Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-17
st Corps was sent forward towards Get.ys-


Gen. Lee, on the goth of June, became
aware of the movement of the Union forces
upon bis line OF communication, and at
once relinquishing his plan of advancing
upon Harrisburg, he moved towards the
South Mountains, intending to gain ia
vorable position, and receive. rather than
give battle.
The advance of Hills Corps bivouaced
on the night of the 30th within seven miles
of Gettysburg Longstreet was near at hand.
and Ewel's Corps only nine miles distant.
Gen. Buford's Union cavalry occupied
the town on this night, and on the morning
of July LIST moved out beyond the town.
picketing the Chambersburg road, when
suddenly he met the advance of Hills col
umn, and became engaged with the enemy.
Thus was inaugurated the great conflict
which will be regarded in years to come, AS
the most important battle in the war of the
Rebellion.
The 9Th Corps under the command of
Gen. Sykes, to which the 32d Mass. Regi-
ment was attached had been YEARLY march
ing through the entire day of July lst. and
at about o'clock in the afternoon the Sec
ond brigade filed into field near Hanover,
where the men gladly stacked arms and
made preparation for supper and for an
ticipated rest during the night. The day
had been hot, the roads dusty, and we were
sore and weary, and had just commenced
making our coffee when orders came to
break camp and march, with rumors of a
battle having been fought by a. portion of
the army. 1t was expected that the corps
would reach the vicinity of Gettysburg, a
distance of about 20 miles. As might have
been expected, the march was tedious and
tiresome. Some of the men worn out with
the long march and intense heat of the day,
fell out, and the prospect of the regiment
reaching its destination with full ranks ap-
peared dubious, when we heard cheering
long way in advance. which gradually
reached US, and we took up the sound and
sent it farther to the rear. 1t was caused
by the announcement made for the purpose
of inspiriting the men, that Gen. McClel-
Ian was at Gettysburg and was to take
command of the army. The effect
upon the corps was very percepdble. We
marched with quickened. steps and in high
spirits, and about midnight bivouaced
within five miles of the Gettysburg battle
field. 5f.
At the first flush of morn the men COM
menced preparations for breakfast. The
I'd brigade was under the command of Col
J. B. Swietzer of the cd Penn. Col. Pres
colt commanding thd sd Mass. received an
order from the brigade commander detail
ing the regiment for picket duty on the
extreme right of the Union line, where it
was expected Lee would again attack. Col.
Prescott requested that some other regiment
be detailed for the purpose, for the
reason that our regiment had had but
little experience in picket duty, and
accordingly the 9th Mass. of our brigade
was detailed. Our brigade was therefore
reduced to three regiments, the 4th Mich,
Col. Jeffords, the cd Penn, Lieut.. Col.
Hull, and the SD Mass, Col. Prescott. 1t
may not be out of place to remark that the
gallant 9th remained in position all day
without receiving shot or losing man,
either killed or wounded. About o'clock
the LIST Division 9Th Corps, commanded by
Gen. Joseph Barnes reached the battlefield
on the right of the line, and was massed in
a field near VOLTS Hill. We soon how
ever, moved toward the left, and again
were massed on the Baltimore pike, near
the stone bridge. Here we remained until
about o'clock in the afternoon. Up to
this time everything appeared perfectly
quiet, but soon the artillery firing COM
menced, and at o'clock the enemy at
tackled the line of Sickles' Sd Corps, which
extended along the Emmetsburg pike to the
peach orchard, then was thrown back tow
ards the base of Round Top, making an
angle in his line, and point of weakness
at once detected by the enemy. The line
of the 81 Corps was broken, and our list
Division of the 9TH Corps was called into
action to support the Sd Corps.
4 h. fo1I &1,1
direction of the woods, crossing the fancy
town road. Here Gen. Warren, who had
detected the movement of the enemy to cap
ture Little Round Top, took the Sd Brigade,
commanded by Col. Vincent or to that
eminence, where gallant onslaught made
by Hoods Confederate Division was met
and repealed.
The other two brigades moved rapidly
forward to the angle, the I'd Brigade in ad-
vance. We formed in line of battle at this
point, now designated by our monument,
ready to receive the enemy, who were seen
advancing to attack our front. The 4th
Mich. and 62d Penn. changed front, wheel
ing to the left and rear of the SD, practi-
cslly massing the brigade in columns of
regiments, the 32d in front. The enemy
came rushing down the declivity before us,
and the 32d was soon hotly engaged. 1t
was here that Lieut.. Barrows was killed,
and others killed and wounded, but the
enemy's attack was repulsed, The lst Bri-
gade had fallen back, and consequently our
right was exposed, making our situation
critical. We were ordered to fall back
which the brigade did in good order,
to a road from which we advanced
i'll splendid style across the wheat field. and
were again holly engaged with the enemy
We had been engaged but short time,
when Col. Prescott reported to me that he
was wounded and directed me to take charge
of the regiment. During this time we had
received no orders from the commander of
the brigade, each regiment apparently fight
ing the enemy on its own account, but
Lieutenant Col. Hull of the G2 Penn
came along, searching for Col. Swie,zer.
1t appeared that the lst Brigade of our
division had not advanced on our right. and
Lieut.. Col. Hull was apprehensive that the
enemy were advancing through the gap, aud
that the ID Brigade would be flsnked.
l suggested, in the absence of the brigade
commander that he advise Col. Jeffords of
the 4th Mich, which was on the right, to
change front, SO that he could meet the