Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 58

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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the positions they held, and should have been courtmartialed for inciting mutiny, and con- tempt for their superiors. No excuse can ever be given for their conduct, and none for the unmilitary and undignified action of the Secre- tary of War, who knew less about military cam- paigns than the militia on the border. Jackson's self respect demanded prompt action; and his letters on this painful subject to Genl. John- ston, which found their way to Mr. Davis, are marvels in their line. He pointed out the harm to the discipline of the army, if such orders were passed without censure, and declared such action more harmful than could be conceived by the Secretary of War; that disintegration would be the result; and the Confederacy would be struggling with commanding officers who would not submit to such interference, and chaos would find place in the grand columns then ready for battle under leaders who might be censured and criticized by some inferior officer. Later on Jackson also wrote to Genl. Johnston, his su- perior in command, and to Gov. Letcher, stat- ing the case with much force. Governor Letcher gave quick response, and urged Jackson to with- draw his resignation for the good of the ser- vice; and then called upon the Secretary of War and President Davis, pointing out to them the damage that would result to the country if Jackson were allowed to resign, and made it clear that Jackson was right and the Richmond authorities were wrong. Everything was done to restore harmony; and Genl. Jackson with- drew his resignation, and was never afterwards interfered with. Genl. Loring and his command went into camp near Winchester, making his headquarters in the camp. While he became the guest of Mr. Robert Y. Conrad, feeling ran high in the camps of Jackson's old men, and the people excitedly discussed the incident, and severely condemned what had been done to force Jackson to resign. The writer takes the liberty to mention his connection with the af- fair. As already stated, he was provost mar- shal of the army at the time. The town was full of officers and soldiers every day, and much confusion existed. Genl. Jackson observing this. issued this order (the original is preserved) :

Headquarters, Valley District, "January 27, 1864. "Genl. Order No. 22.

"To T. K. CARTMELL, Capt. and Asst. Provost Marshal.

"You are hereby commanded to instruct the provost guard, to require every officer and soldier to produce his license for absence from his com- mand. Those failing to produce proper passes, shall be dealt with in accordance with orders

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this day issued to each Brigade commander; no person, civilian or soldier, shall be allowed to go beyond the lines of this post without a pass from the provost marshal. No officer above the rank of Colonel shall go beyond the picket lines on a pass unless countersigned by the provost marshal, and a record made of his name, rank and road.

"By command of

T. J. JACKSON, "Major Genl. A. S. PENDLETON, A. A.

This stringent order was posted in the office, and an effort made to enforce it. A strong de- tail was furnished for guard duty. Lt. Eakin of the Liberty Hall Guards from Rockbridge, was assigned for duty, subject to call from the pro- vost's office. The provost guard in strong force appeared on the streets demanding passes. The first day was full of unpleasant incidents. Batches of old soldiers were sent to their camps under guard. Some who had the proper leave from camp, appeared late in the day, with scores of citizens who had been sent back by the post pickets, all clamoring for passes; and not a few blamed the provost marshal for all their troubles. The next few days brought unex- pected trouble. To better understand the situa- tion, it may be said that the only mode of travel for persons going South by public conveyance, was by the old style stages drawn by four horses over the Valley Turnpike to Strasburg, connect- ing there with the railroad. These stages started from the old Taylor Hotel, and were generally crowded. On the Valley Pike, these stages were halted by pickets, and every passenger not supplied with the required pass, would be re- quired to return to Winchester, secure passes and wait the next stage. This caused so much trouble, that to avoid it, provost guards were directed to notify all stage passengers at the stage office that passes would be required of them by the pickets. On the 5th of February, Lt. Eakin and his guard, saw several officers enter the stage, and respectfully approached them and gave the usual notice, when the answer came: "This is General Loring and part of his staff." They were told that they would be embarrassed at the picket post, and to avoid this they could in a few minutes obtain passes at the provost's office. One of the officers in a few minutes stood in the doorway of the office and demanded passes for General Loring and staff, at the same time expressing his opinion of "young officers assuming too much authority for the positions they held." Major was informed that proper credentials must be shown before passes could issue from that office, and referred him to the posted order. This delay was too much for

John Taylor the veteran stage driver. He started his team. At the court-house gate the Major hailed him. General Loring and party left the stage and returned to Mr. Conrad's. The young provost hastened to headquarters, at the Col. Moore house, to know if he had assumed too much in refusing passes to a general officer and his staff. Genl. Jackson was in his office and alone. The case was briefly stated; the General wore a troubled expression as he answered: "Unfortunate, very unfortunate. Continue to ex- ecute that order." Leaving the General's office, the Adjutant General's office was visited, where the incident was gravely discussed. A feverish state of feeling pervaded the official family. They knew letters and resignation had gone to Rich- mond, and dreaded the results. This was an official secret, however; and it was understood by the parties present as the writer left for his office, that it should so continue, until Jackson authorized its announcement. It appeared later on, that General Loring had been corresponding with the Secretary of War; and desiring to go in person, obtained an order by telegraph to report in Richmond. When Loring received this, he was informed by some friend, that he could not pass the picket on that order. Once more the Provost hastened to enquire of Genl. Jack- son what should be done. His reply was in his usual calm manner: "Issue passes upon what you consider an order from the Secretary of war, and record the fact." This was probably the 7th or 8th of February (the date not being preserved.) An officer appeared at the pro- vost's office and handed over a large official envelope, remarking: There are the credentials. The envelope contained the telegram and a list of names of officers. Genl. Loring in terst style said : "Please issue, provost Marshal, passes for the above-named officers." Here the incident closed. Though 45 years have passed, the ex- periences of the days briefly mentioned are easily recalled, without reference to the fading notes of those stirring times.

When it became known that General Jackson had, by his firmness, won a victory over the parties who had trampled upon his military rights, rejoicings were heard all over the land. The Confederate generals like Jackson would not submit as easily to their War Secretary as Fed- eral Generals did to their War Secretary, E. M. Stanton.

Loring and his regiments had gone to more congenial fields. Jackson and his small army of about 5,000 men all told, spent the remainder of February in quiet preparations awaiting the arrival of Spring and the Yankees. Genl. N. P. Banks was placed in command of a district that comprehended the Shenandoah Valley. His head-

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quarters were supposed to be at Frederick, Md., and his army of about 45,000 men, stretched from that point to Cumberland, embracing Romney; while Mcclellan with 200,000 men lay around Washington, waiting for Spring, when he could move against Johnston's army of 32,000, winter- ing at Centreville. And it was plain to Jackson, no doubt, that he could not hope for victory if he waged battle in his present position, while his little army and people in the town and country believed him invincible and that he would never yield a foot. As it turned out, Jackson was maturing his plans for strategy, and expected to defeat his foes by strategy and good fighting. When Banks began crossing his army over his pontoon bridge at Harpers Ferry the 27th of February, 1862, and landed on the South side of the Potomac with 38,000 men, including 2,000 cavalry and 80 pieces of artillery (See O. R.), the Winchester people had good cause to be ap- prehensive; but they had their fears changed to joy when they learned Jackson was fortifying his position. Banks' demonstrations showed his desire to engage the Confederates. He had not at that time made acquaintance with Stonewall Jackson. Jackson's letter to Genl. Johnston dated March 8, '62, urging the necessity for General Hill to reinforce him, gave evidence of his great desire to hold the Lower Valley, and for an opportunity to so startle Washington, that McClellan would delay his attack on Johnston. Mr. Davis was not willing to risk his capital any more than Lincoln was his. So Hill was not sent; but an order came for Jackson to use his own judgment in his Valley campaign, but to avoid all danger of defeat by the overwhelm- ing force marching against him. So we find him on the 10th of March preparing to evacuate the town and fall back. Then went up the wail that tried even Jackson's nerves. The Valley men reluctantly yielded to the inevitable and obeyed orders, but with sad hearts; for many mothers, wives, sisters and sweethearts were to be left to the horrors of the first invasion. It may be interesting to show what comprised the Valley Army that Jackson had gathered around him and who were to become so prominent in the terrible struggles. While it looked formid- able and grand to those who loved gray sol- diers, it was insignificant as compared to the brilliant host closing up towards the gates of Winchester. Briefly told, Jackson had 3,600 in- fantry, 600 cavalry, and six batteries of 27 guns. Though not all Valley men, they were Virgin-

ians. They were divided into three brigades :

First Brigade (or Stonewall)-Brigadier Genl. Garnett-2nd, 4th, 5th, 33rd Virginia Regiments. Second Brigade-Col. Burks, commanding- 21st, 42nd, 48th, Ist, Regular Irish Battalion.

Third Brigade-Col. Fulkerson, commanding- 23rd, 27th Virginia Regiments.

McLaughlin's Battery 8 guns.

Waters' Battery 4

Carpenter's Battery 4

Mayre's Battery 4

Shumaker's Battery

Ashby's Regiment of Cavalry.

Chew's Horse Artillery Battery .... 3

This little army would have presented a strange picture to English or French military critics. The plain gray uniform, slouch hat, all carelessly worn; the marching outfit : one blanket,-rubber blanket (captured at Manassas) folded in a roll that was slung over one shoulder and the two ends tied together under the arm of the other, with a frying pan and skillet stuck in the belt, gave a grotesque appearance to the lines of the old gray soldiers, while it betokened endurance of any fatigue or hardship. The familiar way they handled the muskets, would impress the critic that a gun was no new thing in their hands. They always wore a jaunty, careless look while on the march; but when the enemy was sighted, the lines tightened, muskets more firmly grasped, muscle and brain more active, they were in- stantly ready to go where Jackson sent them. This applied as well to the artillerists; the only difference being, they had field pieces that were revered for the work they had already done, and were carefully handled now for what they were expected to do. Noble, grand men they were who manned those old-style smooth-bores, The cavalry and its immortal Ashby, were not long enough in one place for the fastidious critic to describe. Mounted on superb horses that were common in the Valley at that time; display- ing such horsemanship as singled them out from all other cavalrymen, they were to be seen at all times in scouting squads, watching and an- noying the large detachments of Banks' cav- alry, now in sight of the spires of Winchester. Ashby and his gallant Six Hundred were ready to guard the rear of Jackson's army when it turned away from the old town on the 11th of March, 1862.

In the next chapter will be briefly shown where they went and what they did.

CHAPTER LVII

Jackson's Evacuation of Winchester, March 11, 1862 Retirement to the Upper Valley

The Valley Army briefly mentioned in close of last chapter, we now view in the three brigades as they were in line on March 11th, 1862, with the head of the column towards the South. The wagon trains had been sent to the Valley Turn- pike and halted in two sections, one at Kerns- town, the other at Newtown; and everything was ready for the march, when an order came for a halt. Col. Burks and the 2nd brigade were wheeled to the right and headed North. Ashby had been skirmishing with cavalry during the night and all morning. About 10 o'clock, a bri- gade of bluecoats appeared as support to the cavalry. Genl. Jackson was apprised, and sent Burks to meet them. The Federal infantry fell back without firing a shot. Banks had two col- umns, one camped at Bunker Hill and the other near Charlestown, showing no disposition to come out and gage battle. Burks was recalled; and Ashby left in their front. The little army was soon in motion; and as they marched through the streets and beheld the sad faces of the splendid women who waved their adieus, the old-time spirit spurred them to cry out words of encourage- ment : "We will be back soon." Some old com- rade caught the words and sang out-"Yes, in the sweet by and by." One by one, they took up the refrain, until the pathetic words and music were heard through all the lines, amid the cheers constantly ascending from the gray battalions, dying away as the last squadron passed beyond the southern borders of the town. They pressed on and spent the night with their re- spective trains. During the night of the 11th, many non-combatants followed the army, seeking refuge beyond the Confederate lines. The pub- lic records of the county were sent off at the same time; also bank officers went off with the treasures of their institutions. The entire community was alarmed, and many sank in de- spair as they contemplated the impending ruin. They had not long to wait. Banks was prompt- ly on hand the next morning, the 12th. A large force of cavalry, supported by two brigades of infantry and 7 pieces of artillery, cautiously en- tered the town. The cavalry scoured every street, looking for Ashby. Learning that chief- tain might be found South of Winchester, Capt. Cole hurried his "Bucktails" out on the Valley

Pike. Ashby who had espied the Company, sought a place to give them a surprise. He chose the bend in the turnpike South of the old Parkins' Mill (now Keckleys), where his small squad could not be seen until Cole made the turn by G. W. Hillyard's residence. With wild shouts the gray troopers followed their leader, firing into the front of the column, which re- coiled upon the line, which was fired into by several Confederates on their flank. The showy Bucktails were stampeded, and scurried back to Winchester. Two men desperately wounded were carried into Hahn's Mill; three fell from their horses and were picked up; three were killed and carried into the yard of Mr. Nathan Par- kins (now Hillyards). Eight or ten horses were captured, and a number of pistols picked up along the line of retreat. Ashby trotted to the edge of the town and gave Cole another chance to come out. That evening the heavy picket line was planted across the country near the mills. Ashby fell back and established a line of vedettes from the Front Royal Turnpike across country, by the old toll-gate and up over the hills due West. Screened from view, they were to give signals to reserve couriers who would hasten to inform Ashby what had been seen of any advancing Federals. Jackson slowly re- tired to Strasburg, and went into camp, await- ing Banks' movement. The latter delayed so long, that Jackson practiced a ruse on the Fed- erals. Ashby was ordered in; and he hurried away, as if in retreat, halting only at Mt. Jack- son. There he bivouacked a few days. Banks seemed content to hold the defenseless town of Winchester until he was ordered to move. Re- ceiving such orders on the 18th of March, Banks sent Shields forward with 11,000 men and 27 guns, with orders to hold Strasburg. All this was in accordance with Mcclellan's chess-board plan, to move all lines South. (See O. R., Vol. XI, part iii, p. 7). Of this, mention at this time is only made to show why Banks sent a portion of his army to Manassas via Castlemans Ferry on the 18th. On the 20th he started with the remainder, and ordered Shields to fall back to Winchester and protect the Lower Valley ap- proaches to Washington. Jackson was informed on the 21st that baggage trains were seen leaving

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Winchester with troops, going in the direction of Castlemans Ferry on the Shenandoah; and that Shields falling back to Winchester, meant that he must do something to compel Banks' return and not allow him to appear on Johnston's left. So he at once pushed forward towards Winches- ter. On the 22nd, Ashby was sent forward; and rushing into Shields' pickets South of Winches- ter, drove them; but stirred up infantry and ar- tillery, and a severe skirmish ensued. Shields was wounded during the engagement by a stray shell from Chew's Flying Artillery. Ashby was deceived; and reported to Jackson that only a small force was at Winchester; for Shields' whole division was near at hand, but obscured by a range of hills. Jackson arrived at Strasburg March 23rd; and at once proceeded in his march, arriving near Kernstown about I P. M. Jackson at that hour discovered the presence of the large force of Federals lying West of the village. The three brigades, now worn out by the two days' hard marching, were in bad con- dition for an open fight with superior numbers. They were ordered to their positions, however; and although rest was badly needed, Jackson was compelled to open the battle, fearing that reinforcements would come to Shields, if battle were postponed until morning. The cavalry was divided. Major Funsten was sent with half the regiment to cover the left flank. The Federal lines were soon formed, extending to the East side of the Valley Turnpike. Genl. Kimball who had succeeded Shields, was there, and held the heaviest part of his army then visible; while to the West, along the ridge near the old Pritch- ard homestead, was a line of infantry and two batteries. Jackson determined to assault that West line and turn the enemy's right, and secure a strong position in the cover of a ridge of woodland. Ashby was expected to hold the main body to the East of the turnpike. Jack- son hoped by this movement to cut retreat to Winchester. He also believed that the force now in his front was small, and could not be reinforced before he gave the stunning blow. He was not informed of the heavy force concealed all day on the line he expected to take. As the battle progressed with great fury, and he had used his last regiment, and assured that he could complete his plan, he saw from his position that Kimball had crossed the turnpike and was mak- ing for strong ground to . meet the Stonewall brigade coming up with Garnett at the front. The latter saw the hidden brigade move out on Jackson's position, and with three fresh regi- ments bearing down on the 27th and 21st Va., over-running Fulkerson's detachment; and two regiments and a battery hurrying up to the right of the old brigade, he deemed it best to fall back

and save them from carnage, hoping to find better position. Jackson rode to the new posi- tion, and ordered Garnett to move forward; but discovering the heavy line moving to the posi- tion he had just left, he took in the situation, and ordered all to fall back. This was about dusk. He had been battling all afternoon against Shields' division of 9,000 men, while he had only 2,000 all told. This battle has been written down in official reports as a victory over the Confed- erates. A study of the situation, proves the contrary, if the disparity of numbers is consid- ered, the loss in killed and wounded, and the failure of the Federals to follow up their ad- vantage and capture more of Jackson's men.

Want of space forbids further description of this battle. All the regiments fought with des- peration against great odds, although worn out on their arrival on the battle field. One inci- dent must be mentioned. When the 27th stirred up the concealed Federals in the Pritchard woods, in its attempt to turn the right of a line of cavalry and infantry, they were repulsed with heavy loss. Part of the 23rd regiment came up in time to see a full regiment sweeping through a field towards an old stone fence. Both regi- ments made a rush to secure the fence for a barricade. The Confederates landed first, and caught the advancing Federals unprepared to fire, who were then within twenty steps of the fence and under the terrible volley from the Virgin- ians. The splendid regiment went down, ban- ners and all. This was the 51st Ohio. The Colonel was desperately wounded, and related the affair afterwards. He said "when he arose from the ground, he looked along the line to see the effect on his regiment, and out of his 1,100 men, all were on the ground excepting about 100 men who were just delivering a de- liberate fire on the Virginians as they arose to fire another volley. When he looked again, part of the 100 had gone down. Those who were not struck, started back and some of the wounded scrambled to their feet and sought shel- ter. The Confederates then retired; and he, later on, was taken off the field and carried to the Taylor Hotel, where he was tenderly cared for by the proprietor." Men who gathered up the Confederate dead that night, found several Confederates behind the stone fence, every one being shot in the head. The losses as reported in official reports by the Federals, fix the number of killed and wounded at 1,200, one-half being Rebels. This seems strange, when we remember distinctly that 81 dead Confederates were all that could be found, and they were buried in one trench, and about 180 wounded men were ac- counted for and carried off the field by Jack- son's army. This would make Rebel loss in kill-

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ed and wounded 260 instead of 600, and the Federal loss 940. No effort was made to fol- low the slowly retreating regiments, which were anxious to fall down in some place and rest from the hardships of the last two days. The infantry halted at Newtown, and were sound asleep in less than an hour. Ashby's cavalry bivouacked at Bartonsville, about 11/2 miles from the battlefield. (Col. Wm. Allan's Jack- son's Valley Campaign.) War reports show that Shields sent couriers for the troops that had crossed the Shenandoah, to return to Winches- ter by forced marches and reach him in time to meet the expected engagement. This brigade was posted in the woods and held in reserve, and stirred up by Col. Grigsby's 27th regiment. Same reports show that Banks also ordered the Genl. Williams Brigade; and the counter-march was approved by McClellan, although it was done without consulting him. He telegraphed Banks :

"Your course was right; as soon as you are strong enough, push Jackson hard and drive him beyond Strasburg. The very moment the thorough defeat of Jackson will permit, resume the movement on Manassas, always leaving the whole of Shields' command, at and near Stras- burg and Winchester. Communicate fully and act vigorously." Later on the official reports, War dept., show that the Kernstown battle caused not only the retention of the Williams Brigade, but also that Blenker's division of 9,000 Germans was taken from Mcclellan and sent to Strasburg to join Fremont, who was march- ing from Western Virginia towards the Valley; and the first army corps under McDowell then at Manassas, who had been ordered to go to McClellan on the Peninsula, was now ordered to remain at Manassas and act in concert with Banks' army and protect Washington. Thus it will be seen that Jackson's Kernstown campaign, wrought many changes that tended to weaken McClellan's army. Jackson, as soon as the wounded had arrived at the camps, left New- town with wagon trains and ambulances in front, and leisurely marched to Woodstock, spending the night of the 24th at that point. Banks slowly followed, and camped the same night on Cedar Creek. The next day he camped at Strasburg and sent his cavalry as far as Woodstock. There they found Ashby's cavalry and the 42nd and 48th regiments under Col. Burks. After several skirmishes with Ashby, they retired to Toms Brook and there established a line of pickets. Jackson had gone to Mt. Jackson with the other brigades. Banks remained passive until the 2nd day of April, and then moved Southward to Woodstock. It is useless to say that Ashby kept the Federal cavalry busy every day. The for- mer fell back beyond Edinburg, and was able to

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 58

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