Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.147

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 147

this being found impracticable, we were ordered to return to the front. Before we were able to properly form in line of battle the division in our front, which was then engaged with the enemy, was somewhat broken and retiring in some confusion, the enemy advancing against it. In accordance with the general's instructions, we advanced as quickly as possible for the purpose of checking the enemy before they should gain the crest of the hill, which would enable them to get a clear view of our position. In doing so we were for some time exposed to the enemy's batteries, which were well served with grape and canister. We succeeded, however, in driving the enemy down the hill and across a deep ravine, and from there to their intrenchments on the elevated ground beyond, at the same time gaining a position for ourselves comparatively sheltered from the enemy. My line having become somewhat broken by passing through the thick underbrush and in crossing a deep ditch at the bottom of the ravine. I halted my command. I reformed it and again advanced upon the enemy, pressing close upon their works, but were met with such a storm of grape and canister that we were compelled to fall back to the spot where I had reformed my command.
    We remained in this position, keeping the enemy in their intrenchments, with occasional firing between sharpshooters and skirmishers, until 8:30 p. m., when we were ordered to withdraw, which was done in good order, and we took up our line of march for Liberty by way of New London, which latter place we passed through at day-break on the morning of the 19th. Continuing our march, we arrived at Liberty at 6 p. m., where we encamped for the night.
    On the morning of the 20th we left Liberty, taking the road to Salem, by way of Buford's Gap and Coyner's Springs. At Buford's Gap we halted for a few hours, during which time we had considerable skirmishing with the enemy. Leaving the gap at 8 p. m., we arrived at Salem in the morning of the 21st. Here we had some skirmishing with the enemy, but met with no serious resistance. After a few hours' halt, we left Salem about 11 a. m., and arrived at Catawba mountain about 4 p. m., where we remained until 9 p. m. Here we had some skirmishing with the enemy, and marched to Craig's creek and encamped for the night.
    On the 22nd we resumed our march by way of New Castle, Red Sweet Springs and White Sulphur Springs, and passed through Lewisburg on the 25th and encamped for the night at Meadow Bluff.
    On the 26th we left Meadow Bluff for Camp Piatt, where we arrived on the 29th, having traveled a distance of 322 miles from the time of leaving Staunton on the 10th instant.
    A list of the casualties in my brigade accompanies this report, the aggregate of which is: Killed, 29; wounded, 134;

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	147
this being found impracticable, we were ordered to return to the front. Before we were able to properly form in line of battle the division in our front, which was then engaged with the enemy, was somewhat broken and retiring in some confusion, the enemy advancing against it. In accordance with the general's instructions, we advanced as quickly as possible for the purpose of checking the enemy before they should gain the crest of the hill, which would enable them to get a clear view of our position. In doing so we were for some time exposed to the enemy's batteries, which were well served with grape and canister. We succeeded, however, in driving the enemy down the hill and across a deep ravine, and from there to their intrenchments on the elevated ground beyond, at the same time gaining a position for ourselves comparatively sheltered from the enemy. My line having become somewhat broken by passing through the thick underbrush and in crossing a deep ditch at the bottom of the ravine. I halted my command. I reformed it and again advanced upon the enemy, pressing close upon their works, but were met with such a storm of grape and canister that we were compelled to fall back to the spot where I had reformed my command. We remained in this position, keeping the enemy in their intrenchments, with occasional firing between sharpshooters and skirmishers, until 8:30 p. m., when we were ordered to withdraw, which was done in good order, and we took up our line of march for Liberty by way of New London, which latter place we passed through at day-break on the morning of the 19th. Continuing our march, we arrived at Liberty at 6 p. m., where we encamped for the night. On the morning of the 20th we left Liberty, taking the road to Salem, by way of Buford's Gap and Coyner's Springs. At Buford's Gap we halted for a few hours, during which time we had considerable skirmishing with the enemy. Leaving the gap at 8 p. m., we arrived at Salem in the morning of the 21st. Here we had some skirmishing with the enemy, but met with no serious resistance. After a few hours' halt, we left Salem about 11 a. m., and arrived at Catawba mountain about 4 p. m., where we remained until 9 p. m. Here we had some skirmishing with the enemy, and marched to Craig's creek and encamped for the night. On the 22nd we resumed our march by way of New Castle, Red Sweet Springs and White Sulphur Springs, and passed through Lewisburg on the 25th and encamped for the night at Meadow Bluff. On the 26th we left Meadow Bluff for Camp Piatt, where we arrived on the 29th, having traveled a distance of 322 miles from the time of leaving Staunton on the 10th instant. A list of the casualties in my brigade accompanies this report, the aggregate of which is: Killed, 29; wounded, 134;