The National tribune., 1889-05-16
GETTYSB URG.
What Regiment Supported Berdan's sharpshooters


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: An article ap-
peared in the New York World July 3, 1883,
which purported to contain interviews with
Gen. Longstreet, of the rebel army, and Gen.
Berdan, commanding the y. S. Sharpshooters
at the battle of Gettysburg July l, 2, 3, 1868.
The accounts given are so uni Gst and inaccurate
that think they were not given by the men
who took such promi nent part in this partic-
ular action; therefore, wish to give another
version of the affair, and, as was participant
and was captured at the time think / can rec
tify the mistakes which were made either by
the reporter or the two Generals
The point of difference is as to who supported
the Sharpshooters. Gen. Berdan being made to
say that it was a Michigan regiment, while
testify to the fact that twas the Sd Me-, which
TACT can prove by the testimony of both Union
aud Confederates, regarding this reconnaissance.
Gen. Berdan is also made to say that his
Sharpshooters were supported by a Michigan
regiment, when it is a we'll known fact
that we had no such regiment in our bril-
gade. My regiment entered the woods, as
described in the article above referred to,
far in advance of the line of battle of our corps,
and acted as supports to the Sharpshooters as
| long as such support was necessary. As soon
as the skirmsh-line, which was composed of
the Sharpshooters became engaged, oar regi-
ment advanced to their support, and from this
time on until we were compelled TO retire, be-
cause of the fearful odds against us (but not
until we had accomplished the work for which
we had been sent. which was tue location of
the enemy's position and strength, we were
one compact line, neither regiment being in
advance of the other, and all are entitled to
equal credit for what was accomplished.
| think | am correct in stating that the en-
tire force was Under command of Col. NJ. 3.
Lakeman, Sd Me-, but cannot assert this posi-
lively. Yet COL l.. seemed to be the master
! ,-fE e
| fighting Colonel he should have had command
| if he did not, which do not admit. For years
it has been a part of the written history of the
battle of Gettysburg that the Sd Me- was the
supports of the Sharpshooters, no one ever hav-
| ing before questioned or disputed their claim
to having assisted for time in holding in
check a portion of Hills mot Longstreet's)
Corps.
l take up the cudgels for my regiment and
its Colonel as he was absent from the Reunion
last year at Gettysburg, and because it is a
matter which concerns every member of our
kcommand who were present on the battlefield
i'll July, 1863. l claim, therefore and can prove
| by>Gen. ]. H. Hobert Ward, our brigade, Gen.
DAVID B. Birney our division, and Gen. Daniel
E. Sick}es, our corps commanders that the Sd
Me-, with 1877 rifles present for duty on July 2,
and the 100 Sharpshooters were the only sol
deTs who met this Confederate force in the
woods that morning; and that the work done
by cur unmentioned regiment can best be told
| by comparing the losses of our command with
that of the Sharpshooters> and see which num-
bers the most. This can easily be done, as the
official records are available and anyone can
examine them as to losses on this and the other
days of the battle
If Gen. Berdan places monument on this
advanced line to get the credit for his command
OF being the farthest advanced and most ex-
posed body of troops at Gettysburg Juy\2,
then the Sd Me-, with equal right. should place
Its monument there; for the Sharpshooters
Gods green earth that we soaked with our
blood that day
All we want is justice. and as a command do
not claim that we were all heroes, but that we
simply did our duty, as did all on those three
days of battle; and We are not more deserving
of special recognition than thousands of SOL
ders who gave up their lives for the cause on
this bloody battlefield. a.
The following letters from ex-Confederates
who took part in the engagement alluded to
explain themselves and bear me out in my
Statements
Mr.. II. A. JOHNSON
DEAR SIR: In reply TO your letter of the 18th
INST, referring to small collision between Con-
federate and Union troops in the morning of July
2, 1858 at Gettysburg, and which you say was. AS
to the latter force misrepTesented in the newspa-
pers, and also personally by Gen. Longstreet,
VIII state as follows
The collision referred to was between the 10Th
Ala (Col. w. II. Forney,1 of Wilcoxs Brigade Ans
ederson Division Hills Corps and the Sd Me. and
EBerdan's Sharpshooters 81 the Union army, or of
LA detachment made up of details from those two
conmands; the fact to the last entoned troopsu
was aseeTtained rs the firing ceased, by
conversations with prisoners and the wounded
left on the field.
II was quite spirited little fight of 20 or more
minutes and brought TO the front several staff Off
GERS. who inquired il we needed reinfoFeemeuts
Although small affair it may be not without in
terest to know how it brought about, at least
on the side of the Confederates.
Maj.-Ge Il. FL, Anderson, my immediate COM
mander, and myself, rode TO the front towards the
then right OF the Confederate line to determine
where the right of his command should rest and
which was TO hold. From the crest of the ridge
we looked to the front and beyond the Confeder-
ate right across field, and it decided that his
iii lookout of the field
Upon the arrival Of my command it was marched
toward the point indicated, and the 10th Ala was
thrown forward to explore the woods as an act of
preeauiion, and the nth Ala tool Saunders) was
ordered to advance in the open field the left and
slightly III the of the 10th. The latter regi-
ment had moved into the woods but short dis
lance when a few shots heard, followed
quickly by brisk FIRE. While the fight on the
Confederate side was made by the 10th, few men
OF the 18th Ala. were wounded including Mai.
Fletcher. who lost leg.
In the same woods from which this small Union
OF Gen. McLaws of Longstreets Corps, formed
about 10 p.
Very respectfully and truly,
O. NJ WTrCoy