USA > West Virginia > History of the Second regiment West Virginia cavalry volunteers > Part 8
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General Duffie and his staff took their meals at the house of Mr. Jeffries, a very dignified gentleman of French decent. The sympathies of Mr. Jeffries and his family were with the South, yet they at all times treated the officers and soldiers of the union with that respect and con- sideration so characteristic of refined people. Whenever it was necessary, as it frequently was, to have a guard placed at the house, one of the young ladies usually brought him some delicacy, in the shape of fruit or confections.
The fall of 1863 was the most pleasant time we ex- perienced during the war. The soldiers seemed deter- mined to get all the enjoyment that was possible out of this kind of life, and to that end they were constantly on the lookout for fun. The little scouting expeditions that were sent out afforded diversion to the troopers, and often
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furnished incidents bordering on the romantic or tragic. I will relate a case in point to illustrate the latter.
Once, a scouting party of twenty men of Company H had been sent up Elk river some twelve or fifteen miles. In the party was a young man who had enlisted from Kanawha county as a recruit. He was an easy, steady- go- ing, all-around good young fellow, and did not impress one as having any distinguishing characteristics, other than that he appeared to have been born lazy. He was a confirmed book worm, and was engaged in reading most of the time when it was possible for him to do so. When engaged in this favorite pastime, he usually reelined in a position of such perfect abandon that he looked the em- bodiment of laziness. Physically, he was a magnificent specimen of the camp soldier. While we were returning from this little expedition, our lazy man, as was his cus- tom, kept in the rear, with one leg thrown carelessly over his saddle, deeply absorbed in reading a novel, oblivious to his surroundings. One of the men conceived the idea of giving him a scare, such as might afford rich amuse- ment for all. The plan proposed by the fun-maker was that he should dismount, let the command proceed on the road with his horse, while he would go a little ways up the hill-side, conceal himself behind a tree, and bush- whack the straggler, while we should enjoy seeing the trooper gallop up to the command in a demoralized condi- tion. The first part of the program was carried out to the letter. But the funny part didn't work. As soon as the shot was fired, and the bullet went whistling over the rider's head, he quickly stopped his horse, looked in the direction from which the shot came, and seeing the smoke near the tree, he called out in a loud voice, "Oh, you are there, are you, bush-whacker? I'll soon bring you out of that." He seized his pistol, and was soon at the tree. The pretended bush-whacker laughed, but the other was so enraged that he came near shooting his comrade. It is needless to add that when the dismounted man came up with the column he did not look more demoralized. than
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he had proposed the literary young man should had his plan worked more to his liking.
On another occasion while on a scout on Guyan river, in April, the command halted for din- ner; the advance, consisting of twelve men, went on about half a mile as a picket, with orders to feed and get dinner. It was a beautiful day, and as they came to a farm house, the noise of poultry sug- gested the idea of having eggs for dinner. One of the party was sent into the house to see what amicable arrange- ment could be made to that end. After the mother and her two daughters were satisfied that their lives were to be spared, it was arranged for a dinner to be cooked by them, we to furnish the coffee, bread and pork, they to furnish three dozen eggs. For their trouble we were to give them some Lincoln coffee. We had a royal dinner and a grand, good time, for just after dinner two more Guyan girls came to the house, and as the command did not march un- til late in the afternoon, we became very well acquainted. One of our number, who evinced a strong disposition to remain in that country or to return after the war, got in- formation from one of the girls that there was to be a wed- ding there that night, and in accordance with the custom, a dance.
Soon the main column came in sight, and we again took the advance. Two or three miles from the house we met a young lady, and a Confederate soldier with a violin. We took the Johnny in charge, gave the violin to the lady, and sent our regards to the dancers, with regrets that the usages of war compelled us to deprive them of their mu- sieian.
On October 21st a scout was organized for the pur- pose of marching in the direction of Boone C. H. The force consisted of a part of the 2nd West Virginia Cavalry and the 34th O. V. I., mounted, in all about 300 men. The expedition left Charleston at 7 p. m., the Second West Virginia marching to Camp Piatt, where they arrived at 10 p. m. Here the command crossed the ferry and left
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Brownstown at 2 a. m. on the 22nd. The force was divided into three columns, all taking different roads for Boone C. H., where it was reported a rebel force was camped.
The expedition, under command of General Duffie, was well handled, and the three columns all reached Boone C. H. some time before daylight, nearly together. The columns swooped down on the rebel camp and made a "water haul," capturing two or three stragglers and one man who was supposed to be a deserter. The information upon which this movement was made had no foundation in fact, as at no recent time had there been over fifteen or twenty rebels at Boone C. H., nor more than one hundred and fifty in the county. On the 22nd at 5 p. m. the com- mand reached Camp Piatt and rested for the night. Reached camp on the 23rd. The distance traveled was eighty miles ; prisoners captured, 4; horses captured, 3.
CHAPTER XIX.
THIRD EXPEDITION TO LEWISBURG.
The next move was an expedition to Lewisburg. The force consisted of the 34th O. V. I., mounted, the 2nd West Virginia Cavaly,and one section of Simmond's Battery,num- bering 970 in all, officers and men. On the 3rd of November the command marched thirty miles and camped for the night. On the 4th it marched to Gauley, and crossed the river by means of a small ferry boat, and went forward on the Lew- isburg pike. The march was much delayed by blockades in the road. This was unexpected, and the obstacles pre- sented themselves for a distance of eight miles, so that in some places a new road had to be dug around them. The force went into camp for the night at the Hamilton farm, eight miles from Gauley. On the 5th it marched to Tyree's a distance of twenty-two miles, being again delayed by blockades. At this place the command was joined by Col. White, with detachments of infantry. On the 6th the whole command marched to Meadow Bluff, about eighteen miles from Lewisburg. The enemy's pickets were en- countered on Little Sewell mountain, and our advance suc- ceeded in capturing two of them. On the morning of the 7th the force started for Lewisburg, the object being to in- tercept the rebel forces that had fought General Averill at Droop mountain. On the 7th of November, at 9 a. m. the cavalry occupied Lewisburg, and learned that General AAverill had badly defeated the enemy at Droop mountain, and that they had passed through in the direction of union. We gave pursuit, but they could not be brought to bay, although the 2nd West Virginia captured 110 head of cat- tle, 2 caissons and a few prisoners.
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At Lewisburg we captured the rebel camps anp a con- siderable quantity of stores, which we destroyed; also the knapsacks of the 22nd Virginia infantry and the regimen- tal tents.
On the return march the command found five inches of snow on Sewell mountain, which made it very difficult to move artillery and trains. However, at 10 a. m. on the 13th the command reached Charleston, having been absent eleven days and marched 250 miles.
The result of this expedition, summed up, is as fol- lows :- Prisoners captured, 34; horses captured, 50; cattle captured, 110; small arms, 102. The above were brought away. Besides this 350 small arms, a large quantity of ammunition, tents for a regiment, knapsacks for a regi- ment, with the clothing in them, 2 artillery caissons, 10 wagons, and some quartermaster's stores were destroyed.
General Duffie has stated in his report that if General Averell had not whipped the enemy so hard at Droop mountain, he would have gotten in their rear, and the whole force could have been captured.
About the 20th of November the enlistment of the regiment began. The inducement offered by the govern- ment was $400 bounty and a furlough for thirty days. Under this arrangement the following number of men in the regiment re-enlisted for three years or during the war, the latter applying if the war should end before three years :-
Company __ 1, 43 men; Company B, 28 men; Company C, 38 men; Company D, 49 men; Company E, 23 men, Company F, 51 men; Company G. 35 men; Company H, 42 men; Company L, 23 men; Company K. 32 men; mak- ing a total of 364 men, exclusive of those whose death oc- curred between the 20th day of November, 1863, and the date of first muster out, November 28, 1864. Probably 400 officers and men re-enlisted at this time.
On November 24th, 1863, the first installment of fur- loughed men left Charleston for Gallipolis, Ohio, on the steamer Vietress. What a happy crowd that was, The
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boat landed in Gallipolis at about 5 p. m. the same day. Thousands of people gathered on the river front, being at- tracted there by the cheers of the men when they caught sight of God's country, as they called Ohio.
It would be impossible to describe the pleasures of these veterans during their visit to home and family, and I shall not attempt it.
By the 24th and 25th days of December all had re- turned to onee more take up soldier life, with its sorrows and its joys, the softening influences of the home associa- tions making them more willing to bear whatever hard- ships might befall them.
About the 12th of December another expedition was sent to Lewisburg in which the regiment bore a conspicu- ous part. The raid was under command of General Scam- mon, and was principally for the purpose of co-operating with General Averell, who was making a raid on the Vir- ginia and Tennessee railroad. General Kelley, in his re- port, says that General Seammon moved too slow to accom - plish anything other than to draw some forees from inter- fering with the plans of General Averell. In due course of time the command returned to camp without loss.
During all the winter and spring, detachments of the regiment were scouting and engaged in skirmishes with bush-whackers or small parties of the enemy.
About the 4th of February, 1864. we learned that Colonel Powell had been released from Libby prison, and would probably return to the command of the regiment in the early spring. The conditions and particulars of his release were as follows :
On the 29th day of January, 1864, Colonel William 11. Powell was released from Libby prison on executing this parole :
Richmond, Va., January 29, 1864.
I, William II. Powell, Colonel of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, U. S. A. Volunteers, in consideration of being released from imprisonment, do hereby give my parole as a soldier, and pledge my honor as a gentleman, to effeet the release of Colonel Richard H. Lce, C. S. A., now held as a
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prisoner of war by the U. S. Government, and his delivery to the Confederate States authorities at City Point, Vir- ginia within thirty days from this date; or to return to City Point, Virginia, and deliver myself a prisoner of war, to the confederate states authorities, within said period of thirty days. And further, that I will not give any aid to the U. S. government or its authorities, or any informa- tion to any person whatever, prejudicial or injurious to the confederate states.
Witness,
(Signed) WM. H. POWELL,
W. H. HATCH, Colonel 2nd West Virginia Cavalry, Capt. and A. A. G., C. S. A. U. S. A. Volunteers.
After this formidable document had been signed and witnessed, the colonel was delivered to onr forces at or near City Point, Virginia. From there he proceeded to Wash- ington and procured the release of Colonel Richard H. Lee, C. S. A., in accordance with the terms of the parole, and was a free man, so far as the rebel authorities were concerned. He was then granted a leave of absence by the Secretary of War, and visited his home in Ironton, Ohio. He so far recovered from the effects of the wound received at Wytheville eight months before, that he was able to re- turn to the regiment, and took command at Charleston on the 20th of March, 1864. When Colonel Powell returned to the regiment he was given a magnificent reception. Lieutenant Colonel David Dove, who had been in com- mand, delivered an address of welcome on behalf of the rank and file, which was feelingly responded to by the colonel. Cheers greeted his remarks, and the reception given him on this occasion, certainly justified the colonel in expecting such confidence and co-operation on the part of the officers and men, as would render the command effective.
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CAPT. JOSEPH ANKROM.
See page 156
CHAPTER XI.
GENERAL AVERELL ARRIVES IN CHARLESTON AND AS- SUMES COMMAND.
Soon after this preparations were begun for some in- portant movement. General George Crook had been assigned to the command of the Kanawha Division, and all was now activity. Horses were supplied for the dismounted men ; arms, ammunition and clothing were issued. About the last of April General Averell arrived in Charleston with about two regiments of cavalry, and assumed command of all the cavalry intended for the expedition, which was now understood to be against the Virginia and Tennessee rail- road. Some additional infantry regiments also arrived, among them the 36th O. V. I. General Crook pleaded for the return of his old regiment, and it was sent him by order of General Grant.
On April 30th, 1864, the expedition left Charleston, the infantry and artillery in the direction of Fayetteville, and the cavalry in the direction of Logan C. H. The cavalry numbered 2,079 officers and men. The command took only four days rations and one days forage after leav- ing Logan C. H., owing to the condition of the wagons and teams. The latter were sent back from Logan C. H. on the 5th. The division then found its way over moun- tains and streams to Abbs Valley, where we had been almost a year before. On the 7th a rebel picket was cap- tured in much the same way as we had captured J. C. Stolling's rebel company on our first trip. A small force of rebel cavalry met us in the valley. They made a show of trying to stop us, but we pursued our way until the 8th,
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when the advance had an engagement about fifteen miles from Tazewell C. H., in which the enemy suffered a loss of four killed and five wounded.
The original intention was for the expedition to strike the railroad at Saltville, and then proceed toward Dublin, Va. Near Jeffersonville it was learned that Saltville was defended by a large force of infantry and artillery. Cap- tured mail and information received from deserters showed that the enemy were fully informed as to our strength and intentions. Here General Averell decided to march to Wytheville, in order to prevent the enemy from concen- trating against General Crook. On the way a train of wagons was captured. Near noon on the 10th the enemy was met in force at Cove Gap, or Grassy Lick. From all sources of information, including Confederate newspapers, it is estimated that their force was about 4,000, under com - mand of General J. H. Morgan. On the 2d day of May, 1864, the following order had been issued:
Richmond, Va., May 2, 1864.
Special Order, No. 102.
Brigadier General John H. Morgan, with his brigade, is relieved from duty in the department of East Tennessee, and will report to General J. C. Breckenridge, command- ing department of Southern Virginia. By command of Secretary of War. JOHN WITHERS, A. A. G.
To show that the enemy was fully informed as to our intentions, the following is inserted :
MAY 3, 1864, 11 A. M.
Major General Breckenridge, Dublin :---- My two best scouts are just in directly from Averell's camp on Kanawha. They left there last Wednesday. Averell is certainly there. There were eight mounted regiments and deven regiments of infantry, and others expected from Parkersburg. This force is called, on the Kanawha river, the right wing of Grant's army. Their intention, as ex- pressed there, is to strike the Salt Works and New river bridge. There is no mistake about this information. They were expected to move very soon.
JOHN ECHOLS, Brig. Genl.
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The enemy in force were found to have taken possess- ion of the gap, which was a strong natural position, and defended by artillery. It was at first intended to carry that gap by a charging column, and for this purpose the 2nd West Virginia cavalry was ordered forward, and stood near the gap with drawn sabers, awaiting the order to charge. While thus waiting, a member of Com- pany H (which was General Duffie's body guard) dismounted and crept up into the timber, and plainly saw the rebel position, and heavy reinforce- ments being hurried forward. This information was at once communicated to General Duffie, who went with the informant and viewed the strong position of the enemy. The charge was abandoned, which from the first had been regarded by Colonel Powell as suicidal. We afterwards learned that the rebels were eagerly watching our movements, and, seeing the regiment with drawn sa- bers, had placed a battery in the road, shotted with grape and canister, and masked by brush in front of it, while a force of infantry was on either side of the Gap. Our com- mand fell back a short distance and formed in line of bat- tle, the Second West Virginia Cavalry occupying the left of the line. This drew the Confederates out of the Gap, and the fight commenced. The rebel right overlapped the Union left, and the enemy could be plainly seen and heard moving down the mountain side. But our position or alignment was not seriously disturbed. The battle raged for four hours, and was stubbornly contested by our little command. General Averell was slightly wounded early in the engagement by a ball cutting the skin across his fore- head, causing some inconvenience from the freedom with which it bled. While under a heavy fire, Colonel Powell divided the regiment into platoons, and when it became nec- essary to fall back, the voice of the commander would ring ont above the battle's noise, "Platoons, right about, march," and the order would be executed with the same precision as if on parade; then the same order would again face the regiment toward the enemy. The left was the key to the
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position, and the bold stand taken there added to the dis- comfiture of the enemy, and prevented him from break- ing the union lines, notwithstanding his superior numbers.
This was one of the best conducted engagements we ever witnessed. During the four hours it lasted, there was but one break in our line, and that was made by the 14th Pa. Cavalry. The 34th O. V. I. was thrown into the breach, the 14th Pa. was reformed and resumed their places. Darkness put an end to the conflict, the enemy retiring to their position at the Gap. General Averell moved his command across the mountain to Crab Orchard, on the right flank of the enemy. This so fatigued men and horses that it was necessary to rest for half a day. By this engagement at Cove Gap, of Grassy Lick, with the forces of Gen. John H. Morgan and Gen. Wm. E. Jones on May 10, 1864, the concentration of the enemy's force against General Crook was prevented. Our loss was 114 killed and wounded, that of the enemy not known.
From Crab Orchard the command moved to Dublin, intending to join General Crook. When New river was reached, it was rising rapidly, and would soon be un- fordable, from recent heavy rains. The stream at this point was about one-third of a mile wide, with a small island near the center. The current was rapid, and as it ran over a rocky bed, crossing was extremely perilous. I do not recollect having witnessed a more thrilling scene than when I reached the bank, and saw men and horses struggling in the surging water. Many of the horses had fallen, and being carried into deep water, were drowned, while the riders engaged in a desperate fight for life, battling with the beating waves, until res- eued by some bold rider who took them by the hand and helped them to land and life, Several men were drowned. One I saw carried belo y the ford into deep water, divested himself of all his arms and attempted to swim ashore. But he could not, and drowned before our eyes, with no hand able to save or even render him help.
After crossing, the command moved to Christianburg,
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distant two or three miles from the ford. From here the 2nd West Virginia was sent back to the ford, and wit- nessed the forces of Morgan and Jones baffled and unable to stem the torrent, which had now risen so as to be im- passable.
At Christianburg General Averell communicated with General Crook at Blacksburg, and was directed to destroy the railroad east of the town. This was done for a dis- tance of four miles in that direction.
Our ammunition being exhausted or rendered nseless by the incessant rains, the general commanding decided to start on the return march, which was in the direction of Blacksburg.
The Confederate General, John MeCausland, in his official report under date of May 15th, says that he tried to intercept General Averell at Blacksburg, but, on reach- ing that point, found that he (Averell) had passed on. He also says that French and Jackson (Mudwall Jackson) oc- cupied a position at Gap Mountain, intercepting our com- mand, and scattering us in all directions, etc. The truth of this matter is when our column came in sight of this position in Gap Mountain, they were fired upon by the rebel artillery. General Averell threw out two companies as skirmishers, who engaged the enemy in the Gap, while our command was crossing the mountain below the rebel position. General MeCausland also says : "I reached Gap Mountain with a small cavalry force about the close of the fight, just in time to see Averell pass into the woods."
The command joined Crook at Union on May 15th, Sunday,after marching along narrow and unfrequented paths and roads and crossing swollen streams. Our rations and forage had been exhausted, and the country was so poor that only an inadequate supply could be had. Our cloth- ing was soaked with rain and our feet so badly swollen that our boots had to be cut open to get them off. One hun- dred and eighty-eight men of the 2nd West Virginia alone were barefooted. About thirty miles of the journey was
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made by file on foot, leading the horses. The whole dis- tance marched was about 350 miles.
From Union we proceeded leisurely to Bunger's Mills, near Lewisburg, arriving there on the 18th, and went into camp. In this splendid blue grass country the horses speedily recovered strength.
As a whole the expedition was successful; as it accom- plished the destruction of the New River bridge. But such raids on our part, owing to the long distance we were compelled to travel, certainly cost us more than the harm done the enemy. New River bridge was soon rebuilt, probably before our command started on its next raid.
While in camp at Bunger's Mills, the following con- gratulatory orders were read to the command:
Dep't West Virginia, May 23, 1864. General Orders
No. 5.
The Brigadier-General commanding Cavalry Division desires to express his sincere thanks to the officers and men of this division for the uncomplaining fortitude with which they have endured the terrible vicissitudes incident to the recent march, and for the unwavering courage with which they attacked and held a superior force of the enemy near Wytheville on the 10th instant, thereby enabling anoth- er column to accomplish its purpose without the opposition of overwhelming numbers. Your country will remember your heroism with gratitude and the noble sacrifices and sufferings of our fallen comrades will be forever cherished in our memories. The 14th Pa. and 1st West Virginia Cavalry first received the shock of battle, while the Second and Third West Virginia Cavalry and Thirty Fourth Ohio Mounted Infantry, established a line which the enemy had reason to respect and remember. Great credit is due to the brigade commanders, Brigadier General Duffie and Colonel Schoonmaker, for the energy and skill they dis- played, while the conduct of all was admirable, and worthy the praise of the brigadier general commanding. He de- sires, without making an invidious distinction to express his high appreciation for the skillful and steady movements of the Second West Virginia Cavalry under Colonel Powell upon the field. It was a dress parade which continued without disorder under a heavy fire during four hours.
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