History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

94 FIFTY-THIRD BEGIMENT. 1862
it arrived on the 28th, andl encamped on the following day at Lee's Farm, near
the Aqueduct Bridge. The cannonade of the contending forces at Bull Run
was distinctly heard, and the men were eager to again meet the foe. At two
A. M. of the 30th, in light marching order, the command moved towards Centreville. But the battle had been fought, and Pope's Army was retreating to
the defences of Washington. Reaching Centreville on the 31st, it was promptly
deployed in line of battle, protecting the exposed fanks of the Union army.
Here again Sumner's Corps was interposed between the enemy and our retreating troops. Near Vienna, the regiment, and one section of a battery, were
thrown forward on the Leesburg turnpike to guard the flank of the column
against any sudden attack of the enemy. A force of rebel cavalry made a dash
upon the Union t Unn roops between the pike and Chain Bridge, entirely separating
the regiment from the main column. Colonel Brooke, seeing the danger and the
difficulty of cutting his way through, moved his command at double-quick down
the pike and thereby insured its safety before the enemy discovered the manoeuvre. On the 3d of September it re-joined the army at Tenallytown. On
the 11th, General French, who had endeared himself to the troops of his brigade, was assigned to the command of a division, and was succeeded by Colonel Brooke.
The enemy was now marching into Maryland, and the Third Brigade
moved rapidly through Washington to Frederick, and thence to South Mountain, where it was held in reserve during the battle. On the 15th it moved in
pursuit, skirmishing during the morning with the enemy's cavalry, drove him
through Boonesboroe and Keedysville, and encountered his army in strong
force on the highlands beyond Antietam Creek. The following day was occupied, chiefly, in manoeuvring for position, the regiment being under artillery
fire and suffering some casualties. At four A. M. of the 17th, the regiment left
its position on the Keedysville road, and moving a mile to the right, crossed
Antietam Creek at a ford. It occupied the extreme right of the division. In
front was the I"sunken road" occupied by the enemy's first line. His second
line was protected by a stone wall on the hill beyond. To the right and rear
was an orchard, immediately in front of which was the cornfield, where, subsequently, the battle raged with great fury. It was important to drive the
enemy from this position, and the Fifty-third was chosen for the charge.
Changing front to the rear, and advancing at double-quick, in a short but desperate' contest it drove him from his well chosen ground. The regiment was
subsequently engaged in the hottest of the fight and shared the varying fortunes of the day. The position gained was of great importance, and was held
with tenacity until the regiment was ordered to the support of a battery.
Lieutenant WVeaver of company K, a brave young officer, was mortally
wounded. The loss in killed and wounded was twenty-eight.
On the 22d it forded the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and encamped on the
following day on Bolivar Heights. Here the wasted energies of the troops
were recruited, and full rations and clothing, which had been much needed,
were furnished. On the 16th of October it participated, under command of
Major Bull, in a reconnoissance to Charlestown, skirmishing with, and driving
the enemy, and occupying the town. Captain Mintzer, of company A, was appointed Provost Marshal of the place, who at once instituted a search, and
captured a number of prisoners. The object of the reconoissance having been
accomplished, the command returned to camp. iMoving from Bolivar Heights