USA > Virginia > Campbell County > Campbell County > Annals of the Lynchburg Home Guard > Part 4
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play, making the battle for a time fearful. At this time the 7th Louisiana and Early's brigade came up at a double quick, but almost too late for the battle, as our brigade had rushed across the creek and sent the enemy helter-skelter across the fields and woods. They gave a tremendous shout, and I was by when General Long- street shook hands with Colonel Garland, and said we had repulsed them, at the same time complimenting his whole regiment. Again their artillery opened and this time they seemed to have better ideas of our position, for the shells and balls exploded in every direction, no place being safe scarcely, and yet but two men were struck by them. I have a piece that fell a little dis- tance from me, besides several others which I will try and have sent to you. General Beauregard was some distance from us, where the general hospital was, and they fired on us all the time, we having to remove all the wounded. I have seen sights sufficient to sicken any one, men shot in every part of their bodies, but most of the dead, through the head. I saw five dead, then lying on the battle field, besides seeing others ter- ribly mangled, all of whom were promptly carried off the field. Colonel Moore of the ist was shot through the arm and side, Captain J. K. . Lee, Ist, mortally wounded, it is thought, and by our own men, Lieuten- ant Harman slightly wounded, Colonel Fry, Ist, had a sunstroke and had to be carried off; his horse was shot. We expect to have severe work to-day, but only fifteen were killed on our side yesterday. I can't write more as I have to mount guard. I will act as Major today."
Besides this letter, which was private and was not in- tended for publication, we have another written by Mr. Meem to the Virginian, which by courtesy of that paper, we are able to reproduce. We pay so much attention to this skirmish because it was the first time the company was under fire, and the behavior of un
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trained troops facing regulars for the first time is always of interest, especially where the enemy has great numerical superiority.
CAMP PICKENS, MANASSAS, July 19th, 1861, 11 P. M.
The battle of Blackburn's Ford commenced yesterday at a quarter past twelve and lasted till 4:30 P. M., the firing being awfully heavy without doing much dam- age. Early in the morning our regiment moved to its present position from where the First regiment is in line, that having slept over across the run the night before.
At a quarter to twelve, the aların having been previ- ously given, the rifled cannon of the enemy announced that the battle had begun, the balls passing over our artillery. They immediately wheeled out of view and remained there inactive for the time. The cannonade was kept up in good earnest for some time, about eighty shots being fired, when it ceased and the musketry opened at the ford. It was replied to, when all of a sudden it seemed as if 10,000 had opened, so terrible was the fire. Both regiments recoiled, but were immediately formed by General Longstreet and went back in the bushes in gallant style. There was a thick growth of bushes from the edge of the field to the run, and also a thick wood on the opposite side, rather concealing both parties. The firing now became general on both sides, and lasted some half hour. when an order came for two companies of our regiment to go to the assistance of First and Seventeenth, and ac- cordingly Company E, Lieutenant Winfree, and Com- pany 11, Captain Hutter, under the command of Major Harrison, were lead to the charge. They rushed in, but the enemy had somewhat withdrawn up the ravine. Soon the brigade of Colonel Early, consisting of the Seventh and Twenty-fourth Virginia and Seventh Lou-
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isiana, came down the path at a double quick and entered into action, the latter firing by mistake into our men. The Washington Artillery also came up, took a position with six pieces and opened on the wood. The enemy let our men have another volley, being rallied with more fresh men, which brought out our fire, and together with the artillery on both sides made it perfectly terrific. The wounded, most of whom I saw, were carried on litters and in ambulances as fast as they were shot. Oh, such a sight. Men shot through the head, stomach, arms, legs, &c .; it was anything but pleasant. In the early part of the engagement seven from a Massachusetts regiment were brought in, some of them being awfully shot, and I had them sent off to headquarters. I administered to a good many wounded with my little flask of brandy. Our mien, with loud huzzars, now fought gallantly, and towards the last rushed over the creek and drove the enemy, (assisted by the artillery), pell-mell up the hill and through the woods, and if a large force had been sent across the creek, would have routed them in every direction. There is something very grand in the whiz- zing of balls and the bursting of shells, but it is not such as I like. In the flight of the enemy they threw away guns, hats, coats, canteens, blankets, anything that would lighten them at all. Our men returned across the creek, but the artillery continued the battle, the enemy throwing all kinds of shell and shot into us and in every direction. This part of the firing was awful without doing much damage, as only one of the Washington Artillery was hit, he having his leg blown off. General Longstreet escaped death ahnost by a miracle, as he was constantly exposed to the heaviest fire. He is a good soldier and brave man, and won the hearts of the men on all sides. Poor Major Harri- son, of the Eleventh, was soon brought back mortally wounded, and died last night at the hospital. He was
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a good man, and the men still deplore his loss. The enemy continued to play on our general hospital two miles distant from their batteries in such a manner that the wounded had to be removed, as also General Beau- regard. The latter is perfectly deliglited with the suc- cess of the battle. The ford being the only place where they attempted to cross, the fight took place only at that point. The First and Seventeenth did most of the fighting. We had 10,000 men at our command but there was no necessity for thein. I saw only five dead bodies, though we lost eleven killed on our side. Col- onel Moore, of the First, shot through the arm and side, Captain Delaney, Seventeenth, shoulder broken, Captain Joseph R. Lee, First, dangerously in the back; Lieutenants Harrison and Allen, First, slightly, and a good many privates.
Major Harrison was the only officer killed. The enemy's loss is very great, but has not yet been ascer- tained. A good many dead bodies were seen in the woods by our men and some of them were buried this evening by them. The enemy are afraid to come near. The Seventh regiment sent out a party this morning to make a search in one part of the woods, and found eighty-nine muskets, 127 new infantry hats, blankets, cartridge boxes, canteens, coats, &c., &c., the poor fellows pulling off everything that inconimoded them. If our men had been sent out early this morning they could have gotten wagon loads of articles and guns, but the enemy got a great many back besides drawing off some of their killed and wounded. The four regi- ments forming the first attacking party were two Michigan, one New York and one Massachusetts.
Well, thus you have an outline of the battle and of my first. I was right smartly exposed to the fire. They did not molest us to-day. The First and Seven- teenth Virginia have been withdrawn and others put in their place. We still hold our point. They were seen
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getting into position this evening in two columns. Our whole lines along the creek are fortified and we liave 10 fears of the result.
During the skirmish, for it was nothing more, Mr. Meem was acting adjutant. As the complete forma- tion of the brigade will be of interest we give it here: Brigadier-General, JAMES LONGSTREET.
STAFF:
Colonel J. Moxey Sorrel, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Major Manning, Major J. W. Fairfax,
Major Walton, Major Dnnn,
Major Thompson, Major Rodgers.
REGIMENTS:
First Virginia,
Colonel P. T. Moore.
Seventh Virginia,
Colonel J. L. Kemper.
Seventeenth Virginia, - Colonel M. D. Corse.
Eleventh Virginia, - Colonel S. Garland, jr.
THE FIRST BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
In the great battle on the 21st of July, 1861, known as the first battle of Manassas, General Longstreet's brigade was in the centre. The Eleventh regiment
NOTE .- This brigade was originally commanded by Colonel Terrett but was transferred to General Longstreet in July, 1861. It was subsequently commanded by Generals Richard Stoddard Ewing aud Ambrose Powell Hill. "This brigade, which retained Its organization lo the ond of the war, has the distinction, either by coincidence or merit, of having furnished, not to say ma le, three lieutenant-generals for the Army of Northern Virginia." -The University Memorial, p. 268.
Although this was the original formation of the brigade, It must have been altered very soon, for iu General Beauregard's report of the first but- tle of Manassas, (q. v. ) he speaks of the brigade as heing composed of the First, Eleventh, Twenty-fourth and Seventeenth Virginia troops, Fifth North Carolina and Willbead's company of Virginia cavalry.
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had gone back to Camp Pickens after the fight at Blackburn's Ford, but before the battle had resumed its old position at Blackburn's Ford. It was not very actively engaged in the battle, owing to a change of plan. On the morning of the 21st of July, according to General Beauregard's report, it was intended to attack the enemy with the centre and right wing, on the flank and rear at Centreville, and in pursuance of this plan, Longstreet's men were thrown across Bull Run early in the morning. Here they remained throughout the battle, taking but little part in the active operations.
Says General Beanregard: "The centre brigades- Bonham's and Longstreet's-of the line of Bull Run, if not closely engaged, were nevertheless exposed for most of the day to an annoying, alinost incessant fire of artillery of long range; but by a steady, veteran- like maintenance of their positions, they held virtually paralyzed all day, two strong brigades of the enemy." -Confederate States Battle Reports.
As showing the appreciation of the General for this brigade we will make another extract from the same report:
"Longstreet's brigade, pursuant to orders prescrib- ing his part of the operations of the centre and right wing, was thrown across Bull Run early in the morn- ing, and under a severe fire of artillery, was skillfully disposed for the assault of the enemy's battery in that quarter, but was withdrawn subsequently in conse- quence of the change of plan already mentioned. The troops of this brigade were: First, under Major Skin- ner, Eleventh, Garland's, Twenty fourth, Lieutenant- Colonel Hariston, Seventeenth, Corse as Virginia regi- ments, Fifth North Carolina, Lieutenant Colonel Jones,
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and Whitehead'scompany of Virgnia cavalry. Through- out the day these troops evinced the most soldierly spirit."-(C. S. Battle Reports.)
After the ignominious rout of "the grandest army on the planet," the Eleventh regiment was detailed to guard the captured material. Amongst the spoil so lav- ishly scattered by the Federals in their panic, we find reported a large quantity of handeuffs, which was intended for those whom bigotry could accuse of noth- ing but defense of their State when it was invaded. This mode of spreading liberty is, we believe, unpre- cedented.
The first battle of Manassas was the last of the mili- tary operations for several months. The army that was to march so triumphantly to Richmond had been driven in confusion to the very gates of the Capital, and the first lesson of Southern prowess had been tanghit the confident foe. The Home Guard, with the rest of its regiment, remained on or near the field, being comfortably quartered in Camp Piekens. Many of the men improved this interval of rest to come home on furloughs, and numbers of the Lyneliburg people visited their sons or husbands in camp.
DRANESVIL.I.E.
Occasional alarms of an advance of the enemy broke the monotony of eamp life, but there was nothing of importance done until the 20th of December, 1861. On that day General J. E. B. Stuart took command of four regiments of infantry, 150 cavalry and a battery of four pieces of artillery to protect an expedition of all the wagons of the army after hay to the left of Dranesville.
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These forces were the Eleventh Virginia, under Colonel Garland; Sixth South Carolina, under Lientenant- Colonel Secrest; Tenth Alabama, under Colonel For- ney; and the First Kentucky, under Colonel Taylor, making an aggregate force of 1,600 infantry; Suniter Flying Artillery (four pieces), under Captain A S. Cutts; One hundredth North Carolina Cavalry, under Major Gordon; and the Second Virginia cavalry, un- der, Captain Pitzer. To protect the foraging party, General Stuart placed his troops at Dranesville, be- tween the enemy and the Confederate foragers, but in so doing he encountered tlie escort of a Federal forag- ing party. This body of the enemy was discovered by the cavalry who had been sent far in advance of the infantry, and while waiting for the infantry to come up, the cavalry was ordered to seek the wagons and send them back to camp. So well was this manœuvre exe- ented that it is mentioned in the report with high commendation. As the enemy was in overwhelm- ing force, the Southern troops were withdrawn in perfect order, after a sharp engagement, the men gathering their blankets and overcoats from the ground on which they had been thrown before the battle as they passed. One of the regiments missed the place where they had left their baggage and so these things fell into the hands of the enemy and were construed as being signs of a total ront. General Stuart waited near Dranesville for rein- forcements to resume the battle next day, but the enemy evacuated the village during the night.
The Federal forces in this affair were the First Penp.
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sylvania Reserve Rifles, Sixth Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, Ninth Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry, Twelfth Penn- sylvania Reserve Infantry, First Pennsylvania Re- serve Artillery (Battery A), First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry. Their casualities were in all sixty-eight. The Confederates lost 194, but notwithstanding the superior force of the enemy the wagon train of the entire army was saved. The loss of the Eleventh Virginia was six killed and fifteen wounded. In Gen- eral Stuart's report he says:
"Colonel Garland and Major Langhorne of the Eleventh Virginia, behaved with great coolness under fire, and the men of that regiment, though deprived by locality from sharing as much of the danger of the engagement as the Tenth Alabama regiment, yet acquitted themselves to my entire satisfaction."
As showing the qualities of courage and obedience possessed by Colonel Garland, we give the following extract from the life of him, published in the "Univer- sity Memorial" referring to this skirmish:
"Stuart was so much engaged in withdrawing Cutt's battery that lie neglected to send Colonel Garland orders to retire, so he held his regiment in line until the rest of the detachment were entirely clear of the field, when he sent word to General Stuart that he was still in line in his original position, and received orders to withdraw and bring up the rear. There was no pur- suit."
After the battle at Dranesville, the dead of the Eleventh regiment were brought to Centreville for burial. The military funeral took place the next day, the Seventeenth regiment uniting with the Eleventh in
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honoring the fallen. Colonel Garland was much touched by this act of comradeship on the part of the Seventeenth, and wrote to its colonel the following letter:
CAMP OF THE HITH VA. VOLUNTEERS, FIRST BRIGADE SECOND DIVISION, December 23rd 1861.
COLONEL M. D. CORSE,
Commanding 17th Virginia Volunteers.
Dear Sir :- I desire to express on my own behalf, and on behalf of the officers and men of the Eleventh Virginia Volunteers, our grateful appreciation of the soldierly friendship, which induced your command to unite in paying the last tribute of respect to those of our gallant comrades, whom we buried on yesterday.
Such evidences of mutual regard cannot fail to have the effect of increasing the spirit and efficiency of bothi commands. Rest assured that we shall share together the hardships of the tented field, watching with eager interest the fortunes of the gallant Seventeenth until the day shall come, when their flag shall wave once more in the streets of Alexandria.
That our acknowledgement of the act of friendship referred to may be communicated to your command, I request that you will direct your adjutant to read this note at your evening parade.
I remain, Colonel, with high regard,
Your friend and obedient servant. SAMUEL GARLAND, JR., Colonel Eleventh Virginia Volunteers.
The communication quoted above is taken from the "History of the Seventeenth Virginia Infantry," by George Wise.
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Colonel Garland had by this time established for himself and his regiment a most enviable reputation, as the subjoined communication will show.
HD'Q'RS DEPT. OF NORTHERN VA., Centreville, February 2d, 1862.
General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General,
Sir :- We are beginning to feel the want of the arms rece itly : ent to' Richmond under orders from the War Department.
* * * * * Permit me again to remind the War Department that a division and five brigades (in- cluding those of two members of Congress, Senators- elect) are withiont their proper generals. The great number of colonels and otlier field officers who are absent sick, makes the want of general officers the more felt.
Several of the colonels of this army are well quali- fied to be brigadier-generals. Besides Colonels A. P. Hill and Forney, whom I have mentioned before, Col- onels Hampton, Winder GARLAND and Mott are fully competent to command brigades.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. JOHNSTON, General.
On March 12th, 1862, the regiment was engaged in a skirmish at Warrenton Junction, but this was proba- bly merely an affair between picket lines, as we can find no record of it in the Confederate reports. One Federal report mentions driving back a picket line at that time and place, but gives no particulars.
Soon after this affair, the regiment was ordered to the Peninsular, and as the next campaign includes the fighting around Richmond, we will devote a chapter to it; but before doing so, we wish to show a picture of
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life in the camp near Centreville. As Christmas ap- proached, the ladies of Lynchburg sent to the Home Guard a "Christmas Dinner," which was enjoyed by them in a way that only soldiers on the field can enjoy a meal. A table was made by laying planks on boxes in front of the company tents and on it the dinner was spread. The flag of Virginia floated at the head of the table, and under it stood Lyman's Brass Band. At 2 o'clock the band struck up "Home, Sweet Home," and the Company and their guests quickly assembled. The Rev. J. C. Granberry offered a prayer, after which the business of the day commenced. A number of toasts were then handed to the Captain which were read and responded to as follows:
1. "The ladies of Lynchburg. As soldiers cannot fight on empty stomachs, so they cannot be brave on empty hearts; a health therefore to the ladies of Lynch- burg who have this day filled both."
Responded to by Private G. J. Salmons.
2. "The Southern Republic: May her rising sun of independence melt the Northern avalanche which seeks her destruction.
Responded to by Private J. G. Anderson.
3. "Colonel Garland: May the brilliant reputation which he already possesses as our gallant Colonel, be never diminished by the clouds of adversity which often overshadow the pathway of our existence."
Responded to by Colonel Garland.
4. "Virginia." Proposed by Colonel Garland.
5. "The Seventeenth regiment and her colonel." Responded to by Colonel M. D. Corse.
6. "The Eleventh Virginia infantry."
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7. "Lieutenant-Colonel David Funsten: Here's to the David that can kill any Goliath of the Lincolnites."
Colonel Funsten was absent on furlough.
8. Proposed by Dr. John R. Ward: "Major Maurice S. Langhorne, the accomplished gentleman and gallant soldier whose sword always gleams in the thickest of the figlit. May his merit be appreciated and rewarded by the Confederate authorities, as his kind and gentlemanly bearing is esteemed by the Eleventh Virginia."
Responded to by Major Langhorne, who then pro- posed:
9. "Jefferson Davis, the first President of the Con- federate States. May he prove a second Washington."
10. By Private Robert C. Pierce: "Our gallant Cap- tain, Kirkwood Otey. May he ever enjoy, as now, the confidence of every member of his company."
After responding to this toast, Captain Otey proposed:
11. "General G. T. Beauregard, the Hero of Manas- sas.'
Responded to by Captain Frank H. Jordan, a mem- ber of his staff.
12. By Private E. A. Akers: "The able-bodied militia at home."
None of this body being present, there was no re- sponse.
13. By Private A. W. Nowlin: ':The flag of Vir- ginia."
14. By Sergeant P. B. Akers: "Company G."
15. By R. C. Pierce: "Our comrades and brave as- sociates."
16. By Color Sergeant Charles V. Crosby: "General James Longstreet,"
17. By Private Nicholas Kabler: "Major C. H. Harrison."
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18. By Corporal James F. Kinnier: "Our sweet- hearts. May the preachers soon make us recruits in the light infantry, in the service in the State of Matri- mony.'
19. By Corporal James Frankln, jr .: "The officers of the Home Guard."
20. By John H. Conley: "The ladies of Lynchburg. They are the trumps that never lose a heart."
21. By Private J. H. Franklin: "The noble-hearted Lynchburgers."
22. By William H. Kent: "The soldiers of Alexan- dria."
23. By Robert S. Cabell: "The fair ones of the Hill City."
24. By Robert C. Pierce: "The daughters of Lynch- burg. May their patriotismn be rewarded with happi- ness."
CHAPTER II.
THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN.
The Federals, having failed in their attempt to reach Richmond by the direct route from Washington, now determined to reach it, if possible, by way of the York- town peninsula. With this in view, transports were dispatched down the Potomac, and we find that from March 25th to March 29th, 1862, General Johnston's scouts reported to him that troops were being dis- patched down the river, but their destination was un- known. The doubt on this point was soon cleared up however, and it became plain that the scene of conflict was to be transferred from northern to eastern Vir-
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ginia. "The Army of the Potomac outnumbered by three to one the utmost force that could be opposed to it. * * * With a force of more than 100,000 mien, subsequently largely increased-with an unlimited number of transports, men-of-war, and vessels with stores, crowding the estuaries on his right and left- M'Clellan landed on the famous Yorktown peninsula at the beginning of April. In his front was a line of thirteen miles, very imperfectly fortified, and held at first by no more than 8,000 men, afterwards by twice that number. M'Clellan proceeded to fortify his base, to construct miles of trenches and batteries, and, what was far more necessary, miles of corduroy roads. On May 6th he was prepared to open fire upon the works in his front. ' On the 4th, however, the Confederates quietly abandoned their position and retired up the peninsula. At first one, and at last two divisions had kept at bay for a whole month a vast army, with can- non, transport and siege-train, and general military re- sources which multiplied the odds enormously."- (Greg's History of the United States.)
We give this much by way of introduction to the movements to be described in this chapter and to aid the reader in gaining an insight into the campaign. The troops of the Confederacy were ordered to the penin- sula, and the Eleventh regiment, in obedience to or- ders, left the neighborhood of Warrenton, and went to the vicinity of Williamsburg. General Longstreet having been promoted to the rank of a Major-General, had been succeeded by Brigadier-General Ambrose Powell llill, and Hill's brigade was known as the First Brig- ade. Second Division, A. N. V.
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After reaching Williamsburg, the regiment was allowed but little rest. On the 5th of May, 1862, the battle of Williamsburg was fouglit and as the First brigade took so prominent a part in it, we will give as the account of it, General Hill's report.
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