This is the last Official Report from officers of Battery G, 4th U. A. Artillery after the Battle of Gettysburg. Lieutenant Merkle commanded the section that Lieutenant Wilkeson ordered to move across the York Road.
Regards
David
Report of Lieut. Christopher F. Merkle, Battery G, Fourth U. S.
Artillery.
Near Warrenton Junction, Va.,
July 28, 1863.
"Sir: I have the honor to forward to your headquarters a report of the battle of Gettysburg, Pa.
I was assigned to a position by First Lieut. Bayard Wilkeson with my section about 1 mile or three-quarters northwest of the poor-house. I engaged one battery of the enemy for a few moments with solid shot, and then directed my attention to the rebel infantry as they were advancing in mass upon us. I used shell and spherical case shot at first, and, as the line of the enemy came closer, and I ran out of shot, shell, and case shot, I used canister; the enemy was then within canister range. At the same time, our infantry fell back rapidly, and left me almost without support. I then limbered to the rear, and retired toward the town. The enemy came rather close at the time, so I fired two double rounds of canister, with prolonge fixed, at their line at the end of the town; then limbered up and retired.
When I arrived upon this side of the town, I was ordered by Major Osborn to take up a position with my section on the right of Captain Wiedrich, and about 100 yards north of the graveyard, on a small range of hills. At the same time he ordered me to get another gun from Lieutenant Bancroft and place it in the road or pike. I remained in that position until dark, when I was relieved.
I reported for orders to Major Osborn, and he ordered me to bring the left half battery in rear of the graveyard, and wait for further orders. I remained there all that night, and received orders next morning to join Lieutenant Bancroft.
The men in my section behaved well and bravely, especially Sergeants Leroy and Monroe.
The casualties during the day were Sergeant Monroe, Privates Bumpus, Clark, and Taffender, severely wounded, and Private Curtis missing; 5 horses killed.
Ammunition expended:
Rounds.
Solid shot................................................................. 24
Case shot.................................................................... 24
Shells....................................................................... 8
Canister................,................. .................................. 14
Total................................................................ 70
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C, F. MERKLE,
Second Lieutenant Fourth U. S. Artillery.
First Lieut. W. H. Mickle,
A. A. A. G., Artillery 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac."
Official Records of the Rebellion
Series 1, Volume XXVII , Part 1
Pages 755-757