerable fog ; breakfast over. Troops moving in different directions, apparently taking up their several posi- tions. Received orders to move. We marched but a short distance when the brigade formed in column of regiments, my regiment in the rear. Cannonading now commenced on different parts of our lines, after which we received orders to deploy and form line of battle. The artillery fight now became general and very heavy ; hard fighting on the extreme left of our lines ; orders to move forward in line of battle ; the " Third Battalion the battalion of direction ;" my regiment on the left of our brigade. The movement was executed handsomely. Before reaching the crest of the hill occupied by our line of pickets, on the summit of which stood a little farm-house and garden, we were halted, with the right of my regiment in the orchard in front of the- house, and ordered to lie down. In a short time a Rebel battery secured our range, when I received orders to move by my left flank in front of the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Regiment, so as to give room for one of our batteries to take a position on the crest of the hill. After a severe cannonading on both sides I was ordered back to my old position. In a few minutes I was ordered to change my front by throwing back my left. This done, we lay down wait- ing the enemy. I ordered that when the enemy advanced on us that we fire by rank, rear rank first, so as to be enabled to hold in check the enemy after the first fire. Captain Benedict, Assistant Adjutant- General, rode up and cautioned me to be careful and not fire on our own men, pointing to those around the house and garden, who seemed to remain as though no enemy were near them. It was but a few minutes until our pickets came rushing in, closely followed by the Rebels, who took possession of the house and garden. 1 ordered " Fire ! " at which time I fell, severely wounded by a Minie ball in my left leg and a piece of shell in my right foot, when I was- carried to the rear. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 151 In conclusion, permit me to say that during the day Major Kearny and Adjutant Schoonover displayed the same bold and dashing cour- age that distinguished them on the battle-field of Chancellorsville ; they richly deserve promotion. Up to the time I fell, all my oflficers and men present stood up nobly and did their duty. I fondly hope that they continued to do so to the end, though sad to think of the severe loss we sustained. Respectfully, your obedient servant, R. McAllister, Colonel Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. Captain Le G. Benedict, A. A. G., First Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps. Eeport of Lieutenant John Schoonover, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. headquarters Eleventh Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, Camp near Beverly Ford, Va., August 7th, 1863. Captain — In continuation of the inclosed report of Colonel R. McAllister I have the honor to submit the following : A few minutes previous to the command " Fire," spoken of in the accompanying report. Major Kearny, then standing near me on the left of the line, was struck by a Minie ball in the knee and immedi- ately carried to the rear. At this moment Battery K, Fourth U. S. Artillery, then stationed a short distance to the left and front of the regiment, limbered their pieces and passed by our left to the rear, closely followed by a line of the enemy's infantry, upon which the regiment opened a rapid fire. I then passed rapidly to the right of the regiment in order to inform the Colonel of the absence of the Major and learned that he too had been wounded and taken to the rear. I immediately notified Captain Martin, the senior officer present, that he was in command of the regiment, and again passed to the left of the line, when an order was received from Brigadier- General Carr to slightly change the front by bringing the left to the rear. This being executed, the entire regi- ment opened an effective fire upon the advancing line of the enemy. 152 APPENDIX. At this point word was conveyed to me that both Captains Martin and Logan were wounded and being carried to the rear. A mojnent later and Captain Ackerman fell dead by my side. The two former were killed before they reached a place of safety; and in justice to the memory of these three officers permit me to bear witness to their unexceptionable good conduct; ever to the front, distinguished for personal bravery, they leave behind them a spotless record. By this time Captain Lloyd had also been wounded, and Captain Dunning being absent in assisting the Colonel to the rear, I assumed command of the regiment. The fire of the enemy was at this time perfectly terrific ; men were falling on every side. It seemed as if but a few minutes could elapse before the entire line would be shot down, yet the galling fire was returned with equal vigor. Slowly and stubbornly the regiment fell back, keeping up a continual fire upon the line of the enemy, which was still advancing, until more than half of its number had been killed and wounded. Up to this time both officers and men nobly did their duty, but the ranks becoming so decimated and mingled with wounded men and the line in the rear, and having a short time previous been struck with a piece of shell in the breast, I found it impossible, under these circumstances to longer keep the line together. At this time we neared the caissons, which were in line across the field to the left, when I was struck the second time with a buckshot, and being nearly exhausted in my effijrts to rally the men and from the wound in my breast, I was counseled to go to the rear. A portion of the regiment was rallied some distance to the rear by Captain Lloyd and charged in line with the remainder of the brigade to a point near that occupied during the hottest of the action. Re- maining there a short time it marched some distance to the rear and bivouacked. Being able to ride, I joined the regiment on the morning of the 3d, and again took command by request of the senior officer present for duty. Captain Sleeper. A number of officers and men also joined the regiment, having been collected near the stream further to the rear. Moving a short distance to the front, the regiment was halted until 3 p. M., when it was ordered out double-quick with the remainder of the brigade on the road towards Gettysburg. Proceeding nearly a mile, it was halted and formed in line of battle in rear of the bat- teries occupying the crest of the hill in front, the brigade being in. GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 153 -column of regiments. The regiment remained in this position for nearly two hours under a heavy fire of shot and shell, yet but one man was slightly wounded. During the time my horse was struck with a spherical case shot, from the effects of which he died the next day. About 5 p. M. the regiment returned to its former position, where it remained during the night. In conclusion, permit me to mention the general good conduct of both officers and men, both upon the 2d and 3d. To mention some might do gross injustice to others, but I cannot pass by the untiring efforts of Lieutenant Buckley to rally the men. Captain Lloyd and Lieutenant Corey also deserve special mention for their coolness and bravery. As an individual act of bravery I desire to mention Corporal Thomas Johnson, of Company I, whom, when two Color Bearers had been shot down, I ordered to take the colors and advance twenty yards to the front, as the regiment was then wavering. He did so, and did not leave his position until ordered to the rear. The services of Lieutenant James Baldwin on the 3d, as Acting Adjutant, were invaluable. In the action of the 2d the regiment sustained a very heavy loss. Out of 275 officers and men taken in the fight 18 were killed, 130 wounded and 6 missing, making a total of 154. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN SCHOONOYER, Adjutant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. Captain Le G. Benedict, A. A. G., First Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps. Keport of Captain William B. Dunning, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. headquarters Eleventh Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, Camp near Beverly Ford, Va., August 7th, 1863. Captain — I hereby have the honor to report the operations of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers from July 4th to 8th, inclusive : 164 APPENDIX. July 4th, 5th and 6th the regiment remained as on the 3d. July 7th ; left this morning at daylight. Marched by way of Emmittsburg to Mechanicstown and bivouacked. July 8th resumed march at 6 A. m. and arrived at Frederick at 8 p. M., where we bivouacked. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. B. DUNNING, Captain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. Captain Le G. Benedict, A. A. G., First Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps. Report of Major John T. Hill, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers*. headquartees Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, July 16th, 1863. Sir — I have the honor to report the action of the regiment I have the honor to command during the engagements of the 2d, 3d and 4th instant to have been as follows : At 5 p. M. on the 2d instant four companies (B, H, E and G) were detailed to take a large barn on our picket-line, taken from us and held by the enemy. Under command of Captain Jobes, Company G,. they charged gallantly upon the building, surrounding it and captur- ing 92 prisoners, including 7 commissioned officers, losing in the attack 2 officers and 40 men killed and wounded. At 6 P. M. the same day the balance of my command moved to the front ii .e, taking position behind a stone fence to the left of Kirby's battery, remaining in this position until the afternoon of the 5th instant. At 7:30 A. M. of the 3d instant five companies (D, C, K, F and A), under command of Captain Thompson, Company K, again drove the enemy from the shelter of the barn, capturing a Major and one man, relieving our lines from an annoying fire from the enemy's sharpshooters posted therein. At 4 p. M. of the 3d instant the whole line became engaged in repulsing an attack in force made by the enemy, completely routing them, capturing prisoners estimated to number 500 men and 2 colors* Hr- Monument to the Twelfth Infantry. (south of BRYAN B^RN, MAIN LINE OF BATTLE.) GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 155 We collected and turned in 751 small arms, picked up in our im- mediate front. Officers and men behaved with the greatest gallantry. I take pleasure in calling your attention to the meritorious conduct of Cap- tains Thompson, Jobes and Chew, Adjutant Franklin, Lieutenants McComb, Trimble, Acton, Phipps, Williams, Eastwick and Dare, Sergeant- Major Du Bois, and Color Sergeants Cheeseman and Griffin. Our casualties were : Killed. Wounded. Missing, Commissioned officers 2 4 Enlisted men 21 75 11 Total 23 79 11 I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN T. HILL, Major Commanding Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers, Colonel Morris, Comdg. Second Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps. Report of Lieutenant A. Parsons, Battery A, First New Jersey Light Artillery. Battery A, First New Jersey Artillery, Artillery Reserve, July 17th, 1863. General — I have the honor to report that on the 3d instant, about 3 P. M., I received orders from General Hunt to move the battery to the front as quickly as possible. I at once obeyed the order and soon had the battery in position about one-fourth of a mile south of Gettysburg Cemetery, and near the Second Division, Second Corps, Captain Fitzhugh's battery following immediately after me and taking position on my right. At this time the enemy's infantry were advancing very rapidly. I at once opened fire upon them with case shot and fired about 120 rounds with good effect. As soon as they fell back I opened fire upon one of the enemy's batteries (which by this time had got an exact range of my position) with shell, and used 80 rounds, when I received orders from General Hunt to cease 166 APPENDIX. firing. My shell were telling upon the enemy's battery and I believe that I could have completely silenced it in five minutes more. During the action I lost 2 men killed and 7 wounded. I also lost 3 horses killed and 2 wounded, which have since died. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, AUGU8TIN PARSONS, First lAeutenant Commanding Battery. General Tyler, Commanding Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac. Report of Captain A. Judson Clark, Battery B, First New Jersey Light Artillery. headquarters Battery B, First New Jersey Light Artillery, Near Beverly Ford, Va., August 14th, 1863. Captain — I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this battery in the engagement near Gettysburg, July 2d : Early on the morning of July 2d, the battery was moved to the front and placed in the second, near the left of the line of batteries. About 9:30 A. m,, the battery, by your orders, was moved to the front and left and placed in line on the rise of ground midway between General Sickles' headquarters and the Peach Orchard, on the Emmitts- burg road, where we remained until about 2 p. m. At this time the enemy's infantry was discovered passing in column across the Emmittsburg road to our left and front, and distant about 1,400 yards, and, by directions of General Sickles, I placed my battery in position and opened fire upon their position, using shell and case shot, firing very slowly and apparently with good effect, as, after some six or seven rounds, the columns had entirely disappeared and no more were seen to pass that point. Nothing more transpired until about 3 P. M. (at this time the bat- tery was in line at the foot of the next slope, near the Peach Orchard), when a Rebel battery, which had just been placed in position near a house on the Emmittsburg road, about 1,400 yards to our front, opened fire on my position, and I was ordered by you to go back and GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD COMMISSION. 157 attack the battery. This I did, using shell and case shot, and after a pretty sharp fight silenced the battery, but only for a short time, when they opened again, as did other batteries which they had brought into position on my right. From this time until night the fire from them was rapid and severe. About 3:30 p. m., the enemy's infantry commenced moving down from our front and right in strong columns, under cover of a heavy artillery- fire, and the fire soon became sharp and obstinate. I im- mediately opened on them with shell and case shot, but although the fire seemed very destructive, opening large gaps in their ranks, it only temporarily checked them, and they pressed steadily on. I con- tinued firing case and shell, however, at the column, and later in the fight into the woods on my immediate front and left, in which the enemy were pushing our troops, that seeming to be at the time the main point of their attack. About 6:30 p. m., another of the enemy's columns commenced moving across my front, and distant about 350 yards, when I began firing canister, doing great execution, throwing the column wholly into confusion and causing it to seek shelter behind the slope of a hill just beyond them. By this time our infantry on both sides had fallen back, as had also several batteries, when, having no supports, I deemed it best to retire, which I did to near the ground occupied the previous evening. In the battle of the following day the battery was not engaged. I was obliged to leave one caisson and one caisson-body on the field for the want of horses to bring them off, but subsequently recov- ered them. My loss in men was as follows: 1 man killed, 16 men wounded, and 3 missing, 2 of whom are known to be prisoners. I had 17 horses killed, and 5 disabled so badly that I was obliged to abandon them. Of the conduct of the officers and men I can only say that it was in the highest degree commendable for courage and bravery. I am, Captain, your obedient servant, A. JUDSON CLARK, Captain First New Jersey Artillery, Commanding Battery B. Captain George E. Randolph, Chief of Artillery, Third Corps. INDEX. INDEX. A. Pagb. Address of Lincoln at Gettysburg 9 Avis, H. M., letter 114 B. Battery A, dedication of monument 60,76 Battery B, dedication of monument 50 Battle of Gettysburg, account of. 5 Beaver, Governor James A,, address 67 Bliss Barn affair 107 Brigade Monument, dedication of. 61 Bryan, Major William E., address 72 Buck, Colonel Samuel L., address 85 Burling, Colonel George C, official report 137 O. Cannon to mark positions 13,14 Cemetery, plans for laying out and incorporation 7 completion of. 11 action by New Jersey, relative to 8-11 transfer of to United States 11 number of interments in 12 Chew, Captain Henry F., letter 110 Clark, Colonel A. Judson, address 50 official report 156 Clark's Battery, dedication of monument 50 Coley, Captain Benjamin D., letter 103 Commands from New Jersey engaged 16 Commissioners for New Jersey appointed 16, 95 Contracts for monuments 25 Cooper, Major Frederick, official report 147 Corbin, William H., appointed Commissioner 16,95 address at dedication of Thirteenth Regiment Monument 31 Cost of the monuments 27 Crawford, General, consent to use of land 31 11 162 INDEX. D. Page. Danenhower, George R., letter.. 117 Dead on the field, action of Governors for burial.. 6 Dead, numbers of in National Cemetery 12 Dedication of monument to Thirteenth Regiment 30 monuments, legislative provision for 43,95 exercises June 30th, 1888 46 Designs for monuments selected 23 Disbursements of Commission 27 Duffy, Colonel James N., appointed Commissioner 16 address at dedication of Thirteenth Regi- ment Monument. 29 address at dedication of Brigade Monument, 61 Dunning, Captain William B., official report 153 B. Eighth Regiment, dedication of monument 47 Eleventh Regiment, dedication of monument 53 Ewing, Major Charles, official report 136 F. Fifteenth Regiment, dedication of monument 74 Fifth Regiment, dedication of monument 56 First Infantry, dedication of monument 69 First Cavalry, dedication of monument 88 Fourteenth Connecticut, resolution giving use of land 22 Fourth Regiment, dedication of monument.... 74 a. Gaul, Samuel M., address 74 Gettysburg, account of battle of. 5 Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association 12 Gettysburg, appropriation of money to by New Jersey 15, 27 Gilkyson, Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen R., address 46 official report 146 Governors of Loyal States, convention of agents 6, 7 Green, Governor Robert S., address at dedication of Thirteenth Regi- ment Monument 30 address at dedication of Brigade Monu- ment 64 address at dedication of Cavalry Monu- ment 90 . rubb, General E. Burd, address 87 INDEX. 163 H. Page. Haines, Rev. Alanson A., prayer at Brigade Monument 61 Cavalry Monument 88 Harris, General Francis H., address at dedication , 34 Hexamer's Battery, dedication of monument 60,76 tablet for monument 95 letter from Captain Parsons 121 Hill, Major John T., letters 107 official report 154 Hillyer, Captain W. R., letter 104 I. Inscriptions on monuments 125 K. Kearny, General John Watts, address 86 Krueger, Gottfried, appointed Commissioner.. 16 li. Land for monuments obtained 21 Letter transmitting report 3 Letters from survivors of battle 103-124 Lincoln, Abraham, address at Gettysburg , 9 Lippincott, Captain Charles D 117 Location of battle lines by New Jersey survivors 17, 18 monuments described 21 Losses of the several commands 131 M. Maps of the battle-field 13 Mathews, Captain Ambrose M., address 79 McDonald, Sergeant Edward F., address 52 McAllister, General Robert, letters 105 official report 148 Memoranda from survivors of the battle 103-124 Monuments, account of the beginning of , 14 designs selected 23 inscriptions upon 125 land obtained for 21 permanence of construction , 24 provision for by New Jersey 15 care of 95 private contributions 24 sites selected. , 19 164 . INDEX. Page. Monuments, description of sites 21-23,100 contracts for 26 cost of. ••..... 27 dedication of Thirteenth 29 all others 45-93 deed for sites 99 N. New Jersey, action respecting burial of dead 7-13 commands engaged 16 strength of. 17 O. Official reports of the battle 133 P. Parsons, Captain Augustine N., letter 121 official report 155 Positions and lines held, location of. 17 Potter, Colonel William E., address 81, 109 R. Eamsay, General John, address 47 Receipts and disbursements of Commission 27 Reports of officers 133 Resolutions of veterans at Gettysburg 93 Riley, Frank M., letter 112 Rusling, General James F., address 56 S. Sawyer, Major Henry W., address.. 89 Schoonover, Colonel John, address 54 official report 151 Second Regiment, dedication of monument 85 Seventh Regiment, dedication of monument 52 Sewell, General William J., address 59 official report 145 Sites for monuments selected 19 deed for 99 Sixth Regiment, dedication of monument 46 Stratton, Captain Azariah, letter 115 Strength of commands engaged... 17 Stryker, General William S , address at dedication of Thirteenth Regi- ment Monument 41 LBAp'04 INDEX. 165 Page. Stryker, General William S., address at dedication of Battery A Monument. 76 Surveys by the Government 13 T. Third Regiment, dedication of monument 72 Thirteenth Regiment, dedication of monument 29,79 Torbert, General Alfred T. A., report 133 Twelfth Regiment, dedication of monument 60 address by Colonel Potter 81 survivors attending dedication... 119 V. Van Blarcom, Captain Lewis, address 74 'W. Wagner, Captain S. C, address 91 Weidemann, Dr. C. A., letter 118 White, Lieutenant James, letter Ill Wight, Rev. George B., address 69 Woolsey, Captain H. H., official report 143 Wynkoop, Captain William, address 92