USA > Virginia > City of Lynchburg > City of Lynchburg > Historic and heroic Lynchburg > Part 3
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Another of Lynchburg's gallant and chivalrous sons who ought to be mentioned in connection with the defence of this City was General Thomas T. Munford who will be remembered by many of those present as a handsome and courtly old gentleman, who lived for many years among us and who passed away only a few years ago, beloved and honored by all who knew him .* General Munford was not an actual participant in the Battle of Lynchburg, but to quote from Captain Charles M. Blackford's invaluable pamphlet on the "Campaign and Battle of Lynchburg," "Some description of Hampton's great cavalry battle at Trevilian's Depot would strictly be a part of any history of the siege and Battle of Lynchburg, for had he failed, Lynchburg would necessarily have fallen into the hands of the enemy, but time will not permit so pleasant a digression. It is enough to say that it was one of the most brilliant and successful engagements in which our troops were involved during the war, and one which shed well deserved renown not only on General Wade Hampton, who commanded, but on every officer and man under him. Conspicuous for their gallantry and valuable service in that battle was the Second Virginia Cav- alry, under our distinguished fellow citizen, General T. T. Mun- ford. This great regiment was made up of companies from Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, and was therefore one of whose record we all have a right to be proud. On the day of that fight it was especially distinguished for its daring courage and for its achievements. It was in front of the charging column which broke Custer's line and captured four out of the five caissons lost by Sheridan on that day. It captured Custer's headquarters, his sash and private wagon and papers. The wagon was used by General Munford until it was recaptured, a few days before Appomattox." The Second Virginia Cavalry was mustered in and mustered out on exactly the same spot, now marked by a monument in our beautiful City Park. May I not again express the pride I feel in the fact that my father was at first a member of this regiment, though afterwards detached for other service, and that two of my uncles, Captain Alexander Halsey (killed in action
* See sketch at end of this address.
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near Leetown) and Major Stephen P. Halsey, who still lives in Lynchburg, also were members of it?
The importance of the Battle of Trevilian's Depot to Lynch- burg is found in the fact that if Hampton had not defeated Sheridan there, the latter would have been able to push on and join with Hunter in attacking the city, while Early would have been cut off and could not have reinforced the little handful of warriors defending it.
I have already referred to General Early's statement that Hunter's delay in perpetrating atrocities at Lexington was "the salvation of Lynchburg," but to quote again from Captain Black- ford: "There was, however, another more potent influence which stayed Hunter's advance. General John McCausland had been operating against the enemy in Southwest Virginia with a body of cavalry. When Hunter reached Staunton he was ordered across the country to meet him. McCausland was joined by a small brigade under the command of Colonel William E. Peters, now Professor of Latin at the University of Virginia, who was the Colonel of the Twenty-first Virginia Cavalry." (Colonel Peters died several years ago. He was the father of Dr. Don Preston Peters, who now lives in Lynchburg, and my own great uncle.) To continue quoting from Captain Blackford: "These two brigades, aggregating some sixteen hundred men, under McCaus- land's leadership, ably seconded by Peters, at once commenced to worry Hunter and to keep his whole force in a constant state of alarm. This force was so ubiquitous that it was estimated by the enemy as being five times its real size. Amongst the officers in the force under Colonel Peters was his nephew, and our fellow- citizen, Major Stephen P. Halsey, who did good service and dis- tinguished himself for his active gallantry."
Major Halsey was struck by two bullets in the Battle of Lynchburg, both of which fortunately were nearly spent. One of these hit him exactly in the center of his belt cutting it in two. This occurred on the Ward's Road not far from this place where we are gathered today. But again to resume Captain Blackford's nar- rative: "As Hunter moved from Staunton to Lynchburg these brigades were ever in his front, one hour fighting and the next falling back as the main column would appear, but ever causing
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delay and apprehension. The tireless little band performed deeds of gallantry as they hung upon Hunter's front which entitled every officer and man to a cross of honor. . . In Early's dispatch reporting the Battle of Lynchburg an expression is used which implies a doubt as to whether the cavalry would do its duty. Never did cavalry do better service than did that under McCausland, both as Hunter advanced and as he retreated. Had McCausland had the full command of the cavalry on the retreat, Hunter's wagon train and artillery would have fallen into the hands of the Confederates, but for some reason, which it is now unnecessary to explain, great opportunities were permitted to pass without advan- tage being taken of them. . . . Lynchburg owes much to Ramseur's Division of the Second Corps and to the men who occupied the lines when Hunter arrived, but it was the skill of McCausland and Peters and the unflagging energy of their officers and men, which so retarded Hunter's movements that when he did arrive there was force enough on our line to prevent his capturing the city. Mc- Causland and his command were the real saviors of this city, and some lasting memorial of its gratitude should be erected to per- petuate their deeds. McCausland proved himself a soldier of a high type. There were few officers in either army, who, with such a force, could have accomplished so much. His little command had been in constant contact with the enemy for many days, had been continuously in the saddle and on exhausting marches, was badly mounted and badly equipped; everything about it was worn and weary but their dauntless spirit; that, under the example of their indomitable leaders, never flagged for an instant. . . . The services of this command were recognized at the time by a vote of thanks adopted by the City Council of Lynchburg on the twenty- fourth day of June, 1864, 'for their gallantry in opposing for ten days the march of a greatly superior force, thereby retarding the advance of the enemy on our City until a proper force could be organized for its defence.' The citizens of the town at the same time presented General John McCausland with a sword and a pair of silver spurs in token of their gratitude."
One of the most notable of McCausland's performances was the sharp fight in which he engaged Hunter at New London, on the sixteenth, when with his little handful of about 1,500 men he held
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Hunter's 20,000 or more at bay for nearly a day, thus gaining five hours time and holding the enemy away from his object until Early could arrive.
It is a source of intense gratification to be able to say that I am informed by our townsman, Mr. H. G. McCausland, who is his kinsman, that General McCausland is still living. He resides on a handsome estate at Point Pleasant, W. Va., and the gal- lant old hero, though ninety years of age, is in excellent health and vigor and rides horseback over his farm every day. He is the oldest, and one of the very few surviving generals of the Con- federacy. May his last years be full of peace and happiness, fraught, as they must be, with loving memories of noble companions and heroic deeds.
Before the arrival of Early, the Confederate forces at Lynch- burg were under the command of General John C. Breckenridge, but unfortunately that gallant soldier, although he had arrived in Lynchburg with some of his troops, was confined to his bed with an injury received when his horse was shot under him at Cold Harbor. The responsibility of the defence, therefore, fell upon General Francis T. Nichols, whose soldiers consisted of con- valescents from the hospitals and cripples from the invalid camps. General Nichols was himself minus an arm and a leg, which he had left upon two different battle fields, but he nevertheless herocially mounted his horse and made ready to defend the town with his cripples against the advancing hordes of Hunter. Among those cripples was Major John W. Daniel, not yet recovered from his serious wound. When Early did reach Lynchburg, finding General Breckinridge in bed, he called upon that noble Christian soldier, General D. H. Hill, who happened to be here to ascertain the best lines of defence. General Hill was assisted in this by General Harry T. Hays, of Louisiana, who was also in town disabled by a wound. These officers established breastworks on College Hill, and the line there formed was composed of the in- valids under Nichols, some cadets from the V. M. I., and a small detachment of the brigade of the brave and brilliant General Wil- liam E. Jones, who had been killed at Piedmont, near Port Republic, in a fight with Hunter before the latter reached Staunton. To these were added Breckinridge's small command, which arrived
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on the sixteenth, and the Botetourt Artillery, a battery of six guns, under Captain H. C. Douthat. Douthat's Battery deserves especial credit for its active part in the defence of Lynchburg. It was com- posed of about 100 men and had been operating in Southwest Virginia. On June eleventh it was ordered to Staunton, and left here by a freight train of the Orange and Alexandria (now the Southern) Railroad. At New Glasgow Station news was received that a large raiding party from Duffie's Brigade of Hunter's Division was at Arrington, and they could see the smoke from the burning buildings. Captain Douthat at once hurried to Tye River, between New Glasgow and Arrington, in order to protect the Tye River railroad bridge, because if this should be destroyed by the enemy, no reinforcements from around Richmond could reach Lynchburg. Fortunately there was a carload of muskets and am- munition on the train, and armed with these Douthat's men made such a demonstration on the north side of the bridge at Tye River Depot that the Yankees retired and the bridge was saved. This important service rendered, the battery returned to Lynchburg, as the railroad north of Tye River had been damaged by the enemy, and took a most important part in the battle here. Two of Douthat's guns were stationed about at the old soapstone quarry (then known as Johnson's Quarry) on the Forest Road, protecting the railroad bridge over Ivy Creek, and driving the Federals back whenever they approached it. The other four guns were on this side of the Forest Road, supporting the brigade under Col. Forsberg. One of the gunners of this battery was a gentleman who is still a much respected citizen of Lynchburg, Mr. A. H. Plecker, the well known photographer. Captain Blackford says that Mr. Plecker "for his gallant services was tendered a commission. This he de- clined on the ground that he could do better service as a gunner, in the discharge of which duty he had won much reputation.'
* Tradition says that cannon balls from the Federal artillery fell in "Meem's Garden" at the corner of Seventh and Court Streets, where Major Halsey now lives, and that a horse tethered at the gate of old Lynchburg College, whose building can now be seen at Wise and Eleventh streets, was killed by a cannon ball, and that some balls struck on Amherst Heights, across the river.
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Another gunner who did yeoman duty at Lynchburg was Lieutenant Carter Berkeley, then of Staunton, afterwards Dr. Car- ter Berkeley,' of Lynchburg. Lieutenant Berkeley had charge of two guns of Breckinridge's command, which he handled with con- summate skill. He had already achieved great fame as an artil- lerist in the Valley of Virginia, before he came to Lynchburg. These guns were placed in the redoubt which surrounds this build- ing and did much to repel the advance of the enemy. It is one of the traditions of the battle that when Berkeley and his guns arrived in Lynchburg they came up Ninth Street to the foot of Court House Hill, and then, finding that too steep, turned up Church Street to Eighth, where he again "surveyed the landscape o'er." Then, it being supposed that Hunter was already in sight and that Eighth Street was the nearest route to the enemy, he urged his weary horses up the steep declivity, putting several men at each wheel. He soon stuck, however, but some of Imboden's cavalry happening to come by they lent their assistance and soon had the guns up to Court Street, whence they moved on out at a gallop to the line of battle. I well remember Dr. Berkeley, who was a most charming and lovable personality, as modest as he was brave, and I will remember always how he told me this story himself.
There are many others who deserve honorable mention for their valorous conduct in the Battle of Lynchburg and if time would permit I would be glad to pay tribute to them all. Especially would I rejoice to recount the services of such men as Colonel James W. Watts of the Second Virginia Cavalry, as fine a soldier as the army contained, superb in bearing and in horsemanship, as he was in character. In spite of severe wounds from which he had not recovered, Colonel Watts undertook the task of blocking the road in front of Hunter from Buchanan to the Peaks of Otter. This he did with thoroughness, but so well equipped was Hunter's pioneer force that the road was cleared almost as fast as it was closed. Nevertheless the delay this caused was a material factor in saving Lynchburg, and Colonel Watts well deserved, as he ever received, the esteem and respect of all our people amongst whom he lived and died. Well should I like to speak of Captain E. E. Bouldin, of the Charlotte cavalry, who commanded McCausland's rear guard as it fell back before Hunter's advance; of Major
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Robert C. Saunders, of Campbell, who did scout duty of the most valuable kind at the constant risk of his life; of the gallant Generals Gordon, Imboden, Elzey, Ramseur and Ransom; of Captain Step- hen Adams, long an honored resident of our city; of such splendid boys as W. C. Folkes and E. C. Hamner, the latter of whom still lives among us, and who, though only fifteen years old, did a soldier's duty under fire; of such old men as Mr. Mike O'Connell, who, despite his age of over eighty years, went out with the Silver Grays, and with his long rifle "kept up a constant fire on the enemy all day, though himself under a heavy fire"; of Colonel Floyd King and his able artillery Captains, Chapman, Bryant, Lowry and Lurty; of Captain St. Clair, who along with General Mc- Causland himself risked death and capture to destroy the bridge at Buchanan, thus delaying Hunter a whole day at that point. All these and many others, who cannot now be mentioned, are entitled to the undying gratitude and veneration of our people, and to all the honor we can bestow upon them. To those who are living we give our greetings of love and affection, with our heartfelt wishes for a green old age of comfort and happiness. To those who are dead we pledge our loyal efforts to cherish their memories, and "oft in Spring time when the roses bloom, will scatter love's sweet incense o'er the spot where after 'life's fitful fever' they sleep well." Soldiers all, we salute their spirits, with "cheers and flowers for the living, flowers and tears for the dead."
Of the Federal Officers who served under Hunter there were many who exemplified the noblest attributes of the soldier, and against whom our people cherish no spirit of animosity or bitterness, but rather the reverse, with admiration for their chivalric deeds and daring devotion to duty. Among these were two who afterwards became Presidents of the United States, Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes and Major William Mckinley .*
This leads me to mention a subject that has long been in my mind and of which I consider this the most appropriate time and
*In his speech at the Union Depot when he visited Lynchburg a short time before he was assassinated, President Mckinley said there were three future presidents who stayed at Colonel Hutter's home at the time when Hunter tried to take Lynchburg, Garfield, Hayes and himself. He also said that on his first visit to Lynchburg, General Early was chairman of the reception committee, and the reception was even warmer than the one he was then extended.
ยท
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place to speak. You ladies of the Fort Hill Club have shown already your patriotism, efficiency and public spirit in the erection of this building and in many other ways. You have now, in my opinion, the opportunity for still further services of a worthy and important kind. You might start a movement to mark the other old fort on the Forest Road where stood the right of the Con- federate line. But there is something else even more important. In Captain Blackford's address from which I have quoted, and to which I am most deeply indebted for much of the material in this paper, he points out that Lynchburg owes some lasting memorial of its gratitude to General McCausland and his men. It is an anomaly to which I know no parallel that part of the beautiful boulevard on which this historic fort fronts should bear the name of one of Lynchburg's invaders" at the time of Hunter's raid, while not even a side street has been named in honor of its most active and indefatigable defender. I would not take away one leaf which justly belongs in the chaplet of laurel which deservedly crowns the memory of the illustrious and beloved Mckinley, but I can conceive of no more fitting and appropriate service that this club can render than to take the necessary steps to induce our city fathers to change the name of this avenue from Mckinley to McCausland Avenue. It would be no derogation to the memory of our martyred President, whose name and fame are secure in every American heart, both North and South, but it would be a just and well deserved tribute to a soldier to whom Lynchburg owes its very existence, and whose brave and war worn legions consecrated every foot of this avenue with their life's blood in defence of our loved old city. We contemplate ere long an ex- tension of our corporate limits. As we thus enlarge our borders and develop our outlying territory, we should see to it that every new street and avenue shall bear the name of some one of the heroes who has been mentioned here today. Every one of them is worthy of such honor, and in so honoring them we will honor ourselves, and show to the world that we are not unmindful of our historic past, nor ungrateful towards those who made that past both noble and glorious.
* Fort Avenue was then called Mckinley Avenue.
IV.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL THOMAS TAYLOR MUNFORD (From Volume III, "Confederate Military History")
Brigadier-General Thomas Taylor Munford, a distinguished cavalry officer of the Army of Northern Virginia, was born at the city of Richmond, in 1831, the son of Colonel George Wythe Munford, for twenty-five years secretary of the commonwealth. He was graduated at the Virginia Military Institute in 1852, and until the outbreak of the war, was mainly engaged as a planter. He went into the Confederate service as lieutenant-colonel of the Thirtieth Virginia Mounted Infantry, organized at Lynchburg, May 8, 1861, and mustered in by Colonel Jubal A. Early. This was the first mounted regiment organized in Virginia, and under the command of Colonel R. C. W. Radford, was in Beauregard's Army at the battle of First Manassas. Subsequently it was entitled the Second Regiment of Cavalry, General Stuart's regiment being numbered First, at the reorganization under Stuart, when Munford was promoted colonel of the regiment. On the field of Manassas he had commanded three squadrons composed of the Black Horse, Chesterfield, and Wise troops, the Franklin rangers, and three independent companies, and pursued the enemy further than any other command, capturing many prisoners and ten rifled guns, which he turned over to President Davis at Manassas. His career as a cavalry officer thus brilliantly begun continued throughout the war, and was notable for faithful service in whatever command was allotted him. In the spring of 1862, attached to Ewell's command, he skirmished in Rappahannock County, and then joined Jackson in the Valley. Upon the death of General Ashby he was recommended by General R. E. Lee as his successor. In this capacity he participated in the battle of Cross Keys, and captured many prisoners at Harrisonburg. With his regiment he led Jackson's advance in the Chickahominy campaign, and on the day of battle at Frayser's farm, his men were the only part of the corps to cross the river and attack the Federals at White Oak swamp. He joined Stuart's command in the Manassas campaign,
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leading the advance of Ewell's division, and received two saber wounds at Second Manassas. In September, assigned to the com- mand of the brigade, he took part in the Maryland campaign, in which his men sustained the main losses of the cavalry division, fighting at Poolesville, Monocacy Church, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Burkittsville and Crampton's Gap. At the latter pass of the South Mountain, with about 800 men, dismounted, he made a gallant defense against the advance of a Federal corps. At Sharpsburg he was actively engaged on the seventeenth and eighteenth, on Lee's right wing, guarding the lower fords of the Antietam, crossed the Potomac in the presence of the enemy, and defended the retreat from Boteler's Ford. In October, when the Federal Army ad- vanced in Virginia in two columns, he was put in command of one division of the cavalry to confront Hancock's troops. Subsequently he was transferred to Fitzhugh Lee's brigade, which he commanded after Chancellorsville at Beverly's Ford and Aldie. He took part in the Gettysburg campaign, the Bristoe campaign, and the cavalry operations in the spring of 1864 under General Fitzhugh Lee, participated in the Valley campaign with Early and being pro- moted brigadier-general in November, 1864, was assigned to the command of Fitzhugh Lee's division. In this rank he made a gallant fight at Five Forks, and on the retreat from Richmond was associated with General Rosser in the defeat of the Federals at High Bridge, capturing 780 prisoners; also in the battle of April 7, when the enemy was again defeated and Federal General Gregg was captured. At Appomattox, at daybreak of April 9, he commanded the cavalry on the right of the Confederate line, in the attack, and driving the enemy from his front, moved toward Lynchburg. After the surrender of Lee he endeavored to collect the scattered Confederate bands and make a junction with John- ston's army, but after the latter command capitulated he disbanded his men late in the month of April. In his final report General Fitzhugh Lee called attention to the excellent service of General Munford as a division commander. With the close of the war he retired to his home, and since then has been engaged in the manage- ment of agricultural interests in Virginia and Alabama, with his home at Lynchburg. He has served two terms as president of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute.
V.
MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT E. RODES (From The Lynchburg News of June 19, 1907)
RODES IN WAR TIME
His Brilliant Career in the Confederate Army One of the Group of Lynchburg Officers Who Won Distinction in the Great Struggle-His Gallantry, His Chivalry, His Worth as Man and Soldier
In his speech yesterday before Garland-Rodes Camp, Con- federate Veterans, in presenting on behalf of Captain Robert D. Yancey a portrait of Major-General Robert E. Rodes, Mr. Don P. Halsey said :
It is peculiarly appropriate, it seems to me, that as a part of these memorial exercises, which are held on the anniversary of Lynchburg's Battle Day, there should be made the presentation to the Lynchburg organization of veterans of a portrait of a brilliant and distinguished son of our old town, who not only took part in the memorable defense against Hunter's invading legions, but who later on yielded up his life upon the altar of his country's cause, and left as a heritage of honor to his people that name, which entwined with that of another gallant and lamented Lynchburg soldier, is perpetuated in the name of Garland-Rodes Camp. I count myself highly honored in having been selected by that near kinsman of General Rodes, Captain Robert D. Yancey, who is the donor of the picture, to make the presentation, especially as he is one who might himself perform the task with graceful and appropriate words were he not deterred by the soldierly grace of modesty.
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