The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-02-15
COMMUNICATION.
Of the ProSsla Exrnsrs:

COMMUNICATION.
Editors Ut the PloNE.R ExrRBss:
Referring to an article in the Pro-
NEER EXPRESS OF LIST, inst, Epic.
ketts' charge at Gettysburg" allow
me to give to your readers the part
the First Minnesota Regiment took,
in the charge. as written by Hon.
WIN. Lochren 10 the history OF the
First Regiment in minnesota in the
civil and Indian wars, ls6l.ls65. !"
The charge OF the First Minnesota
Regiment ut the three days battle
of Gettysburg was made the day be.
fore, second day Of battle, July 2nd.
1.-THE morning Of July 3rd, opened
bright and beautiful, with firing near
the Little Round Top, aud with u
sharp fight On the right near Gclty's
Hill, where the enemy was forced
back from position gained the even
Ing before. Soon after sunrise we
we're moved to our place in our bril-
gadc In the front liue, passing Han
nard's new brigade of Vermont troops
US 1t was taking position to the left
OF our division under u sharp artillery
fire from the enemy, as it was turned
on us also. The Vermont brigade
consisted Of full regiments in new
uniforms. and was therefore notice.
able In the contrast with the thinned
regiments, In dusty garments, Of the
second corps. Reaching our place in
line, we made slight barrIcade OF
stones. fence rails and knapsacks Hill
ed with dirt, y little over knee high
and lying down behind 1t, many were
soon asleep.
During the forenoon there was u
q slight skirmish In our front, in
which some buildings, used for cover
BY Confederate sharp-shooters we're
burned. But suddenly, about one
O'Clock, u tremendous artillery fire
opened along Seminary Ridge, all
converging upon the position Of the
Second Division Of Second Corps. 1t
was at once responded by our arti llery,
whose position was ON ground u lit.
tie higher to the rear Of our position.
About one hundred and fifty pieces
on each side were in action, firing
with great rapidity, the missiles
from both sides passing over US, ex'
cept those Of the enemy, which
struck or burst ut or in front of oul
lice. We had been In many battles
and thought ourselves familiar with
the roar Of artillery and with the
striking aud bursting Of its missiles
but nothing approaching this cannon
ade had ever greeted our ears. II
the storm of shells passing over US tt
the position Of our artillery where
calssons were struck and burst ever,
few moments, 1t did not seem thai
anything could live ut that place
But our own artillery was served IL:
rapidly and we had the SUBTRACTION Of
detecting the sound Of bursting Gals
sons on the cnemy's side very fire.
quently.
Men will grow accustomed to any
thing; and before the two hours ol
this furious artillery duel were cndet
some Of the most weary Of our mel
we're sleeping. At length our artill
cry ceased to reply. We were sur
prlsed at this, thinking that we ex
celled the enemy In this arm. Tn,
Confederate fire appeared to increas,
In volume and rapidity for few
minutes and than stopped ut once
We well knew what was to follow
aud were all alert In u moment, ever!
man straining his eyes toward tn,
woods, three fOurths Of mile dis
tant, from which, the Confederate in
fantry began to emerge In heav,
force, forming two strong lines, Will
a supporting force In rear Of eacl
flank. We then estimated the force
as over 10000 men; though Confede
rate accounts reduce the number I,
$1,000.
Moving directly for our position
with firm step aud In perfect order
our artillery soon opened upon then
with terrible effect, but without
causing any pause aud we could MOI
repress feelings and expressions o.
admiration at the steady and resOlut,
istyle in.which they came on, breastin,
that storm Of shell and grape, which
was plainly thinning their ranks
When about sixty rods distant from
our line, our division opened Will
musketry and the slaughter was yer!
great, but instead Ut hesltating tn,
Istep was changed to double quick
aud they rushed to the charge. Blu,
whether because Hancock ner,
wheeled Stannards' Vermont brlgad,
to enfilade their right flank In pass
ing, or from come other cause. thei
front line opened at this time ant
!, perhaps one fourth Of the force VI
Picketts' right here DETECTED furth
er to the right, and were met ant
disposed OF by the gallant Vermont
ers. The remainder Of the charginl
force at the same time dlverged O
changed its direction toits left and
Ipassiny from our front diaglonally
under our fire and that Of Halls bri
gade to our right, charged the posi-
tion held by Webb's Second brlgod,
IOf our division, forcing back the six
Ity.nInth and seventy.flrst Pennsyl
vania regiments, and capturing Cush