First Delaware Infantry

[tlyne]

The First Delaware at Gettysburg (From Stone Sentinals)
Lieutenant Colonel Edward P. Harris commanded the regiment at the start of the battle. He was put under arrest on July 2nd for withdrawing the regiment from the Bliss farm buildings without authorization. Captain Thomas Bullock Hizard took over until he was wounded on July 2nd. Lieutenant William Smith then took command until he was killed on July 3. (When Lieutenant Smith was picked up he had a Confederate flag in one hand, believed to be the flag of the 5th Alabama Battalion.) Lieutenant John Dent then took over for the rest of the battle. Lt. Colonel Harris was restored to command on July 4.

The regiment brought 288 men to Gettysburg, of whom 10 were killed, 54 wounded and 13 missing.

 

[Tom Elmore]

The regimental chaplain, Thomas Grier Murphey, says in his history that Lt. Smith of Company A was killed on his return from headquarters, where he had taken the captured flag. In William Seville's history, 1st Lieutenant Smith was on his way to headquarters with the flag when an artillery round killed him. Seville's version seems correct, since he adds that the flag was taken from Smith's body by a man from another regiment, and that is why it is not mentioned in their Official Report. But two other flags were reported as having been captured by the regiment - the Rebellion Records notes that one was the colors of the 13th Alabama (by B. McCarren), and Confederate Veteran (vol. 6, 1898) identifies the 7th North Carolina as the other (credited to John B. Mayberry).

A. B. Cross of the Christian Commission observed Chaplain Murphey tending to the wounded after the battle, at the Second Corps, Third Division hospital. The regimental surgeon, D. W. Maull, was present as well; one of his patients was Private A. E. Williams of the 7th Michigan.

The running joke in the regiment was, "Why don't you get fresh horses." As recorded by Seville, it had its origin in the march into Pennsylvania, when the men, jaded and weary from a long march, observed a General and his staff ride past. One of the men called out, "Oh, don't stop! Get fresh horses and let's go ahead. We are not tired." Ever after, whenever the men halted during a tedious march, some one would shout out, "Why don't you get fresh horses," which would elicit a hearty laugh among the rank and file. It helps to have a sense of humor in the army.

 

[ErnieMac]

The accounts I've read about Lieutenant Colonel Edward P. Harris' behavior at the Bliss Farm are astounding. Confederate skirmishers had taken possession of the farm and were using their position there to harass Federal units on Cemetery Ridge. The 1st Delaware, under command of Harris, was order forward to drive off the Confederates and hold their position there. The Confederates sent in reinforcements as did the Federals. The 1st Delaware to the east and northeast of the Bliss house and barn were being pressed hard and junior officers on the firing line began to look for Harris to send reinforcements. Lieutenant John Brady, Company E, discovered Harris in the barn where he had set up a headquarters and explained the situation to Harris. According to Brady, Harris went outside, took a hasty glance at the lines and then turned and fled back to Cemetery Ridge, abandoning his command.