1st Brigade, 3rd Division
— 11th Corps —
(Front):45th N.Y. Infantry
1st Brig. 3rd Div.
11th Corps.
July 1, 1863
(Left):The regiment went into action about 11.30 a.m. July 1st, 1863, by deploying four companies as skirmishers under Captain Irsch about one hundred yards to the rear of this monument. They advanced supported by the other six companies under Lt. Col. Dobke about five hundred and forty yards under a terrific artillery and sharpshooter's fire to a point indicated by marker in front. The regiment also assisted in repelling a charge on the flank of the 1st. Corps to the left, capturing many prisoners. Covered retrograde movement into town, fighting through the streets, where Major Koch fell desperately wounded. A portion of the regiment was cut off and took shelter in connecting houses and yards on Chambersburg Street west of the town square, holding the enemy at bay until about 5.30 p.m. when they surrendered, after having destroyed their arms and accouterments.
(Left):On July 2, the remnant of the regiment was exposed to a heavy artillery fire on Cemetery Hill, and in the evening moved hastily to Culp's Hill and assisted in repulsing an attack on Greene's Brigade 12th Corps (see markers on Culp's and Cemetery Hills). On 3d, it was again exposed to artillery and sharpshooters fire, whereupon Sergt. Link, with volunteers, dislodged the enemy's sharpshooters in the edge of town, nearly all the small attacking party being killed or wounded in the effort. The regiment while in the Army of the Potomac participated in the following battles:
Cross Keys - White Suphur Springs - 2d Bull Run
Cedar Mountain - Gainesville - Chancellorsville
Waterloo Bridge - Groveton - Gettysburg
and then transferred to the Army of the Cumberland at:
Lookout Mountain - Resaca - Kenesaw Mountain
and many other minor engagements.
(Back):The regiment carried into action July 1st, 25 officers and about 250 men. As officially reported, it lost, killed 11, wounded 35, missing 164, total 210 officers and men. Among the missing many were killed or wounded in the town and not included in the above numbers. Those captured refused offered parole hoping to encumber the enemy, believing that the Union Army would capture the crippled foe and thereby effect their release. Sadly disappointed, they suffered indescribable misery in Andersonville and other prison pens, neglected, often maltreated and finally believing themselves forgotten and forsaken. Many died martyrs and joined their more fortunate comrades who fell gloriously on this field.
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