Numbers 50. Report of Lieutenant Colonel James McThomson, 107th Pennsylvania Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS 107TH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS, July 10, 1863.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following necessarily short report of the part the regiment under my command took in the engagement of July 1: Went into the fight at about 1 p. m., with 230 guns and 25 commissioned officers, the men loading as they walked. Were in action about two hours. Captured more prisoners than the regiment numbered. I regret to report the loss of large numbers of most excellent soldiers. The casualties are, as far as ascertained, as follows: Field officers, lieutenant-colonel slightly, major severely, wounded; 3 commissioned officers known to be wounded, and 6 commissioned officers missing; 11 enlisted men known to be killed, 48 known to be wounded, and 93 missing. Men could not have fought better than these men, and I am gratified to say that not a single exhibition of cowardice of either officers or men was observed during the whole engagement.

Respectfully submitted.

With much respect, I am, lieutenant, your most obedient servant,

JAMES McTHOMSON,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. 107th Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Lieutenant SMALL, A. A. A. G., First Brig., Second Div., First Army Corps.

Numbers 51. Report of Captain Emanuel D. Roath, 107th Pennsylvania Infantry.

RAPPAHANNOCK, Va., August 15, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report, as per orders from brigade headquarters, from June 28 to July 22, inclusive, viz: June 28. – Left camp near Middletown, Md., and marched to Frederick City, Md. June 29. – We marched from Frederick City to Emmitsburg, passing on the way through Lewistown, Mechanicstown, and Catoctin Furnace settlement; also passing those famous Catholic institutions of learning, viz, the college and sisterhood near Emmitsburg. Having marched all day in rain and mud, reaching our destination of 23 miles at 5. 30 p. m., the men were much fatigued on the march, but all answered and were accounted for at roll-call. We bivouacked about 1 mile west of Emmitsburg. June

30. – We marched toward Gettysburg, and bivouacked about 3 miles north of Emmitsburg for the remainder of the day and night on Pennsylvania soil. The following is the report of Lieutenant Colonel J. MacThomson, of the One hundred and seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the action of July 1, at Gettysburg, he being in command up to that time, viz:

July 1. – After the engagement, we fell back to the left of Cemetery Hill, and threw up strong breastworks, which we occupied until next morning.

July 2. – During the forenoon we were relieved by the Third Division, Second Corps, and taken a few hundred yards in the rear to support a battery. We lay on our arms until about 6. 30 p. m., when we were marched to the left, toward the Round Top, under a heavy and effective fire, to assist in driving the rebel hordes back in the famous charge of the second day of the fight. After the charge, we marched back to near the cemetery, and were ordered to lay in rear of a stone fence, being a protection for the men from the enemy’s sharpshooters in our front. Our casualties during the second day were 1 commissioned officer and several men wounded. Our strength was about 78 guns and 12 commissioned officers.

July 3. – At 4. 30 a. m. we were posted in the rear of Cemetery Hill, in support of the batteries stationed on that point, remaining in that position until 1. 30 p. m., when the enemy opened upon us with a heavy and furious artillery fire. Our division was moved to the right of Cemetery Hill, at the same time lying under two direct fires of the enemy’s sharpshooters and one battery. The strife became terrific and the artillery firing terrible. At this crisis our services were required to support the batteries, when the regiment was marched with others along the crest of brow of the hill in rear of the batteries, through the most deadly fire ever man passed through, it appearing as though every portion of the atmosphere contained a deadly missile. After our services were no longer needed to support the batteries, the division to which my regiment was attached was moved to the left of Cemetery Hill, to participate in crowning our arms with the glorious victory achieved that day. My strength was about 72 guns and 11 commissioned officers. Casualties, 2 commissioned officers wounded; 1 private killed and several slightly wounded. The day being very hot, 3 of my men were carried insensible from the field on account of the intense heat. After resting a few hours, we sent out a line of skirmishers to the front, and threw up breastworks to protect the men in our position, where we remained for the night.

July 4. – We lay all day in the position of the previous night and strengthened it; did some skirmishing with the enemy’s sharpshooters; had no casualties. It is proper here for me to state that the officers and men displayed great gallantry and determination throughout all the engagements of the previous days, and are entitled to the praise and gratitude of a free and loyal people.

July 5. – After the skirmish line was relieved, we fell back some distance, and encamped for the night.

July 6. – Left camp on or near the battle-field, and marched and
conter-marched a short distance; halted until 4 p. m., when were ordered forward again some distance, and encamped about 3 miles north of Emmitsburg, on Pennsylvania soil.

July 7. – Brigade ordered into line, and took up its line of march toward Middletown, Md., passing through Franklin Mills and Mechanicstown; also crossed the Catoctin Mountains, and encamped near Beallsville, Md.

July 8. – Left camp near Beallsville, marched through the place to Middletown, and encamped a few hours south of the town in a heavy rain, it having also rained all the previous night. At 4 p. m. we again took up our line of march to South Mountain. Bivouacked there until the 10th, in line of preparation. Our cavalry had quite a sharp and successful encounter with the enemy on the 9th.

July 10. – Moved forward, passing through Boonsborough and Benevola to near Beaver Creek, and entrenched; lay in that position until the 12th.

July 11. – My regiment was detailed for picket, and was stationed at Beaver Creek, a fine, thriving settlement; the enemy in large numbers in the neighborhood.

July 12, Sunday. – Marched through Funkstown and bivouacked near Hagerstown, Md., throwing up strong breastworks, and remained there until the 14th.

July 14. – Left the breastworks and moved toward Williamsport, passing through and over the strong and abandoned works of the enemy, and bivouacked about 1 mile east of Williamsport for the night. The last of the enemy had recrossed the Potomac during the day, our cavalry capturing about 700 of them on their retreat and destroying a great portion of their train.

July 15. – Took up the line of march toward Berlin, passing through Jones’ Cross-Roads, Smoketown, Marsh, Keedysville, Locust Street, and Rohresville, and bivouacked for the night near Crampton’s Gap. July 16. – Marched through the gap (while passing through the gap from the most elevated positions we had a fine view of Pleasant Valley, Md., and it was a grand scene, for nature had just clothed it in the richest garb to welcome, as it were, the loyal and victorious army of the Union), leaving Burkittsville to our left, which is a fine, pleasant town, and bivouacked about 3 miles from Berlin, and remained there until the 18th.

July 18. – Marched to Berlin, crossed the Potomac into Loudoun County, Va., leaving Lovettsville to our right, and encamped near Waterford.

July 19. – Marched through Waterford to Hamilton, and bivouacked in a fine woods (Sunday). July 20. – Marched to Middleburg, and lay encamped near the town along the Aldie pike until 6 p. m. of the 21st. Marched to White Plains during the night, arriving there at 4 a. m. on the morning of the 22d. After a few hours’ rest and breakfast, we moved to Warrenton same day. Had no casualties during the march.

Respectfully submitted.

I am, captain, with much respect, your most obedient servant

E. D. ROATH,
Captain, Comdg. One hundred and seventh Pa. Vols.

Captain BYRON PORTER,
Asst. Adjt. General, First Brig., Second Div., First Army Corps.

from Official Records, Series 1, Volume 27, Part 1, Pages 303-306