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

1863 BATTLE OF CHANCELLORSVILLE. 895
Retiring to the fortifications of Washington, the regiment remained on duty
until after the return of the army from the Antietam campaign. In the meantime Colonel Schimmelfennig was promoted to Brigadier General, and the
command of the regiment devolved upon Major Von Hartung, who was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel. The regiment went
into winter quarters near Stafford Court House, Virginia, and received, while
there, a considerable number of recruits.
The Seventy-fourth was ordered to the front to participate in the battle of
Fredericksburg, but did not arrive in time to have part in that bloody, but
fruitless struggle. Subsequently the command having been given to General
Hooker, the entire army was thoroughly re-organized, and the most extensive
preparations were made for a forward movement. During the closing days of
April, 1863, the regiment marched with the Eleventh Corps, and crossing the
Bappahannock and Rapidan rivers, reached Chancellorsville, in rear of the
rebel army, without encountering any opposition of any moment, and without
exciting suspicion that a general'movement was in progress. Few movements
of an army, is face of a vigilant foe, were ever planned and executed of such
magnitude, with such complete success as attended this. After manoeuvring
for a day the army finally settled down into position with Howard's Corps on
the extreme right, general headquarters at the Chancellor House, and the left
resting on the river. It is worthy of remark here, that the right of the line
rested in a level country, interspersed with wood and open fields, and had no
natural protection, nor any adequate formation to resist attack. The Seventyfourth was formed in line of battle facing the plank road which runs from
Fredericksburg to Orange Court House. Several regiments of the First Division were similarly posted on its right, and the Sixty-first Ohio on its left.
At five and a-half o'clock P. M.," says Colonel Von Hartung, in his report of the
battle, " the regiments on our right were suddenly attacked in very great force,d
and his attack was also directed on our right flank and rear. The regiments
on our right broke and came crushing through the ranks of the Seventy-fourth
in such wild confusion, as to throw them into disorder, which was increased
by several guns from Dickman's Battery in front, suddenly falling back, and
becoming-intermingled also with the general crowd. Preserving as much order
as possible, I led the regiment back behind a rifle-pit, near the old headquarters
of Major General Howard. There the most perfect order was soon restored,
and the regiment awaited the approach of the enemy. Different regiments
were 6n our right and left, and well rallied again. We were soon furiously
attacked, but the enemy was handsomely checked and driven back, the men
fighting with the most determined bravery. t Being at length flanked, however,
* Major G. Schleiter says, "You will better understand my indignation when I inform you
that, as Adjutant to General Schimmelfennig, I nearly killed my horse in riding to inform
General Howard of the fact that the enemy was massing troops on our right flank, and that I
was received with an incredulous smile, andtdirected to tell General Schimmelfennig to stop
reconnoitring, and remain in the position assigned to him. This was two hours before the
attack was made."
t Schimelfennig's Brigade, of Schurz's Division, made a rapid change of front to the west,
and resisted the advance of the enemy for an hour or upwards. —Army of the Potomac, Swinton,
page, 286.
GENERAL SC1IMMEILFENNIG'S LETTER TO GENERAL SCHURZ. —It has become known by
this time, I hope, that the First Division, which gave way on the 2d of May, (because assailed
in front, in rear, and in flank,) was that of General Devens; that it was the second line of your
division which changed front, from south to west. in less than two minutes' time; that it was