X^\ :\. PENNSYLVANIA AT GETTYSBURG CEREMONIES Dedication of the Monuments ERECTED BV THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE G. MEADE MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD S. HANCOCK MAJOR GENERAL JOHN F. REYNOLDS MARK THE POSITIONS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMANDS ENGAGED IN THE BATTLE "There is a heritage of heroic example and noble obligation, not reckoned in the Wealth of Nations, but essential to a Nation's life; the contempt of which, in any people may not slowly mean even its commercial fall." VOLUME I 1904 THE !.IBRfli?Y or CONGRESS. One Copy Reohveo DEC. 1904 CoP>'»fS>fr EKTTJY CLASS XXo. No. COPY B, Entered according to the Act of Congress, 1904 the Editor and Compiler Bvt. Lt. Col. John P. Nicholson Secretary Board of Commissioners HARUISBURO, PENNA. WM. STANLEY RAY, STATE I'lMNTEH. 1U04. ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE DEDICATION OF THE CEMETERY AT GETTYSBURG. November 19, 1863 FOUR score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equa-1. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that na- tion might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not con- secrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they ga^e the last full measure of de- votion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. (ill) HOAIM) OF COMMISSIONERS Under the Act approved June 15, 1887 For the erection of Monuments to mark the position of the Pennsylvania Commands engaged in the Battle of Gettysburg. Brevet Brijj.-Genoral John P. Taylor President Brig.-Genoral J. P. S. Gobin Brevet Lieut-Colonel John P. Nicholson Secretary Colonel R. Bruce Ricketts Brevet Brig.-General Wm. Ross Hartsiiorne May, 1S91 Lieut. Samuel Harper Secretanj ' (Died May 16, 1S99) Ov) PREFACE THE Geiiei-al Assembly of the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvaiiia at the session of 1887, passed the follow- ing: 1. "'Be it enacted, dr., That tlie sum of one liundi-ed and twenty-one thousand five hundred dolhirs, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is liereby specifically appropriated out of any funds of the State Treasury for the purpose of perpetuating the participation in, and marking, by suitable memorial tablets of bronze or granite, the position of each of the commands of Pennsylvania volunteers engaged in the battle of Gettysburg. 3. "That immediately after the passage of this act the Governor shall appoint five Commissioners, vrhose duty it shall be to select and decide upon the design and material for monuments of granite or bronze to mai-k the position of each Pennsylvania command upon the battlefield of Gettys- burg, and the said Commissioners shall serve without compensation, and they shall co-operate with five persons representing the survivors of the several regimental organizations or commands of this State engaged in the said battle, in the location of the said monuments and the selection thereof, and when such monuments shall be completed and properly erected the Auditor-General shall, upon proper vouchor to be presented by the said Commissioners, draw his warrant upon the State Treasurer for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, which sum is hereby appropriated for the pay- ment of the monument of each Pennsylvania command or organization participating in said battle; and should the survivors of any of the said commands fail, for a period of twelve months after the passage of this act, to agree upon the location or to co-operate with the said Commis- sioners as provided herein, then the said Commissioners shall have a suit- able monument erected, of the material aforesaid, to mark the position of such Pennsylvania command on tlie said battlefield, and a warrant for the cost thereof shall be drawn by the Auditor-General in the manner hereinbefore provided." On the 15th day of June, 1887, the Governor, Hon. James A. Beaver, approved the act, and on the 27th of June, 1887, is- sued commissions to Brevet Brigadier-General John P. Tay- lor, Brevet Brigadier-General J. P. S. Gobin, Brevet Lieuten- (V) vi Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. aut-ColoiR'l John 1*. Nicholson, Colonel R, Bruce Ricketts and Lieutenant Samuel Harper as the Commissioners. The Board was ort^anized by the selection of Brevet Briga- dier-Ceneral John 1'. Taylor, president, and Lieutenant Samuel Harper, secretary. Monuments were dedicated under the appropriation during 1887-1888. At a meeting of the Board, in November, 1888, Lieutenant- Colonel Nicholson submitted a resolution providing for a com- mittee to confer with Governor Beaver, having in view the setting apart a day for the dedication of the monuments in 1889, under the auspices of the State and with appropriate ceremonies, to be styled ^'Pennsylvania Day." The Governor entered heartily into the suggestion and, at a conference with the Commissioners, May 11-12, 1889, was agreed upon. The Legislature at the session of 1889, in furtherance of the celebration, patriotically passed the following: Whereas, That the act of the Legislature of one thousand eight hun- dred and eighty-seven, provided for the erection of suitable monuments on the battlefield of Gettysburg, to mark the positions held by Pennsylvania organizations in said battle, Avhich monuments are to be dedicated at such time during the present year as may be designated by the Governor of this Commonwealth, at which dedication the presence of all Pennsylvania soldiers who participated in the battle of Gettysburg is greatly desired; And whereas, The people of this Commonwealth have always venerated the patriotic and heroic deeds of her soldiers and now desire not only to commemorate the sacrifices of the fallen heroes of the Republic, but also to honor the surviving veterans and make tiieir remaining days comfort- able and happy; therefore, Section 1. Be it enacted, d-c. That at the time of the dedication of the monuments of the Pennsylvania organizations on the battlefield of Gettys- burg, there shall be provided and furnished, at the expense of the Common- wealth, transportation to all the surviving honorably discharged soldiers now residing in Pennsylvania whose names were borne upon the rolls of such organizations previously to, and at the date, of the battle of Gettys- burg, on July first, second and third, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, such transportation to cover distance from the stations at which siicii soldiers live or from the railroad stations nearest to their places of residence, by the shortest or most convenient route, to Gettys- burg and return, and shall be so arranged as to terms of passage that the said veterans shall have the privilege of remaining at Gettysburg not less than one week and shall have the privilege of stopping off at any station en route. Section 4. That the sum of fifty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appi-opriated out of any money in the treasury Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. vii not otherwise appropriated, to defray the. expense of transportation pro- vided for in this act and expenses of the Gettj'sburg Battlefield Commis- sion incurred in making arrangements for dedication of said monuments; the money to be paid on requisition of the Adjutant-General and warrant of Auditor-General, drawn in the usual manner, providing that duly verified vouchers, showing the detailed disbursements under this act, shall be made and filed in the Auditor-General's office. The act was approved by the Governor, May 8, 1889. The Commissioners at once proceeded with the details of the programme, but the serious illness of the secretary of the Commission, Lieutenant Samuel Harper, and the impractica- bility of the distribution of the transportation by the Ad- jutant-General in the short period of time elapsing between the passage of the law and the date of the ceremonies agreed upon, induced the Commissioners in conference with the Gov- ernor, to postpone the dedication to September 11-12, 1889. Lieutenant Harper died May 16, 1889, and Lieutenant-Colo- nel Nicholson was elected secretary. The details of the ceremonies were at once arranged and the programme for September was announced. The orders for transportation under the law were distrib- uted by Brigadier General B. H. Hastings, Adjutant-General, and the Board expresses its hearty thanks for the faithful per- formance of this duty, which, to a great extent, made the oc- casion a success. On the 5th of June, 1890, a conference with the representa- tives of the Pennsylvania Keserves was held at Harrisburg, having in view a "Pennsylvania Reserve Day" at Gettysburg, upon the occasion of the dedication of the monuments of the Reserve regiments. At this meeting, Tuesday, September 2, 1890, was agreed upon and a committee appointed to act in conjunction with the Commissioners. On the day designated a large representation of this gallant corps assembled at Gettysburg and participated in the ceremonies in the National Cemeter3^ The success of the reunion was largely due to the active co-operation of Colonel John H. Taggart, Eleventh Re- serves; Captain John Taylor, Second Reserves; the President of the Pennsylvania Reserve Association, ex-Governor An- drew G. Curtin, and the secretary of the Association, Sergt. James McCormick, Governor James A. Beaver, in his annual message, January 6, 1891, to the General Assemblv of Pennsvlvania, said: viii [Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Tilt' iltMliciitioii of those memorials upon Pennsylvauia Day and Penn- sylvania Reserve Day has resnlli'd in a large amount of regimental history, fovcriug principally the part taken hy the several organizations in the battle of Gettysburg. This mass of material should be systematized, edited and carefully preserved. If published in a single volume, with litho- graith cuts of the several monuments erected by Pennsylvania to her military organizations which participated in the battle of Gettysburg, it would of itself constitute the most striking monument illustrative of and perpetuating the memory of the part taken by the representa- tives of our Commonwealth upon her own soil in the greatest struggle of the W;ir of Secession. I recommend a liberal appropriation for this purpose, to be expended under the direction of the Commission here- tofore organized for the erectinn of uKuiuinents, the members of which, in their study of the subject, have (lunlilicd tlieraselves for the intelligent and efticient discharge of such a duty. On January 26, 1801, Hon. J. T. S. (Jobin, Senator from Lebanon eonnly, introduced the following- in the State Senate: AN ACT to provide for the publishing of the report of the proceedings of the dedication of the Pennsylvania monuments upon the battlefield of Getty.sburg, providing for the distribution tliereof and making an ap- propriation for the same. Section 1. Be it enacted by the ^'t«af ihc ( 'miiiiKiiiwcaltli. three hundred copies for the use of tlie State Librarian, tifty coiiies eaeli for use of Attorney-Gen- eral, Auditor-(Jeneral, State Treasurer, Secretary of Internal Affairs. Super- intendent of Public Instruction, Adjutant-General, Commissioner of Insur- ance, and Sui)erinteudent of Public Printing and Binding; one thousand copies for the use of the School Department for distribution to school superintendents, normal schools and school libraries in the Commonwealth, six hundred copies for use of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the State of Pennsylvania, six hundred and fifty copies for use of the Grand Army of the Republic for distribution among the Posts of the De- partment of Pennsylvania, fifty copies for the use of the encampments of the T^nion "\'eteran Legion of the State of Pennsylvania, two hundred Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. ix copies for the use of the members of the Battlefield Monumental Commis- sion, five thousand copies for the use of the Senate, and ten thousand copies for the use of the House to be delivered to the members of the present Legislature. Governor Robert E. rattison appreciatively approved the act, May 1, 1891. The General Assembly, May 31, 1901, passed the following: AN ACT making an appropriation for the erection of monuments to Major General Meade,. Major-General Reynolds and Major-General Hancock on the battlefield of Gettysburg. Section 1. Be it enacted, cCc, That the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby specifi- cally appi-opriated out of any funds in the State Treasury for the purpose of erecting equestrian statues in bronze of Major-General Meade, Major- General Reynolds and Major-General Hancock upon the battlefield of Gettysburg. Section 2. That immediately after the passage of this act the Pennsyl- vania Gettysburg Monument Commission shall select and decide upon de- signs for monuments of bronze or granite to Generals Meade, Reynolds and Hancock upon the battlefield of Gettysburg, locate and have the same placed upon proper and substantial foundations, the locations to be in the vicinities made famous by the presence of the aforesaid officers re- spectively during the battle. The Commissioners shall serve without com- pensation and make a report of their action to the Governor. When such equestrian statues shall be completed and properly erected the Auditor- General shall upon proper voucher to be presented by the said Commission- ers draw his warrant upon the State Treasurer for the amount due thereon not to exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. Governor Daniel H. Hastings approved this law and con- tracts were made for the erection of the equestrian statnes at a cost of |30,000 for the statue of General Meade, |22,00() for the statue of General Hancock and |20,000 for the statue of General Re3'nolds and the three pedestals |23,000, leaving a balance in the State Treasury of 15,000. The ceremonies of the dedication are detailed in the report. The General Assembly in session in 1901, made an appropria- tion for the erection of a monument fo John Burns as follows: Section 1. lie if ouieled. d-r.. That the sum of one thousMud five hun- dred dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and the same is hereby specifically a'[)propriated to the Board of Commissioners on Gettys- burg Monuments for the erection of a suitable monument to the memory of John Burns, at some appropriate place upon the Gettysburg battlefield to be chosen by said Commissioners. X Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. GovLiiior AVm. A. Stone approved this act July 18, 1901, and the monument was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies Jul}- 1, 11)U3, forty years after the date of his services to the Commonwealth. At the 36th Annual Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Pennsylvania, held at Gettysburg?, Pa., June 4-5, 1902, Comrade John M. Vanderslice submitted the following Preambles and Resolutions which were unani- mously adopted: Whereas, The first publifcation of "Pennsylvania at Gettysburg" was not sufficient to even supply those who had participated in that important engagement in 18G3, And whereas. In that battle the regiments from Pennsylvania bore an important part, and there is a general demand throughout the State for a reprint in order that many of the survivors may be enabled to secure copies; therefore be it licsohed, That the forthcoming Legislature be and they are hereby earnestly requested to enact a law ordering fifteen thousand (15,000) copies of "Pennsylvania at GettysburgJ' Resolved, That the incoming Department Commander is hereby directed to have these preambles and resolutions presented to the Legislature, and to urge their passage. In furtherance of the resolutions Department Commander, Comrade R. P. Scott, submitted the request to the Legisla- ture and the General Assembly passed the following: Section 1. Be it enacted, cfc, That there shall be published under the direction of the Gettysburg Battlefield Commission heretofore organized for the erection of monuments nineteen thousand copies of its report of the proceedings of the dedicatory ceremonies of the Pennsylvania monu- ments upon the Battlefield of Gettysburg and the ceremonies at the dedi- cation of the Equestrian Statues of Generals Meade, Hancock and Rey- nolds. To be published in two volumes not to exceed fifteen hundred pages aiid to contain illustrations of the several monuments and statues and such regimeutal history as may be necessary to properly perpetuate the memory of the part taken by the several Pennsylvania organizations. Section 2. The distribution of the aforesaid edition shall be as follows: Five hundred copies for the use of the Governor, one hundred and fifty copies for the use of the Lieutenant Governor, one hundred and fifty copies for the use of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, three hundred copies for the use of the State Librarian, fifty copies each for the use of Attorney-General, Auditor-General, Adjutant-General, State Treasurer, Secretary of Internal Affairs, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Com- missioner of Insurance and Superintendent of Public Printing and Bind- ing, one thousand copies for the use of the School Department for distri- Imtion to scliool superintendents, normal schools and scliool librai-ies in the Pennsylvania at Gettyshury. xi Commonwealth, six Imudred aud fifty copies for the use of the Grand Army of the Keiniblic for distribution among the several posts of the Department of rennsylvania, six hundred copies for the use of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion Commandery of the State of Pennsylvania, fifty copies for the use of the encampments of the Union Veteran Legion of the State of Pennsylvania, two hundred copies for the use of the members of the Battlefield JMonument Commission, five thousand copies for the use of the Senate and ten thousand copies for the use of the House of Representatives to be delivered to the members of the present Legis- lature. Goveriioi' Saniuel VI. Pennypacker whose services to the Commonweal til commenced on the field of Gettysburg, ap- proved the act May 15, 1903. In this abstract of the Commission's work they express their thanks to Brevet Major-General David McM. Gregg, chief marshal, and his chief-of-staff, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Sylvester Bonnalton, Jr., for the important part they took in making "Pennsylvania Day" memorable. To Brevet Brigadier-General James A. Beaver, as Governor of the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania owes a debt of gratitude, for to him it is due in a great measure that the battlefield of Gettysburg is marked with memorials of Pennsylvania's sacri- fices and the services of her sons recited. John P. Nicholson, Brevet J Aetd. -Colonel U. S. T., Secretary. (xii) / PENNSYLVANIA COMMANDS ENGAGED IN THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG OR PRESENT ON THE FIELD Eleventh Regiment Infantrj'. Twenty-third Regiment Infantry. Twenty-sixth Regiment Infantry. Twenty-seventh Regiment Infantry. Twenty-eighth Regiment Infantry. Twenty-ninth Regiment Infantry. Thirtieth Regiment Infantry (First Reserve). Thirty-first Regiment Infantry (Second Reserve). Thirty-fourth Regiment Infantry (Fifth Reserve). Thirty-fifth Regiment Infantry (Sixth Reserve). Thirty-eiglith Regiment Infantry (Ninth Reserve). Thirty-ninth Regiment Infantry (Tenth Reserve). Fortieth Regiment Infantry (Eleventh Reserve). Forty-first Regiment Infantry (Twelfth Reserve). Forty-second Regiment Infantry (Thirteenth Reserve, First Rifles). Forty-sixth Regiment Infantry. Forty-ninth Regiment Infantry. Fifty-third Regiment Infantry. Fifty-sixth Regiment Infantry. Fifty-seventh Regiment Infantry. Sixty-first Regiment Infantry. Sixty-second Regiment Infantry. Sixty-third Regiment Infantry. Sixty-eighth Regiment Infantry. Sixty-ninth Regiment Infantry. Seventy-first Regiment Infantry. Seventy-second Regiment Infantry. Seventy-third Regiment Infantry. Seventy-fourth Regiment Infantry. Seven ty-fif til Regiment Infantry. Eighty-first Regiment Infantry. Eighty -second Regiment Infantry. Eighty-third Regiment Infantry. Eighty-fourth Regiment Infantry. Eighty-eiglith Regiment Infantry. Ninetieth Regiment Infantry. Ninety-first Regiment Infantry. (1) Pcnnsyhanki at Geityshunj. Niiii-ly-tliird UoKimcnt Infantry. Ninety-fifth Itesinient Infantry. Ninety-sixth Ueyinicnt Infantry. Ninety-eightli Koginient Infantry. Ninety-ninth Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Second Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Fifth Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Sixth Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Seventh Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Ninth Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Tenth Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Eleventh Regiment Infantry. One Ilnndred and Fourteenth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment Infantry. One Ilundx-ed and Sixteenth Regiment Infantry, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Foi-ty -second Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Forty-nintli Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment Infantry. One Hundred and Fifty-third Regiment Infantry, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Infantry. Twenty-sixth Emergency Regiment Infantry, First Regiment Cavalry. Second Regiment Cavalry. Third Regiment Cavalry. Fourth Regiment Cavalry. Sixth Regiment Cavalry. Eighth Regiment Cavalry. Sixteenth Regiment Cavalry. Seventeenth Regiment Cavalry. Eighteenth Regiment Cavalry. Twenty-first Regiment Cavalry. Battery B, First Artillery. Battery F, First Artillery. Battery G, First Artillery. Battery C, Independent Artillery. Battery E, Independent Artillery. Battery F, Independent Artillery. Battery II, Third Heavy Artillery. GETTYSBURG PENNSYLVANIA DAY SEPTEMBER 11-12 (3) PENNSYLVANIA DAV GETTYSBURG, SEPTEMBER 11-12, 1S89 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER IITH Dedication cf tl:e Monuments of the Pennsylvania Commands engaged in the BatUe By the Survivors' Associations. CEREMONIES IN NATIONAL CEMETERY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER I2TH, I 30 P. M. PRESIDING Brevet Lieut. Colonel George Meade Staff of Major-General George G. Meade, commanding Army of the Potomac MUSIC The Star-spangled Banner The "Arion Singing Society" Prof. J. C. Frank, Leader PRAYER Reverend John R. Paxton, D. D. Second Lieutenant 140th Penna. Infantry ANTHEM "Praise the Lord" The "Arion Singing Society" TRANSFER OF THE MONUMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR Honorable J. P. S. Gobin Brevet Brigadier-General: Colonel 47th Penna. Infantry ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWEALTH Governor James A. Beaver Brevet Brigadier-General; Colonel 14Sth Penna. Infantry. POEM, "Gettysburg" Isaac R. Pennypacker, Esq. THE FIRST DAY. July 1, 1S63 Brevet Captain Joseph G. Rosongarten First Lieutenant 121st Penna. Infantry: Aide-de-Camp Staff of Major-General John F. Reynolds THE SECOND AND THIRD DAYS. July 2-3, 1863 Brevet Brigadier-General Henry H. Bingham Major and Judge-Advocate Staff of Major-General Winfleld S. Hancock MUSIC Dedication Quartette TRANSFER TO BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION Governor James A. Beaver ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION Edward McPherson, Esq. MUSIC Dedication Quartette and Perseverance Band BENEDICTION Reverend David Craft. D. D. Chaplain 141st Penna. Infantry Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. PRAYER. Kev. John R. Paxton, D. D. ALMIGHTY God, Great Ordainer of all things, Mighty Sustainer of all Thy creatures, we are Thy people, pre- served by Thy power, cared for by Thy love and re- deemed by Thy grace. And whatsoever we do, whether we eat or drink, whether we cultivate the art of peace, or hasten unto battle, whether we celebrate a birth or commemorate the dead, whatsoever we do, we sincerely desire to do all in Thy fear and to Thy glory, thou Omnipotent God without whose blessing we can do nothing well and against whom we can do nothing long. We bless Thee as the God of Righteousness and Truth, whose presence can be discerned on battle-fields, enforcing just judgment by the sword and bayonet as well as in the houses of mourning inspiring hope, and soothing sorrow, or by the beds of dying men offering pardon and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We bless Thee as the God of Nations as well as of personal destiny. We see Thy hand moving amongst the affairs of the world, overturning dogmas of false worship, inflicting defeat upon wrong and wicked causes, and visiting with retributive punishment all unholy enterprises that offend Thy justice and truth. In times past we see Thy hand moving amongst our affairs as a nation. Friends and allies of Thine assisted at our birth as a nation, and by Thy care and favor we have prospered as a people and grown great and powerful in the eyes of all the world, because we have, in the main, loved righteousness and truth and hated injustice, oppressions and lies. Almighty God, continue to us, we pray Thee, as a nation, through all future generations. Thy favor and Thy care, then with God on our side we shall not fear the wrath of men nor 6 I'liin.sylcania at (Jcttyshurg. the* j^aU's of bell, and the Circat Kepublic, the laud we love, shall abide forever. Aud uow, O (jod, our falht-r's (Jod, our country's God, for the ociasiou before us, aud upou these uiemorial services, we coiniideutly invoke Thy presence and Thy blessing, lirnily be- lieving that this day, and the dead around us, deserve Thy ap- probation, and are worthy of Thy consenting presence and Thy loving smile. Almighty and most Holy God, the Eternal Father, the Sovereign Kuler iu Heaven, and on Earth, Lord of Lords, Great and Supreme God against whom no star ever rebelled, nor any sea ever mutinied, daring to overleap its pre- scribed boundaries, to Thee we boldly and confidently appeal; and on this memorial, this historic, this sacred tield where our dead comrades sleep we fear not to claim Thy presence and Thy blessing. Hide not, O God, Thy face from us, nor keep back Thy smile and benediction, while we, survivors of this tremendous and terrific battle-field, on which treason and rebellion were fatal- ly wounded, and the Union and the right assured of their final triumph, in grateful memory of our comrades who fell here, on the soil of our own state, and from our own homes, dedi- cate these monuments to their everlasting remembrance. O be with us in all these solemn and tender services, for in Thy power we begin them, and under Thy smile have to conclude them. The battle was fought and won by our comrades who sleep sweet beneath Thy smile, under the sod, and by us who survived to mourn their death, and pay them loving tribute to their memory. May these marble and bronze monuments, erected in loving memory of our fallen comrades, stand while the Republic endures, and preach patriotism to unborn gene- rations on this eventful and sacred field. We thank thee, O God, for the faithfulness unto death of the heroic dead whose bones repose in this hallowed ground. May their memory be green in our hearts while life lasts. May the country for wiiich they voluntarily and gladly shed their blood i»rosi>er, and survive the vicissitudes of time, and the calamities of fortune, great, united, enduring. May we be as loyal and ])atriolic in jieace as we were in war, by the side of our comrades at rest under our feet. ^Nlay the children cherish and perpetuate the institution, the constitution, the liberty and love, and equality our comrades died to maintain. Pennsylvania at Gettyshury. 7 And now Thy holy, helpful blessing we claim and crave on the day, on our dead, on our country, north and south, on our President, our Governor and the dear old State, which we and our common brothers who sleep in well-earned graves on this sacred battle-jfteld, are proud to call our own, we ask in Chris L's name. Amen. ANTHEM: 'Traise the Lord." The Arion Singing Society. THE TRANSFER OF THE MONUMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH. Hon. J. P. S. GoBiN. GOVERNOR BEAVER: The Commission appointed by 3'ourself under the provision of the act of assembh' ap- proved June 15, 1887, desire to present to the State of Pennsylvania, through you, as its executive, the result of their labor. They were directed to "select and decide upon the de- sign and the material for monuments of granite and bronze to mark the position of each Pennsylvania command upon the battle-field of Gettysburg," and the object of the erection of these monuments was declared to be "for the purpose of per- petuating the participation in and marking by suitable memo- rial tablets of granite or bronze the position of each of the commands of Pennsylvania volunteers engaged" in that battle. From the earliest era of which we have historical data, na- tions and individuals have delighted to honor heroic deeds, and enduringly mark the spot upon which the fate of govern ments was involved in the shock of battle. Even though the result, in many instances, impeded the onward march of pro- gressive thought and shackled the limbs of advancing free- dom, the natural pride with which was behold the prowess of her soldierly upon that field, demanded of the nation suitable 8 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. commemoiation of the eveut, aud a detinite location of the scene. In the memories and traditions of past centuries, the legends of the middle ages, the histories of the ancient rulers, or the struggles of nations for a better civilization, the one place made sacred is that upon which their armies fought and conquered. Every nationality has insisted upon tributes of this character, and many have learned important lessons from them. We remember the story of one of the old conquerors of Greece, who, when he had traveled in his boyhood over the battlefields where Miltiades had won victories and set up -trophies, upon his return, said, "These trophies of Miltiades will never let me sleep.'* Each feature of the chiseled granite was an inspiration to him as a soldier, and, doubtless, had an inspiring ett"ect u])<)n his subsequent career. The Komans who placed the busts of their successful leaders upon their coin, the Swiss who employed the genius of Thor- waldsen to boldly hew from the granite face of the Alps a lion to perpetuate the courage of their countrymen in a foreign land, the nations embodying their patriotism or skill at arms by triumphal arch or memorial column, were all actuated by the same motive. Even beyond these, upon the banks of the Nile, as remote as the days when the Pharaohs ruled, and amid the sands of old Assyria, can we find the remains of magnifi- cent specimens of memorial architecture. In how many instances, however, were these but the work of hands which had been held aloft with glee as the conqueror passed in triumphal procession tlirough the capital, with his enslaved prisoners bound to his chariot wheels; or, at best, were but the tribute to the ambition of kings, or, still more to be regretted, the result of the superior prowess of disciplined forces over hastily-gathered levies defending their homes from ruthless invaders? Happily, upon this field every tablet rep- resents lojalty to country and flag — a sublime devotion to duty never excelled in the world's history. They have been erected in response to the sentiment of the nation, demanding that which should be a patriotic remembrance for all time. Where the men of their state fought and died with the na- tion's life in deadly peril — where rebellion against it reached the noon-tide of its progress, and from thence went reeling out to meet its inevitable sunset at Appomattox — should the granite and bronze arise. They represent a united country Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 9 cemented by the ordeal of battle — refiued, clarified and strengthened in the furnace of war, and the circle of fire in which armies fought and navies sailed. Each block stands for a unity of interest in every part of the land, and a national future one and indivisible. Whatever may have been the opinion of the individual as to the primal cause of the re- bellion, they rest in the graves of the fallen, with the memorial tablets of the various states keeping watch over the places in wiiich they lie buried forever. Thus the lives of those we rep- resent on this occasion were not lost to their country or their kindred — they are eloquent even in their nameless graves. They crowd about us with all the incentives of honor and pa- triotism. They survive in our admiration of their deeds, in our respect for their sacrifices, in love for their patriotism and devotion to country. As the representatives of principles which are eternal, so will their memories remain. Through the efforts of the dead and living but one flag floats, or dare float, in this, our common country. To do justice to them, if should be so planted as to wave above all error, sectionalism injustice or division of sentiment as to the righteousness of the cause for which those we represent yielded up their lives. In this, however, we by no means desire to confine our allu- sions to this immediate vicinity. It is but part of such a line or series of lines of battle as the world never beheld. The right resting at Donelson, it encircles a vast extent of country until the left is reached here in this quiet valley of the Key- stone State, in the vast circle that sweeps down the Missis- sippi to the gulf, diverges to the Rio Grande, and eastward through to the Atlantic, coursing along its coast, and, by the familiar Potomac, leaping the wide rivers and high mountains — lines of natural defense — to where we at present stand. Its entire length is marked by honored graves — veteran sentinels of liberty — whose challenges will be heard forever and aye by all disturbers of the nation's unity, or conspirators against its honor. They will speak with the authority of the em- battled hosts who fell in that line resisting the advance of error, and with the result that all now sit in peace and com- fort. But with reverent respect for all, we are, to-day, desirous of doing honor to the soldier of our own state. These are their monuments. Those graves contain the dead of the state who 10 rcnnsi/hania at Gettysburg. fell ujiou I his licld. Men of I'l'iinsylvaiiia, llicy were of your llc'sli and blood, ihey weii(. out from your homes, they battled for the preservation of }our liresides, and the vacant chairs rciiKiin uiiliin your households. Their comrades claim them in memory and friendship, and it is u chiim as far-reaching as the warm-throbbing heart of the old soldier can make it. With tear dimmed eyes they range over this field as over no other spot in all the land, and would say to the trespasser, 'j)ut oil thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." This being Tennsylvania's battle-field, what more fitting than to properly commemorate the deeds of Pennsylvania's soldier sons upon her soil? Here, as everywhere, at the call of duty, during the entire period of the rebellion were the men of I'ennsylvania conspicuous. It has been contended that the battle of Gettysburg is of much greater scope than that which the hills around us encompass, vast as that is. Some would even include the entire extent of territory lying be- tween the battle grounds and the fords of the Rappahannock in Virginia. Full of interest and importance as the days pre- ceding were, it culminated in the struggle which began on the 1st and ended on the 3d of Jul}^, 18G3, and to this history will confine it. Take a view of w^hatever portion of the field within the range of your vision, and you behold Pennsylvania's memorial tablets. Upon the cavalry skirmish-line with Buford, in the column which Reynolds led to its position, and in the line which formed as his prostrate form was carried to the rear — upon the extreme right and left flank of the First Corps were regiments from the Keystone State, and the first infantry firo poured into the advancing enemy was from another of them. In that corps death reaped a rich harvest of gallant Pennsyl- vanians. ^^'hen the Eleventh Corps was hastily thrown into action they were in the advanced line, and the losses recorded attest the manner in which they fought. One of her batteries took i)ossession of east Cemetery Hill, and the first day's fight- ing sullenly ended amid the shotted salutes with which the enemy were greeted from these guns. Upon tlie second day, amid all the fighting on every part of the field, their record was well maintained. In the volume of battle which began on the h-ft of our line and surged along the Pennsylvania at Getti/shurg. 11 Third Corps, iuvolving it and parts of others, no more heroic deeds were witnessed than thosiivd awav cix- tlic work was completed, lie was a true sol- dier, a lirm patriot, earnest iu his devotiou to his work, which, iil»on this held, must ever be recognized. To the people of this great state we now present the result of our labors in these memorial tablets. Each one tells its own truthful story, and will to future generations. It is a record as complete as it is accurate. As they stand here over- looking these scenes, telling of the silent battalions represent- ed, with yonder green mounds, the perpetual reminder of heroic immolation, may we not hope that in all the land, every- where, loyal devotion to country and flag shall prevail with a new-born intensity, capable of any sacrifice, and all may reali/.e fully as was said of old, ''It is the high reward of those who have risked their lives in a just and necessary war, that their names are sweet in the mouths of nu-n, and every age shall know their actions." ACCEPTANCE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMONWExVLTH. Governor James A. Beaver. COMKADES AND FELLOW-CITIZENS: No official duty which has devolved U])on the present executive of Penn- sylvania is more significant, and at the same time more pleasant, than the one which he now performs on behalf of our goodly Commonwcallli. (Jiauite and bronze are not neces- sary, nor can they, in a large sense, perpetuate the memory of the men dead and the heroism of those living, who stood for the Constitution and the enforcement of the laws, upon this licld. They have a significance and value, however, as showing the appreciation of a grateful Commonwealth for the service of her sons in defending her soil and in aiding to ])er- petuate the unity of the governnuMit of which she is a consti- tuent part. On every j)ortion of this historic battle-field Penn- sylvMiiia ncfed a ])roiiiitieiit part. Her sons, as was UKM't. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 15 were the heroes of the field. Meade commanded the army, Keynolds fell in the fore-front of battle in the first day's fight, and Hancock directed the details of preparations for the heroic and stubborn resistance which was made to the de- termined assaults of the enemy, upon the second and third days. Pennsylvanians were prominent in the First Corps at the opening of the battle on the first day; Pennsylvania regi- ments played a prominent part in Sickles' gallant forward movement; Pennsylvanians predominated in the First Divi- sion of the Second Corps and constituted the Third Division of the Fifth Corps, which made the impetuous assault through the "wheatfield" and the ''devil's den" upon Hood's Division, in its determined and well-directed efforts to turn Sickles' left flank, on the second day, and Pennsylvania received the shock of Pickett's heroic, but ill-fated and foolish, charge on the third day. Pennsylvania batteries occupied vital points in our defensive line, and Pennsylvania cavalry was conspi- cuous under a gallant Pennsylvanian in their brilliant opera- tions upon our right flank and rear. In every olfensive move- ment made by the Army of the Potomac during the Gettys- burg campaign; in every defensive position taken by it; in brilliant skirmish, in gallant assault, in heroic fighting or in stubborn resistance, Pennsylvania was found everywhere do- ing her duty and bearing her full share of the heat and bur- dens of the day. We do not claim that she did more than her duty or that she performed more than her share of the work to be done. Without the assistance and co-operation of her sister states she would have been utterly powerless to repel the invasion of her soil. We make no invidious distinc- tions in emphasizing Pennsylvania's share in the campaign which found its climax within her borders. This is Pennsyl- vania Day, and we simply emphasize her part in the work here done without in any way detracting from or minimizing the part taken by others or the credit due to them therefor. The description of the details of Pennsylvania's share in the glory of this field belongs to the historians of the occasion and I shall not trespass upon their theme or sphere in this di- rection. The Commonwealth does well in recognizing the de- votion of her sons. She has been none too liberal in her gifts for such a purpose. In accepting the results of the work of the Commission ap- 3 16 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. pointed to supervise the erection of the memorials of the pa- triotism of renusvlvania's sons, it may be well to say a word as to the manner in which the work has been done and of its characteristic features. Charged with a delicate, a difficult and responsible duty, it is not too much to say that the Penn- sylvania Gcttysburj,^ Memorial Commissioners, so far as the results of their work are apparent upon this field, have dis- charged their duty in a manner alike creditable to them and acceptable to the people of the Commonwealth. Few who have not given thought to the subject can realize the difficul- ties under which they labored, or appreciate the value of the work which they have done. This work was characterized, first, by a broad intelligence. The position occupied by each of the eighty-six Pennsylvania organizations participating in the battle of Gettysburg was to be carefully studied and defl- nitel}' ascertained in order to determine the location of their several monuments. The part taken by each organization must be thoroughly understood in order that the truth of his- tory, and nothing but the truth, should be displayed upon these memorials. The materials to be used; the design to be adopted; the details of construction and the perpetuity of re- sults, were all to be considered and right conclusions in regard thereto reached. Those who have carefully and critically fol- lowed the work of the Commission will, I am sure, join with me in commending the rare intelligence which has marked its labors in all these resi)ects. The work of the Commission has been characterized, more- over, by unquestioned fidelity. Charged with the execution of a law, with the framing and passage of which its members had little to do; with the expenditure of a sum exceeding an eighth of a million dollars, in such a way as to secure full and satis- factory returns to each regimental organization, and to the Commonwealth which placed her funds in their hands; with the preservation of the truth of history, and, at the same time, with the vindication of the honor and reputation of Pennsyl- vania organizations, where history had failed to do them jus- tice; with determining the truth as to conflicting claims for position, and antagonistic interests on the j)art of contractors and committees representing the various organizations who contracted with them, it will be seen that the work of the Com- mission required rare discretion and ability. In all these re- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 17 spects, and others which caimot be mentioned for want of time, the Commission has, in all its work, fully met the de- nmnds made upon it, and can confidently point to the results which confront us on every hand for the evidence of the fidelity with which these demands have been met. The Commonwealth has in every instance had a full return for the money which was appropriated for these memorials, and in most of them has received a large percentage of in- crease from the voluntary contributions of the organizations themselves. So it is safe to say that no state, when the work of the Commission shall be finished, will present more sub- stantial, more enduring and more tasteful memorials of the devotion of her sons, than Pennsylvania. The zeal manifested by each and every member of the Com- mission is also a characteristic of its work. Voluntarily ac- cepting a position to which no pecuniary compensation of any kind was attached, the gentlemen who composed the Commis- sion gave themselves unreservedly to the work before them. They have spared no efTort; have stopped at no sacrifice of time or convenience; have assisted in the organization of regi- mental committees; have furnished designs for the adoption of such representatives, and have stimulated their efforts to secure better and more enduring results than could have been obtained through the expenditure of the appropriation made by legislative authority alone. Such energy and zeal are worthy of commendation, and should be here and now record- ed and acknowledged. There has been much patient forbear- ance with, and sometimes a judicious yielding to, the demands of zealous and enthusiastic regimental organizations. Such demands were the evidence of a proper interest in the truth of history and in the faithful acknowledment of the contribu- tions which have been made by those who were thus repre- sented and the results which history records. They were found, on careful examination, in many instances, to be cor- rect, and official records ha^e been thereby corrected through the careful and persistent efforts of tke Commissioners. Without dwelling upon other characteristics of the work of the Commission, which will suggest themselves to the thought- ful observer, it is safe to say, finally, that success has crowned its work in an eminent degree. The organizations for whose 18 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. beuelit provision was made by the legislature have not, iu all instances, availed themselves of it. Some memorials have not yet been erected. Designs for others have not yet been adopt- ed, and to this extent the work of the Commission is not fin- ished; but so far as the memorials which surround us are the evidence of the work of the Commission, we join to-day, as the survivors of those whose memory is thereby enshrined, in pro- nouncing their work an unqualified success. As already in- timated, the work is not finished. The distinctively Pennsyl- vania organization in which all Pennsylvania, whether con- nected with it or not, takes pride, and which played such a dis- tinguished part upon this field— the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps — has not yet erected its memorial. It is the desire of the various regimental organizations composing that corps to erect a common memorial. In this desire I personally cor- dially sympathize, and M'ill be glad to co-operate. The origi- nal provisions made for the erection of our memorials did not seem to authorize such a use of the funds appropriated, and an unfortunate misunderstanding as to the bill passed by the last legislature in relation thereto, which gave rise to certain con- stitutional and other difficulties, made necessary its disap- proval. I wish, however, here and now, as a Pennsylvanian, proud of the forethought which organized the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and of the record which it made for Pennsyl- vania, to say that, so far as I am able to do so, officially or per- sonally, I wish to co-operate with the survivors of that distin- guished body of Pennsylvania soldiers in carrying out their wishes. The Vermont Brigade has its magnificent Corinthian column, to be surmounted finally by a statue of Stannard; New York's Excelsior Brigade has its distinctive monument; the New Jersey Brigade, distinguished alike for its brave deeds and the bravery of its great commander, perpetuates its mem- ory and that of Kearny at the same time by a monument which combines the memorials of its several regiments; so I would say, speaking for myself, let the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps perpetuate the memory of the part which it took upon this field and elsewhere throughout our great struggle for the pres- ervation of the Union, in a memorial building which shall be distinctive and appropriate. Consultation and cordial co- operation can bring this about without difficulty, and in har- mony with the requirements of our state constitution and the Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 19 work of the Commissiou appointed iu accordance with the pro- visions of the act of assembly relating thereto. It only remains for me, gentlemen of the Commission, to ac- cept at 3-our hands, as the representative of the Common- wealth, the work which you have here and now transferred to me, Pennsylvania is satisfied with what you have done! Penn- sylvania congratulates herself upon the success of your ef- orts. I accept on her behalf these memorials erected under your supervision and control, and in doing so I beg to thank you in her name for the intelligence, the fidelity, the zeal and the patience which have crowned your work. 20 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. POEM. GETTYSBURG. Isaac R. Pennypacker, Esq. 'Twas on the time when Lee, Below Potomac's swollen ford, Had beaten down the broken sword Of his baflled enemy. His long line lengthened faster Than the days of Jnue, O'er valleys varied, mountains vaster, By forced marches night and noon; Any morn might bring him down Captor of the proudest town; Any one of cities three At noon or night might prostrate be. Then to Meade was the sword of the north Held hiltward for proof of its worth; O'er the vastness of masses of men All the glorious banners of war, All the battle-ilags floated again; All the bugles blew blithely ont-e more. Sounding the stately advance; Village doorways framed faces of awe At the trains of artillery pressed On earth's reverberant breast, And the sun sought the zenith, and saw All the splendors of war at a glance. How soon the first firece rain of death In big drops dancing on the trees Withers the foliage! At a breath. Hot as the blasts that dried old seas The clover falls like drops of blood From mortal hurts, and stains the sod; The wheat is clipped, but the ripe grain Here long ungarnered shall remain. And many who at the drum's long roll Sprang to the charge and swelled the cheer, And set their flags high on the knoll, Ne'er knew how went the figlit fought here; Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 21 For them a knell tumultuous sheila Shook from the consecrated bells, As here they formed that silent rank, Whose glorious star at twilight sank. And night, which lulls all discords — night, Which stills the folds and vocal wood. And, with the touch of finger light, Quiets the pink-lipped brook's wild mood, Which sends the wind to seek the latch. And seals young eyes while mothers watch — Night stays the battle, but with day Their lives, themselves, foes hurl away. Where the thousands fell, but did not yield. Shall be to-morrow's battle-field. E'er dying died or dead were cold New hosts pressed on the lines to hold. And held them — hold them now in sleep While stars and sentinels go round. And war-worn chargers shrink like sheep Beside their riders on the ground. All through the night — all through the north Speed doubtful tidings back and forth, Through north and south, from dusk till day, A sundered people diverse pray. So gradual sink the deliberate stars. The sun doth run the laggards down, As sleep's still meadows bursts the bars. And floods with light the steepled town. Blow! bugles of the cavalry, blow! Forward the iufantry, row on row! While every battery leaps with life, And swells with tongueless throats the strife! Where grappled foes, one flushed with joy From ti-iumphs fresh, and come to destroy. And one by blows but tempered fit To keep the torch of freedom lit. The battle-dust from heroes' feet. Brief hiding rally and last retreat. By the free sunlight touciied became A golden pillar of lambent flame. Glorified was this field, its white Faces of victors and of slain. And these and Round Top's luminous height That glory flashed afar again Around the world for all to see One nation and one wholly free. 22 Pennsylvania at Oettyshnrg. And branded deep with flaniiug sword Its primal compact's biudiug woi-d. 'JS'eath Freedom's dome tliat light diviue, Borne here from dark deliles of Time, From here upblazed a beacon sign To all the oppressed of every clime; And dulled eyes glistened; hope upsprung Where'er ills old when man was young Against awaking thought were set, Where power its tribute wrongly wrung, Or moved on pathways rank even yet With martyr's blood, where'er a tongue Hath words to show, as serf, slave, thrall. How great man's power! how deep man's fall. Long will be felt, though hurled in vain. The shock that shook the northern gate, Long heard the shoto that dashed amain. But flattened on the rock of fate. Where Lee still strove, but failed to break The barrier down, or fissure make. And never grasped by force the prize Deferred by years of compromise. Long will men keep the memory bright Of deeds done here; how Hashed the blade Of Hancock from South ^Mountain's shade To the sheer heights of unfading light! That martial morn o'er yonder ridge Reynolds last rode face towards the foe. And onward rides through history so; For Meade, even as for Joshua, suns The unmindful gulf of Time abridge. While still its depths fling back his guns' Victorious echoes. The same wise power Which starts the currents from ocean's heart, And hurls the tides at their due hour. Or holds them with a force unspent. Made him like master, in each part. O'er all his mighty instrument. Chief leaders of the battle great! Three sons of one proud mother state! These epoch stones she sets stand fast, As on her field her regiments stood; Their volleys rang the first and last; They kept with Webb the target-wood. And there for all turned on its track The wild gulf stream of treason back; Or on the stubborn hill-sides trod Out harvests sown not on the clod; Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 23 Hearts shall beat high in days grown tame, At thouglits of them and their proud fame, And watching Pickett's gallant band Melt like lost snow-flakes in the deep, Pity sliall grow throughout the land, And near apace with joy shall keep. BaflBed, beaten, back to the ford. His own, at the last the broken sword. Rode the invader. On his breast His head with sorrow low was pressed; On his horse's tangled mane Loosely hung the bridle rein. At Gettysburg his valiant host The last hope of their cause had lost; In vain their daring and endeavor. It was buried there forever; Right well he knew the way he fled Straight to the last surrender led. So ended Lee's anabasis. And all he hoped had come to this; — As well for master as the driven That not by him was victory given. So Right emboldened and made known Hurled the whole troop of Eri-or down. And here held fast an heritage; So on that course may all hold fast 'Till no man takes an hundred wage. And each one has Jiis own at last, 'Till the last caravan of the bound, Driven towards some Bornuese market place. Happily shall feel their bonds unwound. And steps of woe in joy retrace. In the cities of the nortli The brazen cannon belched forth For the defeat of Lee; When the smoke from this field Unfolded, Lo! fixed on the shield Each wandering star was revealed. And the steeple bells pealed i Inland to the further sea; In the villages flags waved For ISfeade's victory, — A thousand, thousand flags waved For the souls to be free, For the Union saved. For the Union still to be. 24 Pennsijhnnia at Octtyshurg. THE FIRST DAY— JULY 1, 18G3. Brevet Captain Joseph G. Rosenoakten. PENNSYLVANIA I>AY marks tho coiiipletiou of the offi- cial relations of tho State of Penusvlvauia with the battle-lield of Gettysburg. Every position occupied by Pennsylvania soldiers through the scenes and events of that great battle is now marked by a memorial of the regiment or battery that took part in it. Thanks to the generosity of the State, the wise choice of its Governor, the industry and care of the Commissioners appointed by him, the task is done, and well done. Now, in final conclusion of all this labor, of the years spent in securing the ground, in preserving its natural features, in making a lasting record on the spot of the force that occupied each part of the long line of battle, we are gath- ered here to renew the memories that made Gr€ttysburg dear to every soldier who fought here. The field of Gettysburg is within sight; the vantage ground gained by the first day's battle was the position on which the battles of the succeeding days were fought, and the victory finally won. The campaign of Gettysburg covered the whole territory over which her great contending armies moved. From the fords of the Rappahan- nock and the passes of the Blue mountains, through Virginia, across the Totomac, through Maryland, into Pennsylvania, up the Cumberland valley, and as far east almost as the Susque- hanna river, the strategic operations of the xVrmj' of Northern Virginia, under General Lee, and of the Army of the Potomac, under General Hooker and General Meade, will deserve care- ful study. The Union cavalry won especial distinction as it masked the movements of the Union army, and forced the Con- federate leader to disclose his well-conceived and well-matured plans. When Meade took command he unfolded his army like a fan, keeping H always between the invading enemy and the great cities threatened by Lee.* •Newliall's address before the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry. Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 25 First then let us pay tribute to the memory of General Meade, the commander on whom rested the responsibility, made the weightier by the unexpected order which put him at the head of the Army of the Potomac, only three days before the great battle which practically was the crisis of the war. His generalship was of the highest order, and his strategic and practical operations the best, yet one other element of his suc- cess has been too little regarded. His great moral and per- sonal excellence was universally felt and recognized through- out the army, and when he was put at its head, that great body was at once lifted on a higher plane and became thoroughly in- spired with a lofty purpose, and an earnest will to do all that should be asked. All joined in a silent thanksgiving that Gen- eral Meade was their commander, for by that menial revela- tion which permeates great masses of disciplined men, his fit- ness as a leader was universally recognized, and Gettysburg 3'et needs a final memorial of General Meade to mark his great victory. Next in our retrospect let us pay tribute to General Rey- nolds. The advance, the left wing of the army, was given to General Reynolds, Meade's closest friend. Unlike as were the two in mental and moral qualities, in physical appearance and military bent, each perfectly supplemented the other. When he fell his place was given to General Hancock, again totally unlike either Meade or Re^-nolds, a soldier of the highest ex- cellence, who on this as in so many other trying positions, did his part in winning the victory. One other name must always be honored in speaking of the First Day at Gettysburg. — John Buford, gallant soldier, typical cavalry leader, fearless fighter, for with him rests the special distinction of first clearly for- seeing that Gettysburg was to be the scene of a great battle; prepared for the Confederate onset, he shortly resisted an overwhelming force, called confidently on Reynolds, his imme- diate commander, for the support that promptly came to his help, notified Meade of Reynolds' death, advised him of the need of some one to command, and in every way helped to save the field and win the victory, even at the price of the First Day's Battle. Standing here, no words are needed to show the strategic importance of Gettysburg, the reasons for the tactical move- ments, and the limits which the nature of the country imposed 26 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. on Meade and bis army, alike in coming to Getysburg as they did in holding and defending their line, and in gathering the fruits of the victory. The hills and mountains that hid the ad- vancing enemy as he debouched from the gaps beyond, also sheltered his shattered forces as they withdrew to the Poto- mac, and found safety in retreat across its waters to Virginia. The vigor with which CJeneral Meade concentrated his army at Gettysburg, the ability with which he won the victory, show that it is not for want of will that his pursuit was not swift enough to turn the defeat into a rout. The central facts and the figures of the first days' battle, however, are all that can now be brielly told. Assigned (for the second time) on the morning of June 30, to the command of the left wing. General Reynolds led his own Corps, the First, followed by the Eleventh, close after Buford's Cavalry Division, to the front. He sent Buford through Gettysburg to find the enemy. The old rule had been for the cavalry to keep near the infantry, but Buford went boldly forward, knowing that wherever Reynolds sent him he was sure to be supported, and that in falling back, if he must do so, he would meet the infaiitry on its way out. It was Buford who first called attention to the concentration of roads at Gettysburg that gave it such strategic importance. It was his energy in pushing forward, his foresight in thrust- ing his force out, that invited, that almost compelled the Con- federate army to come to Gettysburg, and thus brought the battle on there. At daylight on the morning of July 1 his ad- vance picket saw the enemy approaching on the Chambersburg road, and at 5.30 the first fire came from our side, as the dis- mounted cavalrymen took refuge behind the abutments of the bridge over Willoughby run. Falling back to higher ground, the advance of the leading division, Heth's, of Hill's Corps, was seriously disputed. D.evin's Brigade, holding the line from the Chambersburg road to the right, Gamble's that to the left, Buford maintaining a firm front with his few guns and his thin line of cavalry. General Reynolds came promptly to the front, had a brief, but significant, interview with Bu- ford, saw that the time had come to put in his infantry, promptly accepted the responsibility of engaging the enemy, returned to meet the leading division, Wadsworth's, led it to the front, relieved P>u ford's hard-i)ressed lines, ordered up the rest of his command, hurried up the troops, by brigades, and Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. ^ 27 even by single regiments, put them into bis lengthening lines, placed the batteries in position as they arrived, and put Buford in support of his horse batteries in reserve and on the flanks. Thus rapidly developing his line, the enemy, advancing in largely superior numbers, was held at bay, while the First Corps was put in position. The Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania, under Colonel Hofmann, opened the infantry fire at 1):30 a. m. The Iron Brigade was put forward by Reynolds himself, and then, returning to meet his advancing division, Keynolds fell by the liands of a sharpshooter on the spot now marked by a memorial shaft. Almost at the same time two Confederate regiments, the bulk of Archer's Brigade, with General Archer himself, were captured and marched to the rear, and as the dead body of General Keynolds was carried otf the field, the captured Confederates manifested their marked respect for the fallen Union general. At the outset, Wadsworth's Di- vision, with Hall's battery, were all the infantry between Get- tysburg and two strong Confederate divisions, with large rein- forcements coming in on the Carlisle road. Robins-on's Divi- sion arrived in time to support the hard-pressed little force on the right. Doubleday's Division came in on the left, Stone's Brigade going into position beyond Seminary Ridge, Riddle's Brigade on the extreme left. There it maintained its position, and from 11 a. m. until 4 p. m. fought and manoeuvred until it, too, was forced to retire. About 1 p. m. the leading divi- sion of the Eleventh Corps took up its place on the right, fol- lowed by a second division, with the batteries on their right and left, another division and a battery being placed in reserve on Cemetery Hill, Heth's Division of Hill's Corps was the advance of the Con- federate force, and it was promptly followed by Pender, while Rodes' and Early's Divisions of Ewell's Corps came on our ex- treme right, Rodes, about 2 p. m,. Early, about 3 p. m., meeting at the time and place above designated, after long marches from different points, with wonderful accuracy. The First and the Eleventh Corps of our army each numbered little more than some of the Confederate Divisions. General Dou- bleday points out that the Confederate army had but three corps, while the Union army had seven, so that each of their corps represented about a third, each of ours a seventh of the whole force, and the same proportion extended to divisions, 28 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. biii,'ack\s, and evi-ii legimeuts. General Doubleday, who suc- ceeded Ke^nolds in command of the First Corps, says it took 8,-()U men into action. General Heth says his division num- bered some 7,00U muskets. The Compte de Paris says the Union forces numbered about 11,500 against more than 30,000 Confederate troops. Colonel Chapman Biddle, in his exhaus- tive study of the lirst day's battle, puts the Confederate force at over 30,000; the Union force was about 14,000, 8,200 in the First Corps, barely 1,000 in the Eleventh engaged. In spite of such odds and such inequality, the first day's battle w^as a succession of well-contested struggles at each point. Buford's cavalry held their position against Heth's Division from 8 to 10 a. m., relieved by the First Corps, that in turn held its own against Ileth and Tender until nearly 1 p. m. About that hour the Eleventh Corps on the right fought Kodes' and Early's Di- visions, and even after it fell back, the First Corps still stoutly resisted until past 4 o'clock, when, outflanked by the heavy force of the Coijfederate army, it was obliged to retreat to Cemetery Hill. What might have been the issue if Reynolds had been spared can only be matter of conjecture, yet it must be borne in mind that on more than one hardly-contested field his presence had converted apparent defeat into victory. Of him it might well be said, he never can be deathless till he die. It is the dead win battles. Be that as it may, his place was finally taken by Hancock, who arrived on Cemetery Hill be- tween 3 and 4 p. m., and promptly put the forces in hand into position — sent Wadsworth's Division and a battery to Culp's Hill, on the right, with fresh troops, and extended the lines to the left at Round Top. The divisions of the Twelfth Corps, under Geary and Wil- liams, took positions on the extreme left and right respective- ly, and Buford made a strong cavalry demonstration on both flanks. The timely arrival of Stannard's Vermont Brigade added fresh strength to the troops. Leaving Washington on the 25th at noon, after an exhausting march of seven days, rain falling every day, under orders to report to General Rey- nolds, it reached Gettysburg late on the afternoon of the 1st of July, and the tired troops were placed in position in column by regiments, connecting with the divisions of the Third Corps just hurried to the front, and in rear of the line of battle of the First and Eleventh Corps on Cemetery Hill. Thus the Con- Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 29 federate army, in spite of its successes, saw the Union army strong in its new position, and while General Lee conditionally ordered an advance, his corps and division generals were con- tent to prepare for it for the next day. By midnight of the 1st the bulk of the Army of the Potomac was in its place, and General Meade himself followed soon after, and at once sur- veA'ed the field and prepared to hold it. Buford had sent word that here was the place to fight a battle, Reynolds had con- firmed it, Hancock seconded it, Warren, too, found that they were right, and General Meade promptly gave orders for the concentration of his army there. The first day's battle had secured the position on which the succeeding day's battles were to be fought and won. It was thus on Pennsylvania soil that the great and decisive battle was fought, with a Pennsyl- vanian, Meade, at the head of the army, with another Pennsyl- vanian, Rej'nolds, leading the advance, and falling at the very fore-front at the outset. It was another Pennsylvanian, Han- cock, who took his place and secured the line on which he him- self fell desperately wounded later on; it was a Pennsylvania regiment, the Fifty-sixth, that opened the infantry fight on the 1st of July. In the First Corps there were twelve Pennsyl- vania organizations; in the Eleventh Corps there were five, and eighteen more were in the Twelfth and Third Corps, whose timely presence counted for so much in the closing scenes of that eventful day at Gettysburg. Pennsylvania Day, by its very name, recalls their presence and their services. But the forces that took part in the first day's battle included men of New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Connecticut, New Jersey, and the regular army, so that no state lines, no local history, limits the interest of the first day. Pennsylvania has always recognized its duty as guardian of the field of Gettysburg, and while it honors its own sons who fought and fell here, it honors equally the memory of those of other states, for all alike fought in defense of the Union. The State of Pennsylvania invites its citizens to meet here again to consecrate themselves in the presence of all these memorials, testifying better than any words can tell, the loyalty of its sons to the Union, and the tender regard piously cherished for all who died that the Union might live. The years that have passed since the battle are full of great events, but much of their importance is due 30 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. to thu issue of that contest, and that issue is in turn largely due to the events of the first day and its influence on the re- sult. Reynolds set the example, sealing a glorious life by a glmious death, and his men were worthy of him. No more pregnant tribute was ever paid than that of General Meade, when, in his dispatch of July 4, he said: "We have been en- gaged with the enemy for three days— July 1, 2 and 3. On the 1st our forces met and we lost Keynolds." Thus he puts the loss of Reynolds by itself, showing that even after the suc- cesses of the second and third days, the death of Reynolds was a heavy price to pay for the final result of a crowning victory. On another occasion he said: "Reynolds was the noblest, as well as the bravest, gentleman in the army. When he fell at Gettysburg the army lost its right arm." That Reynolds was appreciated as highly by his own soldiers as by the command- ing general is testified by the fact that here his old First Corps erected the heroic bronze statue that stands in the National Cemetery. The State of Pennsylvania has marked, by a suit- able memorial, the spot on which Reynolds fell, and near it are the memorials of the organizations that fought on the first day in front on the lines he formed. The death of Reynolds led General Meade to do an act which exhibited his best qualities as a commander. Himself but three days at the head of the army, he selected General Han- cock, who had but three days before left his division to take command of a corps, and sent him to assume the command of the left wing in succession to Reynolds. The result fully jus- tified the choice, but to make it required moral courage, in- sight into character, and rapidity of decision. Hancock on his arrival at the front did just the work which was needed — rallying the troops, addressing and encouraging them, assign- ing positions to those already there, hastening into line the fresh troops as they arrived. Anticipating Lee's order to Ewell, he sent Wadsworth to occupy Culp's Hill, and having put all in order, reported to General Meade that he could hold the position till nightfall, and that here was the place to fight our battle, and received a prompt reply that the army was ordered there. Thus Buford and Reynolds and Hancock all united in the work that made the first day's battle so mo- mentous.* ♦General F. A. Walker in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 31 It was not a surprise nor an accident — it was the opening engagement between two contending armies. Over the Army of Northern Virginia General Lee exercised supreme command for more than a year, during which he had won four great victories. Over the Army of the Potomac, General Meade had been in command for three days, and he was hampered by orders from Washington, and the necessity of conforming to them. He was looking for the enemy, his main point, as he said to Halleck, ''to find and fight the enemy." He sent Key- nolds on that errand, and Reynolds in turn despatched Buford with his cavalry to be the eyes of the army. He found them, and with his clear prescience saw the opportunity and the oc- casion, and quickly seized it, and Reynolds in turn helped to bring Lee's forces out of their mountain shelter, to hold them, and, in conformity with Meade's orders, bettered in their understanding by Buford and Reynolds of what was before them — an enemy rapidly concentrating at a position of great importance, they held on for the whole of that first day, while General Meade was enabled to prepare for that offensive de- fense which he had at the outset determined on. Even as great a military writer as Lord Wolseley speaks of the first day as a surprise to the Confederate army, and not to the Union army, but he is not borne out by the facts. General Lee says, in his report, that his whole force was ordered to concentrate at Gettysburg. Two divisions of General Hill's Corps were sent to Gettysburg by the Chambersburg road, and the third division was held in reserve. The two divisions of Ewell's Corps, Early's and Rodes', were ordered there, and coming, one from York, the other from Carlisle, their concen- tration was effected with admirable precision. Of the Union Armv, Buford's Diyision of cavalry was sent through Gettys- burg on the 30th of June to observe the enemy, and his move- ments were closely watched and fully reported both to Rey- nolds and Meade. Reynolds put his own corps, the First, into action on the morning of the first day, and under his orders the Eleventh Corps came up to its support, while the Third Corps, later on, followed, and by nightfall, with the Twelfth Corps, and the Vermont Brigade, were on the ground and in position. Surely, then, there was no surprise in the battle, and it was fought just at the time and place where it best ef- fected its object. True up to the 1st of eTuly, the Confederate 4 32 Pcnnsi/lvania at Gettysburg. A nay had im-t little but militia, aud the people of Pennsyl- vania mi^ht wi'll have asked: \\'liy have tlicy dared to march so mauy miles upon her peaceful bosom, frighting her pale-faced villages with war, and ostentation of despised arinsV R'nhuid II., act 2, sc. 3. IJiit the end to the invasion came when the Army of the Po- tomac aud the Army of Northern Virginia met in front of Get- tysburg. It may be true that some of the Confederates ex- pected to encounter only militia, yet the general officers, its leaders, knew that General Meade was looking for the enemy and for a place to light, and both were found at Gettysburg. There the Army of the Potomac for three days contended for the supremacy which finally crowned the long struggle, and the issue was largely due to the sturdy valor of the small body of troops that on the lirst day withstood double their number. Both Meade and Lee were man(x*vering for positions on which to deliver battle; General Lee, to gather the fruits of his inva- sion of the north, to mass his forces before the Union Army could be concentrated, and, fighting it in detail, to win a vic- tory which should enable him to exact terms that would give a new lease of life to the Confederacy; General Meade, to pro- tect ^Vashington and Baltimore, to relieve Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and to drive Lee across the Potomac. Buford, with his cavalry, the eyes of the army, saw at a glance that Gettysburg was the best point for concentration and for a de- cisive battle. Reynolds, its right arm, saw that the time had arrived, and, with his corps, struck the first blow, meaning to follow it up with the help of the Eleventh and Third Corps. Hancock, in turn, seized the position on Cemetery Ridge, and by nightfall secured it, so that at the close of the first day, al- though the enemy had largely outnumbered our force, yet the substantial advantage was ours, for here Lee was brought to bay, and the successful battle of the second and third days were largely the outcome of that of the first day. The hard fighting of the first day is measured by that best test, the casualty list, strikingly alike on both sides, in spite of the contrast of the numbers engaged. Much of the details of this kind will bo found in Fox's Book of Regimental Losses, well called Fox's Book of ALirtyrs, and it deserves close and diligent study on this and on the other great battles of the Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 33 war, for its exliaustive study. The First Corps took into ac- tion 8,200 and lost 6,025. The Eleventh Corps, out of 0,197, took into action, General Howard says "hardly 6,000," and lost 8,801. On the Confederate side, in Hill's Corps, Heth says he took in 7,000 and lost 2,850, and Pender lost 1,600 out of 4,260 engaged. Ewell's Corps was 20,000 strong (according to Gen- eral Meade's letter to Colonel Benedict), and Rodes' Division, out of 6,207, lost 2,853, and Early's, 1,188 out of 5,477. The First Corps lost over 70 per cent., the Eleventh Corps over 60 per cent. Of the First Corps, the Iron Brigade lost 61 per cent., 1,153 out of 1,883; the First Division 2,128, and the Sec- ond Division 1,686, out of 2,500, while the smallest, the Third Division, consisting, with the exception of one New York regi- ment, entirely of Pennsylvania regiments, lost 1,748 out of 2,069, over 80 per cent., and the other divisions were little be- hind the same heavy percentage. Biddle's Brigade of the Third Division lost 897 out of 1,287, nearly 70 per cent., leav- ing only 390, a fragment of a regiment. Stone's Brigade, by Colonel Wister's report, went in with 1,300 men and lost 852, over 66 per cent. It had but three regiments, the One Hundred and Forty-third, One Hundred and Forty-ninth and One Hun- dred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania, and no command fought more desperately or suffered greater losses. At its head its com- mander. Colonel Roy Stone, was wounded, and his successor. Colonel Langhorne Wister was also wounded. After taking position to the right of Biddle's Brigade, and rendering effec- tive assistance to Wadsworth's hard-pressed division. Stone's little brigade was made the point of a concentrated attack in force by double its number; against its three small regiments were brought six regiments the average strength being over five hundred each. The Confederate reports lay stress on the severity of their losses. General Heth speaks of losing 2,700 out of 7,000, nearly 40 per cent., in twenty-five minutes. Colonel Hopkins of the Forty-fifth North Carolina, says that regiment suffered more than it ever did before in the same time. The Second North Carolina reported a loss of two-thirds. The Twenty-sixth North Carolina lost over 76 per cent., Pender's old brigade over 48 per cent., Daniel's over 43 per cent., and the regimental losses in both Hill's and Ewell's Corps were very heavy. On 34 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. our side, of the losses of the Pennsylvania regiments, the fol- lowing were in the First Corps: Ek'veuth Penusjlvania lost 117 out of 292, or 40 per cent. Fifty-sixtli reiinsylvania lost 183 out of 252, or 50 per cent. Eightj-eightli Feunsylvania lost 106 out of 29G, or 35 per cent. Ninetieth I'ennsylvauia lost 94 out of 208, or 45 per cent. One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania lost 1G5 out of 255, or 65 per cent. One Hundred and Twenty-first Pennsylvania lost 179 out of 263, or 68 per cent. One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsylvania lost 211 out of 362, or 59 per cent. One Hundred and Forty-third Pennsylvania lost 252 out of 465, or 55 per cent. One Hundred and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania lost 336 out of 450, or 75 per cent. One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania lost 264 out of 397, or 68 per cent. One Hundred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania lost 335 out of 467, or 73 per cent. The Union troops at various points won signal success, for they captured parts of three brigades of Confederate troops, Archer's, Davis' and Iverson's. The One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania reported the capture of more prisoners than the regiment numbered. Of the Pennsylvania regiments in the Eleventh Corps, The Twentj'-seventh lost 111 out of 324, or 45 per cent. The Seventy-third lost 34 out of 332, or 10 per cent. The Seventy-fourth lost 110 out of 381, or 32 per cent. The Seventy-fifth lost 111 out of 258, or 40 per cent. The One Hundred and Fifty-third lost 211 out of 569, or 39 per cent. On the Union side of the greatest regimental losses at Get- tysburg the First Corps is represented by the One Hundred and Fifty-first, One Hundred and Forty-ninth, One Hundred and Fiftieth, One Hundred and Forty-seventh, One Hundred and Forty-third and One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsyl- vania, and the Eleventh Corps by the Twenty-seventh, Sev- enty-fourth, Seventy-fifth, and One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania. On the Confederate side, the Twenty-sixth North Carolina lost, according to General Hoke's report, 708, but by the War Department list, 588 out of "over 800," over 75 per cent., for those North Carolina regiments went into the field of great strength, some as high as 1,800, others 1.500; one Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 35 company of the Twenty-sixth North Carolina lost out of 3 offi- cers and 84 men, all of the officers and S3 of men; another com- pany, of the Eleventh North Carolina, lost 36 out of 38. The Second North Carolina Battalion was reported by General Ewell as losing 200, by the War Department 153, out of 240, 75 or G5 per cent.; Lane's North Carolina Brigade of Pender's Division, lost 660 out of 1,355, nearly 50 per cent.; Daniel's Brigade lost 916 out of 2,100, over 43 per cent.; Pettigrew's Brigade lost 1,105, nearly the whole strength of Biddle's. The total loss in the Union Army at Gettysburg was 27 per cent., that of the First Corps on the first day was over 70 pel- cent., that of the Eleventh Corps over 60 per cent. Compare these with the losses in famous foreign battles. At Balaklava the Light Brigade lost 37 per cent., at Inkerman the Guards lost 45 per cent., the heaviest German regimental losses in the Franco-Prussian war were 49 per cent. The Twenty-sixth North Carolina lost 72 per cent., the One Hundred and Forty- ninth and One Hundred and Fifty-first Pennsylvania about as heavily. Nor did these Pennsylvania regiments fight any bet- ter on Pennsylvania soil than elsewhere, while their comrades from other states fought as bravely here as in any other field during the war. It has been the habit to speak of the first day's battle as if it had been an accidental encounter, in which horse, foot and artillery were driven in and through Gettys- burg. In point of fact there was no accident, no surprise, no easy victory. Buford went by Reynolds' order to find the enemy, and his report on the 30th showed where Lee's forces were concentrating. From the dawn of July 1st, when Bu- ford's cavalry first met the advance of Hill's Corps, until night- fall, when the Army of the Potomac was concentrated at and near Gettysburg, there was sturdy fighting, stout resistance against a largely superior force, and an all-important position and time to concentrate on it gained. The Confederate Army fought to win the first day, but the Union Army fought to win the next day and the next day, and the final victory.* The battle of Gettysburg was a varying series of successive engagements, with alternate gains and losses, but the final re- sult was that crowning success which was largely due to the good fight fought on the first day against heavy odds. *John C. Ropes', "The Campaign under Pope." 36 Pennsylvania at Getty shurg. The lirst day's battle was a series of distinct contests, and, like every battle, it was a compound of victory and defeat; every soldier killed, wounded or captured, every inch of ground gained or lost, being part of the final result. It was, indeed; •'the soldier's battle," for it was the fixed determination of the soldiers to hold the ground that counted for more than any skilful manceuvres of military art or the best tactical methods. IJuford's two brigades of cavalry fought and held in check Heth's Division, and when Buford was relieved, the First Corps fought Heth's and Pender's Divisions. When the Eleventh Corps came to the front it met Kodes' and Early's Divisions, and then the right of the First Corps also became engaged with these strong divisions. Meredith's Brigade of the First Division of the First Corps captured part of Archer's Brigade, Cutler's Brigade captured part of Davis' Brigade, Baxter's Brigade of the Second Division of the First Corps captured part of Iverson's Brigade of Rodes' Division of Ewell's Corps. Meredith's Brigade fought in turn the whole or part of Archer's, Pettigrew's, Brockenbrough's and Daniel's Brigades. Stone's Brigade and the Sixth Wisconsin, Ninety-fifth New York and Fourteenth New York fought Davis' and Daniel's Brigades, and the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania and the Seventy- sixth New York also encountered them, while Baxter's and Cutler's Brigades w^ere pitted against the brigades of Iverson, O'Neal and Ramseur. Of the artillery engaged on the first day, the record is one of pre-eminent service. Tidball's Horse Battery, under Lieutenant Calef, fought almost unaided, and the batteries of the First Corps bore the brunt of a largely superior number and weight of guns; Cooper's Battery B, First Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Stevens' Fifth Maine, Reynolds' L, First New York, Stewart's B, Fourth United States, and of the Eleventh Corps, Wiedrich's I, First New York, Dieck- mann's Thirteenth New York Light Artillery, Wilkeson's G, Fourth United States, Dilger's I and Heckman's K, First Ohio Light Artillery, greatly helped to secure the weak Union forces from the strong Confederate lines that steadily gath- ered there confident of success. Paul's Brigade captured part of several brigad(>s of Pender's Division. Stone's Brigade of the Third Division fought in turn Davis' Brigade of Heth's Di- vision, Daniel's Brigade of Rodes' Division and Scales' Bri- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 37 gade of Pender's Division. Eiddle's Brigade of the Third Di- vision on the extreme left, fought Pettigrew's and McGowan's Brigades of Heth's Division, while Brockenbrough's and Lane's and Scales' extended the Confederate line and overlap- ped the Union left, just as Early's Brigades overlapped the Union right. There Barlow's Division fought (Jordon's, Hays' and Avery's Brigades, and Ames' fought Doles' and Daniels', and the right of the First Corps, Baxter and Cutler, and the left of the Eleventh, fought Iverson's, Daniel's, Doles' Ram- seur's and O'Xeal's Brigades. Coster's Brigade of Steinwehr's Division was pitted against Hays' and Hoke's and Raraseur's Brigades. While the First Corps was put in almost to the last man, and the Eleventh Corps had only a weak reserve on Cemetery Hill, the Confederates had two divisions, Johnson's of Ewell's, and Anderson's of Hill's Corps, estimated by Gen- eral Fitz. Lee at over 10,000 each, and the four divisions that had been engaged, Heth's, Pender's, Rodes' and Early's, at the close of the action, at over 4,500 each. The First Corps then was reduced from 9,000 to 8,000, and the part of the Eleventh Corps actually engaged from 6,000 to 3,800. The actual losses of the Union forces on the first day were proportionally far heavier than those of the Union Arm}" on the other days of the three days of fighting, and both Union and Confederate forces on the first day lost more heavily than on almost any other battlefield. The Second Corps lost 4,350 out of 10,500 engag- ed, over 42 per cent., in the battles of the second and third days; the Third Corps lost 4,210 out of less than 10,000 actually engaged on the second day, 42 per cent.; the Fifth Corps lost 2,187 out of 11,000, less than 20 per cent.; the Sixth Corps lost only 242, for it was wisely held in reserve; the Twelfth Corps lost 1,801 out of 8,000; on the Confederate side on the first day. Heth lost 2,850 out of 7,000, 40 per cent. Pender lost 1,690 out of 7,000; Early lost 1,188, and Rodes 2,853 out of their divisions which went into action each 8,000; 35 per cent, for the latter, and about 12 per cent, for the former. Pickett's loss in his famous charge was 65 per cent., 2,888. of which 232 were killed, 1,157 wounded and 1,499 captured or missing; but on the first day the Iron Brigade lost over 60 per cent., and Biddle's Brigade,, and Stone's Brigade lost nearly 70 per cent, eacli. The First Corps with six brigades, and the Eleventh with five, fought eight brigades of Hill's Corps and 3tj i'cnnsyliania at (Jettyshurg. niue ol Kwclls, uud yvl at the close of the first day, the fresh troops of Lees Army were held otl from gathering the fruits of I heir hardearued success by the strength of the forces be- fore them and those placed on the right and left. Even Wads- worth's i)ivisiou, beaten and outnumbered, still held on to Culp's Hill, and prevented Ewell from seizing it. Thus, too, liuford's little cavalry force made sutlicient demonstration on the Hanks to arrest the Confederate advance, and even the L nion guns at the foot of Seminary Kidge, manned by the men uf the Iron Brigade, though hard pressed, were safely with- drawn. Thus the Union forces were outnumbered and forced to retreat, but neither dismayed nor driven oli" hastily. Thus, too, was gained the practical fruits of the first day's battle, in the rapid concentration of Meade's Army on the position in the rear of (Jettysburg, wh<,'re General Meade turned his offen- sive defense into a tinal repulse and defeat of Lee's Army. It was the first day that prepared the way for this result, and dearly purchased as it was, the price was none too great to pay for the infinite advantage. There is glory enough for all who took part in the battle of Gettysburg, but for those who fought on the first day there is the special glorj^ of having fought against overwhelming numbers, and yet with such firm- ness and pertinacity that the forward movement of Lee's Army was arrested, time secured for the arrival and concen- tration of Meade's Army, and the expected easy onset of the Confederates resisted at every point. To the events of the tirst day is largely due the final issue of the battle of Gettys- burg, and therefore it deserves a special record to-day here. No one thinks of limiting the significance of the battle of Gettysburg to the spot where it was fought, yet the fact that the field of battle lies within the limits of the State of Tennsyl- vania imposes a special duty which has always been fully rec- ogsiized. As far back as 18G4 the Battle-field Memorial Asso- ciation was organized to secure the ownership of the ground. State after state has joined in the solemn duty of marking, by priiiKinent memorials, the position of every organization, and the dedication services have been memorable for eloquence and pathos. The State of Pennsylvania now marks the final act of a long series of legislative and executive measures, by inviting the veteran soldiers of all its organizations that took pail in thf great battle, to join in this reunion, and to set the Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 39 seal of approval on its work. By its generous aid and under the watchful care of a Commission composed of able officers, every one of its eighty-six organizations will be represented on the held by suitable memorials of its services here. Let us gratefully acknowledge the way in which the State of Pennsyl- vania has recognized and fulfilled its obligation. It has freely given mone}', and more than that, the Governor and the Com- mission appointed by him, have given time and thought, and have fulfilled to general satisfaction, a long, difficult and deli- cate task. The Commission closes its report with an urgent appeal for a memorial of General Meade and his great ser- vices. Let us heartily second that appeal. The same honor, too, is due to General Hancock. Great as is the work that has been done in making Gettysburg a permanent historical record in bronze and granite, that record is incomplete until statues of Meade and Hancock are placed on the field where the great victory was won. History has enrolled their names high on the list of those who deserved well of their country, and in its great and growing prosperity the country should not fall short in paying the tribute due them here. Meade and his able lieutenants earned here the gratitude of the nation, and he and they should stand forever in living bronze, keeping watch and ward over the memorials of their soldiers. The men of the First Corps put Reynolds' statue here in memory of their deep sense of his great qualities, and of the affection that endeared him to his soldiers. The first day's battle was largely due to his inspiration, and his spirit ruled the field long after his dead body had been borne from it. To his successor in command there, sent in answer to Buford's warning note, 'there seems no commanding ofticer here,' to Hancock, both for his services in the closing hours of the first day, in snatching the substantial fruits of victory from the enemy, and for his still more shining successes on the succeed- ing days of the battle, there is still due the acknowledgment best to be made in a bronze heroic statue. Then to complete the work, Meade himself should stand here, that the long list of memorials on the field he won, should at last be completed by one worthy of the great commander. That done, and only then, may we feel that the history of Gettysburg is finally told in bronze and granite, and that to all justice has been fully meted out. 4u rtitnai/Uaiiia at Ucttysbury. Vi-sifidav wr di'dicatt'd our regimeutal mouuments, to-day Wf ri-iall (Ik* oiK'ialiuus of each of the three days of the great batllf. Honor has bei-ii duly paid to the organizalious that fuu.uhl hi-rt'. Here stands the statue of Keyuolds. There at Kouiid Top is the statue of Warren. We look in vain for .Mtadf and llanrocU. Their names are forever associated with (irttyshurg, and it is due to them, to the men who fought und«r liu-ni, that here at Gettysburg due honor should be paid thfui. I'nlil that is done, we cannot feel that the task is yet conipU'tr. Ltt us tlR-n see to it that before another Pennsyl- vania Day is ci'lebrated, the statues of Meade and Hancock shall be put in place here. That done, then indeed, will the work hv completed, and Gettysburg will no longer need the rrowning memorial that is still wanting. In leaving Gettys- burg let us all bend our best energies to the requisite measures for securing suitable honors to Meade and Hancock, and may wt* meet here at no distant day to join in unveiling their sta- tues on the field forever connected with their names. THE SECOMJ AND THIRD DxVYS— JULY 2 AND 3, 1863. Hkkvet Brioadieh-Genekal Henry H. Bingham. IX the great metropolis of the nation but a few months ago. amid joy and thanksgiving, speech and song, peace and prosperity, hallelujah and prayer, the ofllcial representa- liv. s (tf the peoi)le and assembled thousands of the populace, celebrated the centennial of the inauguration of George AVash- ington. first I'resident of the United States. A government of the people, by the people and for the people, liberty for all, Itut exacting loyalty from all, the American Republic had lived one hundred years. Our Declaration of Independence Avas a masleifnl realily.our Constitution a matchless charter of free- «l"iii. :iii(l that Cod insi»ired utterance that three millions of I»a(riots gave to maiikind and humanity: ''Wo, the people of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 41 the United States, in order to fonn a more perfect Union, es- tablish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States," found at the incoming of the second century, sixty-five millions of freemen, "a family at peace among ourselves," who could with reverent acclaim send greeting to the generations to come and with bended knee and uplifted eyes, in spirit humble, but voice firm and unwavering, declare, *'We have fought a good fight, we have kept the faith, glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men." We are to-day a happy people. A Constitution preserved, the integrity of the Union main- tained — liberty and law our cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. But the path has been no easy one to follow; the roses that have lined the way have had many thorns, and their colors have been darkly red, and on the hill side and in the val- ley, the unnumbered and nameless graves with monumental shafts and simple stones, cover all that remains of a patriot dead who sacrificed their all for human rights, that here as- sembled to-day, we "May hail the coming century with hope and joy." The limitations of the Constitution, the integrity and inde- pendence of the states, the legislation enacted by the sover- eign Congress, the statutes enforced within the borders of the commonwealths, the discussions in church and from the pub- lic rostrum upon the construction of our fundamental law, the variety and diversity of interests in our industries and large communities; labor in its many forms and conditions, all, all contributed to consummate, upon the election and inaugura- tion of Abraham Lincoln, that physical and moral climax of forces, known in our history as the War of the Rebellion or the American Civil War of 1861-1865. It was the greatest war of modern times. Its field of operation measured almost a con- tinent in territory; eight hundred millions of treasure — a people's toil, but paid its living moving needs — its dead and dying reached six hundred thousand men and permanently dis- abled and destroyed the health of over one million more — it covered a land with widows and orphans — it begot suffering never to be estimated and privations countless; it exhibited bravery unparalleled, courage and endurance unsurpassed; its 42 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. leadership was maj^uificent, its soldiery heroic. Such was the nation's tragedy of the nineteenth century in which you played so well your part. Greatest of all, in the fulness of time it came, because in the destiny of our civilization and national life it had to come that American constitutional liberty might live — "The Union, one and inseparable, now and forever." Amen to the mighty sacrifices — amen and all hail the migh- tier consummation. The contending armies cover bodies of men in action and battle, in suffering and slaughter, in camp and hospital almost beyond human conception or understanding. The Union forces enrolled during the four years number two millions seven hundred arid seventy-two thousand four hundred and eight men (2,772,408) and estimated upon a basis of three years' service, 2,320,272, or about two thousand regiments. The Confederate armies from the best attainable sources are estimated at 700,000 for the period of the war, or 786 regi- ments on the ten-company basis. The" military population of the states on the Union side was 4,559,872, and from the eleven states of the Confederacy 1,004,- 193. There were killed or died of wounds on the Union side — Officers, 6,305 Enlisted Men 103,705 Aggregate, 110,070 Died of disease on the Union side — Officers 2,712 Enlisted Men, 197,008 Aggregate 199,720 ^Making the grand aggregate from all causes during the war 359,528, or 15.4 of the entire army. There were 275,175 wounded, but not mortally. The estimated loss of the killed or mortally wounded in bat- tle on the Confederate side was 94,000, and death from disease 59,297. The Union army embraced volunteers from every condition Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 43 of our industrial life, but the grand measure of obligation be- longs to that people who in every contest for freedom have ever been foremost. Forty-eight per cent, were farmers, twenty-four per cent, mechanics, sixteen per cent, laborers, five per cent, commer- cial pursuits-, three per cent, professional men, four per cent, miscellaneous. Nationality formed a distinctive feature. The great body of foreigners, who from the days of our Revolution, have done so much to develop our industries and add to our wealth, strength and vigor as a people, responded quickly to the call for troops, and fought bravely through the long war. Three-fourths of the army were native American. Of the 500,000 soldiers of foreign birth, Germany furnished 175,000; Ireland, 150,000; England, 50,000; British America, 50,000; other countries, 75,000. Coming late into active warfare, but when once a part of the army rendering valuable and distinguished service, we find the enlistment of the black troops to have reached the large num- ber of 178,975, and their deaths from all causes to have been 36,847. The Republic has remembered their services and in the bat- tles of the future they will enter at the commencement of every struggle for freedom. There were one hundred and twelve battles in which one side or the other lost over five hundred men killed and wound- ed, and in all there were one thousand eight hundred and eigh- ty-two general engagements, battles, skirmishes or affairs in which at least one regiment was engaged. Every state of the United States and every territory sent volunteers to the Union Army. Such briefly were the physical and statistical conditions of the two great forces fighting for the supremacy of their prin- ciples and moral ideas, accepting in the arbitrament of arms the final di'termination of the issues involved. This mighty host — these millions who fought the fight, the hundreds of thousands who fell, and the million who were broken down in health and strength, came willingly — came for the war shouting, "^V are coming, father Abraham, five hun- dred thousand more." Yea they came and brought final vic- tory — not simply the applause of the multitude from all over 44 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. tlie laud — uot alone the trophies of war — torn battle-flags and smoking guns, but they brought final victory full and com- plete. Our Constitutional Gorcrnmcnt saved — saved not only to the victors but to the vanciuished. Saved to be loved and hon- ored, revered, respected and obeyed by all. A quarter of a cen- tury has passed and truly can we say as Milton said of Crom- well, ''That war made him great, peace greater." Throughout the length and breadth of this great common- wealth a loud appealing voice rings out — "Watchman, what of the night?" The nation wants help! and lo, the answer comes from mountains and valleys, from the fields ripe with the wav- ing golden grain; from the centers of trade, commerce and manufacture; from the loom, the anvil and the workshop; from the bench, the bar and the pulpit; from the schools and col- leges of learning and science — from youth and age, from every condition of American manhood — "All's well, Pennsylvania will give her bravest and best, the strongest and most faith- ful of her sons." Call the roll: 315,017 white soldiers, 8,612 black soldiers, 14,- 307 sailors and marines, aggregating 337,936. Sixty-five and nine-tenths of the military population, aver- aged upon the basis of three years' service, they numbered 265,517, embraced in two hundred and fifteen regimental or- ganizations. Of the three hundred regiments in the Union army that sustained the heaviest losses in battle, including every regiment in service which lost over one hundred and thirty killed or died of wounds during the war, fifty-three are grouped from Pennsylvania. Thirty-seven Pennsylvania regi- ments lost in killed and died of wounds in battle over ten per cent, of their total enrollment. Of the forty-five regiments in the Union army that lost over two hundred men killed or mortally wounded in the action, eleven are from Pennsylvania. Of the twenty-two regiments in the Union army where the loss of killed or died of wounds during the war reached fifteen per cent, or ujiwards of tlieir enrollment, five are from Penn- sylvania. They have the following order: 4th — One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, 17.4. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 45 9tli — One Hundred and Forty-second Pennsylvania Volun- teers, 16.5. 10th— One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania Volun- teers, 16.1. 12tli — One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volun- teers, 15.6. 13th — Eighty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, 15.5. Thirty-three thousand one hundred and eighty-three aggre- gate the number of deaths (wounds and disease) from all causes — an average of 15.4 of the troops furnished. The percentage of killed in action of the soldiers from the Keystone State, based upon the white troops, is greater than in the quota of any other northern state. The cavalry of Pennsylvania being specially distinguished, exceeding in losses that of the cavalry of any other state. These brave men who fought so gallantly were Pennsylva- nia's sons. They are all around us here to-day where they fell. They are buried in the sleeping homes of the nation's dead, and in the resting places where loving eyes can watch and loving tears can ever water their graves. You, the living soldiers here with us, equally brave, have quietly melted into the peace- ful walks of life ever performing full duty as American citi- zens. Pennsylvania gave you all to the nation, and when you wore the honored blue, however much you loved your state, you be- came the soldiers of the Union. But the time was near in the mighty contest when you, the living, and the thousands dead, were to be marshalled upon the hills and valleys of your loved state and in a death struggle, fight the greatest battle of the war and contest in the most important strategic issue of the age, for it was upon this field — this Gettysburg "that the star of the Confederacy reaching the zenith turned by swift and head-long plunges toward the nadir of outer darkness and collapse." Waterloo and Gettysburg are marked as the two great bat- tles of the age. The Union array numbered 82,000 men and 300 guns; the Confederate numbered 70,000 men and 250 guns; the battle lasted three days and the casualties upon the Union side were 23,003, and upon the Confederate 27,525 men. Tn detail the Union cause lost 3,063 killed, 14,492 wounded, 46 Pcnnsi/lvania at Gettysburg. and 5,435 missing or captured; many of the wounded and many of the captured died. No authentic details are available for the Confederate side. Pennsylvania's bravery upon this field embraces 26,628 men; in detail, sixty-eight regiments of infantry, eight regiments of cavalry, and live batteries of artillery. The killed and mortally wounded are 67 officers, and 964 men, 1,031 total. The general casualties number 5,907. We are glad to be here to-day to aid in the serious and pa- triotic ceremonies that will contribute to make this hallowed ground immortal. This large gathering of the living remnant of a brave soldiery- ; these representatives of civil authority; these organizations of loyal devotion to comradeship; this gathering of vast numbers upon the hillsides — the military dis- play in blue, these flags and guns and all the paraphernalia of war, these speechless mounds and numberless graves, these monuments that proclaim a history, all attest the greatness and fitness of this occasion. We are glad to be here. How the scene has changed. What is it now? Cemetery Hill and the Ridge, Culp's Hill, Round Top, Peach Orchard and Devil's Den — What it was! No one man living or dead ever saw. You were here, but the fight was everywhere. No pen can write, no tongue describe, no artist's brush or pencil picture. In the years to come impartial history will place in imperish- able record the best adjustment of all controversies and con- flicting statements. Let us hope that is best. Better that those of us who were a part, shall hold its bloody record as a memory, and treasure the heroic deeds of our comrades, as the needed sacrifices for "nobler modes of life and purer laws." But "with malice toward none, with charity for all," we can quicklv pass in review some of the fearful work of those never- to-be-forgotten days. Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, was the first determined ad- vance to plant his standards and entire army upon free soil, and passing over the Susquehanna to capture the capital of our state, and Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, where great treasure could be demanded and exacted from these cities of wealth. Once having established a foothold, recognition would quick- ly be accorded by foreign nations. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 47 He came upon our fruitful borders aud entered our rich do- main, with banners flying and all the surroundings of a con- quering hero. His army marshaled a leadership experienced in warfare, possessed of the highest military capacity, and a soldiery ripe from the victories of Fredericksburg and Chan- cellorsville, bold, aggressive, disciplined, and feeling the spirit of invincibility. They came to do or die. To fight and to stay. The great loyal North knew their purpose of invasion and trembled. The Army of the Potomac, strong in numbers, wearied and worn with long marching, remembering the severe recent defeats aud hard blows received in Virginia, lacked that morale and enthusiastic confidence that had been its com- panion on many a hard-fought field. But when the army knew the next clash of arms was to be on the soil of Pennsylvania — their home and heritage — like a giant, conscious of strength, and restive for a final struggle, they forgot defeat and weari- ness, and lifting up their voices sang songs of victory as they moved in compact form on marches forced and long. The change in the command of the army had just reached the men, and with unswerving judgment and soldierly instinct they knew and felt that in General Meade the army could con- fidently trust and safely fight; a confidence merited and de- served. The battle of the first of July is over, and along the many roads converging upon these hills the Union Army is rapidly marching, lighted by the full moon and cooled by the soft air of the summer night. General Meade reaches the field about midnight; confer- ences with Hancock, Howard and others follow, then an imme- diate inspection of the field, to be renewed at four (4) a. m., when the first rays of daylight appear. There has been no de- lay, no evidence of uncertainty, the battle is to be fought here and the troops are all marching on. A supreme struggle known to soldiers and general. The troops arrive and by 9 a. m,, with the exception of the Sixth Army Corps, not far away, the dispositions are made — great expedition creditable to Meade and his soldiers. On the Union side, the right wing composed of the Twelfth Corps with Wadsworth's Division of the First Corps, based it- self on the rough and wooded eminence of Gulp's Hill. The Eleventh Corps with Robinson's and Doubleday's Divisions of tlif^ First Corps held Cemetery Hill. The prolongation of the 5 48 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. line to the left along the crest of Cemetery Kidge was occu- pied by Hancock's Second Coi-j's; tbe Third Corps, under Sick- les, formed the left wing running from Hancock's flank to Round Top. The Fifth Corps had upon its arrival taken posi- tion on the right, in reserve. On the Confederate side Long- street held the right, (opposite Sickles) his troops drawn along the well-wooded line of Seminary Ridge; Hill's Corps con- tinued the lint? along the same ridge to the Seminary, opposite the Union center, and Ewell's Corps, the Confederate left, stretched from the Seminary through the town and enveloped the base of Culp's Hill. Thus face the two giants that are to meet in a deadly contest — a grapple that will know no yielding save in defeat. There seems to be some misunderstanding about the line General Sickles has taken. His troops are seen advancing, and as he moves forward they are leaving Hancock's left and a large gap is plainly visible, and Sickles' left is in advance of Round Top and an angle is made with Hancock's line instead of a compact prolongation. Is the army to change its left line, or are all to move further forward? is the inquiry of men and commanders. The sight was a grand one, that marching mass of trained brave men; they looked invincible, although some- thing seemed not right, for many horsemen were riding rapid- ly in all directions, while the movement afforded a large part of the army the opportunity to see the power of a compact force. Meade rides rapidly up to the ridge accompanied by Sickles; an earnest conversation follows concerning the advanced posi- tion of the troops. Meade, before the Committee on the Con- duct of ^^■ar, states: ''I told him it was not the position I had expected him to take; that he had advanced his line beyond the support of my army, and I was very fearful he would be attacked and lose the artillery which he had put so far to the front, before I could support it. General Sickles expressed regret that he should have occupied a position which did not meet with my approval, and he very promptly said that he would withdraw his forces to the line which I had intended him to take. He could see the ridge by turning around which I had intended him to take, but I told him T was fearful that the enemy would not allow him to withdraw, and that there was no time for any further change or movement. Before I Petmsylvania at Gettysburg. 49 had finished that remark the enemy's batteries opened upon him and the action commenced." Lee had resolved to attack the Union line — his own words are as follows: "It was determined to make the principal at- tack upon the enemy's left, and endeavor to be in a position from which it was thought that our artillery could be brought to bear with effect. Longstreet was directed to place the divi- sions of Hood and McLaws on right of Hill, partially envelop- ing the enemy's left which he was to drive in. General Hill was ordered to threaten the enemy's center to prevent rein- forcements from being drawn to either wing, and co-operate with his right division in Longstreet's attack. General Ewell was instructed to make a simultaneous demonstration upon the enemy's right, to be converted into a real attack should opportunity offer." The battle has opened, and as Longstreet has been observed by the troops posted in the orchard, our artillery opens and ere long the musketry fire grows fiercer. The attack falls upon Sickles' line, the left front, just where it recedes from Sherfy's Peach Orchard on the Emmitsburg road. DeTrobriand's and Ward's Brigades, of Birney's Division, hold this line. The attack is boldly made, and the struggle be- comes close and unyielding. The enemy's line laps the left dank of the Third Corps by about two brigades, and at once it is apparent the effort will be to scale the sides of Round Top and gain possession of this, the key to our line. As the battle grows in fierceness and intensity, additional troops are con- tinually arriving. Meade, upon leaving Sickles, had ordered to the left Caldwell's brave division of the Second Corps, and troops of the Fifth Corps are already arriving on the field. Brigade upon brigade go in and come out — all around Round Top, Peach Orchard, Devil's Den, Plum Run, Emmitsburg road and the AYheat Field. The battle opening at four o'clock p. m., on the extreme left, had extended towards the town, until by six o'clock every Con- federate brigade had advanced from the line of battle on Sem- inary Ridge, including that of Law's on the extreme right of General Lee's line, opposite Round Top, to Wright's Brigade, which had attacked Gibbon's Division on Hancock's center, 50 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. aud the whole interveuiug coiiulry from the Devil's Den, on the base of Kouud Top, to aud above Codoi-i's house, on the Emniitsburg road, was tilled with a struggling mass of armed men. The demons of war have been at their terrible work. Hour seems to follow hour, but there is no cessation to the booming cannon and the rolling of musketry. Wounded men are con- tinually coming back, yet the lines hold their own only to break and re-form and again attack. Biruey's, Graham's and Humphreys' troops have fought hard, and Caldwell's Division of four brigades have, under a scathing fire, struggled long and valiantly. Sykes, of the Fifth Corps, has brought into ac- tion four of his brigades, and others, under Barnes, Ayres and Crawford, are soon to follow aud do good work. Williams has been ordered from the right, and closely follows the Fifth Corps. A mass of troops are on the left, and our line is now strong where it was once so weak. Our losses are appalling. Graham falls wounded, and is in the hands of the enemy. The brave Sickles has received a ball in the leg, and he has been carried off the field. Hancock is assigned to the command of the corps. Cross and Zook, of Caldwell's Division, are killed, and Willard dies bravely. Thousands of men are hors-de-combat. Brave Humphreys, in obedience to Birnej^, completes his movement to fall back from his advanced position, and displays that cool intrepidity and courage that has ever marked his able generalship. He reaches his line at last, but half of his gallant force have fal- len. Crawford's Pennsylvania Reserves, and a part of Hays' Division do good work; and Hunt, intelligent and watchful sol- dier with his reserve artillery has strengthened the line. Men are worn out with the fury of the fight; the dead are every- where; the wounded legion. Night at last comes and around the Devil's Den, Peach Orchard, Round Top and the Wheat Field and woods where the battle boiled and bubbled like a seething cauldron, the worn-out and exhausted soldiers slept side by side with their comrades dead. The battle on the left for the day is over. The blazing sun has sunk to rest and night takes \ni\ and shadows all, that the fearful slaughter may cease. Errors of judgment may have been committed — other disposition of troops may have been wiser, aud our lines may have been located giving us Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 51 greater strength and greater resistance. But that is passed; no battle of the war exhibited greater bravery on the part of otlicers and men, than that which clustered around and upon Little Round Top and the now famous fields and woods upon our left. The losses of the Third Corps were very great. The men fought and died, and then seemed to rise up and strike again. Brave Warren, whose rare military judgment and quickness of action saved Round Top, and Weed, Vincent, O'Rorke and Haz- lett, who, after heroic and magnificent work, yielded up their lives to hold this important citadel, will ever be held in special honor and love. Brave men; none braver on that memorable field. Round Top will yet be crowned with their monuments in bronze and stone. Up to a late hour the entire right of our line, extending from Cemetery Hill to and over Culp's Hill, had remained unas- saulted except by the sharp artillery fire from batteries on Benner's Hill, but they were eventually silenced by the splen- did practice of Union guns on East Cemetery Hill. Wadsworth's Division of the First Corps, had occupied the northern face of Culp's Hill the night before, and early on the morning of the second, Geary's Division of the Twelfth Corps had moved over from its position, north of Little Round Top, and formed on Wadsworth's right, extending down the south- eastern face of the hill; and a little later Williams' Division, commanded by General Ruger, marched over from Wolf's Hill where it had spent the night, and formed on Geary's right, ex- tending the line in a zig-zag course to Spangler's meadow at the base of the hill. Notwithstanding these troops had not been molested during the day, they had not been idle. Immediately on taking that position, a line of breastworks had been commenced, which by nightfall were suflicient to afford the troops ample protection. When, however, the condition of the battle on the left assumed such threatening proportion, General Meade called on General Slocum, commanding the right center, for troops to go to the assistance of the left, and General Williams, temporarily com- manding the corps, was ordered to send his own division, com- manded by General Ruger. These troops moved out of their works accompanied by Lockwood's Brigade, and were led by General Williams in person to the scene of action, arriving, 52 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. however, after the severe fighting was over, and only Lock- wood's Brigade was temporarily engaged. In the meantime General Slocum had ordered Geary to send two brigades of his division to the same destination; and Candy's and Kane'sBri- gades, under the personal command of General Geary, started for the same destination, but through some unexplained error they marched down the Baltimore pike to and beyond Rock creek, when they threw out pickets, leaving only Greene's Brigade to hold the long line of works built and occupied by the entire corps. As these brigades moved out General Greene commenced to deploy the One Hundred and Thirty-sev- enth New York Volunteers in that portion of the works va- cated by Kane's Brigade. At the same time that the Twelfth Corps troops were being withdrawn, Johnson's Division of E well's Corps advancing from beyond Beuner's Hill, moved to attack the Twelfth Corps' position on Gulp's Hill, Steuart's Brigade assaulting Kane's position at the moment when the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh New York was being de- ployed in the works, and although stoutly resisted, Steuart occupied the position and his brigade spent the night inside the Union works. Although Greene's position was previously assaulted, he successfully repulsed every attack, assisted by several First and Eleventh Corps regiments sent to him by General Wadsworth, and by ten o'clock at night the battle ended. In the meantime General Kane, hearing the sound of battle, returned with his command, and although fired upon by Steuart's men when he attempted to go to his old position, he eventually reached it by a circuitous route and occupied a strong position among the rocks on Greene's right, and by mid- night Col. Candy's Brigade also returned and extended Gen- eral Kane's line. When Ruger's Division and Lockwood's Brigade returned on finding their works occupied by the enemy, they took up a position on the open fields facing the woods, ex- cept Colgrove's Brigade, which moved ov(n* to the east side of Spangler's meadows. While this contest was taking place, Generals Slocum and ^^'illiams were attending a council of war at General IMeade's head(iuarters. On returning and learning the state of affairs General Slo- cum at once ordered his artillery in position to command the works o(cui)i('d l>y llic enemy, and at 4.30 a. uk it opened fire. Pennsylvania at Getty shurg. 53 In the meantime General Joliuson had been reinforced by General Walker's Brigade of his own division, and Daniel's and O'Xears Brigades of Major-Geueral Bodes' Division, and when Slocum's artillery opened fire, Johnson having no artil- lery in position with which to reply, ordered an attack by his infantry- all along the line. A counter-attack was made by General Williams, and the battle raged with varied success until near eleven o'clock, by which time the enemy was driven out and the original line restored. Almost simultaneously with Johnson's attack on Gulp's Hill, Hays' and Hoke's Brigades of Early's Division charged Bar- low's division, Adelbert Ames in command, in position on East Cemetery Hill. The crest of the hill was occupied by Wied- rich's, Ricketts' and Reynolds' Batteries, while Stewart's Bat- tery, also on the hill, was trained on Baltimore street leading from the town. But the most important position, a shoulder on the west side of Gulp's Hill, since called Stevens' Knoll, was occupied by the Fifth Maine Battery commanded by Lieu- tenant Whittier. The assault was made at the dusk of evening and was not observed until the enemy was far advanced. Golonel Wain- wright, chief of First Gorps artillery, directed his batteries to open fire, but unfortunately the guns were so placed that they could not be depressed, and, notwithstanding the terrible flank fire by the Fifth Maine Battery, the infantry giving way, the enemy was soon among the guns. Wiedrich's Battery was captured and one or two of Ricketts' guns were spiked. At this juncture General Hancock dispatched the brave and fear- less General Carroll with his gallant brigade to the scene of action. General Carroll immediately led his troops forward, attacked the enemy, and, assisted by some Eleventh Corps troops, quickly restored the line and recaptured the guns, when the battle ended for the night. Before the firing had ceased on the Union right, on the sec- ond of July, General Meade hastened to his headquarters and called his council of war — a gathering of the ablest and great- est leaders that had ever commanded the corps of the Potomac Army. Slocum, Sedgwick, Hancock, Howard, Newton, Sykes, Birney, Williams, Gibbon, Butterfield, were all present. The conclusion was soon reached. ''Remain in the present posi- tion and await the enemy's attack." Out of 52 infantry bri- 54 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. gadcs, 42 had boon engaged aud 80 seriously. The corps com- manders reported about 58,000 men for the next day's fight. The losses during the day crippled, perhaps, the Union side the least, but the enemy had gained great advantages. On their right the Confederates had secured a lodgment on the bases of the Round Top, possession of Devil's Den, and the ridges on the Emmitsburg road, a valuable position for artil- lery. On the left an occupation of part of the intrenchnients of the Twelfth Corps with an outlet to the Baltimore pike, by which all of our lines could be taken in reverse. At the center, par- tial success, effecting no lodgment because they lacked proper support. Lee recognized the value aud importance of the ad- vantages he had secured, and having had engaged but seven- teen out of his thirty-seven brigades of infantry, he felt confi- dent a great victory could have been gained, if his orders had been obeyed and his generals had co-operated. The morale and discipline of his men were excellent — they wanted to fight and looked forward to a victory on the mor- row. Lee's language is as follows: ''The operations of the second of July induced the belief that with proper concert of action, and with the increased support which the positions gained on the right would enable the artillery to render the assaulting columns, we should ultimately succeed, and it was, accordingly, determined to continue the attack." The same bright moon that had lighted the way of the thou- sands of brave soldiers, gayly singing their songs of triumph as they marched, July first, to these memorable fields, shone out again with equal brilliancy, upon scenes of activity and un- ceasing labor. The wounded were carried to the rear and the lines re-formed among the dead, too numerous to be cared for. Sleep came to the Ryes of few. It required the vigor of youth to withstand the strain. Throughout the loyal states consternation was in the minds and fear in the eyes of men. The Army of the Potomac had suffered reverses on the first and second of July, and nothing save that shattered and worn army stood between the march of Lee's victorious legions and the great cities of the North. The Sixth Corps sui)plies reserves to various parts of the line. The Fifth Corps, on the left, extends itself so as to oc- cupy the acclivities of Great Round Top, and protect the flank Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 55 from surprise. The Third Corps, worn out aud disabled, is iu reserve. At early dawu the fight commences on the right, for orders have been sent to dislodge the enemy. Slocum commands the right wing, aud he voted last night at the council, ''stay and fight it out." It is most important that our line be main- tained, and for almost five hours a determined and courageous struggle continues. Finally the enemy are compelled to move back, aud our troops regain their position. This is an unex- pected loss to Lee. Pending the formation of Longstreets column on the 3d, General Lee directed General Stuart to move with his cavalry beyond the left of his infantry, and endeavor to secure a posi- tion from which to co-operate with the attack about to be made by General Longstreet. This movement was made, but was met by a counter-movement by General Pieasonton who, under orders from General Meade, had taken up a position to meet any flank attack by the enemy, and protect the Union flank and rear. Simultaneous with the great cannonade Stu- art's command, consisting of Hampton's, Fitzhugh Lee's, W. H. F. Lee's and Jenkins' Brigades, advanced to the attack. They were met by Mcintosh's Brigade and Custer's Brigade, of Kilpatrick's Division, and, after a desperate hand-to-hand en- gagement, were repulsed. Later in the day General Meade ordered General Kilpatrick to take up a position to threaten the Confederate right. Gen- eral Kilpatrick moved with Farnsworth's Brigade, and was subsequently joined by Merritt's Brigade, of Buf ord's Division. A demonstration was made by General Kilpatrick's order, dur- ing which General Farnsworth was killed. The whole cavalry movement of the 2d and 3d of July, ex- hibited on the part of officers and men, not only bravery and courage, but able leadership, making memorable their record as indispensable adjuncts to the great battle and victory. Pennsylvania's contribution to the corps embraced many troops, and under the fighting qualities of fearless Pieasonton, the names of Generals John Buford, David McM. Gregg and Colonel J. Irvin Gregg, will ever be cherished and loved. It is now eleven o'clock, and our lines are firmer and stronger than on the 2d of July. The men have had rest and food, the ground is better understood and the troops are reso- 56 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. lute, knowing that another disaster may or will be complete defeat. Extreme quiet reigns, and behind the low earthworks the men wait the coming storm. Hancock rides his line, and his appearance, like an inspiration, gives confidence to his sol- diers. About one o'clock two cannon shots are fired — the men know they are signal guns. Suddenly, amid smoke and flame, there belches forth a thunder cannonade as if the very ele- ments were in battle, and the air is filled with exploding shells. Pandemonium has commenced, and will so continue for the next two hours. Fifteen minutes pass for all is quiet along the Union front, then there is a return of death-deal- ing hospitality, and the seventy-seven guns of the Union Army join the one hundred and thirty-eight guns of the Con- federacy. "What seemed thunder before now seems a hundred times more deafening, for the troops are all lying near the ar- tillery. Men hug the ground, for death and destruction are flying all around — a sight so magnificent has never been seen by this generation upon this continent. Our guns, after an hour's in- cessant storming, gradually cease firing. The enemy believe our artillery has been silenced, but it has been the wise fore- sight and judgment of Meade and Hunt who had directed the ammunition to be saved. Under the cover of the smoke wafted by a soft light breeze, the enemy advanced. Pickett's fighting men, fresh, strong and determined lo reach our lines, move forward as if on a holiday parade. They look like the brave Third Corps as it looked yesterday. The direction of the line is distinct — not a turning of the left flank, but the assault is to fall upon Ceme- tery Kidge and Hancock's Corps. These soldiers are like their superb commander — they fight to win — die if need be, for they have faced danger on many fiercely contested fields. There are ten regiments of Pennsylvania troops in that old Second Corps, and he is a Pennsylvania soldier who commands them. Across the open i)lain the enemy marches with front appar- ently compact. Pickett leads, and then comes Armistead, Garnet t, Wilcox, Kemper, Pettigrew, Trimble and a number of fearless men. It is their last heroic charge. That line of de- termined men lying along the Second Corps' front intend to al- low no return. How the banners Haunt, but they will soon drop, for the Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 57 hands that hold them will be stricken down. It is death or victory, and the soil is Pennsylvania. The enemy make a movement, a half wheel, our artillery opens upon the right flank, and McGilvery's forty guns are de- moralizing the steadiness of the forward movement. Other Confederate brigades now appear. Archer, Davis and Brock- enbrough are seen in single line with Scales on the right and Lane on the left. Pickett's skirmishers are ordered back for real work is about to begin. Forward, forward, here they come. No fear, no indecision — their eyes are fixed on the ridge and they will not waver save in death. They are fourteen thousand strong. They are within two hundred yards of the line on the ridge and Hazard, from his artillery, Korty, Brown, Gushing, Arnold and Woodruff blaze canister into their ranks, the infantry pour musketry and McGilvery's guns drive them with shot and shell and roll up their flank. They are now upon us. We can see their faces — long, color- less, gaunt — their clothing covered with blood and dirt. The muskets bayoneted, carried at a charge, the look upon their firm faces, resolute, defiant, fearless. Up men of Penn- sylvania! up soldiers of the Second Corps! you or they must win this day; there is no retreat now. Harrow's and Hall's men strike them on our left, Stannard's flank fire rolls them up on our right, and brave Alexander Hays with soldiers worthy of the gallantry of their leader, with a fire concentrated and fearful in its havoc, wedges them into a solid column, which, driven like a massed weight, falls with a fearful force, impelled, upon the front of Webb's Bri- gade. The_y now seem irresistible, and they mean to kill. Webb, in the midst of his soldiers, fights as they fight, jet he is ever the leader. The fearful thunderbolt has driven back his first line, but it readily re-forms on the second and brave Webb falls wounded. The scene passes description — shot and shell and canister and musketry, every implement of warfare and death play havoc and let loose the dogs of war. Battle flags drop, men throw up their arms and fall upon their faces within our lines. The fight is over, the victory of victories is won. Well done, sagacious Meade — bravely done, Hancock, master leader in the battle front of this the battle of the centurv — vour blood has 58 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. hallowed this ground; aud jou, heroic Gibbon, and Webb, and Gushing, and Hays, and the long- line of living and dead leaders, well done. A nation thanks you and thanks your great army. Soldiers of Pennsylvania, your valor has been seen in many battle fields, but on none has it been greater or grander, nobler or more heroic than on the July days of 1863. Again we hear the call, and in its tones a wail of anxiety, al- most grief — ''Watchman, what of the night?" The answer is heard all over the land — ''All's well. The Army of the Poto- mac has gained a great victory," and like an ocean's roar comes back response — "Thank God and the Army of the Potomac." MUSIC. Dedication Quaktette. TRANSFER OF MONUMENTS TO GETTYSBURG BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. Governor James A. Beaver. MY COUNTRYMEN: You have heard, in eloquent phrase, from the lips of personal participants in the battle of Gettysburg, what Pennsylvania's sons did here in con- nection with their comrades from other states, to preserve the heritage of our fathers for transmission to our sons. The me- morials erected, and 3'et to be erected, upon this field, are de- signed to transmit this story, so far as perishable materials can, to the coming generations. The story itself will be trans- mitted in other and more enduring waj'S. We recognize it as proi)er, however, that the spot upon which men proved their devotion to principle by the surrender of their lives, should be marked by something distinctive and appropriate. This has been done in accordance with the wishes of the people of Penn- sylvania, as voiced in the acts of their representatives, and it Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 59 now devolves upon me, as their chief executive, to transfer the custody of these memorials to a body of gentlemen composed of representatives of the different states, whose troops parti- cipated in the battle on the side of the Union, and organized for the express purpose of preserving the battle-field and its surroundings, and of perpetuating the memory of the deeds of its participants. The Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association has done a great work in preserving this field for the study of patriots, heroes and soldiers for all time to come. The organization is not distinctively Pennsylvanian. In its management are found the representatives of the several states contributing to the purchase and care of the battlefield. Its work, although confined to a given locality, is of interest to the people of the country and the world. For historical purposes, and for the study of strategy and tactics, Gettysburg is to be the great battle-field of the country and of the world. This fact has long been recognized by the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial As- sociation, and is becoming recognized more and more by the people of the entire country, Gettysburg does not belong to Pennsylvania. Just as the principles of right for which men here fought were universal, and the results here won of general value to our common country, so the battle-field of Gettysburg is the heritage of our countrymen everywhere. Their repre- sentatives control it now and it is to be hoped that their offi- cial representatives in Congress will make provision for its further development for historical purposes, until the location of every military organization which fought upon the field will be designated and permanently marked. Pennsylvania has entire confidence in the present organiza- tion charged with the duty of preserving and maintaining this battle-field, and she, without hesitation, transfers to its cus- tody these memorials, erected by her official bounty and the contributions of the survivors of the several organizations which participated in the battle. She has, by legislative en- actment, sanctioned the organization of the Gettysburg Bat- tle-field Memorial Association; she has contributed of her funds to its support; she has pride in its work, and will, doubt- less, continue to co-operate with it and through it for its con- tinued development, and the enlargement of its scope and ef- forts. 60 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. To you, as the representative of this Association, 1 beg to transfer the custody of Pennsylvania's memorials, assured that they will be properly cared for and faithfully preserved, and that so long as these perishable materials shall continue to do so they will be permitted to tell their story of heroism, sacrifice and devotion to the generations vet unborn. ACCEPTANCE OF THE MONUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. Hon. Edward McPherson. GOVERNOR BEAVER: The Battle-field Association wil- lingly accepts the care of the memorials which you have confided to it. These tasteful and enduring monuments of bronze and granite, are an appropriate expression of the profound emotion with which a grateful people regard the great work done here by a noble soldiery. They vividly re- call to this generation, as they will suggest to future genera- tions, the anxieties and griefs which, in the midst of war's alarms, disquieted the homv_s of our broad and busy Common- wealth. They will as vividly recall the numberless privations and fatigues of camp and march, the suffering in hospital, the constant strain of expectation, the awful carnage of battle, which those brave hearts endured for us and for the posses- sion of generations who are to come after us. And they will also forever testify the precious fruits of victory — our Union saved, our Constitution purified, our institutions immeasur- ably strengthened, the whole i)eople firmly bound in an indis- soluble union of indestructible states. This lofty thought had, before^ the War of the Rebellion, no ])]ace in the accejtted theories of our government, but is a gift from that war. Before that event the Union was flippantly and frequently threatened from within, in both the North and the South; and if the states were boasted as indestruc- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 61 tible, it was because they were claimed to be indepeudeut and sovereign — and not at all as indestructible because an in- tegral part of a union indissoluble in whole and equally inde- structible in every part. So far as we are, therefore, this day fused into unity and have a cloudless future, we owe it primarily to the constancy and valor of the armies of the Union, who thereby made the nation their debtor to an amount which cannot be computed or paid. How much of the great result due to our many victories may be directly due to this victory, it is not possible accu- rately to state. But there were then existing circumstances of peculiar gravity which made this victory indispensable to the cause of the Union. We know that long before this battle several European cabinets had considered the policy of un- friendly intervention in our affairs. We know, definitely, that six months before this battle the Emperor of France had taken a step in that policy of hostility to which he was im- pelled by ambition for his dynasty, now happily sunk from sight. And we know, further, that the governing classes in most European states then complacently regarded the end of the Great Republic as inevitable and awaited only a suffi- cient pretext to decide the' issue and glean the profits. Our dangers from within were hardly less serious. Delays and defeats, debt and the draft, had sorely tried and deeply dis- couraged the hopeful and faithful, and had driven the timor- ous, the time-serving and the treacherous to look for peace through surrender. The invasion of Pennsylvania was made at this supreme crisis — the supreme crisis of the war, diplo- matically, politically and militarily, and was! timed so as to be adapted to these various exigencies. In all the war there was no moment so big with the fate of empire as July, 1863. If at that pivotal period, with foreign and domestic enemies of the Union alike crouching for its destruction, the Army of the Potomac had been subdued and beaten, and if on the fourth of July, 1863, the victorious army of Northern Virginia had been in quick pursuit of its flying foe to the then probable capture of Baltimore and of Washington, there can be no reasonable doubt that the fact would have become the long-sought pre- text for foreign intervention with its horrid brood of conse- quences. But the Army of the Potomac stood in its tracks — shaken but yet firm, weakened but yet defiant, threatened but 62 J'vnnai/hania at Gettysburg. yet victorious. It remaiued master. The Army of Northern \'iry;inia it was which sped its way to the camps from which it caiiic, aud whence it never afterward took a northern step. As it disappeared there also disappeared all opportunity for intervention. And Gettysburg?, having escaped the misfor- tune of witnessing the wounding unto death of Liberty and Union, rose to be the venerated spot on which free institu- tions received their etiicacious baptism of fire and blood. In order to comprehend Gettysburg as a great historic name, and as a special place in the world, it is necessary to know exactly what each side represented in this death strug- gle. For this the ollicial data are available — data which can- not be confused or denied, and must not be forgotten. The ditferences between the two were radical and unmistakable; were written down at the time in justification for action taken, and were put in issue when appeal was made to the God of Battles. The "other side," by its declarations of that date, fought for the theory that our common Constitution had created a confederacy of states, and had not formed a union of the people of the states. They fought for the existence in that confederacy of an indefeasible right in each state to secede from it on every pretext deemed good by each state, and against the right of the Union to prevent the withdrawal from it of the people of any state on any pretext. They fought for the right of two governments aud two peoples, to divide between them the territory of the Union, and against the right of one government and one people to preserve as its per- petual home, the magnificent empire won and given by the fathers. And they fought that human slavery, instead of re- maining a system local to, and controlled by, states, and with only qualified but defined rights in the Union, should be made the universal dominating interest in the confederacj' — abso- lute everywhere as to rights, its characteristic institution, the very "cornerstone" of its fabric, the dictator of its poli- cies, and a chief object in its life. These fundamental differences were brought by common consent, at Gettysburg, to the point of the bayonet and the mouth of the cannon, to be settled, after gigantic combat, by those grim and imi)erious judges from whose decision there is no appeal. Every soldier who fought in either army, there- fore, fought willingly or unwillingly, consciouslv or uncon- Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg, 63 sciously, for or against the ideas involved in these differences. And Gettysburg has thenceforth stood, and will stand while history endures, as a synonym for an indivisible government under the Constitution, with freedom and equal rights for all as the pervading purpose of the former, and as the perpetual inspiration of the latter. Feelings of unspeakable thankfulness for this great gift have impelled the participating states to mark this field, as no field has been marked from the beginning of the world unto this day. Already there are upon it two hundred and eighty- seven memorial stones and structures, which are located with historical accuracy upon the lines of battle of the Union Army, twelve miles in extent. Every regimental position has been or will be marked. And every tragic spot will be indicated upon this unique locality now known to have been the point expected and preferred by the commander of the invading army for the collision — the convergence to it of roads from all directions within a radius of fifty miles, having indicated it as the probable seat of battle with the defensive army of the Union. Thus by a series of military events not specifically planned by either side, this battle of the giants came to be within the lines of Penn, but few miles from the lines of Calvert— the line between the two having long been the separation between the states of the free and the states of the slave. The dis- tinction which then came to Pennsylvania, and which will be to it as a crown throughout the ages, found it neither unpre- pared nor unworthy. No region in the Union has a prouder political lineage than this in which we are. It was solemnly dedicated, over two hundred years ago, by its wise, unselfish and humane founder, to "kindness and goodness and charity," through forms of government intended to give freedom in order that the colonists might be happy. As colony and as commonwealth, the record of Pennsylvania is radiant with acts of mercy and justice and virtue. Early in the struggle for independence, patriotic fervor drove it to the front, and troops from this neighborhood were among the first to hurry, in 1775, after, Bunker Hill, to the help of the colonists of New England whose cause they made their own. When independ- ence was proclaimed, it was on the soil of Pennsylvania that its language was first heard. While the country was in the 6 04 rdtiisi/lidiiia at iklli/shiinj. iliicMS of ilir ifvolul idu. ill IT.SO, seven years before the pas- sai,'e of the uieat noiM Invi'Stern ordinaiue, it was Peiinsyiva- iiia— a iianie "already dear throughout the world as a symbol ..f freedom"— which, first of the thirteen, ''led the way to- wards introducing^ freedom for all," by passing the act of emanath, wliile their comrades, broken and Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 75 dismayed, had no time to re-form before the order was given, Forward, double quick — CHARGE. With the furious battle yell peculiar with the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, and well remembered by "Stonewall" Jackson's men, against whom they were so often matched, the brigade swept down the declivity, following their gallant leader. Gen- eral Crawford (who carried the colors of the First Regiment on horseback), over the boulders of granite and swampy ground of Plum run, deploying as they went and hurling back the enemy, drove him across the plain, over the stone wall, through the woods and wheat-field, until the lateness of the hour made it imprudent to push farther into the enemy's lines. But it was enough, the tide was turned, a portion of the lost groTjnd regained, many prisoners taken, and the day saved, and by this charge, so daring, effective and decisive, was an in- spiration given to the whole line that brightened hope and renewed confidence in the ultimate success that so gloriously crowned the field of Gettysburg. With the exception of a strong skirmish line, the command was withdrawn to the stone wall and fence skirting the woods to the right. As they charged the regiments deployed so that when the stone wall was reached, the Sixth was on the ex- treme right, with the Eleventh, First, Second and Bucktails to its left. The Bucktails, in the charge, were met by a heavy fire on their front and on their left flank from the Devil's Den. Their brave leader. Colonel Charles Frederick Taylor, brother of the late Bayard Taylor, was instantly killed as his regiment took and crossed the stone wall. The regiments remained in position back of the stone wall until late in the afternoon of the 3d, when General Crawford, under personal direction from General Meade, who anticipated another movement on his left, ordered Colonel McCandless to move his brigade, with the Eleventh Regiment of Fisher's bri- gade, forward, and capture the battery uncomfortably near his line, and ascertain the position and strength of the enemy be- yond and skirting the wheat-field. This movement teas one of the brilliant dashes of the iror, and is modestly and tersely told by Colonel McCandless in his official report: "On the evening of the 3d instant, I was ordered to advance and clear the woods on my front and left, to do which the command had to cross an open field about eight hundred yards wide. The 76 I'cinisi/liunia at Gcttyshurg. ciitiin, iKiiit iiij^ lliis inovc-mc-nt, opened a ballery directly iu fiuiit. 1 luislied the Sixtli Kegiiuent through tlie woods on the riglit. and drove out the enemy's skirmishers and annoyed the gunners, causing the battery to shicken its fire, and as the re- maining regiments of the brigade charged in line, and at a run across the open held, they compelled tiie enemy to retire. Having cleared the woods in front, and linding a line of the enemy in (he woods on my left and at right angles therewith, 1 charged I he enemy directly on the left tlank, routing him, captui-ing nearly two hundred jjrisom-rs, among them a lieu- tenant-colonel, also a stand of colors. The ticld was strewn with small arms, two or three thousand in number, the ma- jority of which had been piled on brush heaps ready to be burned. The enemy took up a new position on a wooded ridge about a half a mile in advance on our front, and were busy dur- ing the night chopping timber and fortifying." The second charge of the First Brigade was a fitting close for such heroic deeds, and wlien the strength of position of the rebel right, with its great number of batteries playing over their heads, the intrei»id push into the enemy's lines away from all sup- ports, thus recovering that entire part of the field covered thickly with the dead and wounded, that from their numbers (»iily revealed how fearful and desperate the conflict had been the day before, was truly a deed of humanity as well as of great courage. The enemj' believed such dash could only be inspii-ed by the advance of a heavy force, for it was made, as will be nnu-mlK'red, at a 'loidle quick, with only occasional pausings to fire on the resisting though retreating foe, and the woods alone prevented the enemy from discerning the insig- nificant number pursuing. As it was now dusk and too late to follow up the advantage gained, the command rested for the night on the jmsition won. The men of the ambulance corps were soon ui>on the field with stretchers, and began as rapidly iis j)ossible to transport the suffering victims of the lost ground of the previous day to the care of the field hospitals, where their wounds were dressed and water and nourishment sup- plied for tlie first time in more than twenty-four hours. Such are some of the vicissitudes and terrible sufferings that war imposes. The night was passed in the woods in impenetrable darkness, as any fire or lights would have revealed our posi- tion. Mild well is rememliered the sensations of that strange Pennsylvania at Gcttyshunj. 11 weird expcnieiue aiiioug the dead. Hardly a step eoiild be taken without fear or danger of treading on some body cor- ]»oreal, whether living or lifeless, and the horror of ghostly thoughts that intruded was anything but composing to ex- hausted nerves and aching muscles. While feeling around for a comfortable place to rest, the hand was just as likely, as was the case more than once, to touch a form whose face was icy cold in death, as that of a comrade in whom the life blood was warmly and strongly pulsating in vigorous life. When the early dawn permitted a look around, the first sight that greeted the eye, close at hand, was the ghastly one of more than one hundred dead Confederates laid out in line for the rude battle-field burial, from which their living comrades had been driven the evening before. The next day, the 4th of July, no advance of any importance was made by either army, beyond reconnoitering the position of the enemy in the imme- diate front, and sending the cavalry out on the flanks to watch and report the movements of the rebel force. Each army maintained picket lines which kept up the usual exchange of shots, generally without results. Otherwise all was quiet. Meanwhile the time was energetically employed in "burying the dead, caring for the wounded and distributing ammuni- tion. After being under fire for forty-three hours, the com- mand was called in from the skirmish line and relieved, about ten o'clock, and withdraAvn to the stone wall, where it was again relieved, at one o'clock, by the Second Division, regu- lars, and ordered to the a icinity of Kound Top, where it joined the Third Brigade. The Confederates were elated with their past successes and confident of a present victory, upon which they expected im- mediate foreign recognition and aid from the disloyal element in the North, and to transfer the seat of war from the ex- hausted fields of Virginia to the fertile valleys of Maryland and Pennsylvania. They fought with unusual bravery and hopefulness until after Pickett's charge, when the legions under Meade, instead of a dis])irited army were found immov- able and equally determined to win success; so that defeat, after most desperate and sanguinary fighting for three days, with an aggregate loss in both armies of 54,000 men, left the Confederate army and people of the South more dejected over their cause and less sanguine of final success than ever before. 78 I'ennsi/hania at Gettysburg. Thus was I lie liackboiie of tho j,neal rebellion broken, and the historian has found in Getiyshury the decisive battle of the war. Kn^iland has her Waterloo. France her Austerlitz and Ger- many her yedan, but the loyal North with equal pride can hand from sire to son for generations yet to come her glorious field of Gettysburg. The days preceding the 4th of July, 1863, found the darkest period in the history of the rebellion for the North. Every interest was at stake, and gloomy fears per- vaded cabinet councils and hearthstones. But when on that memorable afternoon the lightning telegraph flashed from the Atlantic to the Pacific: "Gettysburg and Vicksburg are ours," despair vanished and hope again sprang into life with a vigor never to be quenched until final victory crowned our arms at Appomattox. Glorious 4th of July, ITTO — glorious 4th of July, 18G3 — may their memories thus intertwined in the nation's heart, ever call forth our warmest gratitude. May the enjoyment of our world-renowned heritage of civil and religious liberty ever keep fresh the debt we owe to those who, through great tribu- lations, established our Declaration of Independence, and those who eighty-seven years later sealed the blood-bought treasure with a second sacrifice of blood-bought victory. PRAYER. Chaplain J. Heuvey Beale. G()l> of our Fathers, we adore and worship Thee, and to- Thee, by whose grace and providence we are what we are as a nation; here, Father, from this sacred spot, sur- rounded by the thousands of known and unknown graves and a few of the survivors of this bloody field, we lift our hearts in rendering thanksgiving and everlasting praise. We thank Thee for our glorious national heritage, for the magnificent land of wealthy hills and fertile plains, and for Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 79 the laws and iustitutions which make it a land of progress aud liberty. We thank Thee for our Christian sires, lovers of freedom and of God, men of conscience and integrity whose names have jeweled history, and the memory of whose deeds is an in- spiration to heroism and patriotic pride. We thank Thee for Plymouth Rock, for Yorktown, and that in the strength of justice and the might of mercy our arms were plumed with victory at Appomattox. We thank Thee that through Thy kindness and mercy, the father of our corps and so many of its survivors are here to- day. We implore Thee, Father, to let heaven's richest blessing rest upon all that are present, the families of the survivors and of the fallen, upon our country and all for whom we should pray; in the name of Christ we ask it all. Amen. THE COMMANDERS OF THE RESERVES. Colonel John H. Taggabt. COMRADES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES: We meet to-day to dedicate these monuments to the memory of our fellow-soldiers, our honored commanders. The flight of years but enhance their merits; nor can time dull their record on the roll of fame. These leaders of the troops raised by a great commonwealth were the sons of Pennsylva- nia, born under her conservative institutions, and mustered beneath her guiding star of equity. They were reared equally upon the principles of constitutional liberty and respect for the rights of property. The first shot fired at the national flag, on Fort Sumter, fired also the northern heart. To a man, Pennsylvanians were, first of all, Americans. The Keystone 7 80 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. State was our aiiiou^' many in that vast sectional strife, but all personal considerations, material interests, even the claims of kindred of her children, never caused them to waver for an instant in their devotion to their country. While this was the general sentiment, the men who first signed the record of their principles as leaders of our armies, practically staked their lives and fortunes on the hazard of the die; and here the supremacy of moral and physical courage was strikingly displayed by Andrew G. Curtin, the War Gov- ernor of I'ennsylvania. On his action the issue of the contest hung. I'ennsylvania was the Keystone of the Union, and her chief executive personally supported the arch, not only of the nation, but of the geographical territory binding together the North and the South. Pennsylvania was more closely allied with the South than with the North in ante-bellum days. Her commercial inter- ests and family connections were largely with Maryland, Vir- ginia and other southern states. Many of her institutions were patriarchal. Her policy Avas one of peace, and her people were thoroughly aware of the magnitude of the im- pending conflict. No man was more personally endeared to the whole people of his state than Governor Curtin. His individual acquaint- ance with them was marvelous. It is alleged that he kissed every baby born in Pennsylvania in 1861 and 1862. Spared to see twenty-five years of peace, and bless his native state, he is to-day the grandest of all the historic figures among his living countrymen. A partisan administration had consigned to the southern arsenals great stores of munitions of war, and in the South, too, the largest division of the regular army, under General Twiggs, had supinely laid down their arms before the power of the confederacy of the slave states; yet Andrew G. Curtin recognized that Pennsylvania was sound to the core, and that her sons would unflinchingly fight for the preservation of the Union. His work in organizing and arming the Pennsylvania Keserve Volunteer Corps was not less phenomenal than the sagacity with which he selected George A. :McCall to instruct and command them. McCall was a thorough soldier, a great organizer, and his strong personality was impressed upon the Heserves from the time they entered the United States service Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 81 until they were mustered out at the expiration of their term of enlistment. He was as mild and gentle as a woman, but firm as a rock in the enforcement of discipline, yet his kindness of heart made him looked up to as a father by his beloved Re- serves, and his noble example of heroism in battle, endur- ance of fatigue and privation on the march and in camp was the admiration of those who felt proud of him as their leader. General McCall was a Philadelphian by birth, a graduate of the West Point Military Academy of 1822, and an old officer of the regular army. He served with distinction in the war against the Florida Indians in 1836, afterward in the Mexican war, and in 1850 was appointed by President Taylor, inspector- general of the United States ariny with the rank of colonel, which position he held with great credit to himself until April, 1853, when he resigned his commission, retired from the military service, and remained on his farm in Chester county until the rebellion of the southern people called his countrymen to arms. Immediately thereafter, in April, 1861, Governor Curtin summoned Colonel McCall to Harrisburg, to advise with him on the militarj^ situation and assist in the or- ganization of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. His whole heart and soul were in the work. It was his ambition and his pride to make the corps the equal, if not the superior, of any other body of troops either in the regular or volunteer service. How well he succeeded the history of the division attests. After the first battle of Bull Run, if the Pennsylvania Re- serves had not been organized, armed and equipped ready for the field, Washington city would have fallen before the vic- torious foe. The capture of W^ashington would have been most damaging to the Union cause, as its enemies could then have dictated terms to the conquered Federal government from its capital. When the Reserves encamped at Tenallytown, on George- town Heights, General McCall, on entering the United States service, was commissioned a brigadier-general in the volunteer service. Up to that time the Reserves had not been organized into brigades, being composed of separate regiments, under the command of General McCall, holding a state commission as major-general. In order to perfect their organization into brigades, General McCall recommended to General Simon 82 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Cauieron, the then Secretary of War, the assignment of Briga- dier-Cieneral John F. Reynolds to command the First Brigade, Brigadier-Cieneral George (i. Meade to command the Second Brigade and Brigadier General E. O. C. Ord to command the Third Brigade. General McCall's selection of his brigadier-generals showed the wonderful perceptive and discriminating faculties of the man. These officers were all graduates of the Military Acad- emy at West Point, but none of them had ever commanded large bodies of troops until they were assigned to the Reserve Corps. The men were green volunteers, but with such train- ing as they received from these able and enthusiastic officers they rapidly developed into well-disciplined soldiers. In the words of General John Gibbon, of the regular army, expressed in his address upon the unveiling of the statue of General Meade in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, October 18, 1887, respecting Generals McCall, Reynolds and Ord: ''Moade was especially fortunate in his associates; for George A. McCall, one of the most distinguished officers of his time, was his commander, and the other brigade commanders were destined to inscribe their names high on the glory roll of their countrj- — John F. Reynolds and E. O. C. Ord. 'There were regular officers, who, at the commencement of our civil war, unmindful of the different circumstances under which they were serving, seemed to think there was but one way to enforce discipline in our volunteer forces, and that was by following the old rut and routine of the regular army. Such an idea never found place in the minds of the officers 1 have mentioned; and the results, as exemplified in the subse- quent career of the Pennsylvania Reserves, amply justified the wisdom and sound judgment of those they were fortunate enough to have placed in command over them. "It was frequently noted during the war and afterwards, how iiiuch of the renown gained by volunteer organizations could be traced back to the right direction given to their ef- forts by the sound judgment, good, hard, common sense, firm liand, and just dealings of the commanders who first took them in charge." General McCall commanded the Reserves in the brilliant engagement at Dranesville, December 20, 1861, arriving on the ground soon after the action had commenced under the direc- Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 83 tion of General Ord, commanding the Third Brigade. This was the first victory of the Union troops after the disastrous battle of Bull Run, and the massacre at Ball's Bluff. McCall also led them in the famous Seven Days' Battles in front of Richmond, and in the battle of Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862, in which the Reserves bore the brunt of the fight and achieved a great success. It was one of the brightest pages in his gal- lant military record. In the battle of New Market Cross Roads, June 30, 1862, he was captured and taken prisoner to Richmond, aud was exchanged, along with General Reynolds, who was captured at Gaines' Mill, June 27, 1862, and both re- turned to the camp at Harrison's Landing, on the James river, on the 8th of August, 1862. They were most enthusiastically received on their return by the Reserves, The severity of the Peninsular campaign, and the close con- finement in Libby Prison, had so seriously impaired General McCall's health, that he was compelled to return to his home in Chester county to rest and recuperate. After passing sev- eral weeks with his family, under constant medical treatment, he became convinced that he was not able to resume his posi- tion in the ami}-, aud he resigned his commission and retired to private life. After the battle of New Market Cross Roads, General Truman Seymour, who succeeded General Ord in command of the Third Brigade after Ord was promoted to major-general, assumed command of the Reserves until the re- turn of General Reynolds, who, being the ranking officer, took command of the corps at Harrison's Landing on the day of his return to that camp. General Reynolds was a high-tempered man the ideal Hot- spur, as brave as a lion in battle, and perfectly oblivious of danger when in presence of the enemy. His promotion to the command of the First Corps, and his heroic death on the bat- tle-field of Gettysburg, on the first day, are too well known to need repetition here. He died defeuding the soil of his native state, and yonder monument, reared to his memory on this historic ground by his sorrowing comrades, will attest to fu- ture generations the courage and valor he displayed on this sanguinary but glorious field. General Meade was badly wounded in the battle of New Market Cross Roads, at the head of his brigade, and went to his home in Philadelphia for surgical treatment. Six weeks 84 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. after this he rejoined his command, and took part in the sec- ond disastrous battle of Bull Run, August 3Uth, 1SG2, in which action General Reynolds commanded the Reserve Corps, where he displayed the greatest bravery and courage. After this the Confederate General Lee made his first inva- sion of Pennsylvania, in 1862. On the march of the Army of the Potomac to Antietam, General Reynolds, on the 12th of September, was relieved from the command of the Reserve Corps, and assigned to command the Pennsylvania Militia. General Meade succeeded to the command of the Reserves, and fought them most gallantly in the battles at South Moun- tain, Antietam, and, later on, at Fredericksburg, on December 13, 1802, where, out of 4,5U() officers and men going into battle, 1,853 were killed, wounded and missing. After leaving the Reserves to command the militia, General Rejmolds did not return to them, but was assigned to the com- mand of the First Army Corps. The ability and good generalship displayed by General Meade in commanding first a brigade of the Reserves, and afterwards the whole Reserve Corps, caused him to be pro- moted to the command of the Fifth Army Corps. When General Meade left the Reserves to enter upon the higher command, the parting was a sad one on both sides. The officers and men were grieved to lose him, but they felt proud of his promotion. On his part his feelings were truthfully ex- pressed in his farewell order, which was read in presence of all the companies of the Reserves on Christmas Day, 1862, as follows: "In accordance with Special Order, No. 360, which separates the commanding general from the division, he takes occasion to express to the officers and men that, notwithstanding his just pride at being promoted to a higher command, he experi- ences a deep feeling of regret at parting from them, with whom he has been so long associated, and to whose services he here acknowledges his indebtedness for whatever of repu- tation he may have acquired. ''The commanding general will never cease to remember that he belonged to the Reserve Corps. He will watch with eagerness for the deeds of fame which he feels sure they will enact under the command of his successors, and though sadly reduced in numbers from the casualties of battle, yet he knows Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 85 the Reserves will always be ready and prompt to uphold the honor and glory of their state." I have now traced the commanders of the Reserve Corps from its origin down to the second invasion of Pennsylvania by General Lee and the battle of Gettysburg. Meade was sud- denly called to a higher plane of duty, to command the vet- eran Army of the Potomac. He did not solicit that honor. On the contrary, it came unexpectedly upon him as a duty, and, like the good and true soldier that he was, he promptly as- sumed the command on the 28th of June, 1863, at Frederick City, and three days afterward the most decisive battle of the war began, and in three days more its greatest victory was won. I shall not attempt to describe the battle of Gettysburg. Other speakers who will follow and who took part in it with the Reserves will do that better than I can. In this great bat- tle the Reserves were commanded by another gallant Pennsyl- vanian. General Samuel Wylie Crawford, a native of Franklin county. At the battle of Antietam, while in command of the First Division of Mansfield's corps, General Crawford was se- verely wounded in the thigh, from which he has not recovered to this day. He was rallying a regiment which had broken when he received his wound, but refused to be taken from the field and remained with his men cheering them on to victory. On the 3d of June, 18G3, General Crawford was assigned to command the Reserves, He was their leader in the battle of Gettysburg, and here he displayed the highest qualities of a soldier — good generalship and heroic courage. General Crawford also commanded the Reserves in the bat- tles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House and Beth- esda Church. On the 1st of June, 1861, he issued his farewell order to his war-worn Reserves, assuring them that they had nobly sustained him with unwavering fidelity in the many try- ing scenes through which they had passed. He regretted that he could not return to Pennsylvania with them, and said it would ever be his pride that he was once their commander, and that side by side they fought in campaigns which will stand unexampled in history. Of all the commanders of the Reserve Corps, General Crawford is the only surviving one. Comrades, I desire to pay a merited tribute to Brevet Major- General Horatio G. Sickel, of the Third Regiment of Reserves, 86 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. who coiiimaiided the Reserve Corps for a short time in the early part of ISGIJ, after the battle of Fredericksburg, and was in command of the Second lirigade of the corps at Alexandria, when the battle of Gettysburg was fought. He was a brave, cool and faithful soldier, who entered the army from civil life in 18G1, and enjoyed the confidence of every commander of the corps. He died this year, mourned by all his comrades. General Meade was harshly and most unjustly criticised for his management of the battle of Gettysburg. He was cen- sured for not pursuing and destroying Lee's army. In a con- versation in Philadelphia with General Meade some eight years after the battle, I asked him whether, with all the knowl- edge he had subsequently received of the strength and move- ments of the Confederate Army, and of his ability to attack Lee on his retreat, he felt that he was justified in doing as he did after the battle. He replied in nearly these words: — "I am fully convinced that the course I pursued was right. If I had attempted to attack Lee on his retreat, in his stronghold along the Potomac, the result might have been disastrous to the Union cause; and all the fruits of our victory have been lost. It was too great a risk to take, and I am satisfied that I did right in not forcing another battle at that time, in the exhausted condition of our troops. You know how hard General Lee tried to crush Gen- eral McClelhur s army in the Seven Days' Battles, but he failed to do it under much more favorable circumstances than those that existed with the Union troops after the battle of Gettys- burg," General Meade has never had justice done him for the vast service he rendered the nation in the victory at Gettysburg. Biirnside failed at Fredericksburg, Hooker made another failure at Chancellorsville, but Meade was a triumphant suc- cess on this historic field. He was then at the head of a vic- torious army, which had achieved the most decisive triumph of the war, and broken the backbone of the rebellion; yet he was forced to submit to the indignity of having General Grant |)laced over him as his superior in command in the army that Meade had fought so well. The aulliorKics at Washington i)robably did it for diplo- matic r.Msoiis. (Jcneral Grant was a true soldi(M-, and so was Meade. W lim Grant was ordered to command the Army of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 87 the Potomac, Meade, as his subordinate, obeyed, as a good sol- dier should, and gave Grant a hearty and uncomplaining sup- port until the War of the Rebellion ended. In Philadelphia, where the ashes of McCall and Meade re- pose, responsive to the vernal sun of each recurring year, the survivors of the Pennsylvania Reserves and their Grand Army comrades march abreast to deck their graves with flowers — emblems of those brightest blossoms of the soul, love, venera- tion and gratitude. But Decoration Day for us may soon be celebrated in a fairer clime, where generous fruits on trees im- mortal grow; and ere we pass that silent river, shining brighter with the Christian's hope, we fain would leave a grateful tribute on the battle-tield of Gettysburg to General George G. Meade. This is the duty that still remains. Pennsylvania owes it to herself to here commemorate the glory of the hero who saved her soil from the armies of the de- vastating foe. To Meade, who repelled the invading enemy, let the Memorial Hall be dedicated, that it may prove the shrine of patriotism for future generations. A monument to Meade should also be erected in the Na- tional Cemetery as a companion piece to that of Reynolds. They were united in life, and in death their glory should not be parted. On Round Top let Memorial Hall arise, a fitting consecration to Meade's great victory on this field. Let it be a treasury of trophies and mementoes of all the Pennsylvania regiments that fought at Gettysburg. The Board of Commissioners on Gettysburg Monuments have done their duty well in erecting the monuments we dedi- cate to-day. To no abler hands could the duty of erecting a monument to Meade and a Memorial Hall on Little Round Top be entrusted. Comrades! We stand upon the battle ground of Truth tri- umphant! On the field of Gettysburg thousands shed their blood, and gave their last sigh for freedom! Here slavery died amid its worshippers, and here, in enduring marble, we place the record of our comrades' deeds. Words are faint to paint the glories of immortality; but here our hands have raised and our eyes have seen the signs and symbols of lines eternal which shall bear witness through all the ages to come. Wlien the wild winds of winter hold their revels amid these sacred stones, beneath the snow's soft mantle, or decked with 88 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. tloweis of spring, these nionumeuts will still remaiu the tokens of the perennial honor, love and affection in which we hold the memory of our commanders. In the inimitable thought of President Lincoln, when he stood upon this hallowed ground, rather let us say that these monuments dedicatx3 us, the fellow soldiers of the brave, to the service of a deathless memory and love of country. For these there needs no tear nor melancholy sigh. Life can give no more than death, after well-earned glory; nor has the tomb its chill for him who sl(^eps beneath the soldier's flag. THE THIRD BRIGADE AT CxETTYSBURG. [EUTENANT WiLTJAM HaYES GrIEB. COMRADES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: You have listened to the man who called into being, as soldiers, every man who wore the blue, from Pennsylvania, dur- ing the war, and who was known in my boyhood days as the "silver-tongued orator from Snowshoe;" 30U have listened to the talented editor who commanded regiments and brigades; you have listened to the scholar and soldier, %vho had much to do with the inside workings of the division, and you will hear from the brilliant soldier, who is the honored Governor of this Commonwealth, and last, but not least, you will hear from Major Chill. W. Ilazzard, the humorist from the banks of the Monongahela, and in their midst, or as it were, like the meat in a sandwich, stands the high private in the rear rank. And now, comrades, what do you think would have been the status of this crowd of speakei-s, along the Potomac, in 18G3? I can tell you, with the exception of the private, all of them would have been sitting in a marquee, sipping Apollinaris water, and your humble servant, with a gun on his shoulder, would have been marching up and down in front of the tent, giving them that protection they so much needed. And as long as the soldier kept guard they would have been safe. They may Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 89 need care to-day and that may be the reason why a private was injected into the programme, as a little leaven sometimes leavens the whole lump. They won fame in their country's service, but back of it all stands the private soldier. They, no doubt, appreciate the fact that without the work of the private soldier they would yet be with us, in the ranks of the common herd. We do not envy them their good luck, and hope each one may yet be invited to go higher and higher. To sing the story of a brigade's heroic deeds in battle may seem to be an easy task, but when it is considered that over twenty-seven years have come and gone since the battle of Gettysburg was fought and won, you may well ask one another whether it is possible for memory to enable you to give any of the details of the action or services of any brigade with which you may have been connected. Those of you who were, as I was, an enlisted man in the ranks, can readily appreciate the fact that the duty assigned me is about as hard as was the scaling of Round Top at midnight. A private soldier knew but little of what occurred outside of his own company or regi- ment, and when he did get any information concerning his brigade, division or corps, he received it from the newspapers. He read it to-day and forgot it to-morrow, because it was not impressed upon his mind with the vividness and distinctness that came from actual experience. When the genial secretary of the Monument Commission wrote me extending an invitation to ''make an address that should relate to the services of the Third Brigade in battle," I was surprised, and when in his invitation he further said that these ''addresses will be embraced in a volume in connec- tion with other dedicatory services to be published by the state, and will therefore be matters of history," I was more than surprised. The secretary knew full well that I was not in sympathy with the project of placing tomb-stones or mark- ers as monuments for the Reserve regiments, and I concluded that his kind invitation was a trap in which to catch a fellow who would not otherwise work well in harness. I hesitated about accepting the trust, and can explain in a very few sen- tences why I did not show my usual alacrity whenever any- thing pertaining to the Old Reserves was on the tapis. The grand idea of a "Memorial Hall" on the battle-field or- 90 Pennsylvania at Qettyshurg. ij^imiu-d ill I hi' miJid of the great and glorious War Governor, Andrew U. Cuitin, and he presented the idea so strongly to the dill'erent committees of the different regiments, that they followed him almost unanimously. They obeyed his call in 1801 and never regretted that they had him for their god- father; they fell in with his idea of a ''Memorial Hall," and it became part of their nature. The glorious ''old man" met the boys in different sections of the state, always carrying with him the plans and specilications for his cherished "Memorial IJall." Shortly after the assembling of the Legislature in 1881), he again met representatives of the regiments in the Adjutant General's office, at Harrisburg, and then and there was drafted a bill that, if passed and approved, would give us a "Pennsylvania Memorial Hall" that would be a credit to the state, and overshadow any and everything erected by other states on the battlefield of Gettysburg. In that bill we were not selfish, but had a genuine feeling of comradeship for our brother soldiers of Tennsylvania, as it contained a provision that ''each and every regiment from our y,lorious old state, en- gaged in the battle, should have a tablet in the wall to recount its services, and relate its history." When the bill was fin- ished and presented to the Legislature we went home feeling happy. Under the provisions of the Kauffman bill providing for the erection of monuments on the battle-field, the Keserves were entitled to a lump sum of |1 3,500, and the amount asked for in the Memorial Hall bill was but |25,000, and in asking for the additional $11,500 w^e purposed, as I have before stated, taking care of the other regiments from our state. The Legis- lature kindly passed the bill, and again we were in high feather, for now our ''Memorial Hall" was regarded as a cer- tainty. Kind friends flocked to our aid. One party offered us the ground, another the granite, another the glass, and a fourth one came in with an oiler of all the iron necessary for its erection. The building w\as to have been built of granite, iron and glass, and with the generous tenders of all the ar- ticles needed, we saw our way clear to erect with the .f25,000 granted us by the Legislature, a soldiers' monument or memo- rial hall worthy of the memory of the dead who surrendered tlicir lives in repelling Rebel invasion of the old Keystone. I'.iit oil ;i liiight May morning the papers of the State sent a cold cliill down llie l)ncks of everv Reserve soldier. There, in Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 91 cold type, was spread out the fact that our soldier comrade, Governor Beaver, had vetoed the bill giviug us our Memorial Hall "for coustitutioual reasons." We were displeased, dis- gruntled, and some of us condemned him in severe terms. We were probably wrong, for he was too good a soldier to do us an injustice, and we must be content in believing that he was doing his duty as he saw it, in vetoing the measure. VVc regret that he found it necessary to dash to the ground our foQdost hopes. We have every reason to believe that he was, personally, in sympathy with our project, for "he himself hath said it." That veto dampened our ardor but did not entirely submerge us. We met again and again and made several attempts to de- vise ways and means to get our Memorial Hall, but in the end the veto was victorious. The law authorizing the erection of the monuments and the appointment of a Commission, gave the Commission appointed under that law no alternative but to go ahead and execute it. They exceeded their authority in granting us time to appeal to the Legislature, and patiently awaited our venture in that direction. While some have been disposed, j^our speaker among the number, to censure the Com- mission for what they deemed an attempt not to give proper recognition to the Reserves, we now feel like saying that it was merely a case of diamond cut diamond. The Reserve com- mittee did not like the Commission, or some parts of it, and to a certain extent ignored it, and received the same treatment in return when the plans for the monuments of some of the regiments were ready for the chisel of the sculptor. We never saw the designs, and we suppose it was because we had no business with them. But to-day we are here to dedicate the monuments. We have them in place of the Memorial Hall, and we are indebted to the Commission for them. It is our duty to thank them for their work, for it was a labor of love, and not of emoluments, but, on the contrary, vexation of spirit was often their por- tion. Their work has been completed and they can rest con- tent in the knowledge of the fact that they performed their whole duty under the law. The "services of the Third Brigade" in this battle can be told in a few sentences. On many another hard-fought field the "Third Brigade" performed greater work and lost many more 92 I'mnsi/hania at Gettysburg. hravc nu-n than it did at Gettysbiii-g, but that was not the fault of thf bii^jadc. It was because the opportunity for ac- tual contlict was not presented us, although the places occu- pied by the dillt-rcnt regiments were positions of importance and were held and would have been held against all comers. The brigade was under the command of General Joseph W. Fisher, and was composed of the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Regiments. The first day's fight found us on the road, having left Uniontown, Md., at 5 o'clock in the morning. We were on the extreme right of the army, and at 6 o'clock in the evening we were within five miles of Hanover. Here we exchanged our cartridges and prepared for an emergency, and then started again and marched until 1 o'clock on the morning of the second, and encamped five miles this side of Hanover. Here we learned of the death of the lamented Reynolds. On the morning of the second we broke camp at 5 a. m., and marched two miles and halted for breakfast. We then moved and arrived near Gettysburg at noon. Rested until 5 p. m., when we were ordered forward, and just at the time the First Brigade made its memorable charge. At this time, and the place being to the right of Little Round Top, our brigade w^as separated. The Fifth and Twelfth Regiments were sent to Big Round Top, and in connection with a skirmish line from the Twentieth Maine, occupied the hill from the summit to the ravine at its foot, the Fifth being at the top of the hill and the Twelfth on its right. In those places they remained until the morning of the 4th of July when their positions were reversed. Our friend Bachelder has the positions on his map as they were on the inorning of the 4th, but not as they were during the battle. Right here I think it proper to challenge the location of the Twelfth Reserves' monument. H it is intended to mark the spot occupied by the regiment on the 4th of July, or after the battle, then it is correct, but if it is intended to mark its loca- tion during the engagement, then it is a fraud on the regiment, and falsifies hislory. It agrees with Bachelder's map,* but that is not correct, as far as regards the Fifth and Twelfth Regiments. I do not make this assertion from memory, but evidence written at the time, in mv diarv. and which is vet in ♦The positions as sliown upon the map were marked hy the Commander of the hrip.ndo, Rripadior-Goneral .7. W. Fisher, in the Fall of 1863. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 93 my possession, aud I stand ready to prove the truth of my as- sertion. The Nintli and Tenth Regiments occupied the valley between Big and Little Hound Top, and the Eleventh was between the Trostle House aud the wheat-field along with the First Brigade. Our work was mainly one of watching the movements of the enemy and holding the keys of the field. While the Third Brigade, as well a's the First and Second, was always ready to obey orders, it was the luck of chance or the luck of war that prevented us from accompanying the First Brigade down into the valley of death. We saw them starting and knew that it meant death to many — and when we started in another direc- tion we knew not whither we were going, but like good sol- diers followed our leader, trusting to a kind and over-ruling Providence to give us victory over death and the enemy. And here to-day we stand rendering homage to our comrades who fell in the fore-front of battle twenty-seven years ago. The nation yet mourns their loss, but it will take another generation before their familiar faces will be missed at their home firesides. TRANSFER OF THE MONUMENTS TO THE BATTLE-FIELD MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION. Hon. James A. Beaver, Governor of the Commonwealth. MR. PRESIDENT: After what you have told us of the or- ganization of the Reserves, after what we have heard from those well able to tell it, of the story of its com- manders, and of the part taken in the battle by those regi- mental organizations which were present, it is certainly not necessary, and would scarcely be becoming in me to attempt to say anything in regard to that famous organization. 94 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. It si'i'iii.s to me, howerer, ladies and gentlemen, that it is eu- tii-c'iy proper for me to speak very briefly, before the formal presentation of tiie monuments which mark the part taken by the I'ennsylvania Keserve regiments in the battle of Gettys- burg, to the Gettysburg Battle-held Memorial Association, of the wise forethought and patriotic impulse which suggested the organization of that famous corps. No single act of any individual executive of any of the sev- eral states which supported the government in the war of se- cession displayed more of wisdom and more of patriotism, or exerted a more decided influence upon the immediate and final results of that war, than the proclamation of our distin- guished chairman — then the Chief Executive of this Common- wealth — convening the Legislature of Pennsylvania in special session for the purpose of providing for the defense of the state and the future exigencies of the government. The prescience of the needs of the state, and the necessities of the nation therein exhibited, were remarkable, and, in view of subsequent events, almost prophetic. The grasp of the situation, as thus shown by the Governor, and the subsequent adoption and embodiment of his recommendations in appropriate form by the legislative branch of the govern- ment of I'ennsylvania, had a controlling influence in determin- ing the status of I'ennsylvania as one of, if not the foremost, defender of the Union, and in saving the country from disaster and her arms from disgraceful defeat. I do not undervalue the service of the distinguished men who filled, and filled worthily, the place of chief executive of our loyal states. Their patriotic purpose, wise plans and ener- getic efforts, are well known and fully appreciated. It is nevertheless true, however, that the Governor of Pennsylva- nia seemed to grasp more fully and to recommend more clear- ly, the things which were absolutely necessary in order that the war might be as brief, and its inevitable results as little hurtful to our people as possible. When it is remembered Ilia I (lie proclamation of the Governor convening the Legisla- ture in extraordinary session, for the purposes therein set forlli, was issued at a time when Pennsylvania's quota of rroops under the first call of the President of the United States for seventy-five thousand men had scarcely more than Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 95 been filled, the extraordinary character of his plans and pur- poses became more fully apparent. The "long line of border on states seriously disaffected and which must be protected," was clearly set forth; and, ''the necessity for furnishing ready support to those who have gone out to protect our borders," was duly emphasized. The recommendation for "the imme- diate organization, disciplining and arming of at least fifteen regiments of infantry, exclusive of those called into the ser- vice of the United States," almost necessarily followed and was quickly consummated. It is needless to speculate upon the results which must have followed if Pennsylvania had been permitted to employ this magnificent body of citizen soldierly upon her southern border, as was contemplated in its original organization. In its incep- tion, designed primarily and specially for that purpose, this compact and thoroughly well-trained division would have af- forded ample protection to the citizens of Pennsylvania from the incursions made from time to time by those who were in armed rebellion against the authority of the general gov- ernment, and would have prevented the enormous losses which were necessarily entailed upon our people by the temporary invasion of hostile armies and predatory raids of hungry cav- alry. It is almost certain that if the Pennsylvania Reserve Division had been employed in the service for which it was originally designed, the battle of Gettysburg would not have been fought. Chambersburg would not have been burned, and no organization of insurgent forces would ever have looked upon the capital of our state. The authorities of Pennsylvania were in advance of those of the general government, however, and when the necessity arose, true to her loyal instincts and resolves, our Reserve Corps was transferred to the general service, and our border left to be cared for as the exigencies of war might dictate. This first experience was sufficient to demonstrate the futility of the organization of any body of troops to be employed and maintained under state control, and subsequent events made this more painfully apparent. Even the large bodies of mili- tia, organized and equipped during the several emergencies when Pennsylvania's border was threatened, her territory in- vaded, and her citizens temporarily driven from their homes and subjected to great loss, were transferred as soon as placed 8 96 Pennsylvania at Getti/shurg. iu the lic'ld to the diii-clioii aud coutrol of officers of the gen- eral government. The protection of our border was not the only object of the organization of our Keserve Corps, however. The necessities of the general government, occasioned by the retirement of men from Pennsylvania and elsewhere, who had been mus- tered into the military service for three months, demanded its transfer to a broader and more immediate sphere of opera- tions, and when that demand was formally made the whole force, organized and equipped under the foresight and energy of the Pennsylvania authorities, was transferred to and be- come a part, although a very distinctive part, of the armies of the United States. In consequence of that transfer, a portion of the regiments of the corps took part in the battle of Gettys- burg, as you have already heard, and we are here and now as- sembled to transfer to the Gettysburg Battlefield Memorial Association the artistic monuments which mark that service, and which will testify to the on-coming generations the faith- fulness and the heroism with which it w^as rendered. These monuments stand upon a conspicuous portion of the battle- field. They have already attracted much attention, and will make still more prominent and interesting that portion of the field. Pennsylvania has a right to be proud of the part taken by her citizen soldiery in the great battle fought upon her soil, and acknowledges the services thus rendered with gratitude. At every critical period of the conflict Pennsylvania seems to have been prominent, but at no time, perhaps, did her sons render more faithful service, and secure more abiding and sat- isfactory results than when the two brigades of the Pennsyl- vania Reserves, in the Third Division of the Fifth Corps, made the famous charge wliich saved our left flank, and gave full and final possession of Round Top and Little Round Top and their approaches to the Federal Army. This service, and that which was rendered by the cavalry and artillery of the Re- serve Corps, are commemorated by these monuments. We formally transfer them to the care and custody of the Gettys- burg Battle-field Memorial Association. As the representative of the commonwealth, acting under the instructions of the Commissioners appointed for the erec- tion of Pennsylvania's monuments upon this field, I have the Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 97 honor to make this formal transfer, assured that no similar monuments commemorate more distinguished and heroic ser- ACCEPTANCE OF THE MONUMENTS. By Brevet Major Chill. W. Hazzard, Of the Gettysburg Battle-field Memorial Association. What INIean These Stoxes? WE READ in the Bible of Joshua: How that great Gen eral, in his campaign against Jericho, when he came to the Jordan, the river parted, and the children of Israel passed over dry shod. And they called the place Gilgal. In commemoration of this event the Lord directed Joshua to have one man from each tribe take up a stone, and having come to the other side, build there a monument. And the reason of it was this: So that, when your children ask, in time to come, ''What mean these stones?" it shall be told them that the Lord showed his favor to the children of Israel. The monument set up at Gilgal was to ''tell the story" to the children in time to come. You are here to-day to set up a pile of stones, as did Israel at Gilgal, to tell the story to those who may come after you, and who will ask, "What mean these stones?" Before we answer the question let us journey upon the earth, and make the same inquiry of other monuments that have been builded by the children of men. Let us start at Gilgal and go over by the Nile. There stand the pyramids. What mean these stones? They mean that Ramesis. in his ambition to be remembered forever, built the pyramids as monuments for himself and his wives that his name should never be forgotten. It was human endeavor to 98 Pennsylvania at GetUjsburg. buy witli riches eternal fame. How absolutely it failed. Not only has his name faded from the memory of men, but he him- self was not even buried there. When, forty centuries later, the tomb is forced, the sepulcher is empty. We stand beside the Grecian Acropolis at Athens and ask, "What mean these stones?" The answer comes, "This was once a pile of beauty — the most famous of its kind in all his- tory — set up to perpetuate the greatness of the land of art and philosophy; the intellectual leader of the classic world. The Acropolis is in ruins. Greece is a power no more. We stand beside the Coliseum at Rome, and ask, "What mean these stones?" They mean that Rome was once the mis- tress of the world, her emperors all powerful, her armies in- vincible; they mean that this power, unchecked by Christian influences, became cruel, and that within the walls of the great amphitheatre. Christian martyrs were "butchered to make a Roman holiday." When the children of men stand beside the foundation stones of the Obelisks along the Nile, they ask, "What mean these stones?" The story is soon told. An Egyptian princess carved the record of her beauty and her riches upon the Cleo- patrian Needles, and set them up to remain for all time. Now one stands by the Thames, the other by the Hudson, and they tell no story to anj-one, save that personal greatness, even though writ on granite, will not live forever. We go to Waterloo, stand beside the lion's mound, and ask, "^Vhat mean these stones?" The answer comes, they mean the end of ambition, the end of a conqueror's thrist for blood. Thej- mean that there is a Waterloo for every mere personal thirst for fame alone, and that France and freedom were to live for each other. We stand before the German monument of "Victory'' on the Konigsplatz and ask, "What mean these stones?" They mean the re-unification of Germany and the foundation of a new em- pire. They tell to Germany the daring deeds of a long-gone past, when the tribes slew the forces of Varus in the defiles, and sent him back to Rome to meet the sorroM'ful greeting of Augustus, "Oh, Varus, Varus! give me back my legions." But they t<'ll of no slave set free, no bonds broken, no enlargement of human liberty; they tell that the dynasty of Hohenzollern is established. And while Emporor William died the oldest **%r » Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 99 sovereign iu the world, and the most striking figure of the nineteenth century, yet the pile by the Konigsplatz tells only of the divine right of kings, the aristocracy of the Kaiser, and the servitude of subjects. By that pile of stones we catch no glimpse of the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We come to Bunker Hill monument and ask, ''What mean these stones?" They mean that there is to be no government on this soil with taxation without representation; they mean that our forefathers "brought forth on this continent a nation conceived iu liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." We stand beside Bartholdi's statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, and, with our hands upon its broad foundation, ask, ''W^hat mean these stones?" They mean that Columbia stands with beacon light to welcome the oppressed of every land and every clime; welcome them to our hearts and our homes; wel- come them to the legacy of our freedom and our glory— ^to an undivided country and an unsullied flag. And now we have come to-day to stand beside these monu- ments, these granite markers, set up by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the flower of its soldiery, for its gallant Keserve Corps. And when the children of men come and ask, "What mean these stones?" the answer will not be — they tell us of Curtin, of McCall, of Meade, and Reynolds, and Ord, and Crawford; of Biddle, Roberts and McCandless, and Gallagher; of Sickel and Talley, Mann and Woodward, and Simmons and Fisher; of Ent, and Sinclair, and Henderson and Baily; of Jackson, and McCalmont, and McCoy; of Taggart, and Hardin, and Hartshorne; of Bayard, and Taylor, Easton, Cooper and Ricketts, nor of a hundred others as daring and as noble. The answer will not be — they will tell us of Dranesville where the Reserve Corps fought and won a victory all its own, nor of Mechanicsville, nor of Gaines' Mill, nor New Market, nor Malvern, nor Bull Run, nor South Mountain; they tell no story of Antietam, nor Fredericksburg, nor Bristoe; no story of Mine Run, nor the Wilderness, nor Spotsylvania, nothing of the North Anna, nor of Bethesda Church. These stones will not even tell to the children of men how the Reserves fought here at Gettysburg. No — the deeds of men, though writ in granite, fade away. Lpfft 100 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. For ages the school children of Greece were taught to re- peat from memory the names of the three hundred who fell at ThermopyliT}. Who can tell them now? What, then, will these stones tell to the children of men? The answer has been given by immortal lips. They will tell of Pennsylvanians who died here that this Government of the people shall not perish forever from the earth. These stones, these monuments, will say to the children of men, as Abraham Lincoln said when he dedicated yonder monument: "Gather ye here increased devotion to the cause for which they gave their lives." And now, in the name of the Gettysburg Battle field Memo- rial Association, we accept these monuments, and will give them our tenderest care. SERVICES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES AT GETTYSBURG. AT a meeting of the survivors of the Pennsylvania Reserves, held at Reading, Penna., June 7, 1886, the following reso- lution was offered by Colonel P. McDonough, Second Reserves, and unanimously adopted: Whereas, Ou the second day of the battle of Gettysburg the Pennsylvania Reserves, then forming part of Meade's reserve, were ordered to Little Round Top to save that position, the key of the line of battle, from the then victorious enemy who had driven back the Third Corps under General Sickles and the regulars of their own, the Fifth Corps, under General Sykes; and, Whereas, By a counter-charge of the Reserves they met and drove the enemy from said position and across the meadow beyond the stone wall, which they wrested from them, and thus saved the day, if not the battle; and. Whereas, In many of the accounts of that day's fighting great injustice has been done the services of the Reserves, they being in said accounts rep- resented as occupying a position farther to the right and not on Little Round Top, and taking but little part in said action; now that justice be done to the memory of the grand old division. Resolved, By the Tennsylvania Reserve Association, that a committee of POSITIONS AND LINES OF CHARGES OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. us BlENa CO.LITHN • Pennsylvania at Qettysburg. 101 seven be appointed by the president to prepare a full and truthful account of the part taken by the division in said battle and submit the same to the association at its next annual meeting. The president appointed the following-named as the committee: Major E. M. Woodward, Second Reserves, Chairman. Colonel W. Ross Hartshorne, Bucktails. Colonel Robert A. McCoy, Eleventh Reserves. Major J. A. McPherran, Fifth Reserves. Colonel R. Bruce Ricketts, First Reserve Artillery. Wallace W. Johnston, Sixth Reserves. Colonel I*. McDonolgh, Second Reserves. John Taylor, Secretary. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. THE committee, recognizing tlie importance of the trust confided to them, the many years that had elapsed since the battle, and that the best memory is apt to be cov- ered with the dust of time, at once determined to exhaust all sources of information within their reach, and while getting at the facts as near as possible, to admit no statement that could not be clearly established. For this purpose a portion of the committee met on Little Round Top on the following 2d of July, and, accompanied by Oeneral Crawford, Major Chill. Hazzard, and others, they had no trouble in locating the posi- tion of the First Brigade, from which it started upon its charge twenty-three years before, or in tracing its steps through all its movements on the field. A portion of the com- mittee remained upon the ground several days, and others of it have since examined the field, in company with many com- rades gathered there during the encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, and reported the information gained to the chairman. It was also deemed of importance that a measurement of the distances of the charges made and other important parts of the field should be made, for which purpose one of the committee, during the winter, visited the field, and. 102 Fennsi/hania at Gettysburg. Willi rliain and compass, accomplished the work, the results of which have been embodied in the report. In regard to the misstatements that have appeared in print from time to time, and the injustice done our division, the com- mittee deem it unnecessary to refer, believing the true history of that great battle is yet to be written, and trusting with full confidence to the ultimate prevailment of truth. They, how- ever, deem it proper to refer, to some extent, to the articles published in the rhiladeli)hia Press of August 4, 1886, entitled "The Federal Disaster on the Left," and on October 20, 1886, entitled ''McLaws' Division and the Pennsylvania Reserves on the Second Day at Gettysburg," by ''Lafayette McLaws, Major- General commanding McLaws' Division, Longstreet's Corps." The first article was a reply to Major-General Sickles' Gettys- burg address, delivered in that town July 2, 1886. In it Sick- les says, ''When the battle of the 2d ended * * * Craw- ford's division of Pennsylvania Reserves held the advanced ground I had occupied as far as the stone fence beyond the wheat-field (italics the com.); and this ground, so gallantly won by Crawford and his splendid division, he held all night and next day, and until the retreat of Lee." (Crawford's otficial report.) One of the maps, prepared by Brevet Major-General Charles K. Graham, accompanying Sickles' speech, as printed in the National Tribune, Jul}' 22, 1886, also places Crawford's Division on the west side of the wheat-field, which doubtlessly was an unintentional mistake, as we wall show we occupied the stone wall on the east side of the wheat-field. This error must be kept in mind in reading both articles of McLaws'. Gen- eral McLaw^s, after quoting the above in his article of August 4, utterly denies the charge of the Reserves and the capture of the stone wall. Quoting from him, he says, "I saw Wof- ford's Brigade * * * emerge from the woods (evidently Rose's on the west side of the wheat-field) through which it had charged, and I halted it, and asked what was the matter. He said that he had been ordered back by General Longstreet; that he had driven everything in his front and was resting under shelter of a stone wall at foot of Round Top when or- dered back; that there was no necessity for his coming." Further on he says, "Up to 11 p. m. there was no advance made against Semmes' Brigade (evidently at the Devil's Den), and as that ((ininiand could see all ov(>r the ground from which Gen- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 103 eral Wofford retired, they could tell if any Peunsylvania Re- serves or any other body of men advanced on that day, the 2d, to re-occupy the ground left vacant by Wofford. I feel war- ranted in saying that there was no advance on the 2d by the Federals to re-take the positions won from them on that day." This article was ably replied to by General Crawford, in the Press, in which he gave the movements of our division on both days with accuracy. His reply evoked from General McLaws his second article of October 20, in which he substantiates, in his own opinion, his statements in his first article. The gen- eral says, "I accordingly formulated a series of questions which would cover the claim made by General Crawford, and sent a copy to General Wofford, whose reply was never re- ceived; to General Humphreys, who commanded the Twenty- first Mississippi, in Barksdale's Brigade; to General Bryan, who commanded a regiment in General Wofford's Brigade in the charge of the 2d; * * * to Colonel McGlosking, [Mc- Glashan], colonel in Semmcs' Brigade on the 2d, and others." General Humphreys is quoted as saying, "Wofford's Brigade was not driven back, nor did they go back because they were afraid to fight. Wofford must have gone back by order from some superior authority. * * * i ^{^ not know of the Pennsylvania Reserves under Crawford." General Goode Bryan says, ''I can and do most positively assert that my command was not driven back, * * * and I further assert that I received the order to fall back from a courier of General Longstreet. * * * i also positively as- sert that there was no enemy on our right or front to cause us to fall backJ' (Italics McLaws'.) Colonel McGlosking, or McGlashan, who evidently was at the Devil's Den, or to their right of it, says, ''It was now dark, but we could distinctly hear great confusion on Little Round Top, — the men hastily throwing up rock intrenchments, the officers cursing * * *." He mistook Little for Big Round Top, where he heard the tumult of Fisher's assault. Further on he says, "At no time after the first struggle were our lines attacked by any fresh troops of the enemj". * * * j positively assert that no at- tack was made by General Crawford's Division on any portion of the line. "I am aware that Wofford, at the extreme line of his ad- 104 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. vance, received by some mistake (?) an order from General Longstreet to retire. • * * General Crawford may liave made such advance, but there was no serious jaghting at the stone fence. W'oftord's retreat was by order, and executed without fighting or being pursued, as far as 1 could see, and was stopped by General McLaws in person, as soon as the mis- take was discovered, * * * but it left me powerless to continue the advance." Mchaws says, "On our left was ^Vofford, but separated from us by the 'wheat-field,' which was thinly covered by straggling men from W ofiord and Semmes, and possibly a few of Ker- shaw's." We have quoted in full to give General McLaws the advan- tage of his own statements, but the committee can hardly com- prehend how honorable gentlemen, who doubtless sincerely be- lieved in the correctness of their statements, could have al- lowed the dust of time to so completely settle on their mem- or}'. The committee recognizes that in weighing the conflict- ing statements, fair-minded people will consider the evidence of General McLaws as entitled to as much credence as that of General Crawford; that the Confederate officer's statements equals that of your committee. Therefore, the scales being thus equally balanced in the minds of impartial readers, the committee had to seek other testimony to substantiate their position, and they are happy to say that it is of such a nature that the positive assertions of General McLaws will be laid out as flat as the Reserves laid out his regiments and brigade on those memorable days. Captain George W. H. Stouch, Third Regiment, U. S. In- fantry, now stationed at Fort Shaw, Montana Territory, who, at Gettysburg, was Sergeant-Major of the Eleventh U. S. In- fantry, writes to the committee: "On the 2d of July our regi- ment, then belonging to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Corps, moved from the northwest slope of Little Round Top nearly to the wheat-field, when it changed direction to the left and was advancing in this new direction, when our right flank was turned by the Confederates. We fell back in great confusion, and were driven to Little Round Top, followed by the enemy that had been in our front, and also by those on our flank. While falling back, I, with Lieutenants Pettee and Ehh'T. :ni(l otliors. wore rnpturod by Wofford's Brigade and Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 105 ordered behind a large rock for shelter. I could see distinctly over the wheat-field, and am certain there was no organized bodies of Confederates in support of those who had charged past us, nor were there any considerable bodies of stragglers. Some twenty of the enemy were with us behind the rock for some ten minutes, when they were ordered to advance. Some of them said they belonged to the Tenth Georgia, Semmes' Brigade. Some twenty minutes after our capture I heard the cheers of our men as the^^ charged from Little Round Top, and in a few minutes the rebs ran past us, and in such haste as not to take us with them. A sharp-shooter, posted behind a rock, immediately opened fire on us, killing one and wounding my- self and Sergeant Price. In a few minutes, however, we were recaptured by the Bucktails. Seeing that this man loaded, aimed and fired as rapidly as possible, and conceding even that it took two minutes for him to fire the three shots mentioned, viz., from the time we were uncovered by the enemy until we were re-captured, it would hardly be conceived that a body of organized troops, falling back in obedience to orders, and in regular formation, would be followed by the enemy at such a close interval of time. General Crawford's forces at this time charged bej'ond the stone wall and re-occupied the ground from which the Second Division, Fifth Corps,had been driven.'' Professor M. Jacobs of the Pennsylvania College, Gettys- burg, who was within the Confederate lines during the battle, and who published "Notes of the Rebel Invasion," J. B. Lippin- cott Company, Philadelphia, 1864, p. 47, in speaking of that day, says, on page 37, "To us, however, who were at the time within the rebel lines, the result seemed doubtful. * * * At about 6 p. m., it is true, we heard 'cheering' different from that which had so often fallen dolefully upon our ears, and some of the rebels said to each other, 'Listen! the Yankees are cheering.' But whilst this — which we afterwards found to be the cheering of General Crawford's men, as they charged and drove the rebels down the face of Little Round Top — af- forded us a temporary encouragement." * * * We will now see what General McLaws says of July 3d. In his article of August ^th we find: "As for the assertions that the Pennsylvania Reserves drove Hood's Division back on the 3d, I know that no such thing was done, as up to the time the order was given to retire there was 106 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. no tiriii;,% lu'ithei- by Hood's Division uor by miue, nor was tlit'iv any infantry tiring from the otlier side. * * * Hood's Division retired because ordered back, and perhaps receded in more haste than mine did, because the order for it to go was not given, so the commander told me, until after my division had gone; and, as the positions I abandoned were filled by the enemy (perhaps by the Pennsylvania Reserves), they came in on the flank of Hood, and his left brigade had to go in double- quick. That the Pennsylvania Reserves there took after them perhajts is true. * * * My division and Hood's most cer- tainly occupied the ground from which they drove General Sickles' Corps on the 2d of July until after Pickett's charge on the 3d, and this was done without any attempt being made to recover it by any opposing forces; and the several Confed- erate commanders were resting quietly in their occupancy when * * * we were ordered back to the main line. * *.'' In McLaws' article of October 20, he quotes Colonel McGlos- king [McGlashan] as follows: ''On the 3d, about 2 p. m., we were ordered to retire to our original position, and did so quietly and unmolested by the enemy, leaving behind us the stacks of arms above mentioned." Further on, the colonel, speaking of Semmes' and Kershaw's Brigades, then stationed in Rose's woods, says: ''They remain- ed unmolested in their positions gained on the 2d until or- dered to retire on the 3d of July. After they retired, the enemy advanced and occupied the grounds vacated, but not en- tirely. Benning's and Anderson's Brigades, on being notified of the order to withdraw that General McLaws had received, the enemy, coming on the grounds vacated by McLaws' Divi- sion, were thus full on the flank of Hood's Division, and the brigades of Penning and Anderson being nearest, had to va- cate their grounds hurriedly." General McLaws then says, ''From the foregoing statements you will perceive that it would be impossible for me to say that my command was driven back by the advance of General Crawford's forces along any portion of the line held by me on the 2d of July or on the 3d; but, on the contrary, whatever retrograde movement was made was done by order of author- ity superior to those immediately commanding the troops which retired." Tn rcfiifation. (o all llicse d<'nials of General McLaws and Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 107 his oflScers, the committee states that, in answer to their in- quiry, Brigadier-General R. C. Drum, Adjutant-General U. S, A., under date of November 29, 1887, informs them that the flag of the Fifteenth Georgia Infantry was captured at Gettys- burg, July 3, 1863, by Sergeant James B. Thompson, company "G," First Rifles (Bucktails), and was then in custody of his office; that a medal of honor was awarded to Sergeant Thomp- son; and that the records shoAV that over two hundred pris- oners and many arms were captured by Crawford's Division on said day. Though this does not seem to confirm the statement of Mc- Laws that "they remained unmoles-ted and in their position," it seems to corroborate his remark that they "had to vacate their ground hurriedly." This rather remarkable statement, taken in connection with what follows it, we also find in General McLaws' article of Oc- tober 20: "General Longstreet informs me that General Craw- ford sought an interview with him * * * and asked him ^what troops of his (Longstreet's) he (Crawford) had driven back at Gettysburg.' and that he (Longstreet) replied that he could not tell him, as he was not aware that any one had at- tacked him at Gettysburg." On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the third day's fight, at Gettysburg, Generals Longstreet, Sickles and Crawford rode in a carriage together over the battle-field. "The carriage drove on to the foot of Little Round Top, and the talk turned on the attack by the Pennsylvania Reserves, after the failure of Pickett's charge, upon that portion of Longstreet's forces, which were in the woods opposite the Round Tops. General Crawford described, at the request of the others, the movement of his force, and recalled a state- ment that has been made in answer to a published account of his, that all of Longstreet's men had been withdrawn from those woods before the attack by the Pennsylvania Reserves was made. He asked General Longstreet to explain how this could be, when the Pennsylvania Reserves, in recovering the ground lost on the second day, had captured a large number of prisoners as well as the battle-flag of the Fifteenth Georgia. " 'I can explain that at once,' replied General Longstreet. 'After Pickett's repulse and the subsequent modification of our lines, it was determined to withdraw McLaws' and Law's 108 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. J)ivisious from those woods iu front of the Kouud Tops. Mc- J.aws understood the order and complied with it, but Law mis- understood and remained, and 3'ou struck Benning's Brigade of his division, which contained the Georgia regiments.' " — riiikidelpliia tiunday Press, July 8, 1888. The committee, while submitting their report, and believing that every man of the Keserves who was in the battle will freely bear testimony to its correctness, know that it must stand the test of criticism of future historians. They have no fear of that criticism, but submit it with confidence to the impartial. THE KESERVES AT GETTYSBURG. ABOUT three o'clock on the afternoon of July 1, 1863, the Pennsylvania Reserves crossed the line, and entering the State laid down in a wood. The division was com- manded by Brigadier-General S. Wylie Crawford, U. S. Volun- teers, Major U. S. Army. His staff consisted of, — Major James P. Speer, Acting Assistant Inspector-General. Captain R. T. Auchmuty, Assistant Adjutant-General. Captain Louis Livingston, Additional Aide-de-Camp. Lieutenant Richard P. Henderson, Aide-de-Camp. Lieutenant William Harding, Ordnance Officer. Captain Philip L. Fox, Assistant Quartermaster. Major Louis W. Read, Surgeon and Medical Director. The brigades were: The First, Colonel William McCandless, Second Reserve, with staff as follows: Captain Joseph R. T. Coates, First Reserve, Acting Assist- ant Inspector-General. Lieutenant William A. Hoyt, Second Reserve, Acting As- sistant Adjutant-General. Lieutenant John Taylor, Second Reserve, Aide-de-Camp. Lieutenant James B. Goodman, Sixth Reserve, Aide-de- Camp. Lieutenant John A. Waggoner, First Reserve, Brigade Quar- termaster. Pennsijlvanki at Gettyshunj. 109 Lieutenant A. A. Scudder, HixUi Keserve, Brigade Commis- sary. The regiments were as follows: First Kifles, "Buclvtails,"' Colonel Charles Frederick Taylor. First Infantry, Colonel "\A'illiam Cooper Talley. Second Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel George A. Woodward. Sixth Infantry, Colonel Wellington H. Ent. The Third,* Colonel Joseph W. Fisher, Fifth Reserve, with staff as follows: Captain Hartley Howard, Acting Assistant Inspector-Gen- eral. Lieutenant John L. Wright, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen- eral. Lieutenant Charles K. Chamberlain, Aide-de-Camp. Lieutenant William H. H. Kern, Aide-de-Camp. Captain George Norris, Brigade Quartermaster. Lieutenant Samuel Evans, Brigade Commissary. Major Joseph A. Phillips, Brigade Surgeon. The regiments were as follows: Fifth Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel George Dare. Ninth Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel James McK. Snodgrass. Tenth Infantry, Colonel Adoniram J. Warner. Eleventh Infantry, Colonel Samuel M. Jackson. Twelfth Infantry, Colonel Martin D. Hardin, U. S. Army. At dark that night the division was put in motion, and after a rapid and fatiguing march, near daylight were laid to rest, but hardly an eye closed ere the drums of reveille beat. While in motion the news of the defeat of the First Corps and the death of General Eeynoldsf was received, depressing the *The Second Brigade, Colonel Horatio G. Sickel, Third Reserve, was de- tained by the authorites within the defenses of Washington. It partici* pated with honor in General George Crook's remarkable campaign in West Virginia. Colonel Sickel was promoted Brevet INIajor-General U. S. V., and was severely wonnded near the close of the war. tin the ambulance-wagon of the First Brigade was secretly stored a mag- nificent sword for presentation to General Reynolds. The General had con- sented to receive it upon being assured it was from the enlisted men only of that brigade, and that no officer would be connected with it. A note was addressed asking him, in the lull of the coming battle, to receive the gift direct from the boys, one being chosen from each regiment to await an opportunity to present it to him on the field. Subsequently it was presented by Sergeant W. Hayes Grier, Fifth Regiment, to the general's sister, the wife of Captain Henry D. Landis. 110 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. spirits of the meu, but streu<,41iening their resolutions for the lijj;ht. At noon, after marching forty miles with but two hours' sleep, we reached Rock Creek, and, filing to the left from the Baltimore pike, joined our corps, the Fifth, Major- (Jeneral Sykes, in rear and in support of the right of the line of battle. About 4 o'clock, (Jeneral Crawford, seeing the First and Second Divisions of our corps moving to the left, followed through the woods to the cross-road leading to the Emmits- burg road. Here the division was massed in the right rear of Little Round Top, in and near the old brier patch. Soon after General Crawford, by order, sent the Third Brigade, Colonel Fisher's, with the exception of the Eleventh Reserve, to Big Round Top to succor General Vincent, they marching by the left Hank. At the same time the First Brigade, Colonel Mc- Candless, was moved to the western slope of Little Round Top and massed in column of regiments, left in front, the Elev- enth Reserve being the head of the column. Little Round Top, rising two hundred and eighty feet aboAe the general water-level of the streams which drain the valley at its base, like Big Round Top, nearly south of it and four hundred feet high, is of volcanic origin, crowned with wood growing amid bowlders of syenite. The two hills, seven hun- dred yards from crest to crest, are separated by a deep rocky depression, and form perfect forts covering our left flank, they being the key-points of the whole battle-field. The western sloi)e of Little Round Top sinks to a little stream called Plum Run, which drains a swami)y meadow. This run gradually as- sumes the character of a ri\ulet at is enters the precincts of the Devil's Den, another chaotic distribution of bowlders. The ''Den," in an angle of this and a contributory stream that Hows from Seminary Ridge, is one hundred and eighty feet above the water-level and five hundred yards due west of Little liound Top. Its eastern slope is steep; its western, prolonged as a ridge. Its northern extremity is composed of huge rocks and bowlders, forming innumerable crevices and holes, from the largest of which it derives its name. Plum Run Valley, three hundred and fifty yards broad, is marshy but strewed with bowlders, as is also the slopes of the Round Top. These afford lurking-])laces for a multitude of sharp-shooters, whom, from the dlfTiculties of the ground, it was impossible to dis- Pennsylvania at Gettyshunj. Ill lodge, so that at the close of the battle these hiding-places, and especially the "Den," were tilled with dead and wounded men of the contending armies. Extending northward from the "Den," beyond and on the western side of Plum Run Valley and partially between the valley and the wheat-field, is a low ridge terminating in "Houck's Hill." From near the "Den" a stone wall runs over the "hill," through the level and beyond the "cross-road," it bordering on the then eastern edge of Trostle's woods. This wall, which runs nearly northeast on the wheat-field side, was fringed with heavy timber from the "Den" to the woods at the "cross-road." The distance from the "Den" to the "cross-road" is five hundred and eighty-three yards. This "cross-road," skirting the northern slope of Lit- tle Round Top, extends northwesterly to the Emmitsburg road, in the southeasterly intersection of which is the peach- orchard, fourteen hundred and fifty yards from Little Round Top. This "cross-road" separates the wheat-field from Tros- tle's woods. This woods, four hundred yards long, is sepa- rated at its western end by the "cross-road" and a brief inter- val from Rose's woods, which sweeps to the southerly and to the easterly back to Devil's Den, enclosing the wheat-field on the westerly and southerly sides. The wheat-field is two hun- dred and twenty-two yards along the stone wall, three hundred and sixty-one yards next to Trostle's woods, four hundred and forty-four yards along Rose's woods, and five hundred yards on the southwesterly side, containing about twenty-five acres. Into the depression between the Round Tops, Law's Brigade of Alabamians, supported by Robertson's Texans, had forced themselves, and were advancing to the possession of the Tops, when they were met by Vincent's Brigade of Barnes' Division of our corps, that had been posted there by General Warren, where the struggle became severe and protracted. As before stated, the Third Brigade had gone to the assist- ance of Vincent, and the First was massed on Little Round Top; but a very short time after these movements were made the situation in our front changed rapidly. Sickles, who had been severely wounded, and who had been struggling for hours on his line, extending from the Devil's 'Den around to the wheat-field and beyond the peach-orchard, was at last over- powered and swept away. Ayres' Division of regulars of our corps, which had been sent to his aid, had gallantly held the 9 112 Fennsylvania at Gettysburg. stone wall, but was driv<>n from it and forced over the valley. All the Union lines in our front were irrevocably broken. The valley was covered with fui^itives from all divisions, who rushed throuj;h our lines and alon^^ the road to the rear. Frag- ments of regiments came back in disorder and without arms. A section of a (Jermau battery, wiiose horses had all been killed, was abandoned by the gunners immediately in front of the right and left of the Eleventli and Sixth Keserves, and for a time all seemed lost. Close on these fugitives came the enemy, his lines irregular but massed here and there and his colors flying. ^\'hile this scene was passing before our eyes, the brigade, McCandless', with the Eleventh Reserve of Fisher's Brigade, formed into two lines, the first being composed of the Sixth on the right, with their left resting on the "cross-road," the Eleventh in the center, and the First on the left. The second line was massed on the first; the Second Reserve on the right, and the Bucktails on the k^ft. Before tliis movement could be fully executed, our front was practically uncovered by the fugitives, and the enemy, recognizing the unexpected ob- stacle, came direct for us. The first line opened a destructive fire at short range, the Eleventh using "buck and ball," some of their muskets having the buckshot of several cartridges in them. The brigade ^vas still left in front, facing by the rear ranks. In fact, so sudden had been the change in our front, we had not time to assume our proper formation. There cannot be the least doubt in the minds of those who knew the exact state of affairs upon the field at that time, that a few moments de- lay in our arrival on Little Round Top, the key of the field would have been lost, and very probably the battle of Gettys- burg would have closed that night. On the left of the second line, Colonel Taylor, not realizing the position, undertook to countermarch the Bucktails. which movement was also at- tempted by the Second, but in the confusion of the movement they suddenly found themselves confronted and mixed up with the charging enemy. Tn the short but desperate mchr that followed, the greater part of these two regiments charged without firing a shot. So far up the slope were the enemy, that the gunners of Hazlett's Battery on the crest were pre- yiaring to spike their guns, but this movement encouraged Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 113 them uot to do so. The right of the line had fired three or four rounds, when Crawford called on the men, "in the namt of Pennsylvania," to charge. A loud cheer broke from the hojs as down the slope they moved, and breaking into a double- quick they swept all before them over the valley and up to the stone wall, where a short but desperate struggle en- sued. But soon their banners mounted over it and into the wheat-field, where, by orders, they halted. On the slope and in crossing the valley the liucktails and Second inclined to the left to meet a heavy fire coming from that direction, thus extending our line to the full brigade front. So heavy was this fire, and so threatening were the enemy on our left, that four companies of the Bucktails, under their major, dropped behind some rocks which afforded some protection to that flank. The other six companies advanced over "Houck's Hill" in line with the brigade, until they took and crossed the stone wall where Colonel Taylor fell, shot through the heart. Colo- nel Taylor and several officers, with fifteen or twenty men were on the extreme left at the time, and had just discovered some two or three hundred of the enemy but a short distance away. He promptly demanded their surrender, when nearly every man threw down his arms. Just then a Confederate in the rear cried out, with an oath, ''I'll never surrender to a cor- poral's guard." Most of them again grasped their arms, and it was by this fire the colonel was killed. The quick fire of the breech-loading rifles induced some thirty or forty to surrender, the others retreating to the Devil's Den. Lieutenant-Colonel Niles being severely wounded. Major Hartshorne succeeded to the command of the '"Bucktails," and sent Captain Kinsey with his company to the left to throw out skirmishers at right angles with the regiment. As they ap- proached the "Den" they were met with a heavy fire, and the men taking cover, a lively skirmish ensued. Soon after sev- eral shells exploded in their midst, followed by a volley from the enemy. Captain Kinsey was severely wounded by a shell, and several men were killed and wounded. It now being dark the line was withdrawn a considerable distance, and a strong picket established on the left flank and rear. A brisk fire was kept up along the left of the line until about ten o'clock, when it ceased, seeminglv bv mutual consent. 114 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. \\ r wtrt' tliin far iu advance of our maiu line, without iui media If support, with the enemy in force on our left rear, and a ht-avy wood on our right front, extending up to the enemy's line, atlordiug a covered approach. A strong line of pickets were thrown out into the wheat-lield and wood in front, and on both right and left Hanks, well to the rear. Colonel Jack- son, of the Eleventh, sent Captain Mills with a portion of his (•omi)any to prevent the enemy removing an abandoned bat- tery through the night. The whole line lay down behind the stone wall and took such rest as they could under the circum- stances. General Crawford and stall slept that night with the brigade. Lieutenant-Colonel ^^'oodward, on account of wounds received at (Jlendale, was unable to accompany his regiment from Little Round Top, but slept that night at the stone wall. The regiment in its charges was led by Major P. McDonough. Nearly one-half our loss during the engagement was from the severity of the enemy's fire before we charged. Lieuten- ant-Colonel Porter and Lieutenant Fulton and a number of men were wounded, and Lieutenant John O'Harra Wood and several men of the Eleventh were killed before they delivered their first volley. The same to a less extent occurred in all the regiments. When the section of the battery was aban- doned on our right-front the officer in command ordered the guns to be spiked. This was prevented by Lieutenant John McW'illiams, of the Sixth. Early the next morning the cap- tain of the battery came over to the stone wall and said, 'The I'ennsylvania Reserves saved mine pattery, py . I gets you fellers all drunk." His good intentions were duly ap- plauded. About the lime Fisher was sent to the left. Strong Vincent, the general commanding at that point, was mortally wounded, and Ocneral Stephen H. Weed, commanding a brigade, and Captain Hazlett, the battery on Little Round Top, were killed. Colonel Rice liad succeeded to the command. The left of his line was resting just at the eastern edge of the valley or de- pression between the Round Tops. Fisher placed the Fifth and Twelfth Reserves immediately in the rear of this line, and the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth across the depression, covering Rice's left flank. The severe fighting at this point was over, the enemy repnlsefl. appearing to shift to their left, on to Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 115 Little Round Top. Colonel Fisher, in a communication to the committee, says: "1 soon discovered that Big Round Top was in possession of the enemy's sharp-shooters, and seeing the annoyance they were to us, and the great importance of the position, as a key of our pbsition, I said to Colonel Rice, 'I will take that hill to-night.' To this proposition he as- sented, and proposed joining in the undertaking. Seeing that three regiments were all that could be conveniently employed, and having but two regiments that I could use without weak- ening Rice's support, Colonel Rice directed Colonel Chamber- lain, with the Twentieth Maine, to report to me. Learning that this regiment was armed with Springfield rifles, I di- rected Chamberlain to deploy it as skirmishers, as my regi- ments, the Fifth, Lieutenant-Colonel Dare and the Twelfth, Colonel Hardin, were armed with altered Harper's Ferry mus- kets. In the meantime I had sent staff officers to report to Generals Sykes and Crawford my proposed movements. Gen- eral Crawford, however, arriving upon the grounds and ap- proving my plan, directed me to 'move up at once.' The line advanced as best it could in the dark, up the rough side, driv- ing the enemy before it and capturing over thirty prisoners, from some of whom they learned that 'they were just in time,' as the Confederates had sent them word to hold the hill, as they were organizing a force to occupy it." Colonel Fisher remained in this position until the morning of the 4th, when he was relieved by General ^Vright, of the Sixth Corps. At the first dawn of light the next morning, the 3d, skirmish- ing commenced in our front and was continued throughout the day, we remaining behind the stone wall and the trees fring- ing its front, whilst the rebs, concealed in the thick foliage of the branches upon their line, annoyed us considerably. On our extreme left, fronting the Devil's Den, things were not so quiet. Captains Bell and Woltf were sent out to develop the enemy's strength, and when deployed as skirmishers, as they approached the edge of the "Den," the fire became severe, in- dicating a heavy force, strongly posted. Taking cover, a rapid fire was opened in the hope of driving the enemy from his posi- tion, or forcing him to come out from his strong hold to drive them off. Armed with breech-loaders and Spencer repeating- rifles, any object that will cover the body is all the protection a man needs, ns he is not ex])osed in loading, and this snpprior- 116 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. ity iu the liiuktails' arms soou gave them a decided advantage. Tlie enemy were not long in discovering this, and in superior force made a dash from the "Den," and forced the boys to make a rapid retreat to prevent the capture of the entire party. In this charge the loss was heav}-, and Captain Bell received a wound in the hip which caused the loss of a leg. The enemy, strange to say, did not follow up their advantage. Thrust out, as we were, far in advance of our line of battle, with both flanks exposed, they should, during the night, have attempted to Hank us out and drive us down the wall. Whether they would have succeeded or not is problematic, yet it seems strange they should have allowed our little brigade to occupy that advanced position without attempting our dis- lodgement. Lieutenant Kratzer was then sent out with thirty volunteers. Starting on a run, they pressed up close to the "Den," when a volley killed and wounded one-third of them. The enemy called upon them to surrender, but the men took cover and fired at every mark that presented itself, until the brigade moved. The battle-field is not always devoid of amusing incidents. On the right, two men of the Sixth found a horse tied in the wood in front of them, which they brought in. A youngster named Dan Cole, to relieve the monotony of picket-firing, mounted the animal and rode down the front of the brigade line, playing ''Buck McCandless." He appealed in the most pathetic tones to the boys to remember their "daddies" and "mammies" and "best gal," and never to desert the old flag as long as there was a ration left. He created much amusement until the horse bounced him off and scampered over to the rebels, when the cheers and shouts of both lines caused us to forget for the moment we were enemies. The tumult of a conflict on our extreme right was heard from early dawn until near noon, occasioned by the TTnion troops regaining their lost ground of the evening before. This was followed by a stillness over the whole field — the ominous calm that presages a deadly storm — when at one o'clock the signal guns of the enemy fired, and then opened that grand cannonade in which two hundred and twenty-one guns* hurled *One liundred and fifty Confederate and seventy-one Union gxins. Gen- eral H. .7. Hunt's article in tlie Century Magazine, January. 1887, p. 4.52. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 117 their missiles through the air. The enemy's front for two miles was soon cosered with smoke, through which the flashes were incessant, whilst the air seemed filled with bursting shells and their whirling fragments. The Union line blazed like a volcano, and the thunder of the guns seemed like one prolonged sound. Suddenly the lire on both sides ceased, and then Pickett's charge was made. From the position we oc- cupied, in advance of our line of battle, we had a full view as they swept by of this the most grand and thrilling sight the eye of man could rest on. That magnificent mass of living valor, so full of hope and resolution, so soon to be swept back, crushed, torn and bleeding, awakened in us mingled feelings of admiration and apprehension, for it seemed like an irre- sistible avalanche. Those gallant lines never faltered, but lost to view in the smoke of infantry, they melted away, and the glad earth drank their blood. Disorganized stragglers and fragments could only be seen coming back, and they followed by a relentless fire. During this time firing ceased in our front, all eyes awaiting the result that was to decide the fate of the battle. In spite of the watchfulness of the officers, men from every regiment slipped away and soon formed a line of sharp-shooters upon the flank of the charging column. Officers were sent to drive them back, but the boys resorted to ingenious artifices to avoid or deceive them, some throwing themselves upon the ground and imitating the agonies of death. Several of them w^ere wounded, and at least one killed, but they inflicted consider- able loss upon the enemy, whom they shot down as they marched so gallantly on or rushed back in flight. The defeat of Pickett w^as followed by a breathless lull, soon to be broken by a revengeful fire from the battery and sharp- shooters in our front. Major-General Meade, together with Generals Sj^vcs, Warren, Sedgwick, Pleasonton and Crawford, soon gathered on the summit of Little Round Top, and the gen- -eral-in-chief, becoming impatient at this fire, ordered General Crawford to clean out the woods in his front. Crawford rode to the stone wall and gave the necessary orders. During the night a section of a battery had been posted near the cross- road in the interval between the Trostle's and Rose's woods on the west side of the wheat-field, four hundred and fifty yards in our immediate front. Through the day our sharp- 118 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. shooters had severely left it alone, as we did not wish to pro- voke an unequal contest, and it only oeiasionally fired at us. This battery it was necessary to silence; McCandless' brigade icajH'd over the stone wall and deliberately dressed their lines. The battery opened upon them vigorously, when they la\ down. Soon the gunners, becoming tired at firing at the air, ceased. Then the brigade rose to its feet and slowly moved to the left some twenty paces. Again the guns opened and we laid ourselves quietly down. This operation of see-sawing to the right and left was continued, successfully drawing the harmless fire of the guns, while the Sixth Reserve crept up through Trostle's woods to attempt its capture. But the enemy discovered the movement, and, hastily limbering up, fied, the Sixth opening fire to give them a good start. Their infantry support, after a brisk skirmish, was also driven in. Upon hearing and seeing the muskets of the Sixth, McCand- less marched the balance of his brigade by the right flank, and filing left, formed line of battle, and deploying skirmishers to the front, right and left, charged diagonally over the wheat- field to the southwest, receiving the enemy's fire from three sides. Striking near the south end of Rose's woods, they half- wheeled to the right, opened fire, and charged up and through it to the crest, striking and piercing their line, the enemy, after a sharp resistance, breaking mostlj' towards the peach-or- chard. The ground was strewed with the dead of DeTrobri- and's command. McCandless, learning the left flank of the Bucktails, which held the left of the line, was being attacked, changed the direction of that regiment by the left flank to the rear, which movement brought its front facing the enemy mov- ing upon them from this direction. At the same time, placing the balance of the brigade in columns of regiments in the rear, he charged with his entire force in this new direction. Down through the low land and up through the rising ground and woods went the brigade, they striking the Fifteenth Georgia Infantry, posted behind a temi)orary breast-work of rails, the Bucktails capturing their fhig and many prisoners, scattering the remainder in flight. The Reserves never liked charging in column of regiments, and in this case, as in every similar one, the rear regiments, without orders, pushed to the front, which soon changed into that of brigade line of battle. The right being thus extended. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 119 the whole line swept upon their tiank, doubling up and throw- ing one regiment upon another, creating utter confusion and demoralization. They fled across a ravine at the corner of a woods and near Slyder's stone house. Here we discovered a brigade drawn up across our front about three hundred yards distant. Our impetuous charge had expended itself, and the men as they came up were quickly got into line, and they were gathering fast, but before forty men were in line, to our sur- prise, we distinctly heard the orders pass down the line of "Left face, march!" The rear of their line, their front facing westward, had not moved twenty paces before they broke, by order, into a "double-quick," carrying their banners at a trail. Had this brigade resolutely charged, they would have driven the head of our long, scattered column back for some distance,, until we could have got ourselves in shape to properly resist them, but such was our sudden appearance, and at such disad vantage to them, that they naturally became demoralized and supposed we were in much heavier force than we really were. The Comte de Paris gives an account of the "piking out'- of this brigade, which he says was Kershaw's, that we cannot re- frain from adding it, gravely surmising, however, it was the ingenious invention of some brilliant Confederate writer who conceived the idea of turning their somewhat laudable exit into a dexterous military manoeuver. "Kershaw finds himself isolated in his turn, and believing himself already surrounded, in order to escape from the enemy resorts to a manoeuver which we mention on account of, as the count naively says, " 'its singularity.' He sends the color-bearers of his regi- ments to plant their flags a few hundred yards in the right- rear, across the tributary of Plum Run, subsequently ordering his soldiers to break ranks and reform in this new position." So sudden was the charge that we killed and captured their butchers while engaged in skinning beeves, and also a fatigue party, w^ho were burying their dead. We recaptured the greater part of the battle-field lost by Sickles, with its thou- sands of dead and wounded, captured the colors of the Fif- teenth Georgia, which are now in the Adjutant-General's office at Washington, and over two hundred prisoners, among them a lieutenant-colonel of a Georgia regiment, and captured and recovered three thousand two hundred and fifty-eight mus- kets, one brass twelve-pounder, and three caissons. With this 120 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. charge ended the battle of Gettysburg. The movemeuts of both days were made under the personal direction and super- vision of General Crawford. The distance charged over the wheat-field was seven hun- dred and fifty yards, from that point towards Slyder's house six hundred and sixty-six yards — fourteen hundred and fifteen yards in all. Taking them, as we did in a measure, by sur[)rise, and on Ihe Hank, their rout was no disgrace to them, nor was their military honor tarnished. Such occurences are not unknown in war. Those landless resolutes who had gallantly performed their part on many hard-fought fields, and who sub- sequently proved their devotion to the end, cannot be judged as wanting in spirit or courage. Soon after we halted. Captain Coates came with orders from General Crawford for us to proceed no farther, and at this point we were rejoined by the Sixth Reserve. After dark we retraced our steps to the southwestern edge of Rose's woods and bivouacked on the ground where we first encountered the enemy and pierced their line. Here we buried our dead, some seven or eight in number, our wounded having been removed on stretchers following the charge. Some distance in our front was Rose's springhouse, in which lay dead a Confederate officer and two men. From this stream we refilled our can- teens, and our pickets, being concealed near it, captured a number of j)risoners, who came there for the same purpose. All night long the ambulances and stretchers were collecting the wounded, who had lain there from the afternoon of the 2d. During the night a supply of ammunition was received. Colonel McCandless carrying it on his horse, one hundred and four thousand eight hundred and twenty rounds having been is- sued to the division during this battle, and at 2 o'clock the next morning, the 4th, we moved down the eastern side of the woods along the wheat-field to near its northern border, where we entered the woods, and, moving through it, lay down on its western edge fronting the peach-orchard, with our right rest- ing near the cross-road. Soon after daylight, the enemy's pickets called to us to come and get our wounded who lay be- tween the two lines. A^olunteers went out for that purpose, but, being fired upon, returned. Several round-shots were fired from a distant battery, but they richochetted harmlessly over th<' field. The fire was returned bv such of the bovs who Pennsylvania at Oettysbury. 121 felt iucliued to do so; a skirmish line was sent out to develop their position, but the whole affair was spiritless, and after 10 o'clock we saw no more of them on that field. These were the last shots fired at Gettysburg. There was an abandoned gun and caisson of a Union battery near Trostle's woods. During the morning of the od the Con- federates attached a long rope to the gun and tried to pull it over the hill near Trostle's barn-yard, but one of the Sixth, who was out hunting ''grub" from the rebel's haversacks, dis- covered the mananivre and, creeping up, cut the rope, which created quite a surprise to those pulling on it. Late in the afternoon of that day, when the Sixth attempted the capture of the enemy's battery, Company "I" was sent to the extreme right to cover the house and barn, and when they returned they brought them into our lines. Company K, First Keserves, was from the town and neigh- borhood of Gettysburg, many of the men fighting within sight of their homes, and some even to drive the invaders from their own fields. The fathers and younger brothers of some of the boys accompanied them to Little Round Top, and one went to the stone wall with us. When we advanced across the wheat-field, Brigadier-Gen- eral Bartlett, at the request of General Craw'ford, moved a regiment to the stone wall, and threw a force to our right to protect that flank. About noon, being relieved by a brigade of regulars, we moved back to the stone wall, passing an artillery horse seated on his haunches with his front-feet on the ground and head erect, just as he had been killed. Against the wall were rest- ing thousands of muskets picked up off the field. Soon after other troops came to the wall, and w^e moved back to Little Round Top, where rations were distributed, and where we re- mained until the afternoon of the next day, the 5th; the rain, which commenced about noon of the day before, still continu- ing. Then we started on our fifth tramp up and down through Virginia. 122 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. ITINERARY OF THE UNION FORCES IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN. JUNE 5. — Tlie Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major- General Joseph Hooker, with headquarters near Fal- mouth, was posted on the north bank of the Rappahan- nock River, confronting the Confederate Army of Northern Nirginia, under General Robert E. Lee, mainly concentrated about the town of Fredericksburg, on the south bank of the river. The several commands of the Army of the Potomac were distributed as follows: First Corps (Reynolds') in the vi- cinity of White Oak Church; Second Corps (Couch's) near Fal- mouth; Third Corps (Birney's) at Boscobel near Falmouth; Fifth Corps (Meade's) in the vicinity of Banks', United States, and adjacent fords on the Rappahannock; Sixth Corps (Sedg- wick's) near White Oak Church, with the Second Division (Howe's) thrown forward to Franklin's Crossing of the Rappa- hannock, a little below Fredericksburg, near the mouth of Deep Run; Eleventh Corps (Howard's) near Brooke's Station, on the Aquia Creek railroad; and the Twelfth Corps (Slocum's) near vStalford Court House and Aquia Landing. The Cavalry Corps (Pleasonton's, with headquarters at Manassas Junction) had two divisions (Duffle's and Gregg's) and the Cavalry Re- serve Brigade, all under Buford, in the vicinity of W'arrenton Junction, and one division (B. F. Davis') in the neighborhood of Brooke's Station. The Artillery Reserve (R. O. Tyler's) was near Falmouth. June 6. — Howe's (Second) Division, Sixth Army Corps, cross- ed the Rappaliaiinock at Franklin's Crossing, and, after a skir- mish, occuiiicd the enemy's rifle-pits. AYright's (First) and Newton's (Third) Divisions of the same corps moved to the same jmint from White Oak Church, taking position on the north bank of the river. June 7.— Wright's (First) Division, Sixth Corps, was sent across (he Rai>pahaiiiiock at Franklin's Crossing, relieving Howe's f Second) Division, which returned to the north side. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 123 June 8. — The Cavalry Corps (Pleasonton's), consisting of Buford's (First), D. McM. Gregg's (Third) and Duffle's (Second) Divisions, and the Regular Reserve Brigade, supported by de- tachments of infantry, under Generals Adelbert Ames and David A. Russell, moved to Kelly's and Beverly Fords prepara- tory to crossing the Rappahannock on a reconnoissance to- ward Culpeper. June 9. — Newton's (Third) Division, Sixth Corps, relieved Wright's (First) Division on the south bank of the Rappahan- nock at Franklin's Crossing. The cavalry corps, supported by Generals Ames' and Russell's infantry, crossed the Rappahan- nock at Kelly's and Beverly Fords, fought the enemy at or near Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, and Stevensburg, and re- crossed the river at Rappahannock Station and Beverly Ford. June 10. — The Cavalry Corps took position in the neighbor- hood of Warrenton Junction. Its infantry supports in the re- connoissance of the day previous rejoined their respective commands. Howe's (Second) Division, Sixth Corps, moved from Franklin's Crossing to Aquia Creek. June 11. — The Third Corps marched from Boscobel, near Falmouth, to Hartwood Church. June 12. — The First Corps marched from Fitzhugh's planta- tion and White Oak Church to Deep Run; the Third Corps from Hartw ood Church to Bealeton, with Humphreys' (Third) Division, advanced to the Rappahannock: the Eleventh Corps from the vicinity of Brooke's Station to Hartwood Church; and Headquarters Cavalry Corps from Manassas Junction to Warrenton Junction. The advance of the Confederate Army skirmished with the Union troops at Newtown, Cedarville and Middletown, in the Shenandoah Valley. June 13. — The First Corps marched from Deep Run to Beale- ton; the Fifth Corps from the vicinity of Banks' Ford, via Grove Church, toward Morrisville; Wright's (First) and New- ton's (Third) divisions, Sixth Corps, from Franklin's Crossing to Potomac Creek; the Eleventh Corps, from Hartwood Church to Catlett's Station; the Twelfth Corps from near Staf- ford Court House and Aquia Creek Landing en route to Dum- fries; Wyndham's Brigade of Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Warrenton Junction to W^arrentou; and the Artillery Reserve from near Falmouth to Stafford Court House. McReynolds' 124 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. (Tliiidj liiigado, of Milioy's Division, Eighth Army Corps, iiiai-chcd from Bi^rryville to Winchester. Combats: Slvirmishes at White Tost, Uerryville, Opequon Creek, and at Bunker Hill, and engaj^ement (first day) at Win- chester, Ya. June l.'i. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from near Falmouth to Dumfries; the First and Third Corps march- ed from Bealeton to Manassas Junction; the Fifth Corps ar- rived at Morrisville and marched thence, via Bristersburg, to Catlett's Station; Wright's (First) and Newton's (Third) divi- sions. Sixth Corps, moved from Potomac Creek to Stafford Court House; the Eleventh Corps from Catlett's Station to Manassas Junction, and thence toward Centreville; the Twelfth Corps reached Dumfries; and the Artillery Reserve moved from Stafford Court House to Wolf Run Shoals. Daniel Tyler's command, of the Eighth Army Corps, fell back from Martinsburg to Maryland Heights. Combats: Skirmishes at Martinsburg and Berryville, and en- gagement (second day) at Winchester, Va. June 15. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Dumfries to Fairfax Station; the Second Corps (Hancock's*) moved from Falmouth to near Aquia; the Fifth Corps from Catlett's Station, via Bristoe Station, to Manassas Junction; the Sixth Corps from Aquia Creek and Stafford Court House to Dumfries; the Twelfth Corps from Dumfries to Fairfax Court House; the Cavalry Corpsf (except AVyndham's Brigade, which marched from Warrenton to Manassas Junction, and thence on the 16th to Union Mills) from Warrenton Junction to Union Mills and Bristoe Station; the Artillery Reserve from Wolf Run Shoals to Fairfax Court House; and the Elev- enth Corps arrived at Centreville. Milroy's (Second) Division of the Eighth Army Corps, evacuated Winchester, and fell back to Maryland Heights and Hancock. Md. Combats: Skirmish near Williamsport, Md., and engagement (third day) at Winchester, Va. June 16. — The Second Corps marched from \uk\v Aquia, via ♦General Hancock assumed control of the Second Corps June 9, 1863, succeeding General Couch, who was assigned to the command of the De- partment of the Susquehannh. tBy orders of June 13. 180."^. this corps was reduced from three to two divisions, commanded by l?rig. (ions. Jolin Hnford and 1 ). ?*rc:\r. Gregg. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 125 Dumfries, to Wolf Run Shoals, on the Occoquan; the Sixth Corps from Dumfries to Fairfax Station; and the Cavalry Corps from Union Mills and Bristoe Station to Manassas Junc- tion and Bull Run. June 17. — The First Corps marched from Manassas Junction to Herndon Station; the Second Corps from Wolf Run Shoals to Sangster's Station; the Third Corps from Manassas Junc- tion to Centreville; the Fifth Corps from Manassas Junction to Gum Springs; the Eleventh Corps from Centreville to Cow- Horn Ford, or Trappe Rock, on Goose Creek; and the Twelfth Corps from Fairfax Court House to near Dranesville. The Cavalr}' Corps moved from Manassas Junction and Bull Run to Aldie. Combats: Action at Aldie, Va., and skirmishes at Catoctin Creek and Point of Rocks, Md., and at Thoroughfare Gap and Middleburg, Va. June IS. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Fairfax Station to Fairfax Court House; the Sixth Corps from Fairfax Station to Germantown; and the Twelfth Corps from near Dranesville to Leesburg. J. I. Gregg's Cavalry Brigade advanced from Aldie to Middleburg, and returned to a point midway between the two places. Combats: Skirmishes at Middleburg and Aldie, Va. June 19. — The First Corps marched from Herndon Station to Guilford Station; the Third Corps from Centreville to Gum Springs; and the Fifth Corps from Gum Springs to Aldie. Gregg's Cavalry Division, except Mcintosh's (late Wyndham's) Brigade, advanced to Middleburg. Mcintosh's Brigade moved from Aldie to Hay Market. Combats: Action at Middleburg, Va. June 20. — The Second Corps moved from Sangster's Station to Centreville, and thence toward Thoroughfare Gap; the Sec- ond Division (Howe's), Sixth Corps, from Germantown to Bris- toe Station. Combats: Skirmish at Middletown, Md. June 21. — The Second Corps arrived at Gainesville and Thor- oughfare Gap. The Cavalry Corps (except Mcintosh's Brig- ade, of Gregg's Division), supported by Barnes' (First) Divi- sion, Fifth Corps, marched from Aldie and Middleburg to Up- perville. Mcintosh's Cavalry Brigade marched from Hay Market to Aldie, and thence to Upperville. Stahel's Division 126 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. of Cavalry, from the Defenses of 'Washiiifj^ton, moved from Fairfax Court House, via Ceutreville and Gainesville, to Buck- land Mills. Combats: Skirmishes at Gainesville, Thoroughfare Gap, and Hay Market, Va., Frederick, Md., and engagement at Upper- ville, Va. June 22.— The Cavalry (Jorps and Barnes' (First) Division, of the Fifth Corps, returned from Upperville to Aldie. Stahel's Cavalry Division moved from Buckland Mills, via New Balti- more, to Warrenton. Combats: Skirmishes near Dover and Aldie, Va., and at Greencastle, Pa. June 23. — Stahel's Cavalry Division moved from Warrenton, via Gainesville, to Fairfax Court House. Jnne 2Jf. — Newton's (Third) Division, Sixth Corps, moved from Germantown to Centreville, and the Eleventh Corps from Cow-Horn Ford, or Trappe Kock, on Goose Creek, to the south bank of the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry. Stahel's Cavalry Di- vision moved from Fairfax Court House to near Dranesville. Combats: Skirmish at Sharpsburg, Md. June 25. — The First Corps marched from Guilford Station, Va., to Barnesville, Md.; the Third Corps from Gum Springs, Va., to the north side of the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry and the mouth of the Monocacy; the Eleventh Corps from Ed- wards' Ferry, Va., to Jefferson, Md. ; and the Artillery Reserve from Fairfax Court House, Va., to near Pooh^sville, Md. These commands crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry. The Sec- ond Corps marched from Thoroughfare Gap and Gainesville to Gum Springs. Howe's (Second) Division, Sixtli Corps, moved from Bristoe Station to Centreville; Crawford's Division (two brigades) of Pennsylvania Reserves, from the Defenses of Washington, marched from Fairfax Station and Upton's Hill to Vienna. Stannard's Vermont Brigade, from the Defenses of Washington, left the mouth of the Occoquan en route to join the Army of the Potomac. Stahel's Cavalry Division moved from near Dranesville, Va., via Young's Island Ford, on the Potom.ac, en route to Frederick, Md. Comhuts: Skirmishes at Thoroughfare Gap and Hay Market, Va., and near McConnellsburg, Pa. June 26. — Headciuarters Army of the Potomac moved from Fairfax Court House, Va., via Dranesville and Edwards' Ferrv. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 127 to Poolesville, Md.; the First Corps from Barnesville to Jeffer- son, Md.; the Second Corps from Gum Springs, V^a., to the north side of the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry; the Third Corps from the mouth of the Monocacy to Point of Rocks, Md.; the Fifth Corps from Aldie, Va., via Carter's Mills, Leesburg and Edwards' Ferry, to within four miles of the mouth of the Mon- ocacy, Md.; the Sixth Corps from Germantown and Centreville to DranesA'ille, Va.; the Eleventh Corps from Jetferson to Mid- dletown, Md.; the Twelfth Corps from Leesburg, Va., via Ed- wards' Ferry, to the mouth of the Monocacy, Md.; and the Cav- alry Corps (Bnford's and Gregg's Divisions) from Aldie to Leesburg, Va. Stahel's Cavalry Division was en route between the Potomac and Frederick, Md. Crawford's Pennsylvania Reserves moved from Vienna to Goose Creek, Va. Comhots: Skirmish near Gettysburg, Pa. June 27. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Poolesville to Frederick, Md.; the First Corps from Jefferson to Middletown, Md.; the Second Corps from near Edwards' Ferry, via Poolesville to Barnesville, Md.; the Third Corps from Point of Rocks via Jefferson, to Middletown, Md. ; the Fifth Corps from a point between Edwards' Ferry and the mouth of the Monocacy to Ballinger's Creek, near Frederick, Md.; the Sixth Corps from Dranesville, Va., via Edwards' Ferry, to near Poolesville, Md.; the Twelfth Corps from near the mouth of the Monocacy, via Point of Rocks, to Knoxville, Md.; Buford's Cavalry Division from Leesburg, Va., via Ed- wards' Ferry, to near Jefferson, Md. ; Gregg's Cavalry Division from Leesburg, Va., via Edwards' Ferry, toward Frederick, Md.; and the Artillery Reserve from Poolesville to Frederick, Md. Stahel's Cavalry Division reached Frederick, Md. Craw- ford's Pennsylvania Reserves moved from Goose Creek, Va., via Edwards' Ferry, to the mouth of the Monocacy, Md. Combats: Skirmish near Fairfax Court House, Va. June 28. — The First Corps marched from Middletown to Frederick; the Second Corps from Barnesville to Monocacy Junction; the Third Corps* from Middletown to near Woods borough; the Sixth Corps from near Poolesville to Hyatts town ; the Eleventh Corps from Middletown to near Frederick and the Twelfth Corps from Knoxville to Frederick. Bu *Major-General D. E. Sickles resumed command of the Third Corps, re lieving Major-General D. B. Birney, who had been temporarily in command 10 12S I'ciinsi/liiinia at Gettysburg. fords ("avaliy Divisiou moved from uear Jefferson to Middle- town; CJregjjjs Cavalry Division reached Frederick and march- ed thence to New Market and Kidgeville. Crawford's Penn- sylvania Ivcserves marched from the mouth of the Monocacy and joined the Fifth Corps* at Ballinj;er's Creek. Stahel's Cavalry Division w^as assigned to the Cavalry Corps, as the Third J)ivision, under Brigadier-General Judson Kilpatrick, with lirigadier-General Elon J. Farnsworth commanding the First Brigade and Brigadier-General George A. Custer com- manding the Second Brigade. Conibals: Skirmishes between Offutt's Cross-Koads and Sen- eca, and near Kockville, Md., and at Fountain Dale, Wrights- ville, and near Oyster Point, Pa. June 29. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Frederick to Middleburg; the First and Eleventh Corps from Frederick to Kmmitsburg; the Second Corps from Monocacy Junction, via Liberty and Jolmsville, to Uniontown; the Third Corps from near Woodsborough to Taneytown; the Fifth Corps from Ballinger's Creek, via Frederick and Mount Pleas- ant, to Liberty; the Sixth Corps from Hyattstown, via New Market and Kidgeville, to New Windsor; the Twelfth Corps from Frederick to Taneytown and Bruceville; Gamble's (First) and Devin's (Second) Brigades, of Buford's (First) Cavalry Di- vision, from Middletown, via Boonsborough, Cavetow-n and Monterey Springs, to near Fairfield; Merritt's Reserve Cav- alry Brigade, of the same division, from Middletown to Me- chanicstown; Gregg's (Second) Cavalry Division from New Market and Kidgeville to New Windsor; Kilpatrick's (Third) Cavalry Division from Frederick to Littlestown, and the Artil- lery Kescrve from Frederick to Bruceville. Coiiihals: Skirmishes at ^luddy Branch and AVestminster, Md., and at McConnellsburg and near Oyster Point, Pa. Juue 30. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved fi-om Middleburg to Taneytown; the First Corps from Emmitsburg to Marsh Run; the Third Corps from Taneytown to Bridge- port; the Fifth Corps from Liberty, via Johnsville, Union Bridge and Union, to Union Mills; the Sixth Corps from New- Windsor to Manchester; the Twelfth Corps from Taneytown ♦Major-General George G. Meade relinquished command of the Fifth Corps to Major-General George Sykes, and assumed command of the Army of the Potomac, rclii-ving Major-General Joseph Hooker. Pennsylvania at Gcttysburij. 129 aud Brueeville to Littlest own; (Jaiuble's and Deviu's Brigades, of Bufoi'd's Cavalry Division, from near Fairfield, via Emmits- bnrg, to Gettysburg; Gregg's Cavalry Division from New Windsor to Westminster, and thence to Manchester; Kilpat- rick's Cavalry Division from Littlestown to Hanover, and the Artillery Reserve from Brueeville to Taneytown; Kenly's and Morris' Brigades, of French's Division, left Maryland Heights for P^rederiek, and Elliott's and Smith's Brigades, of the same division, moved from the Heights, by way of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, for Washington. Comhats: Action at Hanover, Pa., and skirmishes at West- minster, Md., and at Fairfield and Sporting Hill, near Harris- burg, Pa. Jiih/ J. — The First Corps moved from Marsh Run and the Elt^venth Corps from Emmitsburg to Gettysburg; the Second Corps from Uniontown, via Taneytown, to near Gettysburg; the Third Corps from Bridgeport, via Emmitsburg, to the field of Gettysburg; the Fifth Corps from Union Mills, via HanoA-er and McSherrytown, to Bonaughtown; the Sixth Corps from Manchester cw route to Gettysburg, and the Twelfth Corps from Littlestown, via Two Taverns, to the field of Gettysburg. Gregg's Cavalry Division marched from Manchester to Han- over Junction, whence Mcintosh's aud J. I. Gregg's Brigades proceeded to Hanover, while Huey's Brigade returned to Man- chester. Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division moved from Hanover, via Abbottsvile, to Berlin, and the Artillery Reserve (Ran- som's and Fitzhugh's Brigades) from Taneytown to near Get- tysburg. Stannard's Vermont Brigade from the Defenses of Washington, joined the First Corps on the field of Gettysburg. W. F. Smith's (First) Division of the Department of the Sus- (juehanna, marched from the vicinity of Harrisburg to Carlisle. Kenly's and Morris' Brigades of French's Division reached Frederick. Comhats: Battle of Gettysburg (first day), and skirmish at Carlisle, Pa. July 2. — The Second, Fifth and Sixth Corps, Lockwood's Bri- gade, from the Middle Department, Mcintosh's and J. I. Gregg's Brigades, of D. McM. Gregg's Cavalry Division, Kil- patrick's Cavalry Division, and the Artillery Reserve reached the field of Gettysburg. Gamble's and Devin's Brigades, of ISi I'lnnsyhdnia at Gettysburg. Ilulurd's Cavalry Division, maiHlu'd fruiii CJettysbui-g to Tuu- eyiowii, and Merrill's Kfscrvi' Ijiigadc from Mechauicstowu to Euunitsburj^. Vombats: Battle of Gettysburj^ (second day), and skirmislies at llunterstovvu and near Cbambersburg. i'a. July 3. — (lanible's and Deviu's Brigades, of Bnford's Cavalry Division, moved from Taney town to Westminster; Merritfs Keserve Brigade from Emmitsburg to the field of Uettysbuig, and Huey's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Man- clicstcr lo Westminster. Combats: Battle of Gettysburg (third day), and action at Fairfield, Pa. July Ji. — Gamble's and Devin's Brigades, of Buford's Cavalry Division, marched from Westminster, and Merritt's Keserve Brigade from Gettysburg, cu route to Frederick; JJuey's Bri- gade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Westminster, via Emmitsbiirg, to Monterey; J. I. Gregg's Cavalry Brigade from Gettysburg to Hunterstown, and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division from Gettysburg, via Emmitsburg, to Monterey. Smith's Di- vision, of Couch's command, moved from Carlisle, via Mount Holly, to Pine Grove, and the remainder of Couch's troops from the vicinity of Harrisburg toward Shippensburg and Chambersburg. Elliott's and vSmith's Brigades, of French's Division, arrived at Washington from Maryland Heights, and moved to Tennallytown. Morris' Brigade, of French's Divi- sion, marched from Frederick to Turner's Gap, in South Moun- tain. Combats: Action at Monterey Gap, Pa., and skirmishes at Fairfield Gap, Pa., and near Emmitsburg, Md. July 5. — Leaving Gettysburg, the Second Corps marched to Two Taverns; the Fifth Corps to Marsh Run; the Sixth Corps to Fairfield; the Eleventh Corps to Rock Creek; th(> Twelfth Corps to Littlestown; Mcintosh's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division to Emmitsburg, and the Artillery Keserve to Littles- town. Buford's Cavalry Division reached Frederick. J. I. Gregg's Cavalry Brigade moved from Hunterstown to Green- wood. Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division and Huey's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, marcliod from Monterey, via Smiths burg, to Boonsborough. Comhatft: Skirmishes at or near Smitlisburg. Md.. and Green Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 131 Oak, Mei'cersburg, Fairfield, Greencastle, Cunningham's Cross Koads, and Stevens' Furnace (or Caledonia Iron Works), Pa. July 6. — The First Corj/s marched from Gettysburg to Era- mitsburg; the Fifth Corps from Marsh Run to Moritz's Cross Roads; the Sixth Corps from Fairfield to Emmitsburg, except Neill's (Third) Brigade, of Howe's (Second) Division, which, in conjunction with Mcintosh's Brigade of Cavalry, was left at Fairfield to pursue the enemy; the Eleventh Corps from Rock Creek to Emmitsburg; Buford's Cavalry Division from Fred- erick to Williamsport and thence back to Jones' Cross Roads; Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division and Huey's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Boonsborough, via Hagerstown* and AMlliamsport, to Jones' Cross Roads; Mcintosh's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalr}' Division, from Emmitsburg to Fairfield; and J. I. Gregg's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Green- w^ood to Marion; Smith's Division, of Couch's command, moved from Pine Grove to Newman's Pass; Kenly's Brigade, of French's Division, marched from Frederick en route to Mary- laud Heights; Elliott's and Smith's Brigades, of French's Divi sion, left Tennallytown, via Washington and the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, en route to Frederick. Comhats: Actions at Hagerstown and Williamsport, Md. July 7. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Gettysburg to Frederick ; the First Corps from Emmitsburg to Hamburg; the Second Corps from Two Taverns to Taneytown; the Third Corps from Gettysburg, via Emmitsburg, to Me- chanicstowm; the Fifth Corps from Moritz's Cross Roads, via Emmitsburg, to Utica; the Sixth Corps from Emmitsburg to Mountain Pass, near Hamburg; the Eleventh Corps from Em- mitsburg to Middletown; the Twelfth Corps from Littlestown to Walkersville; and the Artillery Reserve from Littlestown to Woodsborough; Buford's and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Divi- sions and Huey's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, moved from Jones' Cross Roads to Boonsborough; J. I. Gregg's Cav- alry Brigade was moving en route from Chambersburg to Mid- dletown; Mcintosh's Brigade of Cavalry and Xeill's Brigade of the Sixth Corps, moved from Fairfield to Waynesborough; Smith's Division, of Couch's command, marched from New- *Richmond's Brigade of Kilpatrick's Division, remained at Hagerstowa, whence it retired toward Boonsborough. 132 Pcnitsyliunia at Ge, man s i'ass lo Altodale; Keuly's Brigade, of Freucli's Divisiou, with oilier Hoops forwarded by ^ebeuck from Baltimore, re- occupied Maryland Heights; Elliott's and (Smith's Brigades, of French's Division, reached Frederick from W ashingtou. t'uinbuls: Skirmishes at Downs ville and Fuukstown, Md., and at Harper's Ferry, VV. Va. July 6. — Headquarters Army of the Fotomac moved from Frederick to Middletowu; the First Corps from Hamburg to Turner's Gap, in South Mountain; the Second Corps from Tan- ey town to Frederick; the Third Corps from Mechauicstowu to a point three miles southwest of Frederick; the i^ifth Corps from Utica to Middle town; the Sixth Corps from near Ham- burg to Middletown; the Eleventh Corps from iSliddletowu to Turner's Gap, in South Mountain, Schurz's (Thirdj Division be- ing advanced to Boonsborough; the Twelfth Corps from Wal- kersville to Jeiferson; and the Artillery Reserve from Woods- borough to Frederick; J. I. Gregg's Cavalry Brigade was mov- ing en route from Chambersburg to Middletown; Smith's Divi- sion, of Couch's command, moved from Altodale to AVaynes- borough; Campbell's and Mulligan's Brigades, of Kelley's com- mand, Department of West Virginia, were concentrated at Hancock, whence they moved to Fairview, on North Mountain. Combats: Action at Boonsborough and skirmish near Wil- liamsport, Md. July i). — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Middletown to Turner's Gap; the Second Corps from Freder- ick to liohrers ville; the Third Corps from near Frederick to Fox's Gap, in South Mountain; the Fifth Corps from Middle- town, via Fox's Gap, to near Boonsborough; the Sixth Corps from Middletown to Boonsborough; the Twelfth Corps from Jetferson to Rohrersville; and the Artillery Reserve from Frederick to Boonsborough; J. 1. Gregg's Cavalry Brigade reached Middletown from Chambersburg; Elliott's and Smith's Brigades, of French's Division, marched from Frederick to Middletown. Coinhats: Skiriiiisli at Benevola (or Beaver Creek), Md. July 10. — llead(iuarters Army of the Potomac moved from Turner's Gap to Beavc^r Creek, beyond Boonsborough; the First Corps from Turner's Gap to Beaver Creek, where it was joined by Kenly's Brigade, of French's Division, from Mary- land Ileighls; the Second Corps from Rohrersville to near Til- Pennsylvania at Gettysburfj. 133 gbmaiitoii; the Third Corps from Fox's Gap, through Boons- borough, to Antietaui Creek, in the vicinity of Jones' Cross Roads, where it was joined by Elliott's and Smith's Brigades, of French's Division, which marched from Middletown, and Morris' Brigade, of the same division, which marched from Turner's Gap; the Fifth Corps from near Boonsborough to Delaware Mills, on Antietam Creek; the Sixth Corps from Boonsborough to Beaver Creek; the Eleventh Corps from Tur- ner's Gap to Beaver Creek, and the Twelfth Corps from Koh- rersville to Bakersville; Buford's and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Di- visions moved from Boonsborough to Fuukstown; Huey's Bri- gade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Boonsborough to Jones' Cross Roads, and Mcintosh's Cavalry Brigade from Waynesborough via Smithsburg and Leitersburg, to Old An- tietam Forge, and back to "Waynesborough. Combats: Skirmishes at or near Old Antietam Forge (near Leitersburg), Clear Spring, Hagerstown, Jones' Cross Roads (near Williamsport), and Funkstown, Md. July 11. — The Second Corps moved from near Tilghmanton to the neighborhood of Jones' Cross Roads; the Twelfth Corps from Bakersville to Fair Play and Jones' Cross Roads; Gam- ble's and Devin's Brigades, of Buford's Cavalry Division, from Funkstown to Bakersville; J. I. Gregg's Cavalry Brigade from Middletown to Boonsborough; Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division from Funkstown to near Hagerstown; the Artillery Reserve from Boonsborough to Benevola ; Neill's Brigade, of the Sixth Corps, and Smith's Division, of Couch's command, from Way- nesborough to Leitersburg. Combats: Skirmishes at or near Hagerstown, Jones' Cross Roads (near Williamsport) and Funkstown, Md. July 12. — The First, Sixth and Eleventh Corps moved from Beaver Creek to Funkstown; Mcintosh's Cavalry Brigade from W^aynesborough, via Leitersburg, to Boonsborough; Kilpat- rick's Cavalry Division and Ames' (First) Division, Eleventh Corps, occupied Hagerstown; Neill's Brigade, of the Sixth Corps, moved from Leitersburg to Funkstown, where it re- joined its corps; Smith's Division (except one brigade, left at Waynesborough) from Leitersburg to Cavetown: Dana's (Sec- ond) Division, of Couch's command, from Chambersburg to Greencastle; and Averell's CaA^alry Brigade, Department of West Virginia, from Cumberland en route to Falrview. 134 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Combats: Skirmishes at or uear Hagerstown, Jones' Cross Koads (near Williamsport) and Funkstown, Md., and Ashby's Gap, ^'a. July IS. — The Sixth Corps moved from Funkstown to the vicinity of Hagerstown; the Artillery Keserve from Benevola to Jones' Cross Koads, two brigades remaining at the latter place and the otliers returning to Benevola; Smith's Division, of Couch's command, from Waynesborough and Cavetown to Hagerstown and Beaver Creek. Averell's Cavalry Brigade joined Kelley's infantry at Fairview. Combats: Skirmishes at Hagerstown, Jones' Cross Roads and Funkstown, Md. July IJf. — The First Corps marched from Funkstown to Wil- liamsport; the Second Corps from near Jones' Cross Roads to near Falling Waters; the Third Corps from Antietam Creek, near Jones' Cross Roads, across Marsh Creek; the Fifth Corps from the vicinity of Roxbury Mills, on Antietam Creek, to near Williamsport; the Sixth Corps from the neighborhood of Hag- erstown to Williamsport; the Eleventh Corps from Funks- town. via Hagerstown, to Williamsport; and Williams' (First) Division of the Twelfth Corps from Jones' Cross Roads to near Falling Waters, and thence to near Williamsport. Buford's Cavalry Division moved from Bakersville to Falling Waters; Mcintosh's and J. I. Gregg's Brigades of D. McM. Gregg's Cav- alry Division from Boonsborough to Harper's Ferry; Huey's Brigade of same division, from Jones' Cross Roads, via Wil- liamsport to Falling "Waters; and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Divi- sion from Hagerstown, via Williamsport, to Falling Waters. Kelley's command. Department of West Virginia, marched from Fairview to ^^'illiamspo^t. Combats: Action at Falling Waters, Md., and skirmishes near Williamsport, Md., and Harper's Ferry, W. Va. July 15. — Headquarters Army of the I'otomae moved from Beaver Creek to Berlin; the First Corps from Williamsport to Rohrersville; the Second Corps from near Falling Waters to near Sandy Hook; the Third Corps from Marsh Creek to near Burnside's Bridge, on the Antietam; the Fifth Corps from near Williamsport to Burkittsville; the Sixth Corps from Wil- liamsport to Boonsborough; the Eleventh Corps from Wil- liamsport, via Hagerstown, to Middletown; and the Twelfth Corps from Fair Play and near Williamsport to Sandy Hook. Pennsylcania uL (Jcttysburg. 135 Two Brigades of the Artillery Reserve moved from Jones' Cross Roads, and joining the remainder of the reserve at Bene- vola, the whole command marched thence, via Middletown, to Berlin. Buford's Cavalry Division moved from Falling Waters to Berlin; Mcintosh's and J. 1. Gregg's Brigades, of D. McM. Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Harper's Ferry, via Halitown, to Shepherdstown; Huey's Brigade of same division from Fall- ing Waters to Boonsborough; and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Divi- sion from Falling Waters, via Williamsport and Hagerstown, to Boonsborough. Kelley's command. Department of West Virginia, marched from Williamsport to Indian Springs. Combats: Skirmishes at Halitown and Shepherdstown, W. Va. JiiJij 16. — The First Corps marched from Rohrersville to near Berlin; the Third Corps from Burnside's Bridge to Pleas- ant Valley, near Sandy Hook; the Fifth Corps from Burkitts- ville, via Petersville, to near Berlin; the Sixth Corps from Boonsborough to near Berlin; the Eleventh Corps from Mid- dletown, via Jefferson, to Berlin; and the Twelfth Corps from Sandy Hook to Pleasant Valley. Buford's Cavalry Division moved from Berlin to Petersville; Huey's Brigade of Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Boonsborough, via Harper's Ferry, to Shepherdstown; and Kilpatiick's Division from Boonsbor- ough to Berlin, whence De Forest's (First) Brigade proceeded to Harper's Ferry, Combats: Action at Shepherdstown and skirmish at Shan- ghai, W. Va. July 11. — The Third Corps moved from near Sandy Hook, crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry and proceeded to a point three miles south of the Ferry; the Fifth Corps moved from near Berlin to Lovettsville, crossing the Potomac at Ber- lin. Gregg's Cavalry Division marched from Sheplierdstow'u to Harper's Ferry, Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division from Berlin and Harper's Ferry to Purcellville; Custer's Brigade crossing the Potomac at Berlin and De Forest's Brigade the Shenan doah at Harper's Ferry. Kelley's command, Department of West Virginia, moved from Indian Springs, Md., to Hedges- ville, W. Va., crossing the Potomac at Cherry Run. Combats: Skirmishes near North Mountain Station, W. Va., and near Snicker's Gap, Va. July 18. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from 130 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. IJi'ilin, -Md.. lo Lovi*ttsvile,Va.; the First Corps from near Ber lin i(. W aurl'ord, crossing the rotoniae at Berlin; the Second Corps from near Sandy ilooic to Hillsborough, crossing the Po- tomac and Shenandoah Kivers at Harper's Ferry; the Third Corps from near Harper's Ferry to Hillsborough; the Fifth Corps from Lovettsville to near rurcellville; the Artillery Re- serve from Berlin to Wheatland; and Buford's (Javalry Divi- sion from Pelci'sviUe to Piircellville, crossing the Potomac at Berlin. Combats: Skirmishes at and near Hedgesville and Martins- burg, W. Va, July 19. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Lovettsville to Wheatland; the First Corps from Waterford to Hamilton; the Second and Third Corps from Hillsborough to Wood Grove; the Fifth Corps from near Purcellville to a point on the road to Philomont; the Sixth Corps from near Berlin to ^A heatland, and the Eleventh Corps from Berlin to near Hamilton, both corps crossing the Potomac at Berlin; the Artillery Keserve from Wheatland to Purcellville; and the Twelfth Corps from Pleasant Valley to near Hillsborough, crossing the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers at Harper's Ferry, Buford's Cavalry Division moved from Purcellville, via Philomont, to near Rector's Cross Roads. Mcintosh's Bri- gade, of Gregg's ('avalry Division, moved from Harper's Ferry toward Hillsborough and Huey's and J. I. Gregg's Brigades of the same division, from Harper's Ferry to Lovettsville. Kil- l)atii(k"s Iii\isioii of Cavalry marched from Purcellville to Up- per\illc. KclUy's command, Department of West Virginia, fell back from Hedgesville to the Maryland side of the Poto mac at Cherry Run. Combats: Skirmishes at and near Hedgesville and Martins- bnrg, W. Va. July 20. — Head(iuarters Army of the Potomac moved from Wheatland to Union; the First Corps from Hamilton to Mid- dleburg; the Second and Third Corps from Wood Grove, the former going to Bloomfield and the later to Upperville; the Fiffli Corps from a i)oint on the Purcellville and Philomont roiid, \ia Cnion, to Panther Skin Creek; the Sixth Corps from Wheat land to near Beaver Dam; the Eleventh Corps from near Hamilton, via Mt. Gilead, to Mountville; the Twelfth Corps from ne;ir Hillsborough, via WoodGrov^ Pennsylvania at Getti/.'^bunj. 137 the Artillery Reserve from Purcellville to Union; Buford's Cavalry Division moved from near Rector's Cross Roads to Rectortown, Gamble's Brigade going thence to Chester Gap, Devin's Brigade to Salem, and Merritt's Brigade to Manassas Gap; Mcintosh's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, reached Hillsborongh and marched thence toward Purcellville; Huey's and J. I. Gregg's brigades, of same division, moved from Lov- ettsville to Goose Creek. Combats: Skirmishes near Berry's P\n'ry and at Ashby's Gap, Va. July 2i.— Huey's and J. I. Gregg's Brigades, of 1). McM. Gregg's Cavalry Division, moved from Goose Creek to Bull Run; Mcintosh's Brigade returned to Hillsborough; Kelley's command, Department of "^Yest Virginia, recrossed the Poto- mac from Maryland into Virginia at Cherry Run. Combats: Skirmishes at Manassas and Chester Gaps, Va. July 22. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Union to Upperville; the First Corps from Middleburg to White Plains; the Second Corps from Bloomfield to Paris; the Third Corps from Upperville, via Piedmont, to Linden; the Fifth Corps from Panther Skin Creek to Rectortown; and the Sixth Corps from near Beaver Dam to Rectortown; Devin's Brigade, of Buford's Cavalry Division, moved from Salem to Barbee's Cross Roads; Huey's and J. I. Gregg's Brigades, of D. McM. Gregg's Cavalry Division, from Bull Run to Broad Run; and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division from Upperville to Piedmont. Combats: Skirmishes at Manassas and Chester Gaps, Va. July 23. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Upperville to Linden; the First Corps from White Plains to Warrenton; the Second Corps from Paris to Linden; the Third Corps from Linden to Manassas Gap; the Fifth Corps from Rectortown, via Markham Station, Farrowsville and Linden, to Manassas Gap; the Sixth Corps from Rectortown to White Plains and Barbee's Cross Roads; the Eleventh Corps from Mountville to New Baltimore; the Twelfth Corps from Snick- ersville to Ashby's Gap and thence to Markham Station; and the Artillery Reserve from Union to near Rock Creek; Bu- ford's Cavalry Division concentrated at Barbee's Cross Roads; Mcintosh's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, moved from 188 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Hillsborough to Snickersville; and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Divi- sion from riediuont to Amissville. Combats: Action at Wapping Heights, Manassas Gap, and skirmishes ut-ar Gaines' Cross Koads, Snicker's Gap and Ches- ter Gap, Va. July 2-'i. — Headquarters Army of the Potomac moved from Linden to Salem; the Second Corps from Linden to Markhaiu Station; the First Division (NN'right's), Sixth Corps, from While IMains to New Baltimore; the Second Division (Howe's), Sixth Corps, from Barbee's Cross Roads to Markham Station and thence to Orleans; the Third Division (Bartlett's), Sixth Corps, from Barbee's Cross Koads to Thumb Run; and the Twelfth Corps from Markham Station to Linden, counter- marching, via Markham Station, to Piedmont; Huey's and J. I. Gregg's Brigades, of D. McM. Gregg's Cavalry Division, moved from Broad Run to Warrenton Junction; Kelley's command, Department of West Virginia, advanced from Cherry Run to Hedgesville. Combats: Skirmish at Battle Mountain, near Newby's Cross Roads, Va. July 25. — Headquarters Array of the Potomac moved from Salem to Warrenton; the First Corps from Warrenton to Warrenton Junction, the Second Division (Robinson's) going on to Bealeton; the Second Corps from Markham Station to White Plains; the Third Corps from Manassas Gap to near Salem; the Fifth Corps from Manassas Gap, via Farrowsville and Barbee's Cross Roads, to Thumb Run; the Sixth Corps concentrated at Warrenton, Wright's (First) Division moving from New Baltimore, Howe's (Second) Division from Orleans, and Bartlett's (Third) Division from Thumb Run; the Elev- enth Corps moved from New Baltimore to Warrenton Junc- tion; and the Twelfth Corps from Piedmont, via Rectortow'n andAA'hite Plains, to Thoroughfare Gap; the Artillery Reserve reached Warrenton; Kelley's command. Department of West Virginia, occupied Martinsburg. Combats: Skirmish at Barbee's Cross Roads, Va. July 26. — The Second Cor]»s marched from White Plains to near Germantown; the Third Corps from near Salem to vicin- ity of Warrenton ; the Fifth Corps from Thumb Run to vicinity of Warrenton, Crawford's (Third) Division taking position at Fayettovillo; and the Twelfth Corps from Thoroughfare Gap. Pennsylvania at Gettysbnrg. 13t> via Greenwich and Catlett's Station, to Warrenton Junction; Buford's Cavalry Division took position at ^Va^l'enton and Fajetteville; Melntosli's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, marched from Snickersville, via Upperville, to Middleburg; Kelley's command, Department of West Virginia, occupied Winchester. July 27. — The Fifth Corps encamped between Warrenton and Fayetteville; Mcintosh's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Di- vision, marched from Middleburg, via White Plains, New Bal- timore and Warrenton, toward Warrenton Junction. July 28. — Mcintosh's Brigade, of Gregg's Cavalry Division, moved via Warrenton Junction, to Catlett's Station. July 29. — D. McM. Gregg's Cavalry Division moved from Warrenton Junction and Catlett's Station to Warrenton. July 30. — Kenly's (Third) Division, First Corps, moved from Warrenton Junction to Kappahaunock Station; the Second Corps from near Germantown to Elk Run; D. McM. Gregg's Cavalry Division from Warrenton to Amissville; and Kilpat- rick's Cavalry Division from Amissville to AVarrenton. July 31. — The Second Corps marched from Elk Run to Mor- risville; Howe's (Second) Division, Sixth Corps, from "Warren- ton to near Waterloo; the Twelfth Corps from Warrenton Junction to Kelly's Ford; and Kilpatrick's Cavalry Division from Warrenton to Warrenton Junction. 140 I'cinisi/lrdiiid at Gcttysbunj. olJdAMZATlON OF COMMANDED BY U. S. ARMY, AT rEXNSYlA'ANIA, THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, MA.J.CEN. (JEORGE G. MEADE, THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, JULY 1-3, 180;}. (iENEUAi: llEADQl AKTEKS. COMMAND Ol'" THE PKOVOST-MARSHAL-GENEKAL. Brig. Gen. Mausena K. Patrick. 9:kl Now York,* Col. John S. Crocker. 8lli United States (eight companies),* Capt. Edwin W. II. Read. 'Jd I'ennsylvania Cavah-y, Col. li. Butler Price. (Jth I't'unsylvauia Cavalry, Companies E and I, Capt. James Starr. Uegular cavalry (detachments from 1st, 2d, 5th and Gth Regiments). SIGNAL COUPS. Capt. Lemuel B. Norton. G CARDS AND ORDERLIES. Oneida (New York) Cavalry, Capt. Daniel P. Mann. ARTILLERY.t Brig. Gen. Henry J. Hunt. ENGINEER BRIGADE.} • Brig. Gen. Henry W. Benham, 15th New York (three companies), Maj. Walter L. Cassin. 50th New York, Col. William H. Pettes. United States Battalion, Capt. George H. Mendell. FIRST ARMY CORPS.§ Maj. Gen. Abneu Doubleday. Maj. Gen. John Newton. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. 1st Maine Cavalry, Company L, Capt. Constantino Taylor. Brij First Brigade. Brig. Gen. Solomon Meredith. Col. William W. Robinson. lUth Indiana, Col. Sam'l J. Williams. Ii4th ^lichigan: Col. Henry A. INIorrow. Capt. Albert M. Edwards. 2d Wisconsin: Col. Lucius Fairchild. Maj. John Mansfield. Capt. George H. Otis. Gth Wisconsin, Lieut. Col. Rufus R. Dawes. 7th Wisconsin: Col. William W. Robinson. Maj. Mark Finnicum. FIRST division. Gen. James S. Wadsworth. Col. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler. 7th Indiana, Col. Ira G. Grover. 7Gth New York: Maj. Andrew J. Grover. Capt. John E. Cook. 81th New York (14th Militia), Edward B. Fowler. 9.")th New York: Col. George H. Biddle. Maj. Edward Pye. 147th New York: Lieut. Col. Francis C. Miller. Maj. George Harney. 5Gth Pennsylvania (nine compa- nies), Col. J. Wm. Hofmann. • Xot engaged. tSee artlUery brigades attached to army corpt- and the reserve. tNot enKaged. With exception of the regular battalion, it was, July 1, and while at Heaver D.-im (.'reek. Md., ordered to Washington, D. C, where Is arrived July 3. 5 Maj. Gen. John F. Heynolds. of this corps, was killed July 1, while in command of the left wing of the army; General 15oubleday commanded the corps July 1, and Gen- ral Newton, who was assigned to that command on the 1st, superseded him July 2. vania at Gctfj/sbunj. 141 SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. John C. Robinson. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. Gabriel R. Paul. Col. Samuel H. Leonard. Col. Adrian R. Root. Col. Richard Coulter. Col. Peter Lyle. Col. Richard Coulter. 16th Maine: Col. Charle.s W. Tilden. jMaj. Archibald D. Leavitt. 13th Massachusetts: Col. Samuel H. Leonard. Lieut. Col. N. Walter Batch- elder. 94th New York: Col. Adrian R. Root. Maj. Samuel A. Moffett. 104th New York, Col. Gilbert G. Prey. 107th Pennsylvania: Lieut. Col. James MacThom- son. Capt. Emanuel D. Roath. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. Henry Baxter. 12th Massachusetts: Col. James L. Bates. Lieut. Col. David Allen, Jr. 83d New York (9th Militia), Lieut Col. Joseph A. Moesch. 97th New York: Col. Charles Wheelock. Maj. Charles Northrup. 11th Pennsylvania:* Col. Richard Coulter. Capt. Benjamin F. Haines. Capt. John B. Overmeyer. 88th Pennsylvania: Maj. Beuezet F. Foust. Capt. Henry Whiteside. 90th Pennsylvania: Col. Peter Lyle. Maj. Alfred J. Sellers. Col. Peter Lyle. third division. Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Rowley. Maj. Gen. Abner Doubleday. First Brigade. Col. Chapman Biddle. Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Rowley. Col. Chapman Biddle. 80th New York (20th Militia), Col. Theodore B. Gates. 121st Pennsylvania: Maj. Alexander Biddle. Col. Chapman Biddle. Maj. Alexander Biddle. 142d Pennsylvania: Col. Robert P. Cummins. Lieut. Col. Alfred B. McCal- mont. 151st Pennsylvania: Lieut. Col. George F. McFar- land. Capt. Walter L. Owens. Col. Harrison Allen. Second Brigade. Col. Roy Stone. Col. Langhorne Wister. Col. Edmund L. Dana. 143d Pennsylvania: Col. Edmund L. Dana. Lieut. Col. John D. Musser. 149th Pennsylvania: Lieut. Col. Walton Dwight. Capt. James Gleun. 150th Pennsylvania: Col. Langhorne Wister. Lieut. Col. Henry S. Huide- koper. Capt. Cornelius C. Widdis. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. George J. Stannard. Col. Francis V. Randall. ]2th Vermont,! Col. Asa P. Blunt. 13th Vermont: Col. Francis V. Randall. ]\Iaj. Joseph J. Boynton. Lieut. Col. William D. Munsoii. llth ^'ermont. Col. William T. Nichols. 15th Vermont,t Col. Redfield Proctor. IGth Vermont, Col. Wheelock G. Veazey. ♦Transferred !n afternoon of July 1 to First Brigade. t Guarding trains and not engagred in the battle. U2 !'( iiiisi/Ivania at Gettysburg. ARTILLERY BRIGADE. Col. Charles S. Wainwright. Maine Light, 2(1 Battery (B). Capt. James A. Hall. Maine Lifflit, Sth Battery (E): Capt. Greenk'af T. Stevens. Lieut. Edward N. Wliittier. 1st New York Li^iit. Battery L:* Capt. (Jilbert H. Heynolds. Lieut. Ceorge Brook. 1st I'ennsylvania Light, Battery B, Capt. James H. Cooper. 4th United States, Battery B, Lieut. James Stewart. SECOND ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. Brig. Gen. WiNFiELD S. Hancock. John Gibbon. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. 6th New York (.'avah-y. Companies D and K, Capt. Riley Johnson. FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. John C. Caldwell. Firgt Brigade. Col. Edward E. Cross. Col. H. Boyd McKeen. 5th New Hampshire. Lieut. Col. Charles E. Hapgood. 61st New York. Lieut. Col. K. Os- car Broady. 81st Pennsylvania: Col. H. Boyd McKeen. Lieut. Col. Amos Stroh. 14Sth Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Rob't McFarlane. Second Brigade. Col. Patrick Kelly. 2Sth Massachusetts, Col. Richard Byrnes. 63d New Y'ork (two companies): Lieut. Col. Rich'd C. Bentley. Capt. Thomas Tonhy. 69th New York (two companies): Capt. Richard Moronoy. Lieut. .Tames .7. Smith. 88th Now York (two companies), Capt. Denis F. Burke. ll()th IVnnsvlvania (four companies), Maj. St. Clair A. Mulhol- land. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. Samuel K. Zook. Lieut. Col. John Eraser. 52d NeAv York: Lieut. Col. C. G. Freuden- berg. Capt. William Scherrer. 57th New York, Lieut. Col. Alford B. Chapman. 06th New^ Y'ork : Col. Orlando H. Morris. Lieut. Col. John S. Hammell. Maj. Peter Nelson. 140th Pennsvlvania: Col. Richard P. Roberts. Lieut. Col. John Fraser Fourth Brigade. Col. John R. Brooke. 27th Connecticut (two companies): Lieut. Col. Henry C. Merwin. Maj. James H. Coburn. 2d Delaware: Col. William P. Baily. Capt. Charles H. Christman. 64th New York: Col. Daniel G. Bingham. Maj. Leman W. Bradley. 5.3d Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Rich- ards McMichael. 145th Pennsylvania (seven compan- ies) : Col. Hiram L. Brown. Capt. John W. Reynolds. Capt. Moses W. Oliver. •Battery E, 1st New York Light artillery, attached. tAftcr the death of General Reynolds, General Hancock was assigned to the com- mand of all the troors on the field of battle, relieving General Howard, who had suc- ceeded General Reynolds. General Gibbon, of the Second Division, assumed command of the corps. These assignments terminated on the evening of July 1. Similar changes In commanders occurred during the lialtle of the 2d. when General Hancock was put in command of the Third Corps. In addition to that of his own. He was wounded on the 3d. and Brig. Gen. William Hays was assigned to the command of the corps. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 143 SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. John Gibbon. Brig. Gen. William Harrow. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. William Harrow. Col. Francis E. Heath. 19th Maine: Col. Francis E. Heath. Lieut. Col. Henry W. Cun- ningham. 15th Massachusetts: Col. George H. Ward. Lieut. Col. George C. Joslin. 1st Minnesota:* Col. William Colvill, Jr. Capt. Nathan S. Messick. Cnpt. Henry C. Coates. 82d New York (2d Militia): Lieut. Col. James Huston. Capt. John Harrow. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. Alexander S. Webb. 69th Pennsylvania: Col. Dennis O'Kane. Capt. William Davis. 71st Pennsylvania, Col. Richard Penn Smith. 72d Pennsylvania: Col. De Witt C. Baxter. Lieut. Col. Theodore Hesser. 106th Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Wm. L. Curry. Third Brigade. Col. Norman J. Hall. 19th Massachusetts, Col. Arthur F. Devereux. 20th Massachusetts: Col. Paul J. Revere. Lieut. Col. Geoi-ge N. Macy. Capt. Henry L. Abbott. 7th Michigan: Lieut. Col. Amos E. Steele, jr. Maj. Sylvanus W. Curtis. 42d New York, Col. Jas. E. Mallon. 59th New York (four companies): Lieut. Col. Max A. Thoman. Capt. Wilham McFadden. Unattached. Massachusetts Sharpshooters, 1st company: Capt. William Plumer. Lieut. Emerson L. Bickuell. third division. Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays. First Brigade. Col. Samuel S. Carroll. 14th Indiana, Col. Jolin Coons. 4th Ohio. Lieut. Col. Leonard W. Carpenter. 8th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Franklin Saw- yer. 7th West Virginia, Lieut. Col. Jona- than H. Lock wood. Second Brigadt. Col. Thomas A. Smyth. Lieut. Col. Francis E. Pierce. 14th Connecticut, Maj. Theodore G. Ellis. 1st Delaware: Lieut. Col. Edward P. Har- ris. Capt. Thomas B. Hizar. Lieut. William Smith. Lieut. John T. Dent. 12th New Jersey, Maj. John T. Hill. 10th New York (battalion), Maj. George F. Hopper. 108th New York, Lieut. Col. Francis B. Pierce. •2d Company Minnesota Sharpshooters attached. 11 U4 Pennsylvania at Gettyshurg. Third Brigade. Col. George L. Willard. Col. ELIAKIM SlIERRILL. Lieut. Col. James M. Bill. 3'.)tli Now York (four couipanies), Maj. Hugo Hildebrauilt. lllth Nt'w York: Col. Clintou D. MacDougall. Lieut. Col. Isaac M. Lusk. Capt. Aarou V. Seeley. 125tli New York: Lieut. Col. Levin Crandell. 126th New York: Col. Eliakiui Sherrill. Lieut. Col. James M. Bull. ARTILLERY BRIGADE. Capt. John G. Hazard. 1st New York Light, Battery B:* Lieut. Albert S. Sheldon. Captain Jnnics McKay Korty. Lieut. Kobcrt E. Itogers. 1st KhotU' Island IJi,'!it. Battery A, Capt. William A. Arnold. 1st Rhode Island Liuht. Battery B: Lieut. T. Fred. Brown. Lieut. Walter S. Perrin. 1st United States, Battery I: Lieut. George A. Woodruff. Lieut. Tully McCrea. 4th United States, Battery A: Lieut. Alonzo II. Gushing. Sergt. Frederick Fuger. THIRD ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles. David B. Birney. FIRST division. Maj. Gen. David B. BiRNEy Brig. Gen. J. H. Hobart First Brigade. \ Brig. Gen. Charles K. Graham. I Col. Andrew H. Tippin. 57th Pennsylvania (eight compa- nies) : Col. Peter Sides. Capt. Alanson H. Nelson. C.3d Pennsylvania, Maj. John A. Danks. G8th Pennsylvania: Col. Andrew II. Tippin. Capt. Milton S. Davis [?]. 105th Pennsylvania, Col. Calvin A. Craig. 114th Pennsylvania: Lieut. Col. Frederick F. Ca- vada. Capt. Edward R, Bowen. 141st Pennsylvania, Col. Henrv J. MadiU. Ward. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. J. H. Hobart Ward. Col. Hiram Berdan. 20th Indiana: Col. John Wheeler. Lieut. Col. William C. L. Taylor. 3d Maine, Col. Moses B. Lake- man. 4th Maine: Col. Elijah Walker. Capt. Edwin Libby. 8Gth New York, Lieut. Col. Benja- min L. Higgins. 124th New York: Col. A. Van Home Ellis. Lieut. Col. Francis M. Cum- mins. 99th Pennsylvania, Major John W. Moore. 1st United States Sharpshooters: Col. Hiram Berdan. Lieut. Col. Caspar Trepp. 2d United States Sharpshooters (eight companies), Maj. Homer R. St(Uighton. •Transferreil from Artillery Reperve, ,Hily 1; 14th New York Battery attached. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 145 Third Brigade. Col. P. Regis de Trobriand. 17th Maine, T.ieiit. Col. CharK-s B. Merrill. 3d Michigan: Col. Byron R. Pierce. Lieut. Col. Edwin S. Pierce. 5th Michigan, Lieut. Col. John Pulford. 40th New York, Col. Thomas W. Egan. 110th Pennsylvania (six companies'): Lieut. Col. David M. Jones. Maj. Isaac Rogers. SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. Joseph B. Carr. 1st Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. Clark B. Baldwin. 11th Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. Por- ter D. Tripp. 16th Massachusetts: Lieut. Col. Waldo Merriam. Capt. Matthew Donovan. 12th New Hampshire, Capt. John F. Langley. 11th New Jersey: Col. Robert McAllister. Capt. Luther Martin. Jjieut. John Schoonover. Capt. William H. Loyd. Capt. Samuel T. Sleeper. Lieut. John Schoonover. 26th Pennsylvania, Maj. Robert L. Bodine. 84th Pennsylvania,* Lieut. Col. Mil- ton Opp. Second Brigade. Col. William R. Brewster. 70th New York, Col. J. Egbert Far- nuni. 71st New York, Col. Henrv L. Potter. 72d New York: Col. John S. Austin. Lieut. Col. .John Leonard. 7od New York, Maj. Michael W. Burns. 74th New York, Lieut. Col. Thomas Holt. 120th New York: Lieut. Col. Cornelius D. Westbrook. Major John R. Tappen. Third Brigade. Col. George C. Burling. 2d New Hampshire, Col. Edward L. Bailey. 5th New Jersey: Col. William J. Sewell. Capt. Thomas C. Godfrey. Capt. Henry H. Woolsey. 6th New Jersey, Lieut. Col. Stephen R. Gilkysou. 7th New Jersey: Col. Louis R. Francine. Maj. Frederick Cooper. 8th New Jersey: Col. John Ramsey. Capt. John G. Langston. 115th Pennsylvania, Maj. John P. Dunne. 'Guarding corps trains, and not engaged in the battle. HO rcmisylvania at Gettysburg. AKTIIXERY BRIGADE. Cnpt. George E. Randolph. Capt. A. JuDsoN Clark. New Jersey Light, 2d Battery: Capt. A. Jiulson Clark. Lieut. Robert Sims. _ ^ ^ „ „,. , l.st New York Liplit. Battery D, Capt. George B. ^\ iiislow. New York Lisfht. 4tli Battery, Capt. James E. Smith. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery K: Lieut. John K. Bucklyn. Lieut. Benjamin Freeborn. 4th United States, Battery K: Lieut. Francis W. Seeloy. Lieut. Robert James. FIFTH AR.MY CORPS. Maj. Gen. George Sykes. general headquarters. 12th New York Infantry. Companies D and E, Capt. Henry W. Ryder. 17th rennsylvauia Cavalry, Companies D and H, Capt. William Thompson. FIRST division. Brig. Gen. James Barnes. First Brigade. Col. William S. Tilton. 18th Massachusetts, Col. Joseph Hayes. 22d Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. Thos. Sherwin, Jr. Ist Michigan: Col. Ira C. Abbott. Lieut. Col. Wm. A. Throop. 118th Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Jas. Gwyn. Second Brigade. Col. Jacob B. Sweitzer. 9th Massachusetts, Col. Patrick R. Guiney. 32d Massachusetts, Col. G. L. Pres- cott. -1th Michigan: Col. Harrison H. Jeffords. Lieut. Col. Geo. W. Lumbard. 02d Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. James C. Hull. Third Brigade. Col. Strong Vincent. Col. James C. Rice. 20th Maine, Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain. l(>th Michigan, Lieut. Col. Norval E. Welch. 44th New York: Col. James C. Rice. Lieut. Col. Freeman Conner. 83d Pennsylvania, Capt. Orpheus S. Woodward. second division. Brig. Gen. Romeyn B. Ayres. First Brigade. Col. Hannibal Day. 3d United States (six companies): Capt. Henry W. Freedley. Capt. Richard G. Lay. 4th United States (four companies), Captain Julius W. Adams, Jr. 6th United States (five companies), Capt. Levi C. Bootes. 12th United States (eight companies), Capt. Thdmas S. Dunn. 14tlL United States (eight companies). Mnj. Grotiua R. Giddings. Second Brigade. Col. Sidney Burbank. 2d United States (six companies): Maj. Arthur T. Lee. Capt. Samuel A. INIcKeo. 7th United States (four companies), Capt. David P. Hancock. lOth United States (three companies). Capt. William Clinton. 11th United States (six companies), Maj. DeLancey I'"'loy(l-.Jon(»s. 17th T'nited States (seven coinpaiiii's). Lieut. Col. J. Durell Greene. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 147 Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Weed. Col. Kenner Garrard. 140tli New York: Col. I»atrick H. O'Rorke. Lieut. Col. Louis Ernst. 14C>tli New York: Col. Kenner Garrard. Lieut. Col. David T. Jenkins. 01st Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Joseph H. Siuex. 155tli Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. John H. Cain. Bri£ THIRD DIVISION.* Gen. Samuel W. Crawford. First Brigade. Col. WiLi-iAM McCandless. 1st Pennsylvania Reserves (nine companies). Col. William C. Talley. 2d Pennsylvania Reserves, Lieut. Col. George A. Woodward. 6th Pennsvlvania Reserves, Lieut. Col. Wellington H. Ent. 13th Pennsylvania Reserves: Col. Charles F. Taylor. Maj. William R. Hartshorne. Third Brigade. Col. Joseph W. Fisher. 5th Pennsylvania Reserves, Lieut. Col. George Dare. 9th Pennsylvania Reserves, Lieut. Col. James McK. Snodgrass. 10th Pennsylvania Reserves, Col. Adoniram J. Warner. 11th Pennsylvania Reserves, Col. Samuel M. Jackson. 12th Pennsylvania Reserves (nine companies). Col. Martin D. I Hardin. ARTILLERY BRIGADE. Capt. Augustus P. Martin. Massachusetts Light, 3d Battery (C), Lieut. Aaron F. Walcott. 1st New York I^ight, Battery C. Capt. Ahnont Barnes. 1st Ohio Light, Battery L, Captain Frank C. Gibbs. 5th United States, Battery D: Lieut. Charles E. Hazlett. Lieut. Benj. F. Rittenhouse. 5th United States, Battery I: Lieut. Malbone F. Watson. I^ieut. Charles C. ]\IacConnell. SIXTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick. GENERAL HEADQITARTERS. 1st New Jersey Cavalry, Company L, 1st Pennsyh'ania (Cavalry, Company H, Capt. William S. Craft. Brig. FIRST DIVISION. Gen. Horatio G. Wright. Provost Guard. 4th New Jersey (three companies), Capt. William R. Maxwell. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. A. T. A. Torbert. 1st New Jersey, Lieut. Col. William Henry, Jr. 2d New Jersey, Ijieut. Col. Charles Wiebecke. 3d New Jersey, Tvieut. Col. Edward L. Campbell. 15th New Jersey, Col. William H. Penrose. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Bartlett.! 5tli Maine, Col. Clark S. Edwards. 121st New York, Col. Emory Upton. 95th Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Ed- ward Carroll, noth Pennsylvania, Maj. William H. Lessig. 'Joined corps June 2S. The Second Brigade left in the Department of Washlngtru tAlso in command of the Third Brigade, Third Division, on July 3. 148 Pennsi/tvajiia at Gettysburg. Brig. Third Brigade. Geu. David A. Russell. Gth Maine, Col. llirain Hunihani. 4!Jth Peunsylvaiiia (four companies), Lieut. Col. 119tli Pennsylvania. Col. Peter C. Ellmaker. 5th Wisconsin, Col. Thomas S. Allen. SECOND DIVISION.* Brig. Gen. Albion P. Howe. Thomas M. Hulings. Second Brigade. Col. Lewis A. Grant. 2d Vermont, Col. James H. Wal- bridge. 3d Vermont, Col. Thomas O. Seaver. 4th Vermont, Col. Charles B. Stough- ton. Sth Vermont, Lieut. Col. John U. Lewis. Gth Vermont, Col. Elislia L. Barney. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Neill. 7th Maine (six companies), Lieut. Col. Selden Connor. 83d New York (detachment), Capt. Henry J. Gifford. 43d New York, Lieut. Col. John Wilson. 49th New York, Col. Daniel D. Bid- well. 77th New Y''ork, Lieut. Col. Winsor B. French. 61st Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Geo. F. Smith. THIRD division. Maj. Gen. John Newton. Brig. Gen. Frank Wheaton. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. Alexander Shaler. G5th New York, Col. Joseph Hamblin. 67th New York, Col. Nelson Cross. 122d New York, Col. Silas Titus. 23d Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. John F. Glenn. 82d Pennsylvania, Col. Isaac C. Bassett. Second Brigade. Col. Henry L. Eustis. 7th Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. Frankhn P. Harlow. 10th Massachusetts, Lieut. Col. Jos. B. Parsons. 37th Massachusetts, Col. Oliver Ed- wards. 2d Rhode Island, Col. Horatio Rogers, Jr. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. Frank Wheaton. Col. David J. Nevin. 62d New York: CoL David J. Ncviii. Lieut. Col. TlKixloi-e B. Hamilton. 93d I'ennsylvania, Maj. John 1. Ncvin. 98th Pennsylvania. jNIaj. John B. Koliler. 102d Pennsylvania, t Col. John W. I'atterson. 139th Penn.sylvania: Col. Frederick II. Collier. Lieut. Col. William H. Moody. ARTILLERY BRIGADE. Col. Charles H. Tompkins. Massachusetts Lisrht. 1st Battery (A). Capt. William H. McCartney. New York Liuht. 1st Battery, Capt. Andrew Cowan. New York Light. :'.d Battery, Capt. William A. Harn. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery C, Capt. Richard Waterman. 1st Rhode Island Light, Battery G, Capt. George W. Adams. 2d Fnitod States, Battery D, Lieut. Edward B. Williston. 2d United States, Battery (x, Lieut. John H. Butler. 5th United States, Battery F, Lieut. Leonard Martin. 'No First Brlpade In division. t Guarding wa^'on train at Westmlnstc and not engaged In the battle. Pennsylvania at Gettyshurc/. 149 ELEVENTH ARMY CORPS.* Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. 1st Indiana Cavalry, Companies I and K, Capt. Abram Sliarra. 8th New York Infantry (one company), Lieut. Hermann Foerster. FIRST DIVISIOX. Brig. Gen. Francis C. Barlow. Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames. First Brigade. Col. Leopold a^on Gilsa. 41st New York (nine companies), Lieut. Col. Detleo von Ein- siedel. 54th New York: Maj. Stephen Kovacs. Lieut. Ernest Both [?]. G8th New York, Col. GottUilf Bourry. I53d Pennsylvania, Maj. John Frue- auff. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames. Col. Andrew L. Harris. 17th Connecticut: Lieut. Col. Douglas Fowler. Maj. Allen G. Brady. 25th Ohio: Lieut. Col. Jeremiah Wil- liams. Capt. Nathaniel J. [Manning. Lieut. William Maloney. Lieut. Israel White. 7.5th Ohio: Col. Andrew L. Harris. Capt. George B. Fox. 107th Ohio: Col. Seraphim Meyer. Capt. John M. Lutx. Brig. SECOND DIVISION. Gen. ADOLni von Steinwehr. First Brigade. Col. Charles R. Coster. 134th New York, Lieut. Col. Allan H. Jackson. 154th New York, Lieut. Col. D. B. Allen. 27th Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Lo- renz Cantador. 73d Pennsylvania, Capt. D. F. Kelley. Second Brigade. Col. Orland Smith. 33d Massachusetts, Col. Adin B. Underwood. 13Gth New York, Col. James Wood, Jr. 55th Ohio, Col. Charles B. Gambee. 73d Ohio, Lieut. Col. Richard Long. THIRD division. Maj. Gen. Carl Schurz. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. Alex. Schimmelfennig. Col. George von Amsberg. 82d Illinois, Lieut. Col. Edward S. Salomon. 45th New Y'ork: Col. George von Amsberg. Lieut. Col. Adolphus Dobke. 1.57th New York, Col. Philip P. Brown, Jr. Gist Ohio. Col. Stephen J. Mc- Groarty. 74th Pennsylvania: Col. Adolph von Hartung. Lieut. Col. Alex, von Mitzel. Capt. Gustav Schleiter. Capt. Henry Krauseneck. Second Brigade. Col. W. Krzyzanowski. 58 th New York: Lieut. Col. August Otto. Capt. Emil Koenig. 119th New York: Col. John T. Lockman. Lieut. Col. Edward F. Llovd. 82d Ohio: Col. James S. Robin.son. Lieut. Col. David Thomson. 75th Pennsylvania: Col. Francis Mahler. Maj. August Ledig. 2Gth Wisconsin: Lieut. Col. Hans Boebpl. Capt. John W. Fuchs. •During the interval between tlie death of General Reynolds and the arrival of Gen- eral Hancoclt. on the aiternoon of .July 1, all the troops on the field of battle were com- manded by General Howard, General Schurz taking command of the Eleventh Corpt and General Schimmelfennig of the Third Division. 150 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. AKTILLERY BRIGADE. Maj. Thomas W. Osborn. 1st New York Light, Battery I, Capt. Michael Weidrich. New York Light, 13th Battery, Lieut. William Wheeler. 1st Ohio Light, Battery I, Capt. Hubert Dilger. 1st Ohio Light, Battery K, Capt. Lewis Heckman. 4th United States, Battery G: Lieut. Bayard Wilkeson. Lieut. Eugene A. Brancroft. TWELFTH ARMY CORPS. Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocum.* Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams. PROVOST guard. 10th Maine (four companies), Capt. John D. Beardsley. FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams. Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger. First Brigade. Col. Archibald L. McDougall. 5th Connecticut, Col. Warreu W. I'acker. 20th Connecticut, Lieut. Col. Wil- liam B. Wooster. 3d Maryland, Col. Joseph M. Sudsburg. 12.3d New York: Lieut. Col. James C. Rogers. Capt. Adolphus H. Tanner. 145th New York, Col. E. Livingston Price. 4Gth Pennsylvania, Col. James L. Selfridge. Second Brigade.'^ Brig. Gen. Henry H. Lockwood. 1st Maryland, Potomac, Home Brigade, Col. William I'. Maulsby. 1st ]\LTryland, p]astern Shore, Col. James Wallace. 150th New York, Col. John H. Ketcham. Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger. Col. Silas Colgrove. 27th Indiana: Col. Silas Colgrove. Lieut. Col. John R. Fesler. 2d Massachusetts: Lieut. Col. Charles R. Mudge. Maj. Chai-les F. Morse. 13th New Jersey, Col. Ezra A. Carman. 107th New York, Col. Nirom M. Crane. 3d Wisconsin, Col. William Hawley. •Exercised command of the right wing of the army during a part of the battle. tUnnsslgned during progress of battle; afterward attached to First Division as Second Brigade. The command theretofore known as the Second (or Jackson's) Brigade had previously been consolidated with the First Brigade. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 151 SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. John W. Geary. F'irst Brigade. lSeco7id Brigade. Col. Charles Candy. Col. George A. Cobham, Jr. 5th Ohio, Col. John H. Patrick. SJ'iS- ^en. Thomas L. Kane. 7th Ohio, Col. William R. Creigh- Col. George A. Cobham, Jr. ton. 29th Pennsylvania, Col. William 29th Ohio: Kickards, Jr. Capt. Wilbur F. Stevens. 109th Pennsylvania, Capt F. L. Capt. Edward Hayes. Gimber. G6th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Eugene 111th Pennsylvania: Powell. Lieut. Col. Thos. M. Walker. 28th Pennsylvania, Capt. John Col. George A. Cobham, Jr. Flynn. Lieut. Col. Thos. M. Walker. 147th Pennsylvania (eight compa-[ uies), Lieut. Col. Ario Par- dee, Jr. j Third Brigade. Brig. Gen. George S. Greene. GOth New York, Col. Abel Godard. 78th New York, Lieut. Col. Herbert von Hammerstein. ]02d New York: Col. James C. Lane. Capt. Lewis II. Stegman. 137th New Y'ork, Col. David Ireland. 149th New York : Col. Henry A. Barnum. Lieut. Col. Charles B. Rjwidall. ARTILLERY BRIGADE. Lieut. Edward D. Muhlenberg. 1st New York Light, Battery M, Lieut. Charles E. Winegar. Pennsylvania Light, Battery E, Lieut. Charles A. Atwell. 4th United States, Battery F, Lieut. Sylvanus T. Kugg. 5th United States, Battery K, Lieut. David H. Kinzie. CAVALRY CORPS. Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton. first division. Brig. Gen. John Buford. First Brigade. Second Brigade. Col. William Gamble. Col. Thomas C. Devin. 8th Illinois, Maj. John L. Beveridge. 0th New Y'ork, Maj. W. E. Beards- 12th Illinois (four cos.), ( Col. Geo. H. j ley. 3d Indiana (six COS.), \ Chapman.] 9th New York, Col. William Sack- 8th New York, Lieut. Col. William j ett. L. Markell. j 17th Pennsylvania, Col. J. H. Kel- logg. 3d West Virginia (two companies). I Capt. Seymour B. Conger. Reserve Brigade. Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt. Gth Pennsylvania, Maj. James H. Haseltine. 1st United States, Capt. Richard S. C. Lord. 2d United States, Capt. T. F. Rodeubough. 5th United States, Capt. Julius W. Mason. Gth United States: Maj. Samuel H. Starr. Lieut. Louis H. Carpenter. Lieut. Nicholas Nolan. Capt. Ira W. Claflin. 152 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. David McM. Gregg. Headquarters Guard. Col. Pennock Huey. •Jd New York, Lieut. Col. Otto Ilarliaiis. 4th New York, Lieut. Col. Augustus Pruyn. Gtli Ohio (ten companies), Maj. William Stedman. 8th Pennsylvania, Capt. William A. Corrie. 1st Ohio, Company A, Capt. Noah Jones. First Brigade. Second Brigade.t Col, John B. McIntosii. 1st Maryland (eleven companies), Lieut. Col. Jas. M. Deems. Piirnell (Maryland) Legion, Com- pany A, Capt. Robert E. Duvall. 1st Massachusetts,* Lieut. Col. Greely S. Curtis. 1st New Jersey, Maj. M. H. Beau- mont. 1st Pennsvlvania, Col. John P. Tay- lor. 3d I'ennsylvania, Lieut. Col. E. S. Jones. 3d I'ennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Section Battery H,t Capt. W. D. Rank. Third Brigade. Col. J. Irvin Gregg. 1st Maine (ten companies), Lieut. Col. Charles H. Smith. lUth New York, Major M. Henry Avery. 4th Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Wm. E. Doster. IGth Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. John K. Robison. third division. Brig. Gen. JuDSON Kilpatrick. Headquarters Guard. 1st Ohio, Company C, Capt. Samuel N. Stanford. First Brigade. Brig. Gen. Elon J. Farnsworth. Col. Nathaniel P. Richmond. 5th New York, Maj. John Ham- mond. 18th Pennsylvania, Lieut. Col. Wil- liam P. Brinton. 1st Vermont, Lieut. Col. Addison W. Preston. 1st West Virginia (ten companies): Col. Nathaniel P. Richmond. Maj. Charles E. Capehart. Second Brigade. Brig. Gen. George A. Custer. 1st Michigan, Col. Charles H. Town. 5th INIichigan, Col. Russell A. Alger. Gth Michigan, Col. George Gray. 7th Michigan (ten companies). Col. William D. Mann. HORSE ARTILLERY. First Brigade. Capt. James M. Robertson. i)th Michigan Battery, Capt. Jabez J. Daniels, fith New York Battery, Capt. Joseph W. Martin. 2d United States, Batteries B and L, Jjieut. Edward Heaton. 2d United States, Battery INL Lieut. A. C. M. Pennington, Jr. 4th United States, Battery E, Lieut. Samuel S. Elder. Second Brigade. Capt. John C. Tidball. 1st United States, Batteries E and G, Capt. Alanson M. Randol. 1st United States. Battery K, Capt. William M. Graham. 2d United States. Battery A, Lieut. John H. Calef. 3d United States, Battery C,§ Lieut. William D. Fuller. •Served with the Sixth Army Corps and on the right flank, t Serving as light artillery. tAt Westminster, etc., and not engaged in the battle. 8WUh Huey's Cavalry Brigade, and not engaged In battle. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg 153 ARTILLERY RESERVE. Brig. Gen. Robert O. Tyler. Capt. James M. Robertson. E eailquarters Guard. 32(1 Massachusetts Infantry, Company C, Capt. Josiah C. Fuller. First Regular Brigade. Capt. Dunbar R. Ransom. 1st United States, Battery H: Lieut. Chandler P. Eakin. Lieut, rhilip D. Mason. 3d United States, Batteries F and K, Lieut. Jolin G. Turnbull. 4th United States, Battery C, Lieut. Evan Thomas. 5th United States, Battery C, Lieut. Gulian V. Weir. First Volunteer Brigade. Lieut. Col. Freeman McGilvery. Massachusetts . Lijjht, 5th Battery (E),* Capt. Charles A. Phillips. Massachusetts Light, 9th Battery: Capt. John Bigelow. Lieut. Richard S. Milton. New York Ivight, 15th Battery, Capt. Patrick Hart. Pennsylvania Light, Batteries C and F, Capt. James Thompson. Second Volunteer Brigade. Capt. Elijah D. Taft. 1st Connecticut Heavy, Battery B,t Capt. Albert F. Brooker. 1st Connecticut Heavy, Battery M,t Capt. Franklin A. Pratt. Connecticut Light, 2d Battery, Capt. John W. Sterling. New York Light, 5th Battery, Capt. Elijah D. Taft. Third Volunteer Brigade. Capt. James F. Huntington. New Hampshire Liglit, 1st Battery, Capt. Frederick M. Edgell. 1st Ohio Light, Battery H, Lieut. George W. Norton. 1st Pennsylvania Light, Batteries F and G, Capt. R. Bruce Rick- etts. West Virginia Light, Battery C, Capt. Wallace Hill. Fourth Volunteer Brigade. Capt. Robert H. Fitzhugh. Maine Light, 6th Battery (F), Lieut. Edwin B. Dow. Maryland Light. Battery A, Capt. James H. Rigby. New Jersey Light, 1st Battery, Lieut. Augustin N. Parsons. 1st New Y'ork Light, Battery G, Capt. Nelson Ames. 1st New York Liglit, Battery K,t Capt. Robert H. Fitzhugh. Train Guard, 4th New Jersey Infantry (seven companies), Maj. Charles Ewing. *10th New York battery attached. fNot engaged. JEleventh New York Battery attached. 154 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. RETURN OF CASUALTIES IN THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, COMMANDED BY MAJ.-GEN. GEORGE G. MEADE, U. S. ARMY, AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, JULY 1-3, 1863.* GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. Staff 2 2 4 FIRST ARMY CORPS. === ^" ^^' === ^ Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds. Maj. Gen. Abner Doubleday. Maj. Gen. John Newton. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS. Staff ...I ■. i' 1 2 1st Maine Cavalrj'. Company L 2 3 FIRST DIVISION. Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth. First Brigaae. Brig. Gen, Solomon Meredith. Col. Wii.i-iAM W. Robinson. 1 12 13 "i 10 2 8 1 2 25 59 25 28 21 121 197 144 109 95 4 3 5 ""'i' 46 83 47 233 168 7th Wisconsin 178 Total First Brigade 13 158 ■ii 666 13 249 1,153 Second Brigade. ==-z= Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler. 2 30 IS 7 57 13 ■■'ie' 6 8 9 5 5 116 99 54 135 56 ...... ....„ 3 70 99 45 92 54 2 84th New York (14th Militia) 217 95th New Yorl{ '. 147th New Yorlt 3 1 Total Seoond Brigade 6 122 44 465 2 363 1,002 Total First Division 19 m 98 1,131 IB 612 2,155 SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. John G. R()nix.s the destinies of a tiiousand years of national life. Like Marmout's race with the English across tlie Spanish peninsula, the two opposing hosts had bent every collec- tive energy to the task of reaching an advantageous position lor a Udrtliern campaign. But across the path of the rebel chieftain, Meade had swung his magnificent army. Ijce, careful, sleepless, tireless in his patient vigi- lance, mustering the pride of the Confederate hosts under his banner, strove to transplant from the bleeding bosom of his native state to the hills and valleys of I'ennsylvauia, the eating canker of civil war. Every man com- prehended with more or less clearness the importance of the h6ur, and the veterans of our own gallajit regiment fought only as brave and deter- mined men can light in defense of their homes and their country. As they neared the position to which they were subsequently to be as- signed, crossing the field and the meadow, they heard for the first time of the death of the gallant Reynolds. Having gone forward in advance of the troops to select position for 'the impending conflict, he was killed by a rebel bullet before the fight began. No braver, truer man ever fell in the line of duty on the brink of a great battle. Had it been his to lead the brave men, whom he had so often led, in that bloody fray that followed, those who knew him best knew full well how to the laurels already gathered he would have added imperishable fame. By noon the regiment had taken its position on Seminary Ridge, south of the railroad cut. Scarcely had it halted in this position when General Baxter received an order from General Robinson to send forward two regiments to check the enemy who was ad- vancing on the north side of the railroad cut. The Eleventh Pennsylvania and the Ninety-seventh New York, Colonel Coulter in command, were selected for that purpose. Crossing the railroad and moving forward and to the right about a quarter of a mile, they met the advancing foe, held him in check, and prevented him from occupying the position he was so eager to obtain. It was at tills point that tlie old Eleventh Pennsylvania and the Ninety- seventh New York charged and captured part of a brigade of North Caro- linians. But the work so well done on this part of the field, and which was so essential to the final success of the Union arms in this great con- test, was not accomplished without sacrifice. A list of the casualties will give some idea of the fierceness of the conflict. About 3 o'clock your speaker was wounded and retired to the hospital in the town of Gettysburg. Soon after this our troops fell back to Cemetery Hill, south of the town, where they particii)ated, with the main body of the army, in the contest of the second and third days. Those of you who were present and took part in the first day's conflict will panh.n me when I mention the personal bravery of that grand old man, Colonel \Vlieelock, of the Ninety-seventh New York. lie was taken i)risonor on the afternoon of the first day, but made his escape a few days later. Surviving the perils of the battle-field, he has since joined the innumerable hosts who have pitched their tents upon the eternal plains on the other side. While occupying a hotly-contested position on Cemetery Hill, Colonel Coulter was ordered to the command of the First Brigade. Not wishing to Pcnn.1. The "tocsin of war had sounded." The cry to arms had nnerberated throughout tlie land. Fathers, hus- bands, brothers and sons turned their backs upon their children, their wives, their parents and all that was dearest to them on earth, and rushed impulsively to the defense of the Union. To show how spontaneous and liow general this outburst of patriotism was, it may be stated that be- tween July 27, 18G1, and October 27 (a period of three mouths), there were added to the army then organizing, about 120,000 men; and that in De- cember following there were in the vicinity of Washington and in the Shenandoah Valley over 200,000 men in battle array. Washington and its suburbs Avas one grand encampment. Troops from every loyal state were being marshalled and prepared for active service. General (leorgc B. McClellau, whom we familiarly called "Little Mac," owing to his success in West Virginia, in the summer of ISGl, had been called to Washington to organize and commuf;h no enemy was seen Pcnnsi/lvauia at Gctti/shurg. 183 until we readied Yorktown. I'ending the siege of that phice we were occupied in watching \\'arwielc river. Tlie battle of Williamsburg followed the evacuation of Yorktown, and our brigade, after marching all day througli a drizzling rain and mud ankle-deep, reached the battle-field in time to support some of Hooker's troops in making their final charge. Before we had advanced far enough from Fortress Monroe to see the enemy, General (.Iraham was relieved from duty and General Wessells, also of the regular army, put in command of the brigade. General Wes- sells was in a short time succeeded by another regular offlcei". General Abercrombie, who was with us at Fair Oaks, and retained the command until after the second battle of Bull Run, fought by General Pope. We crossed the Chickahominy at Bottom's bridge about the 25tli of May, and advanced within five miles of Richmond, where, at Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, on the 31st of May, was fought the first important and severe battle of the campaign. In this battle the regiments of our brigade were separated. We were encamped along the Nine Mile road, extending from Seven Pines, on the Williamsburg pike, to Fair Oaks Station, on the Rich- mond and York River railroad. Owing to the suddenness of the enemy's attack, the Twenty-third Penn- sylvania and the Sixty-seventh New Y'ork were thrown forward, while marching towards Fair Oaks on the Nine Mile road, into a dense pine grove on the left, through which the enemy was advancing. They succeeded, with the Thirty-first Pennsylvania and Sixty-first Pennsylvania, already in line, in checking that advance, but were subsequently forced to retire with very heavy losses. In this onslaught the Sixty-first Pennsylvania lost its colonel (Rippey) and was badly cut up. Their resolute stand, however, en- abled the rest of the brigade to reach Fair Oaks Station, where, after holding position a short time, the Thirty-first Pennsylvania and Sixty-first Pennsylvania having previously taken position in advance of their camps near the railroad station, they were withdrawn under the personal super- vision of General Couch, the division commander, with a section of Brady's Battery, the Sixty-second New York, Colonel Riker, and the Seventh Massa- chusetts, Colonel Russell, along the road leading to the Grape Vine bridge, so far as the Adams House. The Thirty-first Pennsylvania, the Sixty-fifth New York and two com- panies of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, which had been on the picket-line, were posted in the order named on the right of the road facing and on the edge of a dense woods, while the Sixty-second New Y'ork, Brady's guns and the Seventh Massachusetts were posted in the order named on the left of the road, on a knoll overlooking an open field and Hanking the woods along which the first-named regiments had been formed. The enemy's advance through the piece of woods was resolute and per- sistent. Regiment after regiment was brought forward to drive us back and get on tlie flank of Brady's guns, but without avail. The dogged ten- acity with which the men of the Thirty-first Pennsylvania, the Chasseurs and the Sixty-first Pennsylvania clung to their position, outmatched the fierceness of the enemy's assault. Despairing of success in their efforts to flank the artillery, the enemy essayed a direct attack, but with no better success, althougli a few dead 184 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. rebels were found within twenty-yards of the muzzles of the guns. This attack was made about two o'clock in the afternoon, and so sudden that the brigade commander, General Abercrombie, was caught in the woods between the lines and received a slight wound in the face. Between four and five o'clock the leading brigade of Sedgwick's Division and Kirby's Bat- tery of twelve-pounders, which had crossed the Chickahomiuy on the Grape Vine bridge, arrived on the field. The infantry were posted on the right and in the rear of our line, and the artillery on the knoll beside Brady's two guns. Other infantry were put in position on the left of the artillery, and connection made with the troops which had been forced back by the impetuosity of the assault. Fresh troops were advanced by the enemy and the battle raged until dark, but not an inch of ground was yielded. The conduct of our men in this battle furnishes an example of the benefits derived from proper instruction and rigid discipline. Under guidance of their officers, they reserved their fire until the enemy could be seen through the thicket in front of them. As a result, a large proportion of the shots were effective. The Chasseur Regi- ment captured a battle flag and the next morning buried over one hundred rebels found in their front. The following day the brigade was again united and moved to an ad- vanced position. On the 2Gth of June the extreme right of our army at Mechanicsville was attacked by the rebels in force, and from that time until July 1st, when the battle of Malvern Hill was fought, we experienced all the trials and sufferings incident to a forced march of six days, without sleep, shelter or regular food. At Malvern Hill, our division, having been among the first to ai-rive, was naturally assigned the most important posi- tion. Three several times it was assailed by the rebels, who were repulsed with fearful loss. On the right of the line, held by Couch's Division, the Chasseur Regiment was at one time compelled to change front under fire, and did it with such wonderful coolness and precision as to command the admiration and the compliments of the brigade commander. The six weeks encampment of the Army of the Potomac at Harrison's Landing, on the James river, its transfer to the city of Washington, the part it took in supporting Pope's army in the second battle of Bull Run, and its subsequent reorganization by General McClellan, furnish nothing of special note in reference to our brigade, except that Brigadier-General John Cochrane, who had been promoted from the colonelcy of the Chasseur Regi- ment after the battle of Fair Oaks, was put in command of our brigade in the place of General Abercrombie, Avho had been assigned to duty at Centerville, after Pope's campaign, and Couch's Division was transferred to the Sixth Corps, commanded by General Franklin. In the reorganization of the army, early in September, while on the march, the One Hundred and twenty-second New York regiment, Colonel Silas Titus, was added to our brigade, and we became the First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps. After the defeat of Pope at Manassas, Lee boldly struck out northward, in the direction of Leesburg, necessitating great caution on the part of McClellan, who had been again verhally placed in command of the troops about Washington, embracing those designated as the Army of Virginia. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 185 The battle-field of Antietam was reached by our brigade early in the afternoon of the 17th of September, after a tramp through Pleasant Valley and up to the top of Marylaud Heights, in search of the rebel General McLaws, on one of the hottest dajs and over the dustiest road we had ever marched. At Antietam we relieved that part of the line to the right of a corn-field and immediately in front of Dunker Church. This line we occupied until the morning of the 19th, when our division was put in pursuit of the fleeing rebels, the rear guard of which we had a fight with, and drove across the river at Williamsport. McClellan's tardiness after the battle of Antietam caused much uneasi- ness and great dissatisfaction with the authorities at Washington, and resulted in his being relieved at Warrenton, and General Burnside being placed in command of the Army of the Potomac on the 9th of November, 1862. Upon the reorganization of the army which followed, General Couch was assigned to the command of the Second Corps and General John Newton to the command of the Third Division, Sixth Corps. In the calamitous failure of Burnside's attack on Fredericksburg. De- cember 13th to 15th, the Sixth Corps, then in command of General W. F. Smith, popularly known as "Baldy Smith," formed a part of the Left Grand Division, cojnmanded by General Franklin. We crossed the Rappahannock about three miles below the city, near the Bernard House, and supported General Meade in his attack upon the enemy's right, without serious loss, although constantly under a heavy artillery fire. On the 20th of January following. General Burnside con- sidered that "the auspicious moment. had arrived" and issued his orders for recrossing the Rappahannock at Banks' Ford. No sooner had the troops broken camp than the rain commenced to fall in torrents, and, after flound- ering around a whole day, they returned to camp at night, having added nothing to our prestige or that of the commanding general, and nothing to history, except the record of a "mud march." General Burnside's retirement from the command of the army soon fol- lowed, and General Hooker, already known as "Fighting Joe" for his gal- lant and persistent assaults upon the rebel earthworks at Williamsburg, on the Peninsula, and at South Mountain and Antietam, superseded him. Then followed another reorganization of the army, in which the Sixty-first Pennsylvania was taken from our bi-igade and made a part of the Light Brigade, organized for special purposes. The resignation of General Coclirane, on the 1st of March, 1863, placed the speaker in command of the brigade. General Hooker's first field operation was an effort to crush the Army of Northern Virginia at Chan- cellorsville. It was a part of his plan to have Sedgwick, who now commanded the Sixth Corps, assault and carry the Heights of Fredericsburg, move out on the road to Chancellorsville, and strike the rear of Lee's army while he, Hooker, engaged it in front. For that purpose the Sixth Corps crossed the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg, near the old Franklin crossing, on April 29th, and on the night of Saturday, May 2d, at 1 a. m., commenced a flank march into Fredericksburg. ISG Pcn)}.ii tlic road to rhanceljnrsvijle. The enemy's occupation of Salem Heights stopped our ad- Pennsylvania at Gcttyshurij. IS7 vance, and in the battle Avhicli cnsiiod we took position in an open field to the right of the road, ■which \vas hold until the evening of the 4th, when the whole corps recrossed the IlappahaniKick at Banks' Ford and returned to our old camps. Throughout this siiurt campaign the conduct of the ofhcers and men of our brigade was everything that could be desired; and it was through no fault of theirs or any other part of the Sixth Corps, that Hooker's first campaign came to such an inglorious end. Fredericksburg and Chancellorsvillc had so improved the morale of the rebel army which had been reinforced by two of Longstreet's divisions from the James river and a large number of conscripts from Richmond, that Lee determined upon an invasion of the North. This threw the Army of the Potomac on the defensive. So, on the 13th of June, Hooker broke up his camp on the Rappahannock and moved northward. The Sixth Corps had, on the Gth of that mouth, again crossed the river at the Bernard House, and for a week observed the movements of the rebels who occupied the defenses of Fredericksburg Heights, but recrossed and followed the main army on the 14th by forced marches until the vicinity of Washington was reached. The Potomac river was crossed at Edwards' Ferry on the 26th of June, and the march of the army directed on Frederick City. About this same time differences arose between General Halleck at Washington and General Hooker, in relation chiefly to the disposition of the forces at Harper's Ferry, and General Hooker asked to be i-elieved. General George G. Meade, then commanding the Fifth Corps, was immediately placed in command of the army. From Frederick City our corps marked to Manchester, which would have been the extreme right of the army if Meade's line of battle had been formed along Pipe creek, as some suppose he had intended. But events occurred which deteriuined Gettysburg to be the ground upon which was to be fought the mightiest and most sanguinary battle of modern times. The operations of the First and Eleventh Corps on Seminary Ridge, where Reynolds lost his life, on the 1st of July, were important, in that they pre- vented the rebels from occupying the favorable ground upon which our army was subsequently formed for battle. On the night of the 1st of July our corps was at Manchester thirty-six miles away. At 9 o'clock in the evening we started for Gettysburg and did not halt for any length of time until we reached Rock creek which crosses the Baltimore pike about a mile from here. There we rested and made coffee. Resuming the march we moved to the base of Little Round Top, where the Fifth Corps was stemming the rebel current which had forced back portions of the Third Corps. Two of our brigades were imme- diately thrown forward to the relief of the I^ifth Corps, while the rest were placed in a line of reserve. Before leaving Manchester, our division commander, General Newton, took leave of us and went immediately to the front to assume command of the First Corps in the place of General Reynolds, who had been killed that morning, and General Wheaton, by virtue of his rank assumed command of this division. This march of the Sixth Corps, of thirty-six miles in seventeen hours on a sultry summer night and morning, is probably the most memorable one of the war. When we consider the load which a soldier carries on the 188 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg, march, even in light marching order, the absence in the field of all com- forts which he enjoyed at home, and the peril to life and limb which con- stantly surrounds him, we cannot but admire the pluck and courage with which he undertakes the most difficult and perilous tasks and honor him for the sacrifices he makes. About sunrise on the morning of the 3d, our brigade was ordered to Gulp's Hill to aid General Geary of the Twelfth Corps, in retaking the works on the extreme right, occupied by the enemy during the previous night The seriousness of Longstreet's attack upon our left induced General Mi-ade to order reinforcements from General Slocum, commanding on this part of the field, which necessitated the evacuation of a part of the line before established. These works were seized by the wily enemy, and at daylight our troops undertook to dislodge him and drive him back. Upon reporting to General Geary, our brigade was formed in the open field, just in rear of the line of defenses, in a column of battalions de- ployed. After a personal reconnaissance by General Geary and the brigade commander, the One Hundred and twenty-second New York, Colonel Titus commanding, was directed to relieve the One Hundred and eleventh Penn- sylvania, then occupying a position in the front line. This position they held for two hours and a half under a very severe fire, losing many in killed and wounded, and were tiien relieved by the Eighty-second Pennsyl- vania, Colonel Bassett. At 9.20 a. m., the Twenty-third Pennsylvania, Lieutenant-Colonel Glenn commanding, was placed in position to support the front line. Three hours later five companies of this regiment, under a galling fire of musketry, were advanced into the breastworks and, after silencing the enemy's fire, sent out a line of skirmishers, which, however, were promptly recalled, the enemy still being in line of battle in close prox- imity to our works. At 11 a. m. the Sixty-seventh New York, Colonel Cross, marched into the breastworks from which the enemy were then fleeing, and succeeded in capturing about twenty prisoners. At 11.15 a. m., the Chasseur Regiment (Sixty-fifth New York), Colonel Hamblin, occupied a position in support of the Twenty-third Pennsylvania. About 3 p. m. all of our regiments were relieved by others belonging to the Twelfth Corps. Longstreet's attack upon our left, and Ewell's attack upon our right had both failed; and now a desperate attempt to pierce our center was to be made. As a prelude to the grand assault of Pickett's Division, one hun- dred and fifteen pieces of artillery opened their murderous fire upon our lines, and were responded to by about eighty of our own guns. With the order and steadiness of troops on parade, Pickett's lines moved out in view and commenced to advance across the open field to a point just south of the Cemetery grounds marked by a clump of trees. No sooner was the point of his attack made manifest, than every available Union battery was trained upon his columns. The carnage which ensued was terrible; but on they came, alternately wavering, staggering, rallying and pressing for- ward, until the rebel General Armistead found himself pierced by a rifle shot within our own lines, followed by a few hundred of the most fortunate and courageous of his men who became prisoners of war. It was while this was being enacted, that our brigade was called from this position on the rigiit, to traverse the field and report to General Newton, commanding Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 189 the First Corps, at the left center, near the point of Pickett's assault. After the repulse of this infantry charge, the rebel batteries kept up a tantalizing but irregular fire; and one of the last shots fired lost to the Twenty-third regiment one of its most promising young officers. Lieutenant Garsed. A solid shot literally tore him to pieces. Before darkness had slirouded the field, the roar of artillery and the rattling of musketry had ceased. The great battle of the war had been fought. The stillness of the night was broken only by the groans of the wounded and dying, and the rumbling of ammunition and commissary wagons. The losses in both armies amounted to about 50,000 men, equal to one-third of all the number engaged. The rebel army was now compelled to abandon all the hopes which its scheme of invasion had inspired; and bitter as the alternative was, its retreat Avas imperative. So, after spending the fourth day in burying the dead and caring for the wounded, it silently and sullenly retired from our front on the morning of the fifth, and the Sixth Corps was sent out on the Fairfield road in pursuit. Lee's rear guard was overtaken in a pass of the South Mountain range, but was not pm-sued beyond it, General Meade having determined to keep his army on the east side of that range. It crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry and Berlin, July 17th and 18th, and moved along the east of Blue Ridge, while Lee retreated up the Shen- andoah Valley, west of Blue Ridge, and finally encamped in the vicinity of Culpeper Court House. The Army of the Potomac went into camp about Warrenton, Vii'giuia. In an address which I had the honor of dehvering upon these grounds two years ago, on the occasion of the unveiling of the monument of tlie Twenty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, I took occasion to refer to an in- justice which had been uuintentioually done us in the report of the battle by the army commander. As the remarks I then made in reference to the Twenty-thii-d Regiment are applicable to each and all the regiments of our brigade, I quote them veriatim. After speaking a word of praise in behalf of General Doubleday, of the First Corps, and General Sickles, of the Third Corps, for the services they rendered on the first and second days respectively, I say, "And while claiming this special recognition for them, I have a less pleasing, but to you a more important duty, to perform, and that is, to demand an official recognition of the services, in this battle, of the brigade to which you were attached. The student who in future years peruses the official reports and records in the War Department, will there find recorded, over the signature of the commander of the Army of the Potomac, that in the battle of Gettysburg Wheaton's Brigade was ordered to the right, to aid in driving back the enemy and in retaking the works. In other words, the troops of Wheaton's Brigade were credited, in the oflJeial report of the battle, with the service performed by your bri- gade. Upon learning of this error, I spoke to General Meade about it, at an ar^ny reunion, held in Boston nine years after the battle, and he prom- ised to have his report corrected. I spoke also to General Wheaton of the credit he had received at another's expense, and of the injustice done the regiments of the First Brigade. He promised that he would write to General Meade upon the subject, but I am not informed that either of the 190 rcnnsylvania at Udtynhury. promises wore fultilleil. As our great laiuciited rresideut (Liiuulii) said, iu coiunieutiuf,' iu»on the battle. 'There was glory enough lor all.' Xo excuse, therefore, cau be given for withholding from any of the troops engaged the full measure of credit due them, much less should one organi- zation be glorified at the expense of another. In justice to the memory of those brave men whose heroic services you this day commemorate, and iu justice to ymi who have been permitted to survive them, and to perform tiiis act of soldierly love and friendship, I protest against the wrong which has been done. 1 may be answered that it matters little, so far as the brigade is coucerned, since the survivors have erected tablets upon one of the grounds they occupied in this battle. Is it of no consetiuence to the relatives and friends of those who have died for their country, to their comrades who have survived them, to the officers wlio connnandcd them, that tlie official reports are silent as to the services of the organization with wiiicli they fought and died? Nay, more; that such reports should actually give to another organization credit for services which cost them so many lives? For years and perhaps ages to come, the archives of the war will be perused and studied by historians and military students in search of material with which to compile history or solve military problems; and must it be said to them, that the records are unreliable — that to ascer- tain the services of any particular organization of the army, a visit must be made to the battle-fields, and the monuments and tablets consulted? Such a confession would be humiliating, but it must be made, so far as it relates to the ser%'ices of the First Brigade, Third Division, Sixth Corps, in the battle of Gettysburg. And, if I am correctly informed, in reference to other organizations also. A greater value attaches, therefore, to the testimonials you this day dedicate, than you probably anticipated, for it corrects the record; more than that, it stands alone as the only record accessible to all, that our brigade fought and suffered in this part of the field in the greatest battle of llie war." On the 7th of November following, an advance movement was ordered, and the right wing of the army, composed of tlic Fii'th and Sixth Corps under the command of General Sedgwick, was moved to a point on the river called Rappahannock Station, at which point the enemy occupied a series of earthworks on the north side of the river, consisting of two or three redoubts and a long line of rifle-pits or trenches. The approach to these works was over an open field, which could be swept by the enemy's guns for a considerable distance in every direction, and as the head of our colunnis debouched from the woods to deploy in line of battle, they furnished a splendid target for the rebel guiniers' practice. The scene was grand beyond description. When the speaker entered the open fi(>ld, the Fifth and part of the Sixth Coriis were already in line of l)allh\ witli flags flying and bayonets glistening in tiie sunlight of a beantirul nutuniii day, having the appearance of troops on dress parade rather tliaii formed for deadly conflict. Like Ilumplireys' tactical movements of his division on the field of Gettys- burg, our brigade was closed up and, without halting, advanced and de- ployed in the position assigned it, having only the sound of the enemy's guns to keep step with. Without delay our brigade was ordered to drive in the rebel sharpshooters and secure the possession of a knoll in the right Pennsylvania at Octtysburg. 191 and front for the occupation of a battery. This was quickly done, and soon after the battery was established, a column of attack was formed from the Sixth Corps and put in command of General Russell. Colonel Upton led the column with his regiment, and made one of the most bril- liant and successful charges ever made upon any field. He not only cap- tured the whole line of works, but with it some sixteen hundred prisoners, six battle-flags and many pieces of artillery and small arms. His attacking column numbered only fifteen hundred. The services of our brigade as well as those of Upton's troops, were made the subject of a complimentary order from corps headquarters. The next move of importance was Meade's effort to interpose his army between the two wings of Lee's army, and for that purpose directed the various corps to cross the Rapidan at different points, the Sixth at Jacobs' Mill Ford, which they did on the 27th of November. Our division was ordered to report to General Warren, to aid him in outflanking, if possible, the enemy's right. Sunday, November 29th, found us in what was then considered a favor- able position from which to attack, and orders were issued for Warren to do so at 8 o'clock next morning. But when morning came things were changed. Lee had entrenched himself in our front and planted batteries on our left. The flankers were outflanked, and Warren's heart failed him. . As he told the speaker afterwards, "he had not the courage to attack." But he had the courage to sacrifice himself rather than his men. He as- sumed the responsibihty of suspending the attack, and General Meade sub- sequently justified him. Thus ended the brief winter campaign of Mine Run and we returned to our old camps. During December, ISG.S, while in camp at Brandy Station, the Govern- ment called upon the three-years' men, two years of service having ex- pired, to re-enlist for three years from that date or the war. This call Avas responded to by the men of our regiments, with remarkable unanimity and promptitude, nearly two-thirds in the aggregate voluntarily offering to continue their services until the last rebel laid down his arms. In January, 1864, our brigade was ordered to Sandusky, Ohio, to prevent an anticipated attempt to liberate the rebel ofl:icers confined on Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bay, and remained there until the 12th of April, 1864, when brigade headquarters and three regiments (the Sixty-fifth, Sixty- seventh and One Hundred and twenty-second New York) proceeded to re- join the army at Brandy Station. During our absence from the army, the old Third Division was disbanded, and we were assigned to the First Division commanded by General H. G. Wright, constituting the Fourth Brigade ot that division. Grant's overland cami)aign to Richmond began at midnight, the 3d of May. Our brigade, or rather the three regiments of it in camp, crossed the Rapidan on the 4th in charge of an ammunition train which was parked a short distance in rear of the line of battle formed by the Fifth and Sixth Corps in the Wilderness, and at midnight on the 5th, moved forward and repoi-ted to our division commander. He assigned us to a position on the extreme right in support of General Seymour, who commanded the troops at that point. An advance of the line about 8 o'clock in the morning of 14 192 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. the 6th, so shortened it that in order to retain possession of a prominence on our flank, our regiments had to be placed in the front line, thus presenting to the enemy a single attenuated line where a strong, well-supported one should have been. Early in the day we were called upon to send a regi- ment a little to the left, to the aid of General Neill's Brigade which was being hard pressed. The Sixtj--seventh New York was sent in, and returned in about an hour, having lost about one hundred men in that short time. Much anxiety was felt throughout the day for the safety of this flank which was practically in the air, guarded only by a skirmish line thrown around the rear, and subsequent events justified that anxiety. The attention of corps head- quarters was repeatedly called to its weakness, but for reasons unknown to the speaker no troops were sent to us, and it was an easy matter, there- fore, when a brigade of Ewell's Corps, under General Gordon, about 6 o'clock in the evening, drove in our skirmishers, to also double up our single line of infantry. A few officers and men of each of our three regi- ments were captured, and many killed and wounded. The able-bodied who escaped capture, reformed a line along the wood road which crossed our line of battle perpendicularly, a few yards to the left. The brigade commander in reconnoitering on the borders of this road, with more zeal than caution rode into the enemy's lines and was cap- tured. This terminated his services with the brigade in which he had served since the organization of the army, and to which he had become dearly attached. The command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Nelson Cross, of the Sixty-seventh New York. In the successful assaults at Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor, and the defense of North Anna, which followed the battle of the Wilderness, its reputation was fully sustained. Throughout the trials encountered in the change of base to the south side of the James, and the besieging of Peters- burg, its patience and its power of endurance was manifest; and when a detached column under General Early, early in July again threatened the National Capital, the confidence of the army commander in its prowess, and its devotion to the cause secured the transfer of the Sixth Corps to the point of danger. The old residents of Washington will never forget with what celerity the rebel general was made to retire from the front of the Capital and subsequently beat an inglorious retreat up the Shenandoah Valley, before the war-scarred veterans of the Sixth Corps, which, by the celerity of its movements, had become known as Sedgwick's Cavalry. After this short campaign we find the brigade back again among its veteran comrades of tlie army, hammering away at the defenses of Peters- burg, until on Sunday morning, April 2d, the final charge upon the works is made. The signal success of the Sixth Corps in this charge, not only carrying the line of defense in their front, but sweeping to the left and capturing a long line, thousands of prisoners and many guns, and subse- quently turning to the right again, driving everything before it, until the enemy were encircled within their last cordon of defenses, was the first of the series of staggering blows which ultimately determined the fate of the Confederacy. The parallel race with Lee's army, which soon followed, gave another proof of its marching qualities. But it was at Sailor's Creek, Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 193 a few (laj-s later, where the fortunes of war gave to the Sixth Corps the final opportunity to make still more brilliant its record by crushing forever and utterly destroying its ancient antagonist. It is not a little remarkable, but the fact is without dispute, that the Sixth Corps was confronted, in its four years of battling, oftener by Ewell's Corps than by any other in the rebel army. There seemed, therefore, a providential dispensation in the circumstances which placed it in tlie power of the Sixth Corps, at Sailor's Creek, Virginia, on the 0th of April, 1805, to compel General Ewell and all that remained of his corps, to lay down their arms and become prisoners of war. The crowning glory of a brilliant record. During the period of its services, the integrity of our brigade was pre- served from beginning to end. While, by reorganizations of the army, and the necessities of the service, whole corps and divisions were broken up and disbanded, our brigade organization continued intact. Regiments were added to it and taken from it, indeed, to such an extent that but one of the original regiments retained its identity in the brigade until the dis- bandment of the corps and final muster out. The Twenty-tliird Pennsyl- vania was mustered out at the close of the Valley campaign, its re-enlisted men being transferred to the Eighty-second Regiment. The Thirty-first Pennsylvania became the Eighty-second Pennsylvania. The Sixty-seventh New York, was mustered out at the end of three years, and the re-enlisted men were transferred to the Sixty-fifth New York. The One Hundred and twenty-second New York was not an original member, but joined in the summer of 1802, and was transferred to BidAvell's Brigade of the Second Division, Sixth Corps, in the summer of 1804. The Sixty-first Pennsylvania was taken to make up a Light Brigade, and never returned to us. The Sixty-fifth New York (First United States Chasseurs, as it was called), was, therefore, the only one of all of the original members which retained its identity through four long years of war, and until the final disbandment of the army and muster out. It is said that this was the last regiment of the Army of the Potomac mustered out. Upon the muster out of the Sixty-seventh New York, Colonel Cross retired from the service, and the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Joe E. Hamblin, of the Sixty-fifth New York, than whom a more gallant and faithful officer could not be found in the service. In this hastily prepared and imperfect record of the services of our bri- gade, it may be considered not improper to speak of the qualities of some of the colonels of the regiments which composed it. It is a matter of his- torical record, which may be alluded to here, without disparagement to others. Most of them showed a capacity and talent for military service which sooner or later secured for them deserved promotion. Colonel David B. Biruey, of the Twenty-third Pennsylvania, was made brigadier-general and major-general of volunteers. Colonel Thomas H. Neill, of the same regiment, was made brigadier-general and brevet major-general. Colonel John Ely, also of the same regiment, was made a brevet brigadier-general and brevet major-general. Colonel Nelson Cross, of the Sixty-seventh New York, was made brevet brigadier-general and brevet major-general. Colonel John Cochrane, of the Sixty-fifth New York, was made brigadier-general. 194 rcnusyhania at Getlysbiinj. Colonel Alexander Slialer and Colonel Joe E. Hamblin, of the same regi- ment, were made brigadier-generals and brevet major-generals of volunteers. Having through the fortunes of war boon separated from the brigade during the last year of its service, a period in which promotions would be most likely to occur, I have referred to those only of which I have personal knowledge. No brigade in the army was more fortunate in the quality of its officers; and, very many, too many to refer to here by name, were, for th«ir superior talent and ability, for their gallant conduct, and for long and faithful services, promoted to iiigher grades, detailed to staff duty, and assigned to other special and honorable services. The case of Lieutenant-Colonel Dwight, of the One Hundred and twenty- second New York, was one of unrewarded merit. He gallantly commanded the regiment in nearly all its battles, and until it was reduced below the number for which a colonel could be mustered, and was finally killed in front of Petersburg, without having received the promotion which he had repeatedly earned and was justly entitled to. The brigade was equally fortunate in the composition of its staff. Captain William P. Roome, assistant adjutant-general; Captain Samuel Truesdell, assistant inspector-general; Captain George W. Ford, assistant quarter- master, and Captain Nat. Ellmaker, commissary of subsistence, were all officers of the highest qualities, possessing especial fitness for their respec- tive positions. They served throughout with unsurpassed zeal and faithful- ness, and retired honored and respected by all with whom they had inter- course. To commemorate the services of this noble body of men upon this field of battle, and to dedicate memorials to their fallen comrades we have met to-day. In looking back, visions pass before us like a dream. We see the demon of war with haughty mien uplift his arm to assail our national e.xistence. Rebellious hordes are marshalled for unholy conquest. With rapid strides and swift approaches the swelling ranks besiege our capital. Indignant loyalty with glaring astonishment nerves herself for defense. Liberty is fettered and affrighted peace seeks safety in flight. To arms! to arms! the people cry, The danger to our Capital is nigh. With sentiments akin to filial love, the masses with one accord uprise and bid defiance. The conflict rages. Death, devastation and destruction revel. Gloom and sorrow prevail. Portentous clouds of darkness envelop us. Evil spirits, with hellish intent, pursue unchallenged their damnable ways. The angels mourn, and all nature in darkness weeps. But see, a silver lining appears. Peering with hopeful aspect, Peace, with olive branch extended, seeks audience. In the distance seething masses of armed men struggle for mastery. With diminished force rebellion aims her blows, and finally sinks to rise no more. Victory perches on Loyalty's crest. Homeward turns the Spartan band, heroes all! Halos of glory illumine the sky. Loved ones meet in joyous ecstacy. Liberty and peace have resumed their places. The dream has passed, but stern reality bids us inquire, where is father, brother and son? In yonder graves they lie, victims of disloyalty and martyrs for their country. I>et us keep their memories green, and BIEN a CO. NEW YOR PennsyUania at Gettysburg. 195 each recurring year cover them with immortelles and sweet-scented flowers. And let us not forget the living heroes. Let us remember that to them we are indebted for the blessings of peace and prosperity which our re- united country now enjoys. Let us remember that the "stars on our banner grew suddenly dim," and that it was the private soldier who re- stored to them their luster, and palsied the hand which attempted their obliteration. While our children are taught to revere that emblem of unity and strength, let them also be taught the danger of assailing it. Teach them to honor its defenders, and if in after time it should again be threat- ened, let them emulate the patriotic example set by their fathers on this hallowed spot. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 26'^^ REGIMENT INFANTRY ADDRESS OF PRIVATE THOMAS V. COOPER COMRADES and survivors of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Volun- teers — We are gathered here upon an occasion made doubly patriotic by the law and the pride of our State to perform a most patriotic work — to dedicate a monument to the valor of our dead comrades and the heroism of a regiment which was the first of the three-year organizations, and which, if patriotism can be measured, first saw that the war for the Union meant continued hardship, sacrifice and bravery. Almost its entire membership came from Philadelphia and the adjoining county of Delaware. The record of its intentions stands out as the grandest, in its example to the other long-term commands which quickly followed. The record of its deeds is synonymous with that of the Army of the Potomac, save at Gettys- burg, the greatest battle known to modern history, and here it excelled all other Pennsylvania regiments in its losses in killed and wounded, in pro- portion to the number engaged, and the losses of the Pennsylvania com- mands excelled those of any other in the Union Army. You all remember how, during the long march through Virginia and Maryland to the battle- field, at the nightly bivouacs every element of State pride and likewise every feature of National love were summoned to support the universal proposi- tion that there would be no recession upon Northern soil. History records the fact that there was none, and it is within the per- sonal knowledge of all the survivors of the Twenty-sixth that the Third Corps, to the last man, stood its ground, and even refused to fall back, when the fight of the evening of the second day was hottest, to ground suited to the alignment sought by General Meade, and not until the shades of night had fallen and the battle had lulled, and an understanding of the situation had been gathered, did it do so. Gettysburg was the dealiest of the great battles of modern history, and for an organization like our OAvn to stand out as the one losing most in 196 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg . actual battle, is a dlstinctiou which the surviving members cannot forget while memory of the struggle lasts. It is understood that those chosen to deliver the orations peculiar to this day, shall confine themselves to a brief description of the part played by the conmiand immediately before and during the battle — this with a view to enable the Memorial Association to compile detailed historical informa- tion. All of our comrades who participated recall the march on June 11th, 1863, to Hartvvood Church, over the familiar lines of the Rappahannock; thence, on the 12th, to Bealeton, with Humphreys' division (Hooker's old and our own), advanced to the river, where we heard by our campfires the stories of skirmishes at Newtown, Cedarville and Middletown. On the 14tli our march from Bealeton to Manassas is remembered as one of the hottest, many of the division and corps falling from sunstroke, so that when night came the losses, if they had been compiled, would have held comparison with a battle. At Manassas we had to rest until the partially disabled recovered, and on the 17th we moved quietly to Center- ville, over ground made familiar by the battles of Bristoe and Bull Run of the previous year. At Centerville we could hear the clash of arms at Aldie, and the next morning received the news of skirmishes in our front at the Point of Rocks, Thoroughfare Gap and Middleburg. On the 19th we moved to Gum Springs, where we remained until the 25th, then crossed the Potomac upon pontoons at Edwards' Ferry, and there began the un- precedented forced march over the long tow-path to the mouth of the Monocacj. No man who participated in that march can ever forget the driving rain, the slippery and narrow patliway, with water to the right of us, water to the left of us, water above, water below — without opportunity to halt, or rest, or eat, or drink, until the late hours of night found us at our destination. On the 26th we reached the Point of Rocks, the 27th Middletown, while on the 28th we rested near Woodsboro, with news of skirmishes near Rockville, Maryland, and at Wrightsville and Oyster Point, Pennsylvania — where blood was flowing upon the soil regarded as pe- culiarly our own. The 29th saw us at Taneytown, the 30th at Bridge- port, with ever-coming news of skirmishes and actions on front and flank. On July 1st we moved from Bridgeport via Emmitsburg to the field of battle, and while our gallant First Brigade was en route, late in the night, with the Twenty-sixth at the head of tbe column, we marched into the Confederate lines near the Black Horse Tavern, quietly gathered in the only picket post in sight, about-faced in majestic silence, and resumed the riglit road to Gettysburg, in time to assume our place upon the second day of the battle. In fact we arrived at the midnight closing the first and opening the second day, and, after what proved but a nap, our command was awakened, cooked all the coffee and ate the few crackers that remained of our rations, then stacked arms, deployed as unarmed skirmishers, and tore down the fences between the Baltimore pike and the Emmitsburg road — a novel proceeding, but a fit precursory to the slaughter which fol- lowed. About 3 p. m., our Third Corps moved to the front, with our brigade at the celebrated Peach Orchard, and our regiment covering the right flank of the division, separated from Hancock's Second Corps by a Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 197 gap which proved iuviting to the enemy, for here immediate and repeated attempts were made to pierce our lines by bold dashes and charges. All of them were resisted, and but one came near accomplishing its destructive purpose. This was late in the evening, when a large rebel force, covered by smoke of the guns, quickly crossed the Emmitsburg road, and protected by the depression at the right of the little and now demolished stone house which flanked the Peach Orchard, with sudden rush and yell, plunged itself upon our already depleted ranks. Then the Twenty-sixth and the First Massachusetts, our gallant Yankee companions upon many battle-fields, obeyed the order of Colonel Blaisdell and Major Bodine, and changed di- rection by the right flank, in the very face of overpowering numbers. In this way the charge was checked, and the enemy were kept closely engaged until a division from the Second Corps came to our relief and saved the line. This struggle was the most deadly of the day and of the entire battle, and as well of any battle known to the war. Its terrific force is seen in the unprecedented numbers of killed and wounded, and the high courage of the Twenty-sixth is shown by the fact that no man ran, and but seven were captured and missing out of two hundred and thirteen lost in a total number of three hundred and sixty-five engaged. In the repeated charges of th6 second day nearly two out of every three of our regiment engaged, fell with a greatly superior number of the enemy close about them — and what few remained held their ground. These frightful losses were largely due to the heroic change of direction made by the two regiments named, while under fire and at close quarters — the most difficult movement known to military tactics, and the one above all others calling for quick intelligence and high courage. Patriotic comparisons are not odious, as every soldier realizes in talks of the war with surviving comrades. Each and every man loves to tell his story of daring, and as fondly loves to hear a better one from his com- rade. And none of the seventy-eight commands of Pennsylvania, which this day dedicate monuments in honor of their fallen heroes, will deem odious the comparison which history hands down as to the brave deeds and the unexampled sacrifice of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania in the battle of Gettysburg. Rotherniel's great painting selects the charge of Pickett's Division and the stone angle guarded by the Second Corps under Hancock, as the dramatic point of the struggle, and it was upon the third day, but neither this point nor Little Round Top, nor Culp's Hill, nor Buford's famous dismounted men, stood a shock like that hurled against Humphreys' Division of the Third Corps, and especially against our First Brigade, and even more particularly against the Twenty-sixth Pennsyl- vania, which held the right of the line. Only the One hundred and twenty-fourth. One hundred and fortieth and Seventy-second Pennsylvania, and the One hundred and eleventh and One hundred and twenty-sixth New York in Hancock's Second Corps, approached the losses of the Twenty- sixth Pennsylvania, and a truthful history will show that the valor and sacrifice at and near the Peach Orchard equaled any ever known to the world upon any battle-field. The One hundred and twenty-first, One hundred and forty-second, One hundred and fifty-first. One hundred and forty-third, One hundred and forty- 198 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. ninth and One hundred and fiftieth Pennsylvania Regiments were all of the First Army Corps, and the losses of these regiments, while very great, were not so great in killed and wounded, in proportion to the number engaged, as the Twenty-sixth, and yet those which I have named suffered more than any other portion of the Union Army. They were not the subject of any painting, but if patriotic blood, shed upon this field, were needed to color the canvas, the great supply would come from them, our Pennsylvania com- mands, and if reasons were asked for this wonderful hei-oism, they would be found in the determination of our Keystone boys not to take one step backward upon their native soil. When night had fallen upon the second day our corps obeyed the com- mand to fall back and straighten the line. The orators of several anni- versaries here, and the military critics have given much discussion to the position of the Third Corps in the battle, being advanced in the shape of a horse-shoe miach beyond the main line. It is not necessary that we should enter into or enlarge upon this discussion. It is sufQcient for us to know that one fact rises upon all criticism; while our losses were great, we gave as great to the enemy, and weakened them for the third and final day. On the second and third days our division lost two thousand one hun- dred out of four thousand nine hundred, far the greater portion of the lossess occurring in the scenes here so crudely described. The Twenty- si.\th lost few on the third day, and most of these by the explosion of a caisson at a time when the bowels of the earth seemed to be shaken by the noise of the two hundred and forty guns on each side which were then ushering in the final and fatal charge of Pickett's Division. I need not describe what followed the great battle — the burial of the dead, the rest, the pursuit and finally the unharmed traversing some of the old ground in Virginia. The old but ever new story of the greatest event known to the lives of all the surviving members of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, is now retold, in a too general and too feeble way, but some of the points mentioned will awaken in your minds a fresh recollection of the day, of its sacrifice and of its glorious results. Let me recall an inci- dent in closing. On the evening of the second day, with a view to excite the hopes and enthusiasm of our troops, telegrams were read to us an- nouncing Grant's capture of Vieksburg and the cheers were loud and long. The news was premature, but two days afterward it came in full truth, and it was Vieksburg and Gettysburg which made inevitable the triumph of the Union. All, after these battles, was but useless sacrifice, which came through the lack of discernment or stubbornness of the head of the Con- federacy. More than a quarter of a century has passed since the battle we are here to commemorate. None of us can ever see its like again. If each and all could find the elixir of youth, and carry his life down the coming cen- turies, he could not again see the like of Gettysburg in civiUzed warfare. The inventions since made in deadly explosives — in dynamite, millenite. strucite — explosives which are a thousand-fold greater than any which deafened our ears upon this field, where the roar of four hundred and eighty cannon were heard, and the sharp rattle of one hundred thousand rifles — a battle like that of Gettysburg is no longer possible. Though ef- BIEN 8 CO. NEW YOR Pennsylrania at Gettysburg. 199 fective beyond our power to measure at the time, it is well that it is the last of its kind. It served a purpose, now indisputably established, and let us hope tliat it was, to our people at least, the final proof of the poet's lines, wherein he says: — "Some things are worthless, some so good That nations which buy, buy only with blood." DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 27^^^ RKGIMKNT INFANTRY September 12, 1889 THE Twenty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cantador, arrived at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, about noon. The regiment was at once ordered to advance from Cemetery Hill to the north of the town, to support the First Army Corps, General Reynolds having been killed, and his men over- powered by the enemy were falling back. This regiment became engaged by the enemy as soon as the line of battle was formed, but being greatly outnumbered were also compelled to fall back to Cemetery Hill. The regiment sustained severe loss in this movement. July 2d, about 9 p. m., the batteries on East Cemetery Hill were at- tacked by the enemy, and this regiment took a prominent part in repelling this charge. July 3d the regiment held the position on Cemetery Hill until ordered to support some troops in distress about 3 p. m. This regiment was also exposed to the terrible artillery fire that afternoon. It was one of the first battalions to enter Gettysburg, July 4, 18G3. The regiment was organized in Philadelphia, Pa., May 5, 1861, by Colonel M. Einstein, and participated in the following general engagements: First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861. Cross Keys, Virginia, June 8, 1862. Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 2, 1863. Gettysburg, July 2 and 3. After the battle of Gettysburg the regiment was transferred to the West, where it took part at the battle of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, November 25, 1863. After this battle the regiment took part in the march to Knoxville, Tennessee, to relieve General Burnside, then returned to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and went into winter quarters at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. When General W. T. Sherman marched his column south, the regiment joined his command and took part in the battles of Buzzard Roost, Georgia, May 8, 1864, Resaca and Dug Gap, Georgia, May 12, 1864. At Dallas, Georgia, the term of the regiment expired and the regiment received trans- portation to return home, and was mustered out of the service at Phila- delphia, Pa., on the 11th day of June, 1864. 200 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 28'^" REGIME^NT INFANTRY September 11th, 1889 ADDRESS OF BREVET CAPTAIN JOHN O. FOERING COMRADES of the Twenty-eighth rennsylvania "Volunteer Infantry: We are assembled here to-day to dedicate this monument, which is to mark the position occupied by the regiment in that historic battle, which took place on the 1st, 2d and 3d of July, 1SG3, and we trust that the memory of our comrades, who fell on this spot, may be perpetuated so long as this granite shall endure the washings of the storms. So much has been said and written by many able minds in the past quarter of a century of the part taken by the different corps, divisions, brigades, regiments and batteries that participated in the great struggle, that I fear anything I may say at this time may appear superfluous, but you all know that we cannot but feel a certain amount of pride in the part taken by our own command in the battle which has justly been ac- knowledged to have been the turning point of the rebellion, and it is well that an opportunity is here given to place on i-ecord the history of the marches and incidents of our regiment's connection with the army in that campaign, which I will endeavor to give you as briefly as possible. The Twenty-eighth I'enusylvania Vetei-an Volunteer Infantry was attached to "Candy's" First Brigade, "Geary's" Second Division, "Slocum's" Twelfth Corps from the time of leaving Aquia Creek until its return to the Rapidan. Early in June, 18(53, while the Army of the Potomac was in camp in the vicinity of Stafford Court House and Fredericksburg, recuperating from the losses of the Chancellorsville campaign. General Lee, commander of the rebel forces, concluded upon an aggressive movement. He started his army on forced marches to invade Pennsylvania, and endeavored to outflank Hooker, enlist the sympathies of the foreign powers to further assist them, and to inci'ease the strength of his army by the accession of a large number of rebel sympathizers in Maryland and southern Penn- sylvania. How well he succeeded in this is a matter of history. He was successful in moving past our right flank, and appeared in front of Winchester, Va., on the 14th of June, with a large force under the command of Generals Early and Longstreet, and they immediately made preparations to attack General Milroy, who was in command of the Union forces. Early and Longstreet being successful in their attack, capturing a large part of Milroy's command and scattering the balance, the valley of the Shenandoah was open for Lee's Army of Invasion. Lee had outwitted General Hooker, and having a good start, our army was compelled to make long and rapid marches to get within reasonable distance of the rebel host. 1 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 201 On the 13th day of June, Hooker abandoned his position opposite Fred- ericksburg and east to Aquia Creek, and started the Army of the Potomac on its march northward. The first intimation of anything unusual occurring from the ordinary routine of every-day camp life was the promulgation of orders, on June 12th, to hold ourselves in readiness to move at a moment's notice. Prepara- tions were made at once, and the command was kept in suspense waiting for orders to march until the evening of June 13th, when, at 8 o'clock, the order to march was given. Leaving camp at Aquia Creek, Stafford Court House was reached at midnight. Continuing the march via Tele- grah road, crossing the Aquia and Chopawamsic creeks, the command was halted at Dumfries at 1 p. m., June 14th, and bivouacked. Marched twenty miles. March resumed on the morning of June 15th, at half-past three o'clock, halted at 7 o'clock for breakfast. Reaching Wolf Run Shoals the com- mand halted for rest and dinner. Resuming the march, we crossed the Occoquan creek and reached Fairfax Court House at 8 p. m., and bivou- acked. Marched twenty-two miles. This march will long be remembered as a very trying one by all who participated in it, owing to the extreme heat, dusty roads, very httle shade along the roads and the great scarcity of water, the water with which the men provided themselves soon becom- ing unfit to drink owing to the intense heat. On June 16th, the command was moved a short distance and went into regular camp. On June 17th, left Fairfax Court House, and marched to within a short distance of Dranesville and bivouacked. Marched eight miles. On June ISth, at 8 a. m., resumed march, passed through Dranes- ville, crossed Broad run and Goose creek, and encamped near Leesburg. Marched twelve miles. While on the march in the afternoon, had a heavy thunder storm, drenching the command. On June 19th, at half past ten a. m., tlie entire Twelfth Corps was ordered out for parade, and formed into three sides of a hollow square, to witness the execution of three men of the First Division for desertion, a terribly sad sight for a fellow soldier to witness, but a punishment made necessary to insure discipline and pre- vent the depletion of the army. After the men were shot, the different commands rturned to their respective camps and remained there, while General Hooker, with a portion of the army was reconnoitering in the vicinity of Aldie, Middleburg, etc., on the search for Lee and his army. A small force of the rebels attracted Hooker's attention in that locality, while Lee with the larger portion of his army was then moving on Chambersburg, Pa., and it was not until June 26th, at 5 a. m., that we left camp and started again on our march northward. It rained hard all day, making the roads almost impassable, and retarding our progress greatly. Crossed the Potomac river at Edwards' Ferry on pontoons, passed through Poolesville, encamping at the month of the Monocacy. Marched thirteen miles. Regi- ment posted on picket, where it remained until 6 a. m., June 27th, when, with the entire corps, resumed the march, en route to Harper's Ferry, to reinforce the garrison stationed there, and, with it, attack the rebel line of communication. (The order for this movement was countermanded by the authorities at Washington, and resulted in the displacement of our 202 PennaylraNid at Octti/shurg. iniR'li-lx'luvcd (•oiiiniaiitler, General Hooker, and the appoiutment of General George Gordon Meade to the command of the Army of the Potomac.) The command passed through the Point of Rocks, crossed the canal and marched via the tow-path to Catoctin, recrossed the canal, passed through Peters- ville and encamped near Kuoxville at dark. Marched twenty miles. June 28th. "The second anniversary of the muster of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers into the service of the United States." Left camp near Knoxville at 6 a. m., passed through Petersville, Slab- town and Jefferson, halted at tlie latter place to permit a brigade of cavalry to pass, resumed march and went into camp one mile from Frederick. ^I arched thirteen miles. At 5 a. m., June 29th, resumed march, and marched through heavy rains and over bad roads, passing through Frederick, Walkersville, Woodsbor- ough, Ladiesville and Bruceville, encamped near the latter place. Marched twenty-four miles. At half past seven a. m., on June 30th the march was resumed, and on quick time, passed through Taneytown. On crossing the State line you all remember with what glad hearts you pressed your feet on Pennsylvania soil, and the huzzas that were sent up as each command entered the State, and how light the step that gave outward signs of your eagerness to meet Lee's forces and defeat him on your native ground, and one of his own choosing, for had he not left his own State and dared you to folloAV and give him battle. How little he knew that the Potomac veterans were so close on him at that time. On reaching the out- skirts of Littlestown, Pa., we were halted in the road to permit Knap's Pennsylvania Battery to pass, they having been ordered up on the double- quick to assist the cavalry, who were engaged with the enemy near Han- over. Our forces were successful there and drove the enemy some distance beyond Hanover. The residents of Littlestown received us very kindly, giving us plenty to eat, and supplied us with good clear cold water to quench our thirst, and will ever be remembered for their kindness. Passed through the town and encamped one and one-half miles beyond. Marched thirteen miles. At 5 a. ni., on July 1st, we left camp, marching through Littlestown and via the Baltimore pike to near Two Taverns where we halted, by reason of the pike being blockaded by the artillery and supply-trains of the troops preceding. The sound of battle could be distinctly heard in advance of our position, and with what suspense we anxiously awaited the news from the front. At 2 p. m. orders were received to move forward, and by as rapid mareliiug as the blockaded roads would permit, we reached the scene of action at 4 p. m. and formed in line of battle to the left of the pike a short distance and immediately in the rear of Cemetery Hill in sup- port of the Eleventh Army Corps, who had fallen back to this position earlier in tiie day. It was a night of fears and doubts; little, if any, infor- mation could be obtained as to the results of the day's battle; the silence of every one, was, if anything, confirmatory of a reverse; the knowledge of severe loss of life and apparent retirement of our forces led us to fear somewhat the coming of the morrow. Marched eleven miles. The regiment remained in this position until 8 a. m., July 2d, when we were moved with the corps to the right of the pike, ordered into line of Pennsylvania at Oettysbury, 203 battle on this "Gulp's Hill," facing Rock creek, thus fonuing the extreme right of the line of battle. In connection with our taking possession of Gulp's Hill and forming line of battle here, I will here insert an extract from an address read before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, March 8, 1880, by Brevet Brigadier- General J. Wra. Hofmann, Golonel Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania "Volunteers, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, First Army Gorps, whoso command joined our left on the summit of Gulp's Hill. "The Seventh Indiana of our brigade, detached in the morning for special duty, as I have stated, and not engaged in conflicts with the enemy, rejoined us as we were re-forming in the cemetery, and being in compact organization, it was sent at once to form a line on Gulp's Hill. Major Glover, its commanding officer, established a line from the pinnacle down to the foot of the eastern slope and his on way back to the center, en- countered and captured a scout of the enemy Avho had crossed the hill before the line was established and was on his way back when captured with the report that the hill was not occupied by our troops. Grover's line of pickets was soon reinforced into a hue of battle. It has always seemed to me that without Gulp's Hill in our possession, we could never have held our line on Gemetery Ridge on the second and third days of the battle." This I cite to show the importance of the taking possession of, and the subsequent action of the troops who so gloriously defended this part of the field from the terrible onslaughts of the enemy. The Twenty-eighth in about an hour after reaching Gulp's Hill was ordered forward, deployed as skirmishers along Rock creek, immediately in front of this position. We remained there exchanging shots with the enemy, who were in large force on the opposite side of the creek, until about 7 p. m., when General Geary received orders to move his command to the left of the line of battle, in support of the Third Gorps at Round Top. The Twenty-eighth, with the First and Second Brigades of "Geary's" Second Division left the position. Gulp's Hill, which we had occupied all day, leav- ing the Third, Greene's Brigade, to cover the front occupied by the entire Twelfth Gorps. In moving over to the Baltimore pike, we were obliged to cross the "swale" between our works and the pike, and were exposed to an annoying artillery cross-fire from the enemy, suffering to some extent in loss of men. Early in the night, while wc were absent, General Ewell, commanding the rebel force in front of Gulp's Hill, made an attack on the position vacated by us, and history records how the enemy found a portion of our works deserted, and, exultant beyond measure, they thought victory was theirs; but they counted without their host. Old Pop Greene, with his gallant Third Brigade of "Geary's" Second Division was there and opened fire, making it very warm for them, and checking their advance in short order. The fight was short, sharp and decisive, the loss was severe on both sides, and it can safely be said, that had "Greene" and his gallant little band been defeated in this action, the battle of Gettysburg might not have been the glorious victory it was for our arms. The enemy although gain- ing a slight foothold in occupying a portion of the works vacated by us, were not aware that they lield the key to our artillery and ammunition 204 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. reserve, which was parked ouly a short distance fi-om them, and should they have captured or destroyed tliis, our aruiy would in all probability have been defeated. By some misconstruction of orders or the incompe- tency of the guide sent to pilot General Geary to his position at Round Top, the Twenty-eighth and a large portion of the division never reached there, and were kept on the move all night. The men were weary with the incessant marching and loss of sleep, and it was not until near daylight of July od that the command came to a halt, when we found ourselves immediately in rear of the position on Gulp's Hill, occupied on the 2d instant. General Geary having ascertained that the enemy was in pos- session of a portion of our works, made good disposition of his force, and at early dawn gave orders for the First and Second Brigades of his divi- sion to advance. With a hearty cheer, the wearers of the "White Star" rushed gallantly forward to the charge, and in much less time than it takes me to relate the incident, the enemy were driven beyond Rock creek, and the vacated works were again in our possession. The loss of the enemy was heavy, whilst ours was comparatively small. The Second Brigade, "Kane's," were then distributed in the works. At about 7 a. m., the Twenty-eighth Tennsylvania was ordered forward and relieved the Twenty- ninth Ohio Infantry. Comrades, you will never forget what it meant to relieve a regiment deployed in the temporary works that were so rudely constructed of cordwood, stones, etc., on the lower side of the knoll on which we now stand. The rebel sharpshooters were perched on and behind the immense rocks and boulders that still remain in the immediate front of our position; how as each command was relieved, the incoming and out- going troops were subjected to a withering and well-directed fire from their skilled marksmen, every shot from their guns made to do its deadly work; and how, when we w^ere safely located in the works, we watched for the puffs of smoke from their rifles; how quick we were to reply, wath what effect the large number of dead men and empty-handed rifles left behind in their retreat told the sorrowful tale. When once in the works it was much safer to remain, but the constant tiring made it necessary for the troops to be relieved to clean their guns and replenish their supply of ammunition. It may not be amiss to mention here that on page 770 of the "preliminai-y print of the official records of the War of the Rebellion," it is recorded that "General Meade complained to General Slocum that General Geary was expending too much ammunition at this point, but upon investigation, he, General Slocum, was satisfied to the contrary." The enemy made several onslaughts which were pushed with great de- termination, and it showed how grand a prize this portion of the field would have been to them. Each time their desperate charges came to naught; they were hurled back with terrible loss, only to be ordered forward again and again to meet the same fate. Brave men, they deserved better success for their undaunted coui-age. At about half past eleven a. m., the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, having exhausted its ammunition (eighty rounds per man), was relieved by a New York regiment of "Greene's" Third Brigade, and moved to an orchard in the rear of Gulp's Hill on the pike, to clean their guns and replenish ammunition. We had been in this position but a short time when the Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 205 enemy's artillery opened fire on our forces stationed on Cemetery Hill. Then and there was inaugurated one of the most terrible artillery duels in the world's history. As the fight progressed our position (which was im- mediately in the rear of Cemetery Hill) became untenable, as the shot and ■ nd around us, unnecessarily exposing us A )eing advised of our dangerous position, to Xl fi^ ^/tI ^ ^ '' ^^ '^ *'^^ P^^^® behind a large stone barn. 8 m., more or less exposed to the same LOdH. I^lVlSlOtl %^ ^^ to resume our former position in the the Seventh Ohio Infantry. Remained nt fire on the sharpshooters perched on t, until about 9 p. m., when the enemy ere soon repulsed and the firing almost er the assault the Twenty-eighth Penn- rks for the purpose of receiving rations, orks, relieving the Sixtieth and Seventy- "Greeue's" Third Brigade. There was r midnight. The night was dark, and a IS being drenched to the skin, just such ly to get out of the way without being was the case when the morning of July ■ having fled, left us in undisturbed pos- was ours, but how dearly bought. How »th sides gone forever from comradeship ever to return. How many loved ones at from the thousands on both sides who i almost shudder at the thought of the f that cruel war. certainty that the enemy had fled, we rks, and details were immediately set to Wo 0T^7-No 7 velve hundred of the enemy's dead were _ * ""■' * ision works, of which the division details )ss in wounded also must have been very left by them on the field on our front was r of the First Division, Twelfth Corps, idred and four muskets and the ordnance Twelfth Corps, reports collecting sixteen dition to a large number of bayonets, etc. alone carried to the rear of our works over nve uuuureu musKeLs. «^ui- men being very much fatigued, having been without sleep for three nights, and soaked with the heavy rain of the night of the third, and having assisted in burying the dead, rested the balance of the day and prepared ourselves to be in readiness to start in pur- suit of the enemy when ordered. It has always seemed to me, and I think I will be endorsed in my opinion, when the ti-ue and just history of this battle shall have been written, that the importance of the victory of the troops of the Twelfth Corps, especially the part taken by "Geary's" SeooTid Division, has never received the recog- nition and publicity it deserved. Everything that was done here and on r»(j4 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. reserve, which was parked ouly a short distance from them, and should they have captm-ed or destroyed this, our army would in all probability have been defeated. By some misconstruction of orders or the incompe- tency of the guide sent to pilot General Geary to his position at Round Top, the Twenty-eighth and a large porf there, and were kept on the move all ni the incessant marching and loss of sleep, : of July 3d that the command came to i immediately in rear of the position on instant. General Geary having ascertaii session of a portion of our works, made ; at early dawn gave orders for the First siou to advance. With a hearty cheer, tl rushed gallantly forward to the charge, an me to relate the incident, the enemy wer the vacated works were again in our pos was heavy, whilst ours was comparative "Kane's," were then distributed in the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania was ordered i ninth Ohio Infantry. Comrades, you wil relieve a regiment deployed in the tempo constructed of cordwood, stones, etc., on which we now stand. The rebel sharpshoc the immense rocks and boulders that stil of our position; how as each command wa going troops were subjected to a withering skilled marksmen, every shot from their g\ and how, when we were safely located in puffs of smoke from their rifles; how qui' effect the large number of dead men and in their retreat told the sorrowful tale, much safer to remain, but the constant 1 troops to be relieved to clean their guns ammunition. It may not be amiss to me the "preliminary print of the ofTicial reeorc it is recorded that "General Meade comi General Geary was expending too much an investigation, he. General Slocum, was satis The enemy made several onslaughts wh termination, and it showed how grand a pri/.c 1111& puruou 01 me neia wouiu have been to them. Each time their desperate charges came to naught; they were hurled back with terrible loss, only to be ordered forward again and again to meet the same fate. Brave men, they deserved better success for their undaunted courage. At about half past eleven a. m., the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, having exhausted its ammunition (eighty rounds per man), was relieved by a New York regiment of "Greene's" Third Brigade, and moved to an orchard in the rear of Gulp's Hill on the pike, to clean their guns and replenish ammunition. We had been in this position but a short time when the Pennsylvania at Gettysbury. 205 enemy's artillery opened fire on our forces stationed on Cemetery Hill. Then and there was inaugurated one of the most terrible artillery duels in the world's history. As the fight progressed our position (which was im- mediately in the rear of Cemetery Hill) became untenable, as the shot and shell fell thick and fast amongst and around us, unnecessarily exposing us to great danger. General Geary being advised of our dangerous position, gave orders for us to move across the pike behind a large stone barn. Remained there until about 3 p. m., more or less exposed to the same artillery fire, when we were ordered to resume our former position in the works on Gulp's Hill, relieving the Seventh Ohio Infantry. Remained in the works, keeping up a constant fire on the sharpshooters perched on and behind the rocks in our front, until about 9 p. m., when the enemy made their final 'assault. They were soon repulsed and the firing almost ceased for the night. Shortly after the assault the Twenty-eighth Penn- sylvania was relieved from the works for the purpose of receiving rations. At midnight we returned to the works, relieving the Sixtieth and Seventy- eighth New York Volunteers of "Greene's" Third Brigade. There was very little firing in our front after midnight. The night was dark, and a heavy rain falling, every one of us being drenched to the skin, just such a night as would enable an enemy to get out of the way without being disturbed, which to our surprise was the case when the morning of July 4th dawned upon us. The enemy having fled, left us in undisturbed pos- session of the field and the victory was ours, but how dearly bought. How many good and brave men on both sides gone forever from comradeship and companionship, from fireside never to return. How many loved ones at homes waiting anxiously to hear from the thousands on both sides who will never return. It makes one almost shudder at the thought of the misery caused by the instigators of that cruel war. When it was ascertained to a certainty that the enemy had fled, we proceeded to the front of our works, and details were immediately set to work burying the dead. Some twelve hundred of the enemy's dead were found in front of the Second Division works, of which the division details buried near nine hundred; their loss in wounded also must have been very heavy, as the number of muskets left by them on the field on our front was very large. The ordnance officer of the First Division, Twelfth Corps, reports having collected eight hundred and four muskets and the ordnance officer of the Second Division, Twelfth Corps, reports collecting sixteen hundred and eighty muskets in addition to a large number of bayonets, etc. The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania alone carried to the rear of our works over five hundred muskets. Our men being very much fatigued, having been without sleep for three nights, and soaked with the heavy rain of the night of the third, and having assisted in burying the dead, rested the balance of the day and prepared ourselves to be in readiness to start in pur- suit of the enemy when ordered. It has always seemed to me, and I think I will be endorsed in my opinion, when the ti-ue and just history of this battle shall have been written, that the importance of the victory of the troops of the Twelfth Corps, especially the part taken by "Geary's" Second Division, has never received the recog- nition and publicity it deserved. Everything that was done here and on 206 Pennsylvunia at Gettysburg. some other points of the field as gallantly defended, have been overshad- owed by the prominence given the painting representing Pickett's charge. Without Gulp's Hill in our possession, Pickett's charge would never have taken place, as the position on Cemetery Hill would have been untenable for our troops. At no portion of the field were the troops under a more constant or murderous fire than on Gulp's Hill. For seven hours we were under constant fire, and at no point, nor at any time, did the line waver. Tlie gallant Second Division, assisted by Shaler's Brigade and the Mary- land Provisional Brigade, by their dauntless courage did much towards saving the Army of the Potomac from defeat. I do not want to detract anything from the heroism or valor of the troops of the Second Gorps, as they were all gallant and true, but so much stress has been laid on their particular action, on the afternoon of the third, that the pai-t taken by other troops equally deserving has not had that credit given which is their due. When our eyes glance upwai-d as we look at this monument, which we dedicate this day to the memory of our departed comrades, we behold the emblem, "the star," under which we stood shoulder to shoulder on the march and on the battle-fields of so many States. I cannot refrain from insert- ing here some extracts taken here from a work recently published by Golonel Wm. F. Fox, on the regimental losses during the war of the rebellion, which in a great measure atones for the shortcomings of some of the previous au- thors of war history and endeavors to deal justly with the part taken by the different commands in this battle. He writes: "The Twelfth Army Gorps," "Winchester," "Port Republic," "Gedar Mountain, "Manassas," "Antie- tam," "Ghancellorsville," "Gettysburg," "Wauhatchie," "Lookout Moun- tain," "Missionary Ridge," "Ringgold." "The corps that never lost a color or a gun. When its designation was changed to the Twentieth it still preserved unbroken the same grand record. The veteran divisions of Williams and Geary wore their star badges through all the bloody battles of the Atlanta campaign and the Carolinas, and still kept their proud claim good, marching northward to the grand review with the same banners that had waved at Antietam and Lookout Moimtain; with the same cannon which had thundered on the battle-fields of seven States; none were missing. "The brunt of the battle of Ghancellorsville fell on the Third and Twelfth Gorps, and yet amid all the rout and confusion of that disastrous battle the regiments of the Twelfth Gorps moved steadily with unbroken fronts, retiring at the close of tlie battle without the loss of a color; while the Gorps artillery, after having been engaged in the close fighting at the Ghancellorsville House, withdrew in good order, taking every gun with them. In this campaign Slocum's troops were the first to cross the Rapi- dan, and the last to recross the Rappahannock. Its losses at Ghancellors- ville were two hundred and sixty killed, one thousand four hundred and thirty-six wounded and one thousand one hundred and eighteen missing; total, two thousand eight hundred and fourteen. The hardest fighting and heaviest losses fell on Ruger's and Gaudy's Brigades of Williams' and Geary's Divisions." "At Gettysburg, the Twelftli Gorps distinguished itself by its gallant Pennsylvania at Getti/sbunj. 207 defense of Gulp's Hill. At one tinie duriu.!,' the battle, the corps having been ordered to reinforce a distant part of the line, Greene's Brigade of Geary's Division was left beliind to hold this important point. While occupying this position, with no other troops in support, Greene wa^ at- tacked by Johnson's Division, but the attack was successfully repulsed. The details of this particular action form an interesting chapter in the history of the war. Still, some of Johnson's ti'oops effected, without oppo- sition, a lodgement in the vacated breastworks of the Twelfth Corps, and upon the return of those troops a desperate battle ensued to drive the Con- federates out. After a long, hard fight the corps succeeded in reoccupying its works. On no part of the field did the Confederate dead lie thicker than in front of the Twelfth Corps position. "Johnson's Division, containing twenty-two regiments, official report, lost in this particular action, two hundred and twenty-nine killed, one thousand tAvo hundred and sixty-nine wounded and three hundred and seventy-five missing; total, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three. To this loss (of Johnson's) must be added the losses in Smith's, Daniel's and O'Neal's Brigades, containing fourteen regiments, which were sent to John- son's support, which was two hundred and twenty-nine killed, one thou- sand and sixty-nine wounded and two hundred and forty-seven missing. Making a total loss in the rebel forces attacking Gulp's Hill of four hun- dred and fifty-eight killed, two thousand three hundred and thirty-eight wounded and six hundred and twenty-two missing; total loss, three thou- sand four hundred and eighteen. Pickett's Division, official report, lost in front of Cemetery Ridge, two hundred and thirty-two killed, one thou- sand one hundred and fifty-seven wounded and one thousand four hundred and ninety-nine missing; total, two thousand eight hundred and eighty- eight. "The Twelfth Corps, containing twenty-eight regiments, lost two hun- dred and four killed, eight hundred and ten wounded and sixty-seven miss- ing; total, one thousand and eighty-one." Less than one-third the rebel loss. The Twelfth Corps was small, but was composed of excellent material. Among its regiments were the Second Massachusetts, Seventh Ohio, Fifth Connecticut, One hundred and seventli New York, Twenty-eighth Pennsyl- vania, Third Wisconsin and others equally famous as crack regiments, all of them with names familiar as household words in the communities from which they were recruited. On page 426, in the same work, referring to his statements giving the list of commands showing the greatest losses in battles, Colonel Fox says: "xVmong the leading regiments in point of loss at Gettysburg as given here, the Twelfth Corps is scarcely represented, and yet, the services rendered on that field by that command were unsurpassed in gallantry and important results. The remarkable losses sustained by Johnson's Confederate Divi- sion and the three brigades attached to his command were inflicted by regi- ments which have no place in the list of those prominent at Gettysburg, by reason of their casualties. Granted that Greene's Brigade delivered that deadly fire from behind breastworks; but, when Williams' and Geary's Divisions returned from Round Top and found that during their absence 15 208 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. their works had been occupied by the enemy, they became the assaulting party; they drove the enemy out of the works, re-took the position and saved the right. That, in accomplishing this, they could inflict so severe a loss and sustain so slight a one, is as good evidence of their gallantry and efficiency as any sensational aggregate of casualties." Comrades, after such complimentary and just criticism of our actions, should we not feel proud of having been wearers of the star? I do not think it would be amiss, to insert here, an extract from the address of deliv- ered by the Hon. Edward Everett, at the ceremonies attending the conse- cration of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg on the 19th day of No- vember, 1863. Extract, Second Day. "At eight o'clock in the evening, a desperate attempt was made by the enemy to storm the po.sition of the Eleventh Corps on Cemetery Hill, but here, too, after a terrible conflict, he was repulsed with immense loss. Ewell, on our extreme right, which had been weakened by the withdrawal of the troops sent over to the support of our left, had succeeded in gaining a foothold within a portion of our lines near Spangler's spring (foot of Culp's Hill). This was the only advantage obtained by the rebels to com- pensate them for the disasters of the day, and of this, as we shall see, they were deprived. "Such was the result of the second act of this eventful drama. A day hard fought and at one moment anxious, but, with the exception of the slight reverse just named, crowned with dearly earned but uniform suc- cess to our arms, auspicious of a glorious termination of the final struggle, on these omens the night fell. In the course of the night General Geary returned to his position on the right from which he had hastened the day before to strengthen tlie Third Corps. He immediately engaged the enemy, and after a sharp and decisive action drove them out of our lines, recover- ing the ground which had been lost on the preceding day. "A spirited contest was kept up all the morning on this part of the line, but General Geary reinforced by Shaler's Brigade of the Sixth Corps, main- tained his position and inflicted very severe losses on the rebels. "Such was the cheering commencement of the third day's work, and with it ended all serious attempts of the enemy on our right." Nothing of any importance occurred in our vicinity during the 4th, ex- cept the circulation of numerous camp rumors as to the whereabouts of the enemy, etc., the night was spent in the works awaiting marching orders. About 3.30 a. m., July 5th, the line of march in pursuit of the enemy was taken up, but in a different direction from that expected. The Twenty- eighth Pennsylvania on the advance of the Twelfth Corps headed for Littlestown, which we reached before noon, very weary and footsore. "The men having lost so much rest and being confined in the works such a great length of time were hardly prepared for steady marching yet." Marched ten miles. The Twenty-eighth being the advance regiment, it of course was posted on picket, and passed a very quiet night there. On the morning of July 6th, at seven o'clock, orders were received to resume the march, but by reason of General Meade having with a portion of his command encountered the rear guard of the enemy near Gettysburg, the order was countermanded. On July 7th, at 5 a. m., we left Littlestown, passed Pennsylvania at Qettyshurg. 209 through Taneytown, Middleburg and Walkersville, encamping a short dis- tance beyond the latter ph\ce about (> p. m. Marched about thirty miles, most of the distance through the fields, the road being occupied by the artillery and supply trains. The morning of July 8th ushered itself in rainy and very disagreeable, putting the roads in bad condition, but orders to resume the march were given, and at 7 a. m. we were on the move, passed through Frederick, were halted a short time for an issue of rations, after which resumed the march, reaching Jefferson about 6 p. m. A great many men were desti- tute of shoes, and in consequence suffered very much, as the march tliis day was mostly made over a turnpike road. Marched fifteen miles. July 9th left Jefferson, passed through Burkittsville, crossed South Mountain at Crampton's Gap and encamped near Rohrersville. Marched ten miles. July 10th march resumed at 5 a. m., passed through Buena Vista, Keedys- ville, Smoketown and a portion of the Antietam battle-field, encamping at Bakersville. Marched ten miles. July 11th left Bakersville at 3 a. m., marched to Fair Play a distance of four miles, formed line of battle in support of the Twenty-ninth Ohio, who were deployed as skirmishers in our immediate front. (The First Division of the Twelfth Corps had a skirmish with the enemy on our right.) We re- mained in this position until 10 a. m., July 12th, when we were ordered forward in line of battle, with the intention of engaging the enemy, but the corps commanders having met in council and deciding not to attack, we were ordered to resume our former position. The Twenty-eighth re- lieved the Twenty-ninth Ohio at dusk. At daylight on July 13th the regiment was relieved from the skirmish line, moved to the right about one mile where it rejoined the brigade. At 8 a. m. were ordered back to the position vacated at daylight. Towards dusk we were ordered forward to feel the strength of the enemy and had advanced but a short distance when orders were received to abandon the attack and return to the woods. ' The Twenty-eighth was relieved from the skirmish line by the Seventh Ohio, and remained in reserve in close sup- port. Rained very hard during the night, and the rebels succeeded in crossing the Potomac. At 7 a. m, on July 14th rejoined the brigade and remained under arms in support of the First Division, which had advanced some distance to the front of our line. Later on, with the Seventh Ohio, the Twenty-eighth was ordered to reconnoiti-e towards Downsville, where we found the enemy's works deserted and returned with several prisoners. On July 15th, at 5 a. m. resumed the march, passing through Pair Play and Sharpsburg, halting at half past three p. m. on the summit of Mary- land Heights. Raining, roads in bad order. Marched sixteen miles. At 5 a. m., July 16th, moved from Maryland Heights and encamped in Pleasant Valley about one-half mile back from Sandy Hook, and in close proximity to our camping ground of July, 1861. Marched four miles. July 17th and 18th remained in camp. Shoes, clothing, etc., were issued to the different commands. The Second Corps crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. 210 I'vnnstjlvunki at Gettysburg. At 5 a. m., July lUtli, the liue oC march was again taken up, passed tliruuuli Saiuly Hook and Harper's Ferry. Crossing the two rivers, marched down tilt" riucy Kun Valley to near llillsljoro, Virginia, where we en- campod. Marrlied eleven miles. Kesumed liie march on July 20th, at 5 a. m., passing through Wood Grove and Purcellville, halting at Snickersville at G p. m. Marched eleven miles. The enemy's wagon trains were plainly visible from the crest of the Blue liidge at Snicker's Gap, en route down the Shenandoah Valley. July 21st remained in camp. July 22d remained in camp. Company inspection, the first since leaving Aquia Creek. Left Snickersville at o'clock on the morning of July 23, passed through Upperville and Paris, halting near Ashby's Gap. Pickets were posted on the Blue Kidge, and tents were pitclied. At 4 p. m. orders were received to pack and move immediately; march was resinned. Leaving Paris and taking the mountain load, we continued the march to within two miles of Markham Station on the Manassas Gap railroad, where we halted at 9 p. m., pretty well exhausted with the day's march. Marched about twenty- four miles. July 2-l:th, at ."> a. m., resumed march, passed through Markham halting near Linden. Koads in very bad order, and weather very warm. The advance of our column met the rear guard of the enemy at Falling Waters, near Chester Gap, and after a spirited engagement the enemy fled. At 12 m. the command was called into line, and marched back through Markham to Piedmont, where we halted for the night. Marched sixteen miles. Left Piedmont at 5 a. m. on July 25th, passing through Rectortown and White Plains, halted at White Plains about one hour, when march was resumed. Encamped at Thoroughfare Gap. Marched twenty-two miles. July 26th, reveille at half past two a. m., marched at 4 a. m., passed Thoroughfare Gap, Haymarket, Greenwich and Catlett's Station. Halted near Warrenton Junction on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, at 7 p. m. Wood and water was very scarce at this place, and it was very late before the troops were able to prepare their scanty supper. Many of the men dropped to the ground and slept where their commands halted, too weary to undertake to make preparations for supper. Marched twenty-five miles. July 2Tth moved a short distance, tents were pitclied and regular camp duties resumed. Remained at this place resting from the fatigues and labors of the campaign until July .31st, when the reveille was sounded at half past three a. m. and orders to march were given at half past three a. 111. Arrived at Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock river at 7 p. m., a pontoon bridge was laid and a portion of the First Brigade of Geary's Second Division crossed to the south side, encountering the enemy's pickets and after some slight skirmishing the enemy were driven off. Very warm day. Marched eighteen miles. August 2d left Kelly's Ford at 4 p. m., and marched to near Ellis' Ford, where the regiment was posted on picket. Marched five miles. August 3d regiment relieved from picket and went into regular camp. Thus ended the nuircliing and duties performed by the Twenty-eighth Petinsylvania at Gettysburg. 211 Pennsylvania, in the campaign connected with the battle of Gettysburg, and the defeat of the rebel army of Northern Virginia, a fifty iny had nbainhnu'd h-aving many tools Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 231 beliiiul. We also found a number of arms, and many prisoners were brought ill. In this movement the "Bucktails" were posted on the right and we on the left as flankers, and at ten o'clock we arrived within sight of VVilliamsport on the upper Potomac. At noon we recommenced our march and proceeded to Falling Waters, where we arrived too late to par- ticipate in the brush with the enemy. Here our cavalry under Kilpatrick overtook the rear guard and captured two guns, several flags and a number of prisoners; Lee's army had crossed during the night. The pursuit of Lee"s army was not yet abandoned, but an attempt was made by General Meade to head it off through some of the gaps in the mountains to the east of the Shenandoah valley, up which Lee was march- ing. The next morning, the 15th, at four o'clock, we commenced our march, nearly retracing our steps, passing near Delamont and down the Hagers- town pike to the Keedysville road, and halted to make coffee about noon on the site of the "Smoketown hospital." Near by was the burial ground of the Union dead of Antietam, with a handsome wooden monument erected in the center by the convalescents. We easily recognized the point from which we turned into the fields to open the battle of Antietam on the afternoon of September IG, 1SG2. Moving on we crossed the Antietam, passed through Keedysville and over South Mountain by the same road we came, and encamped near its eastern base. The day was very warm and the march was over a rough and hilly country, in many places the roads very muddy, and the distance made being twenty-three miles, the men wei-e much fatigued. We moved the next morning about five, skirting along the base of the mountains through Burkittsville and Petersville and halting about two miles from Berlin, encamped in a fine wood about eleven o'clock. The next day our wagons came up and the officers got a change of clothing, the first they had since leaving Fairfax Station. It rained hard all night and through the day of the 17th until four in the afternoon when we moved off and crossed the Potomac on a pontoon bridge at Berlin, and trod once more the soil of Virginia. Moving on to Lovettsville, three miles beyond, we bivouacked near it, being the first in- fantry that crossed. The next day, the IStli, our regiment was detailed as corps wagon-train guai'd and reached Wheatland at three p. m. On the 19th we marched at six in the morning and passing through Purcellville bivouacked in a woods at ten o'clock. We passed a number of prisoners belonging to White's Cavalry. Our movements now were rather cautious, as we had a large train and the enemy's cavalry were in the neighborhood. The next morning we sounded reveille at two o'clock, and moved almost over the same ground we did last year under McClellan, passing by Philo- mont and our old camps near Uniontown, and encamped about noon on Goose creek. Our route laid through a finely-watered and picturesque country with fine farms and houses, but all the fences were gone and roads blotted out. The 21st was spent in camp, the boys occupying their time in writing home, bathing and washing clothes. In a stone wall in the meadow in front of us, some copperhead snakes were discovered and soon nearly half 232 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. of the division was at work with clubs hunting them, and in an incredibly short time the wall was leveled with the ground. At two o'clock the next afternoon we marched off over the fields and along by-roads to Rectortown and encamped near the Manassas Gap rail- road in a heavy woods. On the 23d we formed a field hospital, and left our wounded and sick in charge of surgeons and guard, with provisions and medicines. Among those left was Sergeant-Major Hiram C. Hos- tetter, who died and was buried there. He was a good soldier and ex- emplary young man. The next day we marched early, keeping along the general course of the railroad, passing through Markhani, Petersville and Linden. About three o'clock we reached the eastern base of the Gap, and soon skirmishing com- menced on Wapping Heights, which lasted until near dark, when the enemy were driven from the Gap. Soon after we moved on past Wapping, which consisted of a defunct tavern, an empty store and several shanties, and encamped about a half mile beyond. That day we marched twenty- five miles. Being in the presence of the enemy no "calls" were sounded. The next morning we marched up the railroad and moving to the right, formed in columns of division and moved in by the right flank and advanced up the side of a steep mountain covered with a thick growth of timber and under- brush. So steep was it that tlie field officers were forced to dismount. Having reached its base on the opposite side, the ascent of a still steeper and higher mountain was commenced, which required great exertion to accomplish, and by the time the command had crossed the men were com- pletely fagged out. The day was excessively hot, several men were over- come by the heat, one broke his neck and another was accidentally shot through the head. A small force of the enemy could have held the mount- ains against us as they would have had every advantage. A line of skir- mishers properly supported would have been more effective. Upon arriv- ing at the western base, the men were collected and reformed in a little valley, and after an hour's rest Avere marched back and encamped, where fresh beef was served out. On the 25th, we sounded reveille at three o'clock and retracing our steps for some miles turned to the right following along the foot hills of the Blue Mountains, and halting about three in the afternoon, bivouacked. The next morning at five o'clock we marched off in good spirits, passing a large number of prisoners near Orleans whom the boys hailed in friendly terms. At noon we halted in a clover field about two miles from Warren- ton, having made thirteen miles with but one halt of fifteen minutes. We had been short of provision for several days, and while we laid here General Crawford was saluted by his hungry boys with the cry of "crackers" as he passed by. This annoyed him and he rode over to General Meade and demanded rations. "Why my dear General," he replied, "you should not let that annoy you. One night at White Tlains, where I marched the boys a couple of miles out of road, they actually called me a 'four-eyed old devil,' but upon my soul I could not get mad at them." Towards dark we got into motion and marched six miles, passing to the west of Warrenton we bivouacked in a low open field, where we were JULIUSBIEN aCO.NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Geityshurg. 233 annoyed for the first time during tlie war by mosquitoes. The next morn- ing we sounded no reveille, but woke the men up early and marched towards Fayetteville, near which we halted at eight in the morning for the day and night. On the 28th we moved about two miles to a new position where we laid until August 1st spending one day on picket. While here First Lieutenant John Taylor, commanding Company E, was appointed an aide-de-camp on Colonel McCaudless' staff. Considerable cannonading, was heard towards Warrenton Springs, our cavalry, skirmishing with the enemy. From there we moved to Rappahannock Station where we formed a regular encampment, and the Gettysburg campaign closed. For ten days prior to this, we had been almost every night upon the march not getting far from our original starting point. The clink of tin cups on the bayonets and the rumbling of artillery wagons was continu- ally heard. At every stopping place orders were issued to lay out our camps regularly, dig sinks and build bough arbors over our tents. Orders were issued that the army would be supplied with knapsacks in which we were expected to carry a large number of light rations and extra rounds of ammunition. Troops were continually arriving from a short distance up the railroad. These movements impressed the enemy with the idea we were being heavily reinforced and intended moving towards Richmond, when in fact large numbers of troops were being seci-etly sent to certain points in the Northern States. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 35"^° REGIMENT INFANTRY (Sixth Reserves) September 2, 1890 ADDRESS OF PRIVATE HALSEY LATHROP COMRADES of the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves: — We have assembled on this historic battle-field to dedicate this monument, erected by a grateful Commonwealth, in commemoration of your services as de- fenders of your country, generally, but especially your services on the battle- field of Gettysburg. There are two matters of regret connected with these dedicatory ser- vices. First, that one better qualified has not been chosen as orator, and the second, that more of the survivors of the old regiment are not here to participate in these services. I am no orator; I am but a plain, blunt man. I can only speak right on. to tell you those things that you yourselves know — point to the record you have made, and let it speak for me. In considering what might be appropriate to say on this occasion, my mind went back to the 27th day of July, 1861, when the one thousand 2,'^4 Pcnnsj/haiiia at Gettyshury. men and boys (for niauy of us were mere boys) stood up aud subscribed to that oath which transformed them from State militia to volunteer sol- diers of the United States array. The memories of the three years' cam- paisn of that regiment came up, and in my mind I followed them, first, to Tennallytown where we built that magnificent fort and named it after our own State. It stands to-day a monument of your industry and skill. Then, just as we were congratulating ourselves on its completion, and con- templating the ease with which we could repel any force that might come against us, we were moved across the Potomas, where, at Langley's X Roads we established Camp Peirpoint, where we entered upon that system of drilling which would fit us for the arduous duties that awaited us, and from which we sallied forth on the various foraging expeditions, one of which occurred December 20, 1861, aud resulted in the battle of Dranes- ville, where you, with the other regiments of the brigade, achieved the first victory for any part of the Army of the Potomac. Comrades, I will not take the time to particularize, as I mention your various movements — your minds will readily fill in the details. The mem- ories of the knap.sack and other drills you underwent, and especially of the battle of Uranesville, where you received your baptism of fire, no doubt clings to you with greater tenacity than even the mud of Peirpoint. You could not forget if you would, and I venture to say, would not if you could, the breaking up of Camp Pierpoiut, March 10, 1862, and your march to Hunter's Mills and return to camp, near Alexandria, better known as Smoky Hollow; then your advance towards Manassas, aud how easily you took that stronghold of the enemy; then, after a few days, your march down the railroad to Catlctt's Station. Oh, how hot it was! and how we did unload those terrible knapsacks. A few daj-s later found us encamped on the banks of the Rappahannock, at Falmouth, Avhere we vied with each other in fixing up the picturesque quarters which we occupied during most of the month of May. On June 10, just three mouths after we broke camp at Peirpoint, we boarded transports for a voyage down the Rappahannock, up the York and Pamunkey rivers to White House Landing, where our regiment was left to guard the base of supplies for McClellan's army, which was engaged in the Peninsular campaign, which ended with the scA-en days' fight. About this time an eagle Hew into a battery of United States artillery and lit on tiie shoulders of I.,ieutenant William Sinclair, and then it was Colonel Sin- clair, of the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves, who, with his family, we are glad to see witli us to-day. You, no (l(iiil)t, remember the beef you confiscated while there, the fort you built .ind what you named it, and how rapidly you evacuated your position at Tunstall's Station and marched to White House Lauding, where we again took transports for an excursion down the Pamuukey and York rivers, and where we met the Army of the Potomac returning from its unsuccessful attempt to take Richmond, who, when they knew that the Sixtli Pennsylvania had arrived they "thanked God and took courage." Perliaps some of you have forgotten the chickens, pigs, etc., captured when you would go on picket, on the soutli side of the river; but you should not be too severely censured, for the beef we drew was so tainted Pennsylvania at Octtyfihurg. 235 with garlic that we coukl not eat it. Mush and milk was not very plenty, and even if we got the latter, behold the garlic was there too. After laying there a little over a month, we descended the James, crossed the Chesapeake Bay, ascended the Potomac, landed at Aquia Creek Land- ing and took up our march for Fredericksburg, encamping near the spot where we had broken camp about three months before. But we did not long remain inactive. The situation of affairs demanded action. The rebel army was marching northward, so the campaign commenced which resulted in what is sometimes called the disaster of second Bull Run. I need not stop to discuss this battle or its results, enough to know that the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves faithfully and gallantly discharged every duty that was imposed upon them, and if you did not come off from that ill-fated field with flying colors it was because the flag-staff had been broken by a missile from the enemy; but "our flag was still there." A few days later found you at Arlington Heights, with terribly diminished ranks, but full of hope and determination for the future. The rebels, flushed with victory, still pursued their northward way. Now came the march through Maryland and Virginia, passing through a country that had not been devastated by the ruthless hand of war. We found rails were plenty, chickens did not roost so high as in Virginia, peaches, apples and other fruit were in a most desirable condition as to quality and quan- tity. Of course orders against foraging were very strict, and of course you strictly obeyed those orders (?). You no doubt remember the orders, to only take the top rail of the fence. This order you strictly complied with, though if often happened that so many had preceded you at the fence that the bottom rail was the top one. Sunday morning, September 14, 1862, found you encamped on the banks of the Monocacy, near Frederick City, Maryland, with orders to "move forward." You had taken a refreshing bath in the creek the night before, and some of you even went so far as to put on a clean shirt. But I will venture to say that a whole lot more of you failed to make this change, because of a lack of that very desirable article. You were thinking how perfectly lovely it would be to attend church in Frederick this beautiful Sabbath day, but, alas! you were under contract for the magnificent sum of thirteen dollars a month to obey orders, though you perish in the at- tempt. The orders were, "forward march!" and that order held good until the order to "halt!" was given. The order to "halt," was given by the enemy's guns on South Mountain, but, not recognizing their authority, you pushed forward, and ere that Sabbath sun had set behind the western hills your flag floated in triumph from the summit of South Mountain, while the enemy, who had so stubbornly resisted your ascent of the mountain, were very rapidly descending the opposite slope. But I must stop right here and go to the rear, for one of my legs went on a strike just as we reached the mountain top, hence your subsequent movements, until you arrived at Fredericksburg, are unknown to me from personal obgfervation. But I am assured that at Antietam. three days later, you nobly played your part. Of your return march, through Virginia, I will not speak. At Fredericksburg you made a record that you can point to with pride, and had the adjoining division and those who should have 236 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. supported you, properly seconded your efforts the history of Fredericks- burg would have read differently from what it does. History records how galhmtly you charged aci'oss that open field, swept by the enemy's fire — took an advanced position and stubbornly held it until all hopes of reinforcements had vanished, when, with ammunition nearly gone, you yielded to overwhelming numbers and sullenly retired to your original position. Again your humble servant was knocked out just as the long-looked-for reinforcements arrived, and so I must necessarily pass over your return to the vicinity of Washington where you remained until the second attempt of the rebels to invade the Northern States, which resulted in the battle of Gettysburg. But I know you were rejoiced when you knew you received the order to march, when you knew you were to again join the Army of the Potomac in its attempt to repel the advancing hosts of Lee. Your next meeting of the enemy, in hostile array, was at New Hope Church, on the Mine Run campaign the latter part of November, 1863 (if we omit the little difficulty at Bristoe Station where, if memory serves me, we did not play an important part), where your gallantry in deploying as skirmishers, under a withering fire from the enemy, called forth, as it deserved, the compliments of the commander of the forces there, and ex- cited the admiration of all who beheld it; and in fact, boys, we felt a little proud of it ourselves. Our advance through that tangled second growth of pine and cedar, in the face of stubborn resistance from the enemy, you must remember well. That night, upon the skirmish line in the immediate presence of the enemy, without an opportunity of making our usual cup of coffee, was one of the episodes of active campaigning. How cheerfully we yielded our position on the skirmish line in the morn- ing, to our relief, and with what enthusiasm we engaged in the manu- facture of a cup of coffee as soon as opportunity presented itself. Then up and away for the main body of the Army of the Potomac, from which our brigade had been separated, for a short time, while on a scout with Gregg's division of cavalry. We found them on the banks of Mine Run, confronted by Lee's army, strongly fortified in a naturally strong position, and preparing for what bade fair to be the most desperate battle of the war. The contemplated charge was not made and we returned to winter quarters, near Bristoe Station and Broad Run. Your record in the Wilder- ness in May, 1864, is one of \ "Picket line and battle fray, And weary marching night and day," gloriously winding up your three years' term of service. May 30, 1864, at Bethesda Church, where you probably killed more rebels in one hour than you killed in any one battle in which you were engaged. May 30, you bade your comrades, who re-enlisted and who were to continue in the service with the One hundred and ninety-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, farewell, taking with you the glorious old fiag that Governor Curtin had given you at Tennnllytown in 1801, faded and battle-torn to be sure, but no stripes missing, and its stars all there. Y'ou returned it to Harrisburg, where you can see it to-day, a silent but eloquent testi- monial of your service in the war for the preservation of the Union. Pennsylvania at Gettijshunj. 237 Thus, comrades, I have briefly spoken of what is a tithe of your service in putting down the rebellion. I have not spoken of the terrible losses you sustained in the battles I have mentioned. That is the sad side of the picture. Your heroic dead lie on every battle-field on which you were engaged. Suppose we could see arrayed in line before us now, the old regiment of 1861, only with places vacant where would stand those who lost their lives in battle and died of disease during the war? What a spectacle it would present! Then let the survivors appear in their present condi- tion — what a change! Truly, we would say with the old song "The boys in blue are growing gray, Thin grows our ranks and thinner; We've faced Death's battle many a day. But Death to-day is winner." And how many empty sleeves and missing legs? Those strong, athletic forms have become bowed by premature old age. The hardship of soldier life in camp, battle and prison pen, has done its work. But we must not pause to contemplate, lest we be overcome with emotion. While we drop a tear to the memory of the dead, let us dedicate this monument to the living. So remove the drapery and let there appear the record of your services and your losses. Yes, cut the strings so that all who behold may see what the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves suffered, that the "government of the people, by the people, and for the people, might not perish from the earth." ADDRESS OF COLONEL H. B. McKEAN. COMRADES: You have met to-day on this heroic battle-field to per- "form a most interesting ceremony. The place where more than a quarter of a century ago the most terrific battle was fought that has been recorded in history. Allow me to congratulate you, my comrades, that you were members of that grand old regiment — the Sixth Pennsyl- vania Reserves. Its oflBcers and men were courageous in battle and courteous in civil life. Your timely arrival at Washington, D. C, with the other regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserves, immediately after the first battle of Bull Run, in 186J, saved the Capital. The Third Brigade of the Pennsylvania Re- serve Corps, consisting of four regiments, was a grand body of men, com- manded by that grand soldier, General E. O. C. Ord, who was made the first major-general of the brigade. Commanders Generals George G. Meade, J. F. Reynolds and Ord, you know were in the first successful engagements of the Army of the Potomac. At Dranesville, Va., December 20, 1861, Captain Ent, commander of a company in the Sixth Regiment, fired the first shot, his company acting as skirmishers. The Sixth made the first charge, then ordered by General Ord to charge the Confederate battery under the command of the "Little Adjutant." How well you obeyed the order, capturing the battery and several prisoners. 238 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Your loss was slight — two killed and a number wounded. Among the wounded were Captain Bradbury and Halsey Lathrop. That was your first baptism of fire. Comrades, the great State of Pennsylvania has erected this granite monument to perpetuate the heroism of the members of the Sixth Regi- ment on this field of battle. A gi-ateful people remember your heroic deeds here on that hot day, July 2, 18(53. You with the other regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserves, Third Division, Fifth Corps, arriving in on the north side of yonder Little Round Top, charging the advancing Confed- erates and driving them back to the point where this monument stands. You held it as you always did, saving Little Round Top from capture and the field. During the three years of service you were in all the principal engagements of the Army of the Potomac — the first in and the last out. Comrades, your military history is written in letters of gold so high on the tablet of fame that no one can erase it, and my congratulations shall be: Brave in battle, chivalrous in peace and heroic in every trait that de- velops true manhood. ADDRESS OF MAJOR W. H. H. GORE. C^OMRADES:— The history made by the Sixth Regiment you helped make, and are as familiar with it as 1 am. What I say here, or what we do here, will not alter the facts as they are handed down to future generations by the historian. I propose, on account of time, to give but a brief history of the regiment: Organized as it was, from companies recruited from the three months' service, the companies were all recruited in the month of April, 1861, and consisted of two companies from Bradford, one each from Tioga, Susque- hanna, Wayne, Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Dauphin and Franklin coun- ties. Owing to the call being filled they remained in Camp Curtin until after the passage of the act creating the Pennsylvania Reserves, when they were organized into the Sixth Regiment, with W. W. Ricketts, colonel; W. M. Penrose, lieutenant-colonel; H. J. Madill, major; H. B. McKean, aeril, liis hcsi services, with a willing heart, and with rare courage and patience did he hear the heavy responsibilities that were placed upon liim. On the suil i.f his native state he won undying fame, and upon this "lichl of monuments," made forever sacred by the blood of so many ol his soldiers, should be erected to his memory, a monument tlint would bind togcilicr, and be the Keystoue of them all. And with the ntuiic of Mcide must loicvcr stand associated the name of that magnitici-nt soldier niid rciinsylvanian, (Jcneral John F. Reynolds, who laid down his life, as a morning sacrilicc. al the v«M-y opening of the battle. These two names are inseparable and I heir lame is imperishable. Their first commands were composed of a [lai't of the rennsylvania Kes(>rves, an will not permit mc to speak lA' (Jeary on the right, of Hancock in the center, of Crawfonl on the left and i>i the host of brave men who tilled the gaps between. As we withdraw our thoughts from the past and turn oin- faces toward the future we behold a pleasing prospect. We feel assured that in the providence of God this country is destined to occupy a pre-eminent place among tiie nations of the earth. This year marks the completion of our first century of constitutional libert.v, and within no other period of tin- world's history has such progress been, made in all that pertains to the highest civilization of man. We are ania/.ed when we contemplate the rapidity and solidity of the growth of this !-e|mblic. There is no halting in Ihm- onward m;ii-cli. Each generation i)uslies rapidly forward and takes a higher place than the one occupied by its pi-edecessor. Education has ojiened wide the door of hope and usefulness to all classes and conditions of men. and liberty has widened her domain, until, under the protecting folds of the Stars and Stripes, representatives of all na- tionalities, races and civilizations dwell together as free men, and you look iu vain for serf or slave. Behold this nation of .Vmeriean Freemen! No titled nobility, but in its place the true nobility of maul 1 and womanhood. For regal sph-ndor and the moated eastle is substituted the quiet lionu' with its hearth-stone, :ind llie virtues and sturdy patriotism of the common people. It is not our rulers that hav<> made this country great— they are our servants — but the i pie tliemselves. \\lin)Uglit fortli on this con- tinent a new nation — conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposi- tion that all men are created equal. We are now engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedi- cated, can long endure." Such in truth was the nature of the conllict which took place here; and who can now doubt that a decision adverse to the principle for which we contended would have proved a dire, if not an irreparable, calamity to mankind. To have testilied to the world that this latest and most auspi- cious example of popular government based on universal intelligence, free conscience and moral power, had, within the first century of its existence, generated within itself the elements of its own destruction, would have been to confess to the world that mankind in the most advanced state of civiliza- tion and under the most favorable conditions is incapable of self-govern- ment. Our name as a nation blotted from the registry of time would have checked the onward march of civilization for centuries to come, and the dark pall of oblivion would have enshrouded alike freedom's glory and man's earthly hopes. That we were right in that contest is a feeling not only borne in the inner consciousness of every Union soldier who took part in the civil war, but is even now testified to by many of the best and bravest of those who differed from ns in the past, and the courage of whose convictions was proved on many a hard-fought field. At a meeting held during the recent centennial observance in New York city, a noted Confederate gen- eral publicly declared his belief that the result of the war was fortunate for all concerned. At the same meeting the Governor of that State within the borders of which was first unfurled the banner of secession and along the shores of which re-echoed the first gun of the rebellion pul>licly said: "We may have been wrong, (lod only knows, ami it now does seem as though His decision is against us." When time shall have healed the wounds and smoothed the asperities of the war, the utterances of these two representative men of the New South will have become crystallized into positive truth, accepted in good faith. and glorified in patriotic endeavors by all citizens of the republic: and there shall be found none in this iirojid land to (piestion tiie righteousness of that Pennsylvania at Octti/shurf/. 247 verdict which sctth^l in all uiiiids and for all time, the (lucstions of the in- dissolubility of the American Union. It is therefore a matter of interest to us to meet here after the lapse of many years, to dedicate this monument Avhich testifies to where we stood in the great crisis of our country's history. True it speaks to us in a special sense of Gettysburg; but who can read the inscriptions of other battles in which we took no unimportant part, and not indulge in retrospective thought of all the thrilling scenes and incidents of the three-years' service of the regiment. One of America's gifted sons has characterized "midnight's holy hour" of the closing year as "A time for memory and for tears." If our fev'lings may be moved to such a depth by reflection on the chang- ing scenes and incidents of one brief year, Avhat must be the emotions of our hearts as we contemplate to-day the most important, the most eventful jx'riod of (uir lives, between which time and this a quarter of a century has intervened. In memory we recount the many times we've tramped along the mountain slopes, across their crests and through the valleys from here to Kichmond; and as we review the hardships, the trials, the dangers, the sorrows; and weigh them in the balance with the joys and hallowed recollections of those years, and see around us in the growing greatness and glory of our country, such grand fruition of our hopes and efforts, we might ask ourselves, would we, with knowledge of all we then endured, again enlist as soldiers should our country call to arms? I think I hear you answer yes, as then, from a sense of duty, but not otherwise. And yet as I look into your faces and see in furrowed cheeks and whitened haii-s sad permonition of declining years, I am afraid you'd not respond to every roll-call after weary marches such as those that we were wont to make, lint tliej are over — those days have passed, and the great events with which they were i)rolitic are written on the pages of our country's •history, whilst the surviving actors in the bloody drama are journeying down life's slope towards the setting sun. But of one thing we're as- sured. There is no regret in any soldier's heart for having served his country in that hour of danger. There is a well-grounded attachment on the part of the surviving members of the old Ninth Regiment to the memories that cluster around its history. But this is not surprising when we reflect that each member of that or- ganization was animat(>d by a spirit of patriotism, to unite in the defense of our common country. Each shared in the common dangers of camp and field, and all were bound by the ties of a comradeship that were "welded in the fires of battle." Not least among the treasured recollections of our army life is the one that our regiment was among the first to respond to the call of the President for troops. It is worth something at this time to know that the men who enlisted in the early days of 1861, when there was no enticement of a large bounty before, and no coercive power of conscription behind them, represented the typical American sol- dier, the free citizen of a free land, understanding and appreciating the blessings and privileges, and willing to share the responsibilities and duties of citizenship. Of such were the men who took their tirst lessons in the 248 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. school of the soldier in old Camp Wilkins and who were there organized as the Ninth Koginient of the 'Tennsylvania Reserve Corps," an army in itself conceived in the wisdom and created through the energy of our then war Governor, Andrew G. Curtin, who still lives, ripe in years, hon- ored by ail patriotic citizens and beloved by all surviving soldiers of the war. It may well give us pride now to look back on those years and feel that, throughout our term of service, the regiment was second to no other of the division in the good opinion of brigade and division commanders, and that, at times, it pleased tliem to make public acknowledgment of the fact. And it must certainly add to our appreciation of such opinions to know that they came from sucli sources as General Meade, the hero of Gettysburg; General Reynolds, whose life blood hallowed the memories of this field; General McCall, our organizer and first commander, and our own General Ord, under whose dashing leadership the Third Brigade won the first laurels of victory at Dranesville, that crowned any portion of the Army of the Potomac. These brave soldiers have all fought their last battles, and gone to their rewards, as have also our first field officers, Jackson, Anderson and Snodgrass. May their memories be cherished by all true patriots, as I know they are by all surviving members of the old Ninth Regiment. But it was not only our officers and commanders who shed a halo of glory around the regimental history. There was to be found among the private soldiers a degree of intelligence, courage, patriotism and moral standard, at least, unsurpassed by any other similar organization of the war. It would be impossible, without juore complete data than I have at com- mand, to mention all the many conspicuous instances of gallantry and devotion to duty that might be gathered and woven into heroic or pathetic story if we could obtain from friends and comrades the true heart histories of all who fell from our ranks. Of these there are a few still fresh in memory to which I may be permitted to refer as illustrating something of the character of the boys of the regiment. On the eve of the second battle of Bull Run a number of enlisted men, having been promoted for meritorious service on the Peninsula, received their commissions, with instructions to report at headquarters for assign- ment to duty. They were entitled to, and could have claimed, their dis- charges, but with that high sense of honor charactei'istic of the true soldier and brave man under all circumstances, they declined to turn their backs on their comrades in the hour of impending danger, and went into that fight, carrying their guns as enlisted men, while they held their conmiissions as officers in their pockets. One of their number, the brave John Dannals, of Company A, was killed in the fight, while two others that I know of, who are still living, honored citizens of the country they helped to save, were seriously wounded. Just before the battle of Fredericksburg the bright and brave young soldier, John Westlake, having been for a long time on detached service with the Signal Corps, reported to his company for duty. I see him to-day. as he had just returned from a visit to his home, his trim form, handsome boyish fare and briglit new uniform, ready, willing and anxious to share Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 249 with liis comrades whatever of dauger there might be iu the line of duty. Fredericksburg was his first aud last battle. Those who took part in the charge ou the left of our Hue that day, will remember with what reluctant regret we relinquished the advantage we had gained, because of the failure to send us the needed and promised support. Many were the brave boys who fell with Jackson, our general and leader in that terrible charge and disastrous retreat — aud among them young Westlake. Where his body was afterwards found, there were three or four of the company rifles which the boy soldier had gathered and endeavored to bring from the field, show- ing that the pledge given to the citizens of Pittsburg who had presented those rifles to the company was, with him, no unmeaning obligation, but one in the fulfilment of which he oilered up his life. The night before that same battle. Lieutenant Long, who you all re- member, sat beside the camp-fire with a friend and comrade, and talked of a premonition he had that he would fall in the approaching engagement. His comrade tried to lead his mind away from such forebodings, but he continued to talk of his approaching death, as that comrade afterwards in- formed me, in a brave, calm manner; and the last words he said that night were: "I feel sure this will be my last night with the boys of the company aud regiment." He had given his watch, letters and other tokens of value to the hospital steward, with instructions to send them to his mother after the battle. He fell mortally wounded in the front of the fight and lived but a few hours. I had known Reuben Long from the time, when, as lads in our teens, we attended the same school, and as boy and man he was ever noble, true-hearted and brave. It matters not what you or I may think of premonitions such as so impressed his mind that night before the battle. This we know. As he sat beside the camp-fire, and calmly, bravely, as his friend expressed it, talked of his approaching death, he felt within his soul that to-morrow's sun would light his pathway to the tomb. Yet, when the mist was lifted from the field of Fredericksburg; and the battle line was formed on that December morning, he was present at the post of duty, nor faltered, though he heard his death knell in the command to charge across that fated field. It is easy to understand how, in the whirl of the battle's mad fury, one may encounter and despise danger, or even death with all its terrors. But in the stillness of the night, to calmly contemplate the giving up of home, and friends, and kindred, and life itself with all its hopes and joys and aspirations, and yet, in honor's name, resolve to make the sacrifice, is something that the truly brave of heart, and only they, can understand. In such heroic conduct in the very face of death, we have a clearer view of how a brave man may approach his grave "Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." In my own company there were three brothei-s — sons of a widow — one of whom, the brave, cheerful, noble-hearted William Mahaffey was among the first to fall in that fearful charge at Gaines' Mill: and to-day his mould- ering remains lie somewhere, in an unknown and unmarked grave, on the Peninsula. At the battle of Bull Run that gallant soldier, Captain Shan- non, received a leaden messenger of death in his forehead. Lieutenant 250 Pcnnsj/Irania at (idti/shiirf/. KirkpatricU. ••vor fi)rc'Uiost and tVarloss in the path of duty, was at home soriously wonndt'd. The lirst lieutenant, complaining of some bodily in- lirmity, I know not what, was at Washington city pleadin;; for a discharge from the service, llobert Mahaffey, one of tlie two remaining brothers of whom I have spoken, was first sergeant and in command of the company. Though suffering from a severe wound in I lie arm. received from the flying fragment of a sliell. he refuscr or gratitude in less degree than those who, by chance or favor, or even by virtue of their talents, were more exalted in position? Though such a sentiment seems to accord with the spirit of the times I cannot believe it. The general who rode at the head of the c(dumus with gi-oom and orderly to pitch his tent wherein to sleep III iiiglit did Ills duty no more and no less than tli(> private soldier wlio. fuot-soi-c and weary, under llie burden of his ai-ms and accoutrements, marcheil throiigli summer's heat or winter's cold, content to l>ivouac under Pennsylvania at Uittjjshunj. 251 heaven's bliu- vaiiU lor a tt-iit, witli but a siii.ule l.lanket as a iiiarlial cloak to shield him from the snows. Ilic rains and tlie cliilly airs of nii^ht. In a letter which the treasurer of our association received from tlie late William Thaw of ritlslmr;;, an.l wiiicli accompanied a lil)eral eontributiou toward the erection of this monnnient, the spirit which animated the boys of 18(Jl is referred to, tlionyh brietly, in a nuuiner alike elo(in<'nt with truth and creditable to the patriotism of that j^reat and f;ooond to the call of duty in ISdl. I know there are nnuiy of intensely 252 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. prac-tical U'uipeiament, whose views of life and measure of its duties are bounded by the narrow circle of sellish interests, desires and pleasures, who cannot comprehend the full and true meaning of "intelligent patriot- ism," or understand how such a sentiment can have a dwelling place in the heart of man. But, thank God, it has pleased him to implant in the hearts of the great majority of His rational creatures a feeling that patriotism in its true sense, as signifying those virtues which grow out of a love of country, is as much a divine attribute in the human soul, as is that love to God and humanity, on which the Master assures us, "hang all the law and the prophets." Sentiment it may be, and doubtless is, but not such according to Hume and his class of metaphysicians — a mere feeling — but rather a resultant of the co-operation of rational power and moral feeling. Why, I can no more conceive of those young men — boys in years, but men in deeds — whose familiar forms rise in memory before me to-day, as I have seen them in the hour of deadly conflicts, their pale faces seamed with tlie smoke and sweat of battle — doing, daring, dying for their country. I can no more conceive of them as being actuated by a wild and irrational impulse or unreasoning sentiment Avhen they exchanged the comforts of good homes and the companionships of kind friends, for the rough, bare and common dangers of a soldiers' life, than I can conceive of them as being moved by mercenary considerations in abandoning profit- able and congenial employments for the distasteful and profitless calling of arms. Say if you will, tliat they were moved by sentiment. It was such an one as has been the inspiration of martyrs and patriots in all ages of the world, when they have counted their lives as nothing in comparison with their convictions of right and the demands of duty. Such a senti- ment as has proved an inspiration to the noblest deeds of philanthropy, of which the world has had knowledge, and through which mankind has been blessed. The liberal contribution Avhich accompanies this letter from our honored friend, whose lips are now sealed in death, coming as it does as the joint gift of husband and wife, suggests a thought which very seldom receives that consideration its importance demands, and this is, that there were heroines as well as heroes in our civil war; and they apart from the many noble women, whose heaven-born mission led them as ministering angels to hospital and battle-field, where with tender loving care they nursed the sick, or prayed beside the couch of dying soldier boy. We are apt in estimating the cost as well as in apportioning the honors of the civil war, to become so absorbed in the financial and military prob- lems wrought out in halls of legislation and on the battle-field to overlook the patient, though silent, influence that went out from the home circles of our land, where mothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts toiled with willing hands and prayed with fervent spirits in our behalf. Many of you have heard one of our comrades tell how, having enlisted when under age, his father tried to prevent him from continuing in the service. During his first visit to camp the father failed to shake the boy's purpose, and the day following he returned, bringing his wife along to plead for their son's return. Failing again to make the desired impression, and finding that a threat to exercise his legal authority to compel the boy to return home was Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 253 of no avail, the father turned in despair to the little woman at his side. Reaching up and placing her hands on the broad shoulders of her boy, she said: "My son, you are dearer to me than the apple of mine eye, and yet if you feel it to be your duty to enlist and should fail to respond to your country's call, in this hour of the nation's peril, all I can say, is, you would then have none of your mother's blood in your veins." Who can tell how much that feeling of patriotism referred to in the letter of William Thaw as the animating spirit of the boys of 1861 was inspired, encouraged and controlled by the loyal women of our land, and to what extent its spontaneity was owing to their active earnest sympathy and efforts. And is it not true that the tiresome march was made with less fatigue, that privations were borne more willingly, and dangers encountered with courage sti-engthened because of loved ones praying for our safety and the triumph of our cause? We rejoiced that they were far removed from the scene of conflict and wei-e blessed with comforts to us denied; but he has yet to learn the depth and power of woman's love, who knows not, that, in sleepless nights, in anxious fears, in patient waitings and in bitter sorrow for the loved ones lost, they suffered more than tongue can tell. God bless these mothers, sisters, Avives and sweethearts of the war in whose approving smiles and sympathizing hearts we found such patient inspii-ation in the path of duty and the hour of danger. But, comrades, the hours of the day are passing, many j'ears have come and gone since tirst we looked upon the field of Gettysburg; and this is, perhaps, the last time that, as an organization, we shall gather here. Without pretense to powers of divination, I think I may safely say your minds have largely dwelt to-day upon the strange and striking contrast between the scene as here presented and that which met the view when first we came upon this field. Then this ground, crimsoned with the ming- ling blood of friend and foe, trembled beneath the shock of battle as hos- tile forces charged and counter-charged across these fields. These hills were ablaze with the very flame of death as it belched from cannon mouth. The air was rent with cannon roar, with shriek of bursting shell and whistling bullets sound, all playing to the sad accompaniment of moan, and groan, and prayer, and imprecation from the lips of wounded, dying men, while from out the pandemonium, none knew how soon might come to him the summons to "Take his chamber in the silent halls of death." To-day the air is filled with peaceful sounds and odors. The ripened harvests have been gathered from the fields where the reaper death mowed with bloody scythe and fiendish joy the cannon's swath. The chirp and song of bird are undisturbed by gun report or shout of hostile army, and everywhere around we may see a token of that promised coming of the Lord, when sword and spear, the implements of war, shall be beaten into share of plough and pruning hook. "When nation shall not lift up sword against natiop, neither shall they learn war any more." Until we shall behold the glory of this prophetic vision, may we not indulge the hope and prayer that never again may we be called upon to 254 I'cini.si/Irdiiia at (Jiiiyshur(j. ri'sort lo tlif (liL-ad :n-l.itr:iiiifiit iA arms t(» (Icfcud tlii" liuiior of our i-oiiiitry's Ami now. coiiirad.s. as we part to-.lay. wlial tlioiitrlit or l.'ssoii of tlio hoiu- shall \VL- take with us to our lionit'S to serve as au iuceutive to renewed devotion in the line of i.alriolie dutyV When the tirst >;reat leader and lawfriver of the ehildren •)f Israel was laid to rest, "ill a vale in the land of Moab," Joshua, his successor, tlireeted, as the hosts were passinj; over Jordan, in the presence of the priests who bore aloft the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that twelve men be chosen — one from each of the tribes that had journeyed in the wilderness, and that these men take, each, a stone from the bod of the river where the liearers of the ark had st.x.d. and liiat tiiese stones be carri.Ml to the place on the east side of Jordan where they should encamp that ni.i,'lit, and be there erected as a memorial unto the children of Israel forever. Not as testifyinj; to the courage and endurance of the chosen people who had wandered for forty years iu a barren land, but as testifying to the mightiness of God and his faithfulness in the fuHilment of his promises. And when the stones were placed as directed. Joshua spake unto the people saying: "When your chihlren shall ask their fathers, in time to come, saying what mean these stones V "Then ye shall let your ciiildien know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land." "That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lor.l, that it is mighty." Standing within the shadow of these hills which were silent witnesses of the contest waged here in the ever-to-be-remendiered past, and in the presence of this monument which speaks of where we stood in that hour of trial and danger, and seeing the sculptured granite with which this field is dotted, may we not imagine our children and our children's children in the years to come, asking their fathers, as did tlie Israelitish ehildren of old: "Wh.il mean these stones V" Truly may it bi" said to them that "the hand of the Lord is mighty" and though they m.-iy not be told that tlieii- fathers ••c;ime over this on dry land," but rather on gromid drcnclied with the blood of wounded and slain comrades, yet may it be said they stood here devoted to the cause of hmnan liberty and upholding the "Ark of our ('ovenaut" of Perpetual Union; and if ever the unrighteous hand of piditical ambition shall again remove that ark from our midst may worse than Assyrian calamities affiict the plunderers till our ti-easure be restored. If ever the genius of human liberty be driven from our shores, like Noah's dove may she find no rest for the soles of her feet until she return alid find a glad people i-e.idy and willing to receive. I., ch.-rish ;ind t.i love her. As leslifying lo the restoration of that Ark of our < 'ovenaiit— to tlH> re- eiithrouenient of tli;it |iresiding genius of our nation. ;ind to the heroic endeavors of those who. under God's favor— though it may have been in tears, iu sorrow and bl.iod. wrou-ht out the triumph of a rigl us cause. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 255 ADDRESS OF SERGEANT-MAJOR A. P. MORRISON. TWENTY-SIX years have swiftly rolled away, old comrades of the "Ninth," since we stood here ou this very spot in battle line, bearing our part in that momentous three-days' struggle between the armies of the North and Soutli, which history has already recognized and recorded as one of those great battles of the world, which change or fix and de- termine the destinies of nations, and the character of their civil institutions for all time. Here, on this bloody field of Gettysburg, the surging tide of "Secession" was stayed and turned back, and the "union" of these states was saved from impending dissolution, and for all time made sure and strong. Here the most costly sacrifice of patriot blood was poured out a willing offering by the nation's sons, to the end that this great nation might live, and con- tinue to live on and on, "to the last syllable of recorded time." Yes, comrades, the "Ninth" stood here then, in name and fame strong as in other days of battle, to meet the foe — but in numbers how reduced. ^yhel•e now — in this the very crisis of the great conflict — where now, are those ten hundred men and more, who two short years before had marched beneath the battalion banner of the "Ninth," with bounding hearts and buoyant step, away from home and friends, and all the joys of peaceful life, to battle for the right? Here, but a handful of those brave ones stood to meet the onset of the impetuous foe, whose feet had dared invade the borders of their native State. Where had the others gone? Let Dranesville tell; let the gory fields of the seven-days' fight from Beaver Dam to Malvern Hill make truthful answers. Let the fierce fighting in the Pope campaign from Rap- pahannock's banks to Chantilly's woods he heard — let South Mountain and Antietam mournfully reply; and Fredericksburg with solemn voice from hill and plain, report the number of the fallen there — let all the wearing marches and the exhausting toils of duty in the field, whether the summer sun was scorching, or the frosts and piercing winds of winter chilled the lonely picket's blood— let all that this imports of hardship and physical disability and sickness unto death, make up account for the absent ones of this great day. Ah, comrades, what a small space of ground among these grey and rugged rocks and boulders, could our good regiment cover and fight for and defend when the "battle was set in array," on that second and third day of July, 1863. Its ten companies, all told, could only place about three hundred men in line. We believed in the inherent and ever-abiding justice of the cause for which we fought. We felt in our inmost being, then, as ever, that, "Right is right— since God is God, And right the day must win; To doubt would be disloyalty. To falter, would be sin." And, notwithstanding its depleted ranks, the "Ninth" went forward to its place in the line of battle, as steadily and firmly as if it had been itself a whole army corps. 18 256 Pcnnmjlvania at Gettysburg. lu the Gettysburg caiiiimign the glory of our regiment, ami of the brigade as well, consisted not so much in what might be called the actual clash of arms in conllict with tlio rebels, as in its always getting to the right place, however perilous that place might be, at the right time — however long and exliausdng the marches, tiie effort might require, and in its tenaci- ously holding the position to which it was assigned, against the very flower of the Confederate army. Tlie march from the defenses of Washington, begun on the 25th of June, to the battle-field of Gettysburg, not far from Little Round Top — taking into consideration the frequent, almost incessant, rains, and the heavy and slippery condition of the roads — was a very remarkable one in- deed. It tested the vigor and endurance of the men to the utmost limit of their strength. If in the daytime we moved slowly and with difficulty through fields and woods, guarding, it might be, long trains of ammunition and supplies or batteries of heavy guns, which occupied and oftentimes blocked up the soft and deeply-rutted roads, when the sun went down we were pushed forward far into the night to make up for our retarded progress in the day. To you all, soldiers of the "Ninth," I need not enter into details of that seven-days' march. Here, on this historic spot, where its goal was reached, it comes back to every mind, with all its incidents fresh and vividly as if a thing of yesterday. But you will bear with me while I read from the dim and faded pages of my own little pocket diary these few brief ex- tracts of memoranda relating to that march: June 24th, 1SG3. Our regiment was lying quietly at Vienna. On the evening of that day we got orders to rejoin our brigade at Upton's Hill some eight miles back. We marched about 9 o'clock and reached our destination a little after midnight. Thursday, June 25th. The "Ninth" marcliing with the brigade at 1 o'clock p. m., moved out in the direction of Vienna on the same road we of the "Ninth" had come in on the night before, and halted not far from where we had been encamped. This marcliing up the hill simply to march down again did not seem exactly right to our boys. It meant for them sixteen miles of unnecessary tramping through the rain. Friday, 2(jtli. Reveille at 4 o'clock in the morning; on the march at 6. Raining hard all day; roads very slippery and heavy. Made about sixteen miles and lialted in the evening at Goose creek not very far from Edwards' Ferry. Saturday, 27tii. Reveille at 4 o'clock; to march at 5. Crossed the Toto- niac at Edwards' Ferry on a pontoon bridge and found ourselves once more in Maryland, a part of Hooker's army. Day showery and roads muddy. Halted at night near the mouth of tlie Monocacy river having made at least fifteen miles. Sunday, 28th. Reveille at 3.30; on the march at 5; crossed the Monocacy; day cloudy with a little rain; joined the Fifth Army Corps; our "Pennsyl- vania Reserves" having been assigned to that corps on the request of Gen- eral Meade, its then commander; halted near Frederick after marching about twelve miles. Here we learned of tlie appointment of General Meade to tlie command of the "Army of the Potomac." Great news this for us Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 257 of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. We were proud to know that one of our own generals, one for whom we felt that we had won the "stars," should be placed in this very highest position in the army in the very crisis of the nation's fate. We had confidence in him for wo knew him to be an energetic, brave, cool and determined leader. Monday, 29th, Reveille again at 4 a. m.; the "Ninth" fell in about 8, but did not move forward until about 1, and then marched slowly all the afternoon; the day was rainy and the road was filled up with wagon trains; about 6 o'clock in the evening the road was cleared before us and we started off almost on a "double-quick;" crossed the Monocacy and turned directly northward towards Pennsylvania, marching over very bad country roads; halted about midnight, having made some fifteen miles. Tuesday, June 30th. Reveille at 4 o'clock; it rained on us very hard last night and this morning; marched at 7 a. m.; found the road exceedingly heavy and slippery; passed through Liberty, Johnsville, Union Bridge, Union, and halted near Union Mills, having made a big day's march, not less than twenty miles; the "Reserves" are all in high spirits about going into Pennsylvania. Wednesday, July 1st. On the march by 6.30 this morning, moving rather slowly all day; crossed the State line into old Pennsylvania about 4 p. m. amid glad cheering and loud hurrahs; heard the dull boom of distant cannon from time to time, but did not then know that the great battle was al- ready on; about 6.30 o'clock in the evening the division was massed, rations were issued and extra ammunition distributed to the men, and all signs indi- cated a coming fight; there was not much rest in this short halt, and by .8 o'clock we were again on the move; marched on without stopping until about 2 o'clock of the morning of the 2d, halting at last, after passing through Hanover, near McSherrystown. Thursday, July 2d. After only two hours rest, reveille at 4 a. m., and marched immediately without waiting even to make a cup of coffee. Pretty hard this, but the weary men now understanding that the emergency was pressing, and forgetting the want of much-needed sleep and food and rest, pushed forward cheerfully and eagerlj' towards what they knew must be a bloody battle. After marching about an hour we were halted long enough to make our coffee, and then once more moved rapidly forwai-d until about 10 o'clock we reached Rock creek, some two miles southeast of the town of Gettysburg. Here we learned of the disastrous fortunes of the preced- ing day to the Union forces, and worst news of all, the untimely death of one of our best loved generals, one whom the Pennsylvania Reserve Volun- teer Corps was proud to have claimed as its own commander — the beau ideal soldier, the gallant General Reynolds. From 7 o'clock a. m., of July 1st to 11 o'clock on the 2d, twenty-eight hours, Avith only about three hours given to sleep and rest, our regiment had marched forty-two miles. Is it any wonder that when the halt was sounded the weary men threw themselves upon the ground, under that burning July sun and slept away the hours, while the battle was preparing? About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the fiery storm suddenly burst in fierce fury on Sickles' Third Corps. Immediately the Fifth under Sykes was 258 Pennsylvania at Gettt/shurg. hurried forward to the succor of the Third, then badly broken up and forced back in shattered fragments from its too-far-advauced position. It must have been about 5 o'clock when our diA'ision, the Third of Sykes' Corps, under the gallant General Crawford, passed over the crest of the ridge out yonder to the right of Little Round Top, and first came under fire. How vividly the fearful scene of that dread hour comes back to you old soldiers of the "Ninth," as you now look out over yonder quiet woods and peaceful fields. The sun, a dull, red ball of fire, was going down "wrapped in drifts of lurid smoke." The appalling roar of cannon; the screaming shells ex- ploding in mid-air; the sharp rattling and continuous crash of infantry firing; the charging masses of the enemy; the broken columns of our side slowly falling back, contesting every foot of ground, and yielding one position only to make a more stubborn stand for another; the Avhole atmos- phere thick and heavy with the sulphurous smoke of battle. Yon field of ripened grain just ready for the harvest, "blasted below the dun hot breath of war." Oh, comrades, it was not a cheering scene that then opened on our view. On the contrary, we might truly say that at that moment "disaster stared us in the face." The two brigades of United States Infantry, the "Regu- lars," had just advanced across yon piece of level ground, while our two brigades of Pennsylvania Reserves, by General Crawford's orders, were "massed in column by division,'* in the open space just north of this rocky spur of Round Top. Vincent, and O'Rorke, and Hazlett, and Weed, with their gallant com- mands, had but a few moments before wrested this master-post of Little Round Top from the grasp of Hood. But, oh! at what a cost! Vincent and O'Rorke, Hazlett and Weed, all four, lay dead upon this mount of glory. The question then was, could the survivors of the terrible struggle to secure this vantage gi-ound, thus bereft of all their leaders, could they with- stand another impending charge of the now exultant rebels? The stake was great, too great to be left in doubt. Humphreys was "changing front to the rear," but to no good purpose. Sweitzer's Brigade fiercely beset on its flank and rear was forced from its position. The "nognlars," attacked in front and flank, were compelled to fall back. You all remombor how they looked. How firmly they held themselves together, firing and falling back, firing and falling back, their front diminish- ing at every volley until only one-half of their charging column was left to fire! It was just at this critical moment that our gallant General Crawford put his two brigades of Pennsylvania Reserves in motion, our Third Bri- gade in front. Advancing rapidly we were very soon within range and under a heavy fire from the enemy. But we had not gone more than fifty yards when the urgent call for re-inforcement for the few survivors of the gallant regiments that had at such a heavy cost plucked Little Round Top from the clutch of Hood and his Confederate veterans, and who now crippled, and exhausted by the deadly struggle, their leaders cold in death, still lying where they fell, awaited among these rocks and on this rugged Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 259 hill, the still more desperate charge the baffled rebels were preparing to overwhelm their decimated ranks and seize this granite key of the battle- Held — reached General Crawford. He was not slow in responding to the call. Ours, the leading brigade, was halted and ordered to go at ouce to the succor of the exhausted comrades of the Vincent and O'Korke com- mands. Without a moment's delay, the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth Regiments of Reserves changed direction and moved by the left flank, almost on a double-quick over the hill to this, its western slope, and joined the remnant of Vincent's Battalion. The movement was in the very nick of time. The plan of Hood and Law, to seize this "coigne of vantage," was foiled, for with accession of Fisher's Brigade to the gallant men who had so desperately fought for and so tenaciously held this almost impreg- nable position, any new attack would be madness, and could only result in a repulse more sanguinary and crushing than the first had been. Little Round Top, found and proclaimed by Warren to be the key to the whole Union battle Hue, was saved — and safe — for General Meade, what- ever migfiit befall on other portions of the field. A little later when darkness had settled over these woods, the Fifth and Twelfth Regiments were taken by Colonel Fisher, with other troops, to drive the enemy from Round Top and occupy its lofty summit, while the Ninth and Tenth were left to hold and guard this gap which Hood and Law had deemed their open gateway to our left and rear. We did not then know the supreme importance of the position we had to protect, but we do know now from General Hill's official report that "Hood's right was held as in a vise." About 10 o'clock that night, our line being established and our pickets set a few yards in advance, we lay down, each soldier in his place and "with all his armor on" ready for any night attack the rebels might attempt; and notwithstanding an occasional shot from a picket post to remind us of im- pending danger, and the pitiful moaning of the wounded all around us, we slept as only exhausted soldiers can. With the earliest dawn of day on July 3d, our line was up and on the alert. How vigorously you all worked, comrades, on this stone wall! A labor of love it was, of love of life, of honor, of country; for well you knew how this low breast-work, rude and rough in form, might help to gain and save them all, in the storm of battle that then seemed sure to burst upon us ere the sun was high. And here we lay all that long summer day awaiting calmly, yea hoping, for the charging columns of the rebels. But no attack in force was made on our position. Skirmish firing in our front and the crack of the sharp- shooters' rifle were the only sounds of war that broke the stillness of these woods, until, sudden as a flash of lightning in the sultry afternoon, these "rock ribbed hills" were made to shake and quiver by that terrific roar of three hundred cannon thundering from the opposing lines. Oh! how great and grand it was, and yet how dreadful. These rocks and woods that seemed to promise refuge and safety became an added element of danger when the iron hail that filled the air cut off large limbs from these tall trees and hurled among us granite fragments whenever a heavy round shot struck and shattered some protruding boulder. But with all that fearful shelling the casualties in the Ninth were verv few. The records 260 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. show we had but two meu killed and five men wounded in this great battle. But the wounding of one of our comrades, one who but lately, "after life's fitful fever," has gone to his long rest, was an incident of that day which may have special mention. Here it was, right here, that brave and generous Sergeant McMunn of Company G, moved only by an impulse of pity for a suffering man, laying aside his gun and holding up his hand in token that he went only on a deed of peace and mercy, stepped out from the protection of our wall of stones, to carry to the parched lips of a sorely wounded foe, a cup of water. And while bending over the death- stricken body of the rebel soldier in this ministration of pity and compas- sion, a bullet from the rifle of some ruthless rebel sharpshooter hidden in the tree top crushed through his face. It was a most dastardly deed! But sudden and sure vengeance followed on the instant, and the rebel miscreant fell pierced by more than one ball from the sergeant's comrades of Com- pany G. The battle ended with the setting sun of that third day of mighty conflict and slaughter, and victory at last rested with the side which was contending for the righteous cause of our national unity and the per- petuation of that beneficent system of government which had been handed down to us, a precious legacy, by the patriotic fathers, the wise and far- seeing statesmen and sages of the old revolutionary times. When the morning sunlight gilded these mountain heights and rugged rocks, and spread in splendor over all these blood-stained plains and ridges on that 4th of July, 1863, the ever-joyous anniversary of our nation's natal day, the nation's existence which had been ruthlessly threatened and im- periled by its Confederate enemies, was once more firmly established on its sure foundation, its underlying corner-stone, strong and enduring as this great rock of Round Top under whose shadow we now stand — that ever-living principle which appeals to the common sense of the common people among all races and in all times — the principle, namely, "of govern- ment of the people, by the people, for the people." That, comrades, was the great stake for which we of the Union army battled here and on a hundred other glorious fields all over the Union's wide extended realm. And may I not now, after the lapse of these many years, adopt the beautiful language of Edward Everett, the venerable and eloquent orator on the occasion of the dedication, a quarter of a century ago, of yonder National Cemetery to the sacred dust of the martyr heroes who gave up their lives, "that wheresoever throughout the civilized world the accounts of that great warfare are read, and down to the latest period of recorded time, in the glorious annals of our common country, there will be no brighter page than that which relates The Battle of Gettysburg." a CO. NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 261 DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 39'^° REGIMKNT INFANTRY (Tenth Reserves) September 2, 1890 ADDRESS BY FIRST LIEUT. & ADJUTANT GEORGE W. McCRACKEN. COMRADES and friends: — It is unnecessary for me to remarli that tlie time, to wliicli I am limited on tliis occasion, entirely precludes any- thing that could be fairly denominated history. The history of the Tenth Regiment would require a volume of several hundred pages. What I offer is a brief sketch of its organization, what might be called an itin- erary of its campaigns, and a few statistics. During the month of June, 18G1, there assembled in the old "Fair Grounds," on Penu street, in Pittsburg (for the time-being called "Camp Wilkins") seven companies of young men, who had enrolled themselves, at as many different places, scattered over territory embraced in six of the counties of western Pennsylvania. Three othei-s of the same make-up had, at the same time, come together at Camp Wright, at Hulton Station, about ten miles up the Allegheny river. On the 28th of June these com- panies were organized as a regiment of infantry. John S. McCalmont of Venango county, was colonel; James T. Kirk of Washington county, lieutenant-colonel, and Harrison Allen of Warren county, major. The organization was designated by the Governor of Pennsylvania, "The Tenth Regiment of Infantry of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps." The Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was a military organization then being formed in pursuance of an act of the general assembly, approved May 1.5, 1801, and designed primarily for the defense of the State, but subject at any time to be called into the service of the United States. To bring the regiment into one camp, the companies at Camp Wilkins, which were those known during their service as Companies, A, B, C, D, G, I and K, marched on the afternoon of July 1, to Camp Wright. In Camp Wright, along with Colonel J. W. McLane's old Erie Regiment, and the Ninth and Eleventh regiments and Battery B, of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, the Tenth was exercised in drill and instructed in guard duty until the afternoon of July 18, when it marched aboard a train of twenty-one cars, and. after an all-night ride over the Pennsylvania railroad to Huntingdon, and thence over the Huntingdon and Broad Top railroad, landed at Hopewell, Bedford county, Pa., next morning. In afternoon marched to Bloody Run, near Everett; next evening marched back to Hopewell; again took the cars; about midnight were bountifully fed by the good ladies of Huntingdon, and shortly after daylight, July 21, 1861 (day of battle of Bull Run), landed in Harrisburg, put up at Camp Curtin. That afternoon the regiment was mustered into the service 262 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. of the United States for the term of three years, being the first of the I'ennsjivania Reserve Corps so mustered. The mustering officer was lieu- tenant-colonel, afterward General T. W. Sherman, United States Army. On the afternoon of 22d, again marched aboard the cars, and next morn- ing at an early hour arrived in Baltimore. Marched across the city with muskets loaded, and camped for a night at Mount Clare. Late in the evening of July 24, the regiment embarked on a train of box cars, and in the night arrived at the Baltimore and Ohio railroad station, in Washington. In and around the depot the men made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would allow until noon, then bivouacked for two nights on the Capitol grounds (then enclosed by a high fence), near the northeast corner of the Capitol building, and then camped a few days on the commons near Eastern Branch of Potomac. On the 5th of August, marched up Pennsylvania avenue and out through Georgetown to Tennallytown. The day was intensely hot, and probably more of the men suffered from exhaustion and the effects of heat on this short march (six or seven miles), than on any other day in the history of the regiment. At Camp Tennally the Tenth Regiment remained more than two months, occupied in drilling, guard and picket duties, building fortifications, being reviewed, etc.; included in this time, one week, August 13-20, was employed as advanced guard at Great Falls. The march to that place was made in a terrible down-pour of rain, the old turnpike being flooded in many places, some of them several feet in depth. The entire Pennsylvania Reserve Corps was assembled at Tenallytowu, General George A. McCall commanded the division, which was organized as three brigades, commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals John F. Reynolds, George G. Meade and Colonel John S. McCalmont. Colonel McCalmont continued in command of Third Brigade which was constituted of the Sixth, Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth regiments, until November 20, 1861, when Brigadier-General E. O. C. Ord was assigned to its command. Of this brigade the Tenth Regiment continued to be a part during its entire term of service. October 9, 1861, the Pennsylvania Reserves crossed the Potomac, at Chain Bridge, and first trod the soil of Virginia, few of the boys dreaming how much they were to come in contact with that sacred article during the three years that were to follow. The division now encamped at Lang- ley's, on the Old Georgetown and Leesburg pike, called their camp "Camp Pierpont," and occupied it just five months, engaged in drill, guard and picket duty, with occasional variety in the way of expeditions beyond the lines to obtain information of the enemy or gather forage. Sometimes these encountered similar parties of the enemy. Of these encounters the most important occurred at Dranesville, December 20, 1801. Ord's Brigade, that day, met a brigade of rebels commanded by the famous cavalry leader, J. E. B. Stuart, and in the engagement which followed, the enemy, consisting of the First Kentucky, Sixth South Carolina, Tenth Alabama and Eleventh Virginia regiments, were very decidedly worsted. General Stuart reported his loss as forty-three killed, one hundred and forty-three wounded and eight missing. The loss on our side was seven killed and sixty-one wounded. Of the Tenth Regiment only one platoon of Company B, and Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 263 the Pioneers under coniniand of Captain Thomas McConnell were engaged, and they were so fortunate as to meet with no loss, though performing well a very important part, and occasioning groat loss and demoralization to the enemy. This detachment was sent by Colonel McCalmont to observe and if opportunity offered attack the right flank of the enemy. It succeeded in getting possession of a washout or ravine in the thick pine woods, close up on the flank of the Eleventh Virginia and Tenth Alabama regi- ments, which were engaged with the Bucktails in their front, and at once opened a very destructive fire, which doubtless hastened the departure of those regiments from that part of the field. On the 10th of March, 1SG2, participating in the general advance of the Army of the Potomac, the division moved out to Hunter's Mills; Center- ville and the line of Bull Run having been abandoned by the rebels, the Pennsylvania Reserves were ordered to Alexandria, and marched to reach that destination by a circuitous route, over fields of mud, during a day of constant snow and rain. This march was always remembered as one of the times of unmitigated discomfort and exposure, in the experience of the regiment. The division halted near Fairfax Seminary, being assigned to the First Army Corps, of which Major-General Irvin McDowell was commander, and remained near Alexandria while the other corps were em- barking for the Peninsula. The First Army Corps was originally com- posed of the divisions commanded by Generals Franklin, McCall and King. Franklin's Division was sent to Yorktowu in April and became the First Division, Sixth Army Corps. April 10, the Third Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserves, marched by way of Fairfax Court House and Centerville, cross- ing Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford, and arrived at Manassas on the 11th. The Tenth Regiment was assigned quarters in a rebel camp about a mile southeast of Manassas Station, but in a few days marched to Catlett's, where it endured nearly three weeks of extremely disagreeable weather, and on May 4, to Falmouth via Hartwood Church. Though out of season, some bee products and some turkeys were confiscated on this march, even the dignified colonel of the Tenth Regiment being said to have been im- plicated in the turkey business. After a few days near Falmouth, the Tenth Regiment moved to the vicinity of Potomac Creek and fitted up a camp in very fine style, the other regiments of the brigade doing likewise. Heavy details were here employed in cutting and hauling timber, building bridges and repaii-ing the railroad from Aquia Creek Landing on the Potomac to Fredericksburg and beyond. These, with drill, guard and picket, kept the men very fully employed. Here the brigade lost the leadership of General Ord, who was promoted to be a major-general and assigned to the command of a new division at- tached to the Fii-st Army Corps. Brigadier-General Truman Seymour was assigned to command the brigade, a change of commanders that was never appreciated by the command. The Tenth Regiment also lost its honored chief. Colonel McCalmont's -personal affairs rendered it imperative that he should resign, and much to the regret of both officers and men, he was mustered out of the service. Lieutenant-Colonel Kirk became colonel, and Captain A. J. Warner of Company G was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. 264 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. June 13th, the Tenth Regiment embarked on the Rappahannock river above I*ort Royal, on the steamer Thomas Jefiferson and the schooner T. Raymond which was towed by the steamer. There was considerable novelty iu the trip, occupying most of two days, down the Rappahannock, both steamer and schooner often finding the bottom of the river. On the morning of the 16th, the Tenth landed at White ELouse, on the Pamunkey, and marched out the railroad, passing Tunstall's Station, just missing J. E. l^. Stuart's cavalry in its famous raid around the Army of the Potomac. The Third Brigade was here temporarily reduced to three regiments, the Sixth Regiment being detached to guard the railroad. June ISth, the divi- sion marched from Dispatch Station up the north side of the Chickahominy, and passing Porter's Provisioual Fifth Army Corps, at Gaines' Mill, took post as the advance of the right wing of the army, on Beaver Dam run, about a half mile east of the village of Mechanicsville, which village (entirely deserted by its inhabitants) was occupied by our pickets as their reserve post, and is only five miles from Richmond. The intreuchments and camps of the rebels were in plain view across the Chickahominy. Some small earthworks were thrown up by the Third Brigade along the east bank of the Beaver dam, and the timber bordering that stream mostly cut down, the enemy meanwhile keeping us stirred up by an occasional shot or shell, which they could throw from their works beyond the Chickahominy entirely over our camps. In the afternoon of June 20, the rebel divisions of D. H. Hill and A. P. Hill, having crossed the Chickahominy above and at Mechanicsville, cap- turing most of the pickets, appeared on the high ground west of the Beaver dam, and soon advanced furiously to attack our position. Our line was held by the First Brigade, General John F. Reynolds, on the right, on its left two companies, A and B of the Tenth, then the Twelfth Regiment completing the line to the Chickahominy flats, on our left. The other com- panies of the Tenth and Ninth regiments were in reserve, and the Second Brigade, General George G. Meade, held the line of tlie Chickahominy to left and rear. Archer's and Field's bi-igades of A. P. Hill's Division, attempted to carry the right of the line, and Ripley's and bri- gades of D. H. Hill's, were hurled against our left. At every point they were most severely repulsed, the First North Carolina and Forty-fourth Georgia regiments of Ripley's Brigade meeting with losses exceeded in very few instances during the war. Official report gives loss of Forty-fourth Georgia as three hundred and twenty-five killed and wounded in this en- gagement. The whole rebel loss was one thousand three hundred and sixty- five killed and wounded, and that of the Pennsylvania Reserves, the only troops engaged on the Union side, was two hundred and fifty-six killed and wounded, and one hundred and five missing, the missing including the captured pickets. Next morning the division marched back about four miles, and rested behind the lines of Morell's Division at Gaines' Mill. Tiie rebels, reinforced by Ijongstreet's Division and the three divisions under Jackson, followed the movement closely, and in the afternoon assailed Morell's and Sykes' positions in heavy force, bringing on one of the most stubbornly contested battles of the war. The regiments of the Third Bri- gade were sent into action separately, as their presence seemed to be Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 265 needed to support the bard-pressed front line. The Tenth, going to the assistance of Griffin's Brigade, took a gaUant part in repulsing repeated assaults of Pender's, Gregg's and Anderson's brigades of A. P. Hill's Division, holding its ground until late in the evening, when, with ammuni- tion exhausted and ranks sadly thinned, the whole line was forced to give way, before the overwhelming onslaught made upon it by Longstreet's, Jackson's and Whiting's divisions. The loss suffered by the Tenth Regi- ment at Gaines' Mill was numerically the greatest it ever sustained, al- though the percentage of loss out of number engaged was much greater at Manassas, and also at Fredericksburg, and was the heaviest of any regiment in the division except the Eleventh — being forty killed and one hundred severely wounded. During the night of the 27th Porter's com- mand crossed the Chickahominy to Trent's Ilill, where we remained during the following day. On the 29th, marched, passing Savage's Station and White Oak Swamp, to Charles City Cross Roads, called also Glendale, where, on the 30th, the Tenth Regiment was again engaged with the enemy, performed with entire success the difficult manoeuvre of making a left half wheel, under a heavy fire of artillery, and in the presence of an attacking column of infantry, and immediately charging, completely broke up the Seventeenth Virginia Regiment of Kemper's Brigade, capturing nearly half its number, and itself suffering very slight loss in doing so. But, a little later, by somebody's blunder or want of judgment, it was placed in an exposed and untenable position, where it suffered severe loss. Its loss this day was twenty-four killed and forty severely wounded. July 1, the division enjoyed the position of lookers-on at the battle of Malvern Hill, and at night led the army in its march to Harrison's Landing, on the James river. Here it rested, suffering from the heat of the weather and the badness of the water — all who were there doubtless remember vividly the pork-barrel wells that were dug, also the shelling by the "rebs" from the south side of the James, on the night of July .31. After the latter occurrence the Third Brigade was sent across the river, and spent a pleasant week at Coggin's Point, the old Edmund Ruffln plantation. On the withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac from Harrison's Land- ing we embarked on a steamer, two regiments, Tenth and Seventh on one boat, landed at Aquia Creek August 19, and were at once transported by rail to Fredericksburg. Late in the evening of the 21st the division, now commanded by General John F. Reynolds, started out upon what tried to the utmost its powers of endurance — the march to Warrenton, to join the army of General Pope. We rested at Warrenton until afternoon of August 27, 1862, when departure was taken in haste by the old turnpike toward Bull Run and Centerville, the division again forming part of the First Army Corps — commanded by Majoi'-General McDowell. We came in contact with the enemy on the morning of the 28th near Gainesville and again in the afternoon, and in the night made a long circuitous march nearly to Manassas and back nearly to the Henry House on the old battle- field of Bull Run. On the 29th the Third Brigade especially was used as a detachment to feel for the enemy's position in front of the left of Pope's army and open communication with Fitz John Porter's command should it advance 266 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. upon the enemy. On the afternoon the Third Brigade with General G, K. Warren's Brigade of the Fifth Corps and McLean's Brigade of Sigel's Corps were the only infantry left on the south side of the pike, and bore the brunt of the overwlielmlng charge of Longstreet's whole corps. The loss suffered here by these brigades testify to the fact that they did all that men could do to hold their ground. Tiie Tenth lost in this battle twenty-two killed or mortally wounded and about forty others wounded. The last day of the month was spent at Centerville, the division picketing along Cub run at night. September 1, we reached Chantilly late in the evening, and in an outpour of rain halted in support of Kearny's Division, in the engagement in which that dashing leader lost his life. Next day marched from Fairfa.v Court House to Arlington, where we rested until the night of the 0th during which we marched again, crossing Long Bridge, and through the city of Washington to Leesboro, Md. After here receiving some much-needed supplies, our march was continued northward, and on the evening of the 13th we bivouacked at the crossing of the Monocacy by the Frederick pike. Next day pushed forward through Fi-ederick and Middletown, and in the afternoon took an active part in dislodging the enemy from his formidable position on South Mountain. At the foot of the mountain the division filed off to the right about a mile, and charging up the face of the ridge quickly dislodged tlie enemy, completely dispersing Kodes' Alabama Brigade. Loss in regiment, seven killed and thirteen wounded. Next morning followed the retreating rebels to the Antietam just beyond Keedysville. After waiting until the evening of the 16th, the First. Corps, which since leaving Washington had been commanded by General Joseph Hooker, moved up the creek a short distance, crossed by a stone bridge, pushed on to the Hagerstown and Sharpsburg pike, and Meade's Division being in advance, we got sharply into action with the enemy just before dark, and the opposing lines of battle passed the night only a few yards apart. The attack by Hooker's Corps was resumed at dawn on the 17th, King's Di- vision going to the front, inmiediately followed by the Third Brigade of Meade's, and at once began the bloodiest forenoon's work of the war. Fortunately for the Tenth Regiment, the confidence of the corps commander either in its reliability or in the skill of its lieutenant-colonel, in a situa- tion that might require the exercise of those qualities in unusual degree, was here the occasion of our escaping the very fiercest of the conflict. Just as it was entering the famous cornfield. Colonel Warner was ordered by an aide of General Hooker to move his regiment by the right flank across the turnpike, go as far to the right and front as possible, and watch the movements of the enemy. This duty it performed, itself suffering but little, except the very serious wounding of its gallant commander. The regiment encamped near Sharpsburg until the 2Gth of October, on which day it marched to the summit of South Mountain at Crampton's Gap, a day and night of experience with mud and rain and fierce searching wind on tiie dreary mountain top. We crossed the Potomac again into Virginia, at Berlin, October 30, marched across Loudoun county by way of Lovettsville, Philomont, Tinion and Middleburg to White Plains and Warrenton, and sheep and hogs being numerous and in prime condition, we Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 267 fared as well as at any time during the service. The First Corps moved from Fayetteville near Warrenton, November 17, and next evening camped at Stafford Court House, soon moving again to Brooke's Station, and after some two weeks of extremely cold weather for so early in the season spent there, moved on the Gth of December to White Oak Church, from whence, at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 11th, we started for the Rappa- hannock, the Tenth being detailed to guard the laying of pontoon bridges at Franklin's Crossing, about two miles below Fredericksburg. The enemy's pickets were quickly driven from the opposite bank and two bridges soon completed. The Sixth Corps crossing on them during the afternoon, and the First Corps on the 12th; the latter corps moved down the river to Bernard's plantation, where it bivouacked. Nothing was visible on the morning of the 13th but a most remarkably dense fog. The division how- ever moved out across the Bowling Green road finding there the skirmishers of the enemy. The lines of the First Corps, which was now commanded by General John F. Reynolds, were soon formed, the First Division on the left faced nearly east, the Third Division (Pennsylvania Reserves), General George G. Meade commanding, on its right fronting nearly to the south at almost a right angle with the P^irst, faced the enemy's batteries and lines of infantry on the wooded hills beyond the railroad, the Second Division on its right extending in the same direction, and the Sixth Corps prolonged the line still farther to the right. The assault on the enemy's position was made by the Third Division, now consisting of the thirteen old regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves and two new regiments, the One hundred and twenty-first and One hundred and forty-second regiments Pennsylvania Volunteers, incorporated respectively in the First and Second Brigades. The First Brigade was deployed on the right, the Third on the left and the Second massed in rear of the center. The Tenth Regiment formed the extreme left of the line. It had only eight companies in line. Company B having been sent out as skirmishers down the Bowling Green road, where the cavalry skirmishers of the enemy had become troublesome, and Company D being provost guard of division. About 2 o'clock they moved forward as steadily and in as complete order as though its ranks were not being plowed by shot and shell from the enemy's batteries. The distance to be traversed was about a half mile over a treeless plain, which was found to be crossed by fences bordered with briars, and a wide ditch about five feet deep with nearly perpendicular sides, and water and ice at the bottom, but these obstacles scarcely oc- casioned a break in the line as it swept on toward the enemy. After cross- ing the railroad the Tenth Regiment found itself exposed to a heavy cross- fire from the left as well as the fire in its front. In fact the left of our line had struck near the center of Archer's Brigade, and the right of that command overlapped our left, tliiis compelling the left of the Tenth to fall back to the railroad, which it held, engaging the enemy, and keeping silent a section of artillery posted about two hundred yards to its left and front. The right of the Third Brigade dislodged the Nineteenth Georgia Regi- ment forming the left of Archer's Brigade, almost annihilating it, and capturing its colors, and swinging forward to the left, widened the interval between it and the left of the First Brigade. This interval was at once 268 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. occupied by tbe Second Brigade, wliicli, pushing directly forward, badly worsted the famed South Carolina Brigade of General Maxcy Gregg, and causing the death of General Gregg. The ground thus wrested from the enemy the division held for about two hours, repulsing all attempts of the enemy to retake it, until, after nearly half its numbers were killed or wounded and its ammunition entirely expended, it retired over the same ground it had made its advance, bringing back every one of its colors, and also several others taken from the enemy. The division entered the engagement with less than four thousand five hundred men and lost therein over two thousand killed, wounded and missing. The Tenth Regi- ment, out of about two hundred and fifty engaged, lost eleven killed, eighty- one wounded and forty-seven missing, as reported immediately after the battle; of the wounded, twelve died of their wounds. Although the Tenth did not penetrate the enemy's line as far as some of the other regiments, it held most determinedly a position that was all important to the safety of the whole division, and it was only by the greatest possible effort that the unemployed enemy on its left were held back from closing the gap in the rear of those who had advanced into the woods. As a military movement, for dash and gallantry in making the advance, for steadi- ness and determination in holding a position gained within the lines of an enemy much superior in numbers to the attacking force, and especi- ally for the adhesiveness shown in retiring without assistance, and with- out loss of organization, from so exposed a situation, this charge of Meade's Division certainly compares creditably with anything recorded in history. The division crossed back to the north side of the river on the night of the 15th of December, and after a few days moving about settled down in a camp among the sand bills near Belle Plain Landing, where it remained, with the exception of three days following January 23, 1863, during which it participated in the no way pleasant experience of "Burnside's Stuck in the Mud," until February 9, when it embarked on the Potomac, and next day landed at Alexandria, marched to Minor's Hill, and was employed in picketing in front of the fortifications of Washington, until April 20, when the Third Brigade moved into Washington, occupied barracks on East Capitol street, and up to the 1st of June was engaged in various duties pertaining to the Military District of Washington. June 1, 1803, the Third Brigade marched to Upton's Hill, and thence, on the 25th, along with the First Brigade (the Second being left at Alex- andria), set out to join the Army of the Potomac, coming up with it on the 28th at Ballingor's creek near Frederick, Md. The two brigades now became the Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, and so remained until expiration of their service. June 29, we marched to Liberty, on the 30th to Union Mills, Md., and on July 1, crossed into I'ennsylvania, and were puslied on toward York, so far from Gettysburg that the sound of battle did not reach us at all, and we were entirely unaware of the desperate conflict going on, until late in the afternoon, when news Avas received that a battle was in progress and that General Reynolds had been killed. The news of the death of General Reynolds caused a universal feeling of sadness throughout the division, which had known him from the begin- Pennsylvania at Gcttysbury. 269 ning as brigade, division and corps conunander, and all lionored and re- spected him in the very fullest sense. Late in the evening of July 1, the head of column of the Fifth Corps was turned toward Gettysburg, the Third Division passing through Hanover after dark. The weary march Avas until after midnight, when near the village of Bonneauville a halt was made, and the tired soldiers laid down and slept by the roadside until day, which came at a very early hour. After a hasty breakfast the corps was again on the march, and soon came in sight of the skii-mishers of the enemy, who held possession of that road to the town of Gettysburg. We let them keep it, and filed to the left down a small stream until we reached the Baltimore turnpike, which we fol- lowed toward Gettysburg. After crossing Rock creek the Fifth Corps filed off the pike to the left, lay down and rested until about 5 o'clock in the evening, at which hour the sound of battle came loud from this part of the field. Quickly under arms the corps was soon in motion toward the sound, crossing the Taneytown road, we ascended the slope of Little Round Top, meeting many wounded from the battle which was fiercely raging beyond the hill. The First and Second Divisions had preceded us, and the Third Brigade of each had been left to hold Little Round Top and drive the enemy from the rocky valley between the two hills, while the other brigades had passed on to the wooded broken ground and the wheat-field beyond. A wonderful scene met the gaze of the Pennsylvania Reserves when they reached the crest of Little Round Top. It was near the close of what General Longstreet has denominated "the best two hours' fighting that ever took place on this planet." It was the moment just before exhaustion of the tremendous and desperate effort by the divisions of Hood, McLaws and Anderson, comprising thirteen brigades of the very Hower of the rebel army, under the personal direction of Generals Lee and Longstreet, tt crush the left wing of the Union army, and gain possession of Little Round Top. It should be remarked that the brigades of the rebel army at thig time were just about one-third heavier than those of ours. The two being nearly equal in numbers, theirs was composed of thirty-eight infantry regi- ments and ours of fifty-one. So that while our brigades averaged about one thousand and five hundred men, theirs exceeded two thousand. In re- pelling this mighty assault there had been engaged the six brigades of the Third Corps, four brigades of First Division, Second Corps, and five bri- gades of the F'ifth Corps. When the Pennsylvania Reserves looked down the western slope of Little Round Top, the skirmishers of the enemy were almost at its foot and his somewhat broken and disordered but exultant lines not far in their rear. The First Brigade dashed down the slope, deploj'ing as it went, drove back the skirmishers and nearest brigade of the enemy, and the mighty effort put forth to wring from the Union army the key to its position was over, and with it had passed the highest wave of the rebellion. From those two hours fighting — 5 to 7 o'clock, July 2, 1863, may be dated the commence- ment of its ebb-tide. When the First Brigade charged down the slope of Little Round Top, the Third Brigade was sent to the left into the valley at the foot of the larger hill, the Ninth and Tenth regiments forming line 370 Pennst/lvania at Qettyshurg. of battle perhaps over one hundred yards in rear of the position marked by the stone wall which they subsequently built and which is marked by their monuments, and the Fifth and Twelfth regiments dislodged part of Law's Alabama Brigade and occupied the summit of Rig Round Top. At daylight next morning the Tenth Regiment advanced to the position now marked, and at once commenced and in surprisingly siiort time completed the construction of this wall; in pushing back the skirmishers of the enemy from this position, two men of the Tenth were killed and three wounded. The sharpshooters of the enemy, under cover of the rocks and trees, were very troublesome, but volunteers from the Tenth were ready to meet them, and they were very soon receiving as good as they sent. Major J. C. Rogers, commanding Fifth Texas immediately in our front, says in his report, "just before day on the morning of the 3d orders reached me that breastworks must be thrown up and the position held. During the day constant skirmishing was kept up with the enemy which resulted in the loss to us of many of our best scouts." On the 5th of July the regiment marched in pursuit of the enemy, with whom we came up and skirmished on the 12th and 13th near St. James College and Williamsport, Md. The rebels having escaped across the Po- tomac, we marched back over South Mountain and on the 17th of July again crossed into Virginia at Berlin. Here Colonel Warner, who, though suffering from his wound received at Antietam to a degree that would have entirely disabled almost any other man, had up to this commanded the regiment, gave up the command to Lieutenant-Colonel J. B. Knox. July 23, we reached Manassas Gap or Wapping Heights, where we ad- vanced over the summit of the Blue Ridge in line of battle, but the enemy retired without causing us any loss. From the gap we marched to War- renton (blackberries being all the provender in sight), then on down by Fayetteville to Rappahannock Station, where we rested until the IGth of September, when advance was made, the Fifth Corps locating beyond Culpeper, and again we took things easy in a very pleasant camp until the 10th of October. The rebel army then commenced a movement by way of Warrenton, toward our rear. We got into action with Hill's Corps at Bristoe on the 14th. The enemy in his eagerness to attack the Fifth Corps which was in a rather exposed position, exposed himself to the Second Corps, and lost heavily; two brigades, Cooke's and Kirkland's of Heth's Division, being almost annihilated and a battery captured. The Tenth Regiment here performed the duty of rear guard of the Fifth Corps, hold- ing the enemy in check while the corps withdrew toward Manassas. Its loss was one killed and two wounded. We retired to Manassas, then re- turned to Bristoe after night, to assist the withdrawal of the Second Corps, then again passed Manassas, crossed Bull Run to Blackburn's Ford and next morning were at Centerville. In the advance which followed we marched by way of Bull Run battle-field and Greenwich to Warrenton Junc- tion, where we halted from October 21 to November 7, when the Fifth and Sixth Corps advanced to Rappahannock Station, a brigade of the Sixth as- saulting the enemy's entrenchments captured almost entire Hays' and Hoke's brigades of Early's Division, one thousand six hundred men with their arms, a battery and pontoon bridge. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 271 Croasiug the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford we moved out to Mountain run, and occupied new and commodious quarters just built by Battle's A-labama Brigade, but left them on the morning of the 2Gth of November, on which day we crossed the Rapidan, at Culpeper Mine Foi-d, and bivou- acked that night at the junction of the Germanna and Orange Plank roads; next day marched by old Plank road toward Orange Court House, and in the afternoon came up witli Gregg's Cavalry Division engaged with the enemy at New Hope Church, and at once proceeded to take part, but, thanks to good luck or good dodging, none of the Tenth were seriously hurt. Next day moved to the right to where the old Fredericksburg and Orange Court House turnpike crosses Mine Run. On the 21)th remained in posi- tion, looked at rebs building works on their side of the run and worked some at same on ours. The morning of the 30th was extremely cold; moved very early about two miles to right, w.here Fifth and Sixth Corps massed and prepared to assault the enemy's works, but to the great satisfaction of everybody the order to attack was countermanded and we returned to the position of the previous day. December 1 continued to fortify, and so did the enemy. The Tenth was on the skirmish line, was relieved after dark and started to the rear by the old turnpike, recrossed the Rapidan at Germanna Ford at daylight, and crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford and continuing on to Warrenton Junction, there built winter quarters and went to guarding the railroad. After changing several times, the Tenth finally was located, December 30, 18G3, to pass the winter at Manassas. Divided into detachments to guard the railroad we were constantly an- noyed by guerrillas, by whom at one time two men were wounded and cap- tured, and two were killed April 15, 1864. During the winter one hundred and twenty men of the regiment re- enlisted, and were given furlough for thirty-five days. April 29, the Tenth Regiment bade final farewell to Manassas, and on the 30th crossed the Rappahannock, and joined the Fifth Corps near Stevensburg. Very early in the morning of the 4tli of May, the Fifth Corps (now in- cluding the First) set out for its last trip across the Rapidan, crossing it about noon at Germanna Ford, it pushed on to old Wilderness Tavern. Next morning Third Division started on by a cross road toward Parker's Store, but soon came up with the enemy, and after some skirmishing fell back nearly to the old tavern. On morning of 6th, pushed to the front on both sides of the turnpike, capturing a heavy line of skirmishers, until we found ourselves facing a line of earthworks and in a very exposed posi- tion. Here we held on, however, until evening, losing five killed and several severely wounded, among the latter very unfortunately being Colonel Ayer, and from this time Adjutant G. W. McCracken was virtually commander of the regiment. After dark moved at double-quick doAvn the Germanna road to support Sixth Corps, which had been attacked and Seymour's and Shaler's brigades captured, but returned later in the morning, crossed Wil- derness run and lay quiet until night. Then the Fifth Corps pulled out, crossed the old Plank road, passing along the hues of the Second Corps lying in their entrenchments along the Brock road, passed the cavalry just at daylight at Todd's Tavern, and then commenced pushing back the enemy's cavalry, and clearing the roaS 19 272 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. of obstnictious, which continued until we crossed the Ny river and found ourselves in the presence of and sharply engaged with Longstreet's Corps in front of Spotsylvania Court House. That evening, May 8, the Third Division, supported by the First, charged upon the enemy. We advanced through thick woods until dark, got into the enemy's line, engaged in numerous hand-to-hund encounters, and lost a good many men reported missing, most of whom doubtless were killed, as they were never heard from afterward. Those who were captured were very fortunate in being recaptured next day by the cavalry at Beaver Dam Station. The Tenth was engaged with the enemy every day and almost every night for a week, on this northwest side of Spotsylvania Court House; then during the rainy and exceedingly dark night of the 14th of May, moved around to the east and put in another week, but without being quite so constantly en- gaged. Loss in all these actions, twenty-five killed and sixty wounded. Pulling out to Guiney's Station on the 20th, we took the Richmond road, crossed the North Anna river at Jericho Mills on the 2od, and had a brisk light, losing two killed. Next afternoon the division pushed down between the river and enemy and covered the crossing of the Ninth Corps. Next morning pushed forward still farther down the river, and during 25th and 26th confronted enemy's works — at a distance of two hundred to three hun- dred yards. During night of 2Gth withdrew to north side of North Anna, and started down the river, ci'ossed the Panmnkey at Hanover Ferry, and on the 29th pushed out to Totopotomoy creek where the Tenth skirmished with the enemy, being on picket line that night. Next forenoon were relieved by Ninth Corps, and, crossing the creek, we joined the division near the Mechanicsville road. Skirmishing was going on, and as soon as we came up we were ordered to the skirmish line to take the place of the Fifth Regiment which, armed with smooth-bore muskets, was unable to drive the enemy's skirmishers. The Tenth at once deployed and moved forward to the skirmish line where we found the Bucktails deployed to our right. The whole line was ordered forward, and forward it went driving before it a heavy line of rebel skirmishers, and followed by the division in line of battle which halted and threw up some slight breastworks near Bethesda Church. The skirmishers kept on for nearly a mile over open fields and then across a narrow swamp, when they found a line of earthworks facing them at not more than one hundred and fifty yards distance; over these works at once came the enemy in force; that the Tenth Regiment got out of that strip of woods, and back over open fields three hundred to four hundred yards wide, before any cover was reached, has always seemed a piece of wonderful good fortune. But it did so without having a man seriously hurt, and losing only two captured. The skirmishers rallied with their brigades, who had hastily thrown together some rails for breastworks, and the enemy, two brigades of Ewell's Corps, following them up, were re- ceived with a fire that almost annihilated them. One of these was the famed old Stonewall Brigade, its commander. Colonel J. B. Terrill, falhng about one hundred yards in front of the Tenth Regiment. For destruc- tiveness to the enemy, coupled with slight loss to ourselves, this engage- ment at Bethesda Church was very much like those at Dranesville and Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 273 Mecliauicsville. The Tenth lost one man mortally wounded. This ended the services of the Tenth Regiment. Next morning it received the follow- ing order: "Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, May 31, 1864. "Special Orders No. . ♦ «*********♦* "2. In issuing the order for the return of the Pennsylvania Reserves, whose term of service expires to-day, the general commanding begs leave to express to them his great satisfaction at their heroic conduct in this arduous campaign. As their commander he thanks them for their willing and efficient efforts, and congratulates them that their successful engage- ment of yesterday, closing their term of service and long list of battles bravely fought, is one they can ever remember with satisfaction and pride. "By command of Major-General Warren, "A. S. Marvin, Jr., A. A. G." The total enrolment of the Tenth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves was one thousand one hundred and sixty officers and men. Of these one hun- dred and sixty were killed in battle or died of wounds, thirty-one died of disease or accident, twenty-eight deserted or were dishonorably discharged, forty were transferred to cavalry or artillery service in the regular army or to the Veteran Reserve Corps, forty-two were discharged by order mostly to accept commissions in other organizations, two hundred and seventy-one were discharged for disability largely caused by wounds, two hundred and sixty-one Avere transferred to the One hundred and ninetieth and One hundred and ninety-first regiments Pennsylvania Veteran Volun- teers, two full companies, I and K, of the One hundred and ninety-first being entirely composed of veterans and recruits of the Tenth Regiment, and three hundred and twenty-seven were mustered out at Pittsburg, June 11, 1864. Of the two thousand and forty-seven regiments in the Union army during the rebellion the Tenth Regiment stands forty-fifth of those sustaining the greatest percentage of loss in battle to total enrolment, its loss in killed and mortally wounded being nearly fourteen per cent, of enrolment. And this loss was not (as was the case with some organizations suffering heavy losses) occasioned by any overwhelming disaster, but in every in- stance represented hard fighting in which the enemy had no particular ad- vantage. In fact wherever there was marked advantage the enemy had far the worst of it. This was unmistakably true at Dranesville, at Me- chanicsville, at South Mountain, and last but not least at Bethesda Church. Of the forty-seven regiments of the Union army suffering the largest percentage of loss in killed and died of wounds, forty belonged to the Army of the Potomac; twelve of them to the First and Fifth Corps, and four of them bemg regjuients of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. It is also worthy of remark that eleven of the forty-seven were Pennsylvania regiments. The loss of the Tenth Regiment by disease was the smallest of any three-years' regiment in the entire army. In the Union Army according to statistics compiled by the War Department, the aggregate number of men enrolled was two million seven hundred and seventy-eight thousand three 274 Pennsylvania at Qettysburg. hundred and three, and the aggregate number of deaths from all causes, three hundred and fifty-nine thousand five hundred and twenty-eight; nearly thirteen per cent, of total enrolment. Peunsylvania furnished three hundred and thirty-seven thousand nine hundred and thirty-six men, of whom there died from all causes, thirty-three thousand one hundred and eighty-three; less than ten per cent. The killed or mortally wounded of the entire army numbered one hundred aud ten thousand and seventy; not quite four per cent. Pennyslvania troops lost in killed or mortally wounded, fifteen thousand two hundred and sixty-five; nearly four and a half per cent. Died of disease, entire army, two hundred and twenty-four thousand eight hundred and eighty-six, a little less than eight per cent.; of Pennsylvania soldiers, there died of disease, fifteen thousand nine hundred and one; about four and three-fourths per cent. Thus we see that while the loss of Pennsylvania soldiers by the missiles of the enemy was heavier in pro- portion to numbers than that of the whole array, their losses from disease were only about half the average. Aud in the case of the Pennsylvania Reserves this difference is still more marked. The loss in killed and mor- tally wounded in the thirteen infantry regiments of Pennsylvania Re- serves was one thousand five hundred and ninety-three, a little more than ten per cent, of the whole enrolment of the division; while those who died of disease, including the unfortunates starved in Andersonville and other prison pens of thie South, numbered seven hundred and fifty, or less than five per cent. — ^just reversing the common statement that in armies two men die of disease for every one killed in battle. But the experience of the Tenth Regiment was the most marked of all in this respect; the losses of the Tenth Regiment Peimsylvania Reserves in the twenty-two engage- ments in which it participated, were one hundred and sixty killed or mor- tally wounded out of tlie aggregate enrolment of one thousand one hundred and sixty, nearly fourteen per cent., while the deaths from disease, including those in southern prison pens, were only thirty-one, being less than two and three-fourths per cent, of the enrolment — or less than one-fifth as many died of disease as were killed in battle. DEDICATION OP MONUMENT 40'^H REGIMENT INFANTRY (Elevknth Reserves) ADDRESS OF BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL S. M. JACKSON THE battle of Chancellorsville had been fought and lost, and the Army of the Potomac, battered and broken, but not conquered, recrossed the Rappahannock and took up its old position on Stafford Heights, in the rear of Falmouth. The southern press and people clamored for northern invasion, and even the rank and file of the Army of Northern Virginia joined in this general outcry. S BIEN a CO. NEW YOF Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 275 This, together with the overflowing granaries and store-houses of Mary- land and southern Pennsylvania, doubtless induced General L«e to under- take the campaign which proved so fatal to the Confederate cause. Longstreet with his thirty thousand veterans was ordered up from North Carolina, and by the stimulus of invasion, conquest and plunder, the thinned ranks of the Confederate army were refilled, and General Lee with his boasted hundred thousand invincibles started on the memorable Gettysburg campaign. He moved up the south bank of the Rappahannock river, whilst General Hooker, at the head of the Army of the Potomac, moved in a parallel line up the north bank, like two sparring pugilists, each watching for a favorable opportunity to strike the other. This sparring continued until Lee struck the foot hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, tlirough which he passed and placed this natural barrier be- tween him and his foe. He then proceeded north along the western slope of the Blue Ridge, while Hooker moved leisurely along the eastern slope, keeping between the Confederate army and the city of Washington. Lee with is army crossed the Potomac river near Williamsport, Md., while Hooker crossed about twenty-five miles further south, at Edwards' Ferry. On reaching Maryland, the South Mountain range completely separated the two contending armies, and by guarding the few passes through this range, the movements of tlie one army was thoroughly hidden from the other. Hooker concentrated the Army of the Potomac in the valley of the Monocacy, a few miles south of the city of Frederick. The Pennsylvania Reserve Division having been recalled from the Army of the Potomac early in 18G3 to the defenses of Washington, was located at different points within the Washington department, except the Second Brigade which had been ordered to West Virginia. The Eleventh Regiment, which I had the honor to command, was sta- tioned at Vienna, Va., a small village some twenty-five miles south of Washington on the Leesburg and Alexandria railroad. Brigadier-General S. W. Crawford, a Pennsylvanian, but an old army veteran, had just been assigned to the command of the division, and under his order we broke camp on June 25, 1803, and started to join the Army of the Potomac. We moved by way of Dranesville, Va., crossed the Potomac at Ed- wards' Ferry and reached the camps of the army on the evening of June 26, the same day that General Hooker had been relieved, and General George G. Meade had been designated by the President as Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Meade's appointment to this important command was received with much mistrust by many of the old officers and men of the army, as he was a comparative stranger to most of them, but well known to every officer and man in the Pennsylvania Reserves, having entered the service in 1861 as commander of the Second Brigade, and remaining with us as brigade and division commander through the Peninsular, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg campaigns. True he had been in command of the Fifth Army Corps a short time, but had gained no particular notoriety in this position. The announcement 276 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. of his appointment was made just as we reached the outer camps of the army and our men shouted themselves hoarse over the welcome news. Doubtless this demonstration on our part had something to do with the marching of our division through the camps of the army that evening, and I am satisfied that it created a feeling of confidence among the officers and men of the army, in the ability of the new commander. After i-eaching our camp that evening, a number of the officers rode over to army headquarters to pay our respects to our old commander, and to congratulate him on his distinguished promotion. We found him in close conference with Generals Reynolds, Hancock, Sedgwick and others. He seemed delighted in welcoming us back to the army. Thanked us for our congratulations, but said that he did not know whether he was a subject of congratulation or commiseration. He appeared anxious and showed that he fully realized the responsibility of his position. He said however that he had all confidence in the bravery of the officers and men of the army and felt assured that we would achieve a glorious victory in the coming conflict. That, doubtless, was a sleepless night to the new commander, for before the sun rose the next morning the order directing the movements which culminated in the battle of Gettysburg had been prepared and sent out to all the subordinate commanders. Our division was designated as the Third Division of the Fifth Army Corps, then under command of Major-General George Sykes. The orders directed the movements of the army from Frederick City in three columns. The left column under General Reynolds, consisting of the First, Third and Eleventh Corps, was to move by way of Emmitsburg direct to Gettys- burg. The center column, consisting of the Second, F'ifth and Twelfth corps, was to move in the direction of Hanover, Pa., and under the eye and immediate direction of the commanding general. The right column, consisting of the Sixth Corps under General John Sedgwick, was to move in the direction of Westminster, Md. Just before crossing the State line, which we did near Uniontown, Md., the commanding general issued a general order directing corps, division, brigade and regimental commanders, to address their troops on the importance of every man performing his whole duty in the coming conflict, that an expectant nation was looking to the Army of the Potomac to drive the ruthless invaders from the free soil of Pennsylvania, and keep the scene of war away from northern homes. On the receipt of this order General Crawford called together his brigade and regimental commanders, and here, for the first time, I made the ac- quaintance of the lately appointed regimental commanders of the division. The brigade commanders were William McCandless of the Second Regi- ment and .Joseph W. Fisher of the Fifth, both of whom have gained some civil notoriety since the war, both having served as State Senators. Mc- Candless as Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania and Fisher as Chief-Justice of the Territory of Wyoming. The regimental commanders were as follows: First Regiment, Colonel W. Cooper Talley; Second Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel P. McDonough; Fifth Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel George Dare, afterwards killed in the battle of the Wilderness; Sixth Regiment, Colonel A. J. Warner; Eleventh Regi- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 277 meut, commanded by myself; Twelfth Regiment, Colonel M. D. Hardin, now on the retired list of the regular army as brigadier-general; Thirteenth, or Bucktails, Colonel Charles F. Taylor (brother of the renowned Bayard Taylor), who was killed three days later leading his regiment in the memor- able charge from Little Round Top. General Crawford read to us this late order of the commanding general and urged upon us the necessity of arousing our men to a full sense of their duty, to exert their every effort in the protection of their homes and' firesides, since they were now on the soil of their native State. Colonel Fisher, our brigade commander, always anxious for an opportunity to make a speech, called out the brigade and gave us a most excellent and eloquent talk, which seemed to arouse the men very much at the time, but the long night march before reaching Gettysburg took much of the spasmodic pa- triotism out of the boys. On the morning of July 1, 1863, we left our camp about 5 o'clock and moved rapidly in the direction of Hanover which point we reached about 5 p. m. During the afternoon we heard heavy firing toward our left and thereby knew that General Reynolds had struck the enemy. Just before reaching Hanover we passed over the ground where Kilpatrick had defeated the Confederate cavalry the day before. Tke field showed all the marks of a well-contested battle, being strewn over with dead horses, broken caissons and sabers, and the accommpanying debris of a battle-field. On reaching Hanover town the head of the column turned square to the left and moved forward rapidly in the direction of Gettysburg. We all knew from this that the concentration of the army was to take place on General Reynolds' column, which we supposed at this time was in the neighborhood of Gettysburg. Darkness came on, yet no signs of a halt appeared; on the contrary, the word passed back along the line "keep well closed up and press forward." The men became tired, footsore and cross; midnight passed, 1 o'clock passed, but they longed in vain for the order to halt. Many an exhausted soldier dropped out of the ranks, still the order "press forward." Finally after passing the village of McSherrystown, Pa., the head of the column turned into a meadow on our right and the weary men were directed to lay down and rest. Poor fellows, they had hardly touched the ground till they were fast asleep, the last sleep on earth for many of them. We were called up just as the sun began to crimson the eastern sky and moved out in the direction of Gettysburg with the same old order, "press forward." As the head of my regiment filed out on the road. General Crawford, who had just mounted his horse, called me to him and informed me that General Reynolds had been killed in an engagement near Gettys- burg the evening before. He told me not to let the men know it, saying it was a hard blow on the army and country just at this particular crisis. After marching a few miles we were halted and the men were allowed to make coffee. We were then moved forward to the rear and east of Big Round Top where we were halted and ammunition issued to the men. The undisturbed quietness in our fi-ont was painful, for we all well knew that the giants were stripping for the contest, and that the movements for posi- tions were now going on. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon a single gun was 27S Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. tired in tlie direction of and beyond Big Round Top: this was followed by the sharp rattle of musketry and the heavy boominj,' of artillery. Very soon aides and orderlies began to gallop in all directions. One soon found his way to division headquarters when General Crawford and hte staff quickly mounted and the order was passed along to fall in. We moved in the rear and east of the Round Tops, filed to the left and crossed the ridge between Little Round Top and the Cemetery. We were then moved to the left and took position on the western slope of Little Round Top, massed in a battalion front with the Third Brigade leading. This formation placed my regiment in the rear of the brigade. We re- mained in this position but a short time when the firing became very heavy on our left and in the direction o£ Big Round Top, when a staff officer rode up and directed Colonel Fisher to move his brigade in that direction and aid Colonel Vincent's Brigade in holding that important position. In obedience to this order the brigade commenced filing out from the head of the column, first the Twelfth Regiment, next the Fifth, and then the Tenth which unmasked the right of my regiment. While these movements were going on the battle in our front became terrific and very soon we could see that our troops were being driven back. At this moment, and just as I was about to move off to the left with my i-egiment. Major Speer of the division staff, rode up and said, "Colonel Jackson, General Crawford directs that you remain in position and hold this hill at all hazards." In obedience to this order I faced my regiment to the front and moved forward to the position just vacated by the Twelfth Regiment, and ordered the men to lie down and withhold their fire until I would give the com- mand. This very trying order was most heroically obeyed as we were wholly exposed to the galling fire of the enemy from the direction of Devil's Den, and quite a number of my officers and men were here killed and wounded. Our position gave us a complete view of much of the day's battle-field, including the wheat-field and part of the peach orchard be- yond, together with the woods on the right and left of the wheat-field and the greater portion of Devil's Den, that stronghold so tenaciously held l>y the foe. A discouraging, yet sublime view it was about G o'clock, that hot July afternoon. The enemy forcing back foot by foot the struggling heroes of the Third Corps and the First Division of the Fifth Corps, down through the wheat-field and the woods on the right and left of the wheat-field, while the artillery to our right and left were playing upon them with shot and shell. Still on they came, a seeming irresistible mass of living gray. The First Ohio Battery, commanded by a German captain, had gone into action on my left-front, and when it seemed that nothing could stop the onward progress of the enemy, this gallant officer became very much exercised over the safety of his guns and loudly announced that he would be compelled to limber to the rear to save his pieces from capture. I told him to double-shot his guns, hold his position, and we would see to their safety. The boys along the line of the regiment hearing this colloquy between the German captain and myself, holloed out, "Stand by your guns, Dutchy, and wo will stand by you." This seemed to put new confidence in the cap- Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 279 tain, who returned to his guns and served them most heroically, inflicting frightful execution upon the foe, as lie poured the shot and shell into their very faces. All this time my regiment remained tiuict and motionless save in carrying back our killed and wounded. The men hugged the ground closely, which, by the help of a scrubby growth of pine which stood along the western slope of the hill, screened them pretty effectually from the enemy's view. The smoke by this time had literally filled the valley in our front, and it was almost impossible to even see tlie troops. It was a trying moment. We could with difflculty see a column commencing to ascend the slope, but could not tell whether it was our troops retreating, or the enemy advancing. Finally two men came up the hill and as they approached us, I inquired if the front was clear of our men. They rephed, "Yes; those fellows (pointing to the line moving up the hill a few rods in our front) are John- nies." I immediately gave the command to fire, which was obeyed with alacrity, and we poured a terrible volley into the very faces of the enemy. This evidently was a surprise, for they faltered in the onward march and began to collect in groups. Their galling fire, however, was kept up on our line, particulai-ly from Devil's Den, and I soon realized the fact that the only way to hold the hill was to charge forward. Therefore, I gave the command to fix bayonets and charge. This order was obeyed with a will and, with that familiar yell peculiar to the Pennsylvania Reserves, we rushed upon the foe with a determination to either drive the invaders back or sacrifice ourselves on our native soil. Our fondest hopes were reahzed. The tide was turned, the enemy broke and fell back in much disorder. As we neared the swamp or run, about midway between Little Round Top and the wheat-field, I noticed troops deploying to my right and left and observing the well known Bncktails rushing up in line with us on our left, I was assured that the regiments of the First Brigade which had been laying in rear of us on Little Round Top, had joined us in the charge. On Hearing the wheat-field fence, General Crawford rode up to the rear of my line with hat in hand and complimented the regiment in the most extravagant terms, saying, "Colonel Jackson, you have saved the day, your regiment is worth its weight in gold; its weight in gold, sir." He directed me to establish my line at the edge of the wheat-field and have temporary works thrown up at once. In locating my liae, I discovered that the Bucktails and First regiments were on my left, and the Second and Sixth on my right. This formation placed my regiment in the center of the First Brigade, which position we occupied during the remaining days of the battle. Just as darkness was cloising around us, an officer rode up in rear of my line and asked "what command is tliis." On telling him that it was the Pennsylvania Reserves, he replied that Pennsylvania would support us, that he was Colonel Collier of the One hundred and thirty-ninth Pennsyl- vania, and that his regiment was directly in our rear and would gladly take our place if needed. On looking back I beheld the mountain side and away toward Cemetery Ridge, literally covered with troops. The colonel said that was a division of the Sixth Corps, which had just arrived on the field. This was the first intimation I had that the Sixth Corps had got 280 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. up, and it was comforting indeed to know that such a grand body of true and tried troops were on the ground. This fact in itself assured to us the victory. The position taken at the wheat-field was held throughout the night and next day until after Pickett's repulse on Cemetery Ridge, when General Meade rode over to the left and directed Colonel McCandless to drive the enemy from the woods to the left of the wheat-field, which he did by moving his brigade in line to near the top of the hill in the wheat-field, when he ordered a left-half wheel and charged up through the woods at a double- quick, yelling lustily as we advanced. This forced the enemy to abandon their stronghold at Devil's Den, and as we reached the open ground extend- ing out to and beyond the Emmitsburg road, we saw a large body of the enemy moving by flank at a double-quick, far off to our left, hastening to gain their forces in our front beyond the Emmitsburg road. Here we remained through the night, and very early on the morning of the 4th a terrific rain storm set in which continued the greater portion of the day. Along in the afternoon the Sixth Corps was moved out to feel the enemy, but beyond a light skirmish line which they quickly dislodged, they met no opposition. We were then moved back to near the wheat-field from whence we started the evening before, where rations and ammunition were issued to the men. Thus ended the battle of Gettysburg. The foe was conquered and we stood victorious on the field. The record of which shall ever illumine the pages of American history, as the greatest battle, both in results and casu- alties in proportion to the troops engaged, ever fought on the American con- tinent. ADDRESS OF BREVET MAJOR H. K.* SLOAN THE Pennsylvania Reserve Corps originally consisted of twelve regi- ments infantry, one regiment rifles (Bucktails), one regiment cavalry and one regiment artillery, in all fifteen regiments, fifteen thousand eight hundred enligted men, field, staff and line. After the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1SG2, the division was ordered back to defenses of Washington, D. C. The Third Brigade at Minor's Hill. The Eleventh Regiment was ordered from this position to Vienna, Va., and lay tliere until the movement culminaling in the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, commenced. Two brig-ades, the First, under command of Colonel McCandless, con- sisting of Bucktails (First Rifles), First, Second and Sixth infantry regi- ments. The Third under command of Colonel Fisher, consisting of Twelfth, Fifth [Ninth], Tenth and Eleventh infantry regiments. The Second Brigade, consisting of [Third], Fourth, Seventh and Eighth regi- ments, were detached from the division. At battle of Gettysburg the First and Third brigades foriiied the Third Division, Fifth Army Corps, under command of General S. W. Crawford, the Fifth Army Corps commanded by General Sykes. The Eleventh Regiment was at Uniontown, Md., on the morning of July 1, 18G3. Lieutenant-Colonel D. S. Porter, by command of Colonel S. M. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 281 Jackson, colonel commanding regiment, nioTed out of bivouac at 5 o'clock a. in., with a portion of our regiment (Companies "A," "B," and I think other companies but cannot remember number) as a guard for wagon- trains, etc. This detail marched with the train until toward sunset, when the news was received that the advance of our army was engaged with the enemy at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and we were ordered to rejoin our commands. The trains were ordered to Westminster. We rejoined our regiment and marched steadily until 10 or 11 o'clock in the night, when all were tired, sleepy, cross and inquiries were made with all the emphasis tired, hungry and sleepy soldiers could, "When will the officers halt," etc. — cheering was heard on the road upon which we were marching, in ad- vance of us, on other roads running parallel to our road, and the boys wondered what those fools were yelling for. The cheering came nearer and nearer, increasing in volume, and finally some one at the side of the road called out, "Boys, General McClellan is in command," and then for the time being, empty stomachs, sleep and fatigue were all forgotten, and we joined madly in the cheers. Predictions were freely offered that we were going to whip the enemy, aye destroy their army, etc. This news helped us along on the weary march until about 1 o'clock of the morning of the 2d of July, when tired nature asserted its power and men fell out of ranks, even the strongest and most energetic gave out and fell into the ditch by the roadside, and lay there. This weary and almost intolerable march was continued until 3 o'clock of the morning of the 2d, when, just after passing through the village of McSherrystown, Pennsylvania, the regiment, having been twenty- three hours on the march was turned into what seemed a meadow, on the right-hand side of the road, we laid down and slept — were awakened at 5 o'clock, having had about two hours sleep and rest, and found we were laying in a swamp. The coarse swamp grass had served us for a bed, a softer bed I do not believe was ever given human beings — being composed largely of water. Immediately on being awakened at 5 o'clock a. m., on the morning of July 2, 1S63, the regiment, being the left of the brigade, moved out into the road, and after marching some two or three miles was halted and leave given to make coffee and get breakfast. We were given about thirty minutes to do this — then the march for Gettysburg began in good earnest. I do not know exactly when our brigade struck the Baltimore pike, but I remember marching along the Baltimore pike some distance before we filed off. The point at which we marched off the Baltimore pike was, I think, at what is known as the White Church, at which point, whilst marching on the pike to Gettysburg, wo filed off the pike and marched along a country road for a distance of about one mile, when we were marched into a field on right-hand side of road looking towards Gettys- burg, we lay here until about 3.30 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when orders were received to advance (I do not know where the First Brigade of our division was at this time). Our brigade marched along the same road we had entered on leaving the Baltimore pike, passed the rear of Big Round Top and passed up onto Little Round Top, when the brigade was formed en masse battalion front. We were then moved to the right-front of Little Round Top and formed at the foot of the hill towards Gettys- 282 Pennsylvania at Qettyshurg. burg. This formation for some reason was not satisfactory and we were marched back onto the liill close to the artillery on the top of the hill. The brigade remained there a short time preserving the same formation, viz: en masse battalion or regimental front; after a very short interval an oflicer rode up and directed the brigade to move over and retake Big Round Top, that the enemy had or were about to obtain possession of that hill. The brigade in obedience to this order was moved rapidly, com- mencing on the right. The Twelfth marched around our right and rear — as soon as the Twelfth had unmasked the Fifth, that regiment marched and the Tentii followed — as soon as the Tentli unmasked our regiment. Colonel Jackson gave the command, "Shoulder arms, right face." At this instant an officer rode up, gave the compliments of some general with directions that he halt his regiment and hold tlie hill at all iiazards until reinforce- ments could be got up. Colonel Jackson, in obedience to this order, gave the regiment the order, "front, forward march," and we inarched in line of battle to the position which had been lield by the Twelfth in ovir brigade formation, on tlie slope of the hill looking towards the wheat-field, and woods to right of wheat-field. The Devil's Den, and woods to left of wheat-field, were also in plain view of the position thus taken, and also in direct line of the enemy's fire from Devil's Den. I am positive that at this time the Eleventh Regiment, containing about four hundred men and officers, was the only infantry on this part of Little Round Top, This regi- ment was all of the Third Brigade that engaged in the action from Little Round Top. The other regiments, viz: Twelfth, Fifth and Tenth regiments having been sent to Big Round Top, as already stated. When tlie regiments reached the position vacated liy the Twelfth Colonel Jackson ordered a halt and directed the men to lay down, and further ordered the men not to fire under any circumstances until the command to open fire should be given by him. This order was obeyed to the letter, although the regiment suffered severely from the enemy's fire, directed at it from Devil's Den, yot tlio men bore it witii quiet bravery and with a firm determination to hold the hill in the face of all obstacles and all dangers. Matters looked gloomy at (> o'clock or (hereabouts on tliat hot afternoon of July 2, the enemy driving our forces in our front, a reported taking by them of Big Round Top. The peach orchard in possession of the enemy, the wheat-field and the woods around it and in view of the Devil's Den all in their possession and all completely filled with their troops — infantry and artillery, and the valley in front and right and left-front of Little Round Top filled with smoke, hiding from the view of the few anxious watchers on Little Round Top, the struggling, suffering jiiid dying combatants below in the valley of the shadow of death. The enemy's hosts seemed innumerable and unconquerable, and what of the little band of infantry and artillery on Little Round Top? They rested in quietness awaiting the order they knew must soon come; removing their dead and wounded quietly and in silence, and finally the regulars were driven past the base of the hill, but what wonderful bravery did they display! retreat whilst loading — about-face and deliver a fire in the face Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 283 of the enenij'. This was grand and inspiring; finally two men came up the hill — Colonel Jackson asked, "How many of our people are down there?" They replied, '*not one. Those people you see coming up the hill are 'Johnnies,' " Colonel Jackson then gave the order "Fire." It was obeyed and some three or four rounds were fired when Colonel Jackson gave the order, "Fix bayonets — charge," etc. This order was obeyed. Allow me to re- mark just here — that I was near Colonel Jackson when he received the order to hold the hill at all hazards. I was also near him when he gave the order to fix bayonets and charge. I would certainly have seen any officer giving him the order, and as certainly have heard such an order if it had been given to him by any one. There were no orders given him and therefore am I positive in my belief, and deliberate in my statement, when I say, that Colonel Jackson alone determined the action of his regi- ment, and of his own motion and as the only possible way to hold that hill until reinforcements could be got up, gave his order to fix bayonets and charge. The charge was made down the hill through the smoke across the valley of death to the fence at the wheat-field and in front of woods to the right of the road and to the right of the wheat-field. After our regiment reached this -position, hearing cheering in our rear, I turned, looked back, and the Bucktails, that grandest of regiments, composed of men who were bravest among the brave, were coming on a double- quick. With them came the First, Second and Sixth regiments, the First Brigade o£ our division, and as they came up they formed line of battle on the right and left of our regiment as follows: The Bucktails and First regiments on our left covering the wheat-field and extending over towards Devil's Den, the Sixth and Second regiments on our right extending along the stone fence in front of woods on our right. (This is as nearly as 1 can fix the formation of First Brigade and our regiment; our regiment being, as nearly as I can remember, in the center of this line of battle.) General Crawford, division commander, then rode up and speaking to Colonel Jackson said, "Colonel Jackson, your regiment is worth its weight in gold, worth its weight in gold, sir." This the general repeated three or four times. This was a compliment and all felt proud and were glad we were there. The line of battle remained in same position along the stone fence until tlie afternoon ©f 3d of July, when, after the repulse of Pickett's charge. General Meade came over to Little Round Top and ordered our line to go over and eee how many people the enemy had in the woods at the head of the wheat-field. The enemy had a battery beyond the woods and when Ave moved over the stone fence into the woods this battery opened a close and galling fire. The Sixth Regiment was deployed as skirmishers with orders to silence that battery, and the line of battle, con- sisting of Second, Eleventh, Bucktails and First regiments, moved diagon- ally across the wheat-field and just entered the woods beyond it, when the order was given to open fire. This was done, and after a few volleys (the Sixth having in the meantime silenced the battery) Colonel McCandless commanding the First Brigade gave the order "by the rear rank right-about face, right-turn, march." This movement when completed threw us on the enemy's right flank, and we drove them in great disorder. The pris- 284 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. oners stated they had six thousand men in their line, whilst we had scarcely fifteen hundred men. On we went and finally the recall was sounded, a mistake as we afterwards learned, as no order of that kind was either given or thought of. The fruit of this day's movements was all of the enemy's dead on that part of the field, about six thousand stand of arms and a number of prisoners. We lay in the edge of the woods the night of the 3d. The enemy's dead in the field were just at edge of woods, on the Rose farm. 1 do not know exactly the point we reached this evening before the mistake was made withdrawing us from the position we had won, but in my opinion it was considerably in advance of the Rose farm. During the night of the 3d a cold rain set in and on the morning of the 4th of July, 186.3, we were withdrawn from our position near Rose's house to the position at the stone fence front of wheat-field and woods occu- pied by us prior to our charge on 3d. Shortly after being so withdrawn ammunition was issued and we were informed that there would be a general advance made by the whole army, but the rain was falling, literally in sheets of water, and we were afterwards told that the advance had been abandoned by reason of the severity of the rain, and so ended the battle of Gettysburg, so far as our regiment was concerned. In view of the statements heretofore given I feel that I can safely assert: First. That Colonel Jackson Avith his regiment, the Eleventh Pennsyl- vania Reserves, and the artillery held that part of Little Round Top on the afternoon of the 2d of July, 1863, at the supreme crisis of the battle. Second. That Colonel Jackson assumed all the responsibility of issuing the order to his regiment and did make the charge successfully, driving back the enemy which had defeated the Third Army Corps and two divi- sions and one brigade (the First and Second divisions. Second Brigade Third Division) of the Fifth Army Corps, and this with a force of less than four hundred men. Third. That the First Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps did not reach the position in the front of the wheat-field and woods until some time after it had been occupied by the Eleventh Regiment under command of Colonel Jackson. Fourth. General Crawford was not seen by our regiment until after the First Brigade had come up and formed line of battle on the right and left of the Eleventh Regiment in the manner of formation heretofore given. Fifth. And that when General Crawford did join the line of battle, he gave the credit for leading the charge to the Eleventh Regiment, and did compliment Colonel Jackson as above stated on the wonderful results at- tained by the charge made by his regiment under his orders. Sixth. At that time no man dreamed that the action of the Eleventh in leading the charge on that day and saving the day to the Union army would ever be belittled or ignored, both of which has been done. The above hasty and very brief statement has been written with a view of comparing notes and arranging the evidence relative to the duty per- formed by the Eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Corps at the battle of Gettysburg — specially so as to the evening of July 2, 186.3 — and is written solely with a view to obtain justice for a regiment that always performed its duty, whether in camp, on the march, or on the field of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 285 battle. Other regiments were as good, but uoue better; and now when more than a quarter of a century has ehipsed since the organization of this regiment, it is meet and proper that the survivors should gather the testimony and show that this regiment did its duty. Otherwise history will record that^it was organized, mustered into the service, served three years and was mustered out. This won't do — we must brijjhten our mem- ories, refer to our diaries, look up and write up our history, and demand' that the truth be told of us and justice be done to our dead and to the survivors of our regiment. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 41^^ RKGIMENT INFANTRY (Twelfth Reserves) ADDRESS OF BRIG.-GEN. M. D. HARDIN THE Gettysburg campaign, on the Union side, began with the battle of Brandy Station, one of the results of which was the knowledge that Lee's army was moving northwestwardly. This action was the most important, as well as the most severe, the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac had fought. By it the Union cavalry not only developed the Confederate plan of campaign, but also learned its equality with the enemy's cavalry. As soon as General Hooker received certain information that Lee had extended his army from Fredericksburg to the Shenandoah Valley, he pro- posed to General Halleck to attack liCe's rear at Fredericksburg. This movement was disapproved. Hooker then gave orders preparatory to meet- ing Lee's army in its northwestward movement. There was some delay due to instructions from General Halleck, but in a few days the Union army moved between the Confederate army and Washington, with the main body of its cavalry on its left (west) flank. The cavalry covered the Union army most thoroughly, it never performed its duty toward that army in a more scientific (military) manner. The fighting about Aldie, Upper- ville and Middleburg, Va., was admitted by the Confederates to have been the best the Union cavalry had ever done, except at Brandy Station (Bev- erly Ford). The cavalry was supported by a small infantry force both at Brandy Station (Beverly Ford) and in the region about Middleburg. The German officer Major Von Borcke, and others, state that Stuart's Confederate cavalry was never more numerous (Von Borcke estimated it at twelve thousand and twenty-four guns), and never in better condition. Considering this, we can then better appreciate the fine work done by the Union cavalry in this advance northward. The Confederate cavalry con- siderably outnumbered the Union up to the time that General Stahel's Cavalry Division, from the defenses of Washington, joined the Army. The Army of the Potomac moved slowly northwestward, crossed the Potomac, 2S6 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. June 20-27. Lee's uiain army had crossed this river at or near Williams- port, Md., Juue 23-24. When Hooker reached the vicinity of Washington his army had been much reduced by expirations of terms of service (Hooker said about forty thousand). He now learned that there was a large number of troops (about thirty-seven thousand) in the defenses of Wash- iuton. Inasmuch as the Army of the Potomac now covered Washington, he i-equested that some of these troops be sent to reinforce his army. He was authorized to take Stahel's Division of Cavalry and the Pennsylvania Reserve Division of Infantry. He ordered the Pennsylvania Reserve Divi- sion (Juue 24) to join his army. W^hen the Reserves heard that Lee again threatened to invade Maryland and possibly Pennsylvania, officers and meu began to take on the military air which had been somewhat put aside after Fredericksburg, and talk of applying to rejoin their comrades of the Army of tiie Potomac otf their march northward became prevalent. This went so far, in one case at least, as to be put iu the form of a written petition. Whatever the form, the feeling of the command, from drummer boy to chaplain, was to take an- other turn at the "Johnnies" — to go in for a fight — if Lee's army went as far north as Penusylvania. Juue 24, 1803, the Twelfth Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Gustin com- manding, formed a part of the Third Brigade; Colonel Fisher commanded the brigade and General Crawford the Reserve Division. The Third Bri- gade, consistiug of the Fifth Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Dare; Tenth, Colonel Warner; Ninth, Colonel Anderson; Eleventh, Colonel Jackson, and Twelfth, Lieutenant-Colonel Gustin, was in camp at Minor's Hill, Vir- ginia. The First Brigade, Colonel McCandless commanding, consisting of the First Rifles (Buoklails), First, Second and Sixth Regiments, was in camp at Fairfax Court House. Second Brigade, Colonel Sickel command- ing, consisting of Third, Fourth, Seventh and Eighth regiments, was on provost duty in Alexandria, Va. In accordance with instructions from General Hooker, General Crawford oi-dered the three brigades of the Penn- sylvania Reserve Division to march on the 25th. The First and Third brigades moved accordingly, but the Second Brigade was detained by Gen- eral Slough, Military Governor of Alexandria. He thought a veteran bri- gade necessary to keep convalescents in camp! In violation of all mili- tary principles (and it might possibly me said in violation of patriotic mo- tives) he retained this splendid body of veterans against their will and in disobedience of General Hooker's orders. However, he was sustained by the action of the military coterie which surrounded our noble President. This coterie never forgave Hooker for his first dispatch upon assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, namely, requesting that General Stone be made his chief-of-staff. Not only did this coterie refuse to enter- tain General Hooker's charges against General Slough, but it refused him control of the large force at Maryland Heights, and ultimately forced him to throw up the command of the army. The Twelfth Regiment moved with the Third Brigade, in a rain storm, on the 2(>th, marfliing to Goose Creek, Va. The division had been delayed two days waiting for transportation. The First Brigade joined the Third en route, the two brigades, about three thousand four hundred and seven- Pennsylvania at Qcltyshunj. 287 teen strong, camping together at Goose Creek. On the 27th the division moved at daylight, marched along the Leesburg turnpike. It was much delayed by the' trains of the Army of the Potomac, and by its own train. General Crawford telegraphed General INIeade commanding the Fifth Corps as follows: "On the Monocacy, June 2r, 4.15 p. m. "General: I have received orders from headquarters Army of the Potomac to join your corps; I am on my way and just 'n from the rear; to-night I will encamp above the mouth of the Monocacy, as I find my train, which is entirely new, cannot go far- ther; have two brigades; Second detached at Alexandria. If I receive no instructions to the contrary. I shall move at daylight, to overtake, if possible, your command." The division crossed the I'otomac at Edwards' Ferry on pontoon bridge, and camped at night at mouth of the Monocacy. Colonel Hardin, of Twelfth, joined en route. "Sunday, 28th, clear and pleasant, moved at day- light and soon crossed the aqueduct of Chesapeake and Ohio canal at the Monocacy, and passed through Buckeystown, bivouacked on Balliuger's creek about two miles from Frederick, Md.; here joined the Fifth Corps." General Meade was this day assigned to the command of the Army of the Potomac, General Sykes to that of the Fifth Corps. Hooker had advanced a portion of his army through South Mountain passes, with the view of cutting Lee's communications, but this movement was disapproved at Washington, and the corps advanced through the mountains were ordered back to Frederick and directed to proceed up the east base of these moun- tains. This latter movement was taking place when the Reserve Division joined the army. The greater part of the Union army at this time rested near Frederick. At this date (June 28), Lee's army was stretched from Hagerstown to the Susquehanna near Harrisburg, and to York, Pa. B well's Corps at Carlisle and York; Lee's headquarters with Longstreet's and Hill's corps near Chambersburg. Lee was preparing to cross the Susquehanna, but that night, he says, "he learned from a scout that the Union army had crossed the Potomac and was threatening his communica- tions at South Mountain." "It was resolved," he says, "to concentrate the army east of the mountains." Meade states, "That he had no special plan but to move northward until he made Lee let go of the Susquehanna." Meade learned, on the 30th, that Lee was moving with liis main force to the east side of the mountains, and he decided to concentrate his army on Pipe creek. There was an assemblage of officers of the Reserve Division, whilst it was camped near Frederick, looking over maps of the country, and guess- ing at the future movements of the Union and Confederate armies. Colonel Warner of the Tenth, and Colonel Hardin of the Twelfth, agreed that the chances were in favor of a fight at or near Gettysburg, the next good cross- ing place in the mountains, north of our then position, as shown by the maps we had. The morning of the 29th, the writer visited Frederick and conversed with officers of General Reynolds' command (First and Eleventh Corps), all thought they were going to Gettysburg, or spoke of that place as their ultimate destination. Returning towards camp the writer met the division en route to Frederick. It had left Ballinger's creek about noon. We marched but a short distance when the division was stopped to let other troops take precedence. The division remained here several hours, 20 288 rennsylvania at Gettysburg. it then followed the artillery reserve. The writer duriug this delay, visited his old friend, Lieutenant "Cog" Hazlett, who commanded Battery "D," Fifth United States Artillery. The weather was very warm and Lieu- tenant Ilazlett wore a small soft white hat. As the writer left him to rejoin his command, he called back, " 'Cog' we are going to have a fight soon, don't wear that white hat into battle." "At 7 p. m., we crossed the Monocacy bridge on the Baltimore pike and turned up the bank of the stream heading north, soon after we waded the stream and struck across the fields, and about 10 p. m. bivouacked in a wood, having made a tire- some day's march of ten miles." The long delay before mentioned caused our division to get far behind the other divisions of the corps, we had to rush along, well into the night, to reach the corps camp, where the lead- ing divisions had arrived early in the evening and in good order. Having arrived in camp late, and it being very dark, we made a bivouac, whilst we saw the other divisions of the Fifth Corps in a regular camp. Most of us were so hot and tired we dropped down and went to sleep without even making coffee. A bad beginning for a long march. "The morning of the 30th, we started early, passed through Liberty, Union Bridge and Uniontown (a pontoon train accompanied us this day), march twenty miles and bivouacked. Near dark were mustered two miles beyond Uniontown." The marching all the forenoon was very slow with many stops, but in the afternoon we were again rushed along. This march was the cause of great injustice done the division by our new corps commander, in that he re- ported to the army commander that our division could not march as fast as the other divisions. It will be noted that these other divisions had clear roads, no trains to follow, early start, no forced delays, nothing to pre- vent them from making their marches in time. The Twelfth Regiment, moving with the Pennsylvania Reserve Division, left camp two miles beyond Uniontown, at 5 a. m., July 1. Hearing of Confederate cavalry in the country, skirmishers and flankers were thrown out to cover the division, which moved thus several miles. About 2 p. m., halted on Pennsylvania State line; at 3 p. m., were addressed by General Crawfoi-d. General Meade's orders on the expected battle had been read to us before we started. We then moved on till we came to a fine open woods where we rested till dark. All day we had been enjoying the cherries which overloaded the trees along the roadside. The turnpike along which we marched a great part of the day was white, hot and dusty. We passed Kilpatrick's battle-field at Hanover, and, at dark, took up our march again, and continued moving until utterly exhausted; about dawn we dropped down, compelling a halt of the division. The marching during the night had been without proper halts. After resting about an hour we again took up the march, and continued it across country till about 12.30 p. m., when we arrived on the battle-field on the Balti- more pike, in rear of the center of the army. Our division in the very hot weather, marched in the worst possible manner, accomplished nearly seventy miles in three and a half days, and on the afternoon and evening of the fourth day went to the top of Big Round Top. In the meantime. General Buford, commanding a cavalry division, left Middleburg, Md., on 29th, arrived at Gettysburg on 30th; Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 289 passing through Gettysburg at noou (Juue 30), he reconnoitred west and north. He was here long enough to see the advantages of the Gettys- burg position, and he determined to hold it until he was driven away or relieved by infantry. The night of June 30, he notified General Reynolds, "that Hill's Confederate Corps was camped nine miles west of Gettys- burg, and Longstreet's behind Hill's; that no Confederate force had yet passed through the mountains from the north toward Gettysburg, but that such force would soon be at Heidlersburg." This information was subsequently shown to be correct. General Meade had directed General Reynolds, "that if he has to fall back, to do so on Emmitsburg, that the Third and Twelfth Corps will come to the assistance there of his and the Eleventh Corps." When General Reynolds reached Gettysburg, at 8.35 a. m., July 1, Buford was with his artillery and dismounted skirmishers, standing off tlill's troops. Reynolds joined Buford in the seminary tower, and as old companions in arms, with perfect confidence in each other, discussed the position and the military situation. Reynolds decided at once to support Buford. He knew that if his troops could be brought up promptly to this position, Lee could be made to take the offensive, or be compelled to fall back with his whole force without fighting. And thus, if a battle took place here, the Union army would be enabled to fight on the defensive. Buford promised to hold on until Reynolds' bat- teries and infantry could get up. Reynolds felt sure his corps with the Eleventh could hold on until the Third and Twelfth could reinforce them. The information he had of Lee's army, showed that it was almost as badly scattered as was the Army of the Potomac. Four corps of the Union army could reach this ground by the early afternoon, and the Second Corps by sundown. Force enough, with proper management and good fighting, to withstand Lee's whole army coming up from several directions until the whole of the Union army could be assembled. It was most for- tunate for the Union side that it had such intelligent and energetic gen- erals in advance as Reynolds and Buford, generals who had the confidence of the army commander. General Meade giving General Reynolds (a fighting general) liis advance with three corps, proved to that general, as to the world, that General Meade was not attempting to avoid a battle, but was only anxious that the fight, which must take place, should be a defensive one, on his side, if possible. A few minutes after his ar-rival, as soon as he had taken a look at the ground from the seminary tower and had had a few minutes conversation with Buford, General Reynolds, who was a most accomplished artilleryman, seeing what fine ground lay in every direction to the front for artillery (the arm well known to preponderate in the Army of the Potomac, more powerful and more numerous than Lee's, the only arm in which the Union army was superior to the Confederate), a battle-field to make an artilleryman grow en- thusiastic, requested Buford to hold on till his (Reynolds') batteries and infantry could come up. He sent off in hot haste several officers for his own and the Eleventh Corps batteries, and to hurry up his own and Howard's infantry. He then went to select ground for his batteries (he had brought up with him Captain Hall, chief of artillery of his lead- ing division), so that no time would be lost. Reynolds thus anticipated 290 Pennsylvania at Getty shurg. the present German instructions for battle! In a few minutes Hall's Battery arrived and was immediately posted. Soon after, Reynolds' First Division came up and was posted to support the First Corps and Buford's batteries. In the expectation of the early arrival of Howard's batteries, General Reynolds now went to select positions for them; whilst doing so, he is struck down by a sharpshooter. Reynolds had already seized this good position, and had given such an impetus to his command, th?t it went on without a break, in carrying out his designs, under his able fighting successor. General Doubleday. Reynolds had planted the advance of the Union army in Lee's route, he had secured a position across all the roads leading east of the mountains at this point, a point where the Confederate army must assemble, if it united east of the mountains. Reynolds might have had three corps at Gettysburg, earlier in the day, but he would not run the risk of throwing this force against Lee's whole army, which might be at Gettysburg at the same time. He thus showed his prudence, but when he arrived there in person and was satisfied that the informa- tion received from Buford during the past night was correct, and learned that Lee's army was still en route to assemble at this point, he acted as the prompt and intelligent soldier that he was. Buford's batteries and dismounted skirmishers succeeded in holding the enemy on the west side of Willoughby run till Wadsworth's Division ar- rived. Captain Hall, commanding the artillery of this division, had pre- ceded the infantry and had posted his own battery in aid of Buford's batteries, which were doing heroic service on the Chambersburg i-oad. As soon as it arrived. Cutler's Brigade was posted on either side of the Chambersburg road and across an old railroad cut, to support these bat- teries. Meredith's (Iron) Brigade was sent to the left of the road to occupy a piece of woods which Hill's troops were entering. Heth (Con- federate division commander) attacked with four of his brigades at once the position held by Reynolds' force. The three right regiments of Cutler's Brigade were forced back. Reynolds ordered Meredith's Brigade to attack across the front of the Confederate force. This attack was successful, the Confederate General Archer and many of his men were captured. These dispositions were just completed, in which his two brigades had defeated and almost destroyed two brigades of the enemy, when this accomplished general was killed. The falling back of Cutler's right, left Hall's Battery exposed, but the Fourteenth Brooklyn, Ninety-fifth New York and Sixth Wisconsin, changed front and charged the Mississippi troops attacking Hall's Battery and captured two Mississippi regiments in the old railroad cut. Rowley's Division of the First Corps was put in here; Robinson's division of the First Corps was held in reserve on Sem- inary Hill. Soon Rodes' division of Ewell's Confederate Corps attacked from the direction of Carlisle, and Robinson's Division was advanced to meet it. Baxter's Brigade went in on the right of Cutler, and afterward took Cutler's position. General Paul's brigade went on right of Baxter's. Robinson's Division resisted well Rodes' attack and captured three North Carolina regiments. So far the First Corps had more than held its own. "If the Eleventh Corps had been as well handled and fought, the day would probably have seen no reverse." General Howard spread his two Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 291 divisions, Barlow's aud Scliurz's to the right of the First Corps, but did not make strong connection with it. The Confederates seized Oak Hill, a prominent point between the Union corps, and charging from this point, turned the right of the First Corps and the left of the Eleventh. For- tunately General Howard had placed one of his divisions, Steinwehr's, in reserve on Cemetery Hill, and the left of the First Corps fell back in order and covered the retreat of the artillery and ambulances. But near live thousand prisoners were left in the enemy's hands. General Reynolds had, early in the day, sent word to General Meade that the enemy was in force near Cashtown and advancing on Gettysburg, aud that he would endeavor to hold Gettysburg till reinforced. Soon after General Reynolds was killed the cool-headed Buford thought matters were not being con- ducted very well, and he sent off a despatch to the effect that, "there seemed to bo no head," aud retiuested that some one be sent sent forward to command. It was, no doubt, in answer to this request that General Hancock was sent forward to take supreme command. When he arrived, matters looked badly, so much so, that he at first thought the part of the army here would have to be moved back. Soon, however, the bat- teries got into position on the left of the town, and Steinwehr's Division with Howard's batteries showed a good front on the right, and the ad- vantages of the position were explained to him, when he saw that Lee would have to continue to attack, so that it was only a question whether the Union army could at this point hold its position. By sundown all was ready to meet an attack. The Union position at this time appeared so strong General Lee and his corps commanders concluded they could not assault it that evening with success. Thus, tw^o Union corps, even with the loss of their commander, had been sufficient to hold Lee for an entire day. . How much easier and with how much less loss it could have been done if Reynolds had lived aud been in command of three or four corps. General Lee's troops were disposed on Seminary Ridge, about one mile from the Union line and parallel to it. The Confederate line was about five miles long, concave to the Union line which was about three miles long. Lee's concave position enabled him to utilize his large reserve ar- tillery, both for connecting his wings aud to crush the Union artillery, which latter had to be concentrated too much (ou the third day the guns were only a yard apart). The defects of Lee's position were, his inability to make the troops on his long line act together, and his inability to rein- force either wing promptly, and these were probably the causes of the failure of his attacks. If he had entrenched his center and either of his flanks and had used his main army on either of Meade's flanks he would probably have succeeded in dislodging the Union army. It seems to have been the intention, that Ewell's Corps should attack early on the 2d, also it was thought Longstreet would be in position to attack on Confederate right by 9 a. m. Such was no doubt the understanding amongst the senior Confederate generals (except Longstreet) when they separated for the night (July 1). However, when morning came and the formidable position of the Union army crowned with earthworks and artillery was seen both by General Lee and General Ewell, Gcnornl Lee (who went early to Ewell's front) hesitated to assault until he could have thorough reconnoissances 292 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. made and until Longstreet's Corps should be up. General Meade noticing the movements of Ewell's Corps and being strong himself on his right, early in the morning ordered an attack bj* the Twelfth and Fifth corps, to be supported by the Sixth. But Slocum, commanding the Twelfth, and Warren, chief of engineers of the army, reported the ground unfavorable; also the Fifth Corps did not come up in good shape to attack before noon, and the Sixth was then still far off. There has been much controversy between the Confederate generals, since the war, as to when Longstreet ought to have been ready to attack, also as to the time Ewell should have supported Longstreefs attack. It would appear that General Lee sent one of his staff early in the day to reconnoitre in front of the Union left. This officer went over the ground about the peach orchard; when he re- turned he told General Lee that this was favorable ground for making an attack. At this time, Sickles' Third Corps was massed on the left of the Second, on Cemetery Ridge. The ground on Lee's right consisted principally of open fields. Longstreet's command was sent in a round-about way to get to the peach orchard position, so as not to be seen by the Union signal officer on Little Round Top. Longstreet himself was in no hurry, as he did not want to attack without his third division (Pickett's). Moreover, he states that the agreement on beginning the invasion was, "that there should be no offensive battle delivered by their army." If this is true, General Reynolds is entitled to credit for making Lee change his plan. Whilst Longstreet was moving around the Union left, Sickles was moving out his corps and taking position on the Union side of the peach orchard. The controversy between General's Meade and Sickles in regard to this movement is well known. It seems to the writer that this matter stands about as follows: General Meade had been all the morning studying his right with a view of attack- ing or of receiving an attack there; no report had reached him that Con- federate troops were threatening his left. There was much open ground in front of his left; Meade supposed his cavalry (which had covered itself with honor the day before) which had been directed to watch the flank, would be able to give him early warning of any extensive movement of the enemy in that direction. Early in the afternoon, upon request of General Sickles to have ground selected for his corps to occupy. General Hunt, chief of artillery of the Union army, was sent to assist General Sickles in selecting a position. Sickles and Hunt could not find any good line in this region without going out very far to Sickles' front. It is now well known that the ground in front of Little Round Top is a most diffi- cult region in which to select a line of battle. Artillery could be of no use on the Little Round Top line, and how far the woods and difficult country extended to the left-front, neither Hunt nor Sickles knew. Taking into consideration the short time they had to select a position in so difficult a country, it was probably as well done as it could have been. Between 2 and 3 p. m. the signal officer on Little Round Top and the skirmishers of Sickles' command detected Longstreet's movement. At General Sickles' urgent request. General Meade went to his left about 3.30 p. m. to look up ground for Sickles' Corps. The fact seems to be that General Meade did not believe he would be attacked on the left. He thought his cavalry Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 293 would certainly give him ample notice of any threatened attack on that front so that he would have time to prepare for it. If the cavalry had been where General Meade thought, and had reason to believe it to be, he would have had such notice. But it happened that Merritt's Brigade of Buford's Division, which had been ordered to relieve some of Gregg's Division, had left here before Gregg's Cavalry arrived to relieve Merritt; thus, at this critical time of the day there was no cavalry on the Union left-front. General Meade arrived on his left just as Longstreet's attack was be- ginning, and as Sickles' line was very far out in advance of Hancock, being ignorant of the region. General Meade thought Sickles had moved his line unnecessarily far out. However, when Sickles and Hunt told him what a tangled place the ground in front of Little Round Top was, he concluded to reinforce Sickles where he was. Moreover, there was then little or no time left to select a new line. The subsequent loss of the Third Corps position was due to the fact that the Fifth and Sixth Corps were not brought up soon enough, the oue to Sickles' support, the other to form a second line on the Little Round Top ridge. If General Meade had been notified by his cavalry of Longstreet's movement, he would certainly have had the Fifth and Sixth Corps in place to meet this attack. Upon what small matters turn the fate of battles! The new position of Sickles brought Humphreys' Division several hun- dred yards to the left-front of the Second Corps, and posted on the Em- mitsburg road. Graham's Brigade of Birney's Division on the same road on Humphreys' left, reaching to the peach orchard. Ward's and De Tro- briaud's brigades stretched back to the rear, at right angles to Graham's Brigade, in front, respectively, of the wheat-field and of Devil's Den. Longsti-eet's attack with artillery began about 3 p. m.; he concentrated his artillery opposite the angle of Sickles' Corps at the peach orchard, and opened such a concentrated fire on the Union artillery at this point as to overwhelm it. He then began his attack with his infantry, on his right, with Hood's Division, which pushed into the woods and outflanked the Third Corps on its left. Law's Brigade of Hood's Division, on extreme Confederate right, went over Big Round Top and came out on the Union ambulances, but this brigade had moved too far to its right; it had lost connection with balance of Hood's command, and it was ordered to move to its left. Hood's other brigades broke through the left of De Trobriand's line and began to pass up and around Little Round Top. The Union left being thus flanked and beginning to give way, McLaws' Division was pushed in on Hood's left; it carried the center of the Third Corps posi- tion. This corps was too weak to hold so long a line. The Union troops would now have had to fall back, but reinforcements commenced arriving just as the Confederates reached the Union position. Humphreys, who was not at first attacked, sent Burling's Brigade to Birney's assistance. The whole Fifth Corps was ordered up to the support of Birney's line. Barnes' (First Division) arrived first, Tilton's and Sweitzer's brigades of this divi- sion going in near the peach orchard; Vincent's Brigade, at the request of General Warren, chief-engineer of the army, to Little Round Top; then came Caldwell's Division of the Second Corps to the wheat-field, where its right was turned, and then two brigades of the Second Division of the 294 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Fifth Corps to the wheat-fiehl, whore thej- had scarcely arrived wheu their right was turned and tliej' retreated to the position from whicli they had started, on tlie riglit of Little Kouud Top. Soon McLaws' attack was sui)ported by Anderson's Division of Hill's Corps and Humphreys, although aided by Graham's Brigade, was driven back from the Emmitsburg road. Hancock sent two regiments of Gibbon's Division and Willard's Brigade of Hays' Division to assist Humphreys. General Sickles was here wounded, and General Hancock, assuming com- mand of the Third Corps, sent two additional regiments to help Hum- phreys. Finally General Meade brought up Stannard's Brigade, and a number of batteries were posted on Hancock's line, and the Sixth Corps came up and took the position on the right of Little Round Top, from which the Third Corps had moved out. In the meantime Hood's troops had made a desperate effort to carry Little Round Top and the ravine between it and Big Round Top. General Warren going early in the action to the signal station on Little Round Top, had seen Hood's troops ap- proaching that position. The signal service men were about leaving when Warren arrived. He ordered them to remain and he hurried off for troops to put on Little Round Top. The Fifth Corps was coming up, and as he had formerly served most gallantly in command of a brigade of that corps, his request for a brigade was immediately answered by General Barnes who sent Vincent's Brigade, which, moving at a double-quick, beat the Texans of Hood's command to the top of Little Round Top. The 6ght- ing for this hill was fierce. Law's Brigade pushing through between Little and Big Round Top contended with Vincent for this ravine. Vin- cent was soon supported by Weed's Brigade of the Second Division of the Fifth Corps, and Hazlett's Battery was carried to the top of Little Round Top. When the ammunition of Vincent's and Weed's brigades was expended (both these brigade commanders being killed), Fisher's Brigade of the Reserves was hurried to their support. By this time the Confed- erates had become exhausted, and those who had not fallen back were captured. Upon arriving on the battle-field about 12.30 p. m., the Twelfth Regiment, as the entire division of the Reserves, was given time to rest and to make a full meal, the first since leaving Frederick, Md. As soon as we had feasted, many of the mounted officers of the division started out to see the line of battle. We rode up to the rear of the town of Gettysburg, then moved along the line of battle to General Meade's head- quarters, when we had a conversation with members of his staff, then we started to ride down General Hancock's line, when we heard the commence- ment of Sickles' fight. We galloped over to our camp where we found the Fifth Corps moving off to Sickles' support. We, at that time, had never heard of Round Top, Big or Little. The First Division of the corps led, followed by the Second Division, General Ayres commanding. Then came our division, Third Brigade leading, which at that time was well filled and closed up. We moved westerly along a wood road and soon came to a place where the road was narrow and corduroyed, a fence on one side and brush on the other; woods on both sides. As we advanced we began to meet wounded men returning; soon the road was so encumbered with wounded wnlkinj; to the rear, and aiiilmlances going the same way, we Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 295 had to take to the woods along side of the road. This caused some delay. We filed up on the north side of the ridge to the right of Little Round Top. The ground here was rocky and covered with thick brush; some time was taken up in getting into position; eventually we got into line by brigade front, the Third Brigade in front. We then advanced to the crest of the ridge. As we reached the crest we got our first view of the battle on the left; it was not a reassuring sight! The whole valley between us and the ridge opposite, about a third of a mile off, was filled solid with our retreating soldiers and batteries, thousands of the soldiers wounded and all the batteries disabled. Some of the men, especially toward the left-front, were retreating at a run. The enemy's line was only visible by the white puffs of smoke at the crest of the opposite ridge. Very few of our men were firing — a man now and then would stop and take a shot. This great mass of thousands in the valley was moving sullenly to the rear at a walk. There seemed no organized force, a mere mass of men, otHcers and men, inextricably mixed — all seeking safety behind the ridge upon which we stood. A battery was making its way into position in the underbrush on our right and a few guns in position on the ridge to our left (since called Little Round Top), were firing slowly at the enemy in the woods beyond the opposite ridge. As soon as the division got into position (there being a lull in the action at this time) the writer rode up the ridge to the left to get a look at the enemy's position; when near the top he met a party of officers and men carrying General Weed, who was mortally wounded. The writer who knew the general personally, stopped to see if he could be of any service. Whilst conversing here, another party came along bringing back his old friend. Lieutenant Hazlett, who in the haste of going into action had forgotten that fatal white hat. He was shot through the head, probably by the same sharpshooter who had killed General Weed. Finding he could see little more here than at the position the division occupied, the writer started doAvn; he met the Twelfth Regiment coming up with the Third Brigade except the Eleventh Regiment. We scrambled up and over Little Round Top and moved down the left-front, going to the assistance of Vincent's Brigade. As the Third Brigade moved away, the First Brigade was ordered to advance to the front. The Eleventh Regiment being still in its position when the First Brigade came up to the front line, it joined that brigade and advanced with it. We saw the First Brigade and Eleventh Regiment make their gallant advance through the retreating multitude, as we clambered over the rocks on top of Little Round Top. We joined in their cheer and started at a double-quick down the left-front of Little Round Top, stumbling over rocks, and the numerous dead of Vincent's and Weed's gallant bi-igades. As yve advanced, a few scattering shots came from the retiring enemy. Our advance was most fortunate as Vincent's and Weed's brigades had expended all their am- munition. The Confederates (several hundred) remaining between Big and Little Round Top, seeing and hearing our advance, laid down their arms and became prisoners to the brigades which were so well entitled to receive them. Dai-kness ended the contest. Thus our small division, coming on the field in the nick of time and advancing boldly, turned the 206 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. tide of success on the left, nud tlie enemy's great efforts, on this front, were rendered entirely futile. About 9 p. m. Colonel Fisher commanding the Third Brigade, with the consent of the division commander, ordered an advance up Big Round Top. The Twentieth Maine deployed as skirmishers, the Fifth and Twelfth regiments to follow in support in line of battle. The skirmishers started promptly, but on account of the darkness and difliculty of deploying into line in this rough place, it was some minutes after they started that the line of the Fifth and Twelfth followed. The skirmishers went promptly to the top of the mountain; only au occasional shot was fired by the Confederates. The Fifth and Twelfth regiments advanced at the word of command given in Colonel Fisher's stentorian tones. The line upon advancing in utter darkness was almost immediately broken and became confused by the rocky, precipitous and difficult ground. Officers became separated from their men, but all pushed on up the mountain; when about one-third way up all order was lost. Officers and men of different companies and even of different regiments became intermingled. The commanding officers of the brigade and the regiments began calling to each other; the rocks and woods resounded with the cries. It is said, and no doubt with good reason, that the Confed- erate troops stationed at this time on the mountain, hearing all this noise, and knowing that the Sixth Corps had lately arrived, believing that whole corps was about taking position on Big Round Top, hastily retreated down their side of the mountain. The confusion was so great that officers and men of the Fifth and Twelfth regiments concluded to return to the position from whicli they had started, the valley between Big and Little Round Top. In making this ascent, a number of Confederate prisoners fell into the possession of the Fifth and Twelfth regiments. A squad of officers and men (about seventy) in which the writer found himself upon first descending to the foot of the mountain, sent forward two men to investigate the first camp fires seen. Those scouts were answered by members of the Fifteenth Alabama. Our party then, after discussion, concluded to move around the mountain side toward the left or south in which direction we were sure of finding the Sixth Corps' pickets. We in this way, after an hom-'s very hard march, found the Vermont Brigade pickets and went at once to our starting point. In the meantime nearly all the members of the Fifth and Twelfth regiments had found their way back to the same place. The Twentieth Maine skirmishers finding themselves unsupported had returned to this starting point. It was now suggested that the Fifth and Twelftli regiments should march up the mountain by the flank, the Twentieth Maine skirmishers leading as before, this plan was adopted. Advancing in this manner, all soon reached the top in good order. The Twelfth on the crest; the Fifth on its right; the Twentieth Maine skirmishers remained out as pickets toward the left-front. The Fifth and Twelfth regiments threw out pickets in their front and to connect with tlie troops on the right. The Ninth and Tenth Reserves had been left iu line across the ravine between Little and Big Round Top. Two regiments of Vincent's Brigade were posted in the interval between the right of the Fifth Reserves and the Ninth and Tenth Reserves, but almost Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 297 at right angles to the general Hue. (See map accompanying the report of the commander of Vincent's Brigade.) The line remained thus until daylight when a regular connected line was formed from the top of Big Round Top to the top of Little Round Top, and stone breastworks were thrown up, which still stand (3888) as we left them. There was some sharpshooting on both sides (July 3d), Frank H. Hench, Company A, Twelfth Regiment, was killed and Joseph Aikeus, Company G, Twelfth Regiment, wounded. The Confederates on their right, about dark, slowly withdrew to the line the Third Union Corps had held. Ewell began his attack from Confed- erate left about sunset; he found the Union line stripped along his left, there was nothing but Greene's Brigade of the Twelfth Corps on the Union extreme right. Early attacked Cemetery Hill and Johnson, Gulp's Hill. Early's attack was gallantly made but failed. Johnson carried the Union works on his left and remained in possession there. The result of the day's fighting has been described as follows: "Longstreet had carried the whole front on which the Third Corps had been drawn; Ewell's left was thrust within the breastworks on the Union right, in a position, which if held by him, would enable him to take Meade's entire line in reverse, and the Union loss in the two days' combat had already reached the frightful aggregate of upwards of twenty thousand. But the army and corps commanders on Union side that night were unani- mous for fighting it out here." If this is a just summary of the results of the two days fighting, was not General Lee justified in ordering an assault on the Union center? If that had yielded at all, would not Lougstreet's two other divisions on Con- federate right and Ewell's whole corps on their left have followed up the success and overwhelmed the Union army? We now know, that an at- tack made in broad daylight, over open ground, against good troops, armed with modern weapons, although made strictly in accordance with the battle tactics of Frederick II. and Napoleon, must fail. As witness this grand attack and many made by General Grant's army en route to Richmond. In this third day's magnificent assault and heroic defense our regiment was only a deeply interested spectator. The grand scene was clearly in view to any one who would chance his life against the deadly sharpshooters by raising his head above the stone breastwork. The First Brigade of the Reserves, under command of Colonel McCand- less, advanced late in the afternoon of the 3d, and by its bold and skilful movements defeated a force more than twice its strength, and recovered all the ground lost by the Union army on the 2d. The Third Brigade remained in the breastworks on Big Round Top until the morning of the 5th, when it moved off with the Fifth Corps toward Emmitsburg. The enemy withdrew the night of the 3d and morning of the 4th. Their absence being soon detected, many of us took this opportunity to visit the battle-field on the left and front. The criticism of General Meade for not attacking the Confederate army after Gettysburg, was refuted by subsequent events. What chance had General Meade with a force no larger than the enemy, when General 298 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Grant with more tlian double the enemy's force in his repeated assaults, suffered such heavy losses and accomplished so little? The numbers actu- ally engaged in the fighting were nearly equal. The Confederates were much the stronger July 1. The two sides were about equal the second day, the Union force probably the stronger the third day. The losses, July 1-3, as given by the Adjutant General's office, were: "Union, twenty-three thousand and three; Confederate, twenty thousand four hundred and fifty- one." DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 42° RKGIMENT INFANTRY (Thirteenth Reserves, First Rifles) ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN JOHN P. BARD AFTER Burnside's "Mud March" in January, 18G3, the division of the Pennsylvania Reserves, on account of the tei-rible loss it had sus- tained in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 18G2, was ordered to the Department of Washington for the purpose of recruiting its ranks. The First Brigade, to which the Bucktail Regiment belonged, was in camp at Fairfax Station, on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, when the battle of Chancellorsville was fought, where they remained until they were ordered to rejoin the Army of the Potomac. When they received the news that Lee had assumed the offensive and threatened an invasion of the North, and that Hooker's army was falling back toward Washington, the men composing this division of Penusyl- vaniaus, fired with the patriotic zeal and heroism that had characterized them on many hard-fought fields of battle, demanded that their fortunes be again joined with the oft-defeated, but never conquered. Army of the Potomac. Some of the regiments of the First Brigade drew up petitions to their commanding olRcers asking that they be permitted to take pai-t in the coming campaign. The order to get rid of all surplus baggage and camp equipage, draw extra i-ations and a full supply of ammunition, was therefore received with joy, and the men cheerfully went about the work of preparing for an active campaign. Their numbers present for duty had been increased by the return of sick and wounded from general hos- pitals, but very fow new men had joined the division. Although con- siderable effort was made I do not think the Bucktails got a single recruit while they were in the Department of Washington. The Second Brigade did not join in the movement, but remained in the Department of Washington, being stationed at Alexandria. Early Friday morning, June '2(>, the First Brigade broke camp at Fairfax Station and marched to Edwards' Ferry, where they cro.ssed the Potomac river, marching thence by Frederick City to near Uniontowu, Md., arriv- JULIUS BIEN a CO. NFW YORK Pennsiflvania at Getti/shurg. 299 ing at tlie latter place on Tuesday, June 30. In the meantime I.ee bad crossed the Potomac at Williamsport with his entire army, except a large corps of General Ewell's and Stuart's division of cavalry. The latter troops liad crossed earlier and had advanced into Pennsylvania. Several bodies of their scouts had reached as far north as the Susquehanna river near Harrisburg. During the march to Uniontown, we received the intelligence that Gen- eral ISIeade had succeeded General Hooker in command of the Army of the Potomac. Knowing that General John F. Reynolds was Meade's senior in rank, this information caused some surprise among the Reserves. They felt, however, that no mistake had been made in appointing General Meade to that command. Both these officers had commanded our brigade and division, and were quite well-known to the men. They knew their fighting qualities and were quite well satisfied that either one would command the army with dis- tinguished ability. Being warm personal friends and wholly devoted to the cause, either would have the hearty support and earnest co-operation of the other. It was a source of great satisfaction to the officers and men of the Reserves to know that they would fight the next battle on their native soil and under the leadership of a Pennsylvanian who had com- manded the division in the terrible battle of Fredericksburg. The Reserves were assigned to the Fifth Corps, commanded by Major- General George Sykes and wore the Maltese cross, being the Third Divi- sion. On Thursday morning, July 2, the Fifth, having been selected by General Meade as his reserve corps, took a position in the rear of the right wing of our army. From their position, owing to the peculiar forma- tion of Meade's line, they could in a very short time, reach any given point. General Sickles, with the Third Corps, was to occupy the left of the line, in the formation of which he was to connect with Hancock's left and form on a prolongation of his [Hancock's] line, with his left resting on Round Top. This would bring the line of the Third Corps along the crest of Little Round Top. For some reason, not necessary to discuss here. General Sickles advanced beyond the position assigned him and formed his line on a plain, his left crossing the Emmitsburg road, with both flanks exposed. The ground upon which he formed his line is certainly more than half a mile in advance of the position which General Meade intended he should occupy. About the time General Sickles had his line formed General Meade arrived at Little Round Top, and, seeing the mistake Sickles had made, sent for that officer and pointed out to him his error. General Sickles at once proposed to withdraw his corps and form on tJie line originally indi- cated. General Meade replied that the enemy would not permit his withdrawal, as it could then be seen he was preparing to attack. While they were talking Longstreet's guns opened, and soon his long lines of in- fantry began to emerge from the woods. It now became evident this was to be a determined effort on the part of that able Confederate chieftain to destroy the Third Corps before they could receive support. When the first gun was fired General Sickles hastened to the front, and General 300 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Meade ordered the Fifth Corps to march with all possible haste to General Sickles' support. The gallant Third Corps fought desperately to hold their ground, but the long line of Longstreet's extending beyond both flanks, steadily drove them back. On the right of the Third the line of the enemy was pushed rapidly forward, with the evident purpose of turning that flank and getting between the Third Corps and the main line of our army. At the same time Longstreet's right was thrown forward, making a vigorous attack on Round Top, while a very strong force from the Devil's Den made a determined assault on Little Round Top, breaking the line of the Third Corps, which at that point was thrown into confusion. By this time the Second Division of the Fifth Corps, composed of regulars, arrived on the ground, and was formed on the left of Hancock's line. When the Third Corps broke, General Meade ordered the Second Division to charge in the direction of the wheat-field and peach orchard. The regulars went forward in splendid form; when they reached the wheat-field they were met by a counter-charge of the now victorious troops of Longstreet. The regu- lars received the charge gloriously, but, after stubborn fighting and very heavy loss on both sides, being largely outnumbered, they were forced back. They, however, kept their line and retired in good order, all the time keepking up a steady fire. In this manner they retreated, closely fol- lowed by the Confederates, across the swamp and half way up the side of Little Round Top, or rather half way up the slope of the hill on the right of Little Round Top, the left of the Second Division, when it fell back, barely reaching the base of Little Round Top. On the right the enemy succeeded in capturing several guns, but were only able to hold them a few minutes; a murderous fire from Hancock's batteries and the charge of the regulars checked their advance and re-captured the guns. At this moment the situation on the left was alarming; everything indi- cated a rout of that wing of the army. At this crisis General Meade, who was fortunately present at this point, ordered a charge from in front of Little Round Top by the First Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves. The Third Brigade, commanded by Colonel Fisher, had been sent to the extreme left to the support of General Vincent, at Round Top. Little Round Top, as its name indicates, is a round hill rising about two hundred feet above the streams which run at is base. The top and side facing the enemy are covered with rough rocks, some of them very large; that side is also very steep, and near the top difficult of ascent. At the foot and in our front there is a small stream known as Plum Run, the course of which is parallel with our line. The ground on both sides of this stream is swampy, forming a flat some fifty or seventy-five yards wide. On the opposite side of the stream, on our right, tlie ground rises more gently, gradually falling off into a plain. In our front and on the left it grows rougher and steeper until it reaches the Devil's Den, a cluster of very large rocks on our left, the ground between them much broken and covered with scrubby timber, covering an area of perhaps three acres. At that time the woods extended down to the edge of the swamp in our front and continued over the hill till it reached the wheat-field on our Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. SOL light. Beyoud the whciit-field there was another strip of woods, and beyond that the peach orchard fronting on the Emmitsburg road. The stone wall or fence was located across Plum Run close by the edge of the woods and to the right of the crest of Little Round Top. The stone wall covered about one-half of our regiment when in line. The Pennsylvania Reserves arrived on the ground at the supreme mo- ment. If Longstreet had obtained possession of Little Round Top, Meade's position would have been turned. From this point the guns of the enemy would have raked our center and left-center and from this position he could strike the right wing on the flank and rear. General Meade's pres- ence at that part of the line would indicate the deep anxiety he felt in the result of the conflict for the possession of the Round Tops. He knew it was of the utmost importance that the advance of Longstreet's exultant troops should be checked before they reached the crest of Little Round Top, the real key to his position, and which was, at the moment when we arrived upon the ground, almost within their grasp. The brigade marched upon the field in reverse order, throwing the Buck- tails upon the left of the line with the rear rank to the enemy. Colonel Taylor gave the command to counter-march and while the movement was being executed a rebel yell indicated the presence of the enemy, which caused considerable confusion in the line, but when the command to charge was received, every one of those veteran soldiers quickly found his place, and presented a solid and unbroken line to the enemy, who had by this time almost gained the summit, those farthest in advance being only a few yards from one of our batteries, whose gunners were about to spike their guns. Shouting to the gunners to hold their pieces the Bucktails, springing forward with a cheer, engaged the enemy in a desperate hand-to- hand conflict lasting but a short time when, for the first time that day. Long- street's brave men were forced to retreat. With a broken line and in considerable confusion they fled down the hill and across the swamp, the Bucktails following close and capturing quite a number of prisoners. At the foot of the hill Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Niles fell on the front line severely wounded. The Bucktails kept up a steady fire from their breech-loading rifles as they charged; the lines being very close they inflicted terrible punishment on the retreating foe. At the stone wall the enemy made a feeble attempt to re-form, but were not able to clieck the im- petuous charge of the Bucktails. It is needless to state that Colonel Taylor and Major Hartshorne were to be found in the front line all the time. Not taking any account of what was occurring on the right of our line, the Bucktails pushed on after the now thoroughly routed enemy who fled through the woods, on up the hill, on, on, until near the edge of the wheat- field when Colonel Taylor, discovering that he was a considerable distance iu advance of our line and unsupported, ordered a halt. After we halted the enemy were either reinforced or concentrated their scattered lines, as they kept up a heavy fire in our front, but as we were still in the woods and our boys found good cover behind trees they did us but little harm. Up to this time we had captured a large number of prisoners. Just after the line halted we received a heavy volley from our right- 302 Pcnnsylvama at Gettysburg. center. Colonel T;iylor with two other officers and fifteen or twenty men were on that part of the line at the time. Quickly facing to the left they discovered, but a short distance away, two hundred or three hundred rebels partly hidden by the timber. An officer promptly demanded their surrender when nearly every man in their line threw down his arms. Just then a Confederate in the rear_of their line sang out with an oath, "I'll never surrender to a corporal's guard." The rebels again grasped their arms when Lieutenant Kratzer called out to the Bucktails, "Tree, every man of you," and, jumping behind a tree near him, he turned to Colonel Taylor, who was near by, and urged him to hurry. Just as the colonel laid his hand on Lieutenant Kratzer's shoulder, and was in the act of stepping under shelter of the tree, a rebel sharpshooter sent a bullet through his heart — when our brave and beloved commander died without speaking a word. When the few men that were there saw Colonel Taylor fall they poured several volleys in quick succession into the enemy at the same time calling upon them to surrender. About forty or fifty threw down their arms and gave themselves up; the others retreated in the direc- tion of the Devil's Den. The command of the regiment now devolved on Major Hartshorne, who was at the time on the left of the line. As soon as he was informed of the death of Colonel Taylor and knowing that there was a considerable force on our left and rear, he withdrew his line to the stone wall and sent Captain Kinsey with his company out in the direction of the Devil's Den, with orders to form in line of skirmishers at right angles with the line of the i-egiment, attack the enemy and develop his strength and posi- tion. When Captain Kinsey reached the edge of the Devil's Den, he was met with a heavy volley from the enemy who were posted behind rocks and trees, taking such cover as they could find, and a lively skirmish en- sued. The rapid firing attracted Major Hartshorne's attention, when he sent Lieutenant Kratzer to ascertain whether or not Captain Kinsey could hold his position. Captain Kinsey urged Lieutenant Kratzer to support him with his company, insisting, that with some help he could carry the rocks and capture the force defending them. The lines were very close, only a few yards apart, and the exposure of any part of the body called forth a shot from the watchful foe. Lieutenant Kratzer agreed to go l^ack, and if he "could get Major Hartshorne's consent to bring up his com- pany. Just as he turned to go back, several shells fell in their midst and exploded. This was promptly followed by a volley from the enemy in their front. Captain Kinsey was severely wounded by a shell. In the confu- sion following. Lieutenant Kratzer got away and reported the situation to Major Hartshorne. It being then dark and the enemy still in strong force in his front, Major Hartshorne deeming it unsafe to attempt without support to drive the enemy from his strong position, recalled Captain Kin- sey's company, leaving only a few pickets to watch the movements of the enemy. A brisk firing was kept up all along the line till about 9 o'clock, when it ceased, seemingly by mutual consent. So ended the battle of the 2d of July, in front of Little Round Top. The fighting from 2 o'clock p. m., had been of the most desperate character, and the ground all aroTind was strewn with killed and wounded. Side by Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 303 side in death lay the Blue and the Gray, while here and there desperately wounded Yankees and Confederates lying on the field would talk over the day's work and speculate on the result of the battle to be fought on the morrow. Very early on the morniug of July 3, Major Hartshorne sent Captain Frank Bell, with Company I, and Captain John A. Wolff with Company F, to attack and develop the strength of the enemy on our left flank in the Devil's Den. These two companies, deployed in line of skirmishers, cau- tiously advanced. When they reached the edge of the Devil's Den, they encountered the enemy strongly posted behind rocks and trees. The fighting at once became very severe; the enemy's fire indicated a large force, and their position was so strong that any attempt to carry it by storm with so small a body of troops must prove disastrous. Taking cover, the Bucktails opened a rapid fire, hoping to punish the enemy so severely as to either compel him to retire or come out of his stronghold to drive them off. The reader will bear in mind that the Bucktails were armed Avith breech-loading rifles, some of the companies with Spencer repeating rifles; the great advantage of these arms, when firing from cover, is known by all soldiers. Any object that will cover the body is all the protection a man armed with a breech-loading rifle wants. He is not exposed in loading, and can load on the run almost as well as when standing still. This will account, in part, for the heavy loss, on many occasions, inflicted on the enemy by the Bucktails when their loss was comparatively very small. On this occasion, the superiority of the arms, soon gave them a very decided advantage. Whenever a rebel exposed any part of his body lie was sure to be hit and the result, notwithstanding their superiority in numbers, was only a question of time. The Bucktails were punishing them severely with no loss, since they had taken cover. The enemy dis- covered that they were playing a losing game, made a dash on the handful of brave men who were opposing them. Their numbers surprised the Bucktails, and to prevent the capture of their little party, they beat a hasty retreat, glad to make their escape and get back to the regiment. In this retreat Captain Bell received a wound which caused the loss of a leg, and several others were wounded. The enemy, strange to say, did not follow up their advantage, but, seemingly satisfied with driving off the party in their front, returned to their first position. Major Hartshorne, determined to make them develop their purpose, ordered Lieutenant Kratzer to take his company (K) and make another effort to rout them. The regiment being constantly engaged in the front, no considerable force could be spared. Deploying his company in line of skirmishers, Lieuten- ant Kratzer gave them the word when they started forward on a run. The rebels permitted them to get so close that their features could be easily distinguished and the bore of their guns plainly seen when they sprang from their cover and fired a volley that killed and wounded about one-third of the number. A Confederate officer close by called to Kratzer to surrender; the brave lieutenant answei-ed him with a shot from his revolver; the Confederate returned the shot, when Kratzer fired again and his foe fell. One of Kratzer's men called his attention to blood on his hand; the lieutenant replied that he was shot through the arm above 21 304 Pennsylvania at Qettyshurg. the elbow. After firing this volley the Confederate officers compelled their men to lie down; the lines were so close that their commands were distinctly heard though spoken in an ordinary tone. It was now near 2 o'clock p. m. and preparations were being made for a general attack «n this part of the line. Major Hartshorne therefore called in the party sent out with Lieutenant Kratzer. About 3 o'clock the brigade advanced in line; charging on the enemy they drove him through the woods to the wheat-field, on tlirough the field and through the strip of woods beyond into the peach orchard, capturing several hundred pris- oners and completely destroying the Confederate line in theii' front. Early that morning Major Hartshorne had informed Colonel McCandless, com- manding the brigade, of the force on his left in the Devil's Den. Colonel McCandless having nothing to fear from the line in his front determined to pay his respects to that party; he therefore directed Major Hartshorne to change front to the left and charge with the Bucktails in that direction, while he would form the rest of the brigade in column by regiment closed in mass and follow him at supporting distance. The Bucktails in line of skirmisliers moved forward through the woods at double-quick for several hundred yards, when they came upon a line of the enemy in position. With a cheer they rushed on them, when they had another hand-to-hand fight with what proved to be the Fifteenth Georgia Regiment. The Georgians stood up bravely for fifteen or twenty minutes when they threw down their arms, the Bucktails capturing the entire command with their colors. Turning the prisoners over to the troops in the rear the Bucktails pushed on through the woods into open country, when Colonel McCandless deployed the brigade into line and moved forward capturing quite a number of prisoners. He continued till there was no enemy to be seen in our front and night put an end to our fighting, when the brigade rested for the night fully one mile in front of Little Round Top. By this movement Colonel McCandless completely flanked the Devil's Den and forced the enemy to retreat from a position that it would have been next to impossible to have driven him by a direct attack. So ended the battle of Gettysburg. The last shot, the Bucktails claim, was fired by them on nearly the same ground where the battle of July 2 was opened by Longstreet's attack on Sickles. In the two days' fighting the Bucktails total loss was forty-seven. Killed, two officers and eight enlisted men; wounded, eight officers and thirty enlisted men. The loss in officers was unusally severe, nine officers out of a total loss of forty-seven. It will be observed that from the time the Pennsylvania Reserves entered the fight until the end the Confederates on this part of the line fought entirely on the defensive; up to that time they were the attacking party and were flushed with victory. They had driven the Third Corps, with terrible slaughter, through the peach orchard, met the Regulars in the wheat-field, and, after hard fighting and heavy loss on both sides, drove them back across I'lum run and were on the eve of capturing Little Round Top, the real key to Meade's position, when they met the Pennsylvania Reserves and in less than twenty minutes the tide was turned and we became the attacking party. Pennsylvania at (}etti/sbunj: 305 The "Bucktails" or "First Rifle" Regiment, Pennsj-lvauia Reserve Vol- unteer Corps was organized eai-ly in May, 1861, under a State law passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor May 15. They were not called into the United States service until the latter part of June, when they, with the Fifth Pennsylvania Reserves and Captain Campbell's Battery A, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, were ordered to West Virginia. The regiment never was regularly mustered into the United States service. Some question arising in regard to pay, and the authorities refusing to date a muster back to the time when the regiment entered the service, and Colonel Biddle refusing to permit a muster several months after entry into service, the matter was compromised. We were instructed to enter upon our rolls as mustered into service "by order of the Secretary of War, May 29, 1861." All the companies composing this regiment were enlisted prior to May 15, in fact these men enlisted under the first call for three-months' men, but found the quota of the State filled before they reached Harrisburg. The first battle in which the regiment was engaged was Dranesville, De- cember 20, 1861; the last battle was at Bethesda Church, May 30, 1864. A large number of tlie men re-enlisted and served until the close of the war in the One hundred and ninetieth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers. The peculiar field tactics employed by this regiment originated with Lieutenant-Colonel (later Brigadier-General) Thomas L. Kane. They were much the same as those recently adopted by the War Department for the United States Army. When exposed to a heavy fire the Bucktails were instructed to scatter, and at all times were required to take advant- age of whatever cover the ground afforded. If any part of the line was better protected than another, the men in that location would push forward and vigorously engage the enemy, under cover of their fire the more ex- posed part of the line would rush forward. Great responsibility was thrown upon the individual soldier. They were taught to take care of themselves and to take advantage of every opportunity for an advance of the line. In many instances the men have, of their own accord, without orders, rushed forward when under heavy fire and gained important ad- vantage. They were taught to estimate distances on various formations, the estimates being proven by actual measurements, and, except when in general line of battle, to fire only when they had an object fairly in the sights of their rifle. In addition they were skilled marksmen and were con- stantly practicing at long range, from two hundred to one thousand yards. To their peculiar tactics, constant practice, individual responsibility and good marksmanship, can be credited the fearful punishment inflicted upon the enemy in every action in which they were engaged, without a propor- tionate loss to them. 306 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 46'^« REGIMENT INFANTRY September 12, 1S89 ADDRESS OF CArTAIN JOSEPH MATCHETT FRIENDS aud comrades of the old Forty-sixth: — Twenty-six years ago this last July we stood upon this ground to defend our country from the assaults of those who in their madness would trample this glorious banner in the dust. What grand momentous days and nights these were on this 1st, 2d and 3d of July, 18G3, when the destiny of our nation hung in the balance, and the people all over our Northland had their eyes fixed on this army, trembling for fear that your courage or prowess would fail you, as your enemy, flushed with victories in Virginia, had boldly invaded our free northern homes, determined to crush this army, cap- ture our rich cities, and plant their standard on the dome of the capitol, and there dictate terms of peace to our government. My dear comrades, it may be superfluous in me to recount to you the movements that culminated in placing us here in front of Gettysburg, on the 1st day of July, 1863. The disastrous battle of Chancellorsville on the 1st, 2d and 3d of May is yet very fresh at this day in your memories, at least it is in mine, as well as all the more than a score of important battles in which we were engaged. They seem to be indelibly photographed on the tablets of my memory, so that, eitlier Avaking or sleeping, they often pass in panoramic view to my vision. It was after the success of General Lee in that engagement that he determined to move his army across the Potomac, and invade the soil of the Keystone State, and to carry devastation to your homes and firesides. Little did he think that by this act he would be "bearding the lion in his den," because, my comrades, you well know that heretofore, by your valor on many bloody fields, you had proven your wilhngness to do and die for our dear Union. Now, when your soil was desecrated with the tread of this traitorous band, your paternal patriotic blood was so inflamed that you could give a double life to free your State from the despoiler. So, as his army moved northward, you were moved along on parallel lines between him and the capital at Washington; and late in June you crossed the Potomac at Leesbui-g and marched through Maryland, "My Maryland," with banners flying and with cheerful step to music of our band, through historic old Frederick City. There "Fighting" Joe Hooker left us, but we cheerfully followed the faithful Meade, asking no questions; our cause was just the same whoever was put in command of us; we had no time for ca\illing or fault-finding. You remember the dusty hot march through Littlestown, with the ripe, tempting cherries overhead, that you had no time to gather; some of the us BIEN a CO- NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 307 boys said they were sour. You luul only time to grasp a cup of cold water, or a piece of bread or pie that the villagers (God bless them) handed out the gateway to you as you hastened on into old Pennsylvania, with words of cheer from our friends, and the songs of the children, as we marched to their tune of "Marching along, we are marching along, for God and our country we are marching along." You went into camp beyond the town. Next day was the 80th of June, and you were hastily drawn up in line to be mustered so as to have the pay-rolls sent on. You were then ordered to support the cavalry in their brush with the rebel cavalry at Hanover. Bright and early next morning, after a hasty breakfast of coffee, crackers and pork, we took up our march in the direction of Gettys- burg, infantry in the fields, artillery and wagons on the road. Recklessly tramping down the ripening golden grain in your pathway, the Twelfth Corps moved along, led by the gallant Slocum, marching towards the sound of the cannon as it echoed over the hill from Gettysburg, where the ball had opened and our men had met the enemy. My comrades, you felt then that you were approaching the momentous moment of your life, and the life of the nation, and your courage and determination rose with the occasion. You were going to redeem Chan- cellorsville; you got your fighting blood again flowing through your veins, and there was not a man of you who was not willing to die if need be for oiur grand old State and the nation. And where, in all the wide world, and in all its history, was a more appropriate time or a grander incentive for man to give up his mortal life, a willing sacrifice for God, and home, and this glorious land. Not but what your life was sweet to you, and those left in the dear old home were precious to you, and you to them. Oh, no! Y'our country at this time, and her honor, and your honor, was transcendently more dear, more precious (if such could be) for the time being, than father or mother, wife or children, for you stood now between them and their despoilers, their safety wrapped up in your success, as a world stood watching for the result of that battle. True, we were only boys then, but oh! what patriotic blood flowed in your veins in commingling of the freedom-loving races. The Celtic, Ger- man, Norman, Scotch-Irish, Cymric, the Anglo-Saxon, all combining as one around the grandest of flags, the star-spangled banner. Blest emblem of liberty. Hope of the world. As you drew nearer, the sound of the cannon was plainer to you; you could hear the bursting shells, then the steady roll of musketry, and you knew that death was reaping his harvest; the old Forty-sixth had been there many a time, and knew what it all meant. And the smoke of battle went up on high; you were now in the battle zone, your whole surrounding atmosphere was changed. There was less of song, and jokes in general fell flat; and playing cards — the boys had no use for them now, so they sowed them in the fields, scattered them along the highway; watches and other valuables were given to non-combatants, to be sent home to dear ones, should you be among the slain. The cavalry and the First and Eleventh Corps, it seems, had met the enemy in large numbers beyond the town, and had nobly kept them in check as long as possible until at last they doubled up our men, who were compelled to fall back through the town 308 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. to CemetiM-j- Hill, after losing tlieir uohle comniander, the brave Reyuolds, who was shot while leading them on. Our corps moved on past "Two Taverns," and then our division filed to the right towards Wolf Hill; we unslung knapsacks, loading our guns, and deployed in line of battle in the woods, with the intention of making a connection with the right of the Eleventh Corps, but they had been forced to fall back, which changed the situation; but our presence there prevented an intended flank move- ment which the enemy attempted to make. Night coming on, caused a lull in the battle, and ended the slaughter for that day. The regiment was moved over again to the Baltimore pike and rested on their arms that night. Hostilities commenced very early in the morning, and you were moved in here and took up this position, and hastily put up a line of works, with logs, stones and dirt, using what tools you could get, right on the hue of the works you now see before you. Late that afternoon when Sickles' Third Corps was hotly pressed over on the left-center, the brigade was hastily sent over across the fields to his relief, towards Little Round Top, coming only in contact with the havoc of the enemy's shells in that sharp fight. The enemy were checked, and Sickles' men secured their new ground. Sometime in the night we were ordered to return to our works on the right at Culp's Hill. But, alas! in our absence the enemy under Johnson, had taken our works, as there had been no troops put in our place to oppose them, and in fact he had marched his men as far over as the Baltimore pike. Then he became suspicious that there was a trap set for him, and ordered his men back again to our works, thereby losing his grandest opportunity of the war. He was right in behind our army. Comrades, there was to my mind a Providence in this. They were made afraid when there was nothing to fear. On coming back we found them in our works sure enough. In fact if it had not been for the forethought of our Colonel Selfridge, we would have marched by the flank right into their lines. It seems Captain Selfridge of Company H, had taken some of his men's canteens and gone on ahead to Spangler's spring to fill them, when he discovered "Johnnies" also there filling their canteens. He backed out with the best grace he could command, and reported it to the colonel. But Colonel McDougall, the brigade commander, did not believe it and got very angry, but the colonel insisted on deploying his men, and sent in a skirmish line, who found the enemy as stated and saved many lives. We were then formed around this point, our left on Geary's Division, and our brigade connecting on the right with the Third Brigade, when we rested on our arms again until the morning. Bright and early our artillery which had been posted in our rear, opened on the rebels in the woods, the shells passing over us; we were so near the enemy that six men of the regiment wore killed by the explosion of our own shells. About 11 o'clock we operted on them with musketry, and a general ad- vance was made, and they were driven from our works, which we again occupied, and kept the enemy at bay, while their sharpshooters on those tree tops gave us great concern, until in the afternoon when that grand event that stands out now at this day as the turning point of the rebellion took place. I refer to Pickett's charge on the center of the line. Pennsylvania at Gettysburff. 309 At a glveu signal one lunuli-ed and .sixty of tlie enemy's cannon opened fire on the Union line, and were answered by one hnndred cannon from our side, making the very earth shake. And then came their charging column over that wide held, only to be swept away before the leaden hail of the boys in blue, which you could plainly hear. Also their shells came tearing down our lines through the tree tops. Johnson made repeated attacks on us that night, and many of his men were cut down in our front. Gettysburg battle had been fought and won. The morning light of July 4, showed no rebels in your front, except many of their dead a few steps in front of your works, and many in the woods beyond; many trees were cut to pieces with your bullets along your line. A reconnoisance of the brigade and a battery of artillery down the Balti- more pike and over to Hanover pike and back around through the town, proved that the enemy had left us masters of the field. Your losses in killed, wounded and missing ai-e not reported as large as some regiments who fought in this battle. You had somewhere about two hundred men in the battle. The official report says two hundred and sixty-two, and killed, two men; wounded, one officer and nine men; missing, one man. I am convinced that our losses were greater than this. However, losses do not always denote success; our sheltered position in this battle gave us an advantage, while inflicting greater injury on the enemy than some perchance who had heavier losses. It was seldom that the Forty-sixth had the advantage of works, as the number of killed and wounded during your four-years' service will show, under the daring impetuous Knipe or the gallant gray-headed Selfridge. Our capital city Avas saved, and our State redeemed, and the honor of our flag sustained. But oh! at what a cost. How proud should you be that you had a part in this achievement. Our hope had been that the enemy would be crushed and the war ended here, but in this we were sadly disappointed. After resting a couple of days we followed him to the Potomac, and down into Virginia to the Rappahannock river, and at Brandy Station an order came to transfer the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps to the Southwestern army, under General Sherman's command, in Tennessee, where you went by rail to Nashville. The old Star Corps and the Crescent Corps were there united, forming the Twentieth Corps, and retaining the Star as the badge to our delight, and were placed under command of the redoubtable "fighter," Joe Hooker again, and in the Army of the Cumberland under Pap Thomas and with old Pap Williams commanding our division. And the corps marched on to further glory in the southland. Fighting above the clouds at Lookout Mountain, and at Tunnel Hill, Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Snake Creek Gap, Cassville, Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kolb's Farm, Kenesaw Mountain, Big Shanty, Marietta, Chattahoochie, Peach Tree Creek, At- lanta and then on to the sea through Georgia and captured the fair city of Savannah at Christmas, 1SC)4. Where, after a brief rest and necessary supplies, you crossed the river into South Carolina, the hot-bed of treason, driving the enemy under Hardee in all directions, and got in the rear of Charleston, and took Columbia. Fought again at Averasboro, Fayette- 310 Pennsylvcmia at Oettysburg. ville, Clieraw, BentoiiTille, Chesterlield C. H., arriving in Goldsboro, N. C, the latter end of March, 1805. After getting clothing which you greatly needed, we moved on towards Johnston's army at Ilaloigh, when we got tiie glad news of the surrender of Lee's army to Grant; what a joyful day that was. Tiien soon thereafter, on April 27, Johnston surrendered to Sheridan, and, thank God, the war was over, and the Union was saved. Then commenced your homeward march to Richmond, and Washington and the grand review, and your dis- charge at Harrisburg, Pa., July IG, 18G5, with the thanks of Congress. And now, my comrades, in closing I would add, that I congratulate you on having had this starry emblem for your corps badge; we believe it the grandest of them all. What memories cluster around this emblem. We read in the Bible of "the star guiding the wise men to the manger in Bethle- hem," "and that the morning stars sang together;" also, "can you bind the sweet bands of Orion," etc. Our emblem is represented everywhere in nature. On the earth j'ou find it as it is delineated on the beautiful flower; you find it portrayed in the beautiful snow, as it falls in tiny starry flakes, carpeting the earth in winter; you find it in the star-fish of the mighty-deep, or as it flashes in phosphoric stars at the vessel's bow as it plows the ocean, and all earth, and the heavens, as well as this granite monument, will continue to perpetuate the memory of the Old Star Corps. And, comrades, my prayer is "that when your star shall set at life's close, it may set, as sets the morning star which gneth not down in the darkened west, but melteth away into the brightness of Heaven;" may God bless you. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 49'^^ REGIMENT INFANTRY Septembeu 11, 1889 ADDRESS OP CAPTAIN JOSEPH B. DOWNING THE Forty-ninth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers was organized at Camp Curtin near Harrisburg, Pa., under the call of President Lin- coln for three hundred thousand men for three years or during the war, in the month of September, 1861, by the selection of the following field and staff officers: Colonel, William H. Irwin, of Lewistown, Pa.; Lieutenant-Colonel, Wil- liam Brisbane, of Luzerne county, Pa.; Major, Thomas INI. Hulings, of Mif- flin county, Pa.; Adjutant, James M. Miller, of Dauphin county, Pa.; Quar- termaster, John H. Gray, of Chester county. Pa.; Surgeon, William H. Go- brecht, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Assistant Surgeon, John F. Iluber, of Lan- caster county. Pa.; Chaplain, Rev. William Earnshaw, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The companies were enlisted in different parts of the State; A and G from Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 311 Centre county; B and F fi-om Chester, C and D from Huntingdon, E, H and K from MifHiu and I from Juniata. The companies were officered as fol- lows: A — Captain, J. Miles Green; First Lieutenant, Andrew S.Davidson; Second Lieutenant, R. D. Harper. B — Captain, George F. Smith; First Lieuten- ant, Baynton J. Hickman; Second Lieutenant, Isaac B. Parker, Jr. C — Captain, John B. Miles; First Lieutenant, James B. Eckeberger; Second Lieutenant, . D — Captain, James D. Campbell; First Lieu- tenant, John H. Westbrook; Second Lieutenant, F. Y. McDonald. E — Cap- tain, Henry A. Zollinger; First Lieutenant, Amor W. Wakefield; Second Lieutenant, John Hancock. F — Captain, Benjamin H. Sweeney; First Lieu- tenant, F. W. Wombacker; Second Lieutenant, Don Juan Wallings. G — Captain, John Boal; First Lieutenant, A. B. Hutchison; Second Lieutenant, William Reed. H — Captain, Ralph L. Maclay; First Lieutenant, William G. Mitchell; Second Lieutenant, John Cox. I — Captain, Calvin DeWitt; First Lieutenant, R. M. McClellan; Second Lieutenant, David B. Spanogle. K — Captain, Matthias Neice; First Lieutenant, John R. Keim; Second Lieu- tenant, Thomas F. Neice. Of the above named officers the following obtained distinction in other commands as follows: Chaplain Earnshaw resigned October 9, 1862, and was shortly afterwards appointed chaplain in the United States army where he served during the war. At the close of the war he was appointed on a commission to collect the remains of our gallant dead and have them removed to the National cemeteries, and by his personal appeal to Hon. Henry Wilson, Chairman of the Military Committee of the Senate, an appropriation was passed provid- ing for a marble head and foot stone for every Union soldier so buried. After the completion of this service he was sent as chaplain to the Soldiers' Home in Dayton, Ohio, where he remained until his death in 1885. Captain George F. Smith was, in March, 1862, appointed to the majority of the Sixty -first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers with which command he remained until nearly the close of the war, being promoted in the meantime respectively to lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the regiment. Lieutenant William G. Mitchell was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of General Hancock, with whom lie served until his death in 1883. During the war Mitchell rose to the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers and at the close of the war was appointed captain of the United States army on the staff, and one of the last official acts of the lamented President Garfield was to promote him to major and assistant adjutant-general. Lieutenant John Hanc ;ck, brother of the general, was appointed captain and assistant adjutant-general at General Hancock's headquarters with whom he remained until the end of the rebellion. Lieutenant Isaac B. Parker, Jr., was also appointed an aide-de-camp to General Hancock and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and was mus- tered out at the close of the war. On September 19, 1861, the quartermaster's department issued the arms to the different companies. They consisted of Harper's Ferry muskets that had been changed from flint lock to percussion of .68 caliber. The ammuni- tion was a cartridge made with powder, a round bullet and three buckshot. 312 Pennsi/lrania at Gettysburg. Tlie muskets were very uuservicenble, being about as dangerous to the sol- dier who used them as they would have been to an enemy in his front. During the following winter, before the regiment had been engaged with the enemy, they were exchanged for Austrian rifles of .54 caliber, using a minie ball cartridge. On September 20, IS'Jl, after tlie dress-parade, Governor A. G. Curtiii and his staff appeared and presented to tlie regiment the National and State flags, which were received in an able, eloquent and patriotic speech by Colo- nel Irwin. In the course of his remarks the colonel said "that while he had an arm to wield a sword or a man to fire a gun, the colors should never drop in the face of an enemj- nor be desecrated by the touch of rebel hands," and that promise was faithfully kept although the dear old colors were torn to shreds by the shot and shell of the enemy. On the next day, September 21, reveille sounded at 4 a. m. with orders to break camp and prepare to move to the seat of war, and later in the day the regiment was loaded on cars of the Northern Central Railroad Company. The train was run in two sections. When within twelve or fifteen miles of Baltimore the second section ran into the first, in which accident two men of Company G (Parker and Fulton) were killed and three others injured. Arrived in Baltimore about midnight, disembarked and marched from the Northern Central to the Baltimore and Ohio station. Early the next morn- ing the command was fed by the Union Relief Association and about 9 a. m. took cars and arrived in Washington about 2 p. m., went to the Soldiers' Re- treat for rations and then into camp on the common about one mile north of the capitol. Here we remained five days, drilling, doing camp duty, etc. On September 27, we struck tents and moved out through Washington and Georgetown up the Potomac about eight miles to Chain Bridge which we crossed into Virginia and went into camp about 9 p. m. at Camp Advance. It bad rained hard all day and when camp was reached, tired, wee and hungry and no trains arriving, without tents and rations, the men felt that they had fallen on hard lines. On September 28, Hancock's famous brigade was formed consisting of the Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, Sixth Maine, Forty-third New York and Forty- ninth Pennsylvania. This brigade, with Brooks' Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Vermont regiments. Seventh Maine, Thirty-third and Forty-ninth New- York and the Foi-ty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers made up the division and was commanded by Brigadier-General William F. (Baldy) Smith. On this day there appeared great warlike movements. Many i-egiments moving, strong fortifications in view and a battle looked for. Two companies of the Forty-ninth ordered out on a reconnoitering expedition, marched very rapidly at first, then cautiously for some miles. No enemy being found they re- turned to camp about midnight. The next day, September 29, about 5 a. m., an alarm was sounded and the Forty-ninth immediately fell into line expecting an attack until 11 a. m. After dress-parade in the evening Colonel Irwin drilled the regiment in bat- talion drill until after dark. September 30, moved a few miles to the front and went into a new camp, "Vanderwerken." The next day again moved forward to the villages of Langlcy and Lewinsville and went into camp at Camp GrifTln and remained rcnnsylvania at Getty shurg. 313 hei-o until March 10, 1802. Tlie first place at which we pitched our tents ill this place being on low ground, moved about one-fourth of a mile onto higher ground where we went into winter quarters. Ou October 24, the regiment was first mustered into the United States ser- vice. Through some technical informality tlie first muster in at Harrisburg had been decided illegal and owing to this a great wrong worked to those of the regiment who did not re-enlist, compelling them to serve from two to three months more than the three years. Notwithstanding the informality alleged, the men were paid from the date of eidistment and not from the date of muster into the United States service. During the stay at Camp Grifiin drills were regular in the school of the soldier, squad, company, battalion and skirmish and the evolutions of the brigade, and during this work of discipline and becoming acclimated, many of the members died and when in the following spring we moved away, we left a right large sized burial ground. Ou November 20, the regiment participated in the grand review at Mun- son's Hill, in which the divisions of McCall, McDowell, Heintzelman, Por- ter, Franklin, Blenker and Smith, about ninety regiments of infantry, twenty batteries (100 pieces") of artillery and nine regiments of cavalry, in all about 70,000 troops, took part. Immediately after the Forty-ninth had passed the reviewing stand, Colonel Irwin commenced drilling the regiment and blocked up the troops that were passing in review. General Hancock rode up rapidly when he had found the cause of the trouble, placed Colonel Irwin in arrest, and the regiment worn out with the fatigues of the day, straggled back to camp where they all ar- rived during the night. For tliis breach of discipline Colonel Irwin was tried by court martial. About this time several changes took place among the line officers. Lieu- tenant Harper, of Company A, resigned. Lieutenant Reed, of Company G, resigned and Sergeant J. T. Stuart was promoted; I>ieutenant Spanogle, of Company I, resigned and Sergeant John Stewart promoted; Lieutenant John R. Keim resigned and Sergeant William B. Freeburn promoted; Adjutant J. M. Miller resigned, and Sergeant Major E. D. Smith promoted. On March G, regiment Avent on a reconnoisance to Hunter's ^lill, and re- turned to camp on the 9th. The next day the Avhole army moved to Fairfax Court House, and finding the enemy had evacuated his position at Bull Run and Centreville we retraced our steps to Alexandria and embarked for Fort- ress Monroe, and the peninsular campaign was inaugurated. At the time of the embarkation of our brigade it seemed necessary to put two regiments on one boat and the Forty-third New York and Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers were placed on board the steamer North America. Shortly after an altercation took place between the men of the two regiments Trhich rendered it necessary to remove the Forty-third New York to anotlier vessel and tliey departed from the steamer to the tune of "Bully for You" from the Forty- ninth band. After whicli episode the North America proceeded oi; her way and landed us safely at Fortress Monroe. Upon our arrival upon the Peninsula the army was organized into corps and Smith's Division with Couch's and Casey's formed the Fourth Army Corps and was commanded by General E. D. Keyes. 314 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Went into camp near Hampton, Virginia, moved forward by slow and easy marclies up tlie Peninsula. Early in April, our advance reached War- wick river near Lee's Mills. A spirited advance and attack was made by the Vermont Brigade hut was repulsed. On that night tlie Forty -ninth was moved up to the front and threw up rifle pits. When we arrived ou the ground by some error the regiment stacked arms with the right flank in the direction of the enemy. A little after daylight the next morning a heavy cannonade was opened on us and the rebs quickly got the range of our stacked muskets. Orders Avere not waited for but personal preservation was the order of the day. Every man broke for a gun and then to the rear, to the timber, where the hues were reformed and the scare was over. Re- mahied in this vicinity until May 4. On April 28, the regiment lost its first man killed by the enemy; Corporal Watson, of Company A, was killed ou the picket line. While remaining in this position many of the men were sick. Water was exceedingly bad and plenty of it only twelve or eighteen inches under the surface of the ground. The siege of Yorktown closed on May 4th, by the evacuation of the enemy and we immediately started in pursuit, arriving in the vicinity of Williams- burg at dark. The battle opened early on the 5th, by the advance of Heiut- zelman's Third Corps, Divisions of Hooker and Kearny. Hancock's Brigade moved to the right and came to a large mill dam. The bridge crossed on the dam breast. This dam breast was covered by an earth-work but it was unoccupied and the crossing was made without inter- ference. A line of battle Avas formed with the left resting on the stream, Sixth Maine on the right. Fifth Wisconsin in the center, Forty-ninth on the left and the Forty-tliird New York thrown out as skirmishers. Moved for- ward from one-half mile to a mile without much opposition, and then held our ground until the middle of the afternoon when E well's Brigade advanced on us expecting to capture the brigade. Their impetuous advance threw the Forty-third New York in on the right, and as the enemy neared us Haucack ordered a retreat by alternate battalions, leading the advancing column away from their supports until we had good ground both to hold and advance from; when Hancock directed a charge upon the advancing enemy. This was Hancock's famous charge at Williamsburg. The enemy was beaten with great loss, in killed, wounded and captui-ed, and the way was opened for the flanking and destruction of Magruder's army. But we were satisfied with the repulse and allowed Magruder to depart in peace. The loss of the Fortj'-ninth in this engagement was one killed, David Gilbert, and six slight- ly wounded. On May 8, throe days after the battle, we advanced leisurely up the Pen- insula, noting, by destroyed stores, the hurry the enemy had been in on their retreat, passing Burnt Ordinary and New Kent Court House and arrived at Cumberland Landing and West Point on the Pamunkey. At this point the Sixth Corps was created, composed of the Divisions of Smith and Franklin (now Slocum's) and commanded by General W. B. Franklin, and from this time to the end of the war the Forty-ninth Pennsyl- •vania Volunteers formed a part of this famous command. The next march brought us to Cold Harbor, and the next to the banks of the Chickahominy, and the siege of Richmond was inaugurated. The regi- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 315 meut remained ou the north bank of the Chickahominy until about June 15, when we crossed to tiie south side and took up line of battle near Garnett's Hill. The malarial swamps in this vicinity were very destructive to the regiment. Very many sickened and numbers died. On the afternoon of June 27, the fighting commenced in our front. The regiment supported artillery and was under Iieavy artillery firing during the afternoon, and about sunset the enemy advanced but was handsomely re- pulsed. The Forty-ninth lost five killed and about fifteen wounded, one mortally. The next day, 2Sth, regiment engaged at Golding's farm and the brigade captured Colonel L. Q. C. Lamar of Mississippi. In this day's en- gagement regiment lost two killed and several wounded. Regiment was engaged at Savage Station June 29, White Oak Swamp June 30 and Malvern Hill July 1 and arrived at Han-ison's Landing on July 2 through a drenching rain and mud knee deep. The retreat ended and the base changed. The regiment and the army remained at Harrison's until August 15, then moved down the peninsula to Fortress Monroe and embarked on the steamer Montreal and arrived at Alexandria on Sunday afternoon, August 24, where we remained until the 29th. On the morning of tliis day we marched off in great haste to the relief of Pope and arrived at Annandale in the evening, having made the prodigious march of four miles in one day. The next day marched to Centerville but arrived too late to do anything for Pope as the second battle of Bull Run had been fought and lost before our arrival. We occupied the forts around Centerville and prevented the further advance of the enemy in that direction. But wliiie in this position, were in great danger of being cut off by the advance of the enemy to Chantilly. The regiment re- turned with the army to Washington, crossed the Potomac at Long Bridge, through Washington and Georgetown to Tennallytowu. Then on the Mary- land campaign to Crampton's Gap into Pleasant Valley and remained there until Harper's Ferry capitulated and the battle of Antietam well on, when the regiment with the corps moved in rear from left to right of the whole army through Boonsboro, etc., and went into the engagement on the extreme right, relieving Sumner's Corps. Upon our arrival at the front, General Richardson having been mortally wounded. General Hancock, our beloved brigade commander, was appointed to the command of Richardson's Divi- sion of the Second Corps. Our loss in the battle was slight; one killed and a few wounded. The one killed was Charlie King of Company F, drummer, a bright boy of about thirteen years of age. After the battle moved to the Potomac near Shepherdstown, thence to Bakersville where we encamped about two weeks, then marched to the Penn- sylvania line in an attempt to intercept the enemy's cavalry raid. On this movement the regiment did picket duty in our native State facing north. The enemy succeeded in making his escape and recrossed into Virginia. Regiment returned to Hagerstown and went into camp and remained there until the army again moved south. While at Hagerstown, Lieutenant-Colo- nel Brisbane and Chaplain Earnsliaw resigned and Major Hulings promoted to lieutenant-colonel and Captain John B. Miles to major. From Hagerstown the regiment n)oved through Boonsboro. Middletown and Petersville, crossed the Potomac at Berlin, down Loudoun Valley to 316 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. White Plains, wiiere we went into camp for a few days. Wliile here, the first snow storm of the season occurred, accompanied by very cold weather, causing considerable suffering among the men. A number of the regiment who went out foraging from this camp were captured by the guerrillas under Mosby. The next move brought us to New Baltimore. Here General Mc- Clellan was relieved of the command of the army and General Burnside as- signed in his stead. Shortly after this event, the army was organized into three grand divisions. The First and Sixth Corps formed the left grand di- vision commanded by IMajor-General W. B. Franklin, the Sixth Corps by General W. F. Smith, our division by General Howe, General Pratt retain- ing the command of the brigade. From New Baltimore marched to Aquia Church, to Stafford Court House, to Stafford Heights opposite Fredericksburg. The Sixth Corps going into camp near White Oak Church. I'articipated with the left grand division in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 12 to 14, 18G2. Recrossed the river on the Pontoon bridge on the night of the 14th and returned to our old camp and remained until the Chancellorsville campaign. On January 11, 18G3, the regiment having become very much depleted in numbers, by a special order from the War Department, was consolidated into four companies. Companies H and I formed new A, Captain Wakefield, First Lieutenant Thompson, Second Lieutenant Hilands. Companies K and F and part of E formed new B, Captain Freeburn, First Lieutenant Swain, Second Lieutenant Barr. Companies G and D and the balance of E formed new C, Captain Hutchison, First Lieutenant Wombacker and Second Lieutenant J. P. Smith. Companies A, B and part of C formed new D, Cap- tain Quigley, First Lieutenant Sherwood, Second Lieutenant, B. H. Down- ing. Captain Hickman was serving at division headquarters as ordnance officer; Captains Campbell and DeWitt resigning. Colonel Irwin, Major Miles, Captains Sweeney, Eckeberger and Cox, Lieutenants Ritner, E. D. Smith and D. J. Wallings and all the supernumerary non-commissioned offi- cers were sent to Pennsylvania on recruiting service. The colonel and major only remained during the balance of the winter and then rejoined the batta- lion. The rest remained in different parts of the State until November 19, 18G3, when, by an order from the War Department, the supernumerary line oflScers were mustered out and honorably discharged and the non-commis- sioned officers returned to the regiment and assigned to the new companies then being organized. The battalion under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hulings took part in the "Mud March." Shortly after the army again exchanged commanders. Hooker suceediug Burnside, and the army went buck to the corps organiza- tion. Among other general officers, Franklin and Smith were relieved and Major-General John Sedgwick was assigned to command the Sixth Corps, General Brooks the division and General Russell the brigade. About this time the light division was formed, and two regiments from our brigade (Fifth Wisconsin and Sixth Maine"! were assigned to it. Their places in the brigade were filled by two other regiments. On May 1, the Chancellorsville campaign opened and the Forty-ninth crossed the Rappahannock in pontoon boats under the fire of the enemy. They succeeded in crossing and held the ground while the pontoon bridge Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 317 was thrown across. In this engagement Colonel Irwin and Captain Free- burn were wounded, the latter mortally. Corporals Cresswell and Bruce were also wounded. After the corps succeeded in crossing, the regiment took part in its movements and after being almost surrounded after Hooker's de- feat, succeeded in escaping across the river at Banks' Ford. After Chancellorsville, nothing of importance occurred until Lee made his movement north. On June 20, the Forty-ninth and brigade again crossed the Rappahannock below Fi-edericksburg in pontoon boats and cap- tured the enemy's pickets and picket reserves and again established our line south of the river and entrenched from Deep Run to the Bernard House. After completing the works, re-crossed the river and followed the army now in pursuit of Lee. Arrived at Fairfax Court House June 20, Edwards' Ferry on the Potomac, June 28, crossed to Poolesville, Maryland, and after two days' marching arrived at Westminster, Maryland, on the evening of July 1, and the first day's battle had been fought at Gettysburg. From Westminster marched to Gettysburg, thirty-two miles, in a broiling July sun, with but one halt to make coffee and get something to eat. Arrived on the battle-field about 2 p. m. of the second day and formed the reserve. On the night of the 2d, took position on the side of Round Top but were not en- gaged. On the morning of the 3d took position on this ground covering the left flank of the army. Grant's Vermont Brigade with Russell's formed in line at right angles with the main line of tlie army. Fifth Wisconsin Volun- teers on the extreme left and the Forty -ninth joined it on the right. In this position held the ground under heavy artillery fire but no casualties are re- ported. After the retreat of the enemy, the Sixth Corps led the advance in pursuit, first in the direction of Chambersburg, then to the left in the direc- tion of Emmitsburg. arriving at the foot of the Catoctin Mountains about dark and attempted to cross during the night but, owing to the darkness and heavy rains, were compelled to go into camp on the top of the mountain near Hamburg. Early the next morning continued our march west through Mid- dletown, crossed the South Mountain at Turner's Pass and camped at Boous- boro. The next day the Forty-ninth, being in the extreme advance of the army, weie deployed as skirmishers on either side of the National turnpike in the direction of Hagerstown. Skirmishing continued during the day; we advancing and the enemy falling back on his main body. When near Wil- liamsport, Maryland, in the evening of that same day, in skirmishing. Lieu- tenant Swain was wounded through the thigh. No attack in force being made that evening the enemy withdrew across the Potomac. The Union army crossed at Berlin via Boonsboro, marched through Loudoun Valley and went into camp at Warrenton, Virginia, and remained comparatively in- active until November G, 1863. While in camp here, on October 24, Colonel Irwin resigned and returned home, the command devolving on Lieutenant- Colonel Hulings. On November 6, moved in the direction of Rappahannock Station. On the 7th, the Forty-ninth again in advance, did the skirmishing until near evening when the Sixth Maine took our place and we returned to the main column. By this time we were in front of the enemy's works on the north side of the river near the station, held by Hoke's and Hays' brigades of Lee's army. The Avorks were carried by storm and almost all of the enemy captured. 318 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. The severest loss on our side fell to the Fifth Wisconsin and Sixth Maine who lost heavily. The loss in the Foi-tj'-niuth was three killed, three mortal- ly and fifteen others wounded. Among the latter was Captain Hutchison and Adjutant J. T. Stuart. Among the severely wounded was Quarter- master-Sergeant J. D. W. Henderson who gallantly borrowed a musket and went into the fight and was badly wounded. From this point the regiment moved to Brandy Station and went into camp near Hazel creek where the winter was spent. Early in December a move- ment was made to Mine run where the enemy was found in force. No strong attack was made, but for two days the regiment was under artillery fire, dur- ing which a shell burst in the regiment, wounded slightly Captain Quigley and four men. Keturned to the camp and put up winter quarters. About this time the supernumerary non-commissioned officers rejoined the regiment, and drafted men and substitutes also arriving, four new companies, E, F, G and H, were organized and commanded respectively by Wombacker, Sher- wood, Stuart and Swain. A new company of volunteers recruited by Ser- geant Kephart also joined the regiment and was commanded by Captain W. P. Kephart. The regiment now filled to the minimum, Colonel Hulings, Lieutenant-Colonel Miles and Major Hickman were mustered in as the field officers. The supernumerary non-commissioned officers were assigned to the new companies. Eight new lieutenants were mustered, Lieutenani Hilands promoted to adjutant, and the regiment was well manned and officered for the spring campaign, having nine companies well filled, about seven hundred and fifty strong, a large regiment for those days. On May 4, the regiment moved with the army in the direction of the enemy, crossed the Rapidan at Germanna Mills. On the morning of the 5th formed line of battle and moved forward into the Wilderness. Struck the enemy about 10 o'clock who opened a volley on us at about thirty yards. More than fifty per cent, of the men in the regiment were new and untried and many of them had been compelled to serve by draft, but they stood the shock with an invincibility tliat would have done honor to Napoleon's Im« perial Guard in its palmiest days. We drove the enemy back a short dis- tance and entrenched. In this engagement the regiment lost about forty men, of whom three were killed and two mortally wounded. Maintained our position until after dark of the Gth. On this evening the enemy in great force attacked the right of our corps and the army and suc- ceeded in turning the flank, capturing two brigade commanders in the Third Division and many of the men. At the same time the Forty-ninth was sub- jected to a very heavy fire, suffering a loss of ten men wounded, one of them mortallj'. After the flanking movement was stopped our line was chnnged at right angles to the one previously lield and remained in this position until after dark of the 7th when the race for Spotsylvania commenced, the Sixth following the Fifth Corps. We arrived at Locust Grove about 3 p. m., Sun- day, May 8, and found the Fifth Corps engaged and about to charge the enemy. We formed line to support the charge. For some reason it was not made. Remained in this position during the night and early on the morning of the 9th extended our line taking position on the left of the Fifth Corps joining it on our right. While these dispositions were being made, the gal- lant and heroic commander of the Sixth Corps, Major-General John Sedg- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 319 wick, was shot by a sharpshooter aud killed. This calamity threw a gloom over everyone. All felt that while the army aud country had lost a valuable and able commander, every member of his gallant corps had lost a personal friend. General H. G. Wright succeeded to the command of the corps, General Russell of the division. General Eustis of the Third Brigade. With the exception of the death of the lamented Sedgwick, this day. May 9, passed in comparative quiet in our front. About 3 a. m., of May 10, companies D and G, Captains Quigley and Stuart, with two companies from the One hundred and nineteenth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, all under command of Captain Landell, were sent forward as skirmishers into the dense woods. Advanced about three hundred yards and found a strong line of skirmishers of the enemy. We advanced and drove them back on their supports and then back on their line of battle in en- trenchments. In this advance we reached a cart road at which we stopped, still under cover of about seventy-five yards of timber with piles of fence rails for barricades. At this point the ofQcer commanding the right of the line, ordered the men to hold this road and to protect themselves behind trees, rail piles, etc. At this moment a field officer, a lieutenant-colonel, rode along and directed the line to advance to the edge of the woods. The lieutenant with his men knowing the attempt would result in certain defeat obeyed the order and moved forward about forty yards and received a galling fire from a line of battle entrenched. The enemy then poured out against us and we were driven back two hundred and fifty or three hundred yai'ds into the woods fighting as we went. We then halted, faced about, and again moved forward under a terrible fire, losing men from our weak line at every step. We fought our way back to the cart road and rail piles at which point we stopped and held that line. The first time we had reached this position with very small loss, but to re-take it cost the two companies more than forty men, one-third of whom were killed. We held the position until about 2 p. m., when we were relieved by companies A and E, Captains Wakefield and Wombacker. The two relieved companies, D aud G, returned to the regiment and rested until about 4.30 p. m., when Eustis' Brigade with Upton's and another, mak- ing a division of twelve regiments of infantry, under the command of Colonel Emory Upton, of the One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteers, moved forward to assault the enemy. The storming column was formed in four lines with a front of three regiments and the lines twenty paces apart. The same cart road which had been so gallantly fought for aud held by the skirmishers during the day was the very spot where the assaulting columns were formed and from which the charge was made. The Forty-ninth was upon the right of the second line aud was represented by six companies. Companies A and E Avere still on the skirmish line in front, and Company C was detailed to picket the right of the corps. Upon the firing of a signal gun the assaulting column dashed forAvard, first through the timber about sev- enty-five yards into an open field of about one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred yards wide and then into slashed timber about one hundred yards, to strongly entrenched works, well manned with infantry and artillery. It seemed that when we emerged from our cover of timber, the first line of battle had melted aAvay before the destructive fire of the enemy and we who 22 320 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. had been iu tlie secoud line now led the charge. We moved rapidlj- forward under a terrible fire of infantry and artillery, across the open field, through the slashed timber and over the first line of earthworks filled with tlie enemy, who threw doAvn their arms and were sent to the rear, then forward through another line of rifle-pits. While between these two lines we suffered dread- fully from a battery about one hundred yards distant on our right which threw canister into us by the bushel. A little later the battery was cap- tured, Captain Honey of the Sixth Maine cutting down an artilleryman with his sword with his hand on the lanyard. The charge was up to this time a complete success, but a little while after, owing to the failure of the sup- ports to arrive in time to protect our flanks, the enemy on the flanks changed front and compelled the withdrawal of the whole force who were able to leave the field. The Forty-ninth with the other regiment did all in this charge that could possibly be done by the same number of men and with the support received, but at dreadful cost. Colonel Hulings, Lieutenant- Colonel Miles, Captain Kephart and Lieutenant Lytle were killed; Captains Barr, Quigley and Stuart wounded, the former mortally; Lieutenants Irwin, Russell, Hilands, J. B. Downing wounded, and Lieutenant Barton wounded and captured. Seventy-one enlisted men killed, twenty-one mortally wound- ed and one hundred and eighty-two others wounded and missing. A total of two hundred and eighty-six officers and men out of about four hundred and fifty engaged, a loss of sixty-three and one-Iialf per cent, of all who went into the engagement. The total loss to the regiment in this day's fighting was about three hundred and twenty-five men. The next day. May 11, it was comparatively quiet in our front. Lieuten- ant John M. Thompson was badly wounded in the left arm by a sharpshooter while on picket. On the morning of May 12, General Hancock, with the Second Corps, charged at what afterwards Avas known as the "Bloody Angle," captured two general officers and several thousand prisoners, but was unable to continue the movement and the Sixth Corps was sent to his relief. The Forty-ninth fought the enemy for the whole day at only a few yards distance, as many as two hundred rounds of ammunition being used per man, and the muskets became so foul and heated that the rifle in the bore was worn smooth, and after this fight they would not carry a ball thirty yards. They were after- wards changed for Spi-ingfield rifles. In this fight large oak trees were liter- ally cut off by bullets; no artillery could be used. The regiment lost in this engagement, sixteen killed, two mortally wounded and about thirty others wounded. Among the latter was Captain Wombacker, Lieutenants B. II. Downing and Howell. The losses in officers in these engagements made the following promotions: Major Hickman to lieutenant-colonel, Captain Wakefield to major; Lieuten- ant Thompson to captain Company A, Second Lieutenant Wix to first and Sergeant J. B. Rodgers to second lieutenant A, Lieutenant Byers to captain of I, Hackenberg first lieutenant and D. A. Stahl second lieutenant, John S. Bratton to captain B, Samuel H. Irvin first and John J. Hight second lieu- tenant, Joseph W. Wallace first and O. S. Rumberger second lieutenant of H and Howell and Davison first and second lieutenants of F. After the sanguinary engagements at Spotsylvania were ended, moved by Pennsylvania at Gettyshurg. 321 the left flauk to the Pamuiikey river and Cold Harbor where the regiment was under fire and partlj' engaged daily from June 1 to 7, losing nine killed, two mortally wounded and about thirty others wounded and missing, among the latter Lieutenant James P. Smith and several men were captured by the enemy. Lieutenant Smith was held a prisoner until the following spring and rejoined the regiment after Lee's surrender. From Cold Harbor moved again by the left and crossed the James river and took part in the siege of Petersburg until July 7, 18G4. While here Colonel Oliver Edwards of the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers succeeded General Eustis in command of the bi-igade. On July 7, 1SG4, a strong force having been sent to menace Washington and Baltimore, the Sixth Corps cut loose from the Army of the Potomac and took transports at City Point for the National Capital, arriving in Washing- ton on the evening of July 0. We raced the enemy from Port Stevens in the defenses of Washington to Snicker's Gap, but they succeeded in crossing the Shenandoah and escaped. Returned to Washington passing through our old Camp Griffin on the way. Marched through Maryland to Frederick City and to Harper's Ferry. By this time the Middle Military Division was formed and composed of the Sixth, Eighth and Nineteenth corps, all under the command of Major-General Philip H. Sheridan who gained for his troops additional glory and they in return made him world famous by the time the campaign ended. Shortly after our arrival at Harper's Ferry the small-pox broke out in the regiment and it was isolated at Bolivar Heights for about a month. On Sep- tember 13, rejoined the division then encamped near Berryville. Early on the morning of September 19, moved in the direction of Win- chester. Struck the enemy near Opequon creek and fought a fierce battle during the whole of the day, the enemy's forces falling back towards Win- chester. About noon two brigades of Early's forces which had been sent in the direction of Martinsburg returned and made a desperate attack on the left of the Nineteenth Corps, drivhig them back. This repulse uncovered the right flauk of Russell's Division of the Sixth Corps. Russell put himself at the head of the brigade and hurried in to retrieve the disaster, and suc- ceeded in stopping the enemy, but in the movement the general was killed, shot to death with a cannon ball. General Frank Wheaton succeeded to the command of the division. Towards the close of the day, and while the in- fantry and artillery were driving the enemy, the cavalry division struck them on their left flank, doubling them up and sent them "whirling through Winchester," winning a glorious victoi-y on the open field. In this engage- ment First Lieutenant Joseph W. Wallace w\as killed and Captain John M. Thompson desperately wounded in seven places by the explosion of a shrap- nel, directly in front of him. Ten enlisted men were killed and about thirty wounded, eight of them mortally. While the fight was at its height Major Wakefield, who had been away on special service, was returning, and hearing the sound of the battle, with two or three comrades were hurriug up from Berryville to rejoin their commands, and when within a mile of the line of the Union army in action were captured by a gang of Mosby's men and carried around the flank of our army to Rich- mond. He was confined at Danville, Va., until the next spring. 322 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. After this engagement the brigade was detailed to guard tlie post at Win- chester, guarding trains to and from Martinsburg, etc., until after the battle of Cedar Creek, on October 19, 18l>i. While encamped at Winchester the regiment received from the State a new stand of colors which were presented by Colonel Edwards, and received on the part of the regiment by Captain James T. Stuart. On October 24, the brigade rejoined the corps at Cedar Creek and re- mained there until after the presidential election, then moved midway be- tween Mlddletown and Winchester until about December G, when the Sixth Corps left the valley and returned to the siege of Petersburg. Went into the line in front of Yellow House near Fort Wadsworth. The regiment suc- ceeded in finding splendid winter quarters built by some soldiers of the Fifth Corps. Here we remained, with the exception of a reconnaissance to Hat- cher's Run, until April 2, 1865. In the last days of March troops in large bodies were passing in the rear of us to the left, moving to Five Forks and the series of battles were com- mencing to end the rebellion. On Sunday morning, April 2, the regiment and brigade Oiaving formed dur- ing the previous night in front of Fort Fisher) at the early dawn charged the works in our front and broke through the 'enemy's lines. The regiment turned to the left and emptied the rifle pits for about a mile, when troops from the Second Corps took our place and continued the movement while w'e faced about and closed in on Petersburg, the Sixth Corps holding the line from the Appomattox river to the old rebel line of works. Loss of the regi- ment in the engagement, one killed and about a dozen wounded. Among the latter was the adjutant who received a slight saber cut in the left hand in going over the rebel entrenchments. The movement of this day compelled the evacuation of Richmond and Pet- ersburg. Early on the morning of the 3d, started in pursuit of the enemy in the direction of Amelia Court House. General Sheridan had been pleading for the Sixth Corps from the beginning of the campaign but until now Grant had work for them and they could not be spared. The Sixth Corps now moved rapidly across the army to the extreme right to Sheridan's help. We caught up with him at Sailor's creek about 5 p. m., of April 6, and imme- diately formed line of battle under Sheridan's direction, the brigade in the following order: Fifth Wisconsin on the right joined by the One-hundred and nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the Forty-ninth in the center joined by the Sixth Maine to the left and the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts on the left of the brigade. While forming ISIajor Gray of the One hundred and nineteenth asked the general of the situation. He replied aloud, "Boys, Custer is across there (pointing) about two miles with his cavalry and four- teen pieces of artillery and we're here, and Ewell with his corps is between us and if we press them they will be in a tight fix." As soon as the lines were formed we "pressed." Moved forward in line of battle down sloping ground to the creek which we crossed, it being from knee to waist deep. After crossing we lay under cover of a knoll a few minutes to perfect the alignments. In a few minutes Captain Colt of Edwards' staff rode along and directed an advance on the double-quick. The enemy was under cover of a woods about one hundred and fifty yards in our front and between Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 323 us open grouud. The regiment advanced rapidly through a perfect storm of bullets but in fifteen minutes it was all over and General Ewell command- ing the corps, with seven other general officers and about 7,000 officers and men were captui-ed. The regiment in this engagement was opposed by a regiment of marines from Richmond who had never been in an engagement but they fought valiantly and when flunked and surrounded hardly knew enough to surrender. The loss of the regiment in this battle was excessively severe. Owing to the hard and wearisome marches made for four days, we carried only about 250 men into the battle. Of these fifteen were killed including Lieutenant Hackenberg, six mortally wounded including Lieutenants John B. Rodgers and John D. Gillespie, about sixty others were wounded. The most dis- tressing part of these losses was that this was our last battle and a number of those killed were men who had been with us from the organization of the regiment. Notably, Lieutenants Rodgers and Gillespie, Sergeant-Major J. Roy Hackenberg and First Sergeant Calvin Cain. Shortly after the end of the fight the Forty-ninth was detailed to guard prisoners at Sheridan's iieadquarters. During the night Custer's cavalry brought in a large number in addition to those previously captured. About 8 a. m. of the 7th, the regiment was ordered to conduct the prisoners to Burkeville Junction which was a full day's march from the battle-field. Ar- rived at Burkeville about dark and turned the prisoners over to the pi-ovost marshal, drew rations and went into camp for the night. Early on the next morning (April 8) we started for the front, marched rapidly in the direction of Appomattox Court House, passing through Farmville and reached the front and joined the brigade on the morning of the lOtli, after the surrender of Lee which had occurred the day before (April 9, 18C5). We then returned with the army to Burkeville Junction and went into camp where we remained until the 25th. While in camp here, on April 16, Adjutant Downing was mustered as captain of Company F and Lieutenant Robert Davidson of Company F as adjutant of the regiment. Here also we were joined by a company of volunteers from Allegheny county, company K, commanded by Captain J. F. Reynolds, First Lieutenant James H. Bascom and Second Lieutenant Thomas M. Gillespie. On April 25, General Johnston not having yet surrendered to Sherman, the Sixth Corps marched to Danville in the very southern edge of Virginia, making the march in four days. Here we found many men from Lee's army awaiting transportation farther south. The old corps marched through the city with colors unfurled and the men never felt prouder nor marched better than on this occasion. We went in camp south of the city on the edge of North Carolina and remained until after Johnston's surrender. While here one recruit arrived and was assigned to Company F, which lacked one man of the minimum, and as a result. First Sergeant Glass was mustered as second lieutenant of the company which event occurred just in time, for the mail arrived while Glass was at the mustering officer's which brought news of the death of George Stanford, wounded at Sailor's Creek, and two others discharged for disability. Had Glass been an hour later he would have failed in being mustered. On May 6, we returned by rail to Burkeville and the corps was distributed 324 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. along the Southside railroad. Tlie Forty-iiiiitli headquarters were at Wells- ville with eight couipanies, wliile two companies under the command of Cap- tain Wombacker were stationed at Blacks and Whites Station, about eight miles farther south. While here the Army of the Potomac, with the excep- tion of the Sixth Corps, returned to Washington. Sherman's army from Atlanta also passed by us on their way to the National Capital. After the grand review of the two armies in Washington, the Sixth Corps, about June 1, broke camp and marched to Petersburg and AEanchester opposite Rich- mond, went into camp for two days, then marched through Richmond, re- viewed by General Halleck, on to Mechanicsville and Fredericksburg, and ar- rived at Hall's Hill opposite Washington, where we remained until July 15. In the meantime, however, the Sixth Corps also passed in review through Washington. On July 12, orders were received to make the muster-out rolls, preparatory to discharge. Everything being prepared Captain A. M. Tyler, mustering officer, visited us and mustered the regiment out of the service on July 15, ISGo, three years and ten months after organization. W^e proceeded through Washington and Baltimore to Harrisburg where the officers and men were paid and finally discharged, and the Forty-ninth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers had passed into history. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 53"^ REGIMENT INFANTRY Septembeu 1, 1880 ADDRESS OP FIRST LIEUT. & ADJUTANT CHAS. P. HATCH COMRADES: — We meet to-day for a noble and glorious purpose, and one which cannot but appeal to the heart of every soldier here who was a member of our old command. At the same time it would be strange indeed, if the occasion did not engender within us emotions of a conflicting nature. As I look around me and see how few there are of us left, memories of the past come crowding before me. I recall to memory those days in 'G3 when we w-ere battling with the enemy upon this very field. I am carried still farther back to 'Gl when we started out upon our military career, and, com- paring that starting out with to-day, one cannot but be profoundly impressed not alone bj' the changed and hajipy conditions now existing, but surrowfully as well, as Ave recall to memory our former comrades, now dead and gone but then with us brave, eager and enthusiastic. The records of the W^ar Department show that from '61 to 'G.*? our regi- ment had already gone through ten principal engagements, not counting the numerous minor ones, and in each many were stricken fnuu our ranks, and when, in 18G3, we marched upon the field of Getfysliurg, our ranks had al- ready been sadly depleted, but again our thin ranks were furtlior reduced in Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 325 numbers. From Gettysburg to Ai)pomattox iuclusive the Fifty-third took part iu sixteen additional principal engagements, making twenty-six in all, averaging one principal engagement or battle, for each fifty days of service, including the time spent in winter quarters, and not counting the reconnais- sances, special services and incidental encounters with the enemy between battles, in all of which however we suffered constant losses in killed and wounded. Our regimental reports of casualties during the war foot up thirty-five officers and seven hundred and two enlisted men, giving a total of seven hundred and t1:irty-spven. Of lliese, the record of killed in action or died of wounds received in action is four olHcers and one hundred and ninety-six en- listed men, a total of exactly two hundred killed. These facts and remi- niscences vividly recall the past and we would be indeed singularly con- stituted were our feelings not wrought upon by the retrospect. Still, with it all comes over us the proud consciousness of a soldier's faith- ful service, and associated with it a sentiment of pride and admiration in the gallantry and fortitude of our old comrades who gloriously laid down their lives in the cause which we had all alike assumed, and when we remember that our presence here to-day is at the bidding of our State, as being worthy of its honors for the service they and we performed, we experience feelings of profound gratitude and satisfaction, in that it is our privilege to see this memorial monument erected and dedicated iu honor of those old comrades and of our gallant old regiment, for it was a gallant regiment, as its official record bears witness, and we are amply entitled to all our feelings of pride in having been members of it. That it served in line with the numerous other gallant commands from our own as well as other States, would aloub be sufficient glory for the B^'ifty-third, even though it had no other claims for credit, but I believe the evidence will show that probably few regiments in our whole army saw more arduous or severe service during the war, a fact not realized by us at the time but now demonstrated in the statistical sum- ming up. It will however be out of place for me here and at this time to even attempt to trace the career of our old command during the war, or enter upon its active participation in the many engagements in which it bore a part and I but touch upon the general facts. As with many another, our regiment had its origin in that great uprising in 1861, a year we well remember who lived and moved in its excitements, but of which the younger and present generation can have no adequate con- ception. An economic and political question which had, at the time the Constitution of the country was first under discussion and being formulated, already been the cause of anxious thought and then adjusted by compromise, a question which later on was the cause of renewed discussions and new compromises, which had passed all tlie stages, from anxious debate to acrimonious contro- versy, finally reached its culmination in 1801, when, though I cannot say without warning or premonition, the blow fell which was the knell of war between the two sections of the country. There were those no doubt on the one side who had early determined to strike the blow, there were tliose in the North who saw its coming, yet the country at large could not believe in the possibility of such a calamity and Avas amazed as well as astounded when it 32C Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. come, but before that first shot upon Fort Sumter had ceased echoing over the land, the revulsion came in a mighty cry of denunciation for those who had done the deed, and men in countless numbers and from all sides of the loj-al North demanded to be led to the defense of our country's flag. So, and then, the Fifty-third Pennsylvania was born and organized, not for hope of personal reward, not for love, but through tiiat exalted and vivifying patriotism which pervaded the hearts of the loyal North, asking only to be led to the front to meet the enemy. There was but one thought, that in the Providence of God there was one duty above every other presented to us, and that was the defense of our flag, the maintenance of our government and glo- rious nationality in all its integrity, and for this the men of 'Gl freely volun- teered their services and if need be their lives. As was natural under the tension of public feeling then existing, the people were in advance of the constituted authorities, coming together intuitively and by a common im- pulse, taking the initiative in organization and selecting their leaders under whom they desired to serve. We found ours in Captain John R. Brooke who had already served as an oflBcer in the preliminary three-months' service, and he became our colonel, and as corroboration of the worthiness and fitness of tlie selection, as well as testifying as to the quality of the command under him, I have but to mention that after the close of the war he was commissioned in the regular military service of the United States and is to-day holding the rank of brigadier-general. Our lieutenant-colonel was Richards McMichael of Pottsville, Pa., a vet- eran of the Mexican war, while our major was Thomas Yeager of Alleutown, Pa., who lost his life at Fair Oaks. On the one side, therefore, were arrayed those who had taken up arms iu defense and for the perpetuation of our National life. On the other were arrayed those who, though doubtless equally as sincere in their convictions, yet sought the destruction of our National government, and the right to maintain a separate confederate government. The issue at stake was a momentous one and upon the outcome of those days of conflict upon which we were about to enter, depended con- sequences to our country and humanity which would shape the destiny of generations. Our grand government, wliicli had alroadj done so much to raise the dig- nity of man and labor, which had long been the wonder and admiration of civilized people as they viewed the progress and prosperity already attained by a people living under constitutional guarantees of liberty and freedom, was now threatened with subversion. In the principles involved it was a struggle between giants. It was in fact a war between men of kindred blood and antecedents. With the great issues before us, and with the spirit prevailing and which animated our regiment, therefore, how impatiently were passed those early days of necessary preparation in Camp Curtin, until that, to us, eventful day, November 7, 18G1, wlien, a completely organized and equipped regiment, the Fiftj'-third was drawn up in line and presented with its colors by the Governor of our State, Andrew G. Curtin. That which we had asked had come to us, and the emblem which we were Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 327 to defend had been placed in our churge. How that charge was fulfilled, our duty performed, is attested here and by these ceremonies to-day, with our colors restored to the State unsullied and without stain, though they may be and are in fact ragged and torn by service and exposure on the numerous fields of battle where they had been so gallantly borne by the Fifty-third, and they rest to-day in honored companionship in the capitol of the State. Prom the moment the P'ifty-third received its colors they were never out of its possession until the day they were again returned to the State at the close of the war and the regiment disbanded. Following the presentation of our colors we received marching orders, and at 9 a. m., November 9, 18G1, left Camp Curtin, being transported by rail from Harrisburg to Washington, by way of York and Baltimore, where we became a part of the Third Brigade, Sumner's Division, afterward known as First Division, Second Army Corps. We remained connected with the Third Brigade until April 14, 18G3, when a Fourth Brigade for our division was organized, to be commanded by Colonel Brooke, to which our regiment was naturally transferred. Originally enlisting for three years our regiment re-enlisted for the war, December 22, 18G3, and thus became entitled to be known as the Fifty-third Pennsylvania A^eteran Volunteers. It was present at Appomattox Court House at the surrender of General Lee and was mustered out of the service of the United States, June 30, 1865. Gettysburg will, I think, be hereafter, if it is not already, classed among the great battles of the world, a crucial period in the war, governing the eventual outcome or fate of a cause. It is true, battles had been fought by us, successes achieved by our arms, but none had yet seemed to possess that potent and decisive influence which presaged defeat or victory to the cause at large. At the period there were two great points of conflict, Vicks- burg and Gettysburg. Upon the 3d day of July, Vicksburg asked terms of surrender, on the same day and almost the same hour the Army of the Potomac, under command of General Meade, dealt the Confederate army, commanded by General Lee, its final blow, one it never recovered from, for though it fought bravely and vig- orously through the Wilderness Campaign of 'G4, after withdrawing behind the defenses of Richmond and Petersburg it was never again able to take the offensive in the field and only left those defenses in the spring of '65 to sur- render in a few days to the illustrious commander of our armies, General Grant. The defeat of the main army of tlie Confederates at Gettysburg, probably the strongest and best equipped they had at any time sent into the field, com- posed of veterans, and encouraged by their advantages at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, was irreparable. Their cause was thereafter hopeless. That its importance was read right at the time by those who had watched the drift of events and knew the art of war is without doubt. In this con- nection I need but quote the words of our old corps commander, noble gen- erous-hearted Hancock, spoken while on the field and but shortly prior to the final charge of the enemy under Pickett. It was while the artillery fire of the 3d was in full progress, and which you will remember had opened on both sides about 1 p. m. 328 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. About 2.30 p. m., Colouel Brooke witli his staff, including myself, had rid- den out to a small farm house some two hundred yards in front of our line of battle, a little to the left, observing the effect of our artillery upon the enemy's lines and watching their movements, when General Hancock, ac- companied by some of his staff, also rode up. After some general conversa- tion pertinent to the occasion, Hancock started to return to our lines again, as he did so howover he drew himself up in the saddle in the manner which gave him the name of "Superb," and remarked: "Gentlemen, after this artillery fire is over it will be followed by an in- fantry attack upon our lines. This battle is the turning point of the war; if we win this fight the war is practically over," and as giving a further por- trayal of his admirable qualities, I cannot refrain from also quoting his clos- ing remarks which were as follows: "We cannot tell where any of us may be before this day is over; before leaving you I wish to say I speak harshly sometimes. If I have at any time ever said anything to offend or hurt the feelings of any one of you I wish now to offer an apology." Those who had the good fortune to know General Hancock personally, can easily recall and fully appreciate his characteristic nobility, generosity and magnaminity; he was actuated by all these graceful attributes of the true soldier and as well gave evidence of his clear military sagacity when he thus spake, and then, as though his mind at ease and prepared and ready for any fate which might be in store for him, he rode off, and, as is well known, was, not much later on during the charge on our lines, badly wounded and borne from the field. We none of us of course understood him to imply that this was to be the last battle to be fought, but that its loss would be disastrous and vital to the enemy, that the end was thereafter a foregone conclusion in a military sense, and such was the case, for the enemy never recovered from the blow it re- ceived here. It is therefore because Gettysburg was the turning point, the great culminating battle of the war, that it has been accorded such promi- nence, that it has been thought well to mark this field with these imperish- able memorials to stand hereafter to the glory and credit of those who par- ticipated in its dangers, and the monuments will certainly lose none of their significance; in truth it should be all the greater, in being located and dedi- cated by those who themselves had taken part in the conflict, while to the student and historian of the future, their value must prove inestimable, for who will question the correctness of the story of Gettysburg written in these imperishable characters by those who fought the fight. When, in 1SG3, the enemy, being then around Fredericksburg, started, northwest upon his Get- tysburg campaign, our regiment was in camp near Falmouth, Va., opposite Fredericksburg, and at the time constituted a part of the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, the other regiments being the One hundred and forty-fifth Pennsylvania, Second Delaware, Sixty-fourth New York and Twenty-seventh Connecticut. The brigade was under command of Colonel John R. Brooke, colonel of our regiment, while the regiment was under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Richards McMichael, I, your adjutant, being on the staff of the brigade com- mander as acting assistant adjutant-general. At the period named our bri- gade received orders at 2 a. m., June 14, to be ready to march at 8 a. m., and Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 329 at the latter hour we were under arms awaiting orders. It was at tlie time part of our duty to "picket" a portion of the front before Fredericksburg and wo therefore had but about five hundred men for duty in the brigade. We remained under arras until 2 p. m., when, a section of artillery having been added to our force, we received orders to move in haste and occupy Banks' Ford on the Rappahannock; we marched at once and upon reaching our distination found the Fifty-second New York of the Third Brigade al- ready arrived there and which for this duty was placed in our brigade. Our duty was to protect the ford, prevent its use by the enemy and observe their movements, their columns being then in movement up the south side of the river. We held the ford until 9 p. m. that night, when, leaving the Fifty- second New York at the ford, the brigade withdrew to Berea Church about two and one-half miles from the ford where we took up position for attack and then went into bivouac. The next morning early the regiment at the ford was also withdrawn and at 5.30 a. m., the brigade took up the line of march for Stafford Court House to reach which we had to retrace our route through the camps around Falmouth, all of which were now silent and de- serted. That portion of our brigade which had been on picket duty before Freder- icksburg was at the same time withdrawn, and rejoined us as we passed Fal- mouth. Our brigade was the last lo leave the front of Fredericksburg. Our march to Stafford Court House was a rapid one, as we reached tliere about 10 a. m., making the distance, about twelve miles, in about four and one-half hours; upon reaching Stafford we found our corps and division, which had halted, anxiously awaiting our withdrawal, when after a further halt of about two hours we with our corps resumed our march and that afternoon about 5 p. m. went into bivouac at Aquia creek. The day had been intensely warm, some thirty men of the corps being sunstruck on the march, while hundreds almost exhausted by the heat and unable to keep up with the column struggled in the rear as best they could, but most came in after dark, though many were captured by the enemy's cavalry. June IG, at 6 a. m., our corps again i-esumed its march, our brigade with a section of artillery now acting as rear guard for the column. At 11 a. m. we forded the Occoquan and passing beyond a short distance went into camp about 2 p. m. This day like the preceding was exhausting and the heat op- pressive, our men suffering severely. .Tune 17, 7.30 a. m., we again struck camp, and moving via Dumfries, Avont into camp at gangster's Station about noon, where, acting under orders, all extra baggage and all men not able to endure the march were forwarded to Washington. We remained at Sang- ster's until 4 p. m. June 19, Avhen, breaking camp, we moved to Centerville, which we reached at 7.30 j). m. At this point our brigade was ordered to oc- cupy and hold Thoroughfare Gap, while our corps moved on, and for this purpose our brigade broke camp at noon June 20. reaching and occupying the Gap at 11 p. m. that night. We held the Gap until 9 a. m., June 25, the enemy making occasional demonstrations on our pickets, and at times forcing us to go into line of battle, but beyond some skirmishing, by which we lost one killed and five or six wounded, nothing of moment occurred, and at the hour mentioned we withdrew and marched to Gum Springs, being followed from the Gap by the enemy's cavalry, where we again came up with our 330 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. corps. At G a. m., Juue 2G, our whole column was again on the march and now directly for the Potomac river, which we crossed at Edwards' Ferry at midnight, going into bivouac about 2.30 a. m., June 27, on the north side, where we halted until 3 p. m. when we again resumed our march, going into camp near Barnesville, Md., about 11 p. m. June 28, 6 a. m., we started for and at 4 p. m. reached the Monoeacy river, where we halted, and our bri- gade went into camp on the same ground occupied similarly by us the year previous when on our march for Antietam. Juue 29, 6 a. m., we crossed the Monoeacy by the stone bridge and marching via Frederick City and Union Bridge, went into camp near Uniontown, Md., about 9.30 p. m., making for the day an unusually long march of thirty-three miles. Here we remained until the morning of July 1. On this day, which witnessed the opening of the three days' battle at Gettysburg, we broke camp at Uniontown at G a. m. and took Mp our line of march via Taneytown. After making a few miles the familiar sound of artillery tiring was heard in the advance, which we then had learned was at or near Gettysburg, toward which our columns were now rapidly converging. You no doubt all remember our crossing the boundary line into Pennsyl- vania and what ringing cheers went up from our regiment when we found ourselves, after so long an absence, once more treading the soil of our native State and that we were to do battle so near our homes. Footsore and jaded as all were, the step became more springly, the gait quickened as our for- ward movement went on, while the sound of artillery became momentarily more rapid as well as more distinct as we advanced. In fact the great fight had fairly begun, and we knew must be in full progress in the front, and as we recall the scene there is even now the old thrill and inspiration in the con- templation of our veteran column pushing on with all the determination and speed possible toward the field which we knew was the prelude to the des- perate encounter we were ourselves to engage in with the enemy. It was about 2.30 p. m., while our column was thus pushing forward, our brigade being in the lead and our regiment leading the brigade. General Han- cock with- Colonel Brooke and their respective staffs were at the time riding at the head of the hue, when a mounted orderly came rapidly down the road towards us and, approaching General Hancock, handed him the communica- tion from General Meade apprising him of the death of General Reynolds and directing him to at once take command of the forces in the front and then engaged with the enemy. Delaying only to announce the purport of the order and to give Colonel Brooke some instructions as to our further march, Hancock i-ode off rapidly in the direction of Gettj'sburg. In a short time after the ambulance bearing the body of the lamented Reynolds passed us in the contrary direction. That night about 10 p. m. we went into bivouac about two miles from Get- tysburg, the battle for the day having ceased, but by 7 a. m., July 2, we were assigned position on Cemetery Ridge about one mile north of Little Round Top on the right of the Third Corps, the enemy being in our front across the valley about one mile. The weary hours we spent in this position I need hardly mention, being varied only by shifting our position here and there, but never far, and this continued from 7 a. m. until 4 p. m., when all our weariness vanished as we unexpectedly and somewhat to our surprise, saw Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 331 the Third Corps uuder General Sickles udvanciug from our left aud moving across the valley to the peach orchard and the Emmitsburg road. At first uncertain what it meant we soon saw them penetrate the peach orchard, and realized by the rattle of musketry which followed that the second day's fight had opened. Entertaining no doubt but that we would shortly be ordered forward to join in it, we were intently watching the fighting going On before us, when we were, about 5 p. m., suddenly called to attention and our bri- gade was ordered to the left, at double-quick, our movement being left in front. We were soon in line of battle at the edge of the wheat-field, where by the time of our arrival the First Brigade of our division, under command of Colonel Cross of the Fifth New Hampshire, had already become hotly engaged and were being pressed by the enemy. Halting only to rectify our ranks, our brigade was ordered to advance to the relief of the First Brigade, and we at once moved forward faced by the rear rank, having no time to form by the front, and passing the line of the First Brigade at the edge of the field, struck the enemy and we also found ourselves hotly engaged. Our brigade however pressed forward steadily, firing as it advanced, opposed by both infantry and artillery, the latter being posted on the high ground be- yond, but we nevertheless soon di'ove the enemy's front line by our firm ad- vance, but the enemy's artillery fire was now felt by Colonel Brooke to be telling too severely upon us at this time and he therefore ordered a charge by the brigade which gallantly responded, and, dashing forward, broke the enemy's second line and mounting the high ground beyond the run, drove the enemy's artillery from its position, and it was in this charge and at this time the Fifty-third Pennsylvania reached the identical spot now marked by this monument, the Sixty-fourth New York being on our left, two companies of the Twenty-seventh Connecticut on our right, with the One hundred and forty-fifth Pennsylvania on the right of the line and their respective monu- ments stand with our own on this glorious and advanced line. A part of the Third Brigade of our division (our original brigade) was not far off, and hoping to maintain our position. Colonel Brooke, in the emer- gency, at once assumed command over them, ordering them to our aid, to hold what we had gained, but we were too far in advance of our lines, and the enemy still being in strong force in our front and moving upon both our right and left flanks, seeing no troops coming to our assistance. Colonel Brooke was obliged to order our line to fall back, which it did slowly and in good order, firing as it retired. In fact we retired none too soon, as our bri- gade was almost enveloped by the enemy before it had reached and repassed the wheat-field, where we reformed behind some stone walls in line with our other troops, prepared to continue the fight, but at this time fresh troops came up an^. relieved our brigade, when we withdrew to a point nearer Little Round Top to reform, it being then about 7 p. m. and the fight for the day practically over. After reforming, we moved to a position near that occupied by us before the battle where we rested under arms until early the next morning, July 3, when we again moved with our position in the front line on Cemetery Ridge, the enemy having our movement in plain view, shelling us severely; we lost several of our brigade in killed and wounded. Here we dug rifle pits and then awaited further events. That the fight would reopen we knew was inevit- 332 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. able, and there was appareut evidence that both armies were preparing for its renewal, but bejond some desultory firing here and there, there was com- parative quiet until about 1 p. m. when the silence was broken by the crash of artillery firing which opened on each side with u terrific roar. This was kept up without appreciable diminution on either side until about 2.30 p. m. when our own guns gradually slackened their fire, though that of the enemy continued in full volume until about 4 p. m. when it also diminished in volume and we saw their infantry deploying by their left, a little to the right of our own front, and we realized another struggle was at hand. As they came from the cover of the trees and secured proper frontage, their lines moved slowly forward, and then we saw line after line developed until the charging column under Pickett was formed and moving rapidly upon our lines. Then it was our guns awoke to new life, as it were, and reopened vigorously from all sides upon the devoted column, but, as you know, great as was the havoc wrought in its ranks by our guns, its forward movement only ceased when it struck our Second Division immediately on the right of our own. I need speak no further of it than to say it was a gallant and magnificent charge, as gallantly and as magnificently met and repulsed. Upon this occasion, however, neither our regiment or brigade were directly engaged, but as showing the close proximity of the fighting, I would mention that the skirmish line of the charging column extended across a portion of our own front and right, and likewise reached our lines, but coming on with- out firing a shot, and our men, seeing no troops following them, immediately refrained from firing upon them; on the contrary, as their skirmishers reached our lines they were permitted to enter unmolested, and our men after sharing the contents of their haversacks with them, sent them to the rear as prisoners, even while the fight was in desperate progress so near upon our right. Defeated and shattered, the fragments of Pickett's columns withdrew and the third day's fight was ended. The next day, July 4, broke upon us bright and clear, and found all ready for a resumption of the contest if it was to come, but we early learned that the enemy was already in full retreat, although there was still considerable picket firing in progress, muttering of the storm of battle as it were, which had just passed. At last our men could take the rest they so sorely needed, after their long march from the Rappahannock and the wearing fatigue and desperate fighting of the past three days, and we went into bivouac in posi- tion where we were; but not for long, for at 4 p. m., July 5, we took up our line of march from Cemetery Kidge for Two Taverns where we again went into bivouac and remained until 5 a. m.,July 7, when we marched for Taney- town, Maryland, which we reached at 11 p.m. July 8, 5 a. m.,we left Taney- town; our march for the day bringing us to a point about four miles from Frederick City. July 9, 5 a. m., we were again in motion and marching through Frederick City reached Burkittsville at 5.30 p. m. Halting but one hour, we resumed our march and pa.ssing through Crampton's Gap went into bivouac about 9.30 p. m. at Rohrersville, Maryland. July 10, 5 a. m. our column was again on the march, moving via Keedys- ville, and passing over the old Antietam battle-field about 1.30 p. m.; we went into bivouac at a point about six miles from Williamsport. July 11, 6 a. m., we marched for .Tones' Cross Roads where we went into line of battle, Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 333 expecting an attack by the enemy but none followed. July 12, 2 p. m. we moved forward about three-fourtlis of a mile from the enemy, where we again halted and threw up entrenchments, remaining in this position until 5 a. m., July 14, when our corps went into line of battle and moved upon the enemy's position, our line of battle being preceded by a skirmish line under command of Colonel Brooke, composed of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, Sec- ond Delaware, Sixty-fourth New York of our own brigade, to which, for this special duty, was added the Fifty-seventh New York of our old Third Bri- gade and the Fifth New Hampshire of the First Brigade of our division. With our skirmish line deployed at one pace interval, we moved upon the enemy's position, but they had generally recrossed the Potomac and we fell in only with a strong rear guard near Falling Waters with which, however, we had a sharp encounter before they could cross the river, in which several hundred of them were captured by us, after which we went into bivouac until 5 a. m., July 15, when, there being none of the enemy north of the Potomac, we took up our line of march with our corps for Harper's Ferry, marching via Downsville and Sharpsburg and at 6 p. m. went into bivouac along the tow-path of the canal, having marched all day without food. The next day we moved to Pleasant Valley where our corps remained until G a. m., July 18, when we took up our march again for Harper's Ferry, at which point we forded the Potomac and again found ourselves in Virginia moving southward on the east side of the Blue Ridge, while the enemy was moving on parallel lines on the west side of the ridge. It seems a singular co-incident, yet such are the facts, that our corps, then commanded by General Sumner, was the advance of the Army of the Po- tomac in its movement on Fredericksburg in '62, while our regiment was one of the brigade which led the corps, and was the first to enter Falmouth and appear before Fredericksburg. Again, when the Army of the Potomac abandoned the front of Fredericksburg, our corps was the last to withdraw, while our regiment was one of the brigade which was rear guard for the corps, and consequently the last to -leave the front of Fredericksburg. And again, as our army turns its steps soutliAvard, following the enemy's retreat- ing columns, our own regiment, together with a majority of our brigade, is in the skirmish line of the last line of battle which moved upon the enemy north of the Potomac, and our regiment took part in the last action had with the enemy's rear guard and fired the last shots as closing the Gettysburg campaign. Drawn from memory and aided by memoranda made by me at the time I have given jou as briefly as possible, assuming it would be of interest, our movements from the day we started from Falmouth, June 14, to meet the enemy at Gettysburg until the battle over, we had our final combat with them just one month after, on July 14, and tlie Gettysburg campaign w^as past, fraught with all its influences upon the subsequent operations of the enemy. In common with the other commands which had seen equal service, our regi- ment went into action at Gettysburg much reduced in numbers. Three companies numbering about one hundred, and under command of Captain Mintzer, w^ere, during the battle, on duty at corps headquarters as provost guard, and were engaged in guarding prisoners taken in the fight, subsequently about three thousand of them being marched to Westminster, 334 Fennsijlvania at Oettyshurg. Maryland, assisted by some cavalry, all under command of Captain Mintzer. The other seven companies remained with the brigade, and taking active part in the battle numbering exactly one hundred and thirty-five officers and men, and were under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel McMichael; a pitiful remnant of the gallant regiment which had left Camp Curtin nine hundred and twenty strong, less than two years before, but the difference in numbers is easily understood when we refer to the previously mentioned regimental reports of casualties in action, to which might well be added the numbers, and they were not a few, who died of sickness contracted in the service, and the large numbers in hospital, wounded or sick. Truly, our regimental re- port for the day was "All present or accounted for." Of the one hundred and thirty-five who entered the fight on the 2d of July in line with the bri- gade, the losses were as follows: Killed. Wounded. Captured or Missing. Total. Officers, — 11 — 11 Enlisted men, . , 7 56 6 69 Totals, 7 67 6 80 Of the total number engaged: Our aggregate losses of all kinds equalled, . . 59 ^^ per cent. Our losses in killed and wounded, 49 j",, " " Our losses in killed alone, 5 Our losses in captured and missing, 4 ro Out of the one hundred and thirty-five who went into the fight but fifty- five were left in line of battle under our regimental colors the next morning, but few as they were they were there in line of battle with their brigade and ready on the 3d, to sustain the previous well-earned reputation of the gal- lant Fifty-third; our regiment needs no. eulogy at our hands, for what it achieved is written in history. That it did its duty nobly and unflinchingly we very well know, but still some statistical facts in this connection may not prove uninteresting. Colonel William P. Fox, in his work upon losses sustained in battle, enu- merates forty-five regiments which, of all regiments serving in the armies of the United States during the war, suffered a loss each of two hundred or more in killed in action or died of wounds received in action. The Fifty- third Pennsylvania is one of the forty-five. Out of the forty-five regiments enumerated, three were members during the war of our own Fourth Brigade, viz: The One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania, One hundred and forty- fifth Pennsylvania and Fifty-third Pennsylvania, the first mentioned under command as colonel of the present Governor of our State, General James A. Beaver, whose regiment became attached to our brigade with the opening of the Wilderness campaign, while he himself had command of our brigade after the wounding of Colonel Brooke at Cold Harbor, and until he also was wounded at our head. Of the forty-five regiments mentioned twelve of them belonged to our own corps, the Second, or more than twenty-six per cent. Again, Colonel Fox enumerates nine heavy artillery regiments which simi- Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 335 larly suffered a loss each of two lumdred or more iu killed in action or died of wounds received in action. Of these one regiment, the Seventh New York, was a member of our brigade, having been added to it during the Wilderness campaign of '64 a few days after it had seen its first engagement; while five out of the nine regiments, or more than fifty-five per cent., belonging to our corps. By the same authority, the infantry regiment which suffered the largest loss in killed of any infantry regiment in all our armies was the Fifth New Hampshire, of the First Brigade of our division, our near neighbor in many a fight and to whose relief we went in the fight on the 2d of July. From the statistics, therefore, the Fourth Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps seems to have had a somewhat remarkable service in its severity, not that I would arrogate for it or for our regiment, which was a member of it, a soldierly rank higher, or claim for it a spirit more gallant than pertained to other commands, but simply that the exigencies of the ser- vice seems to have thrown it into the forefront, that it seems to have been its fortune to find its place as -a rule in the thick of the fight, and these sta- tistics, showing as they do, stamp our old Fourth Brigade and with it the Fifty-third Pennsylvania as commands possessing remarkable soldierly brav- ery and fortitude. If this is regarded as regimental egotism, I simply invite those who so re- gard it to read and analyze the figures. Though I love my old regiment and old brigade, yet mine are not the partial words of praise of one who was a member of them, nor words of exaggeration. They are deductions logically drawn from the cold remorseless figures after a lapse of more than twenty- five years. I give them because the facts show the company Ave were in, and nothing could more forcibly illustrate the truth that our regiment was em- phatically in the front when we see that it served shoulder to shoulder in the same brigade, division and corps with commands so illustriously distin- guished, and looking over all this, we naturally experience a warm glow of soldierly pride in our regiment which bore its due share of the burden of battle and served with such noble and gallant troops as we undoubtedly had in our old Second Corps, and as leaving out this feeling, I believe to-day, that next to our flag, we love our old corps badge, the red trefoil. I remember a visit I once paid to our first brigade commander, Brigadier- General William H. French, after he had been promoted, and was at the time in command of a division in another part of the Army of the Potomac. As I was about to leave, he drew from his pocket-book a simple red trefoil, one cut from red flannel and as issued at the time by the government, with the remark, "When I feel homesick and downhearted I take this out and look at it, and it cheers me up." We old soldiers understand that feeling and probably have the same for it now. By the country at large of course, the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers may be regarded simply as one of the numerous regiments which were organized and sent to the front during the war by the State of Pennsyl- vania, served the purpose of its creation and was then disbanded. To us however it has more stirring as well as more tender memories, and is still a living reality, binding us together in the warm affection of comradeship and will be while life itself is left to any of us. 23 336 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. It is this feeliug of affectiou for our old regiment which gives us our deep appreciation for this memorial, for next to the soldier's personal conscious- ness that he and his comrades fulfilled their duty on the field is its public ac- knowledgment, and this cro^^■uing gratification of the soldier is given us in this monument, and when we once again leave the field of Gettysburg we may do so with the feeling that our work here is indeed completed, but with the added assurance that the Fifty-third Pennsylvania, viirilant in its country's cause, will hereafter, even when we may all be sleeping the long sleep, still maintain on permanent post a sentinel to represent the B'if ty-third Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and by his silent presence keep alive the same self-sacriOcing patriotism it displayed. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 56'^° REGIMENT INFANTRY September 11, 1889 ADDRESS OF BREVET BRIG.-GEN J. WILLIAM HOFMANN SURVIVING comrades of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Vet- ei-an Volunteers — I greet you: — We are assembled to-day to dedicate the memorial erected by the liberality of our great Commonwealth in appreciation of your services upon this field. The memorial marks the ground whereon you stood, twenty-five years ago, as the representative of her infantry regiments, at the opening of the great battle which here took place, one of the long series of battles fought during the great struggle for the pres- ervation and perpetuation of the Union, and its beneficent government, under which its people had made such rapid and unprecedented progress in all that tends to the elevation and happiness of man. In fact a struggle the most momentous and far-reaching in its character and in its results, of any that ever devolved upon man to determine. A struggle during which the patriot- ism and devotion of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the cause of libei-ty and human freedom, was voiced in her contributions of treasure, and the lives and services of her sons. Owing to her geographical position at the time of the adoption of the Con- stitution of the United States — having six states upon her right, and six upon her left, Pennsylvania was accorded the honorary title of the "Keystone State" of the federal arch. And, although no longer, geographically, the center of the ai-ch, which for many years has spanned the Continent from ocean to ocean, yet when the grand arch was trembling under the measured tramp of a miglity host organized and marshalled for its destruction, then the grand old Commonwealth proved worthy of the mission implied by her title. The memorial iuarks the ground whereon you stood on the morning of July 1, 1863, ere the sun had reached the meridian. It stands within forty miles INT: JULIUS BIEN Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 337 of the capital of our State, to which point you came from its most distant parts in response to the call of the President of the United States for volun- teers, for three-years' service in the field, in defense of our country's flag. There, in Camp Curtin — so named in honor of the patriotic, zealous and eflB- ciei'it War Governor — you were organized into a regiment, and instructed iu the duties of the soldier. Thus the regiment was pre-eminently a State or- ganization, and as a unit, m as without any local ties, a fitting circumstance to precede its distinguished services upon this memorable field. And no less was it pre-eminently a volunteer organization. On the morning of March S, 1SG2, the regiment, under command of Colonel S. A. Meredith, moved from Camp Curtin with nearly eight hundred officers and men destined for tJie Army of the Potomac, then at Washington. Six- teen months of active field service and the sun of that July morning shone down upon the regiment as it came upon this field with its effective force re- duced to seventeen officers, two hundred and thirty-five men; and true is it also, that the regiment was back within the borders of our State, and within so short a distance from the camp of rendezvous, and that the great struggle iu which it had been engaged was still undecided. If we follow the track of the regiment's march, we shall find, however, that it had already marched a great distance, that it had already crossed many fields of battle, had moved over roads covered with stifling dust, or bottomless mud, through exhausting heat, through biting cold, through rain and hail and snow, had forded rapid streams and crossed rugged mountains. The exposure incidental to these marches had brought many a stout-hearted comrade to the hospital cot, to rise only after months of agonising pain, and perhaps with health irreparably shattered, or there to end his days upon earth. Add to these cases, the long list of comrades killed and wounded in the battles, and the absent at that morning's roll-call are accounted for. Moving by rail, that factor so essential to success in modern warfare, the regiment arrived at Washington on the morning of jNIarch 9, and encamped on Kalorama Heights. Then moved to Fort Albany, west of the Potomac river. April 4, it moved by boat to the "Lower Potomac" to guard govern- ment stores left there by Hooker's Division, which had gone to the Penin- sula. On the 24th, the regiment was carried to Aquia Landing, then the northern terminus of the Richmond and Washington railroad. There the regiment was engaged for some time in repaii'ing the wharf, rebuilding the railroad, cutting wood and other uncongenial duties; uncongenial, because at the time deemed to be unsoldiery duties. Long before the war had been brought to a close, it was learned that destroying and rebuilding railroads, and the general use of the pick, and the spade, and the axe, formed in fact a legitimate part of a soldier's duty. May 7, found the regiment at the Rap- pahannock river, engaged in guarding the railroad back to the Potomac creek bridge. It was now assigned to the brigade commanded by General A. Doubleday, and known as the Second Brigade, First Division (King's), First Corps (McDowell's). On the afternoon of August 9, the regiment joined the brigade column, crossed the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg, and entered upon the march that led to Cedar Mountain, thence to the battle-fields of Rappahannock Station, to Sulphur Spring, then to Gainesville, where Cap- tain Corninn gave his life to Ills country, and where Colonel Meredith was 338 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. severely wouuded, and for his gallantry here was promoted to brigadier-gen- eral. — Then to Groveton, and to Manassas, each of these in turn claiming a sanguinary tribute from the regiment. Then recrossing the Potomac river at Washington, the march led through Frederick City and Middletown to the foot of the eastern slope of the South Mountain, about a mile north of Tur- ner's Gap, the crest of the mountain at the time glittering with the arms of the enemy. A gallant ascent of the steep slope, in line of battle, a four hours' fight, and the victory was won. Under cover of the night the enemy retreated. Early in the battle, General Hatch, commanding the division was wounded, and was succeeded by General Doubleday; the command of the brigade then devolved upon your lieutenant-colonel, and remained in my hands until the early part of November; the command of the regiment de- volved upon Captain P. Williams. This, as an index of the severity of our losses in a campaign then extending not over five weeks, for, on leaving Fred- ericksburg my name stood only number seven in the order of seniority upon the brigade roster. I pause a moment in the narration to pay a well-earned tribute to two oflBcers whom it became necessary now to detach from their company for duty upon my improvised staff. Lieutenant (now Colonel) Lay- cock and his friend Lieutenant Samuel Healy. Although new to the duties that now devolved upon them, the energy, zeal and efficiency with which these were performed, confirmed my admii-ation for them, awakening in the night battles at Gainesville and at Groveton, and which was never lessened thereafter, whether, in many changes which followed, they served in the line or on the staff. Next morning, September 15, the road was again open for the march that now led to the field, memorable in the annals of warfare, as the battle of Antietam. A battle of charges and counter-charges, but a vic- tory so fruitful in its results. The enemy was driven back into Virginia, Mary- land was saved to the Union. The intense anxiety of the people of the North for the safety of the National Capital was relieved. President Lincoln utilized the victory as a fulcrum for his pen, and sent forth the edict, one of the mightiest, most just, most humane of any issued by a ruler during historic times — the edict that expunged for all time tlie word slave from our statute book. Thenceforth all who stood beneath our country's flag stood there as freemen. Such were the results that were wrought by the victory achieved by the valor of the Army of the Potomac upon the field of Antietam. October 30 found the regiment again crossing the Potomac river into Vir- ginia, now by a pontoon bridge laid at Berlin. The Army of Northern Vir- ginia, under General Lee, was retreating southward in the valley of the Shen- andoah. The Army of the Potomac, under General McCIellan, was pursu- ing in the Loudoun valley. The First Corps, under General Reynolds, with our division, under General Doubleday, leading, was in the advance; our cavalry, under General Pleasonton, was in front, engaged in driving the enemy's cavalry, under General Stuart, into the gaps of the mountain that forms the wall dividing the two valleys. When in front of Philomont, Gen- eral Pleasonton requested an infantry supi»ort. Our brigade was honored by being detailed for this special duty, and on the morning of November 2, it reported to him while in front of the town of Union, and at the tima sharply engaged with the enemy. In conformity with his directions, the brigade was formed in line of battle, and then advanced steadily from point Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 339 to poiut throughout the day, aud steadily the enemy was driven back. Th« next day the brigade held the grouud that had been gained and the cavalry aided by the First New Hampshire Battery, then forming part of the bri- gade, drove the enemy thi-ough Upperville into Ashby's Gap. General Pleas- onton, in his note from Upperville, on the evening of November 3, informing General Doubleday that he will not need the services of the brigade any further, pays a well-earned tribute to your gallantry on the preceding day. Gratifying to the soldier, as is the commendation of his commanding officer, no less so is that extorted from his enemy. Since the close of the war, a number of those who were against you in battle on that day, have placed themselves upon recoi-d, freely according your gallantry and success in your several attacks upon them. Rejoining the division at liectortown on the evening of the 5th, the march led to Warrenton, whei-e General McClellan was relieved, and General Burn- side was placed in command of the army. Then the march led back to Aquia Landing. Then to the battle-field of Fredericksburg; and after the sanguinary repulse the army met with on the right — to the winter's camp, near Belle Plain on the Potomac river, where it rested till the close of April. During the battle of Fredericksburg tlie division, under General Doubleday, was in line along the Bowling Green road, on the left of the army, ready to advance. When the army withdrew on the night of the 15th December, al- though you were not the extreme left, you had gained the confidence of Gen- eral Reynolds so fully, that, by his direct order, you were detailed to cover the withdrawing of the troops from that part of the field, and were the last regiment to leave it. The only incident of special note during the camp life that now followed being that known, and vividly remembered by those who participated, as the "mud march," and another change in commanding officers; General Hooker assuming command of the army, General Wadsworth that of the division and General Cutler that of the brigade. Then followed the second Freder- icksburg. Then Chancellorsville, with humiliating and depressing results. Then the regiment rested again in a camp for a few weeks, now near the Fitzhugh House on the left bank of the Rappahannock, a few miles below Fredericksburg. Late on the afternoon of June 7, the regiment entered upon the Gettysburg campaign; again honored by special detail. Some days previous our cavalry had gone on a reconnaissance in force in the direction of Culpeper. An in- fantry force was now sent to its support. The Sixth and the Eleventh Corps each furnished a brigade. The First Corps furnishing a provisional brigade, consisting of the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania and the Seventh Regiment and two companies of the Second Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. The whole of the infantry assembled, about midnight, at Hartwood Church, under com- mand of General Russell of the Sixth Corps. On the morning of the 8th the detail from the First Corps moved to Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock river, and on the morning of the 9th, when the cavalry under General Gregg had crossed, forded the river and moved to near Brandy Station. At noon the Fifty-sixth was detached, and moved to Beverly Ford, where it covered the recrossing of a part of our cavalry, the regiment recrossing at dark, and being the last of our troops to recross at that point. On the 13th the regi- 340 Pennsylvania at Octtysburg. ment rejoined the brigade at Bealton, tlie wliole division liaving arrived tliere. Then the march led to Centerville, then to near Leesburg. The army under General Lee having again crossed the Potomac, was novf moving on Harrisburg, via tlie Cumberland Valley. The Army of the Potomac pursued, the First Corps crossed the river, over a pontoon bridge laid at the mouth of Goose creek, on the 25th, then moved via Jefferson, the Catoctin Mountain and Middletown, to Frederick City. General Hooker having asked to be relieved from the command of the array, General Meade, then commanding the Fifth Corps, was assigned to the com- mand and entered upon his new duties by issuing the following modestly- worded, soldierly and effective order: "By direction of the President of the United States I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac. As a soldier, in obeying this order, an order totally unexpected and unsolicited, I have no promises or pledges to make. The country loolcs to this army to relieve it from the devastation and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigue and sacrifices we may be called on to undergo, let us have in view constantly the mag- nitude of the interests involved, and let each man determine to do his duty, leaving to an all-controlling Providence the decision of the contest. It is with just diffidence that I relieve in the command of this army an eminent and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear conspicuous in the history of its achievements, but I rely upon the hearty support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge of the duties of the important trust that has been confided to me. George G. Mbadb, Major General Cdinmancling." On the 29th our brigade was detailed for duty as the rear-guard of the corps. The regiment — which had been on picket duty during the night under Lieutenant-Colonel Osborn, as gallant an officer as ever drew sword, and as efficient as he was gallant — came in about 5 a. m., and was soon formed in column ready for the march. But a long wagon train was passing, and there was a tedious delay; it was after 9 a. m. when the column- was put in motion, and then kept in rapid motion, with but two short rests, until after midnight, w^hen it went into bivouac near the southern end of Emmitsburg. At a very early hour on the 30th, it was in line of battle in front of the town, and at noon went into bivouac on the south bank of Marsh creek, near where it crossed by the bridge on the Emmitsburg-Gettysburg pike. During the afternoon there was the usual bi-monthly muster for pay, then a formation in line of battle to resist an apprehended attack by the enemy, then came tatoo with its roll call. How many brave comrades answered that roll call 'Here" for the last time! Then came "taps," and the regiment slept, slept all the more soundly because of the brief, early broken rest of the previous night; and all unconscious of the momentous events that the morrow had in store for it. On the morning of July 1, the brigade moved out at about S o'clock, crossed the creek by the bridge on the pike, and moved on Gettysburg, distant about four miles. The Seventy-sixth New York led the brigade, the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania followed, and was itself followed by the One hundred and forty-seventh New York, Ninety-fifth New York and the Fourteenth Brook- lyn. The Seventh Indiana was detailed for special duty. In rear of the brigade followed Hall's battery. In front of the brigade rode General Cut- ler and staff, in front of him, General Wadsworth and staff, in the advance rode General Reynolds and staff. At the farm, now known historically as Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. .341 the Codori Farm, the columu left the pike, inclined to the left and crossed the Seminary Ridge near the seminary building, descended into the swale in front of it; then the Seventy-sixth, Fifty-sixth and One hundred and forty- seventh were moved north across the Gettysburg-Chambersburg pike, and beyond the railroad grading, and were then formed in line of battle near the gentle elevation upon which you now stand. The regiment was then moved forward a short distance. As the horizon opened, a line of battle was seen approaching to the right and front. General Cutler being in your immediate rear, having decided that the line was a line of the enemy, you received the command to aim to the "right oblique," and then the command to "fire," when you delivered the opening fire of the infantry, in the great and decisive battle of Gettysburg. Thus the honor of having delivered the opening fire of the infantry, belongs to no individual officer or man, but to the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers as a unit. And it is doing you but simple justice to state, as an indication of the coolness and steadiness of the officers and men under the exciting circumstances, that a more solid volley, "by bat- talion," has seldom been heard. General Cutler, a few mouths afterwards deemed the event so well worthy of note, that he wrote to Governor Curtin, setting forth the fact that it was the Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers that opened the battle, and requested him to have it so recorded in the ar- chives of the Commonwealth as an act of justice to the regiment. And so it has been done, and so it now appears to your honor, in the enduring bronze memorial now before you. The event cannot be relegated to the chapter of accidents. You were not the leading regiment that morning; the result was owing in fact to long persistent efforts, to cheerful compliance with all orders, many involving great sacrifice to personal comforts. Comrades, this it was, constant cheerful obedience to all orders, that eiiabled you to give prompt response to commands when the instant for action arrived; and it has there- fore, been deemed proper that the event should be, as stated, so recorded in the enduring bronze, together with the long list of battles, before and since the battle of Gettysburg, in which the regiment bore an honorable part. There is also recorded in the bronze the fact that the regiment re-enhsted and became a veteran regiment serving until the close of the war. The severe losses sustained on this ground by the three regiments, caused General Wadsworth to order them to retire for a time. General Cutler then moved the Fifty-sixth and the Seventy-sixth to the railroad embankment east of the Seminary Ridge; but when they were rejoined there by the One hundred and forty-seventh, which had not received the order at once, by reason of Colonel Miller being wounded, and had held on to its ground heroically, as the other two regiments had done until the order was received — the three regiments were at once moved forward and again occupied their original ground. In the meantime, the Fourteenth Brooklyn and the Ninety-fifth New York, which had been detached after having crossed the Seminary Ridge, and sent westward, under Colonel Fowler, to support Hall's battery which went into position near the Mc- Pherson barn — being joined by the Sixth Wisconsin under Lieutenant- Colonel Dawes, of the First Brigade, that had now arrived upon the field — had captured a large number of the enemy who had taken shelter in the railroad cut upon their approach. The First Brigade, upon its arrival, 342 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. charged into the woods south of the pike, and met with a brilliant success, capturing a general officer and a large part of his brigade. It is deserving of note to state that in this first onset with the enemy, Wadsworth's Divi- sion, which consisted of only the two brigades, and also the division of Heth's with which it was then engaged, both lost a greater percentage, in killed and wounded than was sustained by the column of the enemy that made the charge on the afternoon of the third day of the battle, and which has commanded so much attention as a grand exhibition of valor. Early in this onset an irreparable loss had befallen us, the army and the country! General Reynolds, then commanding the First, the Third and the Eleventh Corps, constituting the left wing of the army, had fallen. Among those of the regiment who had fallen, was Lieutenant Gordon, who had earned his commission by brave and faithful service in the ranks. General Doubleday, our former brigade and division commander, now commanding the corps, directed the movements after the fall of Reynolds. Subsequently General Howard arrived, and, by virtue of seniority, assumed command of the left wing of the army. A lull in the battle now followed. It lasted for over an hour. Additional forces of the enemy came from Cashtowu on the west, from Carlisle on the north, and from York on ihe east. The Second and the Third Divisions of our corps also arrived, and, later, the Eleventh Corps, The three right regiments of Cutler's were now moved to the north end of the wood on Seminary Ridge, in front of which was a field of grain in full ear. Here they became immediately engaged with Iverson's Bri- gade of Rodes' Division. They were now soon joined by the Fourteenth and Ninety-fifth, and then supported on the right by Baxter's Brigade of Robinson's Division of our corps, and by joint action a large part of what' was then left of Iverson's Brigade was then captured. The ammunition of Cutler's Brigade was now expended, and it was relieved by Paul's Bri- gade and moved to the east slope of the ridge, but while here, it was enfiladed by a battery that the enemy had placed in position on Oak Hill. The extreme right of our corps was at this time gallantly held by the Ninetieth Pennsylvania of Baxter's Brigade. The Eleventh Corps was then formed nearly at right angles with the general direction of our corps; but an opening was left on our right, and into this the enemy penetrated, and our line then became untenable. Then came the order to retire, but it came late, so that while passing through the thronged streets of the town the brigade lost heavily by capture. It reformed in the cemetery, and was there rejoined by, the Seventh Indiana. But that regiment was at once sent to Gulp's Hill, by order of General Hancock, who had been sent forward by General Meade to assume command of all the forces then present; there that regiment, under Colonel Grover, rendered invaluable services in capturing a scouting party, or rather a part of it, for some escaped and the report which these made influenced General Ewell in post- poning the attack on the hill which he had proposed to make that evening, until next day. Never was delay more fatal! A short time sufficed to reinforce the thin line of the Seventh by the remnant left of Wadsworth's Division, and then came shortly, a division of the Twelfth Corps, having upon its battle flag a silver star. And when Ewell's Corps made the at- Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 343 tack on the following evening, you had the honor of aiding in inflicting the sanguinary repulse that it then met with. During the afternoon of that day the enemy had made a vigorous and persistent attack on the left of our lines then resting far out in front of the Round Tops, and at first gained some ground, pressing our troops back to the general line; but there they met with a sanguinary repulse. On the afternoon of the third day of the battle, the enemy opened a cannonade from his guns sta- tioned along the Seminary Ridge, and directed against our troops holding the Cemetery Ridge, hoping to shake the morale of our troops, then pene- trate there and cut our army in two! The cannonade lasted for two hours, during which the very hills seemed to be shaken by the roar of the two hundred guns that were brought into action. But the cannonade failed in its object; the morale of our troops remained unshaken, as the enemy discovered, when, allowing his overheated guns to cool, he launched forth that great column of infantry in which he had placed his last hopes for success, and he saw that great column torn, broken and shattered to pieces. Thus upon its left, upon its right, and at the center, the army had in turn been attacked; and at the left, at the right and at the center, it had inflicted a sanguinary repulse upon the assailant, and had thus proved itself worthy of the confidence that was reposed in it by its new commander, the illus- trious Meade. Late on the afternoon of this day, the Fifty-sixth, Seventh and the Ninety-fifth, were detached from the brigade and moved to the foot of the eastern slope of Cemetery Ridge, to support the batteries upon the crest, and within the cemetery grounds, and remained in support of these during the night. Next morning (July 4) the Fifty-sixth and the Seventh were moved through the town to the northeast angle, with the view of bringing in the wounded that might be found on the field in that direction; but after some delay after having arrived at that point, the movement was suspended, and the two regiments rejoined the brigade then still on Gulp's Hill. On the morning of the 5th, the brigade moved to the western slope of Cemetery Ridge, and bivouacked near the ground charged over by the enemy on the afternoon of the third day of the battle, and remained there until the morning of the 6th. The field return of the regiment for that day, shows "present for duty" eleven officers, one hundred and eleven men. Of the losses, one hundred and twenty occurred on the first day of the battle. A terrible loss, but the victory was won! And the Army of Northern Virginia under General Lee, was again moving rapidly for the Potomac river. Comrades, the great losses sustained on this field by the Army of the Potomac, and by its adversary, would alone cause the battle of Gettys- burg to rank as one of the greatest battles of the world; but beyond, are potent reasons why it will be so classed. It culminated in defeating a great and powerful host, one of a number that had been organized and marshalled to destroy that, which in the language of the immortal Lincoln was — and let us thank Providence that it still is — "a government of the people, for the people and by the people;" it was upon this field that that great host which you had met on so many Mi Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. fields of battle, was defeated aud turned back upon the march that there- after ever led southward; and although at times standing at bay, and ob- stinately fighting, still, ever thereafter marched southward, until at Appo- mattox it finally surrendered its colors to the grand, undaunted, indestruct- ible Army of the Potomac. Comrades, when the grand master of the art of warfare had carried his army to the foot of the Pyramids, and was surrounded by an active, vigilant foe, desiring to animate his troops to renewed deeds of valor in the im- pending battle, he turned to them, and, pointing to the Pyramids, exclaimed, "Soldiers! Forty centuries are looking down upon you!" Comrades, no voice calls upon you to-day for renewed deeds of valor! Your work is done, your arras are stacked, and your battle flag, rent and torn so oft by shot and shell, is furled. Ten times forty centuries will not obliterate from the pages of the world's history the deeds of valor which you and your comrades of the Army of the Potomac performed on the many battle-fields whose names cluster around that of Gettysburg. But hark! There comes a voice, softly, calling to you! It comes from yonder slope where victory on high tenders the wreath of laurel. It comes from the many battle-fields that border the Potomac, the Rappahannock, the Rapidau, the North Anna, tlie Totopotomoy, the Chickahominy, the James and the Appomattox rivers. It comes from the graves of comrades who fought at your side, and who, while gallantly fighting, fell. It asks a kind recognition at this hour for those who sleep in a patriot-soldier's grave! Comrades, in appreciation of their gallant deeds, in the apprecia- tion of the sacrifice which they made, and all that these have brought to their surviving comrades and to all who dwell in the land, let us respond by embalming their memory sacredly within our hearts. And let us thank I'rovidence, that in taking a retrospective view from this field to-day, there comes, irresistibly, the conviction, that the great and incomputable ex- penditure of treasure and of life, and, incidentally, the untold suffering and distress extending far beyond the lines where the hosts were contend- ing, that the sacrifice has not been in vain; that the victory will redound to the happiness of millions who will follow us in the distant future; that already a quarter of a century has passed since the last Conferedate banner disappeared from the land; that upon this very field the survivors of the Army of the Potomac have extended, in amity, the fraternal hand to those Avho were their adversaries on so many fields of battle; that again the fiag of the Republic, with its union glittering with an intensified luster, Avaves unchallenged and gracefully, over all the land, from the pine-crested hills of Maine southward to the Rio Grande, and from the Atlantic ocean west- ward to the Golden Gate, the symbol of a free and reunited people. Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 345 DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 57^« REGIMENT INFANTRY September 11, 1889 ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN E. C. STROUSS COMRADES: — The men composing the Fifty-seventh Regiment Peun- sjivania Yolvmteers assembled in skeleton companies at Camp Ciirtin at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during the autumn months of 1861. These companies receiving recruits from time to time, were, about the middle of November, merged into the Fifty-seventh Regiment. The men of the different companies were principally from the following counties of the State, viz: Company A, Susquehanna and Wyoming; Company B and C, Mercer; Company D, Bradford and Tioga; Company E, Mercer and Allegheny; Company F, Mercer; Company (i, Bradford; Company I, Mercer and Ve- nango; Company K, Crawford. The original field, staff and line officers of the regiment were as follows: Colonel, Wilham Maxwell, of Mercer; Lieutenant-Colonel, Elhanon W. Woods, of Mercer; Major, Jeremiah Culp, of Bradford; Adjutant, William B. Neeper, of Allegheny; Quartermaster, Horace Williston, of Bradford; Surgeon, Jonas W. Lyman, of Clinton; Assistant Surgeon, A. W. Fisher, of Northumberland; Chaplain, William F. McAdam, of Mercer. The company commanders were: Company A, Captain Peter Sides; B, Captain, Samuel C. Simonton; C, Captain Jerome B. Hoagland; D, Captain Hiram W. Caulking; E, Captain James B. Moore; F, Captain Ralph Max- well; G, Captain George S. Peck; H, Captain John Griffin; I, Captain Thomas S. Strohecker; K, Captain Cornelius S. Chase. Non-commissioned staff: Sergeant-Ma jor William Wert Chase; Hospital-Steward William Bol- linger; Quartermaster-Sergeant George Snell; Commissary-Sergeant John H. Rodgers. The original strength of the regiment was almost eight hundred and fifty, including officers and men. About the 1st of December, the regiment received its arms. Companies A and K had the Belgian rifle, the other companies the Harper's Ferry muskets. These were exchanged about the 1st of January, 18(52, for the Austrian rifles. The latter were discarded in August, 1SG.3, for the Spring- field rifled muskets, which remained the arm of the regiment until the close of the war. On the afternoon of Saturday, December 14, the regiment received its colors, with appropriate ceremonies, from the hands of Governor Curtin, and was then marched to the railroad near camp, where it boarded the empty freight cars en route for Washington, D. C. The next day we were in Baltimore where we were well fed by the "Union Relief Association" of that city. During the following night we arrived at Washington, where we were quartered at the large building known as the "Soldiers' Retreat." 346 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. adjoining tlie Baltimore and Ohio railroad depot. The next day, after receiving a sufQcient number of "Sibley tents," the regiment was marched to a point about a mile northeast of the capital, where it encamped near the toll gate on the old Bladensburg road. While we remained in the camp we formed a part of the Provisional Brigade commanded by General Silas Casey. In February, 18G2, we moved across the Potomac, and encamped near Fort Lyon, about two miles southwest of Alexandria, Vir- ginia. While here we were assigned to Jameson's Brigade of Heintzelman'a Division. On March S, 1862, by order of President Lincoln, the forma- tion of "Army Corps" was adopted. General Heintzelman was assigned to the command of the Third Corps. He was succeeded in command of his division (the Third) by General C. S. Hamilton. The First and Second Divisions were commanded by General Fitz John Porter and Joseph Hooker respectively. The composition of Hamilton's Division was as fol- lows: First Brigade, General C. D. Jameson, Fifty-seventh, Sixty-third and One hundred and fifth, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Eighty-seventh New York Volunteers. Second Brigade, General D. B. Birney, Third and Fourth Maine Volunteers, Thirty-eighth and Fortieth New York A^'olunteers. Third Brigade, General H. G. Berry, Thirty-seventh New Y''ork Volun- teers, Second, Third and Fifth Michigan Volunteers. The artillery of the division consisted of the following batteries: Thompson's Battery G, Second United States Artillery; Beam's Battery B, New Jersey Artillery, and Randolph's Battery B, First Rhode Island Artillery. Colonel Maxwell of the Fifty-seventh resigned JMarch 10, 18(32, and was succeeded by Colonel Charles T. Campbell, formerly colonel of the First Pennsylvania Artillery. On March 17, Hamilton's Division began to embark for the Peninsula. The Fifty-seventh marched to Alexandria on that day, but as the trans- ports were not all ready we passed the night on the wharves at that place, and next morning got on board the steamer "Kennebec," on which was also a part of the One hundred and fifth Pennsylvania, and steamed down the Potomac. The next afternoon we landed at Fortress Monroe during a rain storm. For several days we were quartered in the lofts of some cavalry sheds, after which we went into camp near the burned town of Hampton. Here for two weeks we were abundantly exercised in drill, inspections and reviews. On the morning of April 4, we struck tents, and started towards York- town, Va., arriving before that place on the afternoon of April 5. The first picket duty of the regiment was performed by companies A and K. on the night of the 6th. On the left of the line, where Company K was stationed, the enemy opened fire on the morning of the 7th. Their fire was returned with good effect, as they were seen carrying off several bodies, while on our side there were no casualties. While the regiment was on picket near the same place, a few days later, we were fired on by a piece of the enemy's artillery from a small fort in our front. One of their shells exploded near a group of our men, killing one instantly. His name was George Varrick, of Company G. He was the first man killed in the regi- ment. The first skirmish the regiment had with the enemy occurred at Palmentary's peach orchard near the Warwick road on the afternoon of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 347 April 11. The Sixty-third Pennsylvania was on picket and was fiercely attacked by the enemy, when the rest of our brigade was ordered out in support. The Fifty-seventh formed line in the edge of the woods, behind a rail fence, and soon became briskly engaged with the enemy. Some of our artillery also opened fire, and for a while considerable noise was made. The rebels were driven back to their works and the affair was soon over. In tliis skirmish four men of the Fifty-seventh were wounded, one of them dying a few days afterward. We were kept busy while at York- town, constructing earthworks and roads, picketing and skirmishing with the enemy. Out of the thirty days we were in front of the place it rained at least twenty. The inclement weather together with the bad water we were obliged to drink while there, greatly increased our sick list, so that we were obliged to leave forty-five sick in the hospitals when we left the place. General Hamilton who had protested against the excessive fatigue duty required of his men, was relieved from command of the division on the 1st of May, and succeeded by the famous one-armed soldier General "Phil Kearny." The enemy evacuated their stronghold at Yorktown on Saturday night, May 3, and the next morning Stoneman's Cavalry and Hooker's Division led the advance in the pursuit, followed by our division about 2 p. m. We marched to a point about three miles west of Yorktown, and then encamped for the night. It began to rain during the night and continued to do so tliroughout the next day. We were up by daylight on the 5th, and had finished our breakfast, expecting to move at once toward the front. We did not go forward, however, until 9 o'clock a. m. Mean- while we were watching the troops of all arms moving past us toward the front. When we did start we had gone but a short distance, when we found our march much obstructed by wagons stuck in the mud, and by the troops of Sumner's and Keyes' corps. Hooker, about 7 a. m., became engaged with the enemy at Williamsburg, twelve miles west of Yorktown, and Kearny was striving hard to go to his assistance. Our brigade was the rear one in the division that day, and from the horrible condition of the roads it seemed as though we were making little or no progress toward the front. When within about two miles of the battle-field, we were ordered to throw off our knapsacks — which were left in charge of guards — and proceed to the front with all possible speed. Night was fast ap- proaching, and Hooker whose regiments were hard pressed, thought he must yield to the enemy his hard fought for position, when Kearny, with two of his brigades, arrived to support him. Our brigade arriving on the field, was formed in line near the enemy, the Fifty-seventh on the left of the Williamsburg road, "vvith the One hundred and fifth Pennsylvania in its rear. The Eighty-seventh New York was formed on the right of the road, with the Sixty-third Pennsylvania in its rear. We were considerably ex- posed to the fire of the enemy, but did not become actively engaged. At night we moved to the front line and bivouacked for the night among our dead and wounded comrades. This was the first real battle on the Penin- sula, and the night spent on that field, in the cold rain, among the dead and dying, will long be remembered by the men of the Fifty-seventh, as on« of the most harrowing in all its experience. 348 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. The next morning it was found that the enemy had again retreated, when, at daylight, we advanced and occupied the town, the Fifty-seventh going a mile or so in advance on picket. On May 7, we resumed the advance, marching a few miles each day, until about the 15tli, when we reached Cumberland Lauding in New Kent county. The whole army was concentrated here, but moved forward the day after our arrival. The place, which is on the Pamunkey river, was made a temporary depot of supplies, and the Fifty-seventh remained here for a week doing guard duty after the rest of the army had left. A new depot having been established further up the river, at White House Landing, the one at Cumberland was abandoned, whereupon the Fifty- seventh moved on and rejoined the division at Baltimore Cross Roads. On Suuday, May 25, we crossed the Chickahominy at Bottom's bridge, thirteen miles from Richmond via the Williamsburg stage road. On the afternoon and night of May 30 it rained in torrents, which raised the Chickahominy bank full and overflowed the low land on its borders. At this time the corps of Sumner, Franklin and Porter were on the left or east bank of the Chickahominy, and the corps of Heintzelman and Keyes were on the right bank. Casey's Division of Keyes' Corps was in advance, at a place called "Seven Pines," on the Williamsburg road, about seven miles from Richmond. The camp of the Fifty-seventh was about five miles in rear of this, in a pine grove near the Richmond and York River railroad. General Joseph E. Johnston who commanded the rebel forces, knowing that the swollen state of the Chickahominy would render it difficult or impossible for the right of our army to assist the left, concluded to attack that portion on his side of the river. About 1 o'clock p. m., of ''lay 31, he suddenly and fiercely attacked Casey's Division which soon was overpowered and driven from the field. The other divisions of Keyes' Corps, and part of Kearny's Division, were next engaged. In the camp of the Fifty-seventh we were ordered to fall in, and after being told to remain in camp and be ready to move at a moment's notice, we stacked arms, broke ranks and lounged about wondering where we were to be sent. About 2 p. m., the regiment left camp, and marched through the woods for a short distance, until we reached the railroad, when we filed to the left, and started up the road on the double-quick in the direction of Richmond. On reaching the battle-field we were ordered to support the Third Maine, who were in position behind a rail fence a few rods in our front. We were there but a few minutes when we were ordered to go to the support of the First Long Island (Sixth-seventh New York) which was supposed to be somewhere in the woods on the left of the Williamsburg road. Cap- tain Hassler of General Jameson's staff was to guide us to the place. After floundering about in the woods, through swamps and over logs, further search for the First Long Island was abandoned. The Fifty-seventh then formed line on the edge of the woods, with the right resting near the road. We were soon attacked by the enemy who were thrice our strength, but our little regiment made a gallant stand, and it was not until our colonel and major were stricken down, and we were Outflapl5:ed on our right, that the regjnienj; j-PtJrpd from the field. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 349 Our losses iu this engagement, which is known as the battle of "Fair Oaks," were Major Gulp killed; Captain C. S. Chase wounded (died June 17), Colonel Campbell severely wounded in arm and groin, and several other offlcers slightly wounded. Enlisted men, ten killed, forty-nine wounded and three missing. The battle was renewed next day when Hooker's Division and a part of Sumner's Corps drove the enemy from the field and occupied the ground in advance of Casey's former position. From June 1 to June 25, tlie regi- ment was engaged in picketing and in constructing roads and fortifica- tions. On the morning of June 25, the divisions of Kearny and Hooker were ordered to advance, which soon brought on a brisk engagement, resulting in a loss on the Union side of about three hundred killed and wounded. The loss in the Fifty-seventh was two men wounded. Although the enemy was driven backward for about a mile, in the evening our forces returned to the position occupied iu the morning, by orders from army headquarters. This engagement is called "Oak Grove;" the enemy call it "King's School House." The regiment remained in the front line until June 28, when with the division it moved a mile to the rear, and occupied the breast- works at the crossing of the Williamsburg road, and near Savage Station. The day previous the enemy had defeated our right wing at Gaines' Mill, and the retreat to the James river had commenced. In the evening one hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition was issued to each man, and at the same time, by order of General Kearny, every officer and man of his division was ordered to wear on his cap a red patch about an inch and a half square, in order that they might be readily dis- tinguished in battle and on the march. This was the first distinctive badge worn in the Army of the Potomac. In April, 18G3, when "Corps Badges" were adopted by that army, the badge assigned to the Third Corps was in the shape of a diamond or lozenge. "Kearny's Old Division" continued to w^ear its "Red Diamond" until the close of the war. The swamps among which we had been encamped at Fair Oaks, and the bad water we were obliged to drink, had greatly increased our sick list, and many of the Fifty-seventh had died in the hospital since the 1st of June. When the retreat commenced the sick and convalescents were ordered to Savage Station, and from there were conducted, in charge of proper offlcers, to James river. Of this party the Fifty-seventh furnished at least a hun- dred. Of those who remained with the regiment and carried muskets, the number was about two hundred and many of these were barely able to stand the fatigue of the march. On the morning of the 29th the regiment was sent across a large field and into the woods near the camp we had left the day previous. We remained here on picket until noon, when we moved back again and retook our position at the breastworks. The rebel General Magruder was advancing with his division, and shells from his artillery were bursting near us. About 4 o'clock p. m., we moved a short distance to the rear, and formed line in a large field, and soon after we took a road leading through the woods, and were on our way to White Oak Swamp, which we crossed at Brackett's Ford. General 350 Pennsylvania at Qettyshurg. J. C. Robinson had command of our brigade, succeeding General Jameson, who was injured by the falhng of his horse at Fair Oaks. General Jame- son died at his home in Maine in November following. Having crossed the White Oak Swamp, we arrived about 10 p. m., on the ground where, next day, June 30, was fought the battle of "Glendale," better known by the men of the Fifty-seventh as the battle of "Charles City Cross Roads." The object of making a stand here, was to hold the enemy in check until our long train of wagons and ambulances had passed in safety to James river. Had the enemy succeeded in breaking through our line at this point great disaster would have befallen our army. On our side the battle was fought principally by three divisions, Slocum on the right, Kearny in the center and McCall on the left. These troops were reinforced during the battle by troops from other divisions. The Fifty-seventh had a good position, behind a low rail fence, on the edge of a small chaparral, with the left of the regiment in rear of Thomp- son's battery. The battle commenced about 4 p. m., the enemy making the most desperate charges in heavy masses. Their ranks were fearfully decimated by the fire of our artillery and infantry, and their most per- sistent efforts failed to make a lodgement within our line. The firing was kept up until 10 p. m., when silence reigned over the field. In his report of this action Lieutenant-Colonel Woods states that the Fifty-seventh had fourteen officers and one hundred and seventy-four en- listed men engaged. Our casualties were seven men killed, three officers and fifty-four men wounded and eighteen men captured. Among the officers wounded was acting Major Simonton. We held our position in line of battle until 1 o'clock in the morning of July 1, and then took up our march for Malvern Hill. In the battle Avhich occurred at this place the Fifty-seventh did not be- come heavily engaged, although we suffered some loss from the enemy's artillery fire. We had one officer and one enlisted man killed, eight en- listed men wounded and four missing. During a lull in the battle, while Lieutenant Charles O. Etz and the first sergeant of Company D were lying side by side fast asleep, a rebel shell exploded nearby, the fragments of which killed both instantly.' We left the field of Malvern Hill about day- light of the 2d, and after a Aveary march through mud and rain, we reached Harrison's Landing on the James river about 6 p. m. We remained in camp at this place uutil the middle of August, during which time we per- formed the usual routine of camp duties. General Kearny used to drill the whole division together three times a week in a large field about two miles from camp. While in this camp Lieutenant-Colonel Woods was taken sick and sent to the hospital, and was soon after honorably discharged. This left us without a field officer present. There were but two captains present, Maxwell and Strohecker, and these at different times had command of the regiment. On August 12, the Fifty-seventh was transferred to General Birney's Second Brigade. About the same time Major William Birney of the Fourth New Jersey Volunteers was temporarily assigned to the command of the regiment which he retained until the following October. General Lee having moved a large portion of his army northward to Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. 351 confront General Pope, who was moving southward from Culpeper, Va., preparations were made by our army to evacuate the Peninsula and go to I'ope's assistance. Kearny's division began its march on August 15, and the evening of that day found us at Jones' bridge on the Chickahominy. On the IGth, we marched to Liberty church at Diascond bridge. The next day the Fiftj'- seventh was detached from the division, and took a road to the right of the main column, acting as flankers. We had a long march but the roads were good, and after dark we reached the old Williamsburg road, and en- camped near the rest of the division a few miles west of Williamsburg. On the 18th, after a hot and dusty march, we arrived at Yorktown about r» p. m. The next day we got on board a steamer (where we were packed like herring in a box), and on the afternoon of the 25th, we disembarked at Alexandria, Va. About dark we boarded the cars of the Orange and Alexandria railroad, and the next morning found us near Warrenton Junc- tion, where we left the train and encamped. Our division was among the first troops of the Array of the Potomac to reach Pope. For several days we moved to various points along the railroad and on night of the 26th, we were on picket at Bealton Station, near the Rappa- hannock. General Lee having flanked Pope's right, and gained our rear, our army began to fall back towards Centerville. On August 27, our regiment began the rearward movement, and marched from Bealton to Greenwich. On the 28th, we moved via Bristow Station to Manassas Junction, where we halted for several hours. Here could be seen the smoking ruins of the depot and long trains of cars destroyed by Stonewall Jackson the day previous. Resuming our march we arrived at Centerville after dark, and halted in what had been a rebel camp the previous winter. At daylight next morning we moved toward the enemy, and were soon upon the ground where was fought the second battle of Bull Run. Our division occupied a position near Sudley Springs. About 8 p. m., the division attacked the left of Jackson's line, and drove it back for half a mile. The Fifty-seventh had three men wounded in this engagement. On the 30th, there was but little fighting on our part of the line, but on the left the army was hotly engaged, and was repulsed. The whole army fell back to Centerville at night. Late in the afternoon of September 1, the division was hurriedly ordered to fall in, and was then rapidly marched several miles to Chantilly, where a battle was in progress. When we reached the field a violent thunder storm was raging and it was almost dark. The regiment occupied the battle-field that night as pickets. In this action we had one man wounded. It was in this battle that the brave and accomplished soldier. General "Phil Kearny" was killed. He fell within the lines of the enemy. The next morn- ing his body was sent inside our line by General Lee, when a detachment of the Fifty-seventh acted as an escort of the corpse to Washington. On the 2d, our division started for Alexandria, Va., and on the afternoon of the 3d, we reached that place and encamped once more near Fort Lyon. The Fifty-seventh had been greatly depleted in numbers since it left this place in March previous. Then it had in its ranks about seven hundred men for duty, now, owing to battle and disease, it could muster barely two 24 352 Pennsi/lvania at Gettyshurg. hundred and fifty. We remained in tliis vicinity until the 16th of Sep- tember, wlien the division (now commanded by General Stoneman) moved up the Potomac via Rockville and Poolesville to Conrad's Ferry. We en- camped here for six weeks, our brigade guarding the river from the mouth of the Monocacy to Edwards' Ferry, On September 25, companies D and G, were disbanded and the men as- signed to other companies. From this time until January 15, 1865, the regiment consisted of but eight companies. About the 1st of October the regiment, accompanied by a section of artillery and a squadron of Colonel Duffle's cavalry, crossed the Potomac at Conrad's Ferry, and made a reconnaissance to Leesburg, which is located about three miles from the ferry. We captured a few prisoners in the town and returned to our camps in the evening. On October 11, our brigade took part in the expedition sent out to cap- ture Stuart's cavalry, which had crossed above the right of our army and made a raid on Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Owing to some mismanage- ment, the enemy was allowed to recross the river with all his booty at White's Ford with a loss of but two or three men whom we captured. On the 10th of October, Colonel Campbell returned and took command of the regiment, relieving Major Birney, who was assigned to the Thirty-eighth New York. A general advance of the army being ordered, we crossed the river on October 28 and moved southward. When near Warrenton, Virginia, on November 7, General McClellan was relieved from command of the army, and was succeeded by General Burnside. On November 12, near Waterloo Bridge, six men of Company K were captured, wliile returning from a foraging expedition, by some of Stuart's cavalry. About the 20th of November, we reached Falmouth, Virginia, and the whole army being concentrated there, we expected soon to be engaged with the enemy who were on the opposite side of the Rappahan- nock on the hills in rear of Fredericksburg. No immediate attack was made, however, and the weather growing cold, our army went into winter quarters about the 1st of December. On the 11th we broke camp, and that night bivouacked in a large field near our caniip. On the evening of the 12th, we moved down the river, near the pontoon bridge, where Franklin's Grand Division had already crossed. About 11 a. m. next day, our divi- sion began to cross over, and after marching a short distance we were halted and then laid down under a heavy fire of the enemy's artillery. About 3 p. m. we were ordered forward to support an attack that had been made by General's Meade's Pennsylvania Reserves. Colonel Camp- bell moved the regiment forward in splendid style, and after passing Ran- dolph's Battery we took position, in a ditch, and opened fire on the enemy which checked their advance, and frustrated their hopes of capturing Randolph's Battery. Our position in the ditch enabled the battery to fire over us, killing a number of the enemy, some of whom fell into the ditch we occupied. The enemy fell back into the woods, but many of them who had taken refuge in the ditch became our prisoners when we were relieved after dark by the One hundred and fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Ou the 14th, the regiment remained on the field in rear of our batteries, until dark, when we were again sent to the extreme front, where we Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 353 stayed until about uiiduiyht ou the 15th, when with the rest of the army we recrossed the river. In the battle, Colonel Campbell, who still carried his arm in a sling (from a wound received at Fair Oaks), was again se- verely wounded in the same arm and in the groin. He was afterward pi-omoted to brigadier-general and assigned to the "Department of the Northwest." Surgeon Kennedy and Captain Strohecker were also wounded. The latter was soon after honorably discliarged. Our loss at Fredericks- burg was twenty-one enlisted men killed, three officers and fifty-four en- listed men wounded and fifty-three men captured. Captain Peter Sides of Company A, who had been absent ou account of sickness, returned on December 15, and, having been promoted lieutenant-colonel, he took com- mand of the regiment. The division reoccupied its old camp which was now named "Camp Pitcher," in honor of Major Pitcher of the Fourth Maine, who was killed at Fredericksburg. Between the 20th and 23d of January, 1863, we took part in the famous "Mud March," when we "marched so far in one day that it took us two days to get back." On January 25, General Hooker succeeded General Burnside in com- mand of the army. General Birney our division, and General Ward our brigade. Soon after the battle of Fredericksburg, certain evil-disposed persons at the north were loud in their assertions that the Army of the Potomac was demoralized and tired of the war, and circulated other reports derogatory to the character of that army. To confute such reports, and to denounce those with whom they originated, a meeting of the officers and men of the Fifty-seventh was held on February 20, at which resolutions were adopted denouncing as false the calumnious reports circulated concerning the army. One of the resolutions declared that the Fifty-seventh would sustain the government in the future as in the past, a resolution which was made good by three-fourths of the regiment re-enlisting for three years in the following December. Our regiment was the first to adopt resolu- tions of this nature, Avhich were ordered to be published in the news- papers in the counties from which the regiment was raised. Our example was followed by many of the regiments of the Army of the Potomac. Camp Pitcher was abandoned on March 4, when we moved about four miles and laid out a new camp near the railroad bridge over Potomac creek. On the same day, the Fifty-seventh was reassigned to the First Brigade, commanded by Colonel Collis, who was succeeded a few days later by General Charles K. Graham. The brigade now consisted of six Pennsylvania regiments, viz: Fifty-seventh, Sixty-third, Sixty-eighth, One hundred and fifth, One hundred and fourteenth and One hundred and forty- first. The two last mentioned and the Sixty-eighth were new regiments which entered the service in September, 1802. On the afternoon of April 28, 1803, we left camp, and in a drizzling rain marched to near Franklin's Crossing on the Rappahannock; this was our initiation into what is known as the Chancellorville Campaign. On the 29th we moved backward and forward to various points along the river, the object of which seemed to be to lead the enemy to think that we were going to cross and attack at that place. On the 30th the weather 354 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. had become clear and warm, and about noon we started up the river road, and at night halted near Hartwood Church. Next morning we crossed the river at the United States Ford. About 2 p. m. the march was re- sumed and soon after we reached the Chancellor House, a large brick build- ing on the Fredericksburg and Orange plank road. After a short halt our brigade was marched westward along the plank road, for almost a mile, to UoAvdall's tavern in rear of the position of the Eleventh Corps. We remained here but a short time when we marched back and rejoined the division near the Chancellor House, halting for the night in a large field. The enemy annoyed us some by shelling us with their artillery which was posted near the Old Furnace, but did no damage. On the morning of May 2, we moved west on the plank road for a short distance, and then, turning to the left, we marched along a road leading through the woods, on the southern border of which we threw up a line of works of logs and dirt. This is the position known as Hazel Grove. About noon a column of the enemy, and a wagon train, was seen moving across our front about a mile distant, and as their course was southward it was thought that they were retreating. Our artillery opened on them, which caused them to take another road. Our division was advanced, skirmishing with the enemy, and soon captured the Twenty-third Georgia which was stationed at Welford's Furnace. Barlow's Division of the Eleventh Corps was advancing with us on our right. On reaching the high ground overlooking the furnace a halt was made and the line rectified. It was growing late in the day and every- thing seemed to be moving along finely, when about 6 o'clock a tremendous cannonade was heard in the vicinity of the plank road and Hazel Grove, which we had left but a few hours before. It proved to be the onset of Stonewall Jackson, who, by marching along roads hidden by the woods, had reached the right and rear of our army and was driving back in confusion the divisions of Schurz and Steinwehr of the Eleventh Corps. At dark we were ordered to fall in and move to the rear, at the same time we were cautioned to make as little noise as possible. We soon reached the open field in front of the line of works we had thrown up in the morn- ing, and which now were held by the enemy. Ward's Brigade on our right made a charge into the woods and succeeded in driving back the enemy far enough to give us an opening to get out in the morning. At the dawn of day on the 3d the enemy's skirmishers attacked us on our left, their fire enfilading our line, and as the ground would not permit our forming a line to oppose them, we faced to the right and double-quicked until we reached the large field which runs back to the Chancellor House. Here the regiments were deployed, and faced the enemy, and until 10 o'clock we were in some of the hottest fighting seen during the war. General Hooker had been injured by a shell and General Couch had temporary command. Our corps commander General Sickles, had asked to be reinforced from the unemployed troops in the rear, but none came. After having repulsed charge after charge we were finally withdrawn to a new line in the rear. We did not again become engaged with the enemy but they gave us a severe shelling while we occupied the new entrenched line, on the evening of the 4th, wounding some of our men. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 855 The casualties in the Fifty-seveuth at Chaucellorsville were, Captain E. J. Rice of Company E, and Lieutenant Joseph Brady of Company H, killed; eleven enlisted men killed; three officers and forty -five enlisted men wounded and twenty-three men captured. Chaplain McAdam and Assist- ant-Surgeon Leet were captured, but were soon after paroled and ex- changed. On the afternoon of the 5th a rain storm set in, which continued through the night and next day, raising the river, and threatening to sweep away our pontoon bridges. On the morning of the 6th, we recrossed the river at United States ford and after a hard march through mud and rain, we reached our old camps about dark. The weather having become quite warm, we abandoned our winter quar- ters the last week in May, and moved about two miles, and pitched our tents in a large field near Belle Plain Landing, where we remained until the Gettysburg campaign opened on the 11th of June. About 1 p. m. on that day we packed up in a hurry and began our long march north- ward. The weather was exceedingly warm, and there was considerable straggling, but the men all came up at night, after we had halted near Hartwood. On the 12th, we marched to near Bealton Station, on the O. & A. R. R. On the 13th, we marched a few miles towards Rappahannock Station. On the 14th, we started in the evening and marched to Catlett's Station, arriving about midnight. On the 15th, we moved to Manassas Junction. This was one of the hottest days of the summer, and about forty men were prostrated by sunstroke in our division. On the 16th, we moved to Bull Run, camping at Mitchell's Ford. On the 17th our march was continued to Centreville. Late in the afternoon of the 19th, we started for Gum Springs. We had not gone far when a severe storm of rain, thunder and lightning set in. We arrived at Gum Springs about 3 a. m., on the 20th, when part of the regiment went on picket, and the rest laid down on the drenched soil to sleep. We remained at this place until the 25th. It having been ascertained that Lee's army had crossed the upper Potomac, and was on the march to Pennsylvania, we broke camp and crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, and from thence moved up the river to the mouth of the Monocacy. On the 26th, we moved to Point of Rocks on the Potomac. On the 27th, we resumed our march at 8 a. m., and marching through Jefferson, we halted for the night near Middletown, Md. On the 28th, we marched through Middletown and Frederick City, halting for the night a mile or so beyond the city, in the evening we learned that General Hooker had been relieved from the command of the army, and had been succeeded by General Geo. G. Meade. On the 29th, we moved one mile beyond Taneytown, and encamped for the night in a pleasant grove. On the 30th, we moved to Bridgeport near Emmitsburg, Md. On July 1, Ave left Emmitsburg about 1 p. m., and after a hard march through the mud, we arrived after dark at a point about two miles south of Gettysburg. We bivouacked for the night in a field to the right and in rear of the Trostle house. The Sixty-third Pennsylvania of our brigade was sent on picket, and early in the morning of the 2d, they began skirmisliing with the enemy. 356 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. The Sixty-tliird was occupying the Peach Orchard and the ground about the Sherfy house and barn. About three o'clock our brigade moved out and was posted on the east side of, and within a few rods of the Emmitsburg road. The regiments of the brigade were posted from right to left in the following order. The One hundred and fifth on the right of the Sherfy house, the Fifty-seventh opposite the house, next the One hundred and fourteentli. Sixty-eighth and One hundred and forty-first. The latter was in the peach orchard. From the peach orchard the line of our division (Birney's) curved around to the Devil's Den at the foot of Round Top, where Ward's brigade was stationed. Hood's division of I^ongstreet's Corps, was opposed to our left, and McLaws' division of the same corps, was opposite our right, Barksdale's brigade of the latter division being opposed to our brigade. For about two hours after we took position near the road, we were exposed to one of the hottest artillery fires we ever encountered. The enemy's batteries south of the orchard, and west of the road, poured a regu- lar stream of shells towards us, but fortunately most of them exploded after passing over us. When this fire slackened, the enemy's infantry advanced towards us through the fields west of Sherfy's house. The Fifty-seventh and One hundred and fourteenth were then ordered to cross the road to meet the enemy. The Fifty-seventh took advantage of the cover afforded by the house and adjoining out-buildings, and opened fire with good effect. No doubt the regiments stationed at this point could have beaten back the enemy, but we had not been long engaged, when we learned that the enemy had broken through the angle at the peach orchard, and were swarm- ing up the road in our rear. It was evident that if we remained at the house, we would all be captured, so we were obliged to fall back. We tried to warn our comrades, who had sought the cover of the house, and were firing from its doors and windows, but could not make them understand the situation, and all were captured. During all this time the battle was raging fiercely at the Round Tops, Devil's Den and the Wheatfield. The Excelsior Brigade of our Second Di- vision, and troops of the Second Corps were sent to our assistance, and the battle raged until dark in the fields between Plum Run and the Em- mitsburg Road. Birney's division at the opening of the battle occupied a very exposed position, and in trying to hold it, had met with such severe losses that it was not again actively engaged during the battle. The Fifty-seventh entered the fight with a total of two hundred and nine officers and men. It lost, officers, two killed, nine wounded and four captured. Enlisted men, twelve killed, thirty-four wounded and fifty-five captured, a total of one hundred and fifteen, being over half the number that entered the battle. Lieutenant Henry Mitchell of Company E, and Lieutenant John F. Cox of Company I were killed. Among the wounded were Lieutenant-Colonel Sides, Acting Adjutant Nelson and Captain Houser. Major Neeper was captured and remained a prisoner for about a year when he was exchanged. Lieutenant Crossley, after one ineffectual attempt to escape in November, 1864, succeeded on a second trial and escaped from prison at Columbia, Pennsylvania at Getti/sbury. 857 S. C, and entered the Uuion lines December 20, 1864, after his term of service had expired. Lieutenant Hinds was one of the one hundred and ninety-oflicers who escaped from the famous tunnel at Libby Prison in February, 18G4, but he had the misfortune to be recaptured, and remained a prisoner until shortly before the war closed, and was honorably discharged in May, 18G5. Lieutenant Burns remained a prisoner until after his term of service expired and was honorably discharged in March, 1865. Of the fifty-five enlisted men who, on the 2d of July were captured at Gettysburg, forty-four died in southern prisons. On the morning of July 3, our brigade was posted in a small grove, about three-fourths of a mile in rear and to the right of the Sherfy house. Here we enjoyed a good rest under the shade of the trees, until about 2 p. m., when the tremendous cannonade that preceded Pickett's charge began. Soon after we were ordered into line, and facing to the right we took the double-quick step, and on reaching the open field, we formed line in rear of our artillery, which was busily engaged in replying to the enemy's guns. Immense cheering was soon after heard on the right, and then we learned that the last attempt on our lines had failed. At night the regiment went to the front on picket, being posted on ground that was thickly strewn with dead men and horses; and as some of these had been dead for twenty-four hours, the stench was sickening. At daylight we rejoined the brigade, the enemy in the meantime having begun their retreat. We remained at Gettysburg until July 7, when our corps moved off, passing through Emmitsburg to Meehanicstown, Md. On the 8th, we passed through Frederick City and encamped two miles beyond the town. On the 9th, we started from near Middletown and marched to South Mountain. About this time the division of General W. H. French was assigned to the corps, and was designated as the Third Division. General French took command of the corps, succeeding General Sickles, who lost a leg at Gettysburg. Colonel Madill of the One hundred and forty-first com- manded the brigade. General Graham being made a prisoner in the late battle. On July 10, we marched from South Mountain to about five miles beyond Keedysville, Md. On the 11th, we marched to near Falling Waters. On the 12th, we were drawn up in line of battle and expected to make an attack on the entrench- ments of the enemy, but we were not ordered forward. The enemy having recrossed the river into Virginia, we left our camps on the 15th and after passing over the old Antietam battleground, we halted about two miles beyond Sharpsburg. On the 16th, we passed through Browns- ville and Rohrersville, and encamped near Harper's Ferry. On the 17th, we crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and were once more in Vir- ginia. We resumed the march on the 18th and 19th, and on the 20th, we reached Upperville. On the 23d, we were near Manassas Gap, where it was expected we would strike the enemj^'s column, that was moving up the Shenandoah Valley. We moved to the top of a high hill, where we had 358 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. a fine view of the surrounding country, and also witnessed a battle between a small force of the enemy and the Excelsior brigade. The Fifty-seventh was only slightly engaged and had a few men wounded. The enemy having disappeared during the night, we marched next day some miles beyond Pied- mont on the Manassas Gap railroad. The greater part of our march was OA'er the torn up railroad track, and as the weather was excessively hot, we were a tired lot of men when we encamped that night. On the 25th, we marched to within six miles of Warrenton, and on the 2Gth, we moved to Sulphur Springs about four miles west of Warrenton. At this place we encamped for about six weeks, during which time Colonel Sides, aud some of the officers and men that had been wounded at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, returned for duty. We had a fine camp, with good facilities for bathing in Iledgeman's river, a branch of the Rappahannock. For exercise we had frequent brigade and regimental drills, with occasional picket duty. We broke camp on September 16, and crossed the Rappahannock at Freeman's Ford near which we bivouacked for the night, and the next day we moved on and encamped near Culpeper. Here we remained until October 11, when it was found that General Lee was trying to turn our right, aud get in our rear as he had done the year before. This made a retrograde movement of our army a necessity. On the afternoon of the 11th we moved to the rear, recrossed the river, and about dark camped a few miles south of Sulphur Springs. We continued our move to the rear and on the 13th, about 4 p. m., we encountered the enemy's cavalry at Auburn Creek. Our brigade held the advance of the column on that day, and the Fifty-seventh was the leading regiment. Com- panies A and K acted as advance guard. These companies deployed on either side of the road, and opened fire on the enemy's cavalry, who were dismounted and were advancing through the woods and open fields. Our firing soon brought up the rest of our brigade and a battery. A few shells thrown toward the enemy sufficed to drive them off; when we moved on and at night halted at the village of Greenwich. On the 14th, we marched to Centerville, via Bristoe and Manassas Junc- tion. On the 15th, we moved to Fairfax Station, where we remained until the 19th. The enemy having declined to attack us in position at Centerville, they retreated, closely folloAved by our army. On the 19th, we again moved forward aud encamped near Bristoe Station. On the 20th, we marched through Greenwich and encamped about two miles beyond the town. On the 21st, we passed through Auburn, and over the ground where Hays' Division of the Second Corps had engaged the enemy a few days before. At night we encamped near Catlett's Station on the O. & A. R. R. From this date until November 7, we moved to various points along the line of the railroad, which having been destroyed by tlie enemy, made it necessary for us to rebuild it; consequently our advance was slow. At 5 a. m., November 7, we broke camp and moved to Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock. Here the enemy disputed our crossing and a brisk skirmish ensued. They finally relinquished their attempts to hold the ford, when we crossed over and encamped. In this skirmish, while Captain T. Pennsylvania at Oettysbury. 359 L. Mayusird, our brigade inspector, was giving a drink of water to a wounded rebel, lie was mortally wounded and died next morning. On the 8th, we moved to Brandy Station, and after a few days we moved into the woods close by, and occupied a lot of huts that had lately been constructed by the rebels, to be used as winter quarters, but they had now fallen back beyond the river Rapidan. We remained in this camp for a few weeks, when we were once more on the move, to take part in what is called the "Mine Run Campaign." On the morning of November 26, we moved out of camp, and in the evening crossed the Rapidan at Jacobs' Ford, without interruption by the enemy. The advance was resumed next morning, and about 4 p. m. our division was hurried to the front to relieve the Third Division which had become engaged with Johnson's Division of Ewell's Corps. We got into a brisk little Gght in which the Fifty-seventh had seven men wounded. This action occurred at Locust Grove. It appears that our corps com- mander. General French, got on the wrong road, and instead of getting between the corps of Hill and Ewell, who were miles apart, we ran against Ewell, and that brought on the engagement. The enemy retreated during the night, and the next morning their army was concentrated, which our movements the day before were intended to prevent. On the 28th, we started again and after marching all day in the rain we came up with the enemy, who were occupying a strong position along the banks of Mine Run. The next day we laid in a field in support of a battery, and at night were ordered on picket. The weather had grown very cold, and as no fires were allowed we were ueai-ly frozen. After several days spent in manoeuvring, it was decided that the enemy's position was too strong to be successfully attacked, therefore a retreat was ordered. On the night of December 1, during a severe snow storm, we moved to the rear, and recrossed the Rapidan at Culpeper Mine Ford, about daylight on the 2d. About 9 o'clock the march to the rear was resumed, the Fifty-seventh and Sixty-third Pennsylvania acting as guard to our wagon train. Having run out of rations we were very hungry, but we managed to procure something to eat before night. The next day we reached our old camp and as we found our huts all in good condition, we soon had them roofed with our shelter tents, and were once more comfortably housed. For some weeks after the Mine Run expedition the question of re-en- listing formed the chief topic of conversation among the men of the Fifty- seventh. The War Department had issued General Order 191, which al- lowed a bounty of $400, and a furlough of thirty days to each man who re- enlisted. Where three-fourths of the men present in any regiment re- enlisted, the regiment was allowed to go in a body to the place of organiza- tion, and from thence the men could go to their homes on furlough. On the 24th of December, the regiment was foi-med in a hollow square in front of headquarters, and then briefly addressed by Chaplain McAdam, on the propriety of re-enlisting. At the conclusion of the Chaplain's re- marks. Colonel Sides requested those who were willing to re-enlist to step three paces to the front. Over three-fourths of the men stepped forward, and after giving three cheers for the Union, were dismissed. 360 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Then for several days the ollicers aud first sergeants were busily making out muster rolls, furloughs, and re-enlistment papers, etc. Among the men the furlough was the all absorbing theme. It is safe to say that a bounty of $1,000 without the furlough would have secured but a small portion of the men. But the assurance of being allowed to spend thirty days at home, was the great inducement to re-enlisting. The following named officers resigned or were honrably discharged during the year 18G3: Major Simonton, Major Strohecker (resigned as Captain), Assistant- Surgeon Leet; Captain Gillespie and Lieutenant Collomore, Company B; Captain Eberman, Company E; Captain Maxwell, Captain Clark and Lieu- tenant Cameron, Company F; Lieutenant Edmiston, Company H. Promotions. Lieutenant-Colonel Sides to Colonel; Captain Neeper to Major; Second Lieutenant Hinds to First Lieutenant and Sergeant Green to Second Lieu- tenant, Company A. Sergeant Burns to Second Lieutenant Company B. First Lieutenant Hill to Captain, Sergeant Major McCartney to First Lieutenant and Sergeant Houser to Second Lieutenant Company C. First Lieutenant Rice of Company A, to Captain Company E. Color Bearer Williams to First Lieutenant and to Captain Company E. Second Lieu- tenant Mitchell to First Lieutenant and Sergeant Parks to Second Lieu- tenant Company E. Second Lieutenant Nelson to First Lieutenant and to Captain, Sergeant Ruger to First Lieutenant, and Sergeant Cameron to Second Lieutenant Company F. First Lieutenant Darling to Captain, Sergeant Shaw to First Lieutenant and Sergeant Gore to Second Lieutenant Company H. First Lieutenant Bumpus to Captain and Sergeant Bowers to First Lieutenant Company I. January 8, 1864, was the time appointed for the regiment to leave for the north, and long before daylight the men were up and getting ready for their departure. About 7 a. m., we boarded the cars at Brandy Sta- tion and were soon under way for Washington, where we remained for a day and a night and then started for Harrisburg, Pa. Here we deposited our arms in the arsenal, and then the men departed by various routes for their homes. Before we left Brandy Station, each man who re-enlisted had received the pay due him; the old bounty of $100, one month's pay in advance, and the first instalment ($50) of the new bounty. Therefore the men were well fixed financially, to enjoy what is known as the "Veteran Furlough." When the men had been at home for some time many of their former companions and fi-iends were eager to enlist and return with our boys to the army. On account of our success in obtaining recruits the furlough of the men was extended. When we left the front the regiment numbered barely 200 enlisted men. After an absence of about forty-five days it re- turned with at least 500 men in its ranks. Our old flag, which had been torn by the bullets of many battles, was left at Harrisburg when we came home; and on our return to the front we received a new one from the hands of Governor Curtin. On the 25th Pennsylvania at Otttyshurg. 361 of February, we rejoined the brigade near Culpeper, Va., aud on the 27th, we went with the brigade on a reconnaissance in the direction of Madison Court House. We wera gone two days during which time nothing of im- portance occurred. General Grant having been appointed Lieutenant-General and placed in command of all our armies, made his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac some time in March, 1864. About the IGth of the same month, that army was reorganized. The First and Third Army Corps were disbanded and the divisions assigned to other corps. The First and Second Divisions of the Third Corps (the old divisions of Kearny and Hooker) were assigned to the Second Corps and were commanded by Generals Birney and Mott respectively. General Hancock commanded the Corps. Our division was now designated the Third Division of the Second Corps. Our brigade (now the Second) was commanded by General Alexander Hays, who was formerly Colonel of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers. Our Third division was assigned to the Sixth Corps. The men having a great pride in their former organizations, and proud of the badge which designated them, were allowed to wear the badge of the old Corps to which they had been attached. The great campaign of 1SG4 began soon after midnight on the 3d of May. The Second Corps with a strong force of cavalry moved out and about daylight crossed the Rapidan river at Ely's Ford. On the night of the 4th, we bivouacked on the old Chancellorsville battlefield on the ground where we had fought one year and a day before. On the morning of the 5th, we moved down the plank road towards Fredericksburg, then turned to the right and took a road leading south- westerly towards Todd's Tavern, near which we halted at noon. About 2 p. m., we renewed our march, passing over the Brock Road, and soon after formed line in the woods on the left of the road. Here we were moved about from place to place for some time, and finally moved back into the road, and then faced to the right and ordered forward in double-quick time, until we reached the crossing of the Orange Plank road. When the left of the regiment had crossed the road, we wore faced to the left and advanced in line of battle through the dense woods known as the Wilderness. Brisk firing was going on in our front and we had not gone far when we met the enemy. The left of the Fifty-seventh rested on the plank road and on the opposite side of the road was the Seventeenth Maine. Our line was quite close to the enemy, but the density of the underbrush made it almost impossible to see them, so taking direct aim was out of the question. Never before were such volleys of musketry heard as those which rolled through that gloomy wilderness on May 5, 18G4. The old regiment fought nobly, meeting with fearful loss, but they stood their ground until relieved in the evening, and then went back to the Brock Road. The next morning we moved out beyond the position where we had fought tlie evening before. We soon came against the enemy, drove him back nearly a mile but they were soon re-enforced and then it was our turn to fall back. We had been fighting the troops of A. P. 362 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Hill's corps and had them about whipped, wheu Longstreet came on the tield with his fresh corps. After some grand bushwhacliing, our line fell back to the breastworks along the Brock Road. The casualties in the Fifty-seventh (which were principally incurred on the 5tli), were four otficers wounded; enlisted men, twenty-two killed, and one hundred and twenty-four wounded and three missing. Colonel Sides was badly wounded in this battle and did not again return to the regiment for duty. We also had to mourn the loss of that brave soldier and hero, General Alexander Hays, who fell at the head of the brigade on the evening of May 5. At about the same hour on May 7, the two armies began to move on parallel roads toward Spotsylvania. The regiment now commanded by Captain A. H. Nelson of Company K, had a slight brush with the enemy at Ny river on May 8. At Spotsylvania on May 12, Birney's and Barlow's divisions formed the m-st line in Hancock's great charge on the enemy's works, when we cap- tured from thirty to forty guns and several thousand prisoners. From May 11 to May 18, the casualties in the Fifty-seventh were one officer killed and wounded; enlisted men, six killed, seventeen wounded and three missing. Lieutenant Green of Company A, was killed May 12, Lieu- tenant Bowers of Company I, died May 22, and Captain Williams of Com- pany E, May 28, of wounds received in action. In a charge at the battle of North Anna river, the regiment had one man killed and three officers wounded. At Totopotomoy river on May 31, and at Cold Harbor on June 3, the regiment was engaged losing in each action, one man wounded and three missing. On June 3, the colors of the Fifty-seventh was furled around the staff, which was stuck in the breastworks, when it was struck by a piece of shell and cut in two. On June 12, our army left Cold Harbor and started for Petersburg, our Corps crossing the James river at Wilcox's wharf on June 14. From June 16 to 18, the regiment was in several charges which were made on the enemy's works at Petersburg; losing Adjutant Clark M. Lyons, and four enlisted men killed, and twelve men wounded; Lieutenant Henry M. Adams, while standing on our works, was killed by a rebel sharpshooter, June 15. Major Neeper, who had been captured at Gettysburg, had been ex- changed, and promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, returned to the regiment about this time and assumed command. In an engagement on June 22, the Fifty-seventh had one officer and four enlisted men wounded: Lieutenant James F. Ruger and nine enlisted men were captured. The regiment was also under fire at Deep Bottom on July 26, and during the "Burnside Mine" affair on July 30. During a second expedition to Deep Bottom August 12 to 18, the Fifty- seventh lost one officer (Captain Lyons) and fifteen men wounded and four missing. In the fight at Poplar Grove, October 2, three men were wounded. Our next engagement was on the Boydton Plank Road on October 27. Our division (now commanded by General Mott) and Egan's division of the same corps, had moved to the left with the cavalry, to attempt to Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 363 capture the South Side raih-oad. While these two divisions were in a large field surrounded by woods, near Burgess' Tavern, waiting for Gen- eral Warren's (Fifth) Corps to join us on the right, the enemy discovered the gap between the two corps, through which Mahone's rebel division charged, and came suddenly upon us. For a short time there was con- siderable confusion, but order was soon restored, and the enemy driven back, leaving with us many of their men as prisoners. This affair is gen- erally known as the "Bull Pen Fight." Our effort to surprise the enemy had failed, so we moved back to camp during the night. On December 9, an expedition under General Warren, consisting of his own Corps, Mott's Division of the Second Corps, and a brigade of cavalry, started out for the purpose of further destroying the Weldon railroad. We struck the railroad near Jarratt's Station, and effectually de- stroyed it for twenty miles, to a point near the North Carolina line. A very disagreeable feature of this expedition was the snow storm through which we marched back to our old camp near Petersburg. Several hundred recruits, substitutes and drafted men joined the regiment during the autumn months of 1864. The term of service of a number .of officers and men expired in the month of November, 1864, for which reason they were honorably discharged and mustered out. The following changes occurred among the officers during the year. Those killed or died have already been mentioned. Colonel Sides discharged on account of wounds November 28. The fol- lowing were discharged on account of expiration of term in the month of November: Lieutenant-Colonel 'W. B. Neeper, Quartermaster Israel Gar- rettson, Captain Hill and Lieutenant McCartney of Company C, Captain H. H. Nelson, Company F and A. H. Nelson, Company K. Surgeon Lyman was mustered out September 16, to accept the Lieuten- ant-Colonelcy of the Two hundred and third Pennsylvania Volunteers; while serving with that regiment, he was killed at Fort Fisher, N. C, January 15, 1805. Captain J. R. Lyons discharged for wounds; Captain Darling and Lieutenant J. M. Robison for physical disability. In the month of January, 1865, the Fifty-seventh and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers were consolidated, the Fifty-seventh retaining its numerical designation. Since September 25, 1862, the Fifty-seventh had consisted of but eight companies. By special Order No. 8, War Depart- ment, January 6, 1865, the Fifty-seventh was consolidated into six com- panies. Companies A and E were broken up and the men distributed with the remaining six companies so as to equalize them in strength. By the same order the Eighty-fourth was consolidated into a battalion of four companies, and these were then united with the Fifty-seventh, forming a regiment of ten companies, averaging fifty men present to each company. The Eighty-fourth had a splendid record. Its first fighting was at Winchester, Va., March 23, 1862, where it lost many gallant officers and men. Since August of the same year it had been connected with the Army of the Potomac, where it nobly sustained its old reputation. The consolidation made it necessary to change the letters of some of 364 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. the companies of the old Fifty-seventh although the orgauizatioa of the companies Avhose letters were changed was not disturbed. Per Special Order, No. 4, Headquarters Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, January 16, 1805, the following alterations in the lettering of the companies of the old Fifty-seventh was ordered: Company H, to be designated Company A; Company I, to be designated Company D; Company K, to be designated Company E; Companies B, C and F, to retain their letters. The companies of that part which comprised the old Eighty-fourth were lettered G, H, I and K. Lieutenant-Colonel Bumpus who commanded the regiment from November, 1861, until the consolidation, was mustered out as a supernumerary, as were also the non-commissioned officers of the dis- banded companies. For about tAvo months after consolidation the regiment was commanded by Major Bryan. Colonel Zinn, who was absent on account of wounds, returned and took command on March 18. About the same time Lieuten- ant-Colonel Perkins, who had been serving on General Mott's staff as Captain, returned for duty with the regiment. On February 5, another move was made beyond Hatcher's Run for the purpose of extending our lines, and if a favorable opportunity offered, of taking the coveted South Side railroad. We moved by the Vaughan road, and having crossed the run threw up a line of works. Late in the after- noin the regiment (excepting Company E, which was on picket duty on another part of the line) had a brisk fight with the enemy, in which two of our men were wounded. We were out on the expedition until the 10th and as usual were caught in a snow storm. Nothing of importance occurred on our part of the line until March 25. Early on that morning the enemy tried to break through our lines at Fort Stedman some miles to our right. A few hours later the picket line of our brigade was ordered to advance. We had not gone far when the enemy's pickets opened on us. Several of the Fifty-seventh were wounded, among whom was Lieutenant R. I. Campbell who was hit on the hand. The line was ordered back again to the entrenched position in the rear, where it remained until relieved at 9 a. m. About 3 p. m. the whole division was ordered to the front where we threw up a line of works near the house of Mrs. Watkins. About dark the enemy made a heavy attack, but we had the strongest force on the ground, and but few of them got back to their works. The Fifty-seventh captured one hundred and sixteen prisoners, among which were six officers. The regiment had five men wounded, one of Company E, mortally. On the morning of March 29, was inaugurated what proved to be the last campaign of the Army of the Potomac. On that morning we moved about three miles to the left, and began to throw up a line of works. The cavalry and the Fifth Corps, under General Sheridan, and the Second Corps under General Humphreys, were operating on this flank. For sev- eral days there was more or less fighting, but our brigade had not become seriously engaged. On the evening of April 1, Sheridan gained his great victory at Five Foj-ks. some four miles to our left. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 365 On the same night a large detail of the Fifty-seventh was sent on picket on an entrenched line which ran across the field where occurred the "Bull Pen" fight on the 27th of October previous. This line was hotly shelled by the enemy on the morning of April 2, during which time several of our men were wounded. Far off on our right the splendid charges of the Sixth and Ninth Corps had made the fall of Petersburg a certainty. About 9 a. m. our division started for Petersburg via the Boydton Plank road. Arriving near the city we moved about from one point to another until late in the afternoon, when we were formed in line a few rods from the house that had been the headquarters of the rebel General Mahone. Here while we were constructing a temporary line of works, we were sub- jected to a severe shelling which wounded several of our men. During the following night the enemy evacuated Petersburg and re- treated westward; our army following on parallel roads, and also pressing their rear. On the afternoon of April 6, at Sailor's Creek, our division and Miles' division had a brisk fight with the rear guard of the enemy which resulted in our capturing a wagon train of about two hundred and fifty wagons, and also the teams belonging to the same. In the wagons were many trunks containing officers' clothing, and many were packed with feminine apparel. These were appropriated by the men; and we had quite a mas- querade around our camp-fires that niglit. In this engagement Lieutenant- Colonel Perkins and some of our men were wounded. On the 7th, we again encountered the enemy, near High Bridge or Cum- berland Church. In front of the Fifty-seventh, the enemy held a strong position along a high ridge within cannon shot of our position. We suffered some from their artillery fire but did not attack. Part of our corps on our right attacked and turned their position, causing them to retreat once more. On the 8th, the regiment acted as flankers to the main column, marching in this manner for about six miles. Rumors were flying about that Grant and Lee were corresponding rela- tive to the surrender of the rebel army, causing our men to be in high spirits. About noon on April 9, when we were resting near Appomattox Court House, we received the welcome tidings that the old enemy of the Army of the Potomac had surrendered. During its active service which began in April, 1862, and ended in April, 186-5, the Fifty-seventh had been engaged in twenty-seven battles, and eight minor engagements or skirmishes. Its casualties during the same period were: officers, eleven killed, thirty-two wounded and five cap- tured; enlisted men, ninety-four killed, four hundred and seventy-two wounded and one hundred and ninety -four captured, making a total of eight hundred and eight. The total enlistments in the regiment were seventeen hundred and eleven, but in this number are included about two hundred men who re-enlisted in December, 1863, which are counted as new enlistments, and about two hundred and fifty men who joined the regiment in May, 1865, after its fighting was over. 366 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Of the one hundred and ninety-four men captured, it is safe to say that at least two-thirds died in southern prisons. It has been impossible to ascertain the number who died of disease in field and general hospitals, but as a rule the number who died of disease is greater than the number killed in battle. After the surrender of Lee, the regiment marched to Burkeville, Va., and from thence to Richmond, Va. From here it moved by land to Alexandria, Va. On May 23, it took part in the Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac at Washington, D. C. On the afternoon of June 29, near Bailey's Cross Roads, Va., it was mustered out of service. The next morning it proceeded to Harrisburg, Pa., where the officers and men received their final pay and discharges, on July 6, 1865. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 61^^ REGIMENT INFANTRY July 24, 1888 ADDRESS OF COLONEL ROBERT L. ORR COMRADES AND FRIENDS:— Twenty-five years ago, after the his- toric march of the Sixth Corps, of forty miles in seventeen hours without an organized halt, our regiment went into line near this place. On the night of the 2d or the morning of the 3d, we were moved to this spot, on the extreme right of the infantry of the Army of the Potomac. Our skirmishers were deployed at once and went to work to dislodge the enemy's sharpshooters concealed in yonder house. It was on this field, now known as one of the greatest battlefields in the world — Gettysburg, famous in story and and song — that a quarter of a century ago, the two great armies of this nation, engaged in a war for which history has no parallel, a war which shook this country to its very center, met face to face, and challenged one another to battle. Lee flushed with recent vic- tory and resting on the prestige which continued praise and devotion for military triumph, at home and abroad, had given him, resolved to enter Pennsylvania, and strike the last effectual blow at the Union army. This army under Meade, blood-stained and worn blunt and strong by campaigns which had been both disastrous and glorious, here gathered itself with grim resolution, though wearied by hardship, march and engagement, to await the onslaught. And these two mighty armies closed in a contest, the re- sult of which was to prove that the North was not ready to surrender the bulwarks which our fathers had built around our liberties. And here, on this very spot, and all around here, within the sound of my voice, stood the gallant Sixty-first, to the end, enfeebled by forced marches, but not diccouraged; broken by severe losses, but not dismayed, covered with dust and smoke and blood, but still sturdy and brave and true. We had known no defeat on tlie plains of Virginia, our banner was the banner of S BIES 3 CO. NEW YORK Pennsijlvania at Gettyshurg. Ml victory, and it was Iiere imi'uiled to the breeze when cannonading shook the earth and strong men went down to death. Where danger was, the veteran Sixty-first went and our tattered and stained colors never trailed in the dust. And here, where our brave comrades fought and fell, where they surrendered to death, but not to rebellion, w-here they laid their lives on their country's altar, here where they strove that "Liberty and the Union" might live, here, where to-day sleep under the blue vault of Heaven, the loyal sons of scores of battles, we, the surviving members of the Sixty-first liegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, dedicate this monument to their memories. It is right that we should raise this shaft and inscribe upon it in enduring characters the praise which history offers to brave warriors, for by doing this w^e honor the memories of the men who as volunteers, left fireside, home and position, to give their services to the preservation and prosperity of the Union. And they were daring men, who had the courage to meet armed treason on many a field and challenge it to mortal combat. The dead of our gallant Sixty -first sleep to-day on every field where the Army of the Potomac and the Sixth Corps fought. It won official recognition and high praise from every officer who commanded them in battle, and no other w'here than here at Gettysburg, did the men of our regiment exhibit more endurance and courage, or seal with braver blood their fidelity to the cause for which they fought. When Lee, bent upon the total annihilation of the Ai-my of the Potomac, suddenly transferred the seat of war across Mason and Dixon's line to the north, and pene- trated the peaceful valleys of southern Pennsylvania, when he turned back the page of history, and read on it the record of successes and defeats of two eventful years of bloody strife, when he saw- that the advantages of war were only gained by exercising superior strategy, by summoning courage and by constant and incessant attrition of opposing forces, when he beheld the flower of the Confederacy massed in his presence, still strong in the confidence of its owm ability to wrest victory from defeat, and when with the mathematical precision which characterizes the evolu- tions of a trained soldier, he weighed the responsibilities with which the South had entrusted him and how these responsibilities would fare did he w-restle with the Army of the Potomac, on the hills of Gettysburg, and when he finally determined to hurl himself like a thunderbolt at an army waiting on its native soil, the entire world stood aghast, and watched these two might contending forces, concentrating themselves for the final contest. And when after three days of smoke, din, carnage, blood and death, the terrors of war had written themselves in the clouds, and the sun, long concealed behind the black curtain of gloom, burst forth through the mist of the battle, and the roar of the last sullen wave of strife had died beyond the hill tops, Lee, the proud champion of the Confederacy, his army helpless and bleeding, hastened away from a field of irretrievable disaster, looked back to behold the scene, had nothing but dismay and ruin to his hope and cause and country, saw high up in the heavens of mid- summer, wreathed upon a scroll of immaculate white, "Victory for the Union," and yet higher upon the very last and highest scroll of fleecy whiteness "Liberty and Freedom Forever." 368 Pennsylvania at Qettysbury. ADDRESS OF SERGEANT A. T. BREWER. We meet to-day ia a treble capacity. As citizens of our great republic; now imperial in power as well as extent. As representatives of the his- toric Commonwealth of Fennsylvania, so abounding in the unsearchable riches of patriotism, and as survivors of a conflict to maintain the one and shield the other. The American nation, twenty-five years ago, spontaneously and officially, recognized this place as one destined to an honored immortality. Hither came the illustrious Chief Magistrate, and, inspired by the association, uttered exalted sentiments, with a splendor of language unequaled in oratory. These blood-stained hills and valleys, battle-scarred rocks and trees, were sacredly dedicated to the patriotic valor displayed by the dead and the living. Here nature, rugged, grand, diversified, as it is, has yet been enriched by what art could do in marble, bronze, granite and land- scape decoration, and the sixty-five million people of our restored Union have charged themselves with the perpetual and reverent care of this consecrated ground. And outside of our own country, the world over, for all time, the fame of Gettysburg will live. The human sympathy in great struggles for liberty, which has preserved Marathon twenty-three centuries, will secure this field to the remotest age. But as representatives of the sovereign state on whose soil the conflict occurred, we have an interest more personal than historic. All other states concede to Pennsylvania a peculiar relation to Gettysburg. It was her ter- ritory which was moistened by so much precious blood. It was the only battle fought on free soil during the war, and the only great battle ever fought within the bounds of the Keystone state. It was the only meeting of hostile armies within her limits since Washington, in 1777, led his heroic band against the English at Germautown. On the part of Penn- sylvania, it was a conflict to protect, from immediate capture, her proud capital, sitting like a queen on the rippling Sus(iuehanna, and her renowned metropolis, where Independence was first proclaimed. It was natural that Pennsylvania, with peerless colonial history, and acknowledged pre- eminence in the Revolution, should resist with deathless valor, any foe that dared cross her border. And it was a piece of good fortune for Penn- sylvania, attributable to a favoring Providence, that the National Army at Gettysburg was composed so largely of her troops, affording them the privilege of defending their own State. Her regiments of infantry, cavalry and artillery were here to the number of nearly one hundred, and they were on all parts of the field, from the magnificent resistance of Buford's cavalry and the First Corps, July 1, to the repulse of Pickett, July 3. That they did their whole duty is abundantly attested by the long roll of dead and wounded, and the effective work accomplished. The most dis- tinguished otEcer killed, the much loved and lamented Major-General John F. Reynolds, was from Pennsylvania. Right grandly did he defend his native state in the early and discouraging part of the battle. Then came the incomparable Hancock and the Commander-in-Chief General Meade, both from the same state. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 369 The people of Penusylvauia, therefore, have reasons for tlieir determiua- tion to exhibit to the world the high esteem in which they hold the ser- vices of their own forces on tliis memorable field. While fully approving all the nation has done, the state adds yet other honors to perpetuate the deeds of her own sons. The monument to-day dedicated, is the gift of the State, under a law passed no longer ago than June 15, 1887, twenty-four years after the battle. How significant was the passage of this law by the men then composing the legislature. Some were born after the battle. Many otiiers were school boys when the thundering cannonade at Gettys- burg was heard over half the State. The pure stream of patriotism flowing out from here has spread its benign influence all over the State and opened the heart and the purse of a new generation. Yet we sustain another and still more intimate relation to this battle- field. To us this atmosphere is perfumed with recollections of July 2 and 3, 1863, but how changed the scene. The same sun, indeed, shines in the heavens, some of the same trees spread their green foliage over us, the same brook rolls its gentle flood at our feet, the same rocks, hills, valleys, ravines, greet our vision; the same Baltimore pike stretches its white length before us, and the same Taneytown and Emmitsburg roads wind through the same fertile farms and cragged glens. Still, the scene is different. Instead of the deafening roar and din of a mighty conflict, all is peace and good will. But our minds and hearts are stirred no less than they were twenty-five years ago. Indescribable emotions agitate and thrill us as we look abroad over this field to-day, and especially as we behold the spot where we now are. There is, however, one feeling which can be expressed. We are thankful to realize that no sacrifice was made in vain. Not alone did the cause triumph for which we contended, but the Nation, taking new life, has had unparalleled growth and prosperity. From something over thirty million, it has increased to sixty-five million of happy, free people, devoted to the Union and leaching their children to love liberty and revere the memory of those who saved the Nation in the great civil war. Returning in 1865 to peaceful pursuits with our fellow-countrymen, most of us still young, we have waged the battle of life for five-sixths of a generation, and yet our average age now is not over fifty years. At the same time we are as old as the majority of those who served as volunteers in the late war. How young then, must have been the lives here laid on the altar of liberty and national unity a quarter of a century ago? While the loss was great, can any one say the gain was not commensurate? Uare any one say the sacrifice was too great, beholding at the same time the splendid republic, washed by two oceans, bound together by iron rails, with teeming millions of contented people, knowing but one flag, and that the stars and stripes? It is true, the noble young men who fell here at the average age of twenty-two, gave great promise of distinguished use- fulness in all walks of life; but without the government, they and their comi-ades fought to save, what would life be worth? No one would want to live amidst the dissevered fragments of the Union, and no one could then look even upon a picture of the old flag without pangs of remorse and Ditter humiliation. 370 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. We are uot here, therefore, to bewail the fallen as those who fell in vain, uor to bemoan the sacrifices of those who yet live, but rather to honor the services of both on this and other fields of the war. As the organization, whose monument is to-day dedicated, belonged to the Army of the Potomac, and shared its experience for four years, we will contemplate for a while that celebrated army. Considering its history from first to last, no army of \\Iiich we have any record, can be compared to it. It exhibited a peculiarity never before witnessed in a vast army, and that was the indestructible personality and spirit of the soldiers. As a whole, in its formative period at least, it was a political foot-ball and victim of party intrigue, adversely criticised by the press, sneered at by the other armies, and covertly censured by government officials. Yet the soldiers, with unsurpassed intelligence, keeping constantly in mind the object for which they enlisted, bore themselves like senators, preserving a dignity and self-respect which no disaster could affect. No army of men in the world's history ever suffered so many defeats and dis- appointments without losing its martial spirit and becoming worthless as an organization. In ancient times one defeat in a general battle prac- tically ended an army, leaving the survivors utterly discouraged. The famous Roman armies sent against Hannibal were each ruined in a single battle, though only a small proportion were killed. Each of the three Austrian armies sent against Napoleon in Italy, were destroyed in a single battle, yet uot over ten per cent, were killed or wounded. So it has ever been with armies in all countries. The military prestige is all gone after one or two defeats. This being true, what will the historian of the future say of the Army of the Potomac? Look at its battles — Bull Run, Ball's Bluff, march against the wooden guns at Manassas Junction in the spring of 1862; Yorktown, a month in the mud; Williamsburg, an cfbviously un- necessary sacrifice; Fair Oaks, a great battle, only to be followed by a month in the Chiekahominy swamps, and the seven days retreat engage- ments ending with Malvern Hill. Second Bull Run, Chantilly; Antietam, a bloody, but indecisive victory, with nothing to encourage soldiers; Fred- ericksburg, a sacrifice of fourteen thousand men in a movement known to be foolish by half the private soldiers in the army; Chancellorsville and second Fredericksburg, costing over sixteen thousand more, Avith no ad- vantage. Up to July 1, 1863, the Army of the Potomac, in its thirteen principal en- gagements, had lost 92,494 men in battle, of whom 10,524 were killed, being over seventeen per cent, of all men killed in the entire war. This is not counting those who fell in minor affaii-s and skirmishes, uor those who died of disease, and leaves out entirely the losses sustained in the ill-starred cam- paign of General Pope, and the fruitless Shenandoah movements. Behold then an army that had fought thirteen pitched battles, losing in the aggre- gate as many effective men in actual contest as it ever had at any one time, marched and countermarched through three states, always facing the enemy, never achieving any substantial success; and yet its ardor was unimpaired. This army was now called to meet the best and largest force ever mustered by the Confederacy, not in the enemy's country, but far in the interior of Pennsylvania. But this is not all. The rebels were flushed with a recent Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 371 victory, and two years' experience had convinced tlial army it was uncon- querable. Nor can we stop here. The concentrated ambition and hate of a century was in the rebel army. It was determined to go to HaiTisburg, Baltimore, cut off Washington and dictate terms of peace from the steps of Independence Hall at Philadelphia. It had Ixnuidless confidence in its leaders and iu the efficiency of its organizatinn. On the contrary, the Army of the Potomac scarcely knew who its com- mander was, for no order had been read to the troops relieving Hooker, or appointing Meade. McDowell, McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, had all failed and no one expected anything great from Meade. If the troops had been consulted they would have appointed Hancock, the very man whom Meade himself considered the great general of the army, and selected to direct the battle. According to all teaching of military history, the Army of the Po- tomac was doomed to certain defeat at Gettysburg. The chances appeared to be a hundred to one against it. If anything was needed to make its de- feat beyond a peradventure, it was furnished by the government in the change of commanders, three days before the battle, when the armies were actively feeling for each other. The removal half severed the hair suspend- ing the sword of Damocles. But history will have to reconstruct its theories. It will be compelled to record that the Army of the Potomac presented feat- ures hitherto unheard of in martial organizations. The historian will find the explanation iu the character of the private soldiers and subordinate offi- cers of the line. These men had not taken up arms for nothing, nor liad they been following a great, dazzling leader, as willing instruments in his hands. They had the conviction which moves the patriot as well as the dauntless courage of the tried soldier. The desperate foi'ces of treason surged and dashed against them in vain. They stood their ground, and the proud foe retreated never again to set foot on free soil. It is not possible to give a history of the battle, but justice to the Army of the Potomac requires a few statements. On the first day our forces were greatly out-numbered by the enemy. Then Reynolds, the commander, was killed in the forenoon and by the time Doubleday, who succeeded him, got his forces well in hand, and was doing good work as mortal man ever did under like difficulties, he, in turn, Avas succeeded by Howard, in virtue of seniority. Howard, with inadequate knowledge of the situation, made some movements, but he was soon relieved by Hancock, who came on the field, representing General Meade. In the face of so many changes, the marvel is that the army was not completely crushed. On the second day the enemy had the advantage in numbers and the en- thusiasm arising from victory, as thousands of Union prisoners had been cap- tured and marched to the rear through the Confederate lines. By a mistake, the Third Corps, under Sickles, was placed in an advanced and untenable position at the famous Peach Orchard, which the enemy at- tacked, carried, and was only prevented from driving the left of the army off the field by the timely arrival of the Sixth Corps. During the third day the battle raged, at different points, all day except a short time prior to the great charge, say from 12 m. to 1 p. m. Then ensued the most stupendous cau- nonnade ever heard in the new world; a roar which shook the earth, and was heard nearly two hundred miles to the west and northAvest. .\fter the caji- ,372 Pennsylvania at Geityshurg. uonude, -sNiien the enemy supposed the Union lines were shattered, came the fierce assault on our left center, by about 20,000 of tlie best troops in the Con- federate army. Tlie charge, though conducted with uncommon bravery, was met by the dauntless blue lines and repulsed with such terrible loss to the enemy that he gave up and abandoned the field. This great cliarge, its repulse and the lighting which then occurred, showed the very acme of human courage on both sides. luterpidity could do no more. The division of Pickett, leading the assault, was practically annihilated. In the entire battle the Army of the Potomac exhibited a steadiness in movements, a firmness in maintaining positions, and a gallantry in actual contact with the enemy, never surpassed by an army, and this is the tes- timony of all American as well as foreign writers on the subject. If that army had fought no other battle, its fame would have been secure. But after Gettysburg it fought thirty-eight battles, losing on the field no less than 280,G5G, of whom 22,691 were killed. According to official statistical record, the Army of the Potomac fi-om first to last, in its fifty-one battles, lost 32,268 killed, 256,830 wounded and 69,597 prisoners, a grand total of 367,295. By disease it lost, on the usual estimate, at least 62,000 more, who actually died in the service, making the total num- ber of deaths 94,000, and aggregate loss, so far as shown by accessible records, of 429,295. But to this number should be added those who were dis- charged for disability, arising from disease contracted in the service. Of such there must have been enough to swell the total loss to half a million, not counting losses in small affairs aud skirmishes. One other fact should be mentioned, not as a complaint, but as an incident, relating to the Army of the Potomac. During the war. Congress, beginning with December 24, 1861, and ending with March 3, 1865, passed fifteen joint resolutions, expressing thanks of the nation to various officers and armies, and providing special honors for them. Yet the Army of the Potomac was never mentioned except once, January 28, 1864, when the three names, selected for honor, were not the men entitled thereto, in the estimation of that army, and therefore, the resolution did more harm than good. Here then was an example of pure patriotism. An army, battling with the flower of the Confederacy, defending the national capital, suffering un- precedented losses, which are unavailing tlirough various causes, ignored by Congress, whose sessions were held within the sound of its cannon, and whose laws derived all their effect from its power, still maintaining the con- flict until the last enemy of the republic was killed or captured. The fame of the Army of the Potomac must constantly increase as its ser- vices are better understood, as Avas said of illustrious heroes of old: "Far reaching, bright shining, through ether, to heaven, ascending." The Army of the Potomac, like other Union and Confederate armies, was divided into corps. But so many changes occurred, from time to time, in the troops that only a few corps, as such, acquired special honor on account of fighting qualities. One of the few, having a special and distinct fame, was the "old Sixth," as it was affectionately called. It was organized under an order of President Lincoln, dated July 22, 1862, and remained with few Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 373 changes until June 28, 1865. Included in thnt corps, from first to last, was the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, and wliat is said of the corps will apply also to the regiment. The Sixth Corps, besides taking a most conspicuous part in every movement of the Army of the Potomac, had some striking and dra- matic experiences of its own. It was the famous Vermont brigade of the Sixth Corps that was sent to New York to quell the riots in 1808, and it was the commander of that fighting brigade who. when complaint was made by the New York authorities that his men fired bullets instead of blank cart- ridges at riot prisoners, on attempting to escape, replied, "My men never learned how to fire blank cartridges." On September 16, 1863, at Culpeper Court House, the Sixty-first Pennsylvania turned out and presented arms to the Vermonters on their return from New York. This shows the generous spirit always a feature of the Sixth Corps. It was the Sixth Corps alone that fought and won the second battle of Fredericksburg, while the re- mainder of the army was at Chancellorsville; that fought the battle of Salem church, losing in both battles over twenty per cent, of its entire force. It was the Second Division, Sixth Corps, that fought the brilliant and bloody battle at Fort Stevens, July 12, 1864, under the eye of President Lin- coln and his cabinet, in the very suburbs of Washington. In this battle the Sixty-first Pennsylvania was one of the six regiments making the successful charge on Early's position, and its commander. Colonel Crosby, lost an arm. In fact every regiment in that charge lost its commander. The Sixth Corps then went to the Shenandoah Valley and won fadeless renown with Sheri- dan. At the battle of Cedar Creek, while Sheridan was making his immor- tal ride from Winchester, the Sixth Corps kept up the fight, swinging around like a gate on its hinges to meet the enemy, after the left flank of the army had been turned. It was on the unconquerable lines of the Sixth Corps, then reduced to a mere handful of men, that Sheridan rallied his shattered army, and it was a charge from the Sixth Corps and Custer's Cavalry that started the enemy on the run and inaugurated the movements ending in the crushing defeat of the rebel army. General Sheridan, after the surrender of the French army, at Metz, being on the ground, paid a high compliment to the Sixth Corps by remarking to Prince Frederick Charles, the German com- mander, that he (Sheridan) could have cut his way out of Metz with one divi- sion of the Sixth Corps. The French had 172,000 men. It was reserved for the Sixth Corps, under the immediate direction of General Grant, to make rhe final assault at Petersburg and break the rebel lines on April 2, 1S05, starting Lee's army for Appomattox. It was also the Second Division and Third Brigade which led tliat charge, and the Sixty-fir&t Pennsylvania was in the center and hottest part of the battle, losing its colonel. The Sixth Corps did most of the fighting at Sailor's Creek, the last hard battle of the war. After the surrender of Lee the Sixth Corps was immediately started to join Sherman and aid in finishing Johnston's army, but only reached Danville before Johnston capitulated. The Sixth Corps was not present at the grand review in May, 1865, at Washington, but had a separate review by the President afterwards, and ended its existence June 28, 1865. Stevens, the historian of the Sixth Corps, says "It was the grandest corps that ever faced a foe." The regiment, whose services we are to-day commemorating, fitly repre- 374 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. seuts the State of Penusylvauia, the Sixth Corps? and the Aruiy of the Po- tomac. More than anj- other regiment it presents the true type and average character of tlie Keystone soldiers, who volunteered for tliree years in ISGl. This is true because it was raised in different parts of the State, and included all classes in its ranks. Company A was recruited in the northern part of Indiana county, on the skirts of tlie Alleghenies, fi-oui hardy farmers and bold lumbermen of that locality. Five companies, B, C, E, F and K, were raised in and about Pittsburg, from the enterprising manufacturers, mer- chants, mechanics, iron workers, coal operators, boatmen and other brave men of the Union-loving region. Company D was raised in Luzerne county, the neighborhood of hard coal, where the beautiful valley of Wyoming recalls sad and bloody massacres by English and Indians a century ago. The com- pany was composed of intelligent, stout men of all trades and callings. The other three companies, d, II and I, were raised in Philadelphia; the patriotic city of brotherly love, of womanly sympathy, of chivalrous generosity, whose motto of "hot coffee free for volunteers" was known and read of all men. The pride of evei-y Pennsylvaniau, the inspiration of all friends of liberty, equality and Union, the home of unpretentious refinement and culture, the abode and patron of art, the seat of unostentatious wealth and diversified industry, the paradise for every wounded soldier. These three companies were in all things worthy of the city they represented. They furnished the regiment three colonels and two lieutenant-colonels in less than three years' time. The regiment, as a whole, combined every element of military strength. It could build bridges, lay out and make roads, plan and construct forts as well as make long marches and fight battles by day and night. The Sixty-first was fortunate in having for its first colonel a veteran of the Mexican war, who had also been in the three months' service. A patriot, an orator, a model soldier was Oliver H. Rippey, from Pittsburg, whose com- mission was issued tweuty-seveu years ago to-day. His command, the Sixty- first, was soon organized and in September, 1861, moved into Virginia near Alexandria, joining the Army of the Potomac, whose fortunes it shared, without interruption, to the end of the war. If it is true that the Army of the Potomac deserves the place in history which has been indicated, and that the Sixth Corps in the amount and variety of its services, ranks so high in that army, then, indeed, is the record of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, a proud one to contemplate. Only one regiment in the Sixth Corps had more men killed in action during the war than the Sixty- first, and only seven regiments in the five hundred or more in the Army of the Potomac, had more men killed in any one action. But the Sixty-first has a broader reputation than the army or the corps with which it served. Lieu- tenant-Colonel Wm. F. Fox has been examining the record of all Union regi- ments and gives the result in an interesting article in the May Century, 1888. His tables show that the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, in the number of officers killed in action, stands first in the entire Federal army, also that it stands eleventh in the number killed in any one action in the Union army, and fif- teenth in the total number killed during the war. It is worthy of remark that the fourteen other regiments having greater total losses than the Sixty-first, every one, belonged to the Army of the Po- tomac. It is also worthy of note that forty out of the forty-five regiments Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 375 sustainiug the heaviest losses iu killed duriuj,' the war, belonged to the Army of the Potomac. It is worthy of still further mention that out of the forty- five honored regiments, eleven belonged to Pennsylvania. The aggregate loss in the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers is frightful for any one regiment. It had nineteen oflScers and two hundred and thirty- five men killed in battle, twenty-seven officers and six hundred and ten men wounded. One officer and one hundred and seven men died of disease, mak- ing total killed, wounded and died of disease nine hundred and ninety-nine. In the whole Federal army, on an average, two died of disease for every one killed, but in the Sixty-first nearly an average of three were killed to one dying of disease. It is not possible to give a history of the Sixty-first in less than a volume, nor is it necessary in order to appreciate the character of the regiment. By experienced military men, three tests are applied to troops. Firmness in re- maining where they are placed, gallantry in assault and steadiness when surprised. Let these tests be applied to the Sixty-first, in three actions, each furnishing a fair trial of its firmness, gallantry and steadiness. At Fair Oaks, May 31, .1862, a large Confederate army attacked the Fourth Corps of the Army of the Potomac with a view of capturing or de- stroying it before General McClellan could move reinforcements across the swollen Chickahominy. The Sixty-first, after standing in line for hours, was led forward into the woods, by General Couch in person, to meet the enemy, advancing in strong force. Directly the rebels were met marching by the flank. When the columns had approached near each other the rebels went "right by file into line," and the Sixty-first filed right and moved its entire length parallel to the Confederate line, and faced to the front, the lines being about two hundred feet apart. Then at the word of command from the colonel the regiment opened a point blank fire. At the same instant the enemy opened and a deadly struggle began. The Sixty-first had no support on its right, and the Union troops on the left were soon di-iven back, leaving one regiment to contend against a line of battle out-flanking it on either side. But the Sixty-first did not stop to calculate. It poured in a continuous fire. The rebel line was reinforced time and again and finally worked around on the right and left, opening an enfilading fire, and yet the Sixty-first main- tained its gi-ound. The brave Colonel Rippey was killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Spear and Major Smith were wounded. Still the men kept up the fight until an order was passed along the lines to fall back. When the order was given, and not till then, the uninjured men started back. They found the rebels on their right and left closing rapidly the small gap left for escape. Disregarding all demands for surrender they rushed past and through the rebel lines reach- ing the second Union position in small groups. On moving back the Sixty-first left on its line ninety-one killed, including its colonel, and over two hundred wounded, including Lieutenant-Colonel Spear and Major Smith, both being captured. During this engagement the men of the Sixty-first fired thirty-seven rounds apiece. Toward the close hot muskets burned the soldiers' hands into blisters. After retiring, rem- nants of the Sixty-first without field officers, part under command of Captain Jacob Creps of Company A, and part at another point under Captain after- 376 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. wards Colonel Robert L. Orr, joined the second line and aided in tlie final repulse of the Confederate army. No prisoners were taken from the Sixty- first except the wounded who were unable to leave the field, Passing over a whole year of hard fighting and marching, another engage- ment will be noticed, illustrating gallantry. On Sunday morning, May 3, 1863, as beautiful a morning as ever smiled on humanity, the Sixty-first headed a charge on Marye's Heights, at Fredericksburg, across the canal bridge marching by the flank in column of fours. It was exactly like Na- poleon's famous charge across Lodi bridge. The Confederate forts were on the heights in full view a quarter of a mile away, with lines of rifle pits in front. As soon as the regiment started over tlie bridge double quick, the rebels ran cannon out into the road and fired directly into the head of the column, the grape sweeping through the ranks for the whole length of the Sixty-first, and even into the troops behind it. At the same time artillery opened from the forts, raining grape and canister like hail upon the adv.inc- ing force, and the rifle pits in front and on both flanks were a sheet of flame. Just as the line, left in front, reached the Confederate side of the bridge Colonel Spear, while gallantly leading the column was killed. Others, familiar with the movements then to be made, were also killed or disabled, and no one remained to give any command how to deploy the line or what to do. It being impossible to move further by the flank, some of the men went to the right, others to the left, and in a few seconds the supporting regiments came forward and the works were carried. In the assault all the confidence of the commanding general shown in selecting the Sixty-first to lead the column was justified, and no charge during the war was better suited to test the gallantry of a regiment. After the terrible experiences of the Wilderness and night marches follow- ing, on another Sunday, May 8, 1864, the Sixty-first stood in line of battle near the far-famed "bloody angle," at Spotsylvania Court House. About sundown the regiment was ordered forward through the woods, but cau- tioned to be careful, as four lines of Union troops were ahead. Proceeding slowly so as to keep the alignment, the Sixty-first descended into a gloomy and thickly wooded ravine, crossed a small brook and began moving up on the other side. Twilight was rapidly deepening into darkness when suddenly a rebel line of battle appeared, close in front, as if dropped from the clouds. A Confederate officer seized the flag of the Sixty-first and demanded instant surrender; the color sergeant held on while the bold rebel was caught by offi- cers of the Sixty-first and made a prisoner. Sergeant Brady of Company A was shot dead by a rebel, who in turn was shot and bayoneted by Jno. B. Allison of Company A. A battle was then commenced so quiclky that offi- cers had no time to give commands. Every man in the regiment, as if pro- pelled by machinery, went straight for the rebels in front of him. Officers used their swords and revolvers, while the men, after firing one shot, took their bayonets or used their guns as clubs, dispersing the enemy as police scatter a mob. When the fight ended it was pitcli dark, and no Union troops to be found on the right or left. The Sixty-first put out its pickets and lay on its arms until daylight. About midnight Colonel Smith sent Adjutant Wilson to find brigade headquarters. The Adjutant proceeded a short dis- tance to the rear and then toward the right. While groping his way through Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 377 the dark -woods a seutiuel cliallenged him, and almost immediately fired in- stantly killing the Adjntant. Other thrilling incidents occurred, but the Sixty-first came out the next morning with little loss and with undiminished intrepidity. That day, May 9, 1864, the regiment with the armj and the Nation was called upon to mourn the loss of a great and beloved soldier, Major-General John Sedgwick, commander of the Sixth Corps, who was killed on the front line of his corps. These three severe tests demonstrate that the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Vol- unteers had all the high qualities which distinguished the most famous sol- diers of the world, the firmness of Alexander's phalanx, the steadiness of Caesar's legion and the gallantry of Napoleon's battalion. It only remains to describe the part takfen in this battle by the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers. The official reports are meagre. Many maps and diagrams show the whole Sixth Corps massed in rear of Little Round Top marked "reserve, '^' a position the corps never occupied for a moment. In order to a full appreciation of the services of the Sixty-first here, it is es- sential to go back twenty-four hours. On the evening of July 1, the Sixth Corps was at Manchester, Maryland, thirty-eight miles away, to the south- east, on the extreme right of the army. After dark the corps was put in mo- tion for Gettysburg. But over fifteen miles of trains headed toward Balti- more blocked the way, and had to be turned in the opposite direction. All night long the men were on their feet marching a little at a time and then waiting while the obstructions were being removed. By daylight, July 2, not over half a dozen miles had been made, yet with a gun, forty rounds of cartridge and other necessary equipage to carry or hold, the experience had been enough to weary the toughest veterans. The sun was well up over the trees before the road was cleared. After stopping ten minutes for breakfast began the great march, which has so justly distinguished the Sixth Corps. The battle was raging thirty-four miles away. The enemy was concen- trated and the absorbing question was whether the Sixth Corps could ar- rive in time to be of service. Could the soldiers, or even the horses, after moving all night, march thirty-four miles more along a dusty road, under a a scorching July sun, carrying everything that must accompany an army to make it effective, and if the march could possibly be made would the corps be in a condition to render any aid after reaching the field. These were questions agitating the commander of the army, and the brave and sturdy leader of the Sixth Corps. Most of the march was to be along the old Baltimore pike, paved with broken white limestone, which long use had ground into powder. The road rain in a straight direction, up hill and down, through a beautiful and fertile country; "sweet fields arrayed in living green" were beheld on every hand. The sun, warm at the beginning, grew hotter and more piercing every hour and his rays gathered fresh force as they were reflected from the hard road. Toward noon the radiating heat could be observed in waves, like colorless clouds, floating frbm the earth and mingling with the fine dust created by the moving column. The Sixth Corps then consisted of thirty-six regiments of infantry, eight batteries of artillery, and two companies of cavalry, numbering in all about 378 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 18,000 meu. Wlieu stretched along a single road, exclusive of trains, except those carrying ammunition, the corps was over ten miles long, and was in it- self a larger army than was ever marshaled on American soil prior to 1861. This corps was then the largest of the seven in the Army of the Potomac, and was equipped to fight a great battle alone, as it had done two months before at Fredericksburg and Salem Church, while the balance of the army was at Chaucellorsville. During July 2, while this famous march was in progress, the men knew nothing of any battle having been fought on the day before, but each believed something of vast moment was at hand in which the Sixth Corps would probably take an independent part. Yet but little was said as the blue line moved forward, bearing the Greek cross along with the stars and stripes. No halt, no dinner, no command, no indication of any enemy, no roar of battle, as the wind carried the sound in other directions. From seven o'clock in the morning, until three o'clock in the afternoon, the march was one steady swing and tramp, with no stimulation or event of any kind to awaken special enthusiasm. But at that time, miles ahead on the side of the mountain which had long been in sight, shells were seen bursting high in the air, with red angry flashes. Soon smoke was observed curling along above the trees and floating away to the north, and yet up to this time not a cannon had been heard. Now the rapid step was yet quickened, the gun was not so heavy, the cartridge box pulled down less than before, the end was at hand. On and on moved the column. Directly the familiar roar of battle began to be heard indistinctly, then louder and more continuous. Ambulances came in long white procession, and wounded meu streaming back with other unmistakable indications ol a bloody conflict. Still the Sixth Corps pressed on, stopping for nothing until the rear of Little Round Top was reached. Here was a halt, the first in ten hours. At this moment the roar of musketry was awful beyond description, and the whole valley trembled with the thunder of artillery. Little Round Top was blazing, smoking, quaking like an active volcano. The arrival of the Sixth Corps so soon was a surprise to both friend and foe. An incident is related by Charles Carlton Coffin, presenting a striking scene at General Meade's headquarters as the Sixth Corps came in sight. The movement of the column was so fast that it was believed to be cavalry. The author says: "I was at Meade's headquarters; the roar of battle was louder and grew nearer; Hill was threatening the center; a cloud of dust could be seen down the Baltimore Pike. Had Stuart suddenly gained our rear? There were anxious countenances around the cottage where the flag of the commandei*- in-chief was flying. Officers gazed with their field glasses. 'It is not cav- alry, but infantry,' said one, 'there is the flag, it is the Sixth Corps.' We could see the advancing bayonets gleaming in the sunlight. Faces which a moment before were grave became cheerful. It was an inspiring sight. The corps crossed Rock Creek, filed into the field, threw themselves upon the ground, tossed aside their knapsacks, and wiped the sweat from their sun- burnt cheeks." The author, after describing some other stirring movejnents then in pro- gress, continues: "At the same time an oflicer rode down to the Sixth Corps. I saw the tired and weary men rise from the ground and fall into line. They moved off upon the run towards Weed's Hill (Little Round Top), which Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 370 was all aflame. The dark lines of the Sixth Corps became lost to sight as they moved iuto the woods crowiiiiis' the hill. There were quicker volleys, a lighting up of the sky by sudden flashes, followed by a cheer. Longstreet gave up the struggle and fell back." Stevens, the Sixth Corps historian, describes the same movement, as fol- lows: "Ou receiving orders assigning our position, and the iuformatiou that our presence was actually needed, the three divisions were moved simulta- neously at double quick, in parallel lines, and arrived ou the line of battle at the critical moment, just as the rebels, flushed with victory, were pene- trating our lines to the right of Round Top. Owing to the direction in which we approached, little more was necessary than to halt the lines and face to the right to bring three lines of battle facing the enemy's advance, and to close the gap made by the rebel onslaught." "The volley from our front line," says General Wright, "was perhaps the heaviest I have ever heard, and it had the effect not only of checking the triumphant advance, but of throwing his ranks iuto the utmost confusion." The movements of the Sixth Corps on July 2, 18G3, are such as to chal- lenge the admiration of mankind. Its majestic tread on the battle-field, at the supreme moment, after such a memorable march, will resound through the ages. It was the realization, the embodiment of the sublimest figure of inspired poetry, "tex-rible as an army with banners," became in fact "a terrible army with banners," the Greek cross floating over it, and the Greek fire like that which could not be extinguished at Salamis, burning within it. The Sixth Corps, after aiding in the repulse at Little Round Top, was sep- arated and used to patch up weak places in the lines, and was moved from place to place, in brigades, regiments and even battalions, during the re- mainder of the fight. For a long time, during July 3, one brigade of the Sixth Corps, the Vermonters, held the extreme left of the army at Round Top, and another, the Third, the extreme right at Wolf's Hill. In the Third brigade, Second division. Sixth Corps, was the Sixty-first Pennsylvania, whose movements will now be described. The regiment was then under command of IVIajor George W. Dawson. It occupied four differ- ent places in the lines. First, in the evening of July 2, to the right of Round Top, with the corps in its first movement against and repulse of Longstreet; second, later the same evening, after stopping awhile in Hancock's line ou Cemetery Ridge, took position in the woods to the right of Gulp's Hill; third, at Wolf's Hill, on the extreme right of the army connecting witli the cav- alry. Here four companies, under Captain Creps, were on the picket line all day on the 3d, continually engaged with the enemy, the balance of the regiment being in the front line on the northerly slope of Wolf's Hill; fourth, about noon, and during the lull which preceded the great cannonade, that part of the regiment not on the picket line moved to Cemetery Ridge and took position in front of Meade's headquarters, where it remained until about six o'clock. Then after the repulse of Pickett, and termination of the battle, the Sixty-first marched back again to Wolf's Hill and remained there until the morning of July 5. By this description it will be seen that the Sixty-first marched four to six miles after reaching the battle-field on July 2, which, added to its long 380 Fennsujlvania at Getti/sbury. marcli, made nearly furty miles for the day. Besides, a part of the regiment remained on duty all night and began lighting at break of day, July 3. It is not possible or necessary to give further details, though the speaker cannot close without referring to the scene on Cemetery Ridge during the artillery firing and the assault Avhich followed. For a few minutes after the Sixty-first formed its line all was silent. Then a rebel signal gun was fired to the north on Seminary Hill. Instantly the whole line of rebel guns, one hundred and thirty-eight in number, joined in the cannonade. All the guns northeast, north and northwest concentrated their fire on Cemetery Ridge. Every size and form of missile known to gunnery crashed, shrieked, whirled, moaned and whistled along the ridge, splintering trees, bounding from rocks, smashing wagons, disabling guns, tearing through the house at Meade's headquarters and plowing up the ground in all directions. It is said they came six in a second. The roar at first was deafening, but became awful when over a hundred Union guns replied firing from all the hills on the line. The earth shook and it seemed from the sulphureous smoke and flame and thunder that the last day had arrived. At this moment the re- serve artillery of the Union army, eighty guns, came into position along Cemetery Ridge, making the most sublime and exciting spectacle ever wit- nessed by the speaker. Soon the firing of cannon ceased on the enemy's side, and on came their bold charge accompanied with wild yells extending a mile or more along their serried ranks. The moment was thi-illing. It was the high water mark of Rebellion and made an epoch in human destiny. The Union lines were immovable, the assailants Avere crushed. From that moment the Nation was saved and consecrated aue^v for com- ing ages. Americans the next day adopted the motto: "All honor to the heroic living, All glory to the gallant dead." The monument this day dedicated speaks to the living and for the dead. When the living shall have joined their comrades in the deathless world, the memorial will proclaim to descendants of those who formed the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, the imperishable honor here and elsewhere achiev- ed by that regiment, and when its monument here and other memorials on this most renowned battlefield of the ages, shall have crumbled to atoms, every lover of liberty will yet crown with unfading laurels and burnish with immortal luster the memory of the gallant and dauntless men who won free- dom's battle at Gettysburg. l: / r^ \ INT.JULIUSBIEN a CO. NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Oettysbunj. jiHl DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 62° RKGIMENT INFANTRY Septembek 11, 1889 ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN W. J. PATTERSON COMRADES: — Gettysburg takes distinguished rank as one of the great battles in the history of warfare. The vital interests that hung in the balance, the gallantry of the opposing armies, the number of men en- gaged and the abilities of the leaders, all combined to make this field one of the grandest that was ever baptized with the blood of valor. To under- stand its importance to the Union cause we must remember that the darkest hour of the war w-as upon us. The Union arms had signally failed almost under the shadow of the nation's capitol. The disaster of Fredericksburg had been followed by the defeat of Chancellorsville. The administration was discouraged and the people of the North disheartened. The martial spirit of the young men of the loyal states seemed to be exhausted and the unpopular method of the draft had to be enforced to fill up our ranks. The clouds of adversity cast a gloom of despondency over the north which threatened to eclipse the light of patriotism in our fair land. The South was correspondingly elated. The Army of Northern Virginia was the hope and pride of secession. The supreme opportunity of the struggling cause was at hand. The leaders were filled with renewed confidence; "change the war from a defensive to an aggressive one," they exclaimed. "Make the North feel the crushing effects of its iron heel on her own soil, and the flag of truce would soon take the place of the relentless ensigns of battle, and the olive branch of peace would eventually float over a triumphant confederacy." The leaders fondly hoped, too, if invasion proved successful, foreign inter- vention would step in to their assistance and victory at last crown their ef- forts. The vision was not an unreasonable one and the plans were well laid. General Lee, at the head of the flower of the South, the veterans of the Army of Northern Virginia, was entrusted with this weighty movement. He promptly turned his columns north and crossed the Potomac into Mary- land. His advance divisions penetrated Pennsylvania as far as Wrights- ville, on the Susquehanna river. But the leaders of the South had yet much to learn of northern patriotism and northern bravery. That gallant and spirited old Army of the Potomac was to cover itself with new glory. The eyes of the whole country were upon it. While it had been defeated and baffled and mismanaged, it never lacked patriotism and bravery of the high- est type. It always had its face to the foe. From Yorktown to Appomat- tox it never failed to give blow for blow. No army in the world was better organized, better disciplined, or better officered with skilful leaders. Its morale could not be excelled. Competent authority pronounced it the youngest and most intelligent body of men ever gathered together in the militarv service. The average age of its members at the close of the war 382 Pennsylvania at Gettyshury. was uuder tweiity-tive years. Many who are now serving uii the bench, in the pulpit and in the legislative halls of the state and nation, marched in its ranks as private soldiers. General Lee's movements were closely followed. Three days before the battle General Meade assumed command of the Army of the Potomac. The Union forces pushed forward into Pennsylvania, and early on the morning of July 1, the enemy's skirmishers were encountered at Marsh Creek, near the Chambersburg pike, on which General Hill's corps was moving east. A severe battle was fought, in which the Union troops were overpowered and driven back at all points in considerable disorder. About 4 o'clock General Hancock arrived on the field and directed the movements for the final stand that was made on East Cemetery Hill. On the report of General Hancock, General Meade decided to order up the re- mainder of the army for a general battle at Gettysburg. Orders were sent out hurrying forward all the troops. The Fifth Corps, after a long and wearisome march, reached Hanover about 5 o'clock in the evening. At this point news of the battle reached us, and we were asked to press forward to the assistance of our comrades at the front. Tlie march was continued and after midnight, the Second brigade turned into a grove, about five miles from the battlefield for a short rest. An incident occurred while on this night march that illustrated the strong attachment and abiding confidence the troops still had for their first commander. Word was passed along the line that General McClellan was again in command and awaited the arrival of his old battalions at Gettysburg. This announcement caused unbounded enthusiuasm, and to that extent contributed the victory that followed. With the first flush of day the brigade was again in motion, and reached the bat- tlefield about 7 o'clock. The division was massed in a field not far from Wolf's Hill, on the right of our line. We then moved some distance to the left, crossed Rock Creek to the front, and massed in the orchard just above the stone bridge on the Baltimore pike. There was nothing to indicate the terrible contest soon to shake the earth. Everything was quiet until the middle of the afternoon. But it was the calm before a storm. About four o'clock the battle opened with unabated fury on the left. The lines of the Third Corps, General Sickles commanding, extended from the Cordori house on the right along the Emmitsburg pike to the Peach Orchard, then bending back were continued to the base of Round Top. The engagement com- menced with a determined effort to turn the Union left at Devil's Den. Hood's and McLaws' divisions advanced to the attack, and the action rapidly extended along the line until the entire position of the Third Corps was furiously assailed. Re-enforcements were called for. General Barnes' division of the Fifth Corps was the first to respond, and moved over the field, left in front, in the direction of the woods near where General Zook's monument now stands. When the head of the column came across the Taneytown road. General Warren met it and by permission of General Barnes detached the Third brigade and conducted it to Little Round Top, where it had a terrific struggle with a portion of Hood's division for the mastery. In this conflict the gallant A^incent fell, but his brigade held the ground. The rest of the division proceeded to the "Loop," Colonel Sweit- zer's brigade in advance. The three regiments formed in line of battle, tho Thirty-second Massachusetts on the left in the position indicated by its Pennst/haiiia at Gettyshunj. :iHli tent-shaped luuiiuuieut, the iSixty-secoud iu the center and the Fuurth Michi- gan on the right. (The Xinth Massachusetts was absent on picket duty.) The First brigade formed in tlie woods further to the riglit. Tlie enemy was discovered advancing over tlie low ground on our left to attack the Thirty- second Massachusetts, the other two regiments were wheeleil partially to the left and rear to strengthen that position, thus forming three separate lines facing the same Avay and supporting each other. The firing became rapid and severe, but the brigade maintained its position. Many of our officers and men were struck down. Major Wm. G. Lowry fell, instantly killed. In his death the service lost as brave a soldier and as faithful an otHcer as any that fell that day in defense of this country. The First brigade fell back and no other troops taking their place on the right left our brigade in a critical condition. We were directed to fall back, which was done deliber- ately and in good order, the regiments halting and firing until well into tin; woods. We then moved by the left flank, struck the wheatfield, and passed along its border to the Peach Orchard road where we took position parallel to it, facing this field. The First division of the Second Corps had moved forward and was engaged in these woods on our front. General Zook had just been carried from the field mortally wounded. While we moved along the edge of the woods before reaching the Peach Orchard road, several of our men were struck by sti-ay shots, and when iu line on that road the com- mand was ordered to lie down to avoid the flying bullets. Lieutenant Scott McDowell was killed and several more wounded while the regiment occu- pied that position. After remaining on the clay road about twenty minutes. General Caldwell requested Colonel Sweitzer to take the brigade to his as- sistance in the woods beyond. Befoi'e starting a straggling line came back through our ranks. We then moved forward across the wheatfield in splen- did style. When this point was reached the brigade became hotly engaged with the eneraj- in front, the Sixty-second in the position indicated by this monument and these markers, the Fourth Michigan on the right and the Thirty-second Massachusetts on the left. About the time w'e moved for- ward across this field Graham's division had been driven from the Peach Orchard, and Humphreys' division being threatened in reverse, changed front and moved further to the rear. These operations inade a large open- ing in the line, through which the Confederates hastened to enter with a strong force. We had not been long in this advanced position when shots were noticed striking our lines from the woods to our right and rear. Gen- eral Wofford's brigade of Georgia troops held the Peach Orchard road and the elevation at Zook's monument and was firing into our command. Colo- nel Boyd McKeen, in his report of the First brigade, First division. Second Corps, says: "They were relieved by a brigade (Sweitzer's) of Barnes' divi- sion, Fifth Corps. Passing the relieving brigade by tile they were enfiladed by a galling fire," thus showing that the enemy made his appearance on our flank and rear almost immediately after we moved from the Peach Orchard road. The Fourth Michigan and Sixty-second changed front to the right to meet our enemies in that direction. The brigade was now nearly sur- rounded and in a very perilous position. Attacked in front, right and rear its chances of extricating itself were anything but good. General Barnes exclaimed, "There goes the Second brigade, we may as well bid it good-bye." 26 3S4 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. But it was uot the first time tlie Second brigade liad-beeu in critical posi- tions, and by good judgment and indomitable pluck come out all right. The command was terribly exposed in the open field, while our enemies had the cover of the woods. The men's blood was up and they fought with des- perate resolution. The brigade fell back diagonally across the field, fighting every inch of the way, the command frequently halting and firing as it re- tired. The Fourth Michigan and Sixtj'-secoud became mixed up with the enemy and many hand to hand contiicts ensued. Colonel Jeffords, of the Fourth Michigan, was run through with a bayonet while gallantly defending the colors of his regiment. When we were engaged at the stone fence a large squad of prisoners had been taken and sent to the rear, and when the regiment became entangled with the enemy the opposing forces could not at times fire into each other for the unarmed captives between the lines. When we emerged from the toils of impending capture, broken and cut to pieces. General Crawford led Colonel McCandless' brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves in a sweeping charge, which again cleared the wheatfield. Our brigade took position in support of a battery on the line just to the right of Little Round Top extension, where it remained until the army moved in pur- suit of Lee. The Sixty-second lost heavily during the afternoon of the 2d, particularly in its passage across the wheatfield. The story of its casualties is chiseled on this marble shaft. It marched to the "Loop" with twenty-six ofiicers and four hundred enlisted men in line and emerged from the wheat- field with twelve officers and two hundred and thirty-nine men. Four offi- cers and twenty-four men had been killed, ten officers and ninety-seven men wounded and forty men taken pi-isoners, a loss ratio of fifty-four per cent, of the officers and forty per cent, of the men. Two of the wounded officers died in a few days afterward, and it is safe to say that not less than fifteen men died from the effects of their wounds. The figures given on this monu- ment are taken from the official records of the War Department, and show a percentage of casualties greater than the famous Light brigade suffered in its charge at Balaklava. Lord Cardigan took into action six hundred and seventy-three officers and men, and lost one hundred and thirteen killed and one hundred and thirty-four wounded, total two hundred and forty-seven, or 36 7-10 per cent. Of those who passed through the fight unhurt General Sweitzer had several close calls. His horse was shot under him, and the crown of his hat was laid open by a minie ball. Colonel Hull's tall form was conspicuous in the engagement, moving about with his accustomed cool- ness, directing the manoeuvers of the regiment. He passed the ordeal of the wheatfield unharmed, to meet his fate like a gallant soldier in the Wilder- ness. Lieutenant Seitz ran into the enemy's lines at the Peach Orchard road while trying to communicate with General Barnes. He had his horse shot, and barely escaped capture. But I cannot go into particulars. The officers and men did their whole duty, and the regiment added still another laurel to its wreath of heroic deeds. No point in the extensive lines of Get- tysburg saw fiercer or more continuous fighting than here. This field had been taken and retaken, the lines swaying back and forth repeatedly, during the progress of the contest that afternoon. It has been fitly styled the whirlpool of the battle. When the action opened it was covered with the plumage of waving grain, ready for the harvest, and when twilight gathered Pennsylvania at Getty shury. 385 over its surface the ripeuiug stalks were strampled into tlie earth and dyed with the blood of the blue and the j;ray, and when the light of the moon cast its gentle rays over this gory plain it revealed scores of the pale, up- turned faces of friends and foes, whose only heritage in the glory of the bat- tle was soldiers' graves. Hundreds of papers have been written on this famous battle, yet the one-thousandth part has not and never will be told. We read of the gallant Meade, justly named the hero of Gettysburg; how ably he marshaled his army and guarded every point on the line, until victory perched on our bannei-s. We read of the death of Reynolds; of the wounds of Hancock while leading his trusty veterans against the terrible charge of Pickett's division. We read of Warren, wdio, with the intelligent and prac- ticed eye of a soldier, saw at a glance the importance of Little Round Top. and with the instinct of a chieftain promptly took steps to hold it. We read of scores of other brave and skilful officers who aided in driving the in- vincible veterans of the South, under the so-called ablest general of the age, from our state in hasty retreat, never again to return. While a great deal is due td the brains and valor of the officers, yet the glory of victory should not be ascribed to them alone. The part the rank and file played in the great drama of war is recorded and eulogized. But who among the private soldiers is named? Have the dead been mentioned except in numbers? Have the cripples been referred to except in the aggregate? Yet it was the rank and file that stood the shock of battle and that gave blow for blow. It was the columns of soldiers that charged the enemy or stood like a rock against fierce assaults. Does history do more with the name of the private soldier than bundle it up with a thousand others and call the combination a regiment? The only glory the rank and file have is in the honor and repu- tation of their own organization. The spirit of generous emulation that ran through all organizations in the army was the outgrowth of enlightened valor, and is the distinguishing characteristic of the American soldier. Every man took pride in his own regiment and believed it the best and bravest in the army. No soldier who wore the blue and was singed with the fire of battle would ever change his regiment for any other in the service. The associations and memories and friendship and hard-earned glory could not be transferred. Every organization has its own peculiar history, w^iich it would not exchange for that of any other. This pride of organization calls us together to-day. We meet to honor and be honored by the name and fame of our gallant regiment. Among the many valiant organizations that participated in this battle, none can show a prouder record than the Sixty- second Pennsylvania Volunteers. The career of the regiment throughout its three years' service was continually marked with devotion to honor and duty. The history outlined on this monument is an eloquent tribute to its bravery. The list of killed and wounded shows the deadly chasms it had to fill. The blood of its slain is sprinkled all the way from Gettysburg to Rich- mond. But all who passed through this fight and through the war un- touched by the hand of death are not here to-day. Many have fallen in the march of peace that passed unharmed through the storms of battle. Among this number none is missed more or held in dearer remembrance than the brave and ever faithful colonel of the regiment, General J. B. Sweitzer. There is a peculiar tinge of sadness in his absence. He took a special in- 386 Pennsylvania at Gdti/aburg. terest in the oreetiuu of tliis momiDient. The Sixty-seoond was his pride; he gloried in its lionor and reputation, and if living his voice would have led to-day in the encomiums of its achievements. We miss many manlj' faces fi-om the ranks, whose patriotism and courage were not excelled by the highest in official stations. We miss many of the line olflcers, and the field ofljcers are all gone except Assistant Surgeon Gardner. As we turn our gaze backward from this field, we recall the familiar form of the gallant Black, whose name is inseparably associated with the Sixty-second; whose ability as an organizer and bravery as a commander speedily brought it to the front in the line of crack regiments in the service. We miss his knightly bearing and eloquent voice. In the lapse of a quarter of a century many have fallen by the way, and this remnant of a gallant organization, once full in num- bers and strong in youth, comes here to celebrate its share in the victory of Gettysburg. We came to dedicate this monument. In the name of justice: in the name of constitutional liberty; in the name of chivalrous devotion to duty; in the name of purity in public affairs; in the name of one country, with but a single flag, for which the blood of this regiment was slied, we dedicate our monument and consign it to posterity. Coming generations may read from it the simple story of the devoted patriotism and unflinching courage of the Sixty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the war for the Union. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 63° REGIMENT INFANTRY September 11, 1889 ADDRESS OF COLONEL JOHN A. DANKS MY comrades of the Sixty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers: — Very few people (comparatively speaking) attach as much import- ance to the battle of Gettysburg as really belongs to it. Very few think of it as the Calvary of American Freedom. But such it is in the history of the United States. When we think of humanity as being crushed by sin, and look for a remedy, we begin at the Garden, and find the conclusion at Calvary. When we think and speak of the government of England as threatened with dis- memberment and ruin, and look for the remedy, we find it at Waterloo. So, when we think and speak of oppression, class and caste in America, and look for the remedy, we begin at Harper's Ferry, with old John Brown, and find the answer in Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. So we say: For Humanity, Calvary; for England, Waterloo; for America, Gettysburg. What a thrilling recollection it must be to each one of us, that we formed an important part of the army that rescued and saved the Nation. Fur- thermore that we discharged a duty on this line, more than twenty-six years ago, that has been increasing in interest and importance as the years go by. I had the honor to command the regiment in this battle, I, there- S3J PEKN ~: .* SVWA|(| ^J JULIUS SIEM a CO. NEW YORK Pf'iinsi/lrania at Gctti/shurf/. 387 fore, know wlioreof I speak, .-uid delil)ei-titely say, that never did twenty hours witness, or one-fourth of a mile measure, more earnest devotion to the Union, tlian you rendered here on tlils line July 2, 18G3. When the battle of Gettysburg was joined, the Third Corps in which we were serving was near Frederick, Md.; we then marched to Emmitsburg, Md., stacked arms and were resting, when the Avord came — the armies are fighting at Gettysburg and General Reynolds is killed — go at once to Gettys- burg; we started at double-quick, we came in here about 8 o'clock on the night of the 1st. We halted for supper just to the right of Little Round Top; at about ten o'clock that night we were ordered and led here on this line to do picket duty; early on the morning of the 2d, the enemy being in front fired on the right of our line; this continued at intervals until about nine. When a Maine regiment went out in front to test the strength of the enemy at this point, soon they and we became hotly engaged all along the line. But soon the enemy withdrew — four times that day did the enemy come out, deploy a skirmish line as though they would bring on a general engagement. But you met them promptly and each time they retired. Between four and five o'clock p. m. I was informed by the com- pany commanders that our ammunition was about spent and w-e would have nothing but the bayonet, should the enemy come again. This report I sent by an orderly to General D. B. Birney; soon a regiment wearing a white patch came up to relieve us, and a staff officer came with instructions for me to take the regiment and replenish the ammunition. We crossed the ridge and when on the Taneytown road I noticed our brigade and division headquarters flags in our front. We moved into our place, and remained there that night. Next morning we took our place in the line just to the right of Little Round Top, there we remained initil after Pickett's charge, when we were taken at a double-quick down the line, and halted in front of where Pickett had been repulsed. We re- mained in the line there until the morning of the 5th when the army went in pursuit of the enemy. Reviewing the time and work, I am prepared to say, surely no man or nation could ask or expect an organization to do better service than you did at Gettysburg in 18G3. DEDICATORY ADDRESS OF LIEUT. ANDREW G. WILLIAMS. COMRADES: — The swiftly speeding days of more than twenty-six years have come and gone since first the Sixty-third Regiment Penn- sylvania Yolimteers stood in the might and majesty of its loyal manhood in defense of this identical portion of the Union line of battle, and to-day we, the survivors of that gallant old regiment, have met on this historic field; the field which marks the high flood tide of rebellion; the field against whose every side and flank the impetuous torrent of fratricidal war in all their hellish fury surged: to be rolled back and sub- merged only Avhen its ridges and its plains, its orchards and its glens, its rockv round tons and its devil's den had been drencheil and ran red with 388 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. the heroic blood of twenty thousand of your comrades, and not even then were the fierce fires of secession quenched on this field until three thou- sand more brave men went down to death and placed their lives, the one most valuable and unmeasurable offering that ever was or can be made by mortal man for home and country, upon the Nation's altar. Standing in this presence to-day we all fully realize how changed the scene. "No hostile armies gather now But autumn air around Breathe peace and joy where once we fought Upon this very eround. When on this monument we gaze What hallowed memories throng Our cause — forever it was right Our foes — forever wrong. Forever wrong; all time will point To Gettysburg with pride Here freedom triumphed and on this field The hopes of treason died." Monuments are as old as our race and all along the history of the dim and dusty ages of the past down to the bright and joyous present man has been perpetuating the memory of heroic men and deeds in monumental pile and storied urn and this inclination comes to the mind of our common humanity but as promptings from and a reflex expression of the great divine original himself. God ever was and still continues to be a monu- ment builder. On this field to-day we are reminded by the many monuments, all of which are silently, yet eloquently, proclaiming that affection for and appre- ciation of heroic patriotism and patriotic heroism still survives. We have met again on this once bloody field, after the lapse of so many years of peace and prosperity to perpetuate the memory and render our faint and feeble tribute of praise to the valor of Pennsylvania's soldiers and especially do we meet on this historic spot — the Peach Orchard — to dedi- cate this monument to the memory of the services of our loved and gal- lant Sixty-third, than which there Avas no braver, whose long lists of glorious achievements have never yet been enumerated and the history of which when written will be the history of the Army of the Potomac. And yet it's true on every hand we are reminded that here the brave men of eighteen sister states stood elbow to elbow and side by side most nobly fought and fell. A Grecian philosopher once said "Tlie whole earth is the sepnlclire of illustrious men" and the Hon. Edward Everett in his matchless oration at the dedication of yonder national cemetery added "All time is the mil- lenium of their glory." The peaceful gathering here to-day of yon, my comrades, but evidences the glorious success of your patriotic service. The Union and all that word implies; flag and all the privileges and rights it represents; country and all the hallowed memories and illustrious kinship we claim. All these must have inevitably and forever been engulfed in the whirlpool of rebel- lion, but for the service and sacrifice made by you bronzed and battle- browned veterans and your comrades. Pennsi/haitia at Gettysburg. 8S9 And now, my comrades, there remains for us who survive our fallen com- rades the high, the holy duty of here and now resolving that these our dead shall not have died in vain, but that the cause to which they yielded their full measure of devotion shall forever have our undying fealty. This ground has been consecrated by the blood and death of our comrades; and this monument we now most solemnly dedicate to their memory and in honor of your service, and in its presence with uncovered head and upraised hand, we pledge our lives in eternal defense of the principles of right and justice, the contest for which has made this field so memorable. We have all reached the meridian of life and many with halting step and silvered locks are far down on the shady side of the mountain, indeed almost in the glades at its base and soon must lay us down at "taps" and bid our last adieu to comrades dear and the loved land we helped to save; let us see to it then that we so keep step to the music of moral heroism; so touch elbow to elbow in the march of human happiness; so stand in the ranks of valiant manhood, presenting a solid front against all the enemies of our race; so to put on the entire armour of Christian soldiers ami fight successfully the battles of this present life. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 68^^ REGIMENT INFANTRY July 2, 1888 ADDRESS OF PRIVATE ALFRED J. CRAIGHEAD COMRADES: — A quarter of a century has passed away since you and I marched up that road yonder, amid the echoes and passion of war, which have all died. Then we were soldiers in defense of this glorious Union, and here, upon this field, we fought, shoulder to shoulder together, and upon this spot our gallant old regiment stood without flinch- ing, subjected to one of the most deadly onslaughts ever known, from that portion of the Confederate army in our front and flank. This spot marks the left of our regiment, the right extended to and rested north of this point to where you will see a flank stone marker standing. About this hour in the day, twenty-five years ago, we advanced from here into that Peach Orchard beyond, and formed an angle, which we have marked by a white marble shaft; in that orchard we engaged the enemy in heavy musketry firing. You all remember that afternoon, and out of the small band of us that went into that orchard few of us came safely out, but you did your duty bravely while there. Comrades, those are deeds of the past and you are all citizens now, and I trust you all are as good citizens as you were soldiers. We are here 390 Pennsylvania at Geltyshutg. to-day uudoi- dilTei-eut circumstauces and have invited our friends to as- semble witli us upon this sacred and memorial spot to participate with us in the ceremonies that are about to take place in commemoration of the event of our first appearance upon this field years ago. Before you will be permitted to listen to the eloquent remarks of deeds of valor of this regiment from my esteemed and illustrious friends, who have kindly consented to come here and address you, you, comrades, have selected me to inform our friends why we have assembled here to-day, methinks I hear them say, "Who or what is this Sixty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers;" Well, I will tell you, my friends, all about this grand old regiment, whose officers, exploits and achievements, we all who fought in its ranks feel proud of. This celebrated regiment, surnamed Scott Legion, was recruited during the summer of 1862, in the city of Philadelphia, except Company II, which was recruited at and from among the German residents of Potts- town, Montgomery county, and Company I from Chester county. The regiment was completely organized and mustered into the United States service on September 2, 1S62, with one thousand and forty-nine (1,049) officers and men. The folloAving were the field officers of regiment: An- drew Hart Tippin, colonel; Anthony Hart Reynolde, lieutenant-colonel, and Thomas Hawksworth, major. At that time all citizens of the city of Philadelphia. Colonel Tippin also served as major of the Twentieth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry during the three-months' service, and had seen service as Lieutenant in the Eleventh United States Infantry during the war with Mexico in 1846 and 1847, and fought bravely in General Scott's army on several bloody fields. Well, we remember the dispatch from headquarters that told how Lieutenant Tippin was the first man to mount the ramparts of the Mexican works at the battle of Moliuo-del-Rey, King Mills, to wave his sword and lead his men on to victory that so quickly followed; he was twice breveted for gallant and brave conduct in the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, Molino-del-Rey and other battles of that campaign in Mexico. The sword carried by this gallant defender of his country's cause and flag during the campaign in Mexico, has been presented by his widoAv to A. H. Tippin Camp No. 41, Sons of Veterans, of Potts- town, Pennsylvania, and it bears marks of battle, a portion of a bullet embedded in the handle which struck it when its owner sprang upon the walls of the fort previously mentioned. The Sons of Veterans have placed this weapon of this dead hero of two wars among their archives of relics, and they prize it as dear to them as was the sword of Bunker Hill to the patriots who wielded it in the historic contest of revolutionary times. Lieutenant-Colonel Reynolds who was wounded and permanently dis- abled while gallantly leading us comrades upon this bloody and memor- able field, and since deceased, and Major Hawksworth who was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862, and Captain Robert E. Winslow, subsequently lieutenant-colonel, and Captain Michael Fulmer, subsequently major, who is with us to-day, our honored president, some seventy years old, who has ]iassod the meridian of life tlireescore Pejnnsiflvania at Gettifsburf/. 391 and ten, full of vigor and mauhood, carrying the scars of battle, all saw- service in Mexico and displaj-ed their gallant conduct and bravery during that campaign. Many of the line oflicers and men, of whom some fell upon this and other fields of battle in defense of their country and this glorious Union, were all A^etcrans of ^[t^xico, and also served during the three-months' service. The defeat of our arms in Pope's Campaign of Northern Virginia, con- cluding with Chantilly, in 1862, caused the national authorities to summons peremptorily troops which had been mustered. The Sixty-eighth, our regi- ment, was at that time lying in camp at Frankford, a suburb of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; though above the minimum, its ranks were not up to the maximum standard and the men were only partially uniformed and equipped and not mustered into the United States service. Colonel Tippin at once responded promptly to the order. The regiment broke camp on the evening of September 1, 1802, and at once proceeded to Washington city where it Avas mustered into the United States service. The army Avas just falling back to the heights around the National Capital, the regiment Avas immediately ordered across the Potomac river and went into camp on Arlington Heights, there it was armed and furnished Avith a complete outfit for an active campaign, and was assigned to Robinson's Brigade, Stoneman's Divi.sion, Third Army Corps. Soon after the battle of An tietam the regiment moved from camp and passed through Georgetown, proceeded to Poolesville, Maryland, arriving tliere on the 10th day of October, the day on which the rebel Generals Stuart and Wade Hampton Avith a large force of cavalry made their famous raid on Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and a complete circuit of the Union ai-my; intelligence soon spread of the daring ride, and our regiment was marched rapidly to Conrad's Ferry, near Poolesville, Maryland, in expectation that the bold raiders would attempt to cross the Potomac riA^er at that point on theii- return into Virginia, but they made for a ford considerably lower doAvn the stream and passed over without opposition. After the regiment re- mained several days in the vicinity of the ferry it rejoined the brigade, and crossed the Potomac into Virginia, by fording the stream, and pro- ceeded southward with the rest of the army. While on the march, the rebel cavalry under Colonel White suddenly dashed in upon the wagon train moving Avith the brigade, and captured wagons belonging to the Sixty-eighth, containing officers' baggage, books, papers, etc., and camp and garrison equipage, overpowering and making prisoners of the feeble guard which had it in charge; about forty of the Sixty-eighth were taken prisoners, sent to Richmond, Virginia, and kept in confinement several months. On the 12th day of December, 1862, the regiment was lying in winter quarters on Falmouth Heights opposite to Fredericksburg, Virginia, the order was given to break camp, and the regiment with the division, then under command of General David B. Birney, moved doAvn to the heights overlooking the field where the Union troops had taken position on the opposite side of the Rappahannock river beloAV the toAA-n, and remained there until the 18th instant. It Avas not until afternoon, and until the battle was in progress on the left, tliat orders were giA'on to cross over 392 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. the river, when the regiment, with the division led by the fearless Biruey, double-quicked across the pontoon bridge and moved up into line of battle under a heavy artillery lire, reaching the field just as the Pennsylvania Reserves, under the gallant Meade, were forced from the heights of Fredericksburg, followed closely by the triumphant foe. Our regiment was ordered to support Kandolph's Battery E, First Rhode Island Artil- lery, which at this critical juncture was being rapidly served and doing fearful execution. The regiment remained in this position, exposed to the enemy's answering fire and defending the guns from infantry attack, until the cannonading ceased. It was then ordered into position in the first line with the brigade, close to the enemy's front; for two days the regi- ment remained in this position, but beyond occasional picket firing was not further engaged. On the night of the 15th instant the brigade was relieved by the Second Brigade, which had been in the rear, and under cover of dark- ness recrossed the river and again went into winter quarters on Falmouth Heights. The loss sustained by the regiment was forty killed and wounded, among whom were Major Hawksworth, and Lieutenant Joseph B. Davis, of Company F, killed; and a number taken prisoners, including the regimental brass band. The regiment remained in comparative quiet until January 20, 18G3, when the army again moved under General Burnside, who purposed to proceed up the Rappahannock river, and to cross the river and a second time offer battle, Avhich provcKl a great failure, and is known as Burnside's stuck in the mud. For three days we endured unparalleled suffering from the inclement weather and exposure, at the end of which the campaign was abandoned, and we returned to our old camp below Fredericksburg and again went into winter quarters and remained there until April 28, except at times when the regiment Avas sent out to do occasional picket duty. In the movement upon Chanccllorsville, the Third Army Corps was at first marched down the Rappahannock river to the point where they crossed in the Fredericksburg campaign, to make a demonstration as if to cro.=!S and offer battle at this point, while General Hooker, with the main body of his army, crossed and effected a permanent lodgment some miles above. When this had been accomplished General Daniel E. Sickles, who had succeeded to the command of the Third Corps, marclied it hastily away to rejoin the army, then concentrated at Chaucellorsville. We crossed the Rappahannock river on the 1st day of May, 18G3, having left camp on the 28th day of April, passing the intermediate time in the operations below Fredericksburg. On the evening of May 1, we were drawn up in column, with the brigade supporting a battery which had opened upon the enemy, that was soon replied to spiritedly with shell. One of our regiment's pioneers was wounded. Here we remained during the night. The next day we moved into various positions, covering the line of skirmishers in the operations against the enemy on the left. At evening we retired and remained in position with the brigade. Before the men were fully prepared the next morning the enemy made a vigorous attack on our left and front and the position of our regiment was changed to the extreme right, so as to more carefully cover the battery we were Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 393 supporting, now firing rapidly; the onset, however, was so rapid and de- termined and the front line having broken, and fallen back in some con- fusion, our regiment was forced to retire with the brigade, after which the brigade was quickly reformed and moved again to the front in column doubled on the center, deploying at the edge of a woods, to the right of our first position, which the enemy now held. We entered and soon engaged him in his rifle-pits, which we charged, and after a sharp and severe contest we succeeded in taking them. At this point our regiment captured some thirty-five officers and men of the Tenth Virginia Regi- ment, its colors and color guard. During the battle the regiment was always placed in the hottest part of the line and subjected to the severest kind of musketry fire. The loss sustained by the regiment was very severe. Captain John D. Pawling of Company I, and Captain James Shields of Company E, were both mortally wounded. The army then recrossed the river and went into camp at Belle Plain near Aquia Creek where we remained until the 11th day of June, 1863, when we broke camp to enter upon the Gettysburg campaign; the march was a long and wearisome one, as we were compelled to watch the move- ments of the enemy. At the opening of the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 18G3, the Third Army Corps was at Emmitsburg, Maryland, moving rapidly forward, reaching the field late at night. After the day's conflict was over as the column reached this field it went into line of position along a slight ridge extending diagonally across that open plain between Cemetery and Semin- ary ridges, connecting with Hancock's Second Army Corps on its right and its left refused at this Peach Orchard, and stretched obliquely back through that woods to a rocky ravine in front of Round Top, called Devil's Den. The brigade, then commanded by General Charles K. Graham, was placed in position on that part of the line deflecting from the Emmitsburg pike, it stretched away to Round Top. The angle formed by this de- parture was at the poin^t where this road upon which you now stand leads from the pike to Little Round Top, and in this angle, near the house of John Wantz, which was one of the most exposed parts of the field, our regiment was placed, open to a fire on front and flank, supporting Clark's Battery B, First New Jersey Artillery, which was stationed in the yard in the rear of the Wantz house, just in our front, and being rapidly served and dealing out death and destruction to the enemy with the shot and shell they were throwing into their ranks. Many of the men of our regiment assisted the artillerymen to serve the cannoneers with their am- munition. Standing upon this spot, which is the most elevated part of the field, but not sufficiently so to be of any advantage in defense, it was a conspicuous mark for artillery for long range around, and open to the charge of in- fantry. Skirmishing commenced about nine o'clock on the morning of July 2, and gradually increased in "severity until the battle opened in earnest. About four o'clock in the afternoon the enemy opened with heavy artillery fire and followed up with infantry, putting in brigade after brigade (en-eohelon), commencing on his extreme left: it was some time before the infantry attack reached this Peach Orchard, here where 394 PeiDisylvaitia at Getti/sbunj. our regiment stood, but the artillery lire bearing upon us was terrific, carrying away men at every discharge. As this was the key to the whole position it was necessary to hold it at all hazard, and the only alternative was to stand and be shot down without the opportunity to reply. In the midst of the fight General Graham was wounded and borne from the field and the command of the brigade devolved upon our gallant old Colonel Tippin. We then advanced into yonder Peach Orchard, and formed an angle fronting on the pike at the point where you will see that we have erected a white marble shaft. In that orchard we received the enemy's heavy charge and musketry fire, and bravely did the boys of our regi- ment return that fire with telling effect at every volley. During that bloody ordeal our brave color sergeant was killed, but our Hag was not permitted to fall, as the young and brave Color Corporal Mcljarnon re- ceived the flag from the dead sergeant's hands as he was falling, and lield it high at the same time waving it and cheering the men on to re- newed vigor; for such acts of bravery he was subsequently promoted to color sergeant of the regiment, and faithfully did he discharge his duty and carry the flag until the close of the war, and he is now present with us to-day. It was a terrible afternoon in that orchard, and we all were anxious for reinforcements to come up, as we were being decimated by their artillery. In that orchard Lieutenant-Colonel Reynolds and Major Winslow were wounded and ten other officers of our regiment were killed or wounded, leaving but four officers to bring the regiment out of the fight, having had in all but seventeen officers for duty at the commencement of the battle. Just at sunset the rebel infantry charged upon the position held by our regiment with great impetuosity, and the brigade, greatly weak- ened by its losses, and exhausted by frequent mauoeuvrings, outflanked and vastly outnumbered, was compelled to yield, but not in disorder, re- tiring slowly and contesting the ground inch by inch. At this critical juncture a portion of the Fifth Army Corps came to our relief, a new line was formed and the enemy repulsed and held in check; near the close of the action General Graham, having returned upon the field attempted to resume command and rally the brigade, but being weak from loss of blood and unable to endure the trials of that desperately contested field, unfortunately fell into the hands of the enemy, and was taken prisoner, together with a number of our regiment's men. On this field upon this same afternoon the brave and gallant Sickles, our corps commander, lost his leg. On the 3d day of July, our regiment with the brigade, under command of Colonel Tippin, was held in reserve, forming part of a second line of battle on the left center in the rear of the famous Philadelphia Brigade of the Second Corps, as their support while they held the bloody angle against Pickett's suicidal charge; the position held by the regiment at that point was upon the lowest part of the entire field. Although not engaged we were exposed to the terrible fire of the enemy's artillery and lost numbers of our men. Colonel Tippin's horse being killed under him at that point; the loss sustained by our regiment was about sixty per cent, of the entire number engaged. Captain George W. McLearn and lieu- tenant Andrew Black, both of Company D. and Tiieutenant John Reynolds Pennsylvania at Gcltyshury. 395 of Compauy G, were among those killed, and Lieutenant Lewis W. Ealer of Companj- F, was mortally wounded. The following is the official report of Colonel Tipi)in, viz: Headquarters Sixty-Eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 4, 1863. Lieutenant: — In compliance with orders from headquarters of the 27th ultimo, I respectfully submit the following report of the operations of my regiment in the recent engagement at and near Gettysburg. On the morning of July 2, I moved my regiment with the brigade to the position assigned us in a large open field in the rear of our line of skir- mishers, then engaged with the enemy's skirmishers in front. The brigade was deploj-ed in line of battle by battalions doubled on the center, my regiment being on the left of the line. After remaining in this position some time, the brigade was moved farther to the front, immediately in rear of Clark's Battery, deployed in line of battle, and ordered to lie down. We remained in this position nearly two hours, suffering severely from the destructive fire of the enemy's batteries posted on our left and front. I was then ordered to move my regiment forward into a peach orchard, and fronting a road running parallel with the enemy's front. We had been in this position but a short time when significant movements on the part of the enemy made it evident we were about to be attacked; soon he advanced. I ordered the men to reserve their fire until reaching a certain point, when a destructive fire was opened, the enemy halted and dropping behind a fence, receiving reinforcements, and heavy masses of his infantry coming down on our right, I ordered my command to fall back to the position in the rear of the batteries, which was done in good order. Here I met General Graham who ordered me to at once engage the enemy coming down on our right flank, which was promptly done under his directions. Here too the gallant general was severely wounded and subsequently made prisoner. He declined any assistance, and directed me to take command and fight on. I supposed him able to get to the rear, as after dismounting, he walked with apparently little diffleulty. We held the position as long as it was possible to hold it. The artillery having retired and the ranks very much decimated by the fire of the enemy, who was pushing forward in heavy masses, I ordered the command to retire in order, which was done. I reported to General Ward, now in command of the division, who assigned me a position, with directions to bivouac for the night. On the morning of the 3d, I was ordered with the brigade to proceed with the division to a field a short distance from the place where we bivouacked and stacked arms; remaining but a short time, I was ordered to move with the division to the left where we formed line of battle in rear supporting a part of the Fifth Army Corps. In the afternoon the brigade again moved with the division to the rear of the center and in support of a battery; we remained here until evening when I was relieved of the command. I regret the loss of a great many gallant officers and men of my regiment. The brave Captain INIcLearn and the no less con- spicuous Lieutenants Black and Reynolds all fell close to the enemy while 396 Fen as i/l I II Ilia at Gettysburg. cheeriug ou their men. Lieuteiumt-Coloiiel Keyuolds, Major Winslow, Captains Fuiiston, Young and Fulmer, and Lieutenants (Joliu J.) Fenlin, Jr., Ealer, Guest, Porter and Heston, all wounded, bear evidence of their good conduct and gallant behavior. I can also bear testimony to the gallantry of the other oflicers of the command. Of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the regiment I cannot speak with too much praise. Their obedience to command and the deter- mined stand made against overwhelming odds, their thinned ranks fully prove; animated by the glorious cause in which they were engaged, each vied with the other in deeds of gallant daring. A list of the casualties has already been forwarded. A tabular state- ment of killed, wounded and missing is herewith appended. Very respectfully, "- Your obedient servant, Andrew H. Tippin, Colonel Sixty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. After the return of the army into Virginia, the regiment participated with it in the fall campaign, and was actively engaged at Wapping Heights, on the 23d day of August, and at Auburn, on the 14th day of October, and sustained the loss of a number of men. In the sharp turn taken by General Meade, at Centerville, Virginia, Colonel Tippin was taken prisoner and was confined in Libby prison, at Richmond, Virginia, where he remained for nearly nine months. In the subsequent advance of the army the regiment, now under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Robert E. Winslow, was actively engaged at Kelly's Ford, on the 7th day of November, and at Locust Grove, on the 27th day of November, suffering severely. Captain Milton S. Davis, of Company F, being among those killed, and at Mine Run, on the 28tli day of No- vember, 18G3. In the entire campaign our regiment was given little rest, being almost constantly on the move and suffered considerable loss by sickness and battle. The regiment went into winter quarters at Brandy Station near Culpeper, Virginia, where the regiment received a number of recruits. In March, 1864, the Third Army Corps was broken up and the Sixty-eighth, together with other regiments, was assigned to the Second Army Corps. On the 18th day of April, 1864, the regiment still under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Winslow (Colonel Tippin being still in confinement at Libby prison), was ordered to headquarters of General Meade, where it was placed under the immediate command of Brigadier-General Patrick, the Provost Marshal-General of the Army of the Potomac, and employed in doing guard duty; in this position it remained until the close of the war (the duties were onerous and severe) with other regiments in the same line of duty and formed into a Provisional Brigade which was subject to duty on the battle-field when emergencies required, and in several instances, at the critical moment of the battle, when the scale was so evenly poised as to be doubtful which way it would turn, this Provisional Brigade was sent to the support of the wavering line and made victory secure. When in- fantry was required for duty with tlio cavalry in toilsome and fatiguing Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 397 raids, this brigade, with our regimeut, was ordered to accompany the cavalry, or when regiments were taken from the entrenchment, this bri- gade was obliged to take their places in the works. While in front of Petersburg, Virginia, one-half of our regiment was on duty at Meade's headquarters, and the other half on duty at City Point, Virginia. In the official report of General Patrick, dated the 10th day of August, 18G4, he says the Sixty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers has been em- ployed as prison guard at those headquarters, by no means a light duty, and has given very general satisfaction in their performance of it. In the battle of the Wildei-uess and the skirmish at Guinea Station, May 21, they acted with a great deal of dash and bravery. On the 25th day of June, 1864, Colonel Tippin was released from Libby prison and exchanged, and resumed command of the regiment: In the last charge upon the enemy's lines at Petersburg, before the final move, our regimeut was one of the storming party. In the sharp conflict which ensued. Major John C. Gal- lagher of our regimeut was mortally wounded, and a number of our officers and men were killed and wounded; among those wounded were Captain Michael Fulmer of Company K, who was badly wounded in the head. After the capture of Lieutenant-General Ewell and his forces at Sailor's Creek, Virginia, the Sixty-eighth Regiment, in conjunction with other regi- ments of the Provisional Brigade under the command of Colonel Tippin, was detailed to guard the prisoners and proceed with them to City Point, Virginia. The order was faithfully executed without the loss of a man; among the prisoners were Lieutenant-General Ewell, Major-Generals Custis Lee and Kershaw, and other prominent generals of the rebel army, and about six hundred officers of a lesser grade. This duty done, the regiment returned to the headquarters of the army near Appomattox, having in charge about 6,000 recruits that had accumulated at City Point. It had ^een but a short time with the moving column, when General Lee sur- rendered; then General Meade ordered the regiment, in company with the One hundred and forty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to pro- ceed to Hart's Island near the city of New York, to take charge of rebel prisoners confined there. We proceeded by cars to City Point and from City Point to Fortress Monroe by boat; upon our arrival at the Fortress, we were transferred to and on board of a large government transport steamer and conveyed to Hart's Island; we remained upon the Island until the 9th day of June, 1865, when we were mustered out of service with four hundred and thirty-two officers and men upon the regimental rolls, and returned home to Philadelphia, June 10, 1865. ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN THOMAS H. LBABOURNE. COMRADES: — Another year has passed away and gone and this beau- tiful summer's day finds us standing on this sacred spot, commemo- rating the memory of our fallen comrades. The harvest is ripening with the summer's sun. The Alleghenies tower lofty above us; and our comrades to wiiora we dedicate this monument, lie buried at our feet; with what solemnity I 398 Pennsylvania at Oettyshuvy. approach this spot. When 1 look back, back a quarter of a century, and remember this grand old regiment left my native city with over one thou- sand men, the flower and youth of that city, and when I remember that only four hundred and thirty-two of them returned and were mustered out, is it any wouder that 1 say I approach this spot with a feeling of solemnity. The faces before me look from the hills of middle life down into the valley of declining years, and the heads are sprinkled with silver sand dropped from the hour glass of flying time. Are these the same young men who laid tiieir schemes of life aside, abandoned their career, and with the spirit of patriots and the devotion of martyrs offered them- selves a willing sacrifice to that country whose startled hills were echoing to the guns of Sumter. This is not the time nor is it the place to dwell upon the tender memories that connect themselves with this association, or the higher or nobler inspirations that come from this scene. 1 cannot make myself believe that twenty-five years ago you who stand at my front were in the midst of actual war, and the whole world lean- ing forward breathless to hear the latest news from the scarred and bleed- ing front. I close my eyes and the whole bloody panorama is unrolled before me. I catch the roll of the drum, and the shrill music of the fife; I see the marching columns stretched across sea to lake; I hear the bullets whistle at the picket line; I catch the sentry's call; a line of camp fires stretches off across a continent; swords blaze; bayonets bristle, and a mil- lion men are under arms. The Army of the Potomac flings itself again and again against the enemy, night turns into day in the blaze of the cannonade, and up from the field of blood comes the moans of wounded and dying. I hear the voice of a hundred thousand bleeding lives and broken homes, whence the wail of agony arises; the vision passes, I open my eyes upon a new Jife, new people, a new nation, disenthralled, regenerated, this by the goodness of Providence and the curing force of time. All the old scars are healed. The guns are silent and moss covered. Well for us and for all of us, and all who come after us, that you and such as you fought. And I say that I count it my highest honor to be connected with those who played such parts in such an army. Peace has been greater than war, the skilful hand of science has brought into use unknown powers of the air, and mysterious forces of the earth, and the lovely hands of art are crowning our country with beauty. The numbers and wealth of our people have doubled, so has our territory, for the condemned deserts of the west turn out to be granaries of bread and pastures of meat, for the world, the for- bidden rocks of silver and gold, and under their frowning peaks are found the sublime glories of nature, the pleasure grounds of mankind. The genius of America has united our distant coasts with bands of steel, and planted her feet upon those blue precipices which old explorers used to call the land of the shining mountains beyond the western plains. But, comrades, I am reminded that I am getting away from my duty. The oration of the day has already been delivered by my distinguished friend. I have a plain duty to perform, a duty that might have been placed in abler hands, but as I have assumed the responsibility, nothing remains but the performance of that duty. PHIlAi 2? DIVISION 2? CORPS.! 69Rfy tlie Secretary of War, Mr. Wistar had three companies, A, B and C, mustered into service for three years, the mustering officer, Colonel Ruff, of the United States army, per- forming that duty in Thiladelphia, and before the first day of June a full regiment of ten companies was organized, equipped and drilling in squad, company, battalion and regimental manoeuvres on the beautiful parade grounds of Fort Schuyler, located at the junction of East river and Long Island Sound. The enrolment and muster of several companies of the regiment are dated April 16, 18G1. Such, in brief, was the formation of the California regiment, afterwards the Seventy-first of the Pennsylvania line. Its colonel was a member of Congress when the Mexican war broke out and i-esigned his seat to lead a regiment and brigade in that conflict; he was a Senator in Congress when the rebellion to overthrow the government of the United States began, but, at the request of President Lincoln, he retained his seat in the Senate while in command of his regiment, and the Sevonty-first had the distinc- tion of being commanded by an officer who was at the same time a Senator of the United States — an honor accorded to no other regiment during the war of the rebellion. Colonel E. D. Baker was in truth a statesman and soldier; he fell with his face to the foe at Ball's Bluff, his body pierced by seven rebel bullets; his death took from the Philadelphia Brigade its loved and loving com- mander; it made vacant a seat in the Senate, and it cast a deep gloom, a shadow dark, over the whole loyal North. On the 13th of April, 1886, the surviving members of the Seventy-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers organized a regimental association, and, under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Wm. S. Stockton, proceedings were begun for the erection of a monument to mark the line of battle held by the regiment at the Bloody Angle of Cemetery Ridge, and on the afternoon of July 3, 1887, in the presence of seven hundred surviving members of the Philadelphia Brigade, of nearly all the surviving members of Cowan's New York Battery, of three hundred members of Pickett's Division of Confederate soldiers who were present as the invited guests of the Philadelphia Brigade, and more than two thousand citizens of Gettysburg and the surrounding country, the Association of Survivors of the California Regiment, the Seventy-first of the Pennsylvania Line, dedi- cated their monument. ADDRESS OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL W. W. BURNS. BAKER'S Cahfornia Regiment:— Called into being by the inspiring eloquence of the great orator whose name you bore, how could a 'dumb servitor*' of the State master such glowing sentences to vi- brate a rythmic sound in your ears or stir a throbbing pulse in your hearts? I came to you when in the deepest mourning for your dead father — stricken on the field of battle before your eyes — when your hearts refused to be comforted. Like the Israelites in Egypt, you felt that I was a Pennsylratiia at Geitijuhnrij. 409 Pharaoh, wlio knew not Joseph, ami uppi-esscd you — strangers in a strange Land. You had been reared under pntriarehal rule; I brought the iron auto- cratical rule of stern discipline. How you hated the despot! who, if not an usurper, used all the forms of tyranny. 1 had to be cruel, only to be kind, to arouse your lethargy to a sense of duty. Your health, your life, and your honor were in my keeping, all shaken at Ball's Bluff, and to be tried in future fields. You forgave me when you knew. The hour of your forgiveness is stamped upon my memoi-y — it was at Fair Oaks. The brigade was in column, closed in mass, the sound of battle approaching. An awe of expectancy was in the sur- rounding stillness, when suddenly was heard the pattering of balls on the leaves of the forest trees near. The shriek of a shell! The detonating crash of its bursting overhead! Then the wolfish howl, first heard — the rebel yell! The mass was petrified. A shiver ran through the ranks. I turned and saw a sea of upturned faces, pale as the dead. I was shocked. My out- burst of "Steady men" w^as like a thunder-clap in a clear sky — an electric shock — that ran through the nerves, and sent the blood back to the surface. The reaction was instantaneous. A shout arose in answering confidence, which made the welkin ring. Caps were thrust on bayonets and run up in air. Round after round of stentorian cheers rolled over the field, which were said to have checked the onset of the foe, and strengthened friends far and near. It was a moral victory, followed by a victory in deeds. That moment cemented a union between the hearts of the men and that of their general, never to be weakened. What was the lesson of that hour? It was the confidence of discipline. The shoulder to shoulder camaraderie. The doubt of your fitness for the work was instantly re- moved. You were eager for the test of your prowess, to win your fame, to conquer under your flag. I said in my report of that battle, "My brigade was christened under fire. It will do what is required of it." So you did. In every battle afterwards it stood like a wall in the fight. I had occasion soon after to thank a captain of your regiment, before the bri- gade, for stemming a torrent wMth his men, when attacked behind the rifle- pits we had captured at Garnett's Farm. I had occasion to report at Peach Orchard, where your regiment alone held an army in check, "The Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, under its gallant young lieutenant- colonel, wrung high enconiums from the corps commander, who knows what hard fighting means." At Glendale (Charles City Cross Roads) I sent you in with the Nine- teenth Massachusetts, to fill a gap between the Sixty-ninth and Seventy- second Pennsylvania of our brigade, where you met and repulsed the ad- vancing and exulting foe, and, although we did not know it then, your crashing volleys held forty thousand men at bay, who, but for our brigade, would have pierced the line of march of our army at that point. Why these reminiscences of other fields than Gettysburg? My fare- well order enjoined strict adherence to discipline. The God of war did not, like Minerva, spring full equipped from the head of Jove. You were preparing for the culminating test of discipline. You were destined to fill a space in a line of battle with the world for spectators, where a typical 410 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. elan of tlie cavalier was to hurl its momentum against disciplined courage — the staying qualities of the cooler North — where the waves of the highest tide of war were to dash upon the rocks of the Union, that echoed in the rear, "Thus far, no farther; and the mighty ocean of strife was to ebb back into the bed of peace." Pickett's charge will live in song, and its sad requiem will echo "the Philadelphia Brigade." "When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war." Here upon this historic field Americana can say the same of Americans. Which can claim superiority, when perhaps chance turned the scale? Had some other brigade been here, without your staying qualities — had not the prescience of your colonel seized upon the guns loaded and capped, left by the dead and wounded of the day before, and piled here opportunely at hand, whereby he multiplied the force of your fire many times your numbers, and by so placing his right behind walls as to enfilade the advancing mass; had not the one piece of cannon been seized by the aid of your infantry, and run into the angle of wall to be loaded to the muzzle with broken shells, balls and bayonets, hurling its deadly contents into the staggering mass at a close range; had not your brothers of the Sixty-ninth wheeled to face the breach opposite, and take the foe in flank, while the Seventy-second and a part of the One hundred and sixth advanced to meet his front — what might have been the result at that weak centerV These unique and terrible resources might well have astonished and broken the hearts of exhausted manhood. They exhibited the genius of war in concentrating on strong points, and opening a trap to choke in a defile. The God of battles alone can know why the center of our army was not pierced on that day. But we now know that it was the second time in the history of the war that the Army of the Potomac owed to the Phila- delphia Brigade the safety of its center. The fact that less than a hun- dred Confederates erossed that stone wall proves that the force of the charge was broken by the cross-fire beyond, and these could well be cared for by the reserve of the brigade. Bachelder's map shows the great space between your brigade and that on your right, the thinnest of the line. You claim only to have done your duty, but the time, place and opportunity were yours. God, in his all-wise providence, decided events. We are now united, never again to be divided; our Union is cemented with our blood. Those who fell are honored as heroes; those who remain are brothers in arms, dedicating here mementoes of valor, not of strife. I met recently an officer, a colonel, here. He said he started to ride at General Armistead, to overthrow him, and prevent the men from shooting him. This was valor in strife, honorable warfare, so different from political strife, which never forgives its own wrong-doing. The Philadelphia Brigade fraternizes with Pickett's Division. They recognize each other's bravery and respect each other's fame. The world will applaud both alike, and history will record their deeds together. This memorial of a regiment's deeds is a memeuto-mori of those who fell on both sides, and will be a guide-mark on the route to fame for the future American soldier. The fortunate few who fought here that day, must wear the wreath of greatest glory, for the most conspicnous hand-to-hand encounter. That Pennsylvania at Gettysbunj. 411 honor is shared by the Seveuty-first Peuusylvania Volunteers, as a member of the Philadelphia Brigade, which received the force of the gallant charge of Pickett's Division. It is not invidious to speak of this regiment and that brigade, for it was the key of the position, and it was the fate of war. Other regiments and other brigades did their duty, and assisted in the fight; but here was the point of attack, here the rain of shot and shell centered, and fell in torrents long before the charge. Here is the historic spot, and around it a halo of glory will ever cluster, and the aureole encircle the brows of those who fought, with the light of undying fame. It is fiat justitia that Pennsylvania's sons should here defend their native soil. ADDRESS OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL ISAAC J. WISTAR. COMRADES and friends: — Upon me has been conferred the honor of delivering this completed monument to the custody and pious care of the Battle-field Memorial Association. We hope it may endure while these surrounding hills shall stand, not simply to mark for posterity this spot on which s«ch momentous events transpired, but as a memorial from us few survivors to commemorate the far greater number of our glorious dead. You must give me a minute to recover myself. I cannot look on your small array — pitiful indeed in numbers, thoHgh in nothing else — without contrasting it with the numerous and gallant body I once led, and the feeling is too much for me. Your regiment, the Seventy-first of Pennsjivauia, was mustered in on the IGth of May, 18G1, by a captain of engineers, who afterwards became one of the greatest and most distinguished soldiers of our country, and whose great fame and reputation are among the most precious possessions of his fellow-soldiers and countrymen. General William F. Smith. It served its term in the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac, but I will not enter on its history, which is well known to every gallant soldier of that army. It was entitled to be mustered out on the 16th of May, 1864, when the army was locked in deadly embrace with the brave Army of Northern Virginia, but at the call of its corps commander cheerfully re- mained and participated in the bloody assaults at Cold Harbor, where an historian has justly said that the Second Corps suffered losses from which, though it recovered and continued in service till the last day of the war, it was never afterwards exactly the same body it had been. I cannot speak to you with calmness. If you think I can or ought to look on the scanty and battered remnant of your once splendid array un- moved you are wrong. I cannot do it. Enough, however, has been said here by far better orators, though one hundred times as much would be inadequate to express the reminiscences and solemn thoughts which this historic spot and our dwindled ranks of scarred and battered survivors send surging through our breasts and welling from our eye. I cannot look into your faces and speak with steady voice. I can say 412 rinnsi/haiiia at (Jcltyi<:b(ntj. no more now, but \\ill express one single sentiment which I believe will reach all of our hearts. That while life remains for this small remnant, we may every one of us, till our last breath, continue to cherish for our friends and comrades, affection, love and personal friendship, and to share with out gallant enemies of long ago— enemies, thank God, no longer — peace, concord and fellowship under one common Hag forever more. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 72^ regime:nt infantry July 4, 1891 ADDRESS OF PRIVATE JOHN REED FRIENDS and comrades: — The war is over, your legal contest is at an end. It becomes my duty as chairman of the monument committee of the Seventy-second Regiment to make a few remarks before plac- ing the monument in your care. In 1887, the State of I*ennsylvania de- termined to erect monuments to mark the spots where each Pennsylvania command was engaged in the battle of Gettysburg. The legislature passed an act appropriating $1,500 to each regiment, and the Governor was required to appoint live commissioners to co-operate with live survivors of each com- mand, in the selection of a design and location of the monument. Your committee selected a design which was approved by the Commission; it was a typical soldier of the day, a youth, for you will remember, that at the or- iginal muster of your regiment, 1,485 names were on your rolls, 1,200 of whom were under the age of tv/enty-one years. It is clothed in the uniform of which you were so proud, that of the Fire Zouaves of Philadelphia. The attitude of the figure is that of a soldier clubbing his musket to illustrate the closeness of the struggle that had taken place in this angle on the 3d day of July, 1863. When the location was selected, it became necessary to bring ample proof that the site would be historically accurate. This has been done, and the Commission were convinced beyond a doubt that the Seventy- second were in line during the cannonading of the rebels sixty yards to the left and rear of this spot, and when the enemy forced the troops from the first line of battle, you marched by the right flank until you nearly reached the north wall, faced to the front and engaged the foe. From that point you advanced fighting down to this wall having men killed and wounded in the advance, but in order to conform to the rules of the Memorial Association, the position of your monument was agreed to be twenty feet from the wall. Some unauthorized persons protested, and when your committee attempted to dig for a foundation, your cliairman was arrested and held to bail fur trespass. Then your legal battle began. I would say here, comrades, that you were fortunate in the selection of your counsel, for had your committee hunted the country they could not have found more true and able gentlemen than Captain W. ^y. Ker. Maj.u- W, White Wiltbank of Philadelphia and J. ■ I. print; JULIUS BIEN S CO. NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Gettysbunj. 413 C. Neely of Gettysburg. The two former, veterans of the late war, gave their time and talents to your case without compensation. Your counsel tiled a bill in equity asking for an injunction restraining them from interfer- ing with us and the supreme court decided in our favor. But our troubles had not ended. They said tiiey could prove that the Seventy-second Regi- ment never fought in the angle. We asked tliat a master be appointed to take testimony, which was done, and the learned W. Arch. McLean of Get- tysburg was chosen, and after hearing the testimony, decided the case ac- cording to the evidence and law. They were not satisfied but carried the case again to the supreme court who promptly sustained the master and the lower courts. And here ended the legal strife that has lasted so long. Comrades, in your struggle in this angle on July 3d, 18G3, the God of bat- tles was with you, in your legal contest the Goddess of justice smiled upon you. I now present this monument to the Survivors' Association of the Seventy-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers and the good citizens of Pennsylvania of whom you form a part; educate your children to guard it with a loving care and by the will of God it will stand while the nation lives. ADDRESS OF BREVET-MAJOR W. W. WILTBANK. COMRADES: — The State directed that the three commissioners ap- pointed by the Governor should co-operate with the committee of three to be appointed by you in selecting the site of this monument; and you were fortunate in all the stages of the action after that, because your claim, that you and your comrades did your best fighting here, was contested by others, and by j'ou made good, before the statue was erected; and thus we may heed no criticism of the truth of this firm and lasting mark of valor and victory. Of all the regiments that fought on this wide field, in the battle that saved the Union, it so happens that the location of yours has the singu- lar glory of an approval of the judiciary as well as of the executive; and the soldier Avho now tights here in bronze, shall stand forever under the protec- tion of the decree of the eminent officers of this county, latified by the high- est court of the State; a decree that here you did your greatest work, aud that no man or body of men may gainsay it history and the law have placed this effigy, and Pennsylvania protects it by her writ of perpetual admonition. You have thus, to-day, done your duty valiantly to your home, as you and your comrades did your duty in the fight, more than a quarter of a century ago, to j'our sovereign, the good republic. How many of you remain with us? And has a new generation come here with you? There were orphans, widows, the childless and brotherless made in melancholy hosts by the reap- ing of this field in the elder time. Thousands of men fell down. If their shades may, by the divine order, hear in symbols the well-known word of command, and obey an impulse that shall move their souls through the hap- piness of their immortality, the dead in body are alive hi spirit about you now, perhaps in line of steady march from the cluster of short wood yonder, to take up their position; perhaps in battle array, to anticipate tiie close con- flict that lia.« since told them all ifs secrets, and it may be to live again in the 414 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. liand-to-haiid dispute till the brilliant momeut of death. Those of you who have the lasting faith must now rest sure that it is a blessed thing to die for one's country, that the God of battles promotes to high places the servants who for him pass through the valley of darkness. Our ancestors of the revo- lution created a nobility that has bred millions' of sturdy men and women; and these in turn gave us for our vindication, the strength, energy, daring audacity; the irrepressible and swift execution, that made, and shall ever show, the hardy character of these sleepers ere they slept. There are three thoughts that your experience has brought to you no doubt, and that we may for a few minutes entertain now. Had you failed in the time in which the fate of Pickett's force was decided, so that the bloody angle was held against you a small part of an hour, say for only a twelfth of an hour, then the day would have been lost. It is true that other regiments, at other places in the line, were opened upon, under like attack; but at this place the hardest blows were given, the bloodiest and most violent attempt was made. From one hundred and fifteen to one hundred and fifty guns of the enemy concentrated upon you their shot and shell; and a whole army marched across that plain from the westward, firing as it moved, to throw itself upon you. Your second thought is of glory; one of your own heroes has written of your colors, that they were "held aloft till victory was won." That grand work was done by men whose names shall ever be re- membered. And after the sense of achievement has stirred you, and the ex- citement of the great battle has subsided; after the pressure upon us of some struggle in our present days of quiet life, all of us know the final musing; the illustrious and the unknown alike must go to earth. Whilst it is right that you should mourn the loss that you have had, it is natural and good that you should be proud, and in quick humor of content hereafter, as you see what you have done for your fellows, and what a heritage you have secured for the young and the young to succeed them. As one said of the ancient soldiers, our heroes were taken away from their glory, not from their fear. So pass the memory of their glory to your chil- dren, that these may live in prosperity, self-respect and peace. ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM W. KER. COMRADES: — The volunteer firemen of the city of Philadelphia were patriotic, intelligent and brave. You were fit and worthy representa- tives of that organization. When yon offered yourself to the Gov- ernor of our State, you were young, strong, and inured to hardship and dan- ger. No better material could be found in the world from which to form an army. You were mustered into the service of the United States on August 10, 1861, and Colonel D. W. C. Baxter was your first commander. Officially you were designated as the Seventy-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teers, but familiarly you were called "Baxter's Fire Zouaves." You were assigned to duty in the Second Corps in the Army of the Potomac, and from March, 1862, your fortunes and your fame were identified with that gallant Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 415 corps. The siege of Yorktown was a series of eugagemeiits; the battles at Fair Oaks, on May 31, and June 1, 18G2, were followed by Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Chautilly, Antietam, Fredericks- burg and Chaucellorsville. You participated in them all. Yon gained in them experience, honor, credit and renown. You were tried and trusted veterans of the Union army. On the 1st day of July, 1863, you numbered twenty-throe officers and four hundred and thirty-five men. You formed part of the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Second Corps. That was the famous ''I'Liiladel- phia Brigade," commanded by that equally famous soldier, Brigadier-Gen- eral Alexander S. Webb. He was leading you on to Gettysburg, to drive the invading enemy from your native State. As we stand here to-day, our thoughts carry us back to the 1st, 2d and 3d days of July, 1803. P'or twenty-eight years summer has succeeded summer, yet the scenes and occurrences of those days are as vivid and bright as though it were but yesterday. They pass before you in panoramic view. You recall the weary march from the Rappahannock, the crossing of the Po- tomac at Edwards' Ferry, the kind and hospitable reception at Uniontown, the halt at Taneytown on July 1, the sad news of the death of Reynolds and defeat of the First and Eleventh Corps, the midnight march to Gettys- burg, the forming of the lino of battle on the morning of July 2, the attack by the enemy in the afternoon, the loss of Bi-own's Battery, your counter- charge to the Emmitsburg road, the recovery of Brown's guns, the wounding of Colonel Baxter, the reforming of your lines, the little spring in the rear where you filled your canteens and cooked your coffee, your restless sleep behind your stacked rifles, and the bright and glorious breaking of the morn- ing of the day of July 3. Let us pause here, for the scene approaches the reality. Here again you see the same low stone fence. It is angle-shaped — something like a huge letter Z traced upon the ground, only the angles are right angles — the bot- tom line extending towards Cemetery Hill on the right, the center line run- ning some two hundred and sixty feet to the front, and the front line reach- ing towards Little Round Top on the left. Out in front of these angles are two companies of the One hundred and sixth Pennsylvania, deployed as skir- mishers. Behind the angles are posted Cushing's Battery and your Phila- delphia Brigade. Along the rear line of the fence are eight companies of the Seventy-first Pennsylvania, their right connecting with Arnold's Battery and their left resting at the corner of the angle; the center line of the fence, from corner to corner of the angle, is unoccupied; along the front line of the fence are the other two companies of the Seventy-first, their right close up in the corner; then to their left the fence is again unoccupied for the dis- tance of two hundred and seventy-four feet; and then comes the right of the Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania. There, to the rear of the front fence, forming a line parallel with the rear fence, is Battery A of the Fourth United States Artillery — the renowned "Cushing's Battery" — with the muzzles of its guns pointing over the front fence at the unoccupied space between the right of the Sixty-ninth and the left of the two companies of the Seventy-first. There, behind the battery, and two hundred and seventy feet behind the front fence, is your Seventy-second Regiment, in line of battle to support the 28 416 Pennsylvania at Qettyshury. battery. And there, between you and the battery, is General Webb, slowly pacing up and down, keeping careful watch over his little brigade. This is your position at high noon. The Confederate batteries suddenly open fire. Every gun is hurling a missile into the ranks. The Union artil- lery replies. There you lie with your faces close to the ground. The storm of iron hail is flying around you, but you are helpless and unprotected. The air is filled with flying shot and bursting shells, and the roar drowns all other sounds. The crash is blinding, and the shock is deafening. The cannoneers are falling at their posts, and Cushing's battery is fast being disabled. For an hour and a quarter, and the iiring ceases, first on the Union side, then on the Confederate side. The first part of the great struggle is over. Now the Confederate line of battle appears, moving rapidly over the field. They cross the Emmitsburg road, and you see their faces. They are Pick- ett's men, the flower of the Southern army. Again the artillery opens, ana cannon and musketry are mingled in a deafening roar. The Confederates never falter, never waver. On they come, confident of victory. They are led by Armistead. He is seeking a place to break through the Union lines. He sees Cushing's disabled battery, the unoccupied fence, and urges his men rapidly towards it. The skirmishers of the One hundred and sixth run to the rear, and are hastily formed on your left flank. The two companies of the Seventy-first retire from the front angle, and join their regiment at the rear. The right of the Sixty-ninth swings back on its center. Cushing's cannoneers are piled among the ruins of their disabled guns; Sergeant Fuger and half a dozen of the men are all that are left; one gun alone remains; it is loaded with can- ister, and Gushing, Fuger and their men are around it; they move it to the front, closer to the fence, and take their places beside it. The fence in the front angle is wholly unoccupied. There is nothing to check the Confederate advance, save only that lone cannon and the heroic men beside it. The Confederates reach the fence. Armistead jumps over it. Twelve hundred of his men follow him. They rush upon the gun. A sheet of flame fi-om its muzzle, a deafenjng report, the brave young lieutenant falls lifeless upon the ground, and Cushing's Battery is silenced forever. The Confed- erates have captured the angle. The Union army is cut in two at its center. The Confederates wave their flags in triumph, and again press forward. There you still lie — three hundred and sixty of you — crouching close to the ground. You know that your time has now come. You see the enemy ad- vancing upon you in overwhelming numbers. Y^ou know that alone and un- supported you must meet the attack. Your hearts are filled with bitterness, and you are eager for the fray. You look to General Webb for the expected command. You see his lips moving, but can hear no sound. He points his sword to the right, then waves it towards the enemy. You are well-trained soldiers, and understand his signs. You know that he wants j'ou to march by the right face closer to the Seventy-first in the rear, then face to the left, and charge down upon the enemy. You spring to your feet. Away go haversacks and canteens. You face to the right, run quickly forward to the Seventy-first, and face again to the left. Your courage is contagious. Some brave men of the Seventy-first and One huncjred and sixth, unbidden, jump into line with you on your flanks. There stand the enemy, their bayonets o /; ULIUS 8IEN a CO. NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 417 bri-stliiig aud llieir rifles smokiug. They are \vaiLiiig for you — for lliis hand- ful of meu against such fearful odds. One savage yell that rises above the diu of battle, one wild aud tumultuous rush, aud you are upon them, dis- charging your rifles in their faces, beating their bayonets from tlieir guns, and tearing their guns from their bauds. With the ferocity of madness you leap upon them, clutch them by their throats, bury your bayonets in their bodies and hurl them to the earth. Mounted on tlieir prostrate bodies, the butts of your guns descend relentlessly, crushing them down before you. Slowly they retire, surging back into the corner in the angle. Their colors are still flying. They are yet uuconquered. A color bearer plants the flag of Vir- ginia at the fence, aud his comrades are rallying around it; like a tiger Mc- Cueu springs upon him, and wrenches the colors from his grasp. A short struggle, a terrific blow, and McBride is waving the second flag. A thrust of the bayonet, a crushing blow on the head, and two zouaves are struggling to reacli the rear with two other flags. The colors of the enemy are cap- tured. The Virginians make a desperate rush for their colors. Again you are upon them with the fury of demons. Again your guns and your baj'o- nets deal death and destruction in their ranks. They fall before you in great piles, wounded aud dead. Armistead has fallen at the feet of your color bearer. Their leader is gone, their colors are lost. Disheartened and dis- mayed, they drop their arms. Eight hundred of them surrender. Four stand of colors, and eight hundred prisoners. Every Confederate who had crossed the fence is dead, wounded or captured. Not a man of them has es- caped. The Confederate army is cut in two. Away to your right and to your left they fly before your victorious comrades. The battle is over. The ground is covered with the wounded, the dying and the dead. From the front fence to the center, the bodies of your zouaves lie close and thick. Sixty-two of them are dead, one hundred and forty-six are wounded and two are missing. Two hundred aud ten of your brave comrades have ceased to answer at your roll call. One hundred and fifty of you are left. To this place, this unknown spot, you have given name aud fame. It is re- corded in history "The Bloody Angle at Gettysburg." DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 73° re:gime)nt infantry September 12, 1889 ADDRESS OF COLONEL WILLIAM MOOKE COMMANDER and comrades: — It is a great satisfaction to the monu- ment committee of this organization to now bring the labors of the committee to a close, by turning over to you and to the association this monument. It gives us pleasure, because while the labors of the com- mittee in getting up the monument were arduous, and in securing for it the 418 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. position which it now occupies were still more so, our every effort has re suited in a successful termination. In history, the heroic action of the Seventy-third Regiment at the battle of Gettysburg remains unmentioned. At that time, myself, its colonel, had the misfortune to be confined in a hospital, suil'eriug from a wound through the lung received in the battle of ChancellorsA-ille. The regiment was without a single field officer. All had been killed or wounded in previous battles. Consequently no official regimental report of the services performed by our regiment in this battle was ever forwarded to army headquarters, or trans- mitted to the department in Washington. By strenuous exertions we pro- cured testimony and evidence, among them letters from General Coster, who commanded the brigade to which our regiment belonged, and from Colonel Wiedrich, who commanded the battery, and sworn affidavits from officers and comrades of the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, and from members of our own regiment, and others, and were thereby enabled to con- viuce the State Commissioners of the justice of our claim to erect our monu- ment on this spot; and, in addition, we have been permitted to place upon the face of the monument a bronze bas-relief, representing the heroic action of the regiment in repulsing the attack of the Louisiana Tigers, and, with the assistance of the cannoneers and other troops, recapturing ^\'ied^ich's Battery, thereby greatly assisting in making the battle of Gettysburg the glorious victory that drove the rebels from the soil of our beloved State. May future historians do justice to the Seventy-third Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry. And now, in the name and on behalf of the committee, I have the honor to present to you, this, j'our monument. ADDRESS OP PRIVATE GEORGE T. R. KNORR, OF THE SECOND MARYLAND INFANTRY. THE grand old Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to-day honors itself in honoring those, alive or dead, who, in 18()3, Avith the aid of the loyal sons from other States, north, south, east and west, drove from her soil the invading hosts. Twenty-six years after the repulse was made, and Avhile many of those who participated in it are still numbered among her citizens, the State erects these monuments to mark the spot upon which each regiment, composed of her sons, performed its bravest work upon her own soil. Standing upon this hill, within a short distance of the spot upon which the martyr President delivered his sublimely eloquent address of dedi- cation in 1863, and upon which only a few months earlier the heroes who bared their breasts as a barricade between our country and its foes, were receiving the shock of advancing foemen, we appreciate the fact that we are upon holy ground, though none of us, save those who were present at the battle, can conceive the magnitude of the struggle, the scenes of carnage here enacted and the sacrifices here offered up on the altar of lil)erty and union. Pennsylvania at Gcltysburg. 419 Our special portion ol" the ceremonies of the day is the dedication of this monument to perpetuate the memory of the service rendered by the Seventy-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the great battle fought upon this field, July 1, 2 and 3, 18G3. In erecting a monument on this historic battle-ground, nearly every foot of ■O'hich has been consecrated to liberty and union by individual deeds of heroism, and rendered sacred by a baptism of blood, it is fitting that some reason be given for such erection. It is my pleasant duty to-day to give the reasons for the erection of this stone, and the allotment of this position for it by the Board of Commis- sioners. In a circular from the Commission, we are informed that a full history of the command is not expected to be given to-day, but this regiment not having received any credit for its services here, in reports of the battle on file in the War Department, it is necessary to give some outline of its previous history; the reasons for its not receiving credit in the reports referred to, and the evidence on which this position for the erection of the monument was granted by the Commission. The Seventy-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel John A. Koltes, was recruited in Philadelphia, entered the service Sep- tember 19, 18tU, and was immediately attached to the Army of the Po- tomac, with which it served several months. In the spring of 1862, it was ordered to West Virginia, but in August of that year was reassigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the second battle of Bull Run, August 30, 1862, where its colonel was killed, nearly one-half its company officers were killed or wounded and the rank and file suffered a corresponding loss. At the battle of Chancellorsville, so disastrous to the Union arms, this regiment, then a part of Buschbeck's celebrated brigade, was the first to make a stand against Stonewall Jackson's victorious army that was pur- suing Schurz's Division, which had become panic-stricken and was retreat- ing. In this engagement the losses in the regiment were again large. Captain Harry Giltinan, of Company K, being killed, and Colonel William Moore and Major Strong, and a number of the company officers being among the wounded. The heavy casualties in these two engagements left the regiment without a field olHcer, and every company in it depleted in numbers. The rem- nant of the regiment, three hundred and thirty-two strong, under com- mand of Captain Daniel F. Kelley, was in Coster's First Brigade, Stein- wehr's Second Division, Howard's Eleventh Army Corps, and on the morn- ing of July 1, 1863, left Emmitsburg, Maryland, for this field, arriving at the junction of the Emmitsburg and Taneytown roads shortly after noon. The First Corps, which preceded the Eleventh on the road, was marched to the left, and formed a battle line beyond Seminary Ridge. The Eleventh Corps started through the town to form on its right, reaching round to the almshouse. Before the entire corps had passed through the town, re- verses were met with at the front, and a column of rebel troops was seen approaching on the Hanover road with the intention of dividing the command. Orders were given for the corjis to retire to this side of the 420 Pennsylvania at Oetiyshurg. town, and while the batteries of the division, by command of General vou Steiuwehr, opened fire upon the enemy, the Seventy-third Regiment was deployed across the Emmitsburg and Baltimore roads, facing north, protect- ing the corps in its retreat through the town to near where we stand to- day. Bates' history says of this service: As the rear of the Union force was retiring from the town, closely followed by the enemy, the Seventy-third was ordered forward, and charged through the orchard just below the cemetery, checking the pursuit and occupying the houses on either side of the Baltimore pike. A brisk fire completely swept all the approaches and checked the enemy's advance. The fire from the houses occupied commanded the streets and tops of the buildings in the town, and protected the cannoneers of Steinwehr's artillery on the heights above. Late in the evening, when the regiment had been stationed on Cemetery Hill, a general officer road up and inquired if there was a Pennsylvania regiment on the hill. An officer of this regiment responded, "Yes, here is the Seventy-third." Which answer was followed by the order, "Well, get your men in line, make a reconnaissance and ascertain the position of the enemy and how much of the town is occupied!" The order was promptly obeyed, the regiment advancing on the town in the following manner: Companies A, F and D through the gardens and alleys east of Baltimore street; Companies E and H up Baltimore street; Companies B, C and K on the left of Baltimore street, aud through the wheatfield; while Companies G and I, acting as a reserve, occupied what is now called the Battle-Field Hotel. At the firing of a pistol by Captain Kelley, the signal agreed upon, the men advanced to a point beyond the old tanyard, where they were received with a Avell-directed volley of musketry by the enemy, who were posted in houses and the neighboring wheatfields. Several brave fellows here met their death. The object of the recon- naissance being accomplished, according to iustructious, the regiment re- tired to its former position to take what rest could be obtained to prepare the men for the work of the morrow. On the morning of July 2, the regiment was posted in the old cemetery as a support to the batteries on the hill. There it remained, watchful but inactive, until near dusk, when a large force of rebels, with the famous Louisiana Tigers in the advance, made a daring and impetuous charge upon the batteries posted on the right on East Cemetery Hill. Before charging, the enemy had advanced cautiously, under cover of the houses of the town and the steep declivity of Cemetery Hill, aud the movement was so sudden that they were already among the guns of the first battery (Wiedrich's) and advancing on the second (Ricketts') when the Seventy-third discovered them, and with the Twenty-seventh Penn- sylvania Regiment rushed to the rescue. The hand-to-hand struggle, which is so graphically pictured in the beautiful bronze on the monument, then occurred, the i-egiments mentioned holding their ground and pre- venting the turning of the batteries until reinforcements arrived, when what remained of the Louisiana Tigers retreated down the hill, having made the last charge, as a distinct coniuiand, which history records for that organization of intrepid fighters. After the repulse, a new line of battle was formed, in expectation of another attack, and several pieces of artillery were placed at the head of Pennsylvania at Qettyshury. 421 Baltimore street near the cemetery, so as to command the approaches from the town. The Seventy-third was sent in support of these batteries, and stood by them until the morning of the 3d, when they were agaiu sent to the old cemetery to support the batteries stationed there. Bates' history says of the Seventy-third's third day in the battle: On the 3d, the regiment remained in the position held during the previous evening and in the afternoon, while the fearful cannonade was in progress which preceded the final struggle, it was exposed to the fire of the enemy's guns from a circuit of two or three miles. The men were lying .nmong the graves, with two hundred guns trained upon them, the shot and shell from which shattered the gravestones and scattered the fragments around them. When the final charge of Pickett's and Pettigrew's troops was made, the Seventy-third was moved to the Taneytown road, close to Ziegler's Grove, where they remained until the third day's fighting was ended. On the morning of the 4th the regiment was ordered into the town, which they entered, deployed as skirmishers along the streets on the west side of the town until they reached the Chambersburg road. Here quite a body of rebels held their ground, and only surrendered when cavalry appeared in the rear of their position. They were then marched into the town, to the square, and placed in charge of the Seventy-third's reserve. The regiment was kept busily employed until nine o'clock, when the enemy fell back, leaving the field in our hands. Captain Daniel F. Kelley, commanding the regiment during these four days, neglected to make any regimental reports to headquarters, the result being that in the ofScial returns the Seventy-third does not appear. When the State decided to erect monuments to the regiments which fought here, the survivors of the Seventy-third made claim for this posi- tion for its monument, and, after searching inquiry into the matter by the State Commission appointed by the Governor, and by the Gettysburg Memorial Association, their claim was declared valid, and here your monu- ment is erected. Among the vast amount of testimony given in support of the Seventy- third's right to this position, was that of Colonel Wiedrich, who commanded the battery. He said: "My recollection of the evening of July 2, 1863, is that when the Louisiana Tigers charged my battery, and when we were in a hand-to-hand fight with them, I saw that my position could not be held, and had ordered my bat'ery to limber up and fall back to the Balti- more pike, when the Seventy-third and Twenty-seventh Regiments Penn- sylvania Volunteers came to my rescue and repulsed the rebels." The survivors of the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Regiment, testifj-iug under oath, said: "Not only do we not oppose the location and design of the Seventy-third's moninnent, but we unanimously declare that they are fully and justly entitled to the position which they claim." The affidavits are quoted to show the quality of the evidence offered to prove the Seventy-third's gallant struggle on this spot. Who has not read Tennyson's "Charge of the Light Brigade," at Bala- klava, and gloried in the bravery of that noble six hundred immortalized in his verses? And yet the unsung and unpoetic solid squares with which 422 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. Wellington met Napoleon's onslaughts at Waterloo were composed of men who showed equal heroism, and that strict and unflinching obedience to orders which is the attribute most prized in a soldier. Volunteers caii always be had from an army to make a charge, be it ever so rash and dangerous, for there is an eclat attached to it, lind a feverish spirit of bravado will carry a man through a task he would shrink from if time were given for thought; but they who have to stand under fire, calmly awaiting the onslaught, knowing not at what moment it may come — to stand hour after hour on the alert without action — have the most trying duty the soldier is called upon to perform. It was this duty, followed by a brave and stubborn resistance when called into action, which the Seventy- third Kegimeut Pennsylvania ^'olunteer Infantry performed on this spot. Eulogize the bravery of the charge of the Louisiana Tigers as you may, and have the poet carry it down to posterity in glowing rhyme, if you will, the fact remains, and must be admitted, that the successful repulse of that charge was accomplished by men just as brave, and on whose bravery twenty-four hours' experience in the dispiriting duty of waiting had no bad effect. When the enemy was discovered, you took a firmer grasp of your muskets, and with the cry, "Let us die on our own soil," hurled yourselves on the advancing column with such impetuosity as to check the foe and hold him until reinforcements arrived. During the entire battle the Seventy-third "plaj'ed well its part;" but it was here, where this granite and bronze will tell of its achievements to posterity, it gave that grand exhibition of bravery which forced back the best troops of the Confederacy with heavy loss, and aided materially in that demoralization of Lee's army which culminated in retreat. God forbid that we should claim the whole repulse for this one regi- ment! It was first in the advance, with the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania by its side, but other troops came to its assistance, and New York, Ohio and Indiana have their share of the glory. Nothing is claimed for the regiment that cannot be fully substantiated. Nothing is claimed that has not been already proven before the Commission to which has been entrusted the duty of selecting the proper spot upon which to erect the monument. General Henry J. Hunt, Chief of Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, in the absence of reports from this regiment in the War Department, sought to secure for his arm of the service the whole credit for the repulse of the Louisiana Tigers. He writes: The cannoneers of the two batteries, so summarily ousted, rallied and recovered their gruns by a vigorous attack, with pistols by tliose who had them, by others v.-ith hand-spikes, rammers, stones and even fence rails. * * * After an hour's desperate fighting, the enemy were driven back with heavy loss. It is admitted that the gunners of the batteries did their best to save their cannon, and that having no other weapons, they seized stones from the walls and rails from the fences to use against the foe; but history cannot be permitted to give to posterity the impression that with these weapons alone eight hundred of the enemy were laid low in the assault upon this position. The Seventy-third Pennsylvania came to the rescue, and to tlie Sovonty-tliird belongs the credit, as Colonel Wiedricli testifies, of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 423 leading in the resisting column wlien ho was about to endeavor by retreat to save his pieces. The Seventy-third's loss in this battle was comparatively small, seven being killed and twenty-seven wounded. In September, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where it was incorporated into the Twentieth Army Corps. At the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 18G3, after bard fighting, it was flanked by a superior force of the enemy and only seventy-two of its members escaped capture or death. In December of the same year it was reenrolled as a veteran organization, at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and as a part of the famous White Star Division, was in every battle fought and won by the Twentieth Corps, marching to the sea with General Sherman, and being present at the sur- render of General Johnston at Raleigh, North Carolina. The victory won, the war ended, and peace reigned once more within our borders. After on honorable record of three years and ten months, on July 14, 1865, the Seventy-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, then consisting of eleven officers and one hundred and twenty- eight men, was mustered out of the service of the United States at Alex- andria, Virginia. During its term of service it had upon its rolls the names of one thousand two hundred and sixty patriots; and of this number, its loss in killed, wounded, captured or missing was seven hundred and seven. vimong the members of the regiment who fell into the enemy's hands at Missionary Ridge was Benjamin F. O'Donnell, the left guide of the regi- ment, who in that capacity carried a guidon, or small flag. Seeing he could not escape capture, lie quickly tore the flag from its staff and secreted it under his coat. One of the enemy, who had noticed his action, rushed at him, demanding "that rag." O'Donnell denied having it, and the rebel struck at him with his musket, injuring O'Donnell's hand so badly that he is to-day still crippled. The surging of the troops separated him from his assailant, and he was enabled to more securely hide the flag. He was taken by his captors to Belle Island, then to Pemberton prison, and finally to the prison pen at Andersonville. While here he sickened, and think- ing himself about to die gave his precious charge into the hands of Ser- geant Zachariah Rost, another prisoner from the Seventy-third. Rost was taken from Andersonville to Florence, South Carolina, and exchanged at Hilton Head, May 1, 1SG5, bringing home with him the relic. O'Donnell did not die. After being exchanged he applied for a pension, the flag, in protecting which he was injured, being produced in evidence before the pension bureau. O'Donnell kept it in his possession until the 11th of last month, when he turned it over to this Regimental Association. What remains of this guidon, which, with those who carried it, was in- carcerated in rebel prisons for seventeen months, is before you, while Ben- jamin F. O'Donnell, who preserved it from capture, is present with us to-day, still acting as the left guide of the regiment. The flag is in ap- pearance now what the rebel called it at Missionary Ridge — a "rag." But how precious a rag, and what memories cluster around it to-day! Comrade O'Donnell carried it on this field in the first battle in which it appeared. Then it was new and pleasant to look upon. Now, with no trace of 424 Fennsylvania at Gettysburg. comeliness reinaiiiing, it is looked up to by these veterans with veneration and pride, for the scars upon it are evidences of battles fought, of victories won, and of the hardships of seventeen months' imprisonment with its brave defenders. The ground upon which this monument stands was dedicated by your heroic struggle, and by the blood of your fallen comrades; but the monu- ment, reared by a grateful Commonwealth in commemoration of your bravery, and in memory of those of your regiment who here sacrificed their lives on the altar of liberty, we now dedicate and convey to the State for the instruction of coming generations. Those who were engaged in the sanguinary hand-to-hand struggle on this spot, may well thank God that they are permitted to live to see the fruit of their labors in our re-united country with its unprecedented growth and prosperity; they may thank God that they live to see their heroism and bravery, and that of their former comrades, thus publicly and perma- nently recognized by the State under whose auspices they served the Fed- eral Government; and they may thank God that the generations which have arrived at manhood since the war, hold in reverential remembrance, and teach their children to revere, those who in the hour of their country's need were ready to give their all, even life itself, for right, for liberty, and for the dear old flag. We now commit this monument into the hands of the Commissioners appointed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to accept and protect it. THE OLD FLAG OF THE SEVENTY-THHID BY SERGEANT JAMES MURRAY COiMRADES and friends: — Before you is unfurled to-day one of the old State flags carried by the Seventy-third Regiment Pennsylvania N'olunteer Infantry, during the war for the Union, and I am re- quested by the survivors' association to briefly tell you its history. Very few of the State flags carried by our boys can now be found out- side the State museum at the capitol, and to see one of them floating on this battle-field will scarcely fall to your lot again. When the Seventy-third left the State in 1861 to join the Army of the Potomac, the first State flag carried by its color-sergeant was given to us by the representative of the Commonwealth. At the second battle of Bull Run, where our brave commander. Colonel Koltes, gave his life for his country, the flag Avas so torn and riddled with shot and shell that it was unlit for further service, and was sent to the capitol for safe-keeping. The second flag given to us by the great War Governor, Andrew G. Curtin, was carried upon this field during the engagement, but at the battle of Missionary Ridge it was reduced to the same state as its prede- cessor by the hard usage it received while carried at the head of our column. The one before you was the third and last State flag carried by the regiment, and was presented to us at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, on JULIUS BIEN a CO. NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 425 behalf ol! the hulies of Philadelphia, who bade us protect it with our lives and brini; it home with us in honor and victory. We pledged ourselves to do so. Here it is! And now, my friends, after hearing from the orator of this occasion of the gallant deeds performed by this regiment, I ask you, "Have we kept our vow?" Here waves the flag, unsullied by defeat, having invariably led us to victory. But hark! The old flag speaks for itself: "You have carried me from Chattanooga to Rocky-face Kidge, to Rc- saca, New Hope Church, Pine Knob, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and to Atlanta in victory. Yon have carried me from Atlanta to the sea in victory. You have carried me from Savannah, through the Caro- linas, and to the 'surrender of Johnston.' Victory! Victory!! Victory!!! "You have brought me back to my old home in Philadelphia; you have kept and protected me ever since, and to-day you have me with you to commemorate with your former comrades of the Army of the I'otomac this glorious victory in which you bore such a noble part. Y'ou have in- deed kept your vow." God bless you, dear old flag! While one of the Seventy-third lives you shall be cherished and cared for, and as each one of us passes away to the great beyond, j'ou shall cover his coffin and be with him to his last resting place. It will not be long, dear old comrades, for our ranks are thinning rapidly. Time was when you were surrounded by a thousand of as brave soldiers as served their country, and whose cheers of victory made the welkin ring. To-day we are with you again; but, oh! so few, so few. A few years more and there will be none to answer roll-call, and our memory will be as a dream to these young people Avho now surround us. In those days, my young friends, I trust some of you will give a thought to this day and think kindly of the old veteran and his flag. DEDICATION OF iMONUMENT 74*^^ REGIMENT INFANTRY July 2, 1888 ADDRESS OP COLONEL A. VON HARTUNG COMRADES: — We are assembled here for the purpose of dedicating this monument. We all were here before twenty-five years ago. But, alas! I miss many of those who had joined us that time. They have beeu called home and are now members of that great army fi-om which no one returns. Others are prevented by sickness, great dis- tance or by business from being with us to-day on this our day of honor. For what purpose were vre here at that time, twenty-five years ago? We Iiad not come in our u>^ual citizens' clothing, but in uniforms, armed 426 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. with swords, guns and cannons in order to repel a haughty enemy; we were here to help with armed hands to save the Union and to protect the starry banner. Twenty-eight years ago that memorable presidential election took place, from which Abraham Lincoln came forth as a victor. The South, for many years accustomed to rule the North, wanted to be independent, and now came the time of that treason, a more fatal one the history of the world never saw. Secretary of War Floyd had the arms removed from the northern arsenals and conveyed to the south, where guns, cannons and ammunition purposely left unprotected were shifted into the hands of the traitors. The city of Pittsburg made a glorious ex- ception. There the people arose and prevented by force the departure of tlie cannons that had already been put on board. Honor to those brave Pittsburgers! The State of South Carolina had left the Union and dared insolently to tread under foot the flag of our ancestors. The other southern states soon followed and formed that league known under the name of the Southern Confederation. When Lincoln took the oath as President of the United States, on the 4th of March, he did not find a dollar in the treasury, not a vessel, not a soldier. Tne officers of the regular army, mostly southerners, had deserted and gone over to the service of those States. A hostile army threatened unprotected Washington, and the President applied to the Governors of the loyal States and asked for soldiers to protect the capital. They came with great enthusiasm, those States' militia differently uniformed and armed. Their intention was good, but, not accustomed to the severe hardships of a war, they were soon re- placed by seventy-five thousand volunteers who were enrolled for three months. After the first battle of Bull Run it was seen that the enemy had been greatly underrated, it became apparent that we had not to deal with a little revolt but with a great revolution. It was not before then that the whole country, and with it Abraham Lincoln perceived the greatness of danger. He demanded and received from Congress after a single short session the right to levy three hundred thousand men for three years, and besides one billion of dollars. And then Father Abraham called for three hundred thousand men, saying "the Union must and shall be preserved." And then the hearts trembled and the whole nation was seized with a powerful enthusiasm. His call resounded like the sound of thunder; like the clash of swords and the roaring of the waves, and they came, the children of Father Abraham, and so we came too. We hastened on to preserve the Union and to protect the starry banner. But the task was no easy one. A strong army, Avell armed, of excellent discipline and well led, stood against us, and not always the luck of war was on our side. The great battle of Chancellorsville was lost for us. The enemy invades the northern states, plunders Hagerstown and marches toward Philadelphia. The road was apparently unobstructed, the Potomac army apparently annihilated. But in forced marches we came on, and here at Gettysburg, here on this field of honor, we threw ourselves into their way and called to them, "thus far and no farther." One hundred thousand on our side, we fouglit for three days against an Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 427 army superior iu uumber. It was a gigantic battle. Tbeu at last the call resounded, Victory 1 The hostile troops had left during the night. The battle, the greatest, the most successful battle of the war, was won. But it was witli great sacrifices that the victory was bought. In yonder cemetery thousands are slumbering the everlasting sleep, mowed down by hostile missiles. In honor of those dead these monuments have been put up. But also t» the survivors' part of the honor is due. One falls in the battle, the other dies afterward of the wounds or in consequence of the hardships of war. We who were so fortunate as to survive that battle and to see its results share in the honor as well as those who have gone hence before us. In former centuries it was not customary to erect monuments for the living. It was left to posterity to glorify tlie deeds of their aucestor.s. It is only a few years ago that his grateful countrymen erected a monu- ment in honor of Herman, the great German Chief who, more than 1800 years ago, defeated the Roman legions in the Tentoburg forest. But cus- toms and manners are changing. Eighteen years ago Germany fought that gigantic war with France, and it is long ago since that finest of monu- ments rises on the Niederwald in honor of the dead as well as of the living. So also this monument. It is apparently a dead stone withoHt language. But monuments speak a powerful language that warns and admonishes the living. As that monument on the Niederwald warns the French to beware of German blows, and reminds the German youth to follow the sublime example of their ancestors and to sacrifice life and property in the defense of their country, so this monument speaks too. It tells of great heroic deeds and warns all who should ever dare again with an insolent hand to destroy our glorious Union or to insult the star-spangled banner. It admonishes the youth to follow our example and in the days of danger to stake life and property in the protection of our country. ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN PAUL F. ROHRBACKER. WE have met to erect and dedicate a monument which shall remind generations to come of the deeds of brave men who fell in as noble a cause as heroes ever contended for. Some may say: "Why this monument? Why perpetuate the memory of the great strife?" We might simply answer, "Because we cannot help it." It is instructive, animating, reverential and patriotic, to be reminded of the character and of the sacrifices of those heroes who gave their all in their country's ser- vices. Even if a quarter of a century has passed over their graves, yet the example which they gave us must be preserved to us in order to guide, strengthen and animate us and those that will follow us. There is no need to-day, and here, to recount the causes of the war in which those men sacrificed their lives. The war was not carried ,on for the purpose of oppression, of tramphng upon a section. It was not a war for the purpose of giving grandeur and glory to any one man or set of men. It was iK)t a war to make one part of this countcy greater than 428 Pennsylvania at Oettysburg. iiuother part. It was a war that barbarism might cease, and that liberty aud civilizatiou iu its purest form might be established by the American people. It was a war that this Union might be moulded into fellowship, that out of it might be fused all the guilt and all the shame which so long stained it. The battles of the war were won for the whole country; and the beauty of this government shines alike over every foot of American soil. Its benefits, like the dews of heaven, fall equally upon every citizen's head beneath the flag of our country. The wounds of the war are healing, and as you look about you to-day, over our vast country and all its in- creased population and its prosperity, we may truly thank God that slavery was wiped out, the only cause of dissension that had ever existed. And iu this feeling of thankfulness we are joined by tlie people of the South. We have nothing more that can divide us as a nation. To-day we all glory iu having but one flag, one country, one nation and one destiny. There is no sectional feeling that animates us on this occa- sion, nor do we feel any pride of race or color. We are here as American citizens. All races have contributed their share for the attainment of the glorious result. The Irishman and the Scotchman, the Englishman and the Scandinavian, the Anglo-Saxon and the African. And, my friends, we, as Germans, have done our share. We are assembled here to-day to dedicate this monument to the valor and patriotism of the Seventy-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, exclusively a German regiment. When the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, April 14, 1861, reached Pittsburg, the excitement among the entire population became intense, and two days afterward, on the IGth of April, Company B. German Turners, left Pittsburg for Harrisburg, commanded by Captain PI. Amlung. Sei- grist's company was K, also most Germans. These two companies, com- manded by Captains H. Amlung and G. Seigrist, were incorporated as Comp.anies B and K, Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, three months' service. These men formed .the nucleus of the Seventy-fourth, which was organized a few months afterwards. The command of the regiment was given to Colonel A. Schimmelpfennig, a brillant and thor- oughly educated Russian officer, Mho had seen service in the war against Denmark, and in 1848 and 1849 in the revolution in Baden. Colonel Schimmelpfennig made of the regiment a model organization in drill and discipline, and the excellent record made by the regiment is due to the exertion of that model soldier and gentleman. To have been a member of the Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania is a prouder distinction than any patent of nobility that king or potentate might confer. And, as Germans, we are all proud of their record. No part of our population has manifested greater readiness to risk their lives for the preservation of our beloved country, than the Germans and their descend- ants. In those days that tried men's souls, adopted German citizens gave their best blood for the salvation of the Union. The great sacrifices of the Germans iu the Revolutionary war, the bravery of the German is ignored or forgotten. History talks about the Hessians, that fought on the side of oppression, but says little or nothing of the Germans that fought Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 429 witli Wasliiugton. It is ignored oi- forgotten what tlie Germans have done for the prosperity of our Commonwealth. Pennsylvania Dutch were often scoffed at — their wives, mothers, daughters, Avere often designated as being clumsy, ignorant, unrefined, but when the war bi-oke out, history tells us tliat among all the German women of Pennsylvania, there was not one who brought up a traitor. It has become fashionable for Anglonianiacs to belittle everything that does not come from England, and call England the mother country. Noth- ing is further from the truth. It was disputed a century ago. It is less true now. The whole world is the mother country of this land. We Ger- mans are not here since yesterday. Three-fifth of the population of Penn- sylvania are German or of German descent. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, the great fact became evi- dent (and the American people ai-e ever open to receive facts), that these so-called "foreigners," that these Germans, whose hearts were thought to dwell on the Rhine, the Elbe and the Danube, were head and heart for this their beloved land. They came from city and hamlet, from the work-sliop, the office and the school-room; they came from the north, the east and the west, and some even from the south; they honeycombed the whole Federal forces, for there was scarcely an organization that had not its German represen- tative. Shoulder to shoulder Germans fought with their comrades of other nationalities as well as with those to the manor born. It is due to the Germans that at the breaking out of the war the city of St. Louis and the largest part of Missouri remained faithful to the Union. The first victory of the Union troops was gained at Carthage, Mis- souri, by General Sigel and his Germans. It was Blenker's Division, that after the battle of Bull Run retained its discipline and at Centreville barred the way to the victorious Confederates. Who does not remember the names of Sigel, Blenker, Gilsa, Steinwehr, Stahel, Schiumielpfennig, Mahler, Max Weber, Bohlen, Koltes, Hecker, Osterhaus, Salomon, Matthies, Hasseudeubel, Captain Dilger and a host of others. Thousand less prominent, but not less valiant, bared their bo.soms to hostile bullets. Loyally and faithfully they served their country in the winter's cold, and during the simimer's heat you find them inhaling the poisoned breath of the swamp; you meet with them on the lonely picket — everywhere in the field you find men from all parts of Germany and from all conditions in life. In camp and ou the march you might have heard them singing German songs — songs from the Rhine, the Danube, the Weser and the Main; they sang of spring time and love, old melodies, they sang songs of their native land, also songs of their adopted country — but always cheer- ful and ready for any service required of them; their songs were often heard in the rebel camp, and their meaning was not misunderstood. As free men, not as hirelings, did they offer their life for the preserva- tion of this land, and thus paid off a long-standing debt. Thus they paid old debts to the great patriots who sowed also for us the seed of freedom. Were these soldiers loss pati-iotic because they spoke German and sang German songs? Were they as defenders of our glorious flag less valiant. 430 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. were the blows dealt by them less vigorous because they were given by German arms? Let the deeds of the Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania, on the first day's fight at Gettysburg, answer these questions. Of the fourteen oiScers and one hundred and twenty men who advanced on the first day's battle, one officer and six men were killed, four officers and forty men wounded and fifty-two missing, leaving but four officers and eighteen men, a total loss of one hundred and twelve. I tell you, my friends, twenty-five or fifty years hence the descendants of those men who fell or fought at Gettysburg will be as proud of the deeds of his ancestor and of his Americanism, as are to-day the children of those who fought at Bunker Hill, or Lexington, and looking back at the history of our time, these Americans will wonder that there ever could be any jealousy or Knownothingism, because the ancestor of one landed at Castle Garden or East Boston. We should measure the worth of the American citizen by his honesty, his capacity, his patriotism and his sympathies, independent of whether he or his father entered the family of the republic yesterday or a few decades before; our dead heroes have furnished us the criterion of the true American, for he cannot be called an American, who, though he came down from the signers of the Declaration of Independence itself, stirs up ill feeling among his fellow-citizens. Look over the face of the globe and find me a powerful nation, and I will show you one where na- tional feeling is paramount. We, as German-Americans, familiar with the history of the past, glory in a united Germai;y which stands to-day among the galaxy of European nations of the foremost. If loyalty and faithfulness to one's country is to be proven by bloody sacrifices, then the loyalty of the German to his adopted country cannot be questioned. We love this land; it is our land and the home of our children and children's children. We may differ politically, but in the love of our country and institutions, Ave are one. Henceforth, your country is our country, your people our people, your destiny our destiny, your flag our flag, and your God our God. Whenever in the future the counti-y shall call upon her children, we believe and know that this dear land shall not call in vain. The fallen heroes sleep in this beautiful cemetery; they sleep the sleep that knows no waking, but their fame is as fadeless as the beauty of the rise of the sun. They live in our hearts and in our memories. This nation is to-day a Union baptized in the best blood of the American people. It is a Union that has been tried in the fire of steel, and has come forth brilliantly and unscathed. The best way for us to appreciate the devo- tion of those who died for their country in the war of the rebellion is to make it our duty to preserve what they sacrificed their lives to save. The value of a thing generally depends upon what it costs. To show the worth of this it is only necessary to imagine the Union broken into dis- jointed and discordant fragments; the States antagonized and inimical to each other. The Union, as saved, is the reverse of all this, and stands proudly before the world the synonym of national greatness, power and glory. Pennsylvania at Gettyshury. 431 DEDICATION OP MONUMENT 75'^^ REGIMENT INFANTRY October 8, 18SS ADDRESS OF FIRST SERGEANT H. NACHTIGALL COMRADES of the Seventy-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers: — I extend to you a hearty welcome upon the historic battle-field of Gettysburg. We are assembled here upon consecrated ground, con- secrated by the blood of our brethren, and shed in a great struggle for the preservation and maintenance of the high principles of liberty and humanity. More than a quarter of a century has ebbed away into the abyss of eternity since one of the most eventful dramas recorded in the annals of history was enacted upon this field; a drama in which you with thousands of sons of this our glorious country were destined to assume a role. Your ranks have been considerably depleted since those memorable July days of 1863, and of that once magnificent Seventy-fifth Regiment, which, a just pride of the German population of Philadelphia, left that city in Sep- tember, 1801, but a small remnant has remained. To-day you are less strong and vigorous, your hmbs are less pliant and active than in those days, when to the sound of the orchestra of war, amidst the thunder of cannon and the deafening roar of battle, you quickened your steps in order to take up your assigned position in the line of battle, and the never- melting snow of j-ears has settled upon the heads of many of you. For seventeen years Carthage with its wealth of heroism, its art and its navigation, directed by the genius of Hannibal, struggled against the pro- gressive institutions of Rome; for sixteen years the regal despotism of France, directed by the genius of Napoleon, endeavored to crush the liberal institutions of England; and for four years the spirit of secession, directed by the genius of Robert E. Lee, struggled to deal a death blow at the free institutions of the American Republic. Hannibal perished in Lama, Napoleon died at Waterloo and Lee found his Appomattox; but, my dear friends, when in the lapse of time the names and memories of these luminaries shall have perished in the whirlpool of revolution and despotism, the vision of the nations of the eai-th will be directed hither to Gettysburg, the bulwark and Mecca of the regenerated liberty of the American Republic, and from here the lesson will be taught that Hberty and humanity are not mere quibbles of the brain or the outgrowth of an over-excited fancy, and as we trace the war history of the world and raise in admiration our wondering gaze to the human genius, which like a brilliant meteor appears in the heavens, but soon vanishes from our sight, institutions having for their object the advancement of humanity will live forever, and the free institution of free government for which those men fought in whose memory this monument has been erected, shall not perish, but they will grow brighter and stronger as year after year will roll on. 29 432 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. The jjround upou which we now stand and the scenes by which we are suiTouiult'd within viewing distance, recall to our memories events of world historic note, and in obedience to a longing impulse of our hearts we have gathered here to-day to commemorate those events. What patriotic heart would not tlirob with enthusiasm when reviewing the state of affairs in the dark and gloomy days in the history of our country, when treason hung like the sword of Damocles over the life of this nation, when the people of the northern States, in the face of impend- ing danger, arose in their full majesty, like one mighty impulse, when, regardless of political party affinities, station in life or age, whether repub- licans or democrats, rich or poor, young or old, came forward in response to the exigency of the hour, and in vindication of the cause of liberty, eager to enter into and swell the ranks of an army about being organ- ized, without expectation of emolument or official honors, facing dangers, exposures and privations calculated to try the patience of the most hearty and valiant; and a proud thought it is to know that they fought to a suc- cessful ending the mightiest war struggle for human liberty known in the Avorld's history. These thoughts and the cermouies of this day bring us into the presence of hallowed memories. When we unravel the years which time lias woven into- our life we love to pause here and there at events that have more than others engrafted themselves upon our memory. Among others we are reminded of that solemn hour wJien the noble, magnanimous Andrew Curtin, the Governor of this great State of Pennsylvania, presented to us the flag of our coun- try, when we are reminded of those patriotic words he then spoke, words by which boys were transformed into men, citizens into soldiers and heroes in the course of a single hour. Governor Curtin entrusted that flag to the Seventy-fifth Regiment with the confidence that you would carry it into the thickest fight, that you would defend it to the last, and that in your hands it would never be disgraced. To-day we have met here to render an accoimt of our stewaidship, and to answer the query: Have we justified the confidence impo.sed upon us? The responsibilty of that trust might well make reckless men hesitate and brave men falter, but the Seventy-fifth Regiment accepted that trust, and, oh, what a proud, what a glorious satisfaction to know that it fully justified that trust, and after four years of war, during which time it has been borne aloft by patriotic hands, it was returned to the place from whence it came, the State capitol at Harrisburg, unsullied and untarnished, aye! covered with glory and fame, and when at times amid shot and shell it may have fallen to the ground, consecrating the same with the blood of a dead color bearer (as in the case of Sergeant Jordan at the second Bull Run battle), it soon rose again, only to arouse you to increased heroism and valor. The blow struck by the enemies of human liberty against the integrity of the Union, and the haughty slaveholders' A'ow that the free mechanic and the la- borer of the northern States were destined to succumb to his power and influence, received upon this field its sentence and death blow, and it may well be said that the true charter of American liberty was here written with the sword and sealed with the blood of her sons. To-day, my friends and comrades, you stand, a small remnant of that Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 433 once magnificent and glorious Seventj'-tifth Regiment, beneatli tlie shadow of tliis monument visible -witnesses of a great historic period. Oh, my friends and comrades, were I possessed with the eloquence of a Cicero or Demosthenes my tongue would be too feeble to express in befitting terms those feelings which at these sacred moments fill my heart and which I feel confident also penetrate yours, and cause them to beat responsive to the occasion of the present hour, but what words could more adequately echo our feelings, and be more in unity with the earnestness and solemnity of this occasion than those words spoken by the great and good Abraham Lincoln upon the occasion of the dedication of the National Cemetery yonder on Cemetery Hall, in November, 1863: But in larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot hallow this ground; the brave men. living and dead, have consecrated it far above our power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here for the un- finished work that they have thus far so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be dedicated to the great task remaining before us— that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the' cause for which they gave the last full measure of their de- ^ otion— that we, here, highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain— that the nation shall under God, have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth. Those of our brethren who fell upon this field did not Hve to behold the dawn of the golden morn of liberty — they died for us and for their country. In grateful remembrance we approach their last resting place. Rest in peace, ye noble patriots! History will forever accord to you the fame and glory you so richly deserved, but to us, the living, your patriotism and your valor shall forever remind us of the grand legacy you have be- queathed to us. In grateful appreciation we decorate your graves every year — we speak of you as of dear beloved members of our own families, and the numerous monuments and tablets erected upon this field to your memory will proclaim to coming generations that here upon this field the unity of a great nation was cemented by your blood; that here upon the soil of Pennsylvania a new Keystone was inserted in the magnificent structure of American liberty by the heroism and sacrifice of her sons, and in mute admiration will coming generations cherish and revere the memory of that Titan race which here secured the greatest triumph to liberty and hu- manity, a government system of the people, for the people, and by the people. And now, my fi'iends and comrades, we will deliver this monuments to the Battle-field Memorial Association, whose charge it will be to preserve it. Let a benediction of heaven fall upon the heroes of 1863, and when the last of the boys in blue shall haA^e descended from the stage of this life, and the ranks of the Grand Army have vanished from our sight, then children and cliildren's children will twine wreaths of garlands around this stone and the babe upon the mother's lap will be taught to lisp the storj- of how and why their grand-sires have fought here. 434 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. ACCOUNT OF THE PART TAKEN BY THE SEVENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY IN THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, JULY 1, 2 AND 3, 1863, BY FIRST SERGEANT H. NACHTIGALL. THE Seventy-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Eleventh Corps, having bivouacked at Emmitsburg, Maryland, broke camp early on the morning of July 1, with orders to march to Gettysburg. Having arrived within five miles of that town, further orders were received to advance at double-quick, the First Corps, Major-Geueral Reynolds, having encountered and engaged the enemy. The regiment upon reaching Gettysburg, marched through the town, and from its northern extremity proceeded in a northeasterly direction in the proximity of the county almshouse to the west side of the Carlisle road, where it took up its position, its left wing leaning on the right of the Eighty-second Ohio Regiment. Before the regiment reached that position it lost its colonel, Francis Mahler, who had fallen mortally wounded and been taken to the field hospital, where he died on the morn- ing of July 5. Lieutenant Hauschild, formerly a resident of Gettysburg, was also killed, after having received, but a short time previous, while marching with the regiment through the town, from the windows the salutations of his friends and former fellow citizens. It was about half- past one o'clock when the regiment reached the aforesaid position, and was for several hours severely pressed by the enemy who appeared in out- numbering forces from the north and west, while at the same time it was subjected to the intense cannonading of several well-posted Con- federate batteries, until, on account of the pressure brought to bear upon the comparatively small Eleventh Corps by the enemy, the order for re- treat was given. Unconscious of the danger to be flanked and captured, the Seventy-fifth Regiment reluctantly obeyed, and not any too soon, for, in order to obtain a place of safety, garden fences had to be torn down, since all the roads and avenues were already in the possession of the enemy. Of the wild disorderly retreat the Eleventh Corps has maliciously been accused, the Seventy-fifth Regiment at least was not guilty; on the contrary, thanks to the collected forethought of Major A. Ledig, who, as the senior ofiicer, had succeeded Colonel Mahler in the command, the regi- ment retreated in good order. After passing through the town, it was assigned its new position upon the plateau of Cemetery Hill, which forms the northern extremity of the ridge of the same name, where it remained during the course of the battle. In the engagement of the first day, it suffered a loss of fifty-five per cent. No other regiment in the Eleventh Corps met with a similar loss. Owing to the gallant conduct of the Sev- enty-fifth Regiment, the advance of the enemy was checked, enabling Gen- eral von Steinwehr, whose military eye had at once recognized the great advantage of such a position as Cemetery Hill, to post his batteries and fortify himself. The wisdom of this measure soon became evident, as Cemetery Hill proved the key of the Federal army during the battle, and had the Eleventh and First Army Corps done nothing else during the lUS BIEN a CO. NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 435 entire course of tlie battle than to maintain that position, it would have covered itself with undisputable glory. In the niglit of the second day of the battle the Eleventh Corps was surprised by an attack of the Louisi- ana Tigers on the northeastern declevity of the hill, which resulted in a hand-to-hand encounter in which the Tigers, who never before had met with defeat, were disastrously beaten and routed. The following were the casualties of the Seventy-fifth Regiment at the Gettysburg battle: Killed, three officers and sixteen men; wounded, five officers and eighty-four men; missing or captured, three men; total, one hundred and eleven. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 81^^ RKGIME^NT INFANTRY September 12, 1889 ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN HARRY WILSON MR. President, comrades of the Eighty-first Pennsylvania and friends: — In almost all human lives, even the most commonplace that have reached maturity and responsibility, there occur circum- stances, and happen events, unforeseen, unexpected, it may be, but which have so important a bearing and influence upon those lives as to become startling epochs; which stand out prominently, marking them with a dis- tinctness that can be felt like iron that has been broken and welded to- gether; like hard tangle knots in the otherwise smooth and even thread of life. Assembled upon the famous battle-ground made sacred a quarter of a century ago by a baptism of blood and sacrifice of precious life on the altar of liberty, and now sanctified by a nation's preseiwatioa and a na- tion's gratitude; assembled to dedicate this beautiful tribute — a lasting memorial to the dead heroes who fought and fell, and arose not again to behold the flying foe and feel the thrill of victory or participate in the after blessings of peace secured and the Union perpetuated, it is highly appropriate, my comrades, to speak of some of those events of the past which we shared with them and with each other. Feeling down along the thread of life twenty-eight years ago, we come to the greatest event which up to that time had marked their lives and yours and mine. A mighty knot in the life history of the nation. A ter- rible jumble and tangle, and culmination of discordant elements into one fearful, sudden, horrifying realization — War! "Grim-visaged war," with hideous and defiant front, was on us; and from Fort Sumter the roar of cannon like an electric shock boomed out the story of insult to our country's banner and rebellion to our country's law. How loud! how portentous! No after cannonading in all the war, not even the four hundred guns of Gettysburg pouring out their contents at one time seemed half so loud as 436 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. those of the bombardment of Fort Sumter and Major Anderson's noble defense. Along the coast northward it rolled, bounding from wave to wave, and all the seaports from Maryland to Maine heard it as it passed, and sent it on its way with howls of indignation and curses loud and deep. The waves flung it to the mountains; and whirling around the rugged peaks, and sweeping down the valleys, and screaming through the chasms, the mountains sent it spinning on — a national cyclone — across the plains and prairies, and up along the lakes, till striking the Kockies on its west- ward way, with one wild bound the war cloud leaped the intervening space and burst with fearful and furious import upon the Pacific slopes. With what result? Why, down from the mountain and up from the valley, in from the field and out from the factory there came "Tho heroes of the north Who swelled that grand array. And rushed like mountain eagle forth From happy homes away." It required but the call of the President and the quota was filled. And when Mr. Lincoln saw the need of more forces and made a second call, the tide came pouring in, singing on their way: "We are coming Father Abraham, six hundred thousand more." Among them were those who, joining together, were designated the Eighty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. What a change! what an epoch in one's life! Enlisted. Law-abiding citizens of peaceful pur- suits and quiet home lives. Enlisted! What for? to fight, and if need be to die, in the cause of our country. Foar companies of the regiment came from the counties of Carbon and Luzerne, among which were some of you. You dropped your tools in the mines and laid aside your caps and lamps to put on the paraphernalia of war. Some of you dropped the hoe and rake in the field and left the plow in the furrow, and bade adieu to the old homestead to seize a musket and cartridge box, to tramp in battle line o'er fields of carnage, and make furrows in the ranks of the enemy. From Mauch Chunk, Lehighton, Weatherly, Lansford, Summit Hill and a score of towns and villages, you followed your leaders, Captain Stroh, Company G; (afterwards lieutenant- colonel). Captain Harkness, Company H (afterward major); Captain Con- ner, Company I; Captain Foster, Company K; you met six companies of us from Philadelphia, wiio in like manner with you laid our planes upon the bench, dropped tlie hammer and trowel, threw down our pens, shut up our ledgers and turning our backs on yard-stick and scales, from store and mill and shop, aye, some of us mere boys from the school room, and following our leaders. Captain Schuyler, Company C; Captain Alexander, Company A; Captain Trump, Company B; Captain Sherlock, Company D; Captain William Wilson, Company E (afterward colonel), and Captain Lee, Company F; we met you and organized at Easton, Pennsylvania, under the following regimental staff officers: Colonel James Miller, a distin- guished soldier of the Mexican war; Lieutenant-Colonel Charles F. John- son, Major Eli T. Conner, Surgeon William A. Gardiner, Adjutant H. Boyd McKeen, and Chaplain Stacy Wilson, your speaker's honored father. Pennsylvania at Getty shury. 437 Together you formed a regiment of over nine hundred stroug effective men with brave hearts, who were willing to give up the social joys of home, the comforts of life, the companionship of beloved wives, children, parents, brothers, sisters, friends and go forth to endure the privation and exposure of a soldier's life — the weary march, the pelting storm, the lonely picket watch, the smoke and roar and flame of battle, and almost certain death in a thousand horrible forms — it was a turn, an event, an epoch in your lives which left its mark — alas how few remain to speak of it. In the spring of 1862, the great Second Army Corps was organized, and the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Regiment was assigned to General O. O. Howard's First Brigade of General Richardson's First Division; and from this time until the close of the war at Appomattox Court House, the track of the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers was a track of suffering and of blood. If I understand the significance of this monument and the in- tention of the State, Gettysburg is selected as a representative battle-field, because of its magnitude and importance in the history of the war, and its being located within the limits of the State, which is eminently proper; but that memorial monument, that crown of the victor's glory, that token of a country's loving gratitude, is erected and dedicated in honor of every Eighty-first Regiment Pennsylvania soldier who fought dutifully or fell heroically on any battle-field of the late war — aye, whether he sleeps in an unknown grave, or cemetery lot, or yonder national burying ground. And now, comrades, I would that I had the voice of a trumpet and a silver tongue that for once something like justice might be done to the record of a regiment, which for some reason has never received that public recognition which it merited. It may have been owing to the fact that our first Colonel Miller (killed at Fair Oaks) and his successor Colonel Conner (killed at Malvern Hill), and Major Harkness, desperately wounded twice und disabled, and other successors in the field and staff, were resident and more particularly known in counties outside of Philadelphia, and con- sequently did not receive the notice of the press, as did those regiments which were commanded by men of political infiueuce or of large acquaint- ance in the city. Some of you comrades, were with the regiment from 1861 to 1865. How eagerly the papers were read with a true soldier's pride. What a thrill of inspiration in the consciousness that it was known at home that we did our duty in the part assigned us. But I ask you to-day, under the shadow of this monument, do you remember in all that four years, ever seeing anything in the papers especially commendatory of our commanding officers and our boys? Well, behold that monument and rejoice at last, for the old Keystone State speaks to-day and her praises are carved in the solid granite. You have waited patiently and are rewarded at last. And perhaps it is all the better. You are not open to the charge as a regiment of having had your ordinary soldierly conduct magnified into deeds of undue importance; your light brushes and skirmishes with the enemy into sanguinary battles so overdrawn tliat an honest participant would scarcely recognize the pic- ture. But, comrades, while we did not begrudge the praise that was lavished 438 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. upon other reginieuts, yet it was somewhat aggravating, that where our loss in killed and wounded was far in excess, to be comparatively un- noted. Colonel H. Boyd McKeen, who had advanced from the position of adjutant to the command of the regiment, and who fell while gallantly leading a brigade in a charge at Cold Harbor — he was a Philadelphian, and had led the regiment into many a battle. But he stood on his merits alone, and with becoming modesty, and the true instincts of a gentleman, scorned the devious methods of paid correspondents, or to seek even the notice that was his due, and the same may be said of our other various commanders. It is a remarkable fact, that with six companies from the city of Philadelphia, yet the regiment is scarcely known to have had an existence. Bear in mind that it was one of the first regiments of the First Brigade of the First Division of the old fighting Second Corps; "that corps which was always in the front and maintained its existence unbroken from 1861 to 18(55; that corps which in fair fight with Lee's great army had captured forty-four Confederate flags ere first it lost a color of its own, that corps which under the command of Sumner, Couch, Hancock, Warren and Humphreys — illustrious roll — left nearly forty thousand men killed and wounded upon the battle-fields of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania! "That corps among whose generals of division were numbered Sedg- wick, Richardson, Howard, French, Barlow, Birney, Miles, Mott, Gibbon, Webb and Alexander Hays; the corps which crossed the Chickahominy to the rescue of the beaten left at Fair Oaks — which made the great assault at Marye's Heights, Fi-edericksburg; that corps on which fell the fury of Longstreet's mighty charge at Gettysburg; which was the rear guard in that delicate change of position and fought its way throwgh tlie intercepting lines of the enemy at Auburn and Bristoe; that corps which stormed the salient at Spotsylvania, opened the battle on the left at Petersburg, swept down on and outflanked the enemy's position at Five Forks, and which at Farmville fought the last infantry battle of the war against the Army of Northern Virginia," and out of that battle of the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Regiment escaped of those who were present — Colonel William Wilson, Captain James B. McKinley, one other officer, thirty-six men and the colors. We are proud of the record and the connection, and we stand here to-day to challenge a comparison of the actual facts with any regiment of our glorious State of Pennsylvania, or any other State; not in any jealous or censorious spirit which makes comparisons odious, but simply as a matter of friendly rivalry and in the interests of justice to all. Remember, for four years it followed steadily the fortunes of the Army of the Potomac, sharing its perils uncomplainingly, enduring its hardships cheerfully, per- forming its duties faithfully. Was there a desperate "charge bayonet" to make? The Eighty-first was generally assigned a place in the advance column. Was there a forlorn hope to be undertaken, involving the probable death of every participant? Tliere is scarcely a comrade here among the survivors but I have seen him pin his name on his knapsack as a memento to wife or children, sweetheart or friend, aye more than once. Was any part of the line pressed and needing help? I have seen you deliberately take the knapsack from your backs, containing the few precious love-tokens Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 439 from home, to \Yl)ioli you liad clung through many a weary march, and de- liberately fling it away, that, unincumbered, you might carry your extra cartridges, and double-quick it for two miles on a stretch, close up the gap and halting on a run, open fire on the enemy to his astonishment and defeat. I have seen you march through mud ankle deep, all day long and away into the night under beating rain to reach the enemy. I have seen you in line of battle all night long with orders to build no fires that would betray our position; the only protection around you a cold gum blanket, while the snow and sleet smote your faces, froze on your beards, and the barrel of your inverted musket glisteued with ice in the darkness. I have seen you where it was impossible for the commissary department to get rations to the front, faring for three days on three hard-tack, marching, building breast-works, plucking at the grass and snatching at the leaves to chew them if perchance there might be substance to give you strength to go on. 1 have seen you, for weeks together, the only water you had to drink or make coffee out of, nasty nauseating hot yellow oak-leaf swamp water, which you knew was causing us every day to beat the funeral march behind a comrade at the rate of one a day and we laid him away in his grave perchance half filled with the water that had killed him. And yet you were clieerful. In the name of God, comrades, would any one of you be willing to go through it all again for the whole surplus in the United States Treasury as a hireling — so much for the job? No, comrades, but you did it cheerfully and with self-sacrificing devotion to the patriotic prin- ciples which had been sealed with the blood and sufferings of our revolu- tionary forefathers and handed down as a precious heritage. "The Union forever, one and inseparable," "if any man attempts to pull it down (the stars and stripes) shoot him on the spot;" and you did so and got through successfully, and to-day, standing beside this monument, on the very ground once plowed with a perfect tempest of shot, and shell, and grape, and canister, and minie-balls, marked with your foot-steps in the struggle, stained with your very blood — ah, 'tis your joy to-day, as you cast your eyes to the top of yonder flag pole towering up above the cemetery of sleeping heroes (whose spirits may perchance this moment mingle with us), and southward, to the proud cities of the rebellion; and to Richmond, the Confederate capital, and to tlie grand old dome at Washington, and floating over every noble institution of our glorious Union, I say it is our joy to know and sing to-day — "Our flag is there, our ihis is there, we hail it with three loud huzzahs, Our flag is there, our !lag is there, we greet the sight with glad applause." But it has left its mark upon you. We look in each other's faces, many of us for the first time in a quarter of a century. How marked the change. Robust, in your young and vigorous manhood, or In the early prime of life then — alas, now prematurely old, wrinkled, gray and weather-beaten, all the more by that early disablement; not all the government millions of surplus can restore that strong right arm, replace that sturdy limb, bi-ing back the nervous energy and vital forces, or displace the aches and pains pertaining to malarial and rheumatic diseases— and yet, should any of you be in circumstances of distress and incapacity to earn a comfortable living, God 440 l*en?isi/lvania at Oeitysbury. pity you if you have no hospital record upon whicli to base your claims. The incompleteness of our pension legislation makes it possible, by perjury if you will, to secure at least the monstrous sum of from two to eight dol- lai-s per month. And right here we want to lift up our voice, and on the dignity and in behalf of all true soldiers, put down our foot on and denounce and pro- test against any legislation, any measures for a soldier's benefit, either now or in the time to come, entitled as was a recent bill presented for con- sideration — (come closer comrades, let me whisper it lest yonder dead turn in their graves; lest the Goddess on the National Monument hear it and drop that laurel wreath, and the crimson of shame burn on her marble cheek) — a "pauper pension bill!" But to resume. How little we knew of war in the beginning of those four years of struggle. How crude our ideas. Do you remember the fears ofttimes expressed with deep concern, when, at Camp California, near Alexandria, Virginia, in 18G1, when the news of an important victory reached us from the west or southeast? "There! do you hear that? Just what I have been afraid of — the whole thing will be over and we will have to go home without getting a shot." Many a time doubtless you have smiled as you read with the eye of a veteran, backed with the experience of having stood your ground and fired upon the enemy at short range until your musket got so hot and foul you couldn't drive a bullet down the barrel, read with amusement the eii'usions and descriptions by letter, of that earlier time. All in expecta- tion of something terrible and startling — we knew not what — the imagina- tion wrought the most trifling things into shapes marvelous. For instance, a letter in my possession of that time with due soberness relates: "It is generally believed that a spy was in our camp last night, for, at a very late hour, somebody was distinctly heard to have tripped over the captain's tent-rope." Our first experience in effective duty (comical, but pleasing to recall at this late day), that expedition to Marlboro, to guard the polls at an elec- tion. Not a rebel soldier perhaps within twenty miles, but we had out our picket line all the same. In the middle of the night, "bang" went the pick- ets' portentous gun. "Fall in," "fall in." Great excitement. "Drummers! beat the long roll." We climbed up shivering to the right, not knowing precisely what the long roll meant, but hammered the sheep- skin with frightful vengeance keeping time with our teeth. Rather a coo! and frosty night, but with surprising quickness the boys tumbled into line, and presenting a beautiful picture of parade in undress uniform. The longer the enemy put off coming, the more anxious we became to meet him. On examination it was found that a stray pig had wandered too close to a green picket, who, hearing the sound (not knowing but it might be a rebel), levelled his gun, and doubtless with heart in his mouth, hair on end and eyes shut, "let her go." Further examination and inspection in the morn- ing developed the fact, by conclusive proof, that the picket's firing was not entirely ineffective, though the pig escaped. So, it would be pleasant to go on by the hour recalling the education and Pennsylvania at Qettyaburg. 441 developnit'iit, and how it graduaHy dawned on us what actual war meaut, and how anything but laughable it would become to have a twenty-four- pound shell playfully to burst itself in one's very arms. Ah! there were to be many fearful experiences and weary liardshii)s, making hard knots in all your individual lives, before you obtained, through discipline and suf- fering, the hardened, persistent, unfaltering courage to constitute a thorough veteran. Very few of you, my comrades, but feel the twinge of more than one knotty place left on your person where the miuie ball, canister shot or piece of shell cut you down, to crawl or be dragged away only to return when recovered, and be cut down again. And hundreds of others of our comrades, some in almost every battle fought by the Second Corps, closed their eyes and sunk down all in a bloody heap; the tla-ead of their lives abruptly broken off; their battle ended forever. Listen to this record of the Eighty-first Fennsylvauia Veteran Regi- ment, as published in Bates' history, and produce if you can more honorable. Of the colonel's staff and field oIHcers, four killed, five wounded, two died of disease and one prisoner, and of those wounded, it should be added, wounded two or three times, as was Colonel Wilson, INIajor Harkness, or as Colonel McKeen, who was wounded badly in three different battles, to return and be killed in another. Of the line officers, of which it only takes thirty to supply the ten com- panies of a regiment, fourteen were killed outright, one of them with seven bullets through him and many with two and three. And as others were pro- moted to fill the vacancies, forty were wounded, and it was a common thing for both officers and men to come out of a single fight with several wounds, and numbers of these also died afterwards from the effects of their wounds. Of the rank and file, though there were in all some fifteen hundred names enrolled, not more than about twelve hundred men actually reached the front and got into actual engagement. Of these, two hundred and one were killed outright; five hundred and sixteen wounded, many of which afterwards proved fatal; one hundred and fifty-two were made prisoners of war, many of whom died at Libby or Andersonville prisons, and seventy -nine died of disease. Total loss, one thousand and sixteen; and here is a little band of survivors, which constitute one-third the nmnber perhaps that live to-day of all that mass of men! Where is the record of any regiment that fought more pitched battles, besides skirmishes, than this one? And one of the proudest things of which you have a right to rejcico. my comrades, is the fact tliat though in the front from beginning to end, i'.ie Eighty-first Pennsylvania Regiment never lost her colors! On the contrary, they had to be renewed at least once, and we think twice, because they had been shot away till but a star or two, clinging to some ragged stripes, were all that was left. Where are to be found a more gallant and intrepid band of officers than were our commandere, from Colonel Miller on down to Colonel Billy Wilson, who was badly wounded at Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and narrowly escaped the loss of his life in one of the last battles of the war, for we happened to be looking at him just at the moment the third button of his coat was snipped oft" his breast with a minie ball, and his face broadened with a grin of approval. 442 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Heroes! prodigies of valor! deeds of daring aud deliberate sacrifice of life, which Iiave never been heralded by writer, nor woven into poetic rhythm, nor told in song, nor set to music! Where can be found a grander array or more numerous, than we know to be present by the actual history of our dead comrades, the officers, and especially the rank and file, of the Eighty- first Fennsylvania Regiment V All honor to them. Never was a monument dedicated to more worthy or deserving memories, nor served to perpetuate more sublime achievement than was wrought by these dead heroes. De- lightful it would be to all of us, did time and opportunity permit, to take up the theme and individually recount their deeds. Reverently would we speak of Colonels Miller, Conner and McKeen. Of Sherlock, McGee, Van- dyke, Young, Lee and Aydelott. Of Samuel Peters, just recovered from former wounds, returning a professed convert from his former gayeties, through reading-matter furnished in the hospital, bringing with him a haver- sack full of tracts and manfully distributing them with noble words to his astonished comrades, and with new spirit led his company to the enemy's works, and, waving his sword, fell, shot through the heart. Of Abbott, Phillips and Ginder, Patton, Hawk, Hoover, Charlie Wilson and a score of others. And perhaps the grandest of them all, our noble color-bearers, who knew and looked for nothing else but certain death, a magnificent list of names, worthy to be inscribed upon this monument. Among them McHale, Davis, Shiner, Parkhill and Murray. Ah, some of the deeds wrought by those men, and circumstances attending, contain a pathos that would start the tears from eyes that did not quail at the cannon's mouth. Captain Hackett, Captain Graham, do you remember the lone grave we digged, while we were only drummer boys, down in the little hollow by the woodside, for Color-Bearer Ephraim Davis, after the terrible night-scene of his suffering and death? With an old shovel and some sharpened cracker-box lids we made the excavation, and wrapping him in his blanket all soaked with his blood, let him down, oh, so gently, in his grave. Then laying stones and lumps of earth along the sides, we placed pieces of rough boards across so the falling earth might no strike his honored body. And we cried and could not help it as we filled the grave, and we cut his name deep in a piece of cracker-box lid with our pocket-knives, and filled the letters with ink to make them plain, and planted that poor tombstone at his head, the best and only tribute our loving hearts and willing hands could offer, the companion of our youth, but little older than ourselves, a mere boy himself, shot through and through the body while carrying the colors. And there was Color-Sergeant James B. Murray. Where ever was found a nobler specimen of patriotic zeal, a more deliberate sacrifice of life. Wounded twice and returned again to challenge death while bearing proudly aloft his country's flag. Three days he remained beyond his term of service, which had expired, and he was entitled to go home to greet the preparation being made for his honorable reception. But we were facing the enemy at Reams' Station, and he declined to leave his comrades in face of a battle. Excused by the colonel, implored by his comrades, aye, almost by force stripped of his accoutrements and flag, and driven to the rear, he goes but a short distance, but cannot break away. His face is Pennsylvania at Gettyshurg. 44.3 toward home; an honorable discharge his just deserts. His back is to his comrades and the enemy. Life, honor, home are before him; battle and possible death behind him. The enemy charges our works with fearful force. Ten thousand demoniac yells rend the air. See! see! the gallant Murray cannot endiire his back turned for this first time toward the foe, and, whirling around, he plunges through the shower of lead and seizing a dead's man's musket takes his place, and falls beside him, shot through the head. And there was Captain John Bond, served through the war, and now in the very last battle, almost surrounded by the enemy, could have sur- rendered and had life; but, shaking hands with Comrades Ward and Gal- lagher, and one other, who agreed together to run the gauntlet from under the very muzzles of the enemy's guns, who had overwhelmed our little regi- ment, and there was naught to do but yield or die. "Boys," said he, "good- bye; they must kill me before tliey take me," and in ten seconds lie was a dead man. And we must speak a word in memory of Captain Phil. R. Schuyler, in whose honor Post 51 G. A. R. is named. His shoulder terribly mutilated by a lai'ge piece of burst shell, while he is in the very act of assisting his dying friend Vandyke. And now knoAving he himself must also die, is carried to the rear. What sublime resignation marked his death. Several of his comrades, former associates in the old Summerfield Methodist church choir in Philadelphia, joined with him in song at his request. And, leading with his deep rich voice, in the very approach of death, he sang alone as of old the bass solo first part of — "Watchman, tell us of the night, what its signs of promise ai-e." And his comrades answered in full harmony — Traveler, o'er yon mountain's height, see the glory beaming star. And the dying Schuyler, with prophetic vision, saw the star of victory for the Union cause rising in the distance, and with the Christian's eye of faith saw the "Star of Bethlehem," the hope of his salvation, and peacefully com- mitted his soul to God. And we may not pass by that phenomenon of nature, Reddy McHale. That fearless and audacious, freckled-face, pug-nosed country boy from nobody knows where. That careless waif who, it is well known by you all, was deprived of the flag in time of parade because of his personal appear- ance, his soiled clothing, always burned round the heels of his trousers, his uncombed, uncut, shaggy red hair. But the colors were always re- garded safe, if, going into battle, they were in Reddy's hands. Did he not, amid that fearful rain of lead and death, and the confusion of repulse, not only bring our own colors off the field of Fredericksburg but seeing another regiment's colors lying beneath several men, who, trying to rescue them, had fallen dead upon that flag, deliberately stopped and pulled the colors out from underneath them and brought off both triumphantly V And well you know, comrades, right out there, not fifteen yards from where we stand, he undertook to charge that stone wall alone and fell shot through the heart. And so wo might go on by hours, not only in honor 444 Pennsylvania at Qettysburg. of the dead, but eciually brave deeds were done by the living, by many of you, my couirades, who survive and are liere to-day. Comrade Winter, we haven't forgotten when you, witii others, volunteered to drag those almost surrendered caissons loaded witii ammunition, out from the enemy's nose, and under fearful fire, and you did it well. So Ave would like to pay a tribute to every comrade here, as to those who fell at their post. They fought gloriously, fell nobly, and are not forgotten. Some lie in yonder cemetery, some were taken to their homes and are laid in the family lot, but many alas lie in deep trenches on other battle- fields. But wherever they are, this monument perpetuates their memory. A grateful country carries them all close to her warm throbbing heart. Of the battle of Gettysburg, so much has been written ,aud published, and exhibited, in Rotliermel's celebrated painting, and in the famous Cy- clorama, that it is perhaps the most familiar and widely known of any battle tliat ever transpired in the history of the world. This monument is erected positively on the very line occupied by the Eighty-first Penn- sylvania on the second day of the battle. Briefly, the main facts are as follows: Birney's Division of the Third Corps, commanded by General Sickles, had been well advanced yonder to tiie south and west toward the Emmitsburg pike and Sherfy's peach orchard. About four o'clock in the afternoon, they Avere furiously attacked by the Confederate divisions of Generals Hood and McLaws. General Lee had determined to outflank or break through the Union left, and had extended his line well around our left toward Round Top. Pender's and Anderson's Confederate divi- sions were thrown forward in the accumulating assault. Barksdale, with the Mississippians, were massed at the peach orchard. General Warren, with a portion of the Fifth Corps, had just seized Little Round Top in time, and the attack came on. There was not a moment to spare. Posi- tion well secured and held to-day, determines the battle to-morrow. The contest becomes desperate. The opposing forces are too powerful. They swing round the left of Birney's Division and come rushing up the valley. Eleven Confederate batteries are pounding our troops. Barksdale's Miss- issippians break through Graham's feeble line. McGilvery's artillery are driven out and the enemy pour round in rear of the Union troops. Sweitzer's and Tilton's brigades of the Fifth Corps are hurried' forward to Birney's assistance, but are overwhelmed and thrown back, and for a time all appears to be lost. At this moment of suspense a powerful rein- forcement is approaching. Who are they? It is the division which Sumner had organized at Camp California, which had been led by Richardson and Hancock, commanded to-day by Caldwell. The scene of contest is this field, tlie then wheat-field afterwards so famed in history and painting. It is called the "whirlpool of the battle of Gettysburg." The woods yonder to the south and west were full of the exultant enemy. Says Walker in his history: "Across this space, the fiery Cross led the First Brigade, composed of the Eighty-first Pennsylvania, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Amos Stroh, Sixty-first New York, Fifth New Hamp- shire and One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania, but he moved on to his death. Leading his well-approved brigade with splendid enthusi- asm, he fell mortally wounded with hundreds of his men. More than one- Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 445 tliird of those oft-decimated regiineuts arc killed and wounded before the brigade is brought to a staud, but at hist they are checked by the weight of withering fire from the stone wall (that very stone wall, yonder, com- rades), which then as now, lined the further edge of the wheatfield. And now Brooke's Brigade advanced from the rear to our relief and support, and the position is held and secured with the loss of almost half our effective strength, the ground being disputed with a stubbornness seldom equalled." That is what Walker says of us. We modestly thank him for telling the story for us. We are satisfied to take our share of honors if we deserve them, with the brigade. We don't claim to have fought the whole battle of Gettysburg, or to have been braver or fought harder than others. We simply came with a stronger force to the support of those who were being overwhelmed by a superior force to themselves, took our ground where ordered, stuck there, shot as fast as we could, and simply did our duty, then, as before and afterward. The loss shows that every third mau who was in the tight was killed or wounded. Of General Lee's fatal mistake, and Pickett's fearful charge on the third day of the battle, all are familiar, and the disastrous results to the enemy; we all recognized the fact that the backbone of the enemy was broken. He proved, however, to be a healthy invalid to handle afterward. Indeed, we do not at all feel it improper, even under these circumstances, to express our admiration of the magnificent courage and devotion dis- played by our mistaken brothers of the south, in that most persistent, steady, brilliant onward voluntary submission to slaughter, never excelled for fidelity and only equalled by a like charge and slaughter of the Second Army Corps at Fredericksburg. And it was the Second Corps who received them and were avenged. There is another epoch to which we call your attention, which marked another turn in your lives, one more agreeable. It was the morning of the 9th of April, 1865. In the front line of battle following up Lee's retreat- ing army, was the little remnant of the Eighty-first Pennsylvania Regi- ment. The scene is Appomattox Court House. The line of battle was formed in the early morning after a march of most of the night previous. The mists lay in the valley before us. Chased away by the rising sun, there rose on our view a commanding ridge, a fine position for an army to make a stand. If so, those heights are to be taken. That means an- other charge. That means strong probability of death before that sun shall set.- With such gloomy prospects, and entirely unaware of the fact that we had Lee cut off on the other side from further retreat, what was our astonishment when General Grant rode right up to our front line with his staff, and called for our division band of thirty-six pieces. Like men in a dream we heai'd the command to "march by the flank," and filed into the road. What can it mean? Listen! "The star spangled banner," and Ave follow the general, every nerve tinghng with a new sensation and quivering with the shock of sudden transition. Many a time we had been fooled with dreams of home, and had learned to distrust them. But this is certainly real. Listen! "The i-ed, white and blue." We have reached the base of the hill. Lee's soldiers are at the top, and we are marching up. There is no cannonading, no leaden hail, no death. Perfect silence reigns 446 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. among the men. They seem to glide like spectres, each man absorbed with powerful and dazzling reflections. But the music goes on — "Hail Co- lumbia — happy land." Around the hill top we march. The web is com- plete "Halt!" and the stipulations of Lee's unconditional surrender are read, while our hearts beat with a rapture which must be akin to that of entering the "Golden Gates." Comrades, can we ever forget the wild joy of that happy hour? The war over — battles euded — peace secured— home at last. And fol- lowing on top of this delicious experience, we reach the city of Washington, capital of our glorious Union. The grand review and reception of the victorious army of the North is the order of the day. Alas, there is only one painful feature connected with it. Our dead comrades, our dead com- rades, who shared our hardtack and canteen, blanket and forage, and fell by our side — they, who deserve it most, cannot enjoy it. Oh, that they might be here, what a happy day! The commander-in-chief and the great men of the nation are in the special stand erected for them to review the passing victors. Pennsylvania avenue is packed and crowded. Seats are improvised in every possible form, at porches, piazzas and windows, until it appears like a solid sea of faces on both sides from curbstone to roof top. The air is thick with waving banners. It is the spring time, and everybody's hands are filled with flowers. The atmosphere is impregnated with their fra- grance. Fathers, mothers, wives, children, friends are here, and have brought roses to shoAver on the honored, the beloved veteran coming home from the war bringing victory Avitli him. Was there ever such a proud day? Bands of music are playing thrilling national airs as we march. On we go, two little divisions across that avenue in line — all that could be got from every quarter, with our ragged, bullet-riven colors still waving above us, stepping time to the music. Clapping of hands, shouts of recog- nition, cheers, plaudits of welcome greet us on every side. Hands are reached out to us, and we hear our names, but we do not stop. Look! we are approaching the grand stand, the conquering chieftain is there, our noble lieutenant-general. We pass under triumphal arches. See, his eye is on us — he knows lis and all about us; the signal is given, the drums roll the salute, the flag is dropped, he raises his hat and a smile lights his face. "Present arms." And every sword's point is lowered and every musket brought to the front of his person with that military motion of salute, and we march by with the band playing "Hail to the chief." The review is over. But our dead comrades. Is there no part for them? Ah, yes, we are looking forward to another epoch, in which, please God, they'll share. It is when the trump shall sound and the dead shall arise from the dust. "Verily they shall have their reward." May it not be so, may it not bo so, comi-ades? See, the old Eighty-first gathering together again. From Fair Oaks and Malvern Hill, Antietam and Gettysburg, Chancollors- ville and Fredericksburg, shaking off their dust the warriors gather. From Wilderness and Cold Harbor, Spotsylvania and Petersburg, Bristoe and Farmville, they are coming together; the souls of our departed comrades and coinmandcrs for the final grand review and reception to the faithful, in the Pennsylvania at Gettyshurg. 447 eternal city. Aud we too, comrades, if we are faithful to the sacred dead, aud to ourselves, and to each other, and to God, we too, through the all merciful provision of the loving Father may join the grand review, wliou, shoulder to shoulder, as conquering heroes, w^e may march the chief thoroughfare of the New Jerusalem, the battle of life ended and the final victory won. And while the bauds of Heaven play, and choirs of angels sing; with the banner of the cross, the emblem of our hope, above us; treading out the exotic sweetness of flowers from tlie fields of Paradise, may we receive on every side the greeting and welcome of the loved ones there awaiting us; and marching up in grand review before the king of kings, the captain of the world's salvation, may it be ours to see His smile, and hear His divine plaudit "Well done, good and faithful servants, enter in and sit down on my right hand, gathered home forever." Amen; so let it be. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 82^ RKGIMENT INFANTRY June 13, 1888 ADDRESS OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN M. WETHERILL FRIENDS and comrades: — The people of Pennsylvania, mindful of the . services of her soldier sons, have ordered, through their representa- tives, the Legislature and the Governor of the State, the erection of monuments to commemorate their deeds upon this battle-field, and have confided to the survivors of those who fought here the duty of selecting the form and locating the place upon which they are erected. In accordance with this trust, we are assembled to-day, to deliver to the proper authority this complete structure, erected as a lasting witness and testifying that it is tke place where your most valuable services and sacri- fices in this battle were rendered to the cause of our country. For the purpose of handing down this record to future generations, the same organization is assembled here that occupied it a quarter of a century ago. But how changed! Then in the full bloom of active manhood, in martial array, with banners streaming, drums beating, with bright arms, erect bearing, and all the manly pride and bravery of the experienced sol- dier. Now the few survivors advance to this well-remembered spot with bended form, halting from wounds and with tottering step. Some still retain something of the elasticity of youth, but in the youngest the hair is sprinkled with white, and the eye, accustomed to the listlessness of peace, has lost, in advancing age, the sternness of expression with which it form- erly undauntedly gazed into the fire of opposing musketry. Many are missed, laid low by the storm of subsequent battles, and time, a more relentless enemy, has more than decimated the remainder. §0 448 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Wc, the few who ure left, with grateful ackuowledgmeuts to the Al- mighty, who, through these memorable scenes of our lives, has preserved us to the present, rejoice that we are permitted to assemble upon this his- toric field to consummate the purpose which the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania has so kindly assigned us. It is fitting that, on this occasion, the record of this part of your services to your country sliould be recorded. I wish I were better able to perform this pleasing duty, for no tongue can be too eloquent, or pen too graceful to describe the deeds of the patriotic soldiers, who have made this field historic throughout all coming ages. There is no need to remind you of the 1st day of July, 1863, when you were encamped on the line of Pipe creek, thirty-seven miles distant from the ground on which we now stand. How pleasant and cheerful had been the day of rest, which, after your rapid march from the Potomac, you enjoyed in the woods near the banks of that insignificant rivulet. The long summer day had ended and night closed upon the scene. Momentarily expecting tattoo you were making preparations to enjoy the unwonted luxury of a summer night's sleep under the trees. The drummer's call is heard. What is if? It is yet too early for tattoo. Soon you learn, as out beats the assembly, letting you know there is no rest for that night. The accoutrements put on, the shelter tents unfast- ened and distributed, the orderly's command, "Fall in," the roll called and all accounted for, these are the work of a moment. With brief ceremony, the regiment is formed and you are on the march. No one knows where. Your brigade heads the column. In the darkness the road is mistaken, and two miles added to the march in regaining the right direction. Well was it for you that the day had been one of rest — for hour after hour through the night the march continues. Daylight saw you still steadily advancing with ranks well closed up; and sunrise shows you a pleasing country with hills and valleys well cultivated, the abode of an energetic, thrifty and happy population. You learn that yoti are on the Baltimore turnpike, and that your objec- tive point is Gettysburg, in Pennsylvania, yet many miles distant. The knowledge that you are marching to defend the soil of your State inspires additional ardor and, regardless of fatigue, you press on in unbroken ranks with renewed determination. Hour after hour the march continues, until about three o'clock in the afternoon, from the hollow of Rock creek, you discern the cemetery near the road, and stretching along the ridge, forever after to be called by that name — the Union line of battle. Brief is the halt. The reinforcement of your corps, eagerly looked for by General Meade, has arrived, and the positions of its divisions and brigades marked out before their arrival. Some to the right, others to the center; your brigade files to the left, and crossing through the fields strikes the Taneytown road, and marches along it to the rear of Round Top. Here your arms are stacked in line and you prepare what food you can, still wearing all e(]uipments. This pleasant business just begun, the assembly call is heard, and again you quickly form in line. But for a short time. The emergency is passed, and dismissed again your rough repast is pre- Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 449 pared, and night soon coming on, yonr blankets are spread for beds upon the grass, among the gigantic bouklors, under the luxuriant foliage of the grove, and grateful sleep, unrealized by any but those who have experi- enced a similar labor, ends the day. With the first streak of early dawn, refreshed by welcome rest, again you are in position. Now you feel that business is to be done. Rifles are examined and cartridges counted. So pressing is the occasion, no time can be spared for breakfast. A draught of water from the canteens and a hard tack munched at intervals as you march, are your only repast, as soon in route you retrace your steps of the afternoon before, along the Taneytown road. The sun rises bright and clear, and the grass, wet with dew, sparkles in its beams. It is the last sunrise on earth to many brave men, but its chcvful rays banish all forebodings as you gaily strike across the fields towards Gulp's Hill. Soon the cannon opens upon your rear. This is from an unexpected qiiarter, as our own lines are between you and the enemy, but still you advance with the steadiness contracted by two years of discipline and the experience in many battles. Some one orders the flag unfurled, thinking our own men are firing upon you by mistake. The order comes to furl the flag, as it is not advisable to make too prominent a mark, and you soon discover the cause of the disturbance to be from the enemy, who, occupying an elevated position, is thereby enabled to fire over our lines along Cemetery Ridge and into your rear. Still advancing under this fire, in time you reach the hollow just below and to the west, easily discernible from this position Avere it not for the foliage of the trees. The brigade is formed in column of regiments — in line. General Geary, in command of this portion of the field, appears and a brief consultation is iield. The One hundred and twenty-second New York is ordered forward to this spot, supported by the Eighty-second Pennsylvania, with instruc- tions to drive out the enemy from our intrenchments, which they had occu- pied the night before. The engagement opens briskly with the One hun- dred and twenty-second New York, and their firing is rapid and successful, the Confederates being driven back. Then the Eighty-second Pennsylvania relieves them and occupies the in- trenchments, the enemy endeavoring their recapture, but, failing in the attempt, and after his failure maintaining a desultory fire for a considerable time, which is replied to in a similar manner by the Eighty-second and the Twenty-third Pennsylvania on your right, and the Sixty-seventh New York on your left. This is without much result on either side, and after a time all firing ceased, and some of the enemy's wounded came and were brought into our lines. When the firing on both sides had ceased, you were relieved from this position by a portion of General Geary's command, and you retire to the ravine at the foot of the hill on which we now stand, thinking that for the present your labors are over. But the enemy, finding himself unable to withstand the attack in front, opens upon your rear with his artillery, firing, as he had previously done, over our lines, along Cemetery Ridge. Nothing is gained to him by this 450 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. procedure, for well yon have learned that artillery is more noisy than harmful at the distance in which it was operated, and not to be compared in its effect with the more quiet and deadly musketry. Finding his efforts useless, the artillery fire upon you is finally turned in another direction. Your rest, however, is but of short duration. General Meade had perceived the massing of the enemy's center, and the fire of his artillery was now directed upon our batteries, which lined our front along Cemetery Ridge. Anticipating the movement which culminated iu Pickett's charge, he de- sired to strengthen his center, now known to be the intended point of attack. Not a moment is to be lost and your brigade is ordered to the center in double-quick time. In almost a run you arrive upon the ground, and are posted a little to the left of the center, in rear of artillery, which replies, gun for gun, with the rapid discharges of their opponents. Soon the artillery fire ceases, and Pickett's gallant men advance to the attack. Perceiving the point towards which his movement is directed, your bri- gade is moved a short distance to our right, to form a line of battle in the rear of the front to furnish a resisting force in case the lines in front should be unable to withstand the attack. The suspense is brief — the enemy with all his gallantry being but able to reach our first line, when, broken in pieces, torn and dispirited, his brave men regain, as best they can, their position in their own lines, and the battle of Gettysburg is practically decided in favor of the Union army. Many gallant Confederates remain on the field, and the long column of prisoners and their exhibited flags add additional evidence to the successful defense of the Union position. Thus the fighting is ended, but the 4th of July found you upon the same ground, without shelter from the rain which pitilessly beat upon you throughout the day and night. Early on the 5th, the day bright and clear, you bade farewell to the battle-field at Gettysburg, not again visited by the organization till now — nearly twenty-five years after. Marching across a portion of the field of the former three-days' contest the column of the Sixth Corps leads the van in pursuit. All day long you follow closely upon the heels of the retreating enemy, and as the sun is setting, through one of the passes of the mountains is heard the report of a cannon, and a shell whistles over the advancing force, and you know that he is brought to bay. Your line files to the right of the road, others to the left, and, standing in position, you await the development of his movements. They are soon learned. In the growing darkness his artillery is limbered up in retreat, and as night steals on you lie down on your arms in cheerful slumbers, proud and happy of the result of the battle, which has driven our enemy from the north, taught the lesson that no hostile invader dare with impunity put his foot on Pennsylvania soil, freed the capital of the nation, as well as the cities of Philadelphia and Baltimore, from the fear of rebel occupation, and by the staggering blow which the enemy received opened up in your minds the pleasing prospect of a speedy return to your homes by the term- ination of the war. But many military operations had yet to be performed before the end is reached. Time will not permit more than allusion to your many days and nights of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 451 service iu battles aud marches. Volumes have beea written aud will be again, picturing the ever-memorable deeds of the armies, ending by the vir- tual closing of the war in the surrender at Appomattox. On this monument are inscribed Yorktown, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Malvern, Antietam, Williamsport, Fredericksburg, Franklin's Crossing, Marye's Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Funkstown, Rappa- hannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Toto- potomoy. Cold Harbor, Petersburg (1), Fort Stevens, Winchester, Dabney's Mills, Fort Fi.slicr, I'etersburg (2), Sailor's Creek and Appomattox Court House — not all the engagements in which you participated and rendered valuable service, but only those in which the archives of the War De- partment certify to your losses in killed and wounded. Their simple recital speaks volumes to you whose memory recalls the stirring events connected with their names. The enduring granite will hand the record down to future generations, who will value your services as priceless, when they know and feel that this war was not alone for the maintenance of the Union of the States, but for sustaining, besides, the liberties of all the people of the country, which, without the existence of the Union, could not have been nor cannot be preserved. Our military service is ended. Should war occur in the future our country requires young and active men for its soldiers. Our part in our day and generation has been performed. Remembering the martial ardor of our youth, regretfully we feel "O now forever Farewell the plumed troop and the big wars That make ambition virtue. Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife. The royal banner; and all quality. Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war." But it is still left to us, from our military experience, to instruct our sons in the knowledge we have acquired aud the principles formed in our martial life, that the honorable character and military practices of the soldier may be familiar to the rising generations, should they have need of their exercise. But though the physical strength and capacity of endurance of the sol- dier is gone from us, the moral vigor of our position, as defenders of the flag, gives our sentiments upon every question relating to the welfare of our country, a stronger claim for acceptance to all, both young and old. It will, in this view, not be considered presumptuous to remind the people of the State and Nation, that principle for which you fought was the "Union of the States," and to say that though the Union was attacked during the late war upon the pretext of the preservation of the institution of slavery, that hereafter the furtherance of some other object, popular with lar.ge portions of the people, may be made by designing and ambitious men the ostensible reason for its attempted overthrow. And let us remind them that the Union, founded on popular attachment to its principles, will be constantly imperilled, unless a sentiment of kindly and fraternal feeling exists among all classes of our citizens, whatever may be their business pur- suits or means of livelihood. 452 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. Ill furtherance of these views, therefore, let us endeavor by our counsels to hasten the day when every shade of bitterness between the North and the South, shall have passed away, so that, if not in the present, at least in the next generation, if possible, nothing of the incidents of the war be remembered without regret, except the achievements of the soldiers of both armies. And let us teach that their achievements are the common herit- age and glory of all the people of all sections of the country. And let us not forget to say, that the men of the North fought for the Union, not for our section alone, but that its benefits and blessings should belong to and be the heritage of the whole country, south and north, as well for those who fought against it; and that the surrender at Appomattox established popular liberty for the whole country, fis well for them as for us. So that future generations though remembering, with pride the gallant achieA'ements of their southern ancestors on this and other fields, will yet regard as a blessing their defeat as securing to all (by the preservation of the Union), the inestimable boon of personal and political liberty, and the right to manage their own domestic affairs subject only to the necessary restraints of the Federal Constitution. And we, too, the people of the North, will claim a part of the glory of the deeds of our then enemies (not so now). For with our country fully reunited, their achievements will be recognized as the work of the American nation, and the sons of the North will claim a share of the glory of the Confederate conduct of battle, as well as the southern born, for its gallantry was the heroism of the people of the United States, and as such it belongs to all, the North as well as the South. Then shall we in all sincerity feel that "we are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it has not burst the bonds of our affection. The mystic chords of memory stretching from every battle-field and every patriot's grave to every heart and hearth- stone all over this broad land, have swelled the choinis of the Union, touched as they have been by the better angels of our nature." And now, resting on the field to-day, we view, after twenty-five years of absence, the scene of one of the most glorious achievements of your youth. The distant hills and mountains present the same appearance as they did a quarter of a century since; but how altered the rest! In place of the long lines and glittering musketry of the infantry, the booming of cannon, whistling of bullets and the galloping clang of horsemen, we look upon a gladdening scene of husbandry. The fields are covered with grain, and the cheerful cry of the farmer to his team has supplanted the stern and determined military command. The ring of the mower's instru- ment takes the place of the clang of the military sabre. The puff of the locomotive supplants the smoke of the cannon, and its whistle, the booming of the discharge. On tl-.e spot in the rear of Round Top (where you rested among the boulders from your tired march of the night of the 1st of July) is heard among the trees, when summer sunshine renders cheerful days, the pleasing harmonies of the flute and viol, and youths and maidens lightly trip the mazy dance or whirl the affectionate waltz. On the ridge fronting your Pennsylvania at Gcttyshary. 453 position lloiirislies the grape, :xud the wine pressed upon the spot cheers the hearts alike of Union and Confederate soldier, as they view the place of their former exploits. Pleased, we survey the scene, for this spectacle, the epitome of our coun- try's prosperity, in agriculture, manufactures, and social life, is your work. Without your victories on this aud other fields the Union, the source of this happiness of all, would be a thing of the past, and desolation have taken the place of the cheerfulness we now behold. Let then the d.aieers, as they wind their graceful movements, give one thought to the tired men, who, a quarter of a century ago, so soundly slept upon and gallantly defended the place of their present festivities, and the traveler, who, viewing the battle-field, pauses in his survey for a goblet of native wine, remember the soldier parched and thirsty from the dust and smoke of battle, who, no matter whether he fought on the right or the wrong side, whether he wore the blue or the gray, still sacrificed himself for a patriotic sentiment, and in regretful memory of the past "Quaff a cup to the dead already," aud, thankful for the present one, to "the health of the next man that dies." ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN G. W. WATERHOUSE COMRADES: — For a quarter of a century the summer's sun has shone, and the winter's snows have fallen upon this historic spot since that event in the past which we of the present come to-day to emphasize to the future, by the dedication of this historic stone. To-day, surrounded by all the blessings of peace, it is my privilege to extend to you, my comrades, a heartfelt greeting, on the ground where in deadly fray we were gathered so many years ago; and where so many of our comrades gave testimony to their loyalty to the land of their birth and adoption, by baptizing this soil with their blood. What memories! Memories that time has but made more hallowed, crowd upon us, as we are here assembled, in this work of love! How that toilsome march of thirty-seven miles, under tlie hot sun of the 2d of July, come vividly back to us, ending as it did with our arrival on the battle- field at about one o'clock in the afternoon. How well old uncle John Sedgwick kept his word to the commander of the Army of the Potomac, when he promised him to have the Sixth Corps on the field of Gettysburg at two o'clock, you all know. How well we re- member our first assignment to position in the rear of the Third Corps, and our movement later on the next day to this spot on which we now stand, wiiere we relieved the gallant Geary's boys, supporting the Twelfth Corps; and in that fearful conflict which made Culp's Hill historic ground. I might go on for some time and try to recall other facts; but our time is limited to a space. And now, my comrades, our duties for this occa- sion are done, our mission performed. This will be the Mecca to which our thoughts and our footsteps, as long as life is with us, will ever tend, and may future generations, looking upon tliis stone, learn lessons of loyalty 454 . Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. which will lead tkem to strive to einulate the patriotism and devotion of those who had the honor to be known as the Eighty-second Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, Shaler's Brigade, Wheatou's Division, Sedg- wick's Corps, Army of the Potomac. REMARKS OF CORPORAL WILLIAM H. REDHEFFER, SECRE- TARY OF THE EIGHTY-SECOND ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS. COMRADES: — When a proper history of the grand old Army of the Potomac, of its many severe struggles, marches and hard-fought battles to get possession of its great objective point — Richmond — and the heroic deeds of its valorous commanders and soldiers, shall have been written, no one name of that galaxy of heroes will stand out brighter or more prominent than that of George Gordon Meade. That grand old army that was so often out-generaled, and whose com- manders were so often out-manoeuvred, but whose soldiers were never whipped. You all remember the Peninsular Campaign under that (then) idol of the army, McClellan, with our marches and counter-marches, fa- tigues, hardships and battles, and our many reverses, and yet the old army was never defeated, discomfited or discouraged. These to be succeeded by the Maryland Campaign, under the old commander, McClellan, with Antietani and the various other victorious battles — to be succeeded in turn by Burnside and the reverses at Fredericksburg, and the "Mud March," with the toils, hardships and privations incident to those campaigns; and then "Fighting Joe" Hooker, with Chancellorsville, Marye's Heights and Salem Church; to be followed by the second invasion of Maryland and the penetration of the loyal soil of our own State of Pennsylvania. You, comrades of the old "Shaler's Brigade," remember how, in the latter part of June, 18G3, while on the march, we were informed of the displacement of Hooker and the substitution of that grandest of all our commanders. General Meade, to the command of our grand old army. You remember, too, the grumblings and feelings of disappointment and distrust amongst the rank and file at the placing of, as we then thought, a new man at the head of the army, and one who was then comparatively unknown beyond the limits of his own (Fifth) corps. The first day's fight at Gettysburg, the fall uf that gallant soldier, Rey- nolds, and the sending for our division commander, Newton, to go to the front, to take Reynolds' place, in connnand of his corps, are still fresh in your minds. You remember, also, the night march of the first day of the fight, to reach the field of battle in time to take part therein. Wherever the nation most needed a soldier, there some of the grand old Sixth Corps were sent. After our victory here at Gettysburg, then the charge at Funkstown, and the driving of the rebels from our soil, and the ending of the Pennsylvania Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 455 campaign. Noue of us wlio took part iu that battle knew of the anxious days in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore and New York, nor of the many sleepless nights passed by the people of those cities during that time; and not until it was known by them that the grand old invincible Army of the Potomac was confronting Lee and his hosts was confidence re- stored. This victory at Gettysburg was the first step in the disruption and down- fall of tlie so-called Southern Confederacy. After that the old foe of our army fought on the defensive. No more offensive campaigns; no more invasions of Pennsylvania or Maryland were attempted by them. To have lost at Gettysburg meant the imperilling and possible capture of Washington, Phila- delphia, Baltimore and perhaps New York city, and the recognition of the Southern Confederacy by foreign powers. These catastrophes would have prolonged the war for years and left the end in doubt. Of course, this is mere conjecture or speculation, but it is the sort of thing indulged in in every- day life, and is pardonable here. General Meade was, to my mind, the greatest soldier and general that ever commanded our old Army of the Potomac. He was a soldier by instinct and education; one of sound judgment and good hard common sense. You must remember that the battle of Gettysburg, the best fought and most decisive in results of the war, was fought within less than one week after he had as- sumed command of the army. We were on the march for somewhere, wher- ever Lee's army might be. But where were they? That was the question. Like the true soldier that he was, Meade took command, and within less than one week thereafter, fought the hardest battle of the war, with the most glorious results. General Meade was no hurrah soldier; he was a soldier in the strongest acceptation of the term; and I do not wish to detract from the merits of any of the other heroes of the war when I repeat that to my mind — a soldier in theranks— he was the greatest strategist, fighter and soldier that ever commanded our army. There have been other claimants for the honor of having selected the position for the battle of Gettysburg, and sonic have boldly asserted that Meade had nothing to do with it, while others, in their claim, would almost make one think that Meade wasn't in the fight at all. When Meade took command, our army was acting on the defensive. We were after our old foe, Lee; but where he was at that time, no one knew. Therefore, Meade was obliged to move cautiously and feel his way gradually. But, when Buford discovered the enemy's whereabouts, and the gallant Rey- nolds, soldier-like, obeyed the soldier instinct and marched his column toward the sound of the guns, and fell, covered with glory, then Meade knew where Lee was, and immediately ordered his entire army to the scene of conflict, Gettysburg. His instructions to Hancock, of July 1, were, "That jou pro- ceed to the front, and by virtue of this order, in case of Reynolds' death (as reported) you assume command of the corps there assembled;'" and he further said, "In case the ground and position are better for a fight than the one heretofore selected (Pipe creek), you will advise me and I will order all ilie troops up." Hancock reported, and Meade ordered all the troops up at once and ai-rived on the field in person shortly after midnight. Now, if General Meade did not select the site for that battle, who did? Surely, no one will 450 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. argue but that as general commaudiug, he could, after the first day's tight, have withdrawn the army to Pipe creek or elsewhere, if he so chose, and fought his battle. Meade's instructions to Hancock cannot be mistaken or misunderstood, read them as we will. He said, "If you think the ground and position (at Gettysburg) a better one on which to fight a battle * * * so advise me, and I will order all the troops up." If he had not have intended to give battle to the enemy, wherever he found him, with advantages always in our favor, wouldn't he have ordered a retreat, even after Hancock's report, and fought on ground of his own selection? Most assuredly. Meade intended to fight, not retreat; and he fought with results well known to us all. And the future historian, in reviewing the many battles of the re- bellion, and the soldiers that participated therein, will I feel satisfield, ac- cord to General Meade the full merit and praise that he earned, and to which he is so justly entitled. I have always believed that Divine I'ruvideuce liad much to do with the selection of General Meade as our commander at that battle. We could have afforded and did suffer reverses in many of our battles without serious effect, but supposing we had been defeated there, then what? I have no words of condemnation or censure, nor do I say it in a spirit of fault-finding, but I think a mistake was made in not naming General Meade for the lieutenant-generalcy. I don't say this out of any disrespect, or to de- tract from the laurels of the soldier that was named for that position — for I consider him one of the ablest of our generals. That Meade was a great and safe soldier, thoroughly efficient and competent in every respect, was at- tested to by General Grant liiiuself, in retaining him as commander of the Army of the Potomac. He ably aided and seconded Grant in his plans and campaigns, which culminated in the defeat of Lee's army, and the overthrow of the rebellion; and if he had not have been a true soldier. Grant would not have tolerated him for a moment. And the sti'ongest argument that I can make in support of my assertion of the slight put upon Meade, is this action of Grant's in retaining him in command of our army as he did. After a while, those who follow after us will write a correct history of our deeds, without fear, favor or affection, and without passion or prejudice. Then I am satisfied that full justice will be done the name of General Meade, and his name will stand out boldly in the front rank with the other heroes of the Union armies that took part in the M'ar of the rebellion. The gatherings of old soldiers on old battle-fields should be encouraged, not only by the soldiers who took part in them, but by the people at large, as they serve to keep alive tlie old fraternal feelings between old comrades-at- arms, and stimulate the rising generation to emulate the example of their sires, and fosters and kindles in tiie breast of tlie young a proper spirit of patriotism and love of country; so that in the future, should our country's life ever again be imperiled, they will spring to her defense with the same spirit and as gallantly as did their fathers before them. Comrades, some of us who meet here upon this occasion, may, perhaps, never attend such another gathering. We are getting old and others must take our places. Let our actions be such that we would have our children emulate them. Let us do no act or say one word the recital of which would wound the feelings of others or cause pain to ourselves. Let our eyery-day JULIUS BIEN a CO. NEW YORK Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 457 lives be Jiving examples of i)rohily, honor and rectitude, for our ciiildreu and o>ir children's children. Comrades, I am done. That God, in his inliiiite wisdom, may yuide us all in the future as he has in the past, is my earnest prayer. DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 83° RKGIMKNT INFANTRY Septembek 11, 1SS9 ADDRESS OF COLONEL D. C. McCOY COMRADES: — When some years ago the proposition was first made in our association to erect, on his historic field, a memorial in honor of those who here fought and fell, it was well understood that there would be difficulties to meet and obstacles to overcome. When a committee was appointed to carry out the project, it was known that the duties and labors of the committee would be various and arduous, requiring a consider- able sacrifice of time; but it was manifestly proper that the idea should be carried out, and that the monument so erected should have inscribed upon it the names of those who here gave their lives in defense of our government against the assaults of armed treason. It was also fitting that such a me- morial shaft should be surmounted by a statue of our leader, the gifted, genial, gallant Vincent, who here, with the others named, gave his young life, with all its future bright prospects, a sacrifice upon the altar of his country. After years of effort on your part, and after considerable progress had been made, the State of Pennsylvania came to your aid, and made the suc- cess of the undertaking not only possible but readily practicable, and to-day we behold in this beautiful monument the end of your labors and the con- summation of our desires. Gentlemen, you have done your work, and you have done it well, and I here, and now, as the president and representative of the Association of the Eighty-third Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers accept at your hands this monument, and in doing so I know that I voice the sentiment of every mem- ber of the association, when I tender you, as I now do, our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your assiduous and successful labors in this behalf. And, while Ave realize that the heroes whom this monument commemorates, sacrificed their lives on the soil of Pennsylvania in repelling from her borders an invading foe, with treason to her institutions and spoil of her property in- scribed upon its banners, and that some tribute to their memory on the part of the Commonwealth seems to be not only proper but also demanded, yet. after all this, for the timely and generous donation made by it, the State of Pennsylvania deserves, and is hereby tendered, the warmest thanks of the association. 458 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. We, therefore, now dedicate this monumcut and the statue with which it is adorned, to the purpose for which they were erected, as set forth in the sev- eral inscriptions thereon. We further, now turn it over to the custody and care of the monumental association here having jurisdiction, and have only to add that we are proud of the work which we present, and proud of what it commemorates. We present it with the hope and expectation that it will remain as long as the institutions in defense of which the men named upon it died, are respected and revered; and as long as those institutions shall en- dure, as the evidence "that these dead have not died in vain." ADDRESS OF LIEUTENANT O. W. NORTON. WHAT man is there of all this assembly whose thought does not go back to-day in tender remembrance of one or more of those four hundred and thirty brave hearts who gave up their lives on some one of these thirty-one battle-fields, from Yorktown to Appomattox, or in some hospital, where, after the battle, he was carried, suffering from wounds that made him envy the fate of comrades to whom tlie instant summons came with the sharp crack of the rebel rifle or the shriek of the bursting shell? Is there one who has not some morning shared his coffee and hard tack with a dear friend; gone on the cold and muddy march, or along the dusty weary way with him, laughing, chatting, singing the old marching songs to lighten the step, and at night, after the battle, lain down alone in the bivouac, the voice of that comrade hushed forever, his body only waiting to be laid with other fallen heroes in that long trench ? Is there one who has not been appealed to by the wife, the mother or the sister of the dear one, for something more definite than the brief official re- port, "Killed at Gaines' Mill;" "Killed at Malvern Hill;" "Killed at Gettys- burg?" Is there one whose heart has not bled with sympathy for the friends of his comrade, strangers to him periiaps, as, seated under his shelter-tent with a cracker-box for a table, he tried to write something that would comfort the sad hearts, telling how bright and cheerful their dear one had been that last day; how gloriously he fought until struck down; how often he had spoken of the loved ones at home, and asked in the phrase that put death far away, that they might be written to if "anything happened to him?" Have the years that have passed since, brought to us any stronger friend- ships than those formed by us who "drank from the same canteen?" Those were glorious days, when, the blood of youth coursing through our veins, we consecrated ourselves to the stars and stripes, and devoted our lives to the preservation of the government of the people, by the people and for the people. We were all willing to die if need be. Some were taken and others left. It is meet that we come to this holy ground, consecrated to freedom by the life-blood of a host of fallen comrades, and bring our wives, our sons and daughters, that with us they may feel the spirit of this place, may know what Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 459 here their fathers did, and what their mothers, wliose hearts were on this field, suffered, and while we renew our vow of undying allegiance to the gov- ernment saved by blood, make their vow to preserve it when we have gone to join our comrades. What shall we say to-day of those who fell in the struggle? A year would not be long enough to mention by name the more than forty men of each com- pany, and recount the glorious deeds of each. Military rank was an acci- dent or incident of the service. It has perished. Privates, corporals, cap- tains, colonels, are melted into an army of heroes. Each did his duty in his place, and has gone to his reward. We, privates and officers, meet to-day with rank abolished, and as citizens and heirs of the rich inheritance they left us, honor their memory. Each of us has in his heart the memory of some comrade who fell, dear to him, but perhaps unknown to most of the twenty-two hundred and seventy men, w^ho, from first to last make up the Eighty-third. Not four years of service could suffice to make all the men of the regiment personally known to each other, but that service did suffice to inspire in the heart of every member a feeling of security and invincibility in the line of battle, when, standing to defend, or advancing to attack, he knew that the men on his right and left wore on their caps those silver letters "S3 P. V.," and that touching elbows with the last one on the flank was that other one of "Butterfield's twins," the Forty-fourth New York. Some few of the hundreds who fell, by reason of official position, came into personal relation with all. Is there one here to-day of the thousand stalwart bayonets wiio followed the gallant McLane across the Long Bridge on the first entrance of the Eighty-third into Virginia, who can ever forget him, or cease to mourn his untimely fate? His noble presence alone was an inspira- tion. His faithful drilling of the regiment during the weary months at Hall's Hill had much to do with its later efficiency. When passing along that restless line at Gaines' Mill, he replied to the men who were tired of watching for the enemy that would not come, "Boys, you will see enough of them before night;" his words seemed a prophecy of his own fate. Who can forget the gentle Naghel, who died beside McLane, before he had time to more than begin making a name as major of the Eighty-third. To those who saw Lieutenant Plympton White at Gaines' Mill, when the regiment was almost surrounded and summoned to surrender, and heard his scornful "Hell, the Eighty-third Pennsylvania never surrenders," worthy of Victor Hugo's Cambronne at Waterloo, his sad death in the prison hospital at Charleston will be a tender memory. In raising here, our monument of granite, to transmit to those who follow us the story of the deeds of the Eighty-third, we crown it with a tribute in enduring bronze to the one man who above all others seems to personify the spirit of the regiment, of the brigade, of the army, of the people, that poured out its treasure and its blood that this might be forever a free nation. The Commissioners of the State very properly refused to permit any personal al- lusions or inscriptions to be placed on the Pennsylvania monuments. They stand to commemorate the common deeds of the soldiers of the Common- wealth. In their description, this statue stands as "The figure of a Union officer." When the survivors of the Eighty-third, or of any regiment of the 460 Pennsi/lva7iia at Gettysburg. old Third Brigade at Gettysburg, tliiak of a Union ollicer, whose figure shall be symbolic, the name of Vincent springs to the front. We honor ourselves in honoring him. He was our ideal. Without previous military training, he seemed a born soldier. Turning aside from the ranks of civil life, in a few months he was the more than competent commander of a brigade. Strict in discipline, yet loving his men and jealously guarding their rights, he inspired in them confidence, love and trust. To him the etiquette of the service was a means, not an end. He knew how to ride over it when occasion required. When at Chancellorsville, the brigade was sent to the extreme right and placed in position to protect the flank, with what magnificent insubordination he dashed up to the brigade commander who ordered him to recall his men fi-om their work of getting timbers for a I'ifle-pit to "Dress back about three feet," the left of the crooked line of hastily stacked rifles, and saying with a curt salute, "I must not lose a moment, sir, in fortifying my position," dashed back to stimulate and direct his men, leaving his superior officer muttering a reluctant assent. When, as the rear guard of that sorrowful retreat from Chancellorsville, we crossed the river to find the roads over which the army had passed, turned to fathomless mud, how he scorned the rule that required him to keep his place in line, and led the Eighty-third through woods and fields, reaching camp in time to have supper cooked and the men ready to sleep before the balance of the brigade appeared. Who can forget the cheers that broke through the solemn decorum of dress parade when the order was published announcing the resignation of his pre- decessor and assigning him to the command of the brigade. What superb generalship he showed at Goose creek in gauging the morale of the enemy, and when the flanking manoeuver that had driven him across the Loudoun valley failed at last, because the creek was too deep to ford, putting him to rout by dashing at the bridge with sword flashing in air, and before a man had moved, shouting so as to be plainly heard by the enemy, "There they go boys, now give them !" Well, the rebels did not wait for the balance of the remark. The bridge was cleared, the cavalry thund- ered over and the enemy did not stop his retreat until he reached the plain at the foot of Ashby's Gap. In July, 1863, on this ground, we were making history. Assembled here to-day we are making history still. The correct story of Gettysburg has never been, will never be, written. None but the actors on the field can tell the story, and each one can tell of his own knowledge but an infinitesimal part. Many conscientious historians have attempted to weave a symmetrical whole from such disconnected threads as they can gathei", but their accounts vary as their sources of information. Every man owes to the memory of those who died here, his best endeavor to tell truly the story of their deeds, that the historian of the future may have the material out of which to fashion a truer story of Gettysburg. We may fairly say, without fear of contradiction, and without taking a leaf from the laurels of other heroes, that the genius, the devotion, the hero- ism, the consummate skill of Vincent, prevented the turning of our left flank July 2, held the enemy as in a vise, and preserved to our army posses- sion of Little Round Top, the loss of which would have meant the loss of Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 461 our whole position, aud a victory for the euemy instead of tlie defeat which was the beginning of the end. Full justice has never been done him in any account that i have seen. The Comte de Paris,, hi his admirable history, says that General Warren, who from his position with the signal corps had observed the approach of the column sent by Longstreet to occupy this height, hastened to General Sykes near the wheat-field, urging the necessity of placing troops there, and that Sykes sent Vincent's Brigade. General Doubleday, in his account, says that General Warren, seeing Barnes' Division, which Sykes had ordered forward, standing formed for a charge to relieve De Trobriand, took tlie responsibility of detaching Vincent's Brigade and hurried it back to take post on Little Round Top. Neither is entii-ely correct, and Doubleday almost put in the mouth of Warren the very words used by Vincent. Although a private sol- dier, my duty as Vincent's bugler and bearer of his brigade flag that day and during all the period of his command of the brigade, gave me better oppor- tunities than even the officers of his staff enjoyed to see aud hear what oc- curred and was said, for the reason that they were busy transmitting his orders, while I never left him, but was always near enough to hear all verbal orders given aud received. The incidents of that day are burned into my memory, and I am glad to-day of the opportunity of giving j-ou my recollec- tions of it. After a long lime of waiting for orders in that position in the low ground near the Weikert house, listening to the terrible roar of artillery and musketry in our front, an officer came galloping toward us from the direc- tion of the wheatfield. Vincent, with eyes ablaze, spurred towards him, and as he approached near enough to speak, said in his impetuous way, "Captain, what are your orders?" Instead of answering, the officer inquired, "Where is General Barnes?" If Vincent knew, he did not answer. I had not seen him since morning. He Avas not at the head of his division. If he gave an order during the battle to any brigade commander I fail to find a record of it in any account I have read. The other brigades of the division fought heroically in the line along the wheatfield, but the orders appear to have been given by Colonel Tilton and Colonel Sweitzer. Vincent repeated his question Avas emphasis: ''What are your orders? Give me your orders." The captain replied, "General Sykes told me to direct General Barnes to send one of his brigades to occupy that hill yonder." Without an instant's hesita- tion Vincent replied, "I will take the responsibility of taking my brigade there," and ordei-ing Colonel Rice to follow as rapidly as possible, he dashed at full speed for the hill. The Eighty-thii-d knoAV how little time there was to spare. INIilitary men would not have criticized him had he directed that staff officer to General Barnes and waited calmly for the order to move to be sent him through the regular channels. Some might censure his assumption of responsibility, but had he waited, that advancing column of the enemy would have been in possession, and not even tlie Third Brigade could have dislodged it. Riding rapidly to the summit he came out on the little plateau in rear of the position held later by the Sixteenth Michigan. I followed with the flag. A battery Avhich had been firing at the signal flags a little further to our right, opened on us, and he directed me to retire behind the rocks. In a few mo- ments he dismounted and, giving me the bridle rein of Old Jim, went back on 462 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. foot examining the grouud. When the head of the brigatle apijeared, its po- sition was ready. Professional soldiers have pronounced the position chosen by him the finest selected by a volunteer otJicer during the war. Many an oflacer ordered to occupy a hill would have formed his main line along the summit, as did Bragg at Missionary Ridge, but he, knowing that the bravest men may sometimes waver before an impetuous charge, placed them lower down, leaving a rallying point, and a position above for reserves, should a second line be required. The recoil of the Sixteenth Michigan when as- saulted in front and flank, and the repulse of that assault by the timely ar- rival of the One hundred and fortieth New York, in the place he had left for it, prove the wisdom of his choice. The line was held, but at what a cost. Throwing himself into the breach he rallied his men, but gave up his own life. Comrades and friends, that was not a bauble thrown away. In the very flower of his young manhood, full of the highest promise, with the love of a young wife filling his thought of the future with the fairest visions, proud, gentle, tender, true, he laid his gift on his country's altar. It was done nobly, gladly. No knight of the days of chivalry was ever more knightly. When, a few hours before, as we tramped along the dusty road in the night, marching to Gettysburg, then unknown to fame, the old flag was unfurled and fluttered in the breeze, he reverently bared his head, and with the premonition of the morrow in his heart, and said solemnly, "what more glorious death can any man desire than to die on the soil of old Pennsylvania fighting for that flag?" Some of us wished that those words might be placed upon our monument, but the Commissioners would allow nothing but the cold transcript of records in the War Department. May we keep them graven in our hearts and teach them to our children. This place is holy ground. The gloiy of the Christ is that he died for men. He died, and we know he is not dead. May we not reverently say that those who have gladly died for men are not dead, but are with \is to-day; more liv- ing than when they stood to stem the tide of invasion. If we are proud to say that we were in that line on Little Round Top, think you they regret it? With clearer vision than ours their eyes see the glory of the coming of the Lord. They see this broad land a nation; not an aggregation of petty sover- eign states. They look down the coming years and see it peopled with a host of freemen, rejoicing in the result of their sacrifice. They are content. Let us listen to them to-day. God forbid that this fair land should ever need another such sacrifice, but if it fails to prize its heritage, and must again be purified by fire, may we and our children be able to sing as they sang: In the beautj' of the lilies Christ was born across the sea; With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me. As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on. print: JULIUS BIEN B CO NEV Pennsylvania at Qettyshurg. 463 DEDICATION OF MONUMENT 84'^° REGIMENT INFANTRY September 11, 1889 ADDRESS OP CAPTAIN THOMAS E. MERCHANT SOLDIERS of the Eiglity-fourtli Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volun- teers: — If the feeling with which these words of salutation are heard and accepted, is like unto the feeling that prompts their utterance, then are we fully compensated in our coming together. We name the old regiment, and what recollections crowd in upon us; memories of the camp, the march, and the field. Some fond — many weighted with the touch of sorrow felt in its heavy burden even until now, through all of so much of time. In the presence of these recollections I could not hope to control your thought. I would not ask you simply to follow words as I speak them, but rather that you be all of memory, all of feeling, thinking, listening the while if you can, but surely thinking. For in thought you can cover more ground in moments than I could travel for you in days. Together you comprise the whole book, the turning of whose pages wakens memory to every detail, while from the one individual you can have no more than the head-lines to the volume whose contents you are so familiar with. Together you know what our regiment was; alone I can but outline to you, and that roughly, a meagre part of the full story of the Eighty-fourth. Its history could be found only in the every- thing that could be told by each of all the hundreds, living and dead, who numbered its total strength. But where your special individual interest lies it is not possible for me to tread. I wish I could tell the story of every com- pany, relate the incidents of every mess, and note the experiences of every in- dividual. Many the time we have recalled our comradeship, more especially with those with whom we were brought in the closer association. It would be a pleasant' theme were I at liberty to name the latter and their never-forgotten deeds, that I might place on record my keen appreciation of their kindly acts at a time when kindness was most to be valued, and fidelity most to be prized. But in whatever I do upon this occasion, I stand reminded that I am not to tread over again my individual walk, nor speak again my personal conversation. What is said — what is done — shall be, so far as may be, of all for all. Not many of us had the opportunity to know very much outside the limits of the company; and fewer of us beyond the limits of the regiment. And it was well for good service that the majority of soldiers were content with the work assigned them, and gave but little heed to the details of location of armies or corps, and but little thought to the place of divisions or brigades. Who was the best-posted man on the news? Who the readiest army talker? Who the general of the camp? The soldier who was not to be found in the place his enlistment called for at the time when his presence would have told the most. It was well for the service that he did not number many. 31 464 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. The good soldier ought not to thiuk it strange, that while in everytliing he did his duty well, he does not know much of what was done by regiments other than his own, and would be at a loss to name the number of his brigade. Nor must he think that the comrade who stood side by side with aim is the only one mistaken as to the occurrences of the day. It would not always be well to accept a soldier of F Company as a conclusive witness of what took place in E, if there was dispute as to the bearing of the line, or question as to who were the first to advance; and yet, no one will bend the ear more gladly than myself to the recitals of a soldier in fact, because I know he gives us the truth as he believes it. And if from the data thus gathered, I count that his regiment was killed, or permanently disabled, twice over, I attribute the out- come to a lack somewhere in the arithmetic, and not to a vice in the teller. And, in this connection, we must not overlook the fact of the years that have rolled by. Twenty-four years and upward in the circle of time measures the distance of our close, very close, comradeship. Years more than many of us had numbered prior to the beginning, four years before, of the long campaign. The time that preceded and that which has followed, make up the life or- dinary. The long four years was the life within the other life. In it was contained the greatest of all wars from the world's beginning — the war against the rebellion of 'Gl. Hirelings were not upon either side. It was man against man in the fight. Soldier pitted against soldier. Each individual fighting the issue which so nearly concerned himself. It was the greatest of rebellions against the grandest of governments. If successful, to the world it would have been the greatest and grandest of revolutions. It was not a conflict forced merely for the perpetuation of slavery. It was the institution of the crown, and not preservation of the chattel, that most moved the men who moved the South from '89 to '61. One people in governmrnt, and yet in sentiment and practices as far re- moved as two nationalities. Forced together for mutual protection, yet from the beginning thoroughly divided in appreciation of the powers of a free government. In human direction, it Avas but a run of time when, as a government for the whole people, the central power would be called upon to assert itself by the power of might. Neither of the existing conditions would have won to the United States a constitution for their government such as was fixed upon and has come along, in its working, through all of a hundred years, without a break in any of its provisions. Every line of it, as to matters upon which men could differ, was agreed upon for submission to the states, because necessity admitted of no other course for them, and live. Well was it for stability of government that, when the substance had passed the gauntlet of discussion, the words had been so well placed that not a letter was found astray when the great test came. No document of state has, or ever will, surpass it in sublimity of thought, arrangement of detail, clearness of expression or force of power. In the assertion of the binding powers of this constitution, the Eighty- fourth had a part, and you were a part of the Eighty-fourth. Your regiment was to you the command which centered your soldier life. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 465 And well couteut may j'ou be in the fact that its character secured for it a reputation which, to every one of us has been a thing of just and affectionate pride. I studied that character at a time when I feit it was everything to me. My varied experiences in the several positions in company and regi- ment, which I occupied, enabled me to found a judgment which has been very cleai-ly and most positively strengthened by every knowledge since ac- quired. The tenor of that judgment you will gather as I proceed, in an im- perfect way, to tell you a part of ^^hat you did in three years and nine months of soldier life. In the month of July, 1861, authority was granted directly by the Secre- tary of War, to recruit in the western part of Pennsylvania the Mountain Brigade, to be composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery; and upon its organization to be mustered into the service of the United States. Among the persons named in the order was one J. Y. James, who was to be assigned to the command of the troops wlien thus organized. The recruit- ing camp for the infantry was located three miles out of the town of Huntingdon, on the Warm Springs road. In accordance with the purpose that the recruiting and organization of the brigade should be under the direction of a regular army officer, Captain Crosman, of the Quartermaster's Department, United States Army, was detailed by the War Department for that duty, hence the name given to the camp to which the early recruits of the Eighty-fourth ever looked back as their original soldier home, and the birth-place of the regi- ment. The projectors of the brigade had reached out to three regiments of infantry, to be numbered, respectively, eighty-four, one hundred and ten, and, somewhat uncertain, but said to be, thirty-nine. I have given the numbers in the order named, placing the Eighty-fourth at the head, in view of the fact that its commander was to be the rank- ing regimental officer of the brigade. W^illiam G. Murray, Blair county, was selected as the colonel of the Eighty-fourth; William D. Lewis, of Philadelphia, as colonel of the One hundred and tenth; and Curtis, of Philadelphia, as Colonel of the third regiment. Whatever was done toward the building up of the last-named regiment, came to naught by tlie promulgation of an order transferring its recruits to the One hundred and tentli, and making transfers from the One hundred and tenth to the Eighty-fourth. While the reason for this double transfer has been inti- mated, it is not so certainly correct as to justify its statement as altogether fact. The brigade feature failed of accomplishment. Cavalry nor artillery put in an appearance; and -Tames, the proposed brigade commander, did not identify himself with either regiment. But, while James did not be- come commander of the Mountain Brigade, the attempt to so locate him did place in the field two of the most efficient among all the regiments that entered their country's service in the War of the Rebellion, whether in the Army of the Shenandoah, the Army of Virginia, the Army of the Potomac, or any other of the armies of the Union. Recruiting for the Eighty-fourth commenced early in the month of August, the first enlist- ment date on the roll being the 16th of that month. I do not venture the name of the first soldier of the regiment, lest, like to the naming of the youngest boy in the army, I might afterwards be 466 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. met with scores of avowals that the record does not show strictly correct. Then, again, the serenity of manner, and mildness of word, with which a soldier is wont to put a criticism, makes it desirable to avoid placing such a necessity before him, if a simple omission will save his feelings upon the particular point, and the service be in no way injured thereby. On the 23d of October, the regimental organization was effected. In November, the regiment was ordered to report at Camp Curtin, which most Pennsylvania soldiers remember so well as overlooking Harrisburg. Here the enlistments were continued, and on the 23d of December the ofQcers and men Avere mustered as a regiment into the service of the United States for three years, there being at the time nine companies, "H" omitted. Two days previous to the muster, the regiment was presented by Governor Curtin, on behalf of the State, with the colors. The field and staff officers were Colonel, William G. Murray; lieutenant- colonel, Thomas C. MacDowell; major, Walter Barrett; adjutant, Thomas H. Craig; quartermaster, John M. Kepheart; surgeon, Gibboney F. Hoop; assistant surgeon, C. A. W. Redlick; chaplain, Alexander McLeod; ser- geant-major, William M. Gwinn; quartermaster-sergeant, G. A. Ramey; drum-major, Foster Wighaman; fife-major, Thaddeus Albert. Line officers: Company A, captain, Robert L. Horrell; first lieutenant, Jonathan Derno; second lieutenant, Charles Reem. Company B, captain, Harrison W. Miles; first lieutenant, Samuel Bryan; second lieutenant, George Zinn. Company C, captain, Abraham J. Crissman; first lieutenant, B. M. Morrow; second lieutenant, Charles O'Neil. Company D, captain, Alexander J. Frick; first lieutenant, Uzal H. Ent; second lieutenant, Calvin MacDowell. Company E, captain, Patrick Gallagher; first lieutenant, Pat- rick F. Walsh; second lieutenant, John Maloney. Company F, captain, Robert M. Flack; first lieutenant, Milton Opp; second lieutenant, Jacob Peterman. Company G, captain, J. Merrick Housler; first lieutenant, James Ingram; second lieutenant. D. W. Taggart. Company I, captain, Joseph L. Curby; first lieutenant, Clarence L. Barrett; second lieutenant, John W. Paulley. Company K, captain, Matthew Ogden; first lieutenant, Charles H. Volk; second heutenant, John W. Taylor. Strength of Companies. Total officers and men, Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. 467 Murray's selection for the colouelcy of the Eighty-fourth may be at- tributed to the part which he took as an officer in the Mexican war, where he did honorable and praisewortliy service. Several of the men had responded promptly to the first call for three-months' troops, and were now on their way for the longer term. On the 31st of December, the last day of the year 1861, acting upon orders received to report at Hancock, Maryland, the regiment left Harris- burg at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, on a train made up of twenty-one cars, for Hagerstown, where it arrived at 6 o'clock in the evening of that day. On the 1st of January, 1862, early in the morning, began the first in the long series of the weary, footsore, leg-tiring, patience-testing and body- exhausting marches which were to be taken in the coming three and a half years. The morning was cold — cold enough to do full justice to the time of the season and the season of the year, what we characterize a bitter day, and a bitter experience was it for the boys who were yet to learn the attendants of war. A driving wind, with a fall of snow, made what would have been a more than uncomfortable bivouac for the night, were it not that to the weary traveler there is not less of comfort in stopping than in going. It was the less for the greater hardship, and the freezing could go on througli the night unaccompanied by the strain of the march. Clear Spring had been left behind through the day, and the stop at night was without tents. Nine o'clock of the 2d marked the regiment again on the way, and on the mountain top at Fairview was had the first sight of secession land, the Dixie of the song, and then on to Hancock, by the bank of the Potomac, the terminal of the order that initiated the war service that started active, and on that line developed, continuously, to a fulness suffi- cient to meet the hardiest speculations of the most radical expectant. The National pike furnished the roadway from Hagerstown to Hancock. The arrival at Hancock was in the evening of the 2d. The regiment was put in quarters just vacated by the Thirteenth Massachusetts, which had been passed on its way down the river in canal boats. The day of ai-rival at Hancock was in the ninth month of a war that had not been lacking in vigor of movement on the part of the foe which the government had encountered, and yet so little of system had been attained, and so little of war wisdom sought after, that a regiment of soldiers was traveled from Harrisburg without arms, and that to a point just across a river, narrow and shallow, from where lie the forces whose movements the regiment had been sent to check. On the 3d the guns were handed out. They were of the old Belgian make containing all the tallow that the barrel would accommodate in addi- tion to the several cartridges necessary to be supplied before the moistened powder could be induced to ignite. When they were carried over into Virginia, and the warmth of the fire reached the explosive grain, you can think now, as you realized then, that even the Belgian was not built to throw more than one ball at the same fire without repairs to one or the other — the gun or the man. But why say, or even think fault of what was done, for what was not 468 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. doue, then. Everybody is wiser now. Througli all its after course tlie regiment proved itself full worthy of the reputation at that time, so early in its history, at the very beginning of its campaign, impliedly accorded it, that it would go wherever ordered to go, and pick up on the way whatever could be found most effective for the best work. And there was the full regulation uniform. The appearance presented in the dark blue, the tail coat, the plentiful hat, and the extra cap. Who can say that these things were not sullicieut to keep Stonewall Jackson on the other side, not- withstanding the apparent' absence of arms? for, competent soldier that he was, he could not have been induced to believe that, in the ninth month of the war, a regiment of United States regulars would have been per- mitted at the front without all requisite paraphernaha close at hanji. On the night of the 3d, the regiment was crossed over the Potomac on scows, and marched six miles across the country to Bath, the summer resort known as Berkeley Springs. Here were met Captain Russell's company of First Maryland Cavalry, two companies of the Thirty-ninth Illinois In- fantry, and a section of artillery, two guns, with which force the Eighty- fourth was to co-operate, with Colonel Murray, the ranking officer, in com- mand. On the morning of the 4th, from out of Bath, up on the mountain top, and there formed in line. From this point the rebel army could be plainly seen advancing along the three roads; Jackson's force of ten thou- sand, consisting of Ewell's, Lougstreet's and Early's brigades, supplemented by Ashby's cavalry. A detail from the regiment was thrown out as pickets or skirmishers. It is hardly required to say that these were forced back as the enemy moved on, until our small force was almost surrounded. Sufficient show of strength was kept up to deter Jackson from moving faster. About one o'clock in the afternoon, word was had that the artillery had exhausted their ammunition, and Murray concluded to fall back. The regiment could not return by the way it had come. A guide was sought, found and pressed into the service. His inclination was much toward the other side, and he soon showed himself more desirous of coming up with Ashby than of pointing out a safe approach to the river. At one point he came so near the accomplishment of his purpose, that Murray gave him a gentle caution in about these words: If one of my men loses bis life by your movement, your own life will be the forfeit. Thus kindly admonished, the guide changed the course of the march and conducted the regiment to Sir John's run, six miles up the river, from which point the way was along the railroad, under the high bluffs, to the old mill opposite Hancock. The problem now presented was how to avoid attack while recrossing. Upon Captain Russell's suggestion the two companies of the Thirty-ninth Illinois were placed in ambush, while he so disposed his men as to draw Ashby on. The manoeuvre worked well, and Ashby was so much surprised by the unexpected fire as to desist from further attempt. Some of the men, to avoid the delay attending the slow navigation of the ancient ferry, adopted the alternative of wading the stream, trusting to the artillery fire of the enemy to warm them up by the time they reached the other side. In the crossing, one man was lost to the regiment — whether to the world is to this hour a question. Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 469 As au addendum to the story of the muskets, it may be stated that th« regiment crossed the river without belts, cartridge boxes or cap pouches, carrying the cartridges in one pocket and the caps in the other. This omission was for want of time to adjust the belts. It seems incredible that less than a thousand men were thus successful iu holding so many thousand in check for an entire day, and without death, wound or capture of a man. However, the good service was in fact doue, and history is no more remiss as to this event than it is as to the deprivation, toil and fighting of all the campaign in the valley to July of 1SG2. [Here followed a detailed account of the movements and services of the regiment from Hancock to Gettysburg.] Following on Chancellorsville, owing to the death of Gen. Whipple and the numerous casualties, the division was broken up and the regiments assigned to other commands. The Eighty -fourth and One hundred and tenth had been together up to this time, but from now on were to be parted. The Eighty-fourth went to the First Brigade (Carr's), Second Division (Humphreys'), and the One hundi-ed and tenth to the Third Brigade, First Division. In the early part of June, it became clear that the officials of the Con- federacy were so much encouraged by the result of Hooker's campaign, that they had determined upon sending Lee into Pennsylvania. A recon- naissance by the cavalry under Buford and Gregg, south of the Rappa- hannock, delayed Lee for a few days. As soon as it was known that Lee was on the way, the people of Pennsylvania felt what the consequence could be, and feared what it might be. The State was divided into two military districts. The Department of the Monougahela, west of the Laurel Kidge mountains, was commanded by General Brooks, headquarters, Pittsburg; and tlie Department of the Susquehanna, by General Couch, headquarters, Chambersburg. On June 14, Milroy was forced out of Winchester, leaving behind siege guns, eight field pieces, six thousand muskets, ammunition and stores. June 15, the President called on Maryland and West Virginia for ten thousand militia, each; Ohio, for thirty thousand, and Pennsylvania for fifty thousand, for six months' service. June 16, Jenkins' rebel cavalry, nine hundred and fifty strong, occupied Chambersburg, and withdrew on the 18th. 19th, portion of Rodes' rebel cavalry entered McConnellsburg and sacked the town. 21st, Pleasonton drove Stuart beyond Middleburg, through Upperville and Ashby's Gap. 23d, rebel forces again occupied Chambersburg, the Union troops in the town falling back. 2(jth, rebel advance reached Carlisle, the militia under General Knipe retiring. Lee's forces were well under way down the valley when Hooker took down his tents opposite Fredericksburg. From the start to the finish it was a race, but not from the foe. There were no obstacles worth the mention for Lee to encounter, none for Hooker. Lee went upon that side of the mountain. Hooker upon this. Across the Potomac went Lee, and across the Potomac came Hooker, at different points. The Army of the Potomac had marched before, but never before, nor after, as it did through the night after crossing into Maryland. Along 470 Pennsylvania at Oettyshurg. the tow-path, dark, wet aud slippery, strength all gone, and the muscles expanding simply to get rid of the contraction. Such was the character of the march, that at times the nearest comrade on the walk would not be within ten paces to the front or rear. What had been lost at the start must now be made up, for Lee was well on toward every Pennsylvania soldier's home. On June 28, at Frederick, Maryland, the order was promulgated assign- ing Major-Geueral Meade to the command of the Army of the Potomac, and Hooker thereby relieved. On the night of June 30, at Taneytown, came the order detailing the regiment to guard the supply train. The next morning. Colonel Opp, know- ing that his men were averse to such duty, made special request of the brigade commander to revoke the order, but without success. July 3, started with the train, which was then moving with the column from Taneytown on the road to Emmitsburg, and while on the way word came tliat the cavalry and the First Corps had encountered Lee at Gettys- burg, and that Reynolds had been killed. Immediately following this announcement came the order for the supply trains to report at West- minster. The supply trains were an important factor in army organiza- tion. They did good service in the camp, along the march and on the field. Without them even Gettysburg would not have been a field of monuments. At least twenty regiments of the Army of the Potomac did guard duty with the trains on the 1st, 2d and 3d of July, 1863. That duty was quite as necessary of performance, fully as important, carrying with it as much of possible danger, as w^is actually encountered by regi- ments engaged on the field, and as much of actual danger as did not fall to the lot of several of the regiments who were no more on the field than were the troops with the trains, and which regiments wrote Gettys- burg on their battle-flags without a question as to its being rightly there. When the State of Pennsylvania placed upon her statute books the act that gave to every Pennsylvania command having a part' in the Battle of Gettysburg a memorial stone, I had no doubt as to the Eighty-fourth coming within the terms of the act, and no doubt as to the duty of its soldiers to see that its monument was placed. The regiment had been, from the time of its entry into the service, a part of the Army of the Potomac, even before all the troops in Vir- ginia were so designated and continued to be till the end of the war. Failure of recognition under this law of the Commonwealth as a part of the Army of the Potomac, would have left the regiment unrecorded to the world as of any array up to and including the time of Gettysburg. But comment of our own is unnecessary. The statement of General Carr, the brigade commander, covers all points, and, coming from an individual thoroughly competent to pass judgment, and yet free from the slightest de- gree of interest that might possibly induce bias, ought to, and does, answer all questions and resolve all doubt. (The following letter was written by General Carr in response to a communication asking simply for a statement by him of the duty on which the regiment was ordered in connection with the Battle of Gettysburg. Tiie tribute thus tendered to the regiment not only evidences the high Pennsylvcmia at Gettysburg. All regard had by General Cari' for the officers and men of the Eighty-fourth, but is indicative of the feeling entertained and expressed by Shields, Car- roll, Ricketts, Whipple, Pierce. Mott and other general officers, in whose immediate command tlie regiment was placed bet\veen October, '61 and July, '65.) Office of AsreRiCAN Chain Cablk Works, Troy, N. Y., October :'.s, ;«,s:. General John P. Taylor, President, Board of Commissioners Oettysbnrg Munuments. Philaile'p)ii l>.v cs