The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-12-26
Read Better than Pension F." on page s..
GETTYS BURG.
what thc Slxth Corps Dld in the Great Rattle.

What the Sixth Corps Did In the Great Battle
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / must call
down the writer Of the "Cannoneer" in regard
to the Sixth Corps at Gettysburg. 1t is true
Gettysburg was not a Sixth Corps battle
However, they took little shake i'll the
game"
Tho LIST N. Y Independent battery (Cowan's)
was ordered to report TO Gen. Doubleday on
the third day, and moved into position under
fire of the great cannouade Each fioldpiecc
opened fire rs they unimbered. We noticed u
battery that joined us on the left with brass
guns. They did not return the fire of the
rebs. Our Captain called Gen. Hunts atten-
ton TO this fact, and the General rode over to
the battery aud said Why arc you not re-
turning this fre?" An officer jumped from
the ground, saluted the General, and replied :
Our guns are short-range; we cannot reach
them" 1t was singular as the JOhnnies were
using brass guns on us with vengeance.
The following is Col. Governs official report of
his battery; also Gen. Alex. Webb's mention:
wARRENroN, VA. Aug. 10, 1863
SIR: Ihpve the honor to submit the following
report:
On the 2Gth of June with this Artillery Brigade
Sixth Corps, marched from Edwards Ferry, Md,
to HyaltstOwn; thence on the 2glh TO Sans Creek
On the 30th TO near Manchester. Leaving camp
near Manchester AT o'clock y. M. july /, and
marching constantly, arrived near the battlefield
of Gettysburg at o'clock p. M of the ID. having
followed the leading brigade of the Third Division
from you TO report with my battery To Gen. New
ton, commanding First Corps Guided by an Aid
of that General reached the front about 10 o'clock
A. m. Gen. Newton at the moment being absent,
moved forward and reported TO Gen. Doubleday
who decided that no more batteries were then re-
quired, and directed me TO park near by parked
a short distance from the front, and Glen. Newton
having returned. | rode forward aud pointed out
my position, which was less than loo yards distant
Here | remained till about noon, when the rebels
suddenly opened heavy artillery fire on our lines
The shell passing line struck with much &C.
curacy IN and about the spot where was parked,
and my horses were suffering. When | received
orders from Gen, Newton tc move up my battery
as quickly ms possible, advanced at "A brisk trot
and leaving my caissons III rear, came into posi-
ton with Gen. Doubleday's Division, and opened
fire on the cnemy's batteries In my front, firing
slow aud with much accuracy.
The enemy had excellent range Of my position
] held this position for over an hour, and then
received orders To- move TO the crest further TO
my right with Gen. Webb's Brigade ~ the enemy
was advancing moved up at a gaiop and came
into position. scveFaFother batteries being on my
right aud left. The rebel skirmsbers had just com
menced firing, and their second line was advancing
from the woods.
The artillery fire was quite accurate and did
much execution. SIN, tile rebel line advanced in q
most splendid manner. commenced firing CAMS.
ter nj 30 yards, and the effect WIS greater than
could have anticipated. My last charge Ga double
header literally swept the enemy from my front,
being fred at less Than - yards
The infantry Ia front of five Of my pieces and
posted behind slight defense OF rails some 10
yards distant, wavcfed and broke, but rallied
hli'l hthNH Oh 10 right oi battery By Ten.
Webb IN "a most gallant manner
IL was then Brcd my last charge Of canister
many Of the rebels being the dcfcnsca aud
within less than lu yards Of my pieces They broke
aud fed la confusion.
My battery the only remaining one on this
part Of the hill. the oannoueers being driven from
10 pieces on my right and the batteries my left
having retired. The enemy now advanced several
smootllboTe batteries To within 300 yards, and
opened on the part of the linc which occupied
concentrated my fire on "A single battery aud OK
ploded four Of its limbefs ia quick succession driy-
ing II from the field Another thrcc-nch battery
came up my lefl and also opened on them.
ni'eI hOout AN b"nr iisre was hut one scelion OF
tie enemy's batteries firing, and II soon iimbcrod
up. Az 1t was retiring at gAlop "A shell from my
night piece exploded ono Of its imber-.
Ay men performed their duty nobIy My loss
was four prtvaics killed land one soon afr died
Of woundsl. Ave enlisted men aud two officer.
wounded. A. have forwarded a report al their
here. also lost IA horses, and eight wheels were
disabled. On the morning Of the 9th was relieved
10y Battery &, LIST X. l.
nni' SIR very respectfully, your obedient servant
AsBREw COwAE,
Captain, ist ind'p'l Battery, y F.sv
The following is from Gen. A. s. Webbs
report:
JosEs CROSSROADS Mn. July r. Is69
The battery that relieved browne Battery II lat
X. l. Art, was tOwafi's Let y, y, Ind'p't battery.
This battery reported Ia me. and did excellent
service IL took position close TO cuaBgs 9Th
II. q Art and 10 IL belongs the credit tue IL, RnV
battery whicI could maintain "a constant fire dur
Ing ihe whole OF the rebel charge. II wan Cowaus
not Wheeier's battery, which reported 10 me for
duty. ALEX \. WEIR
Brevet Major General, y. g. A.
! also remember it was shaler's Brigade
that pushed the Johnnics from Cup's Hill.
That is all we claim. Not much Of us into
IT," but that much WAS very Warmly. T..
WEBSTER, lat \. Y, ind'pt Battery, Auburn,
Ny.
II. n. A.