PENNSYLVANIA AT GETTYSBURG

 

 

DEDICATION OF MONUMENT

39TH REGIMENT INFANTRY*

(TENTH RESERVES)

SEPTEMBER 2, 1890

 

ADDRESS OF FIRST LIEUT. AND ADJUTANT

GEORGE W. McCRACKEN.

 


 

COMRADES and friends:—It is unnecessary for me to remark that the time, to which I am limited on this occasion, entirely precludes anything 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 itin­erary of its campaigns, and a few statistics.

        During the month of June, 1861, there assembled in the old "Fair Grounds," on Penn street, in Pittsburgh (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 others 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 com­panies were organized as a regiment of infantry. John S. McCaImont 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 15,1861, 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 morning 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.

_____________________________________________________

Organized at Harrisburg August 11, 1861, to serve three years. It was mustered out  June 11, 1864, by reason of expiration of service.

 

264 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg.

 

of the United States for the term of three years, being the first of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps so mustered. The mustering officer was lieutenant-colonel, afterward General T. W. Sherman, United States Army. On the afternoon of 22d, again marched aboard the cars, and next morning 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 Tennallytown, General George A. McCall commanded the division, which was organized as three brigades, commanded respectively by Brigadier-General John P. Reynolds, George G. Meade and Colonel John S. McCalmont. Colonel McCalmont continued in command of the Third Brigade, constituted of the Sixth, Ninth, Tenth and Twelfth regiments, until November 20, 1861, when Brigadier-General E. 0. 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 Langley'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, 1861. 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 Gettysburg. 265

 

the Pioneers under command of Captain Thomas Mc'Connell were engaged, and they were so fortunate as to meet with no loss, though performing well a very important part, and occasioning great 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 regiments, 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, 1862, participating in the general advance of the Army of the Potomac, the division moved out to Hunter's Mills; Centerville 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 em­barking for the Peninsula. The First Army Corps was originally composed of the divisions commanded by Generals Franklin, McCall and King. Franklin's Division was sent to Yorktown 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, cross­ing 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 implicated 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 repairing 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 attached to the First 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.

 

266   Pennsylvania at Gettysburg.

 

June 13th, the Tenth Regiment embarked on the Rappahannock river above Port Royal, on the steamer Thomas Jefferson and the schooner T. Raymond which was towed by the steamer. There was considerable novelty in 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 House, on the Pamunkey, and marched out the railroad, passing Tunstall's Station, just missing J. E. B. 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 18th, the divi­sion marched from Dispatch Station up the north side of the Chickahominy, and passing Porter's Provisional Fifth Army Corps, at Gaines' Mill, took post at 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 intrenchments 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 Ohickahominy entirely over our camps.

In the afternoon of June 26, the rebel divisions of D. H. Hill and A. P. Hill, having crossed the Chickahominy above and at Mechanicsville, capturing 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 companies of the Tenth and Ninth regiments were in reserve, and the Second Brigade, General George G. Meade, held the line of the Chickahominy to left and rear. Archer's and Field's brigades of A. P. Hill's Division, attempted to carry the right of the line, and Ripley's and ——————brigades 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 engagement. 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 Morrell's Division at Gaines' Mill. The rebels, reinforced by Longstreet's Division and the three divisions under Jackson, followed the movement closely, and in the afternoon assailed Morrell's and Sykes' positions in heavy force, bringing on one of the most stubbornly contested battles of the war. The regiments of the Third Brigade were sent into action separately, as their presence seemed to be

 

Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 267

 

needed to support the hard-pressed front line. The Tenth, going to the assistance of Griffin's Brigade, took a gallant 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 ammunition 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 Regiment at Gaines' Mill was numerically the greatest it ever sustained, although 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 command crossed the Chickahominy to Trent's Hill, 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 Ruffin plantation.

On the withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac from Harrison's Land­ing 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 Centreville, the division again forming part of the First Army Corps—commanded by Major-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 battle­field 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


268 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 overwhelming 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. The 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 Fairfax Court House to Arlington, where we rested until the night of the 6th 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 Frederick 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 the enemy, completely dispersing Rodes' 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 line 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 Division going to the front, immediately 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 situation 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 26th 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 the dreary mountain top. We crossed the Potomac again into Virginia, at Berlin, October 30, marched across Loudoun county by way of Lovettsville, Philomont, Union and Middleburg to White Plains and Warrenton, and sheep and hogs being numerous and in prime condition, we

 

Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 269

 

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 6th of December to White Oak Church, from whence, at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 11th, we started for the Rappahannock, 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 how­ever 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 First, 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 occasioned a break in the line as it swept on toward the enemy. After crossing the railroad the Tenth Regiment found itself exposed to a heavy cross­fire 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, thus 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 Regiment 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

 

270 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg.

 

occupied by the Second Brigade, which, 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 Regiment, 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 determindedly 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 steadiness and determination in holding a position gained within the lines of an enemy much superior in numbers to the attacking force, and especially for the adhesiveness shown in retiring without assistance, and without 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 hills near Belle Plain Landing, where it remained, with the exception of three Says 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, 1863, the Third Brigade marched to Upton's Hill, and thence, on the 25th, along with the First Brigade (the Second being left at Alexandria), set out to join the Army of the Potomac, coming up with it on the 28th at Ballinger'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 Pennsylvania, and were pushed 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 was receive 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-

 

Pennsylvama at Gettysburg. 271

 

ing as brigade, division and corps, commander, and all honored and respected 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 was 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 skirmishers 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 followed 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 flower of the rebel army, under the personal direction of Generals Lee and Longstreet, to 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 this 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 regi­ments and ours of fifty-one. So that while our brigades averaged about one thousand and five hundred men, theirs exceeded two thousand. In repelling this mighty assault there had been engaged the six brigades of the Third Corps, four brigades of First Division, Second Corps, and five brigades of the Fifth 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, deploying 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 commencement 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

 

272 , Pennsylvania at Gettysburg.

 

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 Big Round Top. At daylight next morning the Tenth Regiment advanced to the position now-marked, and at once commenced and in surprisingly short 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 the 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 Potomac, 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 advanced 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 Warrenton (blackberries being all the provender in sight), then on down by Fayetteville to Rappahannock Station, where we rested until the 16th 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 Kirklands 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, hold­ing the enemy in check while the corps withdrew toward Manassas. Its loss was one killed and two wounded. We retired to Manassas, then re­turned 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 battlefield and Greenwich to Warrenton Junc­tion, where we halted from October 21 to November 7, when the Fifth and Sixth Corps advanced to Rappahannock Station, a brigade of the Sixth assaulting 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.  273

Crossing the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford we moved out to Mountain run, and occupied new and commodious quarters just built by Battle's Alabama Brigade, but left them on the morning of the 26th of November, on which day we crossed the Rapidan, at Culpeper Mine Ford, and bivouacked 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 with 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 29th remained in position, 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, where 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, 1863, to pass the winter at Manassas. Divided into detachments to guard the railroad we were constantly annoyed by guerrillas, by whom at one time two men were wounded and captured, and two were killed April 15, 1861.

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 4th of May, the Fifth Corps (now including 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 posi­tion. 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 down 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 Wilderness run and lay quiet until night.

Then the Fifth Corps pulled out, crossed the old Plank road, passing along the lines 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 road

 

274  Pennsylvania at Gettysburg.

 

of obstructions, 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 Spottsylvania Court House. That evening, May 8th, 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-hand 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 engaged. 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 23d, and had a brisk fight, 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 hundred yards.

During night of 26th withdrew to north side of North Anna, and started down the river, crossed the Pamunkey 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 then 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 hundreds 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 re­ceived with a fire that almost annihilated them. One of these was the famed old Stonewall Brigade, its commander. Colonel J. B. Terrill, falling about one hundred yards in front of the Tenth Regiment. For destructiveness to the enemy, coupled with slight loss to ourselves, this engage­ment at Bethesda Church was very much like those of Dranesville and

 

Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 275

 

Mlechanicsville. The Tenth lost one man mortally wounded. This ended the services of the Tenth Regiment. Next morning it received the following 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 engagement 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 enrollment of the Tenth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves was one thousand one hundred and sixty officers and men. Of these one hun­dred 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 were transferred to the One hundred and ninetieth and One hundred and ninety-first regiments Pennsylvania Veteran Volun­teers, 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 Pittsburgh, June. 11,1861.

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 in­stance represented hard fighting in which the enemy had no particular ad­vantage. In fact wherever there was marked advantage the enemy had far the worst of it. This was unmistakably true at Dranesville, at Me­chanicsville, 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 being regiments of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. It is also worthy 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

 

276 Pennsylvania at Gettysburg.

 

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. Pennsylvania 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 and ten thousand and seventy; not quite four per cent. Pennsylvania 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 pro­portion to numbers than that of the whole army, their losses from disease were only about half the average. And in the case of the Pennsylvania Reserves this difference is still more marked. The loss in killed and mortally wounded in the thirteen infantry regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves 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 the 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 Pennsylvania Reserves in the twenty-two engagements in which it participated, were one hundred and sixty killed or mortally wounded out of the 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.