Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-01
cuI.l.s HILL.
The Twsnty-sbfrti vtsginfa Took she
wopka-CoSousl John d. nacheidsr
Explains His Position.

The Twenty third Virginia Took she
Worka-CoyOusl yohn u. Bachelor
Explains His Position.
HYDE PARK, MAss., November 20, 1886.
To the Editor Of the Americdn'
Str,--I am In receipt Of copy OF the
A,nfricda containing an edi oriai cri.icisln2
my action IN substituting the word occupied
for took In the legend on the monument OF
the First Maryland battalion ut Gettysburg.
/ assume. Sir, thst YOU have published
This statement inadvertently, and without
giving the subject personal examination. 1
can well undeIsta how the friends OF the
southern cause viii watch with jealous care
the acts OF a person OF known Union senti-
men,s who may be called upon as arblter
upon questions Of history. " such ciiti-
cisms came entirely from one side, might
d,str,lst my ability 10 sink partisan feeling
10 my efforts to establish the truth OF his
tory. But that is not the case. l
have long since learned that the men,
ory OF man, especially after being
hampcred with the campfire stories OF
twonty.tbrce years, cannot be trusted for
historical purposes and when such persons
are confronted with official reports they viii
often say "the official reports lie." Had
YOU known that my authority for substtu-
ting the word occupied" for " took y
was General Steuart's official report, you
would hardly have taken the ground you
did. Undoubtedly 1t would have been le-
climate for me 10 have answered you
through the public press, but do not de-
sire TO fan an excitement which might de-
yeIop bad feeling. and result in shutting oil
other Confederate monuments from the
grounds OF The Association thing greatly
TO be regretted.
had The pleasure OF Offering and adgo.
eating toe resolution to allow the First
Maryland monument TO be erected. And
YOU will understand how your attack natu-
rally brings me "between two fires" when
tell YOU tlptss there are members OF the
Board who, though equally DESTROYS with
me 10 have the COME derate positions cor
rectly marked for historical purposes,
doubt our ability to do il tremendously.
II you court a public discussion on this
question, and think the cause OF reconcilia-
ton will not be injured by II. shall accept
the challenge and prove the following facts
from the Union official records OF the bat
tle-pamely:
I. That the Twelfth corps's position on
and near Culp's Hill was originally occu-
Pied and the works built, by six brigades
Of infantry.
9 That five OF these brigades-namely,
Candy's, Kane's, MoDougalPs, CoIgrove's,
aud Lockwood's-le the woods and moved
20 the support OF the Third corps, leaving
fwhen Johnson's division advanced TO the
attack but single brigade to defend the
works--namely. Greene's; and that It's po-
sition was attacked by Joues's Virginia and
WilIioms,e Ioujsiana brIpadps
8. That after the withdrawal Of these
troops General Greene detached the One
Hundred.ap d-Thirty-Seventh New York
Volunteers from his brigade and deployed
the men In one line, partially at intervals,
TO hold line of works built and occupied
by five brigades; and that this regiment
was in the act OF taking this position when
Johnson's attack commenced, and COM
posed the only defence Of the work at
tackled by Steuart's brigade.
4. | will show by Confederate reports
that JOnes's and Williams's assaulted the
position on the main part OF Cups Hill,
held by Greene'sbrigade.
3. will show by Steuarts report that
when his brigade advanced to cross Rock
creek it was ordered to change direction to
the right by right halfwheel," which
brought the several regiments IN
ccbelop formalion-the Twenty third Vir.
ginia having the advance, followed in sue
cession by the Thirty-seventh Virginia,
Tenth Virginia, and First Maryland bat,
talioBs.
G. | will show that when General Steulrt
discovered that this fortiiicaii0n was not
occupied in force an attack was ordered
that n charge was made, and the troops de-
Tending the works were scattered, not by
the First Maryland, bat by the Tioenty-thi-d
Virginia. will show that after the works
were carried the Twenty-thlrd Vir5iuil
filed to the right, and the Thirty seventh
Tenth Virginia, and First Mary
land came to the assistance, and General
steuart says occupied the work."
These are facts which |, as the Govern
ment historian Of the battle, cannot ignore.
| hope 10 see monuments erected 10 marx
the positions os the Tenth, Tgonty.third.
and Thirty. Virginia. Butit con-
sent to allow the First Mary land battalion
to carve on stone that that command
"took 4" the breasiwOrks what can | say for
the Twenty third Nirginil, which General
Sieuart says did charge and taEe them
II should lie understood that, notwith-
standing the Northumberland
seventh New York was the only troops IN
the works attacked by Steuart's brigade, the
line Of works were laid out at such an
angle that while Steuart advanced to the
attack be received sharp flank fire from
Greene's brigade, occupying its angle OF
the works. 1t should also be understood
that my remarks about The engagement OF
The evening Of The 81 do not refer TO the
stubborn fight aGd gallant charge OF the
First Maryland Battalion on the morning
Of the 30. And II, 10y any possibility,
il can be shown that General Steuart made
an incorrect report, and that II was the
First Maryland that charged and "took .
the works and. the Twehty-third Virgin,
occupied" them afterwards, no one will
be more ready than TO acknowledge II.
II l had the vigorous support OF pen
like yours in my efforts to establish the
truth, It would be much better than
"flank attack, tending TO create distrust
IN the minds Of the very men whose conf
dence | would win.
have the honor to be yours, &c.