The National tribune., 1886-03-04
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
THE "DEVILS DEN."
Its Defense at Gettysburg by Smiths Battery and
It's Supports.

To THE EDITOR: Permit me through the
medium of your valuable paper to tender my
sincere thanks to Comrades Hantord, Tucker
and Bradley, late members of the 12fth n. y,
for the handsome terms in which they mention
Smiths battery at the battle of Gettysburg,
July ?, 1868 This regiment supported the
battery during the conflict which took place at
Devils Den, aud while the artillery duel was
in progress which lasted about one hour. They
were in line directly in rear, just below the
crest of the ridge. and, not being engaged, had
good opportunity to witness the conduct of
the arjillerstS who were stationed on the rock
bound crest of Devils Den.
Our position was on the extreme left of the
Third Corps, consequently the left of the Fed
eral line. We were cut off from the common
view by belt Of timber, and there being no
prominent person theTe,-Or, at least, no one
whom the newspaper correspondents wished TO
make prominent or bOom,-the little struggle
which took place on that part of our line has
passed unuotced, so far as the American his
torian is concerned.
If, as claimed, Round Top was the key TO our
position, DEVILS Den was surely the key TO Lit
tle ROund Top, covering as it did the ap-
breaches up the Valley Of PLAN Run. In this
position, about 400 yards in front of Little
Round Top, the old "0Tange Blossoms" and
Smiths battery met the first shock of Hoods
assault at a time when there was no second line
Top. Here Hoods onslaught was delayed.
Here the gallant Col. Ellis and all the field
officers OF the 124th fell together with nearly
half OF the regiment. A little later, and before
Little Round Top was put in q state Of defense,
the 9th y. j. came 10 cur aid, and still later
the 4Jth n. Y. Was with us.
During all this time fighting was going on
hard persistent, determined fighting. We were
trying to hold our position until reinforcements
arrived. The writer was asked by the Chief of
Third Corps artillery "if he could hold out for
80 minutes more" We had then been engaged
for over two hours. When driven from the
crest three guns were left in position to
to make show of defense after removing i'm
plements and ammunition. The result of this
was their loss, but it did not expose Our weak
ness. Had the guns been run to the rear when
it was possible to save them the enemy would
have been encouraged, and very likely would
have made more vigorous charge, which we
were not in condition to repel. AS it was, the
three guns on the crest were between the lines,
and were not removed By the enemy until
some time during the night.
The remainder OF the battery occupied
billock more in rear, and from that position
raked the Plum Run gorge until Haslett's guns
thundered from the summit of Little Round
Top the long g-hoped-for tidings that assistance
had arrived. And not one minute TOO soon;
another might have been too late. Hood had
been reinforced also, and impatient at finding
az apparently small force barriag his way,
gathered his troops for final charge, and with
difficulty we succeeded in getting out with the
rest Of the battery. Hood charged over the
ground Just vacated, and after severe contest
was reppiscd by the troops, which had hardly
found time to form line along the slopes of the
Round Tops ere they were engaged in a hand
to-haBd grapple with the enemy.
This part of the battle has been fully ex-
planned, while the defense of Devils Den for
nearly three hours from the time the first gun
was fired until the charge was made, checked
and held under fire OF canister that made it
difficult for the officers in command to keep
their lines steady, as yet is an uuwritten his
tory.
The old Orange Blossoms. the watch dogs"
of Devils Dea, molly performed the task as
signed them. Well do ! remember the row of
bronze faces that were crouching near me,
ready 20 spring forward at the word and dis
pute tie possession OF this vital position; and
how they advanced to the crest like one solid
line, boldly charging the enemy. who were
about to capture the guns. Men, veterans of
many a hard fought battle, never before rem
dered their country 50 great a service in so
short time. They knew and felt-to Judge by
their deeds-the consequences of defeat at this
particular time. Each man became hero and
offered his life to defend the right.
When notes are compared and old soldiers
talk cover and explain 10 one another their
views. many mistakes can be corrected. These
recollestions given by those who were witnesses
of the scenes they describe in the columns of
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE will furnish history
of the late civil war for the millions yet to
coDe-a history such as the world has not
Known. L. sMITH, Captain, 4th n. Y. Ind't
Battery, Third Corps, Army of the Potomac.