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- Aug 27, 2011
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In another thread about the monument to the 15th MVI at Antietam, I related, from the regimental history, how that regiment, nearly surrounded, suffered heavy casualties from friendly, as well as enemy fire fire. On the Second Day at Gettysburg, the 15th found itself in a similar situation. Facing overwhelming enemy force in front and on the flank, they suddenly found Federal artillery shells falling in their midst. The result was a casualty rate of another 60% the highest suffered by any Mass. unit at Gettysburg. And, the battered regiment had yet more fighting to do on the next day.
The 1909 Reunion of the 15th Mass, at Gettysburg
The Col. George H. Ward Monument:
The 15th Mass. was part of the 1st Brigade of Gibbons’ 2nd Division of Hancock’s II Corps. They had arrived at Gettysburg on the morning of July 2, and after a brief rest, filed into position near the center of the II Corps line, along the ridge in front of the Leister House (Meade’s headquarters).
About 4 pm, the men of II Corps watched as elements of Sickell’s III Corps moved forward to take position along the Emmitsburg Pike and the Peach Orchard. As Longstreet’s attack developed, and Sickel’s line began to crumble Caldwell’s division of II Corps was sent forward to cover their open flank, only to be hit hard and overrun by the advancing Confederates. As the gap between the troops committed in the Wheat Field, and Gibbons’ Division widened, he sent forward his two left flank regiments to help bolster the III Corps line to his front and left; those regiments were the 82nd New York and the 15th Massachusetts, numbering less than 700 men between them.
Those two regiments advanced through farm fields about a quarter of a mile to their front, stopping to the right of the Codori Farm, on the Emmitsburg Pike. They positioned themselves there in support Brown’s Battery B of the 1st Rhode Island Artillery. The 82nd New York placed their left on the Codori House. The 15th Massachusetts was on their right with its right flank hanging in the air. It was a terribly exposed position and, realizing this, “we built a small breastwork of rails behind the fence, during which time the enemy were engaged on our left, and there was a rapid picket firing in our front. We remained in this position about half an hour, when the pickets were driven in,” and the engagement became general. One veteran recalled: “"Our artillery threw grape and canister which, no doubt, was intended to go over our heads; but a good share of it struck our regiment. One discharge of canister from our own guns wounded the captain of Company E, the orderly-sergeant and a private of my own company."
At this point, under assault by Wright’s Georgia Brigade the 82nd N.Y. fell back, exposing the left and rear of the 15th Mass. to the deadly fire of the rebel infantry. “We now opened a rapid fire, but being left alone, could hold the position but a short time, when we retired in some disorder, being pressed so closely that we lost quite a number of prisoners, captured by the enemy.” During this attack, Col. George H. Ward, the 15th’s commander, was struck by shell fragments resulting in wounds that would take his life the following day. He was at the time in temporary command of his Brigade, and a week later would be posthumously promoted to Brigadier General, to date from July 2.
On June 2, 1886, veterans of the 15th Mass. gathered at Gettysburg to dedicate a monument in honor of their fallen colonel. It is located in a field about 100 yards north of the Codori farm, some 40 yards from the Emmitsburg Road. It sits in the field, alone and largely unnoticed, rarely visited. The slender obelisk bears a bronze medallion portrait of Col. Ward, and the inscription:
General John Gibbon, the 2nd Division commander, reported: "They, the two regiments, did most excellent service in checking the advance of the enemy and preventing them from cutting off the Third Corps from our lines." General Hancock reiterated the same idea: “The two regiments and battery referred to above as having been advanced by General Gibbon to the vicinity of the brick house did excellent service in protecting it from being cut off from the line of battle."
And, there was still more work to be done the next day.
NOTE: quotes above are from: The story of the Fifteenth regiment Massachusetts volunteer infantry in the civil war, 1861-1864, by Ford, Andrew E. (1898)
The 1909 Reunion of the 15th Mass, at Gettysburg
The 15th Mass. was part of the 1st Brigade of Gibbons’ 2nd Division of Hancock’s II Corps. They had arrived at Gettysburg on the morning of July 2, and after a brief rest, filed into position near the center of the II Corps line, along the ridge in front of the Leister House (Meade’s headquarters).
About 4 pm, the men of II Corps watched as elements of Sickell’s III Corps moved forward to take position along the Emmitsburg Pike and the Peach Orchard. As Longstreet’s attack developed, and Sickel’s line began to crumble Caldwell’s division of II Corps was sent forward to cover their open flank, only to be hit hard and overrun by the advancing Confederates. As the gap between the troops committed in the Wheat Field, and Gibbons’ Division widened, he sent forward his two left flank regiments to help bolster the III Corps line to his front and left; those regiments were the 82nd New York and the 15th Massachusetts, numbering less than 700 men between them.
Those two regiments advanced through farm fields about a quarter of a mile to their front, stopping to the right of the Codori Farm, on the Emmitsburg Pike. They positioned themselves there in support Brown’s Battery B of the 1st Rhode Island Artillery. The 82nd New York placed their left on the Codori House. The 15th Massachusetts was on their right with its right flank hanging in the air. It was a terribly exposed position and, realizing this, “we built a small breastwork of rails behind the fence, during which time the enemy were engaged on our left, and there was a rapid picket firing in our front. We remained in this position about half an hour, when the pickets were driven in,” and the engagement became general. One veteran recalled: “"Our artillery threw grape and canister which, no doubt, was intended to go over our heads; but a good share of it struck our regiment. One discharge of canister from our own guns wounded the captain of Company E, the orderly-sergeant and a private of my own company."
At this point, under assault by Wright’s Georgia Brigade the 82nd N.Y. fell back, exposing the left and rear of the 15th Mass. to the deadly fire of the rebel infantry. “We now opened a rapid fire, but being left alone, could hold the position but a short time, when we retired in some disorder, being pressed so closely that we lost quite a number of prisoners, captured by the enemy.” During this attack, Col. George H. Ward, the 15th’s commander, was struck by shell fragments resulting in wounds that would take his life the following day. He was at the time in temporary command of his Brigade, and a week later would be posthumously promoted to Brigadier General, to date from July 2.
Here fell, mortally wounded
July 2d 1863
George H. Ward, Colonel Commanding
15th Mass. Vols.
His comrades and fellow
citizens of Worcester
raise this memorial of his
valor and patriotism.
July 2d 1863
George H. Ward, Colonel Commanding
15th Mass. Vols.
His comrades and fellow
citizens of Worcester
raise this memorial of his
valor and patriotism.
General John Gibbon, the 2nd Division commander, reported: "They, the two regiments, did most excellent service in checking the advance of the enemy and preventing them from cutting off the Third Corps from our lines." General Hancock reiterated the same idea: “The two regiments and battery referred to above as having been advanced by General Gibbon to the vicinity of the brick house did excellent service in protecting it from being cut off from the line of battle."
And, there was still more work to be done the next day.
NOTE: quotes above are from: The story of the Fifteenth regiment Massachusetts volunteer infantry in the civil war, 1861-1864, by Ford, Andrew E. (1898)
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