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 7
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+It is plain from General Munford's account, and he being in com- mand, with orders to "hold the Gap at all hazards," was in best posi- tion to know-that the cavalry was at great disadvantage, and the infantry having arrived too late to assist, it was the artillery under Captain Chew that delayed the Federal Army three hours at Crampton's Gap. An achievement without parallel in the annals of the war.
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was from Jackson by the Potomac River, might have cap- tured his force and raised the siege of Harper's Ferry.
The command had been given to Munford by Stuart to hold Crampton's Gap at all hazards. Had he indifferently executed that order, it is impossible to estimate how great and far-reaching a disaster might have befallen the Confed- erate arms.
The Seventh Regiment had on the 10th been ordered to report to General Jackson for operations against Harper's Ferry.
On the same day Jackson started from Frederick City, and on the IIth recrossed the Potomac en route to Harper's Ferry, and drove the Federals out of Martinsburg before him to swell the garrison at Harper's Ferry.
In this almost bloodless episode, which ended in the cap- ture of the Federal garrison at Harper's Ferry, the Seventh, under Major Myers, accompanied Jackson, helping to mask the movement and otherwise furnishing aid.
The Seventeenth Battalion, under command of Maj. Thomas B. Massie, and a company of the Twelfth did not participate in the Maryland campaign until after the sur- render of Harper's Ferry, September 15th, 1862.
On the 30th of September this battalion crossed the Blue Ridge at Snickers Gap, and spent several days scouting in the neighborhood of Winchester.
On the 7th of September Major Massie took his com- mand on a reconnoissance towards Harper's Ferry, and when near Darksville met with a small force of Federals and charged and pursued them to the neighborhood of Martinsburg. In the charge many prisoners were captured,
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and Massie's command stringing out in pursuit, lost their proper position in the column.
On the return, when near Darksville, they were suddenly attacked by a Federal cavalry force. Forming his men as best he might in the streets of Darksville, he gave battle, and after a contest in which several of the Confederates were killed and wounded he was forced to retreat.
In this skirmish the Federals had a force of five com- panies of cavalry, four companies of infantry, and a section of artillery.
Colonel Voss, who was in command of the Federals, acknowledged a loss of thirteen wounded.
Shortly after this skirmish Major Massie and his com- mand joined Jackson at Harper's Ferry, where they occu- pied a position on his flanks, picketing the fords of the Shenandoah and Potomac until the surrender of the place.
The immense plunder captured at Harper's Ferry would have furnished enjoyment to the victors for several days, but the pressure on Lee in Maryland left no time for a glorification.
On the 16th Jackson's whole army, with the exception of Hill's division, began to retrace their steps to the side of Lee, who was now threatened with an attack from McClel- lan's army.
Soon the opposing forces gathered and confronted each other near Sharpsburg in Maryland.
The brigade being posted on the right of Lee's line near the river, did not actively participate in the hard-fought battle of Sharpsburg, Antietam as it is commonly called, although engaging in several skirmishes.
Lee's army, though more than decimated by the unequal contest of the day before, still defiantly confronted a foe
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who, though conscious of superior numbers, did not again move to the attack.
During the night of the 18th Lee safely withdrew to the south bank of the Potomac. The cavalry was the last to cross, and Munford's command brought up the rear, making the passage in sight of the Federals and under cover of friendly guns on the south bank.
The brigade now took position on the Confederate right near Boteler's Ford. Near this ford also was stationed Lee's reserve artillery, supported by two infantry brigades, Armistead's and Lawton's.
On the evening of the 19th four regiments of Federals crossed at this point and, making a vigorous attack, drove off the Confederate infantry and captured four guns.
The disaster would have been greater had not Munford covered the retreat of the infantry and artillery with his cavalry.
Shortly after the 20th of September Lee's whole army returned and took position south of Martinsburg.
While the jaded infantry was enjoying a well-earned repose, the cavalry kept watch on the front, occasionally engaging in skirmishes with the enemy.
When the brigade under Robertson crossed the Blue Ridge to operate with Jackson in June near Richmond, Company B of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry 'was left in the Valley, and the services of this company while thus detached, under command of Lieutenants Milton Rouss and George Baylor, won for it a name, which being well sus- tained by its subsequent conduct during the entire war, made it famous throughout the Army of Northern Virginia.
The operations of the company were chiefly in 'the lower Valley. Shields, Fremont, and Banks having gone east of
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the mountain to join Pope, the other Federals had with- drawn to points on, and near to the Baltimore and Ohio and the Winchester and Potomac railroads.
Brigadier-General White occupied Winchester with a considerable force of all arms. General Reddin was occupy- ing Front Royal August 10th and some time prior, with a force of 800 infantry of the Third Delaware Regiment, 400 cavalry, and a battery of artillery.
Company B at that time had its camp near Harrisonburg. Lieutenant Rouss being absent on short leave, Lieut. George Baylor, next in command, with thirty men started on a scout in the Luray Valley, and made a dash into Front Royal, which for its rashness and success had few equals in the annals of the war. The account of it is best told as far as practicable in Lieutenant Baylor's own language found in his "Bull Run to Bull Run," page 45 :
"On the 10th of August with thirty men I started on a scout to Luray, expecting to find a small force of the enemy in possession of the town ; but on marching there found the enemy had moved east that morning, and a few stragglers were cap- ' tured. The night was spent in Luray with our friends. * * The next morning with twenty-five men I started on X- the road to Front Royal. We inquired along the road as to the enemy's position, but failed to elicit any further informa- tion than that it occupied Front Royal. About noon on the IIth we had reached the vicinity of that town, but had encountered no foe.
"About one-half mile south of the place, however, we came suddenly upon the enemy's cavalry picket-post, and a charge was immediately ordered. Recklessly we dashed into the town, capturing the cavalry picket reserve, and finding the town occupied by a large infantry force. Our men were soon scattered, pursuing fleeing Yankees in every direction.
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"Noticing a company of infantry forming in front of the hotel, and about forty men in line, I called Henry Beall and Charley Crane to my assistance and we dashed in among them, and drawing my pistol on the officer in command, demanded a surrender. He turned to his men and ordered them to 'ground arms,' an order quickly obeyed. Securing the officer, I directed the men to march out by the Luray Road.
"Just then another officer appeared on the scene, and he too was made prisoner. General Reddin, who was in command of the force, made his escape on a cart horse. Our handful of men were soon overwhelmed with prisoners, and I was satis- fied we must beat a hasty retreat.
"In looking up our boys and getting them together, I found John Terrill and Bob North in among the infantry tents, slashing holes in them with their sabres and ordering the occu- pants to come out.
"Our situation was critical indeed, and gathering up as many of the prisoners as could hastily be gotten together, our retreat was begun.
"We left Front Royal with about 300 prisoners, most of. them infantrymen, and among them a major and two captains.
"When about a mile south of the town, the enemy's cavalry, about 300 strong, appeared in our rear. About fifteen horses had been captured from the enemy. On these prisoners were mounted, and with the residue on foot in charge of fifteen men, were started off at a rapid pace towards Luray, while with ten men I undertook to cover the retreat. The enemy was held in check for some time, but finally broke our little rear guard and succeeded in releasing the foot prisoners, but those on horse- back were brought off safely.
"In a running fight of five miles, with countercharges we kept this body of cavalry sufficiently in check to permit the mounted prisoners and guards to keep at a safe distance from recapture.
"In one of the enemy's charges Private Baker of our com- pany was captured, a countercharge was ordered and Baker
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was released. In this engagement George Timberlake was slightly wounded; Orderly Sergt. Seth Timberlake, known as the 'Fighting Sergeant,' had his horse killed, and my horse was wounded in the shoulder and neck, and though losing blood, bore me safely through the conflict.
"The enemy's loss was ten killed and wounded, and two officers and thirteen men prisoners. The officers were Cap- tains Darrell and Baker of the Third Delaware Regiment."
After this event Company B rested in camp, which was still near Harrisonburg, and on August 26th started on another expedition under command of Lieut. Milton Rouss.
Leaving a sufficient picket for the post under command of a sergeant, Lieutenant Rouss with thirty men started down the Valley to observe the enemy and follow the lead of opportunity in demonstrations against him. Winchester was at that time occupied by the Federals under Brigadier- General White, with a brigade of infantry, a battery of artillery, and 290 cavalry.
The neighborhood of Winchester was the objective point of Rouss' expedition, and the point arrived at was midway between Summit Point and Wade's Depot, at each of which places the enemy had a force of eighty infantry and five cavalry. The distance between the two depots is four miles, hence in either direction Rouss' command of thirty men was only two miles from the enemy, with the garrison at Winchester directly between his present position and his camp at Harrisonburg, and a part of that garrison consist- ing of 290 freshly-mounted cavalry.
At four o'clock P. M. the Potomac Railroad was reached and in a few minutes the sound of the passenger engine was heard .. A quick disposition was made of the force, and obstructions were at once placed on the track to bring the
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engine to a halt. When the train had reached within 100 yards of the obstruction the command was given to halt, but the frightened engineer took no heed of the command. A pistol fire was at once opened upon the moving train, which came to a standstill just in front of the obstruction.
The engineer was immediately taken in hand, and some of the men entering the cars made prisoners of the eight Federal soldiers on board.
The few citizens on board were permitted to proceed on foot towards Winchester. The agent of the Adams Express Company in an attempt to escape was badly wounded in the thigh.
The express car was full of wines, fruit, and other delicacies which the Confederate troopers enjoyed with fine appetites, drinking bumpers of champagne to the health of Jeff Davis, the Southern Confederacy, and to each of their sweethearts by name.
The United States mail was also secured, and about $4,000 in money that was intended for the Federal pay- master.
The engine was put under full steam and started towards Winchester, and the cars set on fire and pine laid on to facilitate the burning. The telegraph wire was cut and the line destroyed for 200 yards.
Sending back the prisoners by Lieutenant Roland with thirteen men, Rouss with Baylor and seventeen men started to capture a small cavalry force at Middleway, some six miles north, in Jefferson county. Upon arriving in sight of the pickets he charged them, capturing them, three in num- ber, without firing a shot, and pressed on quickly into the town, where the reserve, fourteen in number, were captured before they had time to mount their horses.
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Loaded down with Federal prisoners and plunder, Rouss thought it prudent to return to his encampment, in accom- plishing which he camped for an hour about daylight within five miles of Winchester, having passed within three miles of that place, seeing the Federal camp-fires.
This bold enterprise caused much excitement among the Federals, and soon thereafter White hastily evacuated Win- chester, leaving four thirty-two pounders, which he first spiked, and burned the carriages; and destroying 70,000 pounds of forage and 60,000 rations besides other stores, tools, etc.
Rouss soon after moved his camp down the Valley, harassing the enemy wherever practicable.
On the 6th of September the company took active part in the affair at Darksville, under Lieutenant-Colonel Massie, of which mention has already been made; he having with him Company I of the Twelfth and a squadron of the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, at that time consisting of only six com- panies and known as the Seventeenth Battalion.
On the 7th Company B took position near Charles Town . and remained there until the morning of the 13th, when it was attacked by four companies of the First New York Cav- alry, about a mile west of the town, and after a sharp brush the enemy retired. In this encounter Lieutenant Rouss and Private Cary Selden were wounded.
This company remained on detached service in the Valley until the early part of the winter of 1863, when it was recalled to its place in the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, the brigade at that time being under the command of Genl. Wil- liam E. Jones.
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For six weeks Lee's army, after the battle of Sharps- burg, remained quiet, recruiting its strength.
In the meantime Stuart engaged in one of those bold raids that added so much to his fame.
On the 10th of October Stuart with a command consisting of about' 1,800 men, each of his brigades furnishing 600, crossed the Potomac a little above McCoy's Ford. By eight o'clock in the morning the Federals were aware of this movement, but before any resistance could be organized the bold Confederates swept northward, spreading consternation among the thrifty farmers of Pennsylvania.
On either flank squadrons scoured the country for fresh horses, and in spite of McClellan's army along the Potomac, the chattels of the good citizens of Pennsylvania were appro- priated for the benefit of the Confederacy.
The first day's march brought the column to Chambers- burg, where the night was passed in the midst of a drizzling rain.
The news of the raid had been telegraphed from point to point, and in every direction preparations were made by the Federals to intercept Stuart on his return.
It had proved easy enough to enter the enemy's country. The more difficult task of getting out of it now confronted him. Stuart, however, was equal to the emergency. He determined that the "longest way around was the shortest way home"; so contrary to all expectations he turned his face eastward instead of westward, proceeding nearly to Gettysburg. At Cashtown he turned southward; as soon as he crossed the Maryland line, the flankers gathering horses were called in and the column closed up.
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By rapid marching he disappointed all the expectations of the foe. Avoiding his enemy at one point, at another he brushed him aside, reaching Emmitsburg about sundown on the IIth.
There were yet forty-five miles to the Potomac. All night long his command moved at a trot, the artillery keeping up by means of fresh horses, ever ready. By daylight on the Twelfth he entered Hyattstown, twelve miles yet from a place of safety.
When near Poolesville the Federal cavalry under General Pleasonton were seen, when a sudden charge upon them cleared the road, and marching towards White's Ford he there crossed safely with all his command. The detachment from Munford's command on this raid was under Col. W. E. Jones. It was the second to cross at White's Ford.
The results of this raid were manifold. Twelve hundred horses were taken from the farmers of Pennsylvania, not to speak of other spoils. Perhaps the most valuable result was that it called into activity many thousands of the Fed- erals, and used up their cavalry in their attempts to find and intercept Stuart.
Like all of Stuart's raids, however, it taught the Federals the advantage of a well-organized and numerous cavalry force, and stimulated them to increase and better equip this arm of the service.
While Lee was resting his men, collecting stragglers, and drilling new levies in the lower Valley, the Federals were similarly engaged, and with much greater resources to draw from.
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The authorities at Washington wanted McClellan to move nearer to Washington, across the Potomac, fearing, as they always did, a surprise by way of Manassas.
McClellan, believing that if he crossed below Harper's Ferry, Lee would again invade Maryland, at first hesitated, but afterwards yielded, having left the important points along the Potomac heavily garrisoned.
On the 26th of October the Federals began crossing the Potomac in force at Berlin.
On the 29th the Second and Fifth corps crossed at Har- per's Ferry, and the whole Federal Army, by November the 2nd, were moving on both sides of the Blue Ridge south- ward, to get between Lee and Richmond. Before this, how- ever, Harper's Ferry had been occupied by a considerable force of Federals, and their advance was watched, and fre- quently attacked by portions of our cavalry.
On the 16th of October, and for a short time before, Mun- ford's command was occupied in picketing from Walper's Crossroads, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to Berry's Ferry.
The Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Burks, was on picket at Charles Town, and with them Capt. B. H. Smith, Third Company Rich- mond Howitzers, and Lieut. J. W. Carter of Chew's Battery.
Early in the morning of the 16th a division of Federal infantry and artillery drove in our pickets, and for four hours were held in check by the Confederate force men- tioned.
Our loss was two killed and five or six wounded; that of the enemy much greater.
BRIG .- GENL. WILLIAM E. JONES
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For gallantry in this engagement Colonel Munford com- mends Lieutenant Carter, Colonel Burks, Captain Smith, and Lieut. L. F. Jones.
The latter part of October, the Confederate Army, in response to McClellan's southern movement, began to leave the Valley and set out for Culpeper Court House.
Munford's brigade was detached from Stuart's division and ordered to bring up Jackson's rear.
The Federals having now made the Rappahannock their line and threatening to advance on Richmond, Lee kept Jackson in the Valley to menace their flank if they moved further south.
While matters were in this condition, on November the 8th, Col. W. E. Jones was made brigadier and assigned to the command of the brigade, now called the Second Brigade.
On November the 10th, 1862, it was ordered from army headquarters that Jones' (the Second Brigade) was to con- sist of the Seventh, Twelfth and Sixth regiments, the Seven- teenth Battalion, and White's cavalry.
In a skirmish at Philamount, on the 9th of November, four men of White's Battalion-Mortimer W. Palmer, R. Henry Simpson, David J. Lee, and Robert A. Ritacor- charged and drove out of the town fifty Federals, capturing two negroes and three wagons from their train.
On the evening of November 9th, Geary with 2,500 infantry marched from Bolivar Heights, and driving the Confederate picket from Halltown, pursued them beyond Rippon. The picket was a portion of the Twelfth Virginia.
On the 28th of October White's cavalry was organized into a battalion, and its captain, E. V. White, was promoted to major.
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Up to this time this command, consisting of only one com- pany, had been engaged in detached service chiefly, in the counties of Loudon, Va., and Montgomery, Md., and had won quite a reputation for dash and efficiency under its gal- lant leader.
At this time Major White was recovering from a wound he had received. The battalion was stationed in Snickers Gap. A Federal force, the Eighth New York, under Colonel Davis, attempted to force its way through the Gap, but was driven back.
On November 3rd another attempt was made upon the Gap with a heavy force of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, which was again repulsed with the assistance of Hill's infantry. At this time the main portion of Lee's army was still between Winchester and Martinsburg.
In this engagement White's men were forced through the gap across Castleman's Ferry, the Federals advancing to the river bank.
In the meantime, a battery belonging to A. P. Hill's corps, came to the rescue, and delivering a heavy fire upon the . Federals massed upon the east bank, killed a great many and drove them in confusion up the mountain.
The Federal force in this engagement, consisted of forty- six cavalry, 219 of the Fourteenth Massachusetts Infantry, and a part of two other regiments of regulars. Their loss is not exactly reported, but the Fourteenth Infantry lost thirty killed and wounded. Among the rest five officers.
A few days after this, White went through the Gap and harassing the rear of the Federal column, captured twenty wagons and 102 prisoners. This was followed by other raiding expeditions of White, on the trains and camps of the
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Federals now moving southward towards Fredericksburg, in which more wagons and provisions were captured.
On the 28th of November, however, the Federals had their revenge. General Stahl with a considerable force of cavalry crossed the Shenandoah at Castleman's Ferry, and attacked the small company on picket there belonging to White's command. White's camp of sick and dismounted men was but two miles further from the river, the rest of his com- panies being stationed elsewhere. The Federals soon drove the company on picket towards Berryville and pressed them vigorously.
White, who was sick at a house near the road, joined the rear of his men before the camp was reached, and was soon wounded in the thigh. All attempts to rally the men at the camp proved fruitless, and the retreat was continued beyond Berryville, where the enemy was met by a portion of the Twelfth Cavalry under Major Massie.
A vigorous charge by the Twelfth gave a serious check, but the victorious Federals advanced on the turnpike as far as the Opequon.
Colonel Burks, who commanded the Twelfth, reports that Company F, under Lieutenant Randolph, turned out first, and was followed by Capt. E. Sipe, commanding Company H; Lieutenants Harman and Myers, commanding Com- panies K and C-in all about 100 men.
The Confederate loss was twenty-seven captured, four wounded and two wagons captured. The Federals acknowl- edge a loss of fifteen killed and wounded, but they claim to have captured forty Confederates and killed and wounded fifty.
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On the 12th of November Maj. E. V. White was sent on a scout with his battalion east of the Blue Ridge, and was so successful as to win praise from both Stuart and Lee for his boldness and discretion.
Crossing at Snickers Gap he went to Hillsboro in Loudon county and captured a picket of twelve infantrymen. Push- ing on towards Leesburg he came up with some Federal cav- alry, which he charged and routed, capturing two and wounding three.
On the morning of the 14th he came upon the company of Loudoun Guerrillas commanded by Capt. Means. These he charged and drove, pursuing them for five miles, killing one, a lieutenant, and capturing two.
Hearing that there was a company of Federals at Pooles- ville, he made for that point with ninety-three men in his command. Here he learned that one-half of the Federal force was out of town and that the remainder was quartered in the town hall.
Dividing his forces he advanced, attacking the hall from different directions. The garrison fired upon them, killing one man; but White's men poured in upon them such a well- directed fire, killing and wounding ten, that the rest sur- rendered.
While marching upon Poolesville he had sent a detach- ment to watch the enemy at Harper's Ferry, which was lucky enough to capture and parole a picket of twenty-six, thus swelling the number of Federals captured on this raid to seventy-seven.
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