CIVIL WAR - Week of July 23, 1863 - Wrap Up of The Battle of Gettysburg & Local Soldier Letters Home - Regimental Organization of 54th Pa. Co. A

 

This was a disastrous month for the Confederacy, which sustained decisive defeats at two key points that permanently turned the tide of the war. The largest battle ever fought in North America took place, and relentless Federal operations continued in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Charleston Harbor. Meanwhile, the North was torn by dissent over the new military draft.

The Battle of Gettysburg

Advance elements of the Federal and Confederate armies clash in southern Pennsylvania, beginning what would grow into the most terrible battle in American history.

Day 2

The Federal and Confederate armies gather south of Gettysburg, where Robert E. Lee launches ferocious attacks on both Federal flanks.

Day 3

Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia launches a massive, desperate charge to destroy the Federal Army of the Potomac once and for all. 

Heading Back South

Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia begins retreating from Gettysburg, but the swelling Potomac River threatens to trap Lee in hostile territory Confederate officials arrive off Hampton Roads, Virginia, to negotiate prisoner exchange terms with the Federals. They are also unofficially authorized to negotiate a possible end to the war.

Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia reaches the Potomac River, while George G. Meade, commanding the Federal army, is reluctant to pursue. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia prepares for a battle against George G. Meade’s Federals while still stranded on the Maryland side of the Potomac River.

George G. Meade’s Federal Army of the Potomac misses its final opportunity to destroy Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, ending the Gettysburg campaign.

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The Confederate soldiers and residents under siege in Vicksburg are on the verge of being starved into submission. John C. Pemberton’s Confederates formally surrender on Independence Day, transferring the mighty stronghold of Vicksburg to Federal hands. Federal occupation forces complete the parole process at Vicksburg, establish medical relief, and regulate slave relations as news of the city’s capture reaches Washington.

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Capt. Litzinger's Company - 54th P.V.M. Co A

Capt. W.R. Roberts, Lt. Adam George, Lt. Wm. C. Barbour

Sgt: R.E. Jones, N.S. George, Gilbert A. Barker, Hartman Barrick, J.F. Chickey

Corporals: H.H. Pringle, John Wendelhoth, D. Morris Kiel, John Brown, S. McMonigle, Emanuel Crom, Philip Sherbine, Sylvester Crum

Musician - Joseph Hamilton

Privates: Fred Aronfield, B.F. James, B.F. Ash, Charles Johnson, John Barrick, John Keating, Andrew Beek, John W. Long, Peter M. Brown, Elias Lower, David W. Brendlinger, Stephen McIntyce, Daniel Berkstresser, David McMonigle, Wm. Berkstresser, Henry McMonigal, Harrison Burkhardt, Martin Miller

Samuel Byers, John W. Mulholland, Wm. K. Carr, Thos. J. Nelson, Aug. Chestnutwood, John Noel, David Coulter, Elias Paul, David Davis, Wm. H. Paul, Emanuel Dellinger, John Plummer, Enos Ellis, Jacob W. Pringle, Ressler Emigh, David W. Scott, David Farber, Hervey Sharp

John Feeny, Theodore Shaw, Henry Fick, Wm. T. Sidman, John Fish, Thomas Stineman, Henry Flenner, Wm. Stonebaker, John Grew, John Weaver, Jas D. Hamilton, Albert Wilson, F.K. Herlinger, Christian Smay, Jacob Stineman

12th Pa Cal. 

Sgt. E.R. Smith - 27th Maine and T.P. Fenlon