The National tribune., 1886-10-14
TBE SBARPSHOOTERS.
Who Commanded Them on the Recon-
nOiSSanee at Gettysburg.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Ny attention
was called 20 the following paragraph in your
valuable journal Of the 18th OF August last:
REUNIONS"
NJ. r. Takeman, Maiden Mass: The 81 Me.
| Col NJ y. Lakeman) held their I2ih annual Re-
union at Gardiner, Me, Aug a. 1856. This IL the
regnerd that with 100 sharpshooters, under
command OF Col. Lakeman, made the reconnols-
ssnce on the morning of July 2. 1863, and developed
the fact of the enemy moving on Round Top, and
which was the only regiment that occupied aud
fought in the Peach Orchard on that day.
i at once wrote Col. Lakeman that i was
quite sure that he had not seen this paragraph,
much less have written il, and begged him 10
c0ntradict il with as little delay as possible,
In reply 10 which i received the following note /:
DEAR CoboEEL: did write the above article,
and mean every word therein contained. Truth Is
mighty aud needs no contradiction.
Yours, iraternally,
Maiden, Aug. q. NJ b. LAKEMAN.
confess have never been so astounded on
the receipt Of any communication, and / could
see nothing further that j could do 10 prove
that was in command on this celebrated and
all-impOrtant reconnaissance; but yesterday,
whilst i WAS at the War Department getting
together the record Of my corps with view Of
writing its history, ] came across three reports
disprOving Col LalIeman's assertion officially,
and s;range enough 30 say one of these is Col
Lakemaus own report on the reconnaissance
Ia question, written at the time. The reports
are as follows:
Reports ofCoL mr. b. Lakcman 81 Maine Volunteers
IrDQ'Rs 3D MAINE RECT
NEAR WARRENToN, Va, July y. 1863
CArTATN: | have the honor To submit the follow
ing report of the part taken 10y my regiment at the
Soon after, by ORDER uf Gen. Ward, moved my
regiment as "A support for body Of sharpsbooters
under command of Col Berdan. 60 whom was by
Capt. Brscoe Of Gen Rirney's staff ordered 10 re-
hgPanAp lpflN
engaged. and by order OF Col. Bcrlan 1 advanced
doube-quicl 10 the line they occuped. and
NOT uutl ordered 10y Col. BerdHn to fall back did "A
single man leave the ranks except those slightly
have the honorto be. Captain, very respectfully.
your obesilcnt servant,
Colonel commanding 81 Maine Reg't
Capt J. NJ CooSEY, A. A. g., Second brigade,
First Division, Third Corps.
Report Of BTia Gen. J. w. IT. Ward. sccoHd Brigade
IsrSi DiDisaoH, Third Corps.
HDo'Es ID BRIG. IsT DIV, sD ooRrs,
CAPTAIS: Previous 10 this the two regi-
ments 81 sharpShooiers andth Sd Maine regiment.
all under command Of Col I3erdan, were detached
To make a Reconnaissance.
Respectfully submitted.
J. ii. HoEART WARD,
Brsadier-General.
Report Of Mqj.-Gen. d. n. Birney. First DirisiOn.
Third Army Corps
HEAD'Es BIRNEY's DIVISION, THIRD CoRrs.
Aug !. 1853
COLONEL: At L. m. believing from the
constant IRE OF the enemy that a movement was
being made towards the left I received permission
from Mai.-Gen. Sickles TO send 100 Of Berdan's
Sharp-ho,DtegS with the 80 Me. regiment ~ "A sup
port and feel the enemy's right. / sent Capt j. g.
Brscoe, Of my staff with the reconnaissance which
was under Col Berdan's command. In n
a special report 10 be made under paragraph 7g3
Revised Regulations. will mention those officers
and soldiers deserving special mention.
Col. Berdan, Of the Sharpshooiers, and Capt.
Briseoe, of my staff, deserve mention for their
services in leading the reconnaissance before the
battle and for the valuable information derived
from H. am, your obedient servant
ID. B. BIRNEY.
Mai.-Gen. II. 9. Vols. commanding Division
Lieut. Col. .. III. HART, Assistant AdjgtAnt-Gen-
eral Third Corps.
The Colonel must have forgotten the Lam
guage Of bis report and is doubtless ignorant of
Wards and Birney's Think history demands
few chosen sentences from your able and
just pen on this case.
Very truly, yours, BERDAN.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. G.
p. S.-This case reminds me OF the fact that
my saddle and sword were stolen, and are
doubtless still doing duty for some gallant Off
Ger lin consequence Of their battered state) as
souvenirs of the war.