RUMMEL'S BARN
My dear General;
Yours on the 1st Inst. contents carefully noted. In reply, it was the Baltimore Light Artillery, and I think Griffin's.
On the 2d our brigade was north of Gettysburg all day, to the right and in front of a brick house two miles or less from the city. That was the cannonading Griffin participated in. His battery was badly used up, early in the morning of the 3d. As fast as he got a gun in position, piece after piece was dismantled and silenced.
This battery was relieved. I do not know who by. We did have some artillery way over to the right, but in rear of and to the right of the woods. This did not get in position until after 12 o'clock. I also have an impression that one or more pieces were always over on the left with Smith. How many guns were engaged I cannot tell. Smith's position was simply a picket on our flank. He did not have exceeding 30 men, in position. There was a space of perhaps 800 yards between him and my left. This space was covered by the artillery and mounted cavalry. Stewart's [Stuart's] position during the day was near the eastern mouth of the lane or road. I am not certain about the lane. I know there was a fence on the right hand side, as I saw after the fight, near his position 2 Federal soldiers sabre wounded, and from that circumstance have always thought the federal pierced our lines and came near taking our artillery, which was to the left and front slightly, of where I saw these wounded men. Jenkins' brigade were simply mounted infantry, and, with the exception of the detachments under Eagle [Eakle] and Newman [Nounnan], Smith, and my own, were in my rear, in the woods. I cannot say whether they were in position or not, but suppose they were prepared to reinforce my line if necessary. I received no orders from Col. Ferguson,'" and did not see or hear from him or any member of his staff during the battle.
It is morally certain that Col. Munford is mistaken. He was not at the barn for three reasons, 1st he could not have fallen back there on account of the fences, 2d Jenkins' brigade except those that were with me were in the woods. The cavalry charged to the left of our line and came back the same way, which was along the road or lane, and his regiment was with his brigade, which was to the left all the time
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When the Federal cavalry charged me, the detachments of Eagle and Norman became somewhat demoralized, and with the single exception of Capt. Harrison Parks (who lives at the mouth of Hurricane in Wayne, W. Va.) abandoned me and I did not see them until after the battle, when they were drawn up along the fence at the barn.'" Munford was then not there, and this is my 3d reason. The front of our line was perhaps cOO yard [sic] or less in length. I do not remember the 1st Virginia, but do remember Chambliss' brigade,'" as it with ours, accompanied Stuart in person on the retreat, and was afterwards with us at Miller's Hill, I think, perhaps McClellan is right. Both batteries was there, none of our cavalry charges or retreated on the right of the road, as that ground was covered by our brigade. No troops fought on foot, except Jenkins' brigade, and none of that was engaged except the parts of which I have spoken. The 16th was a mere skeleton, paper regiment; and four companies with us did not muster more than 50 men. The 14th had engaged about 100 men. My command had 352 men besides officers. The 17th and six companies of the 16th were detached to guard the prisoners captured the first day by Gen. Lee.
How did you get my name as William? It is Vincent A. Witcher.
Respectfully V. A. Witcher
PS: The fighting was so hot and sharp by the dismounted men. no officer dared go to the front, and none of them know anything about it. I lost more men that day than all the rest of Stuart's command; I mezan killed and wounded. I saw major Ferry fall, as well as the colors, and was not distance 30 yards off.
Note: Probably Capt. Frederick F. Smith who commanded Company G, 17th Regiment Virginia Cavalry in support of Jackson's Kanawha Battery. It could also be Smith's 36th Battn, known to be near the road. Tradition states that the 17th Virginia Cavalry stayed back with Col. French to guard prisoners near Barlow's Knoll.