Cheat Mountain Expedition. Ordered to Jackson at Winchester. Expedition
to Bath and Romney. Battle of Kernstown. Retreat up the Valley.
Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston, sons of Virginia, educated
and trained soldiers, already distinguished in their profession of
arms, had resigned from the United States army and had tendered their
services to this new nation. Before Virginia completed the details
of her alliance with the Confederacy Lee was placed in command of
the Virginia forces, which included the corps of cadets. In the line
of duty occasion brought me to his headquarters to receive from him
directions for the performance of special military duty, and thus I had
opportunity to form my own boyish estimate of him. I judged his age to
be in the fifties and that he was in the prime of life. His presence
and bearing were above criticism, his manner and conversation kind,
firm, direct and self-confident.
But it is needless to comment further now; his career, his fame, his
life and his death are familiar history and need no further mention
here. It is, however, deemed appropriate to insert the following
graceful tribute to the memory of Lee from the pen of Mr. Henry Tyrrell
which appeared in _The New York World_ on the nineteenth of January,
1910.
His sun of life grew grander toward its setting;
It shed a dying splendor on his day,
Then like a benediction, passed away
Through twilight calm, gloomed with no vain regretting.
A soul serene beyond our strife and fretting,
In honor firm but yielding to the sway
Of kindness ever, he shall with us stay
Too fair a memory for the world's forgetting.
His tomb is here. In graven marble pure,
Recumbent sleeps his image. All of fame,
Glory and love that mortal man may claim,
In this white stone and this white name endure,
'Neath "Robert Edward Lee" might angels write:
"Here lies the last and noblest Christian knight."
Joseph E. Johnston, whom I met and knew later, was an able and
accomplished soldier and impressed me as being of the same class with
Lee. Albert Sydney Johnston, Beauregard and others, distinguished in
their profession of arms, had also resigned from the United States
Army and had cast their lots with the South. Soon both sides began
with great energy to hurry troops to the front. Lee with a scattered
force commanded in what is now West Virginia, Joseph E. Johnston at
Harpers Ferry and Beauregard at Manassas. The Federals with the nucleus
of the old army drilled and disciplined, armed and equipped, were
rapidly assembling large forces at strategic points. The Confederates
were equally energetic in assembling opposing forces, but they lacked
the nucleus, the general discipline, the arms, the equipment,--all
but courage. Big Bethel, the first battle of the War, Manassas, and
movements leading up to them, as well as movements at other points, are
matters of history and are not to be recounted here.
The first service of "The Regiment" was at Laurel Hill in West Virginia
with Brigadier-General Samuel Garland, who was soon compelled by
the Federals under McClellan to retire because of his advanced and
untenable position. His retreat was hasty, circuitous and trying,
lasting from July 7th to the 12th, 1861, during which time skirmishes
or small battles occurred, in one of which Garland was killed. After
his death the brigade took position on the Parkersburg Pike at
Greenbrier River under Brigadier-General Henry R. Jackson. This first
was a trying campaign in which a number of casualties occurred and much
sickness and suffering ensued.
It was from this position at Greenbrier River that the Cheat Mountain
expedition into West Virginia in September, 1861, was made. A Federal
force had reached in its advance, the crossing of the Parkersburg
Pike of Cheat River, half a dozen miles to the west of our position.
Skirmishes occurred between observation parties of cavalry, reinforced
at times by infantry from the respective sides as occasion required.
These experiences were new to officers and men of both armies, and
hence a nervous tension was kept up, as the close proximity of the
opposing forces threatened to bring on a general engagement at any
of these skirmishes. Jackson's brigade consisted of one Georgia,
one Arkansas and two Virginia regiments of infantry, a company of
cavalry and a battery of artillery aggregating about 3,000 men. Events
and happenings as above indicated had continued for some time and
thus stood when the Cheat Mountain expedition was entered upon by
the Confederates. It was led by Col. Albert Rusk with his own third
Arkansas and 37th Virginia regiments. He was to pass to the rear of
the enemy and make attack, while Jackson made demonstration in front.
The plan had but little promise of success, because of the superior
numbers and fortified position of the Federals.
We broke camp near nightfall of September 10th and moved out with two
days' rations. Our course was toward the west down Greenbrier River.
We bivouaced about midnight after a hard march of fifteen miles. To
this point we had the benefit of a fair country road, but not so the
rest of the way. We forded Greenbrier River in the early morning and,
wet to the waists, began the long, rugged and trackless ascent of
Cheat Mountain. The hardships and perils of this expedition can hardly
be described. The rocks, the cliffs, the precipices, the river were
obstacles that had to be overcome at whatever cost of suffering or
peril. Our descent of the mountain on the other side was quite short.
In a channel or trough along the top of the mountain near its summit
Cheat River flows to the east, while Greenbrier River at the base of
the mountain flows to the west. The high altitude made the water and
atmosphere quite cold, even for this season of the year. Our course
was down this river with no road or trail save the bed of the stream.
Its precipitous and cragged banks necessitating an almost continuous
wading down, across and back for many times. Late in the afternoon we
reached a point near the enemy, but slept on our arms until morning.
A reconnoissance, however, disclosed his impregnable position.
Our skirmish line exchanged some shots with the outposts and some
casualties occurred, but the number I do not recall.
I was brought to think why it all could not have been avoided; but,
then as now, a few men on opposing sides led all the others and war
resulted. We rested on our arms that night in close proximity to
this stronghold, without food, hungry and chilled to the bone and as
uncomfortable as it seemed possible to be. The folly of an assault upon
the enemy's fort was seen and known, hence the return march was taken
up. This was without incident. Many became ill and a number gave up
their lives from the hardships and exposures of this expedition, my own
illness extended over many weeks, during part of which time hope for
a favorable issue almost fled. It was, however, my good fortune to be
taken to a good country home and to be attended by a faithful nurse,
which perhaps prevented a different result.
When I was convalescing, but yet weak, a young soldier, delirious
from pneumonia, who occupied an adjoining room, came to my bedside
during the temporary absence of my nurse and seized a heavy, long
necked bottle of brandy and raised it as if intending an assault, and
apparently was about to bring it down on the head of his prostrate
victim, who expected the blow and its serious results, but could do
nothing to ward it off. Fortunately, before delivering the blow this
crazed man, being consumed with fever, saw through the window an
inviting stream of water that flowed by. Quickly replacing the bottle,
with cat-like swiftness he passed down the stairway and to the stream,
and drank copiously of its waters. He was unable to return and was
carried back and early the next morning gave up the struggle and passed
into eternity.
In October the regiment was ordered to report to Stonewall Jackson
at Winchester, and was assigned to the third brigade of Jackson's
division. This brigade was now composed of the 37th and 23rd Virginia,
First Georgia and Third Arkansas Regiments. Samuel V. Fulkerson was
colonel of the first, William B. Taliaferro (pronounced Tolliver)
and after his promotion to the rank of brigadier general, Alexander
Talliaferro of the second,--Ramsey of the third and Albert Ruske
of the fourth, above named regiments. Soon after this time the 1st
Georgia returned to its home and the said 3rd Arkansas was ordered
to Manassas and became a part of Hood's brigade. The Tenth Virginia,
commanded by Colonel S. B. Gibbons, about May, 1862, and the 1st and
3rd North Carolina regiments, about August or September of that year,
were assigned to the brigade and remained with it after that time. Our
brigade commanders were: First, Henry R. Jackson, later William B.
Talliaferro, and still later George H. Stuart.
We remained in this brigade and division after that time, and future
reference thereto will be "3d Brigade."
Jackson was now a major-general and had been assigned to the command of
the valley district. His force consisted of three brigades (1st, 2d and
3d, Ashby's cavalry and about three batteries of artillery, aggregating
approximately 10,000 men.) In the latter part of December he made an
expedition to Bath and Romney which was without apparent results, and
it was regarded by his officers and men as unwise. From this a distrust
in his ability as a leader arose. The weather was extreme, rain, sleet,
snow and intense cold caused great suffering and the actual illness
of many. From this and other causes his army was so much reduced that
by early spring his entire force did not exceed 6,000 men, at which
time the district under his command was beginning to be threatened from
different directions and by different commands, aggregating a total
force of about 40,000 men. These conditions to many would have seemed
appalling, if not hopeless; but not so to Jackson, instead it was then
that his remarkable strategy and skill began to manifest themselves.
He retired from Winchester, moving slowly up the valley to the vicinity
of New Town and from there made a demonstration toward Winchester,
now occupied by a Federal force of about 12,000 under the command
of General Shields. The forces met on the afternoon of March 23d at
Kernstown, three miles south of Winchester and a very severe battle
was fought, resulting in many casualties on both sides; but superior
numbers forced Jackson to retire about dark still further up the
valley. The "Regiment" and "3rd brigade" took a conspicuous part
in this engagement and suffered severely. It was then difficult to
understand why Jackson should have risked battle with this superior
force. This again brought in question his capacity for leadership of a
separate army, and but for his courage, sincerity and willingness to
share hardships and dangers with his men he would have been held by
them in much lower esteem as a commander.
He was freely discussed and his expedition to Bath and Romney and
his giving battle at Kernstown freely condemned, because not even
probable beneficial results could have been anticipated as viewed by
his critics. But when conditions were understood later on, it was
apparent that no mistake had been made by Jackson in either instance.
In truth, it is a question whether these events did not save Richmond
from capture. McClellan's army of 100,000 men was pressing Johnston
back toward the very gates of the city, yet McClellan was not willing
to try conclusions until reinforcements could be had, and there was no
other source from which they could be procured than from the armies
surrounding and threatening Jackson's district, but withdrawal of
reinforcements could not be made until Jackson should be overthrown,
and thus the danger of a descent by him on Washington or on the rear of
McClellan's army removed. Hence Jackson's evident purpose was to keep
these 40,000 men from reinforcing McClellan; how well he accomplished
this was abundantly shown. At this distance of time it is difficult to
discover a material mistake made by him,--since the Bath and Romney and
the Kernstown events have been understood--his career was a success and
nothing beats success.
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