Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.314

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History of Cambria County, V.2

314 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

behind a stone wall, now opened a most destructive fire of musketry, notwithstanding which, and a rapid discharge from a battery so posted as to enfilade our line, the men steadily advanced, drove the enemy from their position, gained the railroad and penetrated into their camps, holding the position against vastly superior numbers for over an hour, when, the last round of ammunition being exhausted and no support coming up, the brigade was forced to fall back, leaving Gen. Jackson dead upon the field.
    I cannot close this portion of my report without expressing the conviction that had we been properly supported, that portion of the field gained by the valor of our troops could and would have been held against any force that the enemy would have been able to have thrown against us.
    The brigade, withdrawn from the fight, joined the division near the ground it occupied the previous night, where it remained until the night of (Monday) the 15th instant, when it recrossed the river. Too much cannot be said in praise of the gallantry of both officers and men throughout the engagement. Never was the courage and stamina of troops put to a severer test, and never did they more nobly vindicate themselves.
    In the death of Gen. Jackson, who fell while encouraging and sustaining his men, this brigade has lost a brave and good leader. To his example and conduct, and that of his aides, Capt. Swearingen and Lieuts. Bemus and Chamberlain, is owing, in a great measure, the steadiness and perserverance with which the troops fought.
Robert Anderson,
Lieut.-Col. Commanding Brigade.

    Captain Fite's Company D, 115th Pennsylvania, at Fredericksburg, Va. Col. William A. Olmstead to Gen. Reeve:
Camp near Falmouth, Dec. 20, 1962.
    * * * I have the honor to report the part this regiment (115th P. V.) took in the late action in front of Fredericksburg:
    Left our camp in heavy marching order Dec. 11 (Thursday, 1862), at 7 a.m., with four days' cooked rations, to include the 14th, and took position in brigade line, fifth in line; formed division column to within about 1 3/4 miles of Fredericksburg, in front; stacked arms, and remained all day under arms; bivouacked; during the night issued one day's rations, to include 15th instant.
    Friday, Dec. 12, 1862. We were ordered to move in same order, and marched to within three-quarters of a mile of Fredericksburg, near to Gen. Sumner's headquarters; stacked arms, and at about 1 p. m. was ordered to retire to about three-quarters of a mile to the rear. Had arrived in position, when orders came again to move; marched to the front and left about 4 miles; bivouacked in woods; very bad marching.

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314	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
behind a stone wall, now opened a most destructive fire of musketry, notwithstanding which, and a rapid discharge from a battery so posted as to enfilade our line, the men steadily advanced, drove the enemy from their position, gained the railroad and penetrated into their camps, holding the position against vastly superior numbers for over an hour, when, the last round of ammunition being exhausted and no support coming up, the brigade was forced to fall back, leaving Gen. Jackson dead upon the field. I cannot close this portion of my report without expressing the conviction that had we been properly supported, that portion of the field gained by the valor of our troops could and would have been held against any force that the enemy would have been able to have thrown against us. The brigade, withdrawn from the fight, joined the division near the ground it occupied the previous night, where it remained until the night of (Monday) the 15th instant, when it recrossed the river. Too much cannot be said in praise of the gallantry of both officers and men throughout the engagement. Never was the courage and stamina of troops put to a severer test, and never did they more nobly vindicate themselves. In the death of Gen. Jackson, who fell while encouraging and sustaining his men, this brigade has lost a brave and good leader. To his example and conduct, and that of his aides, Capt. Swearingen and Lieuts. Bemus and Chamberlain, is owing, in a great measure, the steadiness and perserverance with which the troops fought. Robert Anderson, Lieut.-Col. Commanding Brigade. Captain Fite's Company D, 115th Pennsylvania, at Fredericksburg, Va. Col. William A. Olmstead to Gen. Reeve: Camp near Falmouth, Dec. 20, 1962. * * * I have the honor to report the part this regiment (115th P. V.) took in the late action in front of Fredericksburg: Left our camp in heavy marching order Dec. 11 (Thursday, 1862), at 7 a.m., with four days' cooked rations, to include the 14th, and took position in brigade line, fifth in line; formed division column to within about 1 3/4 miles of Fredericksburg, in front; stacked arms, and remained all day under arms; bivouacked; during the night issued one day's rations, to include 15th instant. Friday, Dec. 12, 1862. We were ordered to move in same order, and marched to within three-quarters of a mile of Fredericksburg, near to Gen. Sumner's headquarters; stacked arms, and at about 1 p. m. was ordered to retire to about three-quarters of a mile to the rear. Had arrived in position, when orders came again to move; marched to the front and left about 4 miles; bivouacked in woods; very bad marching.