History of Company K of the 140th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (1862-'65) — Edition Insights

Regiment was in the First Division, Gen. Caldwell commanding, with Gen. Barlow as his successor; and in the 3rd Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Zook commanding. He being killed at Gettysburg, Gen. Miles came in command of the Brigade. In the long and exciting march to Gettysburg, Centerville, Gainsville, Edward's Ferry, the Monocacy and Uniontown, Md., were important points. Uniontown was reached by forced march--fully 35 miles--by whole Corps in a day; and our Brigade, on July 1st, was rear-guard for wagon train, most of the 30 miles to Gettysburg being made in the night, and, exhausted, we went on the battle line on left center. Eloquent and pathetic was the record of the 140th at Gettysburg. The immediate casualties in the Regiment in the fighting on the evening of July 2, '63, amounted to about 60 per cent of the number engaged, our Lieutenant Colonel, John Fraser, being by rank in command of Brigade through balance of the conflict at Gettysburg. Col. Roberts was shot while in front of the Regiment to direct it to change of position to check, if possible, the column of the enemy flanking our right. Disastrous as was the loss of our brave Colonel at such a time, the Regiment faltered not but held its place till ordered out. The Regiment participated in the attempt to intercept Gen. Lee before he could recross the Potomac, the route taken being through Frederick City, reaching Burkittsville July 8th. Near the vicinity of Williamsport we came in touch with the enemy, and on the 14th, near Falling Water, we took part in engagement with the rebel rear-guard, a goodly number of them being captured. Thence our route led us to Harper's Ferry, across on 18th to Loudon Valley, through Hillsboro, to Snicker's Gap, to Bloomfield to Ashby Gap, where we had skirmishing, July 22nd; then passing to Linden and east along railroad to White Plains, and southward to Warrenton, in the vicinity of which the command remained several days, and, passing on, reached Morrisville July 31st. Participated in the reconnaissance-in-force at the U.S. Ford, Aug. 31st-Sept. 4th, returning to Morrisville. Crossed over the Rappahannock Sept. 12th; engaged the enemy at Culpepper C.H.; pressed on to the Rapidan, southwest of Culpepper, by the 17th, where considerable maneuvering, fortifying and fighting were done, until the early days of October, when a retrograde movement began. October 11th found the Regiment near Bealton Station, north of the Rappahannock. Again the evening of the 12th found us well into the open country south of the river; and a great demonstration was made by campfires, bands, etc. But to no purpose, for Lee seemed bent on an attempt to dash into Washington. So all night we tramp, crossing the river for the third time. Taking the flank of army, we pass to Auburn Creek, sometime in the night of 13th, in touch with the enemy most of time. Early morning of 14th came the engagement on Auburn Hill, our Regiment being in rear-guard of the Corps. Over to Catlett's Station by noon; then on a run to Bristor's Station, where we fought all afternoon, winning a neat victory. Thence to Bull Run, and to Centerville by daylight 15th. Lee foiled, and so returns southward. In a few days we follow. In vicinity of Fayetteville several days are spent. Extensive drilling done. The 7th of November finds the Regiment near the Rappahannock, east of the O. & A. R.R. The 8th we are at Thoms, south of the river, where we remain till Nov. 24th. Then came the noted movement across the cold Rapidan, and the Mine Run engagement, Nov. 29-30, with its varied experiences and rigorous exposures, and return to north side, and going into winter quarters at Stevensburg Dec. 7th. On Feb. 6, '64, the Regiment took part in the reconnaissance-in-force at Morton's Ford on Rapidan.

May 3rd found the whole army on the move. The Regiment, crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford, plunged into the Wilderness, and at once found the Johnnies plentiful, but held them level. In battle of Todd's Tavern May 8th. Engaged the enemy on 10th and 11th west and southwest of Spottsylvania C.H. Then came the march in dark and rainy night, and at earliest dawn on the 12th that most brilliant charge of whole Corps and wholesale capture of the garrison of the salient. Here the 140th lost 52 in killed, while at Gettysburg the killed numbered 61.