Oliver O. Howard to Chas. H. Howard, February 5, 1863

SNe 7. , February 5, 1863.

As there seems to be some injustice done the One hundred and thirtysecond Pennsylvania Regiment as to the loss of its flag after the battle of Fredericksburg, occasion is taken to publish, for the information of all concerned, the facts in the case.

The One hundred and thirty-second Pennsylvania Regiment, part of General Kimball’s brigade in the battle of Antietam, entered that fight with 700 men; behaved nobly and lost heavily. ;

The regiment entered the battle of Fredericksburg with 250 men, and lost a little less than one-half their number, including 5 color-bearers. The last color-bearer, badly wounded, left his regiment after dark, and in the town entered a church used as a hospital, taking his colors with him. He was carried away from this place, and the colors left behinu. The very fidelity of the color-bearer, holding to his colors as long as he was conscious, was the reason of their loss to the regiment.

Not only no fault should be ascribed to this regiment, but it should receive unqualified commendation.

By command of Major-General Howard :