The herald., 1895-10-04
General John Buford's
Memory Now to Be
Perpetuated
WAS IN COMMAND THAT DAY
The Story Of the Great Battle Told
Again---The Position of the
Troops Defined--.Men
in Action

the survivors OF the cavalry of the army
OF the Potomac for the purpose of erect
ing q simple but substantial monument
to sthe memory of that distinguished
general and typical American cavalry
man, John Buford, and to comm emorate
the achievements of the troops under his
command at the battle of Gettysburg.
1t is proposed to locate this memorial
on the spot from which the first gun was
fred on the union side in that momen-
tous struggle.
Having had command on that occasion
OF the battery to which this honor fell, l
shall make brief attempt here to give
rny recollections of that eventful day of
more than three decades ago.
In setting out on this acmpaign 1 sue
ceeded to the command of my battery
Horse battery A, Second artillery-the
captain (TidbalD having gone to take
charge of his brigade of morse batteries.
The event of succeeding to the control of
this splendid battery influenced me in
declining transfer to the ordnance de-
partment, q transfer that would have
given different aspect to my entire mil
;tary career. AS this was the first gun"
battery of Gettysburg it is pardonable
Tor me to say it was the same whose guns
under that distinguish light artillery
man, Duncan. had played such promi-
lent part at Palo Alto and Reseca, and
contributed SO greatly to The success of
those first operations in the Mexican war.
After the actions of Aide, Middleburg
and Upperville. at which latter place we
wera engaged with Stewards cavalry. sup
ported by Longssreet's corps. these con-
federate troops withdrew to the western
side of the Blue Ridge and Buford d.
vision, to which my battery was at
49, - l,1 d.
which, as the advance guard of the army,
1t crossed June 3D. at Edwards ferry.
The same day, fording the Monocacy,
n ear the aqueduct bridge, we bivouacked
at Petersville, Md. On the 2Sth the march
was through Jefferson and into the beau
tiful Middletown valley, where we
camped for the night. Oui route the next
day lay through Boonesburo, Cavetown,
Smith burg to Millerstown, and on the
30th through Emmetsburg, which we
reached in the afternoon.
On our reaching the town there was ev-
1dence OF much excitement as on that day
. accommodating party (said to be of
Hills command) had made its appear
arnce on the edge of the town, retiring
again in the direction of Cashtown. On
the 26th 200 lebel cavalry, the advance
guard of Ewells corps, had dashed
through the quiet streets of this coun try
town. and were soon followed by General
JubaI Early, who proceeded 10 levy on
the place for shoes, clothing, provisions
and whisky, but in such quantities as to
be out of all proportion to the resources
of the town and iinpossi BILE of fulfillm ent.
Satisfying himself that the contribution
would not be forthcoming, Early proceed
ed to York. to be recalled three days later
to do battle.
The morning of the eventful LIT of July
came bright ana hot. After breakfast I
had ordered my horse. and was prepar-
ing to make hasty inspection of Gettys-
burg, there to make some purchases for
o Lr mess, when an orderly from General
Buford galloped up with the information
that the enemy were advancing and or
ders to prepare for action at once. i! have
yet to make MY contemplated visit to
Gettysburg. In an incredibly short time
our bivouac was broken, and the baggage
and caissons sent to the rear. Colonel
Gam BILE, commanding the brigade, in
structed me to select my own position,
which did, on a crest in advance of the
one we had occupied during the night
Leveling the intervening fences, the bat
terry moved forward to the position Sc
lected. 1t was a good enc for artillery.
with the exception that railway cut ex-
listed near the right flank. which feature
exercised quite an influence during the
progres of the battle.
Afrer posting my battery. seeing Gener-
al, Buford and staff on the Cashtown pike,
near my position, | reported to him for
further intruction. With him at the time
was General Reynolds and staff who,
having been notified by Buford early in
the morning OF the movements of tho en-
envy, had fastened forward IN advance of
the corps, and was now comforting with
Buford as to the lay of the land and other
military points OF pre- ssing interest.
1t was part of General Buford's plan
to cover as large front as possible with
my battery (his only artillery, tor The
purpose of deceivlng the enemy as to mis-
strength. He therefore instructed me to
post two guns on the right of the pike,
two on the left, and the remaining two
still further to the left where the Eighth
New York cavalry was covering the left
flank. IL was just to the right OF the
guns last mentioned, in corner of the
woods. that General Reynolds was killed
o few minutes later.
had scarcely com pleted the posting of
this left section when Roder opened on
the right of the pike. his left piece being
the opening gun, directed against the
column of the enemy beyondWilloughby's
run, where our cavalry, dismounted
were stoutly resisting the advance of
Hills infantry. The other guns now
opened. This called up the artillery of
the enemy, and my four guns on the
right were soon hotly engaged with Pc
grams and Mcintosh battalions of ar
tillery, numbering from twenty-seven to
thirty guns. Seeing the battery so greatly
OuInum DereU, L directed tQe HrlnS TO be
made slowly and deliberately, and re-
ported to Buford, who was in my front.
The bottle was now developing and the
demoniac whir-r-r of the rited shot, the
''ping'' of the bursting shell, and the
wicked Zip" of the bullet, as it hurried
by. filled the air.
While riding to the guns on the left
met General Bu1ord, accompanied by
bugler only, and calmly smoking MS
pipe. He had Just made an inspection OF
the field, and remarked: "Our men are
in a pretty hot pocket, but, my boy, we
must hold this position until the infantry
comes up. Then you withdraw your
guns in each section by piece, fill up your
Timber chests from the caissons and await
my orders.
Just as he had finished speaking a shell
burst SO near to US that both of our
horses reared with fright, but all escaped
Injury. By this time the wounded were
being brought to the rear, and temper
arv field hospitals were established in the
vicinity of the seminary. Here also were
any cAissons.
As Joined the left guns again there
came out of the Mcpherson woods in our
front double line of battle in gray, and
not over 1000 yards distant. 1t was
Archer's brigade, and their battle flags
looked redder and bloodier in the strong
July sun than had ever seen them be-
fore. At those flags the firing was di-
rected, and my gunners succeeded in
making excellent shots, throwing the
lines into some confusion. In short
time Meredith's brigade of Wadsworth' s