John Canedy is dead.

JOHN C. CANEDY enlisted from Duxbury, his native town at the age of 18. He was one of the first to succomb to disease. While we were encamped at Fairfax Court House, he was attacked with typhoid fever and died at the post hospital, January 20, 1863, the day the regiment moved to Wolf Run Shoals. ~ Sturtevant (13th pictoral history)

"We have had one more death in our company. John Canada from Duxbury. He was a good soldier and a nice fellow, good-natured as a kitten and we thought he would stand most anything but somehow the tough Bullyboys do not stand Camp life any better than some of the weaker ones that are always complaining." ~ James Willson, 13th Regt. Co. C., Letter #16 January 23, 1863  (VHS)

"We have gone but a few rods, when one comes from the brigade hospital to our company: "John Canady is dead," he said: "died at midnight." "died at midnight." "John Canady is dead," passes down the line from mouth to mouth. The next day a soldier goes back to see that his body is sent to his friends." ~ Lt. Edwin Palmer, 13th Regiment,  The Second Brigade: or, Camp Life, By a Volunteer (1864); see also Id, January 19, 1863 ("The bodies of nearly all who have died in our brigade have been embalmed and sent home, at the expense of the companies to which they belonged.")

John C. Canedy (1844-1863), age 18, Duxbury, Pvt, Co. B, 13th VT INF, died 1/20/63 ,  buried in the Graves Cemetery, Duxbury, VT

See also

Voting  to send the body home at Company expense

Measles and Sickness in the Second Brigade

The three flags captured by the Sixteenth Vermont

"Our Reg't won the admiration of all for its gallantry,

having captured 3 stand of colors and lots of prisoners."

Capt. E.D.Keyes, Company H, 16th Vt. July 4, 1863

16th Vermont regimental flag
VHS

Stannard says the Sixteenth took in "the regimental colors of the Second Florida and Eighth Virginia Regiments, and the battle- flag of another regiment."   ~ Report of Brig. Gen. George J. Stannard, July 4, 1863. 

Veazey's diary says the third flag was lost: "Captured 3 colors -lost one afterward. Brought in 2nd Florida and 8th Va. We have won a great victory."  ~ From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS), in David Cross, Wheelock Veazey, (Rutland Historical Society, 1995)

The first flag. Second Florida

The regimental flag of the Second Florida, "a handsome silk flag," was taken by Company K Color-Sergeant Charles D. Brink, "who bore it off from the field with the colors of the Sixteenth", according to Benedict.

This was indeed a beautiful and special banner, with a sunburst design unique to any Confederate regiment, with the inscriptions "Williamsburg" and "Seven Pines" and the motto “In God is our trust.” The flag had been sewn by the women of Tallahassee from the best silk gathered by Gov. John Milton of that state.

The Second Florida was under Lang on Wilcox' left. The Sixteenth Vermont, having just flanked and routed one of Pickett’s regiments, turned bout, and crashed headlong into the left flank of the Second Florida. In one swoop, the Vermonters captured eighteen of the regiment’s men. Shane M. Turner, REARGUARD OF THE CONFEDERACY: THE SECOND FLORIDA INFANTRY REGIMENT "Being unsupported... our only safety from utter annihilation was in retreat." Lang reported. "The 2d Florida being on our left, and their color-bearer wounded, they lost their colors and the greater part of their men." Southern Historical Papers D. M. Pogue was carrying the regimental flag when, “at the moment the Vermonters attacked, a cannonball tore off his left foot. He handed the flag to another man who took just a few steps before being forced to surrender." Shane M. Turner, (citing D. M. Pogue, Letter “April 9, 1906,” United Daughters of the Confederacy Collection, Florida State Archives, Tallahassee, Florida.)

One of Brink's descendants quotes a witness as later writing "Color Sergeant Charles Brink while carrying his own flag in one hand, grasped a rebel flag with the other and demanded its release."

Others had other stories:

Vermont Record, 06 Nov 1863,

Still another source has the Brink flag as the 2d florida captured on July 2dd by Pennsylvanis troops and left behind. John Michael Priest, Stand to It and Give Them Hell. n.8

The second flag. Eighth Virginia

The flag of the Eighth Virginia was brought in by Pvt. Piam O. Harris, of Company E. 

The Eighth Virginia served with Garnett's brigade, on Kemper's left, part of Pickett’s Division. About ninety percent of the Eighth were killed, wounded, or missing in the charge.   Hunton of the Eight later wrote that "only 10 of those who went in [the charge] responded to the roll call--190 out of 200 were gone."  Bendedict says "In the thickest of the assault on Pickett's flank, the colors of the Eighth Virginia, of Garnett's brigade, fell with the fall of the standard bearer, and were captured by private P. O. Harris of company E of the Sixteenth"

 There are conflicting stories how the regimental flag of the Eight Virginia came into Vermont hands. 

One speculates that "Some of the men from the [8th Va] regiment may have been intermingled with those of the 11th & 24th Va. Regiments of Kemper's Brigade in parrying the flanking movement by Stannard's 13th & 16th Vermont Regiments." Kathy Georg Harrison & John W. Busey, Nothing But Glory: Pickett's Division at Gettysburg. 

Eugene Schael's account of the charge of the "Bloody Eighth" agrees that "the brigades of Kemper, Garnett and Armistead intermingled. In succession, bearers of the 8th's flag were wounded and killed. When there was no one left to pick it up, it was captured by the 16th Vermont Infantry."  Eugene Scheel' "30 Gruesome Minutes for 'Bloody Eighth'" The Washington Post Company Sunday, July 2, 2000 

Another source says, "The color Sgt. of the 8th Virginia Regiment pitched his flag into the bushes  near the Vermont line [spitting]that he would not fight with that flag in his hands. A Vermonter picked it up where the Color Sgt. had left it, only to get wounded and drop the colors. Private Piam Harris (Company E, 16th Vermont) found it & carried it from the field." John Michael Priest, "Into the Fight -- Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg. 

According to Wert, Private Harris found the battle-flag of the Eighth Virginia, as "Harris walked along the wounded and dead Confederates." Jeffrey D. Wert, Gettysburg Day Three 228,. This is probably speculation based on the fact the location of the 8th Virginia was north of Kemper. 

Or did Company E itself fight farther to the north? Perhaps Piam and Company E of the 16th were fighting at the Angle.   Company B of the 16th was north of the Codori house " separated from the regiment's other pickets," according to Coffin. "It withdrew toward the Clump of Trees and would fight there." And Benedict has the Sixteenth's flanking movement extending behind the Virginians as far north as Codori house:

As the left of the Sixteenth regiment extended beyond the rear line of the enemy, it undoubtedly prevented the retreat of a large number of them, and many surrendered to the Sixteenth. Lieutenant Spafford [ of Company E] with a squad of men brought in a number of Confederates who were scattered among the trees of the orchard near Codori's house; and still larger numbers threw down their arms closer to the Union front. ... In the thickest of the assault on Pickett's flank, the colors of the Eighth Virginia, of Garnett's brigade, fell with the fall of the standard bearer, and were captured by private P. O. Harris of company E of the Sixteenth.

.In a letter from. he battlefield daayed July 5 that was auctioned December 6, 2020, Corporel Francis Long of Company E writes, ""We got a lot of prisoners and our Co. got two strand of colors, one Florida and one Virginia.":

When they got in about the right spot, we rose up and gave them a few volleys and then charged on them, and in 3 minutes there was not a Rebel to be seen with a gun in his hand.We got a lot of prisoners and our Co. got two strand of colors, one Florida and one Virginia. We then fell back and got out of the way of the shells as soon as we could, and soon it came on dark and the fighting stopped. I hope I never shall see another such a day as the 3rd of July was.

 "In any event," as Harrison & Busey say, "the 8th VA lost its flag to the 16th Vermont sometime during the repulse of the attack."  Nothing But Glory: Pickett's Division at Gettysburg.

The third flag. Fifth Florida?

Stannard's report refers to a third battle lfag of "another regiment." Benedict's letter of July 4th says this " battle flag of another regiment . . .was foolishly thrown away by the sergeant to whom it was given to carry, who pitched it into the bushes, declaring that he could not fight with that flag in his hands . [Army Life in Virginia}

Veazey's formal report confirms that the third flag was stripped from is standard "The result of this charge was a very large number of prisoners, and, in the two movements, three stand of colors, the colors being stripped from one standard. The two brought in were the Second Florida and the Eighth Virginia."

Benedict's later History says the third battle-flag was taken by W. C. Kingston of company C.  "It had been torn, probably by a shell, so that but a portion of the flag remained on the standard; and, after carrying it a short distance it was thrown away by Kingston, as it interfered with his use of his musket, and it was subsequently brought in by other troops."

Kingston's obituary says it was the flag of the “17th Alabama regiment." But the 17th Alabama Infantry Regiment was not present at the Battle of Gettysburg and Wilcox' Alabamians ( the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 14th Alabama Infantry Regiments) had already retreated as Veazey's second charge reached Lang's h three Florida regiment. [The flag of the 13th Alabama was captured on July 3rd during the assault on Cemetery Ridge. According to one account 3 flag bearers were shot down while carrying the flag. The flag was returned to the state of Alabama in 1905.]

A more plausible theory is  that the third flag is the Florida flag refered to by Corp. Long of Company E. This likely  was was only standard of the battle-flag of the 5th Florida, and that the flag itself had been saved when  confederate Capt. Junius Taylor tore it from the staff and hit it under his shirt.  Only "the staff stripped of its flag [was] turned it over to Veazey." according to Hess [ Pickets charge : the last attack at Gettysburg.] [This source also has the Flag of the Second Florida not captured in battle but “left lying on the ground to be picked up by Veazey's men."] Source do not mention that th third Florida regiment engaed in the batlle, the _ Florida lost its flag that day.

In any case,  only two flags were  formally turned in. On July 4 "Sergeant "Brink and Private Harris, escorted by company E of the Sixteenth, marched to General Meade’s headquarters next day and formally delivered the captured flags to him, and received his thanks, which he accompanied with praise of the gallant service rendered by Stannard’s brigade. Benedict, George Grenville. Vermont in the Civil War. Burlington VT: Free Press Association, 1888 CHAPTER XXVI 475

As Veazey says: "Captured 3 colors - lost one afterward. Brought in 2nd Florida and 8th Va."

The third flag (or a fourth flag) found?  EleventhVirginia  

“A third flag was captured by a soldier from the 16th Vermont who was subsequently shot; the banner was reportedly picked up by someone from another regiment and not turned in.” (Note 164)

“Note 164. There is no trace of this flag, but several people apparently witnessed the incident. Benedict, Vermont at Gettysburgh, 19-20; Report of Brig. Gen. George Stannard, July 4, 1863, OR, I, 350; Report of Col. W. G. Veazey, OR, I, 1042, and Veazey to Bachelder (undated), Bachelder Papers, I, 62-64. See also Deeds of Valor, 239; George H. Scott, “Vermont at Gettysburgh, Gettysburg Sources (Baltimore: Butternut and Blue, 1986), Vol. 1, 76-80; Board of State Institutions, Soldiers of Florida in the Seminole Indian, Civil and Spanish-American Wars, 1903, 188.”

“The Damned Red Flags of the Rebellion,” The Confederate Battle Flag at Gettysburg, by Richard Rollins; Rank and File Publications; 1997; pages 178-179, page 206.

On January, 31 2021 a large fragment of a confedrate  battleflar flag surfaced in private hands and on April 7, 2025 was sold at auction for $468,000. See reddit comments here. The flag had a tag that that stated - "Divided by the men of Co. F, 16th Vt. Vols, July 12, 1863 in honor of Lt. Lawton who was mortally wounded in its capture from retreating rebels, battle near Gettysburg, July 3."

It is the flag of the11th Virginia. The 11th Virginia formed the next to last of Kemper's regiment on the right flank of General Pickett’s charge The 11th and the 24th Virginia  would have been engulfed by the flanking movement of Stannard's Vermonters.

The 11th Virginia Infantry Regiment  on July 3rd suffered about forty percent casualties from artillery and  Vermonters flanking counterattack during the charge. Out of 405 soldiers who began the charge, 250 stood for the later roll call, altogether 26 killed, 65 wounded, 42 wounded and captured, and 22 captured. Facebook post

According to Capt. Smith of the 11th Virginia:

Our colors were knocked down several times as we descended the slope on our side. Twice I saw the color-bearer stagger and the next man seize the staff and go ahead; the third time the colors struck the ground as we were still on the down slope . . . H. V. Harris, adjutant of the regiment, rushed to them and seized them, and, I think, carried them to the enemy's works.

(emphasis added}. Capt. Smith says he reached the abandoned Union works and spent twenty minutes there with 300 men before retreating. These these works were "a hasty trench and embankment, and not a stone wall at the point we struck. "

The flag of 11th Virginia Infantry was apparently captured by 2nd Lt. Cyren B. Lawton of Company F of the 16th Vermont Infantry. Lawton died after the battle of wounds suffered while capturing the flag.

Veazey's Report makes special note of Lawton's sacrifice but does not mention the flag:. "I regret to mention as one of the killed Lieutenant Lawton, Company F. He was a young man of great fidelity and bravery, to whom I was much attached. He fell mortally wounded near the close of the battle"

Henry F. Dix (1839 - 1909)

This flag of the 11th Virginia was  preserved by Capt. Henry Franklin Dix (1837-1909), of Co. F, 16th Vt. and was then passed down through generations of his family, rather than being turned in to Col. Veazey.

                      the restored flag with provenance, auctioned in 2025

Postscript

 Meade forwarded the two flags among a large number of captured flags to Washington.. (" I have the honor herewith to transmit thirty-one battle-flags, captured from the enemy in the recent battle at Gettysburgh")

The beautiful silk flag of the Second Florida, with a record of its capture by the Sixteenth Vermont, was one of the eighteen captured Confederate flags sent by Secretary Stanton to be exhibited at the great fair of the Sanitary Commission in Chicago, in October, 1863. ."The Second Florida flag is now lost. One source says the War Department loaned it to the 16th Vermont after the war and it was lost. Another, implausibly, that “the flag captured that day is now displayed in the State Capitol in Augusta, Maine."  It has somehow .disappeared.

The flag of the 8th Va is now in the Museum of the Confederacy.

The flag of the 5th Florida was carried off in the shirt of Junius Taylor but its stannard was captured briefly then thrown into the bushes by Sgt Kingston.  "The 5th Florida were the only unit in the brigade to not lose their regimental banner in the battle". Waters, Zack C.; Edmonds, James C. (2010). A Small but Spartan Band. . p. 78. The flag carried through the Battle of Gettysburg was reportedly retired in late 1863 and  is now in the possession of the Museum of Florida History.

The colorbearer of the 8th Florida fell and its flag was lost during fighting on July 2d.   According to The Civil War in the East. the Medal of Honor was awarded  to Sergeant Thomas Horan, for extraordinary heroism on 2 July 1863, while serving with Company E, 72d New York Infantry in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, when in a charge of his regiment, he captured the regimental flag of the 8th Florida Infantry But according to the  Gettysburg Star and Sentinel published on July 9, 1895, a captain of the 8th Florida had retrurned to the scene and found the 8th's flag buried under the dead bodies of the color guard, every member of which was killed.

The men of Company  F kept secret the capture of the 11th Virginia flag and divided it among themselves a souvenir, only to surface 160 years later.

July 4, 1863. A most welcome message

Freedom and Unity

"Camp near Gettysburg - July

"My ever dear Lettie:

"This is probably the most welcome message that you ever received from me. I have time to write but few words. This is the first opportunity I have had. I have been engaged nearly all the time for the past few days in one of the worst battles this continent ever knew. We are all well except Floyd,* who went to the hospital this morn. None of us were hurt in battle but Floyd is all tired out, but think he will be all right when he gets rested. 2 out of my company were killed and 7 wounded. A spent-ball struck me, knocking me down but I got right up again madder than ever.

 E. P. Davis of Felchville was killed. 

Ed Davis of Felchville (Co. H) was shot through the head, dead ~ Joseph Spafford

O such scenes such scenes. I cannot write now but will if ever I get time. I am sitting on the battlefield now and there is a man here who says he will try and get this to some P.O. He is waiting, I must close. We have suffered for want of food on the long march and the fight. I haven't had a mite of clothing on me night or day except my Blouse & Pants for 3 days and nights and slept right in the mud without a tent or a sign of anything. We lived on excitement for two days certain for I didn't eat more than two or three hard tacks all the time. We won a great victory and are now following the enemy. I counted 115 dead Rebels today on a piece of ground 4 rods square. The troops have all left, except the W. Brigade. We are burying the Rebs now and shall leave as soon as we get done. Our Reg't won the admiration of all for its gallantry, having captured 3 stand of colors and lots of prisoners.

"I will write again as soon as I possibly get time. From your loving husband, Elmer" ~ E.D. Keyes, Captain Company H, Sixteenth Vt.

The above envelope was obtained by my Father, Capt. E. D. Keyes from a wounded Confederate soldier on the Battlefield of Gettysburg on the night  of July 2nd, 1863, after the second day’s battle.

My Father wrote a letter home to my Mother while on the Battlefield of Gettysburg and enclosed it in this envelope.  This was the first news she had from him after the battle.

I have the letter he wrote and sent in this envelope. My father told me that he was on picket duty the night after the second day’s battle and that the cries of the many wounded soldiers were heart-rending.

The motto on the envelope is as follows:

“Gather round your Country’s flag,

Men of the South, the hour has come;

None may falter, none may lag,

March to the sound of the fife and drum,”

Under this my Father wrote as follows;

   

“Yes, it has come with just vengeance upon the traitorous horde who would destroy their Country”

                       Mrs. Elmer D. Keyes,

Reading, Vt.

Taken from a rebel at the Battle of Gettysburg.

~ Arthur H. Keyes, Sr.

* Floyd Hawkins, Elmer's  brother in law:

July 3, Friday

This morning at 4 o’clock the pickets commenced firing at each other, just to the left of where I was, and soon the artillery commenced it was heavy, shelled us till afternoon before they showed themselves much. I lay about 1/4 mile from the batteries. About 3 o’clock I saw them forming to advance, in a few minutes the musketry began and such firing seems so was never heard before, and was kept up till dark. The 16th made two charges and captured three stands of colors. After dark we were taken back to the rear.

Saturday, July 4

Today has been very quiet. The rebels ain’t been seen today, they think they are retreating. The battlefield is completely covered with dead  and begins to smell bad. I am all used up. I hurt my hip yesterday..

Sunday, July 5.

It rained all night. The regiment was ordered to move this afternoon so I had to come to the hospital about 5 miles from the battlefield.

Monday, July 6 .

There is between 4 & 5 thousand wounded here. . .

~  Diary of Floyd Hawkins, Sergeant, Company H, Sixteenth Vt

July, Wednesday 1.

started at 10 oclock & marched to Gettysburg & camped for the night. is rainy with showers David goes on guard. heavy firing

 

Thursday 2

We march out under a hill & were under heavy fire all this afternoon. The 1[3]^th charged on battery & took 8 pieces.

                                                                  

July, Friday 3, 1863

is very hot day was under heavy firing all day. We charged on the rebs and took two flags David is wounded in the leg.

 

Saturday 4

is cloudy wet and muddy. we moved over the hill & camped in an orchard by a barn. is a very rainy night.

 

Sunday 5.

is cloudy all day. we moved in the morning over beyond the rifle pits and staid all day. the men were burying the dead

~ Diary of William Martin Ballou. private, Company F, Sixteenth Vt

Camp on the Battlefield / 

July 4th 63 / 

Near Gettysburg Pennsylvania 

My Dear Sister I will write a few lines + let you know that I am alive + well. We have fought the hardest battle of the war. The 13th, 4th,16th have been in the engagement for two days our loss is heavy. Henry White and Bart White have lost a leg each Merley Walker was hit in the head with a piece of shell also William Rogers in the arm[.] Wm. Geryell killed[.] A. S. Thompson wounded in the leg with ball this is as far as I know. I came off the field the first day with the Headquarters team. There is no fighting this morning as yet I think Lee is on the retreat he has got all he wants. Our regiment captured three stands of colors from the rebs + a good many prisoners[.] our boys fought bravely we have lost a good many out of our three Reg'mt. Oren Rice is wounded badly[.] I must close now and help take care of the wounded you never saw such sights in your life men without legs and arms. I have not had a letter from you for two weeks[.] Gen Stannard is wounded in leg but did not leave the field Goodbye... From Hiram" 

letter of Hiram Spafford (1841-1912), a corpsman or Doctor's assistant 

After the battle, the regiment followed in pursuit of Lee's retreating army until Lee crossed the Potomac into Virginia, when it was ordered home, its term of enlistment having expired. The regiment arrived in New York during the draft riots and remained there until order was restored. It was finally mustered out at Brattleboro, Aug. 10, 1863. The total enrolment of the 16th was 968, of whom 735 began the 7-day march to Gettysburg and 661 arrived in the field. 24 were killed in action or mortally wounded; 48 died of disease and 1 died in prison - total deaths, 73. Eighty men were wounded, 4 were captured and 2 deserted.

The Brigadier General commanding, in view of the gallantry and efficiency of the 13th, 14th and 16th Vermont Regiments, displayed at the battle of Gettysburg, directs that the flags of each of the regiments be inscribed "Gettysburg;" that the people of the State may be reminded at the sight of these flags of the men who bore and honored them in the hour of national danger and triumph , and that every soldier may justly be proud of his devotion to country, and credit done to the State....

But while the entire command may well be proud of its laurels, they will not forget to remember the fallen dead. Let their names be embalmed in the hearts of their comrades! Let their memory be green as the sod that covers them! Let their virtues and example be a watchword in coming time! Let the tear of sympathy alleviate the sorrow of relatives and friends!

~Brig. Gen. Geo. J. Stannard,  General Order No. 10,  July 15,1863.

"We are once more in our native State, whose green hills and pleasant valleys we left to fight in this war for right and freedom. But not all have returned. Those whose lives were consecrated on the bloody field of Gettysburg, who fell nobly fighting for their country, as well as others who died in camp and on the march, are absent but not forgotten.

"All honors to the defenders of our country, and when the cause of this Rebellion -- slavery -- shall have been ended, and in its stead is heard the voice of FREEDOM, then shall we be a happy and prosperous people." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 167 (1864).

Friday, July 3, 1863. “What troops are those ... muskets glittering in the sunlight and battle flags fluttering in the breeze?"

James Wilson
Co. B, 13th Vt
killed July 3, 1863
Age 20

"July 3, Friday, This morning at 4 o’clock the pickets commenced firing at each other, just to the left of where I was, and soon the artillery commenced it was heavy, shelled us till afternoon before they showed themselves much. I lay about 1/4 mile from the batteries. About 3 o’clock I saw them forming to advance, in a few minutes the musketry began and such firing seems so was never heard before, and was kept up till dark.  The 16th made two charges and captured three stands of colors. After dark we were taken back to the rear." ~ from the Journal of Sgt. Floyd Hawkins (Co. H 16th Regt.)

"Friday, July 3, 1863: Skirmishing began a quarter before 4 o'clock . . Artillery opened first at 4 AM then ceased somewhat until 2 PM when 100 pieces opened on us. Continued 2 hours when the enemy advanced. Captured 3 colors-lost one afterward. Brought in 2nd Florida and 8th Va. We have won a great victory."  ~ From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS), in David Cross, Wheelock Veazey, (Rutland Historical Soc., 1995)

"Dexter Parker received a very painful wound from a piece of shell which cut through one of his hands and he was in such agony that Corporal O. G. Miles and James H. Wilson started to help him to the rear, one on each side. They had only gone a short distance when a shell struck in a pile of stones and burst. All three fell to the ground and it was found that a small piece of shell had pierced Wilson's heart, killing him instantly." ~ Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers 470(1910)

"Stannard's Vermonters":[he 2nd Vermont Brigade at Pickett’s Charge ]by Michael J. Middleton;

“Glory to God! Glory to God! See the Vermonters go at it!” General Abner Doubleday on witnessing the Vermonters that day at Gettysburg."

]

"When we were about six hundred yards from the stone wall a Sergt. Dalton of my Co. asked me, “What troops are those on our right, are they our men or Yankees?” …There off on our right was the grandest sight I have ever seen -- ...A body of Yankees coming at double quick “right shoulder shift.” Their line perpendicular to our own,

uniforms looking black in the distance, muskets glittering in the sunlight and battle flags fluttering in the breeze created by their quickened motion.

"...[T]he shock of this attack on our right...struck us at least 100 yards from the stone wall. I saw their men … deliberately fire into our whole line. In a few minutes all was confusion...” ~Captain Henry Owen, 18th Virginia, in Richard M. Rollins, Pickett's charge: eyewitness accounts at the Battle of Gettysburg 188-89

"[A] bout 4:30 p.m. a large column of infantry was seen to steadily advance from between the batteries and right glad were we to see them. They came out in front, protected by their shells which being a little above them came over their heads and deployed handsomely in line. On they came directly towards my picket line but the grape and canister from our batteries and the shots fire from my picket now acting as skirmishers warned them of the hazard of that route. They then turned and marched by their left flank. At that moment our bugle sounded our picket came in, we formed a line with the 13th and 14th rushed on. We were asked if we could charge. Our terrific yell from our men was the response and there we were after the “greybacks” In fifteen minutes the results could be counted thus - 300 rebels dead and wounded on the field and over a thousand prisoners were taken and 2 stands of colors. Of these the 16th took full 400 prisoners and in a second separate charge made only by the themselves they took these two stand of colors the 2nd Florida and 8th VA, and over a hundred more prisoners. . . I believe that the 16th Vermont is the only regiment from our state that has taken two stand of colors in one hours fight. But - there is another side to the picture. In the charge we had only 425 men, yet during the day we lost in the regiment 16 killed over 80 wounded and about 20 missing, some of whom are undoubtedly dead." ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters July 6, 1863. VHS.

"....The movements I have briefly described were executed in the open field, under a very heavy fire of shell, grape, and musketry, and they were performed with the promptness and precision of battalion drill. They ended the contest in the center and substantially closed the battle. Officers and men behaved like veterans, although it was for most of them their first battle, and I am content to leave it to the witnesses of the fight whether or not they have sustained the credit of the service and the honor of our Green Mountain State. 

"... There were 350 killed, wounded, and missing from my three regiments engaged; of the missing, only 1 is known to have been taken prisoner." ~ Report of Brig. Gen. George J. Stannard, July 4, 1863.



From the Second Vermont Brigade monument:

July 1. Arrived at dusk and took position on right of Third Corps.

July 2. Joined the Corps and went into position at the left and rear of the Cemetery. Just before dusk a detachment advanced to the Emmitsburg Road and captured about 80 prisoners and recovered 4 abandoned Union guns.

July 3. In position on left of Second Division Second Corps at the time of Longstreet's assault. The 13th and 16th advanced against Major Gen. Pickett's Division changed front forward and attacked its right throwing it into confusion and capturing many prisoners. The 16th and part of 14th then went to the left and attacked the advancing Brigades of Brig. Gen. Wilcox and Perry (Col. Lang) and captured three flags and many prisoners.

Casualties Killed 1 Officer 44 Men, Wounded 12 Officers 262 men, Captured or Missing 32 Men; Total 351.

Members of the 16th Vt killed or died from wounds at Gettysburg

While the Union lost  a total of about 1,500 killed and wounded, the Confederate casualty rate was over 50%. Pickett's division suffered 2,655 casualties (498 killed, 643 wounded, 833 wounded and captured, and 681 captured, unwounded). Pettigrew's losses are estimated to be about 2,700 (470 killed, 1,893 wounded, 337 captured). Trimble's two brigades lost 885 (155 killed, 650 wounded, and 80 captured). Wilcox's brigade reported losses of 200, Lang's about 400. Thus, total l Confederate osses during the attack were 6,555, of which at least 1,123 Confederates were killed on the battlefield, 4,019 were wounded, and a good number of the injured were also captured.  Union reports indicated that 3,750 men were captured

Thursday, July 2, 1863. Darkness came on and the battle ceased with the Sixteenth in the front line.

16th
Vermont
Infantry,
Colonel W. G. Veazey
commanding

First Army Corps
July 1-2-3-1863

Participated near this point in action of July 2nd
Picketed this line that night - held same as skirmishers until

attacked by Pickett's Division July 3rd.

"Camp near Gettysburg Pa

Thursday July 2^nd 1863

 

Dear Wife

                        I will try and write you a few lines this morning not knowing whether it will ever reach you We have been on the march now for a week and got here last night. There was fighting here yesterday and as the rebels are near here there will probably be fighting untill they retreat or are conquered. Our Regt is now drawn up in line of battle and skirmishing is going on in front of us.

. . . You must excuse this as there is so much noise and excitement that it is almost impossible for me to write. It is a grand sight to see so large an army as we have here and more are coming every minute. We are well prepared to meet the rascals and I hope that none of them will escape. I have done faithfully my duty so far and I shall not back out now, and / I hope it will never be said of me that I did not do my duty. With much love and trusting in god for the best I am your loving Husband" ~ Letter from Corp. Francis Long, 16th, Rgmt., Company E

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Thursday, July 2, 1863: Battle began at 5 PM & continued until dark. We were not engaged but lay under severe artillery fire supporting batteries - lost about 10 men. Occupied the front line when the battle closed. Whole Reg. put on picket. Am Div. field officer of Day."   From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS), in David Cross, Wheelock Veazey, (Rutland Historical Society, 1995)

"During the forenoon, company B, Captain Arms was send forward to re-enforce the skirmish line, and there rendered splendid service. This company was taken into position by Captain Foster of company C, who was then on General Stannard's staff, and was wounded in discharging this duty.

"The main battles of July 2 were fought on the right and left flanks of the Union line. Near the close of the battle on the left the Sixteenth, with the rest of the brigade, was moved about one-half mile to the left along Cemetery Ridge to re-enforce our badly shattered lines. In this movement it was under terrific artillery fire, one shell hitting two men and killing them instantly. The regiment was finally halted in support of a battery and just in season to receive and repel a heavy charge of infantry. Darkness soon came on and the battle ceased with the Sixteenth in the front line." ~Russell and Emery, 16th Vermont Infantry Regimental History

"The Sixteenth moved left in front, down the Taneytown road a short distance, and then into the field and along the crest till it reached the position of the Second Corps' batteries, receiving as it moved a cannon-shot—the first that entered its ranks—which knocked down a file of men, killing two of them. The smoke enveloped that part of the ridge, but it could be seen that a battery near there was without support, and a line of the enemy was both seen and heard advancing upon the guns with loud shouting. The Sixteenth deployed in rear of the battery; the enemy, disconcerted by the appearance of this fresh line, fell back; and the Sixteenth supported the battery till dark, when the regiment was moved to the left and forward into the front line in that part of the field." ~ 2 George Grenville Benedict, Vermont in the Civil War 455-56(Burlington Vt 1888). 

"An order came for me to take my Company down to the line of the skirmishers at the centre of our line, as a portion of them had been driven in.mI started off with Capt. Foster of Co. C, of our Regiment, who was to bring intelligence to the General as to the condition of the line. I had proceeded but a short distance when the bullets began to whistle around me, but not a boy in my Company but that marched and obeyed my orders as well as they could at an ordinary drill.

"On arriving at the point where I was to support the skirmishers, I found that they were all killed or wounded but four, and they had returned leaving the rebels in possession of the line, who had five men to my one, and sharpshooters at that. They had concealed themselves so as to have a cross fire into the road where I had to lead my boys.They saw us coming and were all ready to pour into us; but seeing that matters were at a focus, I made a move and came into line in the gutter at the road side, and instantly gave an order to fall down on the ground, which was done just in time to save the lives of most of my Company, for as we fell to the ground they fired a terrible shower of balls just where we had stood, which passed harmless over our heads as we lay in the muddy ditch, with the exception of one that passed through the leg of Capt. Foster as we stood side by side.

"Afterwards I ordered the boys up and to go on. Every one went with a will, and the line was soon in our hands where we staid skirmishing between the two armies until the next forenoon. 

"During this time I had the following boys wounded. 3rd Ser'gt Jason Mann of Guilford shot in the head; will recover. Corporal D. B. Stedman of West Brattleboro, shot in the thigh; will recover. Private John M. Joy of Brattleboro badly wounded in the hips, and Surgeon thinks he will recover. ~ Captain Robert G Arms. Co. B, 16th Regt, letter of July 5, 1863

 "Soon after this Colonel Veazey was detailed to take the regiment with others and establish a picket line across the battlefield of that afternoon. The battle had been fought back and forth over this ground and it was literally covered with dead and wounded men, among whom the Sixteenth were deployed to watch the enemy while our army was resisting for a renewal of the awful conflict in the morning. No regiment ever had a more trying night on picket duty. It was not relieved in the morning, but the men held the same position as skirmishers throughout the forenoon and until the final assault." ~Russell and Emery, 16th Vermont Infantry Regimental History

"The next morning [July 2] our brigade consisting of the 13th, 14th, and 16th Regiment - the other two being at Westminster, MD - 20 miles southeast guarding the corps teams prepared for action. We were in position all the morning until about 4 o’clock when the rebels opened their batteries, ones having been playing since noon. Within five minutes thereafter a shell fell within (six feet near my) horse exploded without doing major damage. Soon the field officers dismounted and our brigade advanced to support our batteries. We were then in rear of the crest on which they were placed and there so protected that not a man was hit or hurt although their shells passed just above our heads and exploded from a few feet to one or two hundred yards beyond us. This music was not at all agreeable.

"Just before sundown we were advanced up another hill a little to the left and deployed in line amid the bursting of hundreds of shells. One came through the ranks about four feet to my right killing two men, one or two others were wounded. Up the hill we went and when on top the firing in that section had nearly ceased. We were near the center and not in the advance line there had been fighting on very ground where we were and two of our batteries had been taken and retaken. Our left had advanced and drove the rebels and they in turn had repulsed our advance with masked batteries and driven us back.

"Between the rebels and us was depressing basin through which ran a ravine well protected by brush and rocks. I was made officer of the picket and then went out and placed three companies as pickets there in two as support and the balance of the regiment left behind a clump of small trees as a reserve. I was on the line all night.

"After taking care that my line was right, I looked around and found this ravine full of dead and wounded soldiers about two rebs to one Union. Stretchers and ambulances were running all night but by morning nearly all had been removed. Between Union and rebel picket lines, parties of both were by a tacit understanding engaged in hunting up their dead and wounded comrades and friends without molestation." ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters July 6, 1863. VHS.


"After nightfall of Thursday Colonel Veazey was detailed as division field-officer of the day, and taking the Sixteenth Vermont regiment and a detail from the brigade on the right, posted a picket line along the front, from the right of Codori's house on the Emmittsburg road through the low grown to the left, till it joined the picket line of the Fifth Corps. Three companies were deployed on the picket line, and the remainder of the regiment lay as picket reserve. “It was,” says Colonel Veazey,

 “the saddest night on picket that I ever passed. The line ran across the field that had been fought over the day before, and the dead and wounded of the two armies, lying side by side, thickly strewed the ground. The mingled imprecations and prayers of the wounded, and supplications for help, were heart-rending. The stretcher bearers of both armies were allowed to pass back and forth through the picket lines, but scores of wounded men died around us in the gloom, before any one could bring relief or receive their dying messages.” "

~ 2 George Grenville Benedict, Vermont in the Civil War 459 (Burlington Vt 1888).