Gettysburg. Gen J B Sweitzer's Brigade in the Fearful Struggles of the Second Day
W J Patterson, Lieutenant commanding Co F, 62nd PA
From The National Tribune, May 30, 1907, Page 6.
....About the time we [Sweitzer's Brigade] moved forward across this field Graham's Division had been driven from the Peach Orchard, and Humphrey's Division, being threatened in reverse, changed front and moved further to the rear. These operations made a large opening in the line, through which the Confederates hastened to enter in strong force. We had not been long in this advanced position when shots were noticed striking our line from the woods to our right and rear. Gen. Wofford's Brigade of Georgia troops held the Peach Orchard road and the elevation at Zook's monument, and was firing into our command. Col. Boyd McKeen, in his report of the First Brigade, First Division, Second Corps, says: "They were relieved by a brigade (Sweitzer's) of Barnes Division, Fifth Corps. Passing the relieving brigade by file they were enfiladed by a galling fire." Thus showing that the enemy made his appearance on our flank and rear almost immediately after we moved from the Peach Orchard road.
The 4th Mich and the 62nd [PA] changed front to the right to meet our enemies in that direction. The brigade was now nearly surrounded and in a very perilous situation. Attacked in front, right and rear, its chances of extricating itself were anything but good. Gen. Barnes exclaimed: "There goes the Second Brigade: we may as well bid it goodbye." But it was not the first time the Second Brigade had been in critical positions, and by good judgment and indomitable pluck came out alright. The command was terribly exposed in the open field, while our enemies had the cover of the woods. The men's blood was up, and they fought with desperate resolution.....