Deming, A.J. "Bucktails at Gettysburg," National Tribune, February 4, 1886

TO THE EDITOR: IN THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE OF OCTOBER 15 I read an article written by Silas W. Crocker, giving a history of the 6th Pa Reserves at Gettysburg. In all of his statements I will agree with him as far as the 6th is concerned, but would like to add just a little more history to the brigade. The Old Bucktail rifle-regiment was hitched on to the left of his (The First brigade, Pa Reserves) and went in on that charge that turned the tide of battle on the 2d of July at Little Round Top. Our entrée upon that memorable field of battle was executed by the manuver "on the left by file into line" at double quick, which was done with as much promptness and exactness as though we were on dress parade. This brought the Bucktails on the left of the Brigade, directly in front of  the battery stationed on the ledge of rocks opposite Devil’s Den. This was the position of our regiment at Gettysburg on the 2d of July at 4 o’clock.

We remained in this position until our immediate front had got clear of the broken lines of blue coats that were pressing to the rear closely followed by the exultant rebels, who were yelling and screeching as none but rebs could, when the order was given to charge. With the battle cry "Black your boots!" (all old bucktails will know how that originated) and "Hurrah for Lanigan’s ball" running along the line, we went in on the double quick, firing and reloading our Sharps rifles as we went. The rebel line soon gave way, and the tide of battle was changed. When our regiment stopped, it was at the stone wall near the edge of the woods. Our gallant Colonel, Charles J. Taylor, a brother of Bayard Taylor, was killed just after we got across the low marsh ground near Devil’s Den.

This position we held all night and the next day, until after Picket’s charge on our line. Then we had orders to advance, and, the whole brigade moved in line, driving the rebels through and beyond the Wheatfield, thus gaing the whole ground fought over and lost by Sickle’s Division the day before. We recaptured one gun and three caissons, left by our men, and some 4,000 stand of small- arms that were left on the field. I noticed they were not all of Yankee make. I remember pickung up a gun of a peculiar pattern. I took the owner of it a prisoner—a member of the 4th Ga. I kept the reb but left the gun.

It has been claimed by some other regiments and their commanders that the Pa. Reserves did not occupy the position at Gettysburg claimed by them. Capt. Judson in his history of the 83rd Pa., claims that there was too much credit given the Reserves at Gettysburg for saving Round Top; that his regiment, the 83d did more to check the rebel advance than all the reserves. Col. McCoy made the same statement at a reunion of the 83d in Titusville, Pa. I would not wish to claim any honors won by another regiment, but must insist on claiming and holding fast to all credit given our old division for saving Little Round Top on the eve of the 2d of July. I would like to hear from some other members of our brigade that is more competent to write up its history at Gettysburg.-----A.J. Deming, Co D, Bucktail Rifles, Spring Creek, Warren Co., Pa.