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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[@conradnelson5283]

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

[@boboberg3700]

Amazing story. Thank you.

[@dadsongs]

The brickyard fight. What a nightmare. Thank you.

[@OlJarhead]

Another great story!

[@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.

[@yisroelkatz-xj6pq]

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

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

Thanks!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@stevenfromer3816]

What a wonderful story of perseverance. Thank you

[@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 🍀🍀🍀

[@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.

[@donaldclark2722]

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

[@hoosieryank6731]

Only one regiment was sacrificed?

[@TINCANsquid]

Cobleskill Co Bull skill

[@ericveit8915]

Yes, thank you - long O - Coe bull skill