Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.23

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 23

with them a carload of muskets and ammunition. These soldiers were quartered in the Methodist church until morning, and were furnished breakfast at the hotels. Col. Coppee, a special aid to Governor Curtin, came here and approved the arrangements made for the defense of Johnstown. About 5 o'clock in the evening both companies set out on a march for Somerset. They camped at Ben's creek for the night, and resumed their march on the following Sunday. The Pioneer Corps, under the charge of S. M. Cornell, started in wagons, equipped with rifles and axes, to block the highways. On Sunday morning, June 21, 1863, a twelve-pound Parrott, with caisson and ammunition, and otherwise equipped for immediate use, was at the Pennsylvania station. The big gun was loaded, placed in charge of one of the German companies, hauled to Bens creek in the afternoon, and planted on the top of the hill.
    Several of the Independent Riflemen coming home from Altoona on Monday, announced that all the militia from Johnstown were returning by the way of Bedford. Schellsburg and Stoyestown; that the rebels were coming this way and that defense must be made. This increased the excitement. The Pioneer Corps arranged to make a speedy closing of several of the mountain passes. In the evening a long string of wagons were sent to Stoyestown to meet the returning militia. On that day another company was organized with Irvin Rutledge, captain; John Litz, first leiutenant, and J. D. M. Ambrust, second officer.
    On Tuesday, the five companies sent to the front by the way of Altoona, returned, coming from Bedford. About 10 o'clock Co. A., Capt. Powell Stackhouse, arrived; then followed Capt. Jones' company of Welshmen, and about 4 o'clock came the companies of Capts. Hartsock, Bradley and Hamilton. They came by way of Franklin street to the Public Square, where a large assembly of people greeted them. The six days had been full of experience. After leaving Altoona, they had been conveyed to Duncansville in the cars, and from that point they had marched to Bedford, by way of the Sarah Furnace and Claysburg. The brigade was in charge of Lieut.-Col. McCartney, late of the 133d P. V.
    On Wednesday the mounted scouts returned, and reported that the enemy had abandoned Cumberland, and that the supposed invasion was not to be. Gen. Milroy's force at Bloody Run was deemed sufficient to keep the outlook, and the men

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	23
with them a carload of muskets and ammunition. These soldiers were quartered in the Methodist church until morning, and were furnished breakfast at the hotels. Col. Coppee, a special aid to Governor Curtin, came here and approved the arrangements made for the defense of Johnstown. About 5 o'clock in the evening both companies set out on a march for Somerset. They camped at Ben's creek for the night, and resumed their march on the following Sunday. The Pioneer Corps, under the charge of S. M. Cornell, started in wagons, equipped with rifles and axes, to block the highways. On Sunday morning, June 21, 1863, a twelve-pound Parrott, with caisson and ammunition, and otherwise equipped for immediate use, was at the Pennsylvania station. The big gun was loaded, placed in charge of one of the German companies, hauled to Bens creek in the afternoon, and planted on the top of the hill. Several of the Independent Riflemen coming home from Altoona on Monday, announced that all the militia from Johnstown were returning by the way of Bedford. Schellsburg and Stoyestown; that the rebels were coming this way and that defense must be made. This increased the excitement. The Pioneer Corps arranged to make a speedy closing of several of the mountain passes. In the evening a long string of wagons were sent to Stoyestown to meet the returning militia. On that day another company was organized with Irvin Rutledge, captain; John Litz, first leiutenant, and J. D. M. Ambrust, second officer. On Tuesday, the five companies sent to the front by the way of Altoona, returned, coming from Bedford. About 10 o'clock Co. A., Capt. Powell Stackhouse, arrived; then followed Capt. Jones' company of Welshmen, and about 4 o'clock came the companies of Capts. Hartsock, Bradley and Hamilton. They came by way of Franklin street to the Public Square, where a large assembly of people greeted them. The six days had been full of experience. After leaving Altoona, they had been conveyed to Duncansville in the cars, and from that point they had marched to Bedford, by way of the Sarah Furnace and Claysburg. The brigade was in charge of Lieut.-Col. McCartney, late of the 133d P. V. On Wednesday the mounted scouts returned, and reported that the enemy had abandoned Cumberland, and that the supposed invasion was not to be. Gen. Milroy's force at Bloody Run was deemed sufficient to keep the outlook, and the men