USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > History of the One hundred and fifty-third regiment Pennsylvania volunteers infantry which was recruited in Northampton County, Pa., 1862-1863 > Part 7
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General Howard
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GETTYSBURG-THE FIRST DAY
mishap had been so unfavorably posted at the former battle should now occupy the pivotal and most important strategic position-Cemetery Hill. And third, that in his immediate front and but 1600 feet from his entrenchments (a distance similar to that in the horrid southern wilderness) in front of that hill, the same large division of Rodes, of Jackson's army, which con- fronted him at Chancellorsville, should appear before the same old Eleventh Corps. This strange convergence of armies could hardly have escaped the notice of the commanders on both sides, and just such a position of the contending men must have had an inspiriting effect on all engaged.
As the Eleventh Corps arrived on the ist day, after its most fatiguing march from Emmitsburg, it was immediately put under fire. The position assigned it was wholly incidental. Schurz, having just been placed in command by Howard ( who by seniority assumed command at the death of Reynolds), intended to push forward skirmishers and seize Oak Ridge and connect with the right of the First Corps in prolongation of the line northly, on the Ridge, thus offering a strong position. Before Schurz could get his troops on the ridge Rodes' division of Ewell's Corps appeared on the scene with artillery in position to enfilade the line of the First Corps. This unforeseen move of the enemy necessitated Schurz taking position in rear and he deployed his two divisions, Schimmelphenning's and Barlow's on the field and low ground between Oak Ridge and Rock Creek. Meantime Ewell's troops were forming in line from the right of the First Corps along the Ridge extending to Rock Creek, castward. In the forma- tion of our two divisions, to confront Ewell's advance from the north, Barlow and Schimmelphenning faced north. Thus form- ing at right angles to Doubleday whose men were then facing west. The first troops that arrived were Schimmelphenning's ; two brigades under Colonel von Amsberg and Krzyzanowski. These formed in double lines holding the left while Barlow's division occupied the extreme right extending to Rock Creek, von Gilsa's Brigade reaching to the Creek above named. The rebel force to confront at this time were the troops under Hill
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HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
and Ewell. The troops on the Federal side were those of the First Corps (Doubleday) and the Eleventh Corps (Schurz).
The forces thus engaged on that day were: On the Union side, infantry, cavalry and artillery, 18,400; the Confederate side, total 27,300.
Gettysburg had been greatly stirred for several days before the battle over the appearance of rebel cavalry in the vicinity, and gradually the town was preparing for the invasion .* The battle of battles began at 9 a. m., July 1, 1863, but had been preceded by skirmishing within several miles on the northwest of the town. Recent raiding of Stuart on the east and north-east of Gettysburg, where he had encountered our cavalry under Kil- patrick, and his disappointment at not finding Ewell any longer at York caused him to turn north-west and coming to Carlisle, he found the place occupied by Federal troops. After an unsuccess- ful attempt at taking the town he turned towards Gettysburg, having meantime learned that Lee was concentrating there and that our troops had met him, that a battle was already begun. He did not reach the battle field, however, until the next day, the 2d.
The Eleventh Corps having arrived on the field at about 12.30 was an hour passing through the town, having come by two roads from Emmittsburg. There having been a lull in the morning's en- gagement by the cavalry under Buford, it was about 2 p. m. before the Eleventh Corps got into action. Howard was in the tower of the Observatory about II a. m. when he learned of the death of Reynolds. The engagement by our infantry under Rey- nolds had commenced at 10.45 a. m. and the General's death (Reynolds) occurred at 11.15 a. m., just 30 minutes after the opening of the battle with his troops. Doubleday was immediately placed in command of the Ist Corps (Reynolds') and Howard placed Shurz in command of his (Eleventh) Corps. Howard
*The goods of the several stores had been boxed for shipment-cars having. been kept in readiness. The majority of the citizens had vacated their homes.
General Slocum.
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GETTYSBURG-THE FIRST DAY
was commander of all the troops on the ground from 11.15 a. m. to 7.30 p. m. when Slocum, being senior, assumed command of the field though Howard knowing that Slocum was the senior had previously urged him to hurry up from Two Taverns (5 miles away) and take the command of the forces until the arrival of Meade who was at that time at Tanneytown twelve miles away ; having just been appointed to succeed Hooker was very busy.
The first day's fighting beginning at 9. a. m. continued until 7 p. m. From 9 to 10.30 Buford was hotly engaged with dis- mounted cavalry and battery. Wadsworth carlier in the day had sharp skirmishing with the skirmish lines of Hill. Telegrams from Gettysburg had informed Reynolds at Marsh Creek as early as 7 o'clock that the enemy was approach- ing the town of Gettysburg whereupon he immediately hurried off to the scenes leaving orders for Doubleday to bring up the First Corps as soon as possible. Meanwhile Wadsworth having started with his division from Marsh Creek (6 miles below Gettysburg) immediately in command of Reynolds, when within one mile of the town Reynolds, having received the information that the enemy was approaching from Cashtown, suddenly turned the troops across the fields and struck the Cashtown road about three-fourths of a mile west of the town arriving there about IO a. m. Wadsworth states the following :
"The right became sharply engaged before the line was formed, and at this time (about 10.15 a. m.) our gallant leader fell mortally wounded. The right encountered a heavy force, were outnumbered, outflanked, and after a resolute contest, bravely conducted by Brigadier General Cutler, fell back in good order to Seminary Ridge, near the town, and a portion of the command still nearer the town. As they fell, followed by the enemy, the 14th N. Y. State militia, Colonel Fowler; Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Dawes, and Ninety-fifth N. Y. Volun- teers, Colonel Biddle, gallantly charged on the advance of the enemy, and captured a large number of the enemy, including two entire regiments with their flags. . . . Major-General Doubleday, commanding the Corps (Ist) at that time, arrived on the ground about the time, or very soon after, General Reynolds fell, with the Second and Third Divisions.
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HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
The enemy advanced in heavy force on our right, and placed a battery in position to enfilade the line. and I was obliged to order the right to fall back to Seminary Ridge, forming the line northwesterly, and diagonal to the Cashtown road. The two brigades of the Second Division were sent to our right, and gallantly held the enemy in check for an hour, capturing a large number of prisoners. I received orders direct from Major-General Howard to hold Seminary Ridge as long as possible."
Here is the clearest evidence that Howard was in command.
Our corps being in position threw its force at once into the combat. Its part taken is best given by the able disinterested historian, Colonel Wm. F. Fox, in the following graphic words :
"During all this time the Eleventh Corps was battling manfully on the right of the Union line. When Early's Division arrived on the Heidleburg road, it found Rodes' Division already moving forward to the attack. Seeing the necessity of holding the ground until an infantry force could arrive, Devin (cavalry) ordered the Ninth New York Cavalry to support the skirmish line, and forming the rest of the brigade as dis- mounted carbineers, delayed Rodes and Early until relieved.
The engagement on this the first day lasted about seven hours. The confusion incident to a day's battle, making up the intervals of actual conflict. The fighting of the first day, judging by the ground gone over and the positions exchanged, would indicate that at evening the victory was on the side of the Confederates. It was the flush of vantage gained from the retirement of the Federal forces from the positions on the north and northwest of the town to the town itself which gave the enemy great encouragement, and not until Lee had tried his well-laid plans of as- saulting the extremes of our line on Cemetery Ridge did he despair of success."
To give a satisfactory account of the operation of the 153d Regiment would require a detailed narrative of the engage- ments of the two Corps on each day. That this would make our history too general for the purpose the organization had in view in its authorization, must be at once obvious to all con- cerned in the publication. Yet such is the meagre data which the historian can find in the great mass of reports of the Corps as a collective body when singled out as appertaining to the single
Copyright, 1887, by THE CENTURY CO.
Copyright, 1888, by THE CENTURY Co.
Maj .- Gen. Franz Sigel. From a photograph.
Copyright, 1888, by THE CENTURY Co.
Brevet Maj .- Gen. Adelbert Ames. From a photograph.
Maj .- Gen. Carl Schurz. From a photograph.
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GETTYSBURG-THE FIRST DAY
regiment, that the bulk of matter available for use in relation to our regiment is so diminutive that its story would occupy very little space. This is likely to be true of any organization and will embarrass any candid historian. The only satisfactory way open to the writer therefore is for him to give a synopsis of the entire actions of the forces engaged in the battle covering the three days of the conflict of Gettysburg. This I think, after very careful study of the aims and desires of the comrades will be the best course for me to pursue. The actual fighting of our infantry, on the ground north of the town on the first day, occupied less than two hours ; and while our boys displayed as much bravery as any troops on that field, it cannot be denied by any critic that they were again posted to great disadvantage, having been very unequally matched against a much superior foe.
A more detailed account reveals that at noon General Buford in charge of the cavalry, and who had engaged the enemy on the north-west of the Seminary during the early hours of the morn- ing, sent word to Howard that the enemy was massing in heavy force between the York and Harrisburg roads some three or four miles north of the town. This information came to the commanding General about the same time that the Eleventh Corps entered the town by its forced march from Emmitsburg. Meantime the troops under General Doubleday had been heavily engaged with the enemy on the left but soon the right of Double- day was seriously threatened. This situation as observed by Howard through his field glass was the more enhanced by the fact that reinforcements of the enemy were coming from two directions. Accordingly, Howard ordered that the Eleventh Corps which had by this time been placed in command of Schurz should at once, on its arrival, be posted on the right of the line of the First Corps and facing the direction from which Ewell's army was expected as reported to Howard by Buford. In this move the Eleventh Corps was to afford relief to the First Corps. Reconnoiter in the direction of Ewell's advance confirmed the re- port of his approach. General Meade as before stated was at
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HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
Tanneytown making all due preparations for the impending battle which he had by this time decided would take place at Gettysburg. He had meantime discouraged the bringing on a general engagement. Howard sent him word of the situation, and also dispatched a courier to General Sickles and Slocum urging them up at all speed, advising them that a battle had begun. At the hour of 2 p. m. Howard went over to the field in person, making a general examination of the topography of the land and returned to his place of observation. From Howard's high position on Cemetery Hill he discovered a battery, between the Harrisburg and Mummasburg roads, and from there a fire was being directed upon the Eleventh Corps which had by this time taken position on the higher ground above the Almshouse. It was now nearly 3 p. m. The First Corps on the left was now being also hotly pressed and the reinforcements did not arrive in time and the enemy now closing in on the right flank of the east of the line, and meantime heavy columns pushing back Doubleday's left. the situation became very alarming.
The contest was fierce from first to last, but the force of the enemy being nearly twice that of the Union troops positive orders were sent for our men to retire to Cemetery Hill.
As the troops had about all come upon the ground by the time the second day's battle was on, it will be of interest to know the various Corps and relative strength of each which were to take part in that great engagement. According to the returns of the date, June 30. the following figures will show the strength : Total officers-6,629; men, 97,627 ; total, 117,930. Of this number, those equipped for service 5.284 officers, and 71,922 men, a total of 77,208. The total reports at a later date show 54.631 officers and men.
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DEFENSES ON CEMETERY HILL
Defenses on Cemetery Hill.
Mention is frequently made in the various reports of support- ing batteries. It is important that we have a clear idea of the location of the various guns, and of the particular points of the enemy they were to be directed to. At first the cannon were so arranged as to command the town and the roads from the north-west. Wainwright's guns were those belonging to the First Corps and were posted north of the Baltimore Pike in front of the cemetery gate. The Stuart's battery (B, Fourth United States, four light 12-pounders) across the road, so as to com- mand the approaches from the town; then Weidrich's (I, First New York Artillery, four 3-inch), Cooper's (B, First Pennsyl- vania Artillery, four 3-inch), and Reynolds' (L, First New York Artillery, five 3-inch), in all thirteen 3-inch guns, along the north front. Some of these guns were so disposed that they could be turned upon the battle of the first day. Fifth Maine, six 12- pounders, Stephens' Battery, was posted about fifty yards in front of this line, on an elevation from which could be had an oblique fire upon the hills in front of our line, and a flank fire of any close flank column. The guns were protected with slight earthworks from sharpshooters. The contour of these works was yet in a good state of preservation when I saw the grounds in 1892, but have since been leveled and beautified, and graceful lunettes thrown up for the guns now in position.
The batteries belonging to the Eleventh Corps were those of Osborn; Bancroft's G, Fourth United States, Artillery, six 12- pounders ; Dilger's I, First Ohio, six 12-pounders; Wheeler's, Thirteenth New York, three 3-inch, excepting a few pieces which had been transferred to other batteries. These guns were placed in the cemetery grounds, to the north of the Baltimore Pike. Speaking of the retirement of the batteries from the field of the first day, General Hunt says: "The batteries passed im- mediately through the town, and were placed with those of the Eleventh Corps, in position on Cemetery Hill, so as to command the town and the approaches from the north-west." By those of the IIth Corps, he meant the three batteries posted on Ceme- tery Hill early the first day.
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HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
That the reader may get some idea of the vast artillery force in this campaign the following figures are given: Number of guns, 320 ; men, 8,000 ; horses, 7,000 ; officers killed, 7 ; men killed, 98; officers wounded, 33; men wounded, 532; total missing, 67 ; horses killed, 81.
The enormity of the material used is shown to be: 32,781 rounds, an average of over 100 shots per gun. Many rounds were lost by explosions. The supply brought up with the army was 270 rounds for each gun. At the close of the three days the Artillery Reserve had on hand enough ammunition to fight another battle. Before the arrival of the Eleventh Corps Howard and Schurz, standing on the point which the former had selected as his place of observation near the cemetery entrance, decided what disposition should be made of the troops of the Eleventh Corps on their arrival (which was about 12.30 a. m.). Evi- dently Schurz had already been informed of his appointment as commander of the Eleventh Corps. On account of Howard having come into command of the left wing (the Second, Third and Eleventh Corps), both commanders were of the opinion that Cemetery Hill was the final position on which the two Corps, then engaged north of the town, must fall back in the event that reinforcements did not arrive in time to support the two Corps which were hotly engaged with the vastly superior number of the enemy.
Nearly two months after the battle, General Carl Schurz made his report. His division (Third) had arrived from Emmits- burg by way of Horner Mills. While on the route at about 10.30 a. m., he received word from Howard to hurry up his troops as the First Corps was engaged with the enemy at Gettysburg. Turning over the command of the division to General Schimmelphenning, he hastened to the town and found Howard on Cemetery Hill, where together they overlooked the field of battle. Schurz states in his lucid report that he imme- diately received word from Wadsworth, who was at the hour commanding the First Division of the First Corps, that he was making some advance on the enemy, but that he thought they
General Leopold von Gilsa.
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DEFENSES ON CEMETERY HILL
were moving around towards the right, whereupon Howard sug- gested that Schurz lead his Corps (Eleventh) to the ground im- mediately on the right of the First Corps as soon as it made its appearance on the field. It was not long before the com- manding general through his aid ascertained that Ewell's forces were coming down the Heidelburg road, and cannon were be- ing placed by Ewell in favorable locations to shell the elevated ground or ridge which had been pointed out as the objective of Schurz's troops. On the arrival of the Third Division (Shim- melphenning) it was ordered to push briskly through the town and take position and deploy on the right of the First Corps in two lines. As soon as the First Division, under Barlow, ar- rived it was also rushed through the town and posted on the right of the Third Division, its First Brigade (Gilsa's) to con- nect with the Third Division west of the road known as Mum- masburg, and the Second Brigade to post en échelon on the right and behind the First, but on the east side of the said road. This was about 2 p. m. In this position the Brigade pushed out strong skirmishers. Among these advance troops the 153d men were engaged. The order was that they should go out as far as possible. Here the flanking of the First Corps by some rebel batteries above them on the hillside made it necessary for our troops to change position. It was soon discovered that the right of the First Corps, on the left of our regiment was very heavily pressed and a hard fight was in progress. Soon Schurz discovered that his right was being pushed. All signs showed that the enemy by this time were heavily reinforced, and threat- ening his right. Our Brigade, (First) having been instructed to take an advanced position, soon became engaged seriously. Our right flank became dangerously exposed to a heavy force coming in from the north-east direction. Schurz dispatched an aide with all haste to Howard asking for a Brigade to come to his relief on the north-east side of the town near the Railroad Station to meet any force which might work around on that side. Barlow having meantime gotten so far out, became en- tirely detached from the other parts of the line. By this time
6
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HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
the rebel batteries from two directions opened on Barlow's di- vision, included in which were the men of the 153d. It had now all the appearance of a complete flank and that the division was either to be enveloped by the strong numbers that suddenly rose from the woods, or, the enemy had adopted the scheme of throwing heavy forces around our left and right to cut us off from the town. This disaster was near accomplishment, but for the simultaneous falling back of the First Corps on the extreme left (towards the town on the west side and the sudden falling back of our advanced brigade). As by a common impulse the commanders along the entire line saw the superior advantage of retirement to the predestinated, formidable Cemetery Hill.
The falling back of this portion of the army to the east side of the town and taking of their new and superior position was a movement of the highest expediency, and did more to shape the destiny of the general battle than any change of base which oc- curred during the three days of the conflict. A victory on the first day could not have been a complete one as judged by the best military standards. There were no forces on hand to take care of so great a conquest, to hold so large a force from concen- trating on a part of the field much more disadvantageous to us at that stage of the general engagement. The very force of circumstances by which so small a part of our great army became thus early entrenched on the unassailable Cemetery Hill, and the military accident of the non-arrival of either the Commander- in-Chief or of several of the Corps, in time to support the struggling two Corps during the first day, yet some distance from the field, is, in itself, strong ground for belief that unknown to any one, on that tragic day, an unseen hand was shaping the events which bore victory to the cause of human freedom.
The brigade with which the 153d Regiment was associated having been led out so far from the main line on the ridge, and having been enfiladed by well directed batteries of the rebels it was with great exertion that these, almost surrounded men, were saved from complete capture. General Barlow was here badly wounded and had to be carried from the field. The re-
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DEFENSES ON CEMETERY HILL
port of his wounding and the death of Reynolds earlier in the day came to the writer on Cemetery Hill some time during that day. General Ames became the commander of the First Di- vision, and remained with us during the following days we oc- cupied our new position. The First Brigade (our brigade) now "finding its right flank uncovered, was forced back also, not, however, without contesting every inch of ground." Schurz closes with the following account :
"At that moment it was reported to me that the right wing of the First Corps had been pressed back, and one of Major-General Doubleday's aides brought me a request for a few regiments for his assistance, which it was, under the circumstances, impossible for me to do. I received also a report from the Third Division, stating that it was flanked on the left."
At the same time Schurz received an order from Howard to withdraw to the south side of the town, and to occupy the position on, and near, Cemetery Hill previously chosen. The retirement through and east of the town was attended with some confusion because our men were not acquainted with the streets. Many of the troops had narrow escapes and some were captured. The rebels got into the town and established defenses by barricading the streets. They held possession here until the 4th day, when their retreat commenced.
The location of the regiment whose history I am tracing, is ex- ceedingly difficult on account of the very sudden and frequent changes which the service at that critical hour demanded. The commander of the Corps has made special mention of the position taken by the Corps on its arrival in the locality of Cemetery Hill at the close of the first day. With these words he closes his report :
"It was 5 o'clock when the Eleventh Corps occupied the position on Cemetery Hill; the Second Division behind the stone walls inclosing the cemetery on the west side; the Third Division immediately opposite the town; and the First Division (ours) on the right. The group of houses nearest the cemetery were occupied by our skirmishers. The enemy did not undertake to attack that position, and the Corps remained in it un- disturbed until the enemy resumed the attack on July 2."
8.4
HISTORY OF THE 153D REGT.
Brigadier General Adelbert Ames, commanding the Second Brigade, at the time Barlow was wounded, given the command. also, of the First Brigade, states in his report :
"An order was received from General Schurz, or one of his staff, to occupy the outskirts of the town, but soon after the order came to fall back through it .... the hill in rear of the town was occupied after passing through the town, and in this position the division remained dur- ing the following two days, the 2d and 3d. On the evening of the 2d an attempt was made to carry the position we held, but the enemy was re- pulsed with loss. Colonel Carroll with a brigade from the Second Corps rendered timely assistance. The batteries behaved admirably."
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