page_title: 75th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment
section_title: 1863
hierarchical_section_title: 75th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment / History / 1863
caption_attribution_description: English: Wilderness Church at Chancellorsville was the center of a stand made by Union general Schurz's division after Confederates under Stonewall Jackson made a surprise flank attack. The stand was brief as the Confederates smashed through and continued to roll up the Eleventh Corps (under command of General Oliver O. Howard).
context_page_description: The 75th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was a unit of the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was composed almost entirely of German-speaking residents of Philadelphia and newly arrived German immigrants. Total enrollment, over the course of the war, was 1,293 officers and men. The 75th Pennsylvania participated in several major battles including Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. The regiment was transferred to the Western Theater in September, 1863. There, it participated in operations in Tennessee, before it was mustered out of service on September 1, 1865, following the close of the war.
context_section_description: Chancellorsville
  In January, 1863,  the 75th Pennsylvania participated in General Burnside's failed second advance, the infamous "Mud March.".  It then moved to Hartwood Church, near Falmouth, before returning to Stafford Courthouse.  On, April 27, the regiment marched from camp near Brook's Station, proceeding northwest.  The men crossed the Rappahannock River by pontoon bridge at Kelley's Ford, and proceeded south, crossing the Rapidan River on a makeshift bridge at Germanna Ford.  After passing the Wilderness Tavern, on April 30, the regiment arrived at a location about two miles west of Chancellorsville, in an area known as "the Wilderness."   The men were positioned in a clearing astride the Chancellorsville Turnpike in the spot where it joined the Orange Court House Plank Road. The clearing contained a farmhouse, the Hawkins' farm, the Wilderness Church, and an inn known as Dowdall's Tavern.
  On May 2 Union commanders received reports of a large body of Confederate troops marching rapidly to the west.  Major General Howard, in charge of the Eleventh Corps, of which the 75th Pennsylvania was part, ignored this potential threat. Just before 6:00 p.m., Confederate General Jackson attacked the Union flank with 28,000 troops.  Several elements of the 75th Pennsylvania were overtaken.  Due to the confusion and the thickness of the undergrowth surrounding the area, several groups of men became separated from the main force.    The men retreated in disorder as one unit collapsed back upon the next unit further to the east.  Casualties were high.  Altogether, the Confederates captured 40 men from the regiment, including Lieutenant-Colonel Alwin Matzdorff.  The 75th Pennsylvania did not see any serious action for the remainder of the battle, which was a resounding Confederate victory.  On May 5, General Hooker ordered a general retreat, and the regiment returned to its camp near Brook's Station. The German-speaking troops were made the scapegoats for the Union defeat at Chancellorsville.   Morale within the regiment hit an all-time low.
  Gettysburg
  On June 12, 1863, the 75th Pennsylvania embarked on an exhaustive series of marches, in response to a threatened Confederate invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania.  On June 25, the regiment crossed the Potomac River at Edward's Ferry, and proceeded northwest into Maryland. By June 30, the men had reached Emmitsburg, Maryland, where they camped on the grounds of the St. Joseph's Seminary.  On the morning of July 1, the regiment was rushed toward Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, along the Taneytown Road.   After passing through town, the regiment advanced northward across open fields under enemy fire.  At about 2:00 p.m. the men were arrayed in a line of battle just east of the Carlisle Road.  There, an intense firefight occurred.  The 75th Pennsylvania held this position for nearly an hour.  However, a Confederate flanking maneuver and the collapse of adjacent regiments exposed the men to an enfilading fire that cut large gaps in the ranks.
  Colonel Mahler, the regiment's commander, was hit in the leg at the same moment that his horse was shot out from under him.  Mahler was able to drag himself from under the stricken animal and stayed in the fight.  However, he was soon struck by a second shot and lay mortally wounded.  Mahler would die in a field hospital on July 5.   Captain Saalmann of Company C was also severely wounded at this time.  Lieutenant Sill was shot through the leg, which was later amputated.  He died in a field hospital several weeks later.  In the midst of these mounting casualties, Major August Ledig took command.  A general retreat was ordered.  The 75th Pennsylvania fell back through town, rallying at Cemetery Hill.   Over the next two days, the regiment was positioned in the defenses of Cemetery Hill on the far right of the Union Army.  From this position, it continued to exchange fire with the enemy.
  During the Battle of Gettysburg, the 75th Pennsylvania lost many men and officers, with 31 killed, nearly 100 wounded, and six taken prisoner. These losses amounted to 72 
caption: After the 75th Pennsylvania was routed along with the remainder of the Eleventh Corps in General Stonewall Jackson's flank attack, scattered elements of the regiment made a brief stand near the Wilderness Church at Chancellorsville.
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