Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.350

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History of Cambria County, V.2

350 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

enforced Hancock and Lee re-enforced Johnston wherever it was possible to place troops. Gordon's brigade had been ordered to make an assault and as it was about to start Gen. Lee rode up to the head of the column to lead it in the attempt to retake the important salient. Gordon protested for the safety of his beloved Chief, and his men took up the cry, “Lee to the rear,” whereupon one of them respectfully taking hold of the general's bridle led the horse to the rear, and the charge was made, with a repulse.
    Artillery could not be used in the angle, but ammunition and rations brought up in boxes were opened by officers and file closers and served to the men by pack mules, each carrying 3,000 rounds. Hancock's men were in the angle all day and were not relieved until late in the evening. So continuous and heavy was the fire that heads of the logs in the breast-works were cut and torn until they resembled hickory brooms. This kind of fighting kept up for almost twenty-four hours before Lee withdrew. General Johnston and 2,800 of his men were captured with twenty pieces of artillery. It was magnificent, but it was costly to human life.
    On May 11th, at 8:30 a. m., Grant sent this telegram to Gen. Halleck: “We have now. ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time is much in our favor. But our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. We have lost to this time eleven general officers killed, wounded or missing and probably 20,000 men. * * * “
    Between May 13 and 18, the time was consumed in maneuvering, and Grant again decided to interpose at another point. He always held his ground but made little progress, except in compelling Lee to fall back. On the 19th the army was to start for the North Anna river, but Lee desired time and directed Ewell to attack Grant, which he did and was repulsed. Thus the movement was delayed until the 21st. In the meanwhile Lee retreated to that point and intrenched, he having the inside line with the shorter distance.
    Warren (Capt. Co. A unknown) arrived at the North Anna on the 23, and Hancock (Capt. Fite) soon followed. The former crossed the river at Jericho Mill without much opposition, and came to Lee's intrenchments where a vigorous fight took place, with a repulse for the enemy. On the 26th Warren re-crossed the river at Quarles' Mill. On the 30th the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves (Capt. Co. A unknown) discovered the enemy

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350	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
enforced Hancock and Lee re-enforced Johnston wherever it was possible to place troops. Gordon's brigade had been ordered to make an assault and as it was about to start Gen. Lee rode up to the head of the column to lead it in the attempt to retake the important salient. Gordon protested for the safety of his beloved Chief, and his men took up the cry, “Lee to the rear,” whereupon one of them respectfully taking hold of the general's bridle led the horse to the rear, and the charge was made, with a repulse. Artillery could not be used in the angle, but ammunition and rations brought up in boxes were opened by officers and file closers and served to the men by pack mules, each carrying 3,000 rounds. Hancock's men were in the angle all day and were not relieved until late in the evening. So continuous and heavy was the fire that heads of the logs in the breast-works were cut and torn until they resembled hickory brooms. This kind of fighting kept up for almost twenty-four hours before Lee withdrew. General Johnston and 2,800 of his men were captured with twenty pieces of artillery. It was magnificent, but it was costly to human life. On May 11th, at 8:30 a. m., Grant sent this telegram to Gen. Halleck: “We have now. ended the sixth day of very heavy fighting. The result to this time is much in our favor. But our losses have been heavy, as well as those of the enemy. We have lost to this time eleven general officers killed, wounded or missing and probably 20,000 men. * * * “ Between May 13 and 18, the time was consumed in maneuvering, and Grant again decided to interpose at another point. He always held his ground but made little progress, except in compelling Lee to fall back. On the 19th the army was to start for the North Anna river, but Lee desired time and directed Ewell to attack Grant, which he did and was repulsed. Thus the movement was delayed until the 21st. In the meanwhile Lee retreated to that point and intrenched, he having the inside line with the shorter distance. Warren (Capt. Co. A unknown) arrived at the North Anna on the 23, and Hancock (Capt. Fite) soon followed. The former crossed the river at Jericho Mill without much opposition, and came to Lee's intrenchments where a vigorous fight took place, with a repulse for the enemy. On the 26th Warren re-crossed the river at Quarles' Mill. On the 30th the 11th Pennsylvania Reserves (Capt. Co. A unknown) discovered the enemy