crossed the mountains which separated the branches of the Shenandoah,
forded the north fork, and early on the morning of the nineteenth, under
cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised and turned the left flank
of General Sheridan’s army, and captured the batteries which enfiladed
the whole line. At the same time the rest of Early’s forces marched down
the turnpike from Strasburg to Cedar Creek, and before the Union army
was fairly awake, the rebels had penetrated within the intrenchments of
the Eighth corps, and the left division of Crook was thoroughly broken
up. The Federals were driven in confusion and many taken prisoners. The
Nineteenth corps now gave way and the entire left and centre were
routed, while the artillery and musketry of the rebels, playing upon the
disordered ranks of the Federals, increased momentarily the terror and
confusion. The full light of day exposed the extent of the disaster, and
showed the greater part of the army in a state of confusion. The rebels
had already captured eighteen cannon, which were turned upon the Federal
troops. The Sixth corps, under General Getty, by a gallant and rapid
movement, succeeded in turning the flank of Emory’s army, and attacking
him boldly, soon checked the onward movement of the enemy, for a time,
and enabled the Federal army to retreat in some degree of order to
Middletown, a village about five miles from Strasburg. They were closely
followed by the enemy, however, when the Federals continued their
retreat towards Newtown, a village five miles further in the rear. The
troops fell back with heavy loss and in much confusion, but were finally
rallied between Middletown and Newtown. At this juncture General
Sheridan, who was at Winchester when the battle commenced, arrived on
the field, arranged his lines just in time to repulse a heavy attack of
the enemy, and immediately assuming the offensive, attacked in turn with
great vigor. His arrival inspired the soldiers with new courage and
energy, and entirely changed the fortunes of the day. The enemy was
defeated with great slaughter and the loss of most of his artillery and
trains, and the trophies he had captured in the morning.
The Federal loss, in this battle, was between five and six thousand men,
which was much greater than that of the enemy. Three thousand rebels
were captured.
The wreck of Early’s army escaped during the night, and fled in the
direction of Staunton and Lynchburg. Pursuit was made to Mount Jackson.
Thus ended this, the enemy’s last attempt to invade the North, via the
Shenandoah valley.
General Sheridan’s army now retired to Winchester, in order to be near
their supplies; while the Shenandoah valley was laid waste for miles in
order that no subsistence might be obtained by the enemy, who had, from
the first of the war, made that section a base of supplies, from which
numerous bands of guerrillas were provided, and who were thus enabled to
make frequent damaging raids on the Federal borders. Merritt’s cavalry
crossed the Blue Ridge in December and carried desolation through Loudon
and Fauquier counties, destroying property valued at two and a half
millions of dollars.
Neither commander seemed desirous of carrying on hostilities longer in
that devastated district, and a large portion of either army was
detached early in the winter, to take part in the grand contest then
centering around Richmond.
On the twenty-seventh of February, 1865, General Sheridan left
Winchester with a large cavalry force, in three days marching eighty
miles. He drove Early from Stanton and pursued him to Waynesboro, where
thirteen hundred rebels and eleven guns were captured. Charlottesville
was next entered by Sheridan’s victorious troops, where three more guns
were taken from the enemy. The line of the James river canal was now
followed by the cavalry, and much damage done on the route. From the
north side of the James river, Sheridan struck across the country to the
Virginia Central railroad, carrying the desolation of war in his path.
On the tenth of March the north bank of the Pamunkey was reached, from
whence he crossed to the White House, where his troops were incorporated
into the army of General Grant.
* * * * *
Major-General Phillip Henry Sheridan was born in Perry County, Ohio, in
the year 1831, and was appointed a cadet at West Point in 1848. He
graduated on the thirtieth of June, 1853, and entered the United States
Regular Army on July 1st, as a brevet second lieutenant of Infantry. He
was attached to the First regiment, and joined his company at Fort
Duncan, Texas, during the autumn of that year. He fought against the
Indians of this region until the Spring of 1855, when he was transferred
to the Fourth regiment of United States Infantry, with the full rank of
Second Lieutenant, dated from November 22d, 1854.
During the months of May and June, 1855, Lieutenant Sheridan held
command of Fort Wood, New York Harbor, and in July, 1855, embarked for
California with a large body of recruits. He was next engaged in the
survey for the Pacific railroad from San Francisco, California, to
Columbia river, Oregon.
During September, 1855, he was detached from the survey at Vancouver,
Washington Territory, and ordered to join Major Raines’ expedition
against the Indians. He was specially mentioned for distinguished
conduct in an engagement with the Indians at the Cascades of the
Columbia, April 28th, 1856. He occupied posts in this region and was
complimented by General Scott during 1857, for meritorious conduct in
the settlement of the Indian difficulty.
[Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL PHILIP H. SHERIDAN.]
During the early part of 1861 Lieutenant Sheridan was promoted one
grade, and on the 14th of May, 1861, became captain of one of the
companies of the Thirteenth regiment of United States Infantry. He
joined his regiment at St. Louis, Mo., during the following September,
and was made President of the Military Commission for the settlement of
claims against the Government of that State.
On December 24th, 1861, he was appointed Chief Quartermaster and
Commissary of “the Army of the Southwest,” remaining with it until after
the battle of Pea Ridge. He was afterwards appointed Chief Quartermaster
on the staff of General Halleck before Corinth.
Captain Sheridan was appointed Colonel of the Second Michigan cavalry on
May 27th, 1862, and participated in the movement under Colonel Elliott
to cut the railroad at Booneville, below Corinth. On May 30th he
repulsed and defeated McMaury’s rebel cavalry near that place.
Colonel Sheridan assumed command of a cavalry brigade on June 11th,
1862, and on July 1st, defeated a cavalry force of nine regiments under
General Chalmers by a brilliant _coup de main_. For this dashing
operation he was promoted to a brigadier-general of volunteers, dating
July 1, 1862.
General Sheridan assumed command of the Third division of the army of
the Ohio on September 20th, 1862, and fought at the battles of
Perryville, October 8th, and Murfreesboro’, December 31st, 1862. For his
gallant services in the battle of Stone river, he rose to the rank of
Major-General; and his brilliant subsequent career on the Peninsula, in
Western Virginia, and the final struggle with Lee’s army, was the
occasion of his appointment as Major-General in the United States army.
BATTLE OF MORRISTOWN, TENNESSEE.
NOVEMBER 13, 1864.
While the armies of Generals Thomas and Hood were engaged in their
campaign before Nashville, a large force of rebels under General
Breckinridge, entered East Tennessee. On the 12th of November he
attacked General Gillem’s command, which was entrenched near Morristown,
and drove them from their defences. General Gillem retreated with his
forces toward Morristown, where he was overtaken the next day by
Breckinridge, and again defeated with the loss of his artillery and
several hundred prisoners. He also suffered severely in killed and
wounded. General Gillem gradually fell back with the balance of his
command towards Knoxville, and was pursued by his inexorable opponent as
far as Strawberry Plains; here, anticipating trouble from the proximity
of heavy Union forces, General Breckinridge deemed it prudent to
withdraw.
Foreseeing Hood’s intention of surging round before Knoxville, and of
rebuilding the Virginia railroad from Greenville to Strawberry Plains,
under the directions of General Thomas, General Stoneman concentrated
the commands of Generals Burbridge and Gillem near Beans’ Station, to
operate against Breckinridge, and destroy or drive him into
Virginia—destroy the salt-works at Saltville, and the railroad in
Virginia as far as he could go without endangering his command.
STONEMAN’S RAID INTO WESTERN VIRGINIA.
DECEMBER 12–20, 1864.
General Gillem remounted his command, and General Burbridge gathered his
cavalry, scattered over Kentucky, and in less than five days mounted and
equipped four thousand men. The forces rendezvoused at Bean Station,
General Burbridge arriving at that place on Friday, December 2, having
made forced marches from Lexington.
The expedition was detained at Bean Station, in organizing the forces,
obtaining supplies, munitions, &c., until December 12, during which time
General Burbridge manœuvred so as to effectually deceive Vaughn, who was
laying at Greenville, with sixteen hundred men. On the night of December
3, Burbridge advanced rapidly in the direction of Rogersville, as far as
Mooresburg, and then fell back to Bean Station, leaving the enemy to
suppose that he was about to return to Kentucky with the stock he had
gathered. On the 11th General Stoneman, with General Gillem and his
brigade, sixteen hundred strong, arrived at Bean Station, and early on
the morning of the 12th the troops broke camp and the march began,
General Gillem leading the advance and General Burbridge following with
three brigades, commanded respectively by Colonels Brown, Buckley and
Wade, the whole force amounting to fifty-five hundred men.
THE FIGHT AT KINGSTON.—Marching all night, Stoneman came upon Duke’s
brigade, under Colonel Morgan, at Kingsport, about daylight on Friday,
December 13, where it was drawn up to oppose the crossing of the north
branch of the Holston river. Skirmishing at once began, General Gillem,
with the Eighth Tennessee, engaging the enemy’s attention in front while
General Stoneman sent two regiments—the Thirtieth Kentucky mounted
infantry and Thirteenth Tennessee—two miles up the river to cross at
Opossum ford and flank the enemy, which was successfully done. Morgan
was completely surprised, not being aware of the approach of the Union
forces on his flank until they charged him with a shout, routing his men
in confusion, killing and wounding fifteen, and capturing eighty-five
prisoners, among whom was Morgan himself. The rebels retreated in the
direction of Bristol, closely pursued by General Burbridge, who marched
until nightfall, when he halted, and built large fires, as if he meant
to encamp for the night; but, suddenly breaking camp, he moved rapidly
on Bristol, and at three o’clock in the morning the Eleventh Kentucky
cavalry charged into the place with drawn sabres, surprising the
garrison, and captured three hundred prisoners and a train of cars that
was just starting to Richmond with the mails. The remnant of Duke’s
brigade, which was encamped just out of the town, got together and
joined the home guards, who were put under arms; but before either party
could form the troopers were among them with their sabres, and, after
some small show of resistance and a few straggling shots, Duke’s men
broke, and the home guards threw down their arms and fled into the
houses. The telegraph was found all right, and communication open with
Richmond, Jonesboro’ and intermediate points. It was ascertained that
Vaughn had not learned of the movements of the Federals until they
reached Rogersville, when he had put off with his forces for Bristol,
and was then at Zollicoffer, twelve miles from Bristol. General
Burbridge marched immediately for Zollicoffer. When day broke Vaughn was
amazed to find himself cut off and confronted by a force larger than his
own. A dense fog prevented General Burbridge from attacking Vaughn, who
crossed the river and pushed rapidly for Abingdon, hoping to reach that
place before Burbridge, and get between him and the salt works. The
latter marched on a parallel road, and reached the crossroads two miles
from Abingdon at ten o’clock at night, two hours before Vaughn, who,
finding himself headed again, turned off on the North Carolina road and
struck out for Wytheville. General Stoneman came up at daylight the next
morning with General Gillem, and sent him, with his brigade, to pursue
Vaughn, and if possible cut him off from Wytheville.
THE ATTACK ON GLADE SPRINGS.—At the same time General Burbridge was
ordered to send three hundred light cavalry, with picked horses, to cut
the Virginia railroad at Glade Springs, nine miles from Saltville, and
thus prevent any reinforcements from being sent to that place from
above. Major Harrison, Twelfth Kentucky cavalry, was assigned to the
execution of the order, and successfully accomplished his task, cutting
the road only some twenty minutes after Breckinridge had passed up to
Saltville from Wytheville with a train of cars and some two hundred
militia from Lynchburg. Harrison then waited for the down train, which
was due, and captured and burned it, and also another train just behind
it, after which he dashed up the road towards Wytheville, burning all
the large bridges and depots along the way. At Seven Mile ford Vaughn
struck Harrison’s trail and followed him as fast as his jaded stock
could travel; but Harrison, being by far the best mounted, easily kept
out of his way. Vaughn passed the ford, following Harrison, at five
o’clock on the morning of December 16; and at six o’clock General Gillem
passed the same place in pursuit of Vaughn. The race now became
intensely exciting, Harrison trying to keep out of Vaughn’s way, but
burning right and left as he went, and Gillem straining every nerve to
come up with and keep him from overwhelming Harrison. About noon Gillem
came upon Vaughn’s rear guard near Marion, captured most of it and soon
after found part of Vaughn’s forces, under Colonel Gillespie, drawn up
in line of battle just beyond the town, Vaughn having continued the
chase of Harrison with a small body.
Gillem immediately commenced a spirited fight, charges being made on
both sides. In the mean time General Burbridge and his command were
rapidly closing up on Gillem, and, hearing the fighting, General
Stoneman sent Burbridge’s First brigade forward to support Gillem; but
before it reached him that general had driven the enemy from the field,
killing and wounding fifteen, and capturing seventy-five of the enemy.
Gillespie retreated in the direction of Wytheville, hotly pursued by
Gillem, who harassed his rear so severely that the former found it
necessary to make another stand near Mount Airy, when Gillem fell upon
him with fury, being now supported by Colonel Brown, who had come up
with him. The rebels were soon forced from the field in confusion
leaving a number of prisoners and seven pieces of artillery, among which
were two of the guns captured from General Gillem by Vaughn a short time
before at Morristown.
The joy of the General and his men at the recapture of their favorite
pieces was inexpressible. Gillespie continued to push towards
Wytheville; but his retreat soon degenerated into a rout, Gillem
following him hotly with his own and Brown’s brigade.
At Wytheville the home guard was got out, with four pieces of artillery,
and Gillespie rallied his men and made a desperate stand; but Gillem
charged with his whole command, capturing the home guard, with their
battery and all of Vaughn’s wagon train, which had just come in by
another road. Gillespie fell back into the town, where he was
immediately surrounded, Vaughn being reported to be in the place. Gillem
charged through the town; but Gillespie made his escape with about one
hundred men, which was all he had left of his sixteen hundred, the rest
having straggled, been killed, wounded, captured or deserted and gone to
their homes in Tennessee. In the mean time Major Harrison had swung
around Wytheville and rode down Rye valley for Bean Station. Generals
Stoneman and Burbridge, having reached Marion with the balance of the
command, Colonel H. M. Buckley was dispatched with the Second brigade to
destroy the lead mines. General Stoneman ordered Gillem to destroy the
railroad for ten miles above Wytheville and then return; which
destruction was accomplished most completely by Colonel Brown’s brigade,
who also burned the immense bridge four miles from Wytheville. After
burning three large rebel storehouses filled with supplies of all kinds,
and two arsenals, General Gillem returned and joined Generals Stoneman
and Burbridge twelve miles from Marion.
PURSUIT OF COLONEL WITCHER.—Soon after the junction of the two forces
General Stoneman found a force of rebels, counting three hundred strong,
under Witcher, in his front, and the General at once halted the head of
his column, endeavoring to hold Witcher in view, while General Gillem,
with his brigade, would go round him and get in his rear. But Witcher
made off, when Burbridge, with Brown’s brigade, pursued him for seven
miles, to Staley’s creek, where it was ascertained that Breckinridge was
close behind Witcher with a considerable force of mounted infantry. Just
as Burbridge was closing up on him with his sabres, Witcher ran
violently into the head of Breckinridge’s column, almost stampeding it,
and mixing for a time blue jackets and gray together.
FIGHT AT STALEY’S CREEK.—The rebels were confused, and a rout seemed
imminent; but Breckinridge and Echols restored order, drove back the
Federals beyond the mouth of the bridge over Staley’s creek, and held it
until their men could be formed. Burbridge at once commenced the
engagement with the Eleventh Michigan and Twelfth Ohio cavalry,
endeavoring to get possession of the bridge, but in vain, the rebels
holding it firmly. The whole of Burbridge’s command soon became engaged,
the Thirty-ninth Kentucky mounted infantry (Wade’s brigade) fording the
stream above and going into action on the right of the bridge, and the
Fifty-third Kentucky, and Forty-fifth Kentucky regiments mounted
infantry, with the Fifth and Sixth regiments United States colored
cavalry, fighting on the left. The Eleventh Kentucky, Eleventh Michigan
and Twelfth Ohio regiments cavalry (Brown’s brigade) held the centre;
opposite the bridge, the Fifth Kentucky battery, Lieutenant Judd
commanding, being posted in their rear. The rebels held their position
until night, when darkness put an end to the fight. Soon after dark
General Stoneman with General Gillem and his command came up, and
Stoneman directed that the centre should be forced. The Fifty-third
Kentucky infantry, Eleventh Kentucky cavalry and part of the Eleventh
Michigan cavalry were accordingly formed on the pike, near the bridge,
and Major Keogh, of General Stoneman’s staff, and Colonel Brisbin, of
General Burbridge’s staff, sent with them to drive the rebels from the
pike. The command advanced up the road about fifty yards, when the
rebels opened a severe fire and compelled them to fall back to the
bridge. This closed the fighting for the night. Early in the morning
General Stoneman sent General Gillem to the right, with orders to go
round Breckinridge, and if the fight was severe to attack him in the
rear; but, if not, to go into Saltville and attack that place before
Breckinridge could fall back to the works.
General Burbridge, as soon as it was light, recommenced the fight, and
soon after General Gillem had marched, it was ascertained that
Breckinridge had a much larger force than was supposed. General Gillem
was sent for and he joined Burbridge a little before dark, but too late
to take part in the operations of the day. In the mean time Generals
Stoneman and Burbridge had continued to engage the enemy from early
dawn, and the battle had now lasted nearly thirty-six hours, the fight
being particularly severe on the left and centre. The colored troops
made a magnificent charge in the afternoon, driving back in confusion
Duke’s rebel brigade from a hill near the bridge. On this hill Colonel
Boyle lost his life, while gallantly leading his regiment against the
enemy. Early in the morning it was determined to renew the battle, but
when day broke it was discovered that Breckinridge had retreated in the
direction of Saltville.
THE PURSUIT TO SALTVILLE.—Stoneman, with the whole command, started in
pursuit. Breckinridge had started in the direction of Saltville, but his
column had come back in great confusion, and took the North Carolina
road. The cause of this was soon apparent. Colonel Buckley, with his
brigade had been sent to destroy the lead mines. He completed the work,
and hearing the firing, had come down to the Seven Mile ford, in rear of
Breckinridge, charged his pickets, stampeding them and capturing his
advance guard. Breckinridge, finding a force in his rear, became
alarmed, and put back in haste to Marion, where he took the road to
North Carolina. Lieutenant-Colonel Bentley, with the Twelfth Ohio
cavalry, was sent in pursuit of him, and about six miles from Marion
came upon his rear guard, drawn up in line of battle, which Bentley
charged with the sabre, when it broke and fled, leaving in the hands of
the gallant Twelfth two wagons and an artillery caisson. Colonel Bentley
continued the pursuit until night, when, finding that Breckinridge had
blockaded the road in his rear by felling timber, he returned and joined
his command at midnight, near the Seven Mile ford.
THE CAPTURE OF SALTVILLE.—At three o’clock in the morning the whole
force moved towards the salt works, twelve miles distant, and at
daylight began driving in the rebel pickets. General Burbridge moved to
the right and attacked the works, while General Gillem closed in upon
those on the left. The garrison was found to consist of eight hundred
reserves, under Colonel Preston, and were posted in three forts. General
Gillem attacked the fort on the left with his whole force, under charge
of Colonel Stacey; while General Burbridge divided his troops, sending
detachments of Brown’s and Wade’s brigades, the Eleventh Michigan
cavalry, Fifth and Sixth United States colored cavalry, under charge of
Colonel Brisbin, to attack the main fort, immediately in front of and
commanding the road. Colonel Coates, with detachments of the
Thirty-ninth, Thirty-seventh and Forty-fifth Kentucky infantry, of
Wade’s brigade, and the Thirtieth, of Buckley’s brigade, was sent to
attack a fort on the right, while Buckley, with the balance of his
brigade, the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Kentucky, was dispatched to
hold the gaps and guard the rear. The rebels opened with shell, grape
and canister, but were soon forced into their works, and by night the
skirmishers had advanced so close to the works that the rebel gunners
could with difficulty work their guns. The Federal skirmishers crept up
close to the rebels, and then commenced noiselessly to drag the cannon
on hills overlooking the works, while an assaulting column was formed,
and all made in readiness to charge the forts as soon as it was light.
General Gillem ordered the assault on the left, and the Eighth Tennessee
cavalry, with loud cheers, charged into the fort, taking it without much
resistance and capturing one commissioned officer and a number of
prisoners. Soon after the forts on the centre and right were occupied by
the Eleventh Michigan cavalry and the Thirty-ninth Kentucky mounted
infantry, having been evacuated by the enemy, the guns being left
standing, unspiked. Colonel Stacey, with the Thirteenth Tennessee, of
General Gillem’s command, and Colonel Coates, with the Eleventh Kentucky
cavalry, of General Burbridge’s command, charged into the town, the one
on the right and the other on the left, and occupied the place. The salt
works were at last in the hands of the Union troops, and joy filled
every breast.
DESTRUCTION OF THE SALT WORKS.—Soon the ringing of the heavy sledge
hammers which for days had been carried patiently by the troops were
heard in every direction, breaking the metal kettles to pieces. The
South Carolina block was first demolished, Virginia next, then Georgia,
and so on until all the property of States represented were destroyed.
When the thousands of kettles were thoroughly broken the torch was
applied, and soon the great pile was a mass of smouldering ruins, so
that, by night, scarcely a vestige of what were the great salt works
remained to mark where they once stood. The wells were all destroyed by
dropping shot and shell into them, and the engines and pipes torn to
pieces.
The raid being now ended, Generals Burbridge and Gillem parted, General
Stoneman accompanying Gillem’s command to East Tennessee, while
Burbridge marched for Kentucky.
THE IRON WORKS DESTROYED—were, perhaps, the largest works of the kind in
Virginia, and had been worked by the rebel government ever since the war
began with success. Among other valuable machinery destroyed in them was
a percussion cap manufactory, one of the most difficult articles to get
in the Southern confederacy. The cap manufactory and works were laid in
ruins.
THE LEAD MINES—in Wythe county, Virginia, seventeen miles from
Wytheville, were considered invaluable to the rebel confederacy, as from
these mines General Lee obtained nearly all the lead used by his army.
The engines, smelting furnaces and entire works were destroyed. Colonel
Buckley captured at the mines one hundred prisoners.
Over fifty bridges were burned on the railroad between Richmond and
Saltville.