Gettysburg after battle report:
Report of Col. James L. Selfridge, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry.
Camp near Sandy Hook, Md.,
July 18, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of my command
from the 13th ultimo to the present date:
On the 13th ultimo, I proceeded with my command from the camp
near Stafford Court-House, Va., to a point designated by you near
Brooke's Station, where, after several hours' halt and active preparations
for a permanent camp ground, I received orders to report with
my command at Stafford Court-House without delay, to the commandant
of the corps train, as guard to the same.
On the evening of the same date, guarding the train, my command
proceeded on the march, and reached Fairfax, Va., via Dumfries and
Occoquan City, on the 14th of the same month. At this point I was
relieved of further charge as guard to the train, and reported to you.
After a halt until the 17th, I proceeded from this point with the
brigade, under your command, to Leesburg, Va., arriving at the
latter place on the 18th ultimo. Encamped at that point until the
20th, when, in accordance with your orders, I relieved the Twentieth
Regt. Connecticut Volunteers, then on picket duty within 3 miles
of said town, remaining there on picket duty until the 24th, when I
was relieved by a regiment of your brigade, and immediately reported
to you. Encamped with the brigade at the town of Leesburg until
the 26th, when, under your command, commenced march, and proceeded
to a point in the vicinity of Gettysburg, Pa., arriving there
on the evening of the 1st instant, and encamping for the night.
On the 2d instant, marched to a position nearer the town and south
of it, and to the right of the Gettysburg and Littlestown pike, and, by
your orders, commenced making breastworks in great haste, which
were completed in the afternoon of the same day, and I immediately
guarded the same.
On the same evening, under your command, I was called from the
breastworks, and proceeded with other regiments of your brigade
to a point near the left of the main line. After a short halt and
several hours' absence from the breastworks, I retraced my steps
with the intention of reoccupying my late position in the breast-works.
When I approached the breastworks, found the enemy in possession
of the same, and, in accordance with your orders, I took
up a position in an open field on protecting ground near the breastworks,
where I remained until the morning of the 3d, with the men
concealed as much as possible from the bullets of the sharp-shooters.
At daybreak our artillery opened fire on the enemy, and several
batteries in our rear, from an eminence, were obliged to throw their
shot and shell immediately over my command, and from the premature
explosions of our shells, and others from our batteries unexploded,
falling in the midst of my command, I regret very much to
record the following casualties.*
During the day my command was much annoyed by sharpshooters,
but I suffered no loss of life or injury in my command from the
same.
In the evening of the same (3d instant), I took possession of my
breastworks, and guarded the same until the 5th instant, when, together
with the remainder of your command, I took up line of march,
via Littlestown, Pa., Frederick City, Md., Crampton's Gap, Williamsport,
Sharpsburg, and Maryland Heights, to this camp, arriving on
the 16th instant.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAS. L. SELFRIDGE,
Col., Comdg. Regt.
Col. A. L. McDougall,
Comdg. First Brig., First Div., Twelfth Army Corps.
Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43
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