The National tribune., 1902-09-18

numbering about j,UVU nleI. he IL Suaiu-
ing the crossings of Willoughby Run on
two highways leading into Gettysburg,
from a mile and fourth to a mile and
three-fourths northwest of the town. with
Lees whole army from four to % miles
away. every division of which is marching
steadily and rapidly toward him; with only
two Union corps in position to support
him, one of them, numbering $500 men
(Stannard's Brigade not being with the
First Corps in the first days battle), be-
ing six miles away and the other. 10000
strong, 13 miles distant. while the balance
of the Union army and the Commanding
General thereof were far out of reach and
in blissful ignorance of his situation. But
Buford never quailed, and Heth's Divi-
sion found him at his post.
THE BATTLE OF JULY 1.
The First Corps was early astir, and
as we marched along the Emmitsburg
Road in the direction of Gettysburg our
ears were saluted with the first cannon
shots of the opening battle. When we ar
rived within about mile of Gettysburg
we met Gen. Reynolds, who had returned
to urge us forward with all possible speed
to the support of Buford. This was about
$50 o'clock Gen. Reynolds sat upon his
horse on the west side of the highway,
facing us, and as l marched near the head
of our column l had a fair view of his
features. The General looked careworn,
sad and stern, but the high purpose of
his patriotic spirit was stamped upon ev-
cry lineament. 1t was the last time
saw him. He directed the turning of
the head of our column to the westward
and then rode forward to confer with Bu-
ford. Within a short half-hour later he
had given his life for his country.
As we turned from the Emmitsburg
Road westward, scattering solid shot tore
through the tree-tops above our heads, re-
minding us that the battle was nearer
than we had supposed. Then Col. Fair
child sprang from his horse, which he
gave to his hostler as he shouted: Non
combatants to the rear" We marched
rapidly, loading our pieces as we advanced.
Five hundred yards from the point where
our Colonel dismounted brought us to the
crest of Seminary Ridge. Five hundred
yards further, and we entered the edge
of McPherson's Woods, on the crest of
q second ridge where Buford's thin line,
which was holding Archer's Brigade of
Heth's Division in check, passed to our
rear. Immediately We charged into the
woods down the slope, receiving a CALLING
fire from Archer's men. Before We had
advanced 80 yards within the woods Col.
Fairchild received severe wound, from
which he lost his arm. My regiment (the
I'd Wis., was in the advance. The other
regiments of the old Iron Brigade"
formed to our right and left. We held
our fire until within 10 yards of Archer's
line, and then gave them volley that
counted. From this point Archer's line
fell back, retreating slowly and stubborn
ly through the woods and finally across
Willoughby Run. We followed close
upon their heels, and crossing the Run
but a moment later, captured Gen. Archer
and about 300 of his men, partially shell
tered behind a clump of willows. As
Archer surrendered his sword to Lieut.
Daily, of Co. B, and it became certain
that we had won the first heat. one of
my comrades, Jonathan Bryan by name,
and by birth a Pennsylvanian, one of the
best and bravest among the soldiers of the
I'd Wis. while waving his hat in the air
as he cheered for victory won, fell dead
at my feet, shot through the heart by a
Confederate from the edge of the woods
beyond the field in our front Comrade
Bryan was the only man of our regiment,
] believe, killed west of Willoughby Run
We then recrossed the run with our pris-
Dners.
When visited this field in 1900 / found
no stone marking the spot where the brave
common-soldier fell, nor yet a monument
on the west side Of Willoughby Run show
ing where We captured Archer, neither a
line on our regimental monument. which
stands just east of the run, telling to the
world the important fact in connection
with the history Of the I'd Wis, that it
crossed Willoughby Run on the 1st day
of July and there captured Archer. This
oversight relative to our regimental monu-
ment arises from the fact that when our
Wisconsin monuments were erected, %
years after the battle, Col. Fairchild and
his hostler were the two men appointed
by Gen. Rusk of Wisconsin, to represent
the I'd Wis. in locating the position
that said monument should occupy, neither
Of whom were on this part of the field dur
ing the battle, the Colonel having been
wounded in the commencement of the ac-
ton and his hostler having been sent to
the rear with the Colonel's horse (both of
which l personally witnessed), and was
not in the action at any time. l was
living near Madison at the time and tried
to obtain the appointment, but my appli-
cation was never even noticed.
After this sharp skirmish, which lasted
about half an hour, there was a luil in the
battle. We reformed our line in posi-
ton to command the run, threw out
strong skirmish line and proceeded to call
the rolls of companies and take an in
ventory of our losses. We had lost from
my regiment 116 men killed and wounded
out of a total of 302 that went into the
action, including both our Colonel and
Lieutenant Colonel: but it was only a
skirmish.
While we lay in line awaiting the re-
newal of the battle / noticed soldier of
my company, by the name of T.. S. Will
Jams, who had been wounded some dis
tance to rearward. in the woods. He had
secured two muskets, which he was using
for crutches. and when l last saw him
he was far up the slope, making his way
off the field without assistance, though SO
severely wounded that his leg was after
ward amputated above the knee
Before the battle reopened word was
passed along our line informing us of the
death of Gen. Reynolds. He was killed
a few moments after we went into action.
a little to the right and 80 yards in front
Of the point where we entered the woods
q granite monument marking Tin 1900, the
spot where he fell. This woods is now
called Reynolds's Grove.
Our Second Brigade of the First Diyi-
sion, commanded by Gen. Cutler. had re-
lieved Buford's men and defeated Dayis's
Brigade about the same time our brigade
defeated and captured Archer. The Sec
ond and Third Divisions of the First Corps
extended our lines to the right and left,
making the whole battle line of the First
,la in ,,yfh