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 6
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In the meantime Major Marshall, with a squadron, made a flank attack by the railroad depot; but his own party was soon struck in the flank by a Federal company, that forced back his command and cut off his retreat. His pistols being empty, he tried to cut his way through, but was knocked senseless by a sabre stroke.
Colonel Jones had by this time come up to the head of the regiment, and shot the Federal trooper, who was about to
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kill Marshall, but so hard was the resistance that Marshall remained in the hands of the Federals. For while this was going on, another flanking party of Federals had attacked Jones' right and rear.
Lieutenants Neff and Mohler of Company K wheeled and charged this body, but were followed by about a dozen men only, and the enemy for the moment checked, returned to the charge and drove the rear companies up the plank road, wounding and capturing quite a number.
The main body of the Seventh, however, kept on their course, driving the enemy through the town; but soon again returned, having observed in the open field the great super- iority of the enemy in numbers.
In this fight the Seventh had about 200 men present. The two Federal regiments must have had double that number.
"To Lieutenant Smith, commanding Company A; Cap- tain McGruder, commanding Company B; Company C, commanded by Captain Myers at first, and, when he was severely wounded, by Lieutenant Myers ; and to Company D, commanded by Lieutenant Brown," says Colonel Jones in his report, "my thanks are especially due, for noble bearing in the fight. Sergt. Clarence L. Broadus2 of Company D is recommended for promotion for distinguished gallantry."
1
Colonel Jones acknowledged a loss of ten wounded and forty missing.
About an hour after the fight the Federals retreated, followed by the Seventh, which being reinforced by the
2This gallant soldier returned to his command after the loss of his arm, and continued in the service to the close of the war. He served the first year of the war in the Tenth Virginia Infantry, and in 1862 re-enlisted in Ashby's cavalry .- From Jones' Official Report.
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Sixth Virginia, under Colonel Flournoy, pursued the Federals vigorously as far as Rapidan Station.
The action at Orange Court House was soon after fol- lowed by an advance of Jackson's army, which now con- sisted of the divisions of Ewell, A. P. Hill, and his own; that of A. P. Hill having recently arrived.
Having learned that only a portion of Pope's army was at Culpeper Court House, Jackson resolved to attack it before the arrival of the remainder, and on August 7th moved from Gordonsville for that purpose.
On the morning of August 8th, the Federal cavalry north of the Rapidan was driven back by ours under Brigadier- General Robertson.
On the evening of the 8th, the Seventeenth Battalion and a part of the Sixth Regiment marched towards Madison Court House.
The main force of the Federal cavalry retreated towards Culpeper Court House, making a feeble resistance. A part fell back towards Madison Court House, and were pursued by a portion of the Sixth, under Colonel Flournoy, and the Seventeenth Battalion, under Major Patrick. At several points they attempted to rally, but each time being vigorously charged they broke and finally ran, leaving about twenty wounded and prisoners in the hands of the Con- federates.
For five miles the chase continued, the Seventeenth Bat- talion and the Sixth Regiment pursuing in the direction of Madison Court House.
On the 9th was fought the battle of Cedar Run, in which Robertson's cavalry took little part, the main body being stationed on Jackson's left, while Colonel Jones, with the Seventh, who had been sent to Madison Court House,
MAJ. WILLIAM PATRICK
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returned towards evening and after dark passed to Jackson's right and front.
The battle of Cedar Run was still going on .. Jackson was still pursuing Banks, eager to drive him beyond Cul- peper Court House.
In the darkness, the Seventh charged a body of the Federal cavalry and forced them to take shelter under their infantry.
A prisoner captured in this charge gave the first informa- tion of Seigel having arrived to reinforce Banks. Upon this being told to Jackson the pursuit was discontinued.
The following day all the cavalry with Jackson was put under the command of Genl. J. E. B. Stuart.
Robertson's brigade, which was now added to Stuart's division, consisted of the Second Virginia, Col. T. T. Mun- ford; the Sixth Virginia, Col. P. S. Flournoy ; the Seventh Virginia, Col. W. E. Jones; the Twelfth Virginia, Col. A. W. Harman, and the Seventeenth Battalion, under Major Patrick.
On the 20th of August Stuart's command led the advance of Jackson's army in its movement against Pope.
The Second Virginia Cavalry, under Colonel Munford, was ordered to keep on the left of Jackson's army and keep pace with its movements.
The rest of Robertson's brigade, accompanied by Stuart, marched by way of Stephensburg, a village four miles east of Culpeper, and when nearing Brandy Station encoun- tered a force of Federal cavalry.
The Seventh Virginia led the Confederate advance and soon engaged the Federals, who after a stubborn resistance were forced back beyond Brandy Station upon their support.
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It was now evident that the enemy was in heavy force, and in fact they had five regiments on the field, the First New Jersey, the Second New York, the First Pennsylvania, the First Maine, and the First Rhode Island.
General Robertson, with the Sixth, Twelfth, and Seven- teenth battalions, was sent to the left to sweep across the open country and 'flank the enemy's position.
At first, as Stuart advanced, the enemy fell back along the road towards Rappahannock Station, but about midway between Brandy Station and Rappahannock Station, he made a determined stand in solid columns of squadrons on the ridge, with skirmishers deployed.
With these the Seventh soon became engaged, and quickly followed with a charge. Immediately opposing the Seventh were the First New Jersey, the Second New York, and the First Pennsylvania.
Says the Federal general, Bayard, in his report, "As soon as the leading regiment of the enemy came up, they formed and quickly charged with loud shouts and wild yelling. The sudden charge and yells of the enemy seemed to strike panic in the men, so that they soon began running."
Robertson was now sent for in haste to support the Seventh. He had mistaken the road and borne too much to' the left. The enemy, however, did not profit by the delay, and Robertson arrived in time to join in the battle. The remaining regiments were hurled in succession upon the enemy's main body, wliich fell back and took refuge under the protection of his batteries planted beyond the river.
"In the action at Brandy Station," says Stuart, "Colonel Jones, whose regiment so long bore the brunt of the fight, behaved with marked courage and determination." The enemy occupying woods and hedgerows with dismounted
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men, armed with long-range carbines, were repeatedly dis- lodged by his bold onslaughts, while Flournoy and Harman nobly supported the Seventh at the critical moment.
In this engagement General Robertson acknowledged a loss of three killed and fourteen wounded. He captured sixty-four prisoners, many of whom were wounded. The Federal loss nowhere appears in the reports.
The armies of Lee and Pope now lay confronting each other on the opposite banks of the Rappahannock.
On the morning of August 21st, with the apparent design of opening a way for a general advance of the Confederates, Stuart directed Col. T. L. Rosser, commanding the Fifth Virginia Cavalry, to move with his command for Beverly Ford, and to re-seize the opposite bank by a sudden attack. This was successfully accomplished by Colonel Rosser, and enough of the bank was held to make a crossing practicable for the infantry.
In the meantime Robertson's brigade had crossed at a ford above and prepared the way for an advance. For some reason there was a change of plan, and Stuart's cavalry was, withdrawn to the south bank of the Rappahannock before night.
As the positions of the Confederates on the south bank were commanded by those occupied by the Federals who guarded all the fords, it was determined to seek a more favorable place to cross higher up the river and thus gain the enemy's right. Accordingly, Lee's army on the 2Ist began marching up the river, Jackson in front.
On the 23rd Jackson crossed Hazel River and proceeded up the Rappahannock. The same evening a portion of his troops crossed the Rappahannock, but owing to a heavy rain they recrossed on a temporary bridge during the night.
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1
In the meantime Stuart with his cavalry was engaged in harassing the enemy's rear. On the morning of the 22nd he crossed the Rappahannock at Waterloo Bridge and Hart's Ford, with all of his division except the Seventh and Third Virginia Cavalry and two pieces of artillery. He reached Warrenton in the afternoon and moved in the direction of Catlett's Station with the design of destroying the railroad bridge that crosses Cedar Creek at that point.
Had the object of the expedition been accomplished, Pope's line of communication would have been sundered, and the importance of success spurred Stuart to go forward, though a terrific thunderstorm drenched his troops and enveloped them with thick darkness. The downpour, too, threatened to make the streams impassable on his return.
Approaching Catlett's Station under cover of the stormy night, the Federal pickets were captured by the direction of Colonel Rosser, who commanded the advance, and his bold horsemen were soon in the midst of the enemy's encamp- ments.
Pope's headquarters were near by, and they were guided to the spot by a captured negro. Pope himself was away, but many of his official household were there, and most of them with much valuable plunder were taken possession of. Among the captured articles was Pope's despatch book, revealing his plans and describing his embarrassments.
The destruction of the railroad bridge, the main object of the expedition, was not accomplished on account of the dark- ness and the heavy rain, but Stuart returned with much plunder and 300 prisoners.
Pope, now aided by the high waters, massing his army between Waterloo Bridge and Warrenton, seemed to defy
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his foes. But while Longstreet and Hill engaged his atten- tion in front, Jackson began the celebrated flank movement which put him in Pope's rear.
Crossing the Rappahannock four miles above Hensons Mills on the 25th he reached Salem in the night. Next day, 26th, he passed through Thoroughfare Gap and, going through Gainesville, reached Bristoe Station on the railroad.
Stuart with his command was ordered to take part in Jackson's movement.
Early on the morning of the 26th he crossed the Rappa- hannock at Hensons Mills, and at Gainesville joined Jack- son's column. To him and his command was entrusted the duty of guarding the two flanks. The main portion was kept on Jackson's right towards the enemy.
After crossing Broad Run, a few miles above Bristoe Station, the cavalry fronted towards the enemy, still in the direction of the Rappahannock, and covered Jackson's movement on the railroad bridge. When near it the Second Virginia, under Colonel Munford, made a bold dash and captured the station and most of the occupants.
From this point, by order of Jackson, Stuart, with the -
portion of Robertson's brigade not on outpost duty, pro- ceeded to Manassas.
In the meantime, soon after the arrival of the Con- federates at Bristoe Station, a train of cars passed, and escaping capture gave the alarm at all points north. The Federals, therefore, were fully prepared to give the Con- federates a warm reception at Manassas, where there were immense quantities of army stores which were supposed to be securely stacked away. Jackson's tired and hungry men sorely needed these and Stuart was sent to take them,
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.
Trimble's brigade of infantry being also ordered to support him.
The cavalry advanced until halted by the interior senti- nels, and also being saluted by a fire of canister. On account of the darkness and ignorance of the ground, the cavalry waited until Trimble's command arrived, when the latter advanced and took the station.
The 27th was spent by the cavalry in chasing fugitives of the enemy's cavalry, and in capturing Pope's stragglers, that like rats leaving a sinking ship, were making their way towards a place of safety. One company-D of the Seven- teenth Battalion, Robertson's brigade-near Manassas cap- tured over 100 of them.
On the morning of the 28th the main body of Robertson's brigade rendezvoused near Sudley Church.
Jackson's forces were massed between Sudley Ford and the turnpike on Bull Run. Longstreet was not yet through Thoroughfare Gap, and the enemy was moving in between them to cut off Jackson.
On the 28th Stuart proceeded with portions of his two brigades towards Thoroughfare Gap, to establish communi- cation with Longstreet. He reached the vicinity of Hay- market, capturing a detachment of the enemy on his way, but went no further, as Haymarket was occupied by a large force of the enemy, and he could see "Longstreet struggling through the gorge."3 He sent a trusty messenger to Long- street, and retired towards evening to rejoin Jackson, who was already engaged with the enemy.
The next morning, the 29th, he again set out intending. if possible, to reach Longstreet. Soon after leaving the
3From Stuart's Report.
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Sudley Road, his command was fired into from woods on the roadside. It was now discovered that a Federal force was between Jackson and his baggage train.
Major Patrick,1 commanding the Seventeenth Battalion (afterwards a part of the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry), was sent to take care of the baggage. Infantry also was sent to assist him, and some artillery.
Major Patrick was soon attacked by the enemy, but with a spirited charge drove them off. The loss to the Con- federates was great, for in the charge Major Patrick fell mortally wounded. Says Stuart, "The sacrifice was noble, but the loss to us irreparable."
In the meantime Stuart, proceeding on his way, met the head of Longstreet's column between Haymarket and Gainesville, and informed Longstreet of Jackson's position. Here he took position with his command on Longstreet's right, and advanced directly upon Manassas, while Long- street pressed down the turnpike to move into position on Jackson's right.
General Robertson with his brigade had the advance, and soon reported the enemy in front.
Rosser with the Fifth was soon engaged with the enemy on the left of the road, and Robertson on the right met the enemy moving towards Sudley. This was a critical
1Maj. Wm. Patrick, of the Seventeenth Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, was born near Waynesboro, Augusta County, Virginia, December 22, 1822. Was captain of the Augusta Troop when the State of Virginia seceded from the Union, and on that day started for Harper's Ferry.
This troop was then made Company E, of the First Virginia Cavalry, under Col. J. E. B. Stuart.
Captain Patrick was commissioned major in the summer of 1862, and assigned to command of the Seventeenth Battalion of Virginia Cavalry, which he commanded with ability until August 29, 1862, on
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moment, for an army corps of Federals was in motion to strike Longstreet's flank.
In order to arrest the Federals, or at least to retard them, Stuart resorted to a ruse, and ordered a number of his men to drag brush along the road for some distance, that the clouds of dust rising, might create the impression upon the Federal commander, that Longstreet with large bodies of infantry was coming to his aid.
In the meantime three brigades of infantry were sent to reinforce Stuart, and the enemy soon retired in the direction of Manassas.
During the day Jackson had been fighting against greatly superior numbers, but succeeded in holding his ground until Longstreet arrived and took part in the battle, when the enemy was repulsed at all points.
Next morning, the 30th, Stuart's cavalry moved to the front and seized an important point of observation, from which the Federals could be seen massing their troops against Jackson's corps.
Intelligence of this was sent to Lee. About three P. M., after the Federals were repulsed, our whole right and left advanced. Robertson's brigade and the Fifth Virginia pushed forward on the extreme right.
which day he fell mortally wounded near Sudley Church. It was in the movement of Stonewall Jackson against Pope, known as the second Manassas campaign.
A Federal force had intervened between Jackson's main body and his baggage train. Major Patrick with his battalion, assisted by some infantry and artillery, was sent to protect the train. He was soon attacked by the Federals, but in a spirited charge, in which he drove back the enemy, he fell mortally wounded, dying on the 2nd of September.
U.S. ..
GENL. THOMAS T. MUNFORD
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Four batteries-Stribbling's, Rogers', Eshleman's, and Richardson's-moved along with the cavalry under the command of Col. T. L. Rosser. Soon they had an enfilad- ing fire upon the enemy's lines which told with fearful effect.
In the meantime Robertson's brigade had reached the Lewis house on the ridge overlooking Bull Run. The Second Virginia, under Colonel Munford, was in front. A small body of Federal cavalry was seen.
Lieut .- Col. J. W. Watts of the Second, with one squadron charged and routed it, but before he had gone far discovered Buford's brigade of cavalry drawn up. The rest of the Second now coming up, the whole regiment was soon engaged with the enemy, meeting their charge with a countercharge.
Here a terrible hand-to-hand fight ensued, and the Federals with greatly superior numbers began to force back the Confederates, when the Seventh, under Capt. S. B. Myers; the Twelfth, under Col. A. W. Harman, and the Sixth, under Colonel Flournoy, coming up to the rescue, the Federals were soon forced from the field, and the Seventh and Twelfth continued the pursuit until the enemy were driven beyond the turnpike at Stone Bridge.
Says Stuart in his report, "Nothing could have equaled the splendor with which Robertson's regiments swept down upon a force greatly outnumbering them."
In this fight Colonel Brodhead of the First Michigan was mortally wounded by Lieut. Lewis Harman, adjutant of Twelfth Cavalry.
Three hundred prisoners with many horses, arms, and equipments were captured The loss in Robertson's brigade was five killed and forty wounded.
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,
Pope was now in full retreat, and Jackson early the fol- lowing morning, leaving Longstreet to bury the dead, fol- lowed in pursuit.
Stuart, with Fitz Lee and Robertson's brigades, preceded Jackson, harassing the enemy's rear.
Pope, falling back behind the defenses at Washington, was now let alone, and Lee turned the head of his column towards Maryland.
While Lee was crossing the Potomac, the Seventh and Twelfth regiments of Robertson's brigade, with the guns of Chew's Battery, were ordered to make a demonstration against the enemy and hold him in check.
The Federal pickets were encountered near Vienna, and resisting were driven in, suffering a loss of three killed. Quite a brisk skirmish now began between the opposing forces, which lasted until sundown, when Robertson's brigade withdrew.
On September 4th the brigade lost its commander. Genl. B. H. Robertson was ordered to the Department of North Carolina. "Where," said the general order, "his services are indispensably necessary for the organization and instruc- tion of cavalry troops of North Carolina."
From this time until the latter part of October the brigade was commanded by Colonel Munford.
The command of Colonel Munford consisted of the Twelfth, now reduced to 120 men; the Second, numbering 200, and the Seventh Virginia Cavalry, under Major Myers.
The Seventeenth Battalion had been ordered on detached service, while the Sixth had been ordered to stay behind to collect arms and guard the captured property on the field of Manassas.
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On the morning of September 8th Munford was ordered to Poolesville by Stuart, with instructions to expel the enemy from that place. His advance guard had hardly entered the town, when three regiments of Federals with four pieces of artillery appeared upon the scene, and driving out Munford's pickets pressed towards his main body and charged his most forward gun.
The Federals also charged the rifle piece supported by the Twelfth, when this regiment, gallantly led by Colonel Har- man, pressed forward and drove them off, inflicting consid- erable damage, and suffering a loss of eight men killed and wounded.
Munford, however, seems to have been finally worsted in the fight, and fell back to the crossroads, where he could guard the approaches to Sugar Loaf Mountain. This point he held for three days, skirmishing with the enemy.
On the IIth, upon the advance of a Federal division under General Slocum, Munford retired to a point within three miles of Frederick City on the Buckeystown Road.
The advance now of McClellan's army forced back the Confederate line of cavalry pickets. Munford fell back to Burkittsville pursued all the way by Federal cavalry, who were intent upon capturing the trains guarded by him. The enemy were, however, kept away from these, though not without constant skirmishing.
The train having safely passed over Crampton's Gap, Munford there halted to dispute the Federal advance, plac- ing three pieces of artillery in position. Having received orders from General Stuart to hold the Gap at all hazards, on the morning of the 14th, reinforced by two small infantry
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regiments, Munford posted his small force so as to make the best defense.
The infantry took position behind a stone wall at the base of the mountain, Chew's Battery and a section of the Ports- mouth Battery on the mountainside. The cavalry, consist- ing of the Second and Twelfth Virginia, were dismounted and placed on the right and left flanks.
In a short time the enemy appeared and boldly attacked, hurling upon the position brigade after brigade of infantry until the whole of Slocum's division, assisted by a brigade of Heintzelman's, were engaged in the assault.
In the meantime two regiments of Mahone's brigade rein- forced the Confederates, and the battle waxed hot and bloody.
For full three hours this little force of Confederates held the Gap against overwhelming numbers. Then General Cobb arrived with two more regiments to reinforce Munford and to assume command.
The ammunition of the Confederates, who had been so long engaged, was exhausted. Very soon the Federals press- ing forward entered the Gap and drove the Confederates over the mountain.
The Federal loss in killed and wounded was over 700, while that of the Confederates was comparatively small; although on the retreat over the mountain many prisoners were captured. For after once the line of defense was abandoned the pursuit was hot and the retreat disorderly.
Colonel Munford, in his report to General Jackson of the operations of the brigade while under his command, says: "The cavalry fought here (at Crampton's Gap) with pistols against rifles. Captain Chew, as true as steel and ever
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ready, deserves to be mentioned. Col. O. R. Funsten is a noble man, and General Jones' brigade is second to none I have ever yet seen in point of mettle."
In a private letter since the war, General Munford writes : "We were ordered from Poolesville, Maryland, to Cramp- ton's Gap, and were closely followed by Slocum's division and Franklin's corps, 30,000 strong. Jackson had been sent to capture Harper's Ferry. Chew's Battery was left with me with a part of the brigade to hold that Gap. General Stuart with Hampton's command went southward along the mountain to co-operate with McLaws, whose division held the Maryland heights. Genl. Howell Cobb of Georgia was to support my command. At that time we were cavalry with very few arms but sabres and pistols, and it was simply absurd to expect cavalry to contend with infantry on a mountainside. It was there that Chew's Battery delayed an army several hours, supported by my command, which was poorly supported by Cobb."4
The defense of Crampton's Gap for three hours, in all human probability, not only enabled Jackson successfully to , invest Harper's Ferry and capture it with its garrison of 12,520 prisoners, 73 pieces of artillery, 13,000 small arms, several hundred wagons, and great stores; but had Slocum and Franklin succeeded in forcing the Gap early in the afternoon of the 14th, they would have taken McLaws in reverse with overwhelming numbers, and separated as he
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