The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-29
eERpAN AND HIS sHARPsHooTERs.
Reviewing the Work OF the Famous
Corps Of Kifiemen Mt Gettysburg.

Reviewing the Work OF the Famous
Corps OF Kifiemen Mt Gettysburg.
saw that this was q movement to flank US
under cover of the WOOD and the enemy was
already in front Of our extreme left there
fore determined to attack, violently too, in
hopes of throwing the column into confusion
and thus to gain time for q change of direc-
ton of the corps on our left I rote back
q! out 100 yards and gave the order: "Follow
me; advance firing; double quick, march!'
No sooner was the order given than you re-
spondctl, to a man. At the same time the
enemy opened fire upon us. Never were
cartridge boxes ind pistols empticd quicker
or with more effect We not only doubled
up the column but threw it into confusion.
The enemy has confessed to have had several
hundred killed or wounded by this attack,
but the main point gained was tho time ncccs-
sary to put the Third and Fourth corps into
position to receive tho enemy from tho south
instead of the west, which saved the army
from n violent attack on the flank and per-
haps the rear, tie result Of which would have
been very disastrous.
When this had been accomplished retired
what was left of the command, and regret
to say that about one-half were still on th'
field, killed or wounded. Wc halted at the
rear of the gallant Third corps, when gave
orders for those who were fit for duty to step
to the, front. Every man stepped forward,
Some with bandages on their arms, others on
their legs or heads, saturated with blood.
Then began the old story Of reorganization
making captains of sorgeants and lieutenants
Of corporals heard one wounded man say
to his conlrade: "That hill" treferring to the
Little Round Top) us our place. remarked:
ayes, my man, you are right, and you will be
taken there in few moments" Soon after
tho men were put in that position the enemy
advanced in such great numbers up the gorge
from the south, as originally intended by him,
that it was difficult to keep supplied with am
munition. So I went around taking cart
ridges from the boxes of the dead men ano
giving them to those who were firing wa.
taking some cartridges from man whom
saw fall, when he looked up, recognized me,
ard said: "Coloncl, give me one moro shot. "
IpuG the cartridge in tho gun, cooked it,
and partly held him up while he fired. wa;
SO impressed with the cool courage and deter
mination of the man that wished to saw
him for Gn officer, so I told his conrade II
take him to the rear. When he lifted the
wounded man up he turned to me pnd said III
all undertone, "This man cannot live" told
him to make the trinl, and he carried the
wounded man Off. In n few moments came
along and gave this second man some cart
ridges, and in the act Of his taking them
recognized him: He did not boast to mo cf
his having returned, but when spoke to him
OF it he said, "Ycs, be is dead" took the cart
ridges and went on firing as deliberately as
though not only his own life but the whole
Union depended upon hisspecial ain with the
rifle. In few minutes he, too, wos moItally
wounded.-Gen. Berdan's Gettysburg Ad-
dress