Survivors of the Sixtyninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers have informally handed themselves into a society for the discouragement of historical ignorance to Bertie Adams.
Their object which is admitted to be a most laudable one, is to remove the mote that has entered the eye of Congressman Adams and has beclouded his vision as to the accomplishments of the Sixtyninth Regiment in repulsing the charge of Pickett's men at the "Bloody Angle " on the field of Gettysburg.
If Congresssman Adams continues to labor under the misapprehension that it was as he told the House of Representatives the other day the Sixtyninth Regiment New York Volunteers which beat back Picketts dash and turned the tide in favor of the North at Gettysburg it will not be the fault of the veterans of the famous Keystone organisation.

In order that Congressman Adams may not be led to again dispute the assertion of John Sharp Williams the Democratic leader that it was the Sixtyninth of Pennsylvania that checked Pickett and endeavour to knock history sideways by giving the credit to the Sixtyninth of New York a copy of the history of the Pennsylvania Regiment will be sent him.
This book which shows among other things that the Sixtyninth was recruited within sight of Congressman Adams home contains numerous pictures taken on the Gettysburg field including one of the monument raised there in commeration of the gallantry of the soldiers of the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania when Pickett hurled his line upon the Union troops.

More in sorry than in anger the survivors of the Sixtyninth regards Congressman Adam's blunder. They feel that it was due to a lack of diligence on the Congressman's part in persuring the study of history in his school days. If he reads the book they do not doubt he will be convinced if he is not already that he erred in seeking to transfer the credit of the decisive incident at Gettysburg from the Pennsylvanians to the New Yorkers.
It has been suggested by some of the survivors that the enlightenment of Congressman Adams be further expedited by inviting him to go to Gettysburg at their expense and examine the incontroversible evidence that exists there.
Capt John R. Reilley who completed the history of the regiment said that he had prepared a copy to be forwarded to Mr. Adams.

Every lecturer has given full credit to the Sixtyninth Pennsylvanian for checking Picketts charge said Capt. Reilley. "Many paintings are in existence which credit the victory to us. The Sixtyninth New York were a mile and a half away when the slaughter came. We were doing the skirmish work and were the first to meet the attack. Then we had 252 men left in the Regiment".
"Picketts men who have survived know we defeted them. We have since heard from them how they singled us out hoping to make rapid progress if we were cut down. It was easy to distinguish the Sixtyninth because we always carried the green flag sent to us by our Irish friends at home.The day of Picketts charge I carried the Stars and Stripes. I do not recall who carried the Irish flag but it was there".

Peter McAnally who is a superintendent at the Midvale steel works enlisted in the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania after the engagements at Gettysburg But he has since met survivors from Picketts army who recited many incidents in connection with the memorable charge.
They were with us on the day we dedicated the monument he said. and praised our regiment for the work they did. They all credit the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania with having turned the tide and they ought to know. No wonder that there be much agitation when the work the regiment did is disputed by a Philadelphia Congressman.
Capt. William Francis McNamara of 322 New Street said.
"Congressmand Adams has made a fool of himself. Every schoolboy ought to know that the Sixtyninth the Irish Regiment of Phladelphia turned Picketts charge and drove back the superior force. This is too late in the day to try and rob the Sixtyninth of its glory. Picketts men never forgot the Irish flag we carried. The green was always there with the Stars and Stripes. Ask one of Picketts men who had licked them. They know."

James W. Whitecar of 2214 North Sixteenth Street another survivor said.
"I am amazed at the ignorance dislayed by that brilliant Philadelphia statesman Mr.Adams as to the accomplishments of the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. I suggest that he procure a copy of the work published by the State entitled "Pennsylvania at Gettysburg" and burn the midnight oil over it.This probably would save him from repeating the humilating blunder he made in the House of Representatives a few days ago".
"The Sixtyninth New York did participate in the battle and performed gallant service. They were not at The Angle however but considerably to the left of near the base of The Little Round Top. The position they occupied there is marked by an imposing bronz cross".
"I feel that Congressman Williams should receive our thanks for insisting that our old regiment be given due credit for the part it took in repulsing Picketts command especially when a representative from our own city where the regiment was recruited did not know any better than to dispute the facts of recorded history".

Michael Fay one of the members of the Sixtyninth was found basking in the sunshine in front of the Naval Home. He burned with indignation as he referred to Congressman Adams attempt to deprive his regiment of the glory it earned at Gettysburg.
"I think Adams has historical facts greatly mixed" he said. "He is not in touch with history if he says it was the New York men instead of our regiment that won the day at The Bloody Angle".
"Picketts man had shelled our stamping ground and the air was black with smoke. The first we knew we saw the rebs marching towards us just as though they were going to a dress parade. They must have thought they had annihilated us with shells otherwise they would'nt have come so boldly forward. We stood and faced them when a hand to toe conflict took place. Men went down all around me that day many of them to rise no more."

Thomas Furey another "Sixtyniner" lives in Marshall St. below Washington Ave. Like Mr Fay he too thought Congressman Adams must be dreaming. Furey has in his possession fragments of the Union and Irish flags carried in the bloody battle.
"Adams has made himself ridiculous " said Mr. Furey. "Why every school boy or girl knows it was the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania Regiment that drove General Pickett back. The 69th New York was also an Irish Regiment and carried an Irish flag but it was not within a mile of The Bloody Angle at the time Pickett was replused".
Sergeant David Kinary lives at Twelfth and Monroe Streets. He fought all through the war of the rebellion and was with O'Kane at Gettysburg.

"Adams does'nt tell the truth" said Sergeant Kinnary indignantly; "either that or he is sadly befuddled. Why a shaft has been erected to commerate the bravery of the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania in replusling Picketts charge".
"Never was a more splendid charge made. We could not see the rebs approaching for the dense columns of smoke that issued forth from the infantry fire until they were almost upon us.Then we opened on them. By this time they had got closer that men were fighting each other hand to hand. We were at too close quarters to fire so at last we battered the rebs on the heads with our guns".

Patrick Loan living at 542 North St expressed the belief that the Philadelphia statesman was "off on his history" ."Yes I was with the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania " said Loan. "It was an engagement that a person would hardly forget to his dieing day. Half of the Regiment was killed in the engagement with Picketts men, while a number were carried wounded from the battlefield. The Sixtyninth New York had nothing to do with repelling Picketts charge."
"Adams contention is outrageous" is the way Francis McClarren of 1523 Hamilton Street who with his two brothers Henry McClarren and James McClarren was a member of the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania. "Why anyone who is familiar with history knows it was the Pennsylvania and not the New York Regiment that met Picketts charge at Gettysburg."

James Duffy of 2943 Waverley street another "Sixtyniner" was also amazed at Congressman Adams lack of knowledge concerning the engagement of the regiments of his native state. "Why I have a history of the conflict Adams can have". said Duffy. "I am sorry he isn't better posted".
Harry W. Murray whose uncle bearing the same name was corporal of K Company Sixtyninth Regiment wrote to "The North American" that Mr Adams must have been misinformed when he contended in Congress that it was the Sixtyninth New York that bore the brunt of Picketts charge at Gettysburg.
"The fact that the Sixtyninth Pennsylvania was the regiment that did the work" says Mr Murray ""is vividly impressed upon my mind because of the fact that my uncle lost his eyesight during the fight at The Bloody Angle. Honor should be given to whom it is due and I hope Mr.Bertie Adams will not fail to do this after he has been set right as to the facts".

The article is perhaps not a journalistic masterpiece but it does convey a lot of hurt still being held by the old soldiers after nearly 40 years. Who is this man Adams to which they constantly refer?. Let's look at some information on him.
Robert Adams also known as Bertie Adams was born in Philadelphia in 1849. He would have grown up in a Philadelphia that was changing forever. From about 1848 the Catholic Irish many very poor and uneducated would be flooding into a city whose ethos would have evolved from settlers mostly from countries associated with the Protestant ethos eg Dutch, northern German, Scots, and of course English. They were comfortable with each other in general religious belief. They would have a "common" nationality that of American. They had a regulated lifestyle and fair quality of life. However in the mid 1840's a potato famine in far off Ireland would cause consequences for the people of Philadelphia. The floodgates of Irish immigrants would open. By the mid 1860's the clouds of civil War were gathering. Sides were being taken. Even the officers at the prestigious West Point Academy were taking sides. Many of these men class mates at a time lined up againt each other either in the Confederate grey or the Union blue. By 1860 the country would be engulfed in Civil war.
A young Bertie Adams would be 11 years of age when the war broke out. He would be 16 when it ended. Would the events that he witnessed have influenced his thinking in later life. I feel most certainly. However I feel that it was what a young Adams heard from his parents and peers that left their indelible mark. A family with the name Adams most probably evolved from Scots Presbyterian stock. I feel that by 16 a young impressionable Adams had his mindset well formed. He would have to listen to the accolades that would be the talk of the Irish and more liberal Americans in the city to the 69th Pa. He probably found it difficulty that this small regiment formed up mainly from famine Irish emigrants, having many Irish officers,having an M.O.H awarded to one of its Irish born officers Capt Charles McAnally proud to call themselves Americans and above all play a major part at Gettysburg on the most important day of the Civil war July 3rd 1863 at the Bloody Angle the focal point of Picketts charge. This would be a difficult pill for both Adams and Dalzell to swallow.
Adams studied law and carved himself out a varied career. He was even a member of the State Militia 1881-1895.No doubt this would revive memories of the Civil War and the 69th Pa. He died by his own hand in Washington D.C.June 1st 1906. He is buried in the Laurel Hill cemetery in Philadelphia.
Dalzell from New York and obviously from a similar background to Adams also carved himself a career in politics.
As the old surviving soldiers of the 69th died off in the early part of the 20th century their history and that of the 69th Pa. died with them. There would be few from the "Establishment" who would want to rekindle their memory. The Northern press did not want to waste too much ink on or give credit lines to successful Irish-American heros. However their history did disappear until post 1950's when Stewart's best selling book "Picketts Charge" gave them due credit.
And what of now in Philadelphia and its people?.Through my eyes as a European a city that has matured massively in size, importance but most importantly in the maturity of the citizens and governace. A city that in 1999 was big enough in mindset to award the Philadelphia Medal of Honor to the 69th. Pa. and in 2005 the City Assembly to pass a motion honouring the memory of the 69th Pa.
And maybe just maybe the next time you see the "Fighting 69th Regt" marching up Broadway in New York city on St. Patricks day you will step back a moment and think "Ah yes the 69th Regt of New York but Philadelphia also had its 69th. Regt. whose young men gave their all for the Union in a previous war. They deserve to be remembered equally".