inasmuch as there had been a lack of vigor in pursuing Lee from Antietam.
Burnside had his army organized with three grand divisions: The right wing, or that part up the river, was under the command of Gen. Sumner; the center grand division, opposite the town, under Gen. Hooker, and the left wing, down at Hamilton's crossing, in charge of Gen. Franklin.
We have a special interest in this bloody battle as our county had six companies in action, and many of our friends were killed or wounded there. The double assualt on Marye's Heights, led by the brave Gen. Humphreys, in which the 133d Regiment participated, was never excelled for courage and manhood, even by Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. Their complete organization on the morning of December 13, 1862, the day of the battle, and their part in the engagement follows:
|
Maj. Gen A.E. Burnsides. Maj.Gen. Hooker Commander Center Division. |
| Captain. |
Co. |
Regiment. |
Brigade. |
Division. |
Corps. |
| Powell Stackhouse |
A |
133d Pa. Inf.
F.B. Speakman |
Second
P.H. Allabach |
Third
A.A. Humphreys |
Fifth
D.E. Butterfield. |
| Charles Butland |
B |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
| John M. Jones |
F |
Same |
Same |
Same |
Same |
|
Maj. Gen. W. B. Franklin, Commander Left Grand Division. |
| W. B. Lowman |
K |
136th Pa. Inf.
T. M. Bayne |
Second.
Peter Lyle |
Second.
John Gibbon
Nelson Taylor. |
First.
J.F. Reynolds. |
| Daniel D. Jones |
A |
11th pa. Reserves.
Col. S. M. Jackson |
Third.
R. Anderson |
Third.
Geo. G. Meade |
First.
J. F. Reynolds. |
| John B. Fite |
D |
115th Pa. Inf.
W. A. Olmstead |
Third.
J.W. Revere |
Second.
D.E. Sickle |
Third.
Geo. Stoneman. |
The companies of Capts. Stackhouse, Butland, Lowman and Fite were from Johnstown, and those of Capts. John M. Jones and Daniel D. Jones were from Ebensburg. Gen John Gibbon was wounded; he was succeeded by Gen. Nelson Taylor.
Capt. Fite's company belonged to the center grand division, but during the day Gen. Hooker transferred it to Gen. Franklin's left grand division, which was operating down at Hamilton's Crossing. Under this organization Burnside prepared his plan of battle. Gen. Burnside has been severely criticised for causing what is termed a needless slaughter of human life in making the assults at Hamilton's crossing and in front of Marye's Heights. Both positions were considered insurmountable, but after these many years, in due consideration of the country in connection with questions of diplomacy, and in a military view it has been considered a proper movement. The fault was not with Burnside, although he lost his command by reason fo the severe criticism, but he did not lose the confidence of Mr. Lin-
|
