USA > New York > Boots and saddles. A history of the first volunteer cavalry of the war, known as the First New York (Lincoln) Cavalry, and also as the Sabre regiment. Its organization, campaigns and battles > Part 22
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Captain Jones had been dispatched across the South Branch, with his two hundred men, to attack some troops which were said to be encamped there. Those men had heard the firing on the other side. and had got ready for action, As Jones rode along in column, at a rapid trot, he discovered a skirmish line of the enemy advancing upon his left. but he disregarded them and charged upon the troops drawn up in line across the road, several hundred yards in front. Jones' men were formed in one rank, appearing much stronger than they really were. It was just at the dawn of day, and the boldness of the charge caused the enemy to think that Averill's whole force was upon them, so they broke and ran in the utmost confusion. In a few minutes the " blue and the gray" were so mixed that Jones could not tell one from the other.
The enemy seemed frightened almost to death, and threw down their arms and surrendered the moment a Union trooper dashed in among them. A great many of them were shot and sabred in the chase, and several
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hundred taken prisoners-all loaded with plunder from Pennsylvania-on account of which, and on account of their having burnt Chambersburg, they expected to be killed without merey, and begged most pitiously to be spared.
The bearer of the enemy's colors was observed mak- ing off for the mountains, accompanied by a small guard, and a squad of our boys immediately gave chase. They were rapidly gaining on them, and in a few mo- ments more would have had their colors, but the "John- nies " approached a gate. and one of them dismounted and quickly opened it, allowing the color-bearer to pass through, and then closed it again; thus saving the colors at the loss of his own liberty, for he was captured before he could re-mount his horse. He was a brave fellow. and seemed rejoiced at the escape of the colors, entirely overlooking his own misfortune.
During the charge, our assistant surgeon, Dr. Dou- glass, who was known as the " fighting doctor," was among the foremost, and singling out a fine-looking and well-mounted " Johnny." he gave chase. The doctor was well mounted. and soon overhauled his man, and crossed swords with him in real earnest : but he found he had caught a tartar. The doctor was without other weapon than the slender straight-sword usually carried by surgeons, facetiously called a " toad-sticker," having fired off every load from his revolver. On coming up with the fleeing Confederate. he gave him a " prod " with this " knitting-needle." which caused him to wince. and look over his shoulder to see if he hadn't been stung by a wasp. This look revealed to him the fact that he was running away from one man. poorly armed. so he resolved to give battle.
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In a moment his sword was out, and he assumed the offensive, pressing the gallant doctor sorely, who only avoided the sweeping sabre of his burly antagonist by his superior skill in horsemanship.
So earnestly were they engaged in their little private rencounter that neither of them observed the approach of a squad of our boys, who, happening to see them from a distance, had galloped over to investigate the strange proceeding ; and the poor " Johnny" found him- self a prisoner. Had the boys failed to reach them the " saddle would have been on the other horse," and our "fighting doctor" would either have been run through the body, or sliced in pieces. or forced to surrender to his antagonist.
Averill was made a major-general for smashing these two brigades, and he well deserved his promotion. He was a splendid cavalry officer, and a brave and gallant soldier.
Captain Jones was one of the best officers in our reg- iment -- as brave as a lion. and withal as modest as a woman. General Averill issued a special order, which I regret to say has been lost. complimenting Captain Jones and his officers and men in the highest manner. The captain with his detachment of two hundred men of the First New York ( Lincoln) Cavalry, had actually attacked and defeated MeCausland's whole brigade. routing them in the utmost confusion, killing and wound- ing many of them, and capturing many prisoners.
Dutlie's command then returned to Harper's Ferry. where we arrived on the 11th, to find that General Hun- ter had been relieved, and General Sheridan placed in command of our Department.
General Averill's command arrived at Martinsburg
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the same day that we arrived at Harper's Ferry. I might say right here, by way of parenthesis, that I visited Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, and the battle-field of An- tietam, in the summer of 1878, while on an excursion to Gettysburg, with the Grand Army of the Republic, and found Harper's Ferry in the same desolate and dilapi- dated condition that we left it in at the close of the war. There appeared to be no change for the better, and I could scarcely persuade myself that it was not again " war times," and my regiment encamped at Charlestown. just beyond. I was much gratified to find a beautiful National Cemetery at Antietam, on the hill near Sharps- burg ; and I also found Mr. Kritzer's family in the same large stone house which they occupied when our " head- quarters " boarded with them after Gettysburg. Their eldest son was dead ; the younger son had grown to man- hood; the eldest and youngest daughters had married; but " Teat." the second daughter, was still single and at home. I must say that the excursion was. to me, a very pleasant one ; and revived many almost forgotten inci- dents of our campaigns in those regions.
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CHAPTER XXV.
Sheridan moves up the Valley-Mosby captures his Train-He falls back to Bolivar Heights-Averill at Martinsburg-Battles of the Opequon, Fisher's Hill. Weir's Cave, and Brown's Gap-Destruction in the Valley-Battle of Nineveh-Paying Mosby off.
0 N the 7th of August, 1864, General Sheridan arrived at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and on the 10th, put his army in motion up the " Valley," in pursuit of Early. We returned from Hancock, Maryland, on the 11th, and encamped at Halltown, Virginia, where we were paid on the 12th, and next morning set out to join Sheridan.
We bivouacked on the Opequon that night, near Sum- mit Point, and next day marched through Winchester to Newtown.
On the 15th, we reached headquarters at Cedar Creek, about three miles from Strasburg, and were ordered to march back to Berryville immediately.
The watchful Mosby had struck Sheridan's wagon trains at that place on the 13th, and captured and de- stroyed nearly the whole train ; carrying off all the baggage of the cavalry corps, and causing considerable commotion at headquarters. The train was guarded by Kenly's Maryland Brigade, of one hundred days' men, and they offered but a feeble resistance.
Why our regiment was not sent with the train, I can- not tell. for it must have started from the Ferry the same day that we left Halltown.
Mosby and his men were boll fellows, but they knew " who to kick," and seldom blundered in this respect. To fight was no part of their tacties, unless the oppos-
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ing force was small, or composed of green troops, and their prospect of plunder sufficient to warrant the risk. Plunder, and damage to the Union cause, with the least possible risk to themselves, was their motto; but when cornered they would fight.
On the 16th, I was sent with some men of our regi- ment, who had not re-enlisted, to escort General J. D. Stevenson to Harper's Ferry. On our way we found two men lying dead on the road. having been killed only a few minutes before by Mosby's guerrillas, whom we could see in the woods about a quarter of a mile from the pike.
General Sheridan was not yet acquainted with Moshy's strength and tactics, and he deemed it prudent to fall back, temporarily, from his advanced position, to avoid a repetition of the raid upon his trains. No sooner had he begun his retrograde movement, than Early began to press upon his rear, and orders were given for the destruction of everything that could afford sustenance to the enemy. These orders were literally carried out ; everything in the way of food for man or beast being destroyed, between the North Mountain and the Shenan- doah River, from Strasburg to Harper's Ferry. and all the live stock driven before our troops as they retired.
Our brigade, under General Dutlie, fell back from Ber- ryville, through Summit Point to Smithfield. When near Leetown the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry charged upon some of the enemy's infantry, and was pretty badly handled : but our artillery opened upon the enemy and covered the Twelfth, while they formed in the rear. The brigade then fall back to the ridge cast of Charlestown. and Captain Battersby, of our regiment. was directed to take a squadron and drive some Confederate infantry
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from behind a stone wall near the town. then turn to his left, enter the main street and " gobble up" all he met with on his return. This dash was well executed. Bat- tersby had several men and horses severely wounded, but none of the enemy were captured, as they took shel- ter behind the houses and stone fences. General Duffie complimented the captain and his men for the gallantry displayed upon this occasion.
The brigade then fell back to Halltown, and finally to Harper's Ferry ; and in a few days afterwards our regi- ment moved up the Maryland side of the Potomac to Williamsport, where they crossed into Virginia again, and joined General Averill, who had been fighting the enemy for several days. Here we found Captain Jones and the men who had accompanied him on the Moorfield raid.
While lying here eight of our men, named respectively M. C. Dunn. Ed. Goubleman. Harry Goubleman, Ike Harris, B. M. Stearns, Jim White, John Hogan and an- other, were sent from Sheridan's headquarters, at Hall- town, near Harper's Ferry, with a dispatch to Averill, who was supposed to be at Martinsburg. When near the latter place they were set upon by a small force of the enemy's cavalry and had a very lively time. The horses of White and Hogan were wounded, and they were sent to the rear to find Averill and deliver the dis- patch, while the others remainel in the vicinity of the enemy to reconnoitre and find out his strength.
This squad discovered that the force in front of them was trifling in numbers, and they determined to test their qualities by a little was ; so they made a circuit and came up on the dank of the enemy, where the ha- ture of the ground concealed their numbers, and then,
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yelling for the regiment to close up, they charged. The Confederate pickets gave way, and our boys chased them clear through the town of Martinsburg. to the " Red House" beyond, on the Winchester pike. At this point they observed a large force of cavalry approaching, and they made good time back to Hainesville, on the Williamsport pike.
Next day the boys advanced again to see if the enemy were on the move, and soon fell in with a small force in advance of the main column. Our boys observed the enemy first, and prepared to surprise them. There was a slight eminence just in front, and they kept behind this until the enemy were close upon them, and then dashed at them with yells, giving them the contents of their pistols.
The commander of the enemy's advance was killed at the first fire, and, being taken by surprise, the guard beat a hasty retreat. While our boys were charging this party on the pike, the flankers of the enemy came out behind them, and they found themselves in a tight place. They took to the fields and soon got into the woods. but upon passing out on the opposite side they found the enemy. The boys were dressed in " gray," and would have got away without trouble had not some of their pursuers sung out : " Head off the d-d Yankee scouts ;" and then a race for life began.
Dunn dismounted to open a stubborn gate, and while thus engaged the bullets from the enemy's carbines splintered the wood-work, and caused his horse to break away from him. He then shut the gate and fastened it, and called to his comrades to stop his horse, which they succeeded in doing before he reached the opposite fence enclosing the ploughed field they were then in. As Dunn
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reached his horse three of the enemy were close upon him, so he got behind his horse and drew his pistol. By this time two of his men came dashing up and opened on the "Johnnies," holding them at bay till Dunn gained his saddle. By this time the " graybacks" were coming up in swarms, and our boys waved them a " fond adieu," put spurs to their fine horses, and distanced their pursuers.
On reaching our pickets, near Falling Waters, they were fired upon, being taken for Confederates, and it was some time before they could make themselves known. on account of their dress.
The enemy then advanced and shelled Williamsport, and M. C. Dunn and another man set out for Sheridan's headquarters at Leetown. They crossed at Shepherds- town, which was then occupied by the enemy. and, at Snyder's Mill. Dann's horse gave out; but he got a re- mount from one of our pickets. and reached Sheridan with the news by one o'clock in the morning.
As Sheridan advanced up the " Valley " again, he sent a force up the east side of the Blue Ridge, to pass through Snicker's Gap and meet him at Berryville. About a dozen of our men were with this force, dressed in gray. acting as scouts; and among them was M. C. Dann and the two famous scouts, Ed. and Harry Gou- bloemen. As they passed through Snicker's Gap. in ad- vance of the main body. they were suddenly set upon from the rear by a party of the enemy's cavalry, led on by Captain Mead of General Early's staff, trying to make their way back to the Valley. Ed. Goubleman was hit in the arm, and Dann's horse was shot in the hip: but those boys were not easily di-maved. So, wheeling right and left to allow the "Johnnies " to dash through,
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they gave them the contents of their revolvers, and then pitched into them with the sabre. They charged them into the Shenandoah River, killing, wounding and cap- turing nearly all of them-one of the Goublemen broth- ers killing Captain Mead, in a hand-to-hand encounter. in the middle of the river. Goublemen was not only known to be perfectly fearless, but " handy " with a sabre. which rendered him an ugly customer to contend with.
On the 2d of September, General Averill passed through Martinsburg and met the enemy at Parksville. or Buckletown ; and after some hard fighting we charg- ed, capturing fifteen wagons, one field forge, and over a hundred prisoners.
On the 3d, we attacked the enemy again near Bunker Hill, driving them before us, after a severe skirmish. in which Corporal Thomas James of my company was killed. He was a good soldier, and a good man, and his death was much regretted by the whole company.
That night Captain Jones went out with a strong pa- trol, to keep an eye on the enemy. His advance, under Sergeant Polie Valentine, met some of the enemy in the road and was fired upon. Valentine returned the fire and ordered the charge. not knowing what force was in front of him. The enemy fed, and Valentine and his squad pursued them, firing rapidly and yelling for the regiment to "close up." At the little stream which crosses the road at Bunker Hill they captured a lieuten- ant and three men. Valentine had emptied both of his revolvers and had wounded two men. killed the lieuten- ant's horse and wounded those of the other three men. This is only a fair sample of the reckless way in which our boys went in. I never knew a regiment in which there was so much individuality. The man was not lost
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in the company or regiment, as was the case in some regiments acting with the main army.
Ayerill now helt the extreme right of Sheridan's line. having the whole Confederate force in his immediate front. and our horses were not unsaddled. save in relief's. for the next two weeks, and skirmishes were of daily oc- currence : while Sheridan's main army were taking things comparatively easy, in their intrenchments east of the Opequon, near Berryville.
General Averill was anxious to establish communica- tions with the right of Sheridan's lines, and for this purpose. Captain Battersby, of our regiment, was or- dered to proceed with his troop, one dark night, to effect this object.
The only guide he had was the reflection of Sheri- dan's camp fires in the sky, on the one hand. and the re- flection of Early's camp fires on the other. His way was beset with difficulties, as he pursued by-ways to avoid falling into an ambuscade of the enemy, and. upon arriving at Sheridan's outer piekets, he had a seri- ous time in making himself known to them. He met the pickets at a point where he did not expect to find them, and, when challenged, he did not know how to Upon being cha !-
reply. lest it might be the enemy. lenged the second time. and hearing the click of a rifle. as the sentry cocked his piece, Battersby answered. " Friend." Then came the querie, " A friend to whom ? " This was a " poser," and just what reply to make, But- tersby did not know. If he said, " to the Union." he might receive a volley, and if he said. "to the Confed- cracy." a like result might follow ; so he panel a mo- ment, until the picket shouted savagely. " Who comes there?" "A friend," was the reply. " Halt! " shouted
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the pieket, and he was in the very act of firing, when Battersby made up his mind to risk it, and answered, "A friend to the Union." It proved to be the outer vi- dette of Lowell's cavalry. and soon our men were at the colonel's headquarters enjoying the hospitalities of their comrades in arms. Poor Colonel Lowell was killed a few days afterwards, at the battle of Cedar Creek.
On the 17th our regiment was on picket along the west side of the Opequon. The night was intensely dark, and patrols were kept moving along from one picket post to the other. George G. Peavy and Pliny F. Nelson, of Company B, went the rounds about mid- night. As they rode silently along through the woods, the actions of their horses aroused their suspicions, so they drew their revolvers and moved cautiously forward, listening for the least sound. Suddenly they found themselves confronted by an unknown number of men, who, in suppressed whispers, ordered them to surrender. Peavy was a brave. intelligent sollier, and saw at a glance that if he surrendered without giving any alarm, the whole command might be surprised and captured. Escape seemed hopeless, but he determined to risk his own life to save the regiment. and quick as lightning he fire l several shots right into the party. At the same instant he and Nelson wheeled their horses. lying low in their saddles, and rode for their lives.
The Confederates know there was no further necessity for silence, and emptied their rifles after them. killing Nelson's house and putting theve bullets through Nel- son. from which he shortly afterwards died.
The enemy then hastily retired, carrying with them several wounded comrades; but one was left behind shot through the body. Peavy's pistol had done its
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work. The wounded man's name was Dave Lewis, of the Twelfth Virginia Confederate Cavalry, and on his person was a pass from General Lee. dated August 8. 1864. He afterwards recovered from his wound. .
This patriotie and self-sacrificing act. deserves to be recorded in letters of gold. Peavy was one of the brav- est of the brave, and should have been rewarded with a commission. His father, who was also one of the best soldiers we had, received a commission in another regi- ment. and we lost his valuable services.
On the 19th we advanced, driving the enemy before us, and soon joined hands with Sheridan's Cavalry. A grander sight is seldom seen than that presented by this moving force, stretching off to the left towards Berry- ville as far as the eve could see, the whole line moving steadily forward, fighting at every point; while the enemy, firing upon our lines as they advanced, slowly, but stubbornly, gave way before them.
The infantry had been hotly engaged all the morning. but seemed to make little headway. In the afternoon our whole cavalry corps was ordered to charge. and the Confederate lines gave way in confusion, and we sent them whirling through Winchester to Fisher's Hill, cap- turing about three thousand prisoners. Cur losses were considerable, including General Russell killed, and Gen- erals Chapman, Upton and MeIntosh, wounded. The enemy lost Generals Rodes. Wharton and Gordon, killed, andl had about three thousand wounded. We also cap- tured five pieces of artillery and nine battle flags.
This is called by us the battle of Opequon. but the l'autodentes call it the battle of Winchester.
It was but one of many battles fought at and near Win- chester : but it was one of the most successful of them all.
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We lost no time in following up our advantage, and the 22d found us in front of the Confederate works at Fisher's Hill. Crook held the right of our line, near the North Mountain, with Averill's division of cavalry in his immediate front. The enemy's works extended clear across the valley, from the North Mountain on the one hand to the Shenandoah River on the other. The fighting was pretty severe throughout the day, and it looked as if we would not be able to dislodge the enemy. While our division, under Averill, diverted their atten- tion. Crook filed along a ravine, parallel with their works, until he struck the North Mountain, when he turned south, along its base, and. at four p. m., succee. led in turning the left of their position. Then his men raised a vell and charged down upon the flank of the astonished enemy, while our division, with Averill at its head. dashed forward, capturing nearly every gun in position ; our regimental colors being first in the works.
The rout was complete, and we pursued the fleeing enemy to Mount Jackson. capturing guns, colors. wagons and prisoners in great numbers. In the charge upon the works. Sergeant-Major Frank MeConnaughy. of our regiment, was severely wounded in the arm by a grape shot from the enemy's guns.
After this grand dash, our gallant little General Averill was relieved of his command. and General Powell, of our brigade, assumed command of the di- vision.
The army then advanced to Harrisonburg, from which Torbert's Cavalry. of the Army of the Potomac. procee led to Staunton and Waynesboro', and our divi- sion to Port Republic.
On the 27th we had a severe fight at Wier's Cave. and
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CHARGE AT FISHER'S HILL, VA .- Sopt. 22, 1864.
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another on the 28th at Brown's Gap; but the enemy could not be moved from their strong position in the mountains.
We then began to fall back, destroying everything that could be of any service to the enemy, and driving all the live stock before us, leaving the valley in our rear a howling wilderness. The destruction of property was fearful, indeed, and great must have been the suffer- ing of the inhabitants in consequence thereof. But. considering the burning of Chambersburg by the Con- federates, and that this valley had been, not only the highway of the rebel armies in their invasions of the North, but the granary whence Lee's Army drew most of their supplies, the action of General Sheridan would seem to be justifiable, beyond all question.
Our division returned through the Luray Valley to Front Royal, leaving nothing but charred and smoking ruins in its pathway, and bringing in thousands of cat- tle, sheep and hogs.
About this time Colonel A. W. Adams, who had been absent on account of injuries received by the falling of his horse at the battle of Winchester, under General Crook, joined the regiment again.
He was still quite lame, and had to wear a moccasin upon his foot, which the boys of the regiment jocosely called, " that foot hospital."
Winter was approaching, and it was supposed by many that the hard fighting was over for the year. although it turned out otherwise. and several of our officers, whose term had expired the previous summer, made up their minds to get mastered out. and spend the winter at home; but with the view of entering the service again in the following spring, should their services be required.
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Some others, having the sad experience of " winter quar- ters " before their eyes, sought and obtained positions on the staff.
It must be confessed, however, that the above were not the principal reasons which some of us had for leaving the regiment. Colonel Adams had never been popular with most of the original officers of the regi- ment. Charges and counter-charges had been preferred. and much ill-feeling engendered, and those of us who had opposed him, felt that we could not consistently re- main under his command. We had been active in try- ing to get him out of the regiment. but he seemed to possess great influence. somewhere, and every " dig " we made at him only served to put him up a " notch " higher. until he finally became colonel of the regiment; so we coneluded to clear out and leave him "all alone in his glory." Captains Jones, Leavitt, and Simmons, and Dr. Elliott, got mustered out, at their own request, and re- turned to their homes.
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