USA > Virginia > Clarke County > Clarke County > History of Clarke County, Virginia and its connection with the war between the states > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
172
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
avoiding conscription, had set up an armed resistance to the authorities. They had built a fort in one of the narrow valleys among the hills, and defied arrest, committing dep- redations at times upon the people of the surrounding country. General Jackson sent the four companies here- tofore named, Co. "I" being one of them, under command of Major Jones, (afterwards Brigadier General, and a very poor one) to break up their nest, arrest and bring them in if possible. Their fort was taken and they scattered, but I don't think any were captured; but this little rebellion was effectually crushed by the prompt and rapid action of Major Jones and his command. This duty completed, the Company rejoined the regiment and their connection with Ashby and his cavalry ceased.
CHAPTER XX
T HESE companies during all their service with Ash- by had rendered very efficient aid in supporting his advance or covering his retreats. Very soon his career was to end, and from this time on the company's history was to be merged into that of the whole regiment and the army. Henderson's Life of Jackson gives a very vivid history of the events which follow the movement from Swift Run Gap. The toilsome march to Staunton, the rapid march to McDowell, the attack upon Millroy and his defeat are set forth by him very graphically. The 2nd Regiment was not actively engaged during the battle, and lost no men. After the battle the army marched to Franklin in pursuit of the enemy. Seeing them fleeing before him, General Jackson here turned eastward with his face for the Valley and his eyes on Banks at Harrison- burg. Banks, who had been mystified by Jackson's movements, no sooner heard of his approach than he fell back to Strasburg to be in reach of his supports. Jackson moving with his usual rapidity, passed through Harrison- burg to New Market, followed by General Ewell and his division. Ashby with his cavalry threatened Banks at Strasburg, while Jackson crossing the mountain to Luray, passed down the Page Valley and fell upon the enemy at Front Royal. Upon hearing of the disaster to his troops there, Banks retreated in disorder to Winchester, evading Jackson, who wished to strike him at Middletown and de- stroy him. Worn and tired they at last faced each other
173
174
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
on the hills west of Kernstown. Here Banks made a gal- lant defense. The Stonewall Brigade with other troops at last, by a gallant charge broke their line, and they went pellmell through the town. Not, though, without heavy loss to Co. "I." A shell burst in the line and killed Jno. Dobbins and another of the Company, and two men of the next company, disabling Lieut. A. S. Allen by blind- ing him, but only for a short time. He had to be led into the town, but was ready in a few days to resume his duties. The march to Martinsburg and Harper's Ferry and the investment of that place was rapidly accomplished. Here the 2nd Virginia with Co. "I", were sent across the Shen- andoah to hold the mountain top on the Loudoun side. His rear being threatened from Front Royal and Moore- field, Jackson had to get away faster than he came, if he was to save his plunder and his prisoners, and even his army. The army marched for Winchester, leaving the Stonewall Brigade to follow as soon as the 2nd Virginia could be moved from its position across the river. The darkness of the night, and some mistake in orders by which the Regiment was marched back to the top of the mountain after having reached the river, and immediately marched back to the river again, so delayed the 2nd Regiment that they were left by the Brigade far in the rear. After cross- ing the river they marched to Charlestown, where many of them lived, and halted for an hour for breakfast. They then pushed on and made the longest continuous march ever recorded, overtaking the Brigade at Newtown after a march of forty-two miles without sleeping.
Particular mention is made of this march because Cos. "I" and "C" both of Clarke, took part in it. The Regi- ment having rejoined the Brigade and soon after the rest of the army, proceeded up the Valley, taking part in those
175
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
brilliant movements which culminated in the Battle of Port Republic.
At Port Republic Co. "I" had again the fortune to do signal and effective service while detached from the Regi- ment on picket duty. Port Republic lies just at the jun- ction of the North and South branches of the Shenandoah River, and between the rivers. A bridge across the north branch afforded a means of passing it. The south branch was crossed by fording. General Jackson's reserve ord- nance and other trains were parked just south of the vil- lage, while the army was in bivouac on the north bank, opposing Fremont who was advancing from Harrison- burg. On the South side and advancing rapidly up the Page Valley from Luray was Shields. In some way Shields had heard of the almost defenseless position of the wagon trains. He saw that to destroy them would ruin Jackson. He therefore pushed a force of cavalry and in- fantry by forced marches in order to surprise and destroy these trains. But "the best laid plans of mice and men- even of Generals gang aft agley." It happened that Captain S. J. C. Moore and his company had been placed on picket duty beyond the town, and were on the point of moving back to camp to rejoin the Regiment, when Henry Kerfoot, who had been a member of the Company, but had left to join the cavalry, dashed up and reported that the Yankee cavalry had driven in the cavalry picket and were almost at his heels in pursuit. Captain Moore first sending Kerfoot to notify General Jackson, who had slept in the town, of the approach of the enemy, and thus saving Jackson from capture, formed his company behind a plank fence, and as soon as they appeared opened fire upon the Yankees and checked their advance. His de- termined and gallant defense of his position, aided by Carrington's battery, which was parked nearby, and got
176
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
into action as soon as possible, held the enemy until Gen- eral Jackson riding rapidly across the bridge could send a regiment or two to their relief. The prompt and gallant action of Captain Moore in foiling the plans of the Yan- kees saved not only General Jackson from capture, but also saved from destruction his ordnance trains. Their cap- ture would likely have resulted in his defeat by Fremont and possibly the destruction of his army by the junction of Shields and Fremont. The crippling even of Jackson would have prevented him from taking part in the great seven days fight at Richmond, and might well have brought disaster on the cause of the South of the most ruinous character. Dr. Dabney in his life of Jackson, claims the credit for this affair for himself, and some stragglers that he gathered together, but Henderson, the great English writer, gives full credit to Captain Moore and his Company. After the war Captain Moore met General Carroll, who commanded the force which endeav- ored to capture the trains, and was told by him that his gallant defense that morning had kept him from being pro- moted for a year. If he had succeeded he would have been made a Brigadier General right away. We see here the importance of doing our duty in small matters, be- cause upon very small things often turn the great events of history. The people of Clarke may well be proud of the record of her gallant soldiers upon this, as upon many other occasions. On the same day the Battle of Cross Keys was fought, and on the next the Battle of Port Re- public, the hardest fight Jackson's men had yet had. The Stonewall Brigade, which for a long time bore the brunt of the fight, was badly cut up and had for a while to fall back before the enemy. Our Company was in with the Regiment, and bore its part in the arduous fighting, losing killed and wounded several men.
177
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
While Fremont and Shields were in full retreat with the cavalry on their heels, Jackson was pushing his army by every possible means toward Richmond, to take part in General Lee's effort to drive McClelland from his position in front of that city. The story of those seven days fight- ing, of the bravery and self-sacrifice of our brave soldiers is known by all. Co. "I" with the 2nd Virginia, took part in all these battles and bore themselves with honor. The list of killed and wounded was large, among the latter Sergt. John Nunn.
Here too, our gallant Colonel Allen was killed and now lies buried in Hollywood Cemetery at Richmond. He was succeeded in command by Col. Lawson Botts of Charlestown. The battles of Richmond over, after a few day's rest, away went Jackson and his men to Gordons- ville to meet a new enemy, Gen. John Pope, who boasted that he carried his headquarters in the saddle and had never seen anything but the backs of his foes. He was soon to find that he must look into their faces. At Cedar Run his advance under Banks was met and driven from the field. Here the Stonewall Brigade again, by its prompt and vigorous charge led by General Jackson in person, turned the tide of battle, which was wavering, into glor- ious victory. In this fight, as Captain Moore and his Company were advancing through the woods, they came suddenly upon a Regiment of Yankees also advancing. The Yankee Colonel was about to shoot Captain Moore, when Wm. Allen, who was near him, shot and killed the Colonel, thus no doubt saving Captain Moore's life. As our fellows followed the retreating foe, Sergeant Willing- ham noticed a watch in the pocket of a dead officer, and without stopping, as he ran by, he pulled it from his pocket. That night by the camp fire, after washing the blood from it, he discovered that he had a very fine watch,
178
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
worth $150.00. It was a rare thing for infantry to get any of the plunder of the battle field, except perhaps a gum blanket or a canteen. Such things were supplied to us by our captures from the enemy. A number of our best and bravest were killed or wounded in this fight. There was no rest under General Jackson. But few days passed when away we marched, through dust and heat, night and day, going we knew not whither, across the Rappahannock, through Thoroughfare Gap, on, on, until early one morn- ing we ended at Manassas. What a time was that-half starved and worn out, we suddenly found ourselves turned loose among car loads of everything good to eat and drink and smoke-cigars by the box. One good fellow loaded up with a fine lot of coffee upon which his mess hoped to regale themselves, and then in so much abundance of good things, threw away his coffee and loaded up with tent flies. You may be sure he got a good cussing that night. What good were tent flies in August? Did we not have the whole canopy of heaven to rest under? But coffee,- ah, that was luxury indeed. After burning all those de- lightful stores, away we marched through the night across the old field of 1st Manassas, facing at last to meet the foe as he might come from Warrenton. The hard march, the lack of rations and the lack of shoes caused many men of the Company and of the army to straggle so that we went into the fight the next day with only twenty-three men and officers. All day the 28th of August we seemed to lie around, moving here and there, fronting first one way and then the other until, just as the sun set, the order to advance is given. On we go, a long line of gray, firing as we advance. From somewhere in front the bullets come thick and fast, the smoke hanging low. We see nothing. At last we reach a fence. We halt,-all seem to be fall- ing,-the rain of bullets is like hail. Our men from the
179
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
rear, coming up, overlap us, firing also. Small wonder that of the twenty-three who went in, fourteen are killed and wounded, four left on the field dead. The order is presently heard to cease firing. The moon rises and floats peacefully and serenely above us, giving her light to friend and foe. Now the ambulances come, the wound- ed are gathered up and borne to some field hospital. There the surgeons remove balls, cut off arms and legs. Oh, the horror of it all, to look back at, but who minded it then? The writer, who was wounded, remembers a poor fellow in the ambulance with him whose cries for water were pitiful in the extreme. On receiving some he be- came quiet, and on reaching the hospital was found to be dead-dead beside a comrade who did not know it until he himself was taken out of the ambulance. The wounded of the Company in some way were sent to Clarke, and had a few months or weeks with the dear ones at home. The survivors pressed on with the army, to take part in the march through Maryland, in the capture of Harper's Ferry, and in that bloodiest of all fights of the war, Sharps- burg. The few left on their feet were allowed to slip off to their homes as the army made its way slowly down the Valley before crossing the mountain. By November the wounded were well back in the ranks, and Fredericks- burg found the Company again with pretty full ranks and ready for duty whatever it might be. After Fredericks- burg, into winter quarters at Moss Neck Farm. Here we had good log huts, comfortably heated, and entered into the usual routine of drilling, mounting guard, going on picket, etc., the playtime of the soldier. Here we had for the Brigade a large log house for preaching, and during the winter a meeting of weeks, during which many were converted. Some of the best preachers in the South were with us, and much good was done. Co. "I" had some very
180
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
earnest and devoted Christians, among the best was J. M. Pope, a good Christian and brave soldier. The influence for good of such men was far-reaching and inspiring to all who met them. Captain Moore, who was wounded at 2nd Manassas, did not return to the Company, but ac- cepted a position on the Staff of the 2nd Brigade with General Jones. He was a very gallant and efficient of- ficer and had the confidence of his men in the fullest degree. Under him the Company reached its highest point in effi- ciency and good service, and we parted from him with regret. The wound he had received disqualified him for infantry service, and he felt that he would do more and better service elsewhere. If he had remained with us, he doubtless would have reached the ranks of Brigadier General,-if he had lived-but our field officers were killed off so fast, or were so badly wounded that none of them got past the rank of Colonel. 1st Lieut. O'Bannon was promoted to Captain, Marshall to 1st Lieut and Allen to 2nd. 1st Sergt. J. R. Nunn was made 3rd Lieut., and Se- bastian E. Bonham 1st Sergt.
The winter was uneventful. Picket duty along the Rappahannock for a week at a time broke the monotony, but added to the hardship of soldier life, for on picket we had no houses or tents, but had to do the best we could with shelters made of blankets and oilcloths. Soldiers are generally lighthearted and make the best of things. In addition to our preaching, we also had some theatrical performances. Holmes Clarke of Co. "C" was promi- nent in these. They were considered pretty good under such adverse circumstances. There was a good deal of sickness in the Company. Several men were sent to the hospitals in the cities with pneumonia and kindred dis- eases. Some were placed at farm houses in the vicinity of the camp. Our Regimental Surgeon, Dr. Jack Straith,
A. S. ALLEN
SECOND LIEUTENANT, "CLARKE RIFLES" (COMPANY I, SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY)
..
181
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
of Charlestown, was indefatigable in his labors, and no doubt saved the lives of many. Our good Chaplain Dr. Hopkins, was always attentive to the spiritual welfare of the men in camp, as well as in battle, where he not only inspired with courage by his example, but every word and deed helped us to do our duty.
Rumors of the advance of the enemy were frequent, and at last they proved true. Hooker threw his vast army across the fords of the Rappahannock into the Wilderness, and the 2nd Corps under our great General Jackson was soon on the march to meet him. Everyone is familiar with the great movement around Hooker's flank, with the night attack and the surprise, and also with the sad blow the South received in the fatal wounding of our noble leader. With his death the Confederacy received a mortal wound from which she never recovered. The next morning, with J. E. B. Stuart in command, and the watchword "Remember Jackson," the enemy's works were charged and taken, but with heavy loss. The wounded in Co. "I" were Lieuts. Allen and Nunn, and Sergt. Bonham, and privates Tom Barr, Julian Morales and Kirk Glover. Lieut. Allen was carried to Richmond, where pneumonia developed and he died,-gallant, whole-souled fellow and beloved comrade; always in high spirits and ready for any duty. His loss was irreparable to the Company. Bass Bonham, who died from wounds, was a kindred spirit and one of the best of soldiers. Lieut. Nunn's wound was such as to disable him for infantry service. On his re- covery he was sent to Harrisonburg on special duty as Provost Marshal, and never rejoined the Company. These vacancies were never filled. From that time on we had only the two commissioned officers, O'Bannon and Marshall. Our losses in killed and prisoners and sick in hospitals so reduced our numbers, that it was not thought
182
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
necessary to fill up the vacant places. J. W. Willingham was made 1st Sergt. and was a very capable officer.
Lieut. Nunn, although unpopular as a first Sergt., be- ing a very strict disciplinarian, was a popular Lieut., and was held by the men in high esteem for his bravery and devotion to duty. The victory left the army saddened by the loss of our General, and the Company by the loss of our Lieut. Allen and Sergeant Bonham. But soldiers have no time to grieve. The spring was here, and the time for action had come. With our new Corps Commander, Gen. R. S. Ewell, we were soon upon the road with our faces towards the Blue Ridge. What joy in all hearts when from the top of a hill we at last saw in the distance the long blue hills. Now all with one accord broke forth into shouts of gladness, homeward bound, for the Valley is home. How all stepped out with renewed vigor and pressed forward, eager to meet the foe and drive him from our beloved homeland. On up the mountain, and yonder at its foot is Front Royal. We forded the Shenandoah and soon the 2nd Virginia was ordered to the front to take the advance. Captain Burgess, of the Winchester Rifles, Co. "F", demanded of the Colonel the right to lead the advance to Winchester, and Co. "I" was sent with him. Soon after crossing the Opequon we were deployed as skirmishers on each side of the road, and pushed on over fence and through woods until suddenly, what we first thought to be cavalry, appeared on a hill in front, but we soon discovered that it was a battery of artillery. They quickly unlimbered and let us have it. We were halted in our wild career and wondered how well those Yankee gunners could shoot, as shot and shell fell around us. Colonel Nadenbousch ordered up a battery of our guns and they entertained each other for a little while, when the Yankees withdrew. Much noise and some tremor, but no
183
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
one hurt. The advance was resumed, and our division took position southeast of the town, while Early moved around to the west to attack the forts. During the night the enemy moved out and attempted to make their way to Martinsburg, but our division marching to Jordon Springs intercepted them, and captured a large number, the 2nd Virginia capturing three regiments and five flags. There came a day's rest near Stevenson's and visits from some of our fathers, loaded with things for the comfort of sons and friends, and words of cheer from loved ones at home, and we again went away through Brucetown and Smithfield to Shepherdstown, where we forded the Po- tomac and were once more in Maryland. Fording rivers had become no more a hardship, but rather a comfort, cooling and cleansing in its effects on our hot and dusty bodies. We bivouaced near Sharpsburg, and the Com- pany picketed at the bridge over the Antietam, made fa- mous by Burnside's efforts to cross it during the recent battle. The march to Hagerstown lay through the bat- tlefield where fences and trees showed the rain of bullets poured upon them. In bivouac just beyond Hagerstown, old Mr. Gold again came to us with the inevitable box for Tommie. All enjoyed it and he passed the night with us, taking soldier fare on the ground. By easy marches we passed through the towns of the Cumberland Valley to Carlisle, where we halted for a day or two. To our sur- prise, for we expected to go to Philadelphia or New York, we now turn our faces southward, reaching Chambersburg in the evening, where in a large creek we find time to bathe and wash our under clothing, much in need of it, lying on the bank while it dries. The next day across the moun- tains towards Gettysburg we go, never stopping to rest as usual, for ten minutes every hour. Some one hears a boom in front. A cannon? No, some one tapping the bass drum.
184
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
Again "Boom", "Boom", surely that is a cannon! How we push on! The top is at last reached, and then we know that someone is fighting ahead. At Cashtown, wagons and wagons! What is ahead? "A. P. Hill is swinging corners there."
Presently some wounded appear and then some pris- oners, and we are in the midst of the field of the first day's fighting at Gettysburg, but it is over for the day. Some- one has blundered, and the Yankees are taking advantage of the blunder and are even now building breastworks and placing batteries. We go into line at the base of Culp's Hill, very slowly. We hear the axes ringing on the hill. We know that means hard and hot work tomorrow. The men say "If old Jack was here we would go up that hill tonight and not wait for them to fortify." Fatal blunder, paid for with many lives, and possibly the success of the Con- federacy. At last we are in line. The skirmishers are sent forward; all orders are in a whisper, for the enemy is just in front. Now and then an alarm, a rattling fire and then quiet, but we know that they are very near. With the dawn the skirmishers engaged, but soon take re- spectful distance and all is quiet until four in the evening. Why were all those hours lost? Another blunder. Then the line advances toward the hill. Our left is harassed by some skirmishers and the 2nd Virginia is sent to drive them back, which is soon done, and the regiment, now on the extreme left of the army, goes in with the brigade. But Cos. "I" and "K" are detached to watch the fellows we have just driven off and to guard the roads in rear of our line of battle. There we stay during the whole battle. We know nothing of what is going on. We hear the aw- ful roar of cannon and musketry, and our suspense is ter- rible. We hear some way that our division has captured a line of breastworks, and is holding them, but is in a very
185
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY
perilous situation. We make the best of it. Our videttes see the enemy's cavalry massing on our left, then our cav- alry massing to meet them, and in the evening we see the great cavalry fight between Stuart and Pleasanton. Rations having run short, some of our company find some hams and flour up a chimney in a deserted house. The hams are divided among the men and some of the flour is baked, but with the usual improvidence of soldiers, no more is cooked than needed just then, but the raw ham proved a life saver on the retreat, as it turned out to be all that we were to have. At last our suspense is ended. An aide to General Walker has just ordered us to rejoin our regiment, and whispers to the Captain that General Lee has been repulsed and that the army is about to withdraw. How quietly, how sadly we move. How depressed and crestfallen, none can tell. Morning finds us on Semi- nary Hill facing the enemy. We have thrown up breast- works somehow and are ready to meet him. We come to the conclusion that we are not so badly whipped after all, and wish that our friends over on the other hill would try to take our hill from us, but they seem to know better and do not try it. All this day, the 4th of July, we lie behind our breastworks waiting for them. A day's rations were brought to us here, which were soon eaten, as everyone was hungry. On the next morning we were moved out to take up the line of retreat, expecting the enemy to strike us every moment, but they did not come and along about ten A. M. we were fairly started with Early's di- vision covering the retreat. The heavy rains had made the roads deep and muddy, making the marching bad for men and worse for artillery and wagons, so that our prog- ress was slow, and we did not make many miles that day. Just before night cannonading told us that they were pushing our rear guard, but no one seemed disturbed and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.