Third Brigade in July, 1863, Report of Colonel James C. Rice
CAPTAIN: In reply to circular of the 12th instant, from headquarters Army of the Potomac, I have the honor to submit the following report supplementary to that of the battle of Gettysburg:
June 28.--In camp near Frederick City.
June 29.--Left camp in the morning, and marched 2 miles beyond Liberty, in the direction of Johnsville. Camped at 7 a.m. [P.m.]
June 30.--Left camp at 4 a.m., arriving at Union Mills about 4 p.m., when we bivouacked for the night.
July 1.--Broke camp at 6 a.m., arriving at Hanover about 3 p.m. Left again at 5 [P.m.], and arrived within 3 miles of Gettysburg at 1 a.m. [July 2], when we bivouacked.
July 2.--Started at 4 a.m.; went about 2 miles, when we got into position; remained some 2 hours; then crossed the creek, and lay in position awaiting orders until about 4 p.m., when we were ordered to the front; immediately on arriving there became engaged; held that position, and bivouacked on the field that night. (See previous report.)
July 3.--Remained on the field of the previous day's fight until about 9 a.m., when we were relieved by the First Brigade and Ninth Massachusetts, of the Second Brigade, we taking their old position farther to the right.
July 4.--Same position of previous day until we were ordered to relieve General Bartlett's brigade, of the Second [Sixth?] Corps.
July 5.--Same position as previous day. Started about 5 p.m. in direction of Emmitsburg. Bivouacked on the road about 10 p.m.
July 6.--Started at 6 a.m., and arrived at 12 m. within 3 miles of Emmitsburg, when we camped.
July 7.--Left camp about 6 a.m., and arrived within 5 miles of Frederick City at 6 p.m., when we bivouacked.
July 8.--Broke camp early in the morning, and arrived at Middletown about 4 p.m.
July 9.--Left Middletown early in the morning, and arrived within 2 miles of Boonsborough about noon.
July 10.--Broke camp early in the morning, and arrived at Jones' Cross-Roads about 3 p.m. The Eighty-third Pennsylvania went on picket immediately.
July 11.--Changed direction of the line to the right early in the morning. In the afternoon advanced to Pleasant Valley.
July 12.--Changed front to the left, and advanced on the Hagerstown and Sharpsburg pike.
July 13.--Camped in front of pike; two companies of the Eighty-third Pennsylvania on picket.
July 14.--Advanced to within 1 mile of Williamsport.
July 15.--Left camp at 4 a.m., and arrived near Burkittsville at 5 p.m., where we bivouacked for the night.
July 16.--Left camp about 4 a.m., and arrived near Berlin 12 m., and went into camp.
July 17.--In same position until about 3 p.m., when we recrossed the Potomac and camped near Lovettsville.
July 18.--Broke camp at 4 a.m.; proceeded 7 miles in the direction of Purcellville; bivouacked at 12 m.
July 19.--Left camp at 8 a.m.; marched 4 miles to Purcellville.
July 20.--Broke camp early in the morning, and marched to near Upperville, on Goose Creek, arriving there at 2 p.m.
July 21.--Remained in same position.
July 22.--Broke camp in the afternoon, and went to Rectortown.
July 23.--Left camp early in the morning, and marched to Manassas Gap. Six companies were detached as skirmishers, and were on picket all night-four of the Eighty-third and two of the Forty-fourth New York Volunteers.
July 24.--In the morning advanced to the high hill in front of the position occupied the previous day. In the afternoon withdrew, and camped some 2 miles to the rear.
July 25.--Left early in the morning in the direction of Warrenton; at 4 p.m. bivouacked for the night.
July 26.--Broke camp early in the morning, and continued our march. When within 3 miles of Warrenton went into camp.
July 27.--Broke camp early next morning, and passed through Warrenton, camping about 3 miles from it.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. RICE,
Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade.
Capt. C. B. MERVINE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Series I, Volume XXVII, Part 1, Book 43, Pages 621-2