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 14
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Says Stuart, speaking of the passage of the Occoquan : "General Fitz Lee discovered that the northern bank of the stream was occupied by the enemy's dismounted sharp- shooters in force. Without waiting to exchange shots they were gallantly charged by files, the Fifth Virginia, under Colonel Rosser, leading across a narrow, rocky and difficult ford. They crossed the stream and captured or dispersed the whole party."
Says Fitz Lee in his report: "The charge across the narrow, rocky ford of the Occoquan by file, in spite of the enemy's sharpshooters on the other side, was one of the most admirable performances of cavalry I have ever wit- nessed, and great praise is due to Colonel Rosser in this connection."
With this well-earned reputation General Rosser took command of the brigade, a body of soldiers whose reputa- tion under Ashby, Munford, and Jones was not second to that of their new commander.
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When the head of Stuart's column had nearly reached Bull Run, the further bank of which was held by the enemy, Rosser was ordered to seize McLean's ford. A body of the enemy's infantry was holding it, being strongly posted on some high ground beyond, and supported by artillery.
With his men dismounted and deployed as skirmishers, Rosser advanced under a heavy fire and took possession of both sides of the ford.
The enemy on the high ground remained in position and kept up such a galling fusillade that the Confederates were forced to shelter themselves under the banks of the creek, from behind which they replied to the fire of the enemy.
Night was now drawing near, and although Rosser was ordered by Stuart to fall back, he wanted to retreat under the cover of darkness.
The enemy was on the alert, and it was hazardous to leave the friendly shelter of the bank. At a preconcerted signal the men raised a yell as if about to charge, and then retreated rapidly. The ruse was discovered by the Federals, who at once pursued. .
The horses of the brigade had been brought near the creek, and in mounting under fire some confusion occurred. But in crossing the run the Federals also were thrown into some disorder, and Rosser taking advantage of this, with a portion of his men held them in check, until aided by Stu- art in successfully withdrawing.
Lee was already falling back, while Meade remained near Bull Run; but the cavalry under Stuart which fol- lowed Lee was pressed by the Federal horse.
Early on the 19th Hampton's division, to which Rosser's brigade then belonged, was engaged in preventing Kilpat-
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rick's division from crossing Broad Run at Buckland, on the Warrenton turnpike.
At the same time Fitz Lee was retiring with his division on a line parallel to the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. At the suggestion of Fitz Lee, Stuart, who was in com- mand of Hampton's division, withdrew before Kilpatrick for the purpose of enticing him to follow upon the turn- pike, so that Fitz Lee could fall upon his rear.
Kilpatrick fell into the ruse, but with his usual caution left Custer's brigade to hold the ford, while he with the rest of his division followed Stuart within three miles of Warrenton. Here the sound of Lee's guns reached Stuart, and he turned upon the Federals. After some resistance they broke and fled down the turnpike, hotly pursued five miles.
Custer held the ford at Buckland against Fitz Lee, until most of Kilpatrick's men escaped through the woods, and then withdrew with his artillery.
The Federal loss was about 250 prisoners and a few wagons and ambulances. The pluck of Custer and the fast riding of Kilpatrick had prevented a much more seri- ous disaster.
This incident has always been known by the cavalry as the "Buckland Races," it being more of a chase than a fight.
General Stuart, in his official report of it, says: "The force opposed to us on this occasion consisted of ten regi- ments of cavalry and six pieces of artillery commanded by General Kilpatrick, and I am gratified in declaring the rout of the enemy at Buckland, the most signal and complete that any cavalry has suffered during the war. It is remark-
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able that Kilpatrick's division seemed to disappear from the field for more than a month, that time being necessary no doubt to collect the panic-stricken fugitives."
After their experience at Buckland, the Federal cavalry followed the Confederates in their withdrawal at a respect- ful distance, and the old positions on the Rappahannock and Rapidan were resumed.
At Flint Hill, in Rappahannock county, the brigade took a short rest, which was much needed and much en- joyed. Provender was abundant, the orchards full of delicious fruit, and the rich autumnal grasses supplied an abundance of milk and butter which the hospitable farmers of the county dispensed to the soldiers. The merry-mak- ings were numerous but soon over. In a short time the command was ordered to break camp, and return again to Hamilton's crossing, about eight miles above Fredericks- burg. Here for several weeks it was engaged in picketing the fords from Germania to Fredericksburg.
On the 7th of November the Federal army forced a pas- sage across the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford and the rail- road bridge, and resumed its old position near Culpeper Court House.
General Lee now retired beyond the Rapidan, and pre- pared to go into winter quarters.
On the 17th of November, Hampton ordered Rosser with his brigade to Chancellorsville. Before sundown Ros- ser was on hand with his troops, who were joyous at the prospect of some relief from the monotony of drill and picket.
After a few hours' rest, they set out in the night and marched towards Stephensburg, where a Federal regiment
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was stationed. Near daybreak they found the enemy and charged his camp. The darkness and the sudden attack made victory easy. The Federals fled and scattered, leav- ing about sixty prisoners, many horses and the camp equipage in the hands of the Confederates. Hampton's loss was one man killed and two wounded. After load- ing the captured wagons, he retired with deliberation, and recrossed the river unmolested.
The brigade now again returned to Hamilton's Crossing and resumed the monotonous duty of picketing the fords, though somewhat consoled by their share in the recent spoils of war.
Scarcely had they gotten comfortably fixed in quarters, when the news of a general advance of the Federals re- called them to the saddle.
To the surprise of the Confederates, Meade had on the 26th crossed the fateful river, and the next day with his whole army was marching up the Plank Road towards Orange Court House.
Rosser, upon the first report of his scouts, moved his brigade to Todd's Tavern as a good point of observation, and sought opportunity to annoy the enemy's marching column. He did not have long to wait, for on the 27th he learned that the Federals were moving up the Plank Road, and that they had neglected to picket the Brock Road, that crossed Meade's line of march, and led to Todd's Tavern. The tract, through which Meade was marching, was what is known as the "Wilderness." It was an almost uninhabited expanse of country, rendered so by the extreme poverty of the soil, and was covered with
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stunted trees and an almost impenetrable growth of underbrush.
On the morning of the 27th, with ranks closed up as much as the narrow road permitted, Rosser moved with caution towards the Plank Road.
Soon the rattle of the Federal wagon trains was heard, and upon a nearer approach, the confused hum of a march- ing army.
The advance guard now rode silently forward, the very horses seeming to step softly, and at a given signal from Rosser dashed into the Plank Road, followed by the main body. In an instant the wagon first passing was turned into the Brock Road. Those behind it were made to follow, and soon more than a dozen came thundering along with mules under whip and sabre down the narrow road towards Todd's Tavern.
In the meantime the hubbub at the crossing, and the sight of the charging Confederates, stampeded the teams that had gotten by, while those coming on, were abandoned by their drivers or wheeled around in an attempt to escape capture. Some were upset, others colliding with the rear ones became hopelessly entangled. The shouts of the terror- stricken teamsters, the frantic efforts of the mules to free themselves, mingling with the noise of the combat, made ¿ scene of indescribable confusion.
In a few minutes the contest was over. From both direc- tions the Federal infantry advanced to save their trains, which were being snatched from the very midst of the army. Exposed to a fire from opposite quarters, the Confederates beat a hasty retreat, and disappeared in the Wilderness. Not a few wagons had been broken or destroyed on the
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Plank Road, the mules being cut loose and brought out. Of those driven off towards Todd's Tavern, some were burned for fear of recapture, after being rifled of their valuable contents by the troopers. But the net result of the enterprise was a goodly number of mules and wagons and twenty prisoners captured, with the loss of only one man.
Rosser, after securing his prisoners, moved along a road parallel to the Plank Road, bivouacking that night, in spite of a drizzling rain, almost in sight of the enemy's camp- fires. The next day he rejoined the main body of the cavalry.
On the following day Stuart, with Hampton's division, made a reconnoissance around the enemy's left, having Rosser's brigade in front.
The road through the dense forest was muddy, narrow, and rough, and the column in marching was often broken into single files.
Running across the line of march, was an abandoned railroad bed which was nearly parallel with the Plank Road, and distant from it a few hundred yards. Just beyond it, at Parker's Store, was stationed a Federal camp, and in the roadbed was a Federal picket. The advance guard, Company A of the Seventh, under Captain Hatcher, upon discovering the Federal picket, charged and pursued it, the brigade following closely, with the Seventh Regi- ment in front. Soon the camp of the enemy near the road on the right came in view, and Rosser ordered a charge, himself leading it. But Hatcher had pressed in hot pur- suit of the picket, and the rest of the Seventh, except a few of the front files, was some distance behind, and the entire
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brigade was strung out in the narrow road on which it was advancing, fully a mile in length. So the action was com- menced without formation, the men engaging in the fight as they came upon the firing line. The enemy poured a volley into these few and for a brief space kept them at bay. But the column soon closed up and the camp was charged and taken with many prisoners.
The woods was full of tempting articles of plunder, among which were savory breakfasts which had been has- tily abandoned. The cold and hungry Confederates yielded to the temptation, and many broke ranks to gather the spoils of victory. In the meantime the enemy, heavily reinforced with a heavy line of skirmishers on the flanks, made a vigorous effort to recover the field. For full two hours a fierce struggle raged, each side refusing to yield. The action was chiefly between dismounted men, the dense forest growth preventing in large degree the advantageous movement of mounted squadrons. In the road, however, there was frequent charging of mounted men with vary- . ing fortune.
At last, with portions of all the regiments of the brigade, a charge was made down the Plank Road that proved resistless. The Federals, though pressed with sabre and pistol, stood manfully a while, then turned and fled, pur- sued with fury by the Confederates. For several miles the pursuit continued, the Federals losing heavily in killed, wounded, and prisoners.
The line of dismounted men disappeared before Rosser's front after the rout of the Federal horse. Remaining for
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a short time in possession of the field, Rosser at length withdrew with his captures.2
The next day at dawn all were in the saddle, confident that Meade would attack Lee's lines; but they were disap- pointed. Meade had come to Mine Run to go into winter quarters, and it did not seem likely that after crossing the Rappahannock he would fear to cross Mine Run. Another night of anxious expectation followed, such as generally precedes a great battle. At dawn, however, the reveille of the enemy was not to be heard, and it was soon learned that Meade had made off during the night.
After following Meade to the banks of the Rappahan- nock, the brigade retraced its steps and on the 5th of December resumed its old position at Hamilton's Crossing. The vicinity of the camp was almost an uninhabited waste. So bare had it been swept by the waves of war, that a few persimmons was all that rewarded the most industrious flanker. Forage was scanty, rations meagre, and the troops exposed in shelter tents, yearned for the full barns and plenteous tables of the Valley. Not a few took solace in the "starvation parties" given by the hospitable citizens of Fredericksburg, where the charms of wit and beauty banished remembrance of their discomforts in camp; but the most lived in hope that some lucky chance would remove them to the banks of the Shenandoah. Sooner than they thought the hope was realized.
On the evening of December the 16th, the brigade set out on what is known as the Sangster Station raid, an expe- dition attended not only with some hard fighting but with
2The casualties among the men of "The Laurel" in this fight were considerable. Among the killed was Richard Baylor of Company B, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, a private distinguished for his gallantry.
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a great deal of suffering, the horrors of which made a last- ing impression upon every soldier who participated in it. General Lee having heard that one or two regiments of Federal cavalry were moving up the Shenandoah Valley from Winchester towards Staunton, directed Rosser to cross the Shenandoah in the rear of this force and prevent its escape. Accordingly on the 16th of December Rosser with his command marched to Fredericksburg, where he waited until low tide, and then crossed the Rappahannock about twilight. The fording was deep and some of the men had to swim their horses.
For the first three or four miles the road led through the old camping-ground of Burnside's army. The prospect, indistinct in the gloaming, recalled the fate of that mighty multitude, and the deserted cabins, many of whose last inmates lay buried near, were silent witnesses of the hor- rors of war. The road now led through a barren waste. It was rough and narrow, but the troopers were homeward bound, and for a few hours before drowsiness set in, moved on right merrily.
Soon the camp-fires of Meade's army were seen on their left, and they could not for a moment forget that they were within the enemy's line. About midnight the column halted and rested until morning, when the march was resumed. Rain now set in, at first a drizzle and then a downpour, drenching the men, swelling the streams, and making the roads sloppy and muddy. Rosser, being appre- hensive, lest some of the streams ahead of him would rise so high as to impede his march, now moved faster.
All day long through the continuous rain, the men, wet to the skin, pushed on through mud and mire. Three days'
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rations had been cooked before starting, but these were now nearly consumed, and the improvident ones had quite exhausted their haversacks.
The Seventh Regiment was in front, followed succes- sively by the Twelfth, Eleventh, and White's Battalion. Towards night the order came to close up at a trot. Night had already set in when the Occoquan was reached. It was found to be rising rapidly, but a passable ford was found at Wolf Run Shoals.
Up to this time Rosser, in his anxiety to cross the rail- road without delay, and to hurry on to the Shenandoah before the rain had swollen it past fording, procured a guide who could take him through the country along by- roads, so as to avoid the enemy's outposts.
The darkness and rain now made him change his plan, and he moved more rapidly, following the road that led to Sangster's Station, where he knew the enemy had a force guarding the railroad bridge.
Upon nearing this point, he came to the bank of a small stream which was rising rapidly, and evidently very deep. Loud bursts of thunder now accompanied the rain, and the bright flashes of lightning lifted for a moment the thick veil of darkness from surrounding objects. Beyond the angry-looking stream, right across the path of his advance, was a stockade fort, whose garrison had already discovered him.
A challenge and a shot from the sentinel on duty, re- minded him that there was no time to examine the ford.
The Seventh Regiment, commanded by Col. R. H. Dulany, was ordered to cross and attack. The First Squad- ron, under Captain Hatcher, Company A, gallantly
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responded, and plunging across the stream dashed at the stockade.
Up and around it they went, crossing the railroad, the heavy force in the breastworks preventing their return. The rest of the Seventh, blinded by the darkness, passed down the stream without crossing it.
The Eleventh Regiment, commanded by Lieut-Col. M. Beal, was now ordered to charge. Rosser's stirring appeal to the men was answered with a loud cheer. Forming in close column, they moved steadily across the roaring creek, guided by the lightning flashes and the bursts of flame that came from the foe's receiving volleys.
"Although by this time, the enemy was thoroughly aroused, and was pouring sheet after sheet of fire into the head of Beal's column, the gallant old regiment went cheer- ing through water, and in a moment was up the hill on the other side-and the stockade was ours."3
The brave Captain Cartmell of Company B was at the head of the First Squadron, and was instantly killed. Sev- eral others were wounded, some mortally, though most of the garrison, under cover of darkness, escaped.
Among the captures was a silver bugle and the flag of the one Hundred and Sixty-fourth New York, a part of which regiment had occupied the fort. The bugle was pre- sented to Hatcher's squadron, and the flag, through Colo- nel Beal and the Eleventh, to the Virginia Military Insti- tute. Afterwards, in 1883, when peace and mutual good- will had returned, the flag, which was very beautiful, was presented, through the corps of cadets, to the Mayor of New York, and by him returned to its old regiment.
3 Rosser.
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ʻ
After attending to his wounded and dead, Rosser moved on through the rain and darkness towards Upperville. Men and horses were well nigh exhausted, but the enemy was now certainly in the saddle in hot pursuit, and no rest could be taken.
All night the drenching rain continued. Towards morn- ing it began to turn cold, and the falling drops, turning to sleet, increased the tortures of drowsiness and extreme fatigue. The horses, jaded and hungry, staggered through the mud, now stiffened with cold, while the men with gar- ments frozen, bodies benumbed, and faculties almost palsied with distress, half unconscious, kept their places in the laboring column.
At sunrise Upperville was reached, and a halt was made to have breakfast and to feed the horses. Here some of the men had to be lifted from their horses, being stiff with cold and their clothing frozen to the saddles.
After an hour's respite the weary march was resumed. The rain had now ceased, and the clouds lifting, the wel- come sight of the Blue Ridge cheered the hearts of the half- frozen troopers.
In a few hours they had crossed through Ashby's Gap and were once more upon the banks of the Shenandoah. The swollen, angry river barred their passage, and across its turbid waters lay the promised land, which, in spite of the terrible march, they had come too late to enter.
Rosser knew that the enemy was close upon his heels, and was apprehensive lest taking advantage of the swollen condition of the river, he would also endeavor to intercept him at Front Royal or Luray.
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He had no choice but to move up the right bank until he found a practicable crossing. Again the weary column moved forward, picking its way over the rough and narrow road that winds along between the river and the mountain, now in worse condition by reason of the recent torrents.
At last when Front Royal was reached there was a halt, and the men went into camp for the first time in forty- eight hours, having marched in thirty-six hours more than ninety miles.
Next morning Rosser pushed on, and arrived at Luray a few hours before a division of Federals had passed through Thorton's Gap in his rear.
The river was still very high, but a crossing was effected with some difficulty at Conrad's Store, and on the 20th of December the brigade reached the army of General Early in the Valley.
It was now learned that the raiding party which Rosser had started out to capture, had returned to Winchester, and the brigade was permitted to go into camp and take a rest.
After such a tiresome march, the week's holiday which followed was much enjoyed. The horses were shod, and their strength recruited on the abundant forage of the Valley.
It was Christmas time too, and in spite of the ruin wrought by war, thanks to careful housewives, many good things remained. The half-starved troopers made the best of their opportunity, and gladly banishing thoughts of "grim-visaged war," yielded themselves to the cheerful fes- tivities of Christmas time. If turkeys were hard to get, the savory sausage of the forehanded farmers was accepted as
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a fair substitute, and the apple, peach, and pumpkin pies, rye coffee, and sorghum molasses, galore, made one think that plenty, if not peace, had again returned to the land.
CHAPTER VIII
January, 1864
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 Lee-The Laurel joins Lee in the Wilderness-The 5th and 6th of May-Join Hampton at Shady Grove-Yellow Tavern-Death of Stuart.
The cavalry being not only the eyes and ears of the army, but also foragers for it, it was not in the nature of things that Fitz Lee's force, being now augmented by the arrival of Rosser's brigade, could long remain idle in camp. An expedition west of the mountains was ordered by Early to secure cattle for the use of Lee's army, and at the same time to capture detached bodies of the enemy and do such damage to his communications on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as might be found practicable.
The expedition under General Fitz Lee started in the lat- ter days of December. The citizens of the Moorefield and South Branch valleys were loyal, with few exceptions, to the Confederacy, and most of them zealous in its cause, and had consequently suffered, both in their persons and substance, from the frequent predatory visits of the Fed- erals.
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When it was known that the expedition was made for the purpose of procuring beef for Lee's army, it was not long before droves of well-fed steers were on their way to "Dixie."
Upon arriving at Moorefield, Fitz Lee learned that a Federal force, eight or nine hundred strong, was at Peters- burg and strongly fortified behind entrenchments and abattis. For the want of artillery and because much of the small-arms ammunition had been ruined in the storm, he decided not to attack Petersburg, but to move upon the enemy's line of communication on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
On the morning of January the 2nd, he marched down the South Branch, and began to cross the Branch Mountain at Mills Gap. Rosser's brigade led the advance, with the Eleventh Virginia in front, followed by the Seventh.
Upon nearing the top of the mountain, the road was found to be blockaded with fallen trees, and a way had to be opened by axemen. While engaged in this, scouts reported that a Federal wagon train, moving in the diree- tion of New Creek, was approaching the point where the road on which Rosser was marching forked with the Petersburg and New Creek road.
Rosser at once hurried up his foremost regiments, and the men at many places leaped their horses over the fallen trees in their eagerness to get to the front.
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