Battle of the Wheatfield at Gettysburg

Thursday, July 2, 1863

The Twenty Seventh Connecticut Regiment spent the morning of July 2 in relative quiet in position with the Second Corps about 1 1/2 miles south of Cemetery Hill along Cemetery Ridge, which runs from the north at Cemetery Hill to the south at Little and Big Round Tops. Around 4:00 P.M. Union General Daniel Sickles led his Third Corps forward from the Union line along Cemetery Ridge to the Emmitsburg Road. This salient movement created gaps in the Union line, enticing the Confederate forces on the opposite side of the Emmitsburg Road to attack. Confederate General James Longstreet hurled his men at the Third Corps, which rapidly retreated toward the Union line. A series of regiments hurried into the fray to prevent the strong Union line from breaking. The Twenty-Seventh Connecticut, along with other Second Corps regiments, joined the attacks. As the Twenty-Seventh Connecticut entered the Wheatfield, situated at the base of Little Round Top, they encountered the retreating Third Corps, followed by the pursuing Confederate forces. Heavy fire from both sides ensued, and Lieutentant Colonel Henry C. Merwin fell mortally wounded. Major James H. Coburn leads the Twenty-Seventh Connecticut as the attacks continued until darkness. By nightfall the Confederates had taken the Wheatfield but the Union line along Cemetery Ridge to the Round Tops had been secured. The Twenty-Seventh Connecticut suffered thirty-eight casualties, including eleven killed. Lieutenant Colonel Henry C. Merwin and Captain Jedediah Chapman were among the officers slain.¹

References:
¹Winthrop Dudley Sheldon The "Twenty-Seventh," : A Regimental History (New Haven, Connecticut: Morris and Benham, 1866), 75-78.

Forced March to Gettysburg

Wednesday, July 1, 1863

After leaving Thoroughfare Gap early on June 25 and crossing the Potomac River at Edward’s Ferry a day later the Twenty Seventh Connecticut Regiment marched rapidly for the next three days through the Monocacy River Valley in Maryland. Long, grueling marches from Poolesville to Uniontown brought praise from brigade commander Colonel John Brooke. Today the Twenty-Seventh reached Taneytown, several miles south of Gettysburg. Heavy fighting had commenced earlier in the day and the men received news of the death of First Corps Commander General John Reynolds. Second Corps Commander General Winfield S. Hancock hurried his men to within three miles of Gettysburg. The Twenty Seventh Connecticut was immediately deployed to build entrenchments in preparation for battle. ¹

References:
¹Winthrop Dudley Sheldon The "Twenty-Seventh," : A Regimental History (New Haven, Connecticut: Morris and Benham, 1866), 73-74.

Arrival at Thoroughfare Gap

Saturday, June 20, 1863

Continuing their northern march the Second Corps, of which the Twenty-Seventh Connecticut was a part, arrived at Fairfax Station and Centerville for a two-day rest. This morning the Twenty-Seventh Connecticut reached the Bull Run battlefield and arrived at Thoroughfare Gap by nightfall for a four-day rest.¹

References:
¹Winthrop Dudley Sheldon The "Twenty-Seventh," : A Regimental History (New Haven, Connecticut: Morris and Benham, 1866), 72.

On the Long Northward March

Sunday, June 14, 1863

The Twenty-Seventh Connecticut received final orders to march, and at 3:00 P.M departed from Falmout. They marched in advance of the rest of the brigade to Stafford Court House, which they left behind in flames before proceeding to Occoquan.¹

References:
¹Winthrop Dudley Sheldon The "Twenty-Seventh," : A Regimental History (New Haven, Connecticut: Morris and Benham, 1866), 72.

Officers Return for Service

Thursday, June 11, 1863

Colonel Richard Bostwick, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Merwin, Major James Coburn, and Lieutenants Frank Chapman, Burdick, Muhler, Rice, and Cross returned for command. Colonel Bostwick was suffering from a illness that prevented him from taking command of the regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Merwin assumed command. Three companies were formed from Companies D, F and the remnants of the remaining companies and placed under the command of Captain Jedediah Chapman.¹

References:
¹Winthrop Dudley Sheldon The "Twenty-Seventh," : A Regimental History (New Haven, Connecticut: Morris and Benham, 1866), 70.

Preparation for March

Monday, June 8, 1863

The Twenty-Seventh Connecticut received orders to prepare for march at any time with three-days rations.¹

References:
¹Winthrop Dudley Sheldon The "Twenty-Seventh," : A Regimental History (New Haven, Connecticut: Morris and Benham, 1866), 72.

Journey of the Captives - Officers Freed from Libby Prison

Saturday, May 23, 1863

The officers of the Twenty-Seventh Connecticut received their exchanges and were released from Libby Prison early this morning. They began the journey to Annapolis on freight cars at City Point.¹

References:
¹Winthrop Dudley Sheldon The "Twenty-Seventh," : A Regimental History (New Haven, Connecticut: Morris and Benham, 1866), 66.