USA > West Virginia > History of the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry > Part 15
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On the 18th of August, a detachment of the Second Virginia and Sixth Ohio, numbering 50 men, was sent to the Laurel fork of the Cheat river. They followed an old road across Shaffer Mountain, and as they ap- proached the river the road became very marshy, and the heavy pines and thick laurels stood like a wall on either side of the road. A body of the enemy lay in ambush on the opposite side of the narrow stream, and as our party were wading through the water, unconscious of a foe in such close proximity, they were startled by the sharp report of a rifle, followed quickly by another and another, and two of the party lay dead
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and one other mortally wounded. The detachment was helpless, the enemy being secure amid the dense laurel thickets, which were so thick that man or beast could be so completely hidden in them that no eye could detect their presence, while our forces were open to their view, and closely within the range of their muskets. Resistance was useless, and our men hastily retreated through the narrow defile. Hurriedly gathering up the dead and the wounded, they retraced their steps as rapidly as possible, carrying the wounded man to a rude cabin on Shaffer mountain, where they were obliged to leave him, while they tenderly wrapped the bodies of their dead comrades in their blankets and buried them in the mountain. When they returned to camp, the report of their expedition created a great excitement, and Col. Balsley, in command of the post, immediately ordered out a detachment of one hundred men from each of the two regiments, under command of Maj. J. D. Owens, of the Second Virginia. They found the wounded man, and upon arriv- ing at the place where the other party had met such disaster, they were also fired into, but fortunately no one was hurt, and the command pro- ceeded across Cheat and Shaffer mountains to the foot of the Alleghenies. After emptying their rifles this time, the bushwhackers fled, leaving their horses and saddles, which were captured by our men. To provide against surprise and ambushes, Lieut. Devore was directed at one place to take twenty men and go around a foot hill and fall in with the advance guard on the other side. The advance had not been apprised of this movement, and as the squad was approaching the road through the un- derbrush, the bullets of the advance began to whistle around their ears, much to their discomfort, but the mistake was fortunately discovered before any damage was done. At the foot of Shaffer mountain, two of Company I being in the advance, created quite an alarm by shooting two fat sheep, but before the rear could come up on a double quick, the sheep were skinned. This was a flagrant breach of orders, but the officers were pacified and a general compromise effected, by building a fire and cooking the mutton, which afforded a rare feast. On the third day the detachment returned to camp, having traveled almost uninter- ruptedly more than one hundred miles.
The scouting, and sentinel duty, were necessarily very heavy, and the new soldiers were soon inured to the hardships and privations that were afterward to be a part of their every day life. The discipline was rigid, and whenever the rain would permit, the troops were thoroughly drilled in the manual of arms, and in company and regimental evolutions. Everything that went to make up the soldier's life was experienced, and nothing was omitted that would fit the troops for the stern realities of war, that came to us shortly afterward. Pages could be written of the pleasant scenes, the hours of relaxation and enjoyment, that came to brighten the soldier's life; and the weeks at Beverly had many bright spots and hours. The lack of veneration for officers in high command,
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coupled with the controling desire to serve faithfully our country, led to many absurd and Indicrous situations. While the colonel or the captain might still be John or Jim in the affections and expressions of the men, yet an order in the line of duty from these same officers, would be car- ried out regardless of results.
Jack Halpin, of Company D, was well known throughout the regi- ment. He was from the Five Points, N. Y., and was a "case." yet good hearted and obliging. Just after the battle of Rich Mountain. Jack paid a visit to the village, and while on his way back to camp, saw an individual who wore a slonch hat. and who pulled from his pocket a large plng of tobacco and took a chew. The command had received no pay as yet, and the men were run down financially, so that tobacco was one of the luxuries. Jack thought he would improve the oppor- tunity, so he stepped up to the stranger, and said: "Give us a chew, Cap." The individual addressed looked Jack over and replied. "I guess not." The crushing reply of Jack was. "Go to the D- 1." and he went on his way to camp. Shortly afterward, there was a rush to the road on the side of the camp, to see some one pass, and among those that went over was Jack. The person passing was General Rosecranz, who hap- pened to be the same person that refused Jack a chew of his tobacco. Jack related what had happened. and quietly remarked that he would get even. That night Jack was detailed on guard duty. The counter- sign had just been issued, when a horseman came dashing through the darkness up to the post where Jack was stationed. The night was a beastly one, the rain falling in torrents. and the mud ankle deep. Jack halted the horseman and ordered him to dismount. and advance with the countersign. General Rosecranz, for it was he, tokl Jack who he was, and said that the mud was so deep that he would ride up and give him the countersign. But Jack knew his business, and here was his op- portunity to get even, so he said, "Get off that horse and come forward. or I will put a hole through you." Jack didn't get his chew when he wanted it, but the general was nearly swamped in the mud before he was permitted to pass.
Every road and path had its picket, and the camps were strictly guarded. It was while the guards were under the most stringent orders to pass no one at night without the countersign, that the biter was bit. or, in other words, that Col. Balsley was subjected to an exceedingly practical joke. if such it was. About two miles from town, on the road that passes from Beverly over Rich mountain to Buckhannon, there was a tavern kept by a Mr. Baker, who, by the way. was a good union man, and kept everything in first-class order. There was a picket on the bridge that spans the river close to Beverly on this road. One after- noon, Col. Balsley, with his staff, crossed the bridge and rode out to the tavern. Here they dined and were detained until after dark. The officer of the day had made his rounds, and the pickets made acquainted
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with the countersign. Night had fully set in and it was as dark as erebus. Charley Hixenbaugh, of Company I, was on post at the bridge, and was on the alert for anything in his line of duty. Presently he heard the clatter of horses' hoofs. Near and nearer they came, when, ringing out sharp and clear on the night air, was heard the voice of the faithful sentinel :
"Halt! who comes there?"
The answer was immediate :
"Col. Balsley and staff."
"Dismount one, advance, and give the countersign," demanded the sentinel.
"Well, but we haven't the countersign," said the colonel ; "my name is Col. Balsley, commander of this post."
"Don't care a d-n," said Charley ; "my name is Charley Hixen- baugh, of Bellevernon, and you can't pass ;" and there the Bellevernon boy held the colonel until the arrival of the sergeant of the guard, who decided that the colonel and his belated escort might pass into town.
Shortly after entering the service, Dr. Hazlett was temporarily pro- moted to the position of brigade surgeon, and when new recruits with their medical officers arrived, it was his duty to instruct the latter how to proceed. Surgeon A., of the Cavalry, had come. more splendidly arrayed than Solomon, elegantly uniformed, sword and sash, military hat and plume, gauntlet gloves, etc. Calling at the surgeon's headquarters, which were at the foot of a tree, he inquired how he was to obtain medical supplies for his battalion. Being informed that they would be forthcoming upon a requisition, he desired to know what that was. When enlightened, he inquired where he could procure an ambu- lance. The answer to that was by a requisition upon the quarter- master. "But," he replied, "we have no quartermaster:" and before time was given to answer him, he struck an attitude and said, "I have it, I'll make a requisition for a quartermaster," and off he strutted. Sur- geon Hazlett met him some time afterward, sword, sash, hat and plume gone, unkempt and unshaven, his whole outfit would not have brought 75 cents. The surgeon drily remarked in regard to it: "In his dilapi- dated state, I had not the heart to ask him about the requisition, but mostly for the reason if I had done so, he would have trounced me."
When the regiment went to Elkwater, a few of the men were left be- hind to guard the post. S. J. Clendaniel relates an incident that shows their fidelity, if not their sagacity, as soldiers. Capt. Otto was in com- mand, things began to look dangerous, and orders were very strict. One night a picket shot was heard, and the posts all fired in turn, creat- ing consternation in the camp. The guards were ordered to fire at any- thing they saw move, and they carried out orders to the letter. Geo. McCloy, of Company F, was posted beyond the Methodist Church near the river, when he was discovered by the bridge guard, who opened fire
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upon him. McCloy returned the compliment, and the firing became general throughout the camp. Capt. Otto came to the rescue and saved bloodshed between the contending forces. He double quicked his men down to the Court House, followed the road some distance, when bang went a gun, and a regular fusilade followed. It looked as if a real fight was now on the hands of the boys, and they were ordered to fall back to the jail. The officer in command there inquired the cause of the firing. The captain stated some one had discovered a black stump and fired upon it, creating an alarm that almost resulted seriously. The same night Clendaniel's gun went off accidentally, the bullet almost hitting a drill master who was near, lodging in the weather boarding just over his head. It was an eventful night of alarms, but fortunately no one was hurt. But the awkward recruits of Beverly, soon learned better the arts of war, and in after days were as efficient as they were brave and truc.
During August the troops at Beverly suffered severely from typhoid fever, dysentery and diarrhea, and many of them will remember with gratitude all their lives the kind words, the careful attention and the refreshing delicacies from the good women of that town. One in particular de- serves honorable mention. Mrs. Jonathan Arnold, a sister of the con- federate Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson, who was lavish in her offices of kindness. Her fragile form was almost ubiquitous in the hospitals, and with her own tender hands she soothed the aching temples of many a dying soldier boy, far away from the loved ones at home. She was as an angel of mercy among the sick, and did all in her power to render less arduous and irksome the lives of the country's defenders. She was ardently attached to the union cause. notwithstanding the devotion of her distinguished brother, and other relatives, including her husband, to the confederate cause. Of this noble woman, Dr. Hazlett, surgeon of the regiment, speaks in the most glowing terms. He was in position to see her work of love, and says: "Many incidents of her loyalty and courage are personally known to the writer. Almost alone, amidst a disloyal community, she unflinchingly declared her devotion to the flag, not only by word but act. Her house was an asylum for the sick soldier, and faithfully she ministered to his wants. Her resources were often taxed to their utmost, and many were her regrets that she was unable to do greater good. On more than one occasion have I found her the sole watcher at the bedside of a disabled soldier. We have never heard that she received one farthing from the government, for her generous and loyal outlay, and have reason to believe that she never made application ; but if there is one deserving soul in the great army of patriots that merits special recognition at the hands of the republic, it is Mrs. Jona- than Arnold."
CHAPTER VII.
RELIEF OF CHEAT MOUNTAIN.
EN. R. E. LEE was now in command of the "Army of Northern Virginia," advancing to retrieve the losses of Gens. Floyd and Wise. The predatory bands were called from their fastnesses in the mountains of Western Virginia, and reorgan- ized with large additions at Staunton and Lynchburg. Having fully com- pleted his arrangements, early in September Lee ordered the advance with 11,000 men. As he approached Cheat Mountain he divided his forces into two columns, sending one along the Staunton pike to at- tack Col. Kimball, of the 14th Indiana, with his 300 men on the summit of the mountain, and leading the other in person by the Huntersville road toward Elkwater. His object was to get to the left and rear of the latter post. Four companies of Indiana troops, however, held the whole force in check, and forced them to the rear and right of Cheat Mountain, completely hemming in the 300 who held the summit. This event was sprung so suddenly and unexpectedly upon Reynolds' outposts, that the only wonder is that they were not captured without firing a gun. But the word surrender was not in the vocabulary of the beleaguered Indiana boys, who stood firm to their posts and held the at- tacking troops completely at bay until relief came to them.
On the 12th of September, the Second Virginia and Sixth Ohio In- fantry, were ordered up from Beverly on a forced march, starting at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, leaving behind a small detachment of the Second for camp and garrison duty at Beverly.
The regiments arrived at Huttonville after dark, and waited there long enough to take a good rest, when they pushed rapidly on to Elk- water. The mud was fearful, being in many places axle deep, rendering travel hard and difficult. The march from Huttonville was through in- tense darkness, rendered doubly so by the lowering clouds, the lofty mountains about us, and the thick forests of pine that stood like black- ened walls on either side the column. As we marched along, ever and
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anon would be heard a smothered exclamation from some comrade, whose foot had haplessly caught in a root or laurel bush, tripping him and sending him headlong into the abyss of mire. It was fun for the rest of the comrades, but a very grave matter for the mud bespattered boy. Thus we marched for twelve weary miles, but the men stood it bravely, the cheering prospects of a brush with the enemy banishing all grumbling and discontent. We made no secret of our march. The shouts of the teamsters as they plunged along through the mud ; the shouts of laughter when some comrade met a muddy fate, commingled with the war whoops of the men and the loud commands of the officers, reached the ears of the rebel force that lay along the base of the mountain on the opposite side of the valley through which the narrow river ran, striking them with terror, and no doubt aiding in inducing them to abandon their contem- plated capture of the gallant 300 men on the summit of Cheat mountain, who were now completely surrounded. The two regiments arrived at Elkwater about midnight, having marched twenty-five miles in less than nine hours. They were greeted with loud cheers by the small garrison at Elkwater, and the tired and mud-covered troops soon found repose on the wet ground where, without shelter, they slept till the reveille called them to duty. After partaking of a hasty and meagre breakfast, the Second Virginia and the Third Ohio, which took the place of the Sixth Ohio, started for the work that was before them-to help drive Lee's army of 11, 000 back across Cheat river, and thus relieve the little garrison on Cheat mountain. The Second Virginia, with Col. Moss at its head, was ordered to take the advance. The boys stripped for the fray, and arriving at the swollen river, dashed through it waist deep with a cheerfulness that was prophetic of certain victory. The Third Ohio catching the inspiration, followed with a bound, and the dripping column moved rapidly forward.
The enemy had taken position on the side of a foot hill of Cheat mountain, his right resting at Becca creek, a small mountain stream running down a gulch in the mountain three or four miles from the sum- mit. The pickets at the base of the foot hill were soon discovered, but taking alarm at the bold front of the advancing column, they fled to their camp and gave the alarm. The two regiments now came up on the double quick, charging over the rocks and through the bushes up the mountain, with the prospect of finding the enemy somewhere in line of battle ; but in this they were disappointed, for they soon reached his camp, which was found to be deserted, and the morning meal of hot corn and coffee was left smoking by the lonesome looking camp fires. The troops picked up haversacks, guns, pistols, etc., besides nearly 700 blankets, and took a hasty lunch of the hot corn and coffee. The enemy continued his flight with such celerity that pursuit from that point was deemed useless, and Gen. Reynolds gave orders to hold the position at all hazards. as that was the key to the camp on the summit. The enemy's
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line had extended along the base of the mountain, a distance of some four miles south of Becca creek, and parallel with the river, his left rest- ing a short distance above the mouth of Elkwater ; and while the stirring events referred to were occurring, Lee's forces made an attack on Rey- nolds at Elkwater, but were repulsed, and he hastily fell back and took position above the mouth of the creek. The next day, rallying his dis- heartened army, he made another desperate effort to carry our position at Elkwater, and simultaneously made an attack on Cheat river bridge, but was again repulsed with a severe loss, and retreated ten miles.
In the memoirs of Gen. Robert E. Lee, pages 122 to 126, an account is given of this campaign, as follows :
The possession of the pass (Cheat mountain) was of great importance to the con- federates, as the Parkersburg turnpike was the principal line over which operations could be successfully carried on in northwestern Virginia. * Early in September, Gen. H. R. Jackson reported to Gen. Loring that Col. Rust, Third Arkansas regiment, had made a reconnoisance to the rear of Cheat mountain pass, and had discovered a route, though difficult, by which infantry could be led. Soon after Col. Rust reported in person, and informed Gen. Lee of the practicability of reaching the rear of the enemy's position on Cheat mountain, from which a favor- able attack could be made.
Another route was in the meantime discovered, leading along the western side of Cheat mountain, by which troops could be conducted to a point on the Parkersburg turnpike about two miles below the federal position in the pass. This being the in- formation that Gen. Lec had been most desirous of obtaining, he determined to attack the enemy without further delay. The opposing forces at this time were about equal in numbers. Loring's force was now 6,000, Jackson's about 5,000 strong. Reynolds' force had been increased to about 11,000 men ; of these, 2,000 were on Cheat moun- tain and about 5,000 in position on the Lewisburg road in front of Loring. The re- mainder of Reynolds' force was held in reserve near the junction of the Parkersburg turnpike and the Lewisburg road.
Lec determined to attack on the morning of the 12th of September. The plan was that Col. Rust should gain the rear of the federal position by early dawn and begin the attack. Gen. Anderson, with two Tennessee regiments from Loring's command, was to support him, while Jackson was to make a diversion in front. Cheat Moun- tain Pass being carried, Jackson with his whole force was to sweep down the moun- tain and fall upon the rear of the other federal position; Gen. Donaldson with two regiments was to gain a favorable position for attacking the enemy on the Lewisburg road in flank or rear; and Loring was to advance by the main road on the federal front. In case of failure, Anderson and Donaldson were to rejoin Loring, and Rust was to find his way back to Jackson. The troops gained their designated positions with remarkable promptness and accuracy in point of time, considering the distance and the difficulties to be overcome. Col. Rust's attack on Cheat Mountain was to be the signal for the general advance of all the troops. It was anxiously expected from early dawn throughout the day.
The Tennesseeans under Anderson became so impatient that they requested to be led to the attack without waiting for Rust, but Anderson thought that he must be governed by the letter of his instructions and declined granting the request of his men. * Anderson and Donaldson, finding that their situation was becoming critical, being liable to discovery and between two superior forces, rejoined Loring on the 13th. On the same day Col. Rust reported in person his operations, which amounted to this: He had heard nothing of Anderson; he passed the day watching the federals, who
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were in a state of unconscious security, and then retired, his presence not having been suspected.
A council of war was then held, in which it was decided that the position of the fed- erals was too strong to be attacked in front with any reasonable prospect of success, and that a flank attack was now out of the question, inasmuch as the federals had been aroused by the discovery of the danger which had so recently threatened them. The troops were therefore ordered to resume their former positions.
In a letter to Governor Letcher, dated September 17, Gen. Lee wrote as follows about his failure :
I was very sanguine of taking the enemy's works on last Thursday morning. I had considered the subject well. With great effort the troops intended for the surprise had reached their destination, having traversed twenty miles of steep, rugged moun- tain paths, and the last day through a terrible storm, which lasted all night, and in which they had to stand drenched to the skin in the cold rain. Still their spirits were good. When morning broke I could see the enemy's tents on Valley river at the point on the Huttonville road just below me. It was a tempting sight. We waited for the attack on Cheat mountain, which was to be the signal, till IO A. M .; the men were cleaning their unserviceable arms. But the signal did not come. All chance for sur- prise was gone. The provisions of the men had been destroyed the preceding day by the storm. They had nothing to eat that morning, could not hold out another day, and were obliged to be withdrawn. The party sent to Cheat mountain to take that in in the rear had also to be withdrawn. The attack to come off from the east side failed from the difficulties in the way ; the opportunity was lost and our plan discov- cred. It is a gricvous disappointment to me, I assure you. But for the rain storm I have no doubt it would have succeeded. This, Governor, is for your own eyes. Please do not speak of it ; we must try again.
The garrison at the summit, magnified into 2,000 by General Lee, consisted in fact of 300, which may be taken as a fair indication of Lee's estimate of our forces, and of the reasons that led to his utter rout in the mountains. The facts are that he was out generaled and outfought, and that by a force less than his own. The forces so com- pletely routed and driven from their stronghold, were under the eye of General Lee, and to our regiment is due. in part, the honor of adminis- tering the first defeat to General Lee.
Colonel Moss, of the Second, who was senior officer, in command of that little army at Becca Creek, immediately turned his attention to the relief of the 300 men on the summit. It was necessary that communica- tion be opened without delay, as the force he had just driven from their camp near Becca creek, would probably make a hasty march back to the Staunton pike on the other side of the mountain, and unite with the force at the Cheat river bridge, for the purpose of capturing Colonel Kimball on the summit, or with their whole force combined, they might return with the view of routing Col. Moss' command.
The Fourteenth was spent in scouting and adjusting the picket lines. One of the guards fired at our own men, which brought the entire com- mand into line of battle. On the 15th a scouting party of twenty men from Company I, was ordered to open communication with Kimball's camp on the mountain. They followed a bridle path along the side of the mountain and reached the pike about three miles west of the sum-
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