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 8
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The brigade during the month of December shifted its headquarters from point to point, according to the avail-
MAJ. EDWARD H. McDONALD
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ability of forage, but gradually moved southward until about Christmas, when it camped at New Market.
General Jones, when not on the march, was an indefati- gable organizer. While constantly sending out detached companies to deliver attacks at distant points, he kept the rest of the command constantly drilling and subjected to a rigid discipline, which greatly increased its efficiency.
On the Ist of December, Company D of the Seventeenth Battalion, under Capt. E. H. McDonald, was sent on a reconnoissance to Moorefield. The primary object being to recruit the company in men and horses, most of the men having homes in Hampshire county.
Upon reaching Moorefield, and being informed that no enemy was in the neighborhood, the company scattered through the town, and while so disorganized was surprised by a force of 200 Federal cavalry, who captured Captain McDonald and several of his men.
On December the IIth, a portion of the Seventh Virginia, while on picket near Martinsburg, was attacked by a superior Federal force and driven to Darksville, where being reinforced, it in turn drove back the Federals. The latter claimed to have captured thirteen prisoners in this encounter.
December 29th, 1862, Genl. W. E. Jones was assigned, by order of General Lee, during the absence of Jackson from the Valley, to the command of the Valley District and of all the troops operating in that region not embraced in the Department of West Virginia.
Of the same date as above was a letter to Colonel David- son at Staunton from Lee, telling him that he had ordered General Jones to gather all the Valley troops and drive the enemy beyond the Potomac.
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This was done in consequence of information stating that Milroy, stationed at Petersburg, was heavily oppressing the people of Mineral county.
Also a letter to Jones of same date, directing him to drive the enemy out of the valley of the South Branch.
About the 24th of December, 1862, Jones, then stationed at New Market, hearing that Cluseret had entered the Val- ley at Strasburg and was moving on Winchester, followed him with one regiment and a battery to Kernstown, where a light skirmish occurred, and Jones withdrew to New Market.
On the 2nd of January, 1863, Jones, commanding a force composed of his brigade and Chew's Battery, together with the First Battalion, Maryland Cavalry; First Battalion, Maryland Infantry, and the Maryland Battery, marched on Moorefield and reached there on the morning of the 3rd, having marched rapidly in order to surprise and overcome the Federal force at Moorefield before it could be aided by the Federal force at Petersburg.
Having selected an inferior position for his artillery, the shells from his battery fell short, while those of the enemy reached him.
In the meantime the Federals from Petersburg came within striking distance and opened upon his rear. The batteries of this force also opened on him with effect, while his shots again failed to reach them.
The two wings of his command could not unite, but for- tunately, those of the enemy were in a like condition.
Fearing that the enemy would receive reinforcements from New Creek, he determined to withdraw, which he did after holding his position two hours.
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A picket of twenty Federals were captured near Moore- field in the morning by a part of the Seventh under Lieu- tenant Vandiver, and the Sixth and the Seventh, under Col- onel Dulany, captured forty-six more at Petersburg.
Late at night the two wings of Jones' command united about ten miles above Moorefield. The following morning an attack was determined upon, but the enemy being rein- forced Jones withdrew, having met with only partial success.
He had captured in all ninety-nine prisoners, having no loss but two men wounded.
In his report the following are spoken of with praise : Colonel Dulany, Lieut. C. H. Vandiver, Privates J. W. Kuykendall, and J. S. Hutton, of the Seventh Virginia Cavalry.
The attack upon Moorefield in midwinter though appar- ently fruitless, yet had the effect of alarming the Federals, who thought it the advance of a strong movement down the Valley upon Harper's Ferry. In consequence, Wash- burn on the 8th was ordered to fall back from Moorefield to Romney, twenty miles further north.
Four days later General Milroy, who was at Winchester, telegraphed for help against a foe that his own imagination had conjured up, and on the 17th he again telegraphed that Jones with 2,700 infantry was between him and Strasburg, but adds, "I have no fears for this place," and ends in asking for Washburn's two regiments, saying, "It is cruel to keep me here so helpless."
After his return from Moorefield General Jones was ordered by General Lee to organize a force in the Valley, including his own, Colonel Davidson's at Staunton, and Imboden's, and endeavor to curtail the operations of the
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enemy if he could not force him to retire. At this time there was a great outcry for this from the people of the lower Valley, on account of Milroy's assessments for the support of his army and of his brutal treatment of the non-com- batants. Jones was, however, much restricted in his move- ments by the scarcity of forage, and midwinter having now arrived, he busied himself preparing for the spring cam- paign, drilling his men and recruiting his forces. He was always, however, wide-awake and did not fail to strike a blow when an opportunity presented itself.
Early in February the Thirty-fifth Battalion, under com- mand of Lieut .- Col. E. V. White, was detached by General Jackson and sent to arrest certain parties living in Loudoun county, Virginia.
Milroy still remained at Winchester, strengthening his position and acting the petty tyrant towards the defenseless citizens of that section. He seemed to think that he had mis- sionary as well as military duties to perform. He resorted to every kind of espionage to ascertain the opinion of the women, as well as the male non-combatants, who were at. his mercy; and tried by threats and ill treatment of the staunchest Confederates to make proselytes to his political creed. This disgraceful conduct only served to intensify the loyalty of the people to the Southern cause.
General Jones, while in camp at New Market, devoted his time to fully organizing his command and perfecting them by daily drill in military exercises.
In January the Seventeenth Battalion, increased by the addition of new companies, was organized into a regiment and was thenceforward the Eleventh Regiment, of which
OLIVER RIDGWAY FUNSTEN
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Major Funsten, promoted to a lieutenant-colonelcy, was put in command.
He entered upon the work of regimental organization with great zeal, and in a short time the new regiment was strong in numbers and full of an esprit du corps, the effect of which was seen at the first opportunity presented for its display.
On the morning of February 26th an event occurred which broke the monotony of winter quarters. It was occa- sioned by the adventurous enterprise of Capt. F. A. Bond of Brown's Battalion of Maryland Cavalry on picket near Strasburg.
Having learned that the Federal picket near Kernstown might be captured, without orders from General Jones, com- manding in the Valley, he attacked the picket and capturing them, made off with his prisoners.
Apparently enraged at his audacity, about 500 Federal cavalry of the First New York and Thirteenth Pennsylvania regiments followed him in hot pursuit. From Kernstown to Strasburg, over thirteen miles of frozen turnpike, went pursuer and pursued.
When the head of the flying column reached the pickets of General Jones they too joined in the flight to some dis- tance beyond Woodstock, still pursued by the wrathful Federals. Here they left the turnpike, and while some of the Federals pursued the flying pickets up the Back Road, which runs parallel with the turnpike, others attempted the capture of the wagon trains then in quest of forage in the neighborhood of Woodstock. They were, however, beaten off by Col. J. Herbert with a portion of the Maryland infantry encamped near by.
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Hardly had they returned to 'the turnpike when there came in view the head of the Confederate column coming to punish in turn the Federal audacity. These troops had been ordered forward from New Market by General Jones at the first news of the Federal dash, and consisted of a portion of the Eleventh, under Colonel Funsten, numbering about 120 men. At the head of the column rode Funsten and Jones.
Says Colonel Funsten in his report to General Jones : "Led by you we dashed past their rear guard, who occupied an eminence near the road, and charged the rear of the column. So sudden and impetuous was the attack that every attempt, of which there were several, made by their officers to form a line and rally, was unavailing.
"We pressed them hotly, using both sabre and revolver with good effect, to Cedar Creek bridge, a distance of about twelve miles, where a part of them made a stand. I halted the front of the column preparatory to renewing the charge, my command being greatly reduced by the capture and guarding of prisoners, of whom the number already taken, was greater than that with which I made the attack. The casualties in my regiment were two killed and two wounded. It is always a delicate point to discriminate among those who have done their duty faithfully, but I cannot forbear to mention Captains W. H. Harness, E. H. McDonald, and F. A. Dangerfield."
Not far in the rear of the Eleventh in this mad ride for vengeance thundered the old Seventh. After a hurried march of nineteen miles they came up with the Eleventh at Strasburg, Colonel Dulany in command, and having with him about 220 men.
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Says Dulany in his report : "When we reached the high ground beyond Strasburg, we found the enemy had returned and again formed about 300 yards south of Cedar Creek. As we came in sight of each other they seemed to advance slowly towards us, but when we got within 200 yards, our sabres drawn, they wheeled and went at full speed towards the bridge, crossed and again formed to receive us. As only two men could cross the bridge abreast, they could easily have prevented our crossing with their long-range guns, since their position was very strong and higher than the bridge. Changing the direction of our column, we crossed the creek at the ford, some 200 yards below the bridge.
"As soon as a portion of my command had crossed, the enemy broke, not waiting for us to close with them."
The retreat now became a race, the best mounted Con- federates taking the lead. He continues : "As we came up with the rear not a man that I saw offered to surrender until driven back by the sabres of our men, or shot. Some, finding we were overtaking them, slipped from their horses and sought refuge in the houses along the road; and many had thrown their pistols away when captured."
After capturing about seventy prisoners, many of them wounded, the Seventh halted about a mile and a half beyond Middletown, after a race of twenty-six miles.
General Jones in his report to Lee says that his men cap- tured 200 prisoners, killing and wounding many more. Some of these were captured by Brown's Battalion which, close behind the Seventh, participated in the chase. For gallantry and wise action on this occasion, General Jones warmly recommended Colonel Funsten to Lee for the vacant colonelcy of the Eleventh Regiment. The sugges-
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tion, approved by Lee, was, however, disregarded by the Government, and not long afterwards Col. L. L. Lomax was made colonel of the Eleventh. Being a West Point graduate and a dashing officer, he soon won the confidence of his men.
The brilliant affair down the turnpike furnished food for entertainment for many days. It had occurred in mid- winter and served to vary the monotony of camp life and the drudgery of the daily drill.
CHAPTER IV
March, 1863
Jones' expedition into western Virginia-Weak men and horses left in camp-Inclement weather and swollen streams-Dangerous cross- ing of the Potomac at Petersburg-Heroic assistance of citizens- Rev. Richard Davis-Fight at Greenland Gap-McNeil's Rangers co-operate with Jones-Colonel Harman enters Oakland, destroys railroad bridge-Cranberry Summit-Mountaineers unfriendly and bushwhack our column-Capture of Morgantown-Bridgeport and Fairmont-Destruction of oil wells-A river on fire-Return to the Valley-Results of expedition-Cross the Blue Ridge to join "Jeb" Stuart-A grand review-Battle of Brandy Station.
The soldiers of the brigade were anxious for another opportunity to enjoy the frolic of a warlike chase, not dreaming that their commander was hatching a scheme that would give them their fill of marching and fighting.
This was the famous West Virginia expedition. For more than a month before it took place, General Jones was busy studying all the known ways of destroying iron . bridges, tunnels, and trestling.
He was evolving a plan to do such destruction to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, exposed as it was on account of its tunnels, bridges, and trestling to damage from hostile parties, that for six months at least no troops might pass over it.
During the month of March he made many trips to Staunton, with the design of perfecting his preparations for the expedition.
He had communicated his plans to General Lee and gotten his full consent and approval. Forage was gathered from all quarters to get his horses in condition for the long and
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tedious march. Frequent inspections were held and the arms as well as horses carefully looked after.
The soldiers knew instinctively that something serious was impending, but what it really was they were far from surmising.
Having arranged with Genl. J. D. Imboden and his com- mand, for a concert of action against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Jones determined to move on the 21st of March.
On the day previous orders were issued to the regimental commanders to have issued eight days' rations and forty rounds of ammunition, and on the 21st to meet him at Brock's Gap.
The men and horses unfit for a hard campaign were left behind under Colonel Funsten, near Harrisonburg, while Maj. S. B. Myers1 of the Seventh, an experienced and effi- cient outpost commander, was stationed near Strasburg with several well-mounted companies, one from each regiment of the brigade.
1Maj. Samuel B. Myers, of the Seventh Virginia Cavalry, a native of Pennsylvania, but having become thoroughly identified with all that pertained to the home of his adoption, few men of Southern birth and traditions made greater sacrifices for the cause of the South than he.
He was the owner and operator of Columbia Furnace in Shenandoah County, Va. Upon the withdrawal of Virginia from the Union, he at once raised a company of cavalry among the sturdy farmers and hearty mountaineers of the Shenandoah region, which was one of the first enlisted in the regiment of Col. Angus McDonald, and was known as Company C of the famous Seventh regiment, from which developed the Ashby Cavalry and Laurel Brigade. He later was promoted to major of the regiment, and after the wounding of Colonel Dulany, and the death of Lieut .- Col. Thos. Marshall he was usually in com- mand of the regiment.
There was no braver, more sagacious nor enterprising officer in the service than Major Myers. He was severely wounded at Orange Court
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On the 21st the column started. Besides his own brigade General Jones took with him Wicher's Battalion of mounted riflemen, Brown's Battalion of cavalry, and the Maryland Battalion of infantry under Colonel Herbert, and what artillery he had.
At the outset the weather was inclement, and the con- tinual rains made the roads so muddy that the column was forced to move slowly.
Before the South Branch of the Potomac was reached it was swollen by the downpour, and all idea of crossing it at Moorefield was abandoned.
This disappointment secured the safety of the Federal force under Colonel Mulligan at Petersburg, which General Jones had hoped to intercept and capture.
The route now had to be changed, but from Moorefield the wagon train under convoy of Colonel Herbert, together with the artillery, was sent back with orders to return by way of Franklin and gather up the "surplus bacon" along the route, which order was successfully accomplished.
After making a detour from the projected route, the column, now relieved of baggage and artillery, reached Petersburg, where the river was found to be still high and
House and his horse was shot under him. The wonder is he was not killed in battle. He had many narrow escapes and several horses were killed under him. Among others his favorite white charger "Bill." He was stricken with a disease incident to the exposures of the war and died at his home, on the 25th of February, 1865. He was appre- ciated and beloved both by the soldiers of the Laurel Brigade and by the people throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
During the absence of the Brigade under General James in West Virginia, Major Myers was left in the Valley with three companies of cavalry. With these he planned and executed a successful ambuscade upon the Federals south of Strasburg, in which he killed, wounded and captured a large number.
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dangerous to cross. Men who would be quick to charge a battery if ordered, were appalled at the rushing, angry waters. Besides the ford was exceedingly rough unless the exact path was followed.
Men with weak horses were not forced to attempt the ford, and a few here turned back. A number of citizens of the neighborhood, loyal to the South, and who were familiar with the crossing, having provided themselves with long poles, boldly rode out into the river and took stations at regular intervals along the ford, with their horses' heads directly up stream. They constantly warned the troopers to keep their horses' heads up stream, and when a horse would start down would tap him on the neck with a pole, and thus help to keep him in the ford.
There was no bantering nor frivolity among the men, each one realizing the danger and the necessity of keeping his horse in the ford. While there were only one or two men actually drowned, there were many narrow escapes, a notable one being that of Sergt .- Maj. James Figgat of the Twelfth, whose horse falling, he was swept off, but grasping the tail of a trooper's horse nearest him, was towed across in safety.
The following is General Jones' official report of the incident: "When but a part of the Sixth Virginia, the leading regiment, had crossed one man and horse were drowned and two others narrowly escaped. But for the timely assistance of Messrs. Hattan, Cunningham, and other citizens of Petersburg, and Private Aaron Welton, our loss must have been serious. The bravery and hardi- hood evinced by them on this occasion is worthy of the highest praise. The conduct of the Rev. Mr. Davis, chap- lain of the Sixth, was here conspicuously good, His
MAJ. SAMUEL B. MYERS
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example, courage, and abiding faith in Providence won the admiration of all."
After leaving Petersburg the route lay through Greenland Gap. Contrary to information received, this pass was occupied by the enemy, who had constructed entrenchments around a log church. The position could have been turned, but the time consumed would have created delay enough to probably endanger the success of the general plan. Accord- ingly General Jones determined to take the position by assault.
Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall with a portion of the Seventh was ordered to charge the works supported by Col. R. H. Dulany with the rest of the Seventh.
The charge was gallantly made. The enemy, apprised of the attempt, were fully prepared and received the bold troopers with a well-directed volley that emptied several saddles. The Seventh, however, pressed forward and the Federals were forced to retreat into the log church and a house near by. With port-holes between the logs they could fire with a sense of security and with great accuracy against an enemy that had no artillery.
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In the charge of the Seventh, Colonel Dulany was unhorsed with a severe wound in the arm, and lay within easy range of the Federal marksmen. The outlook was very unpromising, but General Jones was bent on taking the position.
Some of the Seventh had gotten past the church and were in the rear of it. The sharpshooters of the Seventh secured the woods and hillside on the left. The mounted riflemen of Lieut .- Col. V. A. Wicher's Battalion, under Captain Chapman, were dismounted and thrown to the right. With great boldness they penetrated close to the building and
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secured the stone works erected by the enemy. A flag was sent out demanding a surrender. Upon this being scorn- fully refused, preparations were made to storm the buildings and, if necessary, to burn or blow them up.
The dismounted men of Brown's and White's Bat- talions, under their respective leaders, advanced to the assault, while the Pioneer Corps, under Lieut. William G. Williamson, moved forward with torches and powder ready for blowing up the buildings.
In the charge White's men "crossed a rocky and rapid stream in the face of a galling fire from the enemy in the church, and an enfilading fire from a portion of those con- cealed in a building to the right of the church. They rushed bravely on until they arrived at the church, where, knocking out the chinking and firing through the holes, they soon drove the enemy from one side of the house.
"In the meantime the Pioneer Corps coming up, broke out the window, set fire to a bundle of straw and threw it in, thus firing the lower part of the building."1
Fortunately for the assailants, General Jones had delayed the assault until near dark. This saved the Confederates from a much heavier loss. In the charge ory four of the assailing column were killed and eight or ten wounded. General Jones' entire loss was seven killed and twenty-two wounded. The enemy lost two killed and six or eight wounded and eighty prisoners. Four wagons and teams and one ambulance were captured.
The stubborn resistance of the Federals greatly enraged the Confederates, who had suffered much the greater loss. Some insisted that the prisoners should be killed, but Gen-
1Colonel White's Report.
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eral Jones said : "They fought like brave men and did their duty. They shall receive honorable treatment."
The same evening a "Swamp Dragon," one of a robber gang that was justly charged with atrocious crimes, was brought before him. The captor requested that he might kill him. Said General Jones: "You should never have taken him alive, but since you have brought him to me, he shall be treated as a prisoner of war."
From Greenland Gap the column advanced towards the North Western Grade. "Upon reaching this Col. A. W. Harman was sent with the Twelfth Virginia, Brown's Bat- talion, and McNeil's Company of Partisan Rangers to burn the railroad bridge at Oakland, Maryland, and to march from there by way of Kingwood to Morgantown.
"A squadron of the Eleventh, under Capt. E. H. McDonald, was sent from the same point to Altamont, twelve miles east of Oakland, to burn some small bridges and then to follow and join Colonel Harman.
"The remainder of the force moved on Rowlesburg, arriving at Cheat River about two P. M., April 26th.
"Having captured the pickets of the enemy and learning that there was a garrison of only 300 men at Rowlesburg, Col. J. S. Green, commanding the Sixth Virginia, was ordered to charge the place, the Seventh, under Colonel Marshall, and the Eleventh, under Colonel Lomax, to form his support.
"Capt. O. L. Weems of the Eleventh, with eighty sharp- shooters of his regiment and a part of Wicher's Battalion, was sent across the hills from the bridge on the North Western Grade to attack the east end of the railroad bridge at Rowlesburg and to burn it at all hazards."2
2General Jones' Report.
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The attempt on Rowlesburg failed, and General Jones deemed it best to move on, leaving the railroad bridge and trestlework unharmed.
He had now penetrated far into the enemy's country. Forage was scarce and food for his men hard to procure.
Rumors of advancing columns of the enemy from several directions reached him. The country people were un- friendly, and frequently in the mountain passes his march- ing column was fired into by bushwhackers.
General Imboden up to this time had failed to unite forces with him or even to communicate with him as to his location and movements.
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