The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-24
AT GETTYSBU
What Troops did CarroIPs Brigade DspIaee In the
Charge.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Comrade A.
w. Peck. of the 18th Conn, asks Comrade
Hanes of the 18th N. Y, what part of the line
was crowded out by CAROLS Brigade at Gettys-
burg the second day, Now | do not say We
crowded any part OF the Eleventh Corps
out of line. but wish simply to give Comrade
Peck the position the l4th Ind. held from the
night OF the 2d of July until the army left the
field. We were moved from Xeigler's Grove
over the Taueytown pike, up the hill into the
cemetery. While passing through the ceme-
terry 10 became quito dusk. and when nearing
tho Baltimore pike the flying missiles were
making n fearful spattering on the tombstones.
We charged across the pike, covering the whole
of Reyuods's battery and the right of Ricketts's
guns The clash over tue guns was sharp and
decisive and we advanced down the hill to
the stone wall. While doing so we received
fro from front aud left hank-the front of
Weidrich's battery, which had been captured,
but then abandoned. or had been reeaptured-
when we arrived Mt the stone wall. The nth
Ind. captured most Of the 2lst n. C., with
their Colonel, Major and battletlag. Our
loss was i23-over one.third of those engaged.
This loss will indicate that the struggle was
fierce the few moments it lasted. This We
trust will provo 10 Comrade Peck we were
there. The position wo occupied was on the
right of the low wall of stones rolled together
Just To tho right of Weidrich's battery. posi-
bly, on line with Ricketts's left gun. This, in
my opinion. was less than 100 yards from where
line turned square To the left behind the
stone wall fronting Gettysburg. There was no
troops our left when we reached the bottom
Of the HILL except those firing at US. This We
distinctly remember for the reason that Col
John Coons ran to the left of our line and
asked "Who are your" The reply was
"Uniou," aud Immediately fired several shots,
and broke and ran. the Colonel employing his
revolver mt their retrcatng forms dimly seen in
the dark rs also did the left OF our regiment
Soon after it was occupied by our troops, but |
do not remember that they were part of our
brigade
IL Comrade Peck was on that part of the line
possibly he may recall tho writer The troops
there certainly will. for it was they who ed
the word up TO our regiment, that 1.-THE man
with the fancy gun is shot" This gun was a
prize gun presented TO tho Nth Ind by Gen.
French, our Division commander, soon after
the battle at Chancellorsvile The gun was
in charge of the color company. of which then
had command. When the news was received,
! Immediately started TO get the gun, aud those
along the line will possibly remember how
they hallowcd at me TO lay down that was
attracting the fire of the sharpshooters. They
also can testify | ran like whitehead and it
may be wondered why did not get hit After
getting over the stone wall ut the angle how
close my body slid along the ground through
the long grass until found Serg't James Shelby,
of our company twho. by the way, was brother
of tho Confederate General, Joe Shelby, ut that
time in Missouri shot through the thigh but
/ got back safely with the gun.
Another incident connected with this, is that
we went back with volunteers of the company
to bring Shelby in. We crawled through the
long grass to him, rolled him in u blanket, and
all rose up together aud motioncd TO the John
MES our mission there, aud that we would feel
grateful to them if they would withhold their
fire as best we cOuld, and they i'm consideration
OF our generous courage, waved their bats aud
raised their hands. as much as if to say, Go
ahead we will not modest you !" a chivalrous
act.
Now, comrades, the principal cause of writing
this is TO hear from the regiments who were in
the charge on tho night of the second. One
historian says CAROLS Brigade, the Tooth Pa.
aud part of Schurz's Division made the charge.
What regiments held the line from the Balt-
more pike down the hill, along its base and
across the swale or valley To Stern's battery
connecting with Con. Wadsworths Division, of
tho First Corps?
Gen. Carroll our glorious commander. wo
hope may bo induced TO assist in strengthening
this matter out, as he who commands can see
more and know more than the man in line or
the company officer whoa fighting for such
General as old Brcktop" in the dark. Com
Tadea let us be respectful to each other, and
believe as much as We can that all tried to do
their duty. With kind regards to every mem
ber of Carroll's Old Brigado.-CHAs. III. MYER-
HoFF, Co. Il, lith Ind, Evansville, Ind