Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-17


duty, bis bravery, his skillful and energet
ic action as commander. and thank Goo
that his statue in enduring bronze stands OF
Little Round Top, in the place where be
stood on the second day of July, 1868, and
detected the danger that threatened the
Union Army on the left.
There are however, as result OF the &C
ton of the generals who held high com
mands during the battle of Gettysburg
certain incidents which mark the NEST i'm
portant events and form the salient points
of the narrative around which cluster and
between which are intertwiued movements
of corps, divisions, biigades, regiments and
batteries, telling story more wonderful
than has ever been depicted on the pages OF
history-of blood and carnage. heroic brav-
cry, devotion to duty, and individual cour'
age and endurance. If they could be
known and remembered, they would present
pictures more glorious and beautiful than
the imagination of poet or artist could con-
ceive or paint.
The beginning of the story will be the
patriotic response to the call of duty on the
part of Gen. Meade, who at moments no
tice assumed the great responsibility result,
ing from bis unexpected appointment as
commander of the Army of the Potomac,
who in fighting the battle, gave an exhibit
ton of bravery, fidelity to duty and mill
tary skill, which will rebound to his honor
and glory as long as the story is told.
The other salient features in the narrative
are-that Gen. Reynolds meeting the ad-
vance of the enemy, fought him valiently
and successfully until he received the fatal
bullet. That Gen. Howard, on assuming
command of tie field, lacking that military
instinct and earnest activity which marks a
great general, allowed the 18th Corps to be
fanked by the Confederates, causing the
great disaster of the Let day of July.
That Gen. Hancock, sent by Gen. Meade
to take command after the death of Rey-
holds, with that superb magnetism and en-
ergy that characterized his career as a
soldier, rallied the broken battalions and
skilfully checked the advance of the vic
torious enemy.
That Gen. Sedgwick, with his splendid
9th Corps, moving to the support of Gen.
Meade, performed march, which for en-
durance and brilliancy was not surpassed
during the war, and only equalled by the
famous march made by Buell. and his army
which saved Grant and his forces at Shiloh
That Gen. Slocum and the 18th Corps on
the morning of the second day attacked the
enemy at Culp's Hill, forcing him to re-
lipquish his hold on that important point.
That Gen. Sickles, on the second day OF
July made great mistake in posting the Sd
Corps, not following the orders of his chief,
but leaving his left flank in weak posi-
ton, of which the enemy quickly took ad-
vantage.
That Gen. Warren, (chief engineer OF
the army,) detected the danger which
threatened, and placing Vincent's and
Weeds brigades of our own 9Th Corps with
Hazlitt's battery on Little Round Top, saved
to the Union Army the key to its position
The eliminating point was the repulse of
Pickett's Division, making the magnificent
assault on the Union lines, which was
checked by the I'd Corps under the com.
mand of Hancock, at the spot which is now
designated as the 'high water mark of the
rebellion" From that moment the tide OF
secession was on the ebb until it reached
the low water mark at Appomattox.
1t is not my intention or my duty to at.
tempt at this time any detailed description
of the great battle. My task is to describe
the action of our own 32d Mass. Regiment
in the contest, with brief account of the
events that led up to the battle.
The campaign of 1868, upon the success
of which the people of the North en-
tertained high hopes and expectations
found grand army 10 Vir-
ginia of 100000 men under the command
of Gen. Hooker who, notwithstanding hi!
faults of character and temperament, en-
joyed the confidence of the army and coun
try. Az.
The people had been led to believe thai
what was needed as commander of the Army
of the Potomac, was brave impetuout
soldier; a man full of fight and dash, ant
the gallant Hooker seemed especially fitting
to meet these requirements. But these
hopes were disappointed at the battle Of
Charlottesville, where Gen. Hooker sur
prised all by an exhibition of weakness al
the very emergency where the greatest
strength would naturally have been expec
ted from him.
Gen. Lee, inspired and exhilarated by hit
successes at Fredericksburg and Chancel
louisville, forgetting or ignoring the disas-
trous termination of similar movement al
the battle of Antietam, had again deter
mined to attempt the invasion of Pennsyl
vania.
The Southern Army was so elated by the
successes at Fredericksburg and Chancel
lorsville, that it joined in the cry for an in
vasion of loyal territory, and Lee, it may
J be against his better judgment, commenced
his movement towards Pennsylvania.
The 9th of June found Longstreet ant
Hill with their Corps at Chambersburg
: Ewell at Carlisle, and Lee on the point Of
moving his entire command across the Sus
quehanna to attack Harrisburg.
But, during this movement into Pennsyl
vania, Gen. Hooker had not been idle. The
} 9th of June found the Union Army con
centrated at Frederick city. Harper's Ferry
was occupied by a garrison of 1000 men
and Gen. Hooker, taking the same view az
:. to the importance of the post, that McClel
Ian did when he was advancing towards An.
tietam, asked that the place be abandoned
and the garrison sent to reinforce his com.
; mand. Gen. Halleck refused this request
and Hooker, indignant at the refusal, re.
: signed his position. His resignation was
accepted, and Gen. Geo. G. Meade was i'm.
mediately appointed to the command of the
Army of the Potomac.
Luckily for the Union cause, the com.
J mand fell upon soldier we'll fitted to as.
sumo the great responsibility upon man OF
undoubted integrity, sound Judgment