GDG- A Signal Sergeant at Gettysburg: The Diary of Luther C. Furst

[Bill Speer]

I wanted to share this but for some reason all my mail bounced until today.


On November 13, 1862, Furst and Harrison W. Gardiner became Lt. E. C.
Pierce's flagmen and were assigned to the Sixth Corps where they remained
during the Gettysburg Campaign.



June 29th 1863:
Made another march of 20 miles crossed the Baltimore and Ohio R.R. at
Monrovia. Came through New Market and then to Ridgeville, leaving the
Baltimore road at this point and taking the road on the left, leading to
Westminster. This is one of the finest countries I ever traveled through.
Cherries for the whole corps; I never saw so many.

Tuesday, June 30th:
'Today made another long march and tonight we are encamped within 7 mile of
Penna line and 2 miles of Manchester. We came through Westminster, which is
a very beautiful town. Stuart and Lee passed through last night towards Pa
and this morning as we entered one end of the town their skirmishers left
the other and captured some 10 or 12. No Straggling. Weather cloudy.
On short rations.

Wednesday. July 1st 1863:
Today laid in camp until dark when we receivcd orders and immediately was on
the march, heading toward Gettysburg. (the farmers along the road sell a
great many of their horses for fear the rebels will capture them.)

July 2nd 1863:
10 o'clock a.m. just halted, have been in the saddle since dark last night,
nothing to eat for horse or man. No breakfast yet. 11 o'clock in saddle and
off again, fighting at Gettysburg yesterday. Maj Gen Reynolds was killed and
we suffered considerable loss, gaining no ground. The enemy still in
possession of town. We have made another halt for rest and are now within 4
miles of city. We got up to our line of battle about 4 o'clock p.m. making a
march of 32 miles, the longest rest being one hour, and immediately
reinforced our troops on the left, they being pressed very hard. We just
reached the conflict in time; saving the round top mountain and charging
them off of it. The fighting now became general all along the lines, in
which they were repulsed at every point. Our corps did some fine charging
and we had six lines of battle, sending in one every 20 minutes. We
immediately established a Signal Station on round top mountain, the other
Signal officers being driven off and deeming it impracticable.

July 3, 1863
We bivouacked on the field last night and this morning. July 3rd.
considerable skirmishing ensued and towards noon the battle was raging again
and the heaviest and hottest artillery fire of the war. A man sitting beside
me struck with piece of shell and a horse killed within a few yards, We have
a station on the hill here within rifle fire shot of the enemy. At 10
o'clock the enemy planted three batteries commanding this hill and three
times advanced to try to take it but were repulsed at every outset, The
fight on the right has been more severe but we have whipped them every point
it is reported that the 8th and 22nd Corps are on their way to reinforce us,
also that Vicksburg is captured. From one o'clock p.m. until about 2 o'clock
p.m. such a hail of shell shot and shrapnell[sic] I never witnessed. During
the heat of the contest I rode the whole length of the line with a dispatch
from Gen. Warren to Maj Generals Barney [Birney], Sedgwick or Mead[e]. The
boys would yell out, you better stop. orderly, you will never get through,
but I was bound to try it and putting my horse on a break neck pace,
delivered my dispatch to Mead[e] (but nearly killed my horse). Aiken [Sgt.
Charles G. Aiken], with another dispatch, did not undertake it and waited
until the shelling subsided.

July 4th 1863:
All quiet this morning. The enemy skedaddled, leaving their dead and wounded
on the field. They are nicely defeated and our boys in best of spirits and
rejoicing over their victory here and the one in the South. A great many of
our wounded lay on the field 48 hours and this morning we are caring for
them and burying the dead. Some of the wounded were so exhausted that they
could not move or speak. The ground is literally covered with dead and every
place can be seen squads throwing up the fresh earth and burying the dead.
Our rations were out two days ago and we have not been able to draw any.
Last night I picked up a beef bone which served for my supper. It is
reported that our Cav. cut off about 4 miles of their train, which they
destroyed. They have been doing good service and have taken a great many
prisoners. The P.R.C. were with the 5th Corps so supported the left, their
loss has been very slight. I have been on duty during the whole engagement
and I feel proud to say I have performed it faithfully. Who could be such a
poltroon as to shirk when traitors were at their very door? Good news today
from all quarters I think the rebellion about played.

July 5, 1863:
Heavy rains last night. The enemy are getting away as fast as possible. Our
skirmishers are advancing and the columns following up.

July 7th. 1863:
Enroute by daylight for Middletown, 13 m. from Frederick. We came through '
McChannicksburg [Mechanicsburg, now Thurmont, Maryland] 8 m. from
Emmitsburg, through Contocton [Catoctin] furnace and across the mountain to
Middletown where we arrived a little after dark. The people seem very
patriotic and loyal through this section of country, much more so than they
were a year ago when we passed through. Last night Harry [Harrison W.
Gardiner] and I got lost in crossing the mountains and put up at a farmers
place, purchasing feed for our horses. Our horses have stood the trip
admirably. They have gone several times without grain for 60hrs., having but
a little grass.

July 8th. 1863:
8 o'clock a.m. we arrived just in Middletown and are feeding our horses in a
stable in the village. The Corps has not got up yet. Rained all night and is
raining very fast this morning. It has been wet for the last two weeks,
during which time my blanket has not been dry. 4m. from here to South
Mountain. Reported that the rebs are crossing at Willinmsport in flat boats,
their pontoon bridge having been destroyed by Gen. French. Our troops
marching on as fast as possible.

[July 10th. 1863:]
Last night it cleared off and this morning is the first bright one we have
had in two weeks. 9 o'clock a.m. Troops advancing and considerable
skirmishing with the enemy. The artillery has opened and indications prove
as if they were going to make a stand, reported they are fortifying. It is
thought that we ought not to risk a battle here as we have not over 50,000
efficient troops and the enemy to be equal that if not more. With advantage
of position and troops concentrated.

Saturday, 11th, 1863:
All quiet along the lines except slight skirmishing. Our line runs along
near Funkstown, about 4 m. from Boonsboro. Our troops are concentrating and
getting in position. Ed came through yesterday from Waynesboro and returned
this morning. He saw some 10 or 12rebs on his route but was not molested.
They are straggling all through the country.

Sunday, July 12th. 1863:
Last night the Johnnies evacuated Hagerstown and contracted their line
nearer Williamsport. They are throwing up strong fortifications and captured
35 prisoners at H. this morning and now occupy the city. The rebels are in
sight and strengthening their positions. The people of H. are very loyal,
they have been robbed of everything by the "Johnnies." Our teams are - on
north side of Antietam and under the guns of the enemy. Gen Sedgwick is a
great man to have his teams right up. He oversees every little thing and
seems to be occupied all the time.

Monday, July 13Lh, 1863:
All quiet. It is thought we are delaying the attack waiting for
reinforcements. The rebs seemd to make a stand and whether compelled to or
not being able to cross the river or at their own option, is not fully
known. Rained last night. Gen's S's Hd. Qr's under musketry fire. This
morning while in H. I had quite a chat with a very sensible lady of that
place. She has a brother C.S.A. but herself loyal to the stars and stripes.
She thought it was Lee's intention to try to hold his position. Also stated
of herds of cows, calves and plunder of all sorts that they conveyed through
the town. Neil's [Neill's] brigade joined us last night. Jordau [?, name not
on signal corps roster] gives glowing account of their patriotic reception.
Had a large ball the night they reached Waynesboro. Militia within 6 m. of
Funkstown. Queer kind of soldiers; plunder and rob and think they are doing
the thing up brown. Very anxious to


July 14th. 1863:
We still hold H. but the enemy are in plain sight and have good
entrenchments. Except a little skirmishing everything is quiet. We have
thrown up strong entrenchments all along the line. Last nite and quite
unexpected the enemy recrossed the river. They had one bridge of pontoons at
Falling Waters but most of Cav and trains forded at Williamsport, drowning a

Good down in spirits that they were allowed to skeddadle so easy. Whose
fault that we did not attack them or whether it was our policy to let them
recross, is the query of all. They had a very strong position but we would
have better been repulsed than to let them get away as they did. This
morning we advanced to Williamsport and captured 1000 stragglers, taking the
whole of Pemberton's brigade and killing him [Furst is referring to the
mortal wounding of Brig. Gen. J. J. Pettigrew since Lt. Gen. John C.
Pemberton had surrendered to Grant at Vicksburg just ten days before.] 

Our Cav immediately crossed the river and are harassing their rear. This
evening encamped again at Boonsboro. Tomorrow go to Berlin and then cross
the river to Va. Our soldiers are very much fatigued, feet sore, and in need
of clothes and rest. Our horses are getting poor and hundreds dying every
day. Our rations are "Hard Tack" pork, coffee and sugar, and part of the
time short of this.



Bill
 




Bill