JONES'CROSS-ROADS,
MD.,JULY 11, 1863
CAPTAIN:
I beg leave respectfully to report the operations of this regiment
during the battles before Gettysburg, Pa., from July 2 to 5, inclusive.
After arriving upon the ground the morning of the 2d instant, by order
of General Webb the regiment was placed in position near the front
and center of the line. Two companies (A and B) were deployed as skirmishers
in front of the line. They were warmly engaged until the action became
general. The coolness and intrepidity with which they were handled
kept the enemy at bay, and reflects great credit upon the officers
and men of these two companies. Our left having attacked the enemt,
were, after a deserate conflict, compelled to retire.
At this time the enemy opened upon our lines a furious cannonade,
wounding one of our officers and several men. Under cover of this
fire they advanced their infantry, driving back our first line, and
forcing the artillery on my immediate front to withdraw. By order
of Brigadier-General Webb, I advanced the regiment by the left flank,
and formed in rear of the second line. Shortly after, orders were
received to move forward. I advanced the regiment to the crest of
the hill, and opened fire upon the enemy. After several volleys, perceiving
that we checked his advance, and seeing his lines waver, I ordered
bayonets fixed and a charge to be made, which movement resulted in
a complete success, the enemy retiring in confusion to his original
position in the woods. We pursued the fleeing enemy to the Emmitsburg
road, when, perceiving that we were separated from the line on our
left by a space of 70 yards, and having no troops on our right, excepting
the remnant of the Eighty-Second New York Volunteers, I halted the
regiment, and sent to the rear for support, having first deployed
skirmishers on my front. The officer whom I sent not returning, I
left the regiment in charge of Major Stover, and personally applied
to General Webb for support, and I was ordered to withdraw the regiment
to its original position.
In the charge we made, we recovered three guns, which had been abandoned.
I sent them to the rear by hand. We also captured and sent to the
rear about 250 prisoners, among whom were 1 Colonel ([William]Gibson,
Forty-eighth Georgia), 5 captains, and 15 lieutenants.
Ten minutes after we returned, the firing not having ceased upon the
right, we were ordered to proceed in the direction of the firing,
and report to Major-General Howard, commanding the Eleventh Corps,
who assigned us to the command of Gettysburg Road and near the cemetery.
We remained there until the morning of July 4, having been exposed
to a very severe and concentrated fire from three batteries.
On the morning of the 3d, I detailed a body of sharpshooters, who,
under cover of the houses in the vicinity, kept up a continuous fire
upon the enemy's sharpshooters, who were picking off the gunners of
our batteries. I have reason to believe that the enemy's sharpshooters
suffered considerably from this body of men.
Early on the morning of the 4th, a body of skirmishers preceding us,
General Ames, Commanding First Division, Eleventh Army Corps, marched
the regiment through the town of Gettysburg, and placed us in position
on the slight eminence on the north of the town. Afterward I was ordered
to conduct the regiment to our original position near the cemetery,
where we remained until the morning of the 5th, when we were relived
by the following order:
HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Gettysburg Pa., July 5, 1863
The commanding Officer, One Hundred and Sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers:
By
direction of the commanding general, you are relived from duty with
this corps, and will rejoin your corps. The general commanding directs
me to express his thanks for your kind rapport
Very respectfully. Your obedient servant,
T.A. MEYSENBURG,
Assistant Adjutant-General
I
will add that the two skirmishing companies detailed on the morning
of the 2d did not accompany the regiment to the right, but remained
in the center, and took an active part in the engagement on the afternoon
of the 3rd.
I have already furnished you with a list of the killed and wounded,
I take great pleasure in saying that every officer and man performed
his entire duty, and evinced a determination which must soon be crowned
with success.
Early in the engagement, Adjt. F. M. Pleis was severely wounded and
Lieut. John A. Steel was ordered to act as adjutant. F.M. Pleis, while
on the field, by his attended us. His successor, Lieut. John A. Steel,
by his example and disregard of danger, rendered valuable services
on the field, and is entitled to more than a passing note.
I make especial mention of Maj. John H. Stover, who, by his coolness
and daring rendered me much valuable assistance. I also bear willing
testimony to the good conduct of Capts. John J. Sperry, R.H. Ford,
and James C. Lynch, and Lieut. C.S. Schwartz. In fact, the same may
be said of every officer in my command.
Respectfully submitted.
W.L.CURRY
Lieut. Col, Comdg. 106th Pennsylvania Volunteers