The National tribune., 1900-07-05
POSITION OF TWELFTH coRPs-THrRD AT GETTYSBURG.

POSITION OF TWELFTH CORPS
several batteries in line, as close as possible
TO the enemy, and at both fianks Of these
guns his infantry were assembled; these
erawIed on the ground still closer to the
enemy. but leaving to the artillery an
unobstructed field of fire, which WIS to
begin when these arrangements were
completed, and as soon as the artillery
ceased to fire the infantry were to spring
to their feet, form lire as they ran, and
charge to drive the enemy out IF our works.
At this time received orders TO take my
regiment (the 66th Ohiel up to the summit
Of Culp's Hill, cross the Union line Of in
trenchments at that point, and after driving
.he enemy of of the side Of hill, then, with
my regiment acting as sllarpshooiers,
| was to attack the enemy in our works;
and it was hoped that by thus coming
upon them on their flank, and almost rear,
that l would be able TO carry out the part
assigned to me. Accordingly, Just before
the dawn Of day ON the morning OF july
3, while Geary was arranging his other
plans. | moved up to the top Of Cup s Hlll
with my regiment, and having halted II
and given the order TO rest. sought the
officer in command there. Finding him.
/ told him what my orders were, to cross
his line OF works and drive the enemy on
thesideofthe hill. His reply was: " "MyGod::
il YOU go out there the eI-enY VIII simply
swallow you.y He further said the enemy
was out there and in force, and that he
had been expecting and awaiting an attack
all night. and that it might come at any
moment. In reply, 1 merely repeated to
him my orders, bade him good morning,
and returned 10 the place where my regI-
vvsac ar rnF1g
gave the command, Attention"
Instantly there was the lostie OF soldiers
arousing themselves from. rest, together
with the suppressed hum Of voices, followed
by the clatter of canteens and other utensils
which were then carried by soldiers, in
addition TO that OF their arms, as these
elashed together IN the efforts of the men to
get into ranks go none knew where;
forward meant into instant deadly conflict
with the enemy. but to a man the regiment
stood at attention and ready.
Ii was certainly a good exhibition as to
the efficiency and discipline Of Union
volunteers as then maintained and enforced
that small regiment would spring into
ranks at a word OF command and stand
ready, but entirely unsupported. to cross
our own intrenchmeats in the dim light Of
an early morning, and grappie with an
unknown enemy upon grounds CT his own
choosing, and this at time when move
nents were being made bY such mighty
hosts that their tread fairly shook the
battlefield.
The continued thunder of Geary's guns
was assurance enough for me TO know
that my movement Was well timed to help
cur comrades in their efforts to drive I5yell 5
forces out Of otr works. The command
forward followed, aad ny regiment vas ia
motion. We rapidly crossed the EltreHcfi-
nnents. but so close We're the advance of the
esleruy that we received their FIRE before
on
ed while crossing were Cap.s. Morgan and
Butts. each twice. The 66th pushed
ahead over the great boWiders, stones and
logs, and after i ferrous resistance by the
enemy from behind such shelter, still not
knowing but that this advance was that Of
large Union force they fell back, and
gave tpt that side of Cups Hill 10 US. Thus
We're we able TO carry out a part Of our
orders and without the serious opposition
that we had expected. Being assured of
our success, gaze orders for the regiment
10 depi9y. and that they take every adj
vantage Of the rough surface Cf the hin to
protect themselves as We pressed ON towards
the flank Of the enemy in our works, and II
was oJit there in the sharpshootlng that
followed that among orr killed was our
gallant Mai. Palmer, and among ogil
wounded was soldier named ScottIe, who
received as severe a wound as / have ever
known a man 10 live through or recover
from. a shell burst over him, and sonla OF
the flying pieces striking him at the base
of the Jaw, broke these bones and drove the
fragments and his teeth out at his mouth
AS this man passed me on his way TO the
field hospital ] noticed that as he breati1ed
his checks seemed 10 meet. as there
was not anything 10 keep them apart
but VIXEN III the hands OF our slcilifal Sur
geaus, tins case was 50 treated that he
recovered. Years afterwards he was one
of Il committee on the parI OF ms regiment
TO select a site for a monument 10 be erected
by the State Of Ohloin its honor, which nov
stands on tie sideof Cups Hill, outside q
the Union infrenchmeIlts, near the spoi
where Maj. Palmer was killed At that
conference held on Cups Hill. although
Segltis was unable 10 tsslk, he could readily
point out tlie plcee where be stood when ht
received his remarkable wound.
The Goth held on 10 the side Of Gup's
Hill until recalled by order Of Gen. Geary
and upon our return 20 cur former place
IN the field works we found the line intact
as had been the order, 2well s forces being
driven out and forced back towards Roch
Creek.
This struggle virtually ended the fight
ing upon the Union right, but early thai
afternoon the Gonfederates opened with
over 100 guns on Haneoekis S line on Gene
terry Ridge, and as the thunder of thosf
his sfDreyer-meluorabie charge.
The supreme effort OF the Coufederates
atGettysburg was that charge. the repuisss
OF which placed upon the Confederate
commander the responsibility ef deternlin
ing what should lie done next He de
terinined upon q retreat, and that retrea
from Gettysburg was as successful ant
remarkable as had been the advance thereto
IL being matter of pride and creditable {,
q retreating army not 10 leave anything
to- the victor save their dead and tn