T H E
WAR OF THE REBELLION:
A COMPILATION OF THE
O F F I C I A L R E C O R D S
OF THE
UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES.
_________
PREPARED, UNDER THE DIRECTION OP THE SECRETARY OF WAR, BY
The late Lieut. Col. ROBERT N. SCOTT, Third U. S. Artillery,
PURSUANT TO ACTS OP CONGRESS.
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SERIES I—VOLUME XXVII—IN THREE PARTS.
PART I—REPORTS.
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W A S H I N G T O N :
G O V E R N M E N T P R I N T I N G O F F I C E,
1889.
PREFACE.
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By an act approved June 23, 1874, Congress made an appropriation “to enable the Secretary of War to begin the publication of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, both of the Union and Confederate Armies,” and directed him “to have copied for the Public Printer all reports, letters, telegrams, and general orders not heretofore copied or printed, and properly arranged in chronological order.”
Appropriations for continuing such preparation have been made from time to time, and the act approved June 16, 1880, has provided “for the printing and binding, under direction of the Secretary of War, of 10,000 copies of a compilation of the Official Records (Union and Confederate) of the War of the Rebellion, so far as the same may be ready for publication, during the fiscal year”; and that “of said number, 7.000 copies shall be for the use of the House of Representatives, 2,000 copies for the use of the Senate, and 1,000 copies for the use of the Executive Departments.”*
This compilation will be the first general publication of the military records of the war, and will embrace all official documents that can be obtained by the compiler, and that appear to be of any historical value.
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* Volumes I to V distributed under act approved June 16, 1880. The act approved August 7, 1882, provides that— “The volumes of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion shall be distributed as follows: One thousand copies to the Executive Departments, as now provided by. law. One thousand copies for distribution by the Secretary of War among officers of the Army and contributors to the work. Eight thousand three hundred copies shall he sent by the Secretary of War to such libraries, organizations, and individuals as maybe designated by the Senators, Representatives, and Delegates of the Forty-seventh Congress. Each Senator shall designate not exceeding twenty-six, and each Representative and Delegate not exceeding twenty-one of such addresses, and the volumes shall be sent thereto from time to time as they are published, until the publication is completed. Senators, Representatives, and Delegates shall inform the Secretary of War in each case how many volumes of those heretofore published they have forwarded to such addresses. The remaining copies of the eleven thousand to he published, and all sets that may not be ordered to be distributed as provided herein, shall be sold by the Secretary of War for cost of publication with ten per cent, added thereto, and the proceeds of such sale shall be covered into the Treasury. If two or more sets of said volumes are ordered to the same address the Secretary of War shall inform the Senators, Representatives, or Delegates, who have designated the same, who thereupon may designate other libraries, organizations, or individuals. The Secretary of War shall report to the first session of the Forty-eighth Congress what volumes of the series heretofore published have not been furnished to such libraries, organizations, and individuals. He shall also inform distributees at whose instance the volumes are sent.
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The publication will present the records in the following order of arrangement:
The 1st Series will embrace the formal reports, both Union and Confederate, of the first seizures of United States property in the Southern States, and of all military operations in the field, with the correspondence, orders, and returns relating specially thereto, and, as proposed is to be accompanied by an Atlas.
In this series the reports will be arranged according to the campaigns and several theaters of operations (in the chronological order of the events), and the Union reports of any event will, as a rule, be immediately followed by the Confederate accounts. The correspondence, &c., not embraced in the “reports” proper will follow (first Union and next Confederate) in chronological order.
The 2d Series will contain the correspondence, orders, reports, and returns, Union and Confederate, relating to prisoners of war, and (so far as the military authorities were concerned) to State or political prisoners.
The 3d Series will contain the correspondence, orders, reports, and returns of the Union authorities (embracing their correspondence with the Confederate officials) not relating specially to the subjects of the first and second series. It will set forth the annual and special reports of the Secretary of War, of the General-in-Chief, and of the chiefs of the several staff corps and departments $ the calls for troops, and the correspondence between the national and the several State authorities.
The 4th Series will exhibit the correspondence, orders, reports, and returns of the Confederate authorities, similar to that indicated for the Union officials, as of the third series, but excluding the correspondence between the Union and Confederate authorities given in that series.
ROBERT N. SCOTT,
Major Third Art., and Bvt. Lieut. Col.
War Department, August 23, 1880.
Approved:
ALEX. RAMSEY,
Secretary of War.
CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER XXXIX.
Operations in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Department of the East. June 8-August 3, 1863 ............................... Page. 1-1059 (V)
THE
WAR OF THE REBELLION:
A COMPILATION OF THE
O F F I C I A L R E C O R D S
OF THE
UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES.
_________
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS
TO
SERIES I—VOLUME XXVII.
(To be inserted in the volume. For explanation see General
Index volume, Serial No. 130, page XXVIII.)
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PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
The Hon. ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War,
BY
BRIG. GEN. FRED C. AINSWORTH,
Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department,
and
- JOSEPH W. KIRKLEY.
________
Mr. JOHN S. MOODEY, Indexer.
________
W A S H I N G T O N :
GOVERMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1902.
CHAPTER XXXIX,
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OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, AND DEPARTMENT OF THE EAST.
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June 3-August 3, 1863.
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P A R T I .
The Gettysburg Campaign*
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SUMMARY OF THE PRICIPAL EVENTS
June 3-Aug. 1, 1863. —The Gettysburg Campaign.
4, 1863. —Skirmish on the Lawyers’ road, near Fairfax Court-House, Va. Skirmish at Frying Pan, Va.
4-5, 1863. —Expedition from Yorktown to Walkerton and Aylett’s, Va.
5- 7, 1863. —Reconnaissance through Gates County, N. C., and down the Chowan River. 6, 1863. —Skirmish near Berryville, Va.
7- 8, 1863. —Expedition from Gainesville, Va.
8, 1863. —Scout from Suffolk, Va., to South Mills, N. C.
9,1863. —The Departments of the Monongahela and the Susquehanna constituted.
10, 1863. —Capture of the steamer Maple Leaf off Cape Henry, Va.
10,1863. —Skirmish at Seneca Mills, Md,
Maj. Gen. W. T. H. Brooks, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Department of the Monongahela.
Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch, U. S. Army, assumes command of the department of the Susquehanna.
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* Part I embraces the reports from the Army of the Potomac and Department of Washington relating to the Gettysburg Campaign. Part II embraces the reports relating to that campaign from the Middle Department, Departments of the Susquehanna and West Virginia, and Army of Northern Virginia, together with all reports relating to the other events noted in the Summary.
Of some of the minor conflicts noted, no circumstantial reports are on file.
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June 11, 1863.—Skirmish at Diascund Bridge, Va. Skirmish near Suffolk, Va.
11- 13, 1863.—Expedition from Brightwood, D. C., via Seneca Mills and Poolesville, Md., to Leesburg, Aldie, and Chantilly, Va.
12- 18, 1863.—Expedition from Suffolk to the Blackwater, Va.
14, 1863.—Skirmish at Nine-Mile Ordinary, Va.
17- 18, 1863.—Scout from Rocky Run to Dover and Core Creek, N. C.
18, 1863.—Scout on the Peninsula, Va.
18- 19, 1863.—Scout from Camp Piatt, on the Big and Little Coal Rivers, W. Va. 20, 1863.—Skirmish at Diascund Bridge, Va.
23-28, 1863.—Expedition from Yorktown to the South Anna Bridge, Va., and skirmish. 24, 1863.—The Department of West Virginia constituted. 26, 1863.—Skirmish on Loup Creek, W. Va.
26-27, 1863.—Descent on Portland Harbor, Me. 28, 1863.—Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Department of West Virginia. Reconnaissance from Plymouth to Nichol’s Mills, N. C.
29-July 4, 1863.—Confederate expedition to Beverly, W. Va. July 1, 1863.—Maj. Gen. Daniel H. Hill, C. S. Army, assigned temporarily to command of troops in the Department of Richmond.
July
1- 7, 1863.—Expeditions from White House to South Anna River and Bottom’s Bridge, Va.
3, 1863.—Suffolk, Va., evacuated by the Union forces.*
3- 7, 1863.—Raid on the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, N. C. 4, 1863.—Skirmish at Fayetteville, W. Va.
5- 7, 1863,—Expedition from Plymouth to Gardner’s Bridge and Williamston, N. C. •
8, 1863.—Maj. Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys, U. S. Army, announced as Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac.
9, 1863.—Explosion at Fort Lyon, Va. —, 1863.
—Expedition from Richmond to Mathias Point, Va.
13- 16, 1863.—Reconnaissance from Newport Barracks to Cedar Point and White Oak River, N. C. Draft riots in New York City, Troy, and Boston.
13-25, 1863.—Expedition from Fayetteville, W. Va., to Wytheville, Va.
14, 1863.—Maj. Gen. William H. C. Whiting, C. S. Army, assigned to command of the Department of North Carolina.
15, 1863.—The Departments of North Carolina and of Virginia consolidated.
17- 20, 1863.—Expedition from New Berne to Swift Creek Village, N. C., and skirmish.
18, 1863.—Maj. Gen. John G. Foster, U. S, Army, assumes command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina. Maj. Gen. John A. Dix, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Department of the East.
18- 24, 1863.—Expedition from New Berne to Tarborough and Rocky Mount, N. C.
20, 1863.—Brig. Gen. George W. Getty, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Seventh Army Corps, Department of Virginia and North Carolina.
21, 1863.—Brig. Gen. John D. Imboden C. S. Army, assigned to command of the Valley District, Va. 25, 1863.—Expedition to Gloucester Court-House, Va.
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*For orders, etc., in relation to, see Series I, Vol. XVIII, pp. 711, 712, 717, 718.
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July 25-27, 1863.—Scout to Goose Creek, Va.
25-31, 1863.—Expedition from New Berne to Winton, and skirmish at Potecasi Creek, N. C.
25- Aug. 3,1863.—Expedition from Portsmouth, Va., to Jackson, N. C.
26- 29, 1863.—Expedition from Plymouth to Foster’s Mills, N. C.
28, 1863.—Skirmish at Fayetteville, W. Va.
28-Aug. 3, 1863.—Mosby’s operations about Fairfax Court-House, and skirmish near Aldie, Va.
29, 1863.—Brig. Gen. Tunis N. Palmer, U. S. Army, assumes command of the Eighteenth Army Corps, Department of Virginia and North Carolina.
31, 1863.—Skirmish at Morris’ Mills, W. Va.
August
1, 1863.—The Fourth and Seventh Army Corps discontinued.
1- 8,1863.—Expedition from Warrenton Junction toward the Blue Ridge Mountains, Va.
2, 1863.—Skirmish at Newtown, Va.
JUNE 3-AUGUST 1, 1863. —The Gettysburg Campaign.
SUMMARY OF THE PRICIPLE EVENTS.
June
3, 1863.—Skirmish near Fayetteville, Va.
5-13, 1863.—Skirmishes at Franklin’s Crossing (or Deep Run), on the Rappahannock, Va.
9, 1863.—Engagements at Brandy Station (or Fleetwood) and Beverly Ford, Va. Skirmish at Stevensburg, Va.
12, 1863.—Skirmishes at Newtown, Cedarville, and Middletown, Va.
13, 1863.—Skirmish at White Post, Va. Skirmish at Berryville, Va. Skirmish at Opequon Creek, near Winchester, Va. Skirmish at Bunker Hill, W. Va.
13-15, 1863.—Engagement at Winchester, Va.
14, 1863.—Skirmish at Berryville, Va. Skirmish at Martinsburg, W. Va.
15, 1863.—Skirmish near Williamsport, Md.
17, 1863.—Skirmishes at Catoctin Creek and Point of Rocks, Md. Skirmish at Thoroughfare Gap, Va. Action at Aldie, Va.
17-18,1863.—Skirmishes at and near Middleburg, Va.
18, 1863.—Skirmish near Aldie, Va.
19, 1863.—Action at Middleburg, Va.
20, 1863.—Skirmish at Middletown, Md.
21, 1863.—Skirmish near Gainesville, Va. Skirmish at Frederick, Md. Engagement at Upperville, Va.
21-25,1863.—Skirmishes at and about Thoroughfare Gap and Hay Market, Va.
22, 1863.—Skirmish near Dover, Va. Skirmish at Greencastle, Pa. Skirmish near Aldie, Va.
24, 1863.—Skirmish at Sharpsburg, Md.
25, 1863.—Skirmish near McConnellsburg, Pa.
26, 1863.—Skirmish near Gettysburg, Pa.
27, 1863.—Skirmish near Fairfax Court-House, Va.
28, 1863.—Maj. Gen. George G. Meade relieves Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker in command of the Army of the Potomac.
Skirmish between Offutt’s Cross-Roads and Seneca, Md.
Skirmish near Rockville, Md.
Skirmish at Fountain Dale, Pa. Skirmish at Wrightsville, Pa.
28-29, 1863.—Skirmish near Oyster Point, Pa. Affair on the Little River Turnpike, Va.
29, 1863.—Skirmish at McConnellsburg, Pa.
Affairs at Lisbon and Poplar Springs, Md.
Skirmish at Westminster, Md.
Skirmish at Muddy Branch, Md.
30, 1863.—Skirmish at Sporting Hill, near Harrisburg, Pa.
Skirmish at Fairfield, Pa.
Skirmish at Westminster, Md.
Action at Hanover, Pa.
Evacuation of Maryland Heights, Md.
July 1,1863.—Skirmish at Carlisle, Pa.
1-3, 1863.—Battle of Gettysburg, Pa.
2, 1863.—Skirmish near Chambersburg, Pa.
Skirmish at Hunterstown, Pa.
3, 1863.—Action at Fairfield, Pa.
4, 1863.—Action at Monterey Gap, Pa.
Skirmish at Fairfield Gap, Pa.
Skirmish near Emmitsburg, Md.
5, 1863.—Skirmish at Smithsburg, Md.
Skirmish near Green Oak, Pa.
Skirmish near Mercersburg, Pa.
Skirmish near Fairfield, Pa. Skirmish near Greencastle, Pa.
Skirmish at Cunningham’s Cross-Roads, Pa.
Skirmish at Stevens’ Furnace (or Caledonia Iron Works), Pa.
6, 1863.—Action at Hagerstown, Md.
Action at Williamsport; Md.
7, 1863.—Skirmish at Downsville, Md.
Skirmish at Harper’s Ferry, W. Va.
Reoccupation of Maryland Heights, Md.
Skirmish at Funkstown, Md.
8, 1863.—Action at Boonsborough, Md.
Skirmish near Williamsport, Md.
9, 1863.—Skirmish at Benevola (or Beaver Creek), Md.
10, 1863.—Skirmish at Old Antietam Forge, near Leitersburg, Md.
Skirmish near
Clear Spring, Md.
10- 13, 1863.—Skirmishes at and near Hagerstown, Md.
Skirmishes at Jones’ Cross-Roads, near Williamsport, Md.
Skirmishes at and near Funkstown, Md.
11- 14, 1863.—Reconnaissance to, and skirmish (12th) at, Ashby’s Gap, Va.
14, 1863.—Skirmish near Williamsport, Md.
Skirmish near Harper’s Ferry, W. Va. Action at Falling Waters, Md.
15, 1863.—Skirmish at Halltown, W. Va.
Skirmish at Shepherdstown, W. Va. 16, 1863,—
Skirmish at Shanghai, W. Va.
July 16, 1863.—Action at Shepherdstown, W. Va.
17, 1863.—Skirmish near North Mountain Station, W. Va.
Skirmish at Snicker’s Gap, Va.
18-19,1863.—Skirmishes at and near Hedgesville and Martinsburg, W. Va.
20,1863.—Skirmish near Berry’s Ferry, Va. Skirmish at Ashby’s Gap, Va.
21-22, 1863.—Skirmishes at Manassas Gap, Va.
Skirmishes at Chester Gap, Va.
23 1863.—Action at Wapping Heights, Manassas Gap, Va.
Skirmish near Gaines’ Cross-Roads, Va.
Skirmish near Snicker’s Gap, Va.
Skirmish near Chester Gap, Va.
24, 1863.—Skirmish at Battle Mountain, near Newby’s Cross-Roads, Va.
25, 1863.—Skirmish at Barbee’s Cross-Roads, Va.
31-Aug. 1, 1863.—Skirmishes at Kelly’s Ford, Va.
Aug. 1, 1863.—Action at Brandy Station, Va.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
REPORTS.
GENERAL REPORTS.
No. 1.—Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, including operations in Southeastern Virginia and West Virginia.
No. 6.—Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Potomac, of operations June 28-August 3, and correspondence with the authorities in Washington, etc.
No. 7.—Itinerary of the Army of the Potomac and co-operating forces, June 5-July 31.
No. 8.—Abstract from returns of the Army of the Potomac, June 10-July 31.
No. 9.—Organization of the Army of the Potomac at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3.
No. 13.—Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3.
No. 15.—General Return of Casualties in the Union forces during the Gettysburg Campaign, June 3-August 1.
No. 271.—Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum, U. S. Army, commanding Twelfth Army Corps.
No. 272.—Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams, U. S. Army, commanding First Division of, and Twelfth Corps.
No. 273.—Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, U. S. Army, commanding First Division.
No. 274.—Col. Archibald L. McDougall, One hundred and twenty-third New York Infantry, commanding First Brigade.
No. 275.—Col. Warren W. Packer, Fifth Connecticut Infantry.
No. 276.—Lieut. Col. William B. Wooster, Twentieth Connecticut Infantry.
No. 277.—Col. Joseph M. Sudsburg, Third Maryland Infantry.
No. 278.—Lieut. Col. Gilbert P. Robinson, Third Maryland Infantry.
No. 279.—Lieut. Col. James C. Rogers, One hundred and twenty-third New York Infantry.
No. 280.—Col. E. Livingston Price, One hundred and forty-fifth New York Infantry.
No. 281.—Col. James L. Selfridge, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry.
No. 282.—Brig. Gen. Henry H. Lockwood, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade.
No. 283.—Col. William P. Maulsby, First Potomac Home Brigade Maryland Infantry.
No. 284.—Col. James Wallace, First Eastern Shore Maryland Infantry.
No. 285.—Col. John H. Ketcham, One hundred and fiftieth New York Infantry.
No. 286.—Col. Silas Colgrove, Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry, commanding regiment and Third Brigade.
No. 287.—Lieut. Col. John R. Fesler, Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry.
No. 288.—Lieut. Col. Charles F. Morse, Second Massachusetts Infantry.
No. 289.—Lieut. Col. John Grimes, Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry.
No. 290.—Col. Nirom M. Crane, One hundred and seventh New York Infantry.
No. 291.—Lieut. Col. Martin Flood, Third Wisconsin Infantry. No. 292.—Col. William Hawley, Third Wisconsin Infantry.
No. 293.—Brig. Gen. John W. Geary, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division.
No. 294.—Col. Charles Candy, Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade.
No. 295.—Col. John H. Patrick, Fifth Ohio Infantry.
No. 296.—Col. William R. Creighton, Seventh Ohio Infantry.
No. 297.—Capt. Wilbur F. Stevens, Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry.
No. 298.—Capt. Edward Hayes, Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry.
No. 299.—Lieut. Col. Eugene Powell, Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry.
No. 300.—Capt. John Flynn, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry.
No. 301.—Lieut. Col. Ario Pardee, jr., One hundred and forty-seventh Pennsylvania Infantry.
No. 302.—Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Kane, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade,
No. 303.—Col. George A. Cobham, jr., One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Second Brigade.
No. 304.—Col. William Rickards, jr., Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry.
No. 305.—Capt. Frederick L. Gimber, One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania Infantry,
No. 306.—Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Walker, One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry.
No. 307.—Brig. Gen. George S. Greene, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade.
No. 308.—Col. Abel Godard, Sixtieth New York Infantry.
No. 309.—Lieut. Col. John C. O. Redington, Sixtieth New York Infantry.
No. 310.—Lieut. Col. Herbert von Hammerstein, Seventy-eighth New York Infantry.
No. 311.—Capt. Lewis R. Stegman, One hundred and second Few York Infantry.
No. 312.—Col. David Ireland, One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Infantry.
No. 313.—Col. Henry A. Barnum, One hundred and forty-ninth New York Infantry.
No. 314.—Lieut. Edward D. Muhlenberg, Fourth U. S. Artillery, commanding Artillery Brigade, Twelfth Army Corps. No. 315.—Brig. Gen. Robert O. Tyler, commanding Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 1.
Report of Maj. Gen, Henry W. Halleck, General-in-Chief, U. S. Army, including operations in Southeastern Virginia and West Virginia.
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, D. C., November 15, 1863.
Sir: In compliance with your orders I submit the following summary of military operations since my last annual report:
* * * * * * * * * * * *
In the early part of June, Lee’s army moved up the south bank of the Rappahannock, occupied the gaps of the Blue Ridge, and threatened the Valley of the Shenandoah. General Hooker followed on an interior line by Warrenton Junction, Thoroughfare Gap, and Leesburg; but the operations of both armies were so masked by the intervening mountains that neither could obtain positive information of the force and movements of the other. Winchester and Martinsburg were at this time occupied by us simply as outposts. Neither place was susceptible of a good defense.
Directions were, therefore, given on June 11 to withdraw these garrisons to Harper’s Ferry. But these orders were not obeyed, and, on the 13th, Winchester was attacked and its armament and a part of its garrison captured. Lee now crossed the Potomac near Williamsport, and directed his march upon Harrisburg. General Hooker followed upon his right flank, covering Washington and Baltimore.
On reaching Frederick, Md., June 28, he was, at his own request, relieved from the command, and Major-General Meade appointed in his place. During these movements, cavalry skirmishes took place at Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, Berryville, and Aldie, some of which were quite severe, but, in the absence of detailed reports, I am unable to give the losses on either side.
When General Meade, under the orders of the President, took command of the Army of the Potomac on June 28, it was mainly concentrated at Frederick, Md. Lee’s army was supposed to be advancing against Harrisburg, which was garrisoned by raw militia, upon which little reliance could be placed. Ewell’s corps was on the west side of the Susquehanna, between that place and Columbia. Longstreet’s corps was near Chambersburg, and Hill’s corps between that place and Cashtown. Stuart’s cavalry was making a raid between Washington and Frederick, cutting Meade’s line of supplies and capturing his trains.
Our force at Harper’s Ferry at this time was supposed to be about 11,000. It was incorrectly represented to General Meade to be destitute of provisions, and that he must immediately supply it, or order the abandonment of the place. * Accordingly, a few hours after he assumed the command, he assented to an order, drawn up by an officer of General Hooker’s staff, directing General French to send 7,000 men of the garrison to Frederick, and with the remainder, estimated at 4,000, to remove and escort the public property to Washington. This order, based on erroneous representations, was not known in Washington until too late to be countermanded. It was, however, not entirely executed when General Meade very judiciously directed the reoccupation of that important point.
On the 29th, General Meade’s army was put in motion, and at night was in position; its left at Emmitsburg, and right at New Windsor. The advance of Buford’s cavalry was at Gettysburg, and Kilpatrick’s division at Hanover, where it encountered Stuart’s cavalry, which had passed around the rear and right of our army without meeting any serious opposition.
On the 30th, the First, Third, and Eleventh Corps were concentrated at Emmitsburg, under General Reynolds, while the right wing moved up to Manchester. Buford reported the enemy in force on the Cashtown road, near Gettysburg, and Reynolds moved up to that place on July 1. He found our cavalry warmly engaged with the enemy, and holding him in check on the Cashtown road. Reynolds immediately deployed the advanced division of the First
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*See Butterfield to Meade, January 23,1864, p. 20, and Meade to Butterfield. February 4, 1864, p. 21.
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Corps, and ordered the Eleventh Corps to move promptly to its support. Wadsworth’s division had driven hack the enemy some distance and captured a large number of prisoners, when General Reynolds fell, mortally wounded. The arrival of Ewell’s corps about this time by the York and Harrisburg roads compelled General Howard, upon whom the command devolved, to withdraw his force, the First and Eleventh Corps, to the Cemetery Ridge, on the south side of Gettysburg.
About 7 p. m. Generals Sickles and Slocum arrived on the field with the Third and Twelfth Corps, which took position, one on the left and the other on the right of the new line. The battle for the day, however, was over. General Meade arrived on the field during the night with the reserves, and posted his troops in line of battle, the First Corps on the right, the Eleventh Corps next; then the Twelfth Corps, which crossed the Baltimore pike; the Second and Third Corps on the Cemetery Ridge, on the left of the Eleventh Corps. The Fifth Corps, pending the arrival of the Sixth, formed the reserve.
On the arrival of the latter, about 2 p. m., it took the place of the Fifth, which was ordered to take position on the extreme left. The enemy massed his troops on an exterior ridge, about a mile and a half in front of that occupied by us. General Sickles, misinterpreting his orders, instead of placing the Third Corps on the prolongation of the Second, had moved it nearly three-quarters of a mile in advance—an error which nearly proved fatal in the battle. The enemy attacked this ‘corps on the 2d with great fury, and it was likely to be utterly annihilated, when the Fifth Corps moved up on the left, and enabled it to reform behind the line it was originally ordered to hold. The Sixth Corps and a part of the First were also opportunely, thrown into this gap, and succeeded in checking the enemy’s advance. About sunset the rebels retired in confusion and disorder.
At 8 p. m. an assault was made from the left of the town, which was gallantly repelled by the First, Second, and Eleventh Corps.
On the morning of the 3d we regained, after a spirited contest, a part of our line on the right, which had been yielded to sustain other points on the 2d. About 1 p. m. the enemy opened an artillery fire of one hundred and twenty-five guns on our center and left. This was followed by an assault of a heavy infantry column on our left and left center, which was successfully repulsed, with a terrible loss to the enemy. This terminated the battle, and the rebels retired, defeated, from the field.
The opposing forces in this sanguinary contest were nearly equal in numbers, and both fought with the most desperate courage. The commanders were also brave, skillful, and experienced, and they handled their troops on the field with distinguished ability; but to General Meade belongs the honor of a well-earned victory in one of the greatest and best-fought battles of the war.
On the morning of the 4th, the enemy apparently occupied a new line in front of our left, but in reality his army had commenced its retreat, carrying off a part of his wounded. His lines, however, were not entirely evacuated until the morning of the 5th, when the cavalry and the Sixth Corps were sent in pursuit.
The days of the 5th and 6th were employed by General Meade in succoring the wounded and burying the dead left on the battle-field. He then started in pursuit of Lee by a flank movement upon Middletown. In the meantime General French had reoccupied Harper’s Ferry, destroyed the enemy’s pontoon train at Williamsport and Falling Waters, and captured its guards.
Halting a day at Middletown, General Meade crossed South Mountain, and on the 12th found the enemy occupying a strong position on the heights of Marsh Run, in front of Williamsport. Not being attacked in this position, with the swollen waters of the Potomac in his rear, without any means of crossing his artillery, and where a defeat must have caused the surrender of his entire army, Lee had time to construct a pontoon bridge with lumber collected from canal-boats and the ruins of wooden houses, and on the morning of the 14th his army had crossed to the south side of the river. His rear guard, however, was attacked by our cavalry and suffered considerable loss. Thus ended the rebel campaign north of the Potomac, from which important political and military results had been expected.
Our own loss in this short campaign had been very severe, via: Killed, 2,834; wounded, 13,709; missing, 6,643; total, 23,186.* We captured 3 guns, 41 standards, 13,621 prisoners, and 28,178 small-arms. The entire loss of the enemy is not known, but judging from the numbers of his dead and wounded left on the field, it must have been much greater than ours.
After crossing the Potomac, Lee continued his retreat up the Valley of the Shenandoah and through the gaps of the Blue Ridge until he reached the south bank of the Rapidan, near Orange Court-House, where he took a defensive position to dispute the crossing of the river. General Meade continued his flank pursuit by Harper’s Ferry, Berlin, and Warrenton, until he reached Culpeper Court-House, where he halted his army, not deeming it prudent to cross the river and attack the enemy, who was now intrenched on the south bank, which completely commanded the approaches on the north side. During this advance, several cavalry skirmishes took place, but without serious loss on either side.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The operations of our troops in West Virginia are referred to here as being intimately connected with those of the Army of the Potomac. The force, being too small to attempt any important campaign by itself, has acted mostly upon the defensive, in repelling raids and breaking up guerrilla bands. When Lee’s army retreated across the Potomac in July last, Brigadier-General Kelley concentrated all his available force on the enemy’s flank, near Clear Spring, ready to co-operate in the proposed attack by General Meade. They [the troops in West Virginia] also rendered valuable services in the pursuit, after Lee had effected his passage of the river.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
When the rebel army was moving north upon Maryland and Pennsylvania, General Dix sent all his available force from Norfolk and Fort Monroe up the York River, for the purpose of cutting off Lee’s communications with Richmond, and of attacking that place, which was then defended by only a handful of militia. The expedition, however, failed to accomplish a single object for which it had been fitted out, the failure resulting, it was alleged, from the inefficiency * But see revised statement, p. 187, of one of the generals in command. * General Dix therefore ordered its return, and sent the troops of which it was composed to re-enforce the army of General Meade north of the Potomac.
* * * * * * *
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
- W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.
Sandy Hook, June 27, 1863—1 p. m. (Received 3 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
My original instructions require me to cover Harper’s Ferry and Washington. I have now imposed upon me, in addition, an enemy in my front of more than my number. I beg to be understood, respectfully, but firmly, that I am unable to comply with this condition with the means at my disposal, and earnestly request that I may at once be relieved from the position I occupy.
JOSEPH HOOKER,
Major-General.
Major-General Hooker,
Army of the Potomac: Washington, D. C., June 27, 1863—8 p. m.
Your application to be relieved from your present command is received.
As you were appointed to this command by the President, I have no power to relieve you. Your dispatch has been duly referred for Executive action.
General-in-Chief.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 6.
Reports of Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Potomac, of operations June 28-August 3, and correspondence with the authorities in Washington, &c.
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, D. C., June 27, 1863.
Maj. Gen. George G. Meade,
Army of the Potomac:
General: You will receive with this the order of the President placing you in command of the Army of the Potomac. Considering the circumstances, no one ever received a more important command; and I cannot doubt that you will fully justify the confidence which the Government has reposed in you.
You will not be hampered by any minute instructions from these headquarters. Your army is free to act as you may deem proper under the circumstances as they arise. You will, however, keep in view the important fact that the Army of the Potomac is the covering army of Washington as well as the army of operation against the invading forces of the rebels. You will, therefore, maneuver and fight in such a manner as to cover the capital and also Baltimore, as far as circumstances will admit. Should General Lee move upon either of these places, it is expected that you will either anticipate him or arrive with him so as to give him battle.
All forces within the sphere of your operations will be held subject to your orders.
Harper’s Ferry and its garrison are under your direct orders.
You are authorized to remove from command, and to send from your army, any officer or other person you may deem proper, and to appoint to command as you may deem expedient. In fine, general, you are intrusted with all the power and authority which the President, the Secretary of War, or the General-in-Chief can confer on you, and you may rely upon our full support.
You will keep me fully informed of all your movements, and the positions of your own troops and those of the enemy, so far as known.
I shall always be ready to advise and assist you to the utmost of my ability.
Very. respectfully, your obedient servant,
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
Frederick, Md., June 28, 1863—7 a. m.
(Received 10 a. m.)
General H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
The order placing me in command of this army is received. As a soldier, I obey it, and to the utmost of my ability will execute it. Totally unexpected as it has been, and in ignorance of the exact condition of the troops and position of the enemy, I can only now say that it appears to me I must move toward the Susquehanna, keeping Washington and Baltimore well covered, and if the enemy is checked in his attempt to cross the Susquehanna, or if he turns toward Baltimore, to give him battle. I would say that I trust every available man that can be spared will be sent to me, as from all accounts the enemy is in strong force. So soon as I can post myself up, I will communicate more in detail.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
July 1, 1863—6 p. m.
(Received 10.20 p. m., via Frederick City.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
The First and Eleventh Corps have been engaged all day in front of Gettysburg. The Twelfth, Third, and Fifth have been moving up, and all, I hope, by this time on the field. This leaves only the Sixth, which will move up to-night. General Reynolds was killed this morning early in the action. I immediately sent up General Hancock to assume command. A. P. Hill and Ewell are certainly concentrating; Longstreet’s whereabouts I do not know. If he is not up to-morrow, I hope with the force I have concentrated to defeat Hill and Ewell. At any rate, I see no other course than to hazard a general battle. Circumstances during the night may alter this decision, of which I will try to advise you. I have telegraphed Couch that if he can threaten Ewell’s rear from Harrisburg without endangering himself, to do so.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Headquarters near Gettysburg, Pa.,
July 2, 1863—3 p. m. (Received July 3, 10.20 a. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
I have concentrated my army at this place to-day. The Sixth Corps is just coming in, very much worn out, having been marching since 9 p. m. last night. The army is fatigued. I have to-day, up to this hour, awaited the attack of the enemy, I having a strong position for defensive. I am not determined, as yet, on attacking him till his position is more developed. He has been moving on both my flanks, apparently, but it is difficult to tell exactly his movements. I have delayed attacking, to allow the Sixth Corps and parts of other corps to reach this place and to rest the men. Expecting a battle, I ordered all my trains to the rear. If not attacked, and I can get any positive information of the position of the enemy which will justify me in so doing, I shall attack. If I find it hazardous to do so, or am satisfied the enemy is endeavoring to move to my rear and interpose between me and Washington, I shall fall back to my supplies at Westminster. I will endeavor to advise you as often as possible. In the engagement yesterday the enemy concentrated more rapidly than we could, and toward evening, owing to the superiority of numbers, compelled the Eleventh and First Corps to fall back from the town to the heights this side, on which I am now posted. I feel fully the responsibility resting upon me, but will endeavor to act with caution.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
July 2, 1863—8 p. m. (Received July 3, 5.15 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
The enemy attacked me about 4 p. m. this day, and, after one of the severest contests of the war, was repulsed at all points. We have suffered considerably in killed and wounded. Among the former are Brigadier-Generals Paul and Zook, and among the wounded, Generals Sickles, Barlow, Graham, and Warren, slightly. We have taken a large number of prisoners. I shall remain in my present position to-morrow, but am not prepared to say, until better advised of the condition of the army, whether my operations will be of an offensive or defensive character.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Minutes of council, July 2, 1863.*
QUESTIONS ASKED.
- Under existing circumstances, is it advisable for this army to remain in its present position, or to retire to another nearer its base of supplies?
- It being determined to remain in present position, shall the army attack or wait the attack of the enemy?
- If we wait attack, how long?,
REPLIES.
Gibbon: 1. Correct position of the army, but would not retreat.
- In no condition to attack, in his opinion.
- Until he moves; until enemy moves.
Williams:
- Stay.
- Wait attack.
- One day.
Birney:
Same as General Williams.
Sykes:
Same as General Williams.
Newton:
- Correct position of the army, but would not retreat.
- By all means not attack.
- If we wait, it will give them a chance to cut our line.
Howard:
- Remain.
- Wait attack until 4 p. m. to-morrow.
- If don’t attack, attack them,
Hancock:
- Rectify position without moving so as to give up field.
- Not attack unless our communications are cut.
- Can’t wait long; can’t be idle.
Sedgwick:
- Remain, and wait attack at least one day.
Slocum:
Stay and fight it out.
[Memorandum.]†
Slocum: Stay and fight it out.
Newton:
Thinks it is a bad position.
Hancock:
Puzzled about practicability of retiring; thinks by holding on-------{ to mass forces and attack.
_____________________________________________________________________
* Original in pencil, and found among General Meade’s papers. See circular of March 10, 1864, from Headquarters Army of the Potomac, and replies thereto, pp. 123 et seq.; and Butterfield to Williams, and reply, of March 28,1864, p, 138.
†This memorandum is without a heading in the original.
_____________________________________________________________________
Illegible word.
Howard:
Favor of not retiring.
Birney:
Don’t know; Third Corps used up, and not in good condition to fight.
Sedgwick: Doubtful *
Effective strength about 9,000, 12,500, 9,000, 6,000, 8,500, 6,000, 7,000; total, 58,000.
[Indorsement.]
Minutes of council, held Thursday p. m., July 2.
- B.,
- G., C. of S.
_____________________________________________________________________
* Remainder of sentence illegible.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
July 3, 1863—8 a. m. (Received 5.10 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
The action commenced again at early daylight upon various parts of the line. The enemy thus far have made no impression upon my position. All accounts agree in placing the whole army here. Prisoners report Longstreet’s and A. P. Hill’s forces much injured yesterday and many general officers killed: General Barksdale’s (Mississippi) dead body is within our lines. We have thus far sent off about 1,600 prisoners, and a small number yet to be started. I have given certain instructions to General French, which he will telegraph you. The dispatches from you yesterday, owing to the disappearance of Caldwell, telegraph operator, are here in cipher, unintelligible.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
_____
July 3, 1863—12.30 p. m.
Major-General Halleck, (Received 11 p. m.)
General-in-Chief:
At the present moment all is quiet. Considerable firing, both infantry and artillery, has taken place in various parts of our line, but no development of the enemy’s intentions. My cavalry are pushing, the enemy on both my flanks, and keeping me advised of any effort to outflank me. We have taken several hundred prisoners since morning.
GEO. G. MEADE.
_____
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
Near Gettysburg, July 3, 1863—8.35 p.m.
(Received July 4, 6.10 a. m.)
Major-General Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
The enemy opened at 1 p. m. from about 150 guns, concentrated upon my left and center, continuing without intermission for about three hours, at the expiration of which time he assaulted my left center twice, being upon both occasions handsomely repulsed, with severe loss to him, leaving in our hands nearly 3,000 prisoners; among the prisoners, Brigadier-General Armistead and many colonels and officers of lesser rank. The enemy left many dead upon the field and a large number of wounded in our hands.
The loss upon our side has been considerable. Major-General Hancock and Brigadier-General Gibbon were wounded. After the repelling of the assault, indications leading to the belief that the enemy might be withdrawing, an armed reconnaissance was pushed forward, from the left, and the enemy found to be in force. At the present hour all is quiet. My cavalry have been engaged all day on both flanks of the enemy, harassing and vigorously attacking him with great success, notwithstanding they encountered superior numbers, both of cavalry and infantry. The army is in fine spirits.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding
_____
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, July 4, 1863—7 a. m. (Received 7.20 p. m.) Major-General Halleck: This morning the enemy has withdrawn his pickets from the positions of yesterday. My own pickets are moving out to ascertain the nature and extent of the enemy’s movement. My information is not sufficient for me to decide its character yet—whether a retreat or maneuver for other purposes. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.
Operator at Frederick:
Please show copy of this to General French.
July 4, 1863—12 noon. (Received July 5, 3.50 p. m.) Major-General Halleck, Washington: The position of affairs is not materially changed from my last dispatch, 7 a. m. The enemy apparently has thrown back his left, and placed guns and troops in position in rear of Gettysburg, which we now hold. The enemy has abandoned large numbers of his killed and wounded on the field. I shall require some time to get up supplies, ammunition, &c., rest the army, worn out by long marches and three days’ hard fighting. I shall probably be able to give you a return of our captures and losses before night, and return of the enemy’s killed and wounded in our hands.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
_____
July 4—10 p. m. (Received July 6, 6.10 a, m.)
Major-General Halleck:
No change of affairs since dispatch of 12 noon. I make a reconnaissance to-morrow, to ascertain what the intention of the enemy is. My cavalry are now moving toward the South Mountain Pass, and, should the enemy retreat, I shall pursue him on his flanks.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
[P. S.]—A proposition made by General Lee, under flag of truce, to exchange prisoners, was declined by me,
______
Hdqrs. Army of the Potomac, July 5, 1863—8.30 a. m.
(Received 8.40 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck:
The enemy retired, under cover of the night and heavy rain, in the direction of Fairfield and Cashtown. All my available cavalry are in pursuit, on the enemy’s left and rear. My movement will be made at once on his flank, via Middletown and South Mountain Pass. I cannot give you the details of our captures in prisoners, colors, and arms. Upward of twenty battle-flags will be turned in from one corps. I cannot delay to pick up the debris of the battle-field, and request that all those arrangements may be made by the departments. My wounded, with those of the enemy in our hands, will be left at Gettysburg. After burying our own, I am compelled to employ citizens to bury the enemy’s dead. My headquarters will be to-night at Creagerstown. Communication received from General [W. F.] Smith, in command of 3,000 men, on the march from Carlisle toward Cashtown.
Field return last evening gives me about 55,000 effective in the ranks, exclusive of cavalry, baggage guards, ambulances, attendants, &c. Every available re-enforcement is required, and should be sent to Frederick without delay.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General,
Washington, D. C., July 7, 1863—3 p. m.
Maj. Gen. George G; Meade,
Army of the Potomac
It gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been appointed a brigadier-general in the Regular Army, to rank from July 3, the date of your brilliant victory at Gettysburg.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
_____
Frederick, Md., July 7, 1863—4 p. m.
(Received 5 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck:
General-in-Chief:
I have received your dispatch announcing my appointment as brigadier-general in the Regular Army.
Please convey to the President my grateful thanks for this honor, and receive for yourself my thanks for the kind manner you have conveyed the notification.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
Washington, D. C., July 7, 1863—8.45 p. m.
Major-General Meade,
Frederick, Md.:
You have given the enemy a stunning blow at Gettysburg. Follow it up, and give him another before he can reach the Potomac. When he crosses, circumstances will determine whether it will be best to pursue him by the Shenandoah Valley or this side of Blue Ridge. There is strong evidence that he is short of artillery ammunition, and, if vigorously pressed, he must suffer.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
_____
Washington, D. C., July 7, 1863.
Major-General Meade,
Frederick, Md.
I have seen your dispatch to General Couch of 4.40 p. m. You are perfectly right. Push forward, and fight Lee before he can cross the Potomac.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
_____
Washington, D. C., July 7, 1863.
Major-General Meade,
Army of the Potomac:
I have received from the President the following note, which I respectfully communicate:
Major-General Halleck:
We have certain information that Vicksburg surrendered to General Grant on the 4th of July. Now, if General Meade can complete his work, so gloriously prosecuted thus far, by the literal or substantial destruction of Lee’s army, the rebellion will be over.
Yours, truly,
- LINCOLN.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
_____
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
July 8, 1863. Brig. Gen. Lorenzo Thomas,
Adjutant-General, Washington:
General: I have the honor herewith to transmit thirty-one battle-flags, captured from the enemy in the recent battle at Gettysburg. Several other flags were captured on that occasion, but those sent embrace all thus far sent in by corps commanders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General Commanding.
General Barksdale’s sword was given in my charge to bring with the above flags.
- SCIIRIVER.
Unofficial.]
Headquarters of the Army,
Washington, July 28, 1863.
Major-General Meade,
Army of the Potomac, Warrenton, Va.:
General: I take this method of writing you a few words which I could not well communicate in any other way.
Your fight at Gettysburg met with the universal approbation of all military men here.’ You handled your troops in that battle as well, if not better, than any general has handled his army during the war. You brought all your forces into action at the right time and place, which no commander of the Army of the Potomac has done before. You may well be proud of that battle. The President’s order, or proclamation, of July 4, showed how much he appreciated your success.
And now a few words in regard to subsequent events. You should not have been surprised or vexed at the President’s disappointment at the escape of Lee’s army. He had examined into all the details of sending you re-enforcements, to satisfy himself that every man who could possibly be spared from other places had been sent to your army. He thought that Lee’s defeat was so certain that he felt no little impatience at his unexpected escape. I have no doubt, general, that you felt the disappointment as keenly as any one else. Such things sometimes occur to us without any fault of our own. Take it altogether, your short campaign has proved your superior generalship, and you merit, as you will receive, the confidence of the Government and the gratitude of the country. I need not assure you, general, that I have lost none of the confidence which I felt in you when I recommended you for the command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- W. HALLECK.
Washington, D. C., July 29,1863—10 a. m.
Major-General Meade,
Warrenton, Va.:
The following note of the President is communicated for your information. I will write you more fully to-day:
Executive Mansion,
July 29, 1863.
Major-General Halleck:
Seeing General Meade’s dispatch of yesterday to yourself, causes me to fear that he supposes the Government here is demanding of him to bring on a general engagement with Lee as soon as possible. I am claiming no such thing of him. In fact, my judgment is against it; which judgment, of course, I will yield if yours and his are the contrary. If he could not safely, engage Lee at Williamsport, it seems absurd to suppose he can safely engage him now, when he has scarcely more than two-thirds of the force he had at Williamsport, while it must be that Lee has been re-enforced. True, I desired General Meade to pursue Lee across the Potomac, hoping, as has proved true, that he would thereby clear the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and get some advantage by harassing him on his retreat. These being past, I am unwilling he should now get into a general engagement on the impression that we here are pressing him, and I shall be glad for you to so inform him, unless your own judgment is against it. Yours, truly,
- LINCOLN.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
Washington, D. C., July 30, 1863.
Major-General Meade,
Warrenton, Va.:
Four regiments of infantry (not Few York or Pennsylvania) will be immediately sent from the Army of the Potomac to New York Harbor, to report to General Canby. The officer in command will telegraph to the Quartermaster-General the numbers for transportation.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
_____
Washington, D. C., July 30, 1863.
Major-General Meade,
Warrenton, Va.:
The troops to be sent east should number from 1,500 to 2,000. This detachment is all that it is proposed at present to take from your army; but under no circumstances can we now give you any re-enforcements. Every place has been stripped to the bare poles. Keep up a threatening attitude, but do not advance.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
____
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
July 31, 1863—10.30 a. m. (Received 10.40 a. m.)
- W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
In compliance with your instructions of yesterday, the following regiments have been ordered to New York Harbor, to report to Brigadier-General Canby: First and Thirty-seventh Massachusetts, Fifth Wisconsin, and Twentieth Indiana; aggregate present for duty, 1,643.
The regiments left here early this morning for Warrenton Junction, there to take railroad transportation to Washington. Owing to the large number of trains now run over the road, I presume the regiments will not reach Washington before to-night. Col. Oliver Edwards, Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment, commands the troops, and he has been instructed to acquaint the Quartermaster-General, by telegraph, with the strength of his command.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
_____
Unofficial.] Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
July 31, 1863.
Major-General Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
My dear General: I thank you most sincerely and heartily for your kind and generous letter of the 28th instant, received last evening. It would be wrong in me to deny that I feared there existed in the minds of both the President and yourself an idea that I had failed to do what another would and could have done in the withdrawal of Lee’s army. The expression you have been pleased to use in your letter, to wit, “a feeling of disappointment,” is one that I cheerfully accept and readily admit was as keenly felt by myself as any one. But permit me, dear general, to call your attention to the distinction between disappointment and dissatisfaction. The one was a natural feeling, in view of the momentous consequences that would have resulted from a successful attack, but does not necessarily convey with it any censure. I could not view the use of the latter expression in any other light than as intending to convey an expression of opinion on the part of the President that I had failed to do what I might and should have done. Now, let me say, in the frankness which characterizes your letter, that perhaps the President was right; if such was the case, it was my duty to give him an opportunity to replace me by one better fitted for the command of the army. It was, I assure you, with such feelings that I applied to be relieved. It was not from any personal considerations, for I have tried in this whole war to forget all personal considerations, and have always maintained they should not for an instant influence any one’s actions.
Of course you will understand that I do not agree that the President was right, and I feel sure when the true state of the case comes to be known, that however natural and great may be the feeling of disappointment, no blame will be attached to any one.
Had I attacked Lee the day I proposed to do so, and in the ignorance that then existed of his position, I have every reason to believe the attack would have been unsuccessful, and would have resulted disastrously. This opinion is founded on the judgment of numerous distinguished officers, after inspecting Lee’s vacated works and position. Among these officers I could name Generals Sedgwick, Wright, Slocum, Hays, Sykes, and others.
The idea that Lee had abandoned his lines early in the day that he withdrew, I have positive intelligence is not correct, and that not a man was withdrawn till after dark. I mention these facts to remove the impression, which newspaper correspondents have given the public, that it was only necessary to advance to secure an easy victory. I had great responsibility thrown on me. On one side were the known and important fruits of victory, and, on the other, the equally important and terrible consequences of a defeat. I considered my position at Williamsport very different from that at Gettysburg. When I left Frederick, it was with the firm determination to attack and fight Lee, without regard to time or place, as soon as I could come in contact with him; but after defeating him, and requiring him to abandon his schemes of invasion, I did not think myself justified in making a blind attack simply to prevent his escape, and running all the risks attending such a venture. Now, as I said before, in this, perhaps, I erred in judgment, for I take this occasion to say to you, and through you to the President, that I have no pretensions to any superior capacity for the post he has assigned me to; that all I can do is to exert my utmost efforts and do the best I can; but that the moment those who have a right to judge my actions think, or feel satisfied, either that I am wanting or that another would do better, that moment I earnestly desire to be relieved, not on my own account, but on account of the country and the cause.
You must excuse so much egotism, but your kind letter in a measure renders it necessary. I feel, general, very proud of your good opinion, and assure you I shall endeavor in the future to continue to merit it.
Reciprocating the kind feeling you have expressed, I remain, general, most truly and respectfully, yours,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
August 3, 1863.
The Adjutant-General of the Army,
Washington, D. C.:
Sir: I have the honor herewith to transmit a tabular statement of the casualties in the Army of the Potomac at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 2, and 3, 1863.*
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding.
_______________________________________________________________
* But see revised statement, pp. 173-187,
_____________________________________________________________________
Page 112
List of hilled, wounded, and missing in the Army of the Potomac at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 2, and 3, 1863.
Command.
Killed. Wounded. Missing. Total. Aggregate.
_____________________________________________________________________
*A11 losses in the campaign are included in this table. For casualties in the battle, see pp. 180-182: —Compiler.
_____________________________________________________________________
The reorganization of brigades and divisions after the battle caused the discrepancies between this and the revised statement on pp. 182, 183, —Compiler.
RECAPITULATION.
Officers and men.
Officers 243 2,591 1,076 12,637 215 6,428
Enlisted men Total 2,834 13,713 6,643
Aggregate* 23,190
_____________________________________________________________________
*But see revised statement, p. 187.
_____________________________________________________________________
______
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
October 1, 1863.
General: I have the honor to submit herewith a report of the operations of this army during the month of July last, including the details of the battle of" Gettysburg, delayed by the failure to receive until now the reports of several corps and division commanders, who were severely wounded in the battle.
On June 28, I received the orders of the President of the United States placing me in command of the Army of the Potomac. The situation of affairs at that time was briefly as follows:
The Confederate army, commanded by General R. E. Lee, estimated at over 100,000 strong, of all arms, had crossed the Potomac River and advanced up the Cumberland Valley. Reliable intelligence placed his advance (Ewell’s corps) on the Susquehanna, at Harrisburg and Columbia; Longstreet’s corps at Chambersburg, and Hill’s corps between that place and Cashtown. My own army, of which the most recent return showed an aggregate of a little over 100,000, was situated in and around Frederick, Md., extending from Harper’s Ferry to the mouth of the Monocacy, and from Middletown to Frederick.
June 28 was spent in ascertaining the position and strength of the different corps of the army, but principally in bringing up the cavalry, which had been covering the rear of the army in its passage over the Potomac, and to which a large increase had just been made from the forces previously attached to the Defenses of Washington. Orders were given on that day to Major-General French, commanding at Harper’s Ferry, to move with 7,000 men of his command to occupy, Frederick and the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and, with the balance of his force, estimated at 4,000, to remove and escort the public property to Washington.
On the 29th, the army was put in motion, and on the evening of that day was in position, the left at Emmitsburg and the right at New Windsor. Buford’s division of cavalry was on the left flank, with the advance at Gettysburg. Kilpatrick’s division was in the front at Hanover, where he encountered this day General Stuart’s Confederate cavalry, which had crossed the Potomac at Seneca Creek, and, passing our right flank, was making its way toward Carlisle, having escaped Gregg’s division, delayed in taking position on the right flank by the occupation of the roads by columns of infantry.
On the 30th, the right flank of the army was moved up to Manchester, the left still being at Emmitsburg, in the vicinity of which place three corps (the First, Eleventh, and Third) were collected, under the orders of Major-General Reynolds. General Buford having reported from Gettysburg the appearance of the enemy on the Cash-town road in some force, General Reynolds was directed to occupy Gettysburg.
On reaching that place on July 1, General Reynolds found Buford’s cavalry warmly engaged with the enemy, who had debouched his infantry through the mountains on the Cashtown road, but was being held in check in the most gallant manner by Buford’s cavalry. Major-General Reynolds immediately moved around the town of Gettysburg, and advanced on the Cashtown road, and without a moment’s hesitation deployed his advanced division and attacked the enemy, at the same time sending orders for the Eleventh Corps (General Howard) to advance as promptly as possible. Soon after making his dispositions for the attack, Major-General Reynolds fell, mortally wounded, the command of the First Corps devolving on Major-General Doubleday, and the command of the field on Major-General Howard, who arrived about this time, 11.30 a. m., with the Eleventh Corps, then commanded by Major-General Schurz. Major-General Howard pushed forward two divisions of the Eleventh Corps to the support of the First Corps, now warmly engaged with the enemy on the ridge to the north of the town, and posted his Third Division, with three batteries of artillery, on the Cemetery Ridge, on the south side of the town.
Up to this time the battle had been with the forces of the enemy debouching from the mountains on the Cashtown road, known to be Hill’s corps. In the early part of the action, success was on our side, Wadsworth’s division, of the First Corps, having driven the enemy back some distance, capturing numerous prisoners, among them General Archer, of the Confederate army. The arrival of re-enforcements for the enemy on the Cashtown road, and the junction of Ewell’s corps, coming on the York and Harrisburg roads, which occurred between 1 and 2 p. m., enabled the enemy to bring vastly superior forces against both the First and Eleventh Corps, outflanking our line of battle, and pressing it so severely that about 4 p. m. Major-General Howard deemed it .prudent to withdraw these two corps to the Cemetery Ridge, on the south side of the town, which operation was successfully accomplished; not, however, without considerable loss in prisoners, arising from the confusion incident to portions of both corps passing through the town, and the men getting confused in the streets.
About the time of this withdrawal, Major-General Hancock arrived, whom I had dispatched to represent me on the field, on hearing of the death of General Reynolds. In conjunction with Major-General Howard, General Hancock proceeded to post the troops on the Cemetery Ridge, and to repel an attack that the enemy made on our right flank. This attack was not, however, very vigorous, and the enemy, seeing the strength of the position occupied, seemed to be satisfied with the success he had accomplished, desisting from any further attack this day.
About 7 p. m., Major-Generals Slocum and Sickles, with the Twelfth Corps and part of the Third, reached the ground, and took post on the right and left of the troops previously posted. Being satisfied from the reports received from the field that it was the intention of the enemy to support with his whole army the attack already made, and the reports from Major-Generals Hancock and Howard on the character of the position being favorable, I determined to give battle at this point; and, early in the evening of the 1st, issued orders to all the corps to concentrate at Gettysburg, directing all trains to be sent to the rear, at Westminster.
At 10 p. m. of the 1st, I broke up my headquarters, which until then had been at Taneytown, and proceeded to the field, arriving there at 1 a. m. of the 2d. So soon as it was light, I proceeded to inspect the position occupied, and to make arrangements for posting the several corps as they should reach the ground.
By 7 a. m. the Second and Fifth Corps, with the rest of the Third, had reached the ground, and were posted as follows: The Eleventh Corps retained its position on the Cemetery Ridge, just opposite the town ; the First Corps was posted on the right of the Eleventh, on an elevated knoll, connecting with a ridge extending to the south and east, on which the Twelfth Corps was placed, the right of the Twelfth. Corps resting on a small stream at a point where it crossed the Baltimore pike, and which formed, on the right flank of the Twelfth, something of an obstacle. The Cemetery Ridge extended in a westerly and southerly direction, gradually diminishing in elevation until it came to a very prominent ridge called Round Top, running east and west. The Second and Third Corps were directed to occupy the continuation of the Cemetery Ridge on the left of the Eleventh Corps. The Fifth Corps, pending the arrival of the Sixth, was held in reserve.
While these dispositions were being made, the enemy was massing his troops on an exterior ridge, distant from the line occupied by us from 1 mile to 1-J miles.
At 2 p. m. the Sixth Corps arrived, after a march of 32 miles, accomplished from 9 p. M. the day previous. On its arrival being reported, I immediately directed the Fifth Corps to move over to our extreme left, and the Sixth to occupy its place as a reserve for the right.
About 3 p. m. I rode out to the extreme left, to await the arrival of the Fifth Corps and to post it, when I found that Major-General Sickles, commanding the Third Corps, not fully apprehending the instructions in regard to the position to be occupied, had advanced, or rather was in the act of advancing, his corps some half a mile or three-quarters of a mile in front of the line of the Second Corps, on the prolongation of which it was designed his corps should rest. Having found Major-General Sickles, I was explaining to him that he was too far in advance, and discussing with him the propriety of withdrawing, when the enemy opened on him with several batteries in his front and on his flank, and immediately brought forward columns of infantry and made a most vigorous assault. The Third Corps sustained the shock most heroically. Troops from the Second Corps were immediately sent by Major-General Hancock to cover the right flank of the Third Corps, and soon after the assault commenced the Fifth Corps most fortunately arrived and took position on the left of the Third, Major-General Sykes, commanding, immediately sending a force to occupy the Round Top Ridge, where a most furious contest was maintained, the enemy making desperate but unsuccessful efforts to secure it.
Notwithstanding the stubborn resistance of the Third Corps, under Major-General Birney (Major-General Sickles having been wounded early in the action), the superiority of numbers of the enemy enabling him to outflank the corps in its advanced position, General Birney was compelled to fall back and reform behind the line originally designed to be held.
In the meantime, perceiving the great exertions of the enemy, the Sixth Corps, Major-General Sedgwick, and part of the First Corps (to the command of which I had assigned Major-General Newton), particularly Lockwood’s Maryland brigade,* together with detachments from the Second Corps, were all brought up at different periods, and succeeded, together with the gallant resistance of the Fifth Corps, in checking and finally repulsing the assault of the enemy, who retired in confusion and disorder about sunset, and ceased any further efforts on the extreme left, f . An assault was, however, made about 8 p. m. on the Eleventh Corps from the left of the town, which
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*See Williams to Slocum, December 26,1868, p. 765.
† See Meade to Halleck, February 25, 1864, p. 120.
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was repelled, with the assistance of troops from the Second and First Corps.
During the heavy assault upon our extreme left, portions of the Twelfth Corps were sent as re-enforcements. During their absence, the line on the extreme right was held by a very much reduced force. This was taken advantage of by the enemy, who, during the absence of Geary’s division of the Twelfth Corps, advanced and occupied a part of his line.*
On the morning of the 3d, General Geary (having returned during the night) attacked at early dawn the enemy, and succeeded in driving him back and reoccupying his former position. A spirited contest was, however, maintained all the morning along this part of the line, General Geary, re-enforced by Wheaton’s brigade, Sixth Corps, maintaining his position, and inflicting very severe losses on the enemy.*
With this exception, the quiet of the lines remained Undisturbed till 1 p. m. on the 3d, when the enemy opened from over one hundred and twenty-five guns, playing upon our center and left. This cannonade continued for over two hours, when our guns, in obedience to my orders failing to make any reply, the enemy ceased firing, and soon his masses of infantry became visible, forming for an assault on our left and left center. The assault was made with great firmness, directed principally against the point occupied by the Second Corps, and was repelled with equal firmness by the troops of that corps, supported by Doubleday’s division and Stannard’s brigade of the First Corps. During the assault, both Major-General Hancock, commanding the left center, and Brigadier-General Gibbon, commanding Second Corps, were severely wounded. This terminated the battle, the enemy retiring to his lines, leaving the field strewn with his dead and wounded, and numerous prisoners in our hands.
Buford’s division of cavalry, after its arduous service at Gettysburg on the 1st, was on the 2d sent to Westminster to refit and guard our trains. Kilpatrick’s division, that on the 29th, 30th, and 1st had been successfully engaging the enemy’s cavalry, was on the 3d sent on our extreme left, on the Emmitsburg road, where good service was rendered in assaulting the enemy’s line and occupying his attention. At the same time, General Gregg was engaged with the enemy on our extreme right, having passed across the Baltimore pike and Bonaugh-town road, and boldly attacked the enemy’s left and rear.
On the morning of the 4th, reconnaissances developed that the enemy had drawn back his left flank, but maintained his position in front of our left, apparently assuming a new line parallel to the mountains.
On the morning of the 5th, it was ascertained the enemy was in full retreat by the Fairfield and Cashtown roads. The Sixth Corps was immediately sent in pursuit on the Fairfield road, and the cavalry on the Cashtown road and by the Emmitsburg and Monterey Passes.
July 5 and 6 were employed in succoring the wounded and burying the dead. Major-General Sedgwick, commanding the Sixth Corps, having pushed the pursuit of the enemy as far as the Fairfield Pass, in the mountains, and reporting that the pass was a very strong one, in which a small force of the enemy could hold in check and delay for a considerable time any pursuing force, I determined to follow the enemy by a flank movement, and, accordingly, leaving Mcln-
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* See Meade to Halleck, February 25, 1864, p, 120.
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tosh’s brigade of cavalry and Neill’s brigade of infantry to continue harassing the enemy, put the army in motion for Middletown, Md. Orders were immediately sent to Major-General French at Frederick to reoccupy Harper’s Ferry and send a force to occupy Turner’s Pass, in South Mountain. I subsequently ascertained Major-General French had not only anticipated these orders in part, but had pushed a cavalry force to Williamsport and Falling Waters, where they destroyed the enemy’s pontoon bridge and captured its guard. Buford was at the same time sent to Williamsport and Hagerstown.
The duty above assigned to the cavalry was most successfully accomplished, the enemy being greatly harassed, his trains destroyed, and many captures of guns and prisoners made.
After halting a day at Middletown to procure necessary supplies and bring up the trains, the army moved through the South Mountain, and by July 12 was in front of the enemy, who occupied a strong position on the heights of Marsh Run, in advance of Williamsport, n taking this position, several skirmishes and affairs had been had with the enemy, principally by the cavalry and the Eleventh and Sixth Corps.
The 13th was occupied in reconnaissances of the enemy’s position and preparations for attack, but, on advancing on the morning of the 14th, it was ascertained he had retired the night previous by a bridge at Falling Waters and the ford at Williamsport. The cavalry in pursuit overtook the rear guard at Falling Waters, capturing two guns and numerous prisoners.
Previous to the retreat of the enemy, Gregg’s division of cavalry was crossed at Harper’s Ferry, and, coming up with the rear of the enemy at Charlestown and Shepherdstown, had a spirited contest, in which the enemy was driven to Martinsburg and Winchester and pressed and harassed in his retreat.
The pursuit was resumed by a flank movement, the army crossing the Potomac at Berlin and moving down the Loudoun Valley. The cavalry were immediately pushed into the several passes of the Blue Ridge, and, having learned from scouts the withdrawal of the Confederate army from the lower valley of the Shenandoah, the army, the Third Corps, Major-General French, in advance, was moved into the Manassas Gap, in the hope of being able to intercept a portion of the enemy.
The possession of the gap was disputed so successfully as to enable the rear guard to withdraw by way of Strasburg, the Confederate army retiring to the Rapidan. A position was taken with this army on the line of the Rappahannock, and the campaign terminated about the close of July.
The result of the campaign may be briefly stated in the defeat of the enemy at Gettysburg, his compulsory evacuation of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and withdrawal from the upper valley of the Shenandoah, and in the capture of 3 guns, 41 standards, and 13,621 prisoners; 24,978 small-arms were collected on the battle-field.
Our own losses were very severe, amounting, as will be seen by the accompanying return, to 2,834 killed, 13,709 [13,713] wounded, and 6,643 missing; in all, 23,186 [23,190].*
It is impossible in a report of this nature to enumerate all the instances of gallantry and good conduct which distinguished such a hard-fought field as Gettysburg. The reports of corps commanders _____________________________________________________________________
* Reference is to table on p. 112; but see revised statement, p. 187,
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and their subordinates, herewith submitted, will furnish all information upon this subject. I will only add my tribute to the heroic bravery of the whole army, officers and men, which, under the blessing of Divine Providence, enabled a crowning victory to be obtained, which I feel confident the country will never cease to bear in grateful remembrance.
It is my duty, as well as my pleasure, to call attention to the earnest efforts of co-operation on the part of Maj. Gen. D. N. Couch, commanding Department of the Susquehanna, and particularly to his advance, 4,000 men, under Brig. Gen. W. F. Smith, who joined me at Boonsborough just prior to the withdrawal of the Confederate army.
In conclusion, I desire to return my thanks to my staff, general and personal, to each and all of whom I was indebted for unremitting activity and most efficient assistance.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding.
Brig. Gen. Lorenzo Thomas,
Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
Washington, D. C., October 2, 1863.
Brigadier-General Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:
How many Confederate dead were buried after the battle of Gettysburg—officers, privates?
- C. KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
October 3, 1863—8.20 p. m. (Received 8.50 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
So far as can be stated from any information now at my command, 126 Confederate officers and 2,764 men were buried by our troops at Gettysburg. This does not, however, include those buried by the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, and it is known that quite a large number were buried by the latter corps. The commanders of those corps can doubtless give you the numbers buried by their commands. When this army left the vicinity of Gettysburg, a considerable number of dead remained unburied, and the provost-marshal-general contracted with a Mr. [Samuel] Herbst, of Gettysburg, to bury them. He can state the number buried by him. Captain [ William G. ] Rankin, assistant quartermaster, who paid Mr. Herbst, can also supply this information. It may be added that the enemy buried a large number of his dead before leaving the field. The reports of the number of Confederate dead buried by the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, although called for July 4, had not been sent in when those corps were detached from this army.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General,
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Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
October 5, 1863. (Received 3.30 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief:
In addition to the number of Confederate dead buried at Gettysburg, stated in my dispatch of the 3d instant, I have now to report 2 officers and 62 men buried by the Fifth Corps.
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General.
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THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
February 25, 1864.
General: I transmit herewith the report of Brig. Gen. T. H. Ruger, commanding First Division, Twelfth Army Corps, and those of his brigade and regimental commanders, of the operations of his division at the battle of Gettysburg. These reports were only recently received by me, owing to General Ruger being detached with a large portion of his command not long after the battle, and soon after his return the corps was ordered to Tennessee. I beg these reports may be placed on file as part of my official report of that battle.
I embrace this opportunity to make certain corrections and alterations in my report, to which my attention has been called by Major-General Slocum.* These alterations are as follows:
- In relating the occurrences of July 2, I state:
In the meantime, perceiving the great exertions on the part of the enemy, the Sixth Corps (Major-General Sedgwick), and part of the First Corps (to the command of which I had assigned Major-General Newton), particularly Lockwood’s Maryland brigade, together with detachments from the Second Corps, were all brought up, &c.
This should read:
In the meantime, perceiving the great exertions on the part of the enemy, the Sixth Corps (Major-General Sedgwick), and part of the First Corps (to the command of which corps I had assigned Major-General Newton), together with detachments from the Second Corps, were all brought up. Subsequently the First Division and Lockwood’s brigade, of the Twelfth Corps, under the immediate command of Brig. Gen. A. S. Williams, then temporarily commanding the corps, arrived at the scene of action, the services of Lockwood’s brigade being particularly mentioned.
- In relating the occurrences of July 3:
During the heavy assaults upon our extreme left, portions of the Twelfth Corps were sent as re-enforcements. During their absence, the line of the extreme right was held by a much-reduced force, and was taken advantage of by the enemy, who, during the absence of Geary’s division, Twelfth Corps, advanced and occupied a part of the line.
On the morning of the 3d, General Geary, having returned during the night, was attacked at early dawn by the enemy, but succeeded in driving him back and occupying his former position. A spirited contest was maintained all the morning along this part of the line. General Geary, re-enforced by Wheaton’s brigade, Sixth Corps, maintained his position, inflicting severe losses on the enemy.
This should read:
During the heavy assaults upon our extreme left, the First Division and Lockwood’s brigade, of the Twelfth Corps, were sent as re-enforcements, as already reported. Two brigades of Geary’s division (Second, of this corps) were also detached for the same purpose, but did not arrive at the scene of action, owing to having mistaken the road. The detachment of so large a portion of the Twelfth Corps, with ___________________________________________________________________
* See Slocum’s report of December 30,1863, p. 763, and Meade’s reply of February 25,1864, p. 769.
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its temporary commander, Brig. Gen. A. S. Williams, left the defense of the line previously held to the remaining brigade of the Second Division, commanded by Brigadier-General Greene, who held the left of the Twelfth Corps, now become the extreme right of the army. The enemy, perceiving the withdrawal of our troops, advanced and attacked General Greene with great vigor, who, making a gallant defense, and being soon re-enforced by portions of the First and Eleventh Corps, contiguous to him, succeeded in repulsing all the efforts of the enemy to dislodge him.
After night, on the return of the detachments sent to the left, it was found the enemy was occupying portions of the line of breastworks thrown up by the Twelfth Corps. Brigadier-General Williams, in command, immediately made arrangements, by the disposition of his artillery and instructions to both divisions, commanded, respectively, by Brigadier-Generals Geary and Ruger, to attack the enemy at daylight, and regain the position formerly occupied by the corps. In the meantime, the enemy brought up strong re-enforcements, and at early daylight a spirited contest commenced, which continued until after 10 a. m., the result of which was the repulse of the enemy in all his attempts to advance and his final abandonment of the position he had taken the evening before. During this contest, Shaler’s brigade, Sixth Corps, was sent to re-enforce the Twelfth Corps. With this exception, the lines remained undisturbed, &c.
I should he glad, as an act of justice, if this communication could be published.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding
Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief, Washington, D. C.
[Indorsements.]
February 29, 1864.
Respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with the recommendation that this be published with General Meade’s former report.
- W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.
Adjutant-General’s Office, March 2, 1864.
Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.
- A. NICHOLS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
War Department, March 2, 1864.
Approved.
By order of the Secretary of War:
JAS. A. HARDIE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
March 10, 1864.
Major-General Meade,
Commanding Army of the Potomac:
General: I have the honor to make the following statement in regard to orders carried by me on the 1st day of July, 1863:
Early on the afternoon of the 1st of July, 1863, I was sent from headquarters, at Taneytown, with sealed orders to General Slocum, commanding Twelfth Corps, who was then on the road to Gettysburg, via Littlestown and Two Taverns. These orders I delivered to Lieutenant-Colonel [Hiram C,] Rodgers, assistant adjutant-general of the Twelfth Corps, at Two Taverns, between 3 and 4 p. m. of that day, and was requested by him to say that the corps was on the move, and advancing as rapidly as possible.
I also had a communication addressed to Generals Slocum and Sykes. This I delivered to General Slocum, who was somewhat in advance of his corps, near Gettysburg. After reading it, he returned it to me, to take to General Sykes at Hanover.
My recollection of this communication now is, that it Was a circular notifying corps commanders of the fall of General Reynolds, and that General Hancock had been sent to take his place, and urging them to push forward with all possible dispatch.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- G. MASON,
Captain, and Aide-de-Camp.
Headquarters Rendezvous for Drafted Men,
Philadelphia, Pa., March 14, 1864.
Brig. Gen. S. Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac:
General : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular of the 10th instant, in regard to the council of war held at General Meade’s headquarters on the evening of the 2d July last, and in reply to state:
- I was a member of that council, having been placed by General Hancock in command of the Second Corps when he was detached to take command of the Third Corps, after its defeat, on the afternoon of the 2d.
- The result of the day’s fight was then, I believe, for the first time fully known. It, together with our military situation, were fully discussed and commented upon by the members. It thus appeared that the Third Corps had been badly defeated, and rendered for the time comparatively useless; that the enemy, taking advantage of the absence of a portion of the Twelfth Corps sent over to the assistance of our left center after the defeat of the Third Corps, had obtained a footing in a portion of our line on the right, and that to the right of Cemetery Hill he had driven a portion of the Eleventh Corps out of the line, taken possession of some of our batteries there, and had been himself driven out by the timely arrival of Carroll’s brigade, sent by me, according to General Hancock’s direction, over to the right, “to the sound of the firing.” Otherwise our line remained intact.
- One of the corps commanders, Newton, urged some objections against the military position of our line, and when the council came to decide upon a number of points which were written out by General Butterfield, chief of staff, and submitted to its vote, one of the questions was to this effect: “ Should the army remain in its present position, or retire to a better one?” Being the youngest member of the council, I was required to vote first, and on this particular point I voted—having General Newton’s objection in my mind, and having confidence in his judgment as a military engineer—that we should as far as possible correct our position, but on no account to change it so much that any one could construe it into a retreat. My recollection is that General Newton voted substantially the same way, and that every other member voted simply to remain and offer battle. So that the decision of the council to remain in position was unanimous.
- I never heard General Meade say one word in favor of a retreat, nor do I believe that he did so, being confident I should have heard it, the council meeting in a room not to exceed 10 feet square.
I recollect there was great good feeling amongst the corps commanders at their agreeing so unanimously, and General Meade’s announcement, in a decided manner, “Such, then, is the decision.”
There were a number of other questions of minor importance put and decided which I do not deem it necessary to refer to.
It may not be out of place here to state that during a portion of the sitting of the council, which continued up to nearly 12 o’clock, fighting was going on on the right of our line, where the portion of the Twelfth Corps, returning to its position from the left center, was attempting to dislodge the enemy from the footing he had gained in our line.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN GIBBON,
Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
ADDENDA.
III.—Public Resolution—No. 9.
A RESOLUTION expressive of the thanks of Congress to Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, and the officers and soldiers of the Army of the Potomac.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the gratitude of the American people, and the thanks of their Representatives in Congress, are due, and are hereby tendered, to Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, and the officers and soldiers of the Army of the Potomac, for the skill, energy, and endurance which first covered Washington and Baltimore from the meditated blow of the advancing and powerful army of rebels led by General Robert E. Lee; and to Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, and the officers and soldiers of that army, for the skill and heroic valor which, at Gettysburg, repulsed, defeated, and drove back, broken and dispirited, beyond the Rappahannock, the veteran army of the rebellion.
Approved January 28, 1864.
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THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 7.
Itinerary of the Army of the Potomac and co-operating forces, June 6-July 31, 1863. *
June 5. […]
June 30.—Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Middleburg to Taneytown; the First Corps from Emmitsburg to Marsh Run; the Third Corps from Taneytown to Bridgeport; the Fifth Corps from Liberty, via Johnsville, Union Bridge, and Union, to Union Mills; the Sixth Corps from New Windsor to Manchester ; the Twelfth Corps from Taneytown and Bruceville to Littlestown ; Gamble’s and Devin’s brigades, of Buford’s cavalry division, from near Fairfield, via Emmitsburg, to Gettysburg; Gregg’s cavalry division from New Windsor to Westminster, and thence to Manchester ; Kilpatrick’s cavalry division from Littlestown to Hanover ; and the Artillery Reserve from Bruceville to Taneytown. Kenly’s and Morris’ brigades, of French’s division, left Maryland Heights for Frederick, and Elliott’s and Smith’s brigades, of the same division, moved from the Heights, by way of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, for Washington.
July 1.—The First Corps moved from Marsh Run and the Eleventh Corps from Emmitsburg to Gettysburg; the Second Corps from Uniontown, via Taneytown, to near Gettysburg; the Third Corps from Bridgeport, via Emmitsburg, to the field of Gettysburg; the Fifth Corps from Union Mills, via Hanover and McSherrystown, to Bonaughtown; the Sixth Corps from Manchester en route to Gettysburg; and the Twelfth Corps from Littlestown, via Two Taverns, to the field of Gettysburg. Gregg’s cavalry division marched from Man- __________________________________________________________________
* Maj. Gen. D. E. Sickles resumed command of the Third Corps, relieving Maj. Gen. D. B. Birney, who had been temporarily in command.
† Maj. Gen. George G. Meade relinquished command of the Fifth Corps to Maj. Gen. George Sykes, and assumed command of the Army of the Potomac relieving Maj, Gem Joseph Hooker.
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chester to Hanover Junction, whence McIntosh’s and J. I. Gregg’s brigades proceeded to Hanover, while Huey’s brigade returned to Manchester. Kilpatrick’s cavalry division moved from Hanover, via Abbottsville, to Berlin; and the Artillery Reserve (Ransom’s and Fitzhugh’s brigades) from Taneytown to near Gettysburg. Stannard’s Vermont Brigade, from the Defenses of Washington, joined the First Corps on the field of Gettysburg. W. F. Smith’s (First) division, of the Department of the Susquehanna, marched from the vicinity of Harrisburg to Carlisle. Kenly’s and Morris’ brigades of French’s division reached Frederick.
July 2.—The Second, Fifth, and Sixth Corps, Lockwood’s brigade, from the Middle Department, McIntosh’s and J. I. Gregg’s brigades, of D. McM. Gregg’s cavalry division, Kilpatrick’s cavalry division, and the Artillery Reserve, reached the field of Gettysburg. Gamble’s and Devin’s brigades, of Buford’s cavalry division, marched from Gettysburg to Taneytown, and Merritt’s reserve brigade from Mechanicstown to Emmitsburg.
July 3.—Gamble’s and Devin’s brigades, of Buford’s cavalry division, moved from Taneytown to Westminster; Merritt’s reserve brigade from Emmitsburg to the field of Gettysburg; and Huey’s brigade, of Gregg’s cavalry division, from Manchester to Westminster.
July 4.—Gamble’s and Devin’s brigades, of Buford’s cavalry division, marched from Westminster, and Merritt’s reserve brigade from Gettysburg, en route to Frederick ; Huey’s brigade, of Gregg’s cavalry division, from Westminster, via Emmitsburg, to Monterey; J. I. Gregg’s cavalry brigade from Gettysburg to Hunterstown; and Kilpatrick’s cavalry division from Gettysburg, via Emmitsburg, to Monterey. Smith’s division, of Couch’s command, moved from Carlisle, via Mount Holly, to Pine Grove, and the remainder of Couch’s troops from the vicinity of Harrisburg toward Shippensburg and Chambersburg. Elliott’s and Smith’s brigades, of French’s division, arrived at Washington from Maryland Heights, and moved to Tennallytown. Morris’ brigade, of French’s division, marched from Frederick to Turner’s Gap, in South Mountain.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 8.
Abstract from returns of the Army of the Potomac, June 10-July 31, 1863. JUNE 10, 1863.
Page 153
Consolidated field return of the Army of the Potomac,
JULY 4, 1863. Strength.
Twelfth Army Corps;
First Division 275 167 83 6 4,088 3,287 1,379 164 4,363 3,454 1,462 170 308
Second Division Lockwood’s brigade 10th Maine Infantry Artillery Brigade 9 299
Total Twelfth Army Corps.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 9.
Organization of the Army of the Potomac, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, U. S. Army, commanding, at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863.
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS.
COMMAND OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL.
Brig. Gen. Marsena R. Patrick.
93d New York,* Col. John S. Crocker.
8th United States (eight companies),* Capt. Edwin W. H. Read.
2d Pennsylvania Cavalry, Col. R. Butler Price.
6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Companies E and I, Capt. James Starr.
Regular cavalry (detachments from 1st, 2d, 5th, and 6th Regiments).
SIGNAL CORPS.
Capt. Lemuel B. Norton.
GUARDS AND ORDERLIES.
Oneida (New York) Cavalry, Capt. Daniel P. Mann.
ARTILLERY, Brig. Gen. Henry J. Hunt.
ENGINEER BRIGADE,
Brig. Gen. Henry W. Benham.
15th New York (three companies), Maj. Walter L. Cassin.
50th New York, Col. William H. Pettes.
United States Battalion, Capt. George H. Mendell.
_____________________________________________________________________
* Not engaged.
_____________________________________________________________________
TWELFTH ARMY CORPS.
Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum.*
Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams.
PROVOST GUARD.
10th Maine (four companies), Capt. John D. Beardsley.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig Gen. Alpheus S. Williams.
Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger.
First Brigade.
Col. Archibald L. McDougall.
5th Connecticut, Col. W. W. Packer.
20th Connecticut, Lieut. Col. William B. Wooster.
3d Maryland, Col. Jos. M. Sudsburg.
123d New York: Lieut. Col. James C. Rogers. Capt. Adolphus H. Tanner.
145th New York, Col. E. L. Price.
46th Pennsylvania, Col. James L. Selfridge.
Second Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Henry H. Lockwood.
1st Maryland, Potomac Home Brigade, Col. William P. Maulsby.
1st Maryland, Eastern Shore, Col. James Wallace.
150th New York, Col. John H. Ketcham.
Third Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger.
Col. Silas Colgrove.
27th Indiana:
Col. Silas Colgrove.
Lieut. Col. John R. Fesler.
2d Massachusetts:
Lieut. Col. Charles R. Mudge.
Maj. Charles F. Morse.
13th New Jersey,
Col. Ezra A. Carman.
107th New York, Col. Nirom M. Crane.
3d Wisconsin, Col. William Hawley.
SECOND DIVISION.
Brig. Gen. John W. Geary.
First Brigade.
Col. Charles Candy.
5th Ohio, Col. John H. Patrick.
7th Ohio, Col. William R. Creighton.
29th Ohio:
Capt. Wilbur F. Stevens.
Capt. Edward Hayes.
66th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Eugene Powell.
28th Pennsylvania, Capt. John Flynn.
147th Pennsylvania (eight companies),
Lieut. Col. Ario Pardee, Jr.
Second Brigade.
Col. George A. Cobham, Jr.
Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Kane.
Col. George A. Cobham, Jr.
29th Pennsylvania, Col. William Rickards, Jr.
109th Pennsylvania, Capt. F. L. Gimber.
111th Pennsylvania:
Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Walker.
Col. George A. Cobham, jr. Lieut.
Col. Thomas M. Walker.
_____________________________________________________________________
* Exercised command of the right wing of the army during a part of the battle. But see Slocum to Meade, December 30,1863, p. 763, and Meade to Slocum. February 25, 1864, p. 769.
† Unassigned during progress of battle; afterward attached to First Division, as Second Brigade. The command theretofore known as the Second (or Jackson’s) Brigade had previously been consolidated with the First Brigade.
_____________________________________________________________________
Third Brigade.
Brig. Gen. George S. Greene.
60th New York, Col. Abel Godard.
78th New York, Lieut. Col. Herbert von Hammerstein.
102d New York:
Col. James C. Lane.
Capt. Lewis R. Stegman.
137th New York, Col. David Ireland.
149th New York:
Col. Henry A. Barnum. Lieut.
Col. Charles B. Randall.
ARTILLERY BRIGADE.
Lieut. Edward D. Muhlenberg.
1st New York Light, Battery M, Lieut. Charles E. Winegar.
Pennsylvania Light, Battery E, Lieut. Charles A. Atwell.
4th United States, Battery F, Lieut. Sylvanus T. Rugg.
5th United States, Battery K, Lieut. David H. Kinzie.
________________
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 13.
Return of Casualties in the Union forces, commanded by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, U. 8. Army, at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3, 1863.*
Command.
Killed. Wounded. Captured or missing.
TWELFTH ARMY CORPS.
Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum.*
Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams.
FIRST DIVISION.
Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams.
Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger.
First Brigade.
Col. Archibald L. McDougall.
5th Connecticut.
20th Connecticut.
3d Maryland.
123d New York.
145th New York.
46th Pennsylvania.
Total First Brigade. Brig.
Second Brigade.
Gen. Henry H. Lockwood.
1st Maryland, Potomac Home Brigade.
1st Maryland, Eastern Shore.
150th New York.
Total Second Brigade.
Third Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger.
Col. Silas Colgrove.
27th Indiana.
2d Massachusetts.
13th New Jersey.
107th New York.
3d Wisconsin.
Total Third Brigade.
Total First Division.
SECOND DIVISION.
Brig. Gen. John W. Geary.
First Brigade.
Col. Charles Candy.
5th Ohio.
7th Ohio.
29th Ohio.
66th Ohio.
28th Pennsylvania.
147th Pennsylvania.
Total First Brigade.
Second Brigade.
Col. George A. Cobham, Jr.
Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Kane. Col.
George A. Cobham, Jr.
29th Pennsylvania.
109th Pennsylvania.
111th Pennsylvania.
Total Second Brigade.
_____________________________________________________________________
*See foot-note (*) on p.
_____________________________________________________________________
Third Brigade.
Brig. Gen. George S. Greene. 11 2 39 5
78th New York . 6 1 30 1 3 30
103d New York 3 3 1 16 8 29*
137th New York 4 36 3 84 10 137“
149th New York 6 3 43 3
Total Third Brigade 6 61 10 303 1 23 308:
Total Second Division 13 96 16 381 1 * 34 540
ARTILLERY BRIGADE.
Lieut. Edward D. Muhlenberg.
Total Twelfth Army Corps 18 186 43 769 3 64 1,082
RECAPITULATION. General headquarters.............. First Army Corps............... Second Army Corps.............. Third Army Corps............... Fifth Army Corps............... Sixth Army Corps............... Eleventh Army Corps............ Twelfth Army Corps............. Cavalry Corps.................. Artillery Reserve.............. Total Army of the Potomac. 2 2 4 42 624 262 2,969 83 2,079 6,059 66 731 270 2,924 13 365 4,369 50 543 251 2,778 14 575 4,211 28 337 129 1,482 1 210 2,187 2 25 14 171 30 242 33 336 120 1,802 62 1,448 3,801 18 186 43 769 2 64 1,082 5 86 39 315 8 399 852 2 41 15 172 12 242 246 2,909 1,145 13,384 183 5,182 23,049
_____________________________________________________________________
* 10th New York Battery attached, whose loss, here included, was 2 men killed and 3 men wounded. ^ f 11th New York Battery attached.
_____________________________________________________________________
Page 188
OFFICERS KILLED,
CONNECTICUT.
Lieut. Colonel Douglas Fowler, 17th Infantry.
Capt. James E. Moore, 17th Infantry.
Lieut. Col. Henry C. Merwin, 27th Infantry.
Lieut. Jedediah Chapman, jr. 27th Infantry.
DELAWARE.
Lieut. William Smith, 1st Infantry.
Lieut. George G. Plank, 2d Infantry.
Lieut. Hamill W. Ottey, 2d Infantry.
INDIANA.
Maj. Charles Lemmon, 3d Cavalry.
Col. John Wheeler, 20th Infantry.
Lieut. Crockett T. East, 19th Infantry.
Lieut. Ezra B. Robbins, 20th Infantry.
Lieut. Richard Jones, 19th Infantry.
MAINE.
Capt. John C. Keene, 3d Infantry.
Lieut. Charles S. McCobb, 4th Infantry.
Lieut. Orpheus Roberts, 4th Infantry.
Capt. Oliver H. Lowell, 16th Infantry.
Capt. Stephen C. Whitehouse, 16th Infantry.
Lieut. Hiram R. Dyer, 17th Infantry.
Capt. George D. Smith, 19th Infantry.
MARYLAND.
Lieut. Charles E. Eader, 1st Infantry.
Potomac Home Brigade.
Lieut. James T. Smith, 1st Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade.
Lieut. John L. Willman, 1st Infantry, Potomac Home Brigade.
Capt. Henry Fenton, 3d Infantry.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Lieut. Christopher Erickson, 9th Battery, Light Artillery.
Lieut. Henry Hartley, 1st Infantry.
Lieut. Col. Charles R. Mudge, 2d Infantry.
Lieut. Henry V. D. Stone, 2d Infantry.
Capt. Edwin Humphrey, 11th Infantry.
Lieut. Charles G. Russell, 12th Infantry.
Lieut. Francis Thomas, 12th Infantry.
Col. George H. Ward, 15th Infantry.
Capt. Hans P. Jorgenson, 15th Infantry.
Capt. John Murkland, 15th Infantry
Capt. Leander G. King, 16th Infantry.
Capt. David W. Roche, 16th Infantry.
Lieut. George F. Brown, 16th Infantry.
Lieut. Herman Donath, 19th Infantry.
Lieut. Sherman S. Robinson, 19th Infantry.
Lieut. Sumner Paine, 20th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry Ropes, 20th Infantry.,
Lieut. William H. Barrows, 32d infantry.
MICHIGAN.
Maj. Noah H. Ferry, 5th Cavalry.
Lieut. Amos M. Ladd, 1st Infantry.
Col. Harrison H. Jeffords, 4th Infantry.
Capt. Peter Generous, 5th Infantry.
Lieut. John P. Thelen, 5th Infantry.
Lieut. Col. Amos E. Steele, jr., 7th Infantry.
Lieut. Albert Slafter, 7th Infantry.
Lieut. William H. Borden, 16th Infantry.
Lieut. Butler Browne, 16th Infantry.
Lieut. Wallace Jewett, 16th Infantry.
Capt. Malachi J. O’Donnell, 24th Infantry.
Capt. William J. Speed, 24th Infantry.
Lieut. Gilbert A. Dickey, 24th Infantry.
Lieut. Newell Grace, 24th Infantry.
Lieut. Reuben H. Humphreville, 24th Infantry.
Lieut. Winfield S. Safford, 24th Infantry.
Lieut. Lucius L. Shattuck, 24th Infantry.
Lieut. Walter H. Wallace, 24th Infantry.
MINNESOTA.
Capt. Nathan S. Messick, 1st Infantry.
Lieut. Waldo Farrar, 1st Infantry.
Capt. Louis Muller, 1st Infantry.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Capt. Joseph A. Hubbard, 2d Infantry,
Capt. Henry N. Metcalf, 2d Infantry.
Lieut. George W. Roberts, 2d Infantry.
Col. Edward E. Cross, 5th Infantry,
Lieut. Henry A. L. French, 12th Infantry.
NEW JERSEY.
Capt. Thomas Kelly, 5th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry R. Clark, 5th Infantry.
Lieut. Charles F. Walker, 7th Infantry.
Capt. Andrew H. Ackerman, 11th Infantry.
NEW YORK
Capt. James McKay Rorty, 14th Battery, Light Artillery.
Lieut. F. J. T. Blume, 2d Battery, Light Artillery.
Lieut. Theodore Paush, 39th Infantry.
Lieut. William H. H. Johnson, 40th Infantry.
Lieut. Reinhold Winzer, 41st Infantry.
Capt. William H. Gilfillan, 43d Infantry.
Capt. Lucius S. Larrabee, 44th Infantry.
Lieut. Eugene L. Dunham, 44th Infantry.
Maj. Edward Yenuti, 52d Infantry.
Lieut. Louis Deitrich, 58th Infantry.
Capt. Henry Y. Fuller, 64th Infantry.
Lieut. Willis G. Babcock, 64th Infantry.
Lieut. Alfred H. Lewis, 64th Infantry.
Lieut. Ira S. Thurber, 64th Infantry.
Capt. George H. Ince, 66th Infantry.
Capt. Elijah F. Munn, 66th Infantry.
Capt. Otto Friedrich, 68th Infantry.
Lieut. Andrew W. Estes, 71st Infantry.
Capt. Eugene C. Shine, 73d Infantry.
Lieut. William L. Herbert, 73d Infantry.
Lieut. James Marksman, 73d Infantry.
Lieut. George P. Dennen, 73d Infantry.
Maj. Andrew J. Grover, 76th Infantry.
Capt. Robert B. Everett, 76th Infantry.
Capt. Ambrose N. Baldwin, 80th Infantry.
Capt. Joseph S. Corbin, 80th Infantry.
Lieut. George W. Brankstone, 80th Infantry;
Lieut. Col. James Huston, 82d Infantry.
Capt. Jonah C. Hoyt, 82d Infantry.
Lieut. John H. McDonald, 82d Infantry.
Capt. Thomas W. Quirk, 83d Infantry.
Lieut. Charles A. Clark, 83d Infantry.
Capt. John N. Warner, 86th Infantry.
Lieut. William McClelland, 88th Infantry.
Lieut. William J. Morrin, 97th Infantry.
Lieut. James H. Stiles, 97th Infantry.
Capt. John Mead, 102d Infantry.
Lieut. -Josiah Y. Upham, 102d Infantry.
Lieut. Carl Y. Amiet, 108th Infantry.
Lieut. Dayton T. Card, 108th Infantry.
Lieut. Robert Evans, 108th Infantry.
Capt. Doraster B. Logan, 11th Infantry.
Capt. Luther Martin, 11th Infantry.
Capt. Charles K. Horsfall, 12th Infantry.
Lieut. Richard Townsend, 12th Infantry.
Lieut. John H. Drake, 111th Infantry.
Lieut. Erastus M. Granger, 111th Infantry.
Lieut. Augustus W. Proseus, 111th Infantry.
Lieut. Emil Frost, 119th Infantry.
Lieut. Matthias Rosemann, 119th Infantry.
Capt. Ayres G. Barker, 120th Infantry.
Capt. Lansing Hollister, 120th Infantry.
Lieut. John R. Burhans, 120th Infantry.
Lieut. Jason Carle, 120th Infantry.
Lieut. Michael E. Creighton, 120th Infantry.
Lieut. Frederick Freelewick, 120th Infantry.
Lieut. Edward H. Ketchum, 120th Infantry.
Col. A. Yan Home Ellis, 124th Infantry.
Maj. James Cromwell, 124th Infantry.
Capt. Isaac Nichols, 124th Infantry.
Lieut. Milnor Brown, 124th Infantry.
Col. George L. Willard, 125th Infantry.
Capt. Ephraim Wood, 125th Infantry.
Col. Eliakim Sherrill, 126th Infantry.
Capt. Orin J. Herendeen, 126th Infantry.
Capt. Isaac Shimer, 126th Infantry.
Capt. Charles M. Wheeler, 126th Infantry.
Lieut. Rufus P. Holmes, 126th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry I. Palmer, 134th Infantry.
Capt. Oscar C. Williams, 137th Infantry.
Capt. Joseph H. Gregg, 137th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry G. Hallett, 137th Infantry.
Lieut. John H. Van Emburgh, 137th Infantry.
Col. Patrick H. O’Rorke, 140th Infantry.
Lieut. Guilford D. Mace, 147th Infantry.
Lieut. Sylvester J. Taylor, 147th Infantry.
Lieut. David G. Yan Dusen, 147th Infantry.
Lieut. Col. George Arrowsmith, 157th Infantry.
Capt. Jason K. Backus, 157th Infantry.
Capt. Harrison Frank, 157th Infantry.
Lieut. Randall D. Lower, 157th Infantry.
OHIO.
Lieut. Addison H. Edgar, 4th Infantry.
Lieut. Samuel J. Shoub, 4th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry C. Brinkman, 5th Infantry.
Lieut. Elijah Hayden, 8th Infantry.
Lieut. Lewis E. Wilson, 25th Infantry.
Lieut. George Hayward, 29th Infantry.
Lieut. John G. Marsh, 29th Infantry.
Capt. James M. Reynolds, 61st Infantry.
Asst. Surg. William S. Moore, 61st Infantry.
Capt. James C. Mulharen, 75th Infantry.
Capt. Mahlon B. Briggs, 75th Infantry.
Lieut. Stowell L. Burnham, 82d Infantry.
Lieut. Henry Jacoby, 82d Infantry.
Lieut. George W. McGary, 82d Infantry.
Lieut. Philander C. Meredith, 82d Infantry.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Lieut. John O. H. Woods, 11th Reserves.
Col. Charles F. Taylor, 13th Reserves.
Lieut. Robert Hall, 13th Reserves.
Lieut. Joshua S. Garsed, 23d Infantry.
Lieut. Benjamin R. Wright, 26th Infantry.
Lieut. Walter S. Briggs, 27th Infantry.
Lieut. John Kuempel, 27th Infantry.
Lieut. Edward J. Harvey, 29th Infantry.
Lieut. John J. McKeever, 29th Infantry.
Lieut. John D. Gordon, 56th Infantry.
Lieut. John F. Cox, 57th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry Mitchell, 57th Infantry.
Maj. William G. Lowry, 62d Infantry.
Capt. Edwin H. Little, 62d Infantry.
Lieut. Scott C. McDowell, 62d Infantry.
Lieut. Josiah C. Mouck, 62d Infantry.
Capt. George W. McLearn, 68th Infantry.
Lieut. Andrew Black, 68th Infantry.
Lieut. John Reynolds, 68th Infantry.
Lieut. Col. Martin Tschudy, 69th Infantry.
Capt. Michael Duffy, 69th Infantry.
Capt. George C. Thompson, 69th Infantry.
Lieut. Charles F. Kelly, 69th Infantry.
Capt. William H. Dull, 71st Infantry.
Capt. John M. Steffan, 71st Infantry.
Capt. Andrew McBride, 72d Infantry.
Lieut. Sutton Jones, 72d Infantry.
Capt. Anton Heilig, 74th Infantry.
Lieut. William Roth, 74th Infantry.
Col. Francis Mahler, 75th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry Hauschild, 75th Infantry.
Lieut. Louis Mahler, 75th Infantry.
Capt. John M. Sell, 83d Infantry.
Chaplain Horatio S. Howell, 90th Infantry.
Lieut. John R. Nice, 99th Infantry.
Lieut. George W. Crossley, 105th Infantry.
Lieut. William H. Smith, 106th Infantry,
Capt. Richard W. Davids, 118th Infantry.
Col. Richard P. Roberts, 140th Infantry.
Capt. David Acheson, 140th Infantry.
Lieut. Alexander M. Wilson, 140th Infantry.
Col. Robert P. Cummins, 142d Infantry.
Capt. Charles H. Flagg, 142d Infantry.
Lieut. Edward B. Hurst, 142d Infantry.
Lieut. Charles W. Betzenberger, 143d Infantry.
Lieut. Horatio F. Lewis, 145th Infantry.
Lieut. William H. Tourison, 147th Infantry.
Capt. Robert M. Forster, 148th Infantry.
Capt. Alfred J. Sofield, 149th Infantry.
Lieut. Charles P. Keyser, 150th Infantry.
Lieut. Elias D. Weidensaul, 150th Infantry.
Lieut. Aaron S. Seaman, 151st Infantry.
Lieut. George A. Trexler, 151st Infantry.
Lieut. William H. Beaver,453d Infantry.
RHODE ISLAND.
Lieut. Joseph S. Milne, Battery B, 1st Light Artillery.
UNITED STATES ARMY.
Lieut. Manning Livingston, 3d Artillery.
Lieut. Alonzo H. Cushing, 4th Artillery.
Lieut. Bayard Wilkeson, 4th Artillery.
Lieut. Charles E. Hazlett, 5th Artillery.
Lieut. Frank C. Goodrich, 2d Infantry.
Lieut. Wesley F. Miller, 7th Infantry.
Lieut. William J. Fisher, 10th Infantry.
Capt. Thomas O. Barri, 11th Infantry.
Lieut. Herbert Kenaston, 11th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry Rochford, 11th Infantry.
Lieut. Silas A. Miller, 12th Infantry.
Lieut. William H. Chamberlin, 17th Infantry.
UNITED STATES SHARPSHOOTERS.
Lieut. George W. Sheldon, 1st Regiment.
UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS.
Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds.
Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Weed.
Brig. Gen. Elon J. Farnsworth.
Brig. Gen. Samuel K. Zook.
VERMONT.
Lieut. William H. Hamilton, 14th Infantry.
WEST VIRGINIA.
Capt. William N. Harris, 1st Cavalry.
Lieut. Sidnier W. Knowles, 1st Cavalry.
WISCONSIN.
Lieut. William S. Winegar, 2d Infantry.
Capt. William Smith, 26th Infantry.
Capt. John Ticknor, 6th Infantry.
Lieut. Martin Young, 26th Infantry.
Lieut. Orrin D. Chapman, 6th Infantry.
O F F I C E R S M O R T A L L Y W O U N D E D.
DELAWARE.
Capt. Martin W. B. Ellegood, 1st Infantry.
MAINE.
Maj. Ebenezer Whitcomb, 4th Infantry.
Lieut. George M. Bragg, 4th Infantry.
Capt. Almon L. Fogg, 17th Infantry.
Capt. Milton M. Young, 17th Infantry.
Lieut. Leroy S. Scott, 19th Infantry.
Capt. Charles W. Billings, 20th Infantry. Lieut. Warren L. Kendall, 20th Infantry.
Lieut. Arad H. Linscott, 20th Infantry.
MASSACHUSETTS.
Capt. Thomas. B. Fox, jr., 2d Infantry.
Lieut. Elisha G. Buss, 15th Infantry.
Capt. Thomas R. Robeson, 2d Infantry.
Capt. Charles R. Johnson, 16th Infantry.
Lieut. William B. Mitchell, 11th Infantry
Col. Paul J. Revere, 20th Infantry,
Lieut. Charles K. Knowles, 22d Infantry.
MINNESOTA.
Capt. Wilson B. Farrell, 1st Infantry.
Lieut. David B. Demarest, 1st Infantry.
Capt. Joseph Periam, 1st Infantry.
Lieut. Charles H. Mason, 1st Infantry.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Lieut. William W. Ballard, 2d Infantry.
Lieut. Edmund Dascomb, 2d Infantry.
Lieut. Charles W. Patch, 2d Infantry.
NEW JERSEY
Capt. Edward P. Berry, 5th Infantry.
Col. Louis R. Francine, 7th Infantry.
NEW YORK
Capt. Charles D. Follett, 8th Cavalry.
Lieut. Adolph Wagner, 39th Infantry.
Lieut. Benjamin N. Thomas, 44th Infantry.
Capt. Edward Antonieski, 58th Infantry.
Capt. Gustave Stoldt, 58th Infantry.
Lieut. Col. Max A. Thoman, 59th Infantry.
Lieut. William H. Pohlman, 59th Infantry.
Lieut. Myron D. Stanley, 60th Infantry.
Lieut. Franklin K. Garland, 61st Infantry.
Lieut. Charles A. Foss, 72d Infantry.
Lieut. Martin E. Higgins, 73d Infantry.
Capt. William H. Chester, 74th Infantry.
Capt. Robert Story, 76th Infantry.
Lieut. Charles Vickery, 2d Infantry.
Lieut. Ruel G. Austin, 5th Infantry.
Capt. Andrew S. Davis, 8th Infantry.
Maj. Philip J. Kearny, 11th Infantry.
Lieut. Philip Keeler, 76th Infantry.
Lieut. Robert G. Noxon, 76th Infantry.
Lieut. John Cranston, 82d Infantry.
Lieut. Rush P. Cady, 97th Infantry.
Lieut. Thomas Johnston, 104th Infantry.
Capt. Otto Trumpelman, 119th Infantry.
Lieut. William J. Cockbum, 120th Infantry.
Capt. Norman F. Weer, 123d Infantry.
Lieut. Jacob Sherman, 126th Infantry.
Lieut. Charles P. Klein, 140th Infantry.
Lieut. Hugh McGraw, 140th Infantry.
Lieut. William P. Schenck, 147th Infantry.
Lieut. Daniel McAssy, 147th Infantry.
Capt. George A. Adams, 157th Infantry.
Lieut. Joseph F. Henery, 157th Infantry.
OHIO.
Lieut. Daniel W. Williams, 61st Infantry.
Maj. Joshua G. Palmer, 66th Infantry.
Capt. George M. Doherty, 73d Infantry.
Lieut. Thomas Wheeler, 75th Infantry.
Capt. John Costen, 82d Infantry.
Capt. William D. W, Mitchell, 82d Infantry.
Capt. Barnet T. Steiner, 107th Infantry.
PENNSYLVANIA.
Lieut. Joseph H. Miller, 16th Cavalry.
Lieut. Frank B. Bird, 26th Infantry.
Capt. James Brown, 62d Infantry.
Lieut. Patrick Morris, 62d Infantry.
Lieut. Lewis W. Ealer, 68th Infantry.
Col. Dennis O’Kane, 69th Infantry.
Lieut. William J. Sill, 75th Infantry.
Lieut. Isaac A. Dunsten, 105th Infantry.
Lieut. Ferdinand M. Pleis, 106th Infantry.
Capt. Jeremiah M. Sample, 139th Infantry.
Maj. Israel P. Spalding, 141st Infantry.
Lieut. Andrew G. Tucker, 142d Infantry.
Lieut. Lyman R. Nicholson, 143d Infantry.
Capt. George G. Griswold, 145th Infantry.
Lieut. George H. Finch, 145th Infantry.
Lieut. John A. Bayard, 148th Infantry.
Lieut. Henry Chancellor, jr., 150th Infantry.
UNITED STATES ARMY.
Lieut. George de V. Selden, 2d Cavalry.
Lieut. Christian Balder, 6th Cavalry.
Lieut. George A. Woodruff, 1st Artillery.
Lieut. Richard R. Crawford, 7th Infantry.
Lieut. Michael C. Boyce, 10th Infantry.
Lieut. Amaziah J. Barber, 11th Infantry.
Lieut. Edward S. Abbot, 17th Infantry.
UNITED STATES VOLUNTEERS.
Brig. Gen. Strong Vincent.
Capt. John P. Blinn, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Capt. James J. Griffiths, Aide-de-Camp.
VERMONT.
Lieut. John T. Sennott, 13th Infantry.
Lieut. Cyrus B. Lawton, 16th Infantry.
WISCONSIN.
Lieut. Col. George H. Stevens, 2d. Infantry.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 15.
General Return of Casualties in the Union forces during the Gettysburg Campaign, June 3-August 1, 1863.
[Compiled from nominal list of casualties, returns, &c.]
July 1 Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-4* page 193
General Return of Casualties in the Union forces, &c.-Continued.
Supplemental list of officers killed, or who died of wounds received in action.
K I L L E D .
Lieut. Michael S. Slothower, 87th Pennsylvania Infantry, at Bunker Hill, W. Va., June 13.
Lieut. Jacob A. Metz, 1st Maryland (Potomac Home Brigade) Cavalry, near Williamsport, Md., June 15.
Lieut. Joseph A. Chedel, jr., 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, near Middleburg, Va., June 18.
Lieuts. George S. Kimball, Mark Neville, and Ephriam H. Taylor, 1st Maine Cavalry, and
Lieut. Horatio H. Boyd, 10th New York Cavalry, at Middleburg, Va., June 19.
Lieuts. Alexander Gall and Elam S. Dye, 5th New York Cavalry, at Hanover, Pa., June 30.
Lieut. James S. McElhenny, 1st Michigan Cavalry, at Fairfield Gap, Pa., July 4.
Capt. William C. Lindsey, 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry;
Capt. John W. Woodward, 1st Vermont Cavalry; and
Lieut. Irvin C. Swentzel, 1st West Virginia Cavalry, at Hagerstown, Md., July 6.
Lieut. Aaron C. Jewett, 6th Michigan Cavalry, at Williamsport, Md., July 6.
Capts. Peter A. Weber and David G. Royce, and
Lieut. Charles E. Bolza, 6th Michigan Cavalry, at Falling Waters, Md., July 14.
D I E D O F W O U N D S .
Lieuts. Bronson Beardsley and Edward S. Hawes, 10th New York Cavalry, wounded at Middleburg, Va., June 19.
Capt. William R. Elliott, 1st Michigan Cavalry, wounded at Fairfield Gap, Pa., July 4.
Lieut. Henry W. Clark, 1st West Virginia Cavalry, wounded at Monterey Gap, Pa., July 4.
Lieut. William W. Williams, 5th U. S. Artillery, wounded at Smithsburg, Md., July 5.
Capt. Charles J. Snyder, 1st Michigan Cavalry, wounded at Hagerstown, Md., July 6.
Maj. William H. Medill, 8th Illinois Cavalry, wounded at Williamsport, Md., July 6, ____________________________________________________________________
* For detailed statement, see p. 192.
_____________________________________________________________________
________
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
No. 271.
Reports of Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum, U. S. Army, commanding
Twelfth Army Corps.
Hdqrs. Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac,
August 23, 1863.
General: I have the honor of submitting the following report of the operations of the Twelfth Corps, and such other troops as were placed under my command, between June 28 and July 26:
The Twelfth Corps was at Knoxville, Md., on the morning of June 28, from which place it marched at 6 a. m., and arrived near Frederick City at 2 p. m. of the same day.
The march was resumed at 7 a. m. on the following day, and although nearly the entire army was obliged to move through the city in its march northward, and great delay was necessarily caused by the obstruction of the roads by baggage-wagons, &c., still the corps marched 23 miles, performing most of it during a heavy rain-storm.
On the 30th, the march was resumed at 5 a. m., and the corps encamped for the night about 1 mile beyond Littlestown, Pa., on the road leading from that place to Hanover,
On the morning of July 1, the corps was moved to Two Taverns, and remained at that place until information was received that the First and Eleventh Corps were engaged at Gettysburg, when the march was at once resumed, and, agreeably to suggestion from General Howard, the First Division was put in position on the right of our line, near Rock Creek. The Second Division was moved forward as rapidly as possible, and placed, pursuant to orders from General Hancock, on the extreme left of the line.
The corps remained in this position until the following morning, when, by direction of the commanding general, the Second Division was moved to the right of our center, and placed in the woods east of the turnpike, between Rock Creek and the crest of the hill held by our troops under Brigadier-General Wadsworth.
The Fifth Corps arrived at 5 a. m. on July 2, and, by direction of the commanding general, was placed in line on the right of the Twelfth Corps.
At about 8 a. m. this corps (the Fifth) and the First Division of the Twelfth Corps were moved to the left and across Rock Creek, j the First Division taking position on the right of the Second, with its right resting on the creek. (See map annexed.)
As soon as the corps was established on its new line, a strong force was detailed for the construction of breastworks and abatis, which subsequently proved of great value, as they enabled us at a critical moment to detach portions of the command to other points of the line. The Fifth Corps was massed between the extreme right and left of the line occupied by the army, and held in readiness to move to the support of any part of the line. About half an hour before the attack on our left, this corps (the Fifth) was moved by order of the commanding general to the support of that part of the line. This attach was made by the enemy in strong force, and with great spirit and determination. Had it been successful, the result would have been terribly disastrous to our army and to the country. The arrival of the Fifth Corps at the point oi attack at so critical a moment afforded it an opportunity of doing service for the country the value of which can never be overestimated. Of the manner in which this opportunity was improved, I need not speak. The long list of its killed and wounded attests more clearly than language can the valor of its officers and men.
As soon as the attack on our left commenced, the First Division and two brigades of the Second Division, Twelfth Corps, were ordered to that part of the line. The First Division moved at once, and arrived in time to assist in repelling the assault. The two brigades of the Second Division, under Brigadier-General Geary, by some unfortunate and unaccountable mistake, did not follow the First Division, but took the road leading to Two Taverns, crossing Rock Creek. Immediately after the First Division and the two brigades of the Second Division had moved from their intrenchments, the enemy attacked the remaining brigade of the corps left to hold the line. This brigade was under command of Brigadier-General Greene, and the attack commenced before he had succeeded in extending his command so as to occupy the part of the line previously occupied by the troops sent to the support of our left. Although General Greene handled his command with great skill, and although his men fought with gallantry never surpassed by any troops under my command, the enemy succeeded in gaining possession of a portion of our intrenchments.
After a severe engagement of nearly three hours’ duration, General Greene remained in possession of the left of our line of works, while the right, which had previously been held by the First Division, was in possession of the enemy. During this engagement, General Greene was re-enforced by three regiments from the First Corps and three from the Eleventh Corps, all of which did good service. Immediately after the repulse of the enemy on the left, the First Division was ordered to return to its position on the right, and General Geary, with the two other brigades of the Second Division, was ordered back to his original position. It was nearly midnight before this movement was fully completed.
Orders were at once issued for an attack at daybreak, for the purpose of regaining that portion of the line which had been lost. The artillery of the Twelfth Corps, consisting of Battery F, Fourth U. S. Artillery; Battery K, Fifth U. S. Artillery; Battery M, First New York, and Knap’s Pennsylvania battery, was placed in position during the night by Lieutenant-Colonel Best, and opened the battle at 4 a. m. on the following morning, and during the entire engagement all these batteries rendered most valuable aid to our cause.
The enemy had been re-enforced during the night, and were fully prepared to resist our attack. The force opposed to us, it is said, belonged to the corps under General Ewell, formerly under General Jackson, and they certainly fought with a determination and valor which has ever characterized the troops of this well-known corps. We were re-enforced during the engagement by Shaler’s brigade, of the Sixth Corps, and by two regiments from General Wadsworth’s division, of the First Corps, and also by Neill’s brigade, of the Sixth Corps, which was moved across Rock Creek, and placed in position to protect our extreme right. All these troops did excellent service.
The engagement continued until 10.30 a. m., and resulted in our regaining possession of our entire line of intrenchments and driving the enemy back of the position originally held by him; in the capture of over 500 prisoners in addition to the large number of wounded left on the field, besides several thousand stand of arms and three stand of colors. Our own loss in killed and wounded was comparatively light, as most of our troops were protected by breastworks.
The portion of the field occupied by the enemy presented abundant evidence of the bravery and determination with which the conflict was waged. The field of battle at this point was not as extended as that on the left of our line, nor was the force engaged as heavy as that brought into action on that part of the line. Yet General Geary states that over 900 of the enemy’s dead were buried by our own troops and a large number left unburied, marching orders having been received before the work was completed.
Soon after the repulse of the enemy at this point, he opened from his entire line the severest artillery fire that I have ever witnessed. The losses of the Twelfth Corps from this fire were, however, light, and when the fire ceased, and was followed by an assault from his infantry on the left of the line, the entire command was in readiness to move to the support of our troops at that point. The First Division was moved, and reached the scene of conflict in time to have rendered assistance if required. They were not, however, called into action, the enemy being driven from the field by the troops already in position.
On the following morning, July 4, I moved forward with one brigade (General Ruger’s), and found the enemy had retired from our immediate front.
The next day the Twelfth Corps marched to Littlestown.
On July 7, the march was resumed at 4 a. m., and although many of the men were destitute of shoes, and all greatly fatigued by the labor and anxiety of a severely contested battle, as well as by the heavy marches which had preceded it, still, a march of 29 miles was made this day.
On the following day the command passed through Frederick/and halted for the night near Jefferson.
On the 9th, we crossed South Mountain at Crampton’s Pass, and encamped near Rohrersville.
On the 10th, we marched to Bakersville, and on the 11th to Fair Play.
The 12th and 13th were spent in endeavoring to ascertain the position of the enemy in our front, which we found great difficulty in accomplishing. Marsh Run extended along the position held by the enemy in our front, and at this time it was passable only at the bridges, the heavy rains having raised the water much beyond its usual depth, and caused it to overrun the marsh land in our front.
During the night of the 13th, the enemy recrossed the Potomac.
On the 15th, I marched the command to Sandy Hook, near Harper’s Ferry, with orders to procure clothing and other supplies as soon as possible, and hold it in readiness to cross the river.
Three days were spent in procuring supplies, and on the 19th the corps crossed the river, and encamped for the night near Hillsborough.
On the following day the command marched to Snickersville, and remained there, guarding the pass in the Blue Ridge, until the 23d, when it was moved to Ashby’s Gap, at which point it arrived at 2 p. m., and made preparations to encamp for the night; but at 4 p. m. I received orders to move forward at once to Markham Station, near Manassas Gap, and the march was immediately resumed, the troops arriving near the station late at night.
At 3 a. m. on the 24th, marched through Markham to Linden. At 12 m. on the same day returned, via Markham, and encamped at Piedmont.
On the 25th, marched to Thoroughfare Gap, and on the 26th to Warrenton Junction.
The enemy commenced the movement toward Pennsylvania early in the month of June. My command left its camp near Aquia Creek on the 13th of the same month. From that day until its arrival at Warrenton Junction, on July 26, it was constantly engaged in services of the most fatiguing nature. Marches of from 25 to 30 miles per day were frequently performed. We were constantly in the presence of the enemy, and even while remaining in camp for a day or two, nothing like rest or relaxation from care and anxiety was known.
The complete ration allowed the soldier was not issued to him a single day during the entire campaign. It cannot be surprising that, under these circumstances, officers as well as men were greatly exhausted on our arrival at Warrenton.
The conduct of the entire command during this campaign was such as entitles it to the gratitude of the country, and justifies me in the indulgence of a deep and heartfelt pride in my connection with it. At Gettysburg, when we were brought into conflict with the entire force of the enemy, although every one felt convinced that we were greatly his inferior in point of numbers, yet all seemed to realize the vast responsibility thrown upon our army and the fearful consequence which must result from our defeat, and every one was nerved to the task, and entered upon the duties devolving upon him with a spirit worthy of the highest praise. Their confidence in the final result of this important battle was greatly increased by the fact, which soon became apparent to all, that in this battle, at least, all our forces were to be used; that a large portion of the army were not to remain idle while the enemy’s masses were being hurled against another portion.
My own corps during this conflict was moved from one point of the line to another, and all of those thus moved had the satisfaction of knowing that, where the battle was waged by the enemy with the greatest fury, there our troops were concentrated, ready and eager to meet them.
My staff officers discharged their duties during the campaign to my entire satisfaction. Supplies were furnished by all the different departments as liberally and with as little delay as could have been anticipated under the circumstances.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- W. SLOCUM,
Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.
Brig. Gen. S. Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Potomac.
_______
Hdqrs. Twelfth Corps, Army of the Potomac,
July 4, 1863.
General: I have the honor to forward herewith two flags captured by the Sixtieth New York Volunteers, of the Third Brigade, Second Division, in the action of July 2. One was borne by the “ Stonewall Brigade,” and is represented as the brigade flag. The other was the battle-flag of a Virginia regiment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- W. SLOCUM,
Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.
Brig. Gen. S. Williams,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
ADDENDA.
Hdqrs. Twelfth Corps, Army of the Cumberland,
Tullahoma, Tenn., December 30, 1863.
Maj. Gen. George G. Meade,
Commanding Army of the Potomac:
General: I inclose herewith the report of General T. H. Huger of operations of the First Division, Twelfth Corps, at the battle of Gettysburg, together with the reports of his brigade and regimental commanders. General Ruger, with a large portion of his division, was ordered to New York City soon after the battle, and immediately after his return from New York the corps was ordered to this department. The reports of General Williams and myself were delayed with the hope of receiving General Ruger’s report in time to forward it with them.
I deeply regret the necessity which compelled me to send my report and that of General Williams unaccompanied by any report of the operations of the First Division, for although an account of the operations of this division was given in the report of General Williams, who commanded the corps during the battle, I think the absence of Ruger’s report may account for some of the errors contained in your report as to the operations of the Twelfth Corps.
I inclose a letter from General Williams, calling my attention to these errors, to which I respectfully invite your attention, and if anything can be done at this late day to correct these errors, I trust you will do it. Your report is the official history of that important battle, and to this report reference will always be made by our Government, our people, and the historian, as the most reliable and accurate account of the services performed by each corps, division, and brigade of your army. If you have inadvertently given to one division the credit of having performed some meritorious service which was in reality performed by another division, you do an injustice to brave men and defraud them of well-earned laurels. It is an injustice which even time cannot correct. That errors of this nature exist in your official report is an indisputable fact.
You give great credit to Lockwood’s brigade for services on the evening of July 2, but state that this brigade was a portion of the First Corps, while it never at any time belonged to that corps, but was a portion of the Twelfth Corps, and was accompanied in its operations on the evening of July 2 by General Williams in person. A portion of this brigade (the One hundred and fiftieth New York) is still in General Williams’ division.
I copy the following statement from your report:
During the heavy assault on our left, portions of the Twelfth Corps were sent as re-enforcements. During their absence, the line on the extreme right was held by a very much reduced force. This was taken advantage of by the enemy, who, during the absence of General Geary’s division, of the Twelfth Corps, advanced and occupied part of the line. On the morning of the 3d, General Geary, having returned during the night, attacked at early dawn the enemy, and succeeded in driving him back and reoccupying his former position. A spirited contest was maintained all the morning along this part of the line. General Geary, re-enforced by Wheaton’s brigade, of the Sixth Corps, maintained his position, and inflicted severe losses on the enemy.
From this statement it would appear that Geary’s division marched to the support of your left; that Williams’ division did not; that his (Williams’) division, or a portion of it, was guarding the intrenchments when the enemy gained possession; that General Geary returned, and with his division drove the enemy back; that the engagement on the following morning was fought by Geary’s division, assisted by Wheaton’s brigade. This I know is the inference drawn from your history of those operations by every person unacquainted with the truth. Yet the facts in the case are very nearly the reverse of the above in every particular, and directly in contradiction to the facts as set forth in the report of General Geary, as well as that of General Williams. Geary’s division did not march even in the direction of your left. Two of his brigades, under his immediate command, left the intrenchments under orders to move to the support of your left, but through some unfortunate mistake he took the road leading to Two Taverns. Williams’ entire division did move to the Sort of your left, and it was one of his brigades (Lockwood’s), under his immediate command, which you commend, but very singularly accredit to the First Corps.
Greene’s brigade, of the Second Division, remained in the intrenchments, and the failure of the enemy to gain entire possession of our works was due entirely to the skill of General Greene and the heroic valor of his troops. His brigade suffered severely, but maintained its position, and held the enemy in check until the return of Williams’ division. The “ spirited contest maintained by General Geary, re-enforced by Wheaton’s brigade,” was a contest for regaining the portion of our intrenchments held by the enemy, and was conducted under the immediate command of General Williams, and was participated in by the entire Twelfth Corps, re-enforced not by Wheaton’s but by Shaler’s brigade.
Although the command of the Twelfth Corps was given temporarily to General Williams by your order, and although you directed him to meet at the council with other corps commanders, you fail to mention his name in your entire report, and in no place allude to his having any such command, or to the fact that more than one corps was at any time placed under my command, although at no time after you assumed command of the army until the close of this battle was I in command of less than two corps. I have now in my possession your written orders, dated July 2, directing me to assume command of the Sixth Corps, and, with that corps and the two then under my command (the Fifth and Twelfth), to move forward and at once attack the enemy.
I allude to this fact for the purpose of refreshing your memory on a subject which you had apparently entirely forgotten when you penned your report, for you have not failed to notice the fact of General Schurz and others having held, even for a few hours, commands above that previously held by them. I sincerely trust that you will endeavor to correct as far as possible the errors above mentioned, and that the correction may be recorded at the War Department.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- W. SLOCUM,
Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
[Inclosure.]
Headquarters First Division, Twelfth Corps,
Tullahoma, Tenn., December 26, 1863.
Maj. Gen. H. W. Slocum,
Commanding Twelfth Army Corps:
General: In forwarding the report of Brigadier-General Huger, commanding First Division, Twelfth Army Corps, at the battle of Gettysburg, delayed to this late day for reasons stated in the letter accompanying the report, I embrace the occasion to call your attention to certain errors and omissions in Major-General Meade’s official report of that battle, which I think do much injustice to some portions of this corps. These, briefly stated, are:
- In crediting Lockwood’s brigade to the First Corps.
- In omitting all notice of the gallant defense by Greene’s brigade of the left flank of our intrenched line on the evening of July 2, after the other troops of the corps had marched out to the support of the left.
- In wholly ignoring the operations of the First Division.
- In repudiating most of the material statements of my report as temporary commander of this corps.
- As to Lockwood’s brigade, the following is the notice taken of it in General Meade’s report:
In the meantime, perceiving great exertions on the part of the enemy, the Sixth Corps (Major-General Sedgwick) and part of the First Corps (to the command of which I had assigned Major-General Newton), particularly Lockwood’s Maryland brigade, together with detachments from the Second Corps, were all brought up, &c.
I cannot be mistaken in asserting that Lockwood’s brigade was at no time during this battle a part of the First Corps, or under the command of General Newton. It was a part of the Twelfth Corps, and was brought up under my immediate command, with the First Division of same corps, to the support of the left. This brigade, composed then of the One hundred and fiftieth New York and First Maryland Potomac Home [Brigade] Regiment, coming from Baltimore, or its vicinity, reported to me as temporary commander of the corps early on the morning of July 2, while the skirmishers of the First Division, still on the south side of Rock Creek, were engaged with the enemy. General Lockwood being senior to General Ruger, then commanding First Division, and a stranger to the division, I directed him to take his orders directly from me as an unassigned brigade during the pending operations. When the First Division and Lockwood’s brigade were ordered to support the left on the afternoon of the same day, I went in command of the supporting column, leaving the Second Division to cover our entire intrenched line.
On reaching the crest of Cemetery Ridge, Major (now, I believe, Lieutenant-Colonel) McGilvery, of Maine artillery, in command of one or more reserve batteries, reported to me that he was threatened by the enemy, and was without infantry supports, and that the enemy but a few moments before had drawn off into the woods in his front several pieces of artillery. I ordered General Lockwood to move into the woods indicated, which was promptly done, and our artillery, abandoned by the enemy, was almost immediately recaptured. The First Division at the same time was ordered into the woods on the left of Lockwood’s brigade, and both advanced for some distance and until halted, pursuant to superior orders, meeting very little resistance at any point from the retiring enemy. Though we passed large masses of our disorganized men, we saw not one line or body of our troops in position. The enemy seemed to have a clear field in that part of our line, and were helping themselves to our artillery until interrupted by the approach of re-enforcements from the Twelfth and Sixth Corps, advancing at about the same time. These facts having been fully reported, I am at a loss to comprehend (when all other corps sending supports to the left are especially named) why the Twelfth Corps should be not only not named, but deprived of the small credit of Lockwood’s Maryland brigade for the benefit of the First Corps.
- In omitting any mention of the gallant defense made by General Greene’s brigade on the left flank of the intrenched line of the Twelfth Corps on the evening of July 2. General Meade’s report thus speaks of the manner in which the enemy got possession of our line of breastworks:
During the heavy assault upon our extreme left, portions of the Twelfth Corps were sent as re-enforcements. During their absence, the line of the extreme right was held by a much reduced force, and was taken advantage of by the enemy, who, during the absence of Geary’s division, of the Twelfth Corps, advanced and occupied a part of the line.
It was the absence of the whole of the First Division and of Lockwood’s brigade (supporting the left) and of two brigades of the Second (Geary’s) Division (marching toward Littlestown by mistake) that the enemy took advantage of, not only to occupy our line on the right and center, but also to attack with great vigor Greene’s brigade, of the Second Division (the only portion of the corps left ' behind), on the extreme left of our intrenched line. General Meade omits all mention of this gallant contest, which lasted fully three hours, and resulted in our retaining this important part of our line of defenses, and enabling us to resist for hours, with comparatively little loss, his heavier attacks on the following day, and finally to expel him wholly from our line.
General Meade speaks of another attack in a different part of the field at about the same hour, as follows:
On the extreme left another assault was, however, made about 8 p. m. on the Eleventh Corps from the left of the town, which was repulsed with the assistance of the Second and First Corps.
The similarity of time and circumstances leads me to think that there is a mistake in locality of this attack. It is quite certain that Greene was attacked and was re-enforced by the First and Eleventh Corps about the same hour that the report says that the attack on the Eleventh Corps was repulsed by aid of troops from the First and Second Corps. Be that as it may, the defense made by General Greene was eminently worthy of notice and commendation.
- In wholly ignoring the operations of the First Division, Twelfth Corps.
The active participation of the Twelfth Corps in the battle of Gettysburg was, first, the marching of the First Division and Lockwood’s brigade to the support of the left on Thursday afternoon, July 2; secondly, the defense of the left flank of the intrenched line on the evening of the same day; and, thirdly, the long contest on Friday morning, July 3, to recover possession of our line of breastworks. I have spoken of both operations of Thursday. Of those of Friday morning, General Meade thus speaks in his report:
On the morning of the 3d, General Geary, having returned during the night, was attacked at early dawn by the enemy, but succeeded in driving him back and occupying his former position. A spirited contest was maintained all the morning along this part of the line. General Geary, re-enforced by Wheaton’s [a mistake for Shaler’s] brigade, Sixth Corps, maintained his position, and inflicting very severe losses on the enemy. With this exception, the lines remained undisturbed, &c.
This is certainly neither a full nor a fair statement of a conflict which was waged almost without cessation for fully seven hours, and in which all the infantry and artillery of the corps were engaged.
The idea conveyed by General Meade’s report is a simple defense by one division of the corps. The engagement really began on our side by a heavy cannonading from guns placed in position after midnight. The plan of attack, arranged the night before, to dislodge the enemy from our breastworks, was for Geary’s division to follow the cessation of artillery firing by an attack along the intrenchments which he held on our left, while the First Division was placed in preparation to assault over the marshy grounds on the extreme right, or attack the enemy’s flank should he attempt to move beyond the breastworks. The enemy, on the other hand, had brought up strong re-enforcements, with the design of carrying the position of our intrenched line, which he failed to drive Greene from on the previous night, and which would have placed him in the rear of our army, and given him possession of our main line of communication—the Baltimore pike. Both parties started at daylight with plans of attack, each with the expectation of expelling the other.
Not only, as General Meade’s report says, did Geary’s division (or, more correctly, the two absent brigades of it) return during the night, but so also did the whole of the First Division and Lockwood’s brigade, and the whole corps (not Geary’s division alone), artillery and infantry, succeeded in driving the enemy back and occupying its former position. It is a noticeable fact, too, that the portion of the corps not mentioned by General Meade lost more in killed and wounded in this contest, from its exposed line of attack, and, I think, captured (Page 768) more prisoners, than did the division which gets the entire credit in General Meade’s report. The commendation given to Geary’s division was justly merited, but the same praise might safely have been extended so as to have embraced the conduct of the whole corps, without doing injustice or giving offense to any portion of it. The entire omission of the First Division is so marked, and the report of the contest on Friday morning so meager, and so at variance with official statements of the superior officers of the corps, that I am at a loss to conceive from what source General Meade derived his information. Not, I know, from my report as temporary commander of the corps, and not, I think, from yours as commander of the troops of the right wing.
- The fourth item of omissions stated at the commencement of this communication is sufficiently shown in the comments already made.
General Meade either has not seen my report, or he has intentionally repudiated all its material statements as to the operations of the Twelfth Corps at Gettysburg. No commanding general can verify by personal knowledge all the occurrences in his own command in a great battle; but so confident am I of the truth of every material statement of my report in this instance, that I could confidently submit its correctness to a decision on proofs in any respectable court of justice.
There is another omission which, in connection with those I have named, has a significant bearing.
General Meade carefully names all general officers temporarily in command of corps. Major-General Schurz, in command of Eleventh Corps for six hours, from 10.30 a. m. of July 1 (when General Howard assumed command of the field) to 4 p. m. of same day (when General Howard was relieved by the arrival of General Hancock), is properly reported as such. So are Major-General Birney, Third Corps, and Brigadier-General Gibbon, Second Corps (Major-General Hancock commanding left center), named as temporarily commanding corps on different days.
I was in command of the Twelfth Corps part of July 1 and all of July 2 and 3, and on the evening of the 2d (Thursday) attended council of corps commanders on a summons conveyed to me by a staff officer of General Meade. I may be pardoned, therefore, for expressing some surprise that my name alone of all those who temporarily commanded corps in this great battle is suppressed in General Meade’s report. I know General Meade to be a high-toned gentleman, and I believe him to be a commander of superior merit and of honest judgment, and I confess to have read that part of his official report relating to the Twelfth Corps with a mixed feeling of astonishment and regret.
I submit these comments to you as the commander of the Twelfth Corps, not in the expectation that any 'adequate remedy can now be applied after the official report of the commanding general has become an historical record, but because I deem a statement of the facts and grievances an act of justice to the corps with which I have been long connected (and which I commanded on the occasion referred to), and especially to the gallant division which X have had the honor to command for nearly two years.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
- S. WILLIAMS,
Brig. Gen. of Vols., Comdg. First Div., Twelfth Army Corps,
THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Hdqrs. Army of the Potomac, February 25, 1864. 769
Major-General Slocum,
Comdg. Twelfth Corps, Tullahoma, Tenn.:
General: Your letter of the 30th of December last* was received at these headquarters during my temporary absence from the army, which, owing to sickness, was prolonged till recently. This will be excuse for the delay in acknowledging it.
I very much regret that any injustice should have been done in my official report of the battle of Gettysburg to any part of the Twelfth Corps or any officer in it. I do assure you most sincerely that nothing was further from my intentions, and that what has occurred was the result of accident and not of design, the occurrence of which I will endeavor to explain. To do this, I will take up each of your points seriatim:
- Crediting Lockwood’s brigade to the* First Corps;
This I acknowledge a palpable error, which I am. utterly unable to account for, unless it is that Major-General Newton, in his report of the operations of the First Corps, makes marked mention of the arrival and services of Lockwood’s brigade—and this being in my mind at the time of writing, induced the error.
- The omission to mention the services of Greene’s brigade on the afternoon of the 2d July.
I am not prepared to admit this as an error. My report, as is fully stated at the close, only pretends to be a general statement of the battle. It was impossible for me to recapitulate and do justice to each brigade and division in detail, and hence I refer to the sub-reports. I am willing to admit that, if my attention had been called to the services of Greene’s brigade in the pointed manner it now is, I would have given it credit for this special service. I wrote my report very hurriedly, having been delayed by the failure of corps commanders to send in their reports. The great number of these sub-reports rendered it out of the question for me to read and study all of them. I therefore confined myself exclusively to the reports of corps commanders, and I think in this I was misled by considering you the commander of the Twelfth Corps, not knowing that you had considered yourself by my orders relieved, from that command and that General Williams commanded it throughout the battle. This brings me to—
- The omission to mention General Williams as corps commander.
This I very much regret, particularly on account of the good opinion I have always entertained for that officer, and the personal regard from long acquaintance which rendered him the last man in the army I would intentionally wrong. But, to tell you the truth, I was not aware, or at least it did not occur to me at the time of writing my report, that he was in command, and this arose possibly from the fact that I did not expect or design him to be so. I remember perfectly well that the Fifth Corps, early on the morning of the 2d, was placed under your command. I also remember that before the Sixth Corps had actually arrived, I proposed on its arrival to make an attack with your corps, the Fifth, and Sixth; but inasmuch as both these corps were removed to another part of the field early in the afternoon, and never returned, I presumed you would understand your command over them was only temporary, and ceased with their removal. I remember perfectly well General Williams being present at the con-
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*See p.763.
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(Page 770) sultation held on the night of the 2d, but I do not remember having sent for him individually, though I of course sent for corps commanders, and I also remember being puzzled to account for his presence, and refraining from courtesy to him from asking any explanation, this arising, as I said before, from the impression on my mind that you were in command of your own corps on the removal of the Fifth and Sixth. I cannot say anything more beyond the fact that General Williams’ commanding the corps was not impressed on my mind either on the field or when reading your report; hence the failure to read his report and the omission to mention his name.
- The failure to make special mention of the First Division on the afternoon of the 2d and on the 3d.
This is again an omission which I am not prepared to acknowledge, either as an error or an act of injustice. There is no corps in the army which would not have equal cause of complaint, as it was out of my power, as I stated before, to make mention of the special services of each division, brigade, and regiment. I do not agree with you that the inference can be drawn from my report that Geary’s division alone went to the left on the 2d, and alone repulsed the enemy on the 3d, though I am willing to admit that marked prominence is given to the part that division took on the 3d, and that I was under the impression the main attack of that day was on Geary. Moreover, if you remember, at the time, from a report made tome by General Wadsworth, I was led to believe General Geary was unnecessarily expending ammunition, and notified you of this. Afterward, I was satisfied of the reverse, and, perhaps, the fear of doing injustice, this impression having existed, induced me to dwell more on Geary than I should otherwise have done. But I remember your dispatch in the night of the 2d stated that part of Geary’s vacated rifle-pits were occupied by the enemy, and you asked for authority for Geary to attack with artillery and infantry at daylight, which I gave you.
- The error in the case of Shaler was due to General Sedgwick’s report, which he acknowledged as soon as my report appeared in print.
I have now, general, endeavored to explain the errors and omissions charged, or, rather, to show how they occurred/ As you say, it will be difficult to repair them. I will, however, immediately forward to the General-in-Chief the sub-reports of General Huger, and accompany it with a letter, a copy of which is herewith inclosed,* and which I trust will meet with your approval.
Respectfully, yours,
GEO. G. MEADE,
Major-General, Commanding Army of the Potomac.
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* See Meade to Halleck, February 25, 1864, p, 120.
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