The Newtown bee., 1893-07-14
THE GALLANT SEVENTEENTH.
History of the Part it Played in the Struggle at Gettysburg g-FIom the Official Records.

III NeWtoWn on August 2S, has special local interest. A. w. Peck was Tn com mand of Company D during the three days battle at Gettysburg. Maj. A. G. Brady, commanding the old 17th, in his official report to the government, said, "The coolness and bravery displayed by the officers and men of Company D, ex- ceeded anything l ever saw" The re- port of Maj Brady is full of the part talk en by the l7th regiment at Gettysburg, is given in full. The report is taken from the government official records of the Union and Confederate armies, Series I, Volume ?. It is as follows:
 REPORT OF MAJ ALLEN G. BRADY, SEVEN
 TEENTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY.
 Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1893.
 General: In compliance with instruct ions from headquarters, I have the hon. or to make the following report of the part taken by the Seventeenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers in the engage ment of the 1st, I'd and Sd instant:
 The regiment arrived in Gettysburg be- tween l and p. m. of the 1st instant, and was marched with the other regi- ments of the brigade through and to the lower end of the town, and there hs lted for moment. Four companies were im- mediately ordered out by Briga6ier Gen.
 
 Brady, to the right of the bridge at the lower end of the town, with instructions to throw out two companies as skirmish- CTS, the other two to be held as reserve, and to take and hold the brick house to the left and beyond the bridge. Two companies were thrown out, and deplOy- ed as skirmishers as rapidly as possible to the right of the bridge, along the creek The other two, held as reserve, were ad- vaneed in line, loading and firing as rap idly as possible, making at the same .ime left wheel, so as to swing our right around the house. the reserve keeping near and conforming to the movements of the skirmishers.
 When near the house, the enemy open ed upon us with shot, shell, grape and canister, which retarded our advance for moment, until jor Brady dismounted, went in front of the line of skirmishers, and led them on until quite near the house. The enemy, anticipating our movements, shelled the house, and set it on fire. We, however, held our ground. and held the skirmishers in check. Their loss up to this time was at least ) to 1, most of the men in the four companies being excellent marksmen and having volunteered for this occasion. They con sisted of Companies A, B. F, and K, com handed, respectively, by Captains Me- Quhae, Hobbie, Allen and McCarty.
 We continued skirmishing brisklv un- til Major Brady received orders from igadier-General Ames to draw in his skirmishers and return to town as rapid ly as possible, and take command of his regiment. The order was obeyed. and we fell back in good order, skirmishing with the enemy, who advanced as we re- ri tn ms of nd ture us before we got to the town, but we foiled them in this attempt by mak- ing circuit and entering the town near the upper end, and soon joined the re- mainder of the regiment, which we found near the lower end of the town.
 The loss in the four companies under Major Brady was men killed, l captain and l lieutenant wounded, sergeant and 3 men taken prisoners.
 1 would here state that had great diff ticulty in drawing in Captain McCarty s company, K, as they were so earnestly engaged and making such sad havoc among the rebels.
 The remainder of the regiment (siS companies), under Lieutenant Colonel Fowler, advanced with the other regi. ments of the brigade to the leftand front of the town and directly in the rear of the l07th Ohio Volunteers, in close col. umn by division; were ordered to the front; advanced and deployed at double quick. and held their ground-notwith- standing the rush to the rear of troops directly in advance-until ordered by the brigade commander to fall back, which order was obeyed in good order, the men loading and firing as they fell back.
 Lieutenant-Colonel Fowler was killed when the regiment advanced and deploy- ed. Captain Moore was killed about this time. and Captain French and Lieutenant Quinn were wounded, and many of the men were killed, wounded and taken prisoners.
 When the regiment reached the town the four companies under Major Brady were still skirmishing with the enemy and remained so until gadier-General Ames sent an aide with orders for Major Brady to return with his command and assume command of his regiment, he be. ing the only field officer of the regiment present. Upon arriving in the town Major Brady assumed command of the regiment and reported immediately tC Brigadier-General Ames for instructions The enemy were at this time advancing rapidly through the town. The regiment was immediately deployed in the streets and fired several volleys into the rank. of the enemy, which thinned their rank. and retarded their advance. We kept tn, enemy from advancing through the towr until ordered to clear the streets of oul men for the purpose of planting a bat tery. The battery not being placed il position as intended, and the regimen being in line on the sidewalk. the enemy took advantage of this, and, with su perior force, rushed through the mail street, which compelled us to fall back which we did reluctantly, but not with out contesting the ground inch by inch As we retreated, we loaded, halted ant poured destructive volleys into thei ranks, which cleared the main street O them several times, but we found tn enemy too many for us. They poured il from every street in overwhelming mum bers, which broke our ranks. Upon ar l irving near the battery on Cemetery Hill the regiment was halted, and formed il line of battle fronting the town.
 About this time Major-General How ard, who was in the thickest of the battle regardless of danger, asked if he hat l troops brave enough to advance to stone wall across a lot toward the town and said he would lead them. We re piled, ssYes, the Seventeenth Connection will and advanced at once to the plac, l indicated, remained few moments ans l again advanced across another lot stil nearer the town and behind rail fenc, at the upper end of the town, which DO