Head Quarters Blue Reserves

Hagerstown July 19. 1863

 

Lt. Alex Farnham A.A.A.G.

 

Sir

            The "Blue Reserve" Regiment left camp Curtin at Harrisburg June 26^th at 8 o'clock AM crossed the Susquehanna river, and marched through mud and rain to Fort Washington, halted here for a short time and then marched to Camp Taylor, a short distance beyond, and where the rifle pits were afterward thrown up. On the 27^th detailed 200 men in reliefs of 100 men each under command of Captains Harvey and Audemied to work on the right sally port at Ft. Washington, and toward night 50 men under Lt. Janney to close centre sally port. 28^th . Formed line of battle at 1 o'clock PM but were marched to the rifle pits which we occupied until 9 o'clock PM when we were relieved by the N.Y. 41^st and marched back again to camp. At 12 o'clock midnight were again formed in line and marched on a reconnaissance from which we returned at 1 o'clock AM. 29^th . At about 12 o'clock noon were formed in line of battle and marched to a hill near our camp—deployed one company to the front as skirmishers, and then laid down in line of battle and so remained until 8 o'clock the next morning when we marched back to camp. July 1^st. Marched to Carlisle starting at 7 o'clock AM and reaching the town at 7 PM stacked arms and unslung knapsacks when the rebel cavalry made their appearance east of the town and commenced shelling us. We were immediately brought into line and while standing on the street near the Market house private George M^cNeill of Company C was wounded by a piece / of shell in the leg. We were ordered to occupy the houses on each side of the street and barricade the windows so as to harass the cavalry in case they should charge through the place. We had been in them but a short time when we were ordered to the upper part of the town where part of the regiment were deployed so as to hold some three roads leading into the town in that direction, and the balance of the regiment as a reserve laid on their arms in the road all night. During an alarm this night private Robt Wiley of Co. D. was shot in the leg and so badly wounded that it was obliged to be amputated. July 2. Marched through Carlisle and out of the city about a mile where we expected to encamp, but had hardly stacked arms before we were ordered to the ruins of Carlisle barracks, which had been burned the night before, where we formed our camp. Lieut Wm. Wrigley was detailed from the regiment as Division Commissary, and details were also made for guard duty in the neighborhood and at head quarters. July 3. Were ordered to march at 3 o'clock PM but after forming line the orders were countermanded. Under orders from Head Quarters, four companies from the regiment were detailed for general picket duty under command of Capt B. F. Harvey. The regiment were ordered to have 2 days rations and be prepared to move at a moments notice. July 4^th. Formed our line at 5 o'clock AM and marched into Carlisle where we left our knapsacks and then started down the turnpike passing through Papertown and Mt Holly Gap and halting at Pine Grove furnace. The latter part / of this march was made over very muddy roads through a most tremendous rain storm. We here detailed a guard to take charge of rebel deserters. Remained here all night and in the morning July 5^th. started through "Five Mile Gap" marched some distance when we halted and at night marched back again to Pine Grove, where we bivouacked for the night. July 6^th. started this morning again up the mountain marched all day over very rugged and tangled foot paths and roads and halted about dark on the Baltimore turnpike about 8 miles from Gettysburg where we bivouacked for the night. Detailed two companies (Company B Capt S. T. Souder and Company F Capt Chas C. Conley) for picket duty to report at head quarters. July 7. started at about 11 o'clock AM and marched through Caledonia Springs and Greenwood and arrived late in the afternoon at Funkstown where we laid for the night in the woods in a heavy rain storm. Detailed 50 men for picket under Lieut Andrews of Company K. July 8^th. started about 10 o'clock for Waynesboro which we reached in the afternoon passing through the town and encamping back of the Hagerstown pike. Detailed a guard for Head Quarters. July 9^th. The arms accoutrements and ammunition of the regiment were inspected by the Colonel the regiment being paraded for that purpose. Five companies of the regiment were detailed for picket duty under command of Major D. Rodney King to report to Col. French of the 77^th New York on the Hagerstown Pike and also a guard to Surg John Neil at Waynesboro. July 10. Capt S. T. Snider was detailed as / Brigade Commissary. The regiment was drawn up in line of battle during the afternoon and remained so until dismissed by an order from head quarters. July 11. One company (B) under command of Lieut E. Gilbert was detailed for picket duty and details were also made for guard duty outside of camp. An order was read from Gen Smith to have the arms and accoutrements in order and that rations should be supplied for two days. July 13. Marched from Waynesboro to Hagerstown arriving there about 5 o'clock—were reviewed by Genl Kilpatrick and then marched to our camping ground but had hardly stacked arms when we were ordered out in a reconnaissance under Genl Kilpatrick. In the engagement that followed the following men of our regiment were wounded. Company F Robt M^cNutt shot through the lungs. Augustus Biles in the head and Edwin Taxis in the head. Comp D Albert Shaw in the shoulder Comp C Peter Green in face Co H William Gray in head—slight. Comp H Guyer T. Jones in left hand, Geo P. Thayer in right hand. July 14^th At about 1 o'clock PM the regiment was formed in line and marched to Brigade Head Quarters from which they were dismissed again to their encampment. July 15^th In the afternoon the regiment was drawn up in line and orders from Head Quarters read them. Company D Capt Chas Page was detailed toward evening to report to Major Nicholson at Col Brisbane's Head Quarters, and a guard was also detailed for Mr Hagaman's property. July 16. Four companies were detailed for / Provost duty in Hagerstown. July 18. This evening our companies on Provost duty returned to camp July 19^th. The regiment paraded for inspection when orders were read from Genl W. F. Smith and Governor A. G. Curtin and then the army and accoutrements were inspected by the Colonel and Field officers.

           

This report is made in accordance with an order from Col. Brisbane this date

 

W. W. Taylor

Col. Blue Reserves

 

Robt Aichen                                                                

            Adjutant

 

[overleaf]

 

To

Lt. Alex Farnham       A.A.A.G.

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