USA > Pennsylvania > Martial deeds of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
The battle now waxed warm, the enemy attacking with the
.
220
MARTIAL DEEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
most determined valor. At that point in his long line, as it originally advanced, opposite that where Cutler's left ended, it had separated, the southern extremity holding back before Mere- dith and that part of Stone's brigade which looked westward, and the northern portion sweeping up to meet Cutler and Baxter. This gave that part of Stone's line which looked northward, and Cooper's battery, a good opportunity to attack upon the flank as the hostile lines swept past, and, though at long range for in- fantry, with excellent effect; and when the troops of Baxter dashed gallantly forward, the rebels seeing themselves pushed on three sides, surrendered in large numbers and were swept into the Union lines. Repeated assaults were made upon Paul and Baxter with ever fresh troops, as if determined to break through and bear down all before them. But more daring or skilful leaders than Robinson, Paul, and Baxter were not in the whole army, and their men were of the same spirit; and though suffer- ing grievously at every fresh onset, hurled back the foe and maintained their ground intact. In one of these fierce assaults, General Paul, the veteran commander of the First brigade, while gallantly encouraging and directing the fight, was severely wounded, losing both his eyes. :
While the chief force of the attack fell upon Robinson and Wadsworth, Stone was able to effectually supplement their opera- tions ; but when the enemy, unable to make an impression, turned upon Stone, Robinson and Wadsworth were too far away to return the compliment, and the blow fell with withering effect. In two lines, formed parallel to the pike, and at right-angles to Wadsworth, the enemy first advanced upon Stone, who, antici- pating such a movement, had thrown one of his regiments under Colonel Dwight forward to the railroad cut where the men awaited the approach. When arrived at a fence within pistol shot, Dwight delivered a withering fire. Nothing daunted, the hostile lines crossed the fence, and continued to move forward. By this time Dwight's men had reloaded, and when the advancing foe had arrived close upon the bank, they delivered another tell- ing volley. They then leaped the bank and vaulted forward with the bayonet, uttering wild shouts, before which the rebels fled in dismay. On returning, Dwight found that the enemy had
221
FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
planted a battery away to the west, so as to completely enfilade the railroad cut, making it untenable ; whereupon he returned to his original position on the pike.
At this juncture, Colonel Stone fell, severely wounded, and was borne off, the command devolving upon Colonel Wister. Foiled in their first attempt, with fresh troops the rebel leaders came on from the northwest, that if possible the weak spot in the Bucktail line might be found. But Wister, disposing the regiment which in part faced the north to meet them, checked and drove them back from this point also. Again, with an enthusiasm never bated, they advanced from the north, and now crossing the railroad cut, which the rebel guns guarded, rushed forward; but a resolute bayonet charge sent them back again, and that front was once more clear. Believing that a single thin line unsupported, unrenewed, and unprotected by breast-works, must eventually yield, a determined attack was again made from the west; but with no better results than before, being met by the intrepid Colonel Huidekoper, who had succeeded to the com- mand of Wister's regiment, and though receiving a grievous wound from the effect of which he lost his right arm, the ground was firmly held, and the enemy was sent reeling back.
But the wave of battle as it rolled southward reached every part in turn, and the extreme Union left, where Biddle's brigade was posted, at length felt its power. A body of troops, appar- ently an entire division, drawn out in heavy lines, came down from the west and south, and overlapping both of Biddle's flanks, moved defiantly on. Only three small regiments were in position to receive them; but ordering up the One Hundred and Fifty- first Pennsylvania, which had been detached for special duty, and throwing it into the gap between Meredith's and his own, and wheeling the battery into position, Biddle awaited the approach. As the enemy appeared beyond the wood, under cover of which they had formed, a torrent of death-dealing missiles leaped from the guns. Terrible rents were made; but closing up, they came on undaunted. Never were guns better served; and though the ground was strewn with the slain, their line seemed instantly to grow together. The infantry fire was terrific on both sides; but the enemy, outflanking Biddle, sent a
222
MARTIAL DEEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
direct and a doubly destructive oblique fire, before which it seemed impossible to stand. But though the dead fell until the living could fight from behind them as from a bulwark, they stood fast as if rooted to the ground.
It was upon this part of the field, and soon after Stone's brigade had come into position, that an old man with hair of grizzly grey, dressed in a long swallow-tailed coat, and a silk hat badly battered and worn, carrying a musket, came up at a rapid walk through the wheatfield, from the direction of the town, and desired permission to fight. Colonel Wister, to whom he addressed himself, asked him if he knew how to shoot. He answered that he would show them whether he could or not if they would give him a chance. " Where is your ammunition?" inquired Wister. Slapping his hand upon his pocket, he replied: "I have it here." Colonel Wister told him that he could have a chance to fight, but advised him to go to the woods where the Iron brigade was posted, as he could there shelter himself. This did not suit the old man's idea of fight, and he persisted in going forward to the skirmish line at the fence, upon the extreme front, and here he fought so long as that fence was held. Few were the useless shots he fired, and many a foeman was made to bite the dust before the sweep of his faithful rifle. When that skirmish line retired he was the last to leave. He subsequently fought with the Iron brigade until the end of the battle, and was left wounded upon the field. That old man was constable John Burns, the only civilian, so far as known, who fought in the battle of Get- tysburg.
While the battle was raging with such fury on the First corps front, it was warmly maintained on the right, where two divisions of the Eleventh corps had been posted. When General Howard first arrived on the field, and became aware that the enemy was advancing in great force from the north, he saw at a glance that Seminary Ridge would not for a moment be tenable, unless the descent from this direction could be checked. Ewell, who was upon that front, seemed indisposed to make a determined assault until the bulk of his corps was up, and he could act in conjunc- tion with the forces of Hill, advancing from the west. He accord- ingly pushed Rodes with the advance division over upon the right
223
FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
until it formed a junction with Hill. He likewise sent the division of Early upon the left until he flanked the position which the cavalry of Buford was holding. Howard saw the great disad- vantages of the field which he would be obliged to contend upon, and doubtless from the first realized that sooner or later both corps would have to fall back, unless he should receive timely and powerful support. In his anxiety to hold the town until evening, and until the balance of the army could come up, he committed the-fatal error of attempting to string out his two divisions in one thin, continuous line, so as to cover the whole open front, upon any part of which the enemy could mass and easily break through, or by planting his artillery in commanding positions, could rake with an oblique and even an enfilading fire. Hlad Howard, instead of attempting to cover the whole front with an attenuated line, selected some commanding positions on which to have planted his artillery, and instantly have thrown up simple works for the protection of the pieces, and so posted his infantry as to have charged upon any force that should have attempted to wedge its way through the unoccupied spaces, as was done in the case of the First corps; or, had he made the north bank of the north branch of Stevens' Run his main line, making the Almshouse a fortified point, which would have enabled him to hold a strong reserve ready to meet any assault from what- ever direction it should come, there is no doubt that the ground would have been longer and more successfully held, perhaps with the fruits of captives and standards. Bloody work may have been entailed; but with skilful management the enemy would likely have suffered much greater losses, as he would have been forced to be the attacking party.
But, notwithstanding this seeming error, the fact must ever remain apparent, that the task attempted by Howard was a difficult one. When he came upon the field, he found the First corps on ground of its own selection, skilfully posted for meeting a front attack, but incapable of holding its own when pressed upon its flanks, and indeed at that moment most seriously threatened with capture. The position left for him to take, and which he was forced to occupy to save the First corps, was one not easily defensible, and by- the time his corps arrived upon the
224
MARTIAL DEEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
field the enemy was already upon the front and flanks of that position, or in easy supporting distance, in numbers treble those he could bring to oppose to them. It is evident, therefore, that he went there with the expectation of playing a losing game; that he realized that he could only interpose a temporary check, and thereby be enabled to withdraw to a more favorable position ; and though he might by a more skilful disposition of his forces have made a more stubborn resistance and have withdrawn his little army with less loss, yet the possibility of permanently holding that position unaided could not reasonably have been entertained.
But there was one labor which was being executed at this time under the direction of General Howard .which proved of vital importance in the final cast of the battle : it was the fortifying of Cemetery Hill. This is the boldest and most commanding ground upon the central portion of the line where the struggle during the two succeeding days occurred. Reynolds had noticed the great advantage it presented, and had designated it as the position on which to hold his reserves, and as a rallying point in case he was forced back from the more advanced position in front of the town where he had made his stand, and had himself early fallen. When Howard came up he left one division under General Alexander Von Steinwehr upon this hill, with directions to have it posted most advantageously to hold the position, and to cover retiring troops. Around the base of this hill were low stone walls, tier above tier, extending from the Taneytown Road around to the westerly extremity of Wolf's Hill. These afforded excellent protection to infantry, and behind them the soldiers, weary with the long march and covered with dust, threw themselves for rest. Upon the summit were beautiful green fields, now covered by a second growth, which to the tread had the seeming of a carpet of velvet.
Von Steinwehr was an accomplished soldier, having been thoroughly schooled in the practice of the Prussian army. His military eye was delighted with this position, and thither he drew his heavy pieces, and planted them on the very summit, at the uttermost verge towards the town. But the position, though bold and commanding, was itself commanded, and Steinwehr instantly realized that there would be blows to take as well as to give. No
225
FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
tree, no house, no obstruction of any kind shielded it from the innumerable points on the opposite hills, from Benner's on the extreme right, beyond Wolf's Hill, around far south on Seminary Ridge to the left; but it stood out in bold relief, the guns pre- senting excellent targets for the enemy's missiles the moment he should come within artillery range. However powerful and effective his own guns might prove, while unassailed, Steinwehr saw that they would be unable to live long when attacked, unless protected. Nor would any light works be of avail. There was no time to build a fort, for which the ground was admirably adapted. He accordingly threw up lunettes around each gun. These were not mere heaps of stubble and turf, but solid works of such height and thickness as to defy the most powerful bolts which the enemy could throw against them, with smooth and perfectly level platforms on which the guns could be worked. If the First and Eleventh corps performed no other service in holding on to their positions, though sustaining fearful losses, the giving oppor- tunity for the construction of these lunettes and getting a firm foothold upon this great vantage ground, was ample compensa- tion for every hardship and misfortune, and the labor and skill of Steinwehr in constructing them must ever remain subjects of admiration and gratitude.
When Barlow, who commanded the division of the Eleventh corps which took the right of the line in front of the town, was going into position, he discovered a wooded eminence a little to the north of the point where the Harrisburg road crosses Rock Creek, and here he determined to make his right rest. It was the ground which the skirmish line of Devin had held. But as the cavalry retired the enemy had immediately thrown forward a body of skirmishers to occupy it. To dislodge these. Barlow sent forward Von Gilsa's brigade. At the Almshouse the line halted, and knapsacks were thrown aside. It was then ordered to advance at double-quick. The order was gallantly executed. and the wood quickly cleared. Dispositions were made to hold it, and Wilkinson's battery of the Fourth United States was ad- vanced to its aid. The watchful Von Gilsa, however, soon dis- covered that the enemy was massed upon his flank, the brigades of Gordon and Hayes of Early's division being formed under cover
15
226
MARTIAL DEEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
of the wooded ground on either side of Rock Creek, and ready to advance upon him. He was very much in the situation of the right of the Eleventh corps at Chancellorsville, the enemy massed and ready to come down, as did Jackson, upon front, flank, and rear. Barlow found it impossible to hold this advanced position, and was obliged to allow that wing to fall back to the neighbor- hood of the Alinshouse.
On the left, in the direction of the First corps right, the brigade of Colonel Von Amesburg was placed, with Dilger's and Wheeler's batteries. The extreme left was occupied by the Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania. This regiment was much reduced in numbers, and in attempting to cover a long space it could present little more than a skirmish line, which rested at a fence, by a cross- road connecting the Carlisle and the Mummasburg ways. The Eleventh corps line had hardly been established, before the enemy, whose dispositions had been mainly perfected previous to its arrival, came down upon it with overwhelming might.
On the southern slope of Seminary Ridge, on a prolongation of the First corps line northward, was a commanding position which the enemy could not be prevented from occupying, and where he now planted his artillery so as to send an oblique and very destructive fire upon the left of the Eleventh corps. From this point also, having massed his infantry, he came on, sweeping past the right of the First corps, and breaking and crumpling the left of the Eleventh. The right of the First being thus turned was obliged to retire, and was carried back. At this juncture, Early, who was already massed on the extreme right flank of the Eleventh, also advanced. Near the Almshouse he met a stubborn resistance, and in the midst of the fight the gallant Barlow was wounded, and fell helpless into the enemy's hands. Shemmelfinnig, too, while attempting to stay his troops, and hold them up to the fight, was taken prisoner, but subsequently managed to escape, and rejoined his command. Stands were made at intervals, and the enemy held in check; but it was impossible to stay the onset. Until the town was reached the retirement was comparatively deliberate and orderly; but when arrived there, being huddled in the narrow streets, subjected to a rapid fire from batteries which raked them, and the enemy's
227
FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
swarming infantry intent on their destruction or capture, the men fell into confusion. Their officers strove to save them by ordering them into the cross alleys. But this only added to the confusion, the men either not understanding the commands, or hoping to escape the fire of the foe, and over 1200 were made prisoners in less than twenty minutes.
While this was passing upon the right, the enemy assaulted upon the left with no less vigor, but not with the same success. Though the First corps had now been five hours in the fight, some portions of it six, and without supports or reliefs, it still stood fast, determined to make good the cry which they at the first had raised, "We have come to stay." But when it was known that the right of the corps had been turned, and that the Eleventh corps was falling back, it became evident that the posi- tion which had been so long and so gallantly held, and withal with such substantial fruits, would have to be given up. Baxter's brigade, which had fought with stubborn bravery upon the right, was brought to the rear of the ridge at the railroad cut, where it defended a battery and still held the enemy advancing from the north in check. Paul's brigade having lost its commander, in retiring became entangled, and a considerable number fell into the enemy's hands. On the left, Meredith's and Biddle's brigades were ordered to fall back and cover the retirement of the balance of the line. Wister, who had succeeded to the command of Stone's brigade upon the fall of the latter, had likewise received a severe wound, and had turned over the brigade to Colonel Dana. At a barricade of rails which had been thrown up early in the day by Robinson's men, a final stand was made, and here the chief of artillery, Colonel Wainwright, had posted his batteries, those of Cooper, Breck, Stevens, and Wilbur, thus concentrating twelve guns in so small a space that they were scarcely five yards apart. Captain Stewart's battery was also in position on the summit, two pieces on either side of the railroad cut.
Encouraged by this falling back, the enemy was brought up in masses, as to an easy victory, and forming in two lines, swept forward. As they approached, the artillery opened upon them, Stewart's guns being so far to right and front that he could enfilade their lines. Their front line was by this concentrated
228
MARTIAL DEEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
fire much broken and dispirited, but the second, which was also supported, pressed on. When arrived within musket range their advance was checked, and the firing for a short time was hot. The rebels, who greatly outnumbered the small Union line, now began to show themselves upon the left flank. Seeing that the position could not much longer be held, Doubleday ordered the artillery to retire, and it moved in good order from the field, wend- ing its way back to Cemetery Hill. But before the pieces were all away the enemy had gained so far upon the flank as to reach it with his musketry fire, shielding himself behind a garden fence which runs within fifty yards of the pike. Before the last piece had passed, the fire had become very warm, and the horses attached to this gun were shot. The piece, consequently, had to be abandoned, together with three caissons.
The infantry held its position behind the barricade, successfully checking the enemy in front, the men showing the most unflinch- ing determination, Captain Richardson, of General Meredith's staff, riding up and down the line waving a regimental flag, and encouraging them to duty. But the enemy was now swarming upon the very summit of the ridge upon the left flank of Double- day. So near had they approached, that Lieutenant Colonel McFarland while reconnoitring to discover their exact position, received a volley which shattered both legs. "When all the troops at this point," says General Doubleday, "were over- powered, Captain Glenn, of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania, in command of the Head-quarter Guard, defended the building [Seminary] for full twenty minutes against a whole brigade of the enemy, enabling the few remaining troops, the ambulances, and artillery, to retreat in comparative safety."
And now was seen the great advantage in the position of Steinwehr's reserves. As the begrimed cannoniers, and the beasts foaming with the excitement of battle, and the sadly thinned ranks of infantry exhausted by six hours of continuous fighting, filed through the town and approached Cemetery Hill, they came as to the folds of an impregnable fortress. Here at length was rest and security. Whenever the foeman attempted to follow, they came immediately into range of Steinwehr's well- posted guns, and at every stone wall and building was an abattis
:
-
4
229
FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
of bayonets. The heroic Buford, who had first felt the shock of battle, and during the long hours of this terrible day had held his troops upon the flanks of the infantry, joining in the fierce fighting as opportunity or necessity required, and who, from his watchtower had scanned and reported every phase of the battle, was now at the critical moment a pillar of strength. The insig- nificant division of Steinwehr would alone have presented but a. narrow barrier to a powerful and triumphant foe, intent on pushing his advantage, and, to the left where the country is all open, and nature presents no impediment to an advance, it could have been flanked and easily turned out of its position. But here, like a wall of adamant, stood the veterans of Buford, with guns skilfully posted, ready to dispute the progress of the enemy. His front was tried, and the attempt was made to push past him along the low ground drained by Steven's Run, where some severe fighting occurred. But he maintained his ground intact, and that admirable position, where the army at length fought and won the battle, was again saved. General Warren, the Engineer-in-chief of the army, who first came upon the field at this crisis, says in his testimony : "General Buford's cavalry was all in line of battle between our position there and the enemy. Our cavalry presented a very handsome front, and I think probably checked the advance of the enemy." Indeed the spirit of Buford, like a good angel, seemed to be constantly hover- ing over the entire field of that first day. One of the best read of our military critics says of him : "He not only showed the rarest tenacity, but by his personal capacity made his cavalry accomplish marvels, and rival infantry in their steadfastness, not. only in the battle itself, but afterwards, when deployed in the intervale drained by Steven's Run, west of Gettysburg." He died not long after from the effect of protracted toil and exposure in this campaign. . "On the day of his death," says the " American Cyclopedia of 1863," "and but a little while before his departure, his commission as Major-General was placed in his hands. He received it with a smile of gratification that the Government he had defended appreciated his services, and gently laying it aside soon ceased to breathe."
On the right of Steinwehr's position were the rugged heights .
230
MARTIAL DEEDS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
of Wolf's Hill, a natural buttress, unassailable in front from its abruptness, and though susceptible of being turned, as it was on the following evening, yet so curtained by an impenetrable wood as to convey the suspicion of danger lurking therein. Early, who was in front of this hill, made some attempts to carry it, but, find- ing it apparently well protected, did not push his reconnoissance.
As the two broken corps of the Union army ascended Cemetery Hill, they were met by staff officers, who turned the Eleventh corps to the right and the First corps to the left, where they went into position along the summit of the ridge stretching out on either hand from the Baltimore pike. A ravine to the right of Cemetery Hill, and between that and Wolf's Hill, seemed to present to the enemy a favorable point of attack, and hither was at once sent Stevens' Maine battery and Wadsworth's division of the first corps. Here Wadsworth immediately commenced sub- stantial breast-works along the brow of the hill, an example which other troops followed, until the whole front extending to Spangler's Spring was surmounted by one of like strength. Through that ravine the enemy did assail, but the preparations to meet him were too thorough to admit of his entrance.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.