The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-11
THE TWELFTH CORPS.
The Part They Took in the Big Battle oi
Gettysburg.

TTHE Cannoneer,' in the history of the
battle Of Gettysburg published in The
Z NATIoNAL TRIBUNE sometime ago,
in desert hing the events of the first
days battle. July !, makes the statement that
- the Twelfth Corps WAS on the field lying in
reserve but took no part in the engagement,
and that il has never been satisfactorily ex-
planned"
think they had very good reasons as they
did not reach the field until p. M. the fight
ing on the first day being ended before we
arrived; at least this was the case with the
Second Division. IF either the First or Third
Divisions were there | would like to hear from
them. as ! do not believe any part of the
corps reached the field until night
He also asserts that there was very little
fighting done Culp's Il III on tho third day
except in the morning while we were recover
ing our breastworks that we left IN the night
when we went 10 reinforce Gen. Sickles. Now
the men of the Twelfth Corps know that this
is not fact. AS there was heavy firing kept up
until after Pickett made his famous charge.
Their front line was not more than eight rods
in front of our works. where they were some
what protected by trees and large powders. If
il was merely feint TO cover Picketts charge
il was pressed with vlgor, as some were killed
just over our hreastworks.
About the time Pickett was getting ready
for his charge we noticed a white flag flying
IRON tue ifnDb OF Tie GfHemy line. we
called to them to throw down their guns aud
come M over the works.
The firing being suspended, 75 rebels came
forward aud surrendered. including six officers.
Lieut. Leigh Of Ewell's staff, came up u en-
dcavOr TO stop the surrender, but was fired
upon, AMI he aud his horse were instantly
killed. Those that surrendered were part OF
the 18th Va, il my memory serves me right,
anl they said they belonged to the St0newall
Brigade" We had charged them ut Wiuches-
ter Oh the 23d Of March. 1862 rs they lay he
hind stone wall. In two hours had them
outed but night coming put end TO fur
Their pursuit for the day We had faced them
at Port Republic, where we got the worst end
Of the bargain; also at Cedar Mountain.
The first time we had ever fought behind
breastworks was at Gettysburg. aud we paid
them back with good interest for what we had
received at the two former places.
One OF the prisoners said he had been in
many hard fought battles, but this was the
most destructive Of any they had taken part
in.
On the morning Of July one of our men
leaped over the breastworks and went down
where Lieut.. Leigh had been killed the day
before, and got his sword, watch, and diary.
DO not know what was done with them, hut
suppose they were turned over TO Headquar-
tiers.
We were ordered ont on reconnaissance,
and passed over the dead bodies of rebels in
our front. They were very thick, and were
lying down far Rock Creek. They had
turned black during the night. 1t would he ii
sad sight to see nj this late day. but we were
young then and did not realize that many a
mother wonld shed tears over her brave and
! fallen boy that might have been support and
solaee in her declining years.
We continued march across Rock Creek
| in northeasterly direction, but failed to end
| a live rebel and returned to our former posi-
| ton. The battle was over; Harrisburg and
| Philadelphia were safe, and we were soon to
| retrace steps to the Rapidan.-G. ID. BERT
| HOLT, Co. q, 7th Ohio, First Brigade, Second
| Division, Twelfth Corps. Kent, o.