Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 69

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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ing to think. He contracted his brow; set his easy range. Then belched forth the terrific fire that convinced the Federals that they must seek shelter or be destroyed. It has been told by Old Valley men that never before did the Old Stonewall men shot with such calmness and mouth, and for some moments lay obviously en- deavoring to concentrate his thoughts. . . . He presently answered, very feebly and sadly "I don't know-I can't tell. Say to Genl. Stuart he must do what he thinks best," soon after this . accuracy. They were simply invincible. The he slept."

We must leave the stricken General in his sleep, while we trace the din of battle for the Old Valley Army. Some of Hooker's corps commanders deserve unstinted credit for their efforts to save the day to the Union arms; and their work on the night of May 2nd told fear- fully on Genl. Lee's army. The loss of Jack- son and Hill, who alone knew the plan of bat- tle, was heightened by the distance that lay be- tween the scene in the forest that night and General Lee who was then contending with Sedgewick's Army and the reinforcements in- tended to march from Fredericksburg to succor Hooker. Genl. Stuart, who had been watching Ely's Ford, was suddenly called to take com- mand of Jackson's army at a most critical junc- ture. He found it on the verge of a great vic- tory, or, it might be, disaster. Desperation had seized the Federals who stood to their guns; and the night's battle seemed to be in their fa- vor. The Confederates, deprived of their mas- ter spirit, were in confusion. Jackson had won the battle but was stricken too soon to com- plete the rout. The Federals gathered courage while the Confederates waited for orders and leaders; and when Genl. Stuart arrived, he found Rodes and Colston reforming in good order out in the open fields near Dowdall's Tavern, and Hill's Division reforming in the forest. Stuart knew that not a moment should be lost; he had come from points where he had observed furious preparation on the part of the Federals to sweep along the line of the wil- derness and strike a blow that might save the day. His experience as a cavalry leader, en- abled him to grasp the situation in time to meet and check the avalanche of Federals coming from the quarter where Anderson with four small brigades had all day and into the night, held in check Genl. Sickle's Corps, Pleasanton's Cav- alry and Bering's and Whipple's divisions. (See Genl. Carl Schurz's magazine articles, and Gen. Geo. H. Gordon in "Brook Farm to Appomat- tox.")

We find Genl. Stuart calling for the Old Val- ley Army. Genl. Colston moved to the rude log breastworks in the timber, and with Rodes' Division, was in strong position to meet the surging foe. Hill's old division was in support; and when the shock came, about Midnight, Stuart was ready with artillery and musketry, held in reserve until the Federal lines were in

night's battle subsided then until morning. The scene then was shifting. Stuart had planted guns on the ridge called Hazle Grove; and as the morning dawned, the Federals were surprised when the attack came from that quarter; and believing that General Lee had reached that point with his contingent, the Federals formed a new base, only to be driven from it after sev- eral hours of fearful slaughter. Genl. Stuart excelled himself in the conduct of this day's work. Federals sought shelter in the forests, and endeavored to move in some show of order along the narrow Wilderness roads. Much of the forest was in flames; the Chancellorsville House was destroyed; added to this the debris of both armies, the dead and wounded,-all made a scene that beggars description; and in the after- noon of May 3rd, when the Old Valley men rallied under the reveille call, their decimated ranks told where they had been and of their loss. The question may be asked: What was accomplished by all this havoc? Valor displayed; heroes made and chivalry theirs! But what of the firesides over their Valley? We may in other chapters tell something of those firesides and of individual valor. The Battle of Chan- cellorsville-covering several days of fierce fight- ing resulted in victory to the Army of Northern Virginia and humiliating defeat to the Army of the Potomac. Had Jackson been spared those fatal shots from his own men, the defeat of Genl. Hooker would have been overwhelming. And if Mr. Davis had acceded to Genl. Lee's request and returned a portion of Longstreet's Corps, so they could have been on the field on the fourth of May, Hooker and his great army would have been in a panic; and instead of re- treating in disorder on the 5th and 6th to the North side of the Potomac, seeking shelter from his pursuing foe, rout and capture would have destroyed the demoralized corps, as they hurried from the scene of their overthrow. The Fed- eral loss in killed and wounded, according to O. R., amounted to 16,844, 13 guns and 6,000 officers and men supposed to have been cap- tured.

The Confederate loss, killed and wounded, 10,277, and 2,000 officers and men missing.

The Federals sustained the crushing blow of a dispirited army; while the Confederates were buoyed by their ability to defeat the grand army and force its broken ranks to seek refuge under their siege guns and gunboats. Once

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THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION

more the two armies occupy their old positions on the Rappahannock-to form new plans-The Northern Army to change commanders, while the Confederates lamented the loss of their hero chieftain. Genl. Lee sought in vain for one to fill the place; for Stonewall Jackson suc- cumbed to his unfortunate injuries, and passed

beyond the din of battle and plaudits of men on Sunday, May 10th, and entered the Eternal Rest.

We will not linger here with the recitals of incidents attending the change. In a personal sketch of Genl. T. J. Jackson, a fuller ac- count will be given.

CHAPTER LXII

WITH THE VALLEY ARMY After Jackson's Death

After the storm and strife had ceased at Chan- cellorsville, Genl. Lee found it necessary to re- organize the army, so many changes had oc- curred. Three Corps now composed the army -. Longstreet's, the Ist Corps; Ewell to take Jack- son's old Corps, the 2nd, and A. P. Hill, the third.

The divisions of the 2nd corps were, Early's, 6,943 men-Brigadiers : Hays, Smith, Hoke and Gordon.

2nd Division, Johnson's, 5,564 men-Brigadiers : Stuart, Walker, Nichol, Jones.

3rd Division, Rodes', 8,454 men-Brigadiers : Daniel, Doles, Iverson, Ransome and O'Neal. 1,000 Artillerists-Total, 21,961.

This 2nd Corps contained many of the Val- ley soldiers, principally in Early's Division. Of course, the reader recalls the notice given in former pages, that the writer would only en- deaver to follow the Valley men, and briefly show their lines of march and positions in bat- tle by division, brigade or regiment. We will now adhere to this line, while we follow them under their new corps commander, Genl. Ewell. As they begin the march that ultimately takes them to Gettysburg, on June 6th 1863, Ewell started with the 2nd Corps for Culpeper C. H. Hooker, who had discovered the change in Genl. Lee's front, sent a large force of cavalry under Buford and Gregg with two brigades of in- fantry, to attack the cavalry camps along and near the Rappahannock. They were checked, however, by discovering a large Confederate force marching across their proposed line. When they returned, Genl. Pleasanton, the Chief of Federal Cavalry at the time, ordered out three divisions of cavalry and two of infantry, and moved away again. Ewell's Corps had arrived at Culpeper and was ready to leave on the 9th of June, but delayed on account of heavy firing in the direction of Brandy Station; and did not get away until the 10th.

We must enquire about the Brandy Station affair. Stuart had been instructed by Genl. Lee that he contemplated an invasion of Pennsyl- vania, and that the cavalry should be concen- trated at some convenient point.

The Genl. Wm. E. Jones' raid through West Virginia, taking over thirty days, had just been

terminated, and the brigade had settled down at Mt. Crawford to enjoy much needed rest The camp on the 26th of May presented a scene well remembered by old troopers. Men were dividing the captured horses and stuff they had jointly brought in from that celebrated raid, which had touched every prominent point on the border from New Creek Station on the B. & O. railroad around to the Kanawha River, taking in Cumberland, Rowlesburg, Clarkesburg and all other points; gathering up in their 700 mile ride nearly 800 prisoners, about 1,200 cat- tle and same number of horses, and every sort of article found in sutlers' and government stores, from tooth-brushes and calico to heavy cloths, clothing, shoes, boots, etc. The prisoners were sent on to where they could be cared for, and the cattle to Genl. Lee's army, while the horses, etc., were substituted for the broken-down pri- vates' horses. The men were entitled to re- mounts and given liberty to find places for the worn-out steeds, where they could be revived for future use. One regiment noticeably had an extra supply of variegated calico. This was the 12th; and from that day on it was distin- guished as the Calico Twelfth. The brigade, while strictly respecting private property in its ? hard ride, gave strict attention to public property wherever found, including railroad bridges. Six- teen of these had been destroyed. The loss of the brigade as summed up by Genl. Jones in his O. R., was 10 killed and 42 wounded. None missing. No definite report of the Federal loss; but it was well known that several had been killed and wounded. Space may be given later on to show some of the experiences of certain officers and men.

While the brigade was indulging itself during the last days of May and the first of June, orders were received one evening for all com- mands to prepare for marching. Much private booty was distributed among the homes nearby, to await the return of the troopers. Alas! Many of these never returned. The bright June morn- ing came when the brigade was seen winding its way down the Eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge, to join the Cavalry near Brandy Station, that could be seen coming from Culpeper Court House and other points. When the 5th of June,

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1863, came, with Stuart's grand review, old troopers looked on the picture with strange emotions. Stuart and his staff came dashing through the lines, as they were drawn up with gleaming sabres at present arms. The General, bedecked with flowers presented by scores of fair Virginia women who had taken position on one of the hills; and with his plume in con- stant motion, some thought Jeb was entertaining the ladies, with no thought of practical uses. No invidious distinction can be made in singling out any of the grand array of horsemen and ac- cording to them the honor of conspicuous mil- itary appearance. But the writer may be par- doned if he says, that the Brigade which had just returned from the recent raid along the border, attracted special attention from Stuart, as they passed in review, with grim Billy Jones in the lead, and was given the post of honor at the end of a long ridge. This was the first time the cavalry arm of the service had been in Grand Review. It was a grand scene-8,000 horsemen on the ground at one time-Wade Hampton leading the Palmetto and Tar Heel Brigades. Fitz Lee with all his youthful vigor, prancing his superb horse along the lines of the Tidewater Virginians. Every trooper gave evi- dence of their familiarity with spirited horses, and reflected credit on the cavalry that was destined for the great work near at hand. It was noted by hundreds of the best riders, that none bore resemblance of the Cavalier Ashby, who had gone from the nearby plains at his country's first call, and who had one year be- fore yielded his all as a sacrifice upon his coun- try's altar.

On the 8th, Genl. Lee was present, and re- viewed the Corps. Old soldiers began to con- jecture as to what all this meant. They had but little time to wait and know; for the Army of Northern Virginia was moving towards the North. The Federal commander sent out Genl. Pleasanton with a large force of cavalry to make reconnoissance of such movement, and to strike every point in the flank of the advance. This force was in motion on the 8th, when Genl. Lee made the only and last review of the Cav- alry. Pleasanton crossed the Rappahannock in two columns, one at Beverly's ford, the other at Kelly's ford. O. R. show that he had three divisions of cavalry and two of infantry. They started towards Culpeper Court House. The advance was met by Company A. of the 6th Va. This one Company, led by Capt. Bruce Gibson, dashed headlong into what turned out to be the 8th New York. The Company was compelled to retire to favorable ground and awaited their regiment to come to their support. Part of this regiment on very short notice was on hand,

and soon found themselves in front of the heavy column in a country road. After a desperate charge, the 8th withdrew and waited for the 7th to come up. The 6th had now lost about 30 men. When the 7th got up, some of the men were without saddles, so quickly had they been rushed by Genl. Jones. The fighting was desperate, holding out long enough for the wagon trains to safely get away, and the remain- der of the Confederate regiments to get in line, with the artillery in good position at St. James' Church. The Federals under Gregg now swept forward and many hand to hand struggles oc- curred .. The lines fell back over ridges to Brandy Station, with Genl. W. F. Lee on the Federal right and Hampton on the left-the 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th and White's battalion fighting desperately in the front. The great battle of Brandy Station was now at flood tide. The fighting continued until evening, when the Fed- erals were content to withdraw and seek the Rappahannock. Many brave men went down. Stuart's loss was 523 officers and men; Federal killed and wounded 936 officers and men, 486 prisoners, 3 pieces of artillery and small arms. Genl. Jones in his report says his brigade bore the brunt of battle. The writer's brother Capt. M. B. Cartmell of Company B, 11th Va. Regt., had three horses killed. The reader is referred to a graphic account of this battle as given by Capt. W. N. McDonald in "History of the Laurel Brigade," and to "The Campaigns of Stuart's Cavalry," by Maj. H. B. Mcclellan, Chief of Staff. The Federals fought well, but not wisely, making their usual mistake of fighting only a portion of their great host at a time. Had Pleasanton hurled Buford in along with Gregg, Stuart's cavalry might not have rested on the battle ground that night, where they had the day before been in grand review before Genl. Lee.

Returning now to the 2nd corps, we find after they left Culpeper on the 10th, they struck boldly for the Valley. Men of old Stonewall Brigade sniffed the air of Winchester, as they defiled through the Blue Ridge. Early and John- son went to Winchester, while Rodes went to Berryville. When Early and Johnson struck the Valley, it was their desire to surprise Mil- roy, who had held high carnival at Winchester for some time. He was regarded as the lowest type of that class of commanders whose mode of warfare was to persecute women and chil- dren, declaring often that it was the sure way to break the Rebellion. The brutalities of this ruffian and braggart, so well remembered to this day, were a disgrace to the soldiery of America; and his name is never mentioned except to point to his infamy and ultimate over-

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throw. Early was the man for the work; and securing good guides, he left the main thorough- fares at Bartonsville, and followed defiles through field and forest to the West of Kerns- town, where he was completely hidden from view by the great ridge running West of Win- chester North and South. Passing through the Clo- verdale Farm, he struck the Northwestern Turn- pike at Dr. John S. Lupton's residence. The whole column then disappeared through the wood- lands of the Lupton farms, and took position in the edge of heavy timber near the Parish farm, about two miles in an air line from the big Milroy Fort near where is seen the residence of Mr. Fred Strother. Early soon had a good position for his heavy guns, which were timed to fire in quick succession. The guides-the writer being one and Mr. James Carr Baker the other-were then relieved of the responsibility for undertaking to place the command in the position described to Genl. Early on the banks of the Shenandoah, and ordered to proceed in haste to the brigades on the Valley Pike, and direct them not to enter the town until he ceased firing. The writer must acknowledge a diso- bedience of this order. He had two reasons : one was that he must linger long enough to see the big guns belch forth and see if possible where the shells landed. Having waited long enough for the third volley, he hastened away to meet the column on the Valley Pike that had kept up a desultory fire for several hours to dis- tract Milroy's attention while Early was getting into position. No juncture could be formed that evening between the scout and the brigade South of Winchester. Early fired his first gun between 5 and 6 P. M., and continued to cannonade until dark, while his infantry charged through the lowlands to the slopes of the ridge West of the fort. The garrison kept up a heavy fire with siege guns, but did no harm. Several pieces, however, got the range on the charging infantry and killed some men. Milroy packed his trains in the hollows N. E. from the fort, and gal- loped away at early dawn with about 500 cav- alry, overtaking several regiments of his in- fantry near Stephensons, he put them in line, and had them charge the Confederate batteries stationed at the road crossing; and after sev- eral volleys were poured into the artillerymen and their weak support, Milroy and all the cav- alry that could follow, literally rode over his own infantrymen and over the dead men and battery horses, and escaped. Pursuit was im- possible at that hour. Later on, mounted in- fantrymen followed him for several miles, but losing his trail, returned to Stephensons, where many prisoners were surrendering. The Stone- wall Brigade was sent from Early's position the

evening before to reach Stephensons, and there meet Rodes marching via Berryville. A junc- ture was thus formed, with flanks well guarded and Ewell with two other brigades pressing the rear. It was believed Milroy's command "would be scooped up," as Genl. Early curtly said. Some one East of town was to blame. Rodes passing through Berryville on time, drove all before him in such shape, he mistook his orders and never stopped until he reached Martins- burg, capturing guns, stores, and a few pris- oners. Had he halted at some point under cover of timber near old Hackwood, until the Stone- wall appeared, there would doubtless have been a complete surrender. As it was, over 1,600 men were taken from the fort the next morn- ing and confined in the Court House yard that was enclosed with a high iron fence. The writer was detailed to take the names of men, regiments, etc .; and in recent years has met some of the men who were of that number. One incident occurred to cause all to remember the day and place: After guards were thrown around the yard, the prisoners complained of extreme hunger; and when told that the Con- federates were in the same strait and would be until the rations could be issued, several of the prisoners stated they knew where there was a big lot of sutlers' supplies. Taking two of the prisoners and a detail of Confederates, the stores were found in an old storeroom nearly oppo- site the Taylor Hotel-barrels of crackers, can- ned stuffs, cheese, etc., were carried to the Court House yard and freely distributed among the prisoners, many of whom have told the writer of their gratitude. About this time pris- oners came from Stephensons' swelling the num- ber captured to nearly 4,000, with about 30 guns all told, siege and other cannon, besides a rich wagon train a mile long. Genl. Lee's Reports show that 250 wagons, 400 horses and 20 am- bulances and a lot of ammunition, etc., was captured, together with the prisoners and sut- lers' outfits. The marches made by this corps under Ewell, and the rout of Milroy with the fruits of victory, compare well with some cam- paign work the old Corps did for Stonewall Jackson 13 months before. Early and Johnson in their advance upon Winchester, marched 70 miles in three days.

Rodes speaks of his march to the Potomac, as "the most trying march we have yet had ; most trying because of the intense heat, the character of the road (stony and dusty) and the increased number of barefooted men in the command."

Hooker's demonstrations caused Genl. Lee to retain Longstreet and Hill for any emergency. Strange to say Fighting Joe Hooker allowed pol-

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itics to enter and interfere with an attack on Lee at some point in the vicinity of Manassas, that most surely would have overthrown the lat- ter, and gained renown for Hooker that no pol- iticians like Stanton, Halleck and Chase could have wrested from him. Genl. Lee certainly knew the weakness of the man and felt sure he would not come out into the open, so disregarded Hooker entirely; for on the 15th Longstreet was marched away from Culpeper to the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, while A. P. Hill went via Front Royal and entered the Valley to unite with Longstreet near Snickers and Ashbys Gaps, which was effected on the 20th. A large force of cavalry protected Longstreet's flank and front, and fought three severe battles worthy of notice, beginning at Aldie, Loudoun County, then Middleburg, and on the slopes of the Blue Ridge near Upperville. It was at this last place where Capt. Chas. T. O'Ferral was seriously injured and carried from the field by one of his comrades Mr. Alfred Fergusson, now living in Winchester. The old Ashby Brigade under Brig. Genl. Wm. E. Jones, distinguished itself again in this battle, fighting over every foot of ground from Aldie and over the hills about Middleburg. Stuart had been fighting Genl. Gregg on the 19th, and was barely able to hold his ground, while Longstreet was crossing the mountain. In the evening, Jones appeared and succeeded in se- curing a good position about 4 miles from Upperville; and being reinforced the next day, kept in close touch with Stuart; and this af- forded protection to the infantry and trains. On the 21st, Gregg and Buford came up with a brigade of infantry, and headed for Jones out on the road to Middleburg. This brought the whole cavalry into action, resulting in the Upper-

ville battle. The cavalry had gradually given way, and retired slowly to the long line of hills near the village. Artillery was brought into action, Chew's battery doing great service. The Valley regiments, the 6th, 7th, 11th and 12th were conspicuous, and fought several pitched engagements, and held the ground despite the good fighting of the Federals, who lost heavily in the day's work. The Confederates met many men that day who fought fiercely. The 7th had 5 men killed and 16 wounded; the 11th 7 killed and 24 wounded; the 12th 2 killed and II wound- ed. The Federals were forced to retire and left Upperville to the Confederates. Old soldiers regarded the three days' fighting well sustained by both sides.

On the 24th Stuart started on his raid. Jones' and Robertson's Brigades were left for other duties. Jones marched from Snickersville to Berryville, and then took up an interrupted line of march to join the army in Maryland. The 6th, 7th and IIth crossed the river at Williams- port; and bravely they rode where Genl. Lee ordered. General Stuart's raid around the rear of the Federal Army after he crossed the Po- tomac, has been lamented by the Cavalry, for their fruitless ride; and Genl. Lee had cause to lament that Stuart had not joined Jones; as from the combined force he could have drawn what he needed during the terrible three days spent on that raid. Stuart had started on the 24th, and from the 26th to the 2nd of July, Genl. Lee had not seen him, though needing him every day. None can blame the gallant Stuart, for he undertook the expedition with the knowl- edge and consent of Lee and Longstreet, and he had endured trying hardships.

CHAPTER LXIII

GETTYSBURG

On July Ist, 1863, we find the preliminary move- ments in the Army of Lee indicating an engage- ment in the vicinity of Gettysburg. Several other positions had been chosen; but the Federal armies were appearing at so many points, that Genl. Lee had the Gettysburg field forced upon him. He saw some strategic points on the field that should be held by him; and this is why Ewell was directed to change positions of Early and Rodes from the Cashtown Road, and head for Gettysburg. Meade had discovered Ewell's Corps between York and Carlisle, and had on the 29th turned his whole army in that direc- tion. General Lee discovered this movement barely in time to extricate the corps from Meade's meshes.

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 69

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