Laurel Hill is a plateau situated to the right of Rich Mountain, the
pass of which was occupied by Governor Wise, with a small force.
In the early part of July, General McClelland, in command of the Federal
troops, made a demonstration on our front. Our position was somewhat
fortified by breastworks; the enemy came in close proximity to our camp
and kept us on the Qui-vive; their guns were of long range, while ours
would not carry over fifty yards. Picket duties were performed by whole
companies, taking possession of the surrounding commanding hills. Many
shots hissed in close proximity, without our being able to locate the
direction from which they came, and without our even being able to hear
the report of the guns. Very little damage, however, was done, except by
some stray ball, now and then. It was the writer's time to stand guard,
not far in front of the camp, his beat was alongside the ditches. In
front of me the enemy had planted a cannon. The shots came at regular
intervals in direct line with my beat, but the shots fell somewhat
short, by about fifty to seventy-five yards. I saw many hit the ground.
When Lieutenant Colonel Clark, came round on a tour of inspection, I
remarked, "Colonel, am I placed here as a target to be shot at by those
fellows yonder. One of their shots came rather close for comfort." He
said, "Take your beat in the ditch, and when you see the smoke, tuck
your head below the breastworks"--which was three and one-half feet deep
the dirt drawn towards the front, which protected me up to my shoulders.
For nearly two hours, until relieved, I kept close watch for the smoke
of their gun, which I approximated was about a mile distant, and there I
learned that it took the report of the cannon eight seconds to reach me
after seeing the smoke, and the whiz of the missile four seconds later
still; this gave me about twelve seconds to dodge the ball--anyhow, I
was very willing when relief came, for the other fellow to take my
place. In the afternoon, minnie balls rather multipherous, were hissing
among the boys in camp, but up to that time there was no damage done,
when a cavalryman came in and reported that some of the enemy was
occupying an old log house situated about a half mile in front of us,
and it was there through the cracks of that building came the missiles
that made the fellows dodge about. General Garnett, our Commander,
ordered out two companies of infantry, who, taking a long detour
through the woods placed themselves in position to receive them as they
emerged from the building, and with two pieces of artillery, sent balls
and shells through their improvised fort. Out came the "Yanks" only to
fall into the hands of those ready to give them a warm reception.
On that evening, three days rations were issued. At dark it commenced
drizzling rain; we were ordered to strike camp, and we took up the line
of march to the rear, when I learned that the enemy had whipped out
Governor Wise's forces on Rich Mountain and threatened our rear. We
marched the whole of that night, only to find our retreat to Beverly
blockaded by the enemy who had felled many trees across the road, the
only turn pike leading to that place.
We had to retrace our steps for several miles, and take what is known as
mountain trail, leading in a different direction, marching all day. The
night again, which was dark and dreary multiplied our misgivings. The
path we followed, was as stated, a narrow mountain path, on the left
insurmountable mountains, while on the right very deep precipices; many
teams that left the rut on account of the darkness, were precipitated
down the precipices and abandoned. Thus, after two nights and one day of
steady marching, we arrived at Carricks' Ford, a fordable place on the
north fork of the Potomac River. The water was breast-deep, and we went
into it like ducks, when of a sudden, the Yankees appeared, firing into
our column. They struck us about and along the wagon train, capturing
the same, while the advance column stampeded. We lost our regimental
colors, which were in the baggage wagon, in charge of G. W. Kelly, who
abandoned it with all the Company's effects, to save himself.
Colonel Ramsey, in fact all our officers were elected on account of
their cleverness at home. This being a strictly agricultural country,
the men and officers knew more about farming than about military
tactics. Colonel Ramsey was an eminent lawyer of Columbus, Georgia. He
gave the command, "Georgian, retreat," and the rout was complete. It was
a great mistake that the Government did not assign military men to take
charge in active campaigns; many blunders might have been evaded and
many lives spared at the beginning of the war.
One half of my regiment was assigned as rear guards and marched
therefore, in the rear of the column behind the wagon train. We were
consequently left to take care of ourselves the best we could. General
Garnett was killed in the melee. Had we had officers who understood
anything about military tactics, these reminiscences might be told
differently.
As soon as we heard firing in our front, we at once formed ourselves
into line of battle, in a small corn patch across the stream, on our
immediate right, at the foot of a high mountain. It seemed to have been
new ground and the corn was luxuriantly thick. The logs that were there
were rolled into line, thus serving as terraces, and also afforded us
splendid breastworks. We were hardly in position, when artillery troops
appeared and crossed the ford, not seventy-five yards from where we were
in line, seeing them, without being seen ourselves. Major Harvey
Thompson, who was in Command of our forces, which were not over four
hundred and fifty strong, seeing some men making ready to fire, gave
orders not to fire, as they were our own men crossing the stream, and
thus lost the opportunity of making himself famous, for it proved to be
the enemy's artillery in our immediate front. Had he given orders to
fire and charge, we could have been on them before they could possibly
have formed themselves into battery, captured their guns, killed and
captured many of their men, and would have turned into victory what
proved to have become a disastrous defeat.
Thus being cut off from our main forces, who were in full retreat, and
fearing to be captured, we climbed the mountain in our rear, expecting
to cut across in a certain direction, and rejoin our forces some
distance beyond. Thus began a dreary march of three days and four nights
in a perfect wilderness, soaked to the bone and nothing to eat, cutting
our way through the heavy growth of laurel bushes, we had to take it in
Indian file, in single column.
Many pathetic instances came to my observation; some reading testaments,
others taking from their breast-pocket, next to their heart, pictures of
loved ones, dropping tears of despair, as they mournfully returned them
to their receptacle. An instance which impressed itself forcibly on my
mind, was the filial affection displayed between father and son, and in
which the writer put to good use, the Biblical story of King Solomon,
where two women claimed the same child, but in this instance neither
wanted to claim. It was thus: Captain Jones found a piece of tallow
candle about one inch long in his haversack, and presented it to his
son, Weaver, saying, "Eat that, son, it will sustain life;" "No, father,
you eat it, I am younger than you, and stronger, and therefore can hold
out longer." There they stood looking affectionately at each other, the
Captain holding the piece of candle between his fingers. So I said,
"Captain, hand it to me, I will divide it for you." Having my knife in
hand, I cut it lengthwise, following the wick, giving each half, and
passing the blade between my lips. It was the first taste of anything
the writer had had in four days.