Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.395

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 395

Headquarters Second Brigade,
Independent Division, 24th Army Corps,

April 3, 1865
Capt. C. H. Hurd, Asst. Adj.-Gen.
    Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the assault and capture of Battery Gregg, near Petersburg, Va., on the 2d instant, by the 2d Brigade, composed of the 12th West Virginia, 54th Pennsylvania and 23d Illinois Volunteers.
    This brigade formed on the left of the line and was the first to mount the parapets and enter the work, capturing the entire garrison of 300 men, 56 of the number being killed. The colors of the 12th Regiment West Virginia Volunteers were the first planted upon the parapets, and the color-bearer, Private Joseph R. Logsdon, Company C, was shot down just as the flagstaff was fixed in the ground. Three pieces of artillery were taken in the fort, and immediately turned upon the enemy in another quarter. Capt. William A. Smiley, Co. D. 12th W. Va. Volunteers, received the surrender of Lieut.-Col. J. H. Duncan, who commanded the fort. James P. Ryan, color sergeant, 54th Pennsylvania Volunteers, was killed in the act of planting his colors. Two rebel flags were captured, one each by Privates J. W. Johnston, Company B, and Charles A. Reeder, Company G, Twelfth W. Va. Volunteers (awarded a medal of honor).
    Maj. Nathan Davis, 54th Pennsylvania, nobly led on in the charge after being severely wounded, and was killed after climbing the parapet. Second Lieut. Joseph Caldwell, Company C, Twelfth W. Va. Infantry, was one of the first to enter the fort, when he was instantly killed with a bayonet. The resistance of the enemy was desperate. Those who were foremost in entering the fort were shot down or bayoneted, and several men killed on the top of the parapet in the act of leaping inside. The officers and men of the entire command acted with the greatest bravery.
    Altogether the number of prisoners taken by this brigade amounted to 440 men, as reported by the provost guard. Part of them were captured on the skirmish line.
    I am sir, very respectfully,

Your most obedient servant,
Wm. B. Curtis, Col. Com'dy.

THE ASSAULT ON PETERSBURG.

    Gen. Grant was fully aware that the war would end very soon, if proper caution were exercised; however, he was apprehensive that Lee might escape and join Gen. Johnston. Gen. Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah Valley had joined him at City Point, March 27th. Grant now had 124,700 men and 369 guns, and Lee had 57,000 men with 190 guns. Gen Grant's plans were to move before Lee could attempt escape; therefore, on

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	395
Headquarters Second Brigade, Independent Division, 24th Army Corps, April 3, 1865 Capt. C. H. Hurd, Asst. Adj.-Gen. Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the assault and capture of Battery Gregg, near Petersburg, Va., on the 2d instant, by the 2d Brigade, composed of the 12th West Virginia, 54th Pennsylvania and 23d Illinois Volunteers. This brigade formed on the left of the line and was the first to mount the parapets and enter the work, capturing the entire garrison of 300 men, 56 of the number being killed. The colors of the 12th Regiment West Virginia Volunteers were the first planted upon the parapets, and the color-bearer, Private Joseph R. Logsdon, Company C, was shot down just as the flagstaff was fixed in the ground. Three pieces of artillery were taken in the fort, and immediately turned upon the enemy in another quarter. Capt. William A. Smiley, Co. D. 12th W. Va. Volunteers, received the surrender of Lieut.-Col. J. H. Duncan, who commanded the fort. James P. Ryan, color sergeant, 54th Pennsylvania Volunteers, was killed in the act of planting his colors. Two rebel flags were captured, one each by Privates J. W. Johnston, Company B, and Charles A. Reeder, Company G, Twelfth W. Va. Volunteers (awarded a medal of honor). Maj. Nathan Davis, 54th Pennsylvania, nobly led on in the charge after being severely wounded, and was killed after climbing the parapet. Second Lieut. Joseph Caldwell, Company C, Twelfth W. Va. Infantry, was one of the first to enter the fort, when he was instantly killed with a bayonet. The resistance of the enemy was desperate. Those who were foremost in entering the fort were shot down or bayoneted, and several men killed on the top of the parapet in the act of leaping inside. The officers and men of the entire command acted with the greatest bravery. Altogether the number of prisoners taken by this brigade amounted to 440 men, as reported by the provost guard. Part of them were captured on the skirmish line. I am sir, very respectfully, Your most obedient servant, Wm. B. Curtis, Col. Com'dy. THE ASSAULT ON PETERSBURG. Gen. Grant was fully aware that the war would end very soon, if proper caution were exercised; however, he was apprehensive that Lee might escape and join Gen. Johnston. Gen. Sheridan's Army of the Shenandoah Valley had joined him at City Point, March 27th. Grant now had 124,700 men and 369 guns, and Lee had 57,000 men with 190 guns. Gen Grant's plans were to move before Lee could attempt escape; therefore, on