Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.243

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 243

treated very kindly by Capt. Wilhelm of Co. H. 112th Penna. Heavy Artillery: he was from Mauch Chunk, Pa. We were just ready to retire when Capt. Wilhelm ordered all troops to load guns, but not to put on caps, and sleep on arms, as an attack was expected.
    Saturday, 30. All routed out about 3 a. m. and marched off in squads to different parts of the fort. Sawyer and I were put at portholes and remained there until daylight. The regiment has several forts in its care; Forts Lincoln, Saratoga, Massachusetts, Bunker Hill, Totten, Slocum and Thayer. There are about sixty forts around Washington City. We were directed to fill canteens and carry in water as a precaution. We can distinctly hear the roar of artillery all day. The fight is said to be at Manassas. The company is in charge of First Lieut. William McKee; Capt. Hite is in Harrisburg. On picket duty tonight, about one mile out.
    Friday, Sept. 5. Up to this time it has been a continual drill and on guard. Much excitement tonight, expecting an attack; orders out to be ready at a moment's notice.
    Saturday, 6. Marching orders received to proceed to Washington. We packed and were ready, but Gen. Gibson returned from the city and countermanded the order.
    Sabbath, 7. Cleaned our guns and packed knapsacks; at 11 a. m. the chaplain of 112th Penna. preached: “Be strong, prove yourselves men.” In the afternoon Sawyer, Hess, Hartzell and myself went to the “Soldiers' Home,” the summer residence of President Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was in the city, but we saw Mrs. Lincoln and one of the boys.
    Monday, 8. Lieut. Tommins arrived today; all hands sent to clear the timber in the woods, between Forts Thayer and Lincoln.
    Tuesday, 9. On guard at spring today; held prayer meeting in grove.
    Thursday, 11. Received orders to get ready to march at a moment's notice; all ready. The 110th New York passed in going to Fort Bunker Hill; the 11th Vermont camped near us; we are near the Baltimore & Washington railroad and see train after train of troops passing.
    Friday, 12. Sawyer and I went to Fort Lincoln; also spent some time with the 11th Vermont; the Vermont boys are digging rifle pits; the pit is 3 by 3 ½ feet, and about a mile in length; there will be eight miles to dig to the Chain Bridge.
    Saturday, 13. Rained hard last night; routed out at 2 a. m. and marched to the fort, where twenty of us drilled for an hour and a half, five to each cannon; Stephen Sawyer and I had our pictures taken.
    Sabbath, 14. Knapsack and gun inspection today; Sawyer, Joseph Moore, Hess, Boyer, Palmer and myself went to the Soldiers' Home; the Bucktils from Venago and Crawford

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	243
treated very kindly by Capt. Wilhelm of Co. H. 112th Penna. Heavy Artillery: he was from Mauch Chunk, Pa. We were just ready to retire when Capt. Wilhelm ordered all troops to load guns, but not to put on caps, and sleep on arms, as an attack was expected. Saturday, 30. All routed out about 3 a. m. and marched off in squads to different parts of the fort. Sawyer and I were put at portholes and remained there until daylight. The regiment has several forts in its care; Forts Lincoln, Saratoga, Massachusetts, Bunker Hill, Totten, Slocum and Thayer. There are about sixty forts around Washington City. We were directed to fill canteens and carry in water as a precaution. We can distinctly hear the roar of artillery all day. The fight is said to be at Manassas. The company is in charge of First Lieut. William McKee; Capt. Hite is in Harrisburg. On picket duty tonight, about one mile out. Friday, Sept. 5. Up to this time it has been a continual drill and on guard. Much excitement tonight, expecting an attack; orders out to be ready at a moment's notice. Saturday, 6. Marching orders received to proceed to Washington. We packed and were ready, but Gen. Gibson returned from the city and countermanded the order. Sabbath, 7. Cleaned our guns and packed knapsacks; at 11 a. m. the chaplain of 112th Penna. preached: “Be strong, prove yourselves men.” In the afternoon Sawyer, Hess, Hartzell and myself went to the “Soldiers' Home,” the summer residence of President Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln was in the city, but we saw Mrs. Lincoln and one of the boys. Monday, 8. Lieut. Tommins arrived today; all hands sent to clear the timber in the woods, between Forts Thayer and Lincoln. Tuesday, 9. On guard at spring today; held prayer meeting in grove. Thursday, 11. Received orders to get ready to march at a moment's notice; all ready. The 110th New York passed in going to Fort Bunker Hill; the 11th Vermont camped near us; we are near the Baltimore & Washington railroad and see train after train of troops passing. Friday, 12. Sawyer and I went to Fort Lincoln; also spent some time with the 11th Vermont; the Vermont boys are digging rifle pits; the pit is 3 by 3 ½ feet, and about a mile in length; there will be eight miles to dig to the Chain Bridge. Saturday, 13. Rained hard last night; routed out at 2 a. m. and marched to the fort, where twenty of us drilled for an hour and a half, five to each cannon; Stephen Sawyer and I had our pictures taken. Sabbath, 14. Knapsack and gun inspection today; Sawyer, Joseph Moore, Hess, Boyer, Palmer and myself went to the Soldiers' Home; the Bucktils from Venago and Crawford