The Republican journal., 1896-07-09
War Sketches
By These VINO Took Part IN the War Of the Re
btiOn.
The 20th Maine Volunteers In the Gettysburg Bat.
tie on Round Top.

The 10th Maine belonged to the Third
Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps, and at
this time was commanded by Col. Cham
berlain. All was still in the little village
OF Gettysburg save the groans of the
wounded of the day before. 1t was an
anxious night throughout the great loyal
North. kilograms flashed over the wires
telling of the death of Gen. Reynolds and
the defeat of the Union army. Every one
knew that upon this battle depended the
fate of the nation. There was no sleep
for the people. Strong men were pale
with excitement aud anxiety as through
the night they talked of the coming morn.
Mothers. wives and sisters, with ur turned
faces, prayed to God TO protect their loved
ones in the dangers OF battle L was the
most anxious night through which Amer
lea ever passed. Sod grant that We shall
nevel pass through another like it, At
daylight ON the morning OF July I'd we all
tell IN to take our places in the line ready
for the fight. The long forenoon passed
away and to our surprise the enemy made
no attack. This was very fortunate for
ON men, as il gave them a chance for a
short rest which was velv much needed.
The hour OF noon passed, and the sun had
turned on its downward course IN the
western sky before the assault was made.
As suddenly as a flash OF lightning from
Il =
ed upon us. Instantly our commander
discerned the intent of General Lee. 1t
was to turn our left flank as he had done
AT Charlottesville. 1t was terrible on
slaught, The brave sons of the South
never displayed more gallant courage
than on that fatal afternoon OF July I'd
But brave Dan sickles with The old Sd
corps was there to stay, and true it was
for many brave boy. But a new ana APP
palling danger threatened the Union army
Round Top was the key to our position.
Rebel batteries planted on this rocky hill
could shell any part of our army. For
some reason Sickles had not placed any
infantry upon this important position
Lee saw at glance that this was the key
10 his position and determined to occupy
it. This danger was soon seen by our
commander and our brigade was sent for
ward to hold this hill against the assault
OF the enemy. In moment all was ex-
cltement, Every man of the 10th under
stood the situation. Fall in, fall in, by
the right flank; double quick, march,
and away We went under a terrific artil-
lery tire. 1t was moment of thrilling
interest Sickles Corps was enveloped in
tense was the excitement that we hardly
noticed the surroundings. Up the steep
hill we ran and reached the crest. son
the right by file inco line was the COM
nand, and oul regiment was in position
on Round Top,
We We're on the left of our Brigade and
On the extreme right of our army. Our
regiment numbered about three hundred
men. Company b. commanded by the
gallant Capt.. Morrill,, was ordered to
deploY in our front as sbirmishers They
boldly advanced down the slope and dis
Appeared from Gun sight. Ten minutes
had passed since we formed the line and
no sight Of the enemy. But, ''look :.
look exclaimed half hundred men of
our regiment; and no wonder. for right
in our front, between us and our skirm-
lshels, whom we thought must have been
They had paid no attention to the rest of
the brigade on our right, but on they
came determined to turn our left Col.
chamberlain understood the movement
they were making, and bent the left of our
regiment until the line formed almost
night angle with the colors. All this was
done in less time than it takes to write it.
How can describe the scene that follow
ed? Imagine, if you can, nine small com
panles OF infantry, numbering perhaps
Three hundred men, in the form of a right
angle on the extreme flank of an army of
eight thousand men-put there to hold
the key OF the entire position against a
force at least ten times their number. and
who were determined to succeed in the
mission upon which they came.
Stand firm, We boys from Maine, for not
once In century are men permitted to
hold such responsibilities for freedom and
justice, for God and humanity. as are
placed upon you. The conflict opens. |
know not which line gave the first fire.
nor which got the first lead. | only know
That the carnage began. Our regiment
was mantled in smoke and fire. | wish
that L could picture with pen the awful
details of that hour How RAPIDLY the
cartridges were torn from the boxes and
stuffed into the smoking muzzles of the
guns. How the steel hammers FLASHED in
the heated barrels. How faces and hands
grew grim and black with burnt powder.
How our little line, baptized with fire,
reeled to and fro as it advanced or was
pressed back. How our officers bravelv
encouraged the men to hold on and reck-
lessly exposed themselves to the enemv's
lire. And if that was all my heart would