USA > West Virginia > Jefferson County > Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 > Part 2
USA > West Virginia > Jefferson County > Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 > Part 2
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Frequent raids were made into the town by the Con- federates, and some captures made by either side. Occa- sionally a Rob would steal into the town to see the home folks, or the girl maybe, and be gobbled up and taken to Fort Delaware or Point Lookout.
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The country was without law for the four years, and robbery was frequent by men claiming to be sent by the Federal government, which, in some instances, was true. There was no recourse.
Several cold-blood murders were committed by scala- wag armny followers, and no investigation made. Most of this was in the vicinity of Shepherdstown.
Two companies, from the town and surrounding neigh- borhood, served in the Confederate army from the begin- ning to the close of the war-one a cavalry, and the other, an infantry company.
The infantry company, knownas the Hamtranck Guards, was organized by Colonel Hamtranck of Mexican War fame. The organization was kept up, and did service in the Brown Raid; and when the war came on it was assigned to the Second Virginia Infantry as Company B, and did its part in all the battles where the regiment was engaged. They were as well drilled as regulars, and as loyal to the South as any troops in the Confederate Army.
Very few escaped wounds or death.
Company F, First Virginia Cavalry, organized in peace times before the Brown Raid, and commanded by Captain Jacob Reinhart at the time of the Raid, was afterward reor- ganized and recruited to about one hundred and twelve men, commanded by Captain Morgan. This Company was as- signed to First Virginia Cavalry at the beginning of the war. Most of the men were fine horsemen and at home in the saddle well drilled and equipped.
In justice to this Company, it can be said without ques- tion, that no cavalry company in the Army of Northern Virginia did more or better service than the First Virginia Cavalry, which included company F, commanded by Colonel Stuart, afterward General in command of all the cavalry in Lee's army. They did service for the whole army, for a short while, at the beginning. They were drilled and schooled by Stuart in person, in military duties, discipline, endurance, bravery, and patriotism which could be seen to the end of the war. It suffered heavily in killed, wounded, and in prisoners taken.
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Jefferson County furnished to the Confederacy five infantry companies, viz-A, B. G, H and K, to the Second Virginia Infantry; four Cavalry Companies, viz-A, B and D, to the Twelfth, and company F to the First Virginia Cavalry; and Chew's Battery. Many joined other com- inands. The county was about depopulated of young men.
These companies did active service in the field, cut off from home the greater part of the time.
MARKER NUMBER FOUR Slaughter at the Cement Mill on the Potomac
Confederate Marker No. 4, is planted at the crossing of the Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry and the Trough roads, locally called Showman's Shop. At this point A. P. Hill, on the early morning of the Twentieth of September, 1862, placed his division in line of battle, with skirmishers, to the front, extending east and west and on the north side of the Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry road. Three brigades of the division were advanced to the front, and the other forces followed in reserve. There was little op- portunity for artillery on the Confederate side, as these three brigades were advanced at the double quick, and never halted until the field was won.
The Battle of Sharpsburg was fought on the Seven- teenth of September; both armies lay inactive on the Eigh- teenth, and Lee recrossed the Potomac on that night.
Lawton's and Armisted's brigades, with forty-four can- non were posted on the Virginia bluffs to guard the ford. Lee's withdrawal was accomplished without loss. Byearly dawn of the Nineteenth, the Federals had placed cannon on every available position on the Maryland bluffs, and heavy cannonading commenced and continued for several hours, with some losses on both sides. The infantry sharpshoot- ers exchanged shots across the river with little effect. The artillery was withdrawn, and the infantry quietly followed. Two disabled cannon and caisson were abandoned (not cap- tured). Brigadier-General Griffin, with four regiments of infantry, crossed over to the Virginia side after the with- drawal of the Confederates, with no opposition except from the rear guard. They remained several hours, then ro- crossed, taking the disabled guns with him.
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Longstreet's Corps moved on to the Valley pike, some twenty miles away. Jackson's Corps was near Charles Town, with the exception of A. P. Hill's Division which had been left in a large body of timber about three and one-half iniles from the Potomac River, with Early's Brigade in supporting distance, if needed.
The plan was well conceived and carried out, as after events proved.
Hill was informed of every movement of the enemy. Scouts crossed the river and obtained information from known citizens; and the rumble of artillery wheels on the Maryland side was heard by our pickets along the Potomac, and word sent to Hill. Troops soon began to cross. Cour- ier after courier kept him informed of these events; and, when they were ready to advance, Hill was on the field and ready.
The Federal forces that crossed over, and Hill had to oppose were Major General Lovell's Brigade, the First, Second, Sixth, Tenth, Eleventh and Seventeenth United States Infantry. Syke's Division, Fifth Corps. They moved up the Trough road and fronted Hill's right; and Barnes's Brigade took position on the cliffs along the river road. His command consisted of the following regiments: Eighteenth and Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, Second Maine, First Michigan, Thirteenth and Twenty- fifth New York, One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvan- ia, one company of Sharpshooters, 1 regiment of Cavalry, which had crossed with Sykes, and three batteries of Ar- tillery posted on the Maryland bluffs commanded by Weed, Randol and VanReed.
The Federal forces were rapidly driven toward the Potomac, and hurriedly crossed over. That portion of Barnes's cominand whose line of retreat was toward the high precipitous bluffs, directly above the Cement Mill, suffered heaviest loss. Those that did not surrender were driven over the bluffs at places from fifty to eighty feet high. Some reached the bottom in safety, some hung on snags and rock ledges, and some that fell clear were crushed.
The One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, known as the Corn Exchange Regiment, suffered
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most. It crossed the river with seven hundred and thirty- seven officers and men, and recrossed it with four hundred and sixty-eight (their account). Numbers were shot in the river. The entire Federal loss for the day can not be ob- tained. The Confederate loss was thirty-four killed and two hundred and thirty-one wounded.
A. P. Hill's Division, at this time, did not number over 4000 men. It was one of the strongest divisions in the early spring of '62, but the Seven Days Battle below Rich- mond, where they did some of the hardest fighting, their losses at Cedar Mountain and Second Manassas also, were great; and the long march around Pope to Manassas and to Williamsport, and back to Harpers Ferry, made hundreds of them shoeless and foot sore. Then at Sharpsburg they had losses, making their numbers in the three brigades that were engaged about 2500 men. This estimate is made by responsible men who served in the Division.
Some companies had not more than ten men, and some few had less.
This battle is known as the battle of Cement Mill, or Butler's Ford. It was fought without cannon on the Con- federate side; and the Federals would have fared better if they had not used any; for, when the Confederates had closed upon the Federals, they did about equal execution to both.
After the battle was over, A. P. Hill wanted to know the situation on the other side, and Major Gilmore volun- teered to ride up the river road, within range of thousands of muskets and about forty cannon, and not a shot was fired at him, the distance being about three-quarters of a mile.
After this repulse, the Confederates picketed at this ford unmolested.
A. P. Hill issued the following address to the Division after this battle: ---
"Soldiers of the Light Division, you have done well. I am well pleased with you. You have fought in every bat- tle from Mechanicsville to Shepherdstown, and no man can say the Light Division was ever broken. You hold the left at Manassas against overwhelming numbers and saved the army. You saved the day at Sharpsburg and at Shepherds-
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town. You were selected to face a storm of round shot, shell, and grape, such as I have never before seen.
I am proud to say to you that your services are appre- ciated by your General; and that you have a reputation in the army which should be the object of every officer and private to sustain.
A. P. HILL, MAJOR-GENERAL.
MARKER NUMBER NINE Capture By Mosby-Sharp Encounter at Melvin's Hill.
Duffields, on the B. & O. R. R., where Marker No. 9 is located, was always occupied by the Federals when they had possession of the lower valley, thus guarding the rail- road, one of the principal feeders of the army of the Po- tomac. They also picketed the roads to guard against raids of the Confederates. There were times when the railroad was guarded from Harpers Ferry to the North Mountain, in hailing distance of each other, and yet Confederates would pass through frequently. One favorite crossing was about one and one-half miles east of Duffields. Kephart and Melvin's woods was on either side of the railroad, on elevated ground, and the guard could be flanked unobserved.
In July, 1864, Colonel Mosby surprised and captured the whole force at this place (Duffields), numbering about 100 men. On July 25th, 1864, George Cook of Company D, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, was mortally wounded about one mile east of Duffields, and died the following day.
A sharp encounter occurred at Melvin's Hill, about one and one quarter miles east of Duffields, between three rebs and three yanks, in July '63. The three rebs had been sent to establish a picket post on Engle's Hill, not knowing that the Federals were advancing. After crossing the Halltown and Shepherdstown road, a citizen informed them that the Federals were advancing, and that a company had just passed. The Confederates wheeled about to investi- gate. The Federal company had sent three scouts up the road towards Duffields, and the Confederates, being in- formed of that fact, prepared for it. The yanks saw the rebs coming, raised their carbines, and waited until the
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rebs were within seventy-five yards, and fired, but missed. Both sides used their revolvers. The rebs drove the yanks back to the stone house, killing one, wounding one, and lib- erating one prisoner they had captured. In the melee, a horse of one of the rebs fell, and disabled its rider.
The Federal cavalry, hearing the firing, wheeled and come back at full tilt. Reb No. 2, getting too close with an empty revolver, was taken in. Reb No. 3, with two loads in his second revolver, could not shoot, for fear of killing his comrade; and the company, almost on him, he gave the spur to his horse, jumped the cap fence, and reported to his company.
MARKER NUMBER TEN Engagement On And Near the Leetown Road.
On the 21st of August 1864 General Early had formed his line of battle in front of Charles Town, W. Va. with General Rhodes on his left. General Lomax, with his di- vision of cavalry, protected their left flank. Harry Gilmor with the two Maryland batallions and the 19th and 20th Virginia regiments of Jackson's brigade were on the ex- treme left, and were ordered to hold the Leetown road.
Gilmor dismounted the 19th regiment near the house then owned by Mrs. Daniel and now the property of James E. Watson. They were at once charged by a regiment of cavalry. Awaiting until they approached very near, the 19th opened a steady fire upon them, which threw them into confusion, when Gilmor ordered Captain Welsh to charge them with the First Maryland. They retreated, the regiment driving them back to their reserves, taking some prisoners, and killing and wounding a small number.
A brigade of cavalry attempted to move around the left of Gilmor's line, there they formed the 19th and 20th in the woods near the house. This line was attacked by Duffie's brigade, led by the 12th Pennsylvania, commanded by Colonel Bell. Gilmor ordered his men to withhold their fire until the enemy got within a hundred yards. When the word to fire was given, a good many saddles wore emp- tied. Among those who were shot was Colonel Bell, who fell mortally wounded.
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The enemy retreated then to their reserves. The ar- tillery kept up a furious and incessant fire on the woods. Later in the afternoon a desperate charge was made on the two Virginia regiments. The men had thrown up a barri- cade of rails, and gallantly held their position. About 50 Federals cut their way through and were captured by a squadron from the 1st Maryland under Lieutenant William Dorsey and Gilmor. Colonel Bell's adjutant, a son of Gov- ernor Curtin of Pennsylvania, mounted on Col. Bell's horse was captured. Gilmor presented the horse to General Lomax. This ended the fight and the enemy, during the night retreated in the direction of Harpers Ferry.
The enemy's loss was heavy, in killed, wounded and prisoners.
MARKER NUMBER ELEVEN Fighting At Wageley's Shop And In Woods Near Leetown.
General Early, leaving Anderson in front of Charles Town marched on the 25th of August 1864 towards Leetown, intending to go to Shepherstown. Wharton's division was in front and encountered a small force of cavalry near Wageley's Shop, which was quickly disposed of with a loss to the enemy of both men and horses. Marching by way of Leetown he encountered unexpectedly two divisions of Federal cavalry, Wilson's and Merrits, which were started on a reconnoisance up the valley, and had halted in a piece of woods a short distance from Leetown to feed and rest.
The enemy at first gained some advantage but Early quickly formed a line of battle, and advancing boldly, for- ced the enemy back. Early was not, however, met with any serious opposition until he reached Kearneysville, where the enemy made a determined stand, a part of their force fighting on foot and some mounted. Being unable to dislodge the enemy from the railroad embankment by frontal attack, Gordon's division was sent around to the Federal flank, where this gallant fighter and his worthy men made advantageous charges, finally driving them from their strong position and pursuing them through Kearneys- ville and on towards Shepherdstown.
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In one of the charges made by Gordon and his men that General was wounded in the face by a sabre slash. General Early continued the pursuit until he reached Shep- herdstown. The enemy escaped and a part crossed the Potomac and the balance in the direction of Harpers Ferry.
MARKER NUMBER TWELVE Successful Exploits of Confederate Forces About Smithfield.
In August 1862 Lieutenant Rouss with Lieut. Baylor, Lieutenant Rowland and thirty men marched down the valley intending to attack the train between Summit Point and Wade's Depot. In each of these places the enemy had stationed eighty infantry and five cavalry. The distance between the depots was four miles. At four o'clock in the afternoon the road was reached, and soon after the whistle of the engine was heard. Obstructions were placed across the track to bring the train to a stand-still. This proved effectual and when the engine struck the obstruction, the train was halted. It was then boarded by our men and eight yankee soldiers were captured. The express car was opened, where they found baskets of champagne and boxes of fruit. It is needless to say, as the men were thirsty and hungry, they proceeded to partake of these good things.
The express safe was opened and $4,000 in U. S. money was taken out. Nothing remained to be done but to burn the car. This was done effectually and a full head of steam was put on the engine and it was started in the direction of Winchester. The telegraph wire was cut for two hundred yards.
Lietenant Rowland with thirteen men took charge of the prisoners, and started back over the route they came, while Lieutenants Rouss and Baylor, with the seventeen inen remaining, determined to penetrate farther into Jof- ferson County.
Lieutenant Rouss with these men moved in the direc- tion of Smithfield, five miles distant. When they arrived within half a mile of the town the blue uniforms of the Yan- kee pickets were discovered.
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Thinking we were a scouting party of their own men, Rouss and his party approached within twenty yards of them before they discovered who they were. The com- mand was given to charge, and before they could fire a shot, our men were upon them and captured all three with their arms and equipment.
These pickets informed our men that there were four- teen of their companions in town. A charge was made and the fourteen yankees were captured, being taken complete- ly by surprise. The spoils amounted to 17 horses, 20 re- volvers, 5 Sharpe's carbines, saddles, bridles and other trappings.
After the capture Lieut. Rouss led his men safely back into our lines.
February, 1863, Lieut. Rouss with Lieut. Baylor, John Chew, Billie Manning, Charlie Henderson, John Yates, John Coleman, George Crayton, Billie Gibson, Up Manning, Joe Crane and Duck English, marched to Summit Point where information was received that a small scouting party of about 21 men had passed that place in the direction of Smithfield.
Rouss immediately started in pursuit of this party. Just before entering the town of Smithfield there is a long straight stretch of road, probably a mile long. There our party came in full view of the foe.
The Confederates approached the enemy, who were en- tirely unmindful of our presence, and dashed into their rear and shot down some of their party before they were aware of any danger. No resistance was made, but pell-mell down through the town they ran, with Confederates be- hind them, yelling like hyenas.
Summing up the result of the fight, four were found killed, three wounded, 7 men and 11 horses captured. with- out a casualty on our side.
A negro man by the name of Redmond, a resident of Jefferson county, who had guided the yankees to people's homes was shot by Lieut. Rouss and died in a stable north of the town.
The party with their prisoners and horses, returned to Summit Point and from there to Locke's shop, where a
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stop was made to have a horse shod. The smith had hard- ly completed the job when the yankees were seen approach- ing from Charles Town, and a handful of our men were sent to make a dash on the head of the column. This charge was led by John Chew and Charles Crane and was so suc- cessful that the head of the column was broken and thrown into confusion. The balance of the party retreated down Locke's lane.
The enemy pursued rapidly and captured Frank Man- ning, John Coleman, and Lieut. Baylor. The rest of the party made their escape.
SMITHFIELD.
On the 25th of August, 183 -- , Early's cavalry that had been located near Charles Town, was driven back through Middleway and compelled to cross the Opequon, Fitz Lee retreating towards Brucetown and Lomax towards Bunker Hill.
The enemy occupied Middleway, where they burned several barns and houses. To put a stop to this fiendish work Ramsey crossed the Opequon and drove back the Federal cavalry. General Early also crossed the Opequon with infantry and artillery and drove the federals from some rude works they had constructed in front of the town.
He then returned to camp over the Opequon leaving the cavalry behind. The enemy attacked this later in the af- ternoon and drove them back across the stream. There was considerable loss in these actions.
In February, 1864, General Rosser, with all his com- mand except a small portion which were picketing the out- posts down the valley, was west of the mountains on his celebrated cattle raid.
Captain Kearney, with a part of his company engaged in picket duty at the time, and being relieved too late to join Rosser, asked permission to make a scout to Jefferson. The request was granted. Ho got together nineteen of his company and started, early on the 4th of February, 1864, from Now Market; and by 2 a. m. of the fifth, eighteen of his men were hidden in the pines and cedars along the pike, a short distance north of Smithfield.
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A picket was placed on the Charles Town pike, and one on the Shepherdstown pike, with instructions to report in haste, the approach of the enemy, and count the number, if possible. It was known that every day a squad came from Shepherdstown or Kearneysville on that pike to Smithfield, and a battalion came from Charles Town three times each week. About sunrise, both pickets came at a gallop, and reported that 22 federals were advancing from Kearneys- ville. Kearney kept nine of his men to charge down Main street, and sent nine in charge of a sergeant, down a back street, to meet in the centre of the town; and he started these nine a moment ahead to allow for distance. Just at this stage, with the nine gone on their mission, some one exclaimed, "Look there on the Charles Town pike, there comes the battalion," which unfortunately, was true. Kear- ney, equal to the emergency, said, "boys, we will charge through the yanks in the town, but don't stop." Forward and away we went. We were on them so suddenly, and the surprise was so great, that nearly all surrendered with- out a shot, not knowing that several hundred of their own men were at hand. We had not time to disarm them. A few took our direction ahead of us; and as soon as we pas- sed those in the street, they, seeing the situation, with the whole battalion, gave chase, and began firing with their carbines, killing one of our best men, David Hoffman. The squad that tried to escape ahead of us on Main street had one killed and several wounded. Two of our squad, want- ing a remount, stopped long enough to disarm and dis- mount two yanks, and, taking as they thought, a near cut to overtake the company, were captured. The horses would not jump fences.
We were thirty-five miles outside our lines. A ruse saved the rest of the company. The Major inquired, "how many men had you in that command?" the reb thought quickly, "the truth will be the best answer," and replied, "Eighteen", "you are lying", he said, "Eighteen men would not come so far out of their lines"; and he would not follow.
Our horses were nearly worn out from hard service and the long ride from New Market the day and night before, they could have easily overtaken, at least, some of the men.
Our scout was a failure, as was Captain Baylor's the year previous.
February 12th, 1853, 21 men of the Twelfth Pennsyl- vania cavalry were scouting in that section, and so was Baylor with 13 of his company. Baylor completely sur- prised and routed them, killing four, wounding three, and capturing seven men and eleven horses. But on their re- turn south of Charles Town, they encountered a large body of federal cavalry, and lost all they had captured, and Bay- lor and two of his men were made prisoners.
In August, 1832, Lieutenant Rouss and Baylor; with seventeen men, captured seventeen yankees with their horses and equipments complete, in the Main street of Smithfield, not losing a man.
.MARKER NUMBER THIRTEEN An Account by Col. Harry Gilmor of His Fight with Somers Near Summit Point.
About the close of September, 1863, I took 50 men from my camp at Mt. Jackson with the intention of crossing the Potomac to capture a lot of government horses and mules which my scouts had reported to be grazing in the neigh- borhood of Hagerstown. Their picket lines extended to and beyond Charles Town, where a regiment of infantry and two companies of cavalry were stationed. Captain Somers commanded the cavalry, and Col. Benjamin Simp- son the 9th Maryland. I crossed the line without being detected, but when I reached the river I found it past ford- ing, and had to return.
I camped in the woods on William Washington's place, and, being determined not to go back without some game, sent scouts to watch the road leading out of Charles Town. I had not slept more than two hours when I learned that 25 cavalry had gone up the road loading to Smithfield. The men were soon mounted, and, striking out across the country, we got into the road in the rear of this squad, and followed on their trail to Smithfield. Soon after reaching the turnpike we met a man whom I knew to be a Unionist, but, expecting to capture the party ahead of me before
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they could reach Charles Town in my rear, I let him pass. What a change it would have made in subsequent events had I taken him along with us! We continued at a trot until we gained.the hill immediately above Smithfield, when I closed up the column, drawing sabres, charged into the town, expecting to find the enemy there; but to my chagrin, learned that they had passed through without halting, tak- ing the road to Summit Point, and were now a considerable distance ahead. I followed on at a good swinging trot, with four or five well mounted men in advance, until we got nearly to Summit Point, when my scouts returned, saying the enemy had passed through that place also a short time previous, and were now on the road back to Charles Town.
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