The National tribune., 1884-04-03
pun turned and let it drop to the ground, and
the last one took of the gamers head
GEO. Z. SPEAR.
Noprr. A,rrrrpsr &c
GETTYSBURG.
Last Words as to What Regiment Opened the
uatFfa

TO the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Comrade Reed, Of the I'd Wisconsin infantry,
in his article published March both, in which
the question OF what regiment of infantry first
j, 1863 is discussed, says; " 1t being settled that
Cutters brigade was the first III the fight,
want some one of Cutters brigade to explain
how they got there" Twill explain.
On the march up TO Eminittsburgh the LIST bril-
gade led, with our brigade in the rear and our
regiment brought up the tail end of the divis-
ion, in guarding the wagon train. On the
morning of July 1, we drew one days ration
OF cominissary stores and sixty rounds of am
muntion. 1t could not have been later than
$50 o'clock when we had orders to fall in"
and headed for Gettysburg up the pike.
twas our turn TO lead that morning, which
brought us at the head Of the corps. So the I'd
brigade led the Army of the Potomac that
morning, aud the brigade was formed as fol-
lows, ii we remember rightly: 18th New York,
seth Pennsylvania, 14Tth New York, 18th New
York Brooklyn, and 95th New York
Before we had been long on the march that
morning sounds of artillery were heard in our
left and front, and circular wreaths of smoke
whirled and expanded in the air as shells ex-
ploded in the distance. Our pace was quickeued,
and, when about half mile from Gettysburg.
there was a call for the pioneers to the front"
We flied left directing our march toward the
thrown, the order was given: Forward
Double-quick !" :" Load at will" was the
next, and the pioneers could hardly throw
the fences quick enough for us The most
troublesome fence was a strong post-and-
board fence on both sides of the Fair
field road, near the seminary grounds Halls
battery I'D Name dashed past US as we crossed
the dry bed of Willowby's Run. We entered
the seminary grounds to the left and front of
nj
The rebs were Smelling the cavalry, and we got
some of their compliments. We were moving
at that time at a double-quick by the right
flank, and as we reached the bottom of the hill
on the west Of the seminary the head of the
column was fled right " across the Cashtown
or Chambersburg road and old railroad grade
Halls battery went into position near some
houses between the Chambersburg road and
the railroad grade The 18th and 95th New
York were then formed to the left of and
in support of Halls battery, and the
balance of the brigade on the right The
moment the left of the I47th New York passed
the railroad grade. the order was By the left
flank, marchLn This brought us into line of
battle. Now, we had been going at double
quick from the time we left the Emmittsburgh
road until we reached the foot Of the hill west
of the seminary, and then moved briskly TO
the right half brigade front, and without
halting by the cleft flank into battle line as
before narrated. The enemy were ON the
ground before we were, and we lost several
men, who were killed while advancing in
line of battle, before we had fred a shot
The position of the seth Pennsylvania gave
Colonel Holman a view OF the advance of
Davis Confederate brigade, and be opened fire
on them at once. The 1st brigade was in our
rear, and consequently on our left, when
thrown forward into line of battle
J. " PIERCE
Capt. Co. ID, 147th n. Y. Vols.
Usage MISSION, KAN.
THE 9TH NEW YORK CAVALRY AT GETTYSBURG.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
There has been so much controversy of late
regarding the opening.of the battle Of Gettys-
burg that desire to add mig testimony to that
of those who know the 9Th New York cavalry
received the first fire of the enemy at the
opeaing of the battle. While we may take it
for granted that Colonel j. w Hofman's state
ment regarding the first infantry engagement
Is true, must except to his assertion that g it
II generally understood that unless battle be
one confined TO the cavalry ara II is not opened
until the infantry becomes engaged As to
faces, have simply to 1sfer to my diary, which
shows that on Tuesday, june 3d. 1863, our
cavalry marched to Gettysburg and drove a
small force OF rebels out of the place. We
went into camp just in the edge of the village
and established picket-line. The next morn
ing our pickets were driven IN, and, although
in our face were the advancing lines Of Lees
infantry. we fought for hours tmost of the
time dismountedJ through TIE cemetery and
over the seminary grounds, stGbboFnly contest
lngegery inch OF ground until the arrival of the
1st army corps As the first shots of the enemy
were directed to our little line of cavalry, and
as for long time afterwards we stubbornIy
resisted the enemy's advance, losing men and
horses, before the arrival of the LIST army corps,
it seems as though cur regiment ought to
retain, withoutquestion or dispute, the honor of
opening the battle of Gettysburg. There was
sense Of relief ON my own part which / shall
never forget when we saw the grand old lst
corps coming to our relief at double-quick, and
they deserve credit for being the first infantry
engaged in the struggle.
JOEL B. SWEET,
MEDINA, n. Y. Co. c, 9th N. 7. Cav.