The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-11-01
AT GETTYSBURG.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The 147th N.
Y, Second Brigade 1Gen. Cutler, First Di-
vision (Gen. Wadsworth) First Corps (Gen.
Reynolds, has place in the history of the
late war; and while other regiments have been
sounding their buges and shooting off their
artillery, the 147th N Y. has been content to
rest upon their laurels, and let the record speak
for them. But it was there, as the members of
it can testify, at the battle of Gettysburg, July
/, 1863, in the morning. The 147th N y,
called the "Plowboys," and rightly named
for on that July morning they came blowing
along up the Emmittsbdrg road from Marsh
Creek, under command of Lieut-Col. +. @.
Miller filing to the left at the Codori house,
marching on the double-quick across the
field, loading as we marched to the left Of
the Seminary and right of Reynolds Grove,
hating just south Of the Chambersburg pike
for the ID Maine battery Capt. Hall to pass
us to the front; then on we went across the
pike and across the railroad cut; then faced to
the left and marched in front to a line north of
and about two rods west of the Mcpherson
barn, with our left resting on the railroad cut,
the right about two rods west of a large maple
tree, when the Confederates who had been
lying down at the edge of a wheatfield, and not
over 10 or ~ rods from US got up and poured a
terrible fire into us; but just as they arose we
received orders to lie down and commence fir
ing, and at it we went as fast as we could. 1t
was hot place, and no mistake. Gen. Wads-
worth, seeing that our position could not be
held, ordered us to fall back, but just as the
order was given Lieut-Coi. Miller was wounded
and left the field. Mai. Harvey, who assumed
command, did not get the order aud for fully
80 minutes the 147Uh n. Y. stood their ground
alone and kept its position until Asst ADJ t.
Gen. Ellsworth, of Gen. WadswOgth's staff, saw
the peril OF our position aud called the atten-
ton of Gen. Wadsworth, who at once ordered
the 9th Wis. and 14th and 95th n. Y. to our
relief Gen. DaYis's (rebcl) Brigade had got
into the railroad cut and had passed us ON the
left, and were coming up in our rear, but be-
ing met by these regiments beat a hasty retreat
but two regiments the I'd and AID n. c. being
cut of, were compelled to surrender The 147th
n. Y then retired to the Seminary where they
remained until the evening, when it went to
Cuips Hill. where it remained the second aud
third days, and where our position was repeat
eddy assaulted by the enemy, but we held our
ground until the close of the battle.
The survivors OF the regiment met at Gettvs-
burg July 1, 1883, to dedicate the regimental
monument to the memory of our fallen dead
Dr. \. S. Cox, Surgeon of the regiment, gave a
short historical address, and Cen J. Y. Pierce
Second Lieutenant, Co G, fifth n Y, at The
time of the battle, now Brigadier-General Of
the Kansas Militia, delivered the dedication
address The monument is made of granite
about Is feet high, sUrmounted by a ball of the
same On the front is the coat-of-arms of the
| State of New York and the badge adopted by
the 147th n. Y, being a knapsack haversack
eanteen aud cartridge-box. These are made o
bronze. On the south face is the inscription
l47th Reg't n. Y. " Second Brigade, First
Division, First Army Corps" On the other
sides are the names of the battles participated
in by the regiment, and include all the battle;
in which the army of the Potomac was engaged
from Charlottesville to Appomattox. Number
engaged at Gettysburg, $50; killed and wound
ed, 222; missing 70; total loss, 30I,-about 81
per cent?. E. PARKHUBsT Co. +, 147th n
Y, Pulaski, n. Y.