The following letter, under date of May 15, 1877, was written by Major
Samuel Roberts, of the 72d Regiment, Pa. Vols., to a Comrade and friend:
"Webb's Brigade was composed of the 69th, 71st, 72d and 106th
Pennsylvania Regiments; the 106th Regiment had been sent to the right
to reinforce Gen. Howard, leaving the other three Regiments of the
Brigade to receive the shock of Pickett's advance.
"The Brigade was not entrenched, nor driven back and rallied by Webb.
The left wing of the 71st Regiment fell back a few yards; the 69th
maintained their position, as did the right wing of the 71st. The
72d, which held a position to the left, and a short distance to the
rear of the Brigade, moved by the right flank about one hundred
yards, and came to a front about sixty yards in front of Armistead's
Confederate Brigade. Armistead fell only a few yards in front of the
72d Regiment.
"With the exception of a slight change of position of the left wing
of the 71st Regiment, the Brigade not only held its position, but
advanced and captured several colors, and the prisoners taken
exceeded in number what was left of the Brigade, which lost nearly
fifty per cent. in killed and wounded--the killed and wounded of the
72d was over fifty per cent.
"Cushing's Battery, which was attached to the Brigade, was served
until men were not left sufficient to work the guns. Cushing obtained
volunteers from the Brigade, who served the guns until Cushing was
killed.
"Webb's Brigade, called the Philadelphia Brigade, was originally
commanded by Col. E. D. Baker, who was killed at Ball's Bluff. It was
the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps, Army of the
Potomac, and forms the prominent feature in Rothermel's painting of
the Battle of Gettysburg."