July 1863

July 1st, left camp at Marsh creek at 7 A.M., marched towards Gettysburg. When within two miles of the city the sound of artillery struck our ear. The column was hurried forward. Approaching to within a short distance of the city it was turned to the left, the men ordered to load while at a "double quick," and in a few moments we confronted the enemy. The Ninety-fifth New York and Fourteenth regiment formed on the left of the brigade, a house and garden intervening between them and the right wing. From a piece of woods on our left the enemy's skirmishers poured a volley into our line. From this position they were quickly driven. While engaged with the enemy on our front it was discovered that a large body was moving around our right and to our rear, having already captured a piece of artillery. Col. Fowler ordered his command (Ninety-fifth and Fourteenth) to march in retreat until on line with the enemy, when, changing front forward on the right, faced the enemy. The enemy at the same time changed his front, facing our line. At this time the Sixth Wisconsin gallantly came to our assistance. Colonel Fowler then gave the order to charge, which was promptly obeyed, and the piece of artillery recaptured. The enemy stubbornly resisted the charge, and the fight upon the edge of the railroad cut, through which the foe had advanced, was of a most desperate character. He was finally driven into the cut, and Colonel Fowler, at this juncture, directed the Sixth Wisconsin to flank it, and this movement ended the struggle ; the rebel command, a Mississippi brigade, under General Davis, throwing down their arms, battle flags, etc., and passing through our lines to the rear. Some few escaped on the left of our line by following the railroad cut.

We held this position until ordered to the rear to join our brigade. Afterwards crossed the cut and were detached to support a battery, being joined in this duty by the Sixth Wisconsin. The enemy moving towards our right, our position became untenable and we were obliged to fall back, after being engaged five hours against overwhelming numbers, through the town, and form a new line upon Cemetery Hill. Some confusion arose on our passage through town, owing to the fact that nearly all the columns of our troops retreating from the field endeavored to pass through the principal and broadest thoroughfare. This became crowded to excess and the passage was necessarily slow. The enemy by this time had batteries in position on Seminary Hill, and hurled shot and shell into our midst. The toppling of walls and falling chimneys did not lessen the excitement consequent upon our hurried retreat. We finally reached the cemetery and took our new position in line.

Remained in the second line on the following day until dark, when the regiment was ordered to reinforce Gen. Greene on our right. Proceeding through the woods in rear of our front line, until near the spot we were to occupy, when we received a fire from the flank which, in the darkness, we were unable to discover came from friend or foe. Col. Fowler hesitated for a moment whether to return the fire. Either it was our own troops coming into position, and in the darkness mistaking the direction of the enemy, or else the enemy had penetrated our lines and was following up a partial success. On the call of Col. Fowler for volunteers to ascertain the character of the party, two of the regiment sprang forward and advanced in the face of the fire, one of them to return in a moment (the other being wounded) with the information that it was the enemy. Col. F. ordered a volley to be poured into the party, and a charge, and the enemy was driven from the position. We occupied the trenches until after daylight, when, being relieved, returned to the brigade.

On the morning of the 3d were again detached, and ordered to the right to reinforce Gen. Geary, where we fought until 5 P.M. On every portion of our line our success was perfect, the enemy repulsed at every point with great slaughter. So ended this memorable battle. Beaten and discomfited, the enemy retreated rapidly towards the Potomac. Our loss in the three days was fully fifty per cent of the number engaged :

Killed…………………………………….18

Wounded……………………………….110

Missing…………………………………..90

A large proportion of those missing were afterwards ascertained to be either wounded or prisoners, some killed.

Remained on field during the 4th and 5th. Large numbers of country people, from mile around, visiting the battle ground in search of relics. Heavy rains during both days.

Left Gettysburg on the 6th and halted near Emmettsburg ; distance marched, ten miles.

Marched on the 7th, crossed the Catoclin range and halted near Bellsville ; fifteen miles.

Left bivouac at 5 A.M. on the 8th, and halted beyond Middletown. Resumed the march at 4 P.M., and camped near Boonsboro. A skirmish occurred here between our cavalry and the enemy's rear guard, the latter retiring rapidly on the approach of our infantry ; distance marched, twelve miles.

Remained in bivouac on the 9th. Shoes and stockings issued to the troops. A great part of the command by this time were nearly shoeless, our march for the past week having been continuous and in advance of supply trains. In many cases the men were entirely shoeless.

Left Boonsboro on the 10th, marched 5 miles and camped near Beaverdam.

On the 12th marched to and through Funkstown, and fronted the enemy. Skirmishing on the line ; five miles.

On the 13th the enemy opened fire upon the line ; but little damage done, and during the night the enemy retired across the Potomac.

On the 14th marched six miles, and halted near Williamsport.

On the 15th marched at daylight by the way of Crampton's Gap to Keedysville, Col. Fowler commanding brigade ; distance marched, twenty miles.

On the 16th marched five miles, halting near Petersville.

On the 18th crossed the Potomac on pontoon bridges. Marched twelve miles and halted near Waterford. The inhabitants of this town or village met us literally with open arms, threw open their doors, and hospitably welcomed every one, officer or private, who crossed their threshold. On the following morning at our departure, the stars and stripes appeared as if by magic, fluttering from every window. Bouquets were showered upon the column as it passed through the main street, and hearty blessing fell from every lip loyal to have leavened the whole south.

On the 19th marched five miles, and halted at Hamilton.

On the 20th marched fifteen miles, and went into camp. As guerillas were reported in the vicinity, every precaution was taken against surprise.

Received orders to detail officers and men to proceed New York and bring out conscripts.

On the 22d marched nine miles, and halted at White Plains.

On the 23d marched as the advance guard of the first corps via Baltimore to Warrenton.

On the approach to the latter place threw out skirmishers and advanced to the town, entering without opposition.

The Fourteenth regiment was detailed for provost guard, Lieut.-Colonel. Jordan acting as marshal, Col. Fowler being in command of brigade.

Left on the 25th, marching as rear guard to the corps, reaching Manassas Junction at 2:30 P.M. ; distance marched, nine miles.

Remained here until the 1st of August, on which date we left and marched to within two miles of the Rappahannock ; firing on our front until sunset ; ten miles.