Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 55

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607

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guard was surprised and thrown into confusion. Then was heard the rebel yell as the detach- ment of the 5th Virginia charged after them; but Jackson called them off to form on the original line. The enemy came back in great style with superior numbers; but at the oppor- tune moment one single gun sent a telling shell into the pursuing column, which produced such confusion that the gay column was in full re- treat. Then the Confederate battery was in ac- tion to dislodge the Federal battery which they soon drove from their position. Jackson held the field, and gathered up the wounded; and re- ceived the first prisoners captured by the Valley army. Stuart had the credit of this capture. He was out on Patterson's right flank with a squad of Troopers; and saw in a field a bunch of Federal Infantry. He was alone at the time; dashing up to the fence, he ordered one of the men to remove the rails, so that he could reach the lost company. He, wearing the old United States uniform, they were taken unawares; and as he shouted, "Throw down your arms or you are all dead men," the order was obeyed; and at this juncture the Confederate troopers came up and marched the prisoners (50) to Jackson's position, where he gave the order to march them to Winchester. (O. R. Vol. 2, P. 157.) Patterson was deceived regarding Jackson's strength; for in his official report, he places the Virginia force at 3,500, when as a matter of fact, not over 500 men had gone out to recon- noitre. While this movement was proceeding, the loss to both armies did not exceed twenty men killed and wounded; but this was their first blood; and old comrades of to-day are glad to meet some of the men who were with Jackson and Stuart in their first and last battle. The next day, July 3rd, Jackson received his commis- sion as Brigadier General in the Confederate army. Jackson fell back in the vicinity of Bun- ker Hill or about seven miles South of Mar- tinsburg; and remained four days waiting for Patterson to attack. But this prudent Chieftain was content to remain in Martinsburg. John- ston had reinforced Jackson with his entire com- mand; and doubtless Union men gave informa- tion of this preparation. On the 8th day of July, Johnston fell back to Winchester; and aban- doned that end of the Valley. Men fairly groaned over Johnston's apparent tardiness, if not unfitness; but the old hero knew of his scanty supply of ammunition,-the Infantry had fourteen cartridges apiece, and the Cavalry deficient in arms; while the batteries had mea- ger supplies. He also knew that his services might be called for from the army over the Blue Ridge. Gen. Beauregard was then at Man- assas Junction with 20,000 Southern soldiers to

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stay the advance of Gen. McDowell from Wash- ington, with 50,000 volunteers and regulars, and scores of batteries. West of Staunton, 20,000 of Federals were heading for the Valley. The small force on Rich Mountain was not expected to do more than prevent the occupancy of the upper Valley. After the unfortunate killing of Brigadier General Robt. S. Garnet, and defeat of that small army on the IIth of July, the Val- ley people began to realize then that Gen. John- ston had more than one point to consider. We now have three points of invasion on Virginia soil; the entire force being about 80,000, not in- cluding the column at Romney. To meet these formidable columns, were about 30,000 Confed- erates all told. The two detachments of mili- tia stationed at Bloomery and Romney,-the for- mer commanded by Col. Robt. F. Baldwin, with the regiment from Berkeley County, Col. Sincin- diver, occupying the North Gap, and Col. W. H. Harness with his militia Regiment at Romney, supporting Col. McDonald's 7th Cavalry, then on the line of the B. & O. R. R., met with losses during the period treated in former pages. One incident deserves special notice ;- this was the loss of Capt. Dick Ashby, brother of Lieut. Col. Turner Ashby, who was then Northwest of Romney. The two brothers were familiar figures in Winchester ;- always prominent at the County fairs and popular tournaments of the Lower Valley where the skill of horsemanship was severely tested. The brothers were insep- arable. On the morning of the 26th of June (1861), Capt. Dick was informed by his brother, that he had discovered many citizens living along the border line who were secretly giving information to the enemy, of every movement the Confederates made; and they were or- ganized and controlled by one man, who was a pronounced enemy of the South. From his home in that section he conducted a secret service, helpful to the Federal commander at Cumber- land. Col. Turner instructed his brother as to a plan for the capture of this man; and left the rest to Capt. Dick and his small squad of trusted followers. While seeking for clues that would lead to the capture of the leader of the gang of spies, he suddenly entered the Federal line formed in picket posts along the B. & O. R. R. The Federals had been apprised of his where- abouts, through these secret agencies; and lay in ambush. Ashby crossed the Railroad at an unguarded point and entered this ambuscade, which poured forth a deadly volley. Strange to say, all escaped injury, but discovering a large body of Federal Cavalry charging upon them from a nearby wood, the Ashby party of II men hurriedly left the scene. Capt. Ashby made several unsuccessful attempts to recross

the Railroad over a cattle stock, the only place possible, and there his horse fell the third time. Before he could recover himself, the Fed- erals were upon him. Realizing they meant his brutal murder, he fought with desperation after they had wounded him twice. His shots had telling effect, several men were wounded, one of whom is yet alive, and recounts the encounter as the most desperate he witnessed during the war. About forty men were eager to shoot the prostrate man, and when he had fired his last shot, one man dismounted and plunged a bay- onet through his side, and then left him dead as they thought. Col. Turner Ashby the same day, in one of his scouts along the Railroad, had learned that his brother had passed that point in the morning, and shots had been heard in a certain direction. He hastened on to find - the battle ground; but not his brother. He easily followed the trail of the retreating Fed- erals, and encountered them at Kelly's Island in the Potomac. A dash was made to surprise the foe. Through a swift current they rode, but 'ere they gained a footing on the bank, two of the gallant fellows fell from their horses, wounded by a volley from the enemy who were preparing for a fight. Turner Ashby was now desperate, he believed this party had murdered his brother, and he was eager to avenge his death; and in his desperation, he cried, "At them with your knives men," the Federals were over-awed by such desperation; and as one of their number in recent years said, "They were demons in our eyes, and their yells paralyzed every man." Ashby and his gallant band fought like demons, and drove all who escaped injury from the Island. The Col. found among the captured spoils, his brother's horse, saddle, spurs, and one pistol. He started a search for the Captain's body, who was found under a tree, not far from where he had received the eight desperate wounds. The pitiable picture tried the strength of every trooper. Turner, the brother, was speechless. While all dwelt upon the vengeance wrought in the force at Kelly's Island, this could not assuage the grief of Turner Ashby. He always regarded this as a brutal murder, and fixed the blame upon the element of would-be Union men found on the border during the war, who would betray friend or foe to protect their miserable existence.

The fight at Kelly's Island, a skirmish at Bloomery, where Col. Baldwin and several of his command were captured, had all occurred before Johnston retired to Winchester. From the time Johnston went into camp around Win- chester on the 8th, it was noticeable that he was preparing for some movement. For six days, every officer was busy with his several duties.

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Some felt that a sudden attack would be made on Patterson-whose army must give way to the invincible little army led by Johnston-and that he would march into Maryland, and offer her people an opportunity to join the Southern cause. Many hallucinations were afloat. The Confederates felt their prowess, and boasted that Southrons could drive ten times their number across the Potomac, and that the Northerners who had enlisted for ninety days, would not stand the rush of Confederates. Alas, such fal- lacies were dissipated like the morning mist. It is safe to say that Gen. Lee understood the situation and counseled strategy and concentra- tion of small forces to meet any column then seeking conflict. Events of the war show that the Federal leaders failed to divine the plan of Lee's warfare. They were confused and startled often to find reinforcements on the battle line, coming from sections that seemed to require the presence of every soldier. The first lesson taught the Washington authorities, was near at hand. Patterson was instructed to threaten Win- chester and thus hold Johnston, and prevent the withdrawal of his regiments to support Beaure- gard, while he with his main force would has- ten to join McDowell, and completely crush the Confederates at Manassas. Lee, however, di- vined their plan, and held out inducements for McDowell to advance. Beauregard and John- ston were informed of his plans; and the deli- cate task of eluding Patterson was assigned to Gen. Johnston, who ordered all the cavalry from the outer posts and concentrated them under Stuart's command, he to use his judgment to make a feint for invasion. Pickets were driven across the Potomac above Martinsburg, while Patterson was at Charlestown; and citizens within his lines were told of the Northern in- vasion, and the first great battle would be fought North of Mason and Dixon's line. Patterson had left Martinsburg on the 15th, taking his line of march to Winchester. He halted for two days at Bunker Hill. Not being able to draw Johnston out, he moved across country to Charlestown, where we find him on the 17th with an army of ninety-day men, and their term about expired. They were not inclined to be enthusiastic. Patterson's letters to Washington revealed the situation. He told his men that Mr. Lincoln expected every man to stand by the colors; and reinforcements would come, and they would secure Johnston's capture if he crossed the Potomac. Stuart kept the dissatis- fied Pennsylvanians in great terror. They needed a man with more energy and ambition than Patterson possessed, to stimulate them. Here was an opportunity lost. Patterson should have forced Johnston to battle, and not given him

time to mature plans for reinforcing Beaure- gard.

McDowell was on the march and actually en- gaged the Confederate General late in the day July 16th. Patterson claimed that he had not been informed of this movement, and that had he been, he could have made sufficient demon- strations in Johnston's rear, so that his delay in reaching Manassas would have produced dif- ferent results. In the night of July 17th, John- ston received a telegram from President Davis that McDowell was advancing. The General knew what this meant, he was fully prepared for his part of the campaign. Couriers and staff offi- cers dashed through the camps, circulating orders for the army to prepare for marching. The morning of the 18th, soldiers and citizens were bewildered when the head of the column turned South. Regiments filed through the streets, head- ing for the Front Royal Turnpike-Artillery and wagon trains bringing up the rear. By eleven A. M., the army was out of sight. The militia under Gen. Carson, once more were in evidence, to hold the post and care for about sixteen hundred sick men; while Stuart and the Cav- alry appeared so often among the hills in front of Patterson, that his entire army was in mor- tal terror. The army was halted near the Opec- quon ford, and for the first time the men learned the object of this dispiriting movement. The army was marching in two columns-one via Millwood, the other via Front Royal This order was read by officers along the line: "Our gallant army under Gen. Beauregard is now attacked by overwhelming numbers. The commanding Gen- eral hopes that his troops will step out like men and make a forced march to save the coun- try."

A letter from Gen. Jackson says: "The effect of this stirring appeal was instantaneous; the soldiers rent the air with shouts of joy, and all was eagerness and animation." The lines of march were well defined now; the soldiers press- ing every effort to scale the Blue Ridge. The first Brigade was led off by Jackson, and headed for Berry's Ferry Gap, where they halted for an hour to give time for supper. At ten o'clock that night the Brigade bivouacked at Paris, on the East side of the Ridge, seventeen miles from Winchester. The troops forded the river. The other Brigade, Bee's, Bartow's and Elzey's took the Front Royal Turnpike, and camped that night on the Shenandoah about fourteen miles from Winchester. The next morning (Friday) the 19th, Jackson marched to the Railroad sta- tion at Piedmont, six miles distant. The Bri- gade was there at eight o'clock, and were then thirty-four miles from Manassas Junction. Trains were ready, and by ten o'clock the Bri-

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gade was aboard and started for the Junction, where they arrived at I o'clock with about twenty-six hundred men. The other Brigades reached Piedmont Station in the afternoon of the 19th. Here was an unfortunate delay. John- ston had arranged for the Railroad to land the four brigades in Manassas early Saturday morn- ing the 20th,-no cars for more than two ad- ditional Regiments. The 7th and 8th Georgia, Bartow's Brigade, were sent off-about 1,400 men. The remaining Infantry Regiments were compelled to wait for two days with scant sup- ply of rations. Stuart and part of his Cavalry overtook the command at this time; and as they trotted by, Stuart sang his old song to the Infan- try-"If you want to have a good time, come jine the Cavalry."

The Artillery continued their march, and made good time by their arrival at Manassas on the 20th. Johnston went with the 4th Alabama, the 2nd Mississippi, and two companies of the 11th Miss.,-about eleven hundred in all. This force arrived in time for the opening battle. During Saturday night, 20th, Kirby Smith and Elzey got transportation, and with the 6th N. C., 10th Va., 3rd Tenn., and Ist Md.,-about 2,000 men, arrived at Manassas about I o'clock on Sunday, and were hurried away for the battle field, six miles distant. They have the credit for saving the day. The 9th Ga., 2nd Tenn., 13th Va., Ist Ky., and part of the 11th Miss., for some reason, were the last of Johnston's 11,000 to arrive; and missed the battle by one day. The men were chagrined at their failure.

The reader must not expect to find in these pages a complete history of the battle of Man- assas. Others have given this; and it is not within the scope of this work to do more than to follow the Valley men, as they took position on the fields; and to briefly show how the First Brigade was handled by Jackson. Their first appearance is on the banks of Bull Run, be- tween Blackburn's and Mitchell's fords, near where Bee and Bartow were stationed with their Brigades, between the Blackburn and McLean fords. This position was in the rear of the center, and regarded as reserves. The Confed- erate battle line, about six miles long, extended from the stone bridge over Bull Run to the Ford at Union Mills on the extreme right. McDowell was well on the ground in the vicinity of Centerville with flanking columns-all in good shape for a drawn battle on the 18th, which he could have precipitated on Beauregard before Johnston's arrival; and with his overwhelming force could have dealt a blow to the South with staggering results, and saved the morale of his army. He was content, however, to only feel his way with his army of 35,000 men.

Many were old soldiers-and with his superior Artillery, this formidable array at one time promised victory for the Federals. The firing, started on the 18th, came from this army; ending in nothing more than a skirmish, compared with what followed on the 21st. The losses, while small on both sides, sent a thrill through both armies, the Confederates held the ground with a loss of 15 killed, 53 wounded; none missing.

The Federals lost 19 killed, 38 wounded and 26 missing. On the night of the 18th, McDowell changed his plans of flank attack to a direct one on the Confederate center. This change made it possible for Johnston to enter the arena un- observed by McDowell's column on his right. On Johnston's arrival, he courteously yielded to Beauregard, his seniority of rank, and trusted him to dispose the positions among the various Brigades, while he took observations from the field. From that moment, they worked in har- mony with Johnston in command. Sunday the 2Ist day of July, 1861, was eventful. The day dawned with a clear sky, and tokens of a hot sun. Feverish feeling pervaded both armies ;- for all realized that a great conflict could not be postponed. In the early morning, Col. Evans, who had been on the extreme Confederate left at Stone bridge for two days, found a heavy column in his front making such demonstra- tions, that he felt sure the main attack was to be from that quarter, and prepared to meet the heavy odds against him. Musketry and ar- tillery firing by the Federals under Gen. Tyler, opened shortly after 6 A. M., when skirmish lines fell back to give way for regular battle. Evans won recognition for his ability shown that morning. He saw the intention of the enemy to turn his left, and hastened to take position to meet the column of dust seen in the direc- tion of Sudley Springs. He, however, left sev- eral companies to hold the bridge, and sent for other brigades at the other Ford, to reinforce the Stone bridge detachment. About 8 o'clock, Johnston and Beauregard secured information by signals from Capt. Alexander, what the sit- uation was on the left. They at once hastened to the brigades of Bee, Jackson and Cocke; and rushed them to the left flank. This change put Bartow and the Hampton Legion in the column then marching to save Evans. McDowell had held to his original plan to turn the Confederate left; and virtually withdrew his designs upon the center. This enabled Johnston to take the Brigades at the fords on Bull Run and concen- trate them at the crucial point on the left. The Federals Evans saw on the Sudley Springs Road, had found fords beyond stone bridge, and were rapidly passing to the South side,-but keeping up a continuous fire from their Artillery upon

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flank and rear of the Confederates, in their ef- forts to head off flanking columns. Tyler and the first division were hammering away at stone bridge, to give time for two divisions, 2nd and 3rd under Hunter and Heintzleman, which formed the flanking column then crossing the ford in the vicinity of Sudley Springs, to com- plete their flank movement; while another di- vision threatened the fords below stone bridge, from which reinforcements must go to save the left flank, as already shown. At Centerville, McDowell had in reserve the 5th division, while the 4th division was on the railroad East of his headquarters, to protect his communication with Washington and the hundreds of spectators from the city, that accompanied his army to witness the sport; (see O. R. Vol. 2.) Confronting this formidable army, whose divisions had taken the positions briefly stated, the Confeder- ates, as partly shown, were lined up in Brigade positions on South side of Bull Run at 6 A. M., Sunday, 21st. One exception, however. This was D. R. Jones on the Centerville side a short distance from the McLean ford. Ewell and Holmes were at the Union Mills ford. Early, Bartow and Jackson on the road leading to McLean and Blackburn's fords; while Long- street was at Blackburn's ford; Bonham and Bee and Mitchell's ford; Stuart's Cavalry between the latter ford and Island ford,-where Hamp- ton's Legion was guarding this and Ball's ford; Cocke just above at Lewis' ford, and Evans on the Warrenton Turnpike where it crosses the Bull Run over the stone bridge. Beauregard and Johnston were together at Mitchell's ford at II A. M. The constant firing on the extreme left, led them to believe that Bee and Bartow were on the ground, and likely there would be the place where the Federals would make their supreme effort. Johnston tells in his reports that at 11:30 A. M., he was convinced, and said: "Beauregard, the battle is there, I am going." Then it was that orders were given by Beauregard for Holmes, Early, Bonham, with Walker's and Kemper's batteries, to double quick to the firing point, while D. R. Jones was withdrawn to the South side to do his best to hold the fords. During this time, the battle had drifted somewhat. The Federals who crossed Bull Run at the Sudley Springs Ford, marched a full mile in the direction of Manassas Junc- tion. This brought them almost in the rear of the Confederates at Stone bridge, where Tyler was trying to force his way through. The Con- federates were now taking position on the cele- brated Henry Hill, to intercept the divisions com- ing from Sudley, and to secure strong positions for a general engagement that seemed imminent. Some writers have criticised the two generals

for trusting so much to their Brigadiers, who chose positions and fought their brigades with- out general supervision. On this field they im- mortalized themselves. Bee, Bartow and Hamp- ton were with Evans on this Henry Hill at II A. M. Evans had been driven from the stone house near the Warrenton Pike, and joined the reinforcements near the Henry house that had taken position there. Bee and Evans were in dire straits. Wade Hampton made an earnest effort to rally their retreating regiments upon his command. Here he made the memorable fight that resulted in losing 121 men out of 600. He caused a delay in the Federal advance for two hours. At this time the Confederates fell back under a seething fire from the Federals. At this juncture a fresh brigade appeared on a high point near the Henry house, drawn up in line of battle. Bee galloped up to the Comman- der, and recognized General Jackson with his Valley Virginians, cried out: "General, they are driving us." "Then, sir," said Jackson, "We will give them the bayonet." Jackson had re- ceived orders to march from Mitchell's ford to the firing line. As he proceeded on this march, his wonderful genius began to develop. As he approached the Henry house, he soon saw at a glance the points that should be held; and se- lecting his position there, he lined up the Bri- gade that was to become famous from that hour. Bee hastened back to his retreating men and called out to them: "See Jackson standing like a stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians." Up to that moment, the day seemed lost. Imboden's battery, in great disorder, was rushing to the rear, and was crossing Jackson's line, when he was halted for an explanation of the apparent rout. Imboden roughly answered that his bat- tery had been left without support. Jackson curt- ly replied : "I'll support your battery. Unlimber right here." Imboden recovered his composure; and with Jackson's suggestions, much havoc was made in the charging ranks of the Federals. Many times they wavered; but still they came. At Noon, Johnston and Beauregard appeared on the scene. The latter galloped along the lines, and infused new life into all the troops. His horse was killed and one of his staff officers. At this time he placed in position two splendid batteries, Pendleton's and Alburtiss's. This was the hour that tried the courage of the broken ranks of the Confederates. The enemy they had fought all morning, were continually reinforced. The broken ranks were soon filled. The two generals seemed so confident of victory, the men soon became enthused, and once more they were ready for the fray. The Federal battle lines shifted; and as they turned several positions, the Confederates apparently gained ground.

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During these changes, a point was exposed on the Federal right. This was about 2 o'clock. Stuart, who had been helpless with his cavalry, made a dash for the position; and a regiment of Zouaves in regiments of blue and scarlet, was virtually destroyed, and the Federal right was thrown into confusion. The 33rd Va. under Col. Cummings, succeeded about this hour in destroying two Federal batteries that had been pouring a deadly fire along the hill-side of Jack- son's left. Cummings, without orders, could hold out no longer; and deploying to cover among stunted trees and bushes, suddenly ap- peared in front of these batteries. The Feder- als were deceived in the regiment advancing. The dust on the gray and blue uniforms, made them all appear alike. Cummings marched up boldly to a fence 70 yards distant, and poured such a volley into men and horses, that nearly everything in sight sank, and the batteries were put out of further action. For thirty minutes there was a lull in the din of battle. Col. Cum- mings saw from his advanced position great columns of blue infantry lines forming for re- newed attack from the Stone Bridge quarter. The divisions that had forced their way via Sud- ley Springs and had struck the Confederates' rear near Stone Bridge, were now recrossing Bull Run and forming for renewed attack on the Henry house hill. Johnston and Beauregard were then on the firing line, busy assigning the new brigades positions on the right and left. This was barely effected, when the Federals charged the line under cover of their batteries. The attack was furious; and it was readily seen that the advancing lines were men enthused with the successes they had achieved in their flank and rear movements, officered by experienced and brave men; and had McDowell given them the divisions he held back at and near Centreville, they would have swept the Confederate lines from their strong position, and victory would have been theirs. Official reports now reveal the shortsightedness of the commanders of both armies. McDowell had planned a successful attack which was now about to culminate on the crest of the famous Hill; but failing to send in one of his divisions to support those that had been marching and fighting all day, he saw his mistake too late. While Johnston and Beaure- gard had galloped away from the Mitchell ford, where they left Longstreet and D. R. Jones to loiter and waste their strength in marching and counter-marching across Bull Run, and were never called upon to fire a gun all day, we see now that had Longstreet been at work either on the center, or called to Stone Bridge by 2 o'clock, the right flank of the Federals would have been beaten back and routed in great disorder, and

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 55

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920 Publication date: 1909 Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.] Number of Pages: 607

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607