The company has now been in active service one year, and the ranks are reduced from 94 to a mere guard of 30 present for duty, not one-third of the number is left, while the Penn'a Reserves, by the fatalities of warfare are reduced from the original 15,000 to barely 4,000 for duty.
The command went into camp near Sharpsburg, where 2nd Lieut. Minnigh was promoted to 1st Lieut. and Serg't Kitzmiller to 2nd Lieut. and Capt. Stewart returned to the company from Gen'l Hospital.
Breaking camp once more on October 30th, we re-crossed the Potomac at Berlin ferry, going southward, through Lovettsville, Warrenton, Rappahannock station, and finally go into camp at Fredericksburg.
While here, and before the Fredericksburg campaign opened, Co. K, was detailed on special duty at Brooks' station, on the Aquia creek rail-road, and as a consequence did not participate in the Battle of the 10th of December, in which the Penn'a Reserves once more distinguished themselves, making a charge, that for dash and daring, has not a parallel in the entire history of the war. Of this charge a distinguished writer says, "They broke through two well entrenched lines of the enemy, and accomplished what was expected of them, but for want of support they were compeled to retire." The loss in this assault was 176 killed, 1197 wounded and 468 missing, a total loss of 1841, out of a possible 4500, two-fifths of the total loss reported in said battle. The detail of the company with the ambulance corps, did duty on the field.
On February 8th, the whole command was relieved from the front, and transferred to the defences of the city of Washington, to afford an opportunity, it was said, to recruit our decimated ranks and wasted energies, but as the event proved, in the 1st Regiment at least, to perform more arduous duty than we had done when with the main army. Our camp was located on the north bank of the historic Bull-run, and finally at Fairfax court-house. It was here the famous Photo of company K. was taken, June 4th, 1863.
The battle of Chancellorsville, was fought on May 2nd, and when the Army of the Potomac followed on the flank of Lee's forces which were moving northward, we rejoined our old comrades, in pursuit of the enemy.
CHAPTER VIII.
Gettysburg.
Having crossed the Potomac at Edward's ferry, a continuous march on June 28, 29, 30 and July 1, and 2, brought us to Gettysburg our own native town, and Home. Before reaching Gettysburg we heard various rumors of the investment of our home by the enemy. One incident may be related here; When approaching the familliar haunts of former days, and some of the company began to recognize well known faces, though themselves unknown, it was amusing to note the surprise of the citizens, upon hearing their names deliberately called out by the unknown soldiers. One aged citizen when convinced of identity of his own nephew, said "Vy Chon, for vat de defil you left dem repel soljers gum up heyr, Hey?" John's reply was, "Why! Uncle Sam, it was all planned out so that I could get home to see my Mammy."
To lay joking aside, it was a serious matter to be thus summoned in defence of our own homes. We had gone out two years before, to conquer the enemy on his own soil, but were now returning, after two years of struggle, to meet him face to face at our own door. What the feeling of each member of the company was, under these circumstances, may be better imagined than described, for we had seen enough of the ravages of warfare in the south-land, to cause us to be anxious for the welfare of our loved ones, now exposed in like manner.