The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-03-31
Col. Ricketts's Denial.
HE SHOWS THAT HE WAS IN COMMAND
OF HIS BATTERY AT GETTYSBURG.

WILKES BARRE, March 28.-Colon.
el K. Bruce Ricketts,, who commanded
the famous Ricketts, battery at Gettys-
burg and who, it has been claimed re-
Gently, he's for thirty years been reap
ing the honor and glory earned by
another man, today permits his name
to appear under letter answering the
charges that have been made against
him. He says
my attention has been called to
recent articles in New York and other
papers, which state that 1 have been
sailing under false colors for thirty
years that l did not command bat
terry at Gettysburg, but was on staff
duty at the time that the battery was
commanded by Charles and Frank
Brockway, OF Beach Haven
"Charles B. Brockway was a brave
soldier and one of my best lieutenants,
but he never commanded the battery
during any battle of the war. Frank
Brockway was also good soldier, but
as he was private at Gettysburg it is
hardly likely that he would have COM
manded a battery. December al,
1864, he was promoted to second lieu
tenant on my recommendation.
"The official Records of the war,
published by the War Department,
are now nearly complete. The fol-
lowing is a copy Of my official report
of the part taken by my command at
the battle of Gettysburg from the
Official Records of the War;
Headquarters Batteries F. and G.,
First Pennsylvania Artillery, August
20, 1863.
Captain In compliance with
your communication of the 29th inst,
have the honor to submit the fol-
following report Of the part taken by
my battery in the battle of July and
3, at Gettysburg =
"On July 2, my battery moved from
Tanevtown to Gettysburg with Cap.
tain Huntington's brigade, to which it
was attached, arriving on the field
about noon.
"At a P. NJ I was ordered by Cap
tain Huntington to report to Colonel
c. d. Wainwright, First New York
Artillery, who placed me in position
on Cemetery Hill to the right of the
turnpike, leading into Gettysburg.
During the afternoon l was engaged
with the batteries on the enemy's left,
and in shelling column of the enemy
that charged into the woods on my
right, which was occupied by the
Twelfth Army Corps.
cat about P. NJ, heavy column
of the enemy charged on my battery,
and succeeded in capturing and spik-
ing my left piece. The cannoniers
fought them hand to hand with spikes,
rammers and pistols, and succeeded in
checking them for moment, when a
part of the Second Army Corps charg-
ed IN and drove them back. During
the charge l expended every round Of
canister in the battery and then fired
case shot without the fuses. The enemy
suffered severely.
During the battle Of July 3, was
engaged with the batteries on the
enemy's left and center.
During the battle of the end and
3rd, expended 400 rounds of am
munition. The casualties were as fol-
lows: Killed 6; wounded IS; missing
8; horses killed 20.
First Lieutenant c. B. Brockway,
First Lieutenant Beldin Speace, First
Sergeant Francis H. Snider, fought
their sections with the greatest gallan.
try.
81 am, captain, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
X. BRUCE RICKETTS,,
"Captain First Pennsylvania Artill-
cry, Commanding Batteries +. and G..
captain c. II. WHITTELszy,
"ASsistant Adiutant General Ar