USA > Pennsylvania > The Twenty-second Pennsylvania cavalry and the Ringgold battalion, 1861-1865; > Part 5
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Our attack on Blue's Gap had angered Jackson, who had de- termined to retaliate and punish us for our impertinence. We marched from Romney on the evening of January 10th, in a cold, drizzling rain, taking the road to Springfield, and thence to Frank- fort, where we turned down Patterson's Creek. Just below Frank- fort we had to cross the creek, which was then a raging torrent,
Jackson feared a junction of Kelley's forces with Banks' and an advance on Winchester via Martinsburg. His hurry was to strike one of these forces before being mited with the other. Jackson reported his force at about 10,000 men of all arms. January 10, 8,000 infantry and 375 cavalry were on the Romney and Berkeley turnpike and the rest scattered.
. Colonel Greenfield.
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
full to the top of its banks and no bridge. A bridge was constructed by running wagons into the creek, the water reaching almost to the top of the body; on these, timbers were laid and planks on the timbers, which made a bridge for the infantry to cross upon. The weather and roads were extremely bad-sleet and snow, freezing at night and thawing in the day-time. * " The camp at Patterson's Creek was a mudhole, and a more uncomfortable camp could not have been selected. Many of our men were taken sick from ex- posure, and two of Greenfield's men died in the hospital at Cumber- land, Md."
General (Stonewall) Jackson admits in his report that his com- mand was so demoralized by the march and exposure from the cold, snow and sleet and the muddy camp at Romney, that his expedition was a failure, as his plans could not be carried out.
+ " While at Patterson Creek, the cavalry were kept busy scout- ing. As a cavalry scout under Captain Greenfield approached Frankfort one day, we saw a man riding out on the Springfield Road; the Captain struck out in pursuit of him, calling to three or four men to follow him. Instead, the whole detachment charged over the road, which was like a bed of mortar, and the mud flew all over us as we charged through it as fast as our horses could run. In the dash. Pat Grace's horse fell with him, and both man and horse were almost buried in the mire. The Captain wanted Pat to go back to camp; but no, he waded into a stream and washed the mud off his clothes and went on with us, cold as it was. We charged into Springfield and searched a number of houses where Rebel families lived, expecting to find some Confederate soldiers. I was with a party that searched the house of Captain Daly of the Rebel army. We had gone all over the house, upstairs and down, and when we came down into the hall, I opened a door to a closet under the stairs. There was a bed stowed away back under the stairs, and some boxes and barrels in front of it; ail looked as if it had been there for some time. I did not care to take the time to pull these things out, but said to the Rebel's wife. 'Is he under the bed? I am going to shoot through it and see.' She put on a bold front and said, 'Fire away.' and seemed so cool about it that we came away with- out further search. We learned afterwards that Captain Daly was lying under that bed. Since that time, our men and the ex-rebs of that town have had many a good laugh over our search for Captain Daly."
· Rogers.
1 Rogers.
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THE PENNSYLVANIA SQUADRON, 1862.
FREE SPEECH NORTH VERSUS FREE SPEECH SOUTH.
In many sections of the North there were thousands of rabid secessionists or rebel-sympathizers, who openly opposed the Gov- ernment, discouraged enlistments, rejoiced in the defeat of the Union armies, the women taunting Union soldiers on the street by shouting "Hurrah for Jeff Davis," etc. There were also many " copperhead " newspapers that were as bitter in their abuse of the United States Government and its efforts to put down the Rebellion, and as eloquent in their rejoicing over Confederate victories and Federal defeats as any sheet in the heart of the Confederacy ; yet they were permitted to publish their treasonable utterances broadcast, in the exercise of the right of free speech. Now, cross the Potomac into the border counties of Northern Virginia, and see how those fared who were still loyal to the Government and flag they had loved and honored from infancy. Hear the testimony of General " Stonewall " Jackson, who, on January 20, 1862, wrote his War Department as follows:
" On the first of this month, there was not a single loyal citizen of Morgan County (across the Potomac from the Maryland strip, below Cumberland), who, in my opinion, could in safety remain at home, and the same may be said respecting the most valuable portion of Hampshire County."
* The hardships and exposures suffered by Jackson's troops in this winter campaign resulted disastrously to them. Many of them from the milder climate of the States farther south, poorly clad, poorly shod, and with very insufficient camp equipment, fell sick, and after their return to Winchester, hundreds of them died of pneumonia. Just before leaving Romney, Jackson wrote: "Since leaving Winchester on the last instant (Jan.), the troops have suf- fered greatly, and General Loring had not a single brigade in condi- tion for active operations. It will not do for me to remain here much longer, lest General Banks should cross the Potomac. In a few days I expect to leave this place, taking with me General Gar- nett's Brigade."
Jackson, with Garnett's troops, reached Winchester on the 23rd, having left Loring at Romney with 4,000 infantry, three companies of cavalry and thirteen pieces of artillery.
* Four years in the Stonewall Brigade.
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
A WINTER CAMPAIGN. PAW PAW. BLOOMERY GAP.
On February 5th, General Lander, learning that General Loring was about to evacuate Romney, made an effort to intercept and capture his army. All the available force at Patterson Creek, under command of General Lander, marched down the railroad, crossing the South Branch of the Potomac, over the railroad bridge, where we camped that night.
On the next day, we resumed the march, halting at French's Station until 1 A. M. of the following day, when we struck out across the country to get in the rear of Loring's forces. After wading over roads tramped into mire until the infantry sank in mud up to their ankles at every step, covering a distance of ten miles in about as many hours, it was learned that Loring and his com- mand had fallen back to Winchester; they had, no doubt, been informed of our intentions and quietly slipped out.
Our cavalry encamped at French's store that night, and next day (8th) marched to Paw Paw under command of Colonel Sulli- van of the 13th Indiana Infantry. On the 9th, Captain Green- field, with a detachment of sixty cavalry, was sent on a reconnais- sance in the direction of Winchester, and found a force of the enemy about 600 strong at Bloomery Gap.
Greenfield says: "I reported the fact to Colonel Sullivan and suggested that he take his infantry, about 1,200 strong, and that I would gain their rear with the cavalry, and we could rout and capture this command. He declined to risk the expedition without the consent of General Lander; said he would write Lander, who was then at French's Store, and ask permission. He told me that Lander made no reply."
* On the evening of February 13th, the greater part of our force started out across the country. We marched all night in the slush caused by the recent snow. About ten miles from camp, we had to cross Big Cacapon River, which was full to the top of its banks. During the night, a bridge was built on wagons for the infantry to cross. We, cavalry, forded the stream, which was half- way up on the sides of our horses, and so swift that it almost took
* On the night of February 14th, while on this march to Bloomery Gap, Joseph E. Abell of the Ringgold Company had an eye destroyed as follows: The night was dark. and while the cavalry was passing through some timber. the man riding in front of Abell caught the himb of a tree that came in his way and held it until he had passed. when he let go; it flew back and struck Abell in the eye, destroying the organ com- pletely, and causing him great suffering for the remainder of his life. He continued in the service, however, until the end of the war.
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THE PENNSYLVANIA SQUADRON, 1862.
them off their feet. Reached Bloomery Gap at daylight next morn- ing. The infantry and artillery were away behind, toiling through the mud and slush, but the impetuous Lander did not wait for them to come up, but charged the enemy with the 400 cavalry, leading the charge in person. The enemy were surprised and completely routed with serious loss, as reported by General Lander, as follows : Paw Paw, Feb. 14, 1862.
" Had an important reconnaissance last night, completed to- day. Broke up the Rebel nest at Bloomery Gap. Ran down and caught 17 commissioned officers, among them Colonels, Lieuten- ant-Colonels, Captains, etc. Engaged them with 400 cavalry; in- fantry not near enough to support, and enemy retiring; in all 65 prisoners ; killed, 13; lost two men and six horses at their first fire."
Our Pennsylvania Squadron acquitted themselves creditably in this charge and pursued the enemy for some distance, capturing prisoners. In concluding his report, General Lander states that the country thereabout and as far south as Moorfield is now clear. " As the work entrusted to me may be regarded done, and the enemy out of this department, I most earnestly request to be relieved. If not relieved, must resign. My health is too much broken to do any severe work." This was the last report 'he ever made, for he died within a few days.
Our squadron remained in camp at Paw Paw until about the first of March. The bridges over Big and Little Cacapon, between our camp and Cumberland, had been destroyed, and no trains could reach our camp. Trains had not been running through to Harper's Ferry on this road since the beginning of the war. We went into camp here without any tents. At first, we got into a barn to sleep at night ; but the orderly sergeants had great trouble in get- ting the men down out of the hay in the middle of the night to go on scout, so we were all made to sleep outside after the second night. We made a kind of shelter by driving stakes into the ground in a slanting position, to which we tied our rubber blankets ; then built fires along on the open side. We lay in these for two
HDQRS. 3rd BRIGADE, GEN. LANDER'S DIVISION. February 18, 1862.
Special Order :
From and after this date and until further orders, the cavalry of this command will be organized into squadrons and battalions as follows: Company commanders will report to battalion commanders, who will report to Chief of Cavalry. Captain John Keys of the Ringgold Cavalry being the ranking captain in this command, will. until further orders, receive the reports of battalions and assume command of the same.
E. B. TYLER. Col. and Act'g Brig. Gen.
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
weeks, during which we had some very cold weather and one deep snow.
Major General McClellan had assumed command of the Army of the Potomac on the 20th of August, 1861. On November 1st fol- lowing, he superseded General Winfield Scott as Commander of the Army of the United States. Great things were expected of him by the administration, and also by the people of the country. A large army had been assembled in and about Washington, where it lay throughout the autumn and winter. The war expenses were heavy, and the country was becoming impatient at the continued in- activity. A new man of great capacity and energy, Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, of Pittsburgh, Pa., had been appointed Secretary of War. President Lincoln became exceedingly anxious for aggress- ive operations, and after repeated and vain efforts to induce General McClellan to move against the enemy, the President issued the following order :
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 1862. PRESIDENT'S GENERAL WAR ORDER No. 1.
" Ordered, That the 22nd of February, 1862, be the day for a general movement of the land and naval forces of the United States against the insurgent forces. That especially the army at and about Fortress Monroe ; the Army of the Potomac; the Army of Western Virginia ; the army near Munfordville, Kentucky ; the army and flotilla at Cairo, and a naval force in the Gulf of Mexico, be ready to move on that day."
General Banks had been in command of the troops in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. The President's order contemplated an advance up the Shenandoah Valley of all the forces along the Maryland border. General Banks was chosen to command this army. The War Department had determined to have the Balti- more and Ohio Railroad repaired and put in operation from Harper's Ferry to Cumberland; the operations under General Lan- der during February had been preliminary to this work. On the 28th of February, John W. Garrett, President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, reported the railroad rebuilt and trains running as far as Hancock, Md. On the same afternoon, General Lander was ordered to move on Martinsburg, where he would be joined by a force under General Williams. General Lander was very ill, and going down rapidly. A short time previous to this, he had asked to be relieved on account of ill health.
.
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THE PENNSYLVANIA SQUADRON, 1862.
On March 2nd, General McClellan sent the following order :
WASHINGTON, March 2, 1862. S. F. BARSTOW, A. A. G.,
Camp Chase, Paw Paw.
During the illness of General Lander, let the next officer in rank assume command and move the available troops on Martins- burg via Hedgesville, covering construction of roads as troops advance. . .
A few days after this General Lander died, and was succeeded in command by General Shields, who marched the troops to Mar- tinsburg, where he was joined by General Williams' troops, when the whole force moved forward to Bunker Hill, and thence to Win- chester, reaching the latter place March 12th, which had been evacuated by General "Stonewall" Jackson on the approach of the Union forces.
CHAPTER V.
* WITH GENERAL BANKS IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY. MARCH-APRIL, 1862.
At Winchester, on the 14th of March, 1862, our Ringgold- Washington Squadron joined General Banks' Fifth Army Corps, Williams' and Shields' divisions comprising the command; in all about 10,000 troops. Our squadron was attached to Shields' Division.
On the 18th and 19th, our division (Shields') made a recon- naissance in the direction of Mount Jackson, our squadron taking the advance. We had some skirmishing with Ashby's Cavalry, but no considerable loss was suffered on either side. Returned to Win- chester on the 20th and camped in the woods in the rear of the town.
THE FIRST BATTLE OF KERNSTOWN, 1862.
On the evening of March 22nd, Ashby's Cavalry, with Chew's Battery, attacked our outposts south of Winchester. Our squadron was ordered out under command of Captain Keys to support one of Colonel Daum's batteries. While directing the battery to its position, General Shields was struck by a fragment of a shell, which fractured his arm above the elbow and injured his side. Captains
* This chapter is mostly from Colonel Greenfield's Memoirs.
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
Keys and Greenfield, who were with him at the time, inquired if he was seriously injured, but the General made light of it and continued in command while his battery vigorously shelled the enemy until it became too hot for them, when they retired. Gen- eral Shields' wound was quite serious, and he was incapacitated from taking command the next day.
On the night of the ?2nd, General Shields ordered Captain Keys with the squadron to make a reconnaissance out the Front Royal Road to ascertain if the enemy was moving on his left.
Captain Keys, in his report of the action, says: " Agreeable to your verbal orders and instructions of Saturday, the 22nd, I took my command, consisting of the Washington and Ringgold Cavalry, numbering sixty men, and proceeded with dispatch, and reported at four o'clock in the evening to Colonel Copeland, who, after the enemy began to give back, ordered me to take the Front Royal Road, and proceed cautiously along the same, sending messengers to the rear to report, which was done. We proceeded to a farm house three and a half miles out, where we captured one of Stuart's caval- rymen, with whom we returned to Winchester. Deeming his in- formation valuable, we reported him to headquarters.
" Again on the 23rd of March, agreeable to your order, I re- ported my command to your headquarters, where, by your order, I divided my command, sending Captain Greenfield with the Wash- ington Cavalry on the Front Royal Road with directions to watch the enemy on his right, whilst by your direction, I took the Ring- gold Cavalry to watch the enemy on his left on the Romney Road and give due notice of his approach by reporting to the rear and headquarters. I proceeded to fulfill this order, and followed the Romney Road for seven miles, then sending a scout to the front for three miles farther, with instructions as above, I returned two miles to where a road intersects the Romney Road from Newtown. At this point, we had captured two suspicious persons and sent them to headquarters. Here we went off to the southeast, and soon heard firing in our front. We next saw some Rebel cavalry, who, upon our approach, retired. We advanced until within eight hundred yards and to the rear of the battle ground. The fire of musketry was then increasing. The artillery had ceased and the contending forces were approaching each other, but it was dusk, and I was unable from the smoke of the firing and the dusk to distinguish friend from foe, and from my position to the left and rear of the enemy, I feared to approach nearer lest our forces should open on
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THE PENNSYLVANIA SQUADRON, 1862.
us. After the firing ceased for the night, I, with my company, re- turned to headquarters and reported for duty. This includes the action of the 22nd and 23rd."
Colonel Thornton F. Brodhead, First Michigan Cavalry, Chief of Cavalry, submits the following report :
"My command on the 23rd actively engaged in the battle, consisted of four companies of the First Michigan Cavalry, two companies of the Ohio Cavalry, two companies of Maryland, a squadron of the Ringgold and Washington Cavalry, Pennsylvania, commanded by Captain Keys, and six companies of the First Virginia Cavalry, less than 80 men in all. Their position on the march was at all times exposed and at the head of the column, testing well the courage of our gallant men, all of whom, I am proud to say, acquitted themselves nobly. I also enclose the report of Captains Keys and Greenfield, of the Pennsylvania Squadron. These excellent officers were assigned to severe duty, but discharged it well. The loss of the division was six officers and 112 enlisted men killed, 27 officers and 423 enlisted men wounded, 22 enlisted men missing ; total, 590."
Jackson, in his report, says he was repulsed with the loss of valuable officers and men killed and wounded. His official report gives his loss 718 killed, wounded and missing. He admits having the advantage of position, as his command was posted behind stone walls, which are numerous in the Shenandoah Valley. He evidently made the attack under a misapprehension of our force, as after his arrival at Kernstown, he says: "I learned from a source which has been remarkable for its reliability, that the enemy's infantry force at Winchester did not exceed four regiments." He does not give an exact report of his army, but the two armies were about equal in number, 7,000 men of all arms.
The important thing Jackson accomplished was the return of Williams' Division to the valley, that had been ordered to report to McDowell and relieve a part of his command, which was to rein- force McClellan, and which he was waiting for, to take part in the attack he contemplated, but never made, on Richmond. The Sec- retary of War sent the following telegram of congratulations :
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, March 26, 1862. Brigadier General Shields :
Your two dispatches relating to the brilliant achievement of the forces under your command. have been received. While rejoicing
4
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TWENTY-SECOND PENNSYLVANIA CAVALRY.
at the success of your gallant troops, deep commiseration and sym- pathy are felt for those who have been victims in the victorious and gallant contest with treason and rebellion. Your wounds, as well as your success, prove Lander's brave division is still bravely led, and wherever its standard is displayed, Rebels will be routed and pur- sued. To you and to the brave officers and soldiers under your com- mand, the Department returns thanks.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
The battle lasting until dark, it was too late to pursue, so the night was given up to caring for the wounded; both Union and Con- federate were brought to Winchester and placed in hospitals.
On the morning of the 24th, our cavalry pursued Jackson's retreating army, taking some prisoners and finding many of their wounded left in houses along the route to be cared for. We over- took Ashby's cavalry and drove them back upon their infantry and artillery. Our infantry coming up, we continued the pursuit, Jackson retreating through Middletown and Strasburg to Wood- stock, our cavalry harassing his retreat and making captures. We were then ordered back to Strasburg, where we encamped until April 1st, when we again advanced, attacking Jackson at Wood- stock and driving him across Stony Creek beyond Edenburg, with-
Our division commander, Major General James Shields, was born in Dungannon, Ireland, in 1810; came to the United States in 1826, became a lawyer, served through the Mexican War, and was breveted Major-General for gallantry at Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec. He was elected to the I'nited States Senate from Illinois in 1847. and from Minnesota in 1558, and appointed by the Governor of Missouri in 1879, and was the only man in the history of our country that had the distinguished honor of repre- senting three States in the United States Senate. He was, withal, a man of gentle nature and kind heart, as the following incident testifies :
Captain Wm. E. Griffith, then a private in the Washington Cavalry, served as orderly to General Shields during this spring campaign. On his leaving to join his company, the General gave him the following unsolicited testimonial, the original of which Captain Griffith has in his possession, and from which we copy :
HEADQUARTERS, SHIELDS' DIVISION. Woodstock, Virginia, April 21, 1862.
WILLIAM GRIFFITH a private of the Washington Cavalry, Pennsylvania Volun- teers, has been attached as special and permanent Orderly to this Staff for some time and, without his solicitation, I take a pleasure in expressing to him. that I, as well as the officers on duty at these Headquarter-, have the most perfect confidence in his integrity and morality ; and his zeal and fidelity in the execution of his duty has been observed by everybody.
His Corps being called away from the Command, he has to follow them and the best wishes accompany him from us, as to his future happiness and success.
By command of
GENERAL JAS. SHIELDS. Commanding Division, Department Shenandoah.
Private Griffith made good, sustaining this reputation throughout his four years' service, rising by successive promotions through the several grades, until on March 18, 1865, he was commissioned Captain and commanded his company until after the close of the war.
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THE PENNSYLVANIA SQUADRON, 1862.
out much loss on either side, as Jackson, although he gave a sharp little fight, was prepared to retreat, and fell back to Mt. Jackson, · destroying the bridge over Stony Creek.
* " General Banks halted the command at Woodstock and I en- camped in a beautiful pine woods. On April 4th, I received an order from General Banks through Colonel Brodhead, our Chief of Cavalry, to take the squadron and command an advanced outpost at Columbia Furnace on Stony Creek, and he would send four companies of infantry to report to me. As the order was verbal, I asked the Colonel for instructions. His reply was: "Use your own judgment, but don't get captured."
COLUMBIA FURNACE OUTPOST.
Columbia Furnace was a small but compact village of about twenty-five houses, extensive furnace buildings, a large country store, hotel and a large brick house, the residence of Mr. Wissler, a subject of Queen Victoria, for which he was thankful, considering that he had three sons, who otherwise might be subject to Confed- erate service. At his request, I made his house my headquarters, and he treated me royally.
Stony Creek was a small but deep stream, that flowed south- east into the north branch of the Shenandoah near Edenburg, and was not fordable at this time below our position, and there was no bridge that crossed it between the one at Edenburg on the Valley Pike, and this one at Columbia Furnace, fourteen miles to the right.
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