Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.311

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 311

coln, who congratulated him and the army on that occasion. If the plan had been executed as it was directed history would be recording a different event. But it failed as many other good things have failed, because some link in the chain broke, some part of the great movement did no move at the proper moment, or because the attackimg division was insufficient to cope with the force of Stonewall Jackson who was a dangerous man to meet.
    Burnside's first plan was to cross the Rappahannock river at Skinker's Neck, about fourteen miles below the town of Fredericksburg, but the enemy forestalled it by anticipating the maneuver and fortifying the Neck. But a few days before the battle, Burnside suddenly decided to cross in the face of the enemy. This being done successfully, because the enemy were not prepared to prevent it and Lee realizing that he had to fight somewhere deemed his present position perfect as it was, is regarded by military men as a most brilliant movement.
    Burnside proposed that Sumner, commanding the right wing, should cross on two pontoon bridges in the upper part of Fredericksburg; Hooker at the steamboat landing in the town, and Franklin on two or more at Hamilton's crossing. He directed Franklin to turn Lee's right Flank and get in the rear of Lee's army, when Hooker would attack at the center and Sumner on the right. The instructions were to make the attack with a division at least in the lead, and to be supported by his entire command. Franklin selected Meade's division of Pennsylvania Reserves, which at that time was much smaller than the other divisions. The companies of Capts. Hite, Daniel D. Jones and Fite were with Meade in the attack, except while Capt. Fite was in reserve nearer the river.
    Meade made a brilliant attack and succeeded in breaking Jackson's line of battle. His force became divided in thick woods, and not receiving sufficient support, he could not hold the position and was forced to retire. This he did in good order. Here was the crux, and had it succeeded who would have said it was not a well planned battle, or that it was a needless slaughter?
    About 4 o'clock Gen. Humphreys led his division against the enemy on Marye's Heights, with other support, of course. The Johnstown companies of Caps. Stackhouse and Butland, and the Ebensburg company of Capt. John M. Jones were in this magnificent but deadly assault. They advanced on the left of the Telegraph road, passed the Brick House, which was standing a few years ago, between the sunken roads and toward

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	311
coln, who congratulated him and the army on that occasion. If the plan had been executed as it was directed history would be recording a different event. But it failed as many other good things have failed, because some link in the chain broke, some part of the great movement did no move at the proper moment, or because the attackimg division was insufficient to cope with the force of Stonewall Jackson who was a dangerous man to meet. Burnside's first plan was to cross the Rappahannock river at Skinker's Neck, about fourteen miles below the town of Fredericksburg, but the enemy forestalled it by anticipating the maneuver and fortifying the Neck. But a few days before the battle, Burnside suddenly decided to cross in the face of the enemy. This being done successfully, because the enemy were not prepared to prevent it and Lee realizing that he had to fight somewhere deemed his present position perfect as it was, is regarded by military men as a most brilliant movement. Burnside proposed that Sumner, commanding the right wing, should cross on two pontoon bridges in the upper part of Fredericksburg; Hooker at the steamboat landing in the town, and Franklin on two or more at Hamilton's crossing. He directed Franklin to turn Lee's right Flank and get in the rear of Lee's army, when Hooker would attack at the center and Sumner on the right. The instructions were to make the attack with a division at least in the lead, and to be supported by his entire command. Franklin selected Meade's division of Pennsylvania Reserves, which at that time was much smaller than the other divisions. The companies of Capts. Hite, Daniel D. Jones and Fite were with Meade in the attack, except while Capt. Fite was in reserve nearer the river. Meade made a brilliant attack and succeeded in breaking Jackson's line of battle. His force became divided in thick woods, and not receiving sufficient support, he could not hold the position and was forced to retire. This he did in good order. Here was the crux, and had it succeeded who would have said it was not a well planned battle, or that it was a needless slaughter? About 4 o'clock Gen. Humphreys led his division against the enemy on Marye's Heights, with other support, of course. The Johnstown companies of Caps. Stackhouse and Butland, and the Ebensburg company of Capt. John M. Jones were in this magnificent but deadly assault. They advanced on the left of the Telegraph road, passed the Brick House, which was standing a few years ago, between the sunken roads and toward