68th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry

Historical Sketch:
Col., Andrew H. Tippin; Lieut.-Cols., A. H. Reynolds, Robert E. Winslow ; Majs., Thomas Hawksworth, Robert E. Winslow, John C. Gallaher, Michael Fulmer. The 68th regiment was raised in the summer of 1862 in the city of Philadelphia and the counties of Montgomery and Chester, and was mustered into the U. S. service in August for three years. It was peremptorily summoned from its camp at Frankford before its ranks were filled to the maximum and on Sept. 1, proceeded to Washington. Many of its officers and men had seen service in Mexico and in the three months' campaign. On its arrival it was assigned to Robinson's brigade, Stoneman's division. Early in October it moved to Poolesville and while marching south with the army, lost 40 men, who were captured while acting as guard to the baggage train. When Gen. Burnside assumed command of the army, the 68th was assigned to the 1st brigade (Gen. Robinson), 1st division (Gen. Birney), 3d corps (Gen. Sickles). At the battle of Fredericksburg, it lost 40 men in killed and wounded, Maj. Hawksworth being mortally wounded and Lieut. J. E. Davis killed. The regiment was heavily engaged at Chancellorsville as a part of the 3d corps and lost severely. It reached the field of Gettysburg on the evening of the first day ; was posted at the Peach Orchard on the second day, and suffered fearful losses in its exposed position. Of the 17 officers present only Col. Tippin and four others escaped injury. It was not actively engaged on the third day. All told the losses of the regiment reached 60 per cent, of the whole number in action. It then moved with the army into Virginia and shared in the fall campaign, being active at Wapping heights and Auburn, where Col. Tippin was captured and confined in Libby prison for 9 months. When the army again advanced it was active at Kelly's ford, Locust Grove, where its losses were heavy, and at Mine run. It wintered at Brandy Station and in Jan., 1864, the veterans who had reenlisted were given the usual furlough. With their return and a large number of recruits its ranks were again filled to respectable proportions. It was now assigned to Hancock's 2nd corps, and commanded by Lieut. -Col. Winslow was employed in provost guard duty at the headquarters of Gen. Meade. It held this position to the close of the war, being subjected to active duty wherever an emergency arose, sometimes raiding with the cavalry and at others toiling in the intrenchments. On June 25, Col. Tippin was exchanged and resumed command. It was in the storming party in the final assault on Petersburg, losing a number of men, including Maj. Gallaher, mortally wounded. After the battle of Sailor's creek, it was detailed to guard Lieut.-Gen. Ewell and the captured men of his forces, marching them to City Point. Returning again to headquarters, it had charge of some 6,000 recruits. Soon after it was ordered to Hart's island, near New York city, to guard the prisoners there confined. It was finally mustered out there on June 9, 1865. Roster:
The Roster of this unit contains the names of 1372 men.
Source:
The Union Army by Federal Publishing Company, 1908 - Volume 1
Bibliography:

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