The National tribune., 1889-12-12
AT GETTYSBURG.
First Days Work of the Eleventh Corps, July is

|
penned mostly from memory, but endeavors to
bring before all comrades of the Army of the
Potomac, especially the First Corps, compre-
| hensive sketch of the fighting of the two divis-
| ions of the Eleventh Corps pitched against
| Ewell's told Stonewall Corps until enveloped
in right flank and rear by numbers equaing
two to one, according to the records of the War
| Department
was an eyewitness to the unequal struggle
of the Third and Second Divisions Il name
| them in this order, rs we marched left in front
| that day, and went into action in that order)
| of my Corps for about two hours, being detach-
| ed from my regiment Gath Pa TO headquarters
of the Third Division Carl Schurz's) as second
officer of the division Pioneer company.
The Eleventh Corps camped during the night
OF June 30 TO July in and around Emmts
burg. the line between Maryland and
| Pennsylvania. Breakfast was eaten before sun
rise, and my Pioneer company, ut the head Of
| the corps, Immediately behind Gen. G. Schurz
was marching by the first rays of the sun to-
ward the most remarkably open and one of
the most stubbornly contested battlefelds of the
civil war. When within six or seven miles Of
Gettysburg, about 10 n M, the distant boom of
cannon informed us of an engagement going on
and not long afterward an Aid of Gen. Howard
brought orders to Gen. Schurz, upon which our
men were put into double. quick, this gait
being kept up to the battlefield, with only short
breathing iutermissiOns.
As soon as we had passed the Round Tops
leaving them 10 our right or east, part of the
First Corps fighting came into view due north,
Gettysburg being visible north northeast.
For quite distance we had heard the crack
ling fire of the infantry, and seeing the First
Corps heavily engaged, our men struck the
long-winded dog trot, and went in that style
through the town, emerging on tho Mummas.
burg road.
After passing Pennsylvania College saw the
enemy's infantry outhanking the extreme right
of the First Corps 1.-THE 18th Mass. and I0ith N.
", but their commanders changed their fronts
froB west northwest to due north. After my
Pioneers were put To work TO cut down the
post fences between the college and Hagy's
house TO let the infantry and artillery into the
fields north of the road, | naturally turned my
attention 10 the terrible but indescribaby fasci-
mating scene on the east slope OF Seminary
Ridge The rebel infantry was coming down
the Johannesburg road at a run, about 600
yards from me, aud taking shelter on the south
west side of the road in the ditch behind the
fence, fired into the exposed ranks of the 18th
Mass. and l0ith n. Y, who stood in an open
meadow. i could see every man fall as he was
hit by the enemy, (who lost hardly any in this
unequal contest) until of tho original line of
blue was left only n thin line, with great gaps
at that. My heart bounded with Joy when tho
skirmishcrs of the l57th and 45th n. Y, of my
division, drove the enemy out of the road and
took those of them prisoners that had taken
shelter in McLean's red barn.
Right here | witnessed an artillery duel be.
tween Capt. Dlger's battery of brass Napoleons
of the Third Division, Eleventh Corps aud a
rebel battery OF Rodes's Division, Ewel's Corps,
which had unlimbered its guns somewhat north
of McLeau's red barn the slope of the
ridge. Within eight or ten minutes from the
time that Capt. Dilgers Co l. LIST Ohio L. Al
uYn mat I'd IN fba al hot
terry, they blew up two three caissons and
entirely disabled ole or two of the guns, with
out losing any OF their own. Simultaneous
with this work was the charge of our men TO
capture the rebels hiding in the red barn. and
the remainder of the battery limbered mp aud
disappeared behind the rounding of the ridge
Our line was then extended nearly due east as
fast as the regiment arrived until they reached
beyond the MELVILLE road nearly TO the Har.
risburg road.
After my Pioneers had cut the fences for our
division, was ordered by my Captain 10 tako
them 10 the corner Of the college, he being Or
deTed 10 remain with the General. There |
mounted boxed post some eight feet in hight,
aud was thereby enabled 20 see the MELVILLE
aud Harrisburg pixies, and as far as my eye
could reach | saw thousands of Ewell's men
come toward the aud right flank of my
corps, completely enveloping II. preparatory TO
the murderous assault of both Hiii's aud Ewells
Corps, numbering no less than 5000 men.
against the First Corps and the Third .Schurz'sl
and Second Barlow's) Divisions of the Eleventh
Corps, numbering in all not over 800 men.
During this comparative lull in tho battle.
also mentioned by the author Of the Story Of
Cannoneer," kept asking my axious heart,
why does Gen, Howard not shorten or refuse
tho limo Of my corps 10 face the new brigadcs
of Ewells fresh corps, or bring mp the First
Division tSteinwehrs) to protect the rear Of
the other twoY"
/ had seen troops come along north Of the
Hound Tops, aud was satisfied they were tho
First Division. all good aud tried men. com.
rade OF the Both Ohio has assured me they
were ordered 10 form behind the stone walls of
Cemetery Ridge, south of Gettysburg, entirely
out Of supporting distance Of their comrades
one aud ouc.h half miles north of town. / am
informed they were anx i0us aud willing TO come
10 our assistance. But tho -" Why moi" OF tho
above two questions has never been publicly
answered by the General commanding that
terrible evening o. July /, 1863.
understand that he went up into the cupola
OF the college, from where lie could see every
movement of two-thrds OF Ewcll's Corps Iyer-
son and Daniels North Carolina aud o. Meals
Alabama Bfigades, OF Rodess Division, being
covered by Seminary Ridge.
A loTcboding OF the coming massacre kept me
riVeted To the spot, here and there artillery
and musketry fro opening nj intervals OF few
seconds then the vOliey from an entire reRi.
ment On our extreme right.-likely the 18th
Conn, when all along the lines OF the Eleventh
aud First Corps the demon OF battle Is turned
loose without stint or favor.
Thus ] see my comrades murdered without
them having any show for their lives. What
else eau call IL. when they have to fight equal
numbers-nay superiof-in front aud equal
numbers in flank and rearl
see rebel infantry enter the town linen of
Hays Louisiana and H0ke's North Carolina
Brigadesl, but the men of the two divisions are
still grimiy trying 90 hold their ground. / am
not able 10 come To their assistance with NV
men, for they carry no arms. The wounded
arc coming Ia constant streams across the fields
toward me- until every room in the large col
Iege Is filled TO OVERLOOKING
The observation-disclosures are unable 10 get the
severely wounded from the field, for the pressure
OF such odds is driving the boys toward the west
side OF town (the north is already occupied
by the enemy, and getting down / join with
my men the movement 10 the rear. South of
the college grounds Il stone bridge spans a
brook. The arch is considerably elevated
above the surrounding level. Word IL passed
from man 10 man TO not go over the bridge, but
walk through the deep miro. Rebel infantry
IN the houses east OF 1t arc raking il with their
fire. Lieut. Roth, of my company X, 7lth Pal,
scorns the idea OF any rebel hitting him, and
marches over the bridge. A dull thud, and his
rceling body sinks to the earth before me but
take through the mire.
AS we get into town we find rebel infantry