Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.110

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History of Cambria County, V.2

110 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

hostile and barren country, where nobody lives and even not the shadow of a dog to bark at strangers. We were short of rations; the hills and the valleys were burnt up by the summer's sun, and the springs were dry. It is difficult to give any adequate conception of the suffering and deprivations of man and beast in this memorable march. We were glad to drink water out of a mud hole, or from the track of a horse in the road. We took the corn from the poor old horses that were left on the road-side, to die; it was the best we could do.
    June 19. We passed through New London at daybreak; marched all day, passing through Liberty at 6 p. m. Beyond Liberty we formed in line of battle. The cavalry had a little set-to with the enemy within the town; after dark we pulled out on the road; the cavalry held the enemy until the next morning; we marched all night.
    June 20. Still on the tramp. In the afternoon we were attacked in the rear and flank in Buford's or Stonecoal Gap; lost three pieces of artillery; we cut the spokes and set them on fire. Our division covered the retreat from Lynchburg to this place; beyond it we took the advance and marched all night.
    June 21. Marched all day; had a skirmish at Salem.
    June 22, Wednesday. Halted for the first night's rest since the battle at Lynchburg.
    June 23. March all day. In the evening we crossed the Greenbrier river and took a short rest.
    June 24. Marched all day. I got a small piece of an ear of corn, which was the best meal I had had for some time. We arrived at White Sulphur Springs in the evening.
    June 25. This being the sixth day without having anything to eat, except a few grains of corn, we commenced to think our days were few. We camped at Meadow Bluff.
    June 26. While on the march some of the boys started off, thinking they might find something to eat; at last they came to a potato patch. Say, talk about an oasis in a desert; well, you can imagine how they felt; full of hope of having something to satisfy their hunger. Over the fence they went, pulled some stalks and to their dismay there was no potatoes on them. My general appearance must have been attractive, as was all the boys; they were becoming weak and were emaciated; their clothes torn off and shoes worn out. When General Crook and his staff would pass us he usually would say. “that is right, my brave young fellows; always straggle to the front, and never to the rear.” Some of the boys would say, “General Straggling, either way, is nigh up with me.” Every now and then word would come along the line to keep up our courage, as we would get rations tomorrow, but it became an old song. Presently we saw a flag on a house a short distance ahead. We knew it to be headquarters, but could not get anything to eat. I could write many things we saw and heard, but it would not benefit

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110	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
hostile and barren country, where nobody lives and even not the shadow of a dog to bark at strangers. We were short of rations; the hills and the valleys were burnt up by the summer's sun, and the springs were dry. It is difficult to give any adequate conception of the suffering and deprivations of man and beast in this memorable march. We were glad to drink water out of a mud hole, or from the track of a horse in the road. We took the corn from the poor old horses that were left on the road-side, to die; it was the best we could do. June 19. We passed through New London at daybreak; marched all day, passing through Liberty at 6 p. m. Beyond Liberty we formed in line of battle. The cavalry had a little set-to with the enemy within the town; after dark we pulled out on the road; the cavalry held the enemy until the next morning; we marched all night. June 20. Still on the tramp. In the afternoon we were attacked in the rear and flank in Buford's or Stonecoal Gap; lost three pieces of artillery; we cut the spokes and set them on fire. Our division covered the retreat from Lynchburg to this place; beyond it we took the advance and marched all night. June 21. Marched all day; had a skirmish at Salem. June 22, Wednesday. Halted for the first night's rest since the battle at Lynchburg. June 23. March all day. In the evening we crossed the Greenbrier river and took a short rest. June 24. Marched all day. I got a small piece of an ear of corn, which was the best meal I had had for some time. We arrived at White Sulphur Springs in the evening. June 25. This being the sixth day without having anything to eat, except a few grains of corn, we commenced to think our days were few. We camped at Meadow Bluff. June 26. While on the march some of the boys started off, thinking they might find something to eat; at last they came to a potato patch. Say, talk about an oasis in a desert; well, you can imagine how they felt; full of hope of having something to satisfy their hunger. Over the fence they went, pulled some stalks and to their dismay there was no potatoes on them. My general appearance must have been attractive, as was all the boys; they were becoming weak and were emaciated; their clothes torn off and shoes worn out. When General Crook and his staff would pass us he usually would say. “that is right, my brave young fellows; always straggle to the front, and never to the rear.” Some of the boys would say, “General Straggling, either way, is nigh up with me.” Every now and then word would come along the line to keep up our courage, as we would get rations tomorrow, but it became an old song. Presently we saw a flag on a house a short distance ahead. We knew it to be headquarters, but could not get anything to eat. I could write many things we saw and heard, but it would not benefit