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 21
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But the Laurels, under Dulany, were holding the enemy at bay.
White's men, under Lieut. N. Dorsey, had met the onset of the bold Federals with a countercharge. The Eleventh dismounted as sharpshooters, presented a steady front; while the mounted men of the Twelfth repulsed all efforts of the enemy to advance upon them. At this juncture Col- onel Dulany was wounded and had to leave the field, but the Laurels were still facing and threatening the enemy. After the artillery on the left had been taken, and the enemy in pursuit of Munford's brigade were far past their front and towards the rear, nothing remained for Rosser but to retire, which he did after covering the dismounted men until they had gained their horses.
About this time Captain Emmet, a gallant officer of Ros- ser's staff, was seriously wounded.
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Custer pushed his advantage vigorously, and was only prevented from producing a panic by Rosser's coolness in handling his rear guard, which, by dashing charges, repelled the most aggressive of the enemy's advance squadrons.
About two miles from Toms Brook Rosser attempted to make a stand and retrieve his fortune, but the numbers and activity of the Federals forced him back in some confusion, and he withdrew his division as far as Columbia Furnace.
In this fight, the greatest loss the Laurels suffered was the two guns of Thompson's Battery, and it was a source of great regret and some mortification to them. Although they were not to blame, they chafed greatly under the dis- aster and were anxious for revenge, while Rosser was still more eager for an opportunity to get even with Custer.
With this end in view he had his scouts watching Cus- ter's division and making daily reports of his camping- ground. He was waiting for a chance of finding him bivoucking away from Sheridan's infantry.
At last it seemed as if the longed-for occasion had arrived. Custer was reported to have gone into camp near Old Forge, a point several miles distant from Sheridan's main body, and easily approached without discovery by a column moving along the blind roads at the foot of North Moun- tain.
Rosser, after obtaining Early's consent, took 500 picked men from his cavalry, and mounting Grimes' brigade of infantry behind them, started out after dark to "bag Cus- ter." It was on the night of the 17th of October, eight days after Toms Brook.
No moon was shining, and the light of the stars was dimmed by fleecy clouds that floated across the sky. The
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column seemed to move with muffled tread over the stony road, that wound with snakelike curves around the spurs of North Mountain. Upon reaching the place where it was necessary to turn to the right and cross the low ground towards the enemy's rear, a halt was made. Here Rosser had arranged for a trusty scout to meet him and make further report of Custer's position. The scout was near by, but did not make himself known. for some reason he mis- took the Confederates for Federals, and remained concealed in the bushes by the roadside. This was a disappointment. Rosser moved on cautiously. Upon coming near what was supposed to be Custer's camp, the Confederate force was divided in order that the assault might be made from two chrections. When everything was ready, at a given signal, both divisions of the force went forward with a rush, to find Caster gone and nothing but a small picket left in his old camp. This was captured by the force under Rosser, but owing to the darkness, some of the men in the other colum, under Colonel Funsten, ignorant of the state of affairs. mistook Rosser's column for the enemy, and a brisk skirmish between them for a short space ensued. A plucky bugler of the Eleventh, noticing the hesitating manner of the men on his side, increased the difficulty by blowing a vociferous charge, for he drowned the voices of the officers commanding the fire to cease. At last, after several were wounded, quiet reigned and the command soon set out for camp.
On the return the column passed several bluffs from which the outposts of the enemy fired down upon the tired and disappointed raiders.
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This bold attempt of Rosser to capture Custer by a night attack, convinced the Federals that the spirit of the Con- federate horse had recovered from the defeat at Toms Brook. The effect, however, as the sequel showed, was a bad one for the Confederates, for it put the enemy on the alert; and when, two days after, Rosser advanced with Early across Cedar Creek, the cavalry on Sheridan's right flank was the only part of Sheridan's army that was not surprised.
On the memorable 19th, the day that opened with so much promise and closed with so much disaster for the Confederates, Rosser with Wickham's and his own brigade crossed Cedar Creek before daylight, and attacked the enemy's cavalry; Colonel Funsten commanding the Lau- rels, and Colonel Owen of the Third Virginia Cavalry, con- manding Wickham's brigade, which was dismounted. The enemy was in heavy force and fully prepared. Still the vigorous advance of Rosser alarmed the Federal chief of cavalry. "Torbert's first effort was to check Rosser, who appeared on the Back Road and attacked Custer."1 After some hard fighting, mainly done by Owen's dismounted men, Rosser steadily advanced, driving the enemy, who left his camps, killed, and wounded in our hands.
Early's successful attack had routed Sheridan's infantry, and Rosser pressed forward on his left until the foot sol- diers of the enemy could be plainly seen flying in great con- fusion down the Valley turnpike towards New Town. In sight of their broken columns Rosser halted, for in front of him was a greatly superior force of Federal cavalry.
1 Pond's "Shenandoah Valley," page 23.
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For several hours there was now a profound lull all along the battle front, and many wondered what it meant.
The brigade with the rest of the division halted massed in squadrons, some in the timber and some in the fields in low valleys. Not a few of the men got off their horses and, exhausted by the morning's work, fell asleep.
In the meantime the Federals were not idle. The com- plete rout of their left called for reinforcements there. Torbert moved the greater part of his cavalry force thither, leaving only a few regiments in front of Rosser.
This transfer was, however, unperceived by Early as well as Rosser, and both remained under the conviction that all day long there was an overwhelming force of cavalry in Rosser's front.
About three o'clock, the ominous stillness was broken by rapid artillery firing near Rosser's front, where Colonel Funsten with the brigade was resting in careless security. The enemy seemed to be advancing with great confidence. The bombs from their guns fell among Funsten's squad- rons, and were the first intimation of their nearness in force.
Of course great confusion ensued, and there was mount- ing in hot haste. Rosser assuming that Custer's whole force was moving down upon him, ordered his two brigades to fall back. Colonel Funsten was doing his best to retire in order, but the shrieking bombs were bursting in his half- formed column, and a number of the men broke ranks. Besides a heavy column of the enemy was close at hand, who, at the sight of disorder among the Confederates, were encouraged to come on at a charge.
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Maj. E. H. McDonald, commanding the Eleventh, fear- ing a panic might ensue, hastily formed about fifty men of the Eleventh in battle line and, without waiting to receive the onset of the Federals, advanced to meet them, obliquing first to the right so as to take them in flank.
It looked as if this small Confederate band was inviting destruction. Behind them was the division falling back, before them a force of the enemy ten times their number, actually encouraging them with shouts to come on, so con- fident were they of capturing them.
But the Federals themselves were in some confusion, a few of the bravest far in advance. As McDonald's men came on in battle line they presented a steady front, increasing their speed when they saw the foremost Federals begin to hesitate. For when the latter stopped, for the rear of their column to close up, the whole column stopped ; the men of the Eleventh now pressing on with shouts, the Federals turned and fled and were chased back over the hill upon which was planted their artillery.
Rosser now withdrew the greater part of his division across Cedar Creek, and when, later in the evening, Sheridan, heavily reinforced, routed Early's infantry, Rosser held the Back Road against Custer's cavalry.
After dark Colonel Funsten was ordered to hold the infantry trenches at Fisher's Hill. Here the brigade spent the night, and in the morning marched out and formed the rear guard of Early's retreating army.
Everything now looked extremely blue, and the cavalry were jaded for lack of rest and loss of sleep.
The enemy, content with his great victory, made but a feeble pursuit.
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At Edenburg his advance column first appeared. Here it halted and, after exchanging a few shots, turned back.
About three miles beyond Edenburg the brigade went into camp, and for three weeks afterwards formed a part of Early's cavalry line on Stony Creek.
In spite of heavy disaster, the indomitable Early began to reorganize his beaten army with renewed hope and energy. A more rigid discipline was enforced, among the cavalry at least, and there were now frequent reviews and inspections.
On November the 9th, orders were issued to the brigade to be ready to march next morning at daylight, with corn for horses and three days' rations. Sheridan, it seemed, was falling back and Early was about to follow him. On the roth the brigade moved down the Back Road. On the 11th Rosser, leaving the Eleventh Regiment at Cedar Creek, marched with the rest of his command towards New Town. Near this place, encountering a force of Federal cavalry, he charged and drove it as far as the Opequon, where a large force of Federal infantry was posted. After a brisk skirmish he withdrew, encamping out of range i the enemy's guns.
The Eleventh Regiment, under Maj. E. H. McDonald. left a squadron on picket at Snyder's Church. Abont nine o'clock on the morning of the 12th this squadron was driven in, but the rest of the reginient arrived in time to check the Federals at the ford.
Being ordered to advance down the Back Road, the Eleventh was just on the point of starting, when a strong column of Custer's command came in view, moving up the road with confidence.
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A sharp fight ensued. The high bank on the south side of Cedar Creek furnishing vantage-ground, the Eleventh held the Federals at bay until the Twelfth and Seventh, coming up from the direction of Middle Town, attacked the enemy vigorously on the flank. After a stubborn resist- ance the Federals gave way, and were followed for several miles by the victorious Confederates.
The Seventh and Twelfth were now withdrawn, and joined Rosser with the rest of his division on the Middle Road, where a formidable body of Federal cavalry was threatening an advance. The Eleventh only was left on the Back Road, Rosser supposing that the main body of the enemy was on the Middle Road, where they appeared in great strength, and threatened to overwhelm him with superior numbers.
In the Toms Brook fight, Rosser had to contend with Custer's large division and one of Merrit's brigades, but on the 12th of November both of these divisions confronted him, each nearly double his own.
Between Rosser and the Back Road, was a wooded ridge not easily crossed by cavalry. Beyond it was a fair valley, through the middle of which ran the Back Road, flanked on either side with small, well-cultivated farms; each house amid a cluster of trees, with garden and orchard attached.
While Rosser with his whole division except the Elev- enth remained, observing the heavy force in his front, Cus- ter with his full division advanced up the Back Road. There was nothing to intercept him but the Eleventh, under Maj. E. H. McDonald, which met him about a half a mile in advance of Rosser's left. Hastily disposing his small regi- ment into four squadrons, Major McDonald prepared to do
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the best he could against a superior force, by deploying two companies as skirmishers on his flanks, holding the others, formed into three squadrons, across the road.
Custer moved forward with great confidence. To the thin array of Confederate skirmishers he opposed almost a battle line. His numerous squadrons, arranged in eche- lon, extended entirely across the valley, while the road was crowded with his main column.
The rattling fire of the skirmishers began; the volleys of the Federals answered by the scattering but well-aimed shots of the Confederates.
The Federals pressed forward, but the Confederates, tak- ing advantage of the trees and outhouses, held their ground with persistent valor.
Carter's main column now moved forward, the foremost squashon advancing at a charge. They were met by the Second Squadron of the Eleventh, under Captain Dough- city. For a brief space the weight of the heavy column and the vigor of the assault seemed resistless. The Confed- crates were borne back, and some had turned to retreat, but the gallant Dougherty recalled them to duty. They now wheeled and turned upon the foe. At their fierce onslaught the Federals gave way. Soon Dougherty was wounded and his men faltered. The Federals, seeing their hesitation, again pressed forward, and the First Squadron was broken and pursued. But the victory was not yet gained. The brave skirmishers on the flanks were still against great odds, keeping back the enemy. As the Fed- erals galloped forward McDonald hurled at them the First Squadron, commanded by Capt. Foxhall Dangerfield. It was composed of two veteran companies from Bath county, men
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accustomed to victory. Mounted on good horses, these strong-armed and martial sons of the mountains, dashed like a thunderbolt at the head of the pursuing column. The bluecoats recoiled before this furious onset, and in spite of the efforts of their brave officers, began to give ground. The Bath men pressed on, dealing deadly blows until the enemy, turning, fled in disorder, carrying along the fresh squadrons sent to their aid. For several hundred yards the Federals were followed. Such was the fury of the assault, that it seemed as if Custer's whole division was about to fall back. The main body in the road appeared staggered and vacillating, while from the squadrons on the flank many men broke ranks, and were beaten back into line by the sergeants with their swords. But it was now evident to Custer how small was the force opposed to his division. Fresh squadrons were put to the front, the broken ones reformed, and the whole division moved forward. The Bath men were pushed back, and though the Third Squad- ron came to their aid, it too was driven, and the Eleventh fell back in disorder.
In the meantime, Rosser had sent the rest of the brigade. the Twelfth and Seventh, under Funsten, to McDonald's help. They reached the field just as Custer had forced the Eleventh into a hasty retreat. But in passing over the ridge along a blind road crossed by deep gutters, the col- umn broke into single file, at points, and reached the field in bad shape. Custer was already beyond Rosser's left, and they had to make a circuit to get around the enemy and pass to his front. Had Funsten moved directly against their left flank the result might have been different.
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Pennington's whole brigade was now advancing, flushed with success. The gallant Col. Thomas Marshall, ever ready to lead a forlorn hope, at the head of the Seventh, now much scattered, was the first to give aid. With the part of the Seventh that had gotten up he charged the Federals and checked them for a moment. It was like breasting the rush of waters; the waves rolled around him, and Marshall with a few men at his side was almost sur- rounded. To avoid capture he turned and, after going a few yards, was mortally wounded, amid confusion, much increased by the fall of their colonel. None was more beloved for his virtues; surely his fall was a heavy blow.
Colonel Funsten withdrew across Cedar Creek and attempted to hold the ford. The stand made here was suc- cessful, until portions of the Federal force, crossing below and above the ford, attacked both flank and rear.
While the fight at the Creek was still going on and the enemy was trying to force his way across, Rosser, leaving General Payne to watch the enemy on his front, attacked Pennington's flank and rear with Wickham's brigade. It was commanded by Col. William Morgan, who put his reg- iments into the fight with so much promptness and decision, that Pennington's rear column was soon driven in towards the main body, which was now forcing its way across Cedar Creek, and pushing the Laurels in front of it. As some of Morgan's squadrons swept through the fields and woods towards the Back Road, they fell in with small parties of Federals either skulking or lost, and took many prisoners.
Rosser himself, while galloping through the bushes, came suddenly upon a tall Federal major, who seemed to rise up out of the earth. Hardly had the Federal given up his
.
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arms, when a shout near by disclosed the fact, that six or seven bluecoats were coming with lifted sabres to the rescue of the prisoner. They were already unpleasantly near when up rode a body of Morgan's men, until then concealed by a clump of trees, and captured the would-be rescuers.
Custer's men, pushed by Morgan's brigade, had crossed Cedar Creek, and from the high ground there were keeping off the Confederates.
But a few minutes before, the Laurels had abandoned the position, owing to the enemy's having crossed below the ford and gotten in their rear. Now the Federals must hold it, to protect Pennington's rear while he was pursuing the Laurels.
The Fourth Virginia, under Colonel Owen, attempted with great gallantry to carry the position. From the high bank on the other side the Federals delivered a galling fire, but the Fourth pushed bravely on. Twice at the ford they hesitated under the volleys that came from the enemy securely posted. Once more with loud cheers they rushed forward. The ford was passed and they galloped up the hill, and drove the Federals in wild rout before them.
Retreating rapidly up the Back Road, Custer's beaten vanguard rejoined his division. It was now nearly dark. and both sides were exhausted. Custer, gathering up his command, made off to the right, and by a mountain road returned to Sheridan.
This fight was counted by the Federals among Custer's victories, because he drove the Laurels back upon the Back Road. If the punishment inflicted by Wickham's brigade upon Custer be considered, honors were about even. The loss of the Confederates in this affair was trifling in num-
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bers, but in the death of Colonel Marshall there was a heavy loss not to be expressed in mere numerals. He was one of those rare men, nature's noblemen, who, on account of extreme modesty, seldom shine in time of peace; but when forced into action by a sense of duty, as in time of war, attain often to enviable distinction. In him there was so much goodness blended with aggressiveness and high ability, that he could have shone in any sphere of action. But as a soldier only was he known to the men of the bri- gade, and by common consent he was recognized as the knight without fear and without reproach. Endowed by nature with all the qualities that excite the love and com- mand the admiration of our race, he yet added to these the graces of meckness and Christian charity. Deeply religious, he exemplified the highest type of the Christian soldier. He suffered withont murmering; while in word and deed he helped others to bear the hardness of their lot. Whether in camp or field it was his happiness to "go about doing good." To his men, though firm, he was tender and con- siderate, and they repaid him with an affection that had grown with the lapse of time. His absorbing desire was to follow duty's path, and even if he wandered from that straight and narrow way, it was on honor's side, so full of martial spirit was his generous and noble nature.
After the fight at Brent's house the brigade went into camp at Fisher's Hill, and on the 20th they moved to Tim- berville.
Early had again fallen back, for which he assigned the following reasons :
"Discovering that the enemy continued to fortify his posi- tion and showed no disposition to come out of his lines with
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his infantry, and not being willing to attack him in his entrenchments after the reverses I had met with, I determined to retire, as we were then beyond the reach of supplies."2
In spite of Early's many disasters Sheridan, though greatly outnumbering him, was still afraid of the audacious Confederate leader. No defeat could break his spirit, and calamity but strengthened his resolution to maintain with desperate valor the unequal struggle.
About the 20th of November, Early's force was much diminished by the departure of Kershaw's division for Lee's army, and Crosby's brigade of cavalry to Breckenridge; but Sheridan still insisted upon keeping the Sixth Corps of Infantry with him.3 The doughty conqueror of the Valley must, forsooth, still have the odds of nearly three to one in his favor, before daring again to face his oft-beaten oppo- nent.
2Early's Memoirs, page 116.
$Pond's "Shenandoah Valley," page 247.
LIEUT .- COL. THOMAS MARSHALL
CHAPTER XII
November, 1864
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 strong- hold-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 subsist-Beverly.
Small as Early's army was, the difficulty of supplying it with food and forage was a serious one, so complete had been the devastation made by the Federals.
1
Though there was little left for man or beast in the Val- ley below Staunton, it was well known that there was an abundance beyond the North Mountain, especially in the fertile valley of the South Branch of the Potomac.
On the 26th of November Rosser, with Early's consent, set out for this land of milk and honey. He had with him his own and Payne's brigade and a few of the choice spirits of the cavalry and artillery left behind, among whom were Capt. James Thompson, Maj. Robert Mason, Lieut. Charles Menegrode, and Maj. James Breathed.
While the open purpose of the expedition was to secure supplies, Rosser intended to try the capture of New Creek. The place is now called Keyser. It is the county-seat of
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Mineral county, West Virginia, and is romantically situated at the foot of the Alleghanies, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, about twenty-two miles west of Cumberland, Maryland.
It is now a growing town of 2,000 inhabitants, and is remarkable for the neatness of its appearance, the number of its cosy dwellings, and the picturesque beauty of its land- scape. Forty years ago the scene was quite different. Then it was a mere railroad station, with a few houses in the vicinity. But it was regarded as a military point of great importance by the Federals. Two forts on commanding hills overlooking the depot were erected, one of them manned with heavy ordnance. A garrison varying from 800 to 1,500 men held the place and guarded immense stores of food, forage, and ammunition placed there for the convenience of troops stationed in the counties of Hardy and Hampshire. With mountains on three sides, and its natural strength being increased by military art, it was a most formidable stronghold of which to contemplate the capture with cavalry.
Its large garrison, and the facility with which reinforce- ments could be poured into it from Maryland, demanded the greatest secrecy in any movement against it. If warn- ing was given, its frowning castles could laugh a siege to scorn, and with their guns sweep out of existence all attacking columns. The position was deemed impregnable. A much greater force than Rosser's under General McCaus- land had previously failed to take it. Fitz Lee not long before had gotten within eight miles of it, and turned back discouraged after learning the character of its defenses.
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