Originally 2nd California

PENNSYLVANIA 69TH INFANTRY (Three Years) Sixty-ninth Infantry.-Cols., Joshua T. Owen, Dennis O'Kane, William Davis, Lieut.-Cols., Dennis O'Kane, John Devereux, Martin Tschudy James Duffy, William Davis, James O'Reilly, Majs., John Devereux, Martin Tschudy, James Duffy, William Davis, Patrick S. Tinen, James O'Reilly, John McHugh. The 69th regiment, mostly composed of men from Philadelphia, with a few from Schuylkill county, was mustered into the U. S. service on Aug. 19, 1861, for three years. Its colonel had commanded the 24th regiment in the three months, service, and most of the members were Irishmen, robust and of fine physique. On Sept. 17, 1861, it left the state for Washington, and remained in the vicinity of the capital engaged in the work of fortification and routine duties until Feb. 22, 1862. In Oct. 1861, it was assigned to the famous Philadelphia brigade Col. E. D. Baker, Stone's division, Banks' army. Col. Baker was killed at Ball's bluff, and Gen. W. W. Burns assumed command of the brigade, Gen. Sedgwick at the same time superseding Gen. Stone. In Feb., 1862, it was presented with a green flag by the citizens of Philadelphia. When it moved on the Peninsular campaign its brigade was designated the 2nd of the 2nd division, 2nd corps under Gen. Sumner. In this campaign it shared in the siege of Yorktown; was engaged with small loss at Fair Oaks; was hotly engaged at the Peach Orchard and Savage Station losing 2 killed, 6 wounded, and 9 prisoners, behaved with great gallantry at Charles City cross-roads' and was complimented by Gen. Hooker for making "the first successful bayonet charge of the war." Its loss here was7 killed, 22 wounded and 5 captured. It was again in action at Malvern hill, then moved to Centerville, Gen. Howard taking command of the brigade. It suffered a small loss at Chantilly but was heavily engaged at Antietam losing 3 officers and 18 men killed, 3 officers and 54 men wounded, and I officer and 9 men prisoners. It skirmished at Snicker's gap in October, and on Nov. 15, went into camp at Falmouth, where Col. Owen was promoted to brigadier-general and Lieut.-Col. O'Kane became colonel. It lost heavily at Fredericksburg, where it behaved with its usual gallantry. It was not actively engaged at Chancellorsville, but skirmished lightly at Thoroughfare gap and at Haymarket in June 1863, and arrived at Gettysburg at the close of the first day. Its losses during the next two days were enormous. Of 258 officers and men who went into action, it lost 6 officers and 32 men killed, 7 officers and 76 men wounded, and 2 officers and 16 men prisoners, a total of 143. Both Col. O'Kane and Lieut.-Col. Tschudy were among the killed. After joining in the pursuit of Lee's army into Virginia, it was variously employed in the ensuing fall operations in reconnoissances, guard and picket duties, and shared in the Mine Run campaign with some loss. Winter quarters were established at Stevensburg, where the veterans who had reenlisted were given the usual furlough in March, 1864, and were presented with a new green flag in Philadelphia, the old one being deposited in Independence Hall. In May 1864, it moved on the spring campaign; was heavily engaged at the Wilderness, Po river, Spottsylvania, where Lieut. McAnally of Co. D captured a stand of colors in a hand-to-hand encounter, the North Anna, Totopotomoy and Cold Harbor, where the return of the veterans together with the recruits, brought the regimental strength up to 300. It crossed the James river on June 14, and was immediately brought under fire; lost heavily a week later on the Jerusalem plank road; was in reserve at the explosion of the mine on July 30, supported the cavalry at Reams' station in August; was heavily engaged there on the 25th, Col. Davis being among the wounded; suffered severely at Hatcher's run in October, fought at Dabney's mills on Feb. 5, 1865; and led the assault on the Petersburg works on March 25, carrying and holding a portion of the intrenchments. On the 29th, it started on the final campaign, being engaged at Jetersville and High bridge, and was at Clover hill when the surrender was announced. It was finally mustered out at Ball's cross-roads, opposite Washington. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Capt. William Davis, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry. Jones' Cross-Roads, Md., July 12, 1863. Capt.: In compliance with general orders, I herewith send you a brief report of the part our regiment took in the recent engagement with the enemy in the vicinity of Gettysburg, Pa., and the casualties attending the same. In compliance with an order from Brig.-Gen. Webb, we took up our line of position behind a temporary breastwork made of fence-rails, strengthened with stone, on the morning of July 2, and remained in that position till the enemy advanced upon us, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The battery of the First Rhode Island, being immediately in our front, had kept up a fierce cannonading for two hours before, and doubtless had done great execution on the rebel lines. This fact rendered our position a mark of no insignificance. The capture of the battery became a matter of great importance to the rebels, as future events proved fully. Onward they came, and absolutely seized upon the cannon. To prevent this, all the energy and power that could be brought to bear against such a result was brought into requisition. Our men fought with the bravery and coolness of veterans, and, after fighting with desperation for a period of one hour or more, we had the satisfaction of seeing the rebels turn and flee in a perfect panic. We lost in this engagement: Officers and men. K. W. T. Officers.................................... ... 2 4 Enlisted men................................ 9 15 24 Total................................. 11 17 28 K=Killed. W=Wounded. T=Total. The battle commenced on the 3d instant at about 4 p. m. We still held the position assigned us the day previous. At about 1 o'clock a most fierce cannonading took place, and was continued without intermission till about 3 o'clock, when the rebels advanced a large infantry force against our whole line. Onward they came, and it would seem as if no power could hold them in check. Our troops, with few exceptions, met them bravely, but still they came, and, as they advanced to the right of our regiment, turned by the right flank and literally came right on top of our men. But if they succeeded thus far in their advance, they were here held in check, for new ardor seemed to inspire our men to greater exertions. Our whole brigade here became engaged with them, and, with the help of the Tammany Regt. and the Twentieth Massachusetts Regt., drove them from the front of our line. We lost very heavily, and among the number killed we have to deplore our colonel, D. O'Kane, and lieutenant-colonel, M. Tschudy. Our major was also wounded at this juncture, and the command fell into my hands. After the enemy had been completely driven back, I put our men to work to still further strengthen our position in the event of any other advance on the part of the enemy on the following day. We lost in the engagement: Officers and men. K. W. M. T. Officers.................................... 3 7 2 12 Enlisted men................................ 29 64 16 109 Total................................. 32 71 18 121 K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total. Our killed were all buried together, and their graves marked, so that their friends and connections can easily find them if they wish to have them disinterred. The wounded were taken to hospitals temporarily erected, and cared for as well as circumstances would admit. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. DAVIS, Capt., Comdg. Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers. Capt. C. H. Banes, Assistant Adjutant-Gen. Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

Pennsylvania 69th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

Related Records