and occupied a position at Beverly, on Tygart’s Valley river, Randolph
Co., in a valley of the Alleghany Mountains. Two good roads unite at an
acute angle at this place, one leading westwardly to Buckhannon, and the
other north-west to Phillipi. A mountainous ridge crosses both these
roads in front of Beverly, and at each point of intersection General
Garnett had an intrenched camp. The first was on the road to Buckhannon,
called the Rich Mountain Camp, under command of Colonel Pegram; and the
second, on the road to Phillipi, called Laurel Hill Camp, under General
Garnett’s personal command.
Early on the morning of the 11th of July, General Rosecrans was
dispatched to attack Colonel Pegram, and dislodge him from his position.
General Morris was to make a simultaneous movement on the position held
by General Garnett.
BATTLE AT RICH MOUNTAIN.
JULY 12, 1862.
The rebel entrenchments at Rich Mountain were very strong in their
position, and were evidently to be taken only by a great sacrifice of
life. They had rolled great trees down the steep sides of the mountain,
and banding their branches into a general entanglement, filled the open
spaces with earth and stones. The dense forest on all sides made the
approach almost impassable. General Rosecranz was accordingly directed
to attack them in their rear. For this purpose he took with him the
Eighth and Tenth Indiana, and the Nineteenth Ohio, and under the
leadership of an experienced guide, started about daylight to ascend the
mountain. The path was exceedingly difficult and tedious, most of the
distance being through thick laurel underbrush, almost impenetrable
woods, and a broken, rocky region, which gave them a toilsome march of
nearly nine miles. Meantime a courier from General McClellan with
dispatches for General Rosecrans, had been captured by the rebels, who
instantly took the alarm, and a body of 2,500 men were sent to the top
of the mountain by a short route which they commanded, and on the
arrival of the Union forces they stood ready for defence. The rebels had
three cannon in place, and awaited the troops, facing that part of the
road where they would emerge from the timber. For some time there was
skirmishing, the rebels firing their cannon into the woods at random.
The Union troops had no cannon, and left the sheltering trees only long
enough to deliver a volley at any one time, and then retired back to the
bushes. They thus succeeded in drawing the enemy from his earthworks,
and leading him into the open fields, where the encounter took place.
[Illustration:
BATTLE OF RICH MOUNTAIN.
]
Colonel Lander called for twenty sharpshooters, who speedily left the
cannon without men to work them. Their places were filled by others,
when the Nineteenth Ohio, which had gained a position on high ground in
the rear, poured in a tremendous volley, and giving loud cheers, rushed
forward for a closer struggle. The Eighth and Tenth immediately charged
upon the guns and carried them, and then the entire entrenchment. The
enemy found it impossible to resist the impetuous and daring onset, and
broke up instantly in a total rout. The action was short, but fiercely
contested. One hundred and forty rebels were found killed, while the
Federal loss was only twenty-five or thirty.
The victors attempted to follow the flying enemy, but after proceeding a
short distance were recalled, and formed in line, in anticipation of an
attack from the fort, at the foot of the mountain. It appeared, however,
that when their cannon ceased firing they gave up all as lost, and
deserted their works. General Rosecranz remained on the field burying
the dead, and taking care of the wounded, till next morning, when he
marched down to the fort with his forces, and took possession. Several
hundred prisoners were taken on the field, and Colonel Pegram, after
wandering about nearly two days without finding a chance to escape,
surrendered unconditionally to General McClellan, with the remnant of
his command, numbering six hundred men.
BATTLE OF CARRICK’S FORD.
JULY 13, 1861.
While these stirring events were transpiring, General Garnett, hearing
of the combined movements, and conscious that he would be unable to
maintain his position, or make a successful retreat if defeated,
withdrew his forces from the Laurel Hill camp, and was proceeding
towards Beverly, when he received intelligence of the surrender of
Colonel Pegram and the rapid advance of General Rosecranz, accompanied
by the intrepid Colonel Lander, towards the spot he was himself
approaching. He then struck off on the Leading Creek Pike, half a mile
from Leadsville, and commenced a rapid retreat towards St. George, in
Tucker county.
General Morris’s brigade entered the rebel camp at Beverly at 10 A. M.
of Friday, the 12th of July. At 11 o’clock the Federal troops detailed
to follow General Garnett started in pursuit, under Captain Benham. The
advance comprised Colonel Steedman’s Ohio Fourteenth, Colonel Milroy’s
Ninth and Colonel Dumont’s Seventh Indiana, and two pieces of artillery,
with forty men—total about eighteen hundred and fifty. At two o’clock on
the morning of the 13th they set out in a pitiless storm, guided by the
baggage, tents, trunks, blankets, knapsacks, and clothing thrown away by
the enemy. The roads had been obstructed by the retreating foe. A guide,
however, led them by a cross-road, which enabled them to gain rapidly on
the enemy. On reaching the track again, it was found necessary to keep
an advance of axemen to clear the obstructions. This was performed with
the greatest zeal and alacrity, while the storm raged furiously around
them.
About noon General Garnett had reached and passed Kahler’s Ford, twelve
miles from St. George. When the advance of the Federal troops emerged
from the ford they caught sight of the rear of the enemy, and they were
instantly nerved with new life. The retreating Southerners were also
excited, and redoubled their speed, if possible, throwing away
everything that encumbered their progress. General Garnett had become
thoroughly convinced that there was no alternative but to make a stand,
and thus test the question of superiority without delay. He continued
his course, however, until he came to the fourth ford on the river,
known as Carrick’s Ford, and prepared to receive his pursuers. On the
left bank of the river were level bottom lands, cornfields, and meadows.
On the right high bluffs commanded the fields below, and its bank was
thickly hedged in with impenetrable thickets of laurel. Fording the
river, and placing his men on the high bluff on the right, they were
completely concealed, while the situation gave his artillery every
advantage. The wagon train was left standing in the river, evidently to
mislead his pursuers with the idea that they were unable to cross the
rocky bed of the stream. The Federal troops advanced to seize the train,
and were consequently within range of his artillery on the bluff.
The Federal columns pushed rapidly forward, Colonel Steedman’s
Fourteenth Ohio in front, and as they approached the teams their drivers
called out that they would surrender. The position, and the conduct of
the teamsters, however, excited the suspicions of the regiment, and the
men were disposed in order, with skirmishers thrown out towards the
ford, the line moving down after them in the finest order. Just as the
advance were approaching the stream, and only about two hundred yards
from the steep bluff on the other side, an officer rose from the bushes
and gave the order to fire. Immediately a volley of musketry was
followed by a discharge of artillery. The Fourteenth Ohio and Seventh
Indiana were directly under the fire, and returned it, doing good
execution, while that of the enemy flew harmlessly over their heads. The
Fourteenth Ohio, being nearest the ford, were almost exclusively aimed
at, and for a time the storm of war was frightful. The roar of cannon,
the crashing of trees, the bursting of the shells, and quick volleys of
musketry made the wild scene of terrible and appalling havoc. Amid it
all our men stood undaunted, and returned the fire with great rapidity,
and in superior order. Burnett’s artillery then came up, and opened, and
under cover of their fire the Seventh Indiana was directed to cross the
river and climb the bluff on the enemy’s left. They made the attempt,
and two companies had already reached the top, when they were directed
to descend and make the ascent so as to turn the enemy’s right. Colonel
Dumont led his men down the stream with such dispatch, that the enemy
could not turn his pieces upon them until they were concealed from view
by the smoke, and beyond the guns on the bluff. During this movement the
Fourteenth Ohio, and Colonel Milroy’s Ninth Indiana, with our artillery,
kept up a brisk fire in front, until suddenly Colonel Dumont’s men,
having scaled the bluff, appeared on the right, and poured in a volley.
The appearance of our troops there was the signal for a retreat, and the
enemy instantly broke up in rout and disorder, precipitately flying from
the field.
Our regiments and artillery then crossed the river in hot pursuit. At a
distance of a quarter of a mile the road again crosses the stream, and
General Garnett sought in vain to rally his troops at this point. Major
Gordon of the Seventh Indiana led the advance, and soon reached the spot
where General Garnett, on the opposite side of the river, was
endeavoring to rally his forces around him. Gordon called upon Captain
Ferry’s company, and ordered them to fire. The rebels greeted Major
Gordon with one volley and fled. General Garnett turned to call his men,
and motioned them back, but all in vain. At this moment, Sergeant
Burlingame, of Captain Ferry’s company, raised his piece, took aim, and
fired. General Garnett fell backward, his head lying towards our forces,
and with open mouth, as though gasping for breath. He uttered not a
groan, and when Major Gordon reached him, a few moments afterwards, he
was just expiring. The Major stooped down, tenderly closed his eyes,
disposed his limbs, and left a guard of loyal soldiers around him to
protect all that remained of the chivalrous and honored, but mistaken
leader of Western Virginia.
Every Virginian among the followers of this gallant man fled, and left
him to fall and expire alone. But a young soldier wearing the Georgia
uniform and button, sprang to his side, only to share his fate, for a
musket shot answered this devotion with death, and he fell side by side
with his commander. The Federal troops, even in the glow of victory,
stopped to pay a tribute of respect to this generous youth. They placed
a board at his grave and cut rudely upon it, “A brave fellow, who shared
his General’s fate and fell fighting by his side. Name unknown.”
The loss of our troops was killed, two; wounded, twelve. The enemy lost
eight on the field, three died in hospital, and ten others were wounded.
A large number of prisoners were taken, including six Georgia captains
and lieutenants, a surgeon, and a number of non-commissioned officers.
Beside prisoners, there were also captured two stands of colors, one
rifled cannon, forty loaded wagons, hundreds of muskets and side arms,
with other effects of various kinds.
This action is honorable in the highest degree to all engaged in it.
They had pursued and overtaken an enemy who had twelve hours advance;
they had made a forced march of nearly thirty miles in less than
twenty-four hours, over the worst of roads, and with scarcely any food,
some of the men having been without nourishment for thirty-six hours.
They then fought a battle, cut off the enemy’s baggage train, captured
their cannon, routed their army, and found themselves in full possession
of the field. The day and the event will ever be memorable, and Ohio and
Indiana may well be proud of their sons.
The remainder of General Garnett’s army effected their escape through
the Cheat Mountain Gap, which was seized and fortified by General
McClellan. In these two engagements 150 of the enemy were killed, 300
wounded, upwards of 1000 prisoners were taken, and nearly all their war
material fell into the hands of the victors.
The loyal troops were too much exhausted by the incessant labors and
privations of their three days’ struggle to pursue the scattered and
dispirited enemy any further through the mountains, and went into camp
at Huttonville and Laurel Hill, to await the next call to duty. General
McClellan closed his dispatch of July 14th, with the words, “I firmly
believe that secession is killed in this section of the country.”
During the battle an incident illustrating the coolness, bravery and
generosity of Colonel Lander towards a brave foeman occurred, that
deserves honorable mention. The horse of the Colonel had been shot from
under him, and he, dismounted, had taken his stand upon a rock directly
in front of a rebel gun. Discharging musket after musket, as fast as
they could be loaded for him, he remained a noted mark for the enemy to
shoot at. At a short distance, all the men belonging to a cannon of the
Confederates had been shot down or fled, and their Lieutenant was
undauntedly serving and firing it, single-handed. Three times had it
belched forth flame and ball, when Colonel Lander, noticing the bravery
of the man, called out to him—
“If you fire that gun again you are a dead man!”
“Sir, I shall fire it as long as I have life in my body!” was the cool,
fearless and curt reply.
This was an instance of noble courage well calculated to be appreciated
by a true soldier, and the Union Colonel, leaping from the rock, shouted
to his men—
“Boys, that is too brave a man for me to kill.”
* * * * *
On the 21st of July the Federal army under General McDowell, having
suffered severely, and retreated from Manassas, General McClellan, who
by his achievements had earned a brilliant prestige, was ordered, on the
22d, to Washington, to take command of the Department of the Potomac,
and General Rosecranz was appointed to succeed him in the Department of
the Ohio.
THE WEST.
Comprehended within the boundaries of that noble portion of our country
called “The West,” is a people who can justly claim to be not only of
the best muscle and nerve of the land, but second to none in
intellectual vigor and sterling integrity of character. A single thought
tells us how just this claim is. The West was settled by the picked men
and women of the old States. When the sloping-roofed farmhouses of New
England became too circumscribed for the sons and daughters that filled
them, the most enterprising members of a household left the rest to till
the homestead acres while they went forth into the wilderness to cut the
forest trees away, and let sunshine into the shadowy bosom of the woods,
to build their log cabins in the first clearing, and so work out a sure
independence for themselves, as they became benefactors to the world.
In the end both position and wealth followed these daring pioneers. As
the roving Indian slowly retreated from the frontier which was
stretching westward every hour, sweeping the wilderness away with it, he
found the rich earth lavish of her returns for his self-sacrifice and
his labor. He drank in enlargement of thought and purpose from amid the
luxuriant prairies and vast wilderness which spread its untrodden bosom
between his home and the Rocky Mountains. He watched the Father of
Rivers cleaving the best portions of a continent with his broad waters,
and drank in lessons of true freedom which will never lose their value
to his descendants. With a rifle for his companion and an axe for his
best friend, the backwoodsman of America learned the art of border
warfare, and trained himself in a school of hardship that made his
sinews firm as iron and capable of resisting any fatigue.
With hearts and minds expanding with the boundless scenes around them,
these adventurous men grew so careless of danger that the word fear was
blotted from their lexicon long before the present generation came into
existence.
Is it strange that the descendants of such men should be open-handed,
grand-hearted and brave, as we have found them in this war for our
common Union? The enthusiasm of the old men who have dropped quietly
away into their western graves, has broken forth anew in this younger
generation. Like a spark of fire dropped upon a prairie in the autumn,
their enthusiasm is easily enkindled. A single word against the old
flag, one sacrilegious touch upon its flagstaff, was enough to rouse
them into action. Nowhere on earth is the stars and stripes held more
sacred than in the West. The first ball that cut through the flag at
Fort Sumter aroused the old pioneer blood into determined and terrible
resistance.
The history of the Mexican war is a record of what western men can do on
the battle-field—charges at which even their countrymen who knew them
wondered—sufferings patiently endured, marches that taxed the
strongest—all these things have proved of what true metal the West is
made. With war-wreaths dyed in blood at Cerro Gordo, baptized in fire at
Chapultepec, and rendered immortal at Buena Vista, these men were not
likely to see their own Government turned upon without rising as one man
to defend it.
Through the golden grain and the rustling cornfields of the West, the
news of the bombardment of Sumter, the attack at Baltimore, and the call
of the President, rushed like one of its own tornadoes from city to
village, from farm-house to cabin. The news ran and the answer came
thunder-toned. The old man took down his rifle from the antler bracket
on the cabin wall. His son left the plow in its furrow, and all classes
and conditions of men came forward with brave hearts and ready hands,
and laid them on the altar of their country.
The watchfires of freedom were kindled, and on every hill and through
the valleys poured a tide of armed men, unconquerable and resistless.
These western men took the field, ready at once for the deadly strife.
Their entire lives had been one incessant training for the hardships and
dangers of war. They had but one regret—that their march was against
brothers armed against the nation—all else was merged in the glorious
thought that they, the very children of liberty, had the power to yield
up everything, even life, and home, that a great country should be
maintained in every inch of its soil and every right of its people.
Long had the great West toiled to feed the starving nations of the
earth. Long had she poured from her overflowing storehouses countless
millions of food into the waiting lap of the needy manufacturing
countries. From her great wealth of food she had always been ready to
feed the world. When the war-cry aroused her, she was just as strong and
just as prompt to fight the world. The national honor was hers to
reverence and avenge. The old flag—its emblem and its glory—who should
spring to its rescue if not the West? Did not a chain of crystal lakes
crown her at the north, clasped together by the eternal emeralds of
Niagara? Was not the Mississippi, her great highway to the gulf, a
mighty thoroughfare, which no force should wrest from her while she had
power to hold its banks with serried walls of steel? Was this river, the
pathway of her greatness, one source of her renown, to be blocked up
while she could cleave her own mountains asunder, and force them to give
forth iron for gunboats, or gather lead from her bosom to mould into
bullets? Not while these people could turn their workshops into
manufactories of war-missiles, and their prairie steeds into chargers,
should an enemy—brother or stranger—take one right from the West by
force. This was the stern resolve of our pioneer men when the
war-trumpet rang over the prairies of the West, and quick to act as
prompt to resolve, her people arose as one man. There was no cavil about
trifles then. Her fertile fields were stripped of their wealth, and her
prairies of their cattle to furnish food—not alone to furnish food for
themselves, but for the armies of the East. Soon her rivers swarmed with
iron-clad gunboats, and her railways became military roads—her cities
tented fields, her palaces recruiting offices, her cabins free homes for
soldiers when their faces turned toward the war.
The West was impatient of nothing but delay—but she chafed wildly at any
obstacle that impeded the progress of her armies.
How well these men have fought, and with what heroism they have
suffered, let the record we are about to make of Henry, Donelson,
Pittsburgh Landing, and many another bravely contested point, answer.
Let the noble hearts stilled in death, and countless graves upon which
the tender grass is now springing, answer.
With battle songs on their lips they marched away from their homes, with
battle cries upon their lips many of them fell gloriously, never to see
those homes again. If the West has been brave in war, so will she prove
generous when Peace shall come. The nation they have helped to save, and
those in revolt, when true brotherhood comes back, will yet give the
West a monument worthy of its fame.
MISSOURI.
The geographical position of Missouri is such, that if thrown into the
scale, she would weigh heavily either for or against the Union. When the
war broke out her people were divided, though the majority were believed
to be loyal to the Constitution; and when the Governor refused to meet
the requisition of the President for troops to sustain the national
flag, Hon. Frank P. Blair and other prominent citizens of the State,
replied, on their personal responsibility, that the quota of four
regiments should be raised, without either the aid of the Governor or
his consent. In order to give character and legality to their
proceedings, and to guard against the power of the State rulers, Captain
Nathaniel Lyon, of the United States army, then in command of the
Arsenal at St. Louis, was directed by the Government, on the 30th of
April, to enrol in the military service of the United States, from the
loyal citizens of the city and vicinity, 10,000 men, for the purpose of
maintaining the authority of the Government—for the protection of the
peaceable inhabitants of Missouri, and to guard against any attempt on
the part of the secessionists to gain military possession of the city of
St. Louis. Captain Lyon was also instructed that this force should be
disbanded when the emergency ceased to exist.
Recruiting offices were opened, under his direction, the loyal citizens
were prompt in their response, and on the 2d of May, Colonel F. B. Blair
announced that the four regiments called for from that State had been
enrolled, equipped, and mustered into service.
The Police Commissioners of St. Louis had called upon Captain Lyon, on
the opening of recruiting stations, and demanded the removal of the
United States troops from all places and buildings occupied by them in
the city outside of the Arsenal grounds, but he declined compliance, and
the Commissioners referred the matter to the Governor and the
Legislature, alleging that such occupancy was derogatory to the
Constitution of the United States—that Missouri had “sovereign and
exclusive jurisdiction over her entire territory,” and had delegated a
portion of that territory only (the Arsenals, etc.,) to the United
States for military purposes.
CAPTURE OF CAMP JACKSON.
In response to Governor Jackson’s order directing the military in
certain districts to go into encampments for the purpose of improvement
in the tactics of war, a camp had been formed at Lindell’s Grove, in the
suburbs of St. Louis, called “Camp Jackson.” On the 4th of May it was
inaugurated, under the charge of General D. M. Frost, and within a week
numbered 800 men. Having received intelligence that it was the purpose
of Captain Lyon to break up this encampment, General Frost addressed him
a letter, dissuasive in its tone—disclaiming any intention on the part
of himself and men of hostility to the Government, and containing an
offer to preserve the public peace and guard the property of the United
States.
The answer to this, was the surrounding of the camp by 5,000 Federal
troops, and the following notice from Captain Lyon: