Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 April 1914 — AROUND THE CAMP FIRE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AROUND THE CAMP FIRE

FIRST SHOT AT GETTYSBURG Letter From Brigadier-General Cutlei to the Governor of Pennsylvania —Praiser for Officer. Apropos of the opening of the batth of Gettysburg, the National Tribunt publishes the following from Gen. Lysander Cutler: Headquarters, First Division, First Corps, Nov. 15, 1863. To the Governor of Pennsylvania: In noticing in the papers today an account of the proposition for a na tional cemetery at Gettysburg for the men that fell there in July last, I am . reminded that I have neglected a duty ' which I owe to one of your regiments the Fifty-sixth, ■ and its brave commander, Col. J. William Hofmann. Thai regiment is in the Second brigade ol this division, and was at that time under my command. It was my for tune to be in the advance on the morn ing-of July 1. When we came upon the ground in. front of the enemy Col one! Hofmann’s regiment (being the. second in the column) got into a pbsi tion a moment sooner than the others, the (memy advancing in line of battle within easy musket range. The at mosphere being a little thick, I took out my glass to examine the enemy being a few paces in rear of Colpne! Hofmann. He turned to me and in" qulred, “Is that the enemy?” My re ply was, “Yes.” Turning to his men he commanded: “Ready! Right oblique! Aim—fire!” and the battle ol Gettysburg was opened. The fire wai followed by other regiments instantly Still, that battle on the soil of Pennsylvania was Opened by her own sons and it is just that it should become a matter of history. When Colonel Hos mann gave the command “Alm!” 1 doubted whether the enemy was neai enbugh to have the fire effective, anc asked him if he was within range. Nol hearing'my question, he fired, and 1 received my reply in a shower of re be; bullets, by which many of the colonel’t .men were killed and wounded. Mj own horse and those of two of mj staff Were wounded at the same time I desire to say to your excellency that the Fifty-sixth is one of the very best regiments in the service, and that Colpnel Hofmann is, without qualifies 'H<sh?one of the Best officers, brave faithfuLand prompt, and a most excel lent disciplinarian. I most earnestly hope that his faithful services may b< suitably rewarded. “ I hope, dlso, that you, will caus< proper measures to be taken to girt that regiment the credit, which is theii due, of having opened that memorabh battle. Very respectfully, your obedi ent servant—-L. Cutler, Brigadier Gen eral. . »