Evening star., 1905-11-09
Gen. Slocum at Gettysburg.



In an article published in The Star of
the 4th instant relative 10 the criticism of
Gen Slocum at the first day of the battle
of Gettysburg, Col. Calhoun quotes from
Gen. Howard's report in support of his po-
sition. There is not a word in the extract
quoted that can by any stretch of imagi-
nation be construed to mean that Gen.
Slocum seemed, Indifferent and reluctant
to respond to the request of Gen. Howard
to make a rapid march to Gettysburg as
alleged by Col. Calhoun On the contrary
have the following, quoted from 1.-The
History of the Twelfth Corps by Col.
William f. Fox, author of "Regimental
Losses in the Civil War" New York at
Gettysburg and The Life of General
Slocum:"
"On July 1 Slocum moved his corps to
Two Taverns, directed by orders from
army headquarters, the head of his column
arriving there a little after IL O'clock
Within hour or the entire corps was
up. This place is five miles southeast Of
Gettysburg. About 1 o'clock, while the
troops We're resting in the fields along the
roadside. a citizen came down the Balti-
more pike from Gettysburg and reported
that a battle was being fought there. Slo-
cum Immediately sent~Maj. Guindon of his
staff with an escort of mounted orderlies
to learn the truth of the story.
THE report of this citizen was the first
intimation Slocum received that there was
any fighting at the place called Gettys-
burg distant sound of artillery had
been heard at times. but nothing to indi-
cate that 1t was anything more than some
cavalry affair, such as had occurred the
day before at Lttlestown. The wind was
blowing to the north. rendering its sound
of the firing very indstinct ana further
more, the main battle of the first day had
not commenced as yet.
Gen. Meades circular of Instructions to
corps commanders, dated July 1, and re-
aIr Nv tlN<,f
him that IF the enemy assume the often
sive, it was his (Meades 81 intention
to withdraw the army from its present DO
sition and form line of battle at Pine
creek, and that for this purpose Gen. Rey-
nolds, in command of the left, will with
draw the force at present at Gettysburg
and that Gen. Slocum will assume com
mand of the two corps at Hanover and Two
Taverns and withdraw them via Union
Mills Shortly before o'clock Slocum re-
ceived a dispatch from Howard Informing
him of the lighting at Gettysburg Exer-
cising the discretion allowable under such
circumstances. Slocum Immediately ordered
the 18th Corps forward. although the in
structtons from Gen. Meade-the only ones
received from him up to this time that
day-indicated a different course.
Gen. Geary, whose division had the
lead. states in his official report that his
column started at pm. and advanced
rapidly on the road to the town, and Gen.
Williams, in his report, says that when
the Information OF the engagement was re-
ceived his division moved rapidly up the
pike. While on the road to the front Slo-
cum met his staff officer, who was return
ing. Maj. Guindon confirmed the citizens
story and informed Slocum that he had
met Gems. Hancock and Howard both of
whom sent an urgent request that the 18th
Corps push forward fast as possible
These calls were unnecessary, however as
Slocum's men were already swinging along
the road to Gettysburg at most rapid
gait and had been for some time Just be-
fore reaching Rock creek. In the southern
vicinity of the town. Slocum sent the fol-
lowing dispatch
" July 1, 1863. 3:35 pm
=" Gen. Hancock or Gen. Howard:
~ am moving the 10Th Corps so as to
come in about one mile to the right of Get
tysburg. Fl. w. SLOCUM,
Major General
"On arriving at Rock creek Slocum with
the LIST Division turned OF to the right
and, following a crossroad for over a mile.
formed line at the base of Wolf HILL on
top OF which some confederate mounted
troops were visible in the woods. The 27th
Indiana deployed skirmishes, before whose
advance the enemy slowly retired. At this
time information was received that the
Union forces had withdrawn to the eas.
side of the town. whereupon Slocum or
dered Williams division back to the Bal
timore pike, and going to Cemetery Hi.
himself, assumed command of the dAid By