Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 73

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 73

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The Old Valley men now waiting in grim silence, had heard of the outrages, and they were eager to go into the heart of that camp and avenge the wrongs.

Rosser had fought a severe battle on the 9th by rushing into a full division of cavalry near Strasburg, and lost prisoners and one piece of light artillery; and though compelled to retreat in disorder, he rallied; and the day after contin- ued to annoy the picket line. When the Federals heard firing on their left in the night of the 18th, they felt sure it was of no importance. Scouts had been busy for two days seeking routes to satisfy General Early. His desire was to cross some ford between Strasburg and Marlboro, that was not heavily guarded. This seemed impos- sible; but at midnight the line of march was taken up. About seven miles of rough road lay out there in the darkness. Old soldiers speak of the scramble over rock and brush as a thing they will never forget. Early aimed to cross the creek, while the not infrequent picket firing was plainly heard on the right. Gordon's Division was in front, Ramseur's next, and Pegram in reserve. At daylight, the column was over the ford and prepared to surprise the great camps. The 8th received the first shock. None were pre- pared. The Confederates made good use of every moment. Men were over-run, killed and wounded; and prisoners were in confused masses. Several thousands surrendered; others fled, and rushing through the 19th corps, which was mak- ing some effort to form, produced a panic by their yells. The 19th soon wavered, and fled as only scared men can. The two camps were entirely abandoned; and their late occupants were rush- ing past Middletown before they were partly checked by the 6th corps under Genl. Wright. This was of short duration; for when the Con- federate reserves began to swing around a flank movement was feared, and everything gave way to rout and confusion. Genl. Early called off the pursuit, and the scattered Confederate battalions returned to the rich camp and feasted on their spoils. While this indulgence was in progress, Genl. Wright rallied his 6th corps, and gallantly undertook to retrieve the terrible losses; and it

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is well known that he did the work well. The Confederates were unfortunate in the end. They failed to appreciate the disparity in numbers ; and felt they were secure from attack. Genl. Wright's corps, the 6th, was composed of fight- ing men, and he was a brave and competent officer. He was soon in line of battle; and at 2:20 P. M. disaster to the Confederates was in sight. They were unorganized and totally un- prepared for the magnificent line of battle moving down upon them, capturing hundreds of small squads of Confederates as they made for the pillaged camp. By 3 o'clock the well-disciplined line of the 6th corps was on the old camp ground. In vain did Gordon try to stay the uneven at- tack. Ramseur and Kershaw hastened away; Pegram and the artillery held on at the ford, and checked the charge for a moment; but from this ford to Fishers Hill a fearful rout ensued; and it was this that Genl. Sheridan styled his victory. Guns, medical and ordnance stores were abandoned, 23 pieces of artillery and 1,500 pris- oners captured; and the Federals occupied the camps they had deserted in the morning. A heavy column of cavalry crossed the Creek and wrought havoc among the retreating Confederates. Wagon trains and more prisoners were captured. Sheridan in his official report of the affair, gives himself the credit for reforming his army and routing Early, and for many marvellous feats performed by his orders; and fails to give Genl. Wright and his brigadiers any credit.

Sheridan and his black horse, and the ride of twenty miles, was an incident to fire the droop- ing spirits of the masses, and a theme for maud- lin verse and war stories for many years. But the day came when participants in the two routs of the 19th of October, 1864, could meet in reunions of the Blue and the Gray, and the bat- tle-scarred veterans comparing notes, told the true story. Then it was agreed that the self- styled hero and his dramatic story, was a myth. His ride of twelve miles instead of twenty, ended after 3 o'clock, the hour when Genl. Wright in person and his 6th corps, had driven Gordon and other Confederates from the camp and across the ford.

Genl. Early, during the time between 1 and 3 o'clock, had been aroused from his lethargy, and vainly endeavored to save his army. It may be asked, where had Genl. Early been for five hours. It was well known at the time that he, too, had been enjoying the pillage rather than the fruits of his victory; and when his broken- hearted troops read his address of censure-when he charged disaster to their misconduct, they sullenly expressed their disapproval, and boldly asserted his incompetency resulted from causes they had discovered in two other campaigns;

and from that hour the troops sought every just means to change commanders. They saw the need of change. The Richmond authorities, doubtless, were well aware that a mistake was made when Early was entrusted with the work that Stonewall Jackson inaugurated. The defeat of Early's Army was a death blow to the Valley. No hope for holding out. The Valley Army virtually dis- banded. Breckenridge was sent to the South; Gordon rejoined Lee; the Cavalry were allowed to shift for themselves-Forage all gone -!

We find Early-the Lieutenant General who had performed wonderful feats under the guidance of master spirits-now stranded. His genius as a Brigadier; his fighting qualities so much ad- mired by his followers, can never be forgotten. And may all who read this brief notice of his last battles, throw the mantle of charity over his mistakes, and retain a regard for his ser- vice, such as Genl. Lee exhibited in his letter of condolence, of which we give space for a copy :

Head Quarters, C. S. Armies, March 30, 1865.

Lt. General J. A. Early,

Franklin C. H., Va.

Dear sir :

My telegram will have informed you that I deem a change of commanders in your depart- ment necessary; but it is due to your zealous and patriotic services that I should explain the reason that prompted my action. The situation of affairs is such that we can neglect no means calculated to develop the resources we posses to the greatest extent, and make them as efficient as possible. To this end it is essential that we should have the cheerful and hearty support of the people and a full confidence of the sol- diers, without which our efforts would be em- barassed, and our means of resistence weaken- ed. I have reluctantly arrived at the conclusion that you cannot command the united and will- ing co-operation which is so essential to suc- cess. Your reverses in the Valley, of which the public and the army judge chiefly by results, have, I fear, impaired your influence both with the people and the soldiers and would add greatly to the difficulties, which will, under any circum- stances, attend our military operations in South- western Virginia. While my own confidence in your ability, zeal and devotion to the cause is un- impaired, I have nevertheless felt that I could not oppose what seems to be the current of opinion without injustice to your reputation and injury to the service. I therefore felt constrained to endeavor to find a commander who would be more likely to develop the strength and re- sources of the country, and inspire the soldiers with confidence, and, to accomplish this pur-

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pose, thought it proper to yield to my own opinion, and defer to that of those to whom alone we can look for support. I am sure that you will understand and appreciate my motives, and that no one will be more ready than your- self to acquiesce in any manner which the in- terests of the country may seem to require, re- gardless of all personal considerations. Thank- ing you for the fidelity and energy with which you have always supported my efforts, and for the courage and devotion you have ever mani- fested in the service of the country,

I am, very respectfully and truly your obe- dient servant,

R. E. LEE, General."

We need not follow Early through the Val- ley after his disaster on the 19th of October, 1864, when he made several ineffectual stands to save the dissolution of his army. Sheridan inflicted a yet more complete disaster at Fishers Hill on the 22nd, when Gordon by tremendous efforts, held the advancing columns in check; but all finally gave way. The Valley was abandoned. Early retired with his remnants to mountain passes beyond Staunton; and Sheridan filled the Upper Valley with horrors, but finally returned to Strasburg, where he summed up his cam- paign in a letter to the Washington authorities, which tells the story of his devastations. Sheri- dan chose to fall back and destroy the country, rather than march boldly on and swing around to the rear of Lee's Army, and enable Grant with his colossal equipments to crush the tattered remnants of the Army of Northern Virginia. This letter can be found among the files of the War

Department, a copy of which is here given to show his vicious temperament :

"In moving back to this point, the whole coun- try has been made untenable for a rebel army. I have destroyed over two thousand barns filled with hay and farm implements, over 70 mills, filled with flour and wheat; have driven in front of the army 4,000 head of stock, and have killed and issued to the troops not less than three thou- sand sheep. The destruction embraces the Luray Valley and Little Fort Valley as well as the main Valley."

Some writers have confounded this burning with that of Hunter's fires on the 17th of Au- gust; and some have confounded it with the fires in the Bridgewater neighborhood, about the last of September. The latter was done by Sheridan in retaliation for the killing of Col. Meigs, his chief of staff; and at the same time he had several prisoners brutally shot who had no part in the affair. The man who killed the staff officer is living in Rockingham County at this writing; and several citizens of that section furn- ished the writer with a full account of it. Sher- idan ordered the town to be destroyed. His men extended the fires; and other property was burned.

We have not space to recount the deeds of the Valley Cavalry during the calamitous day men- tioned in connection with the Valley Campaign. They never faltered; and on many occasions fought detachments of cavalry that patrolled the Valley, until December. The reader will find graphic accounts of the service rendered by the cavalry, in the History of the Laurel Brigade, already referred to.

CHAPTER LXVI

FALL OF RICHMOND Appomattox and Surrender

In connection with the notice of the Valley campaign, the culmination of which seemed to foreshadow the fall of Richmond, it seems proper to briefly mention the situation in Grant's front.

Genls. Grant and Lee scarcely allowed a day to pass during the last Winter of the War, with- out testing their siege guns-Grant bombarding the trenches around Petersburg, and the defences of Richmond; Lee answering in a thunderous roar that can never be forgotten by the men in the celebrated trenches. The compass of this volume prevents any narration of the incidents of that Winter. We may say, however, that General Lee, about the last of March, made a demonstration on the South side of the Appo- mattox. Genl. Gordon commanded the expedi- tion, which promised good results; but over- whelming numbers forced him to retire, and realize the sad lesson, that the day had passed for offensive movements for the Army of North- ern Virginia. Grant now ordered Sheridan to sweep through the Valley by way of Waynesboro. On the 27th of February, 1865, he was on the March. He found Genl. Early at Waynesboro March 2nd, with all that was left of the Valley Army, about 1,200 men, unorganized and in dis- tress, having suffered many privations during the Winter. Sheridan's powerful cavalcade soon rode everything down. About 1,000 worn-out Con- federates were captured, and Genl. Early barely escaped with a few humiliated staff officers. Char- lottesville fell into Sheridan's hands next day. He found the James impassable, and his course was changed. He swung around Genl. Lee's left, and crossed the Pamunkey River near the White House; and on the 25th of March joined Grant. While he was unable to obtain a position that Grant had indicated, he was on hand with an effective force of cavalry that performed an im- portant part in the final drama. Sheridan in his march to Lynchburg, destroyed more public prop- erty in the shape of railroad bridges, canal locks, etc., than it is possible to describe here, and pri- vate property melted away. The desolation was complete.

March 29th Grant threw his 5th and 2nd corps and Sheridan's 1,200 cavalry against Lee's right. This was the beginning of the final overthrow. To

meet this, Genl. Lee sent the divisions of Wise, Pickett and Johnson (Bushrod), with Fitz Lee's Division and Ransome's Brigade-about 16,000 men. Sheridan was at Dinwiddie C. H., the same evening; and there he brought on a severe but short fight between his forces and Pickett's and Johnson's. The Federal cavalry were driven back, but held out until the 5th corps came up on the Ist of April; and then occurred the sur- render of full 5,000 Confederates .. The remain- der fled in great confusion. It has been related by officers who were near Genl. Lee when he discovered that his right wing was routed and his whole position in danger, that he exhibited much impatience, and ordered all stragglers put under guard; and censured some of the officers with much feeling.

Perhaps officers and men were impressed with the feeling that a new base was forced upon the army; and they lost the spirit of further resist- ance. But why should we linger over what Capt. Chew and others did at Fort Gregg, when brave men uselessly gave up their lives! The heroic deeds of that garrison will ever be recounted with fervor by Confederates who survived the con- flict. No incident of the War has elicited as vivid descriptions as has this glorious struggle. Writers on both sides have illumined pages of their histories with the halo over Fort Gregg. With its fall, the Army of Northern Virginia was cut in twain. Genl. Lee had notified the War Office at Richmond to prepare for evacuation that night. Richmond's people were unconscious of the impending fate. The first Sabbath and Mon- day of April, 1865, saw her in the throes of deso- lation. The city was virtually abandoned when the Federal General Weitzel marched his troops in her streets. Negro regiments seemed to hold the place of honor in the column. The retiring Confederates obeyed orders that should never have been issued, and committed useless and wanton acts of destruction that were condemned then, and that the lapse of time has not palliated. Fire brands and explosions were deadly in their work. The entire business part of the city was destroyed; acres of warehouses, stores, factories, mills, bridges, etc., all in ruins; and the cap- tors found no captives and no prize.

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While this scene was witnessed at Richmond, Genl. Lee was forming new lines, which led from Petersburg; and it was a memorable morning, that of the 3rd of April. Great batteries and earthworks had been blown up; and a lurid light from Petersburg to Richmond told full well that Genl. Lee was seeking the Appomattox hills for a new base. Grant's untold thousands were in front and flank. When the first halt was made at Amelia C. H. on the 4th, for the broken army to take rations, nothing was found for the famish- ing men. Grant was in pursuit; and Genl. Lee was bent upon two things only: one to secure food for his starving men; the other to escape. On the 5th he moved once more, hoping to reach the hills near Farmville. Men were dropping from the ranks by hundreds; and it was plainly seen that the remnant of the army that still held out, must soon succumb to a soldier's worst enemy-exhaustion from hunger.

April 6th, Sheridan was in flank and rear, where he met Ewell and Pickett. Some deadly work checked the advance of the enemy. Ewell was captured; Curtis fell and most of his com- mand surrendered. Once more the line of march was attempted. The morning of the 7th found the shattered army near Farmville, having crossed the Appomattox. Gordon remained at High Bridge. The morning of the 8th Gordon was drawn into a severe fight, and many brave men were sacrificed, Capt. Hugh McGuire being one.

Longstreet gave battle on the hills near Farm- ville. Gordon joined in the lines around that town, and a show of battle was made at this point. A skirmish occurred over an effort to Capture Lee's wagon train. The Federals were repulsed and 200 prisoners captured by the Con- federates.

On the 8th, the army was working its way over bad roads that ran through scrubby pines and oaks. In the afternoon, they emerged from the tangled woods and struck a good road and marched rapidly until dark. When the head of the army reached Appomattox Court House, the rear was only four miles distant. The whole column was a picture of distress-and this was the remnant of an army that had held the com- bined forces of the old Union, recruited from every civilized nation of the world, in check for four long years !

The name of Lee and his generals and the grand Army of Northern Virginia, had startled the world with their victories.

The line of retreat to Lynchburg, twenty miles off, was cut by Sheridan. The country be- tween the Appomattox and James was only about eight miles wide. Meade was pressing the rear; and a corps was Southwest of the Court House.

Here the great Lee was confronted with hosts of victorious divisions on every side. He must give battle or succumb, as thousands of his fol- lowers had done for four or five days. An ef- fort was made by Gordon on the 9th to march through the town, and make one more effort to dislodge e Sheridan. The wagon trains followed, with sick and starv- ing men clinging to the wagons. One vain effort was made to break through the Federal lines. Genl. Lee was ordering up more men to sup- port Gordon, when he was driven back; and while the artillery was firing some fatal shots, a white flag was seen approaching Genl. Lee's Headquar- ters; and the enemy then ceased firing. The flag meant a truce between the armies, pending a cor- respondence between the two Generals. We give it place, thinking it may interest readers who have not seen it elsewhere.

"April 7, 1865. Gen. R. E. Lee, Commanding C. S. A .;

General: The result of last week must con- vince you of the hopelessness of further re- sistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard as my duty to shift from myself the re- sponsibility for any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate Southern Army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.

Very respectfully, Your obedient Servt., U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant Genl. Commanding Armies of U. S.

"April 7, 1865.

General: I have received your note of this day. Though not entirely of the opinion you express of the hopelessness of further resist- ance on the part of the Army of N. Va., I re- ciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore, before considering your proposition, ask that the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender.

R. E. LEE, General.

To Lieut. Genl. U. S. Grant,

Commanding Armies of the United States."

" April 8, 1865. To Genl. R. E. Lee, Comdg. C. S. A.,

General: Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking the conditions on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of North Virginia is just rec'd.

In reply, I would say, the peace being my first desire, there is but one condition that I insist upon, viz :

That the men surrendered shall be disquali-

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fied for taking up arms again against the Govern- ment of the United States, until properly ex- changed.

I will meet you, or designate officers to meet any officers you may name for the purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon which the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia shall be received.

Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant General, Commanding Armies of U. S."

"April 8, 1865.

General: I received at a late hour your note of to-day in answer to mine of yesterday.

I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Va., but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender.

But as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desire to know whether your proposals would tend to that end.

I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia; but so far as your proposition may affect the Con- federate forces under my command and tend to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased to meet you at 10 A. M. to-morrow, on the old stage road to Richmond, between the picket lines of the two Armies.

Very respectfully, Your obedt. servt., R. E. LEE, General,

To Lieut. Genl. Grant, C. S. A.

Commanding Armies of U. S."

"Apl. 9, 1865. To Genl. R. E. Lee, Commdg., C. S. A.

General: Your note of yesterday is received. As I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed for 10 A. M. to- day could lead to no good. I will state, how- ever, General, that I am equally anxious for peace with yourself ; and the whole North entertains the same feeling. The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South lay- ing down their arms they will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet de- stroyed.

Sincerely hoping that all difficulties may be set- tled, without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself,

Very respectfully, Your obdt. Servt.,

U. S. GRANT, L. Genl. U. S. Army.

"April 9, 1865.

General: I received your note of this morning on the picket line, whither I had come to meet you and ascertain definitely what terms were em- braced in your proposition of yesterday with ref- erence to the surrender of this army. I now re- quest an interview in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose.

Very respectfully, Your obdt. Servt., R. E. LEE, General. To Lieut. Genl. Grant, Commdg. Armies of U. S."

"April 9, 1865.

Gen. R. E. Lee, Comdg. C. S. A.

Your note of this date is but this moment-11 :39 A. M. received.

In consequence of my having passed from the Richmond and Lynchburg road to Farmville and Lynchburg road, I am at this writing, about four miles West of the Walters' Church, and will push forward to the front for the purpose of meeting you.

Notice sent me on this road where you wish the interview to take place, will meet me.

Very respectfully, Your obdt. Servt.

U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen !. "

"Appomattox Court House,

Apl. 9, 1865.

Genl. R. E. Lee, Comdg., C. S. A.

In accordance with the substance of my let- ter to you on the 8th inst. I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of North Va. on the following terms, to-wit:

Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the other to be retained by such officers as you may designate.

The officers to give their individual parole not to take arms against the Govt. of the U. S. until properly exchanged; and each company or reg- imental commander to sign a like parole for the men of their commands.

The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the offi- cers appointed by me to receive them.

This will not embrace the side arms of the officers, nor their private horses or baggage.

This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to their homes not to be disturbed by United States authority, so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside.

Very respectfully, U. S. GRANT, Liest. Genl."

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"Head Qrs. Army Nor. Va.,

Apl. 9, 1865.

Lt. Gen. U. S. Grant, Commdg. U. S. A.

General: I have received your letter of this date, containing the terms of surrender of the Army of North Va., as proposed by you. As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th inst, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officers to carry the stipulations into effect.

Very respectfully, Your obdt. Servt. R. E. LEE, General."

The interview of the two Commanders took place at the house of Mr. Wilmer McLean. It was simple. Genl. Lee was attended by one of his aides, Col. Marshall.

On the 12th, all terms having been completed, the Army of Northern Virginia formed in col- umns, by divisions; marched to the spot near Appomattox Court House, and stacked arms. About 7,500 men laid down their arms, while about 18,000 stragglers who had lost their arms from exhaustion, appeared and accepted their paroles. Genl. Grant was not present at this final act in the great drama, and was not seen by Genl. Lee after his first interview on the 9th.

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 73

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