Troy, N. Y., October 28, 1887.
General John P. Taylor, President,
Board of Commissioners Gettysburg Monuments,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Sir:—I have the honor to present the following statement, in reference to the part taken by the 84th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Gettysburg Campaign.
The 84th Regiment was in the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac, during the movements of that Army from Fredericksburg, Va., to Emmettsburg, Md. On the morning of the 1st July, the Regiment was detailed by an order from my headquarters to guard the supply train that was then located between Emmettsburg and Gettysburg. The Regiment remained on duty with the train until relieved by another Regiment on the 6th July, when it reported to me for duty while at Williamsport.
The duty performed by the 84th Regiment during the three days' fighting was as essential and important as that of any other Regiment of my command; it was a duty they were ordered to perform over which they had no control, but as good soldiers obeyed the command. When Colonel Opp received the order he sent his Adjutant, Lieutenant Mather, to me with a request to have the order rescinded, which of course was not granted.
The 84th Regiment was one of my best and most reliable commands. The officers and men were always ready and willing to do their duty.
To deprive this Regiment of the recognition it is entitled to, upon that memorable battle field, would in my opinion be a very great injustice.
I would respectfully suggest that the monument be erected at a point near where my headquarters were previous to the second day's engagement. It was near the Emmettsburg road, directly in front of the Roger's house, as you will see upon the map of the field.