The National tribune., 1891-11-19
THE 86th PA.
Capt. Dlcksoa's Claim for Them OF Opening the
Battle OF Gettysburg.

Capt. biekseH's Claim for Them OF Opening the
Battle OF Gettysburg.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUSE: In your issue
Of June Is ] read an article by COmfade T. II.
Tripp, Co. +, eth Wis. entitled The Iron Bri-
gade-They Open the Battle Of Gettysburg"
Ny dear cDmrade has made this claim after
considerable hesitation, and has been "sileut
longer than he should, being reluctant 10 90
into print or 20 open controversy" III his
claim was absolutely well founded why did no
fear 10 open controversy? There will be no
controversy about the matter The battle, so
far as the infantry was concerned, was opened
by the Second Brigade Of Wadsworth's Diyis-
ion. commended at different times by Double
day, Cutler, Rice and Hormanu. At Gettys-
burg il was under Cutler The following let
ter Of Gen, Cutler will probably settle the mat
ter providing IL is admitted that the General
is a. good authority as Comrade Trip:
HEADQUAETEE- FIRST DVIsIoS, FIRST CoErs
Nov. D. l553 I
To the GovIEEoR or PEsSsyLyANGA.
SIR: Ia noticing ia the papers to-day an account
OF tse proposition for q National Cemetery at Get
tysbuEg for tBe men that fell there in july last
am reminded that have neglected q duty which
owe 10 one OF your Teg iIuCuts-lhe J6th Pa and
it, brave commander, Col. " VIM Hoffman, That
regiment is in the Second Brigade Of this division
and was al that time under my command. u was
my fortune to be la advance the morning OF July
J.. When came upon the ground in front Of the
enemy, Col. HO'maHu's regiment being the sec
uud iu the cUlumu) got into position a moment
sooner than the others. the enemy now advancing
iu line OF battle within easy muskOt range. The
atmosphere being q little thick took out my glass
to eNaminc the enemy. Being few PAGES in rear
81 Col. HuimaHn. lac turned To- mo and uuured
" l. that the enemy" My reply was g Ysz
Turning To his men, he commanded Ready
Eght-oLigue- re" aud tlIe battle of Get
ty~buTg WAS opened
That fire was followed by other regiments in.
stautiy. Slil that battle on the soil Of Pcun-yl-
vHnia was opened by her own sons aud IL IL inst
that II should baCome matter Of history When
Col. Holman gave tIe command "Aimtn 1
doubted whether the enemy was near enough 10
have tie fire effective, and asked him IL he was
within range. Not hearing my question, the COM
maud " Fire y was given, and received my rcplv
la "a shower of rebel bullets, by which many Of ihe
Colonci'- men were killed and wounded Ny own
horse aud those 81 two 81 my stan were wounded
the same time.
desire TO -ay 10 your Excellency that the 56th
D. az the very lest regiments in te service aud
that Col. IIoiUuuH D., without qualification. one Of
the beet oliccrs-brve. faithful and prompt aud &,
hope that his faithful services may be suitably re-
waldrd
also hope that you will cause proper measures
10 be- taken 10 give that regiment the credit which
II their due, Of having opened that memorable
battle.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
l. CUrLEn, Brisadier- General
Gen. Cutler was probably not mistaken as 10
what occurred and what troops were present
at the time. The matter is explained also in
F0Xs Regimental Losses and the 18th Pa is
credited with opening the action.-D. J. DICK
son, Captain aud Brigade Inspector, Second
Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifth Corps, Grand
BASS