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

458 SIXTY-SECOND REGIMENT. 1863
tysburg, where a battle had already opened, and where it was determined to
concentrate for a decisive fight. Thoigh in no condition for a forced march,
being worn out with the fatigues of the day, the troops cheerfully fell into line
and before daylight on the morning of the 2d arrived upon the field. Moving up
the Baltimore Pike until it crossed Rock Creek, the division was posted to the left
of the road, and in rear of Cemetery Hill, where it remained until late in the
afternoon, in readiness to go into action upon any part of the field where needed.
In the meantime the battle had been for some time raging fiercely on the
left, and as the Third Corps was hard pushed and in peril, the Fifth was
ordered to its support. The division moved off, left in front, the Second Brigade
taking position in a strip of woods on the right of the wheat field, and in front
of Little Round Top, with the'First Brigade on its right, the Sixty-second
holding the left of the line. The position occupied by the right of the line was
rocky and wooded, the left extending into a ravine. Soon the enemy was discovered advancing through this ravine. Seeing that it was likely to be outflanked, the several regiments were wheeled to the left and rear, giving three
lines facing in the same direction and supporting each other. The fighting
became very warm, but as the brigade was favorably posted it easily held its
ground, and kept the enemy at bay. But the First Brigade being in a less advantageous position, had been driven back, leaving the Second in a critical
situation.
At this juncture General Barnes, who commanded the division, ordered
Colonel Sweitzer to withdraw his brigade through the woods as best he could.
This the troops were reluctant to obey, not being apprised of the yielding of
the right of the line, and moved maintaining the contest as they went. The
brigade was again formed along the road in rear of the wheat-field, at right
angles to its former position. An hour later it again advanced across the
wheat-field to the support of General Caldwell, hotly engaged in the wood beyond; but before reaching the stone wall upon the farther edge of the field, the
lines posted beyond gave way, the enemy following in large numbers and charging with great impetuosity. Seeing that they were gaining upon his flank and
rear, Colonel Sweitzer changed front to the right and a hand to hand struggle
ensued. A staff officer was dispatched to communicate with General Barnes;
but the General had disappeared, the enemy was in full force along the road in
the immediate rear of the brigade, and no possible way of escape seemed open.
While returning the officer had his horse shot under him. The woods which
surrounded the wheat-field seemed to be swarming with the enemy, every
avenue of escape cut off, and the men terribly exposed in this open field.
Keeping a bold front, and pouring in volley after volley as they went, the lines
moved diagonally across the field, crossed the stone fence in front of Little
Round Top and had reached the low ground which skirts the hill, when the
Pennsylvania Reserves came charging down upon the flank of the enemy,
hurling him back in confusion, and rescuing them from further peril. The
brigade entered the engagement nine hundred strong, and escaped with barely
half that number. The loss in the Sixty-second was very heavy. Colonel
Sweitzer was wounded and had a horse killed under him. Major Lowry, Captains Edwin H. Little and James Brown, and Lieutenants Scott C. M'Dowell,
Josiah P. Mouck and Patrick Morris were among the killed. Many of the men
were bayonetted, Colonel Jeffords of the Fourth Michigan dying on the following morning of a bayonet wound. By order of General Sykes the division