2D PENNSYLVANIA RESERVE

VOLUNTEER CORPS.

HISTORY

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Organized at Philadelphia. Moved to Easton, Pa., May 29, 1861; thence to Harrisburg, Pa., July 24. Moved to Baltimore, thence to Sandy Hook, near Harper's Ferry, Va. Ordered to Darnestown, Md., August 28; thence to Tennallytown, Md., September 25 and join McCall. Attached to 1st Brigade, McCall's Pennsylvania Reserves Division, Army of the Potomac, to March, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to April, 1862. 1st Brigade, McCall's Division, Dept. of the Rappahannock, to June, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to August, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to February, 1863. 1st Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserves Division, 22nd Corps, Dept. of Washington, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 5th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1864.

SERVICE.--Moved to Langley, Va., October 10, 1861, and duty at Camp Pierpont until March, 1862. Reconnaissance toward Dranesville October 18-21, 1861. Expedition to Grinnell's Farm December 6. Advance on Manassas, Va., March 10-15. McDowell's advance on Falmouth April 9-19. Duty at Fredericksburg until June. Moved to White House June 9-11. Seven days before Richmond June 25-July 1. Battles of Mechanicsville June 26. Gaines Mill June 27. Savage Station June 29. Charles City Cross Roads and Glendale June 30. Malvern Hill July 1. At Harrison's Landing until August 16. Movement to join Pope August 16-26. Battles of Groveton August 29; Bull Run August 30. Maryland Campaign September 6-24. Battles of South Mountain September 14, and Antietam, Md., September 16-17. Duty in Maryland until October 30. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 30-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. Ordered to Washington, D.C., and duty in the Defenses there until June 25. Rejoined Army of the Potomac. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. Bristoe Campaign October 9-22. Advance to line of the Rappahannock November 7-8. Rappahannock Station November 7. Mine Run Campaign November 26-December 2. Rapidan Campaign May, 1864. Battles of the Wilderness May 5-7; Laurel Hill May 8; Spottsylvania May 8-12; Spottsylvania Court House May 12-21. Assault on the Salient May 12. Harris Farm May 19. North Anna River May 23-26. Jericho Ford May 25. On line of the Pamunkey May 26-28. Totopotomoy May 28-31. Left front June 1. Mustered out June 16, 1864.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 73 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 3 Officers and 71 Enlisted men by disease. Total 151.

The 2D Regiment fought in the following battles:

Wilderness

Spotsylvania Court House

North Anna river

Cold Harbor

Gaine's Mill

Malvern Hill

Cedar Mountain

Second Manassas

Harpers Ferry

Antietam

Fredericksburg

Chancellorsville

Brandy Station

Gettysburg

Seven Days Campaign

The following passages are taken directly from Woodward's account of the 2D PRVC. Passages HIGHLIGHTED are used from ADVANCE THE COLORS, VOL 1

CHAPTER II

No President ever assumed the cares of State under more inauspicious circumstances than Mr. Lincoln did. Seven States had already seceded from the Union and were marshalling their armies to maintain their independance at the point of bayonet, and the arch-traitors were using all of their insidious wiles to seduce the remaining slave states from their allegiance to the Federal Government.

On the 11th of April, 1861, Leroy P. Walker, rebel Secretary of War, demanded the surrender of Fort Sumter, to which Union Major Anderson replied, that his sense of honor and his obligations to the government prevented compliance. At daybreak, seventeen batteries and fortifications in Charleston Harbor, opened fire upon the fort. After thirty-three hours of sustained attack, the fort was surrendered and permitted the Union garrison to carry away the flag and all company arms and private property. The glorious old flag was hauled down. The emblem of liberty, the hope of the downtrodden and of the oppressed of the world, gave place to the flag of treason.

The greatest crime that was ever committed against liberty and mankind was now consummated. Heaven itself revolted at the act. The North was stupified and stood agast at the enormity of the crime, being unable to realize that the flag af such glorious memories should have been fired upon by those whom they looked upon as brothers, and whom they supposed would have given the best blood of their hearts to save from dishonor.

CHAPTER III

In Philadelphia business was suspended, flags were flown to the breeze in every street, rendezvous were opened in every section, and placards calling for volunteers, covered the walls of every corner. Recruiting parties traversed the city in every direction, followed by crowds of men eager to enroll their names. The only troube the men had was to find companies that were sure of acceptance and some companies who had good reputations numbered 250 - 300 men, while all were rapidly filling up. In fact, twenty thousand men could have been raised in the city in one week.

The quota assigned to Pennsylvania was fourteen regiments and in four days after the call, 600 men were placed in the National Capitol. Ten days later, twenty-five regiments were organized and put in the field, eleven more being furnished by the State than called for. Such was the patriotic ardor of the people, the services of about thirty additional regiments had to be refused, making in all more than two-thirds of the requisition of 75,000 men by the President. The second call for volunteers was made upon the State in May. The allotted share to Pennsylvania was ten regiments, but simply credited to the State, as she had already furnished more than two quotas.

On the 30th of April, the Pennsylvania Legislature, in pursuance of the proclamation of the Governor, wisely and patriotically resolved to "organize, arm, equip and discipline" a division to be called the "RESERVE VOLUNTEER CORPS of the COMMONWEALTH" and to be composed of thirteen regiments of infantry, one regiment of calvary and one regiment of light artillery, for three year terms, to be held in readiness to obey any requisition the President might make on the State for troops. Governor Curtain resolved that the division should be a true type of Pennsylvanians, proportioned it among the different counties, so that every township should be represented in it. In Philadelphia, regiments were organized under William B. Mann and Gabriel De Korponay from which 20 companies were mustered. "Never, said Dr. Henry H. Smith, the Surgeon-General of the State, were a finer formed or more hardy body of men collected together in one division". Among the Captains that joined Colonel De Korponay in mid April was George A. Woodward of the "PENNSYLVANIA RIFLES". Almost all the soldiers were supplied with flannel shirts and other articles of clothing by the congregations of the different churches.

On the morning of May 30th, the four Philadelphia companies of Colonel De Korponay's regiment formed on Broad Street near Green, marched to Master and America Streets, where they took a special train on the North Pennsylvania Railroad, for Camp Washington, at Easton, at which place they arrived during the afternoon and marched out to camp. Quarters were assigned to the right of Colonel Mann's regiment.

Camp Washington was on the fair grounds of the Farmer's and Mechanics' Institute, which covered about 35 acres, situated on a level elevation about one and a-half miles west of Easton and three-quarters of a mile north of the Lehigh River, in Northampton County. The men immediately upon their arrival were furnished with tin cups, plates, spoons, knives and forks, a day's rations and plenty of straw to sleep upon. The next day was spent in getting things in order and by the following morning they had settled down and ready to commence the routine of camp. Four roll calls were had each day and in alittle while everything worked with the regularity of machinery. Altogether they appeared to be the happiest and merriest of men in the world.

CHAPTER IV

On the 14th of June, General McCall visited the camp to organize the regiments into a division. Ten companies were to make up a regiment. The three regiments having now been formed, elections were held the next day for Field Offices resulting in the Second Regiment commanded by Colonel William B. Mann, Lieutenant-Colonel Albert L. Magilton and Major William McCandless. Soon after, the men commenced receiving clothing from the State, the first installment, consisting of twenty blankets and forty pair of shoes for each company and after some time their complete outfit and arms arrived.

On the 14th of July, Governor Andrew Curtin arrived at camp and a review of the troops was ordered. The men were dressed in their light blue pants, neat dark blue blouses and fatigue caps, with their muskets and brasses as bright as new dollars. The affair was very creditable for newly organized troops and the Governor expressed himself, much pleased.

CHAPTER V

The news of the disastrous battle of Bull Run being received, orders were issued for the Second Regiment to prepare to move on the morning of the 24th of July, and accordingly about 9AM, they bid farwell to Camp Washington and marched through Easton across the Lehigh to the depot for Harrisburg. The organization of the regiment with 10 companies was as follows:

Colonel, William B. Mann; Lieutenant-Colonel, Albert L. Magilton; Major, William McCandless; Quartermaster, Charles F. Hoyt; Surgeon, Thomas B. Reed; Assistant Surgeon, J. W. Lodge; Sergant Major, Augustus T. Cross; Quartermaster Sergeant, Wesley S. Mann.

Company A: Captain, George A. Woodward - PENN RIFLES

Company B: Captain, P. McDonough- GOVERNOR'S RANGERS

Company C: Captain, James N. Byrnes - HIBERNIAN TARGET COMPANY

Company D: Captain, R. Ellis - GOVERNOR'S RANGERS

Company E: Captain, J. Orr Finnie - SCOTCH RIFLES

Company F: Captain, Thomas Bringhurst - GOVERNOR'S GUARDS

Company G: Captain, E. M. Woodward - TAGGART GUARDS

Company H: Captain, Timothy Mealy - INDEPENDENT RANGERS

Company I: Captain, William Knox - CONSTITUTIONAL RANGERS

Company K: Captain P. J. Smith - CONSOLIDATION GUARDS

About 4PM they arrived at Harrisburg, marched out to Camp Curtin, where they enjoyed the novelty and romance of sleeping upon the soft green grass, with nothing but the vault of heaven above them, from which descended a copious shower of rain during the night.

Duty pressed Colonel Mann to muster all the regiments into the United States Service before leaving the State. Since this would cause a delay of several days, the Colonel was induced by Lieutenant-Colonel Magilton, and with the consent of the Governor, proceeded to make for Baltimore without its being done. Upon arrival at the Baltimore depot by train, in the early afternoon, they occupied a common opposite the depot for the night. Upon the regiment reporting to General Dix, who commanded the department and he ascertaining that we came there without any order, declined to have anything to do with us. It was soon determined to move the regiment to Sandy Hook, which point was then reported to be threatened by rebels under General Jackson.

Early on Sunday morning, July 28th, our regiment marched through the city to the depot of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, where we took cars to Sandy Hook. The regiment numbered 1001 officers and men and were as fine a body of soldiers as ever passed through the city. At approximately 4PM we arrived at the "Point of Rocks", marching twelve miles to Sandy Hook, where we arrived after dark. The next morning was oppressively hot, and after making coffee, we formed and marched to Pleasant Valley. The night of our arrival, the regiment was reported to General Banks, commanding the Department of the Shenandoah, whose first inquiry was by whose authority we came and upon his ascertaining we had come upon our "own hook", he declined to have anything to do with us. The general, however, assigned the regiment camping grounds and the next day before night secured partial rations for the regiment. Discontent among the men soon commenced and continued untill the 1st of August, when it reached its climax. That afternoon , Lieutenant-Colonel Fitz John Porter was sent by General Banks to muster the regiment into US Service. When they were ordered to hold up their right hand and take the oath of allegiance to their government, about one forth refused to do so and displayed their unwillingness to serve under Colonel Mann. Those who would take the oath were forwarded to headquarters.

The next morning, the regiment was again called out to have the oath administered. To the surprise of all, those who had taken the oath the day before, were required to take it again. The consequence of such injudicious proceedings resulted in now one third of the regiment refusing to take the oath. The officers, having learned that Governor Curtin was in the city, proceded to the Continental Hotel to call upon him. Governor Curtain showed the officers a telegram he had just received from General Banks Assistant Adjutant-General reporting that the regiment and officers had refused to take the oath of allegiance and had been sent home in disgrace. A few moments conversation, however, satisfied the Governor that a gross and dishonorable deception had been practiced upon General Banks and he subsequently expressed his willingness to have the officers mustered in immediately and furnish them transportation back to their regiment. But as the officers had already been mustered in the previous day, the order was unnecessary. Upon their arrival back at Sandy Hook, they were met with another surprise, they and the regiment were being called upon to take the oath of allegiance a third time. Some found it an easier choice to go home or to enter some other regiment. Out of 1001 men who had marched through Baltimore two weeks before, but a little over 400 remained. Owing to the muster problems in the command, four companies (B, F, G, and I) were disbanded, the men being transferred to other companies of the regiment, the officers honorably discharged. Subsequently, three new companies were added, but the regiment never again contained more than 9 companies.

The regiment was on this picket duty at Muddy Branch, guarding a supply train and was not present at Tenallytown when Governor Curtain presented colors to the Reserve corps regiments. However the 2D sent a color-guard to receive the state flag in lieu of the regiments absence. The Second Regiment joined the Division of the Pennsylvania Reserves in late September under Brigadier-General George A. McCall and remained in camp during the winter. When McCall's command marched south to occupy Fredericksburg, the Second regiment was one of the regiments involved. Immediately thereafter being transfered to the Peninsula with the division.

On June 26th, 1862, at the battle of Mechanicsville, the 2D Reserves held the right of McCall's line and was heavily engaged in repulsing several Confederate attacks.

During the fighting at Gaines' Mill the next day, the 2D lost Charles Day, one of it's color Corporals, who was mortally wonded. The regiment lost 7 men to mortal wounds and 19 wounded, 9 of which had been taken prisoner.

Two days later, the 2D took part in the stand of the division at New Market Cross Roads. The regiment was one of those which counterattacked the oncoming rebels, history noting that the 2D's battleflag approached very near a Rebel Flag as the two forces crashed together.

At the end of the Peninsula campaign, the division was sent to join Pope's troops in Northern Virginia. During the climactic struggle on August 30, the division was on the left of the Federal line, performiong heroic service in holding the enemy attacks until other troops could reinforce them. After the division fell back to Henry House Hill, it launched limited counterattachs to drive back the triumphant rebel regiments, commanded by General Longstreet. As the 2D attacked, Colonel William McCandless, although wounded in the thigh, took the flag and attempted to lead his men forward, but his wound was to serious and his men had to carry him from the field. The regiment subsequently also retired from the field.

The 2D regiment was next engaged at Turner's Gap, South Mountain, on September 14, 1862. during the bloody struggle in the Cornfield at Antietam, Color-Sergeant William J. Fulton, Company H, was wounded.

Three months after the battle of Antietam, the 2D fought at Fredericksburg, taking part in Meade's unsuccessful attack at Hamilton's Crossing. As the regiment lay prone in the line of battle prior to this attack, an artillary shell cut the flagstaff in two. Color Sergeant William Derr, Company C, still carried the colors forward. As the regiment crossed a wooden fence at the enemy line, the Sergeant was shot down with a mortal wound, as well as two of the color guards. Rather than be taken to the rear by caring comrades, Sergeant Derr insisted that others take the flag and lead the 2D forward. Captain P. J. Smith, Company A, took the flag and bore it through the remainder of the battle.

CHAPTER XXIII

After heavy losses suffered by the division in 1862 and the defeat of our army at Chancellorsville, the regiment was sent to Washington to rest. When news was received of Lee's invasion into Pennsylvania, petitions were sent to no less than two gernerals to request reassignment to return and defend their state. However we were met with no encouragement. On June 17th, we adressed the following communication to Colonel McCandless, who forwarded it throught he proper channels to Washington, where it materially assisted in producing the desired effect.

TO COLONEL MCCANDLESS, Commanding First Brigade, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps.

COLONEL - We the undersigned, officers of the Second Regiment Infantry, Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, having learned that our mother State has been invaded by a confederate force, respectfully ask, that you will, if it be within your power, have us ordered within the borders of our State, for her defence.

Under McCall, Reynolds, Meade, Seymour, Sinclair and yourself, we have more than once met and fought the enemy, when he was at home. We now wish to meet him again where he threatenens our homes, our families and our firesides.

Could our wish in this behalf be realized, we fell confident that we could do some service to the State that has sent us afield and not diminish, if we could not increase, the lustre that already attaches our name.

Signed by all the officer's of the regiment.

In the meantime, Generals Reynolds and Meade had both applied to the War Department to have the Reserves attached to their corps. General Reynolds was offered in lieu of a full division, which he declined. General Meade, however succeded in having the 2D assigned to his corps, but the day we joined him, he left us to assume the important post of commander of the Army of the Potomac, the proudest position any General in America could aspire to. At last on June 25th, orders were received to move immediately, and at 5PM we left Fairfax Station marching northwest through Veinna, Drainesville, Leesburg and making Goose Creek by the next night. Colonel J. W. Fisher, commanding the Third Brigade joined our regiment from Alexandria. We resumed our march, passing near a portion of the field of the "Ball's Bluff massacre" and crossing the Potomac at Edward's Ferry on pontoons. That night we made the mouth of the Monacacy in spite of the heavy roads, knee deep in mud.

Sunday June 28th we crossed the aqueduct of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal over the Monococy and passing through Buckeystown we bivouacked about two miles from Frederick. Here we came up with the main army and reported to General Sykes, commanding the Fifth Army Corps, to which we were assigned. Our slow marching was occasioned by our being the rear gurad of the Reserve artillery, which consisted of 248 guns, supplied with 250 rounds of ammunition each making in all 62,000 rounds. The next day we marched early, passing through Liberty, Union Bridge and Union Town, bivouacked near dark and mustered for pay.

THE WHEATFIELD, GETTYSBURG

The next morning, July 1st, we moved at 5AM and continued until 2PM, where we halted within a few hunderd yards of the Pennsylvania State line to rest. That day was one of the happiest of our lives and every heart beat warm with the thought we would soon press the soil of the mother State, in whose defence we were marching. The brigade bands and regimental drum corps poured forth their soul-inspiring airs from morning till night and light was the tread of our feet to their notes. About 3PM we were drawn up to hear a patriotic address from General Crawford, after which we marched on. As we crossed the State line, cheer after cheer rang out from the regiments, which rolled over the hills and valleys until lost in the far diistance. Soon we came to a fine open woods where we halted until night, rolling on the good old soil of Pennsylvania and listening to the airs of the bands. Abundance of rations and 60 rounds of cartridges per man were distributed. rations for ourselves and the latter for our friends the "Graybacks". At dark we again took up our march and did not rest until 2AM the next morning, having made twenty miles and being awake for 22 hours. After rest for one hour, we were in motion again, moving cautiously along the roads and fields till about noon, when we crossed the pike and soon filed off to the left into a field in the rear of the line of battle. The Fifth Corps was posted to the extreme left of Cemetary Ridge and before the Round Top.

About 3PM, General Sickles advanced his corps from a half to three-quarters of a mile in the front of the line of the Second Corps. General Meade, perceiving the movement, hastened to Sickles and was arranging for the withdrawl of the corps, from its to far advanced position, when the enemy opened up upon them with several batteries in front and flank, and immediately brought forward columns of infantry and made a vigorous assault. The Third Corps sustained the shock most heroically and troops from the Second Corps were immediately sent to cover their right flank. The Fifth Corps most fortunately arrived and the First and Second Divisions were immediately posted on the left of the Third. Our troops went forward in gallant style and engaged the enemy in a most terrific struggle at Sherby's peach orchard and the adjoinoing grounds near the Emmitsburg Road. Both parties fought with desperation, but at last our men, overpowered, began to give way. Rallied by their officers, they arrested and hurled back the advancing column for a short time. But findng themselves hard pressed by an overwhelming mass of the enemy, they gave way a second time. This was the most critical moment of the day. The point aimed at by the enemy was to break our left and flank us.

At this moment, about 5:30PM, the Pennsylvania Reserves, which until now had been held in reserve, were brought forward and formed by brigades into columns of regiments, on the brow of LITTLE ROUND TOP, upon which was posted one of their batteries. Before them, from the base of the rugged height, stretched a broad meadow, skirted on its outer edge by timber, from which emerged the victorious enemy, driving before them the scattered regiments of the First and Second Divisions of the Fifth Corps and the Third. Most gallantly did the brave fellows dispute the ground, but the overpowering masses of the enemy swept victoriously on, and their wild shout of triumph rang through the valley. Our battery to the right belched forth its sheets of flame and smoke into the enemy. Immovable and firm stood the Reserves, resting on their arms, silently gazing on the magnificent and grand sight, until our broken masses had passed to the right and the enemy had advanced within fifty paces, when gallant Crawford, seizing the standard of the First, whose bearer had been shot down, waved it aloft and cried out "Forward Reserves".

With a simultaneous shriek from every throat, that sounded as if coming from a thousand demons, on swept the Reserves, delivering as they started, a solid volley and careering victoriously over the field, halted not a moment until they reached the stone wall, boarding on the skirting of woods, where the surprised enemy made their last desperate rally to retrieve the day. Not a moment was lost. During this charge, Color-Sergeant James Toomey was wounded. Captain P. J. Smith took the flag from the fallen sergeant and planted it at the stone wall. On went the glorious flags to the wall, standard bearer after standard bearer was shot down, but with empty muskets the column pressed on and leaping over, bayonetted and scattered in flight the proud foe, from whose brows they wrenched the laurels of victory. One color-guard was killed and another wounded in the counterattack.

One loud shout of triumph rang through the valley and over the hills, and it was with the utmost difficulty the men could be restrained from following the enemy further. But prudence forbade it and our regiment was ordered to halt and fall back to the wall by Captain Smith.

After the excitement and heat of the battle, the men repaired to fill their canteens in the Plum Creek that ran down the center of the meadow we had just crossed. It was found to be almost choked with the dead and wounded, who had fallen in while attempting to cross. After getting water, we set to work gathering our wounded and those of other regiments, who had been driven from the field and who lay thick in every direction. Nor were the enemies wounded neglected, they being treated with the same kindness and care that our own received, as every old soldier holds, that after the battle is over there are no enemies upon the field.

At daybreak on July 3rd, the enemies line of skirmishers in our brigade front being reinforced, they opened with great spirit, the noise of the musketry resembling that of a regular battle. Our own line was promptly reinforced by volunteers who freely responded to them. This work kept up to about 3PM and gave excellent opportunities for the display of individual bravery and address and the maneuvering of the boys to get good shots at times created considerable amusement.

At about 3:30PM, the enemy in two long and massive lines was seen emerging from the woods of Seminary Ridge to the south of McMillian's orchard and moving over the plains towards the left center. When they had reached one-third of the distance between the two opposing lines, our artillery opened up upon them with shell and grape, staggering them for a few moments, when, with a terrific yell, they rushed to the charge. Our men quietly waited until they had approached within short range when they opened up upon them a deadly fire of musketry that mowed them down like grass. After a desperate struggle, the enemy were driven back with great slaughter, losing 3500 prisoners and 15 standards of colors.

During the afternoon, the enemy had been annoying the Third Brigade of Reserves who held Round Top and attempted to turn the left flank. To get rid of these, General Crawford ordered Colonel McCandless to "capture the battery and clean the enemy out", with his brigade, for which purpose the BUCKTAILS, the First, the Second and the Eleventh were advanced in line of battle over the stone wall and through the skirting woods to a wheat field, where they drew fire. The Sixth Corps under Colonel Ent had crept up close to the battery, which they stormed with great gallantry and through a shower of grape and canister, captured one gun and two caissons. With the Sixth engaging the enemy, Colonel McCandless marched the balance of his brigade by the right flank, and filing left, formed in line of battle in a woods at right angles with the stone wall and deploying skirmishers to the front, right and left, charged on the double quick over the field for half a mile and receiving the enemy's fire from the woods on three sides. Half wheeling to the right and pouring a few volleys into the woods, they charged through them up to the crest, driving everything before them. Here halting for a few moments, they about faced, wheeled the line a little to the right and charged through the woods to their rear, running like hounds and yelping like devils through the meadow and up over the steep acclivity on the opposite side, surprising the enemy and taking them on the flank, driving enemy regiments and brigades pell-mell before them in utter confusion. The trophies of this brillant raid into their battle line, besides those captured by the Sixth, were 6000 stands of arms, the flag of the 15th Georgia and three hundred prisoners, including a Colonel and many line officers. The ground was strewn with their dead and wounded and the remainder of their division was scattered in flight. Such was the surprise of the enemy at our last charge, that their prisoners told us, that at the time we attacked them, they supposed that we were nearly a mile off. A prisoner was asked what regiment he belonged to, and he replied the 19th Georgia. "Why we captured you at Fredericksburg, we retorted. Are you the Second Pennsylvania Reserves? Damn you, he muttered, you always give us hell when you meet us". With this may be said to have ended the battle of Gettysburg and it was looked upon as one of the most brilliant exploits of the field. Never in any battle did the Reserves show more reckless and determined bravery then they did upon this field, for all felt that they were defending their own homes. One whole company of the First Regiment were raised in Gettysburg and some of the men fought on their own farms. Our regiment went into battle with 147 men and its loss was heavier than any other regiment in the brigade. Around 1PM, the US regulars relieved us at the stone wall and we were moved back to "Little Round Top", where we received rations and remained there until the afternoon of the next day.

Following Gettysburg, the 2D Reserves participated in the campaign in northern Virginia during the Autumn of 1863, then went on to winter camp near Bristoe Station. At the opening of the 1864 campaign, the 2D fought in the bloody engagement in the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. After some skirmishing at the North Anna River, the 2D fought at Bethesda Church on May 31st, after which the regiment was relieved and sent home to Philadelphia to muster out, on June 16, 1864.

During its term of service, the 2D PRVC received two flags presented by friends. The first was on May 29th, 1861, a gift of several ladies from Philadelphia. On March 16th, 1864, a committee from the COOPER SHOP VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON visited the 2D PRVC's winter camp and gave the regiment a flag and a set of flank markers. Color-Sergeant Joseph F. Sweeton received this flag for the regiment. Colonel McCandless kept the state flag in his possession and turned it over to state care during a July 4th, 1866 ceremony. The location of the other flag is unknown.

And now the name and glory of the Second Reserves is all that remains.

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