JUNE 3-AUGUST 1, 1863-THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN:
No. 444 - Report of Col. William C. Oates; Fifteenth Alabama Infantry

AUGUST 8, 1863

SIR: I have the honor to report, in obedience to orders from brigade headquarters, the participation of my regiment in the battle near Gettysburg on the 2d ultimo.

My regiment occupied the center of the brigade when the line of battle was formed. During the advance, the two regiments on my right were moved by the left flank across my rear, which threw me on the extreme right of the whole line. I encountered the enemy's sharpshooters posted behind a stone fence, and sustained some loss thereby. It was here that Lieut. Col. Isaac B. Feagin, a most excellent and gallant officer, received a severe wound in the right knee, which caused him to lose his leg. Privates (A.) Kennedy of Company B, and (William) Trimner of Company G, were killed at this point, and Private (G. E.) Spencer severely wounded.

After crossing the fence, I received an order from Brigadier-General Law to left-wheel my regiment and move in the direction of the heights upon my left, which order I failed to obey, for the reason that when I received it I was rapidly advancing up the mountain, and in my front I discovered a heavy force of the enemy. Besides this, there was great difficulty in accomplishing the maneuver at that moment, as the regiment on my left (Forty-seventh Alabama) was crowding me on the left, and running into my regiment, which had already created considerable confusion. In the event that i had obeyed the order, I should have come in contact with the regiment on my left, and also have exposed my right flank to an enfilading fire from the enemy. I therefore continued to press forward, my right passing over the top of the mountain, on the right of the line.

On reaching the foot of the mountain below, I found the enemy in heavy force, posted in rear of large rocks upon a slight elevation beyond a depression of some 300 yards in width between the base of the mountain and the open plain beyond. I engaged them, my right meeting the left of their line exactly. Here I lost several gallant officers and men.

After firing two or three rounds, I discovered that the enemy were giving way in my front. I ordered a charge, and the enemy in my front fled, but that portion of his line confronting the two companies on my left held their gorund, and continued a most galling fire upon my left.

Just at this moment, I discovered the regiment on my left (Forty-seventh Alabama) retiring. I halted my regiment as its left reached a very large rock, and ordered a lef-wheel of the regimen, which was executed in good order under fire, thus taking advantage of a ledge of rocks running off in a line perpendicular to the one I had just abandoned and affording very good protection to my men. This position enabled me to keep up a constant flank and cross fire upon the enemy, which in less than five minutes caused him to change front. Receiving reenforcements, he charged me five times, and was as often repulsed with heavy loss. Finally, I discovered that the enemy had falned me on the right, and two regiments were moving rapidly upon my rear and not 200 yards distant, when, to save my regiment from capture or destruction, I ordered a retreat.

Having become exhausted from fatique and the excessive heat of the day, I turned the command of the regiment over to Capt. B. A. Hill and instructed him to take the men off the field, and reform the regiment and report to the brigade.

My loss was, as near as can now be ascertained, as follows, to wit: 17 killed upon the field, 54 wounded and brought off the field, and 90 missing, most of whom are either killed and wounded. Among the killed and wounded are 8 officers, most of whom were very gallant and efficient men.

Recapitulation: Killed-17; Wounded-54; Missing-90; Total-161.

I am, Lieutenant, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. C. Oates
Colonel, Commanding Fifteenth Alabama Regiment

Lieut. B. O. Peterson,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General

GRAY WARRIORS OF LITTLE ROUND TOP

Like a faded gray veil, the Confederate lines rippled
Against the tide of shot and shell that poured from the hill's rocky summit.
The storm of lead pierced the trees, rocks and bone.
The Rebel Yell pierced the winds and hearts of the enemy.

The red flag with the blue cross and brittle borders snagged through
The tree branches hanging above the killing ground.
One Confederate laid down his musket and gently grabbed hold of the
Flag's staff from the dying hands of his rebel brother.
The patriot tilted it toward the ghostly shadows where the enemy stood until he too fell.
Another must lay down his musket, to take the flag onward, following
glory's trail, as their souls go back to Dixie.

In a Southern soldier's heart, he knows that his journey must end at home.
As the Alabamian laid his breast to the ground and shut his eyes,
There he returned.
He marches with eternity upon the Southern land and watches
The lightning bugs, not the musket bursts flicker in the Alabama twilight.

Oh, but on the killing field of Little Round Top, the rebel yell
Sounded the high melody of their Cause,
'Tis the Southern Cause!
It is the Cause which carried the shoeless rebels to the brow of this Ring of Fire,
Little Round Top.
In the West, the sun fell to its knees and wept for the South.
It red tears flooded across the sky.

On July 2nd, 1863, the sun had set upon the fields of Gettysburg.
When it rose again, the dawn's peace found that the gray warriors of
Little Round Top had returned home again.
For on the brim of Little Round Top laid nothing but the dead.
The last musket was gently laid down, and forward the red flag with the
Blue cross and brittle borders went.
Forward, upon that trail of glory, toward home it advanced.
Onward.

Prvt. Zac Tims,
15th Alabama Co. G
12/31/99

FEATURES: CIVIL WAR UNITS: 15th Alabama Infantry, CSA

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