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 17
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In the fight that now ensued, both the Seventh, under Colonel Dulany, and the Eleventh, under Colonel Beal, bore conspicuous parts. Colonel Dulany had two horses shot under him. At one time during the battle the enemy, hav- ing placed dismounted men with artillery behind the rail- road embankment, poured deadly volleys into the ranks of the Confederates.
Taking advantage of an apparent confusion in Rosser's brigade, their mounted squadrons made a dash at a column that Rosser was bringing up. The day was hot and the dust fetlock deep. Coming up to within pistol shot the Federals, seeing Rosser's defiant attitude, halted and began firing their carbines. On both sides there was apparent hesitation, the men moving about restlessly instead of remaining in their places ready to obey the word of com- mand. Rosser, as usual, in the forefront, was exhorting the men to prepare to charge; while on the other side, the Federal officers were urging their men to hold firm. The smoke of the small arms, mingled with clouds of dust from the moving horsemen, added to the confusion of the scene.
At this juncture it was evident that the action of one man might turn the scale of victory. Maj. Holmes Conrad,1 on
1Maj. Holmes Conrad, major and inspector-general of the Laurel Brigade, when the State of Virginia seceded, enlisted in a company of cavalry from Frederick County, Va., commanded by Capt. Jas. W. Drake, which was later Company A, of the First Virginia Cavalry. The same day he was made first lieutenant of the company ; was made adjutant of the Seventeenth Battalion August, 1862. The Seventeenth Battalion was the nucleus upon which was developed the Eleventh Regiment of the Laurel Brigade.
In 1864 he was commissioned major and assistant inspector-general of Rosser's Cavalry Division.
Major Conrad was a familiar figure to the men who were at the front in the battles of the Laurel Brigade.
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Rosser's staff, taking in the situation, seized the flag of the Eleventh Regiment and exclaiming, "Men, save your colors!" rode straight at the Federal column. With banner waving he penetrated the first files, and turning to the left he escaped unharmed. Partly from the clouds of dust, and partly from astonishment and admiration of the audacity of Conrad, the foremost Federals failed to assault him. Their attention was immediately engaged by the onset of the grey troopers, who followed closely upon his heels.
The "Bath Squadron," under Captain Dangerfield of the Eleventh, was in front. Aroused by the desperate valor of Conrad, with a shout they charged, and soon drove the enemy in confusion upon his main body.
When Wilson withdrew beaten from the field of Ash- land, Hampton pushed him until night, when he drew off. By what route Wilson withdrew in the night is not cer- tainly known, but from Grant's memoirs it is found that he rejoined the Army of the Potomac on the 3rd of June.
On the same day, Hampton with his division assaulted the enemy strongly posted behind earthworks near Haw's Shop. Dismounting his North Carolina Brigade, under Colonel Baker, and attacking promptly, Lee carried the outer line. In this engagement Rosser with the Laurel Bri- gade seems to have borne a part, though the main work of the day was performed by Lee's North Carolina Brigade.
On the next day Rosser moved with the brigade to the same point with the purpose of gaining information. Col- onel White with his mounted squadrons was ordered to charge the earthworks. With great gallantry the "Co- manches" rode up to and along the fortifications, discharg- ing their pistols at the enemy. The Federals, astonished
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GENL. WADE HAMPTON
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at the audacity of the Confederate horsemen, abandoned the works, and some of White's men climbing over, or at points riding through, pursued them for a short distance. So daring a charge excited the admiration of the rest of the brigade, and Rosser's cheers for the "Comanches" were joined in by the whole command.
There was now for some time a calm along the front. Grant's punishment at Cold Harbor, had strengthened his conviction that Lee's lines could not be broken through, no matter what sacrifice of life he was willing to make in the attempt. What, therefore, bullet and steel could not accom- plish he thought starvation might. He, therefore, planned to menace Richmond with sufficient force to keep Lee's army near by; while, with light marching divisions of infantry and cavalry, he would destroy the railroads, and devastate the country from which Lee drew his supplies.
The vandal Hunter was at this time in the Shenandoah Valley burning and destroying. News of his outrages had reached the camp of the Laurels, and there was manifested a great desire to go to the defense of their homes. They also had heard of the capture of Staunton, and the death of their former commander, Genl. W. E. Jones. But, there was soon quite enough close at hand, to engage their atten- tion.
On the 7th of June, "Sheridan was sent with two divi- sions to communicate with Hunter, and to break up the Virginia Central Railroad and James River Canal."5 The intention, as was evident from papers which fell into the hands of the Confederates afterwards, was that Sheridan should destroy Charlottesville and Gordonsville, with the
5Grant's Memoirs.
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railroads near those places, and then unite with Hunter in his attack on Lynchburg. He had with him about 8,900 effective men, well mounted. With flanking squadrons scouring the country for fresh horses, he proceeded on his mission of destruction with fine promise of success.
Early on the morning of the 8th, Hampton with his own division and that of Fitz Lee, and several batteries of horse artillery, was sent to look after this raiding column. The enemy had a day's start. To follow in his wake would have been to invite destruction from famine, unless he could be overtaken before the pursuers' rations gave out, for the track of Sheridan was like that left by a cyclonic hailstorm; what man and beast did not devour or take away, was burnt or destroyed. He even shot his own broken-down horses. Hampton, therefore, with characteristic foresight, sought by celerity of movement to get ahead of the raiding column and post his force right on its projected line of march. As soon, therefore, as the order was received from Lee, Hampton with his own division moved out at once to get between Gordonsville and the enemy, ordering Fitz Lee to follow as soon as possible.
Outmarching Sheridan, Hampton got ahead of him, and encamped the night of the roth in Green Spring Valley, three miles beyond Trevilians Station, on the Virginia Cen- tral Railroad. Fitz Lee encamped the same night near Louisa Court House.
There was a road from this place to Trevilians which Sheridan was expected to march into and along it approach the station.
Hampton, having learned during the night that Sheridan had crossed the North Anna, determined to attack him at
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daylight. Fitz Lee was ordered to attack on the road lead- ing from Louisa Court House to Clayton's Store, while Hampton, with his own division, intended to move against the enemy on the road leading from Trevilians Station to the same point.
"By this disposition," says Hampton, "I hoped to cover Lee's left and my right flank, and to drive the enemy back if he attempted to reach Gordonsville, by passing to my left, and to conceal my real design, which was to strike him at Clayton's Store after uniting the two divisions."
At dawn Hampton was ready with Butler's and Young's brigades to go forward, Rosser with his command having been sent to cover a road on Hampton's left.
Soon a message was received from Fitz Lee that he was moving out to attack, and Butler immediately advanced to engage the enemy, supported by Young.
According to Hampton's report, the Confederates re- pulsed the enemy and drove him behind his breastworks. According to Sheridan, the contrary was the case. Up to nine o'clock, at any rate, Hampton pressed the enemy. All seemed to be going well. Fitz Lee was momentarily expected to join on the right, but Custer's dash materially changed the Confederates' plans. Instead of waiting to be pressed by Fitz Lee, Custer, finding an unguarded road leading around Hampton's right to Trevilians Station, fol- lowed it blindly. Coming upon the ambulances, caissons, and led horses of the division, he fell upon them with his accustomed alacrity, and then looked around to see what else he could do. Near him on the right was Thompson's Battery, behind Butler's line, and ignorant of any hostile
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movement in the rear. Custer at once made preparations to take it.
Says Col. R. P. Chew, commander of the horse artillery, who was present :
"I had gone to the position occupied by General Butler, to select a position for artillery to aid him in his fight, and return- ing about nine o'clock I met General Hampton, and was informed by him that the enemy was in our rear, and had captured our caissons and led horses, and was told by him to go back and do the best I could with the guns.
"Butler was at this time hotly engaged in front. I went back rapidly and found Custer's men advancing from the rear to capture the guns.
"Fortunately a company of South Carolina cavalry was formed near our position, which charged and drove back the enemy. I then moved the guns to a hill north of and facing the station. They were without support.
"At this stage of affairs Rosser, who was on the Gordons- ville Road some distance off to the left, was quickly recalled by Hampton to oppose Custer. He returned rapidly, but Custer was now trying to escape with his captures, by going off the Gordonsville Road around Butler and Young and the horse artillery, and getting through on their left."
From his new position Chew opened fire on the column and drove them back on the station, and by a well-directed fire delayed its escape by crippling the horses and stopping the wagons. After considerable delay Custer again at- tempted to escape by the same route, but Rosser hearing the firing, brought his brigade at a gallop down the Gor- donsville Road, and wheeling to the left struck Custer's col- umn and doubled it back on Fitz Lee, who was coming up on the other side of the station, and who attacking vigor-
ROSSER'S DEFEAT OF CUSTER AT TREVILIAN'S STATION, VA.
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ously, pushed that part of Custer's column back, recaptur- ing many wagons and taking five caissons. Some idea may be formed of the vigor of Lee's attack from the desperate charge of one company of the Sixth Virginia, known as the Clarke Cavalry, which lost in a single charge upon a Fed- eral battery more than half its number.
The well-timed assault of Rosser was made in double column, the Eleventh in front on the right of the road, and White in front on the left.
To the Laurels, success meant more than victory. The enemy had captured the division trains and many prisoners. His presence for a moment in Hampton's rear meant gen- eral disaster. What was to be done, had to be done quickly. Seldom did a duty of heavy responsibility where prompt- ness of decision in the leader, and ready valor in the men was needed, fall upon a command better fitted to perform it. With well-closed ranks and steady gallop, the Laurels fol- lowed Rosser towards the point where the firing indicated the presence of the enemy. A glance at the victorious Fed- erals, accompanied with captured trains and ambulances. filled with prisoners, only quickened the rush as the brigade swept with shouts to the rescue.
The bluecoats, who, following the adventurous Custer, had by a wild dash created a momentary panic in the Con- federates' rear, were now in their turn surprised, and the impetuous charge of the grey troopers soon put Custer to precipitate flight. Wagons, prisoners, and precious plunder were now quickly abandoned, and the marching column soon scattered in many directions. The pursuit of the fugi- tives, many of whom had taken for shelter to the woods, left Rosser's force somewhat diminished. The main body
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of the enemy fell back towards the station, hotly pursued by the Confederates. Here, forming his men with artillery commanding the approaches, Custer stood at bay, while Rosser, putting his regiments in order and gathering his men, made ready to attack him.
Colonel Chew, who had counted Custer's men as they passed in front of his battery, now informed Rosser that Custer had only about 1,200 men, and that by promptly charging he could capture them.
Rosser, especially eager to discomfort the vainglorious Custer, ordered White to charge. Just then Hampton rode up and forbade the movement.
Custer remained at Trevilians assisted, doubtless, by the advance of Sheridan's whole force on Hampton's right flank.
Butler and Young fell back, and they, with Rosser, were posted by Hampton along a new line to the west of the station and facing Sheridan.
The enemy in the evening made several attempts to dis- lodge Hampton from his new position, but without success.
After the repulse of one of these assaults Rosser, still believing that a bold charge would drive Custer from his position, had just begun the perilous task when he was badly wounded." This put a stop to the movement. The command of the brigade now devolved upon Col. R. H. Dulany of the Seventh. The remainder of the day was spent in repelling Sheridan's assaults upon Hampton's new line.
"Says Hampton in his report, "In the list of wounded was Brigadier- General Rosser, who received a painful wound whilst charging at the head of his brigade."
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Night closed the scene, and after dark both sides began to entrench preparatory to the next day's decisive struggle.
At dawn the combatants were in position, and until twelve o'clock stood facing each other.
Fitz Lee, who on the previous day attacked Custer beyond the station, and recaptured many wagons and pris- oners, now swung around and about twelve o'clock con- nected with Hampton. His division was placed in a position to support Hampton's division in case the enemy attacked Hampton's right.
About three o'clock Sheridan began a series of heavy assaults. His dismounted men, armed with repeating rifles, had an immense advantage over the Confederate sharpshooters, who had to be content with the ordinary carbines or muskets. Many of their carbines were of Con- federate make, and were nearly as dangerous to the man behind as to the enemy in front.
As the fighting this day was chiefly on foot, and the woods at places furnished good cover, the incessant fire of the assailing Federals, called for heroic powers of resist -. ance on the part of the poorly-armed Confederates. The brunt of the fight fell on Butler's brigade and the horse artillery, and they proved equal to the occasion, repelling with stubborn courage all the assaults of the enemy.
The nature of the ground prevented much use of the enemy's artillery, while the Confederate position was excel- lent in this respect, though from its being in the open field and near the enemy, the gunners were much exposed to the deadly aim of the sharpshooters.
A space of only 250 yards was between the lines. The Confederate gunners lay close to the ground, and only rose
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when the Federals charged. The colors of Thompson's Battery were riddled with bullets, and around a single piece nine men were killed or wounded, among them the color- bearer.
The fighting continued until after nightfall, when the flash of the guns lifting for a moment the veil of darkness, revealed the position of the on-coming enemy.
In the meantime Fitz Lee, directed by Hampton, rein- forced Butler's left with Wickham's brigade, while he took Lomax's brigade across to the Gordonsville Road, so as to strike the enemy on his right flank.
Says Hampton with laconic brevity, "This movement was successful."
Desperately did Sheridan struggle to force Hampton from his path. But with greater resolution did the Confed- erate leader maintain his ground against the superior num- bers of his opponent.
Under the cover of darkness Sheridan began to retreat, and by morning was far on his way back to Grant's army, leaving behind him his dead and many of his wounded. Grant explains in his memoirs (Vol. II, page 302) that "Sheridan went back, because the enemy has taken posses- sion of a crossing by which he proposed to go west, and because he had heard that Hunter was not at Charlottes- ville." This, however, will hardly explain his hurried re- treat, and the abandonment of his dead and wounded.
He could not have thought of going to Charlottesville, when it was as much as he could do to give Hampton the slip, and get back to Grant's infantry. This, however, he did without being vigorously pursued by Hampton, though
LIEUT. PHILIP B. WINSTON
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it was evident that the Federals had retreated very hur- riedly.
Hampton, in his report, says :
"In the meantime Fitz Lee reinforced the left with Wick- ham's brigade, while he took Lomax's brigade across the Gor- donsville Road to strike the enemy on his left flank. Sheridan now heavily pressed in front and attacked on the left, fell back hurriedly."
Sheridan's report is disingenuous, and indeed lacks the internal evidence of truth. For instance, he accounts for the loss of some caissons by saying, "When the enemy broke they hurried between General Custer's command and Colonel Grigg's, capturing five caissons of Remington's Battery."
This is perhaps the only instance in the annals of war, where the victor lost caissons because the enemy ran away.
On the 13th, the brigade with Hampton followed on after Sheridan to the North Anna, and down the river to a point opposite Frederick Hall.
As an evidence of what the cavalry suffered now for lack of food and forage, the following extracts from the diary of a soldier of the Laurel Brigade will be of interest.
"May 14th. Lay still all day; no rations. Ewell is at Frederick Hall.
"15th. Crossed North Anna at Caws Bridge, moved along very slowly, reached our stopping place after dark, and fooled around till late hunting grass. No rations yet.
"16th. Drew two crackers and a little meat ; nothing for the horses. Marched all day on the county roads; borrowed a few rations from another command for us. No corn tonight and not a particle of grass ; camped after dark.
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"17th. Grazed the horses a little this morning ; wagons with corn and rations expected, but no one seems to know anything definite about them. The dust is three inches deep every- where, and the sun broiling hot.
"18th. No wagons yet, the men are suffering very much for rations, and have been for several days. Drew plenty of corn. Moved back on Wickham's Farm on the Pamunkey River, where we found the long expected wagons with four days' rations. Two squadrons have been without rations since the 12th."G
While Sheridan failed to unite with Hunter, or to do much damage to the Virginia Central Railroad, there was one part of Grant's program for crushing the Confederacy which Sheridan never failed to carry out. That was to ravage the country through which he passed, destroying or carrying off everything possible to be removed. Grant's object, as a war measure, was to starve out the men whom he could not beat in the field, reduce Richmond to the point of starvation, and thus decrease the efficiency of Lee's army.
Whatever may be said of Sheridan as a fighter, no one can deny that as a ravager he was not wanting in the ele- ments of success. While he had not yet quite mastered this method of restoring the amity of a disunited country, he was learning fairly well, from those two past masters in that art, Generals William Tecumseh Sherman and David Hunter. It is fair to say, by way of classification, that the ravaging of Sheridan was somewhat systematic and pur- poseful, being part of an avowed military plan. That of Sherman in his march through Georgia was brutal and wanton; while that of David Hunter in the Valley of Vir- ginia was absolutely heinous and devilish.
"From the Diary of Private Joseph L. Sherrard.
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Hampton did not give Sheridan much time to make way with property as he went along, but he did the best he could under the circumstances. He gathered up all the horses his flanking column could find, and when one of his own gave out he had it shot, lest some one of the farmers he had tried to ruin might use the animal to raise a crop for his family.
On the 20th Hampton reached the vicinity of the White House, and had a small engagement with some infantry and cavalry of the enemy, assisted by their gunboats on the Pamunkey.
During the night Sheridan crossed over and marched towards the James, with his force much increased by infantry.
Hampton, after skirmishing with him the best part of the day, withdrew towards evening and encamped at Bottom's bridge, on the Chickahominy.
Sheridan, who was in full retreat, was acting as rear guard for Grant, who on the night of the 21st began the operation of transferring the Army of the Potomac across the James River, the bulk of which was already on the south side.
For two or three days Hampton hung on Sheridan's flank, but without accomplishing any serious results. The starved condition of the Confederate horses had greatly reduced the efficiency of the brigade. The sore-backed and broken-down animals were sent to the rear for rest, and with the remainder of the command, a large portion being now dismounted, Colonel Dulany, commanding the bri- gade, had to engage in almost daily fights with the enemy.
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On the 24th the command was roused up at two o'clock, and lay in a field near Samaria Church until morning. The pickets had been driven in and there was expectations of an advance of the Federals.
Sheridan, however, had begun to throw up earthworks with the obvious design of holding his ground, and Hamp- ton immediately formed his plan of attack; arranging to have the brigades of Gary and Chambliss to assault in flank, while the rest of his command pressed in front.
As soon as Gary had engaged the enemy, Chambliss was thrown forward, and by a movement handsomely executed connected with him. At the same moment the whole line, under the immediate command of Maj .- Genl. Fitz Lee, charged the works of the enemy, who, after fighting stub- bornly for a short time, gave way, leaving his dead and wounded on the field.
This advance of our troops was made in the face of a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, and it was most hand- somely accomplished.
In the charge of the works, the Eleventh and the Seventh regiments participated, White's Battalion being absent on detached service.
The Twelfth, being mounted, joined in the pursuit of the retreating Federals, driving them for three miles. In this charge Lieut .- Col. T. B. Massie, commanding the Twelfth, was wounded while gallantly leading his men over the works of the enemy.
Sheridan was completely routed, and his broken and fly- ing columns pursued to within two and a half miles of Charles City Court House. Hampton captured 157 prison- ers, including one colonel and twelve commissioned officers,
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while a considerable number of Federal dead and wounded was left on the field. Thus foiled and defeated at Tre- vilians, severely punished at the White House, and routed at Samaria Church from a chosen position defended by earthworks, Sheridan very wisely concluded to rejoin Grant as soon as possible. This he speedily did, falling back to the James River under protection of gunboats, and crossing to the south side.
The loss in Hampton's division was six killed and fifty- nine wounded.
CHAPTER X
June, 1864
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-Lieuten- ant Vandiver's account of the engagement-Ruffian marauders- Wilson escapes after punishment and loss-A short rest, water- melons and hospitality-Brigade recuperates by return of men from hospitals and horse furloughs-Fitz Lee with his division sent to the Shenandoah Valley-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.
On June the 25th Hampton withdrew, moving towards Richmond, but following the farm roads lest the dust on the highway might subject his column to a shelling from the gunboats on the James.
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