July 3, 1863, The New York Herald
DESPATCH OF MR. J.H. VOSBURG.
GETTYSBURG, July 1, 1863.
The First corps of General Reynolds had been engaged with the enemy probably about two hours when the Eleventh arrived on the ground, hurrying up to meet the noise of battle towards us. So far the First corps had appeared to have the advantage; but about the time of our arrival the rebels had partially succeeded in turning their right flank.
Arriving on the ground, General Howard assumed command and immediately made his dispositions for the battle. The First corps was at this time on a wooded ridge near the Lutheran Theological Seminary; to the right was another range of hills, the right being wooded and crossed by the Harrisburg road. General Howard directed that two divisions of the Eleventh corps be placed on this range of hills, the First division on the right and the Third on the left of the Harrisburg road, a stream being on our extreme right. The Second division was held as a general reserve.
General Schurz, being in command of the Eleventh corps, endeavored to take the position indicated; but owing to the flank of the rebels on the right of the First corps we were not able to reach the favorable point desired. The rebel corps of Gen. A. P. Hill had, so far, engaged the First corps. But at this time General Ewell’s corps of twenty-five thousand men arrived by the Rock road. It was this overwhelming force which was to be met by seven thousand men. Before they had reached an advantageous defensive position, the rebels had batteries so posted that our columns moving up on an air line afterwards were exposed to a destructive cross fire. General Barlow, on the right, with the First division, made a most desperate effort to take and hold the position assigned him. The brave General, it is said, while riding along in front of his line encouraging his men, while the skirmishers were firing, was hit by a musket ball and severely wounded in the thigh or groin. The division fought bravely, and lost heavily, the brigade of Colonel Von Gilsa holding its position firmly, and that of General Ames doing well. The Third division, General Schimmelpfennig, was meanwhile striving nobly to hold the position it was directed to hold immediately on the right of the First corps and on the cleared part of the hill between the Seminary and the position of General Barlow.
The losses in this division show how well it fought. The brigades were commanded by Colonels Krzyzanowski and Von Amesberg. Colonel Von Amesberg had two horses shot under him, but escaped uninjured. Colonel Krzyzanowski was hurt, but not disabled, by his horse falling with him. Colonel McGroarty, of the Sixty-first Ohio, behaved with his usual distinguished gallantry, but escaped injury as if by a miracle. Colonel Brown, of the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York, held an isolated position of particular peril. The regiment lost eighteen of twenty-six officers and three fourths of its men. Lieutenant Colonel Arrowsmith, a noble officer of this regiment, was killed. Every regimental commander of Krzyzanowski’s brigade was killed or wounded. The Eighty-second Ohio, Colonel Robinson, lost eighteen officers. The Twenty-sixth Wisconsin lost all but one of its officers. This regiment last fall joined General Sigel at Fairfax, with nearly the maximum number and then appeared splendid. It has been in two fights — Chancellorsville and Gettysburg — and came out with less men than are required to form a company. The Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania brought off sixteen men. Captain Dilger’s battery did splendid execution, constantly changing position as circumstances required. At one time he dismounted an entire rebel battery; at another, rushed up to two pieces in front of our line to assist Col. McGroarty, who had daringly advanced his regiment to the front.
Our right flank was completely turned and our left at the same time, so superior was the enemy’s force. The First corps was giving way, and the Eleventh found it impossible to maintain its position. The First division retired in good order, and the Third fell back nearly at the same time.
Gen. Schimmelpfennig’s two aids, Captains Schelten and Klenker, had their horses shot under them. Gen. Schimmelpfennig’s horse was shot under him on the retreat, and he was captured. It is presumed that he was wounded, possibly killed, before being taken.
The two divisions fell back slowly, pausing occasionally, and endeavoring to stem the rebel advance. At this juncture the First brigade of Gen. Steinwehr’s division was ordered up. This brigade was commanded by Col. Coster, and the force engaged consisted of three small regiments. The brigade formed on the right of Pennsylvania College, a little below the foot of Washington Street. The brigade was too late to more than check the rebel advance for a few moments. They were scarcely formed when they were attacked by three rebel columns and completely enveloped on the right. Col. Coster and his men did all that brave men could do; but it was so late when they were called out that it was scarcely worthwhile for them to be slaughtered by the artillery and infantry force to which they were exposed.
The rebels had two batteries playing upon our right flank and rear almost from the time the Eleventh corps first arrived on the field. The ubiquitous Dilger, with his battery, was on Colonel Coster’s left, in the road, on an eminence. It did terrible execution with grape and canister on the advancing rebels. The Eighty-second Ohio was supporting this battery, and it was here that Colonel Robinson was wounded and taken prisoner.
Our men retreated slowly through Washington street, the rebels closely pursuing, and being in advance of many of our troops on the east side of the town. Captain Dilger’s battery unlimbered at the foot of the street and gave the rebels a parting charge of grape.
It is a wonder that the rebels did not press us more closely. While passing slowly and densely packed, artillery, infantry and ambulances, along this street up the hill, a battery planted where Captain Dilger’s was last stationed would have enfiladed this street completely.
Captain Schiermen’s battery, which did excellent service during the day, was especially efficient, while planted on the hill above two batteries of reserve artillery, in protecting this retreat.
As we passed through town, shot, shell and bullets were whistling musically around us, sometimes striking the houses. A shot ricochetted over a regiment in front of me and pierced the wall of an inhabited house. A bullet grazed the ear of Captain Newcomb, with whom I was riding, and struck a house near us.
The ladies of Gettysburg deserve especially honorable mention. While we were retreating they came out upon the sidewalks, with composed though anxious faces, and offered our soldiers everything needful in the way of refreshments. The shots were whistling meanwhile but they appeared elevated by noble impulses above the sentiment of fear. They took the most tender care of our wounded, as well as those of the rebels who were captured during the day. How we grieved to leave this interesting town in the possession of rebel soldiers.
We fell back to a position south of the town cemetery, which General Howard had first selected as the only good position that we could secure. The rebels did not seem to think it best to attempt to dislodge us. The enemy occupied the town on our retirement, and their sharpshooters were stationed on the houses near us.
The battle of to-day was well fought. We had 22,000 against 50,000.
General Howard distinguished himself for bravery and composure while directing the details of battle. The Eleventh corps did more than all others. It lost 3,000 men, and double the loss of the First corps, which fought bravely.