Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.337

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 337

was a surprise, for the faltered in the onward march and began to collect in groups. Their galling fire, however, was kept up on our line, particularly from Devil's Den, and I soon realized the fact that the only way to hold the hill was to charge forward. Therefore I gave the command to fix bayonets and charge. This order was obeyed with a will, and, with that familiar yell peculiar to the Pennsylvania Reserves, we rushed upon the foe with a determination to either drive the invaders back or sacrifice ourselves on our native soil. Our fondest hopes were realized.
    The tide was turned, the enemy broke and fell back in much disorder. As we neared the swamp or run, about midway between Little Round Top and the wheat-field, I noticed troops deploying to my right and left and observing the well-known Bucktails rushing up in line with us on our left, I was assured that the regiments of the 1st Brigade, which had been laying in the rear of us on Little Round Top, had joined us in the charge.
    On nearing the wheat-field fence, Gen. Crawford rode up to the rear of my line with hat in hand, complimented the regiment in the most extravagant terms, saying, “Col. Jackson, you have saved the day, your regiment is worth its weight in gold, sir.” He directed me to establish my line at the edge of the wheat-field and have temporary works thrown up at once. In locating my line, I discovered that the Bucktails and 1st regiment were on my left, and the 2d and 6th on my right. This formation placed my regiment in the center of the 1st Brigade, which position we occupied during the remainder of the battle.
    Just as darkness was closing around us, an officer rode up in rear of my line and asked “What command is this?” On telling him that it was the Pennsylvania Reserves, he replied that Pennsylvania would support us, that he was Col. Collier of the 139th Pennsylvania, and that his regiment was directly in our rear and would gladly take our place if needed.
    On looking back I beheld the mountain side and away toward Cemetery Ridge, literally covered with troops. The Colonel said that was a division of the Sixth Corps, which had just arrived on the field. This was the first intimation I had that the Sixth Corps had got up, and it was comforting indeed to know that such a grand body of true and tried troops were on the ground. This fact in itself assured to us the victory.
    Friday, July 3. The position taken in the wheat-field was held throughout the night and the next day until after Pickett's repulse on Cemetery Ridge, when Gen. Meade rode over to the left and directed Col. McCandless to drive the enemy from the woods to the left of the wheat-field, which he did by moving his brigade in line to near the top of the hill in the wheat-field, when he ordered a left-half wheel and charged up through the woods at a double-quick, yelling lustily as we advanced. This

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	337
was a surprise, for the faltered in the onward march and began to collect in groups. Their galling fire, however, was kept up on our line, particularly from Devil's Den, and I soon realized the fact that the only way to hold the hill was to charge forward. Therefore I gave the command to fix bayonets and charge. This order was obeyed with a will, and, with that familiar yell peculiar to the Pennsylvania Reserves, we rushed upon the foe with a determination to either drive the invaders back or sacrifice ourselves on our native soil. Our fondest hopes were realized. The tide was turned, the enemy broke and fell back in much disorder. As we neared the swamp or run, about midway between Little Round Top and the wheat-field, I noticed troops deploying to my right and left and observing the well-known Bucktails rushing up in line with us on our left, I was assured that the regiments of the 1st Brigade, which had been laying in the rear of us on Little Round Top, had joined us in the charge. On nearing the wheat-field fence, Gen. Crawford rode up to the rear of my line with hat in hand, complimented the regiment in the most extravagant terms, saying, “Col. Jackson, you have saved the day, your regiment is worth its weight in gold, sir.” He directed me to establish my line at the edge of the wheat-field and have temporary works thrown up at once. In locating my line, I discovered that the Bucktails and 1st regiment were on my left, and the 2d and 6th on my right. This formation placed my regiment in the center of the 1st Brigade, which position we occupied during the remainder of the battle. Just as darkness was closing around us, an officer rode up in rear of my line and asked “What command is this?” On telling him that it was the Pennsylvania Reserves, he replied that Pennsylvania would support us, that he was Col. Collier of the 139th Pennsylvania, and that his regiment was directly in our rear and would gladly take our place if needed. On looking back I beheld the mountain side and away toward Cemetery Ridge, literally covered with troops. The Colonel said that was a division of the Sixth Corps, which had just arrived on the field. This was the first intimation I had that the Sixth Corps had got up, and it was comforting indeed to know that such a grand body of true and tried troops were on the ground. This fact in itself assured to us the victory. Friday, July 3. The position taken in the wheat-field was held throughout the night and the next day until after Pickett's repulse on Cemetery Ridge, when Gen. Meade rode over to the left and directed Col. McCandless to drive the enemy from the woods to the left of the wheat-field, which he did by moving his brigade in line to near the top of the hill in the wheat-field, when he ordered a left-half wheel and charged up through the woods at a double-quick, yelling lustily as we advanced. This