Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 65

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

USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 65

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The forenoon of the 30th was oppressive in its stillness. Two great armies were in full battle array, but neither seemed disposed to reopen the deadly engagement the previous night had closed. Pope's official dispatches to Wash- ington during the morning, show his ignorance of the entire field over which his imagination ran. He was unaware that Jackson was lying in wait for the first advance, and totally at sea as to several of his own splendid brigades. He had fixed his plan to follow Jackson's retreat- ing army, to overtake and destroy it-not know- ing that Lee's and Longstreet's corps were ready to take a hand in the game. Several of his lead- ing division commanders, Porter, Reynolds, Ricketts, Buford, had apprised him of the pres- ence of Confederates on well chosen ground, who were stubbornly awaiting attack, and were not in retreat; but Pope disregarded all warnings, and sent a dispatch to Washington-"August 30th, 1862, high noon-Headquarters in the Sad- dle, Manassas Plains, Va. A forward movement of the entire army is now being executed, and the retreating enemy will be pressed vigorously." As our effort is chiefly to follow the Valley Army, and not give details of the great battle, we will turn to Jackson and his Valley Army, which had been concealed in the strip of wood- land near Groveton village, a position he had evidently chosen, to meet what he supposed would be an advance by Pope to overtake the retreat- ing Confederates. This seems to have been the scheme that he suggested to Genl. Lee :- that possibly, the Federals being now broken into scattered columns, he with Longstreet near, might crush them in detail. Genl. Jackson in his report says it was 12:30 when he saw a large force of about 20,000 on his front, extending their line to within a half mile of Bull Run, while in the rear over the ridges was a force in his estimate of 35,000, with batteries taking positions in the imposing line. Pope no doubt was sincere in his conception of the situation, and felt assured that the crushing blow was now being dealt. If his position was such as some writers have given him, which was high ground near the celebrated stone house, he could read- ily see how the crushing blow was dealt. Three of his columns were in swift motion, one enter- ing the Groveton woodland, one rushing along

Bull Run, and Porter's corps in two columns, endeavoring to get the high ground "and sweep the field of retreating Rebels,"-when suddenly the signal for attack was sounded along the Con- federate lines up and over the ridges near the railroad; and then the master mind of Jackson shone out why he had hugged that woodland so silently, and his old Valley army caught the spirit of their leader, and burst forth with ter- rific yells. Securing the natural defences, they opened such a destructive fire into flank and face of the unconscious foe, that a panic was imminent. But the Federals soon rallied and formed; and if a great Captain had been present with them, the Confederate stories of this bat- tle would have a sad shading. Many an old soldier remembers when Genl. Porter wheeled his Division into three battle lines and marched across the flat land with perfect military pre- cision, not firing a gun though under heavy fire, until when within a few hundred steps, one line rushed upon Jackson's right, and opened fire deliberately; pressing on, repeated their fire with every forward step. Then it was that the Valley men got in one of their telling cross- fires that virtually swept the field. Natural breastworks protected the old Stonewall men, but many of them were laid low. The author spent much effort to discover who of the Fed- erals made this desperate charge, and can only say that Genl. Morrell was in command; but what regiments he commanded, and who any of the regimental leaders were who gallantly rode with their lines to be swept to death, he has nothing to give; but will add that old survivors of the Valley Army often speak of the brave men who charged their lines that day, and of one officer who rode over their breastworks, when horse and rider went down 'ere he could be rescued from the galling fire; and hundreds of Confederates who witnessed the feat, would gladly have saved his life. Frequently deadly assaults were made along the Jackson lines, but were repulsed with great loss. It was on this line the Confederates used stones at close quar- ters, to save ammunition, which was rapidly re- duced. The whole of Lee's army was now en- gaged in striking the Federal columns in detail, thus enabled to throw superior numbers against the weaker Federal column, while Pope stood afar off, watching the breaks in his lines, where- as if he had marched out that morning in more solid phalanx, he possibly would have held sway over the entire field, frustrated the plans of Lee, and ended the day with a dispatch to Washing- ton that he had met and overcome Lee and all his hosts. But the fates had decreed otherwise, and Lee seemed chosen to execute the decree. Jackson and his Valley Army resisted all at-

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tacks from their strong position, with infantry, supported by several batteries well posted on the ridges in the rear; and finally Fitz John Porter went staggering back fully defeated. Or- ders went along the lines in every direction from General Lee, for the whole army to advance. The old warriors, Jackson, Longstreet and Hill had already taken in the situation, and were mak- ing their forward movement when the orders were received. It is related by survivors of both armies, that the intense excitement of the Con- federates in that solid forward movement upon the broken ranks of Pope's Army, is well re- membered. The lines swept on, and Pope's great army was beaten, but not routed, as some have written. When night closed the struggle, the Confederates were victors, but the Federals held the "Henry Hill," which was a strong key to the situation. But Pope was fairly beaten, and retired to Centreville, 4 miles distant, dur- ing the night, leaving the battlefield strewn with his dead and wounded. Pope's official dispatches to Washington still snapped of spirit and bra- vado; and boasted that having fought Lee's en- tire army throughout the day, he was in a strong position, and when Franklin and Sumner with 20,000 fresh troops, were in position during the night, "the morrow would witness Lee's complete overthrow." Strange commentary! The morrow witnessed Lee's overthrow of Pope's magnifi- cent army. The day's battle had closed with intense darkness and torrents of rain-the whole face of the country deluged with water-the heavens full of every element of the most ter- rific storm that ever lowered over a battlefield. Both armies were compelled to await the mor- row's dawn, to learn fully their peculiar situation; when we find Jackson and his Valley Army had swung around by the Sudley ford of Bull Run, and was 10 miles in Pope's rear, preparing for one of his counter-strokes. Pope learned dur- ing that fearful night that Lee was not beaten; his own army had found cover in the ample earthworks around Centreville, never supposing that Lee would decline a front attack, and would prefer to use his strategy by threatening his rear. If he were the Great Captain he so frequently boasted being, why, it may be asked, did he not divine Jackson's plan to pass around at some point and embarrass him in his fortified posi- tion? Pope was fully satisfied by I P. M., that Jackson was hurrying down Little River Turn- pike. He then saw he must evacuate Centre- ville; and fell back of Fairfax C. H. Jackson with Hill and Stuart were on the Turnpike, and landed on Pope's flank, resulting in a two hours battle late in the afternoon. The Federals in fighting mood, handled by Genl. Reno, finally gave way with heavy loss; but they had changed

Jackson's plans, and with the night and a heavy storm, the battle was called off. This engage- ment was called the Battle of Chantilly. Old veterans will recall the day and the place.

The 2nd of September brought Pope to a standstill; and he was forced to acknowledge his helplessness, and after stating his situation to the Washington authorities, was instructed to fall back, as he requested, to the fortifications at Washington and Alexandria. Pope was beaten and unstrung. He soon hurried away to shelter, although he had full 80,000 men, including the reinforcements arriving every hour. He allowed himself to be driven from his chosen positions by an army that did not exceed 55,000 men of all arms during the entire campaign. O. R. Federal, show that Pope lost 7,000 as prisoners, 13,500 killed and wounded, 30 pieces of artillery, 20,000 Enfield rifles, and army supplies that could not be estimated in quantity or value.

The Confederates could not accomplish such wonders without great loss; and their O. R. fix the total at 10,000 officers and men. Genl. Lee's official report says: "It was found that the enemy had conducted his retreat so rapidly, that the attempt to interfere with him was abandoned, the proximity of the fortifications around Alex- andria and Washington rendering further pur- suit useless." We may properly add this ended Pope's connection with the War. Genl. McClel- lan assumed command of the army and de- fences. Pope was sent to the frontier to play with Indian forays, where he had ample oppor- tunities to review his failures, the unsurpassed strategy of Lee, and the maneuvres of Jackson.

War critics have written fully of this historic campaign, and some are inclined to attribute Jackson's success to chance; but when the shad- ows are cast aside, good reason is given why Jackson chose so many perilous positions-iso- lating his command from the main army-that seemed hazardous. Such were parts of the great plan studied out before he turned the head of his column towards the mountains. Lee's object was not only to defeat Pope by fighting Federal columns in detail, but to turn Mcclellan from the James, where he was banging on the gates of Richmond, and compel him to rush to the Potomac in front of Washington. The reader will see from this outline, how completely Lee accomplished his object, for he sees Pope beaten and relieved of his command, and Mcclellan and his mighty host making a grand stand to save the capital. Many startling events since the early Spring have been briefly stated in these pages. We must now follow the Valley Army. President Davis, as a result of the Summer's mighty work, consented to invasion-a step that, according to his opinions and desires of the

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fighting Southrons, should have been taken in the early Summer, 'ere the flower of the Army of Northern Virginia had been withered. Mr. Davis had delayed too long. The army on this memorable 2nd of September, 1862, was en- feebled by terrific losses. At this day we can name hundreds of gallant leaders and thousands of the bravest of the brave who had gone down in many battlefields, stretching from the moun- tains to the sea. Genl. Jackson and his Valley Army was chosen to take the head and form the advance guard of the army of invasion. This he urged during the previous Summer, when the prospect for success was clearer than it now appeared to this old warrior. But many remem- ber how eagerly he set his army in motion, and remember too well how the men began to straggle to seek their homes that had been within the lines of the enemy so long. They hoped to see the loved ones, gather some needed outfit and overtake the army before the Potomac was reached. The whole army needed shoes, clothing, and a chance to recuperate; but the situation required prompt action; and it must be recorded here by one who witnessed the forward movement, that the rank and file were in sore straits, and lacked the vigor and strength that an invading army must have to bring success. However, Old Stonewall and his depleted di- visions struck out for Leesburg, where on the 5th they rested a full day, while D. H. Hill's Division was transferred to the front. On the 6th Jackson, now forming the rear guard, crossed the Potomac at White's Ford. When once on the Maryland side, Jackson pressed for- ward, and bivouacked around Frederick City. The Marylanders were either stilled by sur- prise or awed by fear. They kept aloof and failed to exhibit their feelings. Many of the noble women, however, were profuse in their warm greetings, but recruits came neither from town or farm; and it was soon discovered that a majority of the men did not desire the pres- ence of the ragged Southrons. The Frederick people were generous, and gave of their abund- ance, which went far towards resuscitating the tired army. While this was grateful to the troops, they well knew they had come for work. It was also soon discovered that the lower end of the Valley was occupied by Federals. Genl. Lee's reports fix the force at Winchester at 3,000, Martinsburg 3,000, and Harpers Ferry at 8,000; and there was every indication that Harpers Ferry was to hold out for reinforcements. The force at Winchester commanded by Genl. White, abandoned that place on the 2nd of September, after firing numerous buildings near the old W. & P. R. R. depot. Some contained army supplies. The magazine was blown up. White

hurried away, and was found at Harpers Ferry. The force at Martinsburg was driven into the net at Harpers Ferry. Jackson and Hill were started on the 10th with a large force, 25,000 to scoop up the Valley points. Eagerly they plunged forward, leaving about an equal number of troops to contend with any attacks made by McClellan. Several writers on this campaign say that Genl. Longstreet and several other gen- erals, opposed this division of the army in the enemy's country; but Lee seemed so well ac- quainted with Mcclellan's mode of warfare, that he tried to assure his generals that McClellan would be slow and cautious as usual, and there need be no fear. When Jackson started for Harpers Ferry, Lee moved to Hagerstown. Jack- son and Hill marched 14 miles; halted for the night near the village of Boonesboro. Next morning they moved in two lines for Martins- burg, Jackson via Williamsport and Hill by the direct road. On the 12th, Martinsburg was in- vested, and the Federals there decamped for Harpers Ferry. The Confederates received ova- tions in Martinsburg that cheered them for their unfinished work. Jackson hurried away in the afternoon, and halted on historic Opecquon. On the 13th he hurried around to Halltown and halted just North of the village, where a solid line of pickets and sharpshooters were thrown out to connect with other Confederate positions, for the old ferry was completely surrounded before the commanding officer was aware that he had anything but detachments of cavalry to contend with. Sunday morning, Sept. 14th, found the Confederates in position as follows: Jackson in front and to the West of Bolivar. McLaws on Maryland Heights, Genl. Jos. G. Walker on Loudoun Heights, Genl. A. P. Hill on the Shen- andoah River. All had received the following orders by II o'clock :

"Headquarters, Valley Dist. "Sept. 14, 1862. "I. Today Maj. Genl. McLaws will attack so as to sweep with his artillery the ground occupied by the enemy, take his batteries in re- verse, and otherwise operate against him as cir- cumstances may justify.

"2. Brigadier Genl. Walker will take in re- verse the battery on the turnpike, and sweep with his artillery the ground occupied by the enemy, and silence the batteries on the island of the Shenandoah should he find a battery there.

"3. Maj. Genl. A. P. Hill will move along the left bank of the Shenandoah and thus turn the enemy's left flank and enter Harpers Ferry.

"4. Brigadier Genl. Lawton will move along the turnpike for the purpose of supporting Genl.

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Hill, and otherwise operating against the enemy to the left of Genl. Hill.

"5. Brig. Genl. Jones will with one of his brigades and a battery of artillery, make a dem- onstration against the enemy's right; the remain- ing part of this division will constitute the re- serve and move along the turnpike.

By order of Major General Jackson.

WM. L. JACKSON, Acting Asst. Adjt. Genl."

The author was requested to supply informa- tion concerning the capture of Harpers Ferry, so that the positions could be better understood; and is pleased to giye copies from the original orders found in Confederate Official Reports and from these reports comes answer to the question frequently asked: Why did the Chris- tian soldier Stonewall Jackson open fire on the helpless civilians before demanding surrender? He says that "during early morning a dispatch from McLaws stated that McClellan had threat- ened the rear and he had sent three detachments to detour in the rear." This accounts for the cannonading heard in the early morning far to the northward, and this was near Genl. Lee's position ; so there was no time to be lost. The work in hand must be disposed of, so this army could go to his relief. Orders were given to open fire on the enemy's works, and not on the village, as has been so often stated, though during the afternoon of Sunday, some shells demolished several buildings occupied by Fed- erals. The cordon tightened hourly, and the heavy garrison was doomed. When night closed, the Federals had hopes that Little Mack would send promised relief. The next morning, the 15th, found both armies ready for battle. The Federals handled their artillery handsomely, but it availed them but a short respite, for as Jackson closed in, he gave the word for quick work; and every gunner sprang to his place. For one hour every Confederate battery poured the bursting shells upon front, flank and rear of the Federals. There were brave men who stood by their guns that morning, but nothing could hold out against the network of destruction that had been so adroitly woven around their position. Hill's infantry was ready to charge in conjunc- tion with Walker. But when the river breeze had swept away the smoke and mist, a white flag had taken the place of the Starspangled Banner that had withstood shot and shell for twenty hours. The work was done, and the in- fantry failed to get in their counterstrokes. The Federals proposed surrender, and turned over their entire army, except the Cavalry that had escaped in the darkness-12,520 prisoners, 13,000 muskets, 73 pieces of artillery, and nearly three

hundred wagons. Genl. White of Winchester fame, was in command, he having taken rank over Genl. Miles who had held Harpers Ferry for several months, feeling safe.

The author has talked with Federal soldiers who stated "they were surrendered at Harpers Ferry, and Saw Genl. Jackson ride along the streets that morning," and expressed great pleas- ure that they could say that they had seen Stonewall Jackson.

Genl. Jackson immediately notified Genl. Lee of the capture, and was ready to receive fur- ther orders; that Genl. Hill would dispose of the prisoners, captured arms, etc. Genl. Long- street, in his interesting account of the Mary- land Campaign, says that "Genl. Lee was forced back from his position at South Mountain to Sharpsburg, and that late in the afternoon, Jack- son, Walker and McLaws were ordered to re- join without further delay." And thus the ter- rific Sharpsburg battle was initiated; and since Genl. Longstreet has criticized Jackson for not moving sooner from Harpers Ferry and attack- ing Mcclellan East of South Mountain and shocking his rear, thus giving him time to get into position,-Jackson's old soldiers have often asked why Longstreet did not join D. H. Hill earlier in the day! In Battles and Leaders, (Vol. II, p. 666,) we have this criticism by a writer who was amply supplied by obser- vation, while on the same field: "The order for the march had been given the night before, and there seems to have been no good reason, even admitting the heat and dust, that Long- street's command should not have joined Hill at Noon. The troops marched at daylight (5 A. M.), and took ten hours to march . 13 miles; and owing to their late arrival, only four brigades took part in a very disjointed fash- ion." We may add that this was not the first time that Longstreet was too slow. We will not discuss these points, but hastily follow the Val- ley Army from Harpers Ferry. We find Jack- son once more with Lee on the 16th, anxious to execute any plan. Lee's army, now reduced to 45,000 men (O. R.) were pitted against McClellan's 90,000. The night of the 16th, lines were completed; positions fixed; and the great Federal host made ready for the morrow. The Confederates knew that they were outnumbered, but not outgeneraled; and though the odds were against them, the brave men slept through the night, and hoped to be in line for the terrible conflict that hung over their way. Hooker and Mansfield with their two corps, First and Twelfth, had crossed the Antietam, and were in powerful battle lines facing South, on the North of Sharpsburg, hidden from Jackson's left by a dense forest. On the 17th, before sunrise, Hook-

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er's pickets appeared along the line protected by woodland, with infantry pressing forward. Jackson was apprised of an early attack and was already prepared to receive them. Hooker's lead- ing generals were tried men, like Meade, Double- day, Ricketts and others, with their veteran troops. Had Mcclellan seized this opportunity and entered the wave of battle in spirit equal to that exhibited by his subalterns, Jackson's corps would have been demolished. As it was, the losses were heavy, and the Confederate line was barely maintained. Hooker in his official report says: "Over thirty acres of corn was cut as close by the bullets as if it had been reaped by the sickle, and the dead lay piled in regular ranks along the whole Confederate front." Genl. Jones in command of the Valley troops, fell in this action and was carried from the field. The gallant and intrepid Genl. Starke assumed command, and led the old Valley Army once more into the plain. The onslaught be- tween Federal and Confederate battle lines is beyond description. The old regiments led by the dauntless Starke, checked the advance of Hooker, and then rushed upon Doubleday's Di- vision now exposed, and struck a stunning blow both to his front and flank, causing the Federals to turn in great confusion. In this last charge Genl. Starke was killed. Stuart with his cavalry was doing good service, using his artillery on Doubleday's flank, distracting his attention, and compelling several detachments to leave Jack- son's front and protect the Federal flank from Stuart's threatened advance. Doubleday was forced to fall back on new lines. It was about 8 A. M. when Hooker realized that his well laid plan had been demolished by Jackson, and acknowledged a repulse that compelled a cessa- tion of battle. The Valley Army was badly shat- tered; and Jones' and Lawton's Divisions which had withstood the brunt of the three hours storm, could not reasonably expect to hold out against a renewal of attack. Jackson's official report says : The troops actually engaged in the two divisions numbering 4,200 infantry at the opening attack, lost 1,700 of their number, every brigade and regiment having lost their com- manders who led the charge; the remnant of the two hard-fought divisions who had again elicited admiration for their unfaltering courage and fearful blow dealt Hooker's avalanche of Western men, were not left alone in their peril- ous position. Early's Brigade was soon hurried across fields to the woodland. Hood was up now with his 1,800 Texans to support Lawton ; part of D. H. Hill's division also came up. Hooker was also receiving reinforcements. Mansfield's corps of 8,500 were rapidly taking position to support Hooker. The battle opened again in

deadly style, with fearful loss to both sides. Jackson's front was broken, and new lines were formed. But according to official reports, the Federals paid dearly for what they had won. The celebrated Hooker Corps, (Ist) had been handled by Jones and Lawton, who had literally cut it to pieces. The field was covered by their slain, exceeding by vast numbers the heroes in tattered gray who also sank in the terrible car- nage and lay on the same ground, in hundreds of instances touching elbows with their gallant foemen-all noble sacrifices for their chosen prin- ciples. This battle told heavily on both sides. Many homes were saddened both North and South, for be it known none but American heroes were strewn on that plain. No hireling soldiery on that field. The Federal loss was 2,500 officers and men left on the field; and stragglers by thousands were seen rushing to- wards Antietam Creek. Genl. Hooker was se- verely wounded; and Mansfield's 12th Corps, while not defeated, suffered a loss of 1,500 men, and were unable to move forward, while he, an old grizzled hero of many hot engagements, went down mortally wounded. While there was a lull in the infantry attacks, the artillery never ceased firing; and old artillery men serving on that day with the contending batteries, have given the author thrilling accounts of the great duel. Full three hundred guns kept up in- cessant roar, and the experiences of that after- noon can never be forgotten. The artillerists in both armies were in constant and fearful con- flict, and the result must have seemed to be the destruction of both armies. When the smoke had cleared, the field presented the scene of con- flict, for lying on the ground were thousands of dead and wounded. It appeared that during the lull of infantry firing, McClellan had hurried reinforcements to aid Hooker. Jackson who had occupied a position which enabled him to sur- vey the whole field, divined Mcclellan's plans, and he was prepared to meet the army that he believed would come in on his flank. He had notified Genl. Lee and asked for reinforcements to move to certain points, under Walker, Mc- Laws, Anderson and Early, and he would fur- ther instruct them to fall upon the flank of the new army that he believed would pass a certain point. General Lee answered promptly, and urged each general to press forward. Sedgewick with a splendid corps, was observed bearing down upon Jackson's weak front and flank; when suddenly Walker and McLaws double- quicked through a woodland, striking Sedge- wick's flank. Early at that moment with his fresh troops appeared, and with the vigor usual to this famous command, plunged into the thick- est of the fight. Jackson from his position, saw

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 65

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