USA > West Virginia > History of the Second regiment West Virginia cavalry volunteers > Part 11
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General George Crook, in speaking of the cavalry of the Army of West Virginia, says :- "Averell's division was much disorganized, worn out by long marches, poorly equipped, wretchedly mounted, and armed with inferior weapons, was almost worthless. Exceptions, however, should be made to Colonel Poweil's brigade of Averell's division, but this brigade owed its efficiency solely to the skill, energy and courage of its commander." (See Gen- cral Crook's War Record, page 802, Ohio in the war.)
The night of the 24th the brigade camped south of Martinsburg. On the 25th the cavalry held a line just south of Martinsburg, Powell's brigade on the right. About noon we were attacked by a heavy force of infantry
LT. JAS. W. RICKER. See page 133.
BUR
GENERAL SHERIDAN'S Headquarters, AT CEDAR CREEK.
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IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
and artillery. The Second West Virginia occupied a position in a corn field, where they received a terrible shelling from a confederate battery. The regiment, with the brigade, remained at their post until after General Duffie's division had retired from the field. That night we crossed the Patomac at Williamsport, and once more that race ground, the "the valley of humiliation," was in the hands of the enemy. Averell's division took a position near Hagerstown, the Second West Virginia camping and holding a line near Sheperdstown. A few days of com- parative inactivity followed, other than attempts to de- velop the intentions of the enemy.
Great excitement prevailed in Maryland and Pennsyl- vania, and in fact, all over the north. A formidable in- vasion was dreaded, but no infantry crossed the Potomae on this second "invasion." A special session of the Penn- sylvania legislature was called to meet on the 9th of August, to take such action as the occasion might require.
CHAPTER XIV.
BURNING OF CHAMBERSBURG.
Gen. Couch was in the neighborhood of Chambersburg with a force of state militia. On the 30th a rebel cavalry force under command of Gen. John McCausland burned the little city of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, involving the de- struction of about two hundred and fifty buildings, with an estimated loss of one million dollars. Some space will be devoted to an account of this Chambersburg raid, from July 30th to August 7th, including the Moorefield affair, also a statement from the rebel General McCausland, furn- ished for this work.
On the morning of July 30th, General Averell learned that a considerable body of rebel cavalry had crossed the Potomac above Williamsport, and gone in the direction of Chambersburg, Pa. As soon as practicable, pursuit was begun, our force consisting of about 2,000 cavalry and two pieces of artillery. We were about twelve hours behind the raiders, marching as rapidly as possible. We passed through Hagerstown, and were soon on northern soil. As we passed through this beautiful southern part of Pennsylvania, with its fields of ripening grain, and with abundant evi- donces of thrift and happiness everywhere, we felt sure that should the foe be overtaken here, they would be roughly handled. The stars and stripes were waving from every house, something we had not before witnessed. On Saturday evening, July 30th, we entered what had been the beautiful city of Chambersburg, but now a mass of smoking ruins. We learned that it had been burned that morning at 9 o'clock by order of General McCausland. As we beheld the destruction, and saw whole families straling arvind their homes destroyed, one general ery
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went up from the whole command to be led against that vandal foe. The rebel officer, to whom was given the ex- eention of the order to burn the place, says: "I felt more like weeping over Chambersburg, although the people covered me with reproaches, which all who know me will readily believe I felt hard to digest; yet my pity was highly excited in behalf of these poor unfortunates, who were made to suffer for acts perpetrated by the officers of their own government. The day was bright and intensely hot. The conflagration seemed to spring from one vast build- ing. Dense clouds of smoke rose to the zenith, and hov- ered over the dark plain. At night it would have been a grand but terrible object to behold. How piteous the sight of those beautiful green meadows-groups of women and children exposed to the rays of a burning sun, hover- ing over the few articles they had saved, most of them ringing their hands, and with wild gesticulations bemoan- ing their ruined homes. We passed rapidly through the place in pursuit, the march being kept up all the night of the 30th.
All along the road the raiders had left marks of their passage by burning barns that had already received the fruit of the harvest. On Sunday morning we entered a little town at the base of the mountains. The inhabitants had retired late, after the raiders had passed through, and were still slumbering. The boys began calling to them to get up, the rebels had come back, and wanted breakfast. The wildest consternation prevailed among them until they learned we were Union soldiers, and then they went nearly wild with joy. Having recovered from the chaotic state into which they had been innocently thrown by our unlooked for arrival, they were only too glad to feed as many of the boys as would stop. That Sunday march through Pennsylvania was indeed a memorable one. The greatest enthusiasm was manifested by the inhabitants as we rapidly pursued the fleeing rebel column. All along the route we were greeted by the smiling faces of friends, by waving flage,
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by proffers of food, and with such other acts of kindness as we had not been accustomed to receive. Usually, on our marches, we had been greeted with scowling faces and insulting words, while nearly every tree concealed an enemy, and the sharp crack of the squirrel rifle was a common sound. All day Sunday the farmers erected im- promptu tables near their dwellings, and kept them well supplied with cooked food, while some member of the family would stand by and invite the hungry to eat.
The enemy being in advance and able to supply themselves with fresh horses, escaped across the Potomac at Hancock, Maryland. We had a sharp skirmish at that place with the rebel rear guard, and there was some artil- lery firing.
Owing to the condition of our horses, General Averell was compelled to cease pursuit, and we went into camp and rested four days. This rest proved to be a very fortunate thing for us, and made the Moorefield affair possible of accomplishment. MeCausland continued the march to the south branch of the Potomac until near Moorefield, where there was an abundance of grass. He knew that General Averell had gone into camp near Hancock, Maryland, and there being nearly sixty miles between them, the con- federate commander went into camp also. The south branch of the Potomac separated the rebel commands, General Bradley T. Johnson, with one brigade and four pieces of artillery camping on the north side of the river, while General McCausland, with the other brigade, occu- pied a position on the south side. The enemy kept the country well scouted while in camp.
About the 5th of August General Averell received orders from Washington to pursue the rebel raiders until overtaken, and then fight them as long as there was a fight- ing man left. Under these instructions we broke camp, crossed the Potomac, and were once more on the soil of Virginia, marching in the direction of Moorefield. On the night of the fifth we camped north of Romney. We passed through Romney in the afternoon, and learned that
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a rebel scouting party had been there during the day. The horses were unsaddled and rested an hour in the evening, and then the march was resumed through the night. Averell's scouts, dressed in Confederate uniform, were in the advance, carefully feeling for the rebel piekets. This caused frequent haults, and the men would lie down by the road side, and with bridle rein in hand, snatch a few min- utes sleep. Then, clanking sabers would warn them that the column was in motion, they would partially arouse themselves and pursue the silent march.
About 2:30 a. m. of the 7th of August the rebel piekets were eneonntered. "Halt !" was the command that came from the Johnnies accompanied by the usual " who comes there?" Our daring seouts promptly re- sponded "Friends." "Advance one, and give the counter- sign." Two men were on this outpost, and instead of one only, two of our men approached and told the piekets that they were a scouting party of MeCausland's command, and had gone out of camp on another road in the afternoon and did not have the countersign. After asking a few questions to which the scouts gave ready answers, the Johnnies seemed to be satisfied. While this parley was going on our heroes had dismounted, tightened their saddle girths, and, acting in a careless manner, walked up to the pickets. At a given signal they each seized a bridle rein, and with coeked re- volvers took the two ontposts prisoners. From them it was learned that the picket post "was half a mile distant, and that there were seven men there. These men were found asleep, the sentinel sitting on a low fence. He, like the others, was awakened to find pistols in their faces. The reserve picket of fifty men was also captured, and thus the way to the rebel eamp was clear. It was three miles dis- tant. The column was closed up, and just at break of day, with wild cheers and cries of "Remember Chambersburg," we dashed into Bradley Johnson's camp, capturing four pieces of artillery while the gunners were attempting to get them into position. Over five hundred prisoners, including several officers, were secured, several
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hundred horses, six or eight hundred stands of arms, and the entire camp of the enemy. McCausland's brigade was one mile distant on the south side of the river, and owing to the firing and cheering in Johnson's camp, this brigade was quickly formed, and part of the force sent to defend the ford. But our brigade, elated by the capture of John- son's camp, and remembering the enemy's devastation in Pennsylvania, plunged into the water, fiercely charged the enemy, killed and captured many, and cut them off from their main force. A line was again formed, which charged McCausland's brigade, cutting it completely in two. A running fight was then kept up for four miles, when the enemy became so scattered that there was nothing to fol- low. A large amount of private property, including horses and buggies, was recoverd and subsequently returned to the owners. The loss to the enemy in killed, wounded and captured was near eight hundred. The rebels stated that they expected to be very severely dealt with, and so when we struck the camp they made desperate efforts to escape. Some time after the war the confederate colonel Jenkins' bugler told the writer that with four companions he had es- caped across the river on one bare-back horse, one holding to the animal's tail, and permitting himself to be dragged through the water. Our loss was forty-one killed and wounded. Colonel Conger, of the Third, was among the killed. A large amount of greenbacks was found scattered over the camp, the prisoners being afraid to be found with it on their persons. Considerable money was picked up by the men. Most of it was found secreted in the saddle pockets. The men who were so fortunate as to find the treasure were not in the fight, but those whose privilege it was to follow in the rear; owing to the secrecy maintained by the "finders" it was impossible to ascertain anything like the amount recovered from the Chambersburg raiders. One man of the regiment expressed a package home from New Creek station, and after the war he bought a good farm. When the officers learned that money was being found about the camp, the provost guard, under direction
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of some officers, searched the camp faithfully. While per- forming this duty, a young soldier, unknown to any of the searchers, was observed transferring gold coins from a pair of saddle pockets to his own pockets. He was called upon to halt, but being well mounted he put spurs to his horse and continued transferring the money until he was in pos- session of all of it, crossed the river and was lost to the guard.
While all this had been going on Company E had been on picket on the Potomac, and when MeCausland crossed in the night they were ent off from the command. They at once followed on the flank of the Confederates, and on the way they fell in with a squadron of Cole's Maryland Cavalry. They arrived at Chambersburg at nearly the same time the rebels did, capturing their picket at the toll-gate on the Gettysburg pike. They joined the command on Sunday morning.
The prisoners, artillery and property were safely de- livered to the proper authorities at New Creek Station, on the 10th day of August. The garrison at this post fired an artillery salute on our arrival, and went nearly wild with joy at the capture of the Chambersburg raiders. The following is a copy of the original report on file in the war department:
Official.
Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 9, 1864.
Major :- I have the honor to report relating to the late invasion by the rebels in Chambersburg, Pa., on the morning of July 30, 1864. Being on detached duty at headquarters of the department at that place, and being unavoidably detained there, I was present both on the en- tering and departure of their force, and was an eye witness of the following:
The rebels entered the town with a force of-I do not think-over 500 mounted men. They were under the command of General's MeCausland and Bradley T. John- son. The main body of this force was camped at the fair grounds one and a half miles out of town, on the Pittsburg pike. Before entering they fired two shells into town. They then entered by every street and alley, the main foree coming up in the rear. On their arrival in town I
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met General McCansland, who said to me that if I had any self interest at stake, it would be well fot me to listen to the order he would read, and to get the municipal author- ties together, and comply with the demands contained therein. The order was placed in my hands and read, and was in substance as follows:
That in retaliation for the depredations of General Hunter of the United States forces, committed during his recent Lynchburg raid, it is ordered that the citizens of Chambersburg, Pa., pay to the Confederate States of America, by General MeCausland, the sum of $100,000 in gold, or in lieu thereof $500,000 in greenbacks or national curreney, and if not paid within three hours, the town would be burned. The order was signed by General Jubal A. Early.
After reading this document I started out to find members of the town council. Meeting one of them, I in- formed him of the demands. He replied that he would not pay them five cents. I then returned to the hotel. The rebels had dismounted, and were breaking into stores and dwellings, and pillaging the same. When they entered town it was 5:30 a. m., from which time I was in company with both Generals McCausland and Johnson. I being in citizens clothes, they did not know I was a Federal soldier. At 9 o'clock MeCausland ordered the town burned. In a few minutes the commissary store house was in flames, while General MeCausland and Col- onel Harry Gilmore were riding through the street, notify- ing citizens, as they pointed to the flames, that they would carry the order into execution if the demands were not complied with. General MeCausland then returned to the Franklin Hotel, when I heard him say that General Av- erell was within four miles of the place with 2,000 cavalry. Said he, "We will now burn the place and retreat." In a few moments the court house and town hall were in flames, and almost simultaneously fires broke out on most of the streets. I repaired to the hotel and found the rebels were ransacking the rooms and trunks of the boarders, and don- ning the clothes contained therein. * *
+ About this time-near noon-the rebels had nearly all left town, except a rear guard. When they left most of them were so intoxicated they were hardly capable of sitting on their horses. I have the honor, Major, to be your obedient servant,
WILL S. KOCHERSPERGER,
Serg't Co. L, 20th Pa. Cavalry.
Con. Gen. JOHN McCAUSLAND, See page 146.to 153.
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STATEMENT OF GENERAL MOCAUSLAND.
Dear Sir :- Yours of February 15th, 1892 received. The burning of Chambersburg was done in accordance with the written instructions of General Early. His in- structions accompanying the order were explicit : To pro- ceed to Chambersburg and levy a contribution on the place, to re-imburse citizens of Virginia, viz. Andrew Hunter, A. R. Botelar, John Letcher and others for the wanton destruction of their property by General Hunter, a federal commander. The route was even indicated, and if the money was not paid to burn the town as an act of retaliation. The order also directed mne to go to Cumber- land, Maryland, and do the same thing. Also to collect all the cattle and other supplies that I could in the western counties of Virginia and Maryland. I crossed the Poto- mac above Martinsburg and by a night march reached Chambersburg at daylight. I left a part of my force on the heights overlooking the valley and then entered the place. I tried to assemble the burgesses or city council to submit my orders to them, none, not one, could be found. I then posted notices on the court house door and other places, and after waiting several hours the burning began, and ended in the destruction of most of the place. This matter has all been gone over many times, and the citizens of Chambersburg have been paid their losses by the state of Pennsylvania and the United States government. My connection with the matter was that of an officer obeying orders, and I did not then, nor have I since, ever discussed the merits, or the demerits of the same. The affair at Moorefield was caused by the surprise of JJohnson's brigade.
I had notice from my spy, Kuykendall, of Moorefield, of the approach of Averell, and as far asI was concerned, the necessary orders were issued to meet the case. These orders were not executed, and there ends my responsi- bility.
Any other matter pertaining to the case will be cheer- fully given you. Enclosed, find photo. It is of an older man than I was in the war. Yours, etc.
(Signed) JOHN MCCAUSLAND Grimes Landing, W. Va. Feb. 17, 1892.
To J. J. SUTTON, Portsmouth, O.
McCansland's and Johnson's brigades never recovered from the effects of the Moorefield affair. So said General
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Early in a report written to the rebel secretary of war some time in the winter of 1864.
After the Moorefield affair, having returned to Martinsburg, the regiment with the brigade under Colonel Powell, was constantly in the saddle, enjoying spirited en- gagements with the rebel cavalry under Imboden and Vaughan. Averell's division soon learned how to handle these forces, and although there was no severe fighting for several days, it was a good school for the regiment, and learned it many new lessons in the art of war. We had been newly armed with the Spencer carbine, which was a splendid cavalry arm, and capable of rapid and accurate firing. This new gun greatly surprised the enemy, and some of the prisoners avowed that during our absence from the valleys we had been loading.
A new era was inaugurated in the valley dating from the 7th of August, when Major General Philip H. Sheri- dan assumed command. The presence of this commander inspired all with new hope and courage. Hunter's forees were badly scattered, and that general himself did not know where to find the enemy. He had been so em- barrassed by orders from Washington, moving him first one way and then another, that he lost all trace of Early. To afford a "peep behind the scenes," as it were, of this Washington interference with the army movements, the following documents are given.
General Grant wrote General Halleck, August 1st, as follows:
"I am sending General Sheridan for temporary duty, whilst the enemy is being expelled from the bor- der. Unless General Hunter is in the field in person, I want Sheridan put in command of all the troops in the field, with instructions to put himself south of the enemy, and follow him to the death. Wherever the enemy goes, there let our troops go also. Once started up the valley, they ought to be followed until we get possession of the Virginia Central railroad. If General Hunter is in the field, give Sheridan command of the Sixth Corps, and the Cavalry Division. All the cavalry will reach Washington in the course of to-morrow.
U. S. GRANT.
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This letter was read by President Lincoln, and he thereupon sent Grant the following remarkable dispatch:
Lieutenant General Grant :- I have seen your dis- patch in which you say "I want Sheridan put in command of all the troops in the field, with instructions to put him- self south of the enemy, and follow him to the death," etc. This is, I think, exactly right as to how our forces should move. But please look over the dispatches you may have received from here, even since you made that order, and discover if you can, that there is an idea in the head of any one here putting our army south of the enemy, or of fol- lowing him to the death in any direction. I repeat to you it will neither be done or attempted, unless you watch it every day and hour, and force it. A. LINCOLN.
Grant's reply was characteristic of the man. Ile an- swered: "I start for Washington in two hours."
U. S. GRANT.
The Lieutenant General came on to Monocacy with- out even stopping at Washington, and himself directed the ariny to move to Halltown, four miles above Harper's Ferry, feeling sure that Early would soon be in front of our troops moving south. General Hunter now asked to be relieved from command. This was at once granted, and General Grant telegraphed to Sheridan to report im- mediately at Monocaey. He came, and General Grant met him at the little station, telling him what had been done and what there was to do.
Sheridan, in a general order to his troops, assumed command. I quote from one of our war historians: "Sher- idan's first grand opportunity had come. He was about thirty-two years old, and in command of 30,000 men, the flower of our army. Included in this was 8,000 of the finest cavalry in the world, under such commanders as Averell, Torbett, Custer, Merritt and Gregg. Against him was Early with an equal force, including Stonewall Jack- son's veterans and Rosser's and Wickham's rebel cavalry. The valley was a familiar battlefield to their forces, and eminently adapted to the offensive-defensive operations which distinguished the entire history of Lee's struggle in Virginia."
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On the morning of August 10th the march up the valley was begun. Early was at, or near Winchester Our army consisted of the Sixth Corps, the Nineteenth Corps, Crook's Division of West Virginia infantry, and Averell's, Torbett's and Wilson's divisions of cavalry, which included such noted brigade commanders as Custer, Devin, Merrit and Powell. As our army advanced, the enemy fell back, and there was skirmishing only, until Strasburg was reached, on the 13th. At this point word was received from the capital that a rebel force was marching through Culpepper county, with the evident in- tention of striking our rear. The authorities at Washing- ton become alarmed, and on the 15th sent a dispatch inform- ing Sheridan of this new danger. This caused the new con- mander to fall rapidly back to Halltown, and take a strong position near that place, the regiment, with Averell's division, occupying its old place near Martinsburg. Of course the enemy followed. Shirmishing again commenced, Bunker Hill being the scene of several brisk engagements. On one of these occasions the Second West Virginia drove the rebel cavalry beyond Bunker Hill, capturing a rebel supply train. In this affair Company G, Captain Ankrom particularly distinguished itself by bringing off the train and driving off the force that tried to recapture it. The activity of Averell's division kept the confeder- ates on the Martinsburg pike, in a state of unrest. There was a fight every day, and when the rebel cavalry-under Imboden and Vaugn-attempted to stop Powell's brigade, they would soon be scattered and chased, until infantry and artillery, in large numbers, would be encountered.
On one of these occasions, a rebel force attempted to stop our progress at Bunker Hill, and after they had been dislodged from the four or five empty houses that com- prised the place, they were chased toward Winchester, until a battery of artillery began firing at long range.
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