USA > Texas > A comprehensive history of Texas, 1685-1897 > Part 31
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These regiments -- First, Fourth, and Fitth-were now organized as the Texas Brigade. Colonel Wigiall was appointed brigadier-general, and, at Colonel Mc- Leod's death, Colonel Rainey was in command of the First Regiment.
The other officers assisted Colonel Hood in all his plans, and nothing but good feeling existed between them all during that first winter, spent in the sleet, snow, and cold of the Dumfries camp.
Details from each regiment were made for officers to return to Texas on recruit-
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"WISFALL MASA" AT CAMP DUMFRIES.
ing service. The cabinet officers of the government were particularly anxious to get more regiments from Texas and fill up those decimated by sickness. Those appointed to this service succeeded in obtaining new members for regiments already in the field, but no new regiment was ever added to the brigade from their own State. The Eighteenth Georgia, and a portion of Hampton's Legion (South Carolina ) for a while, afterwards formed a portion of the Texas Brigade.
Early in March General Mcclellan determined to advance upon Richmond via the peninsula. The Virginia peninsula, running down between the James and York Rivers, had been fortified and batteries placed at various important points, all under command of General J. B. Magruder, who, with a force not exceeding eight thousand, had by skilful manœuvres occupied this territory with Confederate troops.
When General Mcclellan moved his base of operations, it necessitated also the removal of the Confederates near the Potomac. On March 5 the pleasant relations
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at Dumfries were broken by a detail being ordered from the Texas Brigade to report to General Wade Hampton, to act as rear-guard to his command as it moved back via Manassas to Fredericksburg. On March 8 the brigade was decamped.
March 11, Colonel Hood received notice of his appointment as brigadier-gen- eral, and that he was assigned to the Texas Brigade. While this was gratifying, because of the close intimacy with the men of the brigade while colonel of the Fourth Regiment, yet it gave him some annoyance.
General Wigfall had been elected by the Texas legislature as Confederate Senator, and had, therefore, left the field, but Colonel Archer, of the Fifth Regiment, ranked him by seniority, and it was not customary to promote officers over the head of their superiors. Colonel Archer acted nobly on this occasion, went to General Hood, was one of the first to congratulate him upon the honor conferred, and expressed his earnest approbation of the appointment and entire willingness to serve under him. To a man as proud and sensitive as General lood this was a pleasing episode, for, had Colonel Archer acted otherwise, it would have been exceedingly disagreeable.
The troops crossed the Rappahannock at Falmouth, and took position near Fredericksburg ; from thence marehed by Milford Station. Here they took the cars for Ashland, a small village above Richmond, on the Fredericksburg Road. Here they again took up the line of march for Yorktown, where they arrived in good condition, considering the weather, which General Hood pronounced the worst he had ever endured in a march.
At Yorktown they were assigned to the reserve corps, and eamped upon the ground occupied by Washington's army during the Revolutionary War. A line of fortifications had been thrown up by General Magruder, and they were daily detailed to act as sharp-shooters,-the Federal pickets advancing within two hun- dred yards of their works. Not much damage was done, as only a few were even wounded, but they watched one another's movements with sleepless vigilance.
The evacuation of the peninsula became imperatively necessary, from the fact that the troops were confronted by a superior foree, and flanked right and left by navigable streams, occupied solely by the enemy's fleet. The Texas Brigade acted again as rear-guard from Yorktown, reaching Williamsburg.
The next morning a fierce onset was made. The Federals were repulsed with heavy loss, amounting to about five thousand, killed, wounded, and missing, the Confederates about twenty-five hundred.
It became evident next day that the Federals were only trying to retard the progress of the evacuation, and were landing troops by gunboats and transports up York River at Eltham's Landing, opposite the village of West Point, the terminus of the York River Railroad, which runs from that place, about forty miles, to Rich- mond. Here, too, the Pamunkey and Mattapony Rivers unite, forming York River, and the design was to eut the Confederate army in twain right here and intereept them, while MeClellan advanced upon Richmond.
General Franklin landed two regiments from his gunboats on York River at Eltham's Landing, near the village of Barhamsville, New Kent County, May 7. The Texas Brigade was marching as rear-guard, and encountered the Federal picket- line which had been thrown out. General Hood immediately ordered his men to
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move up, which they did at double-quick, and the line of battle was formed on the brow of the hill. Beyond this hill, which had a precipitous descent, was an open field six or seven hundred yards in width. Beyond this were five or six companies of the enemy, who fell back into the timber, our inen firing some random shots. General Hood ordered Company B to act as skirmishers. They advanced across the open field, entered the timber, and commeneed a running fight. Another and another company was ordered to the support of the skirmishers, until six were now engaged. The Federals made a stand behind an old mill-dam, and a spirited engagement ensued. The firing became general, and the enemy, many of their guns missing fire, threw them down and fled.
While the Fourth Regiment was thus engaged, Colonel A. T. Rainey, of the First Regiment, ordered his men to attack the left wing. Getting his regiment into position, they received the fire well on an open road, the Federals in the brush. The slaughter was so great that Colonel Rainey ordered his men to fall back into the woods about one hundred yards, where they were halted and com- manded to kneel and await the approach of the enemy's force. He was exceed- ingly nervous about whether his men or himself would stand fire, as they were all raw troops, but was compelled to appear cool and collected to inspire con- fidence in his men. When the regiment fell back, the Federals, supposing they were retreating, came on with a yell to within thirty steps. The Texans unflinch- ingly received the fire, pouring volley after volley into their ranks. After fighting about hali an hour, and discovering the Federals did not advance, the Texans were ordered to rise and charge. They gave a yell and sprang forward. The Federals, seeing the situation, turned and fled to their gunboats, about four or five hundred yards distant, with the Texans in full pursuit.
General Hood arrived with his staff just then. Perceiving that they were about to run under the fire of the gunboats, a courier was despatched to order Colonel Raincy to halt. They did not obey the order. General Hood himself now came up and ordered, "Colonel Rainey, halt your regiment!"' This order was obeyed. In this action the Texans engaged were about seven hundred ; Federals, eigh- teen hundred or two thousand. Lieutenant-Colonel Black, Captain Decatur, and twenty privates were killed and some thirty or forty wounded. The Federal loss was three hundred killed and wounded, and one hundred and twenty-six prisoners, according to General Hood's official report.
This affair was of great importance. President Davis, in conversation with a Texas Senator, said, in speaking of the Texas Brigade : "They saved the rear of the army and the whole of our baggage-train." General Gustave Smith, in a letter to Colonel Horace Randall, said : "The Texans won immortal honor for themselves, their State, and their commander, General Hood, at the battle of Eltham's Landing, opposite West Point."
The Texas Brigade was drawn up in line of battle on May 8 in front of Dr. Tyler's residence, five miles west of New Kent Court-House, but the enemy made no attempt to attack. They moved up the road and formed a new line of defence, until the army could take position near Richmond. The next day they marched to the Chickahominy, a distance of six miles, but the road was blocked with baggage- trains and artillery, the mud fearful, while the rain poured in torrents. After many
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vexations the Chickahominy was at last passed, and they were safe on the Rich- mond side, at a place called " Pine Island," three miles from the city.
On May 26 they received orders to march, and, after going to and fro along the Chickahominy, finally moved down the Nine-Mile Road to within a mile and a half of the enemy, where they halted and waited for the signal of battle.
The Texas Brigade was under fire during the two days' fight at Seven Pines (May 31 to June 1), but not directly engaged, much to the chagrin of the men. After the battle they were thrown to the front. Every day two hundred men and the requisite number of officers were detailed to act as spies and sharp-shooters. These men operated beyond and independent of the regular pickets, and became a terror to the enemy.
On the morning of June 7, a party, under Lieutenant Jemison, of the First Regiment, Lieutenant Barziza, of the Fourth, and Lieutenant Nashi, of the Fifth, was ordered by General Hood to drive in the enemy's pickets. They attacked the out- posts. The pickets fled pell-mell, but, perceiving that there was only a small force, returned and resisted the advance of the Texans. A regiment of Federals came in sight, and the Texans dropped back under cover of their batteries, having lost six men and the Federals about fifty. General Hood issued an order complimenting officers and men for the brave attack.
General Robert E. Lee was now placed in command, and thenceforward directed the movements of the army in front of Richmond. Just at this juncture of affairs General Lee formed his plan of attack upon General Mcclellan. As part of the general movement to execute that plan, the Texas Brigade, belonging to Whiting's division, moved by railroad via Lynchburg to Charlottesville, and thence to Staun- ton. The men were astonished at this move, and were instructed when asked where they were going to reply, "I don't know."
When they reached Staunton they joined General Jackson, and orders were issued to return at once to Charlottesville and Hanover Junction. From Ashland the troops were marched in a southeasterly direction on the morning of June 26. Below the city the Confederates attacked the intrenched enemy at Mechanicsville, only three miles from the city. Night brought an end to the fighting, and the Federals retreated to Gaines's Farm, where they were strongly iutrenched. Next morning the attack was renewed. As soon as General Lee was advised that Gen- eral Jackson had arrived and made his connection at Cold Harbor, the attack was made simultaneously along the whole line.
It was on this memorable June 27 that Hood's Texas Brigade made the repu- tation which one of their number quaintly said " nearly exhausted them to achieve, and nearly finished them to maintain." The battle had waged hot and thick, but no break was made in the intrenchments. The Confederates marched boldly up, but were mowed down by a blinding, continuous shower of shot and shell, and were unable to successfully make any headway against the Federal line.
About four o'clock in the afternoon General Lee came up to General Hood and told him the works must be carried. "Can you break his line?" General Hood replied : " I will try."
The Texas Brigade consisted of the First. Fourth, and Filth Texas Regiments and the Eighteenth Georgia Regiment. Whiting's division consisted of the Fourth
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Alabama, Second and Eleventh Mississippi, Sixth North Carolina, the Texas Bri- gade, and the Hampton Legion. The division, with the exception of Hood's brigade, had been actively engaged for some time when General Lee spoke to General Hood. The latter says :
" I immediately formed my brigade in line of battle, with Hampton's Legion on the left. My line was established and moved forward, regiment by regiment, when I discovered, as the disposition of the Eighteenth Georgia was completed, an open field on its right. Holding the Fourth Texas in reserve, I ordered the advance and galloped into the open field, from which point I could see at a dis- tance of about eight hundred yards the position of the Federals.
"They were heavily intrenched upon the side of an elevated ridge. At the foot of the slope ran Powhite Creek, which stream, together with the abatis in front of their works, constituted a formidable obstruction to our approach, whilst batteries, supported by masses of infantry, crowned the crest of the hill in the rear, and long-range guns were posted upon the south side of the Chickahominy in readiness to enfilade our advancing column. The ground from which I made these observations was open the entire distance to their intrenchments. I determined to advance from that point, to make a strenuous effort to pierce the enemy's fortifica- tions, and if possible to put him to flight.
" I therefore marched the Fourth Texas by the right flank into this open field, halted and dressed the line while under fire of the long-range guns, and gave posi- tive instructions that no man should fire until I gave the order, for I knew if the men were allowed to fire they would halt to load, break the alignment, and very likely never reach the breastworks. 1, moreover, ordered them not only to keep together, but in line,-that I would lead the charge.
" 'Forward, march "' was sounded, and we moved at a rapid, but not a double- quick pace. Meantime my regiments on the left had advanced some distance to the front through the wood and swamp.
"Onward we marched under the constantly increasing shower of shot and shell, while to our right could be seen some of our troops making their way to the rear and others lying down under a galling fire.
"Soon we attained the crest of the bold ridge, within about one hundred and fifty yards of the breastworks. Here was concentrated upon us from batteries in front and flank a fire of shell and canister, which ploughed through our ranks with deadly effect. At a quickened pace we continued to advance without firing a shot, down the slope, over a body of our soldiers lying on the ground, to and across Powhite Creek, when, amid the fearful roar of musketry, I gave the order to fix bayonets and charge !
" With a ringing shout we dashed up the steep hill and over the breastworks upon the very heads of the enemy. The Federals, panic-stricken, rushed precipi- tately to the rear upon infantry in support of the artillery. Suddenly the whole joined in the flight towards the valley beyond. At this juncture some twenty guns in rear of the Federal line on the hill to the left opened fire upon the Fourth Texas Regiment, which changed front and charged in that direction. I despatched every officer of my staff to the main portion of the brigade in the wood to the left, in- structing them to bear the glad tidings that the Fourth Texas had pierced the
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enemy's rear and to deliver orders to push forward with utmost haste. At the same moment I discovered a Federal brigade marching up the slope from the valley beyond, evidently with the purpose to re-establish the line.
" Meantime the long line of blue and steel to the right and left wavered and finally gave way as the Eighteenth Georgia, First and Fifth Texas, and Hampton Legion (South Carolina) moved forward from right to left, completing a grand left wheel of the brigade into the very heart of the enemy.
"Simultaneously with this movement burst forth a tumultuous shout of vic- tory, which was taken up along the whole Confederate line. I mounted my horse, rode forward, and found the Fourth Texas and Eighteenth Georgia had charge of a Federal regiment which had surrendered to them."
General Jackson says officially : " In this charge, in which upwards of a thou- sand men fell, killed and wounded, before the fire of the enemy, and in which fourteen pieces of artillery and nearly a regiment were captured, the Fourth Texas, under the lead of General Hood, was the first to pierce these strongholds and seize the guns."
The day was won, but at a terrible sacrifice. Hundreds were killed, hundreds wounded and suffering upon the battle-field. The brave Colonel Marshall, of the Fourth, was killed early in the charge, cheering his men to victory. Lieutenant- Colonel Bradfute Warwick then assumed full command, and with matchless daring led his men through the shower of death ; picking up a fallen flag he planted it upon the breastworks in the supreme moment of victory, was stricken down, and fell mortally wounded. The wounded were taken to Richimond to the hospitals on litters and in ambulances ; the dead buried on the battle-field.
General McClellan had occupied a semicircular line from the vicinity of Ash- land to James River, a distance of about twenty miles, while the Confederates were inside the semicircle.
By the turn of the tide at Gaines's Farm General McClellan was compelled to give up his northern strongholds, including possession of the Fredericksburg and Central Railroad. Thus cut off from his avenues of supply, it was soon known that he was retreating towards the James River. Following up the retreat, General Stuart with his cavalry was doing good service in the direction of White House, each day capturing and destroying property and sending large bodies of prisoners to the rear.
General Hood was ordered to advance on Saturday, but was compelled to wait until a bridge destroyed by the enemy could be repaired.
On Sunday, June 29, occurred the fight at Savage Station, and at the close of the day Mcclellan was eluding the Confederates in full retreat. On Monday the pursuit was resumed, the troops advancing upon the enemy at Frazier's Farm, on the New Market Road. The Federals made a desperate resistance. All day the men fought, as regiment after regiment was thrown against the Confederate advancing column. Night closed with the battle still raging. The day's work did not end until half-past ten o'clock, when the Federals stopped their advance, " concluding with the achievement of the field, under the most trying circum- stances, which the enemy with overwhelming numbers had not succeeded in reclaiming." This was one of the most remarkable long-contested fights that had occurred,-the loss dreadful to contemplate.
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On Tuesday, the Federals continued their flight towards their gunboats, and were now in communication with their supplies.
At Malvern Hill they occupied the erest of the hill, fortified and prepared to receive an attack, -commanding an undulating field which fell to the right into a plain or meadow. Here their batteries were massed, strongly supported by in- fantry,-everything ready for another terrible day's work. General Magruder commenced the attack. About five o'clock, after being engaged all day, the order was given to charge the works and drive the men from their position. The troops sprang to the encounter, rushing into the field at full speed. The enemy's breast- works sent forth a murderous storm of grape and canister. Officers and men went down by hundreds, but still the line dashed on, until two-thirds of the distance across the field was accomplished. The line wavered and fell back to the woods. Twice was the effort made with the same result. The conflict slackened as night came on. The men had not carried the fortifications, but they occupied the field and posted their pickets within one hundred yards of the Federal guns. It was a stubborn assault on the part of the Confederates, and, while not a brilliant victory, as Gaines's Farm, gave the enemy no advantage, and was the last of the " Seven Days' Fights."
Malvern Hill is considered by soldiers and historians the most sanguinary of that series of bloody engagements. The official report places the Confederate loss at three thousand, the Federals fifteen thousand, but there is no doubt the Con- federate loss was greater than reported. Strong men shudder when they recall Malvern Hill,-lines rushing on, hurled back, others taking their places, the living sweeping over the dead, and still the battle raging.
The Federal army was not annihilated, but was driven to the cover of their gunboats. The siege of Richmond was raised, a large army had been put to flight, while the Federal government forgot to boast of the speedy termination of the war.
The wounded of the Texas Brigade were taken to the hospitals, and their officers and friends found it difficult to visit them and bestow the little attention they could render.
The brigade was on picket duty for a while after hostilities ceased, and finally were again ordered on the march, and pitched their tents on the same ground from which they had moved on the morning of May 31 to march to the battle-field of Seven Pines.
"Thus they had completed a tour of five hundred miles, passing through several bloody engagements, and at the end of forty days were at the same place they started." Here they rested for a while, and the chaplain and officers pro- ceeded to the city to look after their stricken comrades. Finding it impossible to give any concerted care to their wounded, scattered sometimes three or four miles apart, it was decided to procure a building, and with the help of the ladies, and some assistance from the government, forty-six beds were soon ready for oecu- pancy. Rev. Nicholas Davis was placed in charge, and a Texas hospital became an institution of the city of Richmond. Mrs. President Davis and other friends of the Texans rendered efficient help. The Young Men's Christian Association also took an interest in the enterprise, providing clothing, food, and other supplies.
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Here the men met comrades of their own State and were better satisfied, while Mr. Davis attended to their spiritual as well as temporal wants.
During the year this hospital was in operation. Afterwards the surgeon in charge was Dr. Lunday, a Texas physician, who practised his profession after the war in Houston, and died in that city. The members of the brigade will ever cherish his memory with kindliest feelings of regard because of his work in behalf of the sick and wounded of Hood's soldiers at Richmond, Virginia.
The government at Washington issued a call for three hundred thousand more troops, and Major-General Pope was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac, who changed the base of operations back to the Rappahannock River. He issued orders from "head-quarters in the saddle," boasted of his ability to cope with his adversary, until the newspapers North caught the inspiration and believed him the greatest leader of the age.
"Stonewall" Jackson had quietly left the lines below Richmond and made his way rapidly to the Rapidan. On August 8 his command engaged. the Federals at the battle of Cedar Mountain,-one of the most severe and rapid engagements of the war, resulting in a decisive victory.
The Texas Brigade was not engaged in this battle. After resting and recruit- ing, as before stated, Whiting's division had been ordered to move north, but the destination was a mystery. General Jackson was gone, General Longstreet was gone, but under which leader they would fight was unknown. They took up the line of march until they reached the Rappahannock. The weather was hot and many were stricken with sunstroke. Still General Hood moved forward until he reached Freeman's Ford. He found the enemy had crossed in front of General Trimble. The battle was already begun. The artillery had been at work some time, and now the sharp-shooters were marking their objects.
The Texas Brigade took position on General Trimble's right, and Colonel MeLaw's brigade on his left. The line of battle was formed, the order "Forward!" was given, the line of the Federals was instantly broken, and they were driven headlong into the river. The rout was complete ; many were shot in the back, others while attempting to recross the river, and three hundred killed and wounded in the river and along the shore told the tale of this day's destruction.
The men had only green corn for food, as the wagons did not arrive until the night of the 23d. Soon the camp was busy cooking rations, when the order came to move. Supper was in every stage of preparation, except ready to eat, but mili- tary law must be obeyed. The next day they had time to cook, and continuing the march until, on the 28th, they reached Thoroughfare Gap. Jackson had passed through unmolested, but the Federals now occupied the gap, which was a narrow defile in the Bull Run Mountains, with crags and slopes close around, protected by a wall of stone on either side. General Hood had joined General Jones's division, and it was determined to force a passage through this strong position, -the advan- tage being on the Federal side.
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