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| History of Cambria County, V.2 |
| HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. | 341 | |||
Camp near Hartwood Church, Va.
* * * As the 18th Pennsylvania (Co. K), which was in rear of the brigade, was entering Hanover, Pa., the enemy's cavalry made a dash upon it opening at the same time with their artillery, which was posted in a wood about half a mile from the town. Owing to the suddenness of the attack, the regiment was thrown into some confusion, and forced back upon upon the main column, throwing that also into confusion, and for a few moments the enemy evidently had a decided advantage, but at this point Gen. Farnsworth, with great coolness, reformed the command, and charged, driving the enemy out of the town and into the woods in rear of their battery. After some skirmishing, the enemy withdrew, leaving us in possession of the town, near which we encamped until the day following.This brigade was not engaged during the two days---July 1 and 2, but in the afternoon of July 3, having passed in rear of our forces, the engaged with the enemy near Gettysburg, Pa., Gen. Farnsworth was ordered to charge the enemy's right which at once he did, making one of the most desperate and at the same time most successful charges it has ever been my lot to witness, and during which that gallant officer--- Gen. Farnsworth---was killed, while in the thickest of the fight. In the death of Brig. Gen. Farnsworth this brigade suffered an almost irreparable loss, as a more gallant officer or perfect gentleman cannot, in my opinion, be found. On the morning of the 4th we moved in the direction of Emmitsburg, Md.; passing it we entered a mountain pass * * * this brigade not being engaged until it reached the summit , after passing which we charged upon a long wagon train of the enemy, capturing nearly the entire train, together with a large number of prisoners. Sunday, July 5th. My command moved to Smithsburg, where we were attacked, the command not being engaged, with the exception of Elders's battery. The enemy soon retired.. * * * and I marched to near Boonesborough and encamped for the night. Monday, July 6. I was ordered by Gen. Kilpatrick to take the advance and move to Hagerstown. When near that place, I ordered two squadrons of the 18th Pennsylvania (Co. K), and one of the 1st W, Va. to charge into and through the town, which they did in the most gallant manner, driving the enemy in superior force, through and out of the town with heavy loss to the enemy, capturing at the same time the colonel of the 10th Virginia Cavalry. |
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