USA > West Virginia > Jefferson County > Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 > Part 4
USA > West Virginia > Jefferson County > Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 > Part 4
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Lieutenant J. W. Carter, who was greatly distinguish- ed as an artillery officer and a man of superb courage and daring, was noticed in Official Report by General Munford, and recommended for promotion. Our forces retired to- wards Berryville undisturbed by the enemy.
MARKER NUMBER TWENTY-TWO Stonewall Jackson's Capture of Federal Army at Harpers Ferry.
On the 14th of September 1862, General Stonewall Jack- son invested Harpers Ferry. Genl. McLaws occupied the Maryland Heights, Genl. Walker on the Loudoun Heights and the School House Hill was lined with artillery.
Genl. A. P. Hill in command was formed on the right of our line extending to the Shenandoah river, prepared to charge.
These batteries opened on the night of the 14th and the blaze of the artillery fires lighting up the heavens in every direction made a beautiful sight. The next morning the infantry advanced and the artillery resumed their fire.
About 10 o'clock Col. Miles commanding the Federals concluded to surrender and the capture amounted to 11,000 prisoners, 13,000 small arms, 73 pieces of artillery and a numerous amount of stores of all kinds.
Genl. Jackson left A. P. Hill to parole the prisoners, and to gather up the spoils and hurried away to the battle- field of Sharpsburg.
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This wonderful soldier, in two short years had advan- ced from the position of a plain professor at the Virginia Military Institute to the exalted standing of the greatest Lieut. Genl. of all time. Col. Henderson, who wrote his life said that he was superior to Ney, Napoleon's right arm, bo- cause while he was as grand on the battle field as Ney, he was superior to him in this; that he could plan a brilliant campaign which was beyond the capacity of the great Mar- shal. He was master of all that was skillful in war and his splendid genius enabled him to "easily climb the step whence fame's proud temple shines afar".
SCHOOL HOUSE HILL NEAR HALLTOWN.
This point was the scene of frequent action through the war. It was here that Ashby formed his line of battle when he fought Geary in '61, and on this hill Jackson plant- ed his artillery. These guns did effective work and the cannonades from this point and the mountains secured the surrender of Miles.
MARKER NUMBER TWENTY-THREE Col. Turner Ashby's Brilliant Exploit at Bolivar Heights.
The following is a report by Col. Turner Ashby of the fight of the 16th of October 1861 with Federals on Bolivar Heights.
CAMP EVANS, HALLTOWN, VA., OCT. 17, 1861. MY DEAR SIR:
I herewith submit the result of an engagement had with the enemy on the 16th at Bolivar Hill. The enemy occupying that position for several days, had been commit- ting depredations in the vicinity of the camp. Having at my disposal three hundred militia armed with flint lock mus- kets and two companies of cavalry, Turner's and Mason's of Colonel McDonald's regiment. I wrote to Genl. Evans to cooperate with me, taking position on Loudoun Heights and thereby prevent reenforcements from below, and at the same time to drive them out of the Ferry where they were under cover in the buildings. On the evening of the
15th I was reenforced by two companies of Colonel Mc- Donald's regiment (Captain Wingfield), fully armed with minie rifles and mounted. Captain Miller's about 30 men mounted, the balance on foot and with flint lock guns. I had one rifled four-pound gun and one 24-pound gun badly mounted which broke an axle in Bolivar, and I had to spike it. My force on the morning of the attack consisted of 300 militia, part of two regiments commanded by Colonel Albert of Shenandoah and Major Finter of Page. I had 180 of Colonel McDonald's cavalry (Captain Henderson's men) under command of Lieut. Glenn, Capt. Baylor's mounted militia, Capt. Hess about 25 men.
The rifled gun was under command of Capt. Averitt, the 24-pound gun under command of Capt. Canfield. I made the attack in three divisions and drove the enemy from their breast works without the loss of a man, and took position upon the hill, driving the enemy as far as lower Bolivar. The large gun broke down and this materially effected the result. The detachment from the large gun was transferred to the rifled piece, and Captain Averitt was sent to Loudoun Heights with a message to Colonel Griffin. The enemy now formed and charged with shouts and vells, which the militia met like veterans. At this moment I or- dered a charge of cavalry, which was handsomely done, Captain Turner's in the lead. In this charge five of the enemy were killed. After holding this position for four hours the enemy were re-enforced by infantry and artillery, and we fell back in order to the position their pickets oc- cupied in the morning. The position Colonel Griffin held upon Loudoun Heights was such as to be of very little as- sistance to us, being so elevated as to prevent them from controlling the crossing. My main force is at Camp Evans while I hold all of the intermediate ground. The enemy loft the ferry last night and encamped on the first plateau on Maryland Heights. My loss was one killed and nine wounded. Report from the ferry states the loss of the enemy at 25 killed and a number wounded. We have two Yankee prisoners and eight Union men co-operating with them. We took a large number of blankets, overcoats, and about a dozen guns. I cannot compliment my officers too
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highly for their gallant bearing during the whole fight, con- sidering the bad arms with which they were supplied and their inexperience.
I cannot impress too forcibly the necessity of the per- feet organization of my artillery and the forwarding at a very early day of the other guns promised. These guns are drawn by horses obtained for the occasion, and are worked by volunteers. We are in want of cavalry arms and long range guns, and would be glad to have an arrangement made to mount my men. I herewith submit Surgeon N. G. West's report, and cannot compliment him too highly, and respectfully submit his name as one worthy of an ap- pointment. He is temporarily employed by me as surgeon. Casualties, wounded 13.
Your obedient servant, TURNER ASHBY.
Lient. Col. C. S. Army, Com'd'g. in Jefferson county.
HON. MR. BENJAMIN, ACTING SEC'Y. OF WAR.
P. S. I am without ammunition for rifled cannon (4- pounders rifled to Parrott), also without friction primers. I am without a regular quartermaster, and consequently have my movements greatly embarrassed. If I am to con- tinue with this command I would be glad to have the privi- lege to recommend for appointment, so that I can organize according to what I believe most efficient conditions.
MARKER NUMBER TWENTY-FOUR The Point Where Federals Surrendered at Harpers Ferry.
This stone was planted opposite the field in which the surrender of Miles took place. Miles was shot and killed opposite this stone near the summit of Bolivar Heights. He was struck just before the surrender and the command turned over to Genl. White. The surrender was remark- able because of the fact that Miles then had about 14,000 men. This great force capitulated almost without a strug- gle. Perhaps it was just as well for Miles that he met his death rather than to have to b> branded with the dis- grace of having made such poor resistance.
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MARKER NUMBER TWENTY-FIVE Surprise for Loudoun Rangers at Key's Switch.
On April 5th, 1865, Col. John S. Mosby organized Com- pany "H", with George Baylor as Captain; E. F. Thompson, 1st Lieutenant; J. G. Wiltshire, 2nd Lieutenant; Jas. B. Carter, 3rd Lieutenant. On the day following, Baylor with his company crossed the Shenandoah river at Snickers Ferry and marched in the direction of Charles Town. In his report of this expedition he says:
"On the way I learned that the Loudoun Rangers were camped near Millville (Keye's Switch, as it was then called), and that most of the Federal cavalry had gone up the Val- ley. The Loudoun Rangers were two companies of men from Loudoun county and the neighboring country, and Mosby's men had long been desirous of capturing them. Here was the opportunity; a regiment of infantry was camped just east of Halltown, picketing down to the river, and it was necessary to pass through this line of infantry
pickets to reach the Ranger's Camp. The infantry picket was approached about 10 a. m., saluted, and passed without molestation, our men keeping perfectly in rank, and mak- ing no effort to capture or disturb them. This picket very politely gave us the usual military salute -- "present arms" -but some of our boys, who took a sly glance at them, say it was the most tremulous salute they ever witnessed. Having safely passed the infantry picket line, we rode quiet- ly to within fifty yards of the Rangers' Camp, and seeing them in their cavalry tents, horses tied to stakes and en- gaged in various diversions, ordered a charge. They out- numbered our force two to one, but we were playing a bold game, and the bold game generally wins in war as well as in cards. With two jacks and the poker in our hands, our opponents must yield. A general flurry and commotion followed our charge. A few seemed disposed to fight, but some to surrender. A few shots soon quieted the more pugilistic. Some ran for the bushes and made good their escape, but the greater part were made prisoners. The
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loss of the enemy was 2 killed, 4 wounded, 65 prisoners, 81 horses equipments; our loss, one wounded, Frank Helm of Warrenton. This was a pretty good beginning for com- pany H, yet scarce two days old, and it felt proud of its achievement. Gathering up the prisoners, horses and equipments, the tents and wagons were fired, and company H rode off, while the Federal infantry in full view were sounding the "long roll" and falling into line. The river was crossed at Keyes' Ford, and pursuit was not attempted by the enemy."
KEYES' FORD,
On the night of March 22, 1864, George Baylor with seven men passed unnoticed through the enemy's infantry picket at Halltown, and got in rear of cavalry force at Keyes Ford, giving the Rebel yell they charged along the river road and dashed into the enemy's camp, where they found fifty horses and 13 men. The party consisted of 50 cavalry, the rest had taken to their heels and concealed themselves. Baylor and his party gathered up thirteen prisoners and 26 horses, leaving the other horses because they could not well manage them. Then they crossed the river and made their escape along the Blue Ridge Mountain road. This re markable skirmish illustrates the terror troops feel when surprised and attacked in the night.
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INDEX
Butler's Woods
-
10
Butler's Ford
15
Bolivar
38 -- 40 .
Charles Town
32
Cement Mill -
15
Cooke's Hill
35
Duffields
16
Daniel's House
17
Fair Ground
36 -- 37
Harpers Ferry
- 37 -- 40
Kabletown
30
Kearneysville -
8 -- 9
Key's Switch
-
-
41
Leetown
17 -- 18
M,ver's Ford
28
Military Organizations
1
Moler's Cross Roads
11
Melvin's Hill
16
Myerstown
27
Packett's Farm
35
Rippon
-
- 27
Shepherdstown - -
11
Showman's Shop
- 13
Smithfield
19 -- 21
Summit Point
28
School House Hill
Uvilla 9 -- 10
Wageley's Shop
1×
White House 2.4
-
-
13
.
Map of Jefferson County West virginia Showing Location of Confederate Markers Oct 1911 Saule 2 ms lineli
N
Demay
1
w
E
S
Antreteny Creek
County
Berkeley
gian
tomar
S. C. H. A. M.L.
Charles To.
Clarke County
1 ..
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-
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