The National tribune., 1891-02-05
Read Better than a Pension on page 5.
THE 18TH ILL. CAV.
Dos Parl in the GeltI.bnrg Campalgn.

recent statement in The NATIONAL TRIB-
USE. 10 the effect that the 18th III. Cav. -four
companies1 was united with six companies OF
the Sd Ind. Cav. at Gettysburg, aud operated
under the command Of Col Chapman, Of the
latter regiment, has called out the following
letters:
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: ! was in COM
mand Of the 18th III. Cav. from June Il, 1868,
until the regiment was ordered TO Chicago to
/ recruit aud during that time the regiment was
never attached to the 81 Ind. or any other regi-
ment. Our first line of battle az Gettysburg
was formed on the ground where Gen. Reynolds
was killed. aud was in tho following order:
The Sd Ind. Cav. on the right, the Sth III. Cav.
in the center, and the 18th Ill. Cav. on the ex-
tTcme left next the battery.
We were supporting. Our next point of
attack was Seminary Ridge, and in the same
order as before. But at this point all the other
regiments were withdrawn, leaving the 18th TO
hold tho position, which We did for some time,
until lanked by the enemy, when We with
drew a portion OF the time, during the sum
mcr OF ls63 Col Chapman had command OF the
First Brigade, aud only in that way did he ever
have command of the 10Th III. Cav. / give
relative positions Of regiments 10 show that
there was no connection between the 18th III.
aud the 81 Ind, except that they were in the
same brigade, aud ask that tho correction be
made aud justice done the regiment.-G. w.
t74iishisFI w A7AAAE toHI ~ ~
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUEE: Having no
ticed some comments and remarks touching
the part the 18th III. Cav. took in the great
battle Of Gettysburg, and that tie public may
not be misled, make the following statement,
as one Of the field officers Of said regiment, in
order TO correct any errors or misstatements
that may have been made.
This regiment, having Just returned from
taking very active and hazardous part in
what was known as the "SlOneman raid" and
being very much reduced numbers concen-
tratCd its entire remaining strength at Aldie
Gap a few days before Fesuining its march to
meet the cuemy's army in Pennsylvania, and
were under the immediate command of the
ranking Captain of the regiment-Capt. Geo.
w. Shears the reason for this being that the
Colonel was sick. the Lieutenant Colonel at
yorktown, aud the writer excused from field
duty Oh account Of recent injuries. This Tegi-
meut. together with the 81 Ind. Cav. and the
9Th Ill. Cav. constituted tho brigade, each reg.
ment retaining its identity. The morning Of
the opening Of the battle Of Gettysburg this
brigade was at the front, where il did excellent
work aud sustained considerable loss, the 18th
ILL., Cav being under the Immediate command
Of Capt. Geo. w. Shears, as before stated, and
was most ably commanded.
make this statement from personal knOwl-
edge, and know whereof | ilirm.-S. BRONSON,
Major, 18th Ill. Cav, later Breyet Brigadier-
General.
Explanation: Our warrant for assuming that
| the detachment Of the 18th III. Cav. was under
! the command Of Col. George III. Chapman was
that in the rosters Of the troops engaged at Get
| tysburg, in Parts l aud III Of Vol. XVII, Re-
belion Records the First Brigade is given as
| follows:
9Th H., Maj. John L. Bsyeridge.
18th i'll. (iour compauicsl Col. George ii.
81 Ind. lsix companies) Chapman.
9Th y. y, Licut.-Col VIM. J.. Markell.
No reports appear from any OF the regimental
commanders 10 indicate who was in command.
| Nor does Col. Candles report Of the operations
/ OF the brigade on the campaign specify any
Of his subordinate COMMUNICATIONS Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE