USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 54
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The other wing nominated John C. Brecken- ridge, of Kentucky, for President, and Joseph
Lane, of Oregon, for Vice President. This wing held that Congress should protect every citizen of the U. S. who desired to enter any territory with all property, including slaves; and if such territory at any time desired Statehood,-their constitution should be so formed, and adopted by the white inhabitants of said territory, they to decide whether they would allow Slavery or not. The remnant of the Whig party hoisted its standard with its new name, The American Party. This party nominated John Bell, of Tenn., for President, and Edward Everett, of Mass., for Vice President. It declared for good prin- ciples ;- For the constitution of the country, the union of states and the enforcement of the law. It failed to mention the question that disturbed the country, and in the campaign exerted very little influence.
The Republican party gathered up the old Free Soilers, Abolitionists and dissenters from the old parties, who were attracted to the sim- ple but effective device on their standard; "We declare it to be the duty of Congress to prohibit Slavery in the Territory." Abraham Lincoln, of Ill., was nominated for President and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for Vice President. As will be seen by the following statement, the people were swept from their old mooring, demagogues went howling through the land-sections arrayed against section; waves of fanaticism swept through the North and West. The South was driven to desperation by the danger that lurked in the tide that sent breakers up to her two borders,-threatening destruction to all guaran- teed rights. She divided her strength, and wasted it on three leaders; the result being what was predicted by many conservative men of that day-defeat for the section that saw nothing but gloom in the election of the Abolitionists.
Lincoln received 1,857,610 votes, Douglass 1,365,976, Breckenridge 847,963, Bell 590,630. Mr. Lincoln was elected by a sectional vote; and his success brought the South face to face with the issues that had been joined in the great political battle. The alarm that seized the South at that time, seems to many of this day as un- necessary; but to many (the writer being one) who stood in full view of the great drama as it was played, thought it perfectly natural. The
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Southern People knew the new party meant more than the device on their banner indicated; they knew the rank and file of that party were only interested to the extent of prohibiting Slavery in any new territory. Their minds were easily inflamed, however, as will be shown later on. The South knew what ominous words had fallen from the lips of their open and avowed enemies, who thought of nothing but the "Irre- pressible" Conflict; and now since they had come to power, rule or ruin would be the watch- word. It was well known that the most gifted orators and very eminent men of the North, had often shown their disregard for the Union of States, if anything stood in their way; they had announced more than once that Slavery must go. Abolitionists of the radical class of Wm. Lloyd Garrison, of Mass., "declared that there ought to be no union with slave holders;" and pronounced judgment against the Constitution of the United States, and declared the Federal Con- stitution to be, "A covenant with death and an agreement with hell;" New England and other Northern States had produced men who often in legislative halls, had proclaimed their abhor- rence of a union that permitted "A master, the lash and the slave;" and introduced measures to be adopted to cut away from the slave holding states; others believed it their duty to invade the South with emissaries of their ilk, and work uprising among the slaves and enable them to shake off their yoke. The student of history will some day unfold the actions of both sections, and hold them up before future generations for their study and decision. The South knew that Mr. Lincoln had the reputation for conserva- tism; and they also knew that he might be power- less, fronting the avalanche that had pressed him to the edge of the precipice. One of the first steps taken, satisfied many wise men of the South, that he was ready to execute the Abo- litionists behests-selecting, as he did, Wm. H. Seward for Secretary of State, and knowing that he still adhered to his radical views con- cerning the South. He it was who uttered lan- guage in 1858 in the U. S. Senate, that put Chas. Sumner, of Mass., to shame. He had recently announced from his seat in Congress speaking of Abolitionism: "It has driven you back from California and Kansas; it will yet invade your soil of Sunny South." The South was alarmed, and was doubtless unduly in- flamed; but she confronted grave issues. The Author is not called upon at this point to do more than show some reasons why the people in Shenandoah Valley, as the autumn months of 1860 passed so gloomily by, should stop to enquire what these strange happenings were to bring them. The portentous clouds that had
arisen in South Carolina, emitted a flash along the horizon that betokened grave conditions. A Convention of the people of that State had assembled on the 20th of Dec., 1860, and passed an Ordinance of Secession, declared all rela- tions off between South Carolina and the other States. It was hoped by many, that the hot- headed State, as she had often been called, could be reconciled. Congress was in session since 3rd of Dec. All of the States were represented in both houses except South Carolina's Sena- tors ;- they resigned when it was known the Abolitionists had elected their ticket. Many of the able men in Congress endeavored to get compromise measures adopted, and save the Union. Of such, too much cannot be said; but the writer will leave this to others. Indeed, the reader need only go to the Congressional records of that session, and he will see such men as Crittenden of Kentucky, Jefferson Davis of Miss., Stephen A. Douglass of Ill., Toombs of Ga., and every member from Virginia strug- gling for days to save the Union; and continuing the struggle until the 21st of Jan., 1861. When Davis received his official information that Miss. had passed the Ordinance of Secession on the 9th day of Jan., it now became his duty to withdraw from the Senate and await the further action of his State. Mr. Davis's speech on that occasion should be handed down to pos- terity to let them judge him by the sentiments expressed. Florida took the same step Jan. Ioth, 1861; Alabama followed on the 11th, Geor- gia on the 19th, Louisiana on the 26th, and Texas on the Ist Feb., 1861.
The inauguration of Mr. Lincoln took place 4th of March, 1861. One thing occurred at that time, which gave evidence of the temper of the new President. In his address, he gave out no uncertain sound ;- said he intended to collect the revenues at every Port, and would recover all arsenals, forts and other property previously held by the General Government. This was an open declaration of War; and to maintain his position, the President must have an army. The regular army posts in the South had been abandoned, except Forts Sumter, Pickens and several smaller places along the Coast. He had no available force in the South; and the country awaited anxiously to see how he intended to recover them. The question was feverishly asked, would he attempt to march troops through the States, to not only retake the forts and col- lect the port taxes, but to coerce the Seceded States? The country was soon apprised. On the 15th of April, 1861, the President issued his first call for troops-"Give me seventy-five thou- sand men and I will crush the rebellion." He
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also called an extra session of Congress for 4th of July.
Events are crowding now. The Seceded States had organized a Government of Confederate States at Montgomery, Alabama, Feb. 4th,- formed a Constitution; elected Jefferson Davis, President and Alexander H. Stephens, of Ga., Vice President. The other Southern States took no action as to secession, until after Lincoln is- sued his call for troops; and when they were called upon to furnish their quota of troops to coerce their sister States, the reluctant step was taken, and Virginia, the old mother State, who had struggled so hard to maintain her place in the Union, answered with no uncertain sound, April 17th, 1861, having passed her Ordinance of Secession, and then warned the invader that she was ready to meet the struggle. From moun-
tain to sea, the folds of her banner as they opened to the breeze, "Sic Semper Tyrannis," told all comers how Virginia would take her place with the Sister Southern States. Arkan- sas followed May 6th, North Carolina May 20, Tennessee June 8th. These States took this course, not because they desired a separation from the Old Union, but believed the general government was assuming a right to coerce the dissatisfied States, which was not in accordance with the principles embodied in the old Declara- tion,-"To be free and independent States." No one ever doubted the right of any of the Or- iginal Thirteen States to withdraw from the original compact, that had always been called The Union. Many people doubted the propriety of such an act, and deplored the necessity; but the right of Secession, which was guaranteed them when the Union was formed, was a sacred right that they could not allow to be wrested from them under any pretense. And thus Vir- ginia was plunged into the fratricidal strife, and the four years of rapine and carnage which well nigh stripped her of all but her glory. The hundreds of battles fought on her plains, made their soil sacred to the memory of those who survived the desolation and recall the gallant deeds of the chivalry of the Southland, where her noble sons went down on the ensanguined field. Survivors have reared monuments, and never cease to recount the deeds of valor of the fallen; but nothing can assuage the grief and disappointment that struck every heart when they furled that banner, and turned their weary foot-steps toward the desolate hearthstones.
Virginia was destined to be the theater of the War in the East. Richmond was chosen as the capital of the New Confederacy. Presi- dent Davis hastened to establish the Govern- ment there; and volunteers for service came from every quarter. Virginia had called her Militia
Brigades to rendezvous at different points, and prepare for active service. The Old Valley re- sponded cheerfully-her Militia Regiments were soon on their way to places designated.
The Country, comprising many tracts of well cultivated land, was rich with its approaching harvest; but when that tocsin of war rang through her valleys that the invader was on Virginia soil, the writer recalls with deep emo- tion at this late day the consternation that was produced one night when the town bells burst forth to ring the news that had just arrived,- that the enemy was in Romney, Bloomery and other points along the border-pressing on to- wards the Valley. Men went scurrying through the country, to spread the alarm-and 'ere night-fall of the next day, hundreds of men old and young rushed to Winchester to offer their services. There were some odd munitions of war-old rifles and shot pouches that were brought forth, many without powder or bullet ;- no preparation at the county seat to supply the deficiency,-no provision made to quarter the unorganized parties. The Old Market House was thrown open, and the citizens of the old town called on for the first time to contribute what they could in food from their homes. Sev- eral Regiments and Battalions under command of Gen. James H. Carson, had already marched several days previous to meet the enemy, not knowing the Yankees had really dared to in- vade Virginia. The Militia encountered them at Bloomery in the Eastern part of Hampshire County about thirty miles N. W. from Winches- ter. Who can recount the incidents of that march and encounter, without relating the ex- perience of one Militia Regiment. Their Col- onel mounted on a superb stallion, of immense size, the two unwieldy bodies were placed at great disadvantage in the effort to maneuver the troops in a narrow defile in Bloomery Gap; and catching a glimpse of the approaching Bluecoats, the Colonel cried out his command in such tones as to startle the enemy, and put new life into the ranks of his brave followers. His com- mand was-and lest it be forgotten the writer gives it a place at this point-"Be quick men- give way to the enemy-but save your Colonel." This big Dutch Colonel, and his big horse, es- caped capture ;- but his fright clung to him for years. This was his last charge and retreat,-for Virginia had issued orders to disband the Mili- tia and afford the men an opportunity to enter Volunteer companies or reorganize new com- panies and elect officers from their ranks.
It had been determined to use Harpers Ferry as the strong strategic point to concentrate the numerous independent companies of infantry, cavalry and about one dozen cannon. Many offi-
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cers were trying to discover who was ranking officer ; but all went well, and all agreed to hold the point, without much discipline; and it was during this independent military occupation, that a strangely awkward figure appeared on the scene, producing his commission as Colonel from Gov. Letcher of Virginia, with orders to assume command and proceed to organize an army at that point. The stranger was Col. Thomas J. Jackson, the eccentric military attache at the military Institute at Lexington, Virginia. He soon impressed the Regimental and Company offi- cers with the feeling that a master disciplinarian was in their midst, and their disorder would dis- appear; never dreaming they were destined to share in the renown of the man who, in a few months, shocked the Washington Government by his first contact with their boastful army; and won fame and name among such comrades as the immortal General Bee on the hills of Man- assas.
Col. Jackson found nearly five thousand raw soldiers, composed of volunteer companies and Militia detachments under Gen. Harper, making some show as a garrison. He inaugurated a sys- tem that was soon apparent to all; that he would have an army organized for some military gen- ius. Forming battalions, regiments, etc., he used them in several exploits without contact with Federal troops. Lincoln's seventy-five thou- sand men were assembling at points no nearer than Washington City, fifty miles away, and Chambersburg, Penna., about forty-five miles North of Harpers Ferry. At the latter place Gen. Patterson was organizing an army of about twelve thousand; Jackson had possession of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from the point of Rocks in Maryland, twelve miles East and for about one hundred and twenty miles on the Virginia side of the Potomac towards Cumber- land. Jackson protected the traffic over this road for more than a month, allowing the mails and all freights to pass unmolested. A desire seized the Garrison to capture the heavily laden trains, quantities of grain, cattle and coal seemed on a rush to the Washington Government, yet the strange Colonel forbade interference; at last it was whispered through the camps that such ac- tion was one of President Davis's schemes to induce Maryland to join the Confederacy. Jack- son, however, conceived a plan to conciliate all parties, he argued that the enormous shipments of coal was a menace to the Confederacy-in as much as it was intended for Naval supplies. Mr. Davis was in a quandary, and permitted Jackson to use discretion in any protests he made to the Federal Government. This could be easily done through the President of the Railroad company. Jackson had several interviews, which resulted
in a change of schedule. He was now planning for his first strategic move on the New Chess Board. He stationed one regiment at Martins- burg and a battalion at Point of Rocks. The new schedule provided that heavy freights must pass both ways in the day time, and none in the night, as the night trains disturbed the rest of his troops. The railroad authorities were glad to make any change so as to save the right to use the roadway. Jackson also demanded tolls from the Railroad which were promptly paid. The day came when he gave orders to his de- tachments at Martinsburg to allow no trains to pass West of that point; and the Point of Rocks post to allow nothing to pass that point going East. This tie up for one day was all Jackson desired. Thus he caught all the trains on the tracks between the points, and hurriedly trans- ferred them with their locomotives to the Win- chester and Potomac road and soon landed his first capture in Winchester, thirty miles South from Harpers Ferry. From Winchester, they were taken by horse power to Strasburg, and transferred to the Manassas Gap Railroad. Shortly after this first surprise to the Washing- ton Government, he was relieved by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston (May 24, 1861), and many soldiers regarded this as a reproof to Jackson for his seeming disregard of previous instructions. Col. Jackson in his skill and knowledge of military tactics, had proven himself capable for organi- zation of the many separate and independent forces concentrating at Harpers Ferry. General Johnston found the army fully up to his ex- pectations; all in perfect harmony with his old discipline; no changes were made. The camps were in perfect military condition, and he soon recognized that he had in Jackson a Lieutenant worthy of further notice by the Confederate Government; and proceeded at once to secure his promotion and service in his new army; Jack- son had with some pride no doubt, grouped the regiments made up of men from West of the Blue Ridge, and formed his first Brigade, com- posed as follows:
The Second Virginia Regiment of Infantry, Col. Allen.
The Fourth Virginia Regiment of Infantry, Col. Preston.
The Fifth Virginia Regiment of Infantry, Col. Harper.
The Twenty-seventh Virginia Regiment of In- fantry, Col. Echols.
The Thirty-third Virginia Regiment of Infan- try, Col Cummings.
The Rockbridge Artillery, Capt. Rev. Dr. Pen- dleton.
This combination became the famous Stone- wall Brigade; and added to this, was the
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Cavalry under the command of Turner Ashby. This company, together with other Cavalry com- panies appearing at Harpers Ferry, constituted the 7th Virginia Cavalry, which was organized by Lieut. Col. Angus W. McDonald of Winches- ter, Virginia, June 17th, 1861, the companies com- posing this Regiment being :
Company A-Capt. Dick Ashby, of Fauquier County, Va.
Company B-Capt J. Q. Wingfield, of Rock- ingham Co., Va.
Company C-Capt. S. D. Myers, of Shenan- doah County, Va.
Company D-Capt. Macon Jordon, Page Coun- ty, Va.
Company E-Capt. Walter Bowen, Warren
County, Va.
Company F-Capt. George F. Sheetz, Hamp- shire County, Va.
Company G-Capt. Frank Mason, of Mary- land.
Company H-Capt. A. Harper, Shenandoah County, Va.
Company I-Capt. E. H. Shands, Rocking- ham County, Va.
Company K-Capt. Wm. Miller, of Shenan- doah County, Va.
Regimental Officers:
Angus W. McDonald, of Winchester, Virginia, Colonel.
Turner Ashby, of Fauquier County, Lt. Col.
Oliver M. Funsten, Warren County, Maj.
A. W. McDonald, of Romney, Adjutant. Dr. A. P. Burns, Surgeon.
Rev. James D. Avirett, of Frederick County, Chaplain.
Thornton P. Pendleton, of Clarke, A. Q. M. John D. Richardson, of Clarke, Commissary.
While no company appears from Frederick in this branch of the service, many of her sons were members of the companies named. Col. Jackson was assigned to command the Ist Bri- gade, which did much to make it possible for him to accomplish the military wonders that won distinction for the General and his Valley men. Both were of that type that had distinguished their ancestors in the French and Indian Wars; and produced such heroes as Morgan and his Valley Riflemen, who stormed the impregnable walls of Quebec.
As we recall the personnel of the Valley army, a strange admixture of people appears. The gray-haired sire and beardless boy from the Shenandoah vales, mingling with the hardy men who had left their Mountain home,-all seeking an opportunity to defend their homes from the invader. We know that pure patriotism caused this assemblage of bold spirits at Harpers Ferry
in the Spring of 1861. And the world is learn- ing slowly to appreciate the patriotism that was quenched at Appomattox in 1865. No single class is entitled to distinction above the other; the cabin along the slopes of the Blue Ridge, and the fastnesses of the Alleghany and Massa- nutten, sent rugged men who became renowned for their adaptation to any duty. Their stern sense of right won the affection of their new associates; and the lowlander was glad to jos- tle the elbow of the mountaineer while on the battle line. These men were not battling to per- petuate slavery, but more to maintain State's Rights,-a doctrine that was instilled in their forefathers by Jefferson; and will be never abandoned as long as true patriots live. The day is at hand when the States which disregarded this doctrine in 1861, are clamoring for its se- curity; and are looking to the Southern States for help. Colonel Jockson with his zeal and energy, soon found work for his Brigade, the cavalry was distributed along the border line, with Col. McDonald's base at Romney, this line extending from far away points on the upper Potomac, distant from Harpers Ferry full one hundred and thirty miles-was bound to attract the attention of Patterson from his base at Chambersburg. Detachments of Cavalry were dispatched to points on the Potomac beyond Martinsburg. Jackson had gone to the Mary- land side and secured the Maryland Heights, and had fortified the position without orders, and wrote Gen. Lee a letter that impressed him with the importance of holding such a strategic posi- tion. Only part of this letter is quoted: "I am of opinion that this place should be defended with the spirit which actuated the defenders of Thermopylae; and if left to myself such is my determination. The fall of this place would, I fear result in the loss of the Northwestern part of the State; and who can estimate the moral power thus gained to the enemy and lost to our- selves ?" (See O. R. Volume 2, page 814). Operations in the lower valley later on, throw some doubt on Jackson's judgment, though he was sustained by Gen Lee. Gen. Johnston re- garded the place as untenable, and prepared for evacuation. Gen. Lee advised to the contrary. Johnston urged that his troops were unprepared for offensive action, and that his line was too long for such ventures. As Patterson had then passed from Penn., into Maryland with fourteen thousand men, heading for Williamsport.
An expedition was sent from Cumberland in the direction of Romney, which was held by Militia detachment. Col. McDonald kept his small detachments of Cavalry busy on the bor- der. His lines were too thin; and when the Federals appeared at Romney, he was compelled
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to evacuate after stubborn resistance. This in- vestment of Romney by Federal troops and the near approach of Patterson to the Potomac above, and continued demonstrations beyond the Point, by a large force of Federal Cavalry, caused Johnston to hasten the work of evacuation. On June Ist, 1861, he destroyed the railroad bridge at Harpers Ferry, removed all the old arsenal machinery available; burned the government buildings, and on the 15th fell back to Win- chester. The work of destruction was entrusted to Capt. Charles Fauntleroy. The author wit- nessed the conflagration. Jackson's Brigade was left in front of Patterson's, and succeeded, from his new base at Martinsburg, in keeping the latter on the North side of the Potomac until Johnston had all his wagon trains, troops, etc., safely located around Winchester. While he was removing all the engines and cars from Martins- burg that could be found, he finally on June 20th burned the workshops at the B. & O. R. R.
This was accomplished while Patterson waited at Williamsport, ten miles away. Just previous to the evacuation, Lieut. Col. J. E. B. Stuart, appeared at Harpers Ferry, and was assigned by Johnston chief of cavalry. Under his imme- diate command, however, he could scarcely mus- ter four hundred men; and they were scattered from Point of Rocks to Martinsburg. At first he was regarded by the troopers as a freak- something between the real soldier and a dash- ing cavalier. He rode gaily along the front with
plumes falling from his three-cornered hat over his shoulders. His equipment as a soldier was odd,-uniform somewhat worn, but a distinct style that attractively set off his manly form. He was a fine horseman, and elicited admiration from the men who had witnessed feats of the Ashby brothers. Within ten days, the gallant Four hundred were at his heels wheresoever he went; eager to catch the strains of the war song he so often sung. Not long after, they had ample opportunity to follow Gen. Jeb Stuart in his numerous raids. Jackson and Stuart be- came close friends. In one of his dashes along the picket line, he discovered Patterson's move- ment of preparation to cross the Potomac, and he reported this to Jackson. On the second of July, when Patterson was fairly over on the Virginia side, Jackson prepared for his first con- tact with the Union Troops. He had been in- structed by Johnston to avoid general engage- ments ;- to only discover their strength and in- tentions. This he entrusted to Stuart; while he, with a battery supported by the 5th Virginia under Col. Harper, moved out near the little village of Falling Waters, about five miles South of the Potomac, and near this point the Valley Army fired their first guns. Patterson's van
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