Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-08-11
GETTYSBURG.


Following the rancorous discussion OF
the fight at Shiloh, which discussion pro-
duced more bad blood and anger than
can be quelled in Il lifetime, without do
the discussion Of the alleged error OF
General Sickles, commanding the Third
Corps OF Meade's army at Gettys-
burg, in advancing his position on the
morning OF July I'd, beyond that assigned
to him by the order OF Meade. The
writer was in the Third Corps at the
time, though unlike the gentlemen who
are now discussing the matter, he com
manded only buck-and-ball musket,
yet distinctly remembers the following
state of affairs. The news OF Reynolds
death and the order to advance reached
Sickles at Emmettsburg on the night OF
the lst of July, and the corps took mp
trot, reaching the ground, sixteen miles
distant, at q. m. of the I'd. Sicllles
Cemetery Hill, and held it qui-
etly till daylight, when he deployed
the command by brigades on open and
recently harvested ground at distance
OF two miles from the timber where the
enemy were massed. The Eleventh
| Massachusetts to which the writer be-
longed, with other men were sent out TO
feel the front and advanced from the
lines fully two miles before drawing the
enemies picket fire. General Jos. B..
Carr, now Secretary OF State in New
| York, commanded the brigade, and rode
out to order check in the great distance
made by the skirmishers from the main
line, and just then the lines were put in
motion and advanced fully mile and n
half after the skirmishers. Sickles rode
all over the ground and fully informed
himself OF his position and ii an error had
been committed he could have withdrawn
long before Longstreet massed on
his front, but no error was
seen then, either by Meade or Sickles.
The day was clear and insufierably
hot and the worst punishment the men
received that day was to be compelled tc
lie in the scorching sun from am. until
2.45 pm. without changing position OIL
firing gun, only by the skirmishers. il
is on record that when Meade came OF
the field he thought poorly OF Sickles
position, but hesitated about changing il
until too late, and the picture OF tina
open ground at sundown that night, viii
ever be reproach to Meade's general
ship. Forty thousand massed men on
front OF one mile fell upon the corp
which was in open order, and drove then
back, they fighting and disputing every
step OF the way until they retreated to {
position fully two miles from the start
and where their fanks were supported
Sickles lost his leg in the movement, an'
left the field, being thus preclude'
from proving how he meant to work
and his absence was taken advantag
OF TO cast blame upon his methods. Tha
he began the fight, and that his Corp
did some OF the best work on the ground
, no man denies, hut as II was the inter
OF Meade 10 retreat to Washington on til
evening Of the End, and as ii becam
known after he 0ar, something was nee
= essary to predicate such movement
and Sckles' act OF advancing beyond hi
, orders was picked out as the cause. 1t
the old time row between Regular an
Volunteer Generals, and can serve II
good purpose, only inhicting persona
anmosities on the men engaged ther,
all OF whom cleaye to their own com
, manders and judge matters rs they sa,
them. There is no brighter name in III
grand galaxy OF military fame than Tia,
, OF Daniel +. Sickles OF the Third Arm
! Corps.