“With the exception of a slight change of position of the left wing of the 71st Regiment, the Brigade not only held its position, but advanced and captured several colors, and the prisoners taken exceeded in number what was left of the Brigade, which lost nearly fifty per cent. in killed and wounded—the killed and wounded of the 72d was over fifty per cent.
“Cushing’s Battery, which was attached to the Brigade, was served until men were not left sufficient to work the guns. Cushing obtained volunteers from the Brigade, who served the guns until Cushing was killed.
“Webb’s Brigade, called the Philadelphia Brigade, was originally commanded by Col. E. D. Baker, who was killed at Ball’s Bluff. It was the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps, Army of the Potomac, and forms the prominent feature in Rothermel’s painting of the Battle of Gettysburg.”
NOTE NO. 5.
GETTYSBURG BATTLE FIELD DISPATCHES.
From official dispatches sent from Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, to the War Department, during the progress of the third day’s fighting, which were given out to the Associated Press about midnight, being held back until assured that the Union Army was victorious.
“Gettysburg, July 3d, 3 P. M.—A great attack is now being made on our left center by a powerful column of Rebels. We can see them advancing in hosts. Their lines are half a mile in length. They have to march a mile before they can strike a line. All of our artillery has now opened on them and we can see them falling by hundreds. In a few minutes they will strike our line, and the fight will be at close quarters.”
“Gettysburg, July 3d, 4.30 P. M.—We have won a great victory. The fight is over and the Rebel lines hurled back in wild disorder. Longstreet’s whole Corps seems to have been swept away, from our fire. The field is covered with Rebel dead. Wild cheers ring out from every part of our lines. Thousands of Rebel prisoners are being brought in. Sheaves of battle flags and thousands of small arms are being gathered in by our men. The rejoicing among our men is indescribable.”
“Gettysburg, July 3d, 5 P. M.—Our victory is more complete than we could dare hope for. An immense column of the enemy, at least 20,000 strong, attacked our left center and were utterly destroyed by our fire. The column consisted of Longstreet’s Corps, and but few of them are left. Nearly all were either killed, wounded, or are now prisoners in our hands. I hear that Hancock, Gibbon and Webb are severely wounded. The Philadelphia Brigade is almost destroyed. They met the most violent rush of the enemy and lost terribly. Col. O’Kane, of the 69th, is killed, and there is hardly a field officer left in the Brigade.”
“Gettysburg, July 3d, 10 P. M.—Our victory grows more complete as we get time to realize its magnitude. It looks as though nearly all of Longstreet’s Corps had been destroyed. The field in front of the Second Corps, where the brunt of the attack fell, is covered with Rebel dead. In front of the Philadelphia Brigade they lie in great piles. Hundreds of Rebel officers are among the fallen. Gen. Armistead, of Pickett’s Division, fell within our lines. He was shot through the body and is now dying. The Rebel Generals Garnet and Kemper, fell in front of the 69th and 71st Pennsylvania Volunteers. All the field officers of the former Regiment are killed. The slaughter on both sides has indeed been frightful. Our men are busy gathering in the wounded, many of whom must die during the night for want of proper attention.”