USA > Maryland > Allegany County > Cumberland > History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition > Part 34
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A small Sunday school is in operation, under the management of this church. The number of com- municants is about 15.
THE CITY OF CUMBERLAND.
The City of Cumberland is located at the Eastern base of the Allegany Mountains, on the banks of the North Branch of the Potomac River and of Will's Creek, at the mouth of the latter stream. Her geograpical position is 39º 39' 14" latitude; longitude, in arc 78° 45' 25"; in time 5h. 15m. 01.7s. The city is surrounded by mountains and abrupt bluffs on all sides, but has natural outlets in every direction, through which easy passage has been found for her channels of communication with other parts of the world. Not only has the valley east of Will's Creek been built up with streets, residences, business houses and factories, but the hills have been scaled, and on every side improved by the hands of enterprise and progress. The picturesque beauty of the place is scarcely surpassed by any other spot in the country, while some of the surroundings are grand and imposing in the extreme. There are few points from which the entire city can be brought into view at one glance, but from every point of observation the eye is greeted with a variety of scenery of exceptional attraction, and the natural beauty of the vision is enhanced by the architectural improvements which have converted the quiet hill and vale into scenes of busy life. From every hill side flash into view lofty
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
spires, temples built of native stone, charming villas, towered edifices, and comfortable homes, evincing educated tastes and refined ideas. The placid Potomac, forming the southern boundary of the city, is apparently land-locked, and presents the appear- ance of a modest lake, upon whose bosom is mirrored the beauty of its leafy shores; while "the swifter waters of Will's Creek come purling into the very heart of the town, cool and fresh, from the sombre shades of the wondrous "Narrows." Southward the waters of the two streams tumble over a dam of solid masonry, and skirt the base of "Nobley" Moun- tain, until they disappear from view at the edge of the city, some half mile lower down the channel. Eastward is a series of bluffs, some three hundred feet in height, known as "Shriver's Hill," "McKaig's Hill," and "Fort Hill." " The sides of these hills are dotted with dwellings, and cultivated fields, in many places, while the gorges between have been converted into streets and roads. On the south, and on the opposite side of the river, in West Virginia, Nobley Mountains rise in their self-asserting grandeur, and with the rich bottom lands lying at their feet, form a picture worthy to be transferred to canvas, if a brush can be found to do them justice. On a knob, around which the river sweeps with a graceful curve, stands the beautiful villa of Capt. Roger Perry, of the navy, forming one of the most prominent and attractive pictures of the panorama of the city. Cumberland is divided into two parts by the waters of Will's Creek. That portion lying east of the Creek comprises the greater part of the business houses, hotels, mills,
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CITY OF CUMBERLAND.
factories, wharves, railroad depots, &c., besides the elegant structure recently erected as a City Hall, and a number of streets desirable as places of resi- dence. The west side is devoted almost exclusively to private residences, and there are few thoroughfares in the smaller cities of the Union, superior to Wash- ington street in the character of its buildings and their tasteful surroundings. This avenue is well lined with shade trees, while spacious grounds and cultivated shrubbery surround almost every house. On it are located also the Court House, a handsome building, and two fine stone church edifices.
The Potomac River is spanned by an iron bridge, built by the city, for the purpose of affording easy communication with the people of West Virginia. Over Will's Creek are three iron bridges for general traffic, one iron bridge for railroad purposes, one bridge for the passage of canal boat teams, and the splendid brick viaduct, built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, in 1850, for the passage of its trains. This latter is about one sixth of a mile in length, has fourteen arches, and spans several streets, as well as the Creek. In addition to these there is a bridge of solid masonry at the north end of the city, constructed by the general government, as a part of its great improvement known as the National Road.
The streets are quite irregular, in the eastern section, and seem to have followed, to a great extent, the courses of the old roads. They are from thirty to sixty feet in width, and with few exceptions are graded and paved with cobble stones. Large sums
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
of money were spent in this work originally, and thousands of dollars are now applied every year to the cleansing and repair of the same.
The climate is mild, but changeable. The ex- tremes of heat and cold are not so great as those common to points in the same latitude, and altogether the city may be said to be quite healthy, as there are no types of disease that become epidemic. In the summer season, no matter how warm the weather may be during the day, the nights are cool and pleasant.
The business houses are generally of a substantial. respectable and attractive character, and as a rule the merchants confine themselves each to a particular branch of trade, instead of keeping a " general" stock of merchandise on hand. There are many wholesale houses that have a good trade, and they are able to compete with jobbers in the larger cities East and West.
"The city is on the outer edge of the great Coal Basin which goes by its name, connected with it by the lines of the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Rail- road, and the Cumberland Coal and Iron Company's Railroad.
" The population of Cumberland, according to the census of 1870, was 8,056 ; in 1873, 11,300. As the city has grown rapidly since that time it is probably safe to estimate its present population at about 13,000.
" It is an incorporated city, governed by a Mayor and Board of Councilmen ; with a regularly organized police force. The city is lighted by gas, and supplied
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CITY OF CUMBERLAND.
with water from the Potomac river, by the 'Holly system of fire protection and water supply.'"
Its means of communication with other parts of the country are numerous, and ample. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal extends from Cumberland to Wash- ington City, where it connects with tide-water; and about three-quarters of a million tons of coal are annually transported through this channel to the East.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad connects the city with Baltimore on the one hand, and the Ohio River on the other; the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad, with Pitsburgh; the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad, with the coal region ; and a new road (the Pennsylvania Railroad, in Maryland,) is nearly completed, whereby the Pennsylvania Rail- road will find its way into the city.
"The business of the city is largely dependent upon the coal trade, the annual shipments of Cumberland coal amounting to nearly 2,000,000 tons.
The Cumberland Coal Field lies west of the city of Cumberland, in a basin formed by the Great Savage Mountain on the North-west and the Dan's Mountain on the South-east, and running North-east and South- west from Pennsylvania State line, through Allegany The county, into Mineral county, West Virginia.
basin is about five miles wide between the two ranges and about twenty miles long. The floor of the basin slopes from either end upwards to Frost- burg, where it attains its greatest altitude, from 2,000 to 2,100 feet above mean tide.
" The Southern slope of the basin is drained by
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
George's Creek, flowing South-west from Frostburg and emptying into the Potomac river. The Northern slope, by Jenning's Run, flowing Northwest into Will's Creek. The aggregate depth of coal formation here is 1,100 feet, its base being the Millstone Grit. Capping the summits of Savage and Dan's mountains, it extends down their sides into the valley, where it dips below the surface.
"The principal coal veins are, first, the " Big Vein," fourteen feet of coal, lying 1,860 feet above tide. This is the vein from which most of the coal is now mined. It underlies the surface of the valley at Frostburg and Borden Shaft, but southward, down the George's Creek, water has cut away that portion of the measure lying in the lowest part of the valley and with it this vein (which here must have been very near the surface) leaving the higher parts only of the vein standing in the hills thus formed on either side of the water course. Second, the "Four Foot Vein," which lies about 800 feet below the " Fourteen Foot Vein." This vein is below water in the higher part of the basin ; but appears about sixty feet above at Barton, and lies above the level from that point southward, down the George's Creek. This vein has been opened by the Piedmont Coal and Iron Company, and proves to be equal in quality to the Big Vein, and in the southern portion of the basin lies in such a way as to be easily mined. Lastly, the "Six Foot Vein," which lies 160 feet below the "Four Foot Vein," and is above water level in the lower part of the valley only. These two lower veins, though smaller in size than the
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CITY OF CUMBERLAND.
" Big Vein," have a much greater acreage, as but little of either vein has been cut away by erosion. At present the abundant supply contained in the large vein is so easy of access and can be so cheaply mined, that these smaller veins have not received the share of attention which they eventually will. Several new openings other than those mentioned are now being made in these smaller veins, with very encouraging prospects.
"The total acreage of coal land in this field is 44,132. Of this, 17,300 acres contain the large " Fourteen Foot Vein," and of course all contain the two smaller veins. Besides these, which are the working veins, there are numerous other small veins, throughout the entire depth of the coal measure ; these veins are from six inches to three feet in thickness; they have never received any attention from mining companies or experts. The coal of this field is well and favorably known by consumers and dealers generally. It is a free burning bituminous coal, containing on an average 75 per cent. of fixed carbon. It is free from injurious impurities and with very little slate or earthy particles. A Com- mitttee of Naval Officers and Engineers which was appointed by the United States Government, to test, by actual experiment, the relative value for forge and steam generating purposes of all the different kinds of coal found in this country and in England, rate Cumberland Coal (in general average) to be the best coal for steam generating purposes in the market, and superior for forge purposes also. Under equal weights the Cumberland Coal surpasses the Anthracite, in
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
evaporative power, by 2.3 per cent .; under equal bulk by 1.4 per cent. It surpasses the foreign bituminous coals 20 per cent. comparing equal weights, and 26 per cent. comparing equal bulk. It is now used by manufacturers and transportation companies generally throughout the Eastern States.
From 1842 to 1876 (inclusive) 32,090,877 tons of this coal have been mined and shipped. The supply is still abundant; the lower veins being almost untouched, and of the upper vein there are about 12,057 acres still uncut.
Amongst the newspapers in the city, is the "Daily Times," mention of which was inadvertently omitted. The "Alleganian and Times" was re-established in 1869 by L. G. Stephens and T. B. Taylor, and in 1877 the latter gentleman became the sole owner, and changed the name of the paper to " The Cumberland Daily Times."
COAL COMPANIES IN ALLEGANY COUNTY.
American Coal Company; A. J. Clark, Superintendent, Lonaconing.
Atlantic and George's Creek Coal and Iron Company; John Sheridan, Super- intendent, Pekin.
Borden Coal Company; A. C. Greene, Agent, Frostburg. Shipping Agent, Cumberland, F. L. Tilghman.
Blaen Avon Coal Company; A. Spier, President, Cumberland.
Consolidation Coal Company; James A. Millholland, Second Vice President, Cumberland.
Franklin Mines; H. C. Black, Superintendent, Franklin.
George's Creek Coal and Irou Company; John Douglas, Superintendent, Lonaconing. Shipping Agent, Cumberland, George A. Hoffman.
Hampshire and Baltimore Coal Company: Charles W. Shaw, Superintendent, Piedmont, W. Va. Shipping Agent, Cumberland, J. B. Winslow.
Maryland Coal Company ; F. E. Bracket, Superintendent, Lonaconing. Shipping Agent, Cumberland, Howell Robbins.
New Central Coal Company; Malcolm Sinclair, General Manager, Cumber- land. Shipping Agent, Cumberland, Alexander Adams.
Piedmont Coal Company; John Somerville, Superintendent, Barton.
Potomac Coal Company; George W. Lyons, Superintendent, Barton. Swanton Coal Company; Archibald McDonald, Superintendent, Barton.
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MAJOR GENERAL EDWARD BRADDOCK'S ORDERLY BOOKS,
FROM FEBRUARY 26 TO JUNE 17, 1755.
FROM THE ORIGINALS, IN THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
What immediately follows, is the Orders of his Excellency General Braddock from his arrival in Virginia until the 17th of June following, when Indisposition obliged the writer, or copier, thereof to seperate from him and remain (until he was in a condition to move forward again) with the rear division of the Army. Rejoining in a low and enfeebled state, only the day before the Action of Monnongalia (which happened on the 9th of July) there was not time even if he had been able to enter the Orders that had issued during his seperation; which is more to be regretted as it is probable the Order of Battle, and many other important Orders were among them.
He did, however, as may be seen by a letter to Captain Orme, dated the 28th day of July-Request a copy of these orders, but as they never were sent, they cannot be inserted.
[General Braddock's Orderly Books are two in number, the first embracing the orders issued from the 26th of February to the 11th of June, 1755; and the second from the 12th to the 17th of June, 1755. On a page preceding the orders appears the above extract, in Washington's own handwriting, and it is presumed that the books were kept under his direction. These books were transferred to the Congressional Library from the library of the late Peter Force, after the death of that eminent man, whose collection of manu- scripts concerning American history was undoubtedly the most complete in existence.]
GENERAL BRADDOCK'S ORDERLY BOOK, NO. 1.
His Excellency General Braddock orders that the commanding Officer of each ship upon their arrival in Hamptom Road shall immediately send a Return inclosed to Mr. Hunter at Hampton, specifying the number of their sick, the time of their illness, and the nature of them. And that every commanding Officer shall with the utmost dispatch apply to Mr. Hunter for Boats to carry the sick on shore wch shall be executed with all imaginable care and expedition, and that a Subaltorn Officer of each ship shall see their men safely conveyed to the place appointed at Hampton for their Reception, which Mr. Hunter will shew them; and that the Surgeons or mates of the two regiments and Train shall attend the sick of their own corps. Every commanding Officer is to take particular care that as soon as their sick are sent a Shore all the Hatchways be uncovered, scuttles opened and the Platform thoroughly washed and cleaned, no Officer or soldier, except the sick, to lie on shore upon any acct. The Hospital to continue on board till the General's further Orders.
WILLIAMSBURG, Febry 26th, 1755.
To the companies of Rangers and carpenters :
His Excellency General Braddock orders the com- mandy officer of each company or Troop to send a weekly Return to the head Quarter's agreeable to the Form annexed; and duplicates of the Returns are to
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GENERAL BRADDOCK'S ORDERLY BOOK.
be Remitted weekly to His Excellency, Governor Dinwiddie. The Return for Genl Braddock to be directed to me at the head Quarters.
WILLIAMSBURG, Feby. 26th, 1755.
By His Excellency Edward Braddock, Esq :
Whereas, an act of Parliament was passed in England, the last Session, to subject all Troops raised in the Colonies to the Regulations and Orders of the articles of War, I therefore think it expedient and Order that upon forming the four companies of Rangers, the company of carpenters and the Troops of light Horse and whatever Troops are or shall be raised for the service of the present Expedition. That the articles of War be publickly read to the Officers and men, and that every man severaly shall take the Oath of Allegiance and supremacy; and in consequence of these articles they are to obey from time to time any orders they shall receive from me or any of their superior Officers.
By His Excel'ys Com'd.
E. BRADDOCK,
Feb'y. 26th, 1755.
WIL'M SHIRLEY, Secret y.
By His Excellency Edward Braddock, Esq., Gen'l Commander in Chief of His Maj'ty Forces in North America, Quarters of Sir Peter Halkets Regim't: Orderd, That it proceed to Alexandria in the Transports; five companies to remain in the Town w'th the company of artillery and stores of all kinds.
One company at Dumfries, two days march from Alexandria, thirty miles to Halt the first night after they cross the Ferry of Occoquan; One company at Bladensburg, one days march, they cross the Potomack at Alexandria; One company at upper Marlborrough two days march first night at Bladensburg; Two companys at Frederick; These three last cantonments in Maryland; Upon application to Major Carlyl magis- trate of Alexandria, the whole will be furnished with Guides Quarters of one Regiment. The Transports w'ch have them on board to stop in the River Potomack as near Fredericksburg as they can; These and an halt com- pany at Winchester, six days march from Fredericksburg, halt a company at Conogogee eight days from Winchester; six companys at Fredericksburg and Falmouth on the other side the River of Rappahannock.
The five companys of the Regiment that disembark at Alexandria which are to be canton'd to be landed first and to begin their march before the other five debark.
The Engineers and other Officers, not immediately wanted to be at hand, may be conveniently lodged on the Maryland side of the Potomack leaving a direction where they lodge.
Application is to be made to the several magistrates for carriages to convey the stores, Baggage and Tents of the cantoned companys to be given by the commanding Officers for the numbers em ploy'd.
The Regiment whose head Quarters arc at Fredericksburg, will halt ab't 15 miles from place of disembarking. Waggons will be ordered to attend them. Three companys which are to march to Winchester and Conogogee are to march first to Fredericksburg. The compa Quarterd at Falmouth need not cross the Rappa. Waggon's to each compa to be assertained, a field Officer to go with each of the five compas and every Officer to go with his compas.
Given under my hand at Williamsburg, this 28th Febry, 1755.
E. BRADDOCK.
V.
GENERAL BRADDOCK'S ORDERLY BOOK.
CAMP AT ALEXANDRIA, Thursday 27th March, 1755.
Parole-Williamsburg.
Captn Robert Orme of the Coldstream Reg't of Guards, and Captr Roger Morris of Cols. Dunbars Regiment of Foot, are appointed aids de camp to His Excellency Gen1 Braddock.
His Majesty has been pleased to appoint Capt Halket, of Sir Peter Halkets Regiment; Brigade Major.
As the Troops have taken the Field His Excely. Gen1 Braddock is desirous the Officers and men should be informed of the Duties he requires of them, and of some Regulations he thinks beneficial to the service: and as the two Regiments now employed have servd under the command of His Royal High- ness and are well acquainted with military discipline, His Excellency expects their conduct will be so conformable to order as to set the most soldier like example to the new Service of this country; and the General orders that the articles of War be immedi- ately and frequently read, and that every body may be informed all neglects or disobedience of them or. any Orders will not be forgiven.
Any Soldier who shall desert tho' he return again will be hanged without mercy.
As an Incouragement to the men, and to promote their diligence and activity, every man will be allowed daily as much of fresh or salt Provision, and of Bread or Flower without any stoppages for the same as long and in as great proportions as it will be possible to provide them unless any man shall be found drunk, negligent, or disobedient, in such case his gratuity shall be stopped.
All Orders relating to the men are constantly to be read to them by an Officer of the Company.
The eldest captains company of each Regt is
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GENERAL BRADDOCK'S ORDERLY BOOK.
to act as a second Grenadiers company and to be posted upon the left of the Battalion, leaving the same Interval as the Grenadiers upon the Right; This company is to be kept compleat of Officers and two of them as well as of the other Grenadier company are to be posted in the Front and the other in the Rear.
The eight Battallian companies are to form so many Firings and to be commanded by their re- spective Officers. The commanding Officer of each company is to give the word, the second is to be posted in the center of the Front Rank and the remaining Subaltorn Officers of the Regiment after this dispo- sition are to divide the ground equally: These Firings are to begin by the colonel's company, second by the Lieut cols and continued from Right to left as fast as possibly, but the two Captus of Grenadiers are to take particular care never to give their Fire till the company's upon the Right and left are loaded.
To avoid confusion if the Regiment should be ordered to wheel or fire by Platoons, every Officer commanding a company is to tell it off in two divisions and to post the second commissiond Officer and non commissioned Officer's, and when the Regiment decamps or are to form, the commanding Officer of the company is to instruct his mens arms, compleat the Files, Post the Officers and see his men loaded that they may wheel up and ye Battalion be instantly formed.
The Officers upon a march are to remain in the same Order with their companies, and Those Officers who were placed in the Rear are to march as posted which will consequently be upon the Flank as the Regiment moves by Files they are therefore required to keep the Soldiers in their Files, and if any lag behind one or more of these Officers is to bring them up.
Every Officer leaving his company upon a march
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VII.
GENERAL BRADDOCK'S ORDERLY BOOK.
will be cashierd, and every commanding Officer will be answerable for the men of his company left behind; and the commanding Officer of the Regiments are ordered to punish with the utmost severity any soldier who leaves his File but in cases of sickness.
Commanding Officers of companies are to have their arms in constant good order, and every man to be provided with a Brush, Picker, two good spare Flints and 24 Cartridges.
The Roll of each company to be calld by a com- missioned Officer, morning, noon and night, and a return of the absent or disorderly men to be given to the commanding Officer of the Regiment who is to order proper punishment.
The Women of each Regiment are to march with the Provost and none upon any acct are to appear with the men when under arms.
Each Regiment is to mount a Piquet Guard con- sisting of one captn and three Subalterns and 100 men to be paraded at the retreat they are to report to the Field Officer of the Day.
The two Regiments are to find the Genls Guard alternately consisting of one Lieut. and thirty Private and report to an aid de camp. The Regiment which finds the Guard finds also the adjutant of the Day.
All Guards are to be retird at 8 Oclock; all guards to be told of in two divisions Tho' ever so small.
Guards ordered at Orderly time are to remain for that duty and a new detachment is to be made for any orderd afterwards.
All returns are to be "signed by the commanding Officer of Regiments. Reports of all Guards except the Generals are to be made to the Field Officer of the Day who is to visit them once at least and to go the piquet rounds.
All remarkable occurrances in camp to be reported to an aid de camp.
Returns of all commands to be made to the Brigade
VIII.
GENERAL BRADDOCK'S ORDERLY BOOK.
Major, and every Regiment, company, Troop, &c., are to make a daily return to him specifying the numbers wanting to compleat, who is to make one Generl return to his Excellency.
A daily return of the sick is to be made to the Genl thro' an aid de camp.
As the nature of the country make it impossible to provide magazines of Forage, and as it is appre- hended the Quantity will be very small, uncertain, and difficult to be procurd his Excellency recommends it to all the Officers to take no more baggage than they find absolute occasion for.
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