The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-21
THE GALLANT
THIRD ALABAMA
General Battles Story Of Two Fights
at GettysburS in Which the Resi-
ment Won Two Victories.

To the Editor of The Richmond Dispatch:
l have just finished the perusal Of five
volumes entitled North Carolina Regi-
ments; 1s6l-1s65," edited by Hon. Walter
Clark and published by the State Of North
Carolina
The work is admirable in all its parts;
but. like all similar publications, 1t Is not
there are errors in what they term Bat
ties Brigade" at the battle of Gettys-
bug.
Hon. Walter A. Montgomery, in his
elaborate sketch of the 18th North Caro-
lima. in speaking of the first days battle
at Gettysburg, says: The troops which
occupied the Federal line faced to the
West. and were Bakers brigade of ROB
insons' Division, First Corps; the 18th
Pennsylvania volunteers with its right on
the Mummasburg road; next, toward the
South. the 18th Massachusetts, volunteers;
next, the SD New York volunteers; next,
s7th New York volunteers. VERSIONS line
was composed Of the 9Th North Carolina
on his left; next, the I'D North Carolina
and the 18th North Carolina on the right.
General Rodes' order was that Battles
brigade should go in and support Iver-
sons left. Battles brigade "a part only.
as General Rodes reported) went in In
confusion, and was repulsed quickly.
Baxter. Witnessing this advance OF Bat
ties brigade. moved the 18th Pennsylva-
mia to the Mummasburg Road, and 1t.
with the 18th Massachusetts,. repulsed
Battles men. The 10th Pennsylvania vas
then carried to Its original position in
anticipation of VERSIONS assault, which
was then coming on.
1.-THE sOth Pennsylvania and the 18th
Massachusetts,. which had been relieved
from pressure in their front by the re-
pulse of Battles Brigade. got a raking
cross and flank fire on the left of lver-
son. and, the distance being very short,
II was most fatal all along the line.
Only one other extract, of this char
acter, will be given from the writer's of
North Carolina Regiments"
Captain Turner. in writing OF the I'D
North Carolina Regiment at Gettysburg
uses this language: When We were IN IN
enemy rose from its protected lair and
poured into us whitening fire from the
front and both tanks. For Battles Brig
ade ordered to protect our LETT hank. haa
pieces OF artillery and repulsed by the
right wing Of the Federal lines just as
we came up"
Now, there was no Battles Brigade in
existence at that time. The troops re-
ferred to were a part of Rodes' Brigade,
commanded by Col. E. A. O'Neal The
brigade that had immortalized Rodes and
laid the foundation of Gordon's world,
wide fame! 1t was composed OF the 90
Alabama, Colonel Battle: the 9Th Ala
bama, Colonel Hobson; the 9Th Alabama,
Colonel Lightfoot the 18th Alabama, Col
onel Pickens and the 26th Alabama, Col
onel O'Neal; but the Sd Alabama was not
present at the time of its discontinue
Where was the Sd Alabama? Well, we
shall see. When the brigade was in line
of battle the Sd Alabama was on Its right
Daniel was on the right flank. Doles on
the left flank, O'Neal the rSght centre,
Iverson the left centre, and Ranseur IN
reserve. Just before the division com
comma nder of the division, rode up to
Colon Il Battle and said: Colonel. keep
WILL up on Daniels left" That order was
strictly obeyed. and the proof IL at hand.
The Gettysburg Federal Memo 5istor Ass Of
the Gettysburg Memorial Association,
with an account of the battle, from which
l quote as follows:
Another OF Rodes's brigades Daniel
North Carolina, moved past the front OF
Robinson's Division. and while the oSo
Regiment of the brigade. with the Sd
Alabama of ONears which had been De
tAched from his brigade; ana the I'm
North Carolina Of VERSIONS. attacked the
18th of New York, 18Th of Pennsylvanla'
and the Nth New York, Of Cutters Brig
ade, on the left of Robtnsons Daniel
other regiments, the S2nd 4otn. tne sec
ond Battalion. and the 4Sd, moved further
to the right around to the railroad cut,
ana attacked the 143d and 14Sth Pennsyl,
vania OF Stones Brigade. Cutler ana
stone were defeated and driven PACK
When we halted. after splendid victory
l was surprised to ind that ONeal s.
with the other regiments OF the brigade.
was not on my immediate left. NOT
knowing where to find him, ana seeing
the enemy reforming their lines, l re-
ported to General Daniel for orders. That
gallant officer received me cordially, put
said: II have no orders for you. fou
must act on your own responsibility.
hmm ediately / ordered the Sd Alabama
forward But in a few moments l saw
Ramseaur approaching, and l will leave
him to tell what followed. General Ram
seaur, in his Official report OF the battle
of Gettysburg. in Vol. 81, Part H., Omcial
Records of the Union and Confederate
Armies, says:
my brigade arrived on the field after
the division had formed line OF oattie.
I was then held in reserve TO support gen
left center, or General Iverson on the
right center, according to circumstances
After resting about fifteen minutes l re-
ceived orders to send two regiments 70
the support of Colonel O'Neal, and with
the remaining two to support 1versen
Immediately dispatched the End and attn
North Carolina troops to the support OF
O'Neal and with the 14th and Soth hast
sned IN the support Of VERSIONS com
mand almost annihilated, and the 80 Ala
bama coming out Of the hght carter the
defeat of Cutler) from VERSIONS right.
| requested Colonel Battle I'D AlabamO
To ioin me. which he chesrfully did. with
these regiments-the Sd Alabama, 18th
and 30th North CARDINAL turned the en-
emys strong position, IN q body OF woods
surrounded by stone renee, by attacK-
ing en- masse on his right nank. driving
him back and getting in his rear. At
the time of my advance on the ensmys
right | sent to commanding oficey OF the
18th North Carolina, OF Iverson Brigade,
to press the enemy in front This was
done. The enemy, seeing his right flank
turned. made but feeble resistance to the
front attack, but ran of the field in con-
fusion. leaving his killed and wounded
and between 800 and 900 prisoners in eur
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 Gettysburg run
ming east and west. Colonel Bat