Todd Leissposted toGettysburg Moments 150 Years Ago Today with the 88th PVI July 4, 1863—The Second Brigade remains in defensive positions and skirmishes with the stray Confederate pickets of Lee’s covering force. The 88th is detailed to the skirmish line, and exchanges fire with the Confederate rearguard forces. Union troops are surprised that the day is unusually quiet. Captain D.D. Jones, Assistant Quartermaster, 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps (formerly of the 88th PVI) writes: Wagon camp near Westminster Md July 4 1863 Dear Sir Your last favor reached me yesterday. We have been under a constant state of anxiety that I can scarcely make up my mind to write, for events reports are transpiring and changing so rapidly on our front to make it almost impossible to chronicle facts. This much I can say that this morning at nine o’clock affairs bore a more cheering aspect to our cause than it had the day before. We held all our ground and had swung around our left wing about a mile pressing back the Rebels right, our line of battle bearing the form of a cresent yesterday had this morning the left arm straightened thus (small sketch of mapped lines of battle) and by splendid maneuvering captured many prisoners. I seen one batch of 900 sent off to Baltimore and two hours afterward 2500 more marched straight through the town. Our losses in officers has been heavy notwithstanding that they are not all killed or wounded that are given in the papers. We have also no doubt inflicted severe punishment upon the Rebs. It was currently reported today that Genl Longstreet had been captured wounded & died at General Meade Headquarters today. The report of the Enquires special corespondent published July 3d is all in the main correct. I was part the time with him and seen his notes although they are rather highly ( colored ). The feeling at the front to day was that if Genl Couch would join Meads (sic) army with the troops under him that we would whip and perhaps completely rout them. When the fight first opened and the losses to our Corps being so heavy there was much apprehension felt about the result. things looked blue. Our trains were within three miles of Gettysburg and when we were ordered out here I would not given much for the chances of escape for the Rebels knew of it & tried to capture it by an accelerated movement this way. instead of succeeding in their designs our troops bagged the whole of them including their General (Archer). Our trains all lie near this town at the termination of the Westminster Railroad, which is now the basis for our supplies. From here we dispatch daily special wagon trains to the front with forage + rations to return immediately. There is also a rumour that the rebels finding it too hot are retreating at least Genl Lee sent last night a flag of truce to Genl Mead to bury his dead which Mead very promptly refused returning answer that if he held the ground he would also bury their dead and Lee should do the same. This flag of truce generally is sent by them to cover a design and from it I think they are trying to escape. Genl Beaufort starts with Cavalry + Artillery for Williamsport and hope to get in their rear. If he could only intercept them and capture Lee. Had we a sufficient force we could do it. Our troops fought like Tigers, there was no let up our officers rushed to the front into the very jaws of death especially after the fall of Reynolds, and I think the record will show his loss has been fully avenged for the Rebel loss in general is heavy. Gettysburg has suffered considerably from Rebel shells for we first drove them out of the town they in turn pressed us back and now have possession of the place. the town is thus between the two armies. Their sharpshooters occupy the tops of the houses behind chimneys and make it dangerous for anyone mounted to approach within range of their rifles. Many wounded officers were moved thither at the commencement of the fight while we occupied the town and when they retook it, with the necessary attendants & surgeons were all taken prisoners. With my best wishes for all, I remain Your obt servant D D Jones Capt + A.Q.M. 2d Div 1st A.C.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 07:39:56 +0000
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