Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-07-17
rbe ssh Ohio at Cettynburg- g--A.ettcr from
u,fCuf. Col. SAWYER.

Lieut.. Col sawyer.
Hon s. T. Worcester has received a letter
from Lieut.. Col. Sawyer, dated July 4th, in
which he speaks of the part borne by the 9Th
Ohio under his command in the terrible battles
of Gettysburg. He says the loss was almost
unprecedented. He went into action with 227
enlisted men and 90 officers, aud came out with
l25, the loss being in all l02.
The following is Col sawyers account of the
battle of the Sd July;
About 2 P. NJ. ON the Sd, the enemy opened
on us with 81 guns, and our artillery replied
with 81. For over two hours the shrieking mis-
siles from all these guns poured over our heads,
and 50 soon as the artillery ceased, the enemy
advanced on us in three long lines OF battle
The plain in front of our batteries over which
they had to pass, was over halfa mile in width
While they were advancing nearly two-thirds
| of this distance almost perfect silence reigned.
| sent back for my support, but wns told that
none could be afforded, but that our line must
be maintained; and we made arrangements to
| fight to the last man. When the rebel advance
was within few hundred yards of us, the three
lines, except threebrigadeso each flank, deploy-
ed into close column by division, the column
directing it's march upon our principal battery,
which carried it to my left, but their right flank
ers were directing their march so as to sweep
our position. l advanced my line, and when
they were almost upon us, we opened upon them
simultaneously with our artillery, and in a mo-
ment, almost the line broke aud fed. Relieved
from this line, changed 'front.' formed on my
left so as to present front to the left flank Of
the rebel column, which looked like solid mass
we poured in our fire, but still they advanced
until within few PAGES of our lines in front o
our batteries, when the Cd brigade Of our divis
ion opened upon them, and all our artillery tha
4 Ii Al.
saw such n sight. The whole mass looked a,
if it was blown from the earth. 1t was com.
pletely enveloped in the smoke from its own fire
and that of our shell which burst among them
The roar Of artillery and musketry was deaf.
ening, and the scene for few minutes beyond
all description. But soon we could see the enc.
my were giving way, and then a perfect rou
commenced. The whole plain was soon cover
ed with them running in every direction, ant
so soon as they were beyond our range the artl
lery ceased, and we moved forward capturing
whole regiments My ranks, under the terrible
fire, were awfully thinned, but we swept over
circle of the field, captured three stands of col
ors, and fell back to our line, as the plain grad
ualy cleared There were two whole division
of the enemy, of A. p Hills corps, commanded
by Generals Heath and Pender, while we oppos
ed them with our I'd brigade and the 9Th, ant
one or two fragments of regiments alone!
But our position was excellent, both for artil
lery and infantry, and never were men so deter
mined to conquer or die, as was this little band
charged with the responsible duty of holdin,
this point. / have heard several Generals say
that this repulse of the enemy challenges par
allel in history.
AS brought off the little remnant of my reg
iment with our captured stands of colors, sew
eral Generals with their stats rode forward ant
cheered u.s. and we have been universally com
plimented for our bravery.
To-day / have collected and buried my dead
and prov ided as well as possible for the wound
: ed, many of whom will die, as most of tn
wounds are very severe.
The following is correct list Of the kille,
and wounded of companys F and of the Sth
which were raised in this vicinity:
Co. F.-Lieut. II. A. Farnum, arm: Lieut.
Thos. Tbornberg, hand: Sergent NJ. A. Shrenk
side; Phillip Andrews, private, in the breast
Jacob Lemon, private, side; Balser Leble, pri
vate, foot; Michael Moore, private, hand W. A
, Wilson, private, hand.
Co. G.--Killed, Orderly, Philip Tracy, Ser
geant John G. Peters. Wounded, NJ. Moore
corporal, hip; f. NJ Rivetts, corporal, foot;
e A. Bevington, private, face; NJ. g. Foster, pri
v vate, hand; John Ginter, private, breast; E.
!. Hodges, private, shoulder; G. Rinehart, privat
foot; H. Wing, private, foot; ]. Haggerty, pr
vate, neck; Homer Millous, private, foot