Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.362

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History of Cambria County, V.2

362 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.

Fisher and commissioned him second lieutenant of Co. D, 22d U. S. Colored Troops, under the command of Col. Joseph B. Kiddoo. It was in the 1st Brigade of the 3d Division of the 18th Corps. The Emory Fisher Post, No. 30, G. A. R., of Johnstown, was named in honor of Lieut. Fisher, and Speer Orr Camp of the Sons of Veterans of the same place was also named for Lieut. Speer Orr, who lost their lives in front of Petersburg.
    The misunderstanding referred to may have changed the course of the campaign from fighting Lee in his intrenchments at Petersburg to an open field elsewhere. As early as May, '64, Grant had this movement in mind as a recourse in case he could not dislodge Lee, and ordered Butler to move up the south side of the James river and get as near Richmond as he could, keeping close to the river. General Butler got as far as Drewry's Bluff and intrenched there. Grant's order for the attack on the 15th was intended to secure possession of the fortifications at Petersburg before Lee's main army could get there. Failing for the reason assigned, it required a siege of more than seven months to dislodge him on April 1, 1865.
    Grant still thought it possible to gain possession of these intrenchments and on the 16th he ordered Hancock with his 2d Corps (Capt. Fite) to make another assault. Hancock did so and carried both the redoubts at that point and their connecting works.
    Again, on the 17th, he ordered a general assault which was made without substantial results, when Gen. Meade advised Grant there was “nothing to be gained by direct attacks.” They were then discontinued, and the Petersburg siege began. Grant extended the intrenchments on his left across the Weldon Railroad to the South Side Railroad. Capt. Fite's company were in these intrenchments substantially in the months of August and September, excepting on some special occasions when they were taken to re-enforce some movement. For instance, they were taken to Ream's Station and were engaged in that conflict the day Gen. Beaver lost his right limb.
    The Petersburg Mine Explosion took place at 4:40 a. m. on July 30, 1864, and ended in a failure as will be more specifically noted hereafter. Capt. Fox's company and that of Capt. Metzger were in this assault under Gen. Ord of the 18th Corps. The mine was located near Elliott's Salient on the east side of Petersburg, or on Lee's left, and almost opposite Fort Morton, on Grant's right wing.

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362	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Fisher and commissioned him second lieutenant of Co. D, 22d U. S. Colored Troops, under the command of Col. Joseph B. Kiddoo. It was in the 1st Brigade of the 3d Division of the 18th Corps. The Emory Fisher Post, No. 30, G. A. R., of Johnstown, was named in honor of Lieut. Fisher, and Speer Orr Camp of the Sons of Veterans of the same place was also named for Lieut. Speer Orr, who lost their lives in front of Petersburg. The misunderstanding referred to may have changed the course of the campaign from fighting Lee in his intrenchments at Petersburg to an open field elsewhere. As early as May, '64, Grant had this movement in mind as a recourse in case he could not dislodge Lee, and ordered Butler to move up the south side of the James river and get as near Richmond as he could, keeping close to the river. General Butler got as far as Drewry's Bluff and intrenched there. Grant's order for the attack on the 15th was intended to secure possession of the fortifications at Petersburg before Lee's main army could get there. Failing for the reason assigned, it required a siege of more than seven months to dislodge him on April 1, 1865. Grant still thought it possible to gain possession of these intrenchments and on the 16th he ordered Hancock with his 2d Corps (Capt. Fite) to make another assault. Hancock did so and carried both the redoubts at that point and their connecting works. Again, on the 17th, he ordered a general assault which was made without substantial results, when Gen. Meade advised Grant there was “nothing to be gained by direct attacks.” They were then discontinued, and the Petersburg siege began. Grant extended the intrenchments on his left across the Weldon Railroad to the South Side Railroad. Capt. Fite's company were in these intrenchments substantially in the months of August and September, excepting on some special occasions when they were taken to re-enforce some movement. For instance, they were taken to Ream's Station and were engaged in that conflict the day Gen. Beaver lost his right limb. The Petersburg Mine Explosion took place at 4:40 a. m. on July 30, 1864, and ended in a failure as will be more specifically noted hereafter. Capt. Fox's company and that of Capt. Metzger were in this assault under Gen. Ord of the 18th Corps. The mine was located near Elliott's Salient on the east side of Petersburg, or on Lee's left, and almost opposite Fort Morton, on Grant's right wing.