• Full Citation: William M. Dudlay, "Sergeant Major Blanchard at Gettysburg," ed. Norma Hawkins Fuller, Indiana Magazine of History 34, no. 2 (June 1938): 212-216.
• Year: 1863
• Regiment: 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry
• Engagement: Gettysburg
• Abstract:Letter written by Brigadier General William M. Dudlay to George R. Blanchard of Chicago, Aug. 9, 1887, St. Paul, Minnesota. Letter accompanied a regimental flag donated to the State of Indiana by the sister of Asa W. Blanchard (1844-1863). General Meredith assigned Blanchard's regiment to the bottom of the hill at McPherson's woods, and although Dudlay thought they should move higher, Generals Meredith and Wadsworth rejected Dudlay's request. When rebels charged across a creek in front of the regiment, Asa Blanchard was in charge of keeping the regiment's flag flying. While carrying the flag himself, Blanchard was shot and died almost instantly.
• Sample Text:
  1. "If it was his fate to die in battle, no grander field nor greater battle, nor more decisive victory could his blood have bought. To you whom he loved so well he has left a name untarnished and a glorious record of patriotism and devotion to duty. To his comrades he left a noble example of soldierly heroism."
• LC Subject Headings:
  1. United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 19th (1861-1864)
  2. Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863
  3. Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863 Personal narratives

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