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

496 SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 18S4
officer, when he was struck down. During the march to Mine Run it participated in two skirmishes at Locust Grove, but in each sustained only small loss.
Upon the withdrawal of the army, the regiment went into winter quarters
near Brandy Station, where it was engaged in heavy guard and picket duty.
On the 28th of February it proceeded, with the division, on a reconnoissance
to James City, but returned without having found any enemy in force. Upon
the consolidation of Army Corps, the Sixty-third was attached to the Second
Brigade, General Hays, Third Division, General Birney, Second Corps.
At midnight of May 3d, with six days' rations, the regiment moved, and
at evening, of the following day, encamped on the old battle-ground of Chancellorsville, the skeletons of the dead in that battle still lying unburied as
they fell. At three P. M. of the 5th, Birney's Division advanced to the front,
and relieved the Second Division of the Sixth Corps. It was immediately
engaged and the battle continued to rage with great fury until after dark.
General Hays was killed. Colonel Danks, Captains William M'Intosh, George
B. Chalmers, and R. A. Nesbitt, and Lieutenants J. S. Wilson, A. G. Williams,
James S. Williams, and David A. Strachan were wounded. Major George W.
M'Cullough assumed command. On the following morning the battle was renewed and the division charged the enemy in his breast-works, routing him and
driving him through woods for three-quarters of a mile, and until it reached an
open field. Here he had a heavy force in position, and immediately delivered
a counter charge, by which the division was carried back to the ground from
which it started. Major M'Cullough was mortally wounded, expiring on the following day. The regiment lost in the fighting of the two days one hundred
and eighty-six, rank and file, killed and wounded.
Captain Weaver, of company C, assumed command of the regiment, which
was temporarily consolidated with the One Hundred and Fifth. At eight
o'clock on the morning of the 7th, the division moved to the left, and, crossing
Cole River, arrived at midnight, where the Fifth Corps was heavily engaged.
The regiment was here subjected to severe shelling, and on the 11th Captain
Weaver, in command, was wounded, Captain William P. Hunker succeeding
him. Late at night the division again moved to the left. Hastily forming at
daybreak of the following morning, it charged upon long lines of heavy earthworks, and before the astonished rebels had fairly awakened out of their morning slumbers, carried them at the point of the bayonet, capturing five thousand
prisoners, including General Ed. Johnson, and sixteen pieces of artillery, besides many battle-flags, camp equipage, and small a:rms. The loss was small,
the suddenness of the attack, and the rapidity of the movement giving no time
for determined resistance. The works were changed to front in the opposite
direction, and occupied. Later in the day the enemy made several ineffectual
attempts to re-take them, but were repulsed. Captain Isaac Moorhead, of
company G, having returned from detached service, assumed command of the
regiment.
At the North Anna River, where the enemy was again met, severe fighting
occurred, in which Captain Daniel Dougherty was killed, and Captain William
MlI'ntosh with fifteen men were wounded. At five A. M. of the 23d the division again moved, and crossing Polecat River, charged the enemy in his
breast-works, driving him out and pushing him across a tributary of the North
Anna. Breast-works were thrown up during the night, and for several suc