Forward March... About Face!

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In a in a letter written July 11, 1869 to an old friend, General Andrew Humphreys describes a minor incident from July 2, 1863 that has often been overlooked:

"I did not mention in my official report my brief temporary movement by the flank in the direction of Round Top, when I moved forward at four o'clock to take position on the Emmitsburg road, since it resulted in nothing, and did not occupy more than from three to five minutes.

"It was an interesting incident of the battle, and was prettily done; it was part of a movement of my division into position, which Hancock and others who saw it from the Cemetery crest, describe as a beautiful sight, the opening of the enemy's artillery upon us adding to the effect. Hancock often spoke to me of it, and I believe Swinton mentions it.

"Since you wish an account of it, here it is. When about four o'clock, I was moving forward to the Emmitsburg road, my first line in line of battle, the second line of battalions in mass, an Aide-de-Camp of General Meade (the name escapes me, but the officer I know very well, Ludlow I think, Colonel Ludlow, tall, gentlemanly, a good officer), rode to me from the direction of the Peach Orchard and gave me an order from General Meade (who he said was on the ground, in the direction he came from), to move at once toward Round Top and occupy the ground there, which was vacant. Some reference was made at this time also I think, to the intended occupation of that ground by the Fifth Corps. I immediately gave the order by my Aides for the Division to move by the left flank, a movement that was made at once and with a simultaneousness of a single regiment.

"The order given, I turned to General Meade's Aide and requested him to ride at full speed to General Meade and inform him that the execution of his order, which I was complying with, would leave vacant the position my Division was ordered to occupy, pointing out at the same time the ground that would be left vacant, and where the left of the Second Army Corps was. I then turned my attention to guiding my division by the shortest line towards the Round Top, which being done, to expedite matters, I rode at full speed towards where I supposed General Meade to be, but met Colonel — returning from him, who informed me General Meade recalled his order and that I should occupy the position General Sickles had directed me to take.

"In a second the division went about face, retrod the ground by the right flank that they had the moment before gone over by the left flank and they moved forward to their position along the Emmitsburg road. The whole thing was done with the precision of a careful exercise, the enemy's artillery giving effect to its picturesqueness. The division, brigade, and regimental flags were flying of course.

"When he brought the recall of the order from General Meade, Colonel —informed me the Fifth Corps were moving to the Round Top. Just as the forward movement of my division was renewed, an Aide of General Sickles, Colonel —, a Hungarian, brought me an order from General Sickles to move to the position I had been instructed to take. To this officer I made a brief explanation of the facts, which I was about doing by one of my Aides to General S- at the very moment, the first one in which I could do so.

"My official report is of course a lifeless affair, an exact statement of facts which have a certain value, but that which makes the thrilling interest of a battle is the personal incident, and of that I could, if I had leisure, tell a good deal . . . A battle so lifts a man out of himself that he scarcely recognizes his identity when peace returns and with it quiet occupations."

Source: Andrew Atkinson Humphreys: A Biography by Henry Hollingsworth Humphreys

Andrew Atkinson Humphreys

books.google.com

 

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In a letter written on July 4, 1863, Humphreys further describes his view of the the battle of July 2:
"... the fire that we went through was hotter in artillery and as destructive as at Fredericksburg. It was for a time positively terrific; the troops on my left retired, leaving me to catch it, my left flank being turned all the time; I had
to retire, withdrawing my left flank and falling back on open ground under a precise and heavy artillery fire and
infantry fire; twenty times did I bring my men to a halt and face about, myself and H- and others forcing the
men to it; they had taken away my reserve brigade to support others, and a large part of my second line I had
to bring to my front line and part of it went to others.

"The troops that were to support me were sent to others. As the last demands were made upon me to help others I remonstrated, but it was useless. Finally having driven back others, the enemy in my front advanced upon me,
while those on my left having forced off our troops also gave their attention to me. I have lost very heavily.

"When I reached the line of another corps my men advanced with them; the enemy were driven back and
hundreds of prisoners taken and our troops got back close to the line I had occupied."

 

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And from letters written a few days later:
"I accepted the position of Chief of Staff with the Major General's Commission, for so far as I could learn it was
my only source of relief from a condition of things which was intolerable. I had declined the place the day Meade
was appointed to the command, although the condition of a Major General's Commission was attached to it...

"I prefer infinitely the command of troops to this position of Chief of Staff. It suits me in nothing, my habits,
my wishes, my tastes. It is even more distasteful to me than I can well express and I feel therefore depressed at
no longer commanding.

"Everyone appears to regard it so differently. I hate to be second to anyone. However, at the first opportunity
I shall leave it, and if necessary to do so will send back my Major General's Commission, and take the Brigadier
General. I cannot bear to be without command.

"It has been gratifying to meet on every hand such a cordial reception as has been given me, it is like old times
again. The newspaper correspondents have congratulated me too and said the handsomest things. Strange that
doing more at Gettysburg than I did at Fredericksburg, the latter is unknown; but so it is.

"How much I could say! I have hardly begun yet. I have told you nothing of the battle. Just as the Division
on my left was giving way, I was ordered by the Corps Commander to change front obliquely to the rear at the
moment when the enemy's whole infantry and artillery were turned on me; the line that was to be formed by the
other division never was formed, they did not stop; I changed my front and fell back slowly; losing 2,000 men."

 

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And as a postscript, Humphreys did later change his views on the Chief of Staff position...
"When I think how much depends upon this army of the Potomac, I recognize that the command of it is the most important command in the country, and the position of Chief of Staff is no mean place in that army; that, the daily duties show plainly enough. I prefer command of course, but hardly the command of a division."

And:
"Perhaps you would like to know that I am better reconciled to my position than I was at first, not that I like at all many things in connection with it, but people are begining to understand me, and I shall gain one of my chief objects, familiarity with the handling of a great army. The Chief of Staff must form an opinion respecting everything of importance that takes place in the Army. That as a commander of a division I could not do; nor even as a corps commander; as Chief of Staff I do."