USA > West Virginia > History of the Second regiment West Virginia cavalry volunteers > Part 13
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In this promotion the regiment took a pride, and felt, instinctively, that all had a share in the glittering "star" that adorned the shoulders of the old captain of Co. B. As so much has been written and said about the battle of Cedar Creek, I have selected a few sketches from facts already
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published. The following interview with John B. Gor- don, a Confederate general, was published in the Boston Globe in 1888. In response to the remark that had his (Gordon's) suggestions been carried out by Early, even Sheridan could not have "saved the day" on that memora- ble 19th of October, 1864, at Cedar Creek, the ex-Confed- erate General said, after remarking that he was a corps commander under Early : "Yes, the plan was mine wholly, and so was the conduct of the fight up to a certain point. If my plan had been carried out there would never have been any 'Sheridan's Ride.'
"We felt the vast importance of success and started in to win it. We had good men, and in most respects we were well organized and equipped. In the Shenandoah Valley we were among as good friends as the southern canse could boast.
"We swept down the valley and whipped Lew Wallace on the Monoeacy, and were only a little too late for captur- ing Washington, while a great eareer seemed opened to our army. As we moved off from Washington two splendid corps were immediately put under Sheridan. We had a good deal of confidence in ourselves, with a clear field, and the army was in good spirits. Across the Potomac we stopped to rest and to gather forage and food. We also did some recruiting. Sheridan attacked us at Winchester, and we were routed. It was the first battle in the valley. In- deed, before that we had not even had a check of any kind, having been able to live off the country, and even to forward supplies to Richmond.
"When Sheridan came up the valley our troops were very much seattered. This, of course, because it was more convenient to feed them in that way, and we had not gotten well in line when we were phinged into the midst of battle. The federal assault was confident and impet- nous, especially that of the Nineteenth corps, and we were in no condition to resist it. One division after another broke, and when the sun went down on the evening of the 19th of September, the federal victory was complete. We
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had been beaten in detail. The attack was too sudden to enable us to consolidate our forces and use them to the best advantage, and we were shattered and demoralized.
"Dejected and broken we marched down the valley to Fisher's Hill, where we had a very strong position. There we stopped and recruited, and tried to repair the damage which had been done. Our soldiers were very much dis- heartened, however. The transformation from a hopeful and advancing army to a beaten and retreating one, was too great. Three days later we were again attacked in our position and again defeatcd.
"For nearly a month there was a respite, and then came Cedar Creek. For the time being we won one of the greatest victories of the war. Every detail of the move- ment was carefully planned, and for twelve hours it was supremely successful. I had gone the day before, October 18th, to the top of what is called Massanutten Mountain, where we had a signal corps stationed, and had taken ob- servations through the field-glasses. There was a magnifi- cent bird's eye view. The Shenandoah was the silver bar between us. On the opposite side of the river I could dis- tinetly see the red-cuffs of the artillerists. Why, I had so good a view that I could see the sore spots on the horses' backs in your camp. In front of Belle Grove Mansion I could see members of Sheridan's staff coming and going. I could not imagine a better opportunity for making out an enemy's position and strength. I could even count the men who were there. The camp was splendidly exposed to me. I marked the position of the guards and the pick- ets walking to and fro, and observed where the cavalry was placed.
"It flashed upon me instantly that General Sheridan expected that we would attack him on his right, which was the only place supposed possible for the advance of an army. His left was protected by the Shenandoah at this point and the river ran around it. There was no road at all, and the point was guarded only by a mere cavalry picket.
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"I saw our opportunity in an instant, and I told the officer present that if General Early would permit me to move my corps (I was then commanding Ewell's corps) down to this point, I could get around the moun- tain. Both sides believed this was impossible, but I felt sure that it could be done. My plan was to dis- mount our cavalry, attack Sheridan's cavalry when dis- mounted, and keep them from moving. I knew if we could do this, we would gain a great victory.
"None of my brother officers at first had any confidence in the plan. When I was on Massanutten, the members of General Early's staff who were with me were utterly incredulous. I told them that if I was allowed to carry out my plan we could annihilate Sheridan's army, and drive him pell-mell out of the valley, and raise the spirits of our people beyond measure.
"There was a back road running from our position on Fisher's Ilill to the Federal right, where the cavalry was posted. I expected to deceive the Federals by Lomax's attack. It would be dark still, and they could not distin- guish our dismounted cavalry from infanty, and would be- lieve that our main attack was there on their right. This would leave us free to operate their left.
"General Early acted promptly after he understood the project. The plan was submitted, talked over, and finally substantially agreed upon. I took my command, having ordered them to leave their canteens, sabres, and every- thing that could make a noise behind. I knew that our only dependence was in absolute secrecy and in a complete surprise. After inspeeting things with my staff I found I could get my men around the mountain by putting them in single file. I discovered still another place where the horses could be led, although the venture would be exceed- ingly dangerous. Still the expedition was one of great peril, and more or less danger was of little consequence.
"Sharp men often leave a loop-hole; and as Sheridan,
or Wright, of the Sixth corps, who was in actual command, had never through their seouts discovered this narrow
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country road, or did not deem it possible to move an army by it, we were left to complete our surprise unmolested. The event was taking things as they were, not only possible but actual, and we did what none of your people dreamed of as possible. Early in the night I began to move my men around the mountain. My object was to have them all ready for an attack before daylight in the morning. The movement took all night. All through the hours of dark- ness the silent figures moved to their positions near the sleeping enemy. An entire brigade of cavalry was moved in this way, and reached the point in about one and a half hours in advance of the men. I instructed the cavalry that as soon as I got ready to move they were to proceed in my front, rush across the river, open on the cavalry pickets, and capture them if possible. If they could not do this, they were to put their horses to full speed, ride right through the federal camp, firing their pistols to the right and to the left as they passed through, and make directly for Sheridan's headquarters and capture him.
"At that time I did not know that Sheridan was absent and Wright in command. I had selected his house from the flags which floated from it and the couriers who were constantly going in and out. My orders were: 'Go right through the Federal camp with your command before day- light and directly to General Sheridan's headquarters. Capture him.' I told them not to take any prisoners, not to mind anything, but every mounted man was to press toward Belle Grove. We, with the infantry, would take care of what was behind. I knew very well that the little fighting or capturing they could do would be of little ar- count compared with the prize they were expected to get.
"My signal was obeyed exactly. On the morning of of the 19th, just about daylight, we fired three or four shots. Away the Federal piekets went, with our cavalry brigade after them. I rushed aeross, wading the river with my whole corps of infantry. We went with a rush and double-quick. Before starting I had selected the house on the road at which the head of my column shoukl.
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stop. It was a white house at the turn of the road, farther down toward the river, and was on the flank of the enemy's line. As soon as I got there I was in position, and I had nothing to do but to close up in front and move. Dashing forward with one brigade, we plunged into the enemy's camp and found the men asleep. Many of them never awoke in this world. We went right through them and shot every one in sight. The cavalry had reached head-quarters and General Wright barely escaped, leaving his papers behind him, and they fell into our hands. We killed and wounded between seven and eight thousand of the panic-stricken Federals and broke two corps entirely to pieces. The loss in my command was only about two hundred. By sunrise we occupied the breast-works. The enemy's cavalry was compelled to retreat before Rosser, although superior in numbers. We did not press our ad- vance. The enemy still had the Sixth Corps in reserve, but we drove it back and captured a few of its pieces. That was a complete vietory.
"To show that this was true, let me remind you that the eighth corps was scattered to the winds. The Nineteenth Corps, after hard fighting, was routed and driven entirely out of their works, and we had possession of the entire Federal position except a part of that held by the Sixth Corps. This corps had filed out by the left toward the pike, and we had driven them back and forced them to a ridge just west of Middletown. We had the pike away along up to the edge of Middletown, and our position was admirable every way.
"What was the real cause of the halt in our progres? There has been a great deal of misunderstanding on this point. I saw that the enemy had a strong position, but that it was the last one they could holdl. We had one of the finest positions for porting artillery I ever saw, right on the highest point of the pike south of Middletown, and cast and above Sheridan's head- quarters. I called for Colonel Carter, the chief of artil- lery, and wanted thirty guns planted right there, and we
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would have battered that federal line all to pieces, de- moralized an already beaten army, and sent it in utter panie down the valley. Let me tell you the real cause of our failure to get the artillery effectually at work. We did get a few guns-enongh to break the line-but herein comes the lamentable feature of that day's business. You know that Early says that the final defeat was caused by the demoralization of his own men in plundering the feder- al camp and of gorging on sutler's supplies there captured. There isn't a word of truth in it. There never was less straggling or plundering among any troops than there was among ours that morning. I had them well in hand, and had issued the strictest orders that any soldier falling out for plunder should be shot instantly.
"That whole statement is false. The real trouble was here. I was making every effort to get a mass of artillery in position when General Early rode up. He was wild with joy. I exclaimed, General Early, give me thirty pieces of artillery right here and we will destroy that army and send its fragments over the Potomac. I knew the supreme moment had come.
" 'No, no,' he said. 'We've won a great victory ; we've done enough for one day ; we will stop here.'
"But, I said, let us finish the job. It it true we have won a great victory ; let us complete it. We can do it in an hour, and so destroy that army that it will never show its head in the valley again.
"But General Early said no; that the men had seen fighting enough, and that we had won glory enough for one day.
"Very well, sir, I replied, then I will return to my command.
"Until then I had entire charge of the movements on the right. I did return to my corps, and General Early carried on the battle. We followed up the Federals as they retreated. Our men were too much elated with their victory." As to Early's own conduet on the field, General
SHERIDAN'S RIDE.
"But there is a road from Winchester town, A good broad highway leading down ; And there through the flush of the morning light, A steed as black as the steeds of night Was seen to pass, as with eagle flight.
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Gordon permitted himself to say nothing. He describes himself vividly how the battle changed :
"Everybody knows about how Sheridan reached the field in the nick of time, and how he came thundering down from Winchester. He found his men scattered along the road in terror-stricken confusion, and he compelled them to turn about and follow him. He was a fury on horseback, dashing here and there among the flying soldiers and beating them back to the field of death which they had quitted. Meanwhile, the men who were retreating from the front had been brought to some sort of order. Then followed one of the most extraordinary reversals in the history of any war. As soon as Sheridan reached the field he reformed his lines and practiced upon us precisely the same movement which had demoralized his own forces in the morning. He just moved around our flank, swept down it and whipped us out of existence. He broke our line all to fragments, and routed the whole army most absolutely. It was as thor- ough a defeat as I ever saw. The day had dawned upon victory and exultation. It closed upon utter disas- ter and dejection. Two distinct battles had been fought, and in the last we lost all we had gained in the first one, and all that we had before. The reaction was dramatie in its suddenness and completeness, and when we left the fied that evening, the Confederacy had retired from the Shenandoah. It was our last real fight in the valley."
In regard to the number killed and wounded on the Union side, General Gordon overstates the facts. In the four battles we fought and won our loss was, killed 1938, wounded 11,893, missing 3121, total 16,952. These figures include all skirmishes and cavalry fights during a period of seven months. General Sheridan's historian says: "General Gordon's statement is, however, a most note- worthy one. The character of its author is a clear guar- antee of its truthfulness, so far as he was able to know the facts in their completeness."
The roster of the Confederate army under Gen. Early
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on the 30th of Sept 1864 was composed of five divisions of infantry, comprising eighteen brigades of ninety-seven reg- iments; fitteen batteries of artillery; two divisions of cavalry composed of seven brigades, representing thirty regiments.
Wickham's brigade of Lee's division of cavalry was composed of the First Virginia, Colonel Carter; Second Virginia. Colonel Mumford; Third Virginia, Colonel Owen; Fourth Virginia, Colonel Payne.
Sheridan's ride which is here appended was composed under the following circumstances: There was to be a gathering at Pike's opera house in Cincinnati, Ohio, soon after the battle of Cedar Creek, in honor of the union vic- tories, and a reception to James C. Murdock, who had helped the "Soldier's Aid Society" in raising funds. Murdock asked T. Buchanan Read to write something on the battle of Cedar Creek that he might read it that night. The famous poem was written in less than five hours and read by the great dramatist that night, with the effect of raising such a storm of enthusiasm as had never been seen in this country.
SHERIDAN'S RIDE.
Up from the South at break of day, Bringing to Winchester fresh dismay, The affrighted air with a shudder bore, Like a herald in haste, to the chieftain's door, The terrible grumble and rumble, and roar, Telling the battle was on once more, And Sheridan twenty miles away.
And wider still the billows of war Thundered along the horizon's bar; And londer vet into Winchester rolled The roar of that red sea uncontrolled, Making the blood of the listener cold, As he thought of the stake in the fiery fray And Sheridan twenty miles away.
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But there is a road from Winchester town, A good, broad highway leading down; And there, through the flush of the morning light, A steed as black as the steeds of night, Was seen to pass, as with eagle flight, As if he knew the terrible need; He stretched away with his utmost speed; Hills rose and fell; but his heart was gay With Sheridan fifteen miles away.
Still sprang from those swift hoofs thundering sonth, The dust like smoke from the cannon's month; Or the trail of a comet, sweeping faster and faster, Foreboding to traitors the doom of disaster. The heart of the steed, and the heart of the master, Were beating like prisoners assaulting their walls, Impatient to be where the battle-field calls; Every nerve of the charger was strained to full play With Sheridan only ten miles away.
Under his spurning feet the road Like an arrowy Alpine river flowed, And the landscape sped away behind Like an ocean flying before the wind, And the steed like a bark fed with furnace ire, Swept on, with his wild eye full of fire. But lo ! he is nearing his heart's desire; He is snuffing the smoke of the roaring fray, With Sheridan only five miles away.
The first that the general saw were the groups Of stragglers, and then the retreating troops. What was done? what to do? a glance told him both; Then striking his spurs, with a terrible oath, He dashed down the line mid a storm of huzzas, And the wave of retreat checked its course there, because The sight of the master compelled it to pause. With foam and with dust the black charger was gray;
By the flash of his eye, and his red nostri's' play, He seemed to the whole great army to say, "I've brought yon Sheridan all the way From Winchester down to save the day." Hurrah ! hurrah ! for Sheridan Hurrah ! hurrah ! for horse and man.
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And when their statutes are placed on high, Under the dome of the Union sky, The American soldiers' temple of fame; Be it said, in letters both bold and bright; Here is the steed that saved the day, By carrying Sheridan into the fight, From Winchester twenty miles away."
The battle of Cedar Creek ended infantry campaign- ing in the valley, but the cavalry were very active. There is a marvelous fascination in the life of the cavalryman.
The wondrous activity, the ceaseless daring, the con- stant danger, the perpetual adventure, the well known companionship of man and horse, the exhilarating experi- ence of open air life,-all combined to give the cavalry- man's life a keener zest in the administration of an army. The "tented field" soon became a myth to the soldier on horseback. We might or might not carry the useful "dog tent," but all he wanted was casily carried on his horse. The call to "boot and saddle" found them always ready, and the clear resonant notes of the "charge" tightened every rein, steeled every nerve, and made every man and horse part of a terrible machine of war, and yet an in- dividuality that was full of character and freedom.
Whatever despondency had ever been felt by other portions of the army, there never was a day till the war ended when Sheridan's cavalry did not go forth cheerfully, even gaily, to its appointed tasks. The boom of the enemy's artillery, the stirring notes of the bugle's "to horse," were sufficient in themselves to bring forth cheers from the ranks. This doubtless, was due to the unflinch- ing courag , the watchful care, and the cheerful alacrity, which characterizd the movements of General Sheridan. He was the prince of commanders, and won his way at once to the hearts of his troopers.
Sconting was kept up for a month, several minor en- gigements occurring with a portion of Mosby's force and Lo max's cavalry. This latter officer made a reconnais- ance toward Front Royel about October 26th, but Colonel Powell with the 2nd Virginia and detachments of the 1st
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and 3rd chased Lomax to Milwood, capturing a few prisoners.
On the day of the presidential election, in 1864, the regiment left camp near Front Royal for Martinsburg. The term of service of the three years men, who had not re-enlisted, having expired, they were to be mustered out. While enroute the command halted near Winchester, the poles were opened, and the voters again exercised the right of suffrage. A special act of congress provided for this manner of holding elections. Judges were ap- pointed and the returns were sent to the respective coun- ties where the voters resided. After the election the regi- ment proceeded to Martinsburg, and established camp southeast of the place. As soon thereafter as practicable, two hundred and forty officers and men left for Wheeling, West Virginia; where, about the first of December, 1864, they were regularly mustered out of the service. While in camp at this place, a new company, numbering sixty-two men from Jackson county, Ohio, joined the regiment, and were assigned to duty as Co. M. This letter M was only used a few days until the reorganization. Captain Gilmore's company served with the regiment as Company L from July 1863 to August 1864, when they were mustered ont; only eleven men of the company re-enlisting. The total enlistments in the regiment during the war were as follows: 1861, or the original enlistments, 862 men; 1862, 70 men; 1863, 118; 1864, 171 men, including the new company. This makes a total of 1221 men. At the time of reorganiz- ation the losses by deaths, discharges and desertions amounted to about 600 men, leaving an effective force in the regiment of near 500. The command was now consoli- dated into seven companies as follows: Company A, Capt. Alberto Campbell; Company B, was composed of B and I with Captain Will S. Merrill; Company C was composed of Cand H, with Captain E. E. Wilson; Company D, Cap- tain John McNally; Company E, Captain Joseph Ankrom; was composed of Companies G and K; Company F, Cap- tain, Henry F. Swentzel; Company G, Captain, Jasper A.
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Smith, was composed of the new Company M. Other transfers had been made, but the above constitutes the principal changes. The field and staff were as follows: James Allen, Lieutenant Colonel, who so ably commanded the regiment until the final muster out; Edwin S. Morgan, Major; Adjutant, Abijah B. Farmer. The lieutenants of the companies under this new deal were: Company A, Elihu D. Robinson and Emerson MeMillin; Company B, Edwin A. Rosser and Martin Kramer; Company C, Abijah B. Farmer (acting Adjutant) and George Freeman; Company D, Samuel MeVey and W. S. McClanahan; Company E, James W. Hieks and John M. Corns; Com- pany F, Charles C. Clise and Elisha T. Fisher; Company G, Milton MeMillin and Wm. J. Kirkendall.
About this time General Powell left the service. His military career had been a most creditable one, having served in all the grades from captain to general; as captain of Company B, from the 8th of November 1861, to Au- gust 19th, 1862; as major until December 5th, 1862; as . lieutenant colonel until May 18th, 1863; as colonel and brigade and division commander until October 19th, 1864; as brigadier general until the foregoing muster out. General Powell is now living at Belleville, Ill- inois. Since the war he has written a number of valuable war articles, and in no instance has he ever forgotten to honorably mention his own regiment.
While under his care the regiment had attained a pro- ficiency and effectiveness that was second to none. Among the records of West Virginia troops appears the following: -"No regiment in the service from any state has per- formed more arduous duty than the Second Regiment of West Virginia Cavalry, and none have better deserved the compliments and praise it has received."
All this must have been exceedingly gratifying to the general, who had led the command in its most trying times; and it was intensely gratifying to the rank and file of the regiment, who, soon after, while serving under that prince of cavalry leaders, General Philip HI. Sheridan, saw that
BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK.
their old colonel had been justly honored with the star of a brigadier general, thus proving the possibilities of the American citizen soldier.
After the completion of the re-organization the regi- ment repaired to a position a few miles north-east of Win- chester, and with the brigade established winter quarters in what was known as Camp Averell. Very comfortable log houses were built and covered with the ever useful "dog tent." The bodies of stables were also built but were not covered, owing, probably, to the lack of the proper material. The portion of the winter spent here was very pleasant to the troopers. The ground was covered with a deep snow which was more preferable than the mad we had been used to in the Kanawha Valley. The camp was established in an open wood, so that fuel was easily obtained. A soldier is naturally an inventive genius, but this is owing to the faet of so many persons being together, and the necessities likely to arise cause their minds to de- vise various ways to help themselves out of seeming diffi- culties. To exemplify this : While in quarters here a set of harness was improvised as follows: A half blanket was passed over the back of a horse, another piece around his breast, held in place by the "back piece," made a very good substitute for a collar; and to this ropes were tied for tugs. With this arrangement a horse could pull a very good load of wood. Sometimes this would be placed on a horse that had never been learned to work, but this was only fun for the boys. Another thing that perhaps may not be generally known was the soldier's way of clearing a chicken of its feathers when they have no boiling water at hand : Wring the fowl's head off over a stream of water, letting it drop into the water, and what feathers it does not kick off can be easily removed. In this connection I will describe what constituted a "ration." A ration is the established daily allowance of food for one person. For the U. S. army it was composed as follows: Twelve ounces of pork or bacon, or one pound and four ounces of salt or fresh beef; one pound and six ounces of soft bread
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