Passing Through a Window in Time: 

the Impressions of a civil war reenactor during the battle of Gettysburg

by Robert R. Ducharme

Since I have studied and researched the life of this young man for so long, I was excited to have the opportunity to portray and give honor to his memory while fighting so very close to the place that he fought to defend 135 years ago. His march from Falmouth, VA to Gettysburg was about 170 miles. A journey that the 15th Mass. completed in two weeks. The daily marches which were conducted in rainy and hot conditions generally covered from 15 - 20 miles each day. During this two week period, I would read each daily entry that Yeomans made into his diary and try to imagine his thoughts and feelings as he marched toward his inevitable reward of battle.

I continue to be moved by the fact that on the evening of July 1st, I will be camped within 2 miles of the Second Corps camp where Yeomans and the 15th were camped on that very same date in 1863.  I am also reminded that on this day in 1863, Yeomans and the 15th marched 35 hard, hot miles while the Union army was desperately trying to concentrate it’s forces in order to counter the Confederate threat.

We left Sturbridge around 6:15 A.M., and after a pleasant ride, which included three stops, we arrived in the Gettysburg area around 1:15. We went straight to the registration barn to register. It was here where we first began to get a feeling how big this event would be. Despite the fact that we arrived two days early we still waited in line about 20 minutes to register. After registering we were each given I.D, tags and told that they had to be worn at all times. We then returned to our camp and set up our tents and gear. Our camp was at the base of a long hill in a wooded section. We had to clear the site of brush, rocks and trees. My tent was on sloping ground with several rocks beneath me when I slept. Oh well, I wanted to experience a soldier's hardships.

After setting up camp, we decided to drive to the battlefield and look around. While we were driving around we took a little traveled road between the roundtops and by accident we arrive in the general location of where I think Yeomans and the 15th camped on the evening of July 1st before they were deployed to the center of the Union line. After diving around the park, we decided to return to the camp. By now the federal camp was a beehive of activity, with tents and soldiers everywhere you looked. A steady stream would continue to come in throughout the event. When we arrived at camp, most of us decided to go to the suttlers area -- a sort of a civil war mall in tents.  Upon our return through an open field, a deer ran past us. As I asked two other soldiers if they saw it, they replied in a British accent. After speaking with them we found that they were part of a group of reenactors from Great Britain who came over to do Gettysburg. They were in with the Irish Brigade. We spent the rest of the evening around the campfire with the rest of the company. We turned in around 10:00 p.m.

Although the event does not start until tomorrow, the camp is really starting to look like a military camp.

The rest of the company was arriving after driving all night. We helped them set up camp then we all drove into Gettysburg for breakfast together. After a great breakfast we all drove down to the 15th monument near the angle and copse of trees. I explained to the group the role that the 15th played on both day 2 and day 3. We then had a group photo taken in front of the monument.

Next we walked down to the George Ward monument which is erected on the spot where Ward, the colonel of the 15th was killed on day 2. Once again we had a group photo taken. We then finished our morning in Gettysburg by visiting the cyclorama and the visitor center.

In the afternoon we returned to the renactment site where we would now remain for the duration . Many of us went back to the suttler where we parted with our greenbacks. Instead of walking we returned to camp on a shuttle hay wagon. It was now when I began to realize how many reenactors were here. On our return to camp we went through the Confederate artillery, cavalry, infantry, then the civilian camp, followed by the Federal cavalry, infantry and artillery camps. Each camp comprised of several battalions which were made up of several brigades. Men and camps were everywhere. The start of the event was fast approaching. The Federal camp was on the side of a wooded hill and tents were everywhere as far as you could see. Upon our return to camp we each cooked our own meals over the fire and after eating we sat around the fire and enjoyed each others company.

Later in the evening I wrote a letter as Andrew B. Yeomans while trying to imagine his feelings on the evening of July 1st 1863 as he believes he was about to enter the battle the very next day.

We turn in around 10 P.M. knowing that reveille comes at 6 A.M.

Roll Call 6:30

Form up for Dress Parade 8:00

Dress Parade 9:00

After dress parade by battalions, work details were formed to build breastworks for Culp’s Hill which will take place tomorrow. This really gave me a feel for how quickly a large group of men could erect breastworks of logs and stone when their defense depended upon it. Having completed the breastworks the company returned to camp around 11 A.M. where we had for lunch the breakfast that we had to skip when we were ordered out. This was cooked by our civilian members who portray the Leominster Ladies Aid Society.

The company was told to form up for the first days battle at 2:00 This battle was called the First encounter, and it would include Heth's advance against Buford’s cavalry, and the Stand of the Iron Brigade and the First Corps. It was so exciting to see wave upon wave of men being deployed into battle. I witnessed much of what I have read in books. The long blue lines and the gleam of bayonets as battalions approach the field.

As the Federal cavalry were driven in and the First Corps was being deployed, about 50 canon on each side began supporting the infantry troops. This was the first time that I heard the sound described by so many soldiers when they stated that at times the rifle firing of a battle line sounded like someone tearing a piece of cloth. The smoke, the noise the confusion of battle. The cavalry with all its horses, the infantry with thousands of men, and the many batteries of canons all in action at once was thrilling, frightening, humbling and extremely impressive. This was as close to the real thing as one could ever get. It reinforces my respect for those brave men who endured all of this 135 years ago.

After the battle the company reformed and returned to camp. Much to my surprise, when we arrived at camp, Mr. David Ward and his son Robert had come to visit us. These gentlemen are descendants of George H. Ward, the colonel of the 15th Massachusetts who was killed at Gettysburg. The Wards spent the entire evening with us sharing their knowledge of their great grandfather with us. We were indeed honored to have them with us. Both were invited to stay for our camp supper and ate with us. After speaking to each member of the company, they left around 8:00 promising to return tomorrow.

A great night around the campfire. Turned in around 10 A.M. We expect a long day tomorrow.

Great breakfast cooked by the Leominster Ladies Aid Society

After breakfast I met two soldiers who were here from Germany. After talking with them, they told me that reenacting is popular in Germany though the battles are not quite as large. They sometimes go to England where some reenactments may have as many as 1000 men. When I asked how they became interested in the American Civil War, one said that he was a fan of the Western World and a real fan of America.  I thought that this was great. It made me realize that many people around the world do not dislike Americans. I told them that a large percentage of German immigrants fought in the Civil War, in particular in the 11th Corps which fought at Gettysburg.  After wishing each other good luck in battle, we returned to camp.

The company formed up around 10:00 and marched north to take part in the battle of the Wheatfield, where they were on the left of the line. They did not give or come under heavy fire. After a battle that went back and forth, the company was withdrawn from the field and returned to camp.

We were told to be ready to form up around 3 P.M. after the Battle of Little Rountop was completed. We would be defending the breastworks that we built the other day on Culp’s Hill. Back in camp we cooked individual meals and resupplied our ammunition boxes while cooling off and conserving energy for the battle. At 3:00 we formed up and marched out to defend Culp"s Hill. We were located near the center of the infantry line to the right of the artillery.

When the Confederates appeared, we began firing first by files then by company then finally independent fire. During this time I fired about 40 rounds. The barrel of my rifle was so hot that I burned my hand on it. We succeeded in turning back three waves of the Confederate assault and finally they were defeated and turned back. Culp’s Hill was secure. The Confederate forces did a great job of portraying the rebel troops as they were killed or wounded during the assault.

Once again when we returned to camp the Wards were there. We are so honored that they come to see us. Dave Ward stated that he is very excited that there is a 15th Mass. regiment that keeps the memory of men like his great grandfather alive. The Wards once again stayed for dinner and spent time with each member of the company. The mere fact that they came all the way from Philadelphia for three days ( including 4th of July holiday) away from their families just to share their time with us truly honors our regiment.

A little quieter night around the campfire this evening ( we are all getting tired )

Turned in around 10:00 P.M.

Breakfast once again by the Leominster Ladies Aid Society.

The day that I have been waiting for is finally here. Soldiers are still coming into the Federal camp. Word in camp is that there are now more than 20,000 reenactors on site and more more Confederates will make Picketts charge that did 135 years ago.

About 9:00 Captain Cipriani returned from a meeting with the battalion commander. It seems that he is requesting that we act as skirmishers for Picketts charge. This would mean that we would not be at the front near the angle like the 15th was but we would be deployed out in front of the Federal line. He said he would try to re-insert us into the angle when we fell back after skirmishing. Since we have been treated very fairly by the commander this past week, we accepted his proposal.

We now waited while we ate rations from our haversacks. The sun was hot, but there was a mild breeze that provided some relief. About 1:30 p.m., the Confederate guns began to fire. The Federal guns answered immediately. When the Confederate guns opened fire we were told to lie prone upon the ground. When I jumped down to lay on the ground, the I.D. tag that I carried around my neck, that I fashioned from a bullet and had Yeomans name on it, flipped up and landed on the ground face up in front of me. I felt as if I had been transformed back in time.

For the next hour these 135 guns exchanged fire with each other in preparation to the infantry assault. As the artillery barrage began to subside we could see line upon line of Confederate troops moving out of the tree line to take their arms which had been stacked earlier. The entire Confederate battle line had to be over a half mile long.

Suddenly Confederate skirmishers began to appear in our front from behind a swale. We were given the command to rise to a kneeling position and commence firing. We really poured it into them, but there were so many that they kept coming. I fired around 30 rounds as quick as I could until the man next to me was wounded . As the Confederate line was getting close, we were then ordered to fall back with the wounded to regroup. We did so in good order, then turned to fire another volley. We were then ordered to turn by the right flank and double quick to the rear. We continued to a point behind the angle where we drank and refilled out cartridge boxes. The Confederates were nearing the apex of their assault. I could hear once again that tearing of fabric sound as battalions fired volleys into them. We now reformed behind the trees and were moved forward toward the angle.

As we came out into the clearing beyond the trees and I looked out on the field before me, I was horrified by what I saw. Dead soldiers, both Union and Confederate, everywhere one looked. Wounded Confederates streaming back to their lines. For the second time this weekend I passed through a window in time. For a brief moment I had the sense that I was there. Just as we were about to be moved forward to the angle, the Confederate assault was turned back and the battle came to a close. The Confederacy had reached it’s high tide and would now begin to recede.

Upon returning to camp, many in the outfit broke down and started for home. We decided to avoid the rush and traffic while taking the opportunity to reflect and absorb what happened here this past week, by staying an extra night. On Monday morning, after not showering for five days we looked forward to getting home to a hot shower. After a pleasant ride with little traffic we arrived home around 1:30. We each agreed that this was an experience that each of us would never forget.

The 15th Massachusetts

Volunteer Infantry Regiment

"None gave more freely the blood of it’s bravest and its’s best"