The National tribune., 1884-10-02
MARYE'S HIGHTS,
How The Assault Was Wade.

To THE EDITOR: In your issue OF Aug. 81
appeared two communications criticising Capt.
Hodgsons article of the 7th relating 10 the
capture Of Marye's Hights on May 3, 1868 The
first of these, from Judson W. Currer, attempts
10 correct the article referred to- and falls into
error at the very outset in naming the regi-
ments composing the Light Division" The
division was made up of the following regi-
ments: 9th Me, 9th Wis AID New York, 10th
New York and 6lst Pa.
The charge upon the nights was made in
three columns: one, under Col. Johns, TO the
right tour right of the plank road; the sec
ond, under Col. Spear, on the plank road, and
the third, of which the 9th Me- formed a part
to the left of the plank road. The center col
umn consisted of the 61st Pa. in column of
fours left in 'front.' followed by the 43d New
York, also in column of fours. rightin front, and
supported by the SD Pa. and 1st Long Island.
The 6lst had orders upon reaching the nights
to file left and face TO the front in line of bat
tie, the AID New York to file to the right. Both
regiments were instructed to use the bayonet
only in taking the nights, and before leaving
Princess Anne street, in Fredericksburg, the
men were compelled TO remove the caps from
their guns TO insure the enforcement of this
order.
About 10 o'clock a. M the order was given
and the column moved promptly to the assault,
starting on dead run before reaching the
/ bridge across the canal. The rebels reserved
their fire until the 6lst had cleared the bridge
/ and its advance reached the rise of the hill,
when they delivered a murderous volley of
musketry from both sides of the road, and at
4 the same time opened fire with their artillery,
+ two pieces of which were stationed in the road,
/ which at short range proved most effect
1 i've. The head of the line halted, wavered for
/ a moment, and then broke. The right of the
regiment blocked the road, intending to force
them TO return to the assault, but just at this
time Col Spear was killed, and the order was
given to fall back across the canal and reform.
While retresting in obedience TO this order,
4 the colors of the 6Ist fell and Corporal James
Robb, of Co. III, rushed forward and raised
them aloft At this the regiment turned and
dashing up the road gained the crest of the hill,
capturing two guns belonging to the Washing
I ton Artillery; Private Robert Brown, of Co. X,
shooting the lead horse of one of the guns as it
was being hurried to the rear and jumping
astride of the gun, proclaimed it the property
of the 6lst. (See Maj. Geo. W. Dawson's re-
port of the part sustained by the 61st to Col.
Hiram Burnham, commanding the Light Di-
vision; Moore's Rebellion Record, Vol. g. page
] 554)
Had the 61st been in line of battle, it is safe
/ to assert there would have been no break; but
cooped up as they were in a road, four abreast,
with high banks on either side and no chance
/ to return the fire of the enemy (who seemed to
direct his whole fire, artillery as well as mus
kerry, 10 this road, it is 4 wonder that the men
would rally a second time and rush to what
I seemed annihilation. But they did it, and,
while not wishing to detract from the honor
of any regiment which participated in that
desperate assault, they deserve not to be ignored
/ entirely, nor to have their share accorded to
others. The 43d. New York was I'm the rear of
/ the 6lst, and it broke and scattered before the
right wing Of the 6lst gave hack one foot. The
6lst gained the crest of the hill before the men
+ of any other regiment in its column.
In answer TO Comrade Curriers' question,
Who Carried Marye's Hights,n (which he him.
self answers incorrectly / would answer, the
Light Division" assisted by the other divis-
I ions of the Sixth Corps, for if it had not been
I for the demonstrations made by the troops of
1 the First. Second and Third Divisions at the
different points on the line on which they were
stationed, the Light Division" would never
have succeeded in carrying position which, if
/ properly defended, was impregnable.
The survivors of the 61st intend ID W to
celebrate the 22d anniversary of the capture of
Marye's Hights on May 3, 1885, by reunion
on those nights, and we wish it understood by
all, IN advance, that we are celebrating an event
I in which we took conspicuous and honorable
/ part.-DAyID GINTHER, Secy Veterans of 6lst
4 Regt. Pa. Vols, 227 South 4th St. Phila Pa