Waitt, Ernest Linden, History of the Nineteenth regiment, Massachusetts volunteer infantry , 1861-1865

[254] regiment instantly in motion, and side by side the two regiments went up and filled the gap. The head of Pickett's column was just breaking through the little oak grove. We were just in time to meet them, and became in this way the only force directly in their front.

Both lines were stopped and the question was which could make an advance. The two lines stood and fired into each other, at a distance (which I carefully measured after the fight) of a little short of fifteen paces. Being able to stop their direct advance, General Webb and Colonel Hall were able to rally their men, assisted by General Alex. Hayes on the right, Harrow, Stannard and other troops from Newton's command on the left.

Our troops made a rush forward, and it seemed as if what remained of the enemy almost simultaneously threw down their arms, begged for quarter, and poured through our ranks, glad to be taken prisoners.

During the fight at this point I captured with my regiment alone, four colors, which were handed to me before the firing ceased. These were the flags of the Fifty-Seventh, Fifty-Third, Fourteenth and Nineteenth Virginia regiments.

One of the standards was captured in this way: the color bearer of my regiment, carrying the Massachusetts State Colors, knocked down with his color staff, the color bearer in the enemy's line, and took it from the hands of the enemy's color bearer.

After the surrender of the enemy, our men were in great confusion, the various regiments so intermingled that it was impossible to reform in separate regimental organizations, but as the enemy showed the head of a fresh column (Anderson's division), it was necessary to re-form at once along our old line. From the gap, directly in front of this little grove, between the stone fence on the right and the rail fence on the left, I was trusted with that duty and placed the men in line irrespective of their regimental connection, my orders to that effect being cheerfully obeyed by officers and men.

In reference to the capture of four stands of colors by my regiment, I believe it to be true that the colors of one of the regiments, which were handed by Gen. Alex. S. Webb to one of my men, who in turn handed them to me, were captured by the Seventy-Second Pennsylvania, and the credit belongs to them.

After this the Nineteenth Massachusetts and the Forty-Second New York came under the direct command of Colonel N. J. Hall, the brigade commander. We again marched with the Second Corps through Frederick City to Williamsport and Falling Waters, where we were the supporting force to Kilpatrick's cavalry when he captured, at that point, the enemy's battery, their rear guard in crossing the river, the infantry not being engaged.

Very respectfully submitted,