The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-21
THE sArTl.s OF GETTYssyHs.
TO THE EDITOR Or rPE HERALD.
~~rsaroy March IA ,


WAa.Neros March I6, 1894
In the Ksw yoas H,aAlD OF tho 18th inst comnuni.
cation the signature Of HsM'cus purrorts 70
give the account OF Rye Witness Of the battle OF
Gettysburg aud the reason il is assghed that up
this time no clear narrative Of il has appeared.
desire call ATTENTION that portion OF 1t which pre-
tends 10 relate Ia connection with the part
taken by the Fifth corps that engagement. and par
tcularly 10 what tho writer refers TO alarming
Incident occurring the First division OF that corps,
which bad the honor To command. He says
An alarming incident however, occurred. Barnes
division, OF the Fifth corps suddenly gave way; and.
Sckes seeing this put battery In position to check
tho enemy he broke through this gap 'front.' and
Gen. Dirney was sent 70 order Barnes back into limo.
"No,' he said impossible 1t is too not. my mon can.
not stand IT," Remonstrance was unavailing, and
Sckes despatched his aids to bring up any troops they
met to Gil this blank MAJOR Tremane, OF his stan, fell in
with Gen Zook at the head OF his brigade Second corps
and this gallant officer instantly volunteered take
Barnes place. When they reached the ground Barnes
V ss S sav a INC
and viii march YOU" Barnes ordered his men TO
lie down, and tho chvarous zook and his splendid
brigade under the personal direction OF Cen Brney did
march then and right into the breach. Alas poor
Zook soon Cell mortally wounded, and half his brigade
persisted with him
here related took place. There not particle Of truth
in IL. Mo order given to me by General Brney.
None was received by through any from General
sckes. did not or hear from General Took. did
not meet him 10 any way. did not know he there,
and the article above referred to is the rst inmaon
that have had chat any pretended that any such
event took place. There order to advance--no
rersal no orders to lie down given to the command by
or by any else to my knowledge passing over
my command q should be sorry to any body OF men
attempt to do such thing my dvison); nothing OF
the kind occurred that came to my knowledge and
think should have heard OF such thing before
had
taken place. the whole story Is untrue In every partcu
lar and my establishment at hearing Of such thing
for the first time may possibly be imagined
50 much for that portion Of the article above quoted
In reference to ether criticisms OF the movements Of
the Fifth corps, it may perhaps properly deyolve
others to refer to them shall only add few words
to what the First division Of that corps did do.
Upon receiving the orders the 'front.' the First
DIVISION composed Of three brgades. promptly In
motion. In about fifteen minutes reached the ground
which it ordered occupy to the left Of the Third
corps General Sykes commanding the Fifth rps and
myself reached the ground advance head OF the
column and the position tc be occupied by my division
was determined upon.
AS as the head OF the column up General War
rode up in haste and earnestly requested General
Sykes to permit brigade TO be sent TO Roundtopa high
elevation upon the left not FAR from usaud urged the
Importance Of holding that position
Although separating one Of my brgades from the re
naming two one which already weakened by tho
detachment OF a roginent-the Ninth Massachusetts,
skrmishers IN another part Of the field yet yielding
the emergency which apparent. General Sykes
soned, and Immediately directed the Third brigade,
then undsr the command Of the late much lamentcd
General Strsng Vincent (who fell mortaliy wounded
within hour OF receiving tho order), to proceed In
that direction The Second brigade arrived next under
tbs command o. Colonel wetzer who imed ately placed
bis brigade in position The First brigade, under the
command &C Colonel 1ilton ,~ss posted the right Of
and the right Of the position Of the Fifth corps the
other two divisions Of the corps extending aud
braoiug the celebrated Roundtop
The Filth corps, therefore occupied what may well bs
called the pos Of honor Of that day pnd the result
proved, well dsser we'd that proud distinction.
IN passing 70 their positions it was pccessary for the
two brgades OF division TO cross open piece OF
lying upon the ground. Ny brgades, advancing
ham M n1s sdss h
wood, nearest TO the enemy Thcy we're all in place be.
fore the engagement commenced in their front
seemed to be unguarded TO the right OF this open space
the remaining portion Of the Third corps Was posted
OF tho Third corps DOW lying down IN our rear would be
Tho engagement commenced Immediately and with
great severity. The zap upon my right was still unoc
cuped. The First brigade was violently assaulted In
after the Ggbt became general along the whole Of my
front. Soon, however. che enemy. WORKING bis way
force upoD my flank and rear.
Under these circumstances I was obliged 10 change my
front TO the right the order given promptly
cuted good order and the further progress OF tho
oneny in that direction was prevented.
Colons rltou 10 his Official report says-ln this last
movement was greatly embarrassed by squads OF mon
and parts o. regiments. who, hurrying from the front
broke into and through my limos retired 6rlng short
distance 10 the timber and took up new position upon
the right OF tho Second division. All my officers ard
men did their duty their whole duty. and showed the
Colonel swctzer 10 his ofIclai report says-The enemy
getting into rear Ia the woods behind u.s. on the
right directed those regiments 70 change 'front.' 10 acs
IN that direction and meet them. which they did
do not intend to 60 into rurthcr details OK these
movements ascrbe blame 20 Others or 20 ny aay
responsibility upon any one or ANY error which I'D to SC
only design 20 show that the orderly movement OF my
command rendered imperative by the mstances In
which it was placed prevented auy further advance OF
the enemy my flank notwithstanding the imminent
danger 10 which was exposed by the unfortunate gap
upon my right between portions OF the Third corps.
1t mag have been simply anxiety. IL may have been
other affection c the mind the midst Of danger
apparent, which prevented this "Eye Witness II be
upon whose narrative am commenting, from
distinguishing between orderly aud dsorderly move
mcnt 10 not absolutely necessary 70 attribute II TO
desire 10 rosrepTesent. The motives and the object OF
the writer OF tue narrative must ne judged by az general
tsnor.
true ory account OF the celebrated battle OF
Gettysburg. "a.
SO far as am able 10 lodge and something Of the
movements OF that day think II filled with errors de-
tracing from the merits OF some and exstiug the mode
JAMES BARNES
Brig. Gen. O. 8. Vols Commanding Second division,
Fifth CORPS al Tue battle OF Gettysburg
Letter from Colonel Tiison.
HgADsrARTgRs !
Eissr 3saApk FIRST DIVISION, Firru CORPS,
CAMP BAaNKs March II, 1854
tr.na anJ