USA > West Virginia > History of the Second regiment West Virginia cavalry volunteers > Part 6
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Lieutenant Colonel Commanding.
80
EXPEDITION TO LEWISBURG.
The correspondence between the Union and Confeder- ate Colonels was as follows:
To the officer commanding at Lewisburg :- Mr. Tuck- willer consents to allow two men seriously wounded to re- main at his house as they cannot be moved. They, to- gether with the sergeant who remains to nurse, will be your prisoners of course, and I ask that you use the hu- manity that you would have the right to expect from us. I have the honor to subscribe myself, your obedient ser- vant, O. NELLIS,
First Ass't. Surgeon, 2nd (West) Va. Cavalry.
P. S .- If you will do me the favor to supply a sur- geon to assist in amputating a leg, it will be received as a kindness.
[Answer.]
O. Nellis, First Assistant Surgeon, 2nd [ West] Vir- ginia Cavalry :- Your favor has been received. Any com- munication from your commanding officer will be received. GEO. M. EDGAR,
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Outposts.
ON THE FIELD, May 2, 1863. Commanding Officer, Confederate forces before Lewis- burg :- Your note received. I did not know my surgeon had gone to the front with a flag. His and my wish is to take care of our dead and wounded. I ask for nothing except what the laws of war and humanity ask for.
J. C. PAXTON, Colonel Commanding Force. (Answer)
On the Field, May 2d, 1863.
Col. J. C. Paxton, Comd'g U. S. Forces :-- Your favor has just been received. Your dead will be conveyed to you for interment. Two of my surgeons shall assist yours in attending to your wounded. Of course the truce shail exist until formally concluded by yourself. By order of Gen. Echols.
GEO. M. EDGAR, Lt. Col. Comd'g Advance. On the Field, May 2d, 1863.
Major Edgar, Comd'g Confed. Forces near Lewisburg : I wish to bury my dead and take some care of my wounded. It will take until 11 a. m. this day. I leave my surgeon. Any courtesy you extend to him will be re- turned if occasion offers. J. C. PAXTON,
Col. Comd'g 2nd W. Va. Cavalry.
.
WESTERN BIOGK puo.cº C·NO.
CAPT. E. E. WILSON.
€
PUÒ CO CIN. O.
WESTERN 810G,L
LT. COLONEL DAVID DOVE.
See page 81.
Colonel Dove was an ideal American volunteer. When the war broke out he was twenty-one years old. He promptly en- listed in the three months service and was elected a Lieutenant in the first company raised in Jackson County, Ohio At the ex- piration of this term he assisted in raising Co. H., Second W. Va. Cavalry, and was elected Captain of the same. Captain Dove was often entrusted with perilous missions, and in every case he
ved equal to the occasion. He was severely wounded May 2d, 1863, (see page 77) after being wounded he was brought back to the house of Mr. B. S. Smythers (at his own request) where he was cared for by members of his own company and Mr Smyther's family. In July he so far recovered as to be able to return to his own home, near Jackson, Ohio. December 17th, 1863, he married Julia E. Smythers, a most estimable and accomplished young lady, of Kanawha County, West Virginia Captain Dove was promot- ed to Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment, May 18th, 1863. In October he returned to camp and assumed the command of the regiment, until Colonel Powell's return in March, 1864. His wound compelled his resignation July 5th, 1864. He died Janu- ary 12th, 1868, loved, honored and respected by all.
81
EXPEDITION TO LEWISBURG.
(Answer)
On the Field, May 2nd, 1863.
Col. Paxton, Com'd U. S. Forces :--- The truce you ask will be willingly granted. Everything we can do for your wounded will be done. Your surgeon will receive the attention and protection von ask.
By order of General Echols, GEO. M. EDGAR,
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Advance.
Our loss was four killed, eight wounded, four missing, and twenty- eight horses killed.
This was the first defeat the regiment had suffered, and, that some one was to blame for allowing the command to be drawn into an ambuscade, the humblest private in the regiment knew. Some of the best officers and men in the command had been needlessly sacrificed. First Lieu- tenant George Shoemaker, and Privates George W. Hale and James Smith, were fine specimens of the American volunteer. Captain David Dove was a most brave and promising officer, and the wound he received on this occa- sion rendered him almost incapable of further service dur- ing the war.
While the command severely criticised, and did not excuse the conduct of Colonel Paxton in permitting the surprise and making the sa rifie: possible, yet, the very high esteem in which booth offers and men regarded him for his many admirable qualities as a gentleman, his kindly interest in and attention to the wants of bis command, his genuine and undoubted loyalty to the flag, and devotion to the union, made all deeply sympathize with Colonel Pax- ton. Ho truly and sincerely loved his "boys" (as he called them) and was fimqnently the central figure of a group, pleasantly taking part in sach conversation as might be general about the camp.
In July, 1865, after being discharged at Wheeling, W. Va. on our way home, quite a number of us had occasion to stop off at Marietta, Ohio, Colonel Paxton's home. While on our way to the railroad depot we met the colonel and of course, all greeted him warmly. Said he : "Boys of
82
EXPEDITION TO LEWISBURG.
the Second West Virginia Cavalry, God bless you," and the old warrior was so overcome with emotion that he wept like a child. The colonel has long since been "gathered to his fathers," and when we shall assemble at the great roll call above, we will want no warmer welcome from friends than that of the old commander, "Boys of the Sec- ond West Virginia Cavalry, God bless you!" On May 7th, 1863, Colonel John C. Paxton left the service, To fill the vacancy thus created a universal de- mand went up for the appointment of Lieut. Colonel Powell as Colonel of the regiment. The entire command knew Lieutenant Colonel Powell to be a brave, fearless and efficient officer, and all seemed fully to realize that he was the proper man to lead them. Therefore Gov- ernor Pierrepont urged the Lieutenant Colonel to recon- sider his purpose of leaving the service, and to accept the command of the regiment. This proffer, endorsed as it was, induced Colonel Powell to recall his resignation and accept the command; and thereupon Lieut. Colonel Wm. H. Powell was commissioned as Colonel of the 2d W. Va. Cavalry, May 18, 1863.
CHAPTER VII.
THE JOHNNIES AFTER THE LOUP CREEK WHARFBOAT.
The time immediately following was occupied in drill. ing and scouting. The most important event that trans- pired was about June 27th, when the officer learned that the rebels had formed a plan to burn the Loup Creek Wharf- boat. Preparations were made to capture the raiders, as it was known they would be in small force. Captain Chas. E. Hambleton was sent to Loup Creek with two compan- ies, and other forces were distributed in such a manner as the exigencies of the case seemed to require. The wharf- boat was moved across the river out of danger, and the coming of the enemy awaited.
The enemy came, but with all the precautions taken, made good their escape. As they came in on the road guarded by Captain Hambleton's force, I will give that officer's version of the affair, without further comment.
Camp Piatt, Va., June 28, 1863.
Sir :---- In obedience to your order I started with Com- panies B and I, 75 men, June 26th, at 7 p. m. Crossed the river at this place and proceeded to Loup Creek Land- ing, where I arrived at 3:30 a. m. June 27th. I immed- iately sent out a picket of twelve men to stand on the road below Loup Creek bridge, about three-quarters of a mile above the landing. I then ordered my command to un- saddle and cool their horses, and then saddle and feed. They had unsaddled and were lying down, when my picket, having gone to the place designated, found a picket guard of Company F already stationed there, when they re- turned. But I was not aware they had returned until afterward. They had been baek fifteen or twenty minutes
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LOUP CREEK WHARFBOAT.
and my men were just saddling, when the rebels came dashing in, yelling and shooting, which was the first notice I had of their approach. The pieket had retreated up the road instead of towards ns. My men sprang to their arms and fired into the advancing column, but on they came. The first squadron dashed right through us, so we were between them. I ordered the men that were near me to get under the river bank some twenty feet from the road. Some few got into the woods above, and some were taken prisoners. Some eight or ten infantry on the opposite side of the river . fired into them, while my com- mand who were near the river bank also fired on then, which was the means of starting them down the road. While they were passing us Lieut. Carlisle ealled to those who were prisoners to rally under the river bank, and some ten or twelve saved themselves by running and jumping as directed, the rebels not daring to follow. They ---- the rebels ---- started to return, but again fell back and went up AArmstrong Creek on the gallop, while about thirty, sup- posed to be the rear guard, did not get past us at all, but retreated up Loup Creek. Their force has been variously estimated, but from what I could see, and from the best information obtained, I judged them to be about 225 strong, under command of Major Bailey. The whole af- fair did not last over fifteen or twenty minutes. That we did not allow the rebels to do this without resistance is evidenced by the fact that they left one dead, three badly wounded, five horses killed and three wounded. I am, Your Obedient Servant, CHAS. E. HAMBLETON, Captain Comd'g.
Col. W. H. Powell.
In the interim between the 18th of May, 1863, the operations of the regiment were of minor importance. During this time Col. Powell's health had been restored, and the regiment reorganized and fitted for active service. The camp life at this time was of the highest type of enjoyment. The quarters were in the shape of a square, and consisted of good log houses, with kitchens for the different messes. The houses on the east side of the square were occupied by the company officers, the regi- mental headquarters being in a house near the Kanawha river on the west. The stables were a short distance north
.
85
LOUP CREEK WHARFBOAT.
of the camp. To the rear of the officers quarters there was a mountain of considerable height, its sides steep and al- most inaccessible. In front of the camp, flowed the .Kanawha river, with Brownstown on its opposite bank. It was four miles down the river to Malden, and ten miles to Charleston. During the month of June the regimental surgeon recommended that the men be supplied with ale, as it would be conducive to their health. When this be- came known, the file of the regiment readily expressed their willingness to take the perscribed medicine, and were ready to bless the name of Dr. MeKeown. Word was sent to some Jewish merchants in Charleston that they might sell a few dozen bottles of ale to the regiment daily. Two or three of those enterprising dealers soon appeared in camp, and disposed of their merchandise at a good profit. This was a bonanza for the vendors, for ordi- narily they were not allowed to sell to soldiers. There was no indication that the men would abuse the privilege, and the merchants obtained leave to make another visit within a few days. On the next trip they brought a considerable quantity of the stimulant, and with the large demand and their former success, deter- mined to make a larger profit. The soldier has his own ideas of right and wrong, and will quickly resent a wrong, especially when his finances are involved. No sooner had they learned that ale was suddenly advanced in price, than they reached the conclusion that ale was a contraband of war, and so confiscated the entire lot. This ended the ad- ministration of ale as medicine in the regiment; but by this time it was unnecessary, as the men were in splendid health, the result, no doubt, of the ale.
The following order will explain itself:
Charleston, W. Va., July 8, 1863.
General Order No. 9.
The thirty-fourth mounted Ohio volunteer infantry, second (West) Virginia Cavalry and two companies, First (West) Virginia Cavalry, under Captains Gilmore and
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LOUP CREEK WHARFBOAT.
Delaney, will constitute a brigade under the command of Colonel John T. Toland, and, until further orders, be des- ignated as the Third Brigade, Third Division Eighth Army Corps. By command of
BRIG. GEN. E. P. SCAMMON. JAS. L. BOTSFORD, A. A. G.
The following incident is only illustrative of the many perilous times experienced by small detachments of cavalry making night marches over mountainous roads. Comrade Richard Barron, of Company G, and who was so severely wounded on the occasion as to have been, for awhile at least, left for dead, has furnished me these partic- ulars. During the summer of 1863 Companies G and K were attached to Colonel White's brigade, which force occupied Fayetteville. The cavalry were kept busy scout- ing and doing patrol duty. A force of confederates under General McCausland was camped at Piney Creek, three miles beyond Raleigh C. H. and about thirty miles from Fayetteville. Twice a week, in addition to the day scouts, the cavalry made night marches, attacked and drove in the rebel pickets, thus alarming their camp. General McCaus- land learning that these little incursions on his outposts and camp were only by a small force of cavalry rarely exceeding fifty men, devised a plan to punish them. Their plan was eminently successful, as this narrative will show. Early on the night of July 3rd the enemy posted four companies of infantry about eight miles from Raleigh on the steep sides of a mountain, where they lay concealed until the little band of cavalry passed their position. They then came into the road, where it had been dug and hewn along the side of the mountain. For some distance along the lower side of the road was a sloping precipitous bank about sixty feet high which led down to a small stream of water. The side of this bank was covered with jagged rocks, most of them having been torn from the roadway in its construction. At sun down on July 3rd, fifty-one men of companies G and K, under command of Captain Joseph Aukrom, started out the Raleigh road with orders
87
LOUP CREEK WHARFBOAT.
to ascertain if the enemy's pickets were still posted as usual. After the little band passed the point where the enemy lay concealed, the latter came into the road, felled a tree across it, and by sharpened limbs, and other material hastily gathered formed an impassible barrier for cavalry. They then posted themselves in advantageous positions and awaited the return of the scouts. The latter pro- ceeded to near Raleigh C. H., where they encountered and drove in the rebel pickets, and soon after started on their return. About 3:30 a. m. on the morning of July 4th, when the advance of the scouts encountered the blockade, and while many of the men in the column were sleeping on their horses, they were suddenly surprised by a volley being fired into their ranks from front and flank. The rear men dashed forward to the relief of their comrades, and thus adding to the confusion, which was intensified by the yelling and firing of the enemy. Dead horses were piled on top of each other, and the only escape for the men was over the rugged rocks referred to. Every man in the command was either wounded with ball or cut and bruised by the rocks in making their escape. Of the fifty-one horses only one came out uninjured. Only three men were killed outright, (see death roll) as the fire of the enemy was low. Eighteen prisoners were taken away, the wounded were carried to a house some distance to the rear, the enemy remaining until after sunrise and caring for the injured as best they could. The rebel captain in command (Mr. Phil. Thurman) recognized in Mr. Barron an old acquaintance, and it was by his orders that the wounded were carried to the house and cared for.
The narrator says that when the prisoners, by their own request, were brought to the house, that they might see their wounded companions, they looked like they had gone through a threshing machine they were so ent and bruised and their clothing so torn. The same day a por- tion of the 91st O. V. I. came out and removed the wounded to Fayetteville.
- CHAPTER VIII.
-
THE WYTHEVILLE RAID.
On the 13th day of July, 1863, the expedition to Wytheville was organized, the object being to destroy the East Virginia and Tennessee railroad. Much care has been taken to obtain all the information possible in this connection, and this is submitted as being correct almost in detail.
The raiding party consisted of the 34th O. V. I. mounted infantry, numbering 505, officers and men, under Lieut. Colonel F. E. Franklin; seven companies of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, viz. companies B, C, D, E, F, H and I.365 officers and men, under the command of Colonel Wm. H. Powell. The expedition left Camp Piatt, West Virginia, on the 13th day of July, 1863, at 4 o'clock p. m. The movement was made through Fayette, Raleigh, Wyoming, Mercer, Tazewell, Bland and Wythe counties. The route was mostly over a rough, rugged, mountainons country, this being the first time that much of it had been traversed by union troops, as owing to the topography of the region, the execution of rapid movements so essential in making a raid, was very difficult. The entire route, after leaving Fayette, was sufficiently occupied by detach- ments of the enemy's cavalry, or by bushwhackers and local organizations, as to cause delays, and thus retard our progress. The command reached Piney Creek, near Raleigh C. H. on the night of the 14th, when the head of the column was fired upon from an ambuscade, by which the 34th O. V. I. lost three men killed and four wounded.
TYPE
LEVY
LT. JOHN M. CORNS,
Now honorably serving his twenty- third consecutive year as Mayor of Ironton, Ohio.
Opour Struly PH Powell Late Ring. P. Ma, Seul U S. Vols.
89
THE WYTHEVILLE RAID.
This was understood to have been caused by a blunder of the commander in not providing a sufficient advance guard thus allowing the column to be drawn into a trap.
While going into oamp here a communication was received from General Scammon referring to order sent by Captain Gilmore, and directing Colonel Toland to return to the forks of Coal River roads and move immediately upon the Virginia and Tennessee railroad at Wytheville, Virginia. Owing to the darkness of the night and the confusion caused by the ambuscade, only a portion of the command received or understood the order, and in conse- quence the column became broken and separated. One part of the command proceeded under command of Lien- tenant Colonel Franklin to the town of Raleigh C. H., and a portion with Colonel Toland struck the Wyoming pike five miles from Raleigh C. H. This occupied nearly the whole of the night. The horses had now been under saddle for thirty-six hours and had marched a distance of sixty-five miles, according to information received from the guides. Lieutenant Colonel Franklin was immediately ordered to that point, and at ten o'clock a. m. the whole command was united at the Harper farm, six miles west of Raleigh on the Wyoming pike. Here Captain Gilmore, of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry, with two companies of that regiment, joined the column with the train containing supplies. From this point the commanding officers were ordered to send back to Raleigh all unserviceable horses and all men who were unfit to continue the march.
At 1 o'clock p. m. Colonel Toland moved forward, having in his command a total force of 818, exclusive of one company of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, which was to escort the train back. The forces were as follows: Thirty-fourth O. V. I., (mounted) 441 officers and men; 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, 298 officers and men; First West Virginia Cavalry, 79 officers and men.
At the marshes of coal river the command was halted and supplied with four days rations for the men and three days forage for the horses. From this point the train was
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THE WYTHEVILLE RAID.
sent back, and the force camped for the night on the Jones farm. The Marsh fork of Coal river being impassable for horses without swimming, a bridge was constructed, and on the morning of the 16th the column crossed the river, pur- suing a course that led over Little Guyandotte mountains, and by way of Wyoming Court House. The command camped here on the night of the 16th, having marched a distance of about forty miles.
On the 17th the route was pursued in the direction of Abbs Valley, via Tug mountains. While on the mountain it was ascertained that a small force of the enemy was sta- tioned at the head of the valley, picketing the gap or road through which our route lay. Colonel Toland ordered Colonel Powell to go forward with three companies of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, and endeavor to surprise and capture the pickets.
On the road the advance captured an old man with a squirrel rifle on his shoulder, the report of which had just died away. But on account of his age he was not sum- marily punished. The Colonel questioned him closely as to the location of the enemy's picket, and the location and strength of the force camped in the valley. The old man gave the required information in a straightforward and cor- rect manner. The force in the valley consisted of J. E. Stollings' company of rebel infantry, about sixty strong. Lieutenant Davidson, who was ever anxious for such duty and very efficient in performing it, was sent forward to capture the piekets, without firing a gun, if possible. It was raining, and the ontpost of six men were all inside a tent, which was revealed to the advance by the barking of a dog. They rode up quickly and captured the entire picket before one of them had time to get outside the tent. This made the capture of the company an casy matter. Approaching to within a short distance of the house where the company was quartered, a charge was made, the house surrounded and all the inmates captured while they were enjoying an old Virginia hoe-down.
The captures consisted of forty-five prisoners, twenty
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THE WYTHEVILLE RAID.
horses and five hundred stands of arms, the arms being intended for recruits. The prisoners were taken along, the arms, quarters, etc. destroyed.
Pushing on that day over very rough roads, the column camped that night on the Taylor farm, six miles from Jef- fersonville and forty-five miles from Wytheville, having marched forty-five miles on the 17th. We had been driv- ing a small force all the previous afternoon, but they kept out of our way and did not retard our progress materially. This force was in our rear on the 13th, they having taken the road to Jeffersonville, supposing that we were going in the direction of the salt works. On the 18th the command marched rapidly in the direction of Wytheville, the rear constantly skirmishing with the enemy. During the day the Abbs Valley prisoners, proving to be an incumbrance, were paroled.
The pickets of the enemy were encountered about one mile from Wytheville. They fell back at our approach, and a skirmish line of the enemy was discovered along a low ridge that covered our view of the town and concealed the position and strength of the enemy.
The First and Second West Virginia Cavalry com- panies were in the rear at this time, and Colonel Powell was ordered to the front with the cavalry to charge the skirmishers. Colonel Powell, seeing the position on the ridge and not knowing the position of the enemy beyond, requested Colonel Toland to dismount a portion of the infantry and drive the skirmishers in. This suggestion was characteristically disregarded, and the order to charge vigorously renewed in unnecessary language. The order was promptly obeyed, and the charge in column of fours down the road began. The little line of Confederate skirm- ishers fled, and, when the point was reached where they had been stationed, it was seen that we were within a short distance of the town, hemmed in by a high stake and rider fence, and the enemy posted in houses along both sides of the street. Into this avenue of death the column dashed, and, although it received a volley from the command sta-
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THE WYTHEVILLE RAID.
tioned in the street and from the houses, it rode through, capturing the command in front. The column was now checked, owing to the dead horses and to the fact that Col- onel Powell had been wounded and Major Hoffman's horse killed, stunning the major in the fall. Colonel Toland hurried forward, evidently seeing the mistake he had made by charging in column, when there was plenty of open ground on each side of the road. A company of the Thirty-fourth was dismounted and deployed as skirmishers on the right of the road, while some of the Second West Virginia pulled down the fenee to the left and deployed also. This soon cleared the town of the enemy, but not without fearful loss. Colonel John T. Toland was killed under the following circumstances: After Colonel Powell was wounded, Colonel Toland came to the front to · direet the movements of the dismounted men. He was sit- ting on his horse near a pond of water. The rebels were firing from the upper windows of a two-story brick house, and by the bullets striking in the water, it was evident that the Colonel was the object of their aim. His atten- tion was called to this fact, but he replied in inelegant lan- guage that the bullet to kill him had not yet been moulded About this time he was shot through the heart and killed instantly. I was near him, and distinctly heard the fatal ball strike his body. Captain Dennis Delaney of the First Virginia Cavalry was killed, and First Lieutenant Wil- liam E. Guseman of the same regiment was mortally wounded. Our loss was fourteen killed, thirty-two wounded, seventeen prisoners and twenty-six missing. This loss ineludes the entire trip, but nearly all the casu- alties were at Wytheville. We captured about one hun- dred prisoners in the town, two pieces of artillery, and about five hundred stands of arms. The damage done the railroad was only a small matter, but the reason of this was undoubtedly the loss of our commanders, namely, Colonel Toland killed, and Colonel Powell severely wounded. The rebel General Sam Jones, at Dub- lin Depot, in his official report says that this was
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