The National tribune., 1890-07-24
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What0B Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
GETTYSBURG.
A Graphic Account OF the Rattle by an Eleventh
Corps Captain.

for the preservation Of the American Union, the
greatest privilege of the soldier OF either army
was TO ursreh 60 Gettysburg and participate in
that great battle; the retrospective pleasure in
the performance Of these acts depending wholly
on the soldiers ability 90 march away when
the conflict was over.
Not only has the battle Of Gettysburg awak-
ened general interest because il has been pnpu-
larry regarded as the turning event in the
fortunes Of the contending armies; not only
was IL at once the hour of our flags extreme
peril and of its supreme triumph. but the great
number of troops engaged and the appalling
loss Of life dwaFfs into comparative insgnih-
cance all previous armed contests on American
soil.
The studentof American history will remem-
Der that during the Revolutionary war, from
the retreat at Lexington 10 the surrender at
Yorktown period covering eight years of
time and % battles-the total casualties Of the
patriot army only numbered about 5000, or
little more than one-third Of the losses of the
Union forces at GettyshurC, while the total
British losses during the same period. including
the surrender of two armies, was about $4,000
men, or very nearly the same rs the estimated
Confederate loss st this battle alone
The extent Of the field aud the admirable
positions Of both armies afforded ample oppoT-
tunity for the operations Of vast bodies of
troops. so that Of the 10000 men and 200
pieces OF artillery on the field, not regiment
was idle and not q gun was silent
The subject has been brought TO mind by the
recent publication Of compilation of statistics
in the Acknowledgements Office giving the
casualties Of each regiment during the war, and
the losses Of those regiments that suffered most
in the several battles. tits the habit of soldiers
70 overestimate the value of the services rem
dered by their respective regiments, and these
curious figures must have been revelation and
surprise 10 many, and TO none more than 10
the members of the Second Brigade, Second
Division, Eleventh Corps to which the both
n Y belonged, who find no mention Of even
their presence at Gettysburg, notwithstanding
the facts this division selected the Union
position. and from first 10 last occupied Gem
etery Hill the center OF our line, and that il
wss the commander Of the Eleventh Corps who
shared with Gen. Meade the honor Of a Con-
gressional vote Of thanks for the victory.
Another interesting chapter Of the book re-
ferred TO- Classics as fighting regiments all
those whose list Of killed or died of wounds
received in action reached 130 This chapter
may serve TO illustrate this truth, that If
figures do not lie they are frequently mis-
leading even when not Intentionally 50.
The losses Of n regiment in action are the
measure Of its sacrifices not Of It's services
The man who was wounded and recovered is
ms likely 10 have been fighting man rs he
who died of his wounds A brigade may charge
an opposing line boldly, and carry the position
and be repulsed with great slaughter Then
there is the element Of luck or fate or PrOvi-
dence which is always worthy Of considera-
ton. Finally II must be the living and not
the dead who in the end achieve the victories
IL is not my purpose 10 attempt the history
Of this battle. but only TO give such Rlimpses
Of il as were 70 be had from one point Of OBJ
servation-that point being the battle-line of
the both y. Y.
We left BoOncsboro, Nd, at 4 p m, June 26,
and arrived at EmmitsbBrg at the same hour
the following day, the distance Travelled being
90 miles We passed through Frederick City
about midnight, heavy rain falling and the
darkness intense. While passing through
Frederick we found ourselves marching side
By side with the l04th n. Y, aud there was
a little friendly hand shaking ia the darkness.
Remaining at Emmitsburg one day, we again
moved forward on the morning Of the LIST Of
July. Faster and faster we were urged along,
until many were unable 70 keep in the ranks.
Soon tie booming Of cannon announced that
. battle was in progress. IL is astonishing
bow pride and the badinage Of comrades will
strengthen the weak and exhausted. There
was no more falling out.
We reached Cemetery Hill, one mile south
Of Gettysburg, and halted. The village was
hidden from oHr sight by grove Of trees, but
to the north and east and beyond the town
q beautiful landscape was spread out before US.
But il was not peaceful scene. On those
hills beyond the town the First Corps and the
First and Third Divisions of the Eleventh
were contending against greatly superior num-
bers and were even then retiring from the
field IN more OF less confusion and disorder.
A general officer came riding excitedly from
the front, looking for place for the retreating
lines 70 rally.
This will do; we must hold this place" he
said, a. be saw the Second Division of the
Eleventh Corps already in position, and look
Of satisfaction oVerspread his fne face as he
dashed of again 70 the front 1t was Hancock,
the Superb"
Onward pressed the victorious enemy into
the town. Howard speedily massed our divis-
ion in the cemetery in full view Of the enemy.
We were not formed &c resist but 20 attack
The enemy halted and awaited Cur onset He
evidently understood the meaning of this
formation, or thought he did. We, who were
filing through the lines OF marble slabs and
over toe low grassy mounds, did not There
was q grim suggestiyeness in the situation
Was the pious Howard taking this method Of
impTessing our minds the old lesson Of
mortality, and giving US an opportunity TO
view the ground where we must shortly lie"3
The movement was only ruse % gain time
for the arrival Of achievements. The Third
Corps. under Sickles. came soon, when our
division was deployed in line Of battle, and
the position then assigned 10 as was retained
until the close Of the contest.
The monuments and hesdstones were laid
down, and the crest Of the hill was soon coy.
cred with our batteries. Our line Of battle was
then in the shape Of horseshoe somewhat
elongated and broadened at the heel, the posi-
tiOn Of our brigade being little 10 the left Of
She toe Of the shoe, On the TaneytOwn road.
and commanding a view Of about one-third Of
the field Of action.
On each side Of this road opposite the ceme-
terry a stone wall and our position was
taken In the road and against the outer wall.
While moving % orr position, as we neared
the road, soldier with one arm tied ID in a
blood stained handkerchief, passed along. Sud
denly, with cry Of pain, he fell, struck In
the shoulder With bullet. He got I'D soon
after and staggered on. This incident showed
that the position was not entirely safe. aud
that single bullet was not always 20 be ac-
cepted a full ration o. lead IN this battle.
Two companies from each regiment formed
Gskirmish-line about 400 yards in front Of the
line Of battle. These skirmishers appeared "a
be relieved with unnecessary frequency. "a
the change was never effected during the day
without loss Of life.
The skirmish-line was a, strong one and a
lively exchange Of shots took place whenever
relief went ont. Most Of the losses Of our
brigade occurred while relieving skirmisberg
Another and perhaps greater source Of danger
was from the enemy's sbarpsho0ters stationed
IN the tops OF the buildings in the outskirts Of
the town, who had command Of the field between
the two lines, rs they also had over the fancy.
town road but aE this road was not exaetlv
parallel TO their line Of fire, by hUgging the