The National tribune., 1894-07-05
ON THE SECOND DAY.
The 141st Pa. in the Gettysburg Battle-A
Loss of Over 75 Per Cent.


T. 1t set my nerves 10 tingling anew, and
brought fresh to my mind the ordeal through
which my regiment passed on that ever
memorable I'd of July, 1863
We yield the terrible palm of per cent. of
loss at Gettysburg to the LIST MINI. No
survivor of the war wishes the loss of his
regiment had been greater. The 50 per
cent. loss of the LIST MINI. at Gettysburg is
closely followed by rs 40 per cent. loss by
the 141st Pa.
ComrRde O'Brien gives the strength of the
list Mimi. after the battle rs about 100 men.
Not so strong was the 141st Pa. This regi-
ment took the field in August, 1862, with 3S
officers and Oil enlisted men. According
to Col. Fox the 141st Pa. lost at Chancellors-
vile 80 per cent. This, with the other heavy
loss, together with the ordinary casualties of
camp life and smaller engagements, reduced
the number till, after all on detached duty
had Joined the regiment, there were only 50
men after Gettysburg to follow on after the
retreatiDg foe.
We narrate the above fact with a pang of
sadness. Even yet the heart aches for the
bereaved and permanently disabled. The
writer's life was made heavy and unsuccess-
full by the terribleness of that battle.
The 141st Pa. was raised in Bradford
in less than one week showed forward to the
seat of war. The regiment soon became a
part of the First Brigade, First Division,
Third Corps, Gen. Sickles commanding
We will skip the history of the regiment
from Aug. %, 1862, the day they reached
Washington, to June 80, 1868. On this day,
after long and weary marching and counter
marching, the regiment camped about mid
way between Tarrytown and Emmitsburg
The weather was hot and sultry. In the
forenoon of July there was a heavy thun-
der-shower, after which the air was clear
and the sun beat down with sweltering heat.
In the afternoon our line of march led us
through Emmitsburg. Part of our way
was through dense second-growth timber,
that so excluded the air and concentrated
the suns rays that not few were COM
PEELED to rest by the wayside. One loyal
woman, at her home, did good service by
filling the passing soldiers cups with coffee.
A cup of her coffee probably saved me from
sun-stroke, and many others viii remem-
Der that woman with gratitude.
Passing Emmitsburg at p. m, we halted,
but soon pressed forward. At late dusk the
141st Pa, of Graham's Brigade, took posi-
ton among the rocks and brush near the
base of Round Top. Many of the boys will
lCuCluDCk 4GClQcube VI Eu6B uhJ mdICu.
The road was lined with fleeing citizens
Every conceivable vehicle had been pressed
into service and filled with women, chill
dren, and baggage, and was jolting along by
the side Of the road-the troops taking the
center-hastening from the scene of the
first days fight. The women-some In
tears, wringing their hands-lamented we
were too late, telling us the Union army
was already whipped; while others, waving
their hsndkerchiefs, cheered Us on with
Sod bless you ALL"
The night Of the LIST was passed without
incident, save expectation of the morrow.
At early dawn we drank our coffee in F., c.
and L. II was always noticeable to me that
just preceding battle, old feuds and strifes
were dropped and feeling ofsympathy per-
vaded every breast.
ALI were conscious of the magnitude of
the struggle before them. The last lines
had been written and mailed, and we
waited, mcmentarily expecting the oninous
silence to be broken by the boom of cannon.
The day advanced, and so did our line.
The Third Corps took position. The first
position of the 141st was in a depression in
the open field in rear Of the Peach Orchard.
Here, with cannon in front, right, and par
TALLY in the rear of us, we Rugged mother
earth, as shot and shell screamed over, and
the missiles from many Confederate cannon,
whose fire was concentrated on the Peach
Orchard, hurled their angry fragments at
and round u.s.
We were in comparative safety, though
that was not long to be. The line was in
oomnotion. More Union batteries to the
front! One came from somewhere, with
horses spurred to run, and wheeled into
position In the eastern part of the Orchard.
Attention Forward! and the 141st
advanced to the support of the battery, with
It's right resting In the Peach Orchard. The
enemy were playing havoc with our bat
teries; men were falling. Volunteers were
called for, and members of the 141st helped
to man the guns in the Orchard, and also
battery on the Emmitsburg road.
At this time We had fine view of the
left of our line, and watched the advancing
and receding lines of the blue and gray as
they struggled for the mastery at our left.
Over that rugged ground we watched the
surging lines, and could see the telling effect
of vOlley after volley. 1t was a picture
never TO be effaced from memory Thus
far the struggle of the day had not told
much on our ranks The advantage seemed
TO be with the enemy.
The batteries must fall back and take new
pOStAIOh>. IOINdT0! is ordered. w e aQ-
vance into and through the Orchard and
pour our first yOlley into the enemy. The
enemy press closely. A battery is in ieo-
pardy. The enemy have taken the guns, and
We are ordered 10 charge. We retake the
battery and the guns are brought off by
hand.
1t is here that Gen. Graham. who was
with the left of his brigade, that at this time
was the most active, is taken prisoner. The
General is on his horse in rear of the regi-
ment, shouting orders 10 the column. AS
We meet the foe there is clash OF arms and
a recoil of both lines. Then Gen. Graham,
standing IN his stirrups, brandishing his
sword, rides forward through the line to
lead the boys TO renewed effort. In his i'm
petuous bravery he goes too far. The
enemy's bayOnets bristle about him, yet he
strikes right and left, and in the lull the
writer distinctly hears him say:
8" won't surrender Pm a Brigader-
General, and won't surrender He is un-
tremendously pulled off his horse, and we
are without a General.
Next we find ourselves on the Emmits-
burg road al the right of the Orchard, con-
testing it's possession. We yield it. and it
falls 10 our lot TO aid in holding the enemy
IN check while new line is being formed
In the rear. We fall back. Our ranks are
rapidly being thinBed.
The exultant enemy presses on. Color
bearer after color-bearer is shot down Near
the center of the field Capt Clark, of Co. Z,
plants the colors, and calls upon the boys TO