Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.351

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 351

at Bethesda Church. A severe engagement followed, which for a time checked the Reserves, but re-enforcements drove the enemy back with much loss.
    On the 25th of May, Sheridan (Capt. Hamilton) returned from his Richmond raid which had been very successful. The primary cause for this raid arose from an incident occurring between Grant, Meade and Sheridan in a conference. Meade made some remark to which Sheridan took exception, when Meade instantly replied, as he laid his hand affectionately on Sheridan's shoulder: “No, I don't mean that.” Gen. Sheridan who was always impatient and restless unless he was in a brisk fight, walking up and down the tent, said with some spirit: “If I am permitted to cut loose from this army I'll draw Stuart after me, and whip him, too.” After he had departed Grant quietly said to Meade, “Let him do it.”
    On May 9th he started with 10,000 as fine horsemen as were ever mounted. The first event was the recapturing of 378 Union troops which had been taken prisoners a few days before and were then on the trains to be taken to Richmond. On the 11th within six miles of Richmond he found Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry at Yellow Tavern. Sheridan (Capt. Hamilton) attacked Stuart and defeated him, in which contest Stuart, Lee's great cavalry leader, was killed.
    While Sheridan was making one of his night marches it was extremely dark and the men were in doubt as to the right road. While considering this proposition they came up to a lone man wrapped in a blue overcoat standing at a gate. He told them that Sheridan had left him there to show them the way. The troops entered the gate and soon found themselves in a trap and under the guns of one of the out-posts of Richmond. The guide was a confederate in a Union uniform. It is said that Col. McIntosh, who was commanding Capt. Hamilton's brigade, suspecting him, had kept near, and when the enemy's guns opened on them McIntosh shot the guide.
    On the 30th Hancock (Capt Fite) and Warren (Capt. Co. A unknown) discovered Lee in position near Cold Harbor. It was this day that Gen. Wilson, the division commander of Capt. Hamilton, having been sent to cut the Virginia Central Railroad, got into a fight at Hanover Court House with Young's cavalry and repulsed it.
    At 10 o'clock p. m. May 31st, Grant directed Sheridan to return to Cold Harbor and hold it “all hazards.” He did so,

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	351
at Bethesda Church. A severe engagement followed, which for a time checked the Reserves, but re-enforcements drove the enemy back with much loss. On the 25th of May, Sheridan (Capt. Hamilton) returned from his Richmond raid which had been very successful. The primary cause for this raid arose from an incident occurring between Grant, Meade and Sheridan in a conference. Meade made some remark to which Sheridan took exception, when Meade instantly replied, as he laid his hand affectionately on Sheridan's shoulder: “No, I don't mean that.” Gen. Sheridan who was always impatient and restless unless he was in a brisk fight, walking up and down the tent, said with some spirit: “If I am permitted to cut loose from this army I'll draw Stuart after me, and whip him, too.” After he had departed Grant quietly said to Meade, “Let him do it.” On May 9th he started with 10,000 as fine horsemen as were ever mounted. The first event was the recapturing of 378 Union troops which had been taken prisoners a few days before and were then on the trains to be taken to Richmond. On the 11th within six miles of Richmond he found Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry at Yellow Tavern. Sheridan (Capt. Hamilton) attacked Stuart and defeated him, in which contest Stuart, Lee's great cavalry leader, was killed. While Sheridan was making one of his night marches it was extremely dark and the men were in doubt as to the right road. While considering this proposition they came up to a lone man wrapped in a blue overcoat standing at a gate. He told them that Sheridan had left him there to show them the way. The troops entered the gate and soon found themselves in a trap and under the guns of one of the out-posts of Richmond. The guide was a confederate in a Union uniform. It is said that Col. McIntosh, who was commanding Capt. Hamilton's brigade, suspecting him, had kept near, and when the enemy's guns opened on them McIntosh shot the guide. On the 30th Hancock (Capt Fite) and Warren (Capt. Co. A unknown) discovered Lee in position near Cold Harbor. It was this day that Gen. Wilson, the division commander of Capt. Hamilton, having been sent to cut the Virginia Central Railroad, got into a fight at Hanover Court House with Young's cavalry and repulsed it. At 10 o'clock p. m. May 31st, Grant directed Sheridan to return to Cold Harbor and hold it “all hazards.” He did so,