The Second Massachuetts Regiment, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Mudhe, rejoined the Third Brigade after the battle of Beverly Ford, at Fiarfax Court-House, Va., June 16, and marched with the brigade, by the way of Leesburg, Poolesville, Knoxville, and Frederick, to Littlestown, Pa. where it arrived June 30.

July 1.--The regiment, in connection with the other troops of the Twelfth Corps, marched about 4 miles on the Gettysburg turnpike to Two Taverns. Here the sound of cannonading first reached us. In the afternoon we were again moved forward 2 or 3 miles, and to the right of Gettysburg. Here we took up position in a woods. Company F, First Lieutenant Carroll commanding, was sent out and deployed as skirmishers. They advanced through the woods into an open meadow, and to within about 300 yards of the crest of a hill which was occupied by the enemy's cavalry. Th eline was here halted by order of the general commanding the Third Brigade, and remained in this position for about half an hour, when the brigade was moved to a new position some distance to the rear. Here the regiment was put in reserve of the first line, and formed in double column at half distance. The men lay on their arms throughout the night.

July 2.--At daylight our position was slightly changed. Company B, Lieutenant George commanding, was sent forward, and skirmished for about half an hour with the enemy.

Early in the morning the regiment, in connection with the other regiments of the brigade, moved forward on the Gettysburg turnpike about half a mile, and took up position on the right of it. The regiment was placed in reserve.

About 6 p.m. we left our position to go to the support of the left wing, which had been heavily engaged during the afternoon. We had hardly reached this place when we were ordered to return to the right. The regiment moved back by the left flank. It was ordered to occupy the breastworks on the left of the Third Wisconsin Regiment. In order to do this it was necessary to cross an interval of open ground about 100 yards wide, over which the breastworks did not extend. Before moving farther forward, as it was then night, a few skirmishers were thrown out. A prisoner was captured almost at once. A Company (F) of skirmishers was sent out, and they took 23 prisoners, one of them a captain. The regiment now crossed the open ground behind the skirmishers, and began to occupy the breastworks. At this time I was in command of the skirmishers. I found that we were very near a force of the enemy, as talking could be plainly heard and a line distinctly seen. Two men were sent forward to inquire who they were. The answered "Twenty-third Virginia." One of these men was taken prisoner; the other escaped. The regiment now moved back across the open ground, and formed in line at right angles with the line of breastworks. Our skirmishers afterward took 3 more prisoners. We had 3 men of Company K wounded. During the night breastworks were constructed along our new line.

At daylight, July 3, our skirmishers, Company E, Captain Robeson, became engaged. Firing was kept up until 5.30 o'clock, when the regiment was ordered to charge the woods in front of us. Colonel Mudge gave the order, "Forward!" The men jumped over the breastworks with a cheer, and went forward on the double-quick. The fire while crossing the open ground was terrible, but the woods were reached and the regiment began firing, steadily advancing, and driving the enemy before it.

I now took command of the regiment, Colonel Mudge having been killed. I found on going to the right that the regiment that had advanced with us had never reached the woods, and that we had nothing on our right flank, and that the enemy were throwing a force in our rear. I ordered the regiment at once back far enough to uncover the right flank, which left the enemy in a very exposed position. They fell back rapidly, but lost heavily in doing so. I remained in my new position, inflicting a heavy loss upon the enemy, until my ammunition was nearly exhausted, when I sent to Colonel Colgrove, commanding Third Brigade, for further instructions. He ordered me to bring the regiment back tot he rear of its former position. This was done, with a loss during the movement of 1 man killed and 1 officer and about 6 men wounded.

My loss in this action was 2 officers killed, 2 severely wounded, who have since died, and 6 other officers badly wounded, 21 men killed, 102 wounded, and 3 missing--probably prisoners, as they have not since been heard of.

The regiment after this was not actually engaged, although it occupied the breastworks on the left of the First Brigade during the following afternoon and night.

The officers and men of the regiment did their duty bravely and faithfully throughout the action. There was not a single instance of cowardice or skulking, and there were a great many of individual gallantry.

The color-sergeant and 2 other color-bearers were killed while carrying the regimental flag, and 2 were severely wounded.

I am, truly, your obedient servant,