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

1.864 THiE WIDERSESS CAMPATGN. 97
towards Spottsylvania. There, on the folowing morning, it stood, in column, in
readiness to join in the grand charge of the veteran Second Corps, upon the
strongly fortified position of the enemy. Advancing silently until within a
short distance of his works, the well formed lines rushed forward with wild
hurrahs, and in face of the desperate defence offered, carried the position
c ptluring an entire division. No more brilliant or decisive charge was made
(during the campaign than this. Captain Whitney and Lieutenant Foster were
among the killed. Colonel Brooke was promoted to Brigadier General soon
after this engagement, lIajor Bull to Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain Dimm
to Major; subsequently, upon the muster out of service of the latter, Captain
William M. Mintzer was made Major.
The regiment remained in the vicinity of Spottsylvania, throwing up earthworks at different points, and almost constantly under fire, until the 25th of
May, whei it crossed the Pamunkey, thence to Tolopotomy Creek, and on the
2d of June arrived at Cold Harbor. It was pushed close up to the enemy's
entrenched line, and immediately threw up breast-works. At five o'clock on
the morning of the 3d, a furious but futile effort was made to drive the enemy
from his position. Two other gallant charges were made, wherein men never
marched to death with stouter hearts; but all in vain. In these charges the
Fifty-third suffered severely. General Brooke, commanding the brigade, was
severely wounded by a grape-shot, in the hand and thigh. Captain Dimm,
and Lieutenant Pifer were also severely wounded.
On the night of June 12th, the regiment marched, and crossing the Chickahominy and James Rivers, arrived on the evening of the 16th in front of Petersburg. In the afternoon a charge was ordered upon the enemy's strong works,
which was gallantly executed, but was repulsed, the Fifty-third losing in this
desperate struggle, nearly seventy men. On the 22d, an attempt was made to
establish a new line, which proved alike unsuccessful. For several weeks
digging and the construction of defensive works, constituted the principal occupation of the troops.
On the 26th of June, the regiment moved with the brigade to the right of
the line, beyond the James River, and for two weeks was engaged in promiscuous skirmishing, along the rebel works, after which it returned to the neighborhood of Petersburg. On the 12th of August, the command again returned
to the left bank of the James, where it skirmished heavily with the enemy, until
the 21st, when it re-crossed the James and the Appamattox, and passing in
rear of the army to the extreme left of the line, commenced demolishing the
Weldon Railroad, near Ream's Station. Five miles had already been destroyed, when the enemy appeared in force, and a line of battle was hastily
formed to repel his advance, and protectthe working parties. His first charge
was gallantly repulsed. But re-forming, and massing his troops in heavy
columns, he again struck with overpowering force upon the Union lines, and
was partially successful in breaking them. But his advantage was gained
at a fearful cost, and he was finally forced to abandon the contest, and the
Union forces retired to their lines in front of Petersburg. During the autumn
and winter months the regiment was engaged in severe duty in the front lines
before the besieged city. On the 18th of September, Colonel M'lMichael having
been discharged, upon the expiration of his term of service, Lieutenant Colonel
Bull was promoted Colonel, Major Mintzer, Lieutenant Colonel, and Captain
Philip H. Shreyer, Major. In November, upon the muster out of service of
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