Today in History:

647 Series I Volume XXVII-II Serial 44 - Gettysburg Campaign Part II

Page 647 Chapter XXXIX. THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.

The cavalry did not advance upon us, but hung around during the entire engagement of the evening of July 1. During the night of the 1st, and the 2d, we lay in position upon a road upon the right of our line. We were not in the engagement of July 2. During the night of the 2d, we moved around, and took our position in front of the enemy's works, and remained there until the evening of July 3. In the engagement of the 3d, the brigade was on the right of out division, in the following order: First Tennessee on the right; on its left, Thirteenth Alabama; next Fourteenth Tennessee; on its left Seventh Tennessee, and, on the left, Fifth Alabama Battalion. There was a space of a few hundred yards. between the right of Archer's brigade and the left of General Pickett's division when we advanced, but, owing to the position of the lines (they not being an exact continuation of each other), as we, advanced, the right of our brigade and the left of General Pickett's division gradually approached each other, so that by the time we had advanced a little over half of the way, the right of Archer's touched and connected with Pickett's left. The command was then passed down the line by the officers, "Guide right; " and we advanced our right, guiding by General Pickett's left. The enemy held their fire until we were in fine range, and opened upon us a terrible and well-directed fire. Within 180 or 200 yards of his works, we came to a lane inclosed by two stout post and plank fences. This was a very great obstruction to us, but the men rushed over rapidly as they could, and advanced directly upon the enemy's works, the first line of which was composed of rough stones. The enemy abandoned this, but just in rear wa massed a heavy force. By the time we had reached this work, our lines all along, as far as I could see, had become very much weakened; indeed, the line both right and left, as far as I could observe, seemed to melt away until there was but little of it left. Those who remained at the works was that it was a hopeless case, and fell back. Archer's brigade remained at the works fighting as long as any other troops either on their right or left, so far as I could observe. Every flag in the brigade excepting one was captured at or within the works of the enemy. The First Tennessee had 3 color-bearers shot down, the last of whom was at the works, and the flag captured. The Thirteenth Alabama lost 3 in the same way, the last of whom was shot down at the works. The Fourteenth Tennessee had 4 shot down, the last of whom was at the enemy's works. The Seventh Tennessee lost 3 color-bearers, the last of whom was at the enemy's works, and the flag was only saved by Captain [A. D.] Norris tearing it away from the staff and bringing it out beneath his coat. The Fifth Alabama Battalion also lost their flag at the enemy's works. There were 7 field officers who went into the charge, only 2 of whom came out. The rest were all wounded and captured. The loss in company officers was nearly in the same proportion. Our loss in men was also heavy. We went into the fight on the 1st with 1, 048 men, 677 of whom were killed, wounded, and captured during there engagements. I cannot particularize where so many officers and men did their whole duty. There are doubtless some, however, as is always the case, who did not do their duty, and richly deserve the severest punishment that can be inflicted. After our unfortunate repulse, we reformed upon the ground from


Page 647 Chapter XXXIX. THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.