Chapter XIX

ACCOMPANIES THE GRAND ARMY INTO PENNSYLVANIA.--BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

After the battle of Chancellorsville, the regiment remained for some time in its camp at Aquia Landing. The Army of the Potomac, as well as that of Lee, was quietly reorganizing, preparatory to another struggle. Soon Lee began to threaten the outer line of Hooker, by making demonstrations on the various fords of the Rappahannock. At one time threatening to move boldly across, and at another menacing the flank, as if to attack one wing of the army. These various movements gave rise to sharp skirmishes, nothing more. At last it was evident that Lee meant an invasion of the North. The Army of the Potomac was therefore set in motion.

The Seventh left its camp early in June, and proceeded to Martinsburg by the way of Fairfax. Lee continuing his flank movement, the grand army was compelled to fall back across the Potomac; the Seventh crossing at Edward's Ferry. The rebel army now crossed the river by the way of Williamsport, and moved forward towards Pennsylvania. The Army of the Potomac moved in the same direction, passing through Frederick City, Maryland, and taking up its position in rear of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The line of battle was formed a little distance from and facing the town. On the first day of July the rebel army advanced and occupied the town, but the day was exhausted in manoeuvring, attended with slight skirmishing between the advance of the two armies.

Hooker had been relieved, and General Meade ordered to assume command.

After the Seventh arrived on the field it took its position on the left side of the Gettysburg and Littletown pike.

Early on the morning of the 2d it took a position on a hill on the right of this road, at the same time sending Company H to the front, under command of Captain McClelland. This company remained at the front during the entire day. For the first time in its history, the regiment occupied a position under cover, a stone wall being in its front. Up to this time it had not been exposed to the fire of infantry; but during the afternoon it suffered slight loss from a brisk artillery fire. At eleven o'clock at night it advanced down the pike, and took a position in a hollow, running at right angles with the road. It was now exposed to a musketry fire, resulting in the wounding of one man. It soon fell back to a stone wall, parallel with a road leading to the pike; and shortly after it advanced to this road, from which twenty men were sent forward as skirmishers, under command of Sergeant Stratton. This gallant soldier was mortally wounded while bravely leading his command against the foe.

On the morning of the 3d the regiment moved forward, after having called in the skirmishers, to the relief of the Sixtieth New York Volunteers, occupying a line of intrenchments. In the evening it was relieved, and withdrew to the breastworks in the rear; but was soon after ordered forward to the relief of another regiment, where it remained until late in the evening. During the entire day it was exposed to a heavy fire of musketry, from which it suffered considerable loss, considering the position it occupied. When relieved, it withdrew to the position held by it in the morning.

At one o'clock on the morning of the 4th of July, it again moved forward to the intrenchments, where it remained till the brigade moved off in the direction of Littletown.

The following incidents occurred July the 3d: While occupying the intrenchments, a white flag was seen flying from the front of the enemy's lines. The firing being suspended, seventy-eight rebels came forward and surrendered, including six officers. Lieutenant Leigh, of Ewell's staff, came forward and endeavored to stop the surrender; but was fired upon by the regiment, and instantly killed.

Corporal John Pollock leaped over the breastworks and captured the flag of the Fourteenth Virginia rebel regiment.

Private James J. Melton was wounded, and afterwards taken to a hospital, where he remained for some time; since which his friends have heard nothing from him. The wound being in the head, he is supposed to have become deranged and wandered away, unable to give any account of himself. No means have been left untried to obtain information of his whereabouts, but without avail.

The regiment having fought under partial cover, the loss was slight: one killed and seventeen wounded.