CHAPTER IX. Gettysburg. 1863. July 1, 1863, the Twenty-ninth regiment, under command of Captain Edward Hayes, marched at 6:30 A. M., passed through Littletown and on towards Gettysburg. After moving some five miles, we halted, and while preparing for dinner, first heard the distant artillery firing which seemed to be many miles away. While resting, troops were passing to the front. Meanwhile some of Company H had advanced to an eminence, from which they soon returned, reporting that the cannonading was not far off, as they could plainly see the shells as they burst above the timber. We were soon on the march, halting occasionally to breathe, as it was excessively hot and dusty. When about two miles from Gettysburg, we met ambulances returning with the wounded of the First and Eleventh corps, which had been engaged. Advancing a short distance, we found. still further evidence of the fight in the bodies of those who had been killed in battle, and left beside the road. Late in the afternoon the Twenty-ninth reached the Union lines near Seminary Hill, and here batteries were in position. The troops were moving, and the rapid forming of lines gave evidence that a battle was nigh. The Twenty-ninth regiment filed to the left of the pike, and advancing about forty rods, took a position in a wheat field, in line of battle, and here remained on arms during the night. During the day (July 1st) the First corps, commanded by General J. F. Reynolds, had a sharp fight, in which Reynolds was killed. The Eleventh corps (Howard's) was also engaged. Late in the afternoon the Nationals were pressed back, and took a strong position a short distance from Gettysburg, on Seminary Ridge, which ended the battle for that day. During the night we could hear the moving of confederate troops and artillery in our front, while at the same time the Nationals were coming onto the field, so that in the morning of July 2d, the open field and woods presented a solid mass of troops, artillery and supply trains. About 8 o'clock A. M., July 2d, the Twenty-ninth regiment moved back to the pike, and moved with the division to a position in the timber on a hill, near the right of the line. Here breastworks were thrown up, and skirmishing was almost continuous along the line during the forenoon, and until about 3 o'clock P. M., when the struggle was renewed on the left, and gradually extended to the center. About 6 o'clock P. M., there was a lull on the left, and the fight raged with renewed vigor on the extreme, right and center, with Howard's Eleventh and Slocum's Twelfth corps. Late in the evening the Twenty-ninth, with the brigade, withdrew from the works, and moved back about three-fourths of a mile, where it remained during the forepart of the night, moving back and forth, and constantly skirmishing. The entire army appeared to be in motion the greater part of the night. July 3, 1863, at the dawn of day, the Twenty-ninth, with the brigade, moved back to, and took position in the works left the night before, and about 4 o'clock a. M. the conflict was renewed. The rebels who had possession of our works were quickly driven back, and, fifteen minutes after the first gun was fired, the engagement become general along the entire line, and for six hours the musketry was one continued roll, interspersed at intervals by the crash of the artillery. The Twenty-ninth remained in the works except when allowed to retire to secure ammunition, clean pieces, etc. While thus securing ammunition the rebels charged the line on our right, gained possession of the works, and were advancing in force, when that gallant officer, Colonel Hayes, ordered the Twenty-ninth to fall in, fix bayonets, and advance to the charge of the rebels in the rifle pits and advancing on our right. The regiment made a half wheel to the right and advanced double-quick, when the rebels gave way. An eastern shore regiment took position next on our right, holding the rebels in check. A battery was immediately placed in position, a few rounds from which sent the Confederates to the rear, leaving their dead and wounded thick about our line of works. The Confederates in our front were Ewell's corps, including our old acquaintance, Stonewall Jackson's brigade, which fought with desperation. The rattle of the musketry, which extended from the extreme right to the left center of our line, had now become continuous, and about 1 o'clock P. M. General Lee opened a furious fire upon our lines from over one hundred and fifty pieces of artillery, to which more than one hundred National guns quickly responded; some sixty thousand small arms. were heard amidst the roar of artillery. This unearthly din continued until late in the afternoon, when the firing ceased except at intervals, and this continued during the entire night. Brevet Captain George Hayward, of company E, promoted for gallant conduct at Chancellorsville, was killed in this fight. He was daring almost to rashness, always at the front, unmindful of danger, while his tender solicitude for his men endeared him to all who knew him, and his death was sincerely regretted. The rebel who killed him was concealed in the crevice of the rock not more than twenty paces from our line. Upon again exposing his person not less than one hundred rifles were discharged at him; he sprang backward, a shrill cry rang out upon the air, and brave Hayward's death was avenged. A little further down the hill lay the dead body of Major Light, assistant adjutant-general on Ewell's staff, who had perished in the morning assault. Early on the morning of July 4th the Twenty-ninth regiment advanced in reconnoissance over the battlefield, and for the first time gained a full knowledge of the fearful loss of life the rebels had sustained, full five thousand of whom had answered to their last roll-call. Still the mystery exists how any rebels escaped, as each soldier of the Union army had, in the seven hours' fight, fired two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition, sufficient to have annihilated the entire Southern army. We moved forward to the base of Culp's hill, and thence left, to the creek near Cemetery hill, on the opposite bank of which were posted the gray-coated pickets of the enemy. Rebel troops were moving through the town, while a force was fortified on Seminary ridge. Pickets were thrown out to observe their movements and we retired to the main line. During the day nearly five thousand stand of rebel arms were collected from the field, in front of Geary's division alone. Our fallen comrades were tenderly, though rudely, transferred to the kindly embrace of mother earth, while the wounded were collected at convenient points to receive the necessary treatment. Whoever has followed the phases of the battle of Gettysburg must have been expressed with the stubborn valor displayed on both sides by the common soldiers. The dauntless resolution exhibited in the attacks made it a terribly bloody and destructive conflict, and the unyielding and resolute front of the defence brought victory. But there was no possibility of achieving on either side such sweeping and complete triumphs as are recorded of wars in other countries and in other days, in a contest between two armies where the common soldiers were of such a temper and in such earnest as were these. It is a sad spectacle to see the manhood of two claiming to be Christian peoples thus march out to a field, like trained pugilists, and beat, and gouge, and pummel each other until one or the other from exhaustion must yield. It is revolting and sickening, and it is hoped that the day will come when disputes arising among nations may be settled by compromise, as two reasonable and upright men would decide a difference, governed by the golden rule, instead of resorting to blows where right and justice must be subordinate to brute force. But in a great battle like that which we have been considering it is not the soldiers themselves who are responsible, but the parties who make the quarrel. Hence, while the mind revolts at the scenes of destruction which the field discloses, the immediate actors are not to be held accountable. They go in obedience to the dictates of duty and of patriotism, and while they may indulge no personal hatred toward those who for the time they call enemies, they must in battle inflict the greatest possible injury upon them. In all ages the highest honors have been reserved for those who have fought the battles of their |