Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.353

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 353

    Gen. Smith's corps (Capts. Fox and Metzger) did not arrive until the afternoon and took position on the right of the 6th corps, when Wright and Smith made an assault, carried the enemy's center, and forced them back, taking many prisoners.
    When Capt. Ryckman's regiment arrived they were assigned to gen. Warren as infantry as they were yet unmounted.
    On the second day the line was formed as above given, with Hancock connecting with Wright and Smith on the right. Warren (Capts. Co. A and Ryckman) were farther to the right, with Burnside's Ninth corps, and Gen. Wilson's cavalry, on the right flank. Gen. Sheridan's cavalry (Capt. Hamiltion) were on the left flank. Gen. Grant intended to attack on this day but on account of his lines not being completed he postponed it until the next morning at 4:30 o'clock.
    Friday, June 3. Grant's artillery and musketry fire promptly began at the hour fixed, and such a fire was seldom heard in any war.
    Lee had an unusually good position and when Grant pressed his center, the men received an enfilading fire from both of Lee's flanks. Grant's troops were being mowed. The fire was such that no soldier could stand against it, and the order to lie down passed along the entire line. There were some points where no shelter was possible, and in these cases the troops were withdrawn. A second charge ordered by Grant was weakly made by the three corps in the front and resulted as before. Realizing the impossibility of success the third assault ordered was obeyed by the men as they lay in their positions in the trenches.
    About the noon hour grant directed that operations cease, and the corps commanders were instructed to intrench “including their advance positions” and further directed that reconnoissance be made “with a view to move against the enemy's works by regular approaches.” The work of intrenching could only be done at night, and continued for nine days and nights, both armies lying in their trenches. Rations and ammunition were brought through trenches, and some regiments whose term of service expired during this time left the field crawling on their hands and knees.
    On June 15. Grant withdrew his army, successfully crossed the James river at Willcox's Landing, and entered upon his Petersburg campaign which came to an end at Appomattox on the ninth of April next. Some years after the war Gen. Grant very candidly said: “Cold Harbor is, I think, the only battle I

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	353
Gen. Smith's corps (Capts. Fox and Metzger) did not arrive until the afternoon and took position on the right of the 6th corps, when Wright and Smith made an assault, carried the enemy's center, and forced them back, taking many prisoners. When Capt. Ryckman's regiment arrived they were assigned to gen. Warren as infantry as they were yet unmounted. On the second day the line was formed as above given, with Hancock connecting with Wright and Smith on the right. Warren (Capts. Co. A and Ryckman) were farther to the right, with Burnside's Ninth corps, and Gen. Wilson's cavalry, on the right flank. Gen. Sheridan's cavalry (Capt. Hamiltion) were on the left flank. Gen. Grant intended to attack on this day but on account of his lines not being completed he postponed it until the next morning at 4:30 o'clock. Friday, June 3. Grant's artillery and musketry fire promptly began at the hour fixed, and such a fire was seldom heard in any war. Lee had an unusually good position and when Grant pressed his center, the men received an enfilading fire from both of Lee's flanks. Grant's troops were being mowed. The fire was such that no soldier could stand against it, and the order to lie down passed along the entire line. There were some points where no shelter was possible, and in these cases the troops were withdrawn. A second charge ordered by Grant was weakly made by the three corps in the front and resulted as before. Realizing the impossibility of success the third assault ordered was obeyed by the men as they lay in their positions in the trenches. About the noon hour grant directed that operations cease, and the corps commanders were instructed to intrench “including their advance positions” and further directed that reconnoissance be made “with a view to move against the enemy's works by regular approaches.” The work of intrenching could only be done at night, and continued for nine days and nights, both armies lying in their trenches. Rations and ammunition were brought through trenches, and some regiments whose term of service expired during this time left the field crawling on their hands and knees. On June 15. Grant withdrew his army, successfully crossed the James river at Willcox's Landing, and entered upon his Petersburg campaign which came to an end at Appomattox on the ninth of April next. Some years after the war Gen. Grant very candidly said: “Cold Harbor is, I think, the only battle I