69th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers

The 69th Pennsylvania Volunteers, part of the Philadelphia Brigade in the 2nd Division of the 2nd Corps, held this position on July 2 and 3, 1863. Late on the afternoon of July 2, the regiment helped repulse a desperate attack by Wright's Georgia Brigade. About 1 o'clock p.m. on July 3, these lines endured artillery fire from nearly 150 guns for more than an hour, after which Pickett's division charged and was repulsed and nearly annihilated. Fighting on the left and center of the regiment was for a time hand-to-hand. Of the attacking regimental commanders, only one remained unhurt. General Garnett was killed, General Kemper was desperately wounded, and General Armistead, after crossing the stone wall above the right of this command, where two companies changed front to oppose him, fell mortally wounded. A number of Confederate flags were picked up on this front after the battle. The regiment had originally been organized on April 12, 1861, from the 2nd Regiment Pennsylvania State Militia for three months as the 24th Regiment, was reorganized for three years on August 19, 1861, as the 69th Regiment, reenlisted on January 31, 1864, and was mustered out at the end of the war on July 1, 1865. From reorganization until muster out its aggregate strength was 1736 and its aggregate casualties were 762. Here Colonel Dennis O'Kane fell after victory had been achieved, and while rallying the right to repulse Armistead, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Tschudy was killed after having been wounded the previous day and refusing to leave the field; the major and adjutant were also wounded. Out of an aggregate strength of 258, the regiment suffered a loss of 137. Its service also included battles from Falling Waters and Ball's Crossroads through Gettysburg, Petersburg, Five Forks, and the surrender of Lee.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania · United States