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

704 SIXTY-NINTH REGIMENT. 1863
upon every battle-field where the regiment had stood, while at the head of
their men cheering them on and applauding their determination to depend their
native soil, were killed. Captains Michael Duffy and George C. Thompson,
and Lieutenant Charles F. Kelly, equally brave and daring, were also among
the killed. Lieutenant Colonel Tschudy had been wounded in the fight of the
second day, but unwilling to leave the field, he resolutely kept the fore front,
with his men, until, with his face to the foe, he was stricken down in death.
Major Duffy who assumed command upon the fall of the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel, which occurred early in the fight, was severely wounded while
changing front at the critical moment in the battle, but stood by his men and
directed the fight until the victory was won.
From Gettysburg the regiment, under command of Captain Davis, joining
in pursuit of the rebel army, marched to a point on the Hagerstown and
Sharpsburg Pike, where it came upon the enemy's lines, and was for two days
employed in throwing up breast-works and in skirmishing. After the escape
of Lee into Virginia, it moved with the army, and during the campaign which
ensued, was employed at Banks' Ford early in September in guard and scout
duty; in provost duty at Culpepper; in reconnoitring at Somerville Ford, on
the Rapidan; in reducing fortifications upon the Rappahannock, near Rappahannock Station; in guarding the wagon train on the retreat to Centreville, in
which it was frequently attacked by irregular parties coming in upon its flank;
in the rifle-pits at Bull Run on the occasion of Meade's second advance, where
the artillery was warmly engaged; at Robertson's Tavern in the preliminary
operations to the movement upon Mine Run, losing one killed and six wounded; and finally at Mine Run with the brigade, where it was held in readiness
to lead the storming party in the grand assault upon the enemy's works, but
was relieved without coming to action on the abandonment of offensive operations.
Winter-quarters were established at Stevensburg, and on the 14th of March,
1864, a sufficient number having re-enlisted to secure the continuance of the
organization, they were given a veteran furlough, and returned to Philadelphia. While here the green flag which had been carried with the national colors in all its campaigns, was deposited in Independence Hall and a new one
was presented by its friends. Upon the resignation of Major Duffy on account
of wounds, Captain Davis was promoted to succeed him, and took command
of the regiment. General Webb now held command of the brigade, General
Gibbon of the division, and General Hancock of the corps. On the 3d of May
the regiment moved on the spring campaign, and on the evening of the 5th
became engaged in the thickets of the Wilderness, losing two men wounded.
Before light on the following morning it again moved forward and drove the
enemy, but receiving heavy re-inforcements he in turn gained ground, and having outflanked the corps on the left, pushed it back to the Ely's Ford Road,
where his advance was arrested and on which breast-works were erected. The
struggle now became desperate. The regiment was moved to the extrerme left,
where was the heaviest fighting. The enemy made repeated efforts to turn
this flank, but was forced to desist, sustaining unprecedented slaughter.
The loss was four killed, eleven wounded, and four taken prisoners.
On the 8th the regiment was thrown across the Po and advanced to the Ta
river. Here it was posted to defend the bridge across the stream; but with
other troops was forced to retire. General Webb having been wounded, Gen