USA > Pennsylvania > History of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, together with a complete roster of the regiment and regimental officers > Part 8
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On the 16th an order was received from Department head- quarters, organizing a cavalry brigade consisting of the First New York Mounted Riflemen and the Eleventh, with Colonel Spear as brigade commander, which ended the Colonel's career as a regimental commander -- he commanded a brigade until wounded at Five Forks, when the Appomatox campaign opened in 1865. Yet despite the fact that he commanded a brigade during the rest of his term of service, he probably paid more attention to the administration of his regiment than any colonel commanding a brigade in the service. Why was he not pro- moted before? An open question. Colonel Spear had taken part in every battle in which cavalry had been engaged, and was, without doubt, the most popular field officer while the army stayed at Suffolk.
About this time the departments of Southern Virginia and North Carolina were consolidated, with Major-General John G.
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Foster as commander ; the troops of the Seventh and Eighteenth Corps were consolidated and called the Eighteenth.
On the 21st, the Eleventh was inspected by the new Depart- ment Commander, who complimented the regiment on its sol- dierly appearance. On the 23d Company C returned to the regiment after an absence of more than sixteen months, and the regiment was once more a unit. Company C had, during its absence, been at Camp Hamilton most of the time, doing duty at Department headquarters-provost duty, hunting smugglers .. It had been busy since its detachment in March, 1862.
CHAPTER VII.
NORTH CAROLINA EXPEDITION. CAMP GETTY.
ON the 25th, the cavalry brigade, Major Wetherill com- manding the Eleventh, left the camp at Bower's Hill for an ex- pedition into North Carolina to destroy the works on the Peters- burg and Weldon Railroad, near the latter place. The command, accompanied by Captain Howard's battery, proceeded to the Chowan River by the way of Suffolk, camping at Dardens on the Edenton Road the first night. The advance reached Gatesville, N. C., the next day, and late in the afternoon Captain Ackerly, with Companies K and M, was sent to the Chowan River to open communications with General Foster, whose headquarters were on board a transport at Winton, about ten miles from Gates- ville, on the opposite bank. Captain Ackerly's command arrived opposite Winton after dark and was ferried across to Winton. The brigade arrived next morning and was ferried across as- quickly as possible. General Foster had left New Berne with ma- terial for a pontoon bridge, but it was lost during a storm on Pam- lico Sound, and so transportation was greatly delayed.
The brigade left Winton about dark for Murfreesboro, where it arrived about 1.30 A. M. next morning, and bivouaced until dawn, when it again took up the march for the railroad, the Eleventh leading. Captain Loomis, of Company L, commanded the advance battalion, consisting of Companies C. E, I, and L, and so rapidly did they advance that the pickets and messengers stationed between Murfreesboro and Jackson were all captured. General Ranson and his staff were all dining at the hotel in Jackson when the Union troops came in sight: there was a hasty ending of dinner, and they took to their horses, pursued by the advance guard ; but, having the advantage of fresh horses, they crossed the bridge at Boon's Mill forty yards ahead of Cap- tain Loomis's troopers. As soon as the Confederate general and his staff had crossed, several of the staff and couriers dismounted and threw much of the flooring into the stream, which ended the pursuit. Just beyond the bridge the enemy's troops were posted behind a strong earthwork, with several pieces of artillery, so the check of the pursuit was, after all, fortunate.
When General Ranson reached his command. he straightway
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advanced a force of skirmishers across a causeway against Cap- tain Loomis's battalion. The captain dismounted his carbineers. deployed them, and, aided by Lieutenant Prudhomme's howitzers, drove the enemy back to his entrenchments. Major Wetherill advanced rapidly to the support of Captain Loomis with Com- panies A, G, K, and MI, and ordered the regiment into position, with Companies E, I, K, and M, under Major Stratton, to sup- port Captain Howard's battery and Lieutenant Prudhomme's howitzers. Companies A, C, G, and L were drawn up under cover, leaving Companies B, D, F, and H under Captain Ward at Jackson to picket all the roads leading to the rear, Lieutenant Prudhomme took his position within 240 yards of the enemy's entrenchments, and kept up a steady fire until the end of the engagement. There was a sharp artillery duel between Captain Howard's battery and the enemy's artillery. A heavy thunder storm came up and stopped further operations. It was now nearly night, and Major Wetherill received orders to cover the withdrawal of the artillery, which was done without any inter- ference.
Much complaint was made by the Confederate newspapers of the plundering done on these raids. One newspaper said : "While Colonel Spear with his fighting men were at the front, 'Colonel Onderdonk with his robbers were in the rear." Major Wetherill says in his official report: "Much complaint was made · concerning stragglers from the Mounted Riflemen, who, to shield themselves, charged the Eleventh. To stop any further strag- gling from the regiment, and to shield it from the charge of law- "lessness, Lieutenant Titus, with a detail consisting of one sergeant, two corporals. and twenty-four men, was ordered to march on the flanks of the regiment, to allow no one to leave "the ranks without a pass from the commanding officer."
The command arrived at Winton on the morning of the 30th and recrossed the river during the day. All there was at Winton was the ruins of a once beautiful village. In February, after the fall of New Berne. Commodore Rowan, with a fleet. ascended the Chowan in search of gunboats and other public property of the enemy, and the commodore was assured that the people of Win- ton wished to return to the Union and desired protection. On his arrival, bullets greeted him instead of signs of friendship, and since it was nearly dark, the commander dropped down the stream out of rifle range. There was great rejoicing in Winton that night over the discomfiture of the Yankee fleet-they sang
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songs in the night. Next morning, Commodore Rowan re- turned, shelled the village until it was abandoned, landed a marine force, and burned it.
The command bivouaced at Reynoldstown on the night of the 30th. Next morning, Major Stratton, with seven companies of the Eleventh and one howitzer under Sergeant Shannon, was sent to South Quay and Franklin to reconnoitre. Major- Wetherill with the rest of the regiment accompanied the brigade. back to Suffolk, arriving there on the second of August. Major Stratton arrived with his command during the day and reported' a few of the enemy's pickets along the Blackwater. The Weldon expedition from a military point of view was a failure. Major- Stratton says that about 40 prisoners and 160 horses were cap- tured, and attributes the failure to the slowness of the march .. which did not exceed twenty-five miles a day, giving the enemy time to concentrate. The delay was caused by failing to provide. horse artillery instead of the light battery which accompanied the. expedition. But new fields had been visited and many picnic phases enjoyed.
The brigade remained at Bower's Hill until the 7th, when it moved back towards Portsmouth and went into camp, un- officially known as Camp Getty. On the IIth, Companies G, I, and K. under Major Stratton, accompanied by Colonel Onder- donk's command, which was sent into North Carolina to capture or disperse several guerrilla bands, called North Carolina Militia by the Confederates, which were being recruited in that part of the country. Edenton, Hertford, and Elizabeth were visited, and the country in the vicinity of those places scoured. Several guerrilla parties were seen, but all fled into the swamps when pur- sued by Federal troops. Several camping places were also found ; a considerable amount of provisions and other property was burned. Lieutenant Minnich, with a scouting party. cap- tured Colonel Woodford of the North Carolina Militia. The major returned to Portsmouth on the 19th.
On the 22d, Lieutenant-colonel Stetzel returned and as- sumed command of the regiment. During the first half of Sep- tember Companies H and K were stationed at South Mills, N. C., on picket duty. On the 12th, privates Lloyd and McConnell, of Company K, who were doing picket duty on the Camden Road, obtained leave to go beyond the videttes, and while they were returning were fired upon by guerrillas concealed in the woods. McConnell was killed ; Lloyd's horse was also killed and fell upon,
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its rider, rendering him unconscious for a while. Sergeant White immediately went to the scene with a squad of men, but the guerrillas fled. A man living in the vicinity was arrested on suspicion and was sent to Norfolk ; whether or not he was guilty, - he had much to say. It was reported that he never reached Nor- folk, having accidentally fallen into the canal during a night march.
On the 9th of September, while on a raid around Dismal Swamp, Barnet, the thief, was captured by Major Wetherill's command. He was in a wagon, a prisoner, in charge of a Con- federate corporal and four men. Barnet had escaped from Nor- folk jail; had gone back to the Confederates; but, having been recognized as one of the Eleventh, had been arrested as a spy, and was en route to Raleigh to be tried. By the order of the President he was shot on the 16th of September, and the chapter of his misconduct was closed. In death he could hold but one allegiance ; in life he was a traitor. An honest rebel is worth a dozen cowardly deserters.
On September 23d, a detachment of cavalry reported to General Getty. Jericho Creek and canal was chosen as a defensive front; all the bridges below were destroyed, except the one on the road to Suffolk, and howitzers were placed in position to cover the bridge.
Matthews County, Virginia, is a peninsula formed by the waters of the Piankatank and North Rivers, the Chesapeake and Mob Jack Bays. Its coast line, especially along the two bays. is full of indentations formed by the many creeks and inlets, and so the people in those parts were largely given to navigation. During the month of September a number of these navigators under Confederate naval officers embarked in open boats and captured several schooners loaded with government stores. Early in October. an expedition consisting of the Eleventh, one com- pany of the Mounted Riflemen, a regiment of colored infantry, and two sections of artillery, under General I. J. Wister, was sent to act in conjunction with a fleet of army and navy gunboats to destroy all the water craft found in Matthews County. The mounted troops under Colonel Spear, embarked on transports on the 3d, in the afternoon arrived at Gloucester Point, and bivouaced "until the morning of the 5th, when the march was again resumed, and Matthews County was reached on the 6th. A thorough examination was made of every creek, inlet, and landing-place in the county ; about 150 boats and sloops were de-
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stroyed, a few prisoners and 80 head of Confederate government cattle were captured. The only loss was Corporal Hann, of Company I, who was killed by an aged citizen named Smith. Smith had sworn to kill the first Yankee whom he met. As Corporal Hann approached the old man's place, he was seen to go, gun in hand, towards the cornfield, and, thinking him to be a rebel soldier, gave chase. As they came within short range, Smith turned and fired a load of buckshot into the corporal's breast, killing him instantly. Smith paid the penalty, and though a minister accompanied to give religious consolation, the old man died cursing the Yankees. The command returned to Gloucester Point and the cavalry returned to Camp Getty.
On the 13th, the Eleventh was sent into North Carolina to capture or disperse a regiment being recruited in the country east of the Chowan River, with headquarters in a swamp below South Mills. To increase the chances of success, General Foster ordered the Third New York Cavalry from New Berne to Eliza- beth City on the same errand. The general's plan was to have two cavalry regiments arrive at the rebel camp at the same time from opposite directions; but the affair was badly managed ; neither regimental commander knew that the other had a part to play in unison. The Third New York took the wrong road, and met the Eleventh on the road to the Confederate camp, and a collision was narrowly averted, each party taking the other to be the enemy. The mistake having been discovered, the two commanders compared notes, then proceeded to fulfill their mis- sion, but with little success. About a dozen men were captured at the camp and vicinity ; and contrary to what had been usual, these men were clad in the regular Confederate uniform; the others captured on such expeditions were usually dressed in citizens' clothes.
Concerning the expeditions for the rest of the year, Major Stratton says: "Several expeditions were made by the entire command and battalions to the Blackwater during the fall and early winter, and the northeastern part of North Carolina, but without important results; except clearing the country of guer- rillas and destroying contraband trade." The only danger en- countered was from bushwhackers, who lay in ambush for our advance and rear guards, and having fired, at once retreated into the well-nigh impenetrable swamps by paths known only to them- selves, and they were safe from pursuit. Swamps abound in these parts, extending over hundreds of acres, forests, under-
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growth, poison vines-in wet weather, filled with water-the home of malaria and fever.
Late in October, a picket camp occupied by a battalion of the Eleventh was established at Barnard's Mill, three miles east of Suffolk. The picket reserves were stationed at Jericho Canal, with videttes a short distance east of Suffolk. Three battalions alternated at this duty, each remaining for a month, which con- tinued until the regiment left Camp Getty the following January.
During October, the War Department issued an order authorizing the men who enlisted in 1861 to re-enlist; each man who enlisted should be paid his original bounty of $100, and, in addition, a veteran bounty of $400 and a thirty-day furlough. Major Stratton was detailed as regimental officer, and during the next three months 392 men were re-enlisted. Actual warfare. with its suffering and hardships that naturally attend a cam- paign, tend to lessen arduous zeal, and the volunteer soldier usually is ready to become a citizen again when his term of serv- ice expires, unless the necessity for his staying be urgent. From the men who re-enlisted came the subsequent officers, for ex- perience had fitted them for the hard campaigns that were await- ing the Union troops. But who can blame the many who re- turned to their firesides? Three years they had fought, and, per- haps, bled ; had seen sad scenes of slaughter and desolation, for war has no fairy tread, its footsteps are easily traced. War makes heroes, but it makes orphans, it leaves wounds, it tears asunder. Three years of bitter war had been waged: still the foe was in the field ; victories he had won that would ever honor his genius ; from national authorities came the call, "Who will volunteer?"
The Eleventh sustained a heavy loss in horses during the campaign of 1863, but a fresh supply came late in October, so that during the next two months there was mounted drill when- ever there were enough men and horses in camp to drill. On Sunday, December 6th, a neat log chapel was dedicated with appropriate cermony, Chaplain Whittaker officiating. Colonel Spear contributed a fine pulpit Bible for chapel use. In times of war, men's thoughts are not prone to drift upon religious matters until the fatal hour, when the chaplain is a welcome friend. He it was who heard many a last word, received many a farewell message, and by the side of fallen heroes raised the voice of prayer. In addition to the regular Sunday services, the chaplain opened a night-school.
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On October 28th, the battalion ws inspected by Colonel Ger- caux, Cavalry Inspector, who reported it the best drilled, equipped, and mounted battalion in the Department of North Carolina and Virginia.
From Major Wetherill's notes :
"From a deserter it was learned that the Sixty-third Georgia would give a ball on the night of the coming 5th at Franklin. Though not invited, we will try to be there.
"November 2d. From a negro who had joined me at Dismal Swamp, a runaway, white-headed slave, the best negro who had served with us as a spy, I learned that an engineer and orderly were surveying on our right flank from Nansemond to West Branch Creek. I ordered Sampson to watch them closely until the surveys were completed. Sampson reported that their work was done and that they were ready to move. Learning that they were at Mrs. Murray's, waiting for the tide to float their boat, which was hidden in the water rushes, I detailed Sergeant Banks, of Company M, and 15 men to effect their capture. About mid- night they surrounded the house and brought them to me. I had dressed to receive them, the fire was burning brightly, and upon their arrival said: 'Mr. Lieutenant Wallace M. Roy, Com- pany B, Seventeenth Infantry, am very glad to see you. Do me the favor to hand over the notebook of the surveys you have been making for several days on this side of the Nansemond.' He handed them over, then tried to escape: but I told him he might try that after he had been handed over to General Getty. I learned, afterwards, that both he and his orderly escaped from the guardhouse at Fortress Monroe by buying our overcoats and hats from prisoners at the guardhouse and fall- ing in with a fatigue party of prisoners, thus escaping from the · fort.
"November 5th. It is reported that General J. C. Foster goes to Washington, and that General B. F. Butler takes his place as Commander of the Department of North Carolina and Virginia.
"November 6th. This was the night of Wright's ball at Franklin, and I arranged that two privates should precede Company G, dressed in citizens' clothes and riding in a buggy. The company had not advanced more than six miles beyond Suffolk when they were saluted by four or five shots. General Wright had posted his videttes along the road. A chase followed, but the videttes got away, and arriving at the ferry were conveyed
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across and the bridge swung to their side. A couple of howitzer shots suspended the ball for that night.
"[Some years after the war I met Miss Wright, who was sur- prised to learn that I was the Yankee officer who broke up the - ball.]
"November IIth. I detailed Lieutenant Murray and party to take down an old stable at the fair grounds and to protect 200 horses, a re-mount. They arrived with coral sore mouth, and had to be separated from the other horses. Written orders were · given to Lieutenant Murray to picket the Edenton and South Quay Roads to protect the working party. At afternoon water- call it was reported the detail had come in. Two wagons, eight men, and eight horses had been captured by a rebel squadron of cavalry within 1.000 yards of the pickets. We saddled up as quickly as possible and pursued to West Branch Church, where we skirmished with the outposts of Clayburn's cavalry till dark and withdrew. A board of inquiry. after a two days' session, decided that the blame lay with the officer who had disobeyed orders in not remaining to guard the rear of the wagons.
"One Sunday afternoon, the body of a man was brought in from South Mills. He was found hanging on a tree, where Gen- eral Wild, commanding the colored troops, had hung Daniel Bright, supposed to have been a guerrilla. Thus he was labeled : 'Here hangs Samuel Jones, private in Company B. Fifth Ohio Volunteers, hung by order of General Pickett in retaliation for the hanging of Daniel Bright, of the Sixty-second Georgia Cavalry.' Jones was brought from Belle Island by 16 men and hung on the same spot."
General Getty, who had reported to General Meade, re- turned, and the brigade officers, in a body, called to bid him fare- well. Major Wetherill had been requested to act as spokesman, and he thus addressed him:
"General: The field and line officers of the brigade com- manded by Colonel Spear desire to express to you their regret that duty calls you from us. 'Farewell' is not a pleasant word to say ; it is spoken under circumstances that make us regret such a word exists. But there are times when it must be spoken, and this is one of them. Go where you may. General, let your mission be fixed in any part of the land covered by the Constitution, we will follow you in heart sympathy, rejoice in your triumphs, sor- row with you in your misfortunes. We will keep perfect that
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affinity the soul of which is companionship in arms sustaining the Union.
"Many of us supposed that from this base great results were to honor our cause ; but the drift and current of the war have left us, as it were, in an eddy, however, of such importance that bright steel and hearts of oak must occupy it. You are about to join the rougher sections. Carry with you, General, our best wishes. May you realize the highest hopes and conceptions of our profession, assured that you have won the sympathy and kindest feelings of Spear's Cavalry Brigade."
The General responded in a neat, quiet speech, and left us the next day. General Chas. Heckman assumed command.
From Major Wetherill's notes :
"January 20th. An order for us to go to Williamsburg is daily expected and causes some excitement, as stabling and com- fortable quarters have been provided. On January 23d, moving was begun, like the turning of a family out into the cold, pitiless night with no place of shelter from the cold.
"February Ist. Crossed the York River to Gloucester Point. Spent the night there. Next morning we pushed on to Gloucester Point and stretched pickets from the Severn to the Ware River. In the afternoon I heard of a banquet which was to be given to Confederate soldiers at Mr. Jack Sinclair's, five miles out on the York River, and sent a party under Captain Reisinger, of Company I. Captain Ringland, of Company A, and Lieutenant Baker went along. They succeeded in cutting off the posted videttes, and surrounded the house before they were suspected of being near. The prisoners were brought to me and mustered as such. Among them were Captain J. H. Sewell, Fifth Virginia Cavalry, whose breakfast and haversack were found hanging on a large tree while on our first scout to Big Bethel in 1862. Having everything in readiness, I sent the prisoners to re- port to General 1. Winster at Yorktown. The Lieutenant in charge said that as they were passing the redoubt at the point, a young negro called out lustily for the corporal of 'de guard.' and after he had been relieved of his musket, ran alongside of the wagon, approached Captain Sewell and said: 'Massa Jack, has dey got you?' Sewell said: 'Jim! what are you doing here?' 'I'se a soldier here now, Massa. Has you got any Yankee money, Massa Jack?' 'No.' 'Here, take mine; de paymaster was here last night and paid me for three months. We'll settle it, Massa Jack, after de war.' Slave though he had been. in
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· clothes of blue as he was .. servitude had left no bitterness nor war made him an avenger. On the field of battle the once slave would give his last penny to the master he must have loved. This is the sunny side of slavery, and were it not for the principle - involved it had been better for the colored race had they remained as servants."
Camp was set near Fort Magruder, a mile below Williams- burg; the regiment was quartered in the old-fashioned wedge tent, but the horses had no shelter. This did not last long. Stables for the horses were built, and huts for the men, using pine from the woods near the camp. When General Butler, who succeeded General Foster, learned that the regiment had built two sets of stables during the previous five months, he directed his quartermaster to pay $1,200 to the regimental commander for extra work.
Prison life as found in the South will ever rest as a hideous mark upon her otherwise honorable career. Strange that Southern hospitality could thus forget itself and deny men the pittance needed to keep life ; strange that it should thus abandon traditions. We would pass over it if we could, but history holds the annals of those days in her unremitting grasp. A brave sol- dier, when a prisoner, should receive gallant treatment-the age of chivalry must never pass. Great principles must be upheld, though the sacrifice be great, and to permit the downfall of personal hopes to embitter a vindictive mood is to depart from the path of honorable opposition.
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