Slagle, Jacob (d. 1900) to his brother
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04585 Author/Creator: Slagle, Jacob (d. 1900) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13-14 September 1863 Pagination: 19 p. ; 24.5 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
Writes in great detail about the battle of Gettysburg 1-3 July 1863, where he served as Union General Abner Doubleday's adjutant. Describes his duties during the fighting, which mainly consisted of delivering messages back and forth between generals and officers. Mentions General Thomas A. Rowley, General James S. Wadsworth, and General John F. Reynolds who was killed in battle, among others. On page eight, he remarks on the condition of the men during the battle, " it was a pitiable sight; the tired, worn out remnants of our five regiments, who had gone so proudly into the field in the morning, were collecting together, and when all was told, what a miserable remnant." States that his division went in with 2600 men and left with only 1787. Divides his telling of the battle into the three days of fighting. Mentions finding General Doubleday the second day on pages 13-14 and recounts helping him find a new horse, since his had been killed. States that while all this was going on, they were being actively shot at by the rebels. Describes how General Doubleday and Rowley were both struck by shells right next to him, "I was so close to him that the blood spurted all over my horse and boot." Goes on to what he calls, "the most decisive fight of the battle," and outlines the splendid movement of General George J. Stannard while commanding the Vermont brigade when he took many prisoners. Praises the Union troops' fighting on the third day of battle and states, "I had a good opportunity of seeing the maneuvers of the battle and you cannot imagine anything more handsomely done." States he thinks it a miracle he was not wounded or killed. Describes working on court martial cases afterward when they returned to Virginia. Addressed from Headquarters, 3rd Division, 1st A. C., Army of the Potomac.
Slagle enlisted on 23 August 1862 as a 1st Lieutenant, D Co. Pennsylvania 149th Infantry. The regiment remained near Washington until mid February 1863 when it joined the Army of the Potomac at Belle Plain, Virginia, and was assigned to Stone's 2nd brigade, Doubleday's 3rd division, and Reynolds 1st corps. Slagle's regiment arrived on the field at Gettysburg at 11 AM on the first day of battle and maintained their position heroically but suffered the heaviest losses this day; a total of 336 men were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoner by the end of the three day battle.
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