USA > Virginia > Clarke County > Clarke County > History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states > Part 11
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Charlestown and a few miles out on the Berryville pike. We were sure we were going through our home town and see our home people, and the people at home made great preparations to feed the whole army as it came through. Wagon loads of good things were brought in, and although it was Sunday, no thought was given to anything but the feeding of the soldiers. The day wore away and no army appeared. General Johnston had passed across through Smithfield to Bunker Hill, and formed his lines there to confront the enemy. The disappointment was great. The ample provision was lost. One ardent old gentleman filled his carriage and came on to Bunker Hill, bringing his double-barreled gun to take part in the fighting. It is almost incredible to people of this day, half a century later, the spirit that animated old and young then. Each man felt that the fight was his, and that it was his duty to take part in and if need be, die for the cause. Patter- son refusing to fight, back to Winchester we marched, and what wonderful preparations for battle we made. We tore down all the fences within a mile of the town on the north, so that the cavalry and artillery could have a fair and open field. All this was done to fool Patterson. We found out later that battlefields were always ready, didn't have to be prepared. Suddenly one morning, the head of the column started towards the Blue Ridge. We were going to leave the Valley. How we rebelled. We would not leave our homes and people to the mercy of the Yan- kees. We would not go, but as we marched we were halted on the road and an order from General Johnston read telling the men that "Our gallant army under Gen- eral Beauregard at Manassas in now attacked by over- whelming numbers; the commanding general hopes that his troops will step out like men, and make a forced march to save the country." This appeal to our patriotism was
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like an electric shock, and was responded to with cheers, and every one felt that it was up to him to do his duty. But when we reached the Shenandoah River and found that we had to ford it, our enthusiasm cooled and for a time many of us held back, but just then the 33rd Virginia, under Colonel Cummings came up and marched right into the water. We were put to shame and waded right in. The ford was really refreshing after the hot and dusty march of the day and we felt better from it. The night was spent at Paris, nestling at the foot of the mountain, and in the morning away to Piedmont, now Delaplane, and aboard the cars for Manassas Junction and Beauregard. By night fall we are there and in bivouac. At day break we are marched to Blackburn's Ford on Bull Run, where two days before a fight had taken place. But no foe ap- pears to us and we are marched westward. After a while the boom of cannon and then the rattle of musketry is heard and we know that the fighting has begun. Our General moves us towards the firing, the noise of battle increasing. The wounded begin to meet us-all things indicate trouble ahead. Passing through a woods we are thrown into line of battle. The artillery commence firing just to our right. We are just behind a hill. Our orders are to wait until the enemy comes over the hill, then the front rank to fire, then the rear, then to charge bayonets. A thrilling and trying time-shells bursting above us. One man of the company is wounded by shrapnel. The minie balls are flying everywhere. We can not see the left of the regiment, but we know that they are engaged, that our friends in Co. "C" are at it. We hear afterwards of their terrible loss. The brigade is ordered forward- we drive the enemy before us beyond the Henry House. We capture their battery. The fight rages wildly-they turn and run-the day is ours, and we don't know how
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we got it, but it is glorious. The enemy retreat in wild disorder, throwing away guns and everything that im- peded their flight. The road is filled with overturned wagons, abandoned pieces of artillery, everything con- nected with a well appointed army. Grave and great senators, congressmen, civilians of all sorts who had come out to see the Rebels run, joined in the race. One sena- tor ran so fast he was said to have lost the tails of his coat. A great victory. Many thought that we ought at once to have advanced and taken Washington. Whether we could or should have advanced is fully discussed in the great histories. The reader is referred to them. This writer is no military critic. All that he knows is that on the night and day succeeding the battle it rained, and rained and rained. He knows that the troops engaged in the battle were in great disorder, and that it took sev- eral days for the commands to get into proper shape. During the hottest part of the cannonade, which was very heavy and trying on the nerves, and lasted for sev- eral hours, General Bee seeing Jackson's Brigade stand- ing so firmly in their position, called upon his men to rally behind the Virginians, who were standing like a "Stone wall." It was thus we got the name which was borne with honor through the war, and which honors every one connected with the Brigade.
CHAPTER XIX
T HE calm succeeding the great battle was occupied in training the armies on both sides for the next encounter. We went into camp just below Cen- treville and were kept at drilling from daylight until dark, day after day ;- Mounting guard, going on picket, some- times for a week, turning out to meet a supposed advance, building forts and, in fact, doing everything calculated to improve us as soldiers and bring us into thorough mili- tary discipline. Sometimes we were in sight of the capi- tol at Washington, sometimes in the pine woods where nothing could be seen, ever on the alert against our foe, who was just as alert as we. Now and then some father or brother would come from home to visit the Company, bringing always a box of good things to some one of the boys, and maybe a bottle or two of whiskey to be used, they said, medicinally. Among us such things were al- ways in common, all joined in the feast or tasted the good old rye. Those were red letter days and enjoyed to the full. While at camp Harmon near Centreville, our Cap- tain, Strother H. Bowen, resigned to take up other work for the government. He was a brave man and a capable officer, but his years made the service very hard to him. When he resigned, 1st Lieut. S. J. C. Moore was made captain, H. P. Deahl 1st Lieut., Sergt. W. T. Milton 2nd Lieut, and J. H. O'Bannon 3rd Lieut., in place of Byrd, resigned. Mr. Byrd's health had been such that he had been unable to do any service, having been with the com-
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pany only on one march. The new officers were popular and energetic, and raised the company to a fine state of efficiency and did much to earn the high reputation it al- ways bore. A. S. Allen was made 1st Sergt .; a gallant soldier and fine fellow, beloved by all; kind hearted and true, and well deserving the promotion.
The weeks and months passed swiftly until the late fall, when our General, having been promoted to Major Gen- eral, was sent to the Valley to take command there. How earnestly we all wished to go with him, but it was not so ordered and we had learned that a soldier had to obey and be content. Upon taking leave of the Brigade he had us all drawn up in column before him in such compact form that all might see and hear him. He made a speech, the first probably he had ever made.
"I am not here to make a speech, but simply to say fare- well. I first met you at Harper's Ferry in the commence- ment of this war, and I cannot take leave of you without giving expression to my admiration of your conduct from that day to this, whether on the march, in the bivouac, or the tented field; or on the bloody plains of Manassas where you gained the well-deserved reputation of having decided the fate of the battle. Throughout the broad ex- tent of country over which you have marched, by your respect for the rights and the property of citizens, you have shown that you were soldiers, not only to defend, but able and willing both to defend and protect. You have already gained a brilliant and deservedly high reputation, throughout the army of the whole Confederacy, and I trust, in the future, by your deeds on the field, and by the assistance of the same kind Providence who has hereto- fore favored our cause, you will gain more victories, and add additional lustre to the reputation you now enjoy. You have already gained a proud position in the future
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history of this, our second War of Independence. I shall look with great anxiety to your future movements; and I trust, whenever I shall hear of the First Brigade on the field of battle, it will be of nobler deeds achieved, and higher reputation won."
Then pausing, as though unable to leave his comrades- in-arms without some warmer and less official words, he threw the rein upon the neck of his horse, and, extending his arms, exclaimed:
"In the army of the Shenandoah you were the First Brigade; in the army of the Potomac you were the First Brigade; you are the First Brigade in the affections of your general; and I hope, by your future deeds and bear- ing, you will be handed down to posterity as the First Bri- gade in this our second War of Independence. Farewell."
Thus saying he waved his hand, wheeled and left the ground at a gallop, followed by a shout in which his brave men poured out their whole hearts. He left immediately for Winchester. About the middle of November the Bri- gade was ordered to follow. You can well imagine the joy this order gave us, whose homes were so near to the seat of his movements. Very few of us got an oppor- tunity to go to our homes, as early in December General Jackson determined to attempt to break up the use of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal on the north bank of the Po- tomac. To do this it was necessary to cut Dam No. 5 across the river which turned the water into the canal. Four companies of infantry, Cos. "D", "I" and "H" of the 2nd Regiment, and Captain Williams Company of the 4th Regiment were sent with the militia to make a diver- sion at Falling Waters, and then being joined by the Bri- gade to try to cut the dam. The Clarke Rifles guarded the working party which consisted of Captain Holliday's Company of the 33rd Regiment and Captain Robinson's
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of the 27th. The work was accomplished in four nights. They could only work at night, as the enemy were thick on the other bank and kept up a continuous fire. The Company there was under the eye of our General, and often very near him, as he seemed to take delight in be- ing at the most exposed places. To be near Jackson and Ashby while in action was an inspiration to all, and every man endeavored to do his full duty. When stationed along the banks of the river at night, we were ordered to keep perfectly quiet so as not to draw the fire of the enemy. One night when all was still, there suddenly rang out the squawk of an old rooster, making night hideous. One of the boys had marked his roosting place, and as it was known that we were to leave that night, he determined to capture him for his Christmas dinner. How mad the Captain was. "Who caught that rooster." No one knew, but all the same, we carried him back to camp and on Christmas day invited the Captain to join us in a plate of soup from his lordship. With all the hardships and dangers, the boys would mix fun and hilarity.
We were in camp for a few days, and then these four companies were again ordered to Dam No. 5, this time to veil the movement of the main army on Bath in Morgan County. With Ashby's cavalry we made a demonstra- tion there, and when the army moved towards Bath we with the cavalry, marched across the mountains to join them. The weather was bad, snow, rain and sleet every day, the roads blocked by trees cut across them, but on we pushed, to reach Bath a few minutes after the army had entered and the enemy had fled across the Potomac to Hancock. A luxurious night in the big hotel, and on we went the next morning to attack the enemy across the river. Our wagons not having come up, we had the next night to repose our weary limbs on the ground, to wake
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up in the morning with several inches of snow on us. Such is soldier life. Hardships unending, pleasures very seldom, but youth and high spirits seem to overcome all obstacles and though we grumbled at times, no one lost heart or wanted to turn back. Again we are with the Regiment and after a toilsome all night march over frozen icy road, we came up with our wagons at Unger's Store on the way to Romney. Hungry and tired we were the next morning, when there came in sight a carriage. With one accord all shouted, "There is old Mr. Gold." He had come from Clarke, loaded with overcoats for the men and a box for Tom. With what pleasure was his load received. How comfortable were the coats, and how good the things in the box. The people at home were thinking of us and did not want us to suffer. Letters were written, and soon he left loaded with the thanks of the men and letters for the homefolk. Those dear people, ever faithful and thoughtful. We can never forget the hardships and toils that they endured for their country and their friends at the front. Time nor distance, swollen streams nor stress of weather prevented them from coming to see their boys and bringing something to cheer them for their hard duty.
A few days rest at Unger's Store, from which point all the sick were sent to the hospital at Winchester. Colds and some pneumonia produced by the severe exposure of this winter had made the sick list unusually heavy. We were all hoping that the army would soon move in that direction, when one night the order was sent around to cook three day's rations and be ready to move early in the morning. What hustling and bustle in the messes! By midnight the rations were cooked, and all hands were ready for the hard march to Romney. Rain and sleet every day! Muddy roads and many streams to cross. At every step some one cursing "old Jackson" for taking
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us on such a march at such a time and in such weather. In the midst of the cursing and grumbling, along rides our general on Old Sorrel. Immediately the cursing stops, and all with one accord begin to cheer. He gallops by, his cap in hand and eyes to the front, his staff following as best they can. It was wonderful how his presence in- spired enthusiasm and made all press on with renewed vigor. Though the march was hard and toilsome, we felt that he knew what he was doing and that it was for the best. We soon began to pass the ruins of burning houses and barns, evidence of the vandalism of the enemy who so often seemed to think that they could crush the "Re- bellion" by burning homes and throwing women and chil- dren helpless and homeless out into the cold and winter weather. What indignation at this cruel and inhuman warefare was stirred in our hearts, and I fear that if any of the perpetrators of these things had come into our hands then they would have paid dearly for their inhumanity. At least we reached Romney to find the enemy gone, leav- ing tents standing and every evidence of a hurried and precipitous retreat. We were quartered in the Academy building, a school taught for many years by Dr. Foote, a Presbyterian minister of note-a very pleasant change from tents and the wet ground. General Jackson was a very temperate man, but here, by his orders I suppose, a ration of whiskey was issued to the men. There were few very who did not accept it cheerfully. The com- missary carried it around and measured out to each man his ration. One of the boys, wanting to get a double por- tion, slipped out with his gun and placed himself in the line of sentinels, and when the jug was carried around the guard line, he was there ready and succeeded nicely with his little trick. I remember only two or three occasions when this was done. While at Romney the Company was
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sent on picket to the Hanging Rocks, a high mass of rocks overhanging the road, and looking as if they might at any time topple over. In a few days all the troops, except General Loring's command, were ordered to march back to Winchester, 42 miles away. Such a march was hardly ever taken. The rains and snows had made the roads soft. The long wagon trains and the artillery cut them up so that they were almost impassible for man or beast. But on we went. Winchester was our goal, and who would not endure hardship to get to old Winchester and in reach of home. At Romney we had made some new acquaintances. In the abandoned tents of the enemy we found some very disagreeable occupants. The boys said that they had U. S. on their backs. We did not want their company, but before the war was over, became used to them in a way. It was said that fire would not kill them, but we found out that boiling water would, and often the camp kettle in which we made our soup, was used for boiling our clothes and ridding ourselves of these vermin.
Upon reaching Winchester, the 2nd Regiment went into winter quarters near the Old Smithfield house just north- east of town. We were furnished tents to which we made chimneys of mud and stone or sticks, and managed to exist most miserably while there. In later years we learned to build log huts which were very comfortable. The winter was uneventful, except for the first military execution of the war, at least in our part of the army. A man by the name of Miller from Jefferson County, had been court martialed for striking or wounding his captain, and was sentenced to be shot. When the day arrived, Co. "I" was detailed to guard the execution. It was not a pleas- ant duty, but it was not ours to object. We had to do as we were ordered. The place of execution was in a field just south of town. The prisoner was placed upon his
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coffin with his hands tied behind him, facing the firing party, who were from his own company of cavalry. Our company was divided into two platoons, and drawn up on each side of the coffin. At the command to fire from the Provost Marshal, Captain Botts of Charlestown, twelve guns loaded some with ball and some with blank cartridges, flashed and the prisoner was dead. An awful sight, but men became hardened to things of that kind.
Early in March rumors of advance of the enemy were heard. Members of the company who were at home were hurriedly recalled, and everyone was in expectation of a fight. On the 11th of March, the army moved back towards Strasburg. After crossing Cedar Creek, the four companies before mentioned, "D", "H" and "I" of the 2nd Regiment, and one from the 4th, were again placed with the cavalry. When the enemy advanced we, with the artillery under Captain Chew, fought them from every hill from Cedar Creek to Mt. Jackson. At Fisher's Hill, just beyond Strasburg, the river makes a sharp bend a- bove which are high bluffs. Our company was stationed here with Chew's two guns. When the enemy advanced through the town on the river road they came in full view of Chew, and he firing with great precision struck the centre of a regiment and killed and wounded a large num- ber. It did not take many minutes for them to vacate the road. They then proceeded to form their lines, place their batteries and send out a swarm of skirmishers. It looked like we were going to be picked up in short order. But Colonel Ashby at last ordered us to leave our position and after keeping to the fields, and out of sight as was thought, till beyond range, we were marched on the road, when all at once they opened on us with eight pieces of artillery, so placed as to sweep the road. It was trying on the nerves, and Captain Moore never walked so slowly
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in his life than at that time, and of course we could go no faster than he, no matter how much we might want to. From almost every hill we had now to fight them. We would form our skirmish line, and place our battery. They would move up till they saw us and then they would do the same and advance and after some time had been thus occupied, we would withdraw to another hill and await an- other advance. So it went, we retreating very slowly, they advancing very slowly. At night we went in to camp at the Narrow Passage and the enemy withdrew to Win- chester. On the 22nd of March, Colonel Ashby and our four Companies and Chew were ordered down the Valley. We marched to Bartonsville, 27 miles that day, and stop- ped for the night there. Ashby and Chew had attacked the enemy on the suburbs of Winchester just at sundown, and General Shields had been wounded. We were in high hopes that the next day we could enter Winchester once more. In the early morning we were moved out and down the pike, and were thrown into ambush on each side of the road, hoping that their cavalry would get after Colonel Ashby, who had ridden ahead to draw them out. But they were too sharp for that. About ten o'clock the enemy advanced a brigade to attack Chew's guns which were on the right and east of the turnpike. To support the guns the four companies were deployed and sent for- ward. As Mr. Dabney puts it, "They scoured the forest with enthusiastic courage and repulsed the enemy." But our loss in this engagement was severe. Wm. Shepherd was killed, his brother Decatur badly wounded, Richard Roy badly wounded and taken prisoner and Nat Sowers taken prisoner. These in our Company. The other companies had losses of killed and wounded also. The companies were then ordered to rejoin their regiments, which by this time had come upon the field. About four
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o'clock we were all moved to the left to attack the enemy, posted upon a range of hills lying west of Kernstown. We had to cross from the pike to the hills in full view of the enemy and under the fire of their guns. Upon reaching the line of hills we immediately advanced and were soon hard at it. Sheltered behind rocks, trees and anything we could find, we poured a heavy fire into their lines with telling effect. The regiments in our front were continually breaking and others being brought up. They had to plant their flag staff into the ground, the bearers were shot down so often. When nearly out of ammunition, the order was given to fall back by General Garnett, commanding our brigade. There was some confusion for a time, but the 5th Regiment being in reserve checked the pursuit. Our Company lost here: killed, Kins Willingham, and others wounded, and Ed. Bonham and Tom Gold taken prisoners.
This was the hardest fight we had ever been in, and I doubt if there were many harder fought fields during the war. The men taken prisoners were sent to Fort Dela- ware, where they were kept until the following August, when they were exchanged and returned to the army. The story of their life in prison would be interesting, but as it is not the object of this history to give the story of individuals, but of the whole company, their's must re- main untold.
The army, after the battle which scemed to end so dis- astrously, retreated only a few miles and went into camp for the night. By morning the stragglers had come to- gether, discipline was renewed and everything and every- body was ready to meet the enemy, if he advanced. While the victory seemed to be with the enemy, General Jack- son accomplished what he started to do, which was to pre- vent the forces at Winchester crossing the mountains and reinforcing McClellan at Manassas and thus overpower-
JAS. H. O'BANNON
CAPTAIN, "CLARKE RIFLES" (COMPANY I, SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY)
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ing General Jos. E. Johnston, who was opposing him there. The severe blow given at Kernstown compelled them not only to keep all their forces at Winchester, but to send others there to follow Jackson. On the morning of the 24th, General Jackson retreated through Strasburg to Rude's Hill beyond Mt. Jackson. The four companies spoken of as being with the cavalry were again detached to help Ashby cover the retreat to that point. The enemy moved south as far as Woodstock and there stopped, seeming afraid to attack General Jackson, who had a very strong position at Rude's Hill. After resting here for some days, Jackson moved through Harrisonburg to Swift Run Gap in the Blue Ridge. At this place a great many companies were reorganized. They had enlisted for one year, and that time having expired and most of the men having re-enlisted for the war, it was nescesary to elect officers for the new term. The Clarke Rifles, Co. "I", proceeded to elect, and chose for Captain, S. J. C. Moore, 1st Lieut. Jas. H. O'Bannon, 2nd Lieut. Chas. A. Marshall, 3rd Algernon S. Allen. John R. Nunn who had recently joined the Company, having been a Captain in the militia in its service around Winchester, was made 1st Sergeant. This appointment was much disapproved of by the men, as they thought that one of their number who had gone through the year's service with them should have received it. The appointment, though unpopular, was a good one, as he made a good and efficient officer, brave and cool in time of action. J. W. Willingham was made 2nd Sergeant, D. J. Shepherd 3rd, B. F. Thompson 4th, M. L. Barr, 5th. While the army was here a number of conscripts from Augusta were put into the company; some of them made good soldiers and served to the close of the war. In the Blue Ridge mountains near Swift Run Gap, a number of men who had deserted the army or were
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