The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-06-03
STANDARDS LAST STATEMENT.

from the Free Press particularly inter.
esting, because of the number OF
Veterans hereabouts who were in the
Battle of Gettysburg. That paper says
By the courtesy of Major Slime, the
historian of the LIST army corps, we are
permitted to copy from advance sheets
of the history of the corps, which is now
passing through the press, the pages
which comprise the statement made by
General George ]. Stannard Just before
he died, in regard to the part taken by
| him on the third day of the Battle OF
Gettysburg. 1t is in harmony with his
official report, and with the accounts
uniformly given by him of the trans.
actions narrated. Major Slime says
Three days before Gen. Stannard 6
death took his last or dying statement
with reference to the part his brigade
took in that battle. 1t is given in his
own language as he dictated it that
night, for the reason that he emphatic
ally said that if he did not complete il
then he never would. The next day he
was brought home sick and in few
hours became delirious. He was very
unwell the evening before when he made
it. A member of STANDARDS staff was
present when he gave it.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 20, 1891.
Dear Sir:-In compliance with your
request, have the honor to state that l
was present at the bedside of Gen.
Stannard, few days before his death,
when he related to you the details of the
movements the three regiments of the
End Vermont Brigade in repelling
Pickett's assault upon the Union line on
the third day of the Battle of Gettys-
burg, and the cOunter-charge upon
Wilcox's supporting column.
He stated with vehement earnestness
that their movements were made upon
his own discretion, and that he received
no orders from any one relative thereto.
1 was on Gen. STANDARDS staff while he
was in command of the 2nd Vermont
Brigade, and was with him at Gettys-
burg, have visited the battlefield with
him many times, and have heard him
Indignantly complain many times that
he had been robbed of his due credit by
the official report of his superior officer.
Respectfully,
JOHN R. THOMPSON.
To j. H. Slime.
STANDARDS DYING STATEMENT.
l was standing almost alone when
Pickett's division crossed the Emmits-
burg road, coming in the direction of my
front. The 10th was Immediately re-
called from the skirmish line in front of
me, and placed in close column by
division in my immediate rear. The
enemy apparently veering off to my
right, directed the 18th and 18th regi-
ments to pour an oblique fire into their
advancing columns. The 18th changed
front forward on first company; the 10Th,
after deploying, performed the same,
and formed on the left of the 18th, at
right angles to the main line of our army,
bringing them in line of battle upon the
flank of the charging division of the
enemy, and Immediately opened des-
tructive fire at short range. Unable to
return the fire, many surrendered. While
l was in the act of throwing the 18th
and 10th at right angles to the regular
line of battle, Hancock rode up to me
and wanted to know what l was going to
do. When l told him, he said l would
leave gap in our line of battle for a
column on the right of Pickett to force
its way into and break our line of battle.
assured him l could resume my DO
sition in the regular line of battle before
support to Pickett on his right could
advance, as there was none in sight.
Hancock still insisted that 1 was making
great mistake, but l knew l could
handle my regiments with agility enough
to put them back on the line of battle
before body of troops could march
mile, so l declined to recind my order.
He was soon wounded near me, but he
was not borne from the field until he
saw that my movement was a complete
success, and he afterward promised me
to correct his report, in which lie took
the credit of giving me the order to
throw my regiments on Pickett's right
flank, but he died before he made the
correction. Not only did he not give me
the order, but at the time was bitterly
to it, for the reason that he
feared that column of the enemy would
be able to wedge itself in there before |
could make counter movement, and
bring my regiments back into line. When
the charge of Pickett's had failed, and
his men were retreating, was about to
order the regiments back into their
former position, when 1 saw another
rebel column charging Immediately upon
our left. l directed the 10th to attack
it's flank, while l ordered Lieut.. Col.
Ross of the 18th to advance four COM
panies on the left of the 10th, and pour
in an enfilading fire, while the six com
panies of the 14th checked its advance
with deadly fire from the front. This
which proved to be the brigades
Of Perry and Wilcox, soon gave way.
The 10th captured the colors of the 2nd
Florida and the colors of two other regi-
ments. That virtually ended the Battle
Of Gettysburg.
l received no advice or suggestion
from any one with reference to those
two flank movements, and, as it was
opposed, l knew if failed to
hold my position in the line of battle,
md prevent its being pierced there,
would be court-martailed.
| had no fears of the result, as l could
easily man9uvre my troops inithe face of
,he enemy, for had been able to do that
,or two days under severe fire.
AS General Hancock was speaking to
Stannard, having turned his horse to the |
'front.', he was struck by a bullet, which |
passed through the pommel of his saddle |
md deep into the upper part of his |
high, carrying with it piece of wood |
ind nail from the saddle. Seeing |
Hancock reel in his saddle, Lieutenants |
Benedict and Hooker, who were at |
Stannard's side, sprang to the wounded |
General, caught him in their arms as he |
'ank from his horse, and laid him upon |
he ground. He was bleeding profusely. |
md fearing that he might bleed to death |
before surgeon could arrive, Gen.
took his own handkerchief |
md, with the assistance of Lieut.. Bene- |
lict, bound it around the wound, twist