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.