Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.385

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 385

    It is related by Col. Fredericks that as his regiment reached a ditch near where the enemy was shelling his men in the front and rear, “the gallant Capt. Hugh Jones fell, pierced through the heart by a musket ball.” He adds, “I feel it my duty to make honorable mention of Sergeants Elbridge Stiles and Edward J. Humphreys, color-bearers of Company C, who were always to be seen in advance.” Gen. Hartranft, who was in command at Fort Steadman, and personally led the troops, especially records the distinguished services of these soldiers. The hero Elbridge Stiles is dead, but Capt. Edward J. Humphreys is an honored resident of Ebensburg.
    The 209th Regiment was made up of raw soldiers, to whom this was their first experience in battle, and to them great credit is due. Gen. Grant lost 911 men in this assault, and Lee, 2,681.

Hdqu's 209th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.

March 28, 1865.
    * * * Of the part taken by my regiment in the action at Fort Steadman on the 25th instant (Saturday):
    About (4:30) a. m. I was requested by an aide of Gen. Willcox to form my regiment and move it to a point near the signal station, a short distance in rear of the Dunn House Battery. I was then conducted by the same aide to the front and right of the Dunn House Battery. I had scarcely got my regiment into position when the same aide informed me that it was Gen. Hartranft's order that I should immediately, with the 209th Pennsylvania Volunteers, charge the hill in my front, which was then held by the enemy. I at once gave the order to charge, and the regiment moved forward, under a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery, gaining a line of works running across the open field over which we were advancing.
    Halting for a moment, we again advanced, gaining a ditch near the hill occupied by the enemy. Here we were shelled from both front and rear. It was here also that the gallant Lieut. Hugh Jones, commanding Company C, fell, pierced, through the heart by a musket ball.
    We remained in the ditch for some time, when, noticing the enemy retreating, we poured into them a murderous fire, which was continued until I saw the 200th Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was on my left, preparing, as I supposed, to move forward. I immediately ordered my regiment forward, and forward we went, not an officer or man halting or faltering until our advance line was gained and our colors planted on the works, and I am satisfied that they were the first colors planted there.
    My officers and men did all their duty so well that it would seem insidious to make any distinction; yet I feel it my duty to make honorable mention of Sergeants Elbridge Stiles and Ed-

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	385
It is related by Col. Fredericks that as his regiment reached a ditch near where the enemy was shelling his men in the front and rear, “the gallant Capt. Hugh Jones fell, pierced through the heart by a musket ball.” He adds, “I feel it my duty to make honorable mention of Sergeants Elbridge Stiles and Edward J. Humphreys, color-bearers of Company C, who were always to be seen in advance.” Gen. Hartranft, who was in command at Fort Steadman, and personally led the troops, especially records the distinguished services of these soldiers. The hero Elbridge Stiles is dead, but Capt. Edward J. Humphreys is an honored resident of Ebensburg. The 209th Regiment was made up of raw soldiers, to whom this was their first experience in battle, and to them great credit is due. Gen. Grant lost 911 men in this assault, and Lee, 2,681. Hdqu's 209th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. March 28, 1865. * * * Of the part taken by my regiment in the action at Fort Steadman on the 25th instant (Saturday): About (4:30) a. m. I was requested by an aide of Gen. Willcox to form my regiment and move it to a point near the signal station, a short distance in rear of the Dunn House Battery. I was then conducted by the same aide to the front and right of the Dunn House Battery. I had scarcely got my regiment into position when the same aide informed me that it was Gen. Hartranft's order that I should immediately, with the 209th Pennsylvania Volunteers, charge the hill in my front, which was then held by the enemy. I at once gave the order to charge, and the regiment moved forward, under a very heavy fire of musketry and artillery, gaining a line of works running across the open field over which we were advancing. Halting for a moment, we again advanced, gaining a ditch near the hill occupied by the enemy. Here we were shelled from both front and rear. It was here also that the gallant Lieut. Hugh Jones, commanding Company C, fell, pierced, through the heart by a musket ball. We remained in the ditch for some time, when, noticing the enemy retreating, we poured into them a murderous fire, which was continued until I saw the 200th Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was on my left, preparing, as I supposed, to move forward. I immediately ordered my regiment forward, and forward we went, not an officer or man halting or faltering until our advance line was gained and our colors planted on the works, and I am satisfied that they were the first colors planted there. My officers and men did all their duty so well that it would seem insidious to make any distinction; yet I feel it my duty to make honorable mention of Sergeants Elbridge Stiles and Ed-