The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-07
LOSSES IN THE LATE WAR
MORE FACTS WITH REFERENCE
TO1HE GALLANT 26fH.
Col. w. n. 8. 6urgwyn Gives Facts and
Figures that are Well Anthem
ticated as to its
Prowess,

To te Editor: In your interesting edi-
torial Of the 9th inst, on Teaching
.orth Cardinals part in the war;" you
state ''The greatest loss suffered by any
regiment ON either side in any one battle
was that of the Goth n c., at Gettys-
burg, commanded by Col. Harry Bur
gwyn, of Pettigrews Brigade, Heth's Di-
vision. 1t lost 5SS men. In one company
of "a men every man and officer was
hit" The above is true so far as it goes.
but Prof. Howell has omitted the losses
the regiment met with in the third days
fight. The losses he puts down We're sus-
tanned in the first days battle. On the
third day, Pettigrews Brigade, notwith-
standing the dreadful havoc of the first
day, was again put in the front rank, not
as support to Pickett remember, and it's
shattered ranks penetrated as far if not
farther than those OF any other command
and the loss was again appalling. The
Sind n. c., regiment Of the Brigade COM
manded by it's heroic Colonel j. X. Mar
shall had both it's Colonel and Major
killed. and the other regiments suffered
in like proportion. The 26th lost 120
men out of the 24O, taken into action,
making total loss of the regiment in the
two days fighting 7OS men of the total
800 rank and file before the battle. Co.
F.. had 81 men instead of "a for duty on
the first day of which every man was
killed or wounded will not be for
gotten that on the reat from Gettys-
burg, Pettigrew's Brigade was given the
post of honor as part of the rear guard
of the army, and at Failing Waters
while protecting the ford across the Po-
tomac at that point, this Brigade was
attacked by cavalry and its beloved COM
mander. Pattigrew killed. Let Prof.
Howell revise his figures for there is now
no question as to the accuracy of those
given above.
Col Fox. of Albany, \. T.. in his
book ''Regimental losses in the Civil
War;" is authority for the same and in
recent address by Mr.. G. III. Mcconnell,
of Chicago. H., delivered in that city
before the Western Society of the Army
of the Potomac, he gives them as well
authenticated. Mr.. Mcconnell was a pri-
vate in the Oath Michigan regiment of the
celebrated Iron Brigade, which was
attacked by Pettigrew's Brigade in the
first days fight. He says his regiment
was attacked by the Goth n. c. ! quote
few lines from Mr.. McConnell's ad-
dress: 1.-The oath Michigan had mainly
to contend with the direct fire of Petit
crews Brigade of North Carolinians,
land the Carolinians were the fighters of
the Confederacy) and especially of that
magnificent fighting regiment of 800 he
roes, the Goth North Carolina, whose loss
in the battle of Gettysburg, both in
numbers, 708, and percentage SS1a was
the greatest ever recorded in warfare,
even down to the present time of breech
loading rifles and rapid firing guns" l
would like to have McConnelFs address
printed in full, but he wishes it first to
appear in Northern magazine.
Excuse me for calling attention to this
omission in Prof. Howell's compendium.
If we make an error in our glorious re-
cord how can we expect that it will not
be perpetuated by others less interested.
Yours truly,
VIM. III. S. BURGWYN.