Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-23

we shall see. When the brigade was in
line of battle the Third Alabama was on
its right flank. In the division line Of
battle, Daniel was on the right flank.
Doles on the left flank, O'Neal, the right
centre. Iverson the left centre, and Ran
seur in reserve. Just BEFORE the divis1o;t
commenced to advance General Rodes,
the commander Of the division. rode up
to Colonel Battle and said, Colonel, keep
well up on Daniels lert." That order
was strictly obeyed and the proof is at
hand. The Gettysburg Federal Memorial
Association, in 1897, published history
of the Gettysburg Memorial Association.
with an account of the battle, from
which I quote as follows:
Another of Rodess brigades, Daniels
North Carolina, moved past the front OF
Robilsons Division, and While the FIFTY
third Regiment Of the brigade with the
Third labama of O'Neal's which had
been detached from his brigade, and the
Twelfth North Carolina Of VERSIONS. at
tackled the Seventy-six,n New York,
Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania. and the 147th
New York, of Cutters Brigade, on the
left of Robinson, Daniels other regiments
the Thirty-second, Forty-tifth, the second
battalion, and the Forty-third, moved
further to the right. around to the rail
road cut. and attacked the 143d and i4sth,
Pennsylvania, Of Stones Brigade.
Cutler and Stone were defea ted and
splendid victory. I was surprised to find
that O'Neal, with the other regiments
OF the brigade. was not on my imme,
him. and seeing the enemy reforming
| their lines. I reported to General Daniel
for orders. That gallant officer received
ders for YOU; YOU must act on your
own responsibility. Immediately l or
| dered the Third Alabama forward. But
in few moments Il, saw ss Ram nise t ap
what followed. General Ramseaur. IN
his official report Of the battle Of Get
tysburg, in Volume q. Part H. Official
Armies. says:
My. brigade arrived on the field after
the division had formed line Of battle;
| was then held In reserve to support
O'Neal, left center, or General lverson
on the right center. according to clrcum-
stances. After resting about fifteen min
ments to the support. of Colonel o'Neal,
Iverson. / immediateiS dispatched the
H roops to af he sup Geih of ana aF1 M
the Fourteenth and Thirtieth5 hastened
TO the support Of Iverson: l found three
a 5GSiits % and is tie Third Alabama
coming out Of the fight (after the defeat
of Cutler) from VERSIONS right. re-
auested Colonel Battle SThiTd Al AZ an;
these regiments-the Third Alabama,
Fourteenth and Thirtieth North Caro-
lima! turned the enemy's strong posi-
"A stone fence, by attacking. en- 1nasse on
his right flank. driving him back and
getting in his rear. At the time OF my
commanding officer Of the Twelfth North
Carolina, Of 1verson's Brigade, to press
the enemy in front. This was done. The
made but Feeble resistance to the front
attack, but ran off the field in confu-
sion, leaving his killed and wounded and
| between 500 and 800 prisoners in our
hands. The enemy, was pushed through
Gettysburg to the heights beyond, when
| received an order TO halt and form
line Of battle in a street IN Getty ,s,g
Battle with the Third Alabama, render
ed brilliant and invaluable service. At
taching his regmsi1n;t to my command n, on on
right place, at the right time, and l.:
the right way
My promotion to brisadier-general soon
followed, and Rodes's Brigade became !,
composition being the substitution of
the Sixty-tirst Alabama Regiment for the
TwentS.siNth Alabama . R efsi
fought successfully two engagements on
the first day of the battle OF Gettysburg.
With the Flfty-thlrd Regiment of
Daniels Brigade and the Twelfth Regi-
ment Of Iversons Brigade it crushed
Cutler and sent his broken columns peli
nell to the rear. and afterwards. with
the Fourteenth and Thirtieth regiments
of Ramseur's Brigade, it swept the field
and planted its nag on the heights of
Gettysburg.
do not know how Colonel ONeal was
detected SO far to the left of the Con-
federate line. The Third Alabama was
the battalion of direction. and the other
regiments Of the brigade should have
confcrmed to its movements; but it is
wrong to blame a brave officer for not
overcoming insuperable obstacles. 1t is
rot probable that any four regiments in
the Army of Northern Virginia could
have made Roadway against twenty
pieces Of artillery adequately supported
by infantry.
Very early on the second day of the
battle Rodes's Brigade, O'Neal com
handing. was sent to the left OF the
! Confederate line to support Maior-Gene-
raj Edward Johnston in his attack w
/ Cups HILL and went into action at half
| past in the morning. 1t was; not eX-
| pected that that impregnable position
could be carried. 1t was simply a diver
sion in favor of Lonsstreets contem-
| plated movement on Lees extreme right
| The brigade was withdrawn at II O. clock
| having accomplished its mission to the
| satisfaction of the commanding general.
| No part of F.welI's Corps to which
! Rodess Division belonged was engaged
| in the battle of the third at Gettysburg