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Report of Maj J. Jones, Twenty-sixth North Carolina Infantry, commanding Pettigrew's brigade. AUGUST 9, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by Pettigrew's brigade in the engagements beyond the Potomac: On the night of June 30, ultimo, the brigade was on picket on the turnpike road leading from Chambersburg to Gettysburg, about half way between Cashtown and the latter place. Early on the morning of July 1, we moved down the pike toward Gettysburg. When within about 2 1/2 miles of the town, we deployed to the left of the pike, but soon crossed over to the right, other regiments of the division having been engaged for some time. We took up our position in rear of our batteries after we moved to the right. After remaining in this position about half an hour, exposed to a random fire from the enemy's guns, losing probably a dozen men killed and wounded, we received orders to advance. We moved forward about half a mile, and halted in a skirt of woods. The following is the position of the regiments in the brigade: On the right, the Fifty-second North Carolina, next the Forty-seventh North Carolina, then the Eleventh North Carolina, and on the left the Twenty-sixth. In our front was a wheat-field about a fourth of a mile wide; then came a branch, with thick underbrush and briars skirting the banks. Beyond this was again an open field, with the exception of a wooded hill directly in front of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, about covering its front. Skirmishers being thrown out, we remained in line of battle until 2 p. m., when orders to advance were received. The brigade moved forward in beautiful style, at quick time, just with the brigade on our left, commanded by Colonel Brockenbrough. When nearing the branch referred to the, enemy poured a galling fire into the left of the brigade from the opposite bank, where they had massed in heavy force while we were in line of battle in the woods. The Forty-seventh and Fifty-second, although exposed to a hot fire from artillery and infantry, lost but few in comparison with the Eleventh and Twenty-sixth. On went the command across the branch and up the opposite slope, driving the enemy at the point of the bayonet back upon their second line. This second line was encountered by our left (the Twenty-sixth), while the other regiments were exposed to a heavy shelling. The enemy's single line in the field was engaged principally with the right of the Eleventh and Forty-seventh. The enemy did not perceive the Fifty-second, which flanked their left, until they discovered themselves by a raking and destructive fire into their ranks, by which they were broken. On this second line, the fighting was terrible-our men advancing, the enemy stubbornly resisting, until the two lines were pouring volleys into each other at a distance not greater than 20 paces. At last the enemy were compelled to give way. They again made a stand in the woods, and the third time they were driven from their position, losing a stand of colors, which was taken by the Twenty-sixth; but, owing to some carelessness, they were left behind, and were picked up by some one else. While the Twenty-sixth was thus engaged, the rest of the line, having cleared the field and being exposed to heavy fire from the enemy's batteries, were ordered to fall back, which they did in perfect order. The Twenty-sixth, not receiving the order, were now engaged in collecting ammunition from the enemy's dead, being entirely out themselves. Just as they were ready to advance again, General Pender's division passed over them. They followed on, and assisted in driving the enemy from the heights on the edge of the town. They then halted. That night the brigade bivouacked in the woods they had occupied previous to making the charge. While the whole brigade behaved most admirably, especial credit is due the Eleventh and Twenty-sixth. The Twenty-sixth lost more than half its men killed and wounded, among them Colonel H. K. Burgwyn, jr., killed, Lieutenant Colonel J. R. Lane seriously wounded, both with the colors, with many other most valuable officers. Colonel C. Leventhorpe, of the Eleventh, and Major [E. A.] Ross were lost-the former wounded severely, the latter killed-with many officers and men. We remained in this position until the evening of the 2d, when we moved about a mile to our right, and took position in rear of our batteries, facing the works of the enemy on Cemetery Hill. We remained here until about 12 o'clock on the 3d, when our batteries opened upon the enemy's opposition. About 2 o'clock we were ordered to advance. It was an open field in front, about three-quarters of mile in width. In moving off, there was some confusion in the line, owing to the fact that it had been ordered to close in on the right on Pickett's division, while that command gave way to the left. This was soon corrected, and the advance was made in perfect order. When about half across the intervening space, the enemy opened on us a most destructive fire of grape and canister. When within about 250 or 300 yards of the stone wall behind which the enemy was posted, we were met with a perfect hail-storm of lead from their small-arms. The brigade dashed on, and many had reached the wall, when we received a deadly volley from the left. The whole line on the left had given way, and we were being rapidly flanked. With our thinned ranks and in such a position, it would have been folly to stand, and against such odds. We therefore fell back to our original position in rear of the batteries. After this day's fight, but one field officer was left in the brigade. Regiments that went in with colonels came out commanded by lieutenants. We remained in this position until the night of the 4th, when we took up line of march for Hagerstown, Md. We remained there and in the vicinage until the night of the 13th, for some days in line of battle. On that night, we took up line of march for the Potomac. After traveling all night in mud and rain, about 8 o'clock on the morning of the 14th we took position in a wheat-field as a portion of the rear guard, while the rest of the troops crossed the river at the pontoon bridge (about 1 1/2 miles) at Falling Waters. The men stacked arms, and most of them were asleep, feeling perfectly secure, as our cavalry were out in front. We had been here probably two hours when the enemy's cavalry dashed in upon us, causing some confusion, as the men were just aroused from sleep. Soon as they saw what was the matter, they seized their guns, and soon made way with the cavalry; all but 3 of them were killed or wounded. General Pettigrew was here mortally wounded. He had received a severe contusion on the hand on the 3d, but would not report off duty. I was informed of his condition, and that I was senior officer of the brigade, subject to the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel [S. G.] Shepard, commanding General Archer's brigade. Soon after this, I received orders to fall back gradually to the river. I did so, fighting the enemy, who had now brought up an infantry force, all the way. In this I lost a few men killed and several taken prisoners, most of whom gave out from exhaustion. I could have saved most of those lost by a more hasty retreat along the road, but in that event would have left a brigade on my left completely in the hands of the enemy. We crossed the pontoon about 12 m., just as the bridge was being cut loose. The brigade was marched next day to Bunker Hill, where it remained until I was relieved from command by the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel [W. J.] Martin, of the Eleventh. The brigade deserves the highest praise, not more from its conduct on the battle-field than its soldierly bearing on the march. Where every one did his duty, it would be invidious to mention names. For list of casualties, see reports before sent in. I am, major, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. JONES, Major Twenty-sixth Regiment North Carolina Troops. Major R. H. FINNEY, Assistant Adjutant-General. 
killed in action at Gettysburg North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill NEAR GETTYSBURG, PA., July 4, 1863. MY DEAR GOVERNOR: I will trespass a few minutes upon your indulgence to communicate the sad fate that has befallen the old Twenty-sixth. The heaviest conflict of the war has taken place in this vicinity. It commenced July 1, and raged furiously until late last night. Heth's division, of A. P. Hill's corps, opened the ball, and Pettigrew's brigade was the advance. We went in with over 800 men in the regiment. There came out but 216, all told, unhurt. Yesterday they were again engaged, and now have only about 80 men for duty. To give you an idea of the frightful loss in officers: Heth being wounded, Pettigrew commands the division and Major [J.] Jones our brigade. Eleven men were shot down the first day with our colors; yesterday they were lost. Poor Colonel Burgwyn, jr., was shot through both lungs, and died shortly afterward. His loss is great, for he had but few equals of his age. Captain McCreery, of General Pettigrew's staff, was shot through the heart and instantly killed; with them Lieutenant-Colonel Lane through the neck, jaw, and mouth, I fear mortally; Adjutant [James B.] Jordan in the hip, severely; Captain [J. T.] Adams, shoulder, seriously; Stokes McRae's thigh broken; Captain [William] Wilson was killed; Lieutenants [John W.] Richardson and [J. B.] Holloway have died of their wounds. It is thought Lieutenant [M.] McLeod and Captain [N. G.] Bradford will die. Nearly all the rest of the officers were slightly wounded. [I. A.] Jarratt I had forgotten to mention-in the face and hand. Yesterday, Captain [S. P.] Wagg was shot through by grape and instantly killed; Lieutenant [G.] Broughton in the head, and instantly killed, [Alexander] Saunders was wounded and [J. R.] Emerson left on the field for dead. Captain [H. C.] Albright is the only captain left in the regiment unhurt, and commands the regiment. Lieutenants [J. A.] Lowe, [M. B.] Blair, [T. J.] Cureton, and [C. M.] Sudderth are all of the subalterns. Colonel Faribault, of the Forty-seventh, is severely wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel [J. A.] Graves and Major [A. D.] Crudup supposed killed. Colonel Marshall and Major [J. Q.] Richardson, of the Fifty-second, supposed to be killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Parks dangerously wounded; Colonel Leventhorpe badly wounded; Major Ross killed. Our whole division numbers but only 1,500 or 1,600 effective men, as officially reported, but, of course, a good many will still come in. The division at the beginning numbered about 8,000 effective men. I hear our army is generally badly cut up. We will fall back about 5 miles, to draw the enemy, if possible, from his impregnable position. It was a second Fredericksburg affair, only the wrong way. We had to charge over a mile a stone wall in an elevated position. I learn the loss of the enemy is terrible. We have taken 10,000 or 15,000 prisoners in all. Yesterday, in falling back, we had to leave the wounded; hence the uncertainty of a good many being killed late yesterday evening. I must close. Yours truly, J. J. YOUNG, Captain, and Assistant Quartermaster. His Excellency GOV. ZEBULON B. VANCE. |
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