USA > Virginia > Henrico County > Henrico County > A history of the Laurel brigade, originally the Ashby cavalry of the Army of northern Virginia and Chew's battery > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
Gc 973.74 V81ma 1770829
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Go
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00824 2577
A HISTORY OF THE LAUREL BRIGADE
-
ORIGINALLY
THE ASHBY CAVALRY OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA 1
AND
CHEW'S BATTERY
BY THE LATE CAPTAIN WILLIAM N. MCDONALD
Ordnance Officer of the Brigade EDITED BY BUSHROD C. WASHINGTON
1
Published by MRS. KATE S. McDONALD
1907
IOT2H A
1
1770829
سـ
F 13 F 8618 .53
McDonald, William Naylor, 1834-1808.
18 A history of the Laurel brigade, originally the Ashby cavalry of the Army of northern Virginia and Chew's battery, by the late Captain William N. McDonald, ordnance office of the brigade: ed. by Bushrod C. Washington. Published by Mrs. Kate S. McDonald. Baltimore, Sun job printing office, 1907. 499 p. front., plates, ports. 21cm.
With a nucleus of Ashby's old command, the 7th Virginia cavalry, this brigade also included at various times the 2d, 6th, 11th (originally 17th battalion) and 12th regiments, and the 35th battalion of Virginia - cavalry ; and Chow's battery of artillery.
SHELF CARP
1. Virginia cavalry. Laurel brigade. 2. Virginia artillery. Chew's battery: 1861-1865. 3. Virginia cavalry. 7th regt., 1861-1865. 4. U. S .- Hist .- Civil war -- Regimental histories -- Virginia cavalry-Laurel bri- gade. I. Washington, Bushrod Corbin, 1839- ed. 163609
7-10885
Library of Congress Copyright A 191782
E181.4.1.37 ra2&d11
CAPT. WILLIAM N. McDONALD
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/historyoflaurel00mcdo
SCIE.A
COPYRIGHT, 1907, BY MRS. KATE S. McDONALD
163609
ILLUSTRATED, PRINTED AND BOUND BY THE SUN JOB PRINTING OFFICE, BALTIMORE
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
Development of the Laurel Brigade from the Seventh Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, enlisted under Col. Angus W. McDonald- Border service under Colonel McDonald and Col. Turner Ashby-Heroic death of Capt. Richard Ashby-Destructive expedition against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal-Chew's Battery attached to the command-Romney winter campaign under Jackson-Battle of Kernstown
17
CHAPTER II
Daily skirmishes with force of Banks-Addition of new companies and recruits swell the brigade-Jackson orders it divided into two commands, and Ashby tenders his resignation-Jackson revokes the order and Ashby withdraws his resignation-Jack- son marches to McDowell and defeats Fremont-Ashby screens the movement from Banks by constant skirmishing in his front -Destroys railroad and telegraph between Front Royal and Strasburg-Attack upon Federal infantry at Buckton, where Captains Sheetz and Fletcher fall-Battle of Winchester and pursuit of Banks-Ashby throws his cavalry between the con- verging armies of Shields and Fremont and prevents communi- cation between them-Informs Jackson fully of their move- ments-Capture of Sir Percy Wyndham-Death of Ashby- Cross Keys and Port Republic.
CHAPTER III
Jackson marches from Brown's Gap to the Chickahominy-His ingenious ruses to deceive Shields and Fremont-Munford screens Jackson's movement and follows him with the Second Virginia Cavalry-Genl. Beverly Robertson succeeds in com- mand of Valley cavalry-Reorganization of the Ashby cavalry -Robertson an organizer and diciplinarian-Brigade leaves
48
4
CONTENTS
Valley and joins Jackson near Richmond, July 10th, Company B of Twelfth Virginia Cavalry being left in the Valley-Fight- ing at Gordonsville and Cedar Run-Genl. J. E. B. Stuart leads cavalry in a reconnoissance-Brandy Station-Catlett's Station -Thoroughfare Gap-Sudley Road fight and death of Major Patrick-Second Manassas campaign-Advance into Maryland -Robertson assigned to Department of North Carolina, and Munford again commands the brigade-Poolesville and Cramp- ton's Gap-Affair at Darksville -- Capture of Harper's Ferry- Brigade covers Lee's recrossing of Potomac-Raid into Pennsylvania-Col. William E. Jones takes command-Various skirmishes in the Valley-White's Battalion attached to brigade -Snickers Gap and Castleman's Ferry-Company D of the Eleventh at Romney, and capture of Capt. E. H. McDonald- General Jones in command of the Valley District-Expedition to Moorefield-Scarcity of forage-Midwinter diversions in the Valley
72
CHAPTER IV
Jones' expedition into Western Virginia-Weak men and horses left in camp-Inclement weather and swollen streams-Danger- ous crossing of the Potomac at Petersburg-Heroic assistance of citizens-Rev. Richard Davis-Fight at Greenland Gap- McNeil's Rangers co-operate with Jones-Colonel Harman enters Oakland, destroys railroad bridge-Cranberry Summit- Mountaineers unfriendly and bushwhack our column-Capture of Morgantown-Bridgeport and Fairmont-Destruction of oil wells-A river on fire-Return to the Valley-Results of expedition-Cross the Blue Ridge to join "Jeb" Stuart-A grand review-Battle of Brandy Station.
CHAPTER V
A short rest-The army of Northern Virginia moves northward- Jones' brigade guards the line of the Rappahannock-Federal cavalry in search of Lee make for the passes of the Blue Ridge -Aldie and Middleburg-Fight at Upperville-Stuart makes famous raid in rear of Federal Army-Jones' and Robertson's brigades left to defend passes of the Blue Ridge-Operations of White's Battalion-In Maryland-Sixth Virginia meets Sixtlı United States Regulars near Fairfield and defeats the latter -- Joy of victory turned to sadness by news of Lee's failure at Cemetery Ridge-Jones and Robertson hold the passes of Jack
II7
5
CONTENTS
Mountain-Jones saves Ewell's wagon train-Buford and Kil- patrick thwarted-Fighting between Hagerstown and Williams- port-Gallant charge of the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry-Funks- town and Boonesboro-Williamsport relieved and Lee's wagon train saved-The Seventh Virginia retaliates upon Sixth Regu- lars-Artillery practice upon a flying target-Lee recrosses the Potomac-The brigade ordered south of the Potomac to cover Lee's communications with Winchester-The Twelfth, under Colonel Harman, on detached service near Harper's Ferry- Capture of Federal picket reserves-Colonel Harman falls into the hands of the enemy-Brigade encamps near Charles Town and engages in reconnoitering and skirmishes-Lee retires up the Valley and crossing the mountains resumes the line of the Rappahannock
147
CHAPTER VI
Brigade returns to watch the fords of the Rappahannock-Differ- ences between General Stuart and General Jones-The latter court-martialed and removed to another field of operations- Personality of Jones and attachment of his troopers-Admira- tion and loyalty of the men soon won by "Jeb" Stuart-Federals under Meade advance towards Culpeper Court House-Hard and continuous cavalry fighting against Buford and Kilpatrick, in which the brigade now under command of General Lomax takes prominent part-Capt. Samuel B. Coyner of the Seventh Virginia Cavalry killed-Enemy surround and capture one of Thompson's guns of Chew's Battery-A front and rear fight at Jack's Shop-Successful charge against infantry by Company B of the Twelfth Virginia-Second battle at Brandy Station- Fight at Fauquier Surphur Springs-Notable exploit at the Rappahannock bridge-Stuart in a tight place at Auburn- Bold dash and escape of his command. 167
.
CHAPTER VII
A new commander-Sketch of Thomas L. Rosser-The Buckland races-Camp at Flint Hill-At Hamilton's Crossing-Night surprise of a Federal camp-Dash upon Meade's wagon trains in the Wilderness-Back to Hamilton's Crossing-Hard fight at Parker's Store-Watching Meade-Raid around Meade's army -Night attack upon Sangster's Station and death of Captain Cartmell-Brigade heads for the Valley and crosses the Shenan- doah-Joins the force of Early at Mt. Jackson-A Merry Christmas in the Valley
196
6
CONTENTS
CHAPTER VIII
Rosser with Fitz Lee-They make midwinter raid to capture cattle for Lee's army-March down the Patterson Creek Valley- Capture a Federal wagon train-Move towards New Creek- Return to Early in the Valley-Fitz Lee with his division returns to the Army of Northern Virginia-Early and Rosser make the Petersburg raid-Returning, the Laurel Brigade camps at Weyer's Cave-Rest and hilarity-Across the Blue Ridge to catch Kilpatrick-Return to Valley-The camp in Rockbridge county-Recruiting-Grant moves his multitudes- A call from Lec-The Laurel joins Lee in the Wilderness- The 5th and 6th of May-Join Hampton at Shady Grove-Yel- low Tavern-Death of Stuart. 215
CHAPTER IX
Hampton takes command of cavalry-Milford-Haw's Shop- Atlee's Station-Depleted condition of brigade-Scarcity of food and forage-Grant develops his wearing out policy- Assails Lee's lines of communication-Wilson attempts to cut the Virginia Central Railroad-Fight at Ashland-Heroic act of Maj. Holmes Conrad-Wilson defeated and pursued- Another affair at Haw's Shop-White's Comanches charge Federal breastworks-Hampton sent to meet Sheridan's raiders-The battle of Trevilians-Pursues Sheridan to the North Anna-Hard fare for men and horses-Some types of vandals-Skirmishing near White House-Cavalry against in- fantry and gunboats-Hanging on Sheridan's flank-White's . Battalion detached-Sheridan entrenches at Samaria Church- Is driven out of entrenchments, leaving dead and wounded- Col. Thomas E. Massie of the Twelfth wounded-Pursuit of Sheridan to Charles City Court House. 242
CHAPTER X
Hampton marches towards Richmond-Federals cross to south side of James River, and Hampton follows, crossing near Drury's Bluff-Moves below Petersburg-Camp near Reams Station- Intercepts Wilson's raiders, and sharp fight near Sapony Church-Lieutenant Vandiver's account of the engagement- Ruffian marauders-Wilson escapes after punishment and loss -A short rest, watermelons and hospitality-Brigade recuper- ates by return of men from hospitals and horse furloughs- Fitz Lee with his division sent to the Shenandoah Valley-
7
CONTENTS
Hampton kept to hold the lines on Lee's right-Grant creates a diversion on the north side of the James-Hampton ordered to Culpeper, but was recalled when he reached Beaver Dam- Fight at White Oak Swamp-Brigade returns to south side- Monk Neck's Bridge-Hatcher's Run-Reams Station-The newspaper raid-Hampton's cattle raid. 262
CHAPTER XI
The return to the Valley-Tedious march and wornout horses- Eager to avenge the outrages of Sheridan-Federals devastate the Shenandoah Valley-Fitz Lee having been wounded, Rosser commands the Cavalry Division-Fight at Mill Creek-Toms Brook-A much-mooted night attempt to surprise and bag Custer-Cedar Creek-Brent's Farm-Fighting on the Back Road-Death of Lieut .- Col. Thomas Marshall-Brigade camps and rest at Fisher's Hill and Timberville-Kershaw's division and Crosby's brigade of cavalry withdrawn from Early's army- Sheridan with superior numbers hesitates to attack Early ...... 299
CHAPTER XII
Difficulty of supplying subsistence for Early's army-Plenty beyond the mountains westward-Rosser starts out for New Creek with the Laurels and Payne's brigade-New Creek a Federal stronghold-Rosser joined by McNeil's Partisan Rangers- McNeil defeats Federals at Parsons Ford-Some unexpected happenings-A council of war-Rosser decides-The surprise -A successful ruse-Capture of New Creek-Homeward bound with captures, flocks, and herds-Brigade camps near Timberville-Moves to near Swopes Depot-Custer with large cavalry force threatens Staunton-Rosser and Payne make night attack on Custer's camp-Back to old camp at Swopes Depot-Lack of forage-Companies detached in order to sub- sist-Beverly
.
321
CHAPTER XIII
The capture of the Federal Major-Generals Crook and Kelly, in the City of Cumberland by McNeil-The capture proposed and planned by John B. Fay, formerly of Company F, Seventh Vir- ginia Cavalry, but at the time a member of McNeil's partisan company-Fay with Ritchie Hallar reconnoiters in the neigh- borhood of Cumberland-They locate the sleeping apartments
8
CONTENTS
of each of the generals, and the outpost and reserve pickets- The hazards of the undertaking-The surprise and capture- Two future Presidents of the United States narrowly escape -- A future judge not so fortunate-Federals pursue but give it up-Prisoners transported to Dixie.
CHAPTER XIV
After the return from Beverly, Munford's and Payne's brigades ordered east of the Blue Ridge-Wharton's division of infantry and Rosser's brigade of cavalry only force left under Early in the Valley to face Sheridan-Government supplies almost fail, and home supplies no longer cheer the soldiers-Sheridan lays waste the Valley, and with 10,000 sabres advances-Rosser meets him with 300 men and, aided by high water, retards him at North River-Early withdraws towards Charlottesville, is overtaken, defeated, and his army captured or dispersed near Waynesboro-Rosser attempts to recapture the prisoners, but fails-Rosser made major-general and Dearing takes command of the Laurel Brigade-The trail of Sheridan-Division under Rosser, not over 1,200 men, moves below Petersburg-Federals capture Five Forks-Rosser's division forms rear guard of Fitz Lee's column-Advancing Federals punished in their onsets- Deep Creek-Brigade, April 5th, with rest of division moves towards Amelia Court House-Soldiers depressed but reso- lute-Desperate charge of Dearing near Amelia Springs- Desperate fighting by great fighters-Federals driven back into Jetersville-Death of Captains Rutherford and Hugh Mc-' Guire-High Bridge-Death of Dearing, Knott, Thompson and others and the wounding of many-White takes command of brigade-Appomattox-The last charge-Brigade disbanded near Lynchburg by Colonel "Lige" White-Remnant of the Twelfth Regiment, under Lieut. Wm. F. Anderson, surrenders at Appomattox. 357
APPENDIX 382
341
1
PREFACE
This history was written by the late Capt. William N. McDonald, who was ordnance officer of the Laurel Bri- gade. It was written at the request of Genl. Thomas L. Rosser, its one time commander, who gave to the brigade the name "Laurel," and who by his courage, dash, and skill, in great degree contributed to win the fame which made it worthy to be known by that name.
The labor of Captain McDonald in accumulating the data and writing this history, extended through the ten years previous to his lamented death on the 4th of January, 1898. And some idea of the amount and difficulty of the labor undertaken may be gathered from his own words, below quoted, from a circular letter sent to the survivors of the brigade, in his quest for information: "This work was entered upon with the settled purpose of making it an authentic memorial of those who composed the Laurel Brigade, but with little expectation that the story of the achievements of the command would equal its measure of fame. The facts necessary to make up the record are diffi- cult to procure. The official reports rarely give details, and after February Ist, 1864, few if any brigade or regimental reports are to be found. From that time, to the end, there was such a giving and taking of blows,-such a struggle for the means of subsistence,-that little time was left for clerical work. There is therefore a gap of more than a
10
PREFACE
year full of stirring events, with small record of even the general actions of the brigade."
It was from the mass of letters received in response to his circular, Captain McDonald chiefly gathered the material for the history. While many of these were clear and explicit, many were contradictory of others, and to gather the actual facts out of multitudes of contradictions, was a labor easier to be imagined than described. While the body of the history was practically complete, the manuscript was in its first form and not yet ready for publication when it came into my hands. At the request of a committee of the survivors of the brigade, I undertook the work of reviewing the manuscript and preparing it for the hands of a publisher.
In the posthumous preparation of an author's work, there is always the temptation to the reviser, to materially alter it in some particular, and here and there to interject some- thing suggestive of himself. Had the disposition to do this possessed me, there would hardly have been the oppor- tunity, for the manuscript as I received it, practically covered the achievements of the brigade from Kernstown to Appomattox. My work, was rather to supply such missing links in the narrative as were to be found here and there; to make such corrections as subsequent revelations made necessary, and such additions in the way of official reports, and well-authenticated individual statements, as would add authority and verification to the history. Besides this, there was also such a general revision of the manu- script, as the author himself would have given before placing it in the hands of a publisher.
Captain McDonald having been my personal friend as well as a close comrade both in the infantry and cavalry
II
PREFACE
arms of the Confederate service, the labor of revising his work, has been mingled with a great deal of pleasure, and I have endeavored to discharge the duty in a way that would have been gratifying to him.
It is impossible but that there will be some omissions, both regarding events, and individuals worthy of mention, and perhaps a fero incidents mentioned not exactly in accord with the recollections of some. The lapse of time before undertaking the work, the lack of sources of information, and the fallibility of memory must be sufficient excuse for these. The intention of the author was to produce an authentic record, free from exaggeration and also from mere rhetorical display. It was his intention also to append as complete a roster of the officers and men as could possibly be procured. No effort has been spared to carry out this intention. Nevertheless the rolls of some companies are entirely missing and others incomplete, which is greatly to be regretted.
It has been the wish that every soldier who served in the brigade and helped to contribute to its fame, should have honorable mention. Unfortunately, the missing names are 4 likely to be those of the killed or mortally wounded in battle and dropped from the rolls, who of all others, if possible, should be especially remembered.
To the comrades who by letters, loan of private diaries, and in other ways assisted the author and the reviser in preparing this history, whose names are too numerous to mention here, sincere thanks are given. Most of them, however, are mentioned in the body of the work.
It was at first the intention, that there should be an addendum to the work containing special mention of officers
I2
PREFACE
and privates who rendered conspicuous and meritorious services. But after mature consideration this was con- sidered unadvisable and the intention abandoned, for the reason that the Laurel Brigade was composed of so many heroic men, that to single out a few for special mention, would seem in the nature of an invidious distinction.
BUSHROD C. WASHINGTON.
THE AUTHOR
The late Capt. William N. McDonald, author of this work, was born in 1834 in Romney, Virginia; was educated in his native State, taking the degree of A. M. at the University of Virginia in 1857, and was elected professor of belles-lettres in the University of Public Schools of Louisville, Kentucky, the same year; the following year he was promoted to presidency of the same, and in that capacity was acting superintendent of the schools of Louisville.
In 1859 he resigned and studied law, and in 1860 went to Europe as secretary to his father, Col. Angus W. McDonald, commissioner of Virginia, to report upon the Maryland and Virginia boundary line.
On April 19th, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company G, Second Virginia Regiment, Stonewall Brigade, in which he served until after the reorganization of the army in 1862. He was transferred to the Laurel Brigade and served as ordnance officer upon the staff of General Rosser. He served the Con- federacy with distinguished gallantry during the entire war from the day Virginia seceded to Appomattox. At the time of the surrender he was chief of ordnance of Mahone's division of Lee's army, with the rank of captain of artillery.
In 1865 he established the Cool Spring School in Clarke county, Virginia. While there he wrote, in conjunction with Prof. John S. Blackburn, the first Southern school history of
14
THE AUTHOR
the United States. It was published at their own cost, passed through about twenty editions, and still has a wide circulation.
In 1868 he left Cool Spring to accept his old place as presi- dent of the University of Public Schools of Louisville, Kentucky, at an advance of nearly double the previous salary.
In 1872 he resigned this position and established the Louis- ville Rugby School, which for fifteen years was the largest and most flourishing private school for boys west of the Alleghanies. While principal of the same he became editor and half pro- prietor of the SOUTHERN BIVOUAC, which magazine during his connection with it greatly flourished.
In 1887 he left Louisville and established at Berryville, Vir- ginia, the Shenandoah University School, of which he was principal until his death on June 4th, 1898.
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS
FACES PAGE.
THE AUTHOR.
COL. ANGUS W. MCDONALD 16
GENL. TURNER ASHBY 32
DR. NELSON G. WEST
REV. JAMES BATTLE AVIRETT 36
40
COL. R. PRESTON CHEW.
44
ASHIBY'S CHARGE AT MIDDLETON
60
MAJ. WILLIAM PATRICK.
80
GENL. THOS. T. MUNFORD. 88
BRIG .- GENL. WILLIAM E. JONES 104
MAJ. EDWARD H. McDONALD 108
OLIVER RIDGWAY FUNSTEN II2
MAJ. SAMUEL B. MYERS. I20
COL. RICHARD H. DULANY 128
COL. E. V. WHITE. 136
GENL. L. L. LOMAX 144
COL. ASHER W. HARMAN 164
LIEUT. B. C. WASHINGTON. 176
LIEUT .- COL. THOMAS E. MASSIE. 184
GENL. THOMAS L. ROSSER 196
MAJ. JOHN W. EMMETT 232
GENL. J. E. B. STUART 240
MAJ. HOLMES CONRAD. 244
GENL. WADE HAMPTON 248
ROSSER'S DEFEAT OF CUSTER AT TREVILIANS STATION
252
LIEUT. PHILIP B. WINSTON.
256
MAJ. F. M. MYERS
264
CAPT. J. W. CARTER
304
LIEUT .- COL. THOMAS MARSHALL 320
CAPTURE OF GENERALS. CROOK AND KELLEY. 340
COL. M. D. BALL 360
BRIG .- GENL. JAMES DEARING. 364
CAPT. HUGH H. McGUIRE. 372
MAJ. JOHN LOCHER KNOTT. 374
MAJ. JAMES THOMPSON. 376
MAJ. FOXHALL A. DANGERFIELD. 378
I
COL. ANGUS W. McDONALD
A HISTORY OF THE LAUREL BRIGADE
CHAPTER I
June, 1861
Development of the Laurel Brigade from the Seventh Regiment of Vir- ginia Cavalry, enlisted under Col. Angus W. McDonald-Border service under Colonel McDonald and Col. Turner Ashby-Heroic death of Capt. Richard Ashby-Destructive expedition against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal- Chew's Battery attached to the command-Romney winter cam- paign under Jackson-Battle of Kernstown.
Fourteen months of the War between the States had passed before the troops of Ashby possessed a brigade organization. Their gallant leader was dead and Stonewall Jackson had completed his brilliant Valley campaign. The Federal armies that had gathered from three quarters of the compass for the purpose of annihilating the army of "Stonewall" were now in full retreat; and the opportune . moment was availed of to put into brigade form the twenty-six unorganized companies of border troopers which Ashby had commanded. This was effected at Swift Run Gap on the 15th and 16th of June, 1862.
Though it is purposed to confine this narrative, mainly to events that happened subsequent to this date, it is deemed not only proper but necessary, first to give a brief account of what was done by the Ashby cavalry prior to its brigade formation.
In the official reports, this body of troops, as was the rule in the Confederate service, is designated by the name of its
18
A HISTORY OF THE LAUREL BRIGADE
commanding officer at the time, and it was not until Genl. Thomas L. Rosser became its commander that it was known by any other name than by that of the brigadier command- ing. Influenced, probably, by admiration of its prowess, pride of commandership, and a laudable desire to increase its esprit du corps, Rosser named it the Laurel Brigade. Subsequently this name was occasionally recognized by the division commanders when they meant to compliment the command for gallant conduct; but by members of other brigades, especially in the cavalry, the name was not used, its assumption being regarded by many as a piece of arrogance.
To what extent the name was deserved history must determine; but the fact that it is the only name which iden- tifies and generally describes a certain body of Confederate troops, sufficiently justifies the use of it in these pages for the sake of clearness and brevity.
The Laurel Brigade was certainly unique in one respect. It was a growth and not an artificial formation. Brigades, as a rule, were the result of an arbitrary combination of different bodies of troops into a single group by the com- manding general of the army. The Laurel Brigade had for its nucleus a few companies which developed into a regiment, and then into a command of brigade proportions. The added strength that constituted the development came from new companies that voluntarily joined, or from the old companies whose ranks overflowing furnished the material for other new companies. The original nucleus, from which by natural accretions sprung the Laurel Brigade, by happy coincidence, was Ashby's old company.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.