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 15
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After passing the top of the gap and rounding a curve in the road, they came in sight of the train, which was moving slowly and in careless security, attended by a small guard of soldiers. There were about forty wagons, six
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mules to each, loaded, as was afterwards found, with ammunition, hides, and sutlers' stores.
Rosser ordered the Eleventh, commanded by Maj. E. H. McDonald, to charge the train, and the Seventh, com- manded by Colonel Dulany, to follow closely in support. The column emerged from cover of the woods, and with loud shouts galloped down the mountainside. The train quickened its snail-like pace into a run, and then rushed along at a furious speed. In their eagerness to escape, the . faster teams tried to pass the slower ones, and then fol- lowed upsets and collisions, mules entangled, kicking to free themselves from harness, and great confusion. It seemed at first an easy capture, the guard in sight making off to the woods. But as the train halted, about seventy-five infantrymen leaped out of the wagons, and running up the hillside beyond the road, began to fire upon the nearest horsemen. They were soon charged by a small portion of the Eleventh, under Major McDonald, and most of them compelled to surrender. Among the captured sutlers' stores were canned goods of every description, which were much enjoyed by the victors.
Fitz Lee now moved down Patterson's Creek with fora- gers on the flanks gathering cattle and sheep. At Burling- ton more sutlers' stores were captured, and a blockhouse abandoned by the enemy was destroyed.
After a short delay at Burlington the column moved on to Ridgeville and pitched camp. This place was six miles from New Creek, against which Fitz Lee intended to advance the following day. But a severe snowstorm set in during the night, and next morning Fitz Lee withdrew and returned to the Valley, going by way of Romney and
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Brock's Gap to Harrisonburg. He took back with him 400 cattle and I10 prisoners.
Very soon after his return Fitz Lee with his command rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia. Rosser's brigade, however, remained with Early, then in command of the Valley district.
After a short rest the brigade participated in another cat- tle expedition across the mountain that proved quite suc- cessful, and the fruitful results of which were due in a great measure to Rosser's skillful handling of his com- mand.
On January 28th, 1864, General Early, with Rosser's brigade, Thomas' brigade of infantry, all the effective men of Gilmore's and McNeil's Partisan Rangers, and four pieces of McClannahan's Battery, moved from New Market to Moorefield.
On the 29th Rosser, with the cavalry and artillery, ac- companied by Early, reached Moorefield somewhat in advance of the infantry. Scouts having reported that a large train was on its way from New Creek to Petersburg, Rosser was ordered to cross over the Branch Mountain and capture it.
Accordingly, on the morning of the 30th, he marched from Moorefield, having besides his own brigade one or two pieces of McClannahan's Battery.
Moving by way of the Moorefield and Alleghany turn- pike, when nearing the top of the mountain, he found the road to be blocked with fallen trees, and the gap held by a regiment of Federal infantry. Rosser, dismounting the Twelfth Regiment, made a vigorous attack, and soon forced his way through, driving the enemy before him,
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who retired in the direction of Medley to meet the train which was then coming up towards Petersburg.
Upon discovering Rosser's approach the Federals parked their train of ninety-five wagons at Medley, and prepared to defend it. The guard consisted of about 800 infantry and a small body of cavalry, which seemed amply sufficient to keep off an inferior number of Confederate cavalrymen. Rosser at once determined to attack, though having all told not more than 400 men. The Twelfth Regiment, under Colonel Massie, was ordered to go around and fall upon the enemy's rear, and the other regiments, partly dis- mounted, were advanced upon his front and flank.
The attempt was a bold one. The Federals were in a defensive position, superior in numbers, and at that time dismounted cavalrymen were hardly considered a match for disciplined infantry.
Encouraged, however, by the confidence of their leader and stimulated by the sight of the rich prize, the Confed- erates moved forward with spirit to the assault. The Fed- erals stood firm and repulsed the first onset, inflicting some loss. Rosser determined to attack again, as by this time a piece of artillery had reached the field, which he ordered to immediately open upon them, and the sight of its burst- ing shells spreading panic among the teamsters, was exhil- arating to the Confederates.
After one or two salutes from his gun, Rosser renewed the attack. The dismounted men advanced on the enemy's left, while the cavalry, led by Major Meyers, charged in front. The Federals broke and fled in disorder, leaving all their wagons and forty-two prisoners in the hands of the victors. With the retreating Federals the teamsters carried
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off mules belonging to nearly forty wagons, which escape was owing greatly to the fact, as stated by General Ros- ser, that the Twelfth Regiment, from some misunderstand- ing, had failed to get in position in the rear before the retreat began. The wagons were loaded with bacon, sugar, coffee, and other army supplies, and proved to be a very valuable capture.
In the engagement Rosser lost in killed and wounded twenty-five men. The enemy's loss was greater. Their dead and wounded were left on the field, but the number is not reported.
On the morning of the Ist of February Rosser, now re- inforced by Thomas' brigade of infantry, moved against Petersburg. Upon arriving there, it was found that the Federal force was gone, having abandoned in their haste a considerable quantity of ammunition and commissary stores.
From Petersburg Rosser, in obedience to orders from Early, moved down Patterson's Creek to collect cattle, and do what damage he could to the Federal communications on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
After sending Colonel Marshall with the Seventh Regi- ment to hold the gap at Mechanicsburg against General Averill, who was expected from Martinsburg, Rosser marched down Patterson's Creek to its mouth, sending parties out to bring in cattle and sheep. Upon reaching the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at the mouth of the creek, he captured one guard there, and destroyed the railroad bridges over the Potomac, Patterson's Creek, and the canal. With his prisoners and cattle, he now re- traced his steps, moving cautiously to avoid Averill, who,
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he learned, had forced the gap at Mechanicsburg and got- ten in his rear.
By taking by-roads at different points, Rosser succeeded in eluding Averill, who, mistaking his purpose, or fearing to come up with him, adroitly kept out of his way while pretending to pursue him.
Rosser with all his prisoners, about 1,200 cattle, and other captures reached Moorefield unmolested by the enemy.
Captain John McNeil also arrived, bringing from beyond the Alleghany 300 cattle.
General Averill, disappointed on all sides, now ap- proached Moorefield and menaced it. Early recalled Thomas' brigade, which had started for the Valley, and ordered Rosser to withdraw through Moorefield as if in retreat. He thought to draw Averill into the clutches of his infantry, but the wily Federal, whose caution now served him a good turn, refused the bait and halted. Early, after waiting a few hours, set out for the Valley, taking with him fifty of the captured wagons, 1,500 cattle, and 500 sheep.
Stuart's appreciation of what was done by Rosser and his command on this expedition, is shown in the following endorsement of Rosser's report : "The bold and successful enterprise herein reported furnishes additional proof of General Rosser's merit as a commander, and adds fresh laurels to that veteran brigade, so signalized for valor already."
Upon its return to the Valley the brigade went into camp near Weyer's Cave. Many of the sutlers' stores found in the captured wagon train, had been appropriated by the sol-
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diers, and for several days the new camp was the scene of festive mirth. Brandied cherries, pickled oysters, boned turkey, and other delicious canned edibles, formed a part of the menu, while Boston gingerbread and Goshen cheese were served ad libitum.
The weather was bright and cool. There were daily visits to Weyer's Cave, not a few picnics, and an occasional horse-race. The luxuries disappeared rapidly, and when the sugar and coffee had been exhausted, the troopers began to yearn for another raid.
The opportunity soon came. On the evening of the 29th of February the command was again in saddle, and started across the Blue Ridge.
Kilpatrick and Dahlgren were then making their noto- rious raid on Richmond. Rosser marched rapidly to take part in the pursuit. At the outset the weather was fine, and many of the men not dreaming of a long march, left their overcoats in camp. By night the clouds thickened, the moon and the stars were hid, and a drizzling rain began to fall. By and by a stiff northeaster blew, and before mid- night it began to sleet. The falling drops freezing as soon as they touched horse or man, enveloped each in a sheet of ice. The moon from behind the clouds furnished enough light to make objects visible, and the appearance of the moving horsemen was weird and ghostlike. Hat, coat, equipments, hair, and beard covered with ice, furnished a complete disguise. The horses, too, were masked in glist- ening white, and shivering with cold the men moved on in profound silence, nothing being heard but the steady tramp of the column.
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After an all-night ride Charlottesville was reached. There a short rest was taken, and thence by forced marches the command proceeded, sometimes marching all night, until they went into camp within six miles of Richmond. Kilpatrick was, however, not overtaken, though so closely were his heels dogged, that frequently in the night, the country people insisted that Rosser's men were a part of the enemy. After marching and countermarching for two weeks in vain pursuit of the doubling Federals, a rest of two days was taken at Gordonsville, which was greatly enjoyed in spite of the scarcity of food and forage.
March the 16th the brigade started back to the Valley, making short marches until by the 3Ist it was settled in comfortable quarters near Lexington, Virginia. Though the section of country in which the new camp was pitched was rich and as yet untouched by the devastating hand of the enemy, its abundant supplies had been much exhausted to feed Lee's half-starved veterans. The army ration was reduced to a quarter of a pound of meat and one pound of meal a day. The soldiers submitted, though they reserved the right to grumble, and seldom failed when opportunity offered, to supplement the deficiency at the tables of the hospitable farmers in the vicinity. Although food was scarce the air and water were fine, and among a people full of patriotic zeal, ardor for the cause was rekindled.
Indeed it was a period of happiness for many, who far away from scenes of war, with reviews and dress parades, enjoyed its pomp and circumstance, while giving full range to the enjoyment of the charms of peace.
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It was a season, too, of growth for the brigade. New recruits were added, fresh horses brought in, and the old ones rested, if not fattened.
With the approach of spring, came rumors of the mov- ing of Grant's vast multitude. Lee had appealed to the mothers of Virginia to send all the laggards to the field, to help him in the desperate struggle he felt was approach- ing. In response to this, recruits poured in, and the bri- gade got its share of what was called the "new issue." Many of the sick and wounded had recovered and rejoined their regiments, so that the brigade was now much stronger both in quantity and quality of material than it had been since its active campaigns.
When the flowers of April foretokened, alas, the return of war and a leave-taking from the new-found friends, there was no hanging back now, as formerly, at the pros- pect of quitting the Valley. The trumpet call of Lee had stirred the depths of the Confederate heart. Like the slogan of the Highlands, "Lee needs help!" was the word passed from house to house, and from mountain and plain came the sons of Virginia in response.
The Valley men were behind none in their eagerness to take part in the decisive struggle; and when on a bright May morning the column descended the slopes of the Blue Ridge and turned towards the banks of the Rappa- hannock, there was a look of firm resolve in the faces of the gallant troopers, which said that they would do their best for Lee and their country.
May the 4th, 1864, Grant crossed the Rapidan and the Wilderness campaign began.
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After breaking camp at Wolf Town, Madison county, May the 4th, Rosser's brigade moved up and joined Lee's army, passing the infantry in breastworks at Mine Run and encamping on Lee's right.
From all appearances the morrow promised to be a busy day.
That night a prisoner captured by some of the Eleventh Regiment was brought into Rosser's camp. Many ques- tions were put to him by some of the soldiers, as to what was thought of Grant, the new commander of the Army of the Potomac. His answers indicated that there was great confidence in Grant's luck and energy.
"Where is your pontoon train?" said one. To the sur- prise of all he responded, "Grant has no pontoon train."
"How, then, are you going to get back over the river?" asked another.
"Grant says," answered the Federal quietly, "that all of his men who go back over the river can cross on a log."
This, with other trifling incidents that soldiers eagerly seized upon, showed that the Federal army under its new leader, confiding in numbers and Grant's luck, meant serious work.
Next day, the 5th, the sun rose hot and lurid. The heat of the night had been oppressive and the men poorly refreshed by broken slumbers, were called early into the saddle.
The command moved down the Catharpin Road, which led to Todd's Tavern. A short distance west of the river Po, a strong force of the enemy was encountered. On both sides of the road it was heavily wooded, and the fight began between dismounted men on the flanks. At first these
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lines were strengthened, and for some time the battle was of an infantry character. It continued to increase in inten- sity, the enemy using his artillery with considerable effect. Soon the enemy began to yield to the impetuosity of the attack. But a Federal battery on a hill sorely annoyed Rosser, who now became impatient to get to close quarters. There was no charging practicable except by fours in the road, and that which was in front and to be overcome was an unknown quantity. Had Rosser been aware that a Federal division, Wilson's, was confronting him, he might have been more cautious. Under the circumstances, there seemed nothing else to do but go forward, and the whole brigade was ordered to advance by fours. The Twelfth was in front under Col. Thomas Massie; next came the Sev- enth, followed by the Eleventh, with White's Battalion bringing up the rear.
The Twelfth, with the "Rebel yell," dashed at the solid ranks of the enemy over a barricade of abattis. For a while they stood firm and received the charge. Now it was man to man and hand to hand. Pistol and sabre were busy- in slaughter, while the shrieks of the stricken and the shouts of the victors mingled with the roar of battle.
The fierce onset of the Confederates did not slacken. On pressed the whole brigade, crowding to the front. The Federals gave way and retreated across the river Po. On the other side they made a gallant stand, but the Confed- erates, now flushed with victory, pressed forward, and again drove them, in spite of the efforts of the officers to hold the men in line.
With great coolness, the enemy kept selecting new posi- tions for their artillery, which enabled him to shell the
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advancing column, but nothing could keep back the horse- men in the road.
The Federal retreat, however, was orderly, and at every favorable point the enemy again made efforts to rally. Although the attempts were ineffectual, they were success- ful enough to allow their artillery to withdraw and escape capture. Finally a good position was reached, where there was little timber, and posting squadrons with supporting squadrons on both sides of the road, the Federals poured a deadly fire from carbines into Rosser's advancing column. Most bravely did the Twelfth charge, rally and charge again, but the Federals stood like a rock.
Rosser now ordered the Seventh and Eleventh to charge. Says Lieutenant Vandiver, who commanded Company F of the Seventh, that day: "At length we reached a point where the enemy had evidently made a stand. Coming to an old field grown up in scattering pines and sumac, we found the Federal cavalry formed. General Rosser stood on a slight eminence to our left, and as the organized sup- porting column emerged from the timber he ordered the charge. My company came up in good shape. It seemed to me that the enemy was then weakening, and in spite of efforts of brave officers to hold them in line, were breaking up. About that time, the Eleventh Regiment, which fol- lowed us, came into the open ground, and Maj. E. H. Mc- Donald led it into action, heading the charge. Our boys joined in, and the body went like a solid shot into the ranks of the Federals, who now broke and ran. Many of them were captured in the pursuit, which was continued for sev- eral miles."
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During this retreat the Federals made several attempts to rally, selecting new positions for their guns, and sta- tioning fresh squadrons of carbineers on the flanks to annoy the oncoming Confederates.
But the Confederates only halted to reform, and charg- ing the flanking parties drove them away.
Rosser's men had begun the fight with a scant supply of ammunition, the ordnance train in the march from the Valley not having kept up with the column. As prisoners were taken their ammunition was eagerly seized, but this was not sufficient, and after several hours of fighting some of the men became discouraged.
White's Battalion was drawn up on one side of the road, and as a regiment of Yankees galloped down in their front Captain Meyers, commanding Company A, turned to Col- onel White and asked, "Colonel, how can we fight those fel- lows with no ammunition? We'd as well have rocks as empty pistols." But the Colonel replied so grimly, "What are our sabres for?" that the men drew their blades with- out further hesitation, and charged square at the Yankee column, which wheeled about and retired faster than it came.
White's Battalion had been christened by Rosser "The Comanches" on account of the wild and reckless dash with which they usually bore down upon the enemy.
After pursuing the Federals to the vicinity of Todd's Tavern, Rosser halted and began to retrace his steps.
Meantime Wilson, reinforced by Gregg's division, assumed the offensive and began to harass Rosser's rear. The skirmishing was slight, but continued until the Con- federates had crossed the river Po. In this fight Rosser's
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- loss was considerable, but not nearly so great as it was the next day ; yet it seems to be remembered with greater pride. It was a sort of duel between a Confederate brigade and a Federal division, in which the former had come out victor- ious. The superiority of the enemy in numbers, clearly seen by the men, instead of dispiriting only roused them to more energetic action. There was, too, a good deal of dis- order on both sides, and more than once the scales of vic- tory were turned by the prowess of a few.
Whether Gregg came up before Wilson had retired, does not appear.
General Grant, in his memoirs, says: "During the after- noon, Sheridan sent Gregg's division of cavalry to Todd's Tavern in search of Wilson. This was fortunate. He found Wilson engaged with a superior force under General Rosser supported by infantry, and falling back before it. Together, they were strong enough to turn the tables upon the enemy and themselves become aggressive. They soon drove the Rebel cavalry back beyond 'Corbin's bridge.'"
Grant was evidently misinformed and, if we are to com- pute the historical value of all the "Personal Memoirs" by the measure of truth in this statement, it would amount to very little. There was no infantry with Rosser and his force was greatly inferior to that of Wilson. It was not known for a long time afterwards, by the men at least, that Gregg had reinforced Wilson, or they would have been still more proud of the work done that day.
The general impression among the survivors is that then for the first time the command assumed the name of the Laurel Brigade. Whether, as some say, it was due to the fact that several soldiers conspicuous on the field wore lau-
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rel on their hats, or that Rosser, proud of his victory, dubbed the command the "Laurel Brigade," does not ap- pear. Certain it is that from and after that date the name of "Laurel" was first used by the men themselves.1
General Wilson, in his official report of this fight on May 5th, says :
"By eight A. M. the Second Brigade, with the First Vermont Cavalry, Colonel Preston commanding, in advance, had arrived at Craig's Meeting-House. Just beyond they encountered the enemy's cavalry, Rosser's brigade, and after a very sharp fight and several handsome charges, drove it rapidly back a distance of two miles, taking some prisoners. About noon Chapman's ammunition became exhausted, and, fearing to press the pur- suit too far, I directed him to hold the position he then occupied and observe closely the movements of the enemy's troops. Having observed the menacing disposition of the enemy in front of Chapman's brigade, I directed him to collect his dis- mounted men and be prepared to fall back if the enemy should press him too severely. Soon after this, having received rein- forcements, the enemy advanced and compelled Chapman to retire. It was now apparent that the Rebel force was consider- ably superior to ours, and, being short of ammunition, I direct- ed Chapman to fall back rapidly beyond the Meeting-House, and reform in rear of the First Brigade. My headquarters hav- ing been located at Mrs. Faulkner's house, when the Rebels arrived at that place my escort, composed of about fifty men of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant Long, Third Indiana Cavalry, gave them a severe check, and in con- junction with a heavy fire from Pennington's and Fitzhugh's
1Quite a number of survivors of the brigade insist that the name was given by General Rosser, at an earlier date, in the Valley, which is prob- ably true; the name, however, was not immediately adopted by the men.
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batteries, enabled everything to withdraw from the main road to the position occupied by the First Brigade. I had scarcely arrived there, however, when I was informed by Colonel Bryan that the enemy had made his appearance, at an early hour in the forenoon, in his rear, on the road to Parker's Store, and that none of my couriers to General Meade had succeeded in getting through. Surprised at this, and fearing for the safety of my command, I immediately determined to withdraw by a blind road by Todd's Tavern to Chancellorsville. I had scarcely taken this resolution, when I perceived that the enemy was pushing rapidly down the Catharpin Road in the same direc- tion. The march was begun at once; the Second Brigade in advance, followed by the batteries and the First Brigade. The Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, Lieut .- Col. W. P. Brinton commanding, was left to cover the rear. The main column crossed the river Po near its head, and struck the Catharpin Road just beyond Corbin's Bridge. It had scarcely got upon the road when the Rebels made their appearance on the hill west of the bridge. I succeeded in reaching the road with my escort just in time to prevent being cut off. The rear guard found the road occupied by the enemy, but Colonel Brinton made three brilliant and determined charges, breaking the enemy's cavalry ; but finding he could not succeed in getting through without heavy loss, he struck off to the left and joined the division late in the evening.
"At Todd's Tavern I found Brigadier-General Gregg, with his division, and passing behind him, formed my command to assist in holding the place. Gregg moved promptly out, attacked the enemy, and after a sharp fight repulsed him."
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