The National Tribune

THE TWELFTH CORPS.
The Part They Took in the Big Battle of
Gettysburg.

The "Cannoneer," in the history of the
battle of Gettysburg published in The
National Tribune some time ago,
in describing the events of the first
day's battle, July 1, makes the statement that
"the Twelfth Corps was on the field lying in
reserve, but took no part in the engagement,
and that it has never been satisfactorily ex-
plained."

I think they had very good reasons, as they
did not reach the field until 7 p. m., the fight-
ing on the first day being ended before we
arrived; at least, this was the case with the
Second Division. If either the First or Third
Divisions were there I would like to hear from
them, as I do not believe any part of the
corps reached the field until night.

He also asserts that there was very little
fighting done on Culp's Hill on the third day,
except in the morning while we were recover-
ing our breastworks that we left in the night
when we went to reinforce Gen. Sickles. Now,
the men of the Twelfth Corps know that this
is not a fact, as there was heavy firing kept up
until after Pickett made his famous charge.
Their front line was not more than eight rods
in front of our works, where they were some-
what protected by trees and large bowlders. If
it was merely a feint to cover Pickett's charge
it was pressed with vigor, as some were killed
just over our breastworks.

About the time Pickett was getting ready
for his charge, we noticed a white flag flying
from the front of the enemy's line. We
called to them to throw down their guns and
come up over the works.

The firing being suspended, 78 rebels came
forward and surrendered, including six officers.
Lieut. Leigh, of Ewell's staff, came up to en-
deavor to stop the surrender, but was fired
upon, and he and his horse were instantly
killed. Those that surrendered were part of
the 4th Va., if my memory serves me right,
and they said they belonged to the "Stonewall
Brigade." We had charged them at Winches-
ter on the 23d of March, 1862, as they lay be-
hind a stone wall. In two hours we had them
routed, but night coming on put an end to fur-
ther pursuit for the day. We had faced them
at Port Republic, where we got the worst end
of the bargain; also at Cedar Mountain.

The first time we had ever fought behind
breastworks was at Gettysburg, and we paid
them back with good interest for what we had
received at the two former places.

One of the prisoners said he had been in
many hard-fought battles, but this was the
most destructive of any they had taken part
in.

On the morning of July 4 one of our men
leaped over the breastworks and went down
where Lieut. Leigh had been killed the day
before, and got his sword, watch, and diary. I
do not know what was done with them, but
suppose they were turned over to Headquar-
ters.

We were ordered out on a reconnoissance,
and passed over the dead bodies of rebels in
our front. They were very thick, and were
lying down as far as Rock Creek. They had
turned black during the night. It would be a
sad sight to see at this late day; but we were
young then, and did not realize that many a
mother would shed tears over her brave and
fallen boy that might have been a support and
solace in her declining years.

We continued our march across Rock Creek
in a northeasterly direction, but failed to find
a live rebel, and returned to our former posi-
tion. The battle was over; Harrisburg and
Philadelphia were safe, and we were soon to
retrace our steps to the Rapidan.—G. D. Bert-
holf, Co. G, 7th Ohio, First Brigade, Second
Division, Twelfth Corps, Kent, O.