MARYLAND FIRST EASTERN SHORE INFANTRY (Three Years)

First Eastern Shore Infantry. Cols., James Wallace, John R. Keene; Lieut.-Col., William H. Comegys; Maj., William Kirby. Companies A, B and C of this regiment were recruited in Dorchester county; D, E, F, and G in Caroline county; H in Talbot county; I in the city of Baltimore; and K in Somerset county. The regiment was organized at Cambridge in Sept., 1861, and mustered into service for three years, but Co. A was mustered out on Aug. 16, 1862, by orders from the war department. In Nov., 1861, it formed a part of Gen. Lockwood's brigade in the expedition into the eastern shore counties of Virginia, after which it remained on duty along the eastern shore until Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania in the summer of 1863, when it asked to be permitted to join the Army of the Potomac. With Lockwood's brigade it was ordered to Baltimore, whence it proceeded to Gettysburg where it arrived on the morning of July 3 and joined the 12th corps on Culp's hill, where it gave a good account of itself during the fighting of that day. After Lee was driven back into Virginia the regiment returned to the eastern shore and continued in the performance of special duty until the expiration of its term of service, when the original members except veterans were mustered out, and the veterans and recruits were consolidated with the 11th infantry. During its term of service the regiment marched 760 miles, traveled by rail 283 miles, and by water 1,323 miles. Its loss was nine men killed in battle and 52 who died of wounds and disease. Source: The Union Army, vol. 2 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Col. James Wallace, First Eastern Shore Maryland Infantry. Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 4, 1863. Gen.: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to your order, I put my command in motion at 6.30 a. m. on yesterday, and reached the field of battle a short time before 8 o'clock, where we were immediately formed into line of battle, and prepared to relieve another regiment then engaged in the fight. At 8 o'clock the order was given to advance, and the regiment went forward with a shout to relieve their exhausted comrades, who had been fighting for seven hours. They had to advance up a considerable slope, and when reaching the open level space immediately in rear of the breastworks we became exposed to a terrible fire of musketry. Owing to some misunderstanding as to the point of the works designed to be supported, four companies, under Lieut.Col. Comegys, passed to the left, and five, under my own immediate supervision, moved directly to the front. Upon reaching the brow of the hill, the five companies halted for an instant upon the discovery of the enemy attempting to rush upon our works, and then delivered a very effective volley over the heads of the men occupying the position we were ordered to relieve. The officer in command of the men in the breastworks, supposing we were firing into his command, requested that the fire should cease. That volley, however, with the fire from the regiment in the works, effectually checked all farther advance of the enemy. The men immediately moved forward, and relieved the regiment in the advance, opened their fire, and kept it up until they had expended their ammunition, when they were in turn relieved by the One hundred and fiftieth New York Regt. In crossing the open space between the hill and the breastworks, we lost 1 man only, though the fire upon us was severe. As soon as we reached the breastworks, the enemy opened upon the five companies above referred to from the flank and from a point not fully protected by our works. There we met with nearly all the casualties which we suffered during the fight; but I am happy to state that our loss has been small for the length of time we were engaged and the severity of the fire received. Five were killed, 22 wounded, and 7 missing.* The conduct of my men was very satisfactory. All did their duty, and, considering that this was the first time they were under fire, their behavior was very steady. Where all did their duty so well it is impossible to discriminate. We remained upon the field until 8 p. m., when, in obedience to orders, we took up another position, and bivouacked for the night. Thus ended the participation of my command in the glorious achievements of yesterday. From the prisoners taken we have been credibly informed that the enemy we fought was the First Maryland (rebel) Regt. [Battalion]. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, JAS. WALLACE, Col. First Regt. Eastern Shore Maryland Vols. Brig. Gen. H. H. Lockwood, Comdg. Second Brig., First Div., Twelfth Army Corps.

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

Maryland 1st Eastern Shore Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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