The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-07-24
COMMUNICATIONS.
The 10th Maine at Gettysburg.


7othe Editor Of tie Press
The following extract from a letter received
from Capt. Ellis Spear, acting Major of the
20th Maine, will doubtless be OF interest TO
many of your readers. / furnish it with the
consent Of Capt. Spear, who has won much
honor by his gallantry and GOODNESS on the
field, and handles the pen and the sword with
equal facility. Yours, &c,
Il. ID. NERRILL.
"0ur brigade came on the ground about
o'clock in the afternoon, having marched that
day and most of the night before. 1t was sta
toned on the extreme left of our lines. our
regiment being on the left of the brigade
We were placed on u low wooded hill which
sloped slightly in front and on the left, and
our left wing extended down the hill. We
Immediately threw out company OF skirmish-
ers to the front in the hollow or rather level
space, between our line and high hill hun,
dred rods distant We had not been in posi-
ton more than fifteen minutes before the en-
emy came up quickly in large force from the
right, and we we're soon sharply engaged
Disregardng our right they threw their whole
force upon our left. The Colonel pereeiving
that their object was TO gain our rear. bent
back the left wing until it was nearly perpen-
dicular to the first line and facing the enemy.
1t may seem strange, but one can more easi-
ly describe battle who was not actually in il.
There were shells bursting over our heads and
about us but we were not then aware OF il.
remember that there was noise so loud that
the shouted orders could scarcely be heard:
that bullets Kissed all about; splnters flew
from the trees aud the men were dropping
every second. There was no shelter; the
trees were small and the ground smooth, and
the men faced the storm of bullets.
After awhile there was lul and we re-
formed our shattered companies; but the enc
my soon came on again more fiercely than
before, still concentrating his fire on our left.
Our line reduced one-half, had begun to surge
back aud forth. At one time our dead were
within the advanced lines of the enemy; but
just at this critical moment, in the hottest part
of the fight, when it was perhaps uncertain
whether we should hold the place assigned us
or be driven back, the Colonel ordered a charged
Nothing could have been more opportune II
saved the regiment perhaps from defeat and
certainly gave it all the success which was
gained. The men encouraged by the order,
rushed down over the slope with yells and so
quickly that the rebels who were concealed
amongst the rocks nearest us had no time to
escape All who could, ran. A mass fed
along the left of the hill in front of us: they
passed between the hill and stone wall where
Capt. Morrill, who; with a company Of skirm-
ishers, had been separated from the regiment
by the unexpected advance of the enemy from
the right, had taken refuge. The skirmishers
as the enemy came near rose up and poured
into them a well directed yolley. Some
dropped, some ran, while Others halted and
were taken prisoners.
The Colonel who had been ordered simply
TO hold his position, discontinued the pursuit,
collected and sent to the rear the prisoners,
and had the wounded, those of the enemy as
well as our own, properly cared for.
Ii was dark when an order came that Col
Chamberlain should take the hill which have
before mentioned. The men were worn ont
with marching and fighting and parching with
thirst, but ready and with fixed bayonets we
climbed the steep hillside, stumbling in the
darkness over rocks and fallen trees, aud took
the crest, We captured there twenty-five
prisoners and one oflieer--an Aide on Gen.
Ords staff. In the morningEe were relieved
by the Penn. Reserves. We took in all 30S
prisoners, including IL commissioned officers.
from four different regts.-the 4th and 9th
Texas. and 18th and 47th Alabama. We lost
130 killed and wounded.
Col. Chamberlain handled the regt in
splendid manner. Though constantly exposed
TO he hottest of the fire, no officer could be
Npoler OF more skilful and prompt to make
dss of favorable opportunities. He was per-
sonnally conplimented by Brigade, Division
and Corps Commanders.
You will be gratified, know, to learn that
the 10th fully sustained the proud reputation
oil the State of Maine.