Pennsylvania 62nd Infantry Regiment Out-line Field History of the Sixty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (Col. J. B. Sweitzer) from the time it entered the service up to the 1st day of August 1863 Monument at Gettysburg dedicated to the Pennsylvania 62d Infantry Regiment on September 11, 1889 photo from Pennsylvania at Gettysburg, 1893

The Out-line Field History Pages 1-10 Pages 11-20 Pages 21-30 Pages 31-40 Pages 41-50

- 31 - after deploying on both sides of the roads, moved forward with alacrity, the command following at a comfortable supporting distance. After moving about three miles out from the Junction a halt was sounded, and the entire command formed a line of battle, the skirmishers remaining out feeling for the enemy. they came suddenly upon a force of Stuart's cavalry that debouched [sic] from a thick cops [sic] of woods in front and to the left of the line, charging with great vigor. They were met by a volley from the skirm- ishers who immediately caused much surprise and confusion in their ranks, and facing about beat a hasty retreat

- 32 - Soon after this a masked battery of two pieces opened and fired shell and solid-shot in the midst of our col- umns, then but a short distance off. Battery D. of the 5th Us. S. Artillery was soon brought into position and after a few shots silenced the rebel guns and called them to fall back. Although part of the corps became hotly engaged with the enemy, this was all the part taken in the action by our command. Our loss was one man wounded.     Our march was now in the direct- ion of the Potomac. In the latter part of August we encamped on our old ground formerly called "Bettie Black." From here we marched to Ft. Upton on Upton's Hill and after remaining there a

- 33 - a few days on picket, moved on into Maryland, crossing the Potomac at the Georgetown Aqueduct on the 8th of Sep- tember, the same day and at the same place that our command crossed into Virginia one year before.     The rebel army had already cross- ed into Maryland and were making rapid strides towards Washington. Our march was in the direction of South Mountain, where our army had met and engaged the enemy. When we reached Fredrick City we learned that the enemy had been driven from the mountain fastness- ess [?] and that McClellan was still driving him towards the Potomac. We crossed South Mountain and came up with the army a short distance beyond Kellysville

- 34 - where a halt was held and active pre- parations were making for another battle. General Lee had formed line of battle on the South bank of Antietam Creek. At day break the following morning (the 14th) the engagement commenced and continued with unabated fury throughout the day.     Our Division supported several Batt- eries of artillery, one of which that support- ed by our Brigade composed twenty four pieces -- eighteen 20 lb. parrot guns and six 24 lb. howitzers. This battery did splendid firing and good execution. A desperate attack by the enemy on the right wing and our Division was ordered to hasten to its support. Before, however, we had reached the ground

- 35 - the danger was past, and the order was countermand. The next day was occupied in burying the dead and car- ing for the wounded and also streng- thening certain points along the extended line. Our Division was ordered to take a position on the left, which was commanded by Gen. Burnside and here we made all necessary preparations to advance upon the enemy at the renewal of the en- gagement. On the morning of the 19th the skirmishers were advanced and the 5th Corps moved forward. We crossed the Antietam, marched through Sharps- burg and down to the river, when we discovered that the enemy had crossed during the night previous, and had established his pickets on the

- 36 - on the [sic] opposite bank; here also (at Shephard's Ford) a battery was in position, which opened a brisk fire on our approaching columns. That night a regiment from our Bri- gade, the 4th Mish. forded the river, sil- enced the battery and captured three of their guns, one of which proved to be the same that was captured from Gen. Griffin, then commanding a bat- tery, at the Battle of Bull Run.     On the morning of the 20th our regiment accompanied by the 4th Mich. made reconnaissance into Virginia, crossing at Shephard's Ford to ascertain if the retreat was complete. [This Ford is the same that was crossed by Gen. Braddock, when his army marched via Chambersburg into Pennsylvania and

- 37 - a down to the Monongahela where he fought the morable [sic] battle with the French and Indians and in which he lost his life: known as Braddock's Fields] Careful search was made but no traces of the enemy could be found. in fact everything around evidenced the fact that he was far away. He captured a few stragglers, thru pieces of Artillery, a battle flag and a number of small arms. We then re-crossed the river with the intention of drawing ra- tions and taking with us our tents etc. that remained in camp. The 1st Brig- ade of the Division, met us in the river on their way over. The corps had or- ders to cross after our report that the enemy was gone. But we were de- ceived - the enemy had not all left,

- 38 - but on the contrary a strong rear guard was lurking near, perhaps purposely hid from us, and the Brigade had not more than reached the other shore until they assaulted our men, and a sharp action ensued. Gen. Morell, commanding the Division, had very prudently left several batteries in position and they opened a brisk fire upon the enemy, which kept him at bay so effectively as to allow our men to re-cross the river, though not without great loss. The 118th Penna. Vols known as the Corn Exchange regiment, suffered very severely in this encounter. It was supposed the rebels numbered in Infantry + cavalry between ten + fifteen thousand, but as it seemed, were without transportation for we afterwards carried all the arms,

- 39 - etc, that were left by them in their tents retreat.    Soon after this, our Brigade from each Division was selected to make a reconnaissances and if the enemy was still lurking on the other side to give him battle. Our Brigade formed part of the force. At Shephardstown, a beau- tiful village, but a few rods from the river, we met the enemy and sharp skirmishing commenced. We fell back gradually, disputing with us every foot of the ground, and then finally re- treated in haste and left us in possession of the place field. We advanced as far as Bunker Hill, a point about ten miles dis- tant from the river. Here the columns halted and the purpose of the expedition

- 40 - having been accomplished, the command which was led by Gen. Humphrey about faced and returned to camp at Sharps- burg.   Here we remained until the 30th day of October, when we again started on an- other campaign towards Richmond. The Potomac was crossed at Harpers Ferry on the 31st and our line of march was through London Valley. We halted a few days at Warrenton, w[h]ere our gall- ant and much loved commander-in- chief, Gen. George B. McClellan was re- lieved and Gen. Burnside assumed command of the army. Never before was there so much grief and profound sorrow manifested in any army

Pages 1-10 Pages 11-20 Pages 21-30 Pages 31-40 Pages 41-50

Back to the main Pennsylvania 62d Infantry Regiment page?

This page authored and maintained by John R. Henderson (jhenderson @ icyousee.org), Lodi, NY.
Last modified: 13 July 2012
URL: http://www.icyousee.org/pa62d/outline4.html