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

125.4 EIGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 1863
made. Monday, the 4th, the corps was still in the same position, and towards
evening two divisions were sent out on a reconnoissance, encountering a strong
skirmish line, which was driven back, but had no heavy fighting. The loss in
the Eighty-third was but slight, some four or five wounded. The campaign
was abandoned, and the regiment returned to its old quarters, near Stoneman's Station.
The term of service of the Twelfth and Seventeenth New York regiments
expired early in May, leaving but four regiments in the brigade, the Twentieth
Maine having joined it at Antietam. Colonel Vincent now succeeded to its
command, and Captain Woodward to that of the regiment. After remaining
in camp two weeks, the brigade was ordered to duty in guarding the fords of
the Rappahannock, where it remained until it started on the Pennsylvania
campaign. By the middle of June the two armies were in motion. Near Aldie the cavalry under Pleasanton met the cavalry of the enemy, and Barnes'
Division of the Fifth Corps was sent to its support. At three o'clock on the
morning of the 21st, Vincent's Brigade moved in advance, and on its arrival
at Middleburg, filed to the left of the town, where it took position on the left
of Gregg's Cavalry, the enemy's dismounted men being in position behind
stone walls, screened by a curtain of woods. At eight o'clock, when fairly
in position, Vincent with three of his regiments commenced pressing the
enemy in front, and ordered Captain Woodward with the Eighty-third to
move rapidly through the woods to the left, keeping his forces concealed, and
the instant he had passed the stone walls, to emerge and take the enemy in
flank and rear. The manoeuvre was entirely successful.; the enemy was routed
and a fine Blakeley gun captured. The advantage was followed up, pushing
him from position after position, until finally he was driven by the cavalry into
the fastnesses of the Blue Ridge. The loss in the regiment was only one
wounded.
Early on the morning of the 2d of July, the Eighty-third arrived on the
battle-field of Gettysburg, and immediately formed in line in support of artillery posted on the centre. At a little before noon, Barnes7 Division was ordered to the left centre, and at four P. M., when the battle was waxing hot
upon the extreme left, Vincent's Brigade was ordered to move rapidly and
take position on Little Round Top, which was now beginning to be threatened,
Sickles' line, that had covered it, having given way. Several pieces of artillery had been dragged to its summit, but were without supports. Little Round
Top is a granite spur, rising abruptly on all sides a hundred or more feet, of
an area of three or four acres, and covered with massive, ragged rocks, and a
scattered growth of trees and bushes. It was a key-point to our position, and
its occupation was vital to the safety of the army. Passing across the rear
and left of the hill, Vincent posted his brigade on its front, the Sixteenth
Michigan on the right, facing an open swamp, the Twentieth Maine on the left,
facing the valley between Round Top and Little Round Top, the Forty-fourth
New York on the right centre, and the Eighty-third Pennsylvania bn the left
centre. Each rock was a fortress, behind which the soldier instantly took
shelter. Scarcely was the line established, when a powerful body of Longstreet's Corps, led by Hood, came on at double-quick, with bayonets fixed,
and uttering unearthly yells, intent on carrying this coveted position, and annihilating its defenders. He struck first the centre, where were the Eightythird and the Forty-fourth. Rapid volleys from their well poised muskets