Martin E. French, 1905 (obverse)

This portrait photograph was purchased on August 6, 2013, from the Tinker's Barn Antiques shop in South Hero, Grand Isle, Vermont.

 

I am always reluctant to claim I have identified anyone in any photograph (other than my family), but this is one of the very few occasions when I can say with confidence I have identified this man. This is Martin E. French of Stowe, Vermont, as the information on the reverse claims. He was also claimed to be a member of the 13th Regiment. If this was true, his likeness would be in the book, Pictorial History Thirteenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, War of 1861-1865 by Ralph Orson Sturtevant. Soldiers were shown as they were during the Civil War along with another image in later years --sort of "before and after". This exact image appears in the book as Martin E. French's "after" photo. Sturtevant said of him:

 

Martin E. French was very much like his brother, Daniel N. He was a very muscular man, and when four or five of us smaller men pitched into him at once we soon found ourselves piled in a heap. He attended strictly to his business and always seemed satisfied with his lot. The French brothers, Charles O. Humphrey and James Marshall tented together; no one of them was less than six feet tall and no one of them weighed less than two hundred and their tent was the refuge of every one in trouble. Martin E. French was a good soldier; he was wounded in the thigh at Gettysburg. He is now living in Stowe.

 

I found Martin Ezra French, a farmer, and wife, Lucy Mirinda Gregg French living in the household of Lucy's father, James Gregg and wife, Rhoda Noble Gregg, in the 1860 Washington County, Waterbury, Vermont census. Martin was 26 years old and Lucy was 20. They had been married three years and had a one-year-old son, Carrol N. French.

 

35 year-old Martin E. French was listed in the 1870 Washington County, Waterbury, Vermont census as a farmer, with his wife, Lucy M., age 31, and their children, Carroll N., age 11, James E., age 9, and Alma R., age 5.

 

By the 1880 census, Martin E. French, age 46, and wife, Lucy M., age 41, had moved to Stowe, Lamoille County, Vermont, where they were listed sans children. Martin was working as a farm laborer.

 

Martin E. French's second wife, [correction! third wife], Phebe Gregg Parish, widow of William Parish, was the sister of Ezra Gregg. Further, Martin E. French's son, Carroll Ned French married Rosa Belle Gregg, who was Ezra Gregg's daughter.

 

Burlington Free Press, August 6, 1908

LAMOILLE COUNTY

STOWE

Martin E. French, a respected citizen

of Stowe for the past 30 years, died at

his home on Maple street at two o'clock

Thursday morning, July 30, after a pain-

ful illness. Mr. French was 74 years of

age and was the son of Aaron and Mary

Woodward French and was born in

Waterbury, where the most of his life

was passed before coming to Stowe and

where he married Lucy Gregg, who died

in 1893. Three children were born to

them, a daughter, Alma, wife of Henry

B. Faunce. who died in 1898, and two

sons, C. N. French and J. E. French,

who reside in Stowe. After the death of

a second wife, Mrs. Auretta Faunce

Buzzell, Mr. French married Mrs. Phebe

Gregg Parrish, who survives him. He

also leaves five grandchildren. Mr.

French was a member of the Methodist

Episcopal Church of this place and of

Mystic Lodge F. & A. M., and also of

H. H. Smith Post, G. A. R. having

served in the Civil War in the 13th Ver-

mont regiment. He was with his regiment

in the Battle of Gettysburg when he was

severely wounded. The funeral was

held at the residence on Saturday after-

noon at two o'clock with Masonic

honors.

 

At first blush, the 13th Regiment appears to have left a nondescript record. Peck's Revised Roster of Vermont Volunteers listed only two engagements during its nine-month history. The first engagement was the repulse of Jeb Stuart's raid and took place at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, on December 28, 1862. Peck recorded this account:

 

"..General Stuart moved away and flanked the town to the north. The Thirteenth was moved rapidly to intercept him, but only to become very warm and then nearly to freeze, before returning to camp in the morning."

 

However, the other engagement was Gettysburg, which more than made up for the early lackluster accounts of the Thirteenth. Ralph Orson Sturdevant was a private in Company K, and became the historian for the Thirteenth. He wrote the Pictorial History Thirteenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, War of 1861-1865 after the war. His account of Gettysburg begins on June 23, 1863, a week before the battle, and 17 days before Thirteenth's term of enlistment was due to expire. Though Sturdevant was in Company K, and Martin French was in Company I, their experiences were similar.

 

...[O]n the 23rd we received orders to be ready with six days' rations to march. Our haversacks would only hold four days' rations and we had no way of carrying rations only in our haversacks. We however stuffed our haversacks, took a hearty breakfast of pork and beans and... commenced that memorable long and weary seven days' march that ended on the battlefield at Gettysburg, July 1st, 1863, amidst the booming of cannon, the rattle of musketry and the piteous moans of the wounded and dying.

 

...[T]he line of march was strewn all along the way to Edwards Ferry with overcoats and blouse coats, blankets, extra pairs of shoes, cooking utensils, in fact nearly everything that could be spared was left behind. ( We were not allowed to throw away knapsacks, haversacks, canteens and cups, guns, cartridge boxes, straps and ammunition, fly tents and rubber blankets, for these were absolutely essential and necessary on the march). The unnecessary articles were strewn along the travelled way of the 2nd Vermont Brigade on the first two days of their march.

 

On leaving Union Mills, we travelled for about two miles almost due north and then.. to Gum Springs, and there finding a suitable place for camp grounds, a mile or so beyond, went into camp for the night having travelled (the 13th Regiment) full 25 miles and nearly all the way from Union Mills in the rain and mud, and some of us were thoroughly tired and willing to lie down for rest and sleep, though wet, hungry, and tired... That first day was a hard march for the 13th regiment, having had some ten miles longer march than the rest of the brigade.

 

...We found a mile or more after crossing Edwards Ferry, a convenient and suitable place for camping and were glad to lie down for rest. Some of our regiment had already fallen behind not being able to endure the heat, rain and marching. We had now marched sixty miles in three days. We had thrown away many things and were now under what we called light marching orders, carrying nothing only what was strictly necessary.

 

...We stopped for dinner soon after crossing the Monocacy and discovered at this time that our haversacks were growing light and rations short, pork and beans and boiled rice had disappeared before we left Virginia, having nothing left in our haversacks but boiled pork, hard tack, coffee and sugar and but little of that and were apprehensive as to when and where we should get more. We had long since left our wagon train far to the rear...

 

...We had now been on the march since the early morning of June 25th, and many were foot sore with blistering and bleeding feet. The water, mud and gravel found way over the tops of our low army shoes and through holes in sides and bottoms and this with scalding heat caused tenderness and blistering and pain, and some limped and hobbled along though apparently determined to remain in the ranks to the end. We did not halt for dinner until three or four miles beyond Frederick City, and it was an hour or more past the usual mid-day lunch. We were obliged to leave a few of our brigade behind that had been over-come with heat and hard marching.

 

...The 30th of June was, as I now recall it, the hottest day's march thus far on our journey. The weather and roads had been much the same since we crossed into Maryland. We were, as it seemed to us, marching faster and faster each day; the regiment in the rear often had to double quick in order to keep up. The roads were now full of cavalry, artillery, infantry, ammunition wagons, ambulances and frequently bunched and parked in such a manner as to impede our onward march, making our officers mad and progress slow and disagreeable.

 

...The last night on that memorable march before the battle, we were bivouacked just outside of Emmitsburg... We were well nigh worn out with our long weary march, day following day, from sun to sun, in almost a tropical heat, over bad roads and through fields, straining every nerve to overtake and join our corps two days the start of us in the march, and the whole Potomac army was hastening forward to intercept General Lee before he could cross the Susquehanna. The 2nd Vt. Brigade passed by many troops of other corps on our march to Emmitsburg and at the close of the day, (June 30th) was only a few miles (perhaps 10) behind the First corps to which we belonged, which corps was now in the lead and nearest to Gettysburg. We were unusually tired, hungry and foot sore at the close of this 30th day of June, and only because of the power of mind over matter had so many been able thus far to remain in the ranks... We ate of what remained in our haversacks and quickly laid down to rest, reflect and sleep... We slept the sleep of the weary and awoke at dawn of day refreshed and ready to take up the line of march at the bugle call and push forward, manfully determined to do our part to the uttermost, regardless of danger of capture, wounds or death.

 

...We were at noon some ten miles from Gettysburg and from the course we traveled and the time it took to reach there it must have been more than ten miles... Early in the afternoon as we reached the crest of a considerable hill we saw a single horseman approaching in all haste and as fast as his tired steed would allow... a mounted courier... "A big fight is in progress at Gettysburg, General Reynolds has been killed," that General Doubleday was in command, that he is hard pressed and must have help or could not hold his position and that General Stannard must hasten forward his command as fast as possible.

 

We at once took up the march... often in mud over our shoes faster than before until within about four miles of Gettysburg, and as we reached an elevated tableland with open country to the north, we heard for the first time booming cannon way to the front of us which announced... a battle was raging, but just how many and who engaged we knew not... Lieutenant Benedict returned with orders to join our corps on Cemetery Ridge. The sun was still shining just above the hills and mountains as we hastened forward to position guided by Benedict of Stannard's staff. The artillery firing had ceased, but the sharp crack of rifle to the north and northwest told us that the picket lines and sharp shooters were still actively engaged in and around Gettysburg village.

 

We finally reached a position just at the close of day exhausted, completely worn out with seven long days of marching, especially the hurried march to reach the battlefield on July 1st, and we were told to lie down on our arms as we were, with straps and belts all on and gun in hand ready for immediate action, for we were liable to be attacked at any moment. It was apparent as we reached this position that orders and commanders were considerably mixed up for on our arrival no one seemed to know just where we belonged or what to do with us.

 

General Stannard's Second Vermont Brigade had in fact during the march gained almost two days on the First corps, and arrived on the field of battle only six or eight hours later in the day than Wadsworth's division which was in the van of our corps, and in fact Wadsworth's division of our corps was the first infantry that arrived on the field of battle and engaged the enemy then held in check by General Buford's dismounted cavalry.

 

Though we occupied a strong and almost impregnable position, we were largely outnumbered at this hour and almost completely surrounded and the Confederate army had been successful during the day and compelled us to select our present position... [I]t will be seen we were at the close of this first day's battle almost completely surrounded by General Lee's whole army which, owing to the success of the day, made them confident of final victory. It was quite fortunate for our side that Generals Ewell and Hill did not follow up their vantage ground at four o'clock in the afternoon of the first day. We had in fact been badly whipped during the first day because of superior numbers.

 

It is literally true that our regiment was hungry, thirsty, tired and well nigh physically exhausted when we reached position on Cemetery Hill, and down the line came the order not to build fires to make coffee, but lie down with equipments on ready for action, for the enemy were near by to the north, east and west and had been successful during the day. ...Our first and almost desperate inclination as we halted was to quench our awful thirst, our canteens were empty and had been nearly all day and much of the time for the last three days, for as all must recollect an order was issued on the march through Maryland prohibiting any one to leave the ranks for water while on the move, and only when halted for rest and at noon and evening... We had been taught by General Stannard two days back while marching through Maryland that orders must be obeyed and would be enforced to the letter irrespective of rank, humanity or any other question save the military necessity that might demand a suspension or change, and so we thereafter obeyed and suffered the misery of unquenched thirst on a rapid march rather than disobey.

 

[We] were told by going east a short distance would strike an over flowing spring... [W]e found a small running stream, and in the woods it was quite cool and fairly good. We satisfied our thirst, filled our canteens and hastily returned to our thirsty comrades. Perhaps some had, after reaching our position on the field something to eat, but sure it is many of us did not have a morsel left in our haversacks... [T]he First and Eleventh corps numbering less than 18,000 men with General Buford's division of cavalry and some artillery had courageously and successfully fought and held in check from sunrise to sundown the first day's fighting, Generals Ewell and A. P. Hill's corps outnumbering us on the field more than two to one.

 

...As matters stood in the afternoon of that eventful first day, we of the 13th regiment were wholly ignorant of the desperate situation when we arrived on the field and took position, and therefore we quickly and gladly laid down to rest... and awoke... ready for the renewal of the battle that we knew was at hand. All were thoroughly exhausted and an opportunity to lay down... was thankfully appreciated.

 

...[W]hen we awoke in the morning... we watched the congested mass of soldiers near by, we saw others beside the 13th, 14th and 16th wearing the First corps badge and now were sure that we had finally after seven days of weary marching found and joined the First corps... having traveled during the seven days about one hundred and fifty miles.

 

...My haversack was empty and stomach too, and had no opportunity to replenish either... Nearly every haversack was empty before we reached Gettysburg, and some of us were hungry and thirsty and looked for food and water at the first opportunity

 

...[E]arly in the morning it was evident that a demonstration was soon to be made for the picket lines revealed vigilance and activity of the two armies thus early in the day, and an occasional shrapnel whizzed, screamed and exploded over and about us, all of which indicated preparation of the enemy for the delivery of battle somewhere or every where along their five miles of battle lines, but just when or where was unknown and difficult to judge.

 

...The day was hot and water scarce and only obtainable at risk of being picked off by some sharp shooter, a nearby branch of Rock Creek containing only pools and holes of dead water and the pure cool spring water of Spangler Spring was on the east side of Culp's Hill in dangerous proximity to Ewell's battle lines and we therefore sparingly quenched our thirst with the warm, muddy dead water from the pools and holes nearby.

 

...[T]he 13th regiment made no arrangements for a noon day meal, but remained in battle line ready to promptly obey any orders given. It is said that the desperate and sanguinary battle between General Sickles and General Longstreet of the second day opened between two and four o'clock in the afternoon.

 

...Our brigade... advanced nearer to the base of Cemetery Hill to avoid the numerous exploding shells that came over the hill and scattered their deadly missiles among us.

 

[W]e were much exposed to enfilading cannonading of the Confederate batteries west, north and east... [H]ere in our new position there was nothing to protect us save the stone wall nearby. We of the left wing were on the very top of the hill where we could see and be seen. It seemed as if we were, when approaching to position, marching into the very jaws of death. We were glad when the order was given to lie down in line of two ranks and there remain without firing until ordered. This order was obeyed to the letter and no one hesitated.

 

...[T]he pieces of shell fell thick and fast among us, and so frequently and numerous that some were quite apprehensive of being killed and prudently hugged the ground and raised neither hand nor foot to unnecessary exposure. There must have been a large number of cannon concentrating their fire against the west slope and crest of Cemetery Hill.

 

...[W]e saw our brigade pass over the field and down into the valley of Plum Run on the double quick and therefore knew a breach had occurred or our lines there, were in imminent danger, and while we were intensely watching with the endeavor to learn the cause and what had become of our brigade an order came to Lieutenant Colonel Munson to follow with his command (Companies D, F, H, I and K) the brigade to the front battle line on the left of the center in the same direction taken by Colonel Randall with the First battalion of the 13th regiment. We obeyed this order very promptly, and I am sure not one desired to remain longer on Cemetery Hill in support of batteries where shot and shell filled the air momentarily expecting to repulse or make a charge... Companies D, F, H, I and K, followed over the same course that had been taken by our brigade only a few moments before. We of the Second battalion may have been thirty minutes behind the First battalion. I do recall the impressive fact that when we left the Taneytown Road and struck across the field, as we ascended up over the crest of Cemetery Ridge that the cannoneers of one of the batteries across the valley sent their shell plowing right through our marching columns, exploding among the ranks of Company K, knocking over and injuring quite a number, which inclined us to hasten down the hill toward the enemy into a more protected position and not so much exposed by a hundred or more cannon along the crest of Seminary Ridge.

 

...We reached the breach in our left center line, that some of the regiments of General Anderson's division had made, about sundown and were soon joined by Colonel Randall with the First battalion from which we had been separated about four hours while on Cemetery Hill supporting batteries. We welcomed them back from their charge across the valley and to the Emmitsburg Road with hearty cheers, as they returned with the prisoners they had captured. It was now growing dark, the struggles of the day were over except on our right near Culp's Hill, and all was quiet save now and then the crack of a gun on the picket line, and the moaning of the wounded and dying that lay scattered over the field around us. While the 13th regiment of Stannard's Brigade had been called to important and responsible positions during the day and had filled them with conspicuous bravery and success, charging General Longstreet's Confederate columns that broke through our lines at the close of the day recovering our captured cannon and many prisoners and driving the foe from our front back across the valley and beyond Emmitsburg Road to Seminary Ridge, and yet though the honors of battle during this day were more equal than the first day, the advantage as a whole was greatly with General Lee.

 

...The several engagements of the day had been sanguinary and the struggle fierce, and we of the 13th was so absorbed with the scenes about us and so apprehensive as to consequences that none thought of food or water until night fall. The continuous fighting at different sections of our battle lines and the changes and activity of our regiment and brigade during this second day of the battle did not create much of an appetite for hard tack and coffee, (and it was well for we had none). On our immediate left and only a few rods away was a large flowing spring and from its cooling waters we quenched our thirst during the night and filled our canteens before day light for the coming day, and here on the front battle line we laid down to rest on our arms and slept for the second night on the field of awful carnage and great slaughter surrounded by thousands of the dead and wounded. We realized that the coming of another day would open a renewal of the contest for victory. We were nearly exhausted and gladly obeyed the order to lie down and rest for the night.

 

...The reveille that awoke us on the early morning of the third and last day of battle was the martial music of General Longstreet's booming cannon now pointed along the low ridge that he gained the afternoon before... The cannonading from General Longstreet's artillery continued for an hour or more with deadly affect... The 13th regiment which was on the right of our brigade hugged the ground close up to the stone wall... It was fool hardy to stand erect and expose ones self to sharp shooters... General Mead's army of the Potomac was now all up on the battlefield in position and ready to cross swords with General Lee and his veteran army of Northern Virginia. The morale of both armies was never better and the rank and file of each were full of hope and confident of victory... The experience of the previous day warned all that such cannonading presaged preparation for advancement as soon as the shelling ceased, and thus we waited for about two hours and witnessed a hot and lively duel between the miles of cannon stretched in almost parallel lines along Seminary Ridge and Cemetery Ridge perhaps a half a mile apart.

 

...Our lines were continuously menaced by sharp shooters and we moved but little in an upright position unless required. The burning heat demanded water to quench our thirst and one at a time would volunteer to go a few rods to the left of our then position to a Spring for water taking as many canteens as he could carry and then crawl along on the ground dragging the canteens after him to the spring, wait his turn and flat on the ground fill his canteens and in like manner return, all the while exposed to the shell and bullets that filled the air. Moving along the ground in this manner could not be seen by sharp shooters, but at the spring the increased commotion attracted the attention of sharp shooters and hence a hazardous undertaking to procure water. The most of us suffered the pangs of thirst rather than be targets for those fellows behind stones and fences and buildings and in tree tops with their telescope rifles watching an opportunity to shoot any thing within range.

 

...Lieutenant Albert Clark in command of Company G saw that a nearby rail fence might be readily converted into a low breastwork and placed considerably in advance of the stone wall that then protected us, and be of great advantage in repelling any charge against us and called Colonel Randall's attention to it, and obtaining his consent called for volunteers to go out and do the work of building a breastwork with the fence rails... Company G as I recall, led by Sergeant Scott charged the rail fence, carried the rails about one hundred yards in advance and further down the slope and laid up a temporary bulwark of rails perhaps two feet high parallel to the battle line then occupied by the 13th regiment... The work was quickly and well done and timely, and the protection it gave us later was complimentary to the rare foresight and cool calculation of Lieutenant Albert Clark of Company G. General Stannard saw the boys at this work and approved it with a nod and smile, while Colonel Randall and the regiment encouraged the enterprise with cheers and congratulated the boys on their safe return.

 

...Within a minute after the firing of the signal guns 150 cannon in battery along Seminary Ridge as far as we could see were belching forth their deadly storm of solid shot and shrapnel shell consentrated against our left center battle lines and in another moment almost simultaneously from Round Top to Cemetery Hill one hundred cannon or more of the Union side replied, and a blazing; stream of fire from hill top to hill top and along the valley, accompanied with a deafening roar, signaled back to the foe that we also were ready for the final struggle.

 

...[A]nticipating the enemy's plan due preparation had been made and on the center of this objective point where lay the stalwart forms behind the recently built bulwark of rails, stone wall, rocks, bushes and trees, General Stannard's Green Mountain Boys, and like the lion in its lair ready to spring forward when called and grapple in the deadly struggle for victory... We were further down the slope and in less danger from the enemy's shell, and there was a clear open field in front right and left, and an admirable chance to fire on approaching columns. Some of the boys were a little frightened and others slightly wounded in this advance and all as soon as they reached the rail breastworks flattened out behind them to await the end of the artillery battle... Our location in the afternoon was about one-third of a mile south of Cemetery Hill between Taneytown and Emmetsburg Roads, almost at the foot of the west slope of Cemetery Ridge some two hundred yards from its crest, just at the left and in advance of the place now called the High Water mark of the Rebellion, and the charge against General Pickett's columns must have taken the 13th and 16th regiments full half-way down into and across Plum Run valley and further out than any other regiments went in this charge.

 

...We saw them [the Rebels of Pickett's charge] first as they reached the crest of Seminary Ridge a full half mile away, at first horse and rider, then glistening bayonets and then flags and banners.. [O]n they came as if impelled by some unresistless force, paying no attention to the grape and canister that made gory swaths through their battle lines...

 

...On they came regardless of the carnage among them, nearer and nearer until horse and rider, officer and private, standards and banners waving in the lead were plainly seen, and almost within musket range, the right wing now face to face with the right wing of Stannard's brigade. Down the line of the 13th regiment comes the order from company to company "Steady boys, hold your position, don't fire until the word is given, keep cool, lie low till order is given to fire, make ready, take good aim, fire low." Then like an electric flash came down the line the order from Colonel Randall quickly repeated by every officer in the line "Fire", up rose the Green Mountain Boys, 3,000 strong as if by magic with forms erect took deliberate aim and with a simultaneous flash and roar fired into the compact ranks of the desperate foe and again and again in quick succession until a dozen or more volleys had been discharged with deadly effect. We saw at every volley the grey uniforms fall quick and fast and the front line hesitated, moved slowly and melted away, could not advance against such a furious and steady storm of bullets in their faces and the raking fire of McGilvery's batteries against their flank and midst this, unexpected fusillade of bullets, grape and canister they halted and quickly in good order massed in columns to our right uncovering the immediate front of Stannard's brigade and with an awful menacing yell dashed forward with the evident purpose of carrying the crest of Cemetery Ridge at our right and rear... General Stannard ordered the 13th and 16th regiments of his brigade to move forward (the 14th to remain in position in support) toward the enemy, and these two regiments the 13th and 16th, advanced about one hundred yards in quick time, the 13th on the double-quick... General Stannard order[ed]... "Change front, forward on first company..."

 

[Peck explains this order thus:

"Change front, forward on first company"

is to advance to the right and form a line

at right angles with its present position.]

 

Lonergan on receiving the order halted his company... and quickly swung his company around into position, and thus each company was brought into line facing the right flank of General Pickett's advancing heroes and each company as it faced into line saw in their immediate front not sixty yards away General Pickett's command, charging forward up the slope and at once opened a deadly fire on their flank which surprised and disconcerted officers and rank and file alike, some turned about and returned our fire, but knowing their objective point moved on. This was at short range and the concentrated fire of the 13th into the moving flank before them thickly covered the ground with the dead and wounded until General Pickett's command had lost most of its distinguished officers and a large per cent, of its rank and file. It was while our regiment was firing into Pickett's flank that brave General Garnet fell from his horse pierced with a minnie ball, and General Armistead too as he scaled the wall fell into the ranks of the blue with cap on his sword urging his men to follow. Not until the dead and wounded covered the ground so as to make progress almost impossible, did they seem to realize their awful situation, and then they waved handkerchiefs, and threw up their hands as evidence of surrender. It was at this juncture that Colonel Randall at risk of his own life from the muskets of his own regiment passed rapidly down the line and shouted "Stop firing." Then we advanced and captured nearly all that still survived of Pickett's old division... [S]ome of the more revengeful and desperate continued to fire in our faces as we advanced. We opened fire again and then rushed up against them with bayonets pushed forward revengefully determined to slay the very last man unless they would heed their proffered offer of surrender. Bayonets were crossed and the desperate thrusts exchanged, and the hand to hand struggle followed. Many fell wounded and bleeding pierced with bayonet, sword and pistol and musket balls. This was the final struggle and was soon over. We were now in their front and rear and escape was impossible... General Longstreet who silently and sorrowfully watched as he believed the forelorn hope and needless sacrifice, among them were many of the veteran heroes of his old brigade that he had drilled on the plains of Manassas before the first battle of Bull Run, but as a true soldier when he saw the battle line of blue push out into the field and open fire upon General Pickett's flank, he directed his artillery in that direction knowing that friend as well as foe must suffer alike from his raking fire, and we who were at the salient point saw the direction from whence came the spiteful shells and wondered at the desperate act...

 

...Very soon after the 16th passed in the immediate rear of the 13th into position, there appeared some four hundred yards to the rear having just crossed the Emmitsburg Road and moving rapidly down into the valley charging forward in the direction of Cemetery Ridge a large body of soldiers who we at once recognized by the uniforms they wore and the flags and banners they carried and the yell they made, as the enemy, exposing their left flank to our view in passing. At this juncture the unheard of happened, namely, those standing in the rear rank of the 13th and 16th regiments who had been firing into General Pickett's flanks as they turned half way around to load their guns discovered the passing Rebel column in the rear and without orders faced square to the rear and opened fire causing dismay and confusion and hesitancy, and thus it was while the front ranks of the 13th and 16th were sending bullets thick and fast into General Pickett's right flank causing fearful slaughter, because of good aim and short range, the rear ranks of the 13th and 16th regiments at the same time were facing in an opposite direction and with steady aim firing as rapidly into the charging left flank of the belated columns that had come in support of General Pickett's right flank with equal effect. For a time the 13th and 16th stood in line in double ranks across Plum Run valley extending from near the base of Cemetery Ridge to within a few rods of the Emmitsburg Road, the front rank facing northerly towards Gettysburg village and firing into Pickett's huddled struggling ranks and the rear rank facing southerly towards Peach Orchard, Devil's Den, Big Round Top deliberately and steadily firing into the left flank of what proved to be General Wilcox's brigade and command.

 

...This body of the enemy were General Wilcox and Perry's brigades of General Richard's and Anderson's divisions, A. P. Hill's corps, who were General Pickett's support of his right flank but was slow in following up Pickett's command and therefore were too late to render any assistance as has been seen. No occasion to now speculate what would have been the result if General Pickett had been promptly supported as planned, by Generals Wilcox and Perry's brigades. We of the 13th watched with deep interest the gallant charge of the 16th and heartily cheered them as Wilcox and Perry were driven back across the Emmitsburg Road behind Longstreet's artillery.

 

...While the 2nd Vermont Brigade done only a small part of the fighting on that great field during the three days of desperate conflict and great slaughter, yet it was at the front and center at the salient point and impending crisis at the opportune moment, fired the last musket, made the last infantry charge, captured the last prisoners in that great battle, therefore.

 

Mustered out at Brattleboro, Vermont, July 21st, 1863.

 

 

I am seeking descendants

 

 

Done