Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.304

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History of Cambria County, V.2

304 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

    Our brigade now began to move obliquely to the right and front under a severe fire of artillery posted on the mountain, but which did very little, if any, damage.
    Moving on, we soon met the enemy, posted at the base of the mountain and sheltered by a stone wall. The firing immediately commenced on both sides.
    Here Col. Gallagher, who had command of the brigade, and who had gallantly led it into action, was severely wounded in the arm by a musket ball, and forced to leave the field. Our line moved steadily on, not once giving way or faltering. The enemy were driven from their shelter, and steadily pursued up the mountain til the summit was nearly gained by our men, when, all our ammunition having been expanded, Duryea's brigade having come up and taken its position in front of us, portions of the 9th, 11th and 12th (through a misconception of orders) fell back to supply themselves with ammunition.
    The 10th Regiment, which had been ordered forward to fill up the gap between our right and Seymour's left, and which had fought its way gallantly up to the other regiments of the brigade, was ordered to hold its position.
    When the 9th, 11th and 12th Regiments fell back it was dark and 11 o'clock before they were supplied with ammunition. The firing having ceased before these regiments left, and our forces being in quiet possession of the crest of the mountain,it was not thought advisable to order them up the mountain again that night; another consideration being that the men were much fatigued by a long march and their exertions upon the field.
    My report of the battle of South Mountain closes with the remark that it was a severe one, and that every officer and man of this command did his duty nobly. * * *

Robert Anderson,
Lieut. Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

    Capt. William Linton, Co. M, 12th Cavalry, Gen. Pleasonton to Gen. Marcy:

    * * * At daylight (Monday) Sept. 15th. I started in pursuit of the enemy. * * * On the 16th instant my cavalry was engaged in reconnaissances, escorts, and supports of batteries.
    On the morning of the 17th instant, after the commencement of the action on the right, I was directed by Maj. Gen. McClellan, verbally, to advance with my division of cavalry and horse batteries of artillery on the turnpike (Sharpsburg and Porterstown pike) towards Sharpsburg, to some suitable position beyond the bridge over the Antietam creek, and support the left of Sumner's line of battle, with my force.
    Finding the enemy had a cross-fire of artillery on the bridge, and that his sharpshooters covered it in front, I first threw

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304	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Our brigade now began to move obliquely to the right and front under a severe fire of artillery posted on the mountain, but which did very little, if any, damage. Moving on, we soon met the enemy, posted at the base of the mountain and sheltered by a stone wall. The firing immediately commenced on both sides. Here Col. Gallagher, who had command of the brigade, and who had gallantly led it into action, was severely wounded in the arm by a musket ball, and forced to leave the field. Our line moved steadily on, not once giving way or faltering. The enemy were driven from their shelter, and steadily pursued up the mountain til the summit was nearly gained by our men, when, all our ammunition having been expanded, Duryea's brigade having come up and taken its position in front of us, portions of the 9th, 11th and 12th (through a misconception of orders) fell back to supply themselves with ammunition. The 10th Regiment, which had been ordered forward to fill up the gap between our right and Seymour's left, and which had fought its way gallantly up to the other regiments of the brigade, was ordered to hold its position. When the 9th, 11th and 12th Regiments fell back it was dark and 11 o'clock before they were supplied with ammunition. The firing having ceased before these regiments left, and our forces being in quiet possession of the crest of the mountain,it was not thought advisable to order them up the mountain again that night; another consideration being that the men were much fatigued by a long march and their exertions upon the field. My report of the battle of South Mountain closes with the remark that it was a severe one, and that every officer and man of this command did his duty nobly. * * * Robert Anderson, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Capt. William Linton, Co. M, 12th Cavalry, Gen. Pleasonton to Gen. Marcy: * * * At daylight (Monday) Sept. 15th. I started in pursuit of the enemy. * * * On the 16th instant my cavalry was engaged in reconnaissances, escorts, and supports of batteries. On the morning of the 17th instant, after the commencement of the action on the right, I was directed by Maj. Gen. McClellan, verbally, to advance with my division of cavalry and horse batteries of artillery on the turnpike (Sharpsburg and Porterstown pike) towards Sharpsburg, to some suitable position beyond the bridge over the Antietam creek, and support the left of Sumner's line of battle, with my force. Finding the enemy had a cross-fire of artillery on the bridge, and that his sharpshooters covered it in front, I first threw