USA > West Virginia > History of the Second regiment West Virginia cavalry volunteers > Part 4
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On the 8th of April, Lt. Col. John C. Paxton, with the second battalion, accompanied by Major Curtis, moved out from camp, and finally reported according to orders. On the 29th of April, Col. Bolles with the first battalion, and accompanied by Major Hoffman, left camp with orders to report to Col. L. S. Elliott, of the 47th Ohio Infantry, who was enroute to Meadow Bluff on the Lewisburg pike. The regiment thus divided performed important duty for Col. Geo. Crook in the vicinity of Meadow Bluff, Green- briar county, and similar service for General J. D. Cox in Raleigh and adjoining counties, during the spring and summer campaign of 1862. On the 12th of May the first battallion surprised and routed a rebel command known as Edgar's battallion, and Captain White's company of rebel cavalry at early dawn, near Handley's farm, driving the enemy in utter rout through Lewisburg to White Sulphur Springs. Many prisoners were captured in this wild and exciting chase.
On May 16th. Col. Geo. Crook, of the 36th Ohio then
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BATTLE OF LEWISBURG.
in command of the third brigade of the Kanawha division, composed of the 36th, 44th, and 47th O. V. I., and the first battallion of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, and a battery of artillery, began a reconnaissance in force upon Jackson river depot, via Lewisburg, White Sulphur and Covington. In this ex- pedition the 2d Virginia Cavalry had the advance, and succeeded in destroying several depots of supplies, bridges, etc., also capturing five captains and twenty-five men be- longing to the "Moccasin Rangers," near Callahan station.
The command then returned to camp. On May 23d occurred the battle of Lewisburg, one of the best planned little engagements of the war. In brief, it was as follows: Col. Crook learned that Gen. Heth, a former class-mate of Crook, with a considerable body of infantry, was march- ing in the direction of Lewisburg, and like the true soldier that he was, he determined to try the mettle of his men in battle. It was eighteen miles baek to Meadow Bluff, a natural position for defense, and where a few more troops were stationed. To be fully prepared for any emergency, Col. Crook had every pound of property of every kind loaded in the wagons, the teams hitched to them and headed in the direction of Meadow Bluff. Wishing to give the enemy a fair show, Col. Crook formed his line in the rear of the town, thus giving them the advantage of the inspiration they might receive from the pres- ence of their enthusiastic friends in this hot rebel town. The infantry was placed on either side of the battery. with the cavalry on the left. Soon our pickets fell back through Lewisburg, amid the jeers of the inhabitants. The enemy made their appearance on the hill opposite, formed their line, and when all was ready their battery fired the first shot, to which ours responded. They came down the hill into the town amid the wildest enthusiasm, the entire population cheering them on and shouting, "Drive the Yankees to the Ohio river." As soon as the line of the enemy came in view ascending the hill on a charge, our infantry arose and poured a withering volley
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BATTLE OF LEWISBURG.
into them. Both infantry and cavalry joined in a charge, completely routing the opposing force, killing seventy-two, wounding over one hundred, taking one hundred and fifty-seven prisoners, four cannon, three hundred stands of arms and twenty-five horses. The Union loss was thir- teen killed, fifty wounded and six missing. From the time the first shot was fired until the last, was twenty- seven minutes.
In this engagement the cavalry was highly compli- mented for its gallantry by the Brigade Commander. Col. Crook was wounded in the left foot.
The brigade remained here until April 29th, when it fell back to Meadow Bluff for the purpose of shortening the haul of supplies, which was obtained at Loup Creek on the Kanawha river. The battallion camped at Meadow Bluff until August 14th. In the meantime they had been very active in scouting. Several brisk engagements oc- curred with the rebel cavalry, among which might be mentioned Alderson's Ferry, June 9; Wolf Creek, July 10; Lewis' Mills July 15; Blue Sulphur Springs, July 20; Alderson's Ferry, July 23, Williamburg, July 28th. In these various engagements the enemy lost ten killed, six wounded, and twenty prisoners, besides horses and arms.
The commanding officer, Col.Geo. Crook, growing tired of camp life, thought it about time for another fight. The rebel Gen. Heth, with his command, was then at Salt Sul- phur Springs; and as the two commanders had been class- mates at West Point, and were very good friends, Col. Crook coneluded it would only be right and proper to re- turn Gen. Heth's call of the 23rd of May. According, on June 22nd, Col. Crook, with his brigade (less a safe camp guard) took up the line of march on the road via Blue Sulphur Springs, Alderson's Ferry and Centreville to Salt Sulphur Springs. Camping at the mouth of Wolf Creek and Centreville en ronte, the morning of the 24th found the command at a point on the Centreville and Salt Sulphur Springs road, within a distance of three miles from General Heth's camping grounds. That morn-
BATTLE OF LEWISBURG.
ing all arose early, ate a hearty breakfast of sow-belly, hard tack and coffee, and assuring ourselves that our toilet was just right, started on our early morning call.
We were under the impression that our commander's distinguished friend and classmate would extend to his old friend and comrades as warm a reception at least as Col. Crook had given him thirty days before at Lewisburg. But we were doomed to disappointment, as the cavalry soon found that General Heth, apparently not caring to culti- vate the further acquaintance of Col. Crook and his Yanks in blue, had retired to the mountains the day before. The brigade then returned to camp.
On June 15th, Col. Wm. M. Bolles tendered his resig- nation as Colonel of the 2d Loyal Virginia Cavalry, to take effect immediately. The resignation of this officer was accepted, and Lt. Col. John C, Paxton was promoted and commissioned as Colonel, July 18th, 1862. Major R. L. Curtis was promoted to the office of Lt. Colonel, and com- missioned Ang. 19th, 1862. Capt. W. H. Powell was promoted and commissioned as Major Aug. 19th, 1862. The following changes, made necessary by these promo- tions, occurred in the companies.
1st. Lt. Chas. E. Hambleton to rank and services as Captain of Co. B, Capt. Thos. Neal having resigned as Captain of Co. C, 2nd Lt. James Allen was promoted to service as Captain of Co. C. Orderly Sergeant Geo. Millard was promoted to 2nd Lt. Co. F, Lt. Eells having resigned. Sergt. Major 1. B. Murdock was promoted to 2nd Lt. of Co. B. 1st Sergt. J. B. Carlisle was promoted to Sergeant Major.
From August 1st to 14th the infantry did but little duty other than drill. The cavalry, however, was kept busy almost night and day, scouring the country for sup- plies, and any stray rebel soldiers that might fall in their way. The country around Meadow Bluff was well suited to grass, the inhabitants seemed to be quite well to do, and taking it all in all, this was the most pleasant season we experienced during the war.
CHAPTER III.
LIGHTBURN'S RETREAT.
On August 14th the brigade consisting of the 44th O. V. I. and the 2nd Virginia Cavalry left Meadow Bluff under orders for Gauley Bridge. Genl. JJ. D. Cox com- manding Kanawha Division, with Col. Crook and Scan- non's brigade were ordered to Washington City. This left but a small force in the Kanawha Valley, under com- mand of Col. J. A. J. Lightburn.
During the time in which the events already narrat- ing here were transpiring with the first battallion under Col. Crook on the Lewisburg front, the second battallion under Lieutenant Colonel -- but now Col. J. C. Paxton, was actively engaged in scouting in the counties of Raleigh, Fayette and Wyoming. Of its movements no detailed account can be found. This is much regretted, as the battallion experienced lively and thrilling times in their many encounters with bosh-whack- ers. Repeated letters to officers now living, have failed to secure the information necessary to enable me to place upon record the active work of the second battallion dur- ing this period.
If there was one thing more than another that the Second Virginia Cavalry hated, it was the detestable bush- whack- ers. We did not object to being shot at on general princi- ples, but to have some unprincipled scoundrel who was too cowardly to join the army and fight as a man, sneak around like a thief in the night and shoot from behind a tree or from some inaccessible position, was more than we could patiently stand.
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LIGHTBURN'S RETREAT.
The service performed by the Regiment, beginning May 1st and ending Ang. 14, 1862, was mostly rendered by small details, rarely exceeding a company organization. The character of the service being that of picket duty, scouting and foraging, was in a mountainous country like western Virginia, constantly exposed, hazardous and lab- orious, and last, but not least, to a good, faithful soldier, thankless aud unappreciated.
Much of the alleged inefficiency of the cavalry arm of the service, so frequently talked of by the infantry, was the result of the imperfect organization and application of that branch of the service during the first and second years of war. General Sheridan was the first officer in the United States army to organize and efficiently utilize the cavalry forces. Its unparallelled achievements attained under him and his gallant division commanders, Torbett, Wilson, Merrett, Averell, Custer and Powell, in the Shen- andoah Valley in 1864 and 1865, fully demonstrated the efficiency and possibilities of the mounted warrior, and rendered the name and fame and service of Sheridan and his cavalry immortal.
The cavalry of the confederacy was a famous and ter- rible weapon in the hands of its leaders for more than the first half of the war period. The contempt of our organ- izers for this arm of the service, brought to the people who deserved it not, a good deal of severe punishment. The Southern leaders, certainly at first, understood the logistics of the situation better than our own anthorities. One rea- son of that is perhaps to be found in the fact that so many of the confederate commanders-those from the regular service especially-had been in the cavalry service. Jef- ferson Davis himself evidently appreciated this arm, as he took especial pains while secretary of war, under Pierce, in organizing four additional regiments to the regular army, to procure the necessary legislation necessary to equip them as cavalry, and then to officer them with those who, it seemed to him, would best serve the South in the contingencies likely to arise. The ex-cavalrymen among
.
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LIGHTBURN'S RETREAT.
commanding and leading generals of the Confederacy can be named by the score.
Among them might be mentioned J. E. B. Stuart, Fitz- hugh Lee, Ewell Hill, Joseph E. Johnson and a huudred others who could be named, who were fine organizers of cavalry forces. The Confederates were not, also, without most gallant cavalry soldiers and leaders whose sabers carved their way from civil life to martial eminence. Among those still living are such men as Wade Hampton, Wheeler, Chalmers and Mosly. General Gordon himself has shown all the finest qualities of a cavalry commander. Of those who have passed away may be named with respect for soldierly qualities at least, Stuart, Forrest, Cleburne, Wickham, Gilmore, Ashby and many others. The planter was necessarily a horseman. His work of supervision was . mainly done in the saddle. As a slave-holder owning many or few human chattels, he was more of a man on the back of his saddle horse, in the eyes of his slaves, than when on foot like any ordinary person. He knew how to both ride and shoot.
What gave the Confederate cavalry, then, its first form and usefulness was the rule of requiring each recruit to mount himself. Equipments were sometimes or in part provided, sufficient to give some uniformity. He was re- quired, however, to remount himself. The endeavor to achieve this necessity was the source of much of the activ- ity shown by Mosby, Morgan, Duke and other partisan leaders, in different parts of the large field of border opera- tions. Such a condition applied to the raising of cavalry could only be made in an agricultural country. It was at first peculiarly adapted to the conditions of the South. The rich, slave-holding planters, like Wade Hampton; the am- bitious and dashing leaders like Wheeler and Chalmers, then lawyers and planters with careers before them; the born horsemen like Forrest, Morgan, Mosby, the Ashbys and others, were able to bring together a mounted yeo- manry, accustomed to their horses, and used, in the rude atmosphere of slavery to command. Yet, as it turned out,
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LIGHTBURN'S RETREAT.
given time and occasion, the loyal states were able, in the long run, to mold and make a better cavalry force, to mount it far more effectively and handle it more efficiently for final victory. General Grant said, while the Southern soldiers may have possessed more dash and enthusiasm, yet the Union soldier had the staying qualities, which brought the final victory.
After the re-assembling of the regiment from Lewis- burg and Flat Top Mountain in August, it always oper- ated thereafter during the war in its regimental organiza- tion.
Early in September the camp was filled with rumors that a rebel force of 6,000 men under General Loring was advancing via Flat Top Mountain and Princeton, with the avowed purpose of driving the "Yanks," as 'twas said, out of the Kanawha Valley, and north of the Ohio river. Just previous to this advance of General Loring, Col. Lightburn received information that Col. A. G. Jenk- ins was moving his rebel cavalry force down the Guyan- dotte river towards Barboursville and the Ohio river. This was a considerable distance to the rear of the position of our army. Col. Lightburn seemed to treat the matter with such indifference that Col. J. C. Paxton begged for permission to be allowed to march and drive back this rebel invader. Permission being granted, two companies were left with the main force, and with the remaining eight companies, Col. Paxton moved down the west bank of the Kanawha river to a few miles below the city of Charleston, where the pike crosses through the country to Teaz Valley, thence to Barboursville and Guyandotte.
This route was pursued to the farm of Mr. Warren Reece, near where the town of Milton, W. Va. now stands, ten miles east of Barboursville. Major Powell had charge of the advance, with Capt. Hambleton's Com- pany B. At the farm of Mr. Reece a halt was made for the purpose ot feeding and resting the command. While we were enjoying our afternoon meal, the rebel cavalry appeared in our front, and fired at us at long range. Our
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LIGHTBURN'S RETREAT.
troopers were soon in the saddle and marching to meet the enemy. As soon as they showed a disposition to make a stand, Capt. Hambleton, under orders, charged upon them, driving them toward Barboursville.
A halt was now made to ascertain the strength and lo- cation of Jenkins' force. Major Powell learned from the prisoners that the enemy's force consisted of between 1,000 and 1,200 cavalry under command of Col. Jenkins, and that they were in camp near Barboursville, and had been there twenty-four hours, resting and shoeing their horses. It was also learned that they were to move in the direc- tion of Charleston the next morning, where they expected to meet the advance of the retreating army of Col. Light- burn, as he was driven back by General Loring.
It was dark when Col. Paxton with the regiment came up with the advance. After a short conference between Col. Paxton and Major Powell, the latter was ordered forward with Company B, Capt. Hambleton commanding. On nearing Barboursville, Major Powell, learning the exact location of Col. Jenkins' headquarters, which was in the house of Mr. Wm. Miller, determined to try to capture that officer. Upon nearing the house a charge was made upon it. It was found to be guarded by at least fifty confederate soldiers, which fact could not be observed by the charging column on account of the ex- treme darkness of the night. The rebel guard fired and fled, and while the house was being surrounded, Col. Jen- kins and his staff escaped by the rear of the house through the garden. This caused the entire rebel force to abandon their camp and flee up the Guyan river, unexpectedly di- verted from their proposed attack upon the Union forces the next day. This occurred on the night of September 8th, 1862.
In this charge upon Col. JJenkins' headquarters, Com- pany B lost one of its bravest and best men-killed by the rebel guard. I refer to the death of 1st Duty Sergeant, Braxton P. Reeves, who lived at Buckhorn Fur- nace, Lawrence county, Ohio.
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LIGHTBURN'S RETREAT.
When Col. Paxton became satisfied that the rebel force was in full retreat up the Guyan Val- ley, he moved the regiment to Guyandotte, on the Ohio river, where the body of Ser- geant Reeves was forwarded to his friends. The force re- mained here for twenty-four hours resting the horses, then returned by the same route via Teaz Valley to the mouth of Coal river-now St. Albans, W. Va. At Coalsmouth the government transports were met en route to Gallipolis, Ohio, and we received orders to guard them out of the Kanawha river. The cause of all this was, that the entire force under Col. Lightburn was being driven out of the valley. At Charleston Col. Lightburn left the Kanawha river and retreated to the Ohio river via Jackson C. H., W. Va. He crossed the Ohio river at Racine, Ohio, and moved down the north bank of the river to opposite Point Pleasant, thus almost literally fulfilling everything that had been told us by the prisoners at Barboursville.
But to our command. The 2nd Va. Cavalry guarded the transports to the mouth of Thirteen Mile Creek, where they were out of all danger; thence moved across the coun- try to Letart Falls, on the Ohio river, and down the south bank to Point Pleasant. We were the only portion of the Lightburn command that determined to remain, and that did remain, on the sacred soil of Virginia. The defeat suffered by the Kanawha troops under Col. Lightburn, in- duced the ordering of General (2. A. Gilmore, U.S. A., who was then at Cincinnati, Ohio, to the command at Point Pleasant. General Gilmore was soon relieved by General Milroy, and in a few days he was in turn replaced by Gen- eral J. D. Cox, the former commander of the Kanawha Di- vision. General Cox re organized the command, and with the old, and some new troops, left Point Pleasant on the 20th of October, 1862, for the purpose of regaining the Kanawha Valley.
The rebel forces fell back before the Union forces without battle. In a few days the City of Charleston wa's reached. Here the infantry and artillery went into camp,
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LIGHTBURN'S RETREAT.
and the 2d Va. cavalry went ten miles up the river to Camp Piatt and established winter quarters.
On the 16th of November, 1862, Col. Geo. C'rook, having been promoted to the rank of Brigadier General U. S. Volunteers, returned to the Kanawha Valley with his brigade, being assigned to the command of the Kanawha Division, relieving General J. D. Cox. This was very gratifying to the officers and men, as all had the most im- plicit confidence in the leadership of General Crook.
GE
John C. Payline
CHAPTER IN.
SINKING CREEK RAID.
The regiment having virtually completed the active cam- paign work of 1862 as was supposed, was now enjoying the luxury of good winter quarters at Camp Piatt, on the classic banks ofthe Kanawha, ten miles above the present capital of West Virginia, whey, much to the surprise and gratification of the boys, we were again in the saddle, in obedience to the following order:
Headquarters Kanawha Division Charleston, Kanawha Co., W. Va., November 23, 1862. ) Special order No.
Colonel John C. Paxton, com- manding the 2nd Regiment Loyal Virginia Cavalry, will procced with all the serviceable men of his command, to- morrow morning, Nov. 24, 1862, to Cold Knob Mountain in Greenbriar county, Virginia, via the Summerville and Lewisburg road, leaving the Kanawha river route at Can- nelton. On Cold Knob Mountain he will overtake Col- onel P. H. Lane, commanding the 11th O). V. I., ordered to that point to reinforce your command. From which position you will proceed against the camps of the 14th Virginia Rebel Cavalry Regiment, located in the Sinking Creek Valley, some two miles apart in winter quarters, recruiting. Break up the organization if possible.
GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier General commanding Kanawha Division.
This was the most business like document we had ever received, and the concluding sentence clearly implied that something must be done. However, at daylight on the 24th, we were on the road en route for Cannelton, where we left the river route and followed a narrow road
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.
SINKING CREEK RAID.
over the mountain to the mouth of Twenty mile creek, where we struck the main Summerville road. We reached the latter place by 10 o'clock at night, and camped there on the night of the 24th, having marched sixty miles. Early on the morning of the 25th we broke camp, and twenty miles from Summerville went into camp again, pre- paring such shelter as was possible in that sparsely settled country. The weather was very cold, with indications of snow.
The only adventure experienced during the day was hy Lieutenant Davidson, of the advance guard. This officer was ordered to seleet a place to camp. With a guide he left the main road to look for hay and soon came in sight of a log house where the guide said there was forage of that kind. When opposite the place, the officer heard the click of muskets and looking toward the house he saw five or six rebels with leveled muskets, commanding him to halt. Lieutenant Davidson was one of the coolest officers in the regiment, and one of the quickest to grasp a situa- tion and act upon it; so, when he heard the summons, he promptly obeyed. The rebels asked him who he was and what he was doing there. The lieutenant told them he belonged to Colonel Jenkins' (rebel) regiment, and that the command was coming there to camp. This apparently satisfied them, "but," said they, "where did you get those bine clothes?"' The lieutenant did not have to tell a story this time for he replied that he got them from the Yankees. Then he rode on, glad to get away.
About this time the advance came in sight, when the Johnnies realized that they had been duped, and all ran for the woods, but the advance guard captured most, if not all of them. Major Powell pursued and captured one, who proved to be a rebel lieutenant. The major has since told the writer that he often wondered why the fellow did not stop behind. some tree and shoot him, when he saw that he was being pursued by only one man.
During the night of the 25th, a heavy snow had fallen, and if continued to snow on the 26th. The march
WESTEN BIOG'S PUBCOM
CIN, O
CAPT. JEREMIAH DAVIDSON.
See page 144 ..
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SINKING CREEK RAID.
was taken up early in the morning of that day, and at 10 o'clock a. m. we reached Cold Knob Mountain, where we found the 11th O. V. I., they having been there but a short time.
After a conference between Colonel Paxton and Col- onel Lane of the infantry, the latter decided that the con- dition of his men, caused by exposure to the severe storm for the past eighteen hours rendered the continuation of the march impracticable and compelled him in justice to his men to return to camp at Summerville. Thereupon the infantry countermarched and returned.
The cavalry officers had no thought of returning from this point, for when the order to make the raid had been delivered by General Crook, he had confidentially charged Major Powell not to return to camp without good results. This was well understood, and has since been authenticated by General Crook.
The men had borne their sufferings without a murmur, and when they learned that they were within a few miles of the rebel camp, were full of enthusiasm and anxious to proceed. Preparations were at once made to descend the mountain and attack the camp.
Cold Knob Mountain towers over the surrounding hills and valleys like a sentinel. From its summit where we stood that dreary day it is said one could see into the state of North Carolina. It is so bald and bleak and bar- ren that no grass can secure and maintain a foot hold in its soil, and no trees grow near its summit. As we stood there on that day with the howling storm about us, and the mereury in the thermometer --- if there had been one there ---- crawling down to the bottom, the marrow in our bones nearly freezing, we were convinced that the spot had been appropriately named.
Major Powell was placed in charge of the advance, which consisted of Lieutenant Davidson and twenty men of Company G. It was carly in the afternoon when the command started down the mountain for the Sinking Creek Valley. At the foot of the mountain the rebel
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