PENNSYLVANIA 68TH INFANTRY (Three Years)

Sixty-eighth Infantry.-Col., Andrew H. Tippin, Lieut.Cols., A. H. Reynolds, Robert E. Winslow, Majs., Thomas Hawksworth, Robert E. Winslow, John C. Gallaher, Michael Fulmer. The 68th regiment was raised in the summer of 1862 in the city of Philadelphia and the counties of Montgomery and Chester, and was mustered into the U. S. service in August for three years. It was peremptorily summoned from its camp at Frankford before its ranks were filled to the maximum and on Sept. 1, proceeded to Washington. Many of its officers and men had seen service in Mexico and in the three months' campaign. On its arrival it was assigned to Robinson's brigade, Stoneman's division. Early in October it moved to Poolesville and while marching south with the army lost 40 men, who were captured while acting as guard to the baggage train. When Gen. Burnside assumed command of the army, the 68th was assigned to the 1st brigade (Gen. Robinson), 1st division (Gen. Birney), 3rd corps (Gen. Sickles). At the battle of Fredericksburg, it lost 40 men in killed and wounded Maj. Hawksworth being mortally wounded and Lieut. J. E. Davis killed. The regiment was heavily engaged at Chancellorsville as a part of the 3rd corps and lost severely. It reached the field of Gettysburg on the evening of the first day; was posted at the Peach Orchard on the second day, and suffered fearful losses in its exposed position. Of the 17 officers present only Col. Tippin and four others escaped injury. It was not actively engaged on the third day. All told the losses of the regiment reached 60 per cent of the whole number in action. It then moved with the army into Virginia and shared in the fall campaign, being active at Wapping heights and Auburn, where Col. Tippin was captured and confined in Libby prison for 9 months. When the army again advanced it was active at Kelly's ford, Locust Grove, where its losses were heavy, and at Mine run. It wintered at Brandy Station and in Jan., 1864, the veterans who had reenlisted were given the usual furlough. With their return and a large number of recruits its ranks were again filled to respectable proportions. It was now assigned to Hancock's 2nd corps, and commanded by Lieut.-Col. Winslow was employed in provost guard duty at the headquarters of Gen. Meade. It held this position to the close of the war, being subjected to active duty wherever an emergency arose, sometimes raiding with the cavalry and at others toiling in the intrenchments. On June 25, Col. Tippin was exchanged and resumed command. It was in the storming party in the final assault on Petersburg, losing a number of men, including Maj. Gallaher, mortally wounded. After the battle of Sailor's creek, it was detailed to guard Lieut.-Gen. Ewell and the captured men of his forces, marching them to City Point. Returning again to headquarters it had charge of some 6,000 recruits. Soon after it was ordered to Hart's island, near New York city, to guard the prisoners there confined. It was finally mustered out there on June 9, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 1 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Col. Andrew H. Tippin, Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. Hdqrs. Sixty-eighth Regt. Pennsylvania Vols., August 4, 1863. Lieut.: In compliance with orders from headquarters, of the 27th ultimo, I respectfully submit the following report of the operations of my regiment in the recent engagements at and near Gettysburg: On the morning of July 2, I moved my regiment with the brigade to the position assigned us in a large open field in the rear of our line of skirmishers, then engaged with the enemy's skirmishers in front. The brigade was deployed in line of battle by battalions, doubled on the center, my regiment being on the left of the line. After remaining in this position some time, the brigade was moved farther to the front, immediately in rear of Clark's battery, deployed in line of battle, and ordered to lie down. We remained in this position nearly two hours, suffering severely from the destructive fire of the enemy's batteries posted on our left and front. I was then ordered to move my regiment forward into a peach orchard, and fronting a road running parallel with the enemy's front. We had been in this position but a short time when significant movements on the part of the enemy made it evident we were about to be attacked. Soon he advanced. I ordered the men to reserve their fire until reaching a certain point, when a destructive fire was opened, the enemy halting and dropping behind a fence. Receiving re-enforcements, and heavy masses of his infantry coming down on our right, I ordered my command to fall back to the position in the rear of the batteries, which was done in good order. Here I met Gen. Graham, who ordered me at once to engage the enemy coming down on our right flank, which was promptly done under his directions. Here, too, the gallant general was severely wounded and subsequently made prisoner. He declined any assistance, and directed me to take command and fight on. I supposed him able to get to the rear, as, after dismounting, he walked with apparently little difficulty. We held the position as long as it was possible to hold it. The artillery having retired, and the ranks very much decimated by the fire of the enemy, who was pushing forward in heavy masses, I ordered the command to retire in order, which was done. I reported to Gen. Ward, now in command of the division, who assigned me a position, with directions to bivouac for the night. On the morning of the 3d, I was ordered with the brigade to proceed with the division to a field a short distance from the place where we bivouacked, and stack arms. Remaining but a short time, I was ordered to move with the division to the left, where we formed line of battle in the rear, supporting a part of the Fifth Army Corps. In the afternoon, the brigade again moved with the division to the rear of the center and in support of a battery. We remained here until evening, when I was relieved of the command. I regret the loss of a great many gallant officers and men of my regiment. The brave Capt. McLearn and the no less conspicuous Lieut.'s Black and Reynolds all fell close to the enemy while cheering on their men. Lieut.-Col. Reynolds, Maj. Winslow, Capt.'s Funston, Young, and Fulmer, and Lieut.'s [John J.] Fenlin, jr., Ealer, Guest, Porter, and Heston, all wounded, bear evidence of their good conduct and gallant behavior. I can also bear testimony to the gallantry of the other officers of the command. Of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the regiment I cannot speak with too much praise. Their obedience to command and the determined stand made against overwhelming odds, their thinned ranks fully prove. Animated by the glorious cause in which they were engaged, each vied with the other in deeds of gallant daring. A list of the casualties has already been forwarded. A tabular statement of killed, wounded, and missing is herewith appended.* Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. H. TIPPIN, Col. Sixty-eighth Regt. Pennsylvania Volunteers. Lieut. R. Dale Benson, A. A. G., First Brig., First Div., Third Corps.

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

Pennsylvania 68th Volunteer Infantry (Union)

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