30TH REGIMENT INFANTRY*

(FlRST RESERVES)

ADDRESS OF CAPTAIN WM. D. STAUFFER

THE regiment broke camp at Fairfax Station, Virginia, on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, on June 25, 1863, in the early gray of the morning, and took up the line of march for Frederick City, Maryland, where we remained a short time with the main body of the Army of the Potomac. On June 29th we marched for Gettysburg, going through Hanover, York county. Pa. About five miles from Gettysburg we struck the Baltimore pike and marched direct for the battlefield, arriving about 11 o'clock in the forenoon of July 2d, when we were halted near General Meade's headquarters, stacked arms and were told to cook our coffee which

_______________________________________________________

Organized at West Chester July 26, 1861, to serve three years. It was mustered out June 11, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of service.

Pennsylvania at Gettysburg. 225

we had not tasted for several days. In a very short time the bugle called us to fall in, when we were moved off to the left at a double-quick and took our position at the front of Little Round Top, where we lay on our arms, bayonets fixed. About 3 p.m. the order to charge was given, when the First Regiment gave the enemy (who were following our retreating forces) one volley, and then at them with the cold steel and drove them through the ravine up the side of the hill over the stone wall out into the wheat-field, killing and capturing many of the enemy. We remained at the stone wall all night. The next day (July 3d) the regiment was in the grand charge and flank movement by which many of the enemy, were captured, and also a flag. They were driven off the field, a burial party was taken by surprise and a number were captured. They left in great haste leaving many of their dead all ready for burial, which duty our men completed for them, for which those who were present as prisoners were very thankful. A member of Company E of this regiment was killed this day in the very front line, and about the last shot fired at the regiment in the Gettysburg battle. We had one company in the regiment from Gettysburg, Company K, and many of the men fought within sight of their own firesides. On July 4th, in the morning, we marched over Little Round Top and stacked arms about where the railroad station now is, at the foot of the hill, where we lay all day and General Meade's order congratulating the army on the victory was, read to us. It rained a great deal that day and night. On the morning of July 5th the regiment took up the march for Lee's retreating column, marching on the Taneytown road some distance when we left the main road, following the enemy very closely with considerable skirmishing and capturing a number of officers and men. A short distance from Falling Waters on the Potomac they made a stand but soon left. This was about July 12th as near as I can remember, when the regiment was marched by the double-quick to Williamsport, where we were assigned to our position on the left in the main line of battle. Expecting to make the attack at any moment, we lay on our arms waiting for orders, when, on the morning of the 14th, the report came that the enemy had disappeared. Lee had succeeded in crossing the Potomac with his army intact which surprised us very much, The regiment took up the line of march, crossed the Potomac at Berlin, following Lee's retreating forces down through Virginia.