The National tribune., 1892-04-28
Very respectfully, your obed't servant,
Ern2Gr, NJ GETTY

GEORGE ". GETTY,
Brigader General. Commanding.
@Gen. Grant attacked before Gen. Lee was
quite ready to meet the onset. Heth and 4. z.
Hills Corps were struck 4 vigorous blow and
driven through the obstinate wilds until they
became clinched with LOngstreets Corps, which
WAS just getting into position. The enemys
trains and other vehicles of war were thrown
into confusion, and his whole right put il
much jeopardy. However, by one of those UNI
foreseen strokes OF military genius, Longstreet,
whom Lee had moved TO the right, had so
taken Hancock in his left flank as to endanger
our VIII ole left Hancock now fell back to his frail
intrenchments and made dispositions to meet
this new menace. In the meantime Loagstreet
had been wounded. delaying the Confederate
operations on our left some three four
hours. Before the onset of these fresh troops.
cur men, fatigued and disoriered by their long
advanre in line Of battle through the dense
and almost impenetrabie thicket which covers
all this tract, gave ground. This division was
soon III the front line, but being outfanked by
the breaking of the troops Oh the left were
forced backwith the rest. Here Ireceived severe
wound through the shoulder, and was compelled
TO leave the field, turning over the command
OF the division TO Gen. Frank Wheaton. The
report from this point OF operations of the di-
vision is taken from the reports of Gems.
Wheaton aud Neil. who commanded the di-
vision in my abseEce.-Gen. Getty's Note.I
IA few days after the surrender at Appomat
fox Gen. Gordon and Gen. Getty were riding
along and talking over old sGboolboy days at
West Point and the events Of ihe war, when
Gen. Gordon happened to remark that he was
in command of the Confederate forces on the
Plank road on the first dag in the Wilderness.
Getty replied that he Was in command Of the
Federal forces at that point that day, and in
quired of Gordon how large q force he had. Cor
don said he had his old division OF about 600
men and Hcth's, Of about the same strength,
making IN all about 1900. Getty replied lie
had only three hrigaGes of about COCO mnskets,
and asked Gordon what his object was IN fore
| ing that engagement. Gordon said that he
knew that our reserve artillery was parked
only about two miles TO the rear Of the cross
roads, and that Hancock encamped the night
before at Todd's Tavern, and that IL must be
several hours before be could come up 10 form
connection with the rest of the army, and
that his object was to cut Hancock OFF
from the rest Of the army, capture
our artillery, 2ad strike US in the left
flank and rear. and that he was press
ing dewn rapidly in order to accomplish it,
not suppOsng that there was any force in his
front bat small force Of cavalry, aud that he
was surprised on reaching the crossroads 10 find
infantry skirmisbess. and that he Immediately
formed his forces into line preparatory TO at
king Us, bu: that cur attack upon him was
q icS minutes before be was ready TO move 10 at
tack US and that our attack was SO strong violent
and persistent that ali he could do Tas to bold
his own until dark, when be retired. He also
said that large share of his force was massed
upon our left, and bis right, OF the Plank
road Getty replied: Why, / had only my
little Vermont Brigade there of less than 1000
inuskets" Gordon replied: Well, the brush
was so thick We could not see anything" l
think Gen. i. A. Grant. present Assistant Sec
-
youch for authenticity of the above reported
conyergation-W G.