BACK
|
Report of Captain Alexander
Moore, aide-de-camp, U. S. Army, of operations July 1-2, 1863.
WASHINGTON, September 8, 1863.
GENERAL: I have the honor to
submit the following statement of facts connected with the battle of
Gettysburg, July 1 and 2, as they transpired under my immediate
observation, and of the orders instructed to me for execution:
About 2 p. m. July 1 you
directed me to proceed from your headquarters at Emmitsburg and
communicate with General Reynolds at or near Gettysburg. Upon reaching
Gettysburg I found that General Reynolds at or near Gettysburg. Upon
reaching Gettysburg I found that General Reynolds had been killed, and
the troops under command of General Howard, who was anxious to learn
when your corps would be up. Returning to report, I met at short
distance from Gettysburg the headof your column advancing, under
command of General Birney, and learned from him that you had already
gone forward to communicate with General Howard. Early on the morning
of July 2, after accompanying you to General Meade's headquarters, I
rode with you around our lines. After the formation of your new line
of battle, in accordance with instructions from General Meade
empowering you to call upon the Fifth Corps on your left, and upon the
Second Corps on your right, for any needed re-enforcements, you
directed me, at about 2.10 p. M., to proceed to General Sykes and
request him to send a brigade to support General Birney on the road
connecting the Taneytown and Emmitsburg roads. General Sykes informed
me, upon delivery of my communication, that he would rather not send a
brigade at once, but would do so if any necessity arose, General
Birney, or General Ward, who commanded Birney's left, to notify him of
such an event. On my return the artillery fire had just opened, and I
was directed by you to return to General Sykes and bring up a brigade
immediately. Upon reaching General Sykes' headquarters I found him
absent, but his adjutant had authority to detach a brigade from
General Ayres' command, and I conducted General Weed's brigade to
General Birney's line, General Birney's line, General Weed
accompanying me in person to your headquarters near the wooden barn.
Immediately thereafter the signal officer on Round Top Mountain
reported to you in person that the enemy was advancing in great force,
with the evident design of carrying that position, thus flanking
General Birney's lines, and you again directed me to go for further
re-enforcements from the Fifth Corps. On my way to where I had last
found General Sykes, I met General Crawford, commanding the
Pennsylvania Reserves, and was informed by him that he had not
received any orders at all that day, and although very anxious to take
part in the battle he did not feel authorized to move without orders
from General Sykes. I proceeded at once to find General Sykes, but
failing in that I met General Slocum, to whom I explained the position
of affairs. General Slocum immediately authorized me to use any
troops, I might meet. Thus, triply armed, with your own, General
Meade's, and General Slocum's authority, I had no hesitation in
calling again upon General Crawford, who gladly acquiesced, and his
column was instantly put in motion, reaching the extreme left of the
line in time to defeat the enemy's attack upon Round Top Mountain.
Leaving General Crawford to report to you, I met Captain Poland, who
informed me of your disablement, which misfortune I at once proceeded
to report to General Meade, and upon my return at dark met you as you
were being borne from the field.
I have the honor to be,
general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALEXANDER MOORE,
Captain and Aide-de-Camp.
|