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 3
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In the minds of the people of the Valley, the Ashby cavalry and Chew's Battery belonged to one another as by natural affinity, and they located the position of the Federals by the familiar crack of "Chew's Blakely," which awakened the echoes of the mountains and spread commo- tion in the encampments of the enemy ere the farmers had aroused to call and feed their hogs.
Early in December Ashby's command, including Chew's Battery, was ordered to join Jackson at Martinsburg to co-operate with him in an attempt to destroy Dam No. 5 in the Potomac. This was the most important of a succes- sion of dams that supplied water to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. ' A Federal force on the opposite bank of the river attempted to prevent the execution of the work, but without success. Sharpshooters at points of advantage concentrated their fire on the path that led down the bank to the dam, while a brisk cannonade was kept up. The
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work could only be done at night, in the water, which was freezing cold.
A few days afterwards, on January Ist, 1862, Jackson, now reinforced by Loring's brigade, set out on his famous Bath and Romney expedition, the object of which was to re-occupy Romney and hold possession of the South Branch Valley. Ashby, with his command, was ordered to join him.
New Year's Day opened bright and promising, but towards evening a northwester blew, bringing storm of rain and sleet. The by-roads, which Jackson for sake of secrecy usually traveled, soon became almost impassable. Biting winter had now set in and the men suffered severely. After a weary journey of three days Bath was reached. As Ashby entered the town the Federals were moving off towards Hancock, a village three miles distant, on the oppo- site bank of the Potomac. Ashby followed and soon came up with their rear guard, with which he skirmished. In this affair Lieutenant Lang and three privates of Company C were badly wounded. The enemy, however, got safely across the river and halted in Hancock. Jackson sent Ashby across the river to demand a surrender, and threat- ening that if the town was not evacuated he would bom- bard it.
Says Dabney in his "Life of Jackson," "As Ashby was led blindfold up the streets, he overheard the Federal soldiers whispering the one to the other, 'That is the famous Colonel'Ashby,' and soon the suppressed hum of a crowd told him that they were thronging around to catch a sight of the warrior whose name had so often carried confusion into their ranks."
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The Federal general naturally refused to surrender to a hostile force on the other side of the Potomac, and declined also to evacuate the place. Upon Ashby's returning and delivering his reply, Jackson ordered the guns to open upon the town. This was done, it is said, in retaliation for the bombardment of Shepherdstown a short time before, but Jackson probably had a better reason.
Jackson began preparing to cross the river, but hearing that the enemy was reinforced, he decided to go on to Romney. 1770829
On January 7th his column left the vicinity of Hancock and marched by mountain roads sheathed with ice towards Romney. The progress was exceedingly slow. The horses, smooth-shod, continually slipped and fell; the men, ill clad, were nearly frozen; the artillery was dragged along with great difficulty. Romney was not reached until January 14th. When Capt. George Sheetz, with two companies of cavalry, was seen approaching, the Federals, supposing the main body to be near by, departed hastily, abandoning their tents and many valuable stores. Ashby pursued them, harassing their rear and taking some prisoners.
Long before Romney was reached, it was discovered that the troops under General Kelly had behaved like vandals. While in possession of Hampshire county mills, tanneries and factories had been burnt. From Blue's Gap to Romney, a distance of sixteen miles, scarcely a house had been left standing. The wayside was strewed with the carcasses of cattle and other domestic animals. In Romney the out- buildings were gone and many of the dwellings had been converted into stables, while every church save one had been foully desecrated.
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The brutal treatment of the Hampshire people by the Federal soldiers appears to have been not only winked at but authorized by those in command. There were few slaveholders in the county, and the stubborn adherence of the people to the Confederate cause could not be understood from a Federal point of view. Their "treason" was regarded as of a malignant type, and deserving of the severest punishment. It was inconceivable to men believing the war to be a slaveholders' rebellion, how the yeomanry of the non-slaveholding mountains should be among the boldest and bravest defenders of secession ; and consequently these "senseless rebels" were shown none of the mercies of civilized warfare. Hunted to their homes, they were shot down, and their houses burnt in many instances.
Such brutality only deepened the feeling of hostility in the hearts of the people and evoked reprisals, and the crack of the deadly rifle from wooded cover often saluted the Federal scouting parties. Sentinels were cut off, pickets captured and whole companies sometimes ambuscaded. The unconquerable mountaineers left no ground undisputed except that upon which the Federal forces camped.
Now that, after a march of nearly 100 miles through ice and snow, the South Branch Valley was occupied, the trouble of holding it began to appear. There was no danger of immediate attack. To few besides the intrepid Jackson would campaigning be thought of in the dead of winter; but spring was coming and the Federals were gathering at different points on the border. Winchester was far in the rear and a day's march nearer Harper's Ferry than Romney. Jackson therefore determined to leave General Loring with the bulk of the command at
DR. NELSON G. WEST
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Romney and Moorefield and return with the Stonewall Brigade to Winchester.
Ashby was sent with the larger part of his cavalry to watch the Potomac border. He established a cordon of pickets from Harper's Ferry to Hampshire. Captain Sheetz, with his company stationed near Blue's Gap, having charge of the left of the line.
On the 25th of January, the Secretary of War, learning that Loring's force was threatened with capture, ordered Jackson to recall him to Winchester. This was done on the 31st of January, and thus, after a respite of a few weeks. Romney and the South Branch Valley again fell under Federal sway.
General Loring, with his brigades, was transferred to a distant command, and Jackson was left with about 6,000 men to hold the Shenandoah Valley.
General McClellan, with a formidable army, was now threatening Richmond, and the Federal forces under Banks and Shields were now expected to co-operate in the move- ment.
Ashby, with scouts entering their camps and reporting their numbers, with pickets holding vigilant watch at every river crossing, kept Jackson exactly informed as to the movements of the enemy. Jackson trusted him implicitly.
Confident that Banks and Shields would soon march upon Winchester, and knowing that it was hazardous to attempt to hold the place, Jackson was busily engaged in removing his stores far.up the Valley to a place of safety.
On the 25th of February Banks crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and by the 4th of March his forces and those of Shields, numbering more than 30,000, were encamped in the vicinity of Charles Town and Martinsburg.
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Slowly and cautiously Banks advanced towards Winchester, Shields following with equal deliberation. Their snail-like pace was due in great measure to the fear of Jackson, and scarcely less to the fear of Ashby and to the activity of his cavalry, which, coming close up to the Federal infantry camps, beat back within their lines such bodies of cavalry as dared venture beyond them.
As the Federal main body moved forward, the head of the column from each successive hilltop was saluted by the guns of Captain Chew, and every stray squadron, discovered beyond the infantry supports, was promptly driven back by the shells of Chew and the charge of the cavalry. Ashby's force was too small to attempt serious resistance, but his sleepless vigilance and activity kept the Federals in a state of ignorance and anxiety as to the movements of Jackson.
On the 11th of March, 1862, Winchester was evacuated by Jackson and the Confederates marched slowly south- ward, the main body reaching Mt. Jackson on the 17th. Ashby brought up the rear, skirmishing with the Federal vanguard. Ever on the alert, he was constantly seeking points of attack, and contriving with bold ingenuity sur- prises and ambuscades.
At Fishers Hill, concealing a body of his men in the woods, he waited till the Federal horse was passing, and then rushed upon them. At Stony Creek, he lay in wait for some foraging parties, and swooping down from his place of concealment, took many prisoners. When there were no isolated parties to ensnare or surprise, he would make a stealthy approach to a Federal camp with one gun from Chew's Battery, and startle the inmates with a well- directed bomb. A Federal officer in Banks' army once said
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A HISTORY OF THE LAUREL BRIGADE
that he had learned to look for Ashby's shells as regularly as he did for his breakfast. This hanging hornet-like on the front and flanks of the enemy, did apparently no great damage, but the effect of it was to greatly facilitate Jack- son's operations. It kept the enemy always in the dark as to the whereabouts of Jackson, and helped to create that almost superstitious dread of Jackson which possessed the minds of the Federals and which almost attributed to him the power of ubiquity.
There is no doubt that Jackson's success in the Valley was largely due to the secrecy that enveloped his move- ments. It was Ashby's impenetrable cordon of pickets, at the fords, crossroads, and mountain passes, and his ever aggressive demonstrations that had most to do in making Jackson's mantle of mystery, and in keeping General Banks in absolute ignorance of his movements.
On March the 19th information was received from Genl. Joseph E. Johnston, who was then retiring before McClellan towards Richmond, that a part of Banks' force was about to be recalled to aid McClellan, and that it was important to make a demonstration against Banks in order to prevent - this movement.
On the 21st Ashby, who had been skirmishing with the enemy between Woodstock and Strasburg, reported that the Federals had evacuated the latter place, and that he was harassing their rear as they fell back towards Winchester.
Jackson at once prepared to pursue, ordering Ashby to press the enemy. On the 22nd the Confederate main body made a forced march to Strasburg, a distance of twenty- two miles. The same day Ashby pressed vigorously the retreating Federals, and by five o'clock P. M. had driven them into Winchester. One of his divisions, Williams',
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had marched that morning towards Manassas; the other, Shields', was still in camp near the town. The fugitive Federal troopers galloping through the streets and the sound of Ashby's guns startled General Banks. Shields' division was ordered under arms. An infantry brigade, two batteries of artillery and some cavalry were sent to confront Ashby. The latter had about 250 cavalry and three guns of Chew's Battery, but he did not decline the unequal combat. A spirited skirmish ensued. Chew's guns answered those of the enemy with defiant roar, while the menacing attitude of the grey squadrons, ever ready to charge, kept the Federal horse in the background and com- pelled the infantry to advance with great deliberation. General Shields, in command of the Federals, had his arm fractured by a piece of shell. Perchance it was a fareful hit, as it disabled and prevented him from being actively present on the field the next day.
Ashby gradually retired to Kernstown, three miles from Winchester, and took position for the night. In his report General Shields says he purposely concealed his numbers. The impression this produced upon Ashby was confirmed by some of his scouts, who in disguise had entered Win- chester, and from conversation with citizens reported that only four regiments of infantry were stationed there.
This information being sent to Jackson, doubtless induced him to hurry forward from Strasburg the next day without waiting for his sore-footed stragglers to catch up.
During the night the Federals took defensive positions against further attack; but a reconnoissance in force the next morning convinced Shields and Banks that Ashby only, with some cavalry, was in their front. Ashby had misled him before by his daring strategy, but General Banks, not
REV. JAMES BATTLE AVIRETT and JOHN (Black Hawk) COOK OF GENERAL ASHBY'S HEADQUARTERS MESS
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1
wishing to be outwitted again, took train and left for Washington.
It was true that Ashby only was near, but Jackson was coming, having hurried forward four companies of the Second Virginia Infantry, under Captain Naidenbousch, to support the cavalry and artillery.
In the meantime Ashby had engaged the Federals who had come out on the Strasburg turnpike to feel his strength, by opening on them with his artillery.
At ten o'clock Captain Naidenbousch arrived with his four companies, which were at once pushed forward against the Federal skirmishers, which after some resistance gave way, and Ashby's whole force advanced.
So serious did this movement appear to Colonel Kimball, who took command of the Federals after the wounding of Shields, that to check Ashby he brought up an additional force consisting of the Eighth Ohio, two companies of the Sixty-seventh Ohio, Sullivan's brigade and several batteries of artillery. Kimball's brigade and Daum's Artillery were already there, and these, together with the reinforcements mentioned, constituted more than a third of Shields' division of 9,000 men.
7
For nearly two hours Ashby held this force at bay, by a cunning and audacious handling of his small force. Chew's guns seizing points of advantage, with a continuous roar, fought at close range confident in the support of the grey squadrons, that at every attempt to take the guns dashed out and drove back the enemy.
The gallant Naidenbousch, with his four companies of infantry deployed as skirmishers, boldly faced the battle lines of the Federals.
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Slowly, but with a steady front, Ashby fell back to the hills south of Kernstown.
When Jackson, with the main body of his army, arrived about ten o'clock "he found," says Dabney, "Ashby pressed back to the highlands south of Kernstown and confronted by heavy masses of the enemy."
Jackson's rapid march of thirty-six miles in thirty-two hours had greatly wearied his troops. Many broken down with fatigue were far in the rear. At first he thought of waiting until the next day, but fearing that Williams' division would return during the night he resolved to attack at once.
By four o'clock his men had taken position .. On the right was Ashby, with four companies of infantry and 150 cavalry, the Forty-second Virginia Infantry being in the turnpike in supporting distance.
About one-half of his troopers had been, under Major Funsten, to guard Jackson's extreme left. Next to Ashby, covering a mile in the Federal front, was the Fifth Virginia, then the rest of the infantry and artillery. 7
As nearly one-half of Shields' army was in front of Ashby, Jackson's plan was to threaten the Federal left and center with the small force of Ashby, while he would mass the main body of his infantry and artillery on their right, and make his chief attack there.
When his dispositions were all made, the center and left advanced, the latter being thrown continually forward.
The infantry were soon at close quarters, and for two hours there was an incessant rattle of musketry and roar of artillery. Ashby, with his handful, behaved as if a division was at his back, for his orders were to occupy the attention of the large force in his front.
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Nothing but his marvelous audacity concealed the weak- ness of Jackson's right and prevented its being turned, and the Valley turnpike from being seized by the enemy.
As soon as Jackson's left began to go forward, Chew's1 guns on the right drawing nearer the Federals, poured shot and shell into their dense columns; while Ashby, moving squadrons from point to point, now threatened, now charged their lines.
"On the right," says Dabney, "Colonel Ashby cannonaded the enemy continually with his three guns, with such audacity as to win ground all day from their multitudes."
The fierceness of Ashby's attack must have greatly deceived the Federal commander, for it was not until the battle had lasted nearly two hours that he withdrew a portion of the force in front of Ashby to reinforce his right. That flank was then giving way before the deadly fire and intrepid valor of Jackson's infantry, but upon the arrival at Kernstown of six regiments sent to reinforce them, soon rallied and, recovering their lost ground, became in turn the assailants.
Jackson was now sorely pressed by overwhelming num- bers; already his small arms ammunition was nearly exhausted and the fire of his infantry slackening.
1
Soon the whole Stonewall Brigade was out of ammuni- tion, and General Garnett ordered them to fall back. Meanwhile Jackson had ordered to the left the Fifth Virginia Regiment, that connected with Ashby, and the Forty-second Virginia, which supported him on the turn- pike.
1Col. R. Preston Chew, commander of the Horse Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia.
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Ashby was now left with four companies of infantry and 150 cavalry to keep back a force more than four times his own. Nearly a mile of unguarded front was between him and Jackson. Although the force in front of him had been diminished one-half, he had suffered a like diminution, and the relative strength of his adversary was the same.
The Federals, suspecting his paucity of numbers, which his menacing attitudes and constant shifting of squadrons had hitherto concealed, began to advance with confidence. It needed no courier to inform him that Jackson was power- less to send aid, for the loss of his position would probably ensure the destruction of Jackson's army. The departure of the Forty-second and Fifth regiments hurrying towards the left, the clouds of smoke over the crest of Kernstown heights, and the increasing roar of battle from that quarter, revealed the gravity of the situation and told him more plainly than words that he must do the best he could with the troops he had in hand.
Cunningly displaying his force so as to magnify it, he pushed his artillery forward and assaulted the foe.
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Chew, with his dauntless gunners, secure of Ashby's support, with grape and canister kept off the Federal skirmishers, while with shot and shell they staggered the advancing battle lines.
When light detachments would approach his flank, or from under cover make a rush upon his guns, right at the auspicious moment a squadron would charge and drive them back.
Ashby was everywhere apparently, foreseeing and pro- viding for every contingency and meeting the weight of numbers with that of skill and daring.
COL. R. PRESTON CHEW
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Evening slowly wore on; the roar of battle showed that Jackson was giving ground. The Federals redoubled their efforts to dislodge Ashby and seize the turnpike, but nothing could move him until it was time to go. Naidenbousch's four companies in skirmish order still grimly faced and fought the foe.
Chew's guns with a furious cannonade continued to keep the battle lines at bay.
The Federal right was victorious. The news spreading to the Federal left inspired them to make a bolder advance. On they came, with steady and menacing front, with bodies of skirmishers threatening Ashby's flanks. The flanking parties were charged and driven, but the main battle line moved steadily forward.
At this juncture, Ashby ordered a charge of cavalry. It was made by a squadron led by Lieutenant Thrasher. The impetuosity of the charge broke the Federal lines, created great disorder and quite a number of prisoners were taken.
This well-delivered blow helped much to stop the advance of the enemy and gave Ashby opportunity to withdraw in order, and to cover Jackson's rear as he retired, but it cost the life of the gallant Thrasher and two privates of Company G.
In the meantime the cavalry under Major Funsten, stationed on Jackson's extreme left, had guarded that flank during the fight. Towards the close when the infantry fell back, the Federal cavalry emboldened by the retreat of the Confederates, attempted to increase the disorder by charg- ing their ranks. They were speedily met by the squadrons of Funsten and held in check.
Making a circuit by the Cedarville turnpike, the Federal horse attempted to fall suddenly upon the retreating
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infantrymen ; but they were confronted by Funsten and not only checked but put to flight, hurrying at breakneck speed towards their own lines.
Jackson's wearied foot soldiers, who had marched thirty- six miles to engage an enemy nearly threefold their own, and having inflicted a loss upon them nearly equal to their own fighting force, the shadows of evening rapidly falling, fell back upon Newtown, some three miles south of Kerns- town, where the wagons were parked, and bivouacked for the night.
Ashby, with his undaunted handful, which had so gal- lantly held the right of Jackson's line, retired in good order, resisting the Federal advance, and guarding Jackson's rear, halted at Bartonsville, only a mile and a half from the scene of conflict.
While the boldness of Jackson in hurling upon the Federal right the main body of his army, which all told was less than one-third the force he was attacking, misled the Federal commander, Shields, into supposing he was supported by a large force at the center and right, yet it was Jackson's dependence and absolute confidence in the resourcefulness and boldness of Ashby, and the heroism of his men, that gave him the confidence to make such a daring movement.
Had Ashby, with his handful of cavalry, Chew's Battery, and a few skirmishers acted only on the defensive in trying to hold position, the enemy would unquestionably early in the engagement have discovered the weak spot, attacked the right in force, occupied the Valley turnpike, cutting off the only way by which Jackson could retreat, and probably have attacked him in reverse.
شعد
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It was the aggressiveness of Ashby and his ingenious show of force by the incessant cannonading with the guns of Chew, the constant fusillade kept up by the skirmish line, and the activity of the cavalry, that entirely deceived the Federal commander.
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CHAPTER II
March, 1862
Daily skirmishes with force of Banks-Addition of new companies and recruits swell the brigade-Jackson orders it divided into two com- mands, and Ashby tenders his resignation-Jackson revokes the order and Ashby withdraws his resignation-Jackson marches to McDowell and defeats Fremont-Ashby screens the movement from Banks by constant skirmishing in his front-Destroys railroad and telegraph between Front Royal and Strasburg-Attack upon Federal infantry at Buckton, where Captains Sheetz and Fletcher fall- Battle of Winchester and pursuit of Banks-Ashby throws his cav- alry between the converging armies of Shields and Fremont and prevents communication between them-Informs Jackson fully of their movements-Capture of Sir Percy Wyndham-Death of Ashby-Cross Keys and Port Republic.
The day after the battle of Kernstown the Federals followed, and at Middletown the Federal cavalry advanced and endeavored to cut off Chew's Battery, which as usual in retreat was full in the rear, and now occupying the crest of a hill. The Federals had gotten on its flank and nearly in its rear, when out of a skirt of woods dashed Ashby leading a squadron and forced them to retire.
Nearly every day similar affairs occurred, and the success of Ashby's cavalry under his bold leadership, gave to both it and him, throughout the armies of friend and foe, a fame that was akin to romance.
Though beaten at Kernstown, Jackson remained in the eyes of the Confederates a real victor. The long, hard fight against a greatly superior force of the enemy was a signal proof of Southern valor. The report of the battle kindled a martial spirit. Jackson's boldness and skill
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inspired confidence, while Ashby's activity and personal daring made his leadership attractive.
Fresh recruits poured in to fill up the regiments of infantry. The mounted companies under Ashby began to overflow in numbers, and from the surplus new ones were formed. New companies also enlisted, and among the latter were those of Capt. Thomas Marshall of Frederick, Capt. T. B. Massie of Rappahannock, Captain Harness from Hardy, and Capt. Murat Willis from Warrenton.
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