USA > West Virginia > History of the Second regiment West Virginia cavalry volunteers > Part 15
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the streets of Charlottesville with bands playing and colors flying. It marched on the Lynchburg road, and contin- ued the work of destroying the railroad. The road was narrow, rough and muddy, and when in the evening we went into camp near Rock Fish River, the poor horses were almost tired out. The next day the march was con- tinued to Roseland Station, and in the evening the entire command worked on the railroad for three hours. The men were adepts at this kind of work, and they took hold without orders. It was ten o'clock on the 8th when the column was again in motion, taking the road to New Market on the James River. The river was bank full, owing to the recent heavy rains. Just before going into camp near New Market, a violent rain storm set in, and while the men were hastily putting up their little tents, they were ordered on. This change of camp was made three times, when a muddy field was assigned our brigade, and in this unfavorable condition the tents were put up and an attempt made to get supper. Even the rails would not burn, and the language indulged in by the troopers on this occasion was not such as had been learned at Sunday school. Those who did not make use of this kind of talk, experienced a sort of secret satisfaction in the comfort the others seemed to be enjoying. Getting supper had to be abandoned. The rails that would not burn in water were placed in the tents, and on these the men went to bed- angry. The poor horses were tied to stakes in the mud and exposed to the pitiless storm, without hay or a place to lie down.
On the 9th the line of march was near the swollen James River. Eight miles below New Market the column filed onto the tow-path which afforded much better marching. While passing down the river, squads of Confederates were seen on the opposite side watching the colunm, but no fir- ing was done, owing to the distance. Traveled fast all day and in the evening went into camp near Scottsville, and, the surroundings being more pleasant than those of the night before, all enjoyed a good night's rest ; and, like
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children, forgetting that any one had been out of humor. General Sheridan says that he intended crossing the James River at Duguidsville but the enemy had burned the bridge at that place, and, owing to the swollen condition of the river, his pontoons would not reach much over half way across. He was therefore compelled to choose between ro- turning to Winchester or to pass behind Lee's army to the White House, thence to the army of the Potomac. He chose the latter. On the 10th the column moved in the direction of Richmond. This was a typical March day, alternately raining, snowing and sunshine. At three o'clock we reached the city of Columbia at the junction of the Rivannah with the James River. An abundance of hay was obtained here. One old farmer remarked that if the boys did take all his hay they ought to have left him the fence. March 11th was a day of rest. Large foraging parties were sent out, and returned with plenty of edibles for both man and horse. The country around Columbia was rich and healthy. While here our presence produced a panic in Richmond. A Confederate officer said that the presence of the bold troopers so frightened the Richmond authorities that Secretary Mallory and Postmaster General Reagan were in the saddle, and he further says that JJeff Davis and the Cabinet were ready for flight. General Lee came up from Petersburg to Richmond to confer with Davis in regard to the seeming danger. On the 12th the command was once more on the Richmond road, which was continued to a cross road called Fife's, where the column executed a "column left" and started on the trot for the Virginia Central railroad, which was struck at Tolersville near Frederickshall station. At the latter place a company of Confederate soldiers were enjoy- ing the luxury of snug winter quarters. They escaped but left fires burning, and most of their equipage, which showed that they left in haste. Some time before midnight the regiment was ordered out on picket. Two miles on the.Gordonsville road, camp was pitched in a wood, ncar where more rebel quarters were found. The morning of the
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13th revealed to us that the work of destruction was still in progress. Near the picket post two barrels of grape wine had been found at the house of a physician. This was duly seized as contraband of war, and the doctor's good wife seemed to enjoy the eargerness which the soldiers displayed in securing some of this wine. She was even so kind as to loan one of them a bucket to carry some of it to camp. When the vessel was returned she seemed surprised and remarked, "that is more than I expected of a Yankee."
At Fredrickshall Station a large amount of property was destroyed, including the depot, water tank, and a large warehouse filled with tobacco. The burning of the latter so impregnated the air with the fumes of tobacco that many of the horses had to be moved. On the 14th the command moved to Beaver Dam Station along the line of the railroad. At this time there was near 2,000 negroes following the force, who, as they expressed it-wanted to journey to that paradise-the north. After our arrival within the Union lines they were all eventually shipped to Washington. The enemy were entirely deceived as to Sheridan's intentions, he being at so many different places, they could not make proper dispositions to meet him. On the 15th the command again moved rapidly toward Richmond reaching Hanover Junction. The first division encountered the enemy near the South Anna river, but the union horsemen succeeded in destroying an important bridge there. The main command now countermarched to the Fredricksburg road, and at four o'clock reached the north Anna river. It was after night before all had crossed.
At eight o'clock a halt was made, supper cooked and eaten, horses fed, when the march was continued until eleven o'clock. The night was very dark, and fires were built at frequent intervals along the road, which served as beacon lights, and very materially assisted the wagon train in keeping up with the column. On the 16th the troopers were out on the road in column and in motion before breakfast.
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At nine o'clock a halt was made at Mongohick church, where the men cooked their meal of "slap-jacks," pork and coffee. Those terrible slap-jacks; even the name is shrouded in mystery. The ingredients for their "construction" were flour, salt and water. This was mixed in a tin cup or any other vessel at hand. A quan- tity of grease was put into the frying pans, and into this the batter was poured until the bottom was well covered. This was then placed over the fire and baked. Sometimes when the fire was very hot, the pans being thin, the bread would be burned on the outside and somewhat raw in the middle. Many of the men were quite expert at this bak- ing. The handles on the pans were from one to two feet in length, and the bread could be dextorously tossed into the air in such a manner that in descending the cake would turn over and be caught in the pan ready for the fire again. After the meal had been cooked the pan was placed on the fire and all the grease burned from it, after which it was rubbed with a piece of wood, or a bunch of hay or giass, until clean and ready for paeking. This bread was not near so wholesome as the army eracker, yet they often filled an "aching void" that but for their presence might have given us trouble. I believe there are some of the old "army crackers" still in existence. Some of those "slap-jacks" ought to have been preserved among the war relies, for aside from the recollections they would call forth, of sleep- less nights and horrid night-mares, they would be looked upon by the old veterans with tears of joy, as they gently reposed in all their simplicity and purity. On the 17th the march was over ground made historie by the Army of the Potomae. Silent evidences of the conflict were to be seen on every side, in the way of rude fortifications, trees torn by shot and shell, ruined farms, depopulated towns, and here and there graves of the dead whose rude head- board told of him who slept beneath.
At noon the head of the column reached the Mattapony River at Elliott's warehouse, and continued down that stream to King William C. H. The peculiar name of
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this river led some of the men to inquire the origin of the name. This was quite simple. The Mat, the Ta, the Po and the Ny rivers unite, forming the Mattapony.
On the morning of the 18th the sun was shining brightly when the column was again in motion. Word had passed along the column that White House would be reached during the day, which would end the raid. Cheerful hearts characterized the march that day, for no doubt all were hoping to hear news of home and friends. There is nothing in the life of the soldier that will so soften the heart and give joy to his life as the reception of a letter. The little silent messenger is eagerly seized, opened, and then the warrior is a boy again. When a column is march- ing in this manner, it is customary to ask any one seen at the houses, how far it is to some place they may know or suppose to be the destination. On this occasion a very pretty rebel miss was standing in the doorway of a farm- house, watching the column pass. No doubt she had been asked how far it was to White House a number of times. As our part of the column was passing, the usual question was asked by seme one, "How far is it to White House?" The little miss had probably tired of this monotonous question by this time, so in sharp tones she replied: "It is three miles, and I am not going to tell another man." The laugh this raised in the ranks caused the young lady to slam the door and disappear within.
At noon our eyes were greeted with the stars and stripes waving from the shipping on the Pamunkey River at White House Landing. Cheer after cheer rent the air at the inspiriting sight.
We went into camp on the north side of the river and commenced laying plank on the old West Point railroad bridge for the purpose of erossing. On the 19th the en- tire command crossed the river and went into camp along a line of works erected by General MeClellan in 1862. The river presented a picturesque scene, covered with gun- boats, transports and other shipping, all sent there to meet the command. Soon rations and forage were issued and
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all were once more happy. The only disappointment be- ing that our mail had not arrived. Here is the sum total of the raid:
General Badeau says, "Sheridan's loss during the campaign did not exceed one hundred soldiers, and many of these were the men unable to bear the fatigues of the march. Incessant rains, deep and impassable streams,swamps mud and gloom, were the impediments offered by nature to his advance. Seventeen pieces of artillery and seventeen hundred prisoners of war were captured. Forty-six canal locks, five aqueduets, forty canal and road bridges, twenty three railroad bridges, one foundry, one machine shop, twenty-seven warehouses, forty-one miles of railroad, four- teen mills, and immense quantities of ammunition, gray cloth, saddles, horses, grain, and other supplies were taken and destroyed. Sheridan's cavalry had annihalated what- ever was between Richmond and Lynchburg, and having completed its work in the Shenandoah valley, was ready to join the army of the Potomac in the struggle to come. It was this raid and its results that made Grant decide on the final movements, ending in the surrender of Lee. General Sheridan says in his final report. The first and third cav- alry divisions which belonged to the army of the Shenan- doah had marehed in midwinter over three hundred miles, in constant rains, over almost impassable roads, and swollen streams, to participate in the final campaign, and were rewarded by the honor of having the flag of the Army of Northern Virginia presented to them on the morning of the surrender.
On the 20th, from appearances, we were to have a little rest, so the camp was made as comfortable as possible. Wood and water had to be carried half a mile and both were poor articles. Everything was being pushed forward to enable the command to resume the offensive. Men and horses were alike in good condition. Clothing was issued at once, and also plenty of ammunition. The most for- midable task presented was the shoeing of the horses. Portable shops were placed all over the camp, and, as every
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company had one or more blacksmiths, the merry ring of the anvils were heard in all directions. On the 22nd the men passed a very uncomfortable day, the wind blowing furiously, filling the air with sand. Everything was sand and pine timber. I believe that White House was the old home of the Custis family, and, when George Washington came here to woo Mrs. Martha Custis, he must have loved her well, for there is nothing in the surroundings that would inspire his soul with tender thoughts. On the 24th the brigade of infantry which had been at White Honse left for the Chiekahominy River with our pontoon train. This was good news to us, as we were anxious to leave this place. At night no marching orders had been re- ceived.
CHAPTER XVIII.
OFF FOR PETERSBURG.
On the 25th reveille sounded unusually early, and the first indication of marching was "boot and saddle." This was greeted with cheers. In a short time all were in ranks, the Second Virginia taking the advance, on the Charles City C. H. road in the direction of Petersburg. At the Chiekahominy we found the infantry with the pontoon across that narrow, deep and treacherous looking stream. Near what had once been Charles City C. H. we went into camp and threw out a strong picket on our right. On the 26th the weather was bitter cold and windy, ren- dering marching very unpleasant. At noon the head of the column commenced crossing the James River at Deep Bottom. A pontoon was used and the crossing was very slow. The bridge had to be opened to permit boats to pass up or down the river. I have the pleasure of saying to those of the boys who became annoyed while waiting on the pontoon for a boat to pass, that on board that vessel was the president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, and that he was looking at the cavalry; and if the remarks he made respeeting them had been heard, their cheeks would have burned with pride.
During the march day fires were built along the road, and every time the column halted, the men would dismount and rush for a fire. At dark all are over the bridge and went into camp near Jones' Landing. On in- quiry it was learned that it was only eight miles to Rich- mond.
On the 27th the command crossed the Appomattox
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river, five miles below Petersburg. The crossing was done rapidly, two pontoons being used. Within a short time after crossing the river, we reached the right of the lines of the army of the Potomac. A shotted salute of one hundred guns was given in honor of our recent achieve- ments. They turned out enmasse in rear of their works and greeted us with prolonged cheers. Our line of march lay immediately in the rear of General Grant's lines. This gave us a full view of their works, also a fair view of the Confederate works. While we were passing, some shelling took place between the forces. The works were closer than we expected to see, and both looked quite for- midable. Went into camp near the old Norfolk railroad. On the 28th we remained in camp, but were permitted to view the lines in front of Petersburg. John Nunnemaker, of Co. D, was killed while thus looking on. The place that most interested us was Fort Steadman, where the enemy had but recently made a sortie, capturing that fort, but were repulsed and driven back to their lines.
MARCH 29TII .- THE LAST FIGHTING CAMPAIGN.
This morning the head of the column filed out to the west in the direction of Rowanty Creek. The force con- sisted in all of thirty-seven regiments of cavalry and three batteries of artillery, in all ten thousand men. All dis- mounted men had been sent to City Point, Va. Custer's division was in the rear of column in charge of the supply trains. As soon as the left of the army of the Potomac was passed, the trains became hopelessly stuck in the mud, bogs and quicksand. The wagons had to be often un- loaded and lifted out of the boggy places. We had been ordered on a big raid by General Grant, to destroy the two railroads that remained within the Confederate lines. General Sheridan had disapproved of this move, and had said to General Grant, "Let's go in and finish the job right here." Getting stuck in the mud and sand during these two days, and the fearful rainstorm of the 30th brought on the battle of Five Forks, General Sheridan was at Dinwiddie C. H., and he says : "Dinwiddie C. H.,
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though a most important point in the campaign, was far from attractive in feature, being made up of a half dozen unsightly houses, a ramshackle tavern propped up on two sides with pine poles, and the weather-beaten building that gave official name to the cross-roads.
We had no tents -- there were none in the command -- so I took possession of the tavern for shelter for myself and staff, and just as we had finished looking over its primi- tive interior, a rain storm set in. The wagon containing my mess equipments was back somewhere on the road, hopelessly stnek in the mnd, and hence we had nothing to eat except some coffee which two young women, living in the tavern, kindly made for us, a small quantity of the berry being furnished from the haversack of one of my escorts. By the time we got the coffee the rain was falling in sheets, and the evening bade .fair to be a most dismal one; but songs and choruses set up by some of my staff-the two young women playing the accompaniments on a battered piano-relieved the situation and enlivened us a little. However, the dreary night brought me one great comfort, for General Grant, who that day had moved out to Gravel- ly Run, sent me instructions to abandon all idea of the con- templated raid, and directed me to act in concert with the infantry under his immediate command, to turn if possible the right flank of Lee's army. The dispatch made my mind easy, so notwithstanding the suspicions excited by some of my staff concerning the Virginia feather-bed that had been assigned me, I turned in at a late hour and slept soundly."
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At dark, of the 29th, we had only gotten seven miles with the train, worked all night, and daylight found us but ten miles from the starting place. Another day and night was spent in getting the train abont the same dis- tanec, and to add to the discomfiture it rained all day of the 30th, and just after dark it poured down. On the 31st there were rumors of fighting in front. We had been with the train for two days and nights, sleeping only in the sad- dle, or by lying on the wet ground, using a log for a pillow.
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and this but a few moments at a time. Shortly after noon of the 31st we were relieved from caring for the train, and ordered to the front. We passed down the narrow road rapidly, the other cavalry giving way by crowding to either side of the road in the bushes. The firing to our front and right got plainer, indicating that the enemy were getting nearer. Great enthusiasm prevailed among the troops we were passing at sight of the Virginia brigade (as they term us) going to the front. Soon we halted in column and dis- mounted, forming on the left of the lead horses. We then double quicked and went into position near a battery in an old field. The boys quickly concluded that if they had to fight as infantry they must do as the latter, so a lot of convenient fence rails were soon transformed into tem- porary works. Just as these were finished, General Sheri- dan rode along our line, telling us to hold our position. Just then the enemy came in sight in the woods. When our carbines turned loose on the gray-backs they suddenly halted. Barrett, the historian, says of this affair: "On the 31st General Ayers division (of infantry) was sent by Warren to dislodge the enemy on the White Oak road. Ayers was repulsed and driven back upon Crawford, whose division in turn broke, and both retreated in some confus- ion upon the position occupied by Griffin. The enemy then ceased pursuit and rapidly turned upon Sheridan at Dinwiddie Court House. A battle followed in which the enemy's entire cavalry force and two divisions of infantry were kept in check by Sheridan's cavalry." General Sher- idan in his official report says: "I determined to defend Dinwiddie C. H. and selected a place about three-fourths of a mile north-west of the cross-roads, and, Custer com- ing up with Capehart's brigade, took position on the left of the road to Five Forks in some open ground along the crest of a gentle ridge. Custer got Capehart into place just in time to lend a helping hand to Smith, who, severely pressed, came back on us here from his retreat along Chamberlain 'bed,' the vernacular for a woody swamp
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such as that through which Smith retired. A little later the brigades of Grigg and Gibbs falling to the rear slowly and steadily, took up a line some distance to the right of Capehart, the intervening gap to be filled by Pennington's brigade. It was now near sunset, and the enemy's cavalry thinking the day was theirs, made a dash at Smith, but just as the assailants ap- peared in the open fields, Capehart's men opened so sud- denly on their left flank as to cause it to recoil in astonish- ment, which permitted Smith to connect his brigade with Custer's unmolested." This ended the fighting for the day, but we remained in this position all night. General Sheridan's headquarters were in a tent just in the rear of the position of the Second Virginia. 1 war historian says: "Early in the week, when the Confederates became aware of the extension of Grant's lines, they added a divis- ion of infantry to the force encamped on our flank line. These were directed to avoid an infantry fight, but to seek ont the cavalry, and, by getting it at a disadvantage, rid the region both of the harmfulness of Sheridan and that prestige of his name so terrifying to the Virginia house- wife. So long as Sheridan remained upon the far left, the Southside road was unsafe, and the rapidity with which his command could be transferred from point to point ren- dered it a formidable balance of power. The Confederates knew the country well, and the peenliar course of the high- ways gave them every advantage.
THE BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS.
Five Forks is a point where five good roads meet in the edge of a dry, high, well watered forest, three of them radiating to the railway, and their tributaries unlocking all the country. The Confederates fortified this place as if it had been their capital. Upon the principal road-the White Oak road-they had breastworks of logs and earth reaching east and west three miles. All the roads were well picketed and a desperate intention to hold it averred. Five Forks is eight miles from Dinwiddie C. H., four miles from the Southside railroad, and eighteen miles from
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Humphrey Station, the nearest of our military railway stations. A little stream called Gravelly Run gives name to a little Methodist church about one mile from the cross- roads.
The morning of Saturday, April 1st, opened bright and clear, when we left our position and dismounted, advanced into the deep pine forest. Soon after starting the clear resonant notes of a rebel bugle, far to our front, was borne upon the air, and we readily recognized the sound "to horse." Cautiously our skirm- ishers advanced feeling for the enemy. Nearly a mile was covered in this way when the first shots were fired. This was answered by hearty cheers from our side. The enemy fell back slowly, cach side increasing the number of skirmishers until there was almost a line of battle. Five thousand dismounted cavalry were in this move and were to ingeniously drive the Confederates into their works. The object of the wily Sheridan was to capture as well as to"rout. Our led horses were following at a reasonable distance. A writer in speaking of this affair says : "With their horses within call, the cavalryman in line of battle, stood together like walls of stone, swelling onward like those gradual elevating ridges of which Lyell speaks. All the afternoon the cavalry pushed them hard; and the strife went on uninterruptedly and terrifically. The battle was fought at so close quarters that the Union carbines were never out of range; had this been otherwise, the long rifles of the enemy would have given them every ad- vantage." I will now follow the fortunes of our own brigade and regiment.
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