149TH PA Infantry-Gettysburg
Milton S. Lawhead joined Company E of the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in August 1862. The regiment served in the defenses of Washington D.C. until May 1863.
As part of the 1st Corp, Army of the Potomac, the 149th arrived at the McPherson farm northwest of the town of Gettysburg around 11:30 am, July 1.
When the battle resumed later in the afternoon, the 149th faced north, crossed the Chambersburg Pike and halted several Confederate attacks. Eventually it recrossed the Pike a took up a position parallel to the road.
By mid afternoon, overwhelmed by superior Confederate numbers, the 149th and the rest of the 1st Corps fell back to Seminary Ridge.
The Confederates eventually pushed them off the ridge, through the town and onto the hills just south of Gettysburg. By 5pm the survivors regrouped on Cemetery Hill.
Out of the fifty men who started the day with Milton's company (Company E), only eight men were available for duty. Milton was one of them.
That was about the end of the fighting for the 149th. The shattered regiment was held in reserve July 2 and 3.
Milton survived the battle and the war.
Read MoreAs part of the 1st Corp, Army of the Potomac, the 149th arrived at the McPherson farm northwest of the town of Gettysburg around 11:30 am, July 1.
When the battle resumed later in the afternoon, the 149th faced north, crossed the Chambersburg Pike and halted several Confederate attacks. Eventually it recrossed the Pike a took up a position parallel to the road.
By mid afternoon, overwhelmed by superior Confederate numbers, the 149th and the rest of the 1st Corps fell back to Seminary Ridge.
The Confederates eventually pushed them off the ridge, through the town and onto the hills just south of Gettysburg. By 5pm the survivors regrouped on Cemetery Hill.
Out of the fifty men who started the day with Milton's company (Company E), only eight men were available for duty. Milton was one of them.
That was about the end of the fighting for the 149th. The shattered regiment was held in reserve July 2 and 3.
Milton survived the battle and the war.
