lelliott19
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Dear Sir:
At the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 5:30 p.m., Barksdale's Brigade charged through the Trostle House yard, on the right of the First Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps. The flag of the leading regiment was borne so bravely by the color bearer through the gate of the yard, and I saw him so plainly in advance of his regiment, that I am anxious to get the name of his regiment for insertion in the History of the 118th Corn Exchange Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, now being written. If you can aid me in this, you will greatly oblige, yours,
J. L. Smith,
Late 118th P.V. Reg't
In reply, Mr. Smith received the following account of the positions of the respective regiments of Barksdale's Mississippi brigade on July 2, 1863:
"If the "Trostle House" was the dwelling of the "Peach Orchard," by which name is commonly known the position assaulted and carried by Barksdale's Brigade; the regiment in question was the 21st Mississippi, Col. B. G. Humphreys, which held the right of the brigade. The next regiment, the right centre, was the 17th, Lieut. Col. Fizer. The Federal troops occupying this position were a Pennsylvania brigade, their commander, Gen. Graham, and a number of his men with artillery being overrun and captured by the 21st. If we remember correctly the color bearer and guard of said regiment were all killed or wounded in the charge."
Although the writer of the reply might have been uncertain of the name of the buildings, he seems fairly certain of the alignment of Barksdale's brigade and the positions.
His reply continues:
"If the Trostle House was farther to the Federal right, held by troops among whom were some in Zouave costume, it was charged by the 13th (Col. Carter) and 18th (Lieut.-Col. W. H. Luse) Mississippi Regiments."
Source: The Greenville Times., (Greenville, MS) September 11, 1886, page 2, column 4.
Image: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/499195939917270580/