PENNSYLVANIA ONE HUNDRED and FORTY-THIRD INFANTRY (Three Years)

One Hundred and Forty-third Infantry. Col., Edmund L. Dana; Lieut.-Cols., George E. Hoyt, John D. Musser, George N. Richard; Majs., John D. Musser, C. M. Conyngham, Chester H. Hughes. This regiment rendezvoused at Wilkes Barre during the summer of 1862, coming from Luzerne county, except Cos. H and K, from the counties of Susquehanna, Wyoming and Lycoming. It was slowly mustered into the U. S. service at Wilkes Barre from Aug. 26 to Sept. 10, 1862, for a term of three years Col. Dana was a veteran of the Mexican war and a major-general of militia. On Nov. 7 it broke camp and proceeded to Washington, being armed with the Enfield rifle at Harrisburg en route. It was stationed near Fort Slocum for three months, and then proceeder to Belle Plain, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade (Col. Stone), 3d division (Gen. Doubleday), 1st corps (Gen. Reynolds). The corps went into position on the extreme right of the army on the third day of the battle of Chancellorsville, but the fighting on the last two days did not reach the position of the 143d. After encamping for a month at Falmouth, it moved on the Gettysburg campaign, arriving on the field of Gettysburg on the morning of July 1 and becoming heavily engaged by noon. Most of its losses were incurred in the first day's fighting, in which it bore itself with great gallantry, slowly yielding to superior numbers and contesting the ground stubbornly. It was not heavily engaged on the next two days though exposed to a heavy artillery fire in its position on low, open ground on the left center, midway between the cemetery and Round Top. Its loss during the 3 days was 253 killed, wounded and missing, out of 465 engaged, or more than one-half its effective strength. After engaging in the pursuit it was stationed for some time at Bealeton Station on guard duty. A large number of recruits-upward of 360 were received in September and October, and in November it shared in the various maneuvers of the army in the Valley of Virginia, having a sharp skirmish with the enemy at Haymarket. From Nov. 22 to Dec. 5 it performed railroad guard duty at Manassas, marched thence to Paoli mills and finally, after 8 months, constant campaigning, went into winter quarters at Culpeper on Dec. 27. Before moving on the spring campaign of 1864, the 143d was assigned to the, 1st brigade, 1st division, 5th corps. It suffered severely at the Wilderness, Col. Dana being wounded and captured, and Lieut.-Col. Musser being among the killed. More heavy fighting followed at Laurel hillwhere Maj. Conyngham, commanding the regiment, was severely wounded in one of the assaultsthe North Anna river, Totopotomy and Cold Harbor. It shared in the first general assaults on Petersburg and from June 20 to Aug. 14 it aided in the construction of Fort Hell. In August it was engaged at the Six-mile house on the Weldon railroad. In September it was transferred to Gen. Crawford's (3d) division, and welcomed its old commander, Col. Dana, back from captivity at Charleston. It shared in the movement on the Vaughan road, then garrisoned Fort Howard for a few weeks, when it was engaged at Hatcher's run. In December it assisted in destroying some 20 miles of the Weldon railroad, when it repulsed repeated charges of the enemy. In Feb., 1865, it was heavily engaged at Dabney's mill, and a few days later, now greatly reduced in numbers, it was detailed for special duty at the camp of rendezvous on Hart's island, New York harbor. It was employed here until June 12, 1865, when it was mustered out of service, and proceeded to Harrisburg, where the men were finally paid and discharged. Col. Dana was brevetted brigadiergeneral and mustered out the following August. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Reports of Lieut. Col. John D. Musser, One hundred and forty-third Pennsylvania Infantry. Camp Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 4, 1863. Col.: I have the honor to make a report of the participation of the One hundred and forty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Regt. in the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, after the command was turned over to me, which occurred while holding the road west of the town, where the One hundred and forty-ninth and One hundred and forty-third had been ordered by command of Col. Stone. It was in the hottest of the fire that I assumed the command, and had simply to hold the position, which we did as long as it could be held without being all captured, as the enemy were rapidly falling back on our left and flanking us on the right. Up to this time but few had been killed or wounded. Capts. G. N. Reichard, Plotz, and Conyngham, among the officers, were wounded early in the action; Capt. Reichard alone left on the field. After the enemy had driven the One hundred and forty-ninth from our left, I gave the command to move back. After crossing the crest of a hill, which lay a quarter of a mile in our rear and toward the town, we halted, faced about, and fired several volleys, checking their advance in front but not on our flanks. We then fell back to a peach orchard, where our battery was stationed. We again halted, and, with others, saved the battery, leaving the men (not ours) to pull it out of range by hand. It was with great difficulty I could get all the men to fall back from this point, which was a good one, and in front of which the enemy fell thick and fast. Still they moved in columns on our right and left, and superior numbers compelled us to fall back to the town, which, I might say, was done in good order, and only when peremptorily ordered to do so. The road from this hill (Battery Hill) to town was 10 to 12 feet high, and crossed over a stream and low meadow. Before leaving, the enemy had come out of the woods on our right (as we faced the enemy at the battery), and it was while going through the meadow my men fell so rapidly that I concluded to take them on the other side of this high road. But the balls and shell were as thick, if not thicker, on the right as on the left side. While making the observation, I received a ball through my pants, slightly wounding the skin near the knee. I rejoined the regiment, knowing this to be the safest side. I felt like making another stand, but utter destruction would have been inevitable, as the enemy deployed as soon as they left the woods, making intervals between their men, which gave them a decided advantage over us. I am pleased to say my men behaved nobly, and fought under great disadvantage and against greatly superior numbers. Among the officers killed I have to record that of Lieut. Charles W. Betzenberger, who was wounded in the hand early in the action, but nobly stood at the head of his company while supporting the battery in the peach orchard. He moved back only when ordered, and fell, mortally wounded, near the town. Among the wounded I have the honor to report the name of Capt. Charles M. Conyngham, of Company A, who was wounded while out skirmishing, but remained with his company, and remained at the peach orchard until the order was given to move back. I saw him, after we had passed through the town, seemingly exhausted, and ordered my horse back to help him up the hill, but, just as he was mounting, he was again shot in the hip, after which I did not see him, but am happy to report his wounds are not of a dangerous character. Lieut. C. C. Plotz was wounded early in the action, and also afterward again on the road into town. Capt. George N. Reichard, of Company C, was wounded in the shoulder while holding the road, and afterward taken prisoner. Capt. Asher Gaylord, of Company D, was wounded in both legs while in the peach orchard, and left on the field. Lieut. William Lafrance, of Company E, was shot through the arm while passing through the town. Capt. William A. Tubbs, slight wound in head and taken prisoner. Lieut. H. M. Gordon, shot through the leg, and taken prisoner while crawling after the regiment. Lieut. Lyman R. Nicholson, wounded through the shoulder after leaving the peach orchard; supposed to be of a serious character, but refused to have any one remain with him on the field. Lieut. O. E. Vaughan, of Company K, received a slight bruise on the head from a ball, although not close enough to cut the skin, yet may properly be called a wound. I am happy to say that among those not killed or wounded, all, with one exception, stood at their posts and acted in the most becoming and commendable manner, deserving of the highest praise and commendation. John Jones, jr., adjutant, reported himself wounded, although I have not been able to learn where, or whether sufficiently serious to have prevented him rejoining his regiment after passing through the town, and therefore report him among the doubtful. Lieut. Benjamin F. Walters, of the One hundred and forty-third Regt., but on your staff, showed great bravery, and distinguished himself, being conspicuous on all parts of the field; but I suppose the will come more properly under the head of your report. In summing up my report of the casualties of the day, I have to report as follows: Killed, 1 officer and 19 non-commissioned officers and privates; wounded, 10 officers and 116 non-commissioned officers PAGE 340-43 N. C., VA., W. VA., MD., PA., ETC. [CHAP. XXXIX. [Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43.] and men; prisoners, 65, and missing 25--most of the latter supposed to be either killed, wounded, or prisoners. Entered the battle with 465. It was our first engagement, and if any censure be attached to our regiment, it must be for not falling back sooner. I have the honor to remain, yours, very respectfully, JNO. D. MUSSER, Maj., Comdg. 143d Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers. ----Camp near Harper's Ferry, Va., -----,------, 1863. Col.: In continuing my report of the three days' fight at Gettysburg, I must begin with the position occupied by the One hundred and forty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Regt. on the morning of July 2. We were ordered first to occupy a position in the rear of a battery a little south of Cemetery Hill, and upon which a most determined and incessant fire was kept up the greater part of the afternoon, but without effect, owing to the enemy's shot being to high. The failure to silence the battery at this point compelled the enemy to make an attack farther to our left, to which part of the line our brigade was double-quicked, to assist in driving back the enemy and recapturing some guns. We lay upon our arms all night in line of battle. I am happy to be able to say that both officers and men behaved nobly, notwithstanding the severity of our loss on the previous day. No casualties occurred to my command during the day. July 3.--This morning at daylight we commenced throwing up such breastworks as could be made, in the absence of tools of any kind, with rails and stones. In the course of the forenoon, we succeeded in getting together quite anumber of both, proving a tolerable shelter for my men, who were placed directly in the rear of a battery which had been captured, but retaken again, the day before. In the afternoon the enemy opened upon us. We had not taken our position yet, but lay some distance in the rear. While doing so, a shell struck in Company D, instantly killing 1 and wounding others. I then ordered my men up to the breastwork, after which no shell struck among the men, but a number were wounded with pieces. We remained under the concentrated fire of several batteries, but all proved useless; they could not silence our batteries, and made the attack with infantry, farther to our right. The column in front swung round upon the flank of the enemy. Our line did not move from the support of the battery. I have the honor to report that all of my command stood at their posts amid all the iron that filled the air. Early in the action, Capt. C. K. Hughes received a slight wound from a piece of shell, and left the field. The casualties of the day are as follows: 1 commissioned officer and 14 non-commissioned officers and privates wounded, 1 missing, and 1 man out of Company D killed. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, JNO. D. MUSSER, Lieut. Col., Comdg. 143d Regt. Pennsylvania Vols.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

Pennsylvania 143rd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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