Colonel Edward B. Fowler (1826-1896) Commander, 84th New York Infantry (14th NYSM)
Library of Congress
Report of Col. Edward B. Fowler, 84th New York Infantry (14th NY State Militia), 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Potomac.
Hdqrs. Fourteenth New York State Militia, July 9, 1863.
General: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the three days' battle, July 1, 2, and 3, 1863 :
On entering the field, the Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers and Fourteenth Regiment New York State Militia were formed on the left of the brigade, a house and garden intervening between them and the right wing. We were at once engaged by the enemy's skirmishers from woods to our left and front. We drove the enemy back, and I then found that the enemy were advancing on our right, and were then to our rear, and in possession of one of our pieces of artillery. I immediately ordered my command, Ninety-fifth New York Volunteers and Fourteenth New York State Militia, to march in retreat until on a line with the enemy, and then changed front perpendicular to face them, the enemy also changing front to meet us. At this time the Sixth Wisconsin Regiment gallantly advanced to our assistance. The enemy then took possession of a railroad cut and I gave the order to charge them, which order was carried out gallantly by all the regiments, by which the piece of artillery was recaptured. The advance was continued until near the cut, when I directed the Sixth Wisconsin to flank it by throwing forward their right, which being done, all the enemy within our reach surrendered--officers, battle-flag, and men. Those in line on the left of my line escaped by following through the railroad cut. I held this position until ordered to the rear to join the brigade.
The conduct of both officers and men in the whole command deserves the highest praise. The loss was very severe on our side, but I think much greater on the part of the enemy. The Fourteenth participated in the action of the brigade during the remainder of the day, and the retreat through Gettysburg to near position on Cemetery Heights. On the 2d instant this regiment remained in the second line of the position of the brigade until near dark, when it was ordered to re-enforce General Greene on the right, and became engaged partially with a regiment of the enemy, supposed to be the Tenth Virginia, who had penetrated inside our lines. As I was in doubt whether they were friends or enemies, I hesitated in opening fire upon them, but at length gave them a volley, which drove them from their position on our flank. The regiment remained with General Greene all night, part of the time in the trenches, and was relieved shortly after sunrise, and returned to the brigade. On the morning of the 3d instant, we were ordered again to the right, to re-enforce General Geary. Fought in the trenches, and lay in reserve until 5 p. m., when the regiment was relieved and ordered to join the brigade. The loss of the regiment for the three days' fight amounts to nearly 50 per cent, of the force engaged, as shown by list already forwarded. I cannot praise too highly the gallantry of the whole command, both officers and men; all doing so well that I would be unjust to particularize individual cases.
Respectfully, &c.,
E. B. FOWLER,
Colonel, Comdg. Fourteenth New York State Militia.
General Lysander Cutler,
Comdg. Second BrigFirst Div., First Army Corps.
[Source: Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. 27, Part 1: Reports, Report No. 40, pages 286-287].
