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

1256 E IGHTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 1 863
The rebel army began to fall back during the night of the 3d. The regiment joined in the pursuit and came up with the rear guard on the 10th, near
Jones' Cross Roads, just across Antietam Creek. The right wing, under command of Captain M'Coy, was thrown forward upon the skirmish line. Considerable manceuvering and skirmishing ensued, but without decided result,
until the 14th, when it was found' that the enemy had made good his escape
across the Potomac. On the 10th intelligence was received of the appointment of Colonel Vincent as a Brigadier General. The announcement was received with the liveliest manifestations of joy by every regiment of the brigade. Captain Graham was immediately dispatched to Gettysburg. to inform
him of his promotion; but, upon his arrival at Frederick. was informed of
General Vincent's death, and accordingly turned back. Lieutenant Colonel
Campbell had resigned in May previous, on account of wounds received in the
battle of Second Bull Run. Captain 0. S. Woodward was accordingly elected
and commissioned Colonel, and Captain De Witt Clinton M'Coy, Lieutenant
Colonel. About four hundred drafted men and substitutes were added to
the regiment soon afterwards, a large proportion of them proving entirely worthless. The long marches, and wearisome duty on picket and skirmish line during the fall campaign, wherein the army advanced to Culpepper, retired to
Centreville, again advanced to Mine Run, and finally settled down in winterquarters behind the lappahannock, forms a chapter of the history of the regiment for the most part devoid of interest or stirring incident.
During the winter, one hundred and sixty-nine men re-enlisted. In the reorganization of the army preparatory to the spring campaign the brigade, the
Third of General Griffin's Division, commanded by General Bartlett, was
strengthened by the addition of the Eighteenth Massachusetts, Colonel Hayes,
and the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, Colonel Gwyn, the corps
being commanded by General rWarren. On the morning of the 5th of May,
having crossed the Rapidan and penetrated the Wilderness, the enemy made
his appearance in front. At four o'clock the brigade moved into position, with
the First Brigade on its right, and the Second on its left, preparatory to c harging
the enemy's line, concealed from view, but not more than fifty yards distant.
The Eighty-third, with the Eighteenth Massachusetts, formed the first line, the
Forty-fourth New York standing alone on its right. In front was a small opening, thirty rods in width, and at tle edge of the woods, on the further side, were
the rebel skirmishers. The word forward was given, and instantly the three brigades, with fixed bayonets, advanced upon the run, uttering deafening yells.
The enemy fled in dismay, his skirmishers firing a few rounds only. Colonel
Woodward fell severely wounded and the command devolved on Lieutenant'Colonel MI'Coy. Without pausing the lines pressed forward, the enemy making no stand until he had been driven three-quarters of a mile, when upon
coming to another small opening, a halt was ordered. Owing to the impetuosity of the charge, and the impediments encountered, the commands had been
thrown into some disorder. And now it was discovered that the right flank
was uncovered, the First Brigade having failed to come up. The enemy, recovering from his panic, in turn charged, and coming in upon the unprotected
flank forced the lines to retire to their original position. Colonels Hayes and
and Gwyn were both wounded, and many officers and men were lost. Colonel
Woodward was struck in the right knee, the wound resulting in the loss of his
leg. Sergeant Rogers, color-bearer, was among the killed. During the 6th