A Regiment is Sacrificed at Gettysburg

During the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate forces hit the U.S. Army hard. The blue regiments fell back through town and formed a defensive line along the heights of Cemetery Hill. To buy time for the move, a Union brigade was ordered forward to delay the enemy advance. One of the men involved was James Brownlee of the 134th New York Infantry. Here's the story.
"Life on the Civil War Research Trail" is hosted by Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images magazine. Learn more about our mission to showcase, interpret and preserve Civil War portrait photography at militaryimagesmagazine.com and shopmilitaryimages.com.
This episode is brought to you in part by C&C Sutlery, your one-stop source for Civil War and Indian War reenactment supplies for more than 40 years. Shop at ccsutlery.com.
Image: Ronald S. Coddington Collection
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[@WilliamGreenhood]

Thank you, Ron! Your descriptions actually take visionary happening because of your exciting reports!

[@jeffdege4786]

When I read the title, I assumed the 1st Minnesota. "I need five minutes."

[@stuartwald2395]

Same for me and a lot of people, I presume.

[@dirtfarmer7070]

Thought so too, until I heard the first day.

[@jeffdege4786]

@@stuartwald2395 I'm not so sure. These days the 20th Maine seems to get most of the glory.

[@copenhagen1968]

I am happy to say that I purchased Corporal Brownlee's cdv many years ago. Further research showed his recovery was arduous and his later life quite difficult. Thanks to Ron for using Brownlee's service at Gettysburg to demonstrate the sacrifice thousands of soldiers made there.

[@christopherbosch1486]

An ancestor of mine, Pvt Cornelius Okey, served in the 6th Wisconsin, and, though wounded severely, survived. Next year, unable to rejoin the 6th, he joined the Veteran's Reserve Corps

[@markallred1953]

I have studied the battle at Gettysburg and hiked the grounds seeking to make it more real. Nothing impressed me that the Union Right was so viciously assaulted and compromised. Thank you for bringing this event out through these painfully human stories of these unfortunate survivors. Throughout this narrative, I l listened attentively to learn the identity of the sacrificed Regiment, but I heard only other units mentioned.

[@conradnelson5283]

Love these stories of combat and survival. They’re all interesting and very very human. Thank you

[@dadsongs]

The brickyard fight. What a nightmare. Thank you.

[@earlyriser8998]

What a great story. I just re-read a book about Gettysburg and 'oh my' the sacrifice on both sides was terrible. I am glad he lived and you told us about him and his life after the war.

[@gerrytyrrell1507]

Brilliant Ron...We fought on borh sides of that dreadful slaughter. When men were men...Ireland

[@jimbaker6512]

Thanks Ron! Your the Best!

[@kensilverstone1656]

I agree with all the past comments. It is sad to hear of these brave men's fate.

[@kensilverstone1656]

Thanks!

[@boboberg3700]

Amazing story. Thank you.

[@yisroelkatz-xj6pq]

Ron I listen to you almost everyday! This was a very good story, I really enjoyed it!

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

Thanks!

[@tttyuhbbb9823]

Thank you, Ron; but, please, this episode was extremely in need of maps!

[@irockuroll60]

Make them for him! Ron makes so many videos…be tough to make maps too

[@OlJarhead]

Another great story!

[@patrickmcadams31]

One of the best civil war sources out there. Thanks for the great content!

[@Wdstroud]

An amazing story and what a life post war.

[@stevenfromer3816]

What a wonderful story of perseverance. Thank you

[@amadeusamwater]

Schurz's Division was actually in Howard's 11th Corps, so helping him was Howard's job anyway. Listed losses for Coster's brigade were about 400 men, so there must have been quite a few who found their way back. Schurz's Division lost around 1500 men in 2 brigades.

[@johngorman4052]

The tragic story of Sgt. Amos Humiston, I am about 99.9% sure this was featured in a DVD I purchased some years ago (by the Ridley brothers, if I'm not mistaken). He fought to the death, he is another soldier of the Union who should have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, he gave everything and his family lost a devoted husband and father. He was one of the many thousands from both sides who died valiantly, lost, at the Battle of Gettysburg. Thanks Ron, for posting this interesting article.

[@KevinCave-rj8eq]

Ron thank s for another amazing story 👍Ya know what most folks don't remember is the caliber of those rifles were huge u survive the hit u was lucky he was worse off if it stayed in you because you're dirty uniform and all the mud and infection keep up the good work love your channel 🍀🍀🍀

[@cht2162]

The will to live is strong!

[@jerrydinsmore3010]

Speaking of sacrificed regiments at Gettysburg, How about the 16th Maine on the first day?

[@victoriakidd-cromis1124]

I live in Wayne, County Indiana, who were in the fight at Gettysburg

[@Rob-gy1dd]

Hey Ron. Another highly appreciated story. However, being from near Albany, I must correct your pronunciation of Cobleskill. The “co” is pronounced like co-worker.

[@Paulftate]

🤘

[@robertreisner8132]

The greatest generation of the 19th century was the soldiers of the War of Southern Rebellion.

[@stevemorin8206]

Does anyone have a link showing this on a map. I just spent some time on the Trust and I can't find it.

[@core4steve]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/foDJcoCqfciIe7csi=sN7s2ErXq7-sc9-a

[@donaldclark2722]

The 16th Maine was sacrificed like no other at Gettysburg.

[@johntuffnell794]

Debatable. They suffered tremendous losses the first day, mostly captured when ordered to hold at all cost to allow the retreat to succeed. The 24th Michigan lost 399 of 496 over the three days. First in, last out as part of the Iron Brigade

[@hoosieryank6731]

Only one regiment was sacrificed?

[@TINCANsquid]

Cobleskill Co Bull skill

[@ericveit8915]

Yes, thank you - long O - Coe bull skill

[@philstanton231]

All these men died for nothing - July 1, 2024 - the day America moved from a democracy to a dictatorship - RIP good men

[@davidholtz6590]

What a BS comment. Must be an ignorant political fanatic.

[@lonniemonroe2714]

We have never been a Democracy as libtards like to phrase it. We are a Representative Constitutional REPUBLIC.

[@williamwest5827]

No! They died for a new birth of freedom. Hard fought and won by their blood sweat and tears.

[@tross9972]

We have not lost the Union yet