The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-08-20
EBENSBURG, PA. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1868

The next day, Friday, May 9th,
movement was made to the left, and Har-
tranft's brigade was placed on the left of
the Fifth corps. Farther still to the left
was the Second corps. Here the enemy
was soon encountered, and Burnside or
dered Hartranft to carry the enemys
works in his front. They were very
strong, and the rebels were in force. The
advance was made at f6 o'clock, in fine
style, and the works wepe carried and held
for moment, but sudden panic seized
the left of the line, and the whole brigade
fell back.
On the 9th, Hartranft was again on the
move with his corps. On the 18th, at
daylight, our troops advanced beyond the
river Ny, and here ensued a desperate en-
gagement in the course of the day The
enemy opened ON our troops with artillery,
but were soon silenced Pushing reso-
lutely forward, the enemy continually gave
way, and Hartranft won two small hills
where they had attempted to stand At
two o'clock, orders were given to attack,
and our troops moved gallantly forward.
There ensued most desperate hand-to-
hand fight.
The first of June found our troops near
Cold Harbor. and on that day and the I'd
there was severe skirmishing with the en-
emy. On the following day Hartranft
withdrew toward the left, and formed line
near Bethesda Church, and once more en-
gagged the enemy. Agreeably to orders,
he assaulted the enemy in his front and
retook line which had been lost by our
army the preceding evening The enemy
fed precipitately from their position and
Hartranft's men occupied the rife pits.
The successive movements by the left
flank brought the brigade of Hartranft
across the Chickahominy on the 14th of
June, and on the 10Th the James was also
crossed. On the 18th and 18th his COM
mand engaged the enemy with severe loss,
the contest on the latter day being at the
Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad
In the unfortunate action at Petersburg,
on the Both Of July, after the explosion of
the mine, Hartranft again took part.
During the movements upon the Wei
don Railroad by General Grant, on the
18th, goth and 21st of August, General
Hartranft commanded his brigade, and did
good service in the three days fighting
there. The brigade lost fifteen killed,
seventy-nine wounded and twenty-three
missing.
In the engagements near FopIar springs
Church, commencing on the Both of Sep
tember, and ending on the Sth of the fol-
lowing month, Gen. Hartranft had COM
mand of the second brigade, instead Of the
first, and participated.
At Hatcher's Run on the 9th and 2Sth
of October, Gen. Hartranft commanded the
first brigade of the first division, 9th Corps,
which contained several of the old regi-
ments previously under him in the third
division.
Late in March, 1865, the nation was
waiting patiently for news of the surren-
der or capture of Richmond, when it was
startled by the report that Lee had assum-
ed the offensive, and had boldly attacked
our lines. A few hours later, and the re-
port was confirmed, but with the cheering
and encouraging addition that our troops
had most brilliantly repulsed the attack,
in one of the hardest engagements, for its
duration, of the war that this magnificent
feat had been performed by Division
composed of new egiments only recently
recruited from Pennsylvania, but disci-
plined, trained, and led by Pennsylvania
General, now, for his skill and courage,
named "The hero of Fort Steedman,"
General Hartranft, at this time, was in
command of the Sd Division of the 9th
Corps. 1t was composed, as just stated, of
Pennsylvania regiments, raised for one
year, and just sent into the field. To or
ganize and discipline them no better man
could have been selected than Hartranft,
and his choice for the position was most
appropriate and fortunate.
At Fort Steedman Hartranft won his
brevet of Major General, an honor well de-
served.
In the final grand assault on Petersburg,
when the ''Confederacy" of traitors crum-
bled away at last, like rotten shell, Gen.
Hartranft bore once more a distinguished
part.
Gen. Hartranft and his command saw
no more fighting during the campaign.-
Subsequently, after Lees surrender, Hart
ranft was specially detailed to take charge
of the arrangements for guarding the Mil
itary Commission which sat for the trial
of the assassins of the President, and to
execute its mandates.
PETROLEUM, as fuel, is destined to be
| i ! A