The National tribune., 1890-03-13
GETTYSBURG.
Some Facts for the Eleventh Corps to Digest.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE Dee. 10, 1889, Lieut.. A. W.
Peck, 18th Conn, contributes sundry state
monts relative to tho Eleventh Corps at Gettys.
burg on July and Q, 1863.
In his reference to July |, he seems to con-
voy the idea that his regiment did all that was
done, for he informs us that after posting four
companies MS sllrnlishers, the remaining six
companies were formed in column by division"
but, there being no troops in our rear to sup
port u.s. we fell back to Cemetery HILL" He
makes no mention of any organization other
than his own regiment.
Now Gen. Schurz, who commanded the Elov-
enth Corps, in his official report tells us that
" the Second Brigade, First Division, fell back
in considerable disorder, and could not be raj
lied"
Gen. Ames says :" We were driven, v y
thorcby creating considerable confusion"
Mai. Brady, commanding 18th Conn, in his
report uses tho words, rush to the roar"
Will Lieut. Peek gainsay the official reports of
his corps, brigade, and regimcntal commanders?
IL is true that the Eleventh Corps reports of
July agree in but one itcm-cach declares
that the other ran first; but it is for Lieut.
Peek TO balance their eccentricitcs, If he can
Schurz and Howard for instance, say tho
Third Division advanced astrido the Carlisle
road, and tho First Division formed on their
right, but the Third Division reports assure us
their advance was to rally u stampede OF tho
First Division. Again, Schurz says tho First
Division " could not bo rallied y; and Howard
tells us tho Third Division was the first to
give way, aud specifies the brigade that led the
retreat
Will Lieut.. Peck dispute Gen. Towards
statement that after the Eleventh Corps had
departed the First Corps foil back?
In regard to tho assault on kast Cemetery
Hill on the evening of July ., Lieut. Peck is
sadly Mt variance with the official evidence
He thinks no guns were captured by the Lou
iSiana Tigers, yet wo ind Capt Ricketts, who
commanded the battery, reporting that tho
enemy succeeded in capturing and spiking
my left piece, while Gen. Tyler, commanding
the Reserve Artillery, repeats the statement.
Again | cite Gen. Howard. In describing
this charge no says "Ames was giving way,
tho enemy had got within tho batter
les =; and Mai Brady, 18th Conn tells us I" our
left gave way
II Lieut. Peek will examine the reports from
the Second Corps ho will find that after the
ground had been abandoned by the Eleventh
Corps troops Carrolps Brigade, from the Second
Corps. was brought over. rccapturcd the guns
and rcpulsed the enemy. For this service
Howard wrote Carroll very grateful letter
dated July 20, 1868. If Lieut.. Peck will visit
the spot he viii find on East Cemetery ITill
not far from an Eleventh Corps monument,
(Which. think, is for Lieut.. Pcclss regiment
a stone erected by Second Corps regiment on
which Is inscribed quotation from Gen. How
nd" You can tako your guns away when
this regiment leaves tho history of which
may shed some light on Lieut.. Pcrk's per-
ploXity as 10 what happened there in tho even
ing Of July ,. 1863.
Something must have been the matter with
tho Eleventh Corps for in that same month ~
July, 1853 Cen. Howard wrote Ilallcck: "As
10 the changes proposed merging two d visions
OF this corps into the Second and Twelfth Corns
respectively they have my approval, rs also
the approval OF the division commanders con
cegucd'
Col Bushheck wrote: Consolidation Of this
corps with same other corps would be in tho
interest of the service"
Col. Oriaud Smith wrote: at ia undeniable
that the reputation OF the corps has been such
as 10 involve in reproach aud modification all
parties connected with It,"
While Lieut. Pcck's Division commander
pouncd lengthy opistlo to Gen. Howard. fram
which can only fnd space for extracts The
reputation OF this corps IN this army is so bad
that good troops are dcmoraized and rendered
worthless while thoy wear its badge and form
part OF its organization. A not clean
reputation at Gettysburg. The stigma
OF the corps attaches 10 all. sec no
remedy Tor thc salvation Of tho material of this
corps but the breaking ~ OF the organization
its name and symbol cast into oblivion, tho
consolidation Of It's regiments into other corps
AMI pretty general dismissal OF officers"
Leaving Lieut.. Peel. TO mediate over these
rather plain words from his own officers all
written IN July 1863, | subscribe myself-JAs
BEALE, l2th Mass, Fint Corps no Sansom St..
Philadelphia. Pa