USA > Pennsylvania > The Twenty-second Pennsylvania cavalry and the Ringgold battalion, 1861-1865; > Part 24
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May 30, 1864. I was not on duty this morning, so I took my mare up to the elevated position occupied by the enemy's batteries in the last battle here, and while she grazed, I took in the splendid view of this beautiful valley. Two branches of the Shenandoah white a mile or so below here at Mount Jackson. The rich bottoms are covered with a heavy growth of grass and the farms with their
232 TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
princely residences retain just enough of their former beauty to give one an idea of what they were like before the war. On each side of the charming valley are mountains ; on the east is the Blue Ridge, and right here in the midst of the Valley is Mount Jackson, the southern end of the Fort Mountain, or Massanutten, which extends twenty- five. miles down the Valley.
When I came back from grazing my mare, I found some of the boys going, and some gone, across the South Fork to get corn. I mounted and followed. Coming to Mrs. Moore's, I found a squad of cavalry and a squad of the -th Ohio Infantry. Many · others had been there before. Everything eatable, and many other things had been taken. The ladies took it all coolly; rich, modest and refined, I pitied them. I then went to another house and found scores of soldiers there, probably the same ones. I found much the same state of affairs there. I did not enter this house, but an elderly lady complained bitterly of the acts of the soldiers and reported to headquarters, when a guard was put on, but too late to save their property. There are some fine looking ladies here, and lots of darkies. I got some corn " off " a Sambo and bought a dozen of eggs and some bread which his Dinah was to "bak foh meah " and for which I was to return with sugar, but the guards and patrols prevented my fulfillment. These guards and patrols are now arresting every soldier found outside of camp not of a regular foraging party in charge of an officer ..
General Hunter had previously charged General Stahel, who had charge of the foraging, to observe the strictest discipline in the matter of foraging, to prevent all such pillaging. Now he calls him to time in the following order:
Rude's Hill, May 30, 1864.
Major General Julius Stahel,
. Com'dg, Cavalry Div. Army of the Shenandoah.
General: I desire to call your attention to the numerous and grave complaints against soldiers of this command for pillaging. It is represented that the men sent out with regular foraging parties break away from their officers and straggle into houses, carrying off property and doing wanton injury to furniture. In a country like this, infested with guerrilla-parties, these practices are dan- gerous to the commands and are in gross violation of the spirit of the order for levying supplies upon the country. Many of the residents of the neighborhood have been very kind to our wounded,
233
THE HUNTER RAID.
and it is neither just nor politic to allow wanton outrages and in- juries to be inflicted upon any people. In sending out foraging parties, no men should be allowed to enter any house except in company with a commissioned officer. These suggestions are made, assured that you will adopt prompt and severe measures to repress the acts referred to. CHARLES G. HALPINE,
Assistant Adjutant General.
* " May 30. There are many details with wagons out foraging. Lieutenant Welch is out in charge of one party. A short time after he had gone, another detail was made, and H. Stewart and I of our company and sixteen men from our battalion, together with forty each from the other cavalry regiments, formed the detail. We went three miles beyond New Market, to the right on the Shenandoah, and collected corn, bread and meat. We found plenty of flour and brought in four barrels. We stopped in New Market and found a room, twelve by sixteen, filled with sacks of salt. People have talked to me long enough about starving the Rebels out. I tell you it can never be done as long as they hold this Valley to Staun- ton. There is plenty of everything here except the luxuries, such as coffee, etc. The substantials are abundant.
" New Market is on an elevated table-land between the two branches of the river and built along each side of the pike. It is quite a pretty place. Our soldiers are busy burning the dead horses of the battle-field to remove the stench arising from them. I notice graves here on each side of the road; it is evident that a man was buried just where he died. The mortally wounded were left at houses and all the wounded that could be moved were taken prisoners by the Rebs.
" Gil Holmes, wagon master of the 1st West Virginia Infantry. has just arrived on foot from Newtown, thirty miles ; he says that our supply train of seventeen wagons, guarded by eighty-three of the 1st and 15th New York Cavalry, was attacked at Newtown on the evening of the 29th, and captured by Moseby's Rangers. A large mail was captured with the train.
"June 1. Yesterday, we were waked up at daylight, and all that could travel were sent out with foraging expeditions; detach- ments from each regiment went out with wagons. Colonel Wyn- coop issued orders that if a man left camp or left the column to go to a house, he would be punished severely. He declares that
* Donaldson.
.
234 TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
he will put his men into the infantry who do not keep up their horses.
" We were compelled to have roll-call at nine, three and seven o'clock. The object is to hold the men in camp.
"It is reported that Imboden, Moseby and McNeill are in our rear, and that the enemy is strongly fortified ten miles in our front. We expect an attack in front and rear.
" June 2. Marched to Harrisonburg to-day. Were waked up very early and marched at five o'clock, our battalion guarding the rear. A portion of the 1st New York Cavalry and 12th West Virginia Infantry were also at the rear of the train. One company of the 12th West Virginia was left at New Market, waiting for a wagon that had gone for flour. After we had gone two miles, a message reached us that the Rebel cavalry had attacked the rear. Major Myers took us back a-flying and found that McNeil had charged into town with a view of capturing stragglers, but the 12th Virginia boys hurled him back double-quick. Their orderly ser- geant had his hand shot.
" We got a little corn on the march, notwithstanding Colonel Wyncoop's order.
" We camped near Harrisonburg. When our advance came into town, Imboden was just leaving and one of our batteries gave him a few farewell shots. He was drilling when he heard our advance and hastily prepared to retreat. We occupied his camp. There are great crops of wheat in this County of Rockingham, and the finest pasture. We remained here at Harrisonburg all through the next day, and when not on duty grazed our horses on the luxuriant clover. Foraging parties were again sent out with teams; Lieuten- ant Welch, of our squadron, in charge of one, returned in the after- noon with a good supply of bacon, grain and a lot of cattle."
General Hunter, in his report, gives a very clear and complete account of the operations from this point, which we quote. He says : " On my arrival at Harrisonburg on the afternoon of the 2nd, I found the enemy occupying a strong intrenched position at Mount Crawford on the North River, where it is crossed by the Valley Turnpike. I spent the following day in ascertaining the enemy's force and position, and early on the morning of the 4th, after send- ing a force of cavalry to amuse him, I moved my column by a side
235
THE BATTLE OF PIEDMONT.
road and crossed the Shenandoah at Port Republic .* This move- ment was so little expected that we found a large supply train at this place, and our advance cavalry captured a part of it with sup- plies and horses.
" I encamped about one mile south of Port Republic, and on the morning of the 5th, at an early hour, advanced on the Staunton Road. At 6 A. M., my advanced cavalry met that of the enemy and after a sharp skirmish, drove them with a loss of seventy-five, killed, wounded and missing.
THE BATTLE OF PIEDMONT.
" At the village of Piedmont, seven miles southwest of Port Republic, I found the enemy in force, advantageously posted.
" The battle opened with artillery at 9 A. M., the enemy using several guns of long range and heavy caliber. At ten o'clock, the Ist Brigade of Infantry, under Colonel Moor, advanced on our right and drove the enemy from his advanced position in a woods behind his line of defences constructed of fallen timber and fence-rails. Colonel Thoburn, with the Second Brigade of Infantry, took position on elevated ground on our left, supporting the batteries and ready for action where most needed.
" At 11:30, the fine practice of our artillery had silenced the enemy's batteries ; the cavalry (including detachment of ?2nd Penn- sylvania in Wyncoop's Brigade of Stahel's Division) under Major- General Stahel, was massed in rear of the infantry on our right. At one o'clock, the First Brigade attacked the enemy's line in front, but failed to carry it and fell back after a spirited contest. At 1:30,
* The bridge over the river had been destroyed and a pontoon bridge was thrown across for the infantry and artillery. We camped here by the river; captured lots of corn and whiskey, and some of the officers got slightly intoxicated. A large factory was burned by order of General Hunter.
At four o'clock we were roused again and ready to move, but our squadron was detailed as rear guard. Two of the 15th N. Y. Cavalry were shot on picket last night. We were routed up before daylight on the morning of June 4th, and marched at five o'clock. After passing through Harrisonburg, we turned to the left and took the road to Port Republic with our battalion (22nd Pa.) on the right. Six men from each company were sent ahead as skirmishers, I among the number. We had to exchange a few shots with the Johnnies when within two miles of Port Republic. I took John Mitchell and rode out along a lane to the right, when I spied a four-horse covered wagon going at great speed. I rode back and got four others, and we charged on it; when close enough I halted the driver several times, but he would not halt. I then fired my carbine over his head, but he kept on. I could have shot him but did not want to do so. He continued to ply the whip fiercely to his horses, but we overtook him, firing our pistols and calling on him to surrender, when the wagon upset, and the driver forsook his team and cargo and took across the fields. We did not follow. but took the four good horses and as much of the goods as we could carry. The wagon was loaded with sutler's stores in great variety, all marked at Confederate money prices : Aut: from $25 to $200. I got a lot of nice handkerchiefs marked $35. and gave them away. Two women came out from a house and cheered us and said, " That's right; the rubels starved us and let us go almost naked, and this serves them right." We gave
them all they could carry away and burned the wagon .- Serg't Donaldson.
236 TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
the enemy was observed to be massing his force on our right, oppo- site the First Brigade, and orders were immediately sent to Colonel Thoburn to move his brigade across the open valley between, and attack the enemy's position in flank. At 2 P. M., the enemy made a determined attack on the First Brigade, which sustained itself gallantly, assisted by Von Kleiser's Battery and a cross-fire from Morton's and Carlin's batteries on our left.
" Meanwhile, Thoburn's Brigade, having crossed the valley, fell on the enemy's exposed flank with decisive effect, crushing his whole line and driving a portion over the steep bank into the river, which covered his left. Simultaneously, Colonel Moor's Brigade rushed over the works in front and a brigade of cavalry (our brigade), under Colonel Wyncoop, charged upon his right flank and rear. The enemy fled in confusion, leaving over 1,000 prisoners in our hands, including sixty officers. The killed and wounded are esti- mated at 600 men. Brigadier-General William E. Jones, command- ing his forces, was killed on the field and his body fell into our hands. From papers found on his person, it is ascertained that the enemy's force was between 6,000 and 7,000 men, and sixteen guns. among them two 20-pounder Parrots and one 24-pounder howitzer. In addition to his loss upon the field, the enemy in his precipitate re- treat lost an equal number, at least by straggling and desertion.
" These results have been accomplished with a loss to this com- mand of less than . 500 men in killed and wounded. On the march and in action, the troops behaved admirably. The combined force, now in fine spirits and condition, will move day after to-mor- row to the accomplishment of its mission."
* The battle was over about 3 o'clock and the trains of am- bulances began running their horses, bringing off our own and the Rebel wounded. ¡ The houses in the village were used as hospitals, Lieutenant Welch and I went to see the wounded in one house ; this house was full of wounded men, and the surgeons were hard at work. The large yard about the house was also full of wounded men ; some had just died and others were in the agonies of death; some were groaning with pain, while others were swearing because of their sufferings.
Brigadier General Vaughan, C. S. A., in his report. says, "Went into the fight yesterday with an aggregate of 5,600; I have not over 3,000 effective men, including Imboden's cavalry, 800."
* When the news of this victory was announced in the Republican National Con- vention assembled in Baltimore, for the purpose of nominating Abraham Lincoln for president the second time, it caused the greatest enthusiasm.
* Donaldson.
237
THE BATTLE OF PIEDMONT.
Large details worked all night burying the dead. We walked over the ground occupied by the enemy ; they had chosen a strong position and had built breastworks of rails and logs in the edge of the woods, with a broad, level field in their front and a clump of timber in front of their center. Our artillery took position about 800 yards from their works and played havoc with their rail breast- works. General Stahel was slightly wounded in the arm and side and General Thoburn had two horses shot under him. Among the captured cannon, were the brass pieces of Carlin's and Von Kleiser's batteries, which the enemy had captured at New Market; these were now restored to their rightful owners, the German artillery, who hugged, patted and kissed their beloved guns with an affection that was really touching. One of the Rebel prisoners captured here, in- quired of the guards, if the Ringgold Cavalry was there? Upon being told that part of the command was present, he said that he would like to meet his brother, Frank Hurst, who belonged to that regiment. Adam Wickerham, who, with one exception, was never before known to swear, and who was present at the time, said: "If you are Frank Hurst's brother, what the h- are you doing in the Confederate Army?" Just then another "Johnnie " said that he had a Yankee brother in the same command, by the name of Jona- than Burke; but Burke was a prisoner at the time, in the hands of the enemy.
The wreck of Jones's Army, now under command of General Vaughan, fled toward Waynesboro, and kept out of our way for some time.
ON TO STAUNTON.
" We were routed at daylight on the morning of the 6th and marched without breakfast. Our 'Battalion ' was put in advance on the right flank. We did not march by the road, but right through fields and woodlands; about half of the cultivated land is in wheat and we never saw better crops. Our march to Staunton was unop- posed ; the disorganized forces of the enemy had fled eastward to- ward Waynesboro and were not in our way, so our march was con- tinuous. and we entered Staunton about one o'clock P. M., our (22nd Ringgold) 'Battalion' being the first to enter, except the signal corps. First Sergeant George Robson, of Company E, com- manded the advance guard. The stars and stripes now wave in Staunton for the first time since that accursed rag of secession was unfurled. For more than three years our troops have tried
N
23S TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
to take Staunton, but it was reserved for us. About five hundred prisoners (mostly sick and wounded) fell into our hands here, and we gathered up a lot on the way. Our columns marched through the town with the stars and stripes flying and eight splen- did brass bands playing the national airs. We camped a mile west of the town near the Parkersburg Pike, and foraged for our- selves and horses.
"Next morning our pickets heard reveille from a Rebel camp out the Parkersburg Pike. At 9 o'clock, a force marched out this pike to find them; we turned and went one mile from the pike to a church on the Covington Railroad, where ' Mudwall' Jackson was camped last night, and found that he had skedaddled, except a few of his men, who fled at our approach. We burned two bridges on the railroad and all returned to Staunton, except our 'battalion,' which went to a mill three miles down the road and got some corn- meal and feed.
" We then came back to the pike and waited for the return of a scout which had been sent to Buffalo Gap; when they returned at 5 o'clock, we all marched back to camp. * As we passed one house, a pretty girl waved her handkerchief at us and I stopped and gave her some coffee, a great rarity to the people down here."
In his official report, General Hunter tells the story as follows : "On the next day after the defeat of Jones at Piedmont (June 6th) I marched on Staunton and occupied the town without opposition, the enemy with the shattered remnant of his army having retreated to Waynesboro and Rockfish Gap in the Blue Ridge, ready to fall back on Charlottesville and Gordonsville, if pursued. At Staun- ton, I destroyed a large amount of public stores, consisting of shoes, saddles, harness and clothing ; three cannon and about one thousand stand of small arms, also several extensive establish- ments for the manufacture of army clothing and equipments. I also had the Virginia Central Railroad destroyed entirely for sev- eral miles east and west of the town, burning all the depot build- ings, shops and warehouses belonging to the road.
" On the 8th, I was joined by the forces under Generals Crook and Averill, about ten thousand men and two batteries. This command returning from a successful raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad and moving to join me at Staunton, had struck the line of the Virginia Central at Goshen and had totally destroyed
* Donaldson.
239
THE HUNTER RAID.
this road as they marched to the point of junction, making in all a total destruction of the road for fifty miles. From this point, I sent back by way of Buffalo Gap and Beverly a convoy of wagons, prisoners and refugees guarded by an escort of 800 men whose terms of enlistment had expired, all being under command of General Stahel, who was wounded and unfit for active duty at the front."
General Hunter waited at Staunton two days, partly to rest the troops, destroy military stores, factories, etc., and reorganize his combined army, but more particularly, to wait the arrival of a train loaded with clothing and shoes for Crook's men, who were badly in need of such supplies.
General Duffee * now succeeded General Stahel to the command of our brigade. The army, now increased to 18,000 men, moved forward in three columns, Hunter, himself, with Sullivan's Division and the train, marching by the pike toward Lexington, while Crook's Infantry and Averill with the 1st Brigade of Cavalry, marched on a road parallel with the pike but some distance to the right, the latter driving M'Causland's force of 2,000 cavalry and some artillery before them.
General Duffee, with our brigade of cavalry, formed the column on the left and marched toward Waynesboro. On this morning of the 10th, we (Duffee's Brigade) were roused shortly after midnight; saddled our horses and formed in line, but were kept standing until morning, when we marched toward Waynes- boro; five miles out, we encountered the enemy's pickets, driving them before us, on through Meadows' Gap, capturing five wagons loaded with supplies for the enemy. Camped for the night at Meadows' Gap. Donaldson, M'Keever, Himmelsbaugh and fifteen others of our squadron, were detailed as provost guards for Gen- eral Duffee. Next morning, June 11, we heard cannonading in the distance to the southwest, which we supposed was. Averill pay- ing his respects to the Rebellion. We marched early, through moun- tain passes over a very difficult road and at last reached a great altitude ; from the summit, we had a most beautiful prospect to the south and east. We looked down upon a great valley or plain spread out before us, interspersed here and there with groves of native timber and knolls or round hills. We then descended a narrow, stony and exceedingly steep road. We spied in the dis-
· Pronounced, Duf-fe-a. (French.)
240 TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
tance, a wagon-train and the 1st New York Cavalry was sent out to capture it; emerging from Bell Cong. Gap, on Tye River, we came to a mill; we provost guards-were put on to guard the grain and flour for the use of our command; we got four barrels of flour, many barrels of corn and one barrel of cider; the cider was soon used up. Were ordered to keep our horses saddled all night. The supply train captured consisted of twenty-four wagons and fifty prisoners.
June 12. Marched early, our battalion (22nd Pennsylvania) taking the advance. About noon, had a sharp engagement with the Rebel cavalry they charged us and were repulsed and then our boys charged them three times, but they were concealed in the woods and reserved their fire for effect, and we were unable to dislodge them until reinforcements came up, when they were driven off. Emory Hall, of Company A, our battalion, was instantly killed, two others wounded and several horses wounded. We captured thirty-eight prisoners, one major, one captain and one lieutenant.
General Duffee sent a detachment with a number of pioneers to Arrington Station, burned the station and a lot of government stores, destroyed the telegraph and the railroad for four miles. At dark we marched again until 10 o'clock and camped on the road to Lexington.
If General Hunter's entire force had advanced on this route taken by Duffee's Brigade, Lynchburg would have fallen into their hands almost without a struggle. On this same day, June 12, Imboden, in a dispatch to Breckenridge, says: "Lynchburg, I fear, will fall to-morrow. The enemy now holds Amherst Courthouse and I am cut off from Lynchburg, except by the south side."
In the meantime, the main force with General Hunter had reached Lexington at noon on the 11th. Crook and Averill in ad- vance, found the bridge across the river burned and the crossing disputed by artillery and sharpshooters. * "The infantry division under General Sullivan which had moved on the road to the left. had met no enemy thus far, but at the sound of Crook's guns, moved rapidly forward and took position in front of the town. The enemy's sharpshooters were posted among the rocks and thickets of the opposite cliffs, and in some storehouses at the bridge, and also occupying the buildings of the Virginia Military Institute, which stood near the river. Their artillery was screened behind the
* General Hunter.
241
THE HUNTER RAID.
buildings of the town, and on some heights just beyond it ; the whole position was completely commanded by my artillery, thirty guns.
" This unsoldierly and inhuman attempt of General McCaus- land to defend an indefensible position against an overwhelming force by screening himself behind the private dwellings of women and children might have brought justifiable destruction upon the whole town, but as this was not rendered imperative by any military necessity, I preferred to spare private property and an unarmed pop- ulation. Instead of crushing the place with my artillery, I sent Gen- eral Averill with a brigade of cavalry to cross the river some dis- tance away, and fall on the enemy's flank and rear. Before this movement was completed the enemy perceived it and retired hastily on the road toward Buchanan.
" In occupying this place, a few prisoners were taken, five pieces of cannon, numerous caissons, gun cartridges, small arms and a quantity of ammunition fell into our hands and were destroyed ; five barges laden with commissary stores, artillery, ammunition and six pieces of cannon were captured on the James River Canal, near the town. A number of extensive iron works in the vicinity were burned. On the 12th I also burned the Virginia Military Institute and all the buildings connected with it. I found here a violent and inflammable proclamation from John Letcher, lately Governor of Virginia, inciting the population of the country to rise and wage a guerrilla warfare on my troops, and ascertaining that after having advised his fellow-citizens to this course, the ex-Governor had himself ignominiously taken to flight, I ordered his property to be burned, under my order, published May 24th, against persons prac- tising or abetting such unlawful and uncivilized warfare.
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