At 2.30 a.m. of July 2nd the regiment was moved to the front, and at 8 a.m. was placed in position, with Ruger's first division of the Twelfth Corps, along the west bank of Rock Creek, near McAllister's mill. Here the regiment threw up breastworks of rails and earth, behind which it remained until six in the evening, when the brigade, consisting of the First Potomac Home Brigade and One Hundred and Fiftieth New York (the First Eastern Shore not having yet arrived), was ordered to the left of the Union line, then the scene of a heavy action. Lockwood's brigade led the advance of the reinforcements sent from the Twelfth Corps, and upon reaching the summit of Cemetery Ridge was immediately formed in two lines, the First Potomac Home Brigade in front. With a shout of defiance the brigade rushed down the declivity, and sweeping obliquely to the left across the plain, amid a most terrific fire of artillery and musketry, continued its rapid advance without pause until it reached the vicinity of Sherfy's peach-orchard, where the severest contest of the day had occurred. Before this impetuous charge the enemy fell back, leaving his dead and wounded within the Federal lines. Reaching the line originally held by the Third Corps, the men of the First Potomac Home Brigade raised a shout of triumph which rang through the valley and over the hills, and it was with the utmost difficulty they could be restrained from following the enemy farther. While advancing the First Regiment recovered from the enemy three guns of Bigelow's Massachusetts battery that had been lost during the fearful onset of the Confederates. After dark the regiment returned by a circuitous route to the Baltimore pike, near the cemetery, where the men stretched their weary limbs to rest, and slept regardless of the skirmishing of the pickets, which was kept up, with brief intermissions, all night. Before daybreak of the 3rd, Col. Maulsby was ordered to post his regiment in position to support Knapp's Pennsylvania battery, posted on a slight ridge west of the Baltimore pike and opposite Spangler's house.
At daylight the artillery opened a rapid fire, which was continued for more than an hour. But, although severe, it failed to dislodge the enemy, who still held the captured breastworks. At about six o'clock orders were given Col. Maulsby's regiment to advance across Spangler's meadow and carry the position held by the enemy at the base of Culp's Hill, near Spangler's spring. It seemed certain destruction, but such were the orders, and Col. Maulsby gave the command, " Forward, double quick!" With deafening cheers the line sprang forward and advanced as rapidly as the nature of the ground would allow. Maj. Steiner, with the left wing of the regiment, moved directly through a tongue of woods jutting out from Gulps Hill, and extending half-way across the meadow, while the right wing, under Col. Maulsby, advanced across the open swale, and then into the woods. From behind every tree and rock the enemy's fire was poured in, but the regiment with undaunted courage pushed forward towards the stone wall, from which the adversary sent death-dealing missiles. The fire of his sharpshooters, posted in trees on the other side of the creek, was also very close and annoying. Already many had fallen and the regiment seemed devoted to destruction, but onward it went, its officers leading and cheering the men. Gaining a position within twenty yards of the stone wall, and while preparing for a final charge, orders were given for the regiment to return to the turnpike, as a movement of another regiment on the enemy's flank would expose it to an enfilading fire from its friends. Collecting its dead and wounded, the regiment retired to an orchard near the pike, where it was held in reserve for a short time. During the charge at Spangler's spring. Company I, under Capt. Walter Saunders, had a lively skirmish with the enemy at Culp's Hill. After resting in the orchard until about nine o'clock the regiment was advanced to the front on Culp's Hill, where it occupied rifle-pits and engaged the enemy. Here, too, it fought earnestly and bravely, and not a man faltered or displayed the least sign of fear. Its loss in this last engagement was severe, but the heaviest loss was sustained at Spangler's spring. Among the killed were Lieut. James T. Smith, Company C, and Lieut. John S. Willman, Company D. In the action at Culp's Hill, Lieut. Charles E. Eader, Company I, was killed. These officers were all citizens of Frederick County. Lieut. Smith was a young lawyer of Frederick City, and one of the editors of the Maryland Union. Lieut. Eader, also of Frederick City, was an educated mechanic of brave and generous impulses. Lieut. Willman, who was from Mechanicsburg, was a young officer of great gallantry, accomplishments, and promise.
The total loss of the regiment at Gettysburg was three officers and twenty-two enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, three officers and sixty-nine men wounded, and one man missing. Capt. Joseph Groff, Company B, Lieut. George H. Wain, Company C, and Lieut. Frank II. Hardesty, Company G, were among the wounded.
During the night of the 3rd the regiment lay in the works near its original position at McAllister's mill, on Rock Creek.
On the 4th of July, Lee took a position to receive an attack, but as Meade showed no disposition to disturb him, be began to retreat on the night of the 4th, and reached Hagerstown on the 6th and 7th. Finding the river too full to cross, he took up a position covering the Potomac from Williamsport to Falling Waters. While at Hagerstown he issued the following address to his army:
"Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia,
"July 11, 1863.
" General Order, No. 16:
"After long and trying marches, endured with the fortitude that has ever characterized the soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia, you have penetrated to the country of our enemies, and recalled to the defense of their own soil those who were engaged in the invasion of ours. You have fought a fierce and sanguinary battle, which, if not attended with the success that has hitherto crowned your efforts, was marked by the same heroic spirit that has commanded the respect of your enemies, the gratitude of your country, and the admiration of mankind.
" Once more you are called upon to meet the enemy from whom you won, on so many fields, names that will never die. Once more the eyes of your countrymen are turned upon you. Again do wives and sisters, fathers and mothers, helpless children lean for defense on your strong arms and brave hearts. Let every soldier remember that on his courage and fidelity depend all that makes life worth having, — the freedom of his country, the