Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.306

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History of Cambria County, V.2

306 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

encamped near Sandy Hook, Md., where the division remained until the end of the month.
    Wednesday, October 1. The First Brigade encamped near Sandy Hook, Md.
    Thursday, 2d. Moved to Maryland Heights, and encamped.
    Sunday, 26th. By general orders, No. 5, the 124th and 125th Pennsylvania Regiments were assigned to the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps. The 2d Brigade remained at Pleasant Valley, near Sandy Hook, Md., until October 30, when they moved over to Loudoun Heights, Va., * * * and the 125th Pennsylvania on the eastern slope.
    Thursday, 30th. Ordered by Gen. McClellan to report to Gen. Morell, commanding army of the Upper Potomac.

    Colonel Higgins-a magnificent fight by a magnificent regiment:

    * * * The part taken by my regiment (Company K) in the action near Sharpsburg on the 17th Wednesday) of September. 1862.
    I was ordered by Gen. Crawford to advance in close column, at daylight, through some fields to a piece of woods where there was heavy firing at that time going on. I was then ordered into the woods and then back again by Gen. Crawford, then to throw out skirmishers and again to advance through the woods until I reached the other side of the timber, and then deploy in line of battle and advance through the fields and there halt. At this place my command was exposed to a most terrific fire of musketry, shot and shell. I then fell back a few rods, by order of General Crawford, where I remained some minutes, and was again ordered forward to the crest of a hill, which I was to hold.
    At this time some colonel, whose name I do not know, told me that his troops were falling back for want of ammunition and asked me to advance his support. I immediately reported this to General Crawford, who ordered me to advance at once. I gave the command, and my men started forward with a yell, driving the enemy before them and gaining possession of the woods. Here I took some prisoners, whom I sent to the rear. Again I was ordered to advance and halt in line with a battery. Before reaching the battery, though, I took a number of prisoners, some of whom came running back with white handkerchiefs tied on their guns and gave themselves up. At the battery I gave the command for my men to lie down whilst awaiting further orders. About this time the fire of the enemy slackened some what, only some shots from their sharpshooters being fired, and these at mounted officers and the artillery horses.
    Previous to this, Gen. Mansfield fell, some of my men carrying him off the field on their muskets until a blanket was procurred. Gen. Hooker here came up to me and inquired if any

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306	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
encamped near Sandy Hook, Md., where the division remained until the end of the month. Wednesday, October 1. The First Brigade encamped near Sandy Hook, Md. Thursday, 2d. Moved to Maryland Heights, and encamped. Sunday, 26th. By general orders, No. 5, the 124th and 125th Pennsylvania Regiments were assigned to the 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps. The 2d Brigade remained at Pleasant Valley, near Sandy Hook, Md., until October 30, when they moved over to Loudoun Heights, Va., * * * and the 125th Pennsylvania on the eastern slope. Thursday, 30th. Ordered by Gen. McClellan to report to Gen. Morell, commanding army of the Upper Potomac. Colonel Higgins-a magnificent fight by a magnificent regiment: * * * The part taken by my regiment (Company K) in the action near Sharpsburg on the 17th Wednesday) of September. 1862. I was ordered by Gen. Crawford to advance in close column, at daylight, through some fields to a piece of woods where there was heavy firing at that time going on. I was then ordered into the woods and then back again by Gen. Crawford, then to throw out skirmishers and again to advance through the woods until I reached the other side of the timber, and then deploy in line of battle and advance through the fields and there halt. At this place my command was exposed to a most terrific fire of musketry, shot and shell. I then fell back a few rods, by order of General Crawford, where I remained some minutes, and was again ordered forward to the crest of a hill, which I was to hold. At this time some colonel, whose name I do not know, told me that his troops were falling back for want of ammunition and asked me to advance his support. I immediately reported this to General Crawford, who ordered me to advance at once. I gave the command, and my men started forward with a yell, driving the enemy before them and gaining possession of the woods. Here I took some prisoners, whom I sent to the rear. Again I was ordered to advance and halt in line with a battery. Before reaching the battery, though, I took a number of prisoners, some of whom came running back with white handkerchiefs tied on their guns and gave themselves up. At the battery I gave the command for my men to lie down whilst awaiting further orders. About this time the fire of the enemy slackened some what, only some shots from their sharpshooters being fired, and these at mounted officers and the artillery horses. Previous to this, Gen. Mansfield fell, some of my men carrying him off the field on their muskets until a blanket was procurred. Gen. Hooker here came up to me and inquired if any