Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.324

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History of Cambria County, V.2

324 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

our hatchets, and knives instead of axes, bayonets and pointed sticks for picks, and tin plates and hands as substitutes for shovels. With these we raised a double row of fortifications, enclosing the road on each side, the front rank lying in the road and occupying the front entrenchment and the rear rank occupying the work on the right of the road, which was elevated some 12 to 15 inches higher than the front work.
    Sunday, May 3. We held these fortifications, occasionally sallying forth and routing the enemy from the woods in our front, until about 10 a. m., Sunday, May 3, when, exposed to an intense enfilading fire of grape, canister, and shell from the enemy, occasioned in consequence of the right of our line, occupied by the 11th Corps, not being able to sustain their position, falling back, thus allowing the enemy the opportunity of completely hemming us in, we were wisely ordered to abandon our position, which we did in good order, amid a desperate storm of cannon-ball, shot and shell, and formed a new line north of the brick house, and succeeding in driving the enemy back, after which we were relieved, fell back a short distance to the rear, and commenced constructing new fortifications, at which we continued until Tuesday evening, May 5, when we received orders to re-cross the Rappahannock river, which was accomplished at daylight the next morning, and after a severe march through rain and mud, upon short rations, we encamped (Thursday) May 7 on our old camping ground near Aquia Landing, Va., Our loss was killed, 2; wounded, 28; and missing, 7. * * *
Jacob Higgins, Colonel.

    President Lincoln in actual command of the army from January 26 to June 16, 1863. Gen. Halleck to Mr. Stanton:
Washington, D. C., Nov. 15, 1863.
    * * * Gen. Hooker relieved Gen. Burnside from his command on January 26 (1863), but no advance movement was attempted till near the end of April, when a large cavalry force under Gen. Stoneman, was sent across the Upper Rappahannock toward Richmond to destroy the enemy's communications with Gen. Hooker. * * * At the same time Gen. Sedgwick crossed near Fredericksburg, and stormed and carried the heights. * * *
    It is also proper to remark in this place that from the time Gen. Hooker was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac till he reached Fairfax Station, on June 16, a few days before he was relieved from the command, Gen. Hooker reported directly to the president, and received instructions directly from him. * * *
H. W. Halleck, General in Chief.

    The companies of Capts. Stackhouse, Butland and Flanagan, 133d Pennsylvania Infantry. Report of Col. Allabach, brigade commander:

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324	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
our hatchets, and knives instead of axes, bayonets and pointed sticks for picks, and tin plates and hands as substitutes for shovels. With these we raised a double row of fortifications, enclosing the road on each side, the front rank lying in the road and occupying the front entrenchment and the rear rank occupying the work on the right of the road, which was elevated some 12 to 15 inches higher than the front work. Sunday, May 3. We held these fortifications, occasionally sallying forth and routing the enemy from the woods in our front, until about 10 a. m., Sunday, May 3, when, exposed to an intense enfilading fire of grape, canister, and shell from the enemy, occasioned in consequence of the right of our line, occupied by the 11th Corps, not being able to sustain their position, falling back, thus allowing the enemy the opportunity of completely hemming us in, we were wisely ordered to abandon our position, which we did in good order, amid a desperate storm of cannon-ball, shot and shell, and formed a new line north of the brick house, and succeeding in driving the enemy back, after which we were relieved, fell back a short distance to the rear, and commenced constructing new fortifications, at which we continued until Tuesday evening, May 5, when we received orders to re-cross the Rappahannock river, which was accomplished at daylight the next morning, and after a severe march through rain and mud, upon short rations, we encamped (Thursday) May 7 on our old camping ground near Aquia Landing, Va., Our loss was killed, 2; wounded, 28; and missing, 7. * * * Jacob Higgins, Colonel. President Lincoln in actual command of the army from January 26 to June 16, 1863. Gen. Halleck to Mr. Stanton: Washington, D. C., Nov. 15, 1863. * * * Gen. Hooker relieved Gen. Burnside from his command on January 26 (1863), but no advance movement was attempted till near the end of April, when a large cavalry force under Gen. Stoneman, was sent across the Upper Rappahannock toward Richmond to destroy the enemy's communications with Gen. Hooker. * * * At the same time Gen. Sedgwick crossed near Fredericksburg, and stormed and carried the heights. * * * It is also proper to remark in this place that from the time Gen. Hooker was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac till he reached Fairfax Station, on June 16, a few days before he was relieved from the command, Gen. Hooker reported directly to the president, and received instructions directly from him. * * * H. W. Halleck, General in Chief. The companies of Capts. Stackhouse, Butland and Flanagan, 133d Pennsylvania Infantry. Report of Col. Allabach, brigade commander: