"At an early hour on the first day of July we marched in the direction of Gettysburg, distant six or seven miles. The report of artillery was soon heard in the direction of this place, which indicated that our cavalry had already engaged the enemy. Our pace was considerably quickened,and about 9 A.M. we came near the town of Gettysburg, and filed off to the left, leaving it on our right, we crossed an insignificant branch, and was moved forward into line of battle on the double quick. The cavalry immediately in our front was hotly engaged with the enemy, and the brigade was ordered to advance at once, no order being given or time allowed for loading our guns. I halted my regiment for this purpose, but was directed by a staff officer of General Wadsworth to move forward immediately without loading, which I did.

"The order to charge was now given, and the brigade dashed up and over the hill, and down into the ravine through which flows Willoughby's Run, where we captured a large number of prisoners, being part of General Archer's brigade.

"The cavalry, in the meantime, had taken position on our left flank. In this affair the Twenty-Fourth Michigan occupied the extreme left of the brigade, the 19th Indiana being on our right. I had lost my color-bearer, Abel G. Peck, a brave and faithful soldier, several of my color guard, and many men.

"After advancing to the crest of the hill beyond the run, we were halted, and threw out skirmishers to the front, and also to the left near a brick house. We now received orders to withdraw to the east bank of the stream. The brigade changed front forward on the first battalion and marched into the woods known as McPherson's woods, and formed in line of battle, the 19th Indiana being on the left of the 24th Michigan, and the 7th Wisconsin on its right.

"In executing this movement my Lieut. Colonel and Adjutant were severely wounded and did not afterward join the regiment, the former having lost a leg and the latter being severely wounded in the groin. The line of the Twenty-Fourth Michigan curved a little backwards on the right, that wing being thrown a little back so as to connect with the 7th Wisconsin skirmishers who were immediately deployed in front and became at once engaged with the enemy. The woods were shelled, but I have no casualties to report as occurring at this time. I several times sent officers to the General commanding to report the condition of the line, and suggesting a change of position, as it was , to my judgement, untenable.

To these reports of the condition of the line I received answer that the position was ordered to be held at all hazards. The enemy advanced in two lines of battle, their right extending beyond and overlapping our left. I gave directions to the men to withhold their fire until the enemy should come within easy range of our guns; this was done, but the nature of the ground was such that I am inclined to think we inflicted but little injury on the enemy at this time. Their advance was not checked and they came on with rapid strides, yelling like demons. The 19th Indiana, on our left, fought most gallantly, but was overpowered by superior numbers, the enemy having also the advantage of position, and after a severe loss was forced back.

"The left of my regiment was now exposed to an enfilading and crossfire, and orders were given for this portion of the line to swing back so as to force the enemy now on the flank. Pending the execution of this movement the enemy advanced in such force as to compel me to fall back and take a new position a short distance in the rear.

"In the meantime I had lost in killed and wounded, several of my best officers and many of my men. Among the former were Captain William J. Speed, acting Major, Lieut. Dickey, a young officer of great promise, and Charles Ballou, my second color bearer.

"The second line was promptly formed, and we made a desperate resistance; but the enemy accumulating in our front and our losses being very great we were forced to fall back and take a third position beyond a slight ravine. My third color bearer, Augustus Ernst, of Company 'K', was killed on this line; Major E.B. Wight, acting Lieutenant Colonel, was wounded at this time and compelled to leave the field.

"By this time the ranks were so decimated that scarcely a fourth of the force taken into action could be rallied. Corporal Andrew Wagner, of Company 'F', one of the color guard, took the colors and was ordered by me to plant them in a position to which I designed to rally the men; he was wounded in the breast and was left on the field. I now took the flag from the ground where it had fallen and was rallying the remnant of my regiment when Private William Kelly, of Company 'E', came up and took the colors from my hand, remarking as he did so, 'The Colonel of the Twenty-Fourth shall never carry the flag while I am alive', he was killed instantly.

"Private Silburn Spaulding, of Company 'K', seized the colors and bore them for a time; subsequently I took them to rally the men and kept them until I was wounded near the barricade west of the Seminary Buildings, and left the field.

"We had inflicted severe loss on the enemy, but their numbers were so overpowering and our losses had been so great that we were unable to maintain our position, and were forced back, step by step, contesting every foot of ground to the barricade referred to.

"Previous to our abandoning our last position orders were received to fall back, given, I believe, by Major General Doubleday. The command of the regiment now devolved upon Captain Albert M. Edwards, who collected the remnant of it and fell back with the brigade to Culp's Hill, which it held for the two succeeding days. Shortly after I was wounded Captain Edwards found the colors in the hands of a wounded soldier, who had fallen on the east side of the barricade. He was reclining on his right side, and was holding the colors in his left hand. I have not been able to ascertain the name of this brave soldier in whose paralyzed hands Captain Edwards found the flag, and who describes the soldier as having been severely wounded, and is therefore probably among the dead. His name may forever be unknown, but his bravery will never die.

"Captain Edwards behaved very gallantly at this time in rallying the men under a murderous fire. The field over which we fought from our first line of battle in McPherson's woods, to the barricade near the seminary, was strewn with the killed and wounded. Our losses were very large, exceeding perhaps the losses sustained by any one of equal size in a single engagement, of this or any other war.

"The strength of the regiment on the first day of July was as follows:

"3 field officers, 1 staff officer, 24 line officers, and 468 non-commissioned officers and privates, a total of 496, while its loss was 316, being 8 line officers, 22 non-commissioned officers and 49 privates killed; wounded, 3 field officers, 1 staff officer, 10 line officers, 41 non-commissioned officers, and 182 privates.

About 80 of the enlisted men and three officers were reported as missing in action, many of whom have never been heard from and are known not to be in the hands of the enemy. They were undoubtably killed, but not having been so reported, are not included in the above.

"Captain George Gordon and First Lieutenants Asa W. Sprague and H. Rees Whiting were captured and are till prisoners at Richmond. Nearly all our wounded, myself included, fell into the hands of the enemy when he took possession of the town of Gettysburg.

"When the enemy evacuated the place on the night of the third instant most of the wounded were left behind.The regiment occupied Culp's Hill during the battles of the second and third of July, but sustained little or no loss.

"During the battle of the first instant the regiment lost in killed four color-bearers, Abel G.Peck, Charles Ballou, August Rnest, and William Kelly. During the engagement of the first the flag was carried by no less than nine persons, four of the number having been killed and three wounded.

"Of the killed nothing less can be said than that their conduct in this memorable battle was brave and daring and was credible alike to themselves and the service. It will not be disparaging to his brave comrades who fell on this terrible but glorious day and who sleep with him in honored graves to say that Captain Speed's death was a sever loss to the service, and an almost irreparable one to his regiment. He was amiable, intelligent, honorable, and brave, and was universally respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

Captain O'Donnell was a young officer who had given strong proofs of courage and capacity, and whose death was deeply deplored in the regiment.

"Lieutenant Wallace served in the Peninsular campaign under Gen. McClellan, and lost an eye in the battle of Fair Oaks. He was a brave officer, an honorable man, and a good disciplinarian.

"Lieutenant Dickey joined the regiment in the capacity of commissary Sergeant Major, and thence to a Second Lieutenancy. He had given great promise of future usefulness and distinction. He was the first commissioned officer of the regiment killed at Gettysburg.

"Lieutenants Grace, Humphreyville, Safford, and Shattuck were distinguished in the regiment for their attention to every duty, for the amiability of their manners, and for unflinching courage in battle. Lieutenant Grace was one of the bravest men I ever knew.

The remains of Captain Speed and Lieutenants Wallace and Safford were conveyed to Michigan by their friends for internment, but the remains of the other officers slept with the brave non-commissioned officers and privates who fell that day in the cemetery in which a grateful nation will at no distant period erect a mausoleum to perpetuate the memories of its defenders.

"Lieutenant Colonel Flanigan lost his left leg in this battle. His conduct here, as everywhere in battle, was daring and gallant.

"Major Wright acquitted himself in the most credible manner, and remained at his post until forced by his wound to leave the field. Both of these officers have since been discharged from the service on account of their wounds. They were universally esteemed and respected.

"Captain Hutchinson received a severe contusion in the groin early in the day, but remained with his company and behaved very gallantly.

"Captain Rexford was wounded in the change of front already referred to. His conduct here as everywhere was gallant and conspicuous.

"Captain Edwards displayed great coolness and courage and deserves honorable mention.

"Captain Dillon commanded his company with skill and behaved very handsomely.

"Captain William W. Wight exhibited much coolness and courage.

"Lieutenant Dempsey was conspicuous for his gallantry in the charge across Willoughby's Run.

"Lieutenant Hutton was near me when I was wounded, and it was mainly through his assistance that I got off the field. His conduct in the engagement was all that could be desired, and confirmed my former opinion of his value as an officer.

"Captains Hoyt and Gordon, and Lieutenant Farland, Dodsley, Sprague, Witherspoon, Norton, Buell, Earnshaw and Whiting all acquitted themselves honorably, their conduct was such as to win the confidence and respect of their men, and deserve the commendation of their commanding officer.

"In justice to the memories of the brave non-commissioned officers who were killed at Gettysburg, and those whose conduct is highly praised by their superiors, their history should be made part of the history of the regiment, and its future historian will narrate their heroic conduct on the ever memorable field of Gettysburg.

"Sergeant Major Andrew J. Connor was conspicuous for his bravery and was severely wounded. Long before his wound was healed he returned to duty in the regiment.

"First Sergeant George H. Haigh, of Company 'D', was suffering from a wound received at Fitzhugh Crossing, but went into battle on the first day of July, and was severely wounded in the leg. He deserves mention for his bravery.

"In response to a circular addressed by me to my company officers asking for the names of such non-commissioned officers and privates as particularly distinguished themselves at Gettysburg, I have received the following:

"Captain Albert M. Edwards says of First Sergeant Bucklin and Corporal J.W. Evans, Company 'F': 'They were both killed on the field, both were particularly distinguished in camp for their excellent moral character and the purity of their lives and example, and in the field for their unflinching courage and devotion'.

"This is high praise and well bestowed. Corporals Edward Dryer and William Carroll of Company 'B', died in hospital of wounds received in this day's fight. Captain Burchell says:
'They were efficient and brave men, and sacrificed their lives in the discharge of their duties'.

"Captain Witherspoon, himself a brave soldier, writes that Sergeant Pomeroy of Company 'C', particularly distinguished himself by his gallant devotion, being too severely wounded to handle his musket he tore cartridges for his more fortunate comrades, and subsequently rendered valuable services in taking care of the wounded.

"Such conduct in officers and privates deserve to be recorded. 1st Sergeant William Nagle, Company 'A', came under my own eye, and was severely wounded near me. His conduct was brave almost to temerity. He died in hospital from wounds received in this battle. He was a worthy brave, and intelligent soldier.

"Captain Farland of Company 'D', speaks in high terms of praise of Sergeant Joseph Eberlee and Corporals David E. Rounds, James Sterling and Andrew Strong. Corporal Strong came under my eye and it affords me pleasure to bear witness to his bravery.

"Sergeant Eberlee continued in the fight after being twice wounded. Private George Clink, Company 'F', acquitted himself finely and deserves notice.

"Surgeon Beach and Assistant Surgeons Collar and Tower were devoted and untiring in their attendance to the wounded.

"Of Dr. Beach it may truly be said that no surgeon in the army rendered more valuable service at Gettysburg than he.

"Chaplain William C. Way was early in attendance at the hospitals and rendered valuable services. He remained in attendance on the wounded for several weeks after the battle, and both officers and men speak in the highest terms of praise of his kindness and efficiency.

"This report would have been imperfect without this reference to the Surgeon and Chaplin whose conduct elicited universal remark.

"During the time I was prisoner I conversed freely with distinguished rebel officers in relation to the battle on the first instant, and without exception they spoke in terms of admiration of the conduct of our troops, and especially that of the troops composing the 1st army corp. One of them informed me that Lieutenant General A.P. Hill had said that he had never known the federals to fight so well. At first the officers seemed very sanguine of their ability to dislodge the army of the Potomac from its position, and the capture of Washington and Baltimore was considered almost a thing accomplished, and this feeling was fully shared by the private soldiers, but the admirable means taken by General Meade to meet every attack, and the successful manner in which he repulsed them seemed to have a powerful influence in abating their confidence, even before the final order was received for the evacuation of the town.

"From the cupola in the steeple of the Court House in Gettysburg I was an eyewitness to the movements of the rebel army and of the disposition made of the troops for the famous attacks on the left, right, and center of our position. The preparation for the final attack on our left center on Friday afternoon came directly under my eye. From an officer of the rank of Major on the staff of Lieutenant General A.P. Hill, I was informed that the rebel army present at Gettysburg was about 90,000 strong, and that their line of battle was estimated to be eight miles long.

"The death of Major General Reynolds was well known to the enemy, and the highest opinions of his skill and bravery were freely expressed".

                                      H.A. Morrow,Colonel
                                     24th Michigan Infantry

A special of the N.Y. Tribune says of the "Iron Brigade" at Gettysburg:

"Reynolds has ridden into the angle of wood a bashed from the Seminary, and that he cheers the Iron Brigade of Meredith as they wheel on the flank of the oak trees for a charge. Like a great flail of steel they swing into the shadows with an huzza that is as terrible as a volley; low crouching, dismounted, by his horse's head, the General peeps into the depths of the grove. 'Boom!' from the oaken recesses breaks a hailstorm of lead, and Reynolds, with the word of command upon his tongue, falls forward bloodily.

The light of pride in his eye grows dull as blindness; the bronze flush on his face is veined with blue; two men bear away a dripping stretcher to the edge of town; the architect of the battle has fallen dead across its portal. Grief, terror, have no space to live in.

Across the brook and up the ridge, with a leap into sight, wheeling, the one for the wood, the other pushing through the george of the old railway. Huzza! From the skirts of the great oaks the great double doors of Iron Brigade shut together, with a slam as of colliding mountains, folding between them fifteen hundred rebel prisoners of war.

Patrick Maloney, a brawny Irishman in blue, seizes General Archer by the throat: 'Right about face, Ginerl! March!' Ere you can think, the disarmed column is over Seminary ridge, and the grinning Celt has said to Wadsworth, looking on from the Seminary shadows: 'Gineral Wadsworth, I make you acquainted with Gineral Archer'".

Copyright © 1995, Don Harvey, Revised 03 July 1996