A company commander in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry, Captain Francis Adams Donaldson had fought at Ball’s Bluff, Fair Oaks, Shepherdstown, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. His regiment was assigned to the Fifth Corps, which advanced from Union Mills, Maryland, to Hanover, Pennsylvania, on July 1, then turned west and marched until 3:30 A.M. on July 2, when it halted four miles east of Gettysburg. On the afternoon of July 2 Meade learned that Major General Daniel E. Sickles, the commander of the Union Third Corps, had moved his men forward from the low-lying southern part of Cemetery Ridge toward slightly higher ground along the Emmitsburg Road, forming a salient with its apex at a peach orchard and opening a large gap in the Union lines. As Longstreet’s corps began its attack on the exposed Third Corps, Donaldson’s brigade was sent to help defend a stony hill south of the peach orchard against an assault by Lafayette McLaw’s division. (The hill adjoined farmer John Rose’s wheat field, which would become the scene of some of the day’s fiercest fighting.) The next day Donaldson was posted on the northeast slope of Big Round Top, at the southern end of the Union defensive line. He recorded his experiences on July 2–3 as part of a long letter to his aunt, Eliza Ann Nice, written on July 21.
July 2nd. I slept about an hour then arose, brushed the dew from my hair and looked around me. The woods were a scene of busy stir, here and there the blue smoke was curling up in playful wreaths from our bivouac fires, while the men were cooking coffee or otherwise preparing to take the road again. About 5 A.M. our division moved out into the open ground beyond the woods and commenced to deploy for action, the regiments being formed at deploying distance in close column. It was a beautiful sight to see, as far as the eye could reach, regiment after regiment in mass, with colors unfurled, upon a line as straight as a die, while the death like silence pervading all made the senses keen to note every trifling incident.
It took some time to satisfactorily arrange us, but finally the order came to move forward, and with a firm tread and muskets at the right shoulder, the movement commenced. Over fields and fences went the silent moving mass, while nothing was heard save an occasional caution from our Colonel as to the guide, and the singular noise made by the tramping of so many thousands of feet thro’ the crushing leaves and grass, while the atmosphere was heavy with the pennyroyal smell so peculiar to all battlefields. As we gradually approached the rising ground in front, from beyond which musketry firing could be distinctly heard, a change of direction to the right was made, which after continuing for some time was changed again to the front.
We halted in a piece of woods to the front of which our army was then engaged, and from the length of time we remained here, I presume were upon the reserve. After listening for a long time to the intermittent firing, the battle suddenly became very animated, the deafening and unceasing roar of artillery making the earth fairly quake. By its long continuance and regularity, all felt that if not pushing the enemy they were certainly not getting the advantage of our people, and as we had received no orders to load, our help was evidently not needed. Drawing this inference I determined to avail myself of an opportunity to indulge in a bath, a pond of inviting water being but a short distance to the rear of our regiment. I stripped myself, rushed eagerly into the water and was soon splashing and dashing about like a dolphin, when noticing some very curious weeds sticking to my person, I hastened out to rid myself of them, when to my astonishment I found them to be leeches. I postponed further bathing. After this little episode nothing was to be done but to sit down and listen to the firing, which was now becoming terrible, the shells whistling above us and plunging away beyond our ammunition trains which were directly to the rear of us.
My feelings at this time can be readily described, as but one thought was paramount, a hope that the troops in front would be able to thrash the confederates without our aid, for with rest comes a dislike for bloody encounters. With this thought uppermost and while considering our probable chances for continuing this soft thing, even then, amid the thunder of the artillery bursting upon my ear, the missiles flying and the sound of musketry piercing the air, I, before I was aware of it, grew drowsy, my eyelids grew heavy and shut, thus closing out the warlike scene, and I was asleep. I know not how long I had been sleeping when suddenly I was awakened by the cry of “fall in,” which was quickly responded to by all. As the men took their places in line, still laughing and jesting among themselves, the order to load was given, which at once put a stop to all trifling, and by its peculiar significance made the blood leap suddenly in the veins, and the choking sensation to rise in the throat, as each realized that we were about to take an active part in the battle going on in front. The enemy were shelling our lines furiously which seemed to indicate a general assault.
At 3:30 P.M. we moved by the left flank, and our regiment, being on the left of the brigade, of course now became the advance. Already the battle was raging fearfully ahead, and strings of ambulances with the wounded and mangled fellows were passing to the rear. As nearer and nearer we approached the field, shells could be seen bursting in vast quantities, while ammunition wagons and limber boxes were being hurried forward, and the usual confusion, noise and bustle of the rear of an immense army during a battle met our eye, and, I may add, left an unpleasant feeling upon us.
We now entered the woods which appeared to crown an eminence whose sides, full of rocks and boulders, sloped away towards the enemy, and were at once amid the dreadful bursting shells, which, however, flew past us and did no harm. At this point I saw an orderly leading a splendid black horse which was limping along on three legs, the other having been shot off at the hoof. Inquiring to whom it belonged, I learned that Capt. John Fassitte of General Birney’s staff, its owner, fearing harm would come to this fine animal, had mounted another and sent it to the rear for safety, but just as our column was reached, a shell had struck the poor beast and he would now have to be killed. At this moment Captain Crocker came to me and asked my opinion of the present movement. I replied that judging from the heavy musketry fire going on to the front, I had no doubt our movement was intended to support a threatened point, or to retrieve a disaster which had already happened; certainly the peculiar rebel cheer now heard above every other sound would indicate that they had been successful somewhere.
A few minutes after, we formed in line immediately to the rear of a very thin line of battle that looked to me like a skirmish line, which retired as soon as we were posted. Our brigade was now rapidly drawn up in the following order: 118th P.V. on the right, 22nd Massachusetts on the left, 1st Michigan in rear of the 22nd Mass., and the 18th Mass. in rear of the right of the 1st Michigan and left of our regiment. We had in our brigade all told but 425 men, the balance, having straggled during the night before, had been collected, formed into a stragglers brigade, and taken into a different part of the field. The reason the 1st Mich., and 18th Mass. were not in line was because the 2nd brigade crowded us to such an extent there was no room for them, and they therefore acted as supports. . . . Our position was in all respects a good one. We were on the edge of a heavy growth of timber, with rocks and huge boulders scattered about forming ample protection, and just beyond, the hill fell off to quite a slope, up which the enemy would have to reach us. Upon our immediate right a battery of brass guns was posted which was, even now, being served with wonderful rapidity. Shortly before the engagement commenced on our part we were moved slightly to the rear, which allowed the 1st Mich. to get into line. . . . Nearly one half of our regiment was refused on the right in order to prevent flanking. The skirmishers were but a short distance to the front, and I greatly feared many of them would be unable to get back, owing to the extreme eagerness of the men to open fire, and I particularly cautioned my company to be extremely careful and allow our people to get in before firing.
At this moment Private Jas. Godfrey, the man I had forced into the company the day before, came to me with his watch and pocket book, also a letter to his wife saying, “Here, Captain, take these things and if I get killed send them to my wife, I am going to show the boys how to fight today, I have been called coward long enough.” I could not help smiling at what this action implied, altho’ of course not so intended, as I was as likely to be killed as he, but taking him by the hand and giving it a good honest squeeze and a terrible shake, I said, “Well done Godfrey, I knew you were sound at heart and I will write to your wife of your conduct this day, here, take a pull at this,” and stepping behind a tree I let him have my canteen. Well, I really thought the poor fellow would certainly choke in his eagerness to get the rum down him. When I thought he had enough I sent him back to the company, and shortly after saw him standing, in advance of all with sleeves rolled up, musket aport, and foot firmly planted awaiting the development of events. I now felt very badly for the skirmishers as I was sure Godfrey was certainly one of them.
During all this time the enemy were making their charge, and from the rapid firing of the battery on our right, I judged, were drawing closer and closer to our line, altho’ as yet unseen by us. The roar of the artillery was deafening, and from the excited manner of the gunners all efforts had evidently failed to check the onset. The voice of the officer commanding the guns could be heard loudly calling for “canister,” while the surrounding objects were becoming less and less distinct from the sulphurous smoke occasioned by such rapid firing. Soon was heard a startling volley of musketry towards the left of our brigade, another and another followed in a wild and continuous rattle as the enemy’s column came within range. The scene now beggars description. The deafening shouts of the combatants, the crash of artillery, the trembling ground beneath us, the silent and stricken countenances of the men, the curtain of smoke over all and its peculiar smell, made up a picture never to be forgotten by any who witnessed it.
As the enemy’s columns came nearer, the artillery was served with shell with short fuse, which burst at once upon leaving the gun, scattering destruction broadcast. Our skirmishers now came running rapidly towards us, and a moment after, the enemy’s column was seen moving at a quick pace obliquely along our front, very many of them in their shirt sleeves, and all appearing to be loading and firing as they came steadily up the hillside in the face of the battery, which seemed to be their objective point. Our regiment now opened and in a few minutes were at it pell mell loading and firing as rapidly as possible. So eager were the men to fight that I did not notice one of them taking advantage of the trees and rocks, but all standing bravely up to the work and doing good execution.
As I passed up and down in rear of the company speaking to the men and directing their firing, I noticed one of them like a blazing Vesuvius, standing a yard to two in front of all, begrimed with powder, hatless and shouting as he fired his piece, “Give them hell boys,” and by his extraordinary behavior making himself the most conspicuous object in our whole line. It was Godfrey, who by his determined bravery had actually assumed a leadership among his hitherto jeering comrades, and now had several of them loading his and their own muskets for him to discharge. Passing thro’ the line I took my place beside him to observe more closely the movements of the enemy, who were now so near that the countenances of many of them were quite distinct. I noticed one man in particular on the right of a division, as it seemed to me, with big broad brimmed hat on the back of his head, large black whiskers and eyes directed towards our regiment, as in evident fear of danger from that quarter, he looked the personification of physical daring as he rammed a cartridge into the musket he held at a trail. Altho’ I know he was the object of several shots specially directed at him, yet I saw him gradually move away apparently unhurt, and finally with his comrades disappear altogether in the dense smoke of the guns.
Our line now became somewhat broken and open as the men, after firing, would step back to load, but this is generally the case in all stationary lines of battle. A cheer now broke forth, the smoke was rent, and the rebels dashed in upon the battery with a savage yell. The artillery men retreated somewhat to the rear dragging their guns with them by ropes, which in anticipation of a catastrophe had been fastened to them.
Running to the rear of my company to prevent any movement looking towards a retreat, for all saw that our position was now untenable as the cannon were virtually in the hands of the enemy, I was met by Capt. Richd. W. Davids, who was slowly walking towards me. Upon stopping to see what was wanted, he said, “Capt., I am hit.” “Where?,” said I. “Thro’ the stomach and bowels,” said he, at the same time placing his hand upon his waist belt. “You had better go to the rear,” cried I, and he started to do so, but had not gone more than twenty steps before he fell, and I knew that death had come upon him. I was the last person he ever spoke to upon this earth, and mine the ears to hear the last utterance of as brave and noble a gentleman as ever trod God’s green footstool.
Nothing could now stop the rebel onset, and the shouts of rage and defiance rose up amid the roar of musketry as they swarmed upon the cannon. In a moment our guns were lost and the enemy in fierce numbers were crowding upon our right and rear. Our line wavered, trembled and commenced to give ground, when Maj. Herring, in a clear and distinct voice heard by the whole command above the din and roar of battle, cried, “Change front to rear on 10th company,” and as upon parade the men performed the movement of swinging round to right angles with the line previously held, thus compelling the enemy to continue on a longer circle in order to outflank and get to our rear. This, however, they continued to do, and at last we were compelled reluctantly to fall back. Our retreat was as follows—1st Mich. and 118th P.V. immediately to the rear, the 18th and 22d Mass. by the left flank to the 3rd brigade. Our regiment was pushed back directly among the ammunition trains, but the men still kept up a straggling fire as they retreated.
Soon after we commenced to give way Maj. Biddle, of Genl. Meade’s staff, and I am not sure but the general himself, appeared and entreated, prayed and called upon the men for God sake to halt, not to give way, that this was the only portion of the line broken, to think of the safety of the ammunition train, that the whole army would have to retreat—but to no purpose, for with dogged silence the men retired slowly and without apparent panic or hurry, for they were perfectly well satisfied of the impossibility of longer holding their ground.
While this was happening, observing Capt. Crocker lingering behind, I allowed the men to pass me and went back to see what could possibly detain him amid such extreme danger. With a manner perfectly cool and collected he said it was too bad our boys had not stood their ground longer, and that he wanted to see how many the enemy numbered and what they would do next. It was a strange sight to look upon. The rebels were crowding up in great numbers but appeared unable to realize the extent of their success, and were standing cheering and yelling without attempting to pursue or even to fire upon our retreating line. Turning to me Crocker seized the pistol I held in my hand and discharged the two remaining barrels at the mass in front of us, then suddenly taking to his heels beat a rapid retreat quickly followed by me.
Our regiment continued to fall slowly back for a few minutes longer, when all at once it was brought to a stand still by a yell so fierce and terrible that the very blood seemed to curdle in our veins, while a sound as of a hurricane was swept towards us. It was the crushing of leaves and twigs made by the Pennsylvania Reserves coming up in mass, at the double quick, arms at the right shoulder, bayonets fixed and with Genl. Crawford on horseback at their head, hat in hand, waving it excitedly as he led the most terrific charge I ever witnessed. With diabolical screeches and shouts they pressed forward, struck the bewildered enemy and by very force of the onset sweeping every living thing before them, retaking the cannon, crushing under foot and bayonetting all who for a moment attempted a resistance and finally pushing back the whole rebel line up over and beyond a hill of considerable height upon our left which had evidently been occupied by them. In the meantime the 2nd and 3rd brigade had been performing a movement rarely occuring in battle, resisting a bayonet charge; and it was give and take with them, no quarter being shown on either side. The 16th Mich. of the 2nd brigade was nearly annihilated, their colonel being bayonetted several times thro’ the stomach and bowels as he sat on horseback, and died at his post, not having yielded an inch of ground. This bloody work could not last long and the 2nd brigade gave ground slowly, and was about to retire altogether when a cheer arose, and a line of glistening steel was seen approaching. It was the 20th Maine, 83rd and 10th Penna. of the 3rd brigade, together with the Penna. Reserves, who, having just cleared our front, now did the same for the hard pressed 2nd. I have been told that the 16th Mich. bayonetted every living rebel, wounded or unhurt, that fell into their hands, in retaliation for the loss of their Colonel. Such was the ending of this conflict from out of which our command so narrowly escaped annihilation or capture. We remained at the spot where we had halted and adjusted our line, while the 6th Corps, just arrived, formed line to our rear, and Penna. Reserves continuing to the front. After these dispositions we prepared for the night.
I must mention more prisoners had been taken than we had men in the brigade, these unfortunates being caught between us and the charging Reserves. I went among them eagerly questioning right and left for news of the 22nd Virginia Regt., and from what I could learn, that regiment is with Bradley Johnson and was not engaged today. The prisoners, one and all, seemed rejoiced to have passed safely thro’ such a “blazing Hell” as they termed the fire we poured upon them. They say we have no idea of the tremendous slaughter made among their people and are unable to explain how it was they escaped unhurt. One man told me they thought it was militia they were to encounter and rather took comfort from being beaten by old soldiers. About 8 o’clock P.M. the ammunition wagons unloaded at our regiment enough cartridges to have supplied a whole division. Surely this seemed to me a most uncalled for waste, as we really did not need more than an additional thirty rounds per man, and these boxes would therefore be abandoned when most probably some other portion of the field would need them.
At last the battle was hushed and all was still, night veiled the earth. Its gloomy shades were thickened by a sulphurous cloud that like a pall hung sadly over the field. The woods and fields were strewn with the wounded and dying, and with the ghastly forms of the dead. It is indeed remarkable that men can lie down and sleep so tranquilly when they know the danger that awaits them on the morrow, when they hear the cries of the already mangled, when they know that the dead lie strewn around and that with the early dawn of the coming day, the work of death will be resumed as all felt it would surely be, now that the whole army was up and the enemy had been repulsed.
July 3rd. At day break we were moved to the left and took position on the summit of quite a high hill from which the Reserves had driven the enemy last evening, and we had now a commanding view of the whole field. The ground in front was heavily wooded and the enemy occupied the base of the hill, while our skirmishers were unable to push forward but a short distance from the line . . . and vast numbers of dead and wounded encumbered the ground, and to make the sight more horrifying, wild hogs were seen feeding on some of the badly torn bodies. The troops who had occupied this place last night had erected a substantial stone breastwork from the loose boulders and broken fragments that covered the mountains.
Just after we had been established in our new position a rebel officer was seen leisurely walking towards our line, with his hands in pockets, segar in mouth and without sword or weapon of any kind, while his jacket was thrown open in careless abandon. The skirmishers allowed him to walk into their line, and he was greatly astonished and mortified to learn he was a prisoner. He said he was Genl. Heth’s Adjutant General, had left his command but a few minutes before and strolled along not supposing for a moment the “Yanks” were so near. He betrayed considerable feeling as he was led to the rear by two privates who were instructed to deliver him to Genl. Meade.
During the morning nothing of moment was done on either side and with the exception of a cannon shot now and then, everything remained perfectly quiet. Availing myself of the presence of the chaplain, who had come up in order to talk seriously to the men and distribute tracts among them, I wrote home that I had thus far escaped unhurt, the chaplain promising to forward any letters given him. Our men, wherever they could, gathered up the wounded enemy and carried them to the rear. I talked to one poor fellow who was shot thru’ the breast, the lungs most probably, and who had been placed upon a stretcher and left to await the return of the ambulance men. He was suffering great anguish from thirst and was scarcely able to articulate his gratitude for the kindness shown by those from whom he had expected other treatment. The poor fellow was not as sanguine as he would liked to have been as to the final result of the battle, as our men looked to him so healthy, well fed and clothed, and yet capable of making a stout fight behind such splendid breastworks. He was an intelligent attractive man of about 45 years, and was exceedingly gentlemanly in his speech, always thanking us for any attention. I gave him some water and whiskey which appeared to help him considerably, and was sorry when compelled to leave him so helpless and alone.
About 1 o’clock, there suddenly burst forth the deafening crash of what appeared to me to be the whole of the enemy’s artillery. I went to my post to see what was the occasion of this sudden concentration of the enemy fire that was making the ground rock as in the throes of an earthquake. The air was soon filled with a hissing, bursting torrent, while the men crouched low along the line. Standing on a rock I could see the smoke rising up along the whole of the enemy’s position, and supposed they were about to try and beat us out by the weight of their artillery. The sun shone gloriously, making objects quite distinct in the distance, and I could see puffs of smoke from our own guns which were now replying. Retiring to the rear of our line, I sought shelter from the screaming and exploding shells, but could find none, so was compelled, along with many others, to sit still and endure this trial of the nerves for at least two hours. There was scarcely a second that we were free from shot or shell, and I never remembered to have seen so many solid shot thrown before. The missiles were sent one after the other so rapidly that a constant, prolonged and connected whizzing was maintained. Shells were exploded in front, now in the rear of us and frequently over our heads, solid shot came rushing madly, crashing and tearing among the trees, while the air was filled with fragments and the suspense was horrible to endure. During this time Capt. O’Neill and myself were sitting together on a piece of shelter tent which protected us from the damp ground. We had very little to say to one another and were very close together for protection, as it were. A shell bursting rather nearer than usual over our heads caused us to huddle still closer, while our very hearts ceased to beat as we listened to the singing of a fragment that seemed to be coming rapidly towards us. With one look we read in each others faces the alarm both felt, and saw the impossibility of avoiding the terrible death dealing missile. As we sat motionless—breathless,—it dashed furiously between my knees, and with a thud and splash of dirt, buried itself deep into the ground. I dug up the ragged piece of metal, felt its sharp edges, and put it into my haversack as a memento of the narrow escape I had made.
After enduring the fire of the rebels for at least two hours there was again a lull in the storm of battle, the artillery gradually slackened and finally ceased altogether. We could observe the field to be free from troops, the rebel infantry being within the woods. I now ran back to see after the poor wounded reb we had left on the stretcher, and found him torn to atoms and the stretcher to shreds. Poor fellow, he had been killed by his own friends, how terrible that must be, and what agony it must have been to him to have lain there fearful, not of his enemies, but lest he should be killed by his own people. Well, he was mortally wounded in the first place, and is now better off.
For a time everything continued to remain perfectly calm and quiet. Such quiet is always ominous; it betokens preparation for something of vital importance. Our own men we could not see owing to the woods, but the line could be easily traced as it stretched away to the right in the shape of an exceedingly shallow semicircle. We could clearly observe the movements of the enemy should they make any, and, I can add, all eyes were eagerly rivetted on their line to see what they would do next. About 4 P.M. they began to show themselves at the edge of the woods and to manifest signs of an intended attack. Our batteries again opened, but the rebs appeared firm and proceeded in two lines to advance in splendid order. There seemed to be a heavy body upon their rear and flank, apparently as supports, all forming a mass, I should say, of at least eight or ten thousand men, who were being pushed forward in the face of our whole army upon some point considerably to the right of our position. There was nothing to hinder anyone in our whole line from witnessing their advance, and the eagerness with which each man gazed upon this magnificent spectacle was evidence that all felt a terrible crisis was approaching. On every side could be heard men questioning the capability of our line resisting so tremendous an onset. After proceeding some distance to the front, the enemy appeared to move obliquely to the left, owing, no doubt, to the severe fire from the batteries near us. They again changed to the front, however, after proceeding a short distance, and came up in the face of all our artillery. They continued to move on unflinchingly, and it was a grand sight to see them, their splendid behavior calling forth bursts of admiration from us all. A piece of woods considerably to our right and beyond which the enemy’s column soon passed shut out from our sight the finale of this desperate charge, but our ears were soon greeted by the tremendous roar of musketry, whilst a curtain of smoke ascended to the tops of the trees and remained there to tell us that a desperate fight was in progress. This state of things continued for some time and we were uncertain as to the result, when presently a few men were seen running from beyond the woods, followed by others, and at last whole clusters of the enemy were seen scampering to the rear as fast as possible, but it was also noticed that not one third of those who, but a few moments before had gone forward so bravely, returned; they had all been killed or wounded and the charge was unsuccessful. This latter fact we knew, as the enemy soon opened again their artillery fire to cover the retreat of their men, and we accepted the sign by giving a fearful shout for the victory gained.