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                                                                                                Hd Qrs 5^th Texas Regt

                                                                                    Near Hagerstown M^d July 8^th 1863

 

            Lt. J W. Kerr.

                        A.A.A. Genl.

                                                I have the honor to forward a continuation of the report of part taken by the 5^th Texas Regt in the action of the 2^d & 3^d inst after the wounding of Cols Powell & Bryan when the command devolved upon me.

 

The Regt still holding the position as left by Col Bryan, firing with accuracy and deadly effect. The order came to fall back from some unknown source and finding that the Regts on our right and left had retired it became necessary to follow. I therefore gave the order for the Regt, about face and retire to the rear, which they did in good order until they reached the position mentioned in Col Bryan’s report as the second position of the enemy and here were halted and reformed in connection with the other Regts. From the exhausted condition of the men it was deemed necessary to remain here for a few moments. The Regts were again ordered forward, which they did in the most gallant manner and regained their first position, which they held as long as it was tenable and a further advance being impracticable, owing to the nature of the ground as expressed in Col Bryan’s report, they again retired in good order to an open space about fifty yds in rear, where here it was discovered for the first time that nearly two thirds of our officers and men had been killed and wounded. Only a few moments were here consumed to allow the men to recover their breath, when in obedience to orders I again moved the Regt forward to attack the enemy in their impregnable position. The coolness and determination of the men and officers was equal to the occasion. they advanced boldly over the ground strewn with the bodies of their dead and dying comrades to the base of what they knew to be an impregnable fortification. We held this position until it was discovered that we had no/

 

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supports either on the right or left and were about to be flanked, and therefore were again compelled to retire, which the Regt did in good order, to the point mentioned in Col Bryan’s report as the second position of the enemy, which place, we were ordered to hold at all hazards, which we did. Just before day on the morning of the 3^d orders reached us that breastworks must be thrown up and the position held. the order was obeyed. During the day constant skirmishing was kept up with the enemy, which, resulted in the loss to us, of many of our best men scouts. Late in the evening, in obedience to orders, I about faced my Regt, and marched three quarters of a mile, to the crest of the ridge, from which the charge of the day previous commenced. Here we threw up breastworks, behind which we remained during the night.

 

I would respectfully beg leave to call attention to the valuable assistance I received from Capt J S Cleveland in the management of the right wing of my Regt and Capt T.T. Clay on the left. Also to the Heroic conduct of T. W. Fitgeral of Co A. who was color bearer. He pressed forward, gallantly, and was badly wounded far in front. J H Howard of Co B Color Corporal then took the flag and remained firmly at his post. He was almost instantly killed. The colors were then taken by Sergt W J Evans of Co F, who flaunted them defiantly in the face of the foe, during the remainder of the fight, always advancing promptly to the front. When the order was given the general conduct of the officers was and men was beyond all praise

 

                                                            J C Rogers

                                                            Maj cmdg 5^th Texas Regt

 

[margin]          Report of Battle of

                                    Gettysburg

                        July 2^d & 3^d 1863

                        J C Rogers Maj

                        Cmdg 5^th Texas Regt

SOURCES