GDG- Units history and what has caught my attention.

[Jim Lamason]

Thank you Alan... 

Jim Lamason 

-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com [mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]
On Behalf Of Alan D. Brunelle
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:42 AM
To: GDG
Subject: Re: GDG- Units history and what has caught my attention.

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


Martin A. Haynes[1] at the Second New Hampshire monument dedication 
(July 2, 1886)[2]:

    "It is hard to realize, comrades, that almost a quarter of a century
    has elapsed since last we stood at Gettysburg. In that period
    wondrous changes have been wrought. Time's healing power is
    everywhere displayed, and long ago may have done its perfect work.
    The dead rest in solemn phalanx in consecrated ground; and from
    right to left, from flank to flank along the line, monuments have
    been set to mark historic portions of the field. In such a
    designation New Hampshire well earned her right to be represented.
    Not that she was conspicuous for the number of troops she had
    engaged, but she sent men worthy of her ancient military renown.
    Five points, widely separated, mark their positions along this
    battle line. Far away to the right, the Manchester battery[3] -- and
    a famous battery it was -- stood to their guns. To the left, two
    companies of New Hampshire sharpshooters, picked riflemen, bore
    their full share in the achievements of Berdan's sharpshooters[4].
    Again, to our right, the Twelfth New Hampshire sustained the
    assault, changing front under a severe cross-fire, with a coolness
    and precision that called for the unstinted praises of the command
    general. About the same distance to the left, the Fifth New
    Hampshire fought as it always fought, and there the gallant Cross
    closed in death a long and illustrious career as a soldier. And
    here, in the center, the very keystone of that mighty arch of battle
    of July 2, the old Second fought the greatest of its many battles,
    and helped to render Sherfy's peach orchard immortal. And it is a
    matter of record, that of the three infantry regiments New Hampshire
    sent to Gettysburg, nearly fifty per cent, of the entire force were
    killed or wounded[5]. Not that they were surrounded, demoralized,
    and shot down like sheep, but in every instance in square, stand-up
    fight of line to line, face to face with the enemy. What state can
    set her monuments here with prouder consciousness of the heroism the
    commemorate?"

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[1] Haynes, Martin A., Co I.;b. Springfield; age 19; res. Manchester; 
enl. Apr. 22 '61, for 3 mos.; not must in; re-enl; May 22, '61, for 3 
yrs.; must.; in June 7, '61; must. out June 21, '64, P.O. ad. Lakeport. 
(from the roster in "Second New Hampshire Regiment" by Martin A. Haynes 
(Lakeport, New Hampshire, 1896) - reprinted in 1998 by Higginson Book 
Company.)

[2] pg. 307 "Second New Hampshire Regiment"

[3] New Hampshire First Artillery Light Battalion, 3rd Volunteer 
Brigade, Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac.

[4] As noted previously, I do not have any resources on Berdan's troops 
in any sort of detail, I'm assuming that these were the 2 companies in 
the 2nd regiment under Major Homer R. Stoughton, as there were 2 NH 
companies in that regiment, while only 1 in Berdan's own 1st regiment. 
In Stoughton's report (OR, volume 27, part 1, pgs 518-519) he discusses 
his regiments fighting withdrawal from the Emmitsburg road in front of 
Hood's troops - the left companies were those that went up over Round 
Top and ended up mixing with the 20th ME's Co B; while the right 
companies came up Plum Run valley, and "mingled with the regiments 
composing the Second Brigade." As of right now, I have no way of knowing 
which wing(s) the NH companies were in...

[5] According to Busey & Martin's "Regimental Strengths and Losses at 
Gettysburg" (4th edition), NH ranked 16th of 19 Union states (+ US 
regulars) in terms of engaged strength (843 men, pg 355); 12th of 19 in 
terms of total loss (368, pg. 490), *2nd of 19* *states in terms of 
percentage loss (43.7%, pg 491)*. At the regimental level, the 2nd NH 
ranked 40th of 247 with 54.5% total loss (pg. 392), the 5th NH ranked 
(tied) 66 with 44.7% and the 12th NH ranked (tied) 86 with 41.1% total 
loss (pg. 394). According to my calculations, it works out to about 
48.2% total amongst the three NH infantry regiments.

 
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