USA > Pennsylvania > The Twenty-second Pennsylvania cavalry and the Ringgold battalion, 1861-1865; > Part 3
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THREE-DAY RECONNAISSANCE .- REPULSE AT HANGING ROCKS. SEPT. 23-25, 1861.
A force of the enemy, mostly natives of Hampshire and Hardy counties, had occupied Romney for some time. From this place, a
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
vigorous recruiting campaign for the Confederate Army was being prosecuted in these counties, while the Rebel cavalry roamed at will, up and down the mountain valleys, making night attacks upon t !. Union pickets along the railroad frontier, over-aweing loyal citi- zens and attempting to stamp out all Union sentiment. The news- paper published in Romney was a radical Confederate sheet, and, being the only periodical received in many of the rural homes, was doing great mischief by way of encouraging enlistments in the Rebel army, and by abusing and misrepresenting the United States Government and its leaders, both civil and military. General Kelley determined to make a reconnaissance to Romney to ascertain the strength of the enemy and to destroy the Confederate newspaper outfit, and on the 23rd of September ordered such an expedition.
This reconnaissance, consisting of a body of infantry, a detach- ment of artillery with one gun, and the Ringgold Cavalry Company, all under command of Lieutenant Colonel Quirk of the Sth Ohio Infantry, started from New Creek on the evening of the 23rd, the cavalry in advance, and marched over the mountain and into Patter- son Creek Valley on the way to Romney.
Shortly after midnight (Vol. V, 201), when within two miles of Mechanicsburg Gap, the advance guard was fired upon by the enemy's pickets, who, after firing, retreated to their reserve at the Gap. Our column halted here for awhile, and then moved forward within a half mile of the Gap, and again halted. In the meantime, the enemy at the Gap had been largely reinforced by troops from Romney, accompanied by a 12-pound Howitzer, all in command of Major Funston, C. S., who threw out a strong party of skirmishers along the side of the mountain, down the pass, and waited for our advance. In a short time after this, our Ringgold Cavalry advanced into the mouth of the pass and were fired on and driven back. This volley wounded Amos Queene and killed John Gray's horse. This firing revealed the location of the enemy's skirmishers, and our men opened a heavy fire upon them where they were concealed in the side of the mountain, but without doing much damage, owing to the enemy being located behind rocks and trees. (Vol. V, 209.)
Finding the Gap strongly fortified. Colonel Quirk marched part of his force by another road to a point on the river (South Branch of the Potomac) eight miles below, arriving there, opposite Hanging
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THE RINGGOLD CAVALRY COMPANY, 1861.
Rocks,* about daylight, his purpose being to cross the river and march on Romney by that road.
1 Sergeant H. B. Hedge of the Ringgold Cavalry Company, made the following record in his journal: " On the morning of the 24th, we had our first fight of any real importance, at what is called the t Hanging Rocks, eight miles from Romney. Just about daylight we crossed the river, encountered their pickets and drove them back; but to our surprise, their forces were on the rocks overhanging the road, and they opened a heavy fire on us. The Lieutenant Colonel in command of the column gave no orders whatever ; all was con- . fusion; we were afraid to go forward, and could not get back, as our teams had come across the river and blocked the narrow passage between the rocks and the stream.
" Fortunately for us, the enemy did not know we were so de- moralized, and after a few volleys, retreated. Captain Keys kept cool, rallied his men, and after the enemy ceased firing, marched back over the river. Our loss was very slight, as the enemy fired over our heads. Our casualties were mostly in the river among some of the infantrymen who, in attempting to swim to the other shore, came into range of the enemy's fire."
We find no report from Colonel Quirk, the Union officer in command, but get the following report of Colonel Angus W. Mc- Donald, who commanded the Confederate forces (Vol. V, 202-203) :
" At this time (6:30 A. M.) the fog was so dense as to obscure every object beyond a distance of 50 yards, and so continued until 10 or 10:30 o'clock. . As the enemy (Federals) advanced across the ford, the pickets halted them at a distance of 40 yards, so dense was the fog, supposing them to be friends. After parleying some mo- ments, they were fired upon by the enemy. Captain Myers'. Company returned the fire and retired to their reserve station at the east end of the pass. The enemy then advanced between the river and the rocks, which at points overhang the road. When their cavalry advanced under these rocks, a destructive fire was opened upon them. Without waiting to reload their guns, the men were ordered to throw rocks upon them, which had been previously col- lected for that purpose. This unexpected and novel attack produced
* The scenery along the South Branch and tributary streams was beautiful beyond description. The bottom lands along the rivers were fertile and forage was abundant. And the country had its history. At Hanging Rock. a wild ledge jutting out and over the road beside the river, the Catawba and Delaware Indians once fought a desperate battle, in which several hundred of the latter were killed, very few escaping. A mound, sixty or seventy vards in length, still to be seen, is supposed to be the grave of the dead. (History 1st N. Y. Lincoln Cavalry.)
+ See illustration, page 62.
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
the greatest confusion. The cavalry stampeded, were driven back upon their infantry, many of whom jumped into the river; some managed to escape to the other side by swimming, but many were drowned. Owing, however, to the dense fog which still enshrouded and obscured everything, the effect of this attack was not discovered, and the videttes of Colonel E. H. McDonald, posted in his rear, giving him the incorrect information that the enemy were crossing on his right in the attempt to outflank him, he returned with his command toward Romney."
This was a ludicrous performance; each belligerent retreating in haste from the other. The Union force was repulsed and re- treated back across the river. Owing to the dense fog, the Con- federates were not aware of the discomfiture they had produced in the ranks of their foe, and alarmed at reports of a flank movement on the part of their enemy, also retreated.
After a delay of several hours, our cavalry and part of the in- fantry again crossed to the east side of the river, under command of a major of the infantry, who knew the country thereabout, and advanced toward Romney, meeting with considerable resistance. When this force came near to the town, the enemy brought their artillery to bear, checking our advance. Our artillery took a posi- tion on the mountain-side below Mechanicsburg Gap, and threw some shells at the enemy, but without effect. Most of our infantry had remained at the Gap all this time.
After maneuvering about the town for four or five hours, our force, late in the afternoon, was moved back to Mechanicsburg Gap and bivouacked for the night.
*" We had some coffee and crackers, and lay down for sleep, each man beside his horse, but were not allowed to take off our arms or unsaddle our horses; we were to be in readiness to be called at any minute. Our sleep was not disturbed, however. Next morning, we were called early and were ready to march by daylight, but did not move until an hour later, when the command started for Rom- ney. We crossed the river and marched into town without resist- ance, and proceeded to destroy the printing presses. When this had been accomplished, the force started back for New Creek, the Ringgold Cavalry Company acting as rear-guard. We had not gone far when the enemy's cavalry was seen coming after us at a furious pace : our artillery was turned and placed in position, screened from view of the enemy by our cavalry. As the enemy
* H. B. Hedge's Journal.
L
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THE RINGGOLD CAVALRY COMPANY, 1861.
came charging on, our cavalry parted and moved aside, while the artillery opened with telling effect, repulsing the charge and killing and wounding men and horses. The Ringgold Cavalry was then sent ahead to get possession of Mechanicsburg Gap, while the rear- guard was formed of infantry. The enemy's cavalry, with some ar- tillery, continued to follow and harass our rear, keeping at a safe distance, however, as far as Patterson Creek.
The Ringgold Cavalry Company continued to camp at New Creek during the next four weeks, actively engaged in scouting the mountain country thereabout over a radius of many miles.
CAPTURE OF ROMNEY.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Cumberland to Harper's Ferry had been destroyed by the Rebels soon after the breaking out of the war, and had remained in that condition throughout the summer. Our Government needed it badly for the transportation of troops and supplies from the West, but it was useless to repair it so long as the enemy maintained strong outposts at Winchester, Romney and other points within two or three hours' ride of the rail- road. General Winfield Scott determined to drive the Rebel forces away from Romney and occupy the place with Union troops, and sent General Kelley the following dispatch (Vol. V, 625) :
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, Oct. 22, 1861.
Brig. Gen. B. F. Kelley, ·
Grafton, West Va.
Proceed with your command to Romney and assume command of the Department of Harper's Ferry and Cumberland until the ar- rival of Brig. Gen. Lander. WINFIELD SCOTT.
While General Scott was writing this dispatch and thus taking the initial step toward repairing and opening this part of the railroad, the Confederate Government was organizing a special military de- partment in the lower or northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, to be commanded by one of their ablest generals* with headquarters at Winchester. Their object was to hold this part of Virginia for
" While in camp at New Creek. in September anul October, 1861, the Ringgold Cavalry broke the first sod for earthworks on the hill, just back of the Arinstrong imperty and overlooking the B. & O. R. R. Station. Between scouts, we worked on *Fe fortifications, and also cleared out a lot of timber in order to get a clear view and open range for the guns."-LOUIS ARTHUR.
· Stonewall Jackson.
.
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
the Confederacy, and to prevent the operating of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
In obedience to General Scott's order, General Kelley proceeded to assemble troops for the expedition. * At twelve o'clock on the night of the 25th, a force of some 1200 to 1500 infantry, a detach- ment of artillery with three guns, and two companies of cavalry were concentrated at the junction of the New Creek and North Western turnpikes.
On the next morning (26th) this force, under command of General Kelley, marched for Romney by the Northwestern Road. The Ringgold Cavalry, under command of Captain Keys, pre- ceded the column for the purpose of watching the enemy. Captain McGee's Cavalry brought up the rear. After crossing the moun- tain and coming into Patterson Creek Valley, the column was halted for dinner and for rest, resuming the march at twelve o'clock noon.
" At 2:15 p. M., when within six miles of Romney, the enemy opened fire upon the head of our column, when our artillery was ordered forward and replied. We then continued our march with the artillery in front, to the mouth of Mechanicsburg Gap, distant three miles from Romney, a position, the natural strength of which is unsurpassed by any other in the country.
" A small advance guard of Ringgold Cavalry in command of Lieut. James P. Hart, preceded the column several hundred yards. As these cavalrymen approached the mouth of the Gap, the enemy was found posted with a Howitzer behind a log barn. They ran this gun out and fired several times at our men; their shells failed to explode and were harmless. As our main column advanced, the enemy limbered up and retreated to Romney. Skirmishers having been thrown out on the right and left, the column was moved through the Gap without receiving a shot.
" When the head of the column emerged from the pass, it was found that the artillery of the enemy was strongly posted on the east side of the river, in a cemetery lot. on an eminence command- ing the entire western approaches to the town. and their infantry and dismounted cavalry occupied intrenchments on the heights commanding the bridge and ford. Our artillery was then ordered to open fire upon them, which was promptly replied to by the Rebels, and for about an hour a severe cannonade took place between the artillery." (From General Kelley's Report, Vol. V, 379.)
* Vol. V, 378.
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THE RINGGOLD CAVALRY COMPANY, 1861.
Sergeant Hedge says: " This was our first experience at stand- ing in front of artillery, seeing the cannon-balls coming toward us and wondering whether they were going to burst over us or go beyond. Fortunately for us, the enemy cut their fuse so long that none of the shells burst until they were a safe distance beyond us ; but the scare was just as bad."
" Finding that we could not silence their guns," continues General Kelley's report, "the order was given for the whole column of infantry to move forward and charge through the bridge and to attack the enemy in their intrenchments. At the same time, the cavalry, under Captains Keys and McGee, was ordered to charge through the ford above the bridge, which was most gallantly exe- cuted. The enemy, after firing a few rounds, gave way and fled from their works, the infantry throwing down their arms and fleeing to the woods and mountains and dispersing. Their cavalry and artillery retreated through the town towards Winchester, pur- sued by our cavalry. They attempted to rally and make a stand at the east end of the town, but the impetuous charge of the cavalry and the approach of the infantry on double-quick caused them, without waiting to fire a gun, to retreat up the Winchester Road and through the mountain gap, where they were pursued by the cavalry and all their artillery and baggage trains captured. The enemy were so hard pressed that they had not time to discharge or spike their pieces, which fell into our hands, all loaded."
* " When this advance was ordered, our Ringgold Company, under command of Captain Keys, was ordered to ford the river on the right and go through a piece of timber, which would bring us in the rear of their artillery, but they discovered what we were doing and hastily limbered up their artillery and started on the retreat. We charged after them, and in a hot chase of several miles, captured all their artillery and got almost all their baggage, including the private baggage of Colonel McDonald, which was well stocked with good blankets and comfortable outfit of the sol- dier. The Colonel found it convenient to leave his carriage and take to the woods. About three hundred stand of small arms, a large quantity of ammunition, their camp equipage, entire baggage train with about one hundred horses and mules, fell into our hands."
In concluding his report, General Kelley says :
Hedge.
One of the cannon captured was a twelve-pound howitzer, which General Kelley presented to the Ringgold Cavalry. This gun remained with the command for nearly three years, when it became bulged with a heavy charge of powder and had to be condemned.
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
" The officers and men of my command all displayed great cool- ness and courage under fire. Where all behaved so well, it would seem invidious to make particular mention of individual cases. I must be pardoned, however, in calling the attention of the country to the brilliant charges of the cavalry under Captains Keys and McGee. I venture to say they are unsurpassed by any other in the annals of American warfare.
" As a compliment to Captain Keys, the senior officer, for his gallant conduct, I have named my camp at this point, Camp Keys."
General Kelley was delighted at the performance of his troops in this engagement. Although not personally in command of the previous expedition to Romney on the 23rd, 24th and 25th of Sep- tember, he was not only disappointed, but much chagrined at the ill success of the affair, but now any aspersion cast upon the troops for their conduct on that occasion, was completely wiped out by their splendid behavior this day, charging in the face of the enemy's in- trenchments, capturing their works and utterly routing them. The demoralized Confederates fled in every direction without the sem- blance of organization.
General Kelley received the following congratulatory dispatch (Vol. V, 380) :
HEADQUARTERS ARMY,
Washington, Oct. 30, 1861.
Brigadier General Kelley, U. S. A., Romney, Va.
Your late movement upon, and signal victory at Romney, do you great honor in the opinion of the President and of Lieutenant- General Scott. You shall be reinforced as soon as practicable. In the meantime, if necessary, call for any troops at Cumberland or New Creek.
By command :
E. D. TOWNSEND, A. A. G.
The Confederates had been greatly elated over their success of September 23rd, 24th and 25th, and had made voluminous reports covering many pages, extolling the valor of officers and men, with minute details of the movements. Now they are so mortified and humiliated at their defeat that we find no report whatever from them in the records.
Our troops returned from the chase in high spirits, went into camp and prepared to remain, for Romney was to be the base of active operations during the remainder of the year.
We will now go back and follow up the history of the Wash- ington Cavalry, commanded by Captain Greenfield.
Capt. Geo. W. Jenkins.
Capt. Wm. E. Griffith.
-
Lieut. John Dabinett.
Capt. A. J. Greenfield.
Lieut. Joshua B. Deems.
Sergt. Samuel G. Rogers.
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THE WASHINGTON CAVALRY COMPANY, 1861.
CHAPTER III.
THE WASHINGTON CAVALRY COMPANY, 1861.
Colonel Andrew J. Greenfield was born November 20, 1835, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. At the age of nineteen, he en- tered the mercantile business, and continued in it until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion in 1861. The two years preceding this event he spent in Baltimore, Maryland, in the employ of a wholesale mercantile house of that city.
Baltimore was intensely Southern in sentiment at that time; it was, in fact, the wholesale, business metropolis of the Southern States, the market where the merchants and large planters bought their goods and supplies, As a salesman in the wholesale store, young Mr. Greenfield was brought into daily contact with merchants from different parts of the South and thus had unusual opportuni- ties for learning the sentiment of the people in those different sec- tions of the country. He was occasionally sent on a collecting tour over large areas, and thus came in contact with the people them- selves, enabling him to verify the reports heard. He became con- vinced that war was inevitable.
At the time the citizens of Baltimore resisted the passage of Northern troops through that city, Greenfield was asked to enroll " for the purpose of defending the city," as the committee alleged, but, in truth, their real object was to prevent reinforcements reach- ing Washington. He refused to enroll, stating to the committee that their action was disloyal to the Government, and that he could only be enrolled for one purpose, and that was to put down the mob that had attacked the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment, and that was then practically in possession of the city. He was advised by a friend, who was a member of this Citizens' Committee, that if he entertained such sentiments as these, his best and safest course would be to leave the city. Greenfield remained, however. and. although threatened, was not molested. The better class of citizens realized their mistake within a few days; business was suspended, the mob retired, the streets were deserted, and many of the disloyal element left the city to join the Southern army. The wholesale busi- ness in Baltimore was paralyzed, as the South was practically cut off
Greenfield returned to his home in Washington County early in May for a short visit. Several weeks later, his Baltimore firm sent him on a collecting tour through western and southwestern
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
Virginia. This trip led him through the region about Beverly and Phillippi, just a few days after the battle at the latter place, where the United States forces, under Colonel B. F. Kelley, met and de- feated the Confederates, under Colonel Porterfield, completely rout- ing them. While charging the enemy, Colonel Kelley was danger- ously wounded. There being no hospital, he was given a room at a hotel, where a few days later, Greenfield called upon him and heard the story of the battle and of the conditions down there from Kelley's own lips. Colonel Kelley, in describing the rout of the enemy, remarked that with a company of good cavalry, he could have captured the most of Porterfield's command of fifteen hundred men. Greenfield had already caught the war fever, and this remark about the necessity for cavalry impressed him very much ; he deter- mined to finish up his business as speedily as possible and enter his country's service.
On returning from his trip, Andrew J. Greenfield severed his connection with the Baltimore wholesale house, and proceeded at once to Beallsville, Washington County, Pennsylvania, his former home, and with Dr. Whitsett of that place, began to recruit a com- pany of cavalry to serve for three years or during the war. By the 14th of August, the enrollment had reached the required number, and after the usual formula of orations and bidding good-bye to parents, sisters, sweethearts and friends, the Company took its departure from Beallsville, going by way of Washington and Wheel- ing to Grafton, Va.
* Many of the men took their own horses. General McClellan's short and successful campaign in Western Virginia had about closed, and all along our route, enthusiasm ran high. As we advanced to- ward "the seat of war," we saw soldiers on guard at every station, and every railroad bridge, was guarded by one or two companies of infantry ; and further along, were block-houses and small forts built to protect important points on the railroad.
As we approached Grafton, we began to watch for the camp of the Ringgold boys, which, bye and bye, we discovered in a wood up to the left, and the men on drill in front of it. We " raised the yell," which they answered, and at once broke ranks and raced to the
Colonel Andrew J. Greenfield has written a very excellent memoir, giving his recol- Jections of the operations in which his command participate l from 1861 to the. close of the war in 1985. We are indebted to bis narrative largely for this early history of The Washington Cavalry.
* Sergeant Samuel G. Rogers of the Washington Cavalry Company kept a very full and complete diary throughout his three years of service, which has been of great value to the historian in supplying interesting details of camp and march.
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THE WASHINGTON CAVALRY COMPANY, 1861.
station, each trying to get there first. By the time we were off the train, they were there to receive us, and escort us to their camp. They furnished us with the best supper they could from their rations, and after a long camp-fire chat, mostly answering questions about the friends at home, we were assigned to some empty tents for a night's rest, part of their company being absent on an expedition. We rolled in our blankets, and, for the first time, lay on the ground to sleep. Next morning, we were wakened by the bugle sounding reveille. We now selected a camping ground in the wood near the Ringgolds, and began camp life in earnest.
Up to this time, we had not chosen our officers, nor had we been sworn into the service. An election of officers was held on the 19th, resulting as follows: Captain, A. J. Greenfield; First Lieu- tenant, John Dabinett; Second Lieutenant, George W. Jenkins; Orderly Sergeant, Wm. Brown.
The Company had thus far been called the Ellsworth Lancers, but that name was discarded, and the name " Washington Cavalry " chosen.
Captain Greenfield at once took the train for Clarksburg, the headquarters of General Rosencrans, to arrange for having the men of the Company sworn into the service.
The same afternoon, August 19, 1861, Captain Greenfield re- turned, accompanied by a regular army officer, who mustered the Company into the United States Service as Pennsylvania Volunteers. A requisition for arms, equipments and supplies was promptly made by the Captain, and in less than ten days, we were mounted, armed and equipped, and doing scout and picket duty, as the country was infested with Rebels. The arms with which we were first supplied were old horse pistols, which had been changed from flint-locks to percussion cap locks ; and it was almost as dangerous to be behind them as in front when they were fired.
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