OPERATIONS IN MIDDLE AND WESTERN VIRGINIA IN 1864.
At the opening of the campaign for this year, a force of thirty-one thousand men, under command of Major-General Sigel, was held for the protection of West Virginia, and the frontiers of Maryland and Pennsylvania. While these troops could not be withdrawn to distant fields without exposing the North to invasion by comparatively small bodies of the enemy, they could act directly to their front and thus give better protection than if lying idle in garrison. By such movements they could compel the enemy to detach largely for the protection of his supplies and lines of communication.
General Sigel was directed by General Grant to organize all his available force into two expeditions, to move from Beverly and Charleston, under command of Generals Ord and Crook, against the East Tennessee and Virginia railroad. Subsequently, General Ord having been relieved at his own request, General Sigel was instructed to give up the expedition by Beverly and to form two columns, one under General Crook, on the Kanawha, numbering about ten thousand men, and one on the Shenandoah, numbering about seven thousand men. The one on the Shenandoah to assemble between Cumberland and the Shenandoah, and the infantry and artillery to advance to Cedar creek with such cavalry as could be made available at that moment, to threaten the enemy in the Shenandoah valley, and advance as far as possible; while General Crook would take possession of Lewisburg with part of his force and move down the Tennessee railroad, doing as much damage as he could, destroying the New river bridge and the salt-works at Saltville, Va.
These movements of the Kanawha and Shenandoah valleys, under General Sigel, commenced on the 1st of May. General Crook, who had the immediate command of the Kanawha expedition, divided his forces into two columns, giving one, composed of cavalry, to General Averill. They crossed the mountains by separate routes. General Averill’s force comprised two thousand cavalry. He started on the 1st of May, with three days’ rations and two days’ forage, and moved day and night over mountain paths until the evening of the 8th, when a cavalry force of the enemy was encountered near Jeffersonville, Va. After a slight engagement with the enemy, General Averill made a detour by way of Princeton. On the 9th he left Tazewell Court House for Wytheville, in order to cut the railroad thirty miles lower down than the point where General Crook’s command was to strike. Averill reached Cove Mountain Gap, near Wytheville, on the 10th, where he learned that the enemy were then in possession of the latter place. A conflict ensued, in which General Averill sustained a heavy loss and was prevented from forming a junction with General Crook at Dublin Station, as first proposed. He however accomplished the main object of his expedition, and proceeding to New river and Christiansburg, he destroyed the railroad, several important bridges and depots, including New river bridge, and formed a junction with Crook at Union on the 15th.
The rebel General Morgan commanded the troops encountered by General Averill. General Morgan had made a forced march from Saltville, on learning of Averill’s expedition, and arrived at Wytheville in advance of the latter commander, and thus saved that town and its valuable lead mines from destruction.
The division under General Crook, which started from Charleston simultaneously with General Averill’s command, consisted of the Twenty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-sixth Ohio, forming the first brigade; the Twelfth and Ninety-first Ohio, Ninth and Fourteenth Virginia, forming the second brigade; the third and Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves, Eleventh and Fifteenth Virginia, forming the third brigade.
General Crook’s first object was to strike the Virginia and Tennessee railroad at Dublin Station, where, forming a junction with Averill, he hoped to be able to march to Lynchburg, and capture that important town, the possession of which was vital to the sustenance of Lee’s army. He proceeded without opposition nearly to Princeton, where two companies of the enemy, one of cavalry and one of infantry, were encountered and driven off. Near the southwestern base of Lloyd’s Mountain, about four miles from Dublin depot, a more considerable force of the enemy was found. These were under the command of General Jenkins. In the engagement which ensued, that officer was killed, and the command of the rebel forces was then assumed by General McCausland. After some skirmishing, the enemy were attacked in front and flank and driven through Dublin to New river bridge. The Federal loss was one hundred and twenty-six killed, and five hundred and eighty-five wounded; and that of the enemy was severe, but unknown. On the next day an attack was made on the enemy’s position near the bridge, which was destroyed. The expedition proceeded as far as Newberne, on the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, ninety-nine miles from Bristol, destroying the railroad for some distance. The resistance of the enemy, with the approach of a strong force under General Morgan, caused General Crook to withdraw to Meadow Bluff, in Greenbrier county.
General Sigel, with fifteen thousand men, moved up the Shenandoah valley to New Market, about fifty miles from Winchester. This movement, like that of the Kanawha valley, was designed to occupy Gordonsville and Lynchburg, thus destroying the western communication of Lee’s army.
The Confederate authorities were early apprised of General Sigel’s movements, and General Breckinridge was dispatched in great haste with all the troops he could muster, to meet Sigel’s army.
The advance forces of the two armies encountered each other on the 13th of May, and skirmishing ensued, which continued throughout the following day, Saturday, and also on Sunday. General Sigel had not yet been able to bring up all his force, but took position at three P. M., on the 15th, when the enemy immediately moved to the attack. A severe engagement now ensued, which resulted in the defeat and discomfiture of Sigel’s army, who fell back in great disorder, abandoning his hospitals and destroying a portion of his train, and retreated to Cedar Creek, near Strasburg. The Federals lost seven hundred men, one thousand stand of arms, and six pieces of artillery.
By the result of this movement the Union commander incurred the displeasure of General Grant, who asked the removal of General Sigel from command, which was done, and Major-General Hunter was appointed to supersede him.
General Hunter’s instructions were embraced in the following dispatches to Major-General H. W. Halleck, Chief of staff of the army:
“Near Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 20, 1864.
“The enemy are evidently relying for supplies greatly on such as are brought over the branch road running through Staunton. On the whole, therefore, I think it would be better for General Hunter to move in that direction, and reach Staunton and Gordonsville or Charlottesville, if he does not meet too much opposition. If he can hold at bay a force equal to his own, he will be doing good service.
“If Hunter can possibly get to Charlottesville and Lynchburg, he should do so, living on the country. The railroads and canal should be destroyed beyond possibility of repairs for weeks. Completing this, he could find his way back to his original base, or from about Gordonsville join this army.
“U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.
“Major-General H. W. Halleck.”
BATTLE OF PIEDMONT, VA.
June 5, 1864.
General Hunter immediately took up the offensive, and moving up the Shenandoah valley, met the enemy on the 5th of June at Piedmont, and after a well-contested battle of ten hours, routed and defeated him, capturing on the field of battle one thousand five hundred men, three pieces of artillery, and three hundred stand of small arms.
On the 8th of the same month Hunter formed a junction with Crook and Averill at Staunton, from which place he moved direct on Lynchburg, via Lexington, which place he reached and invested on the 16th day of June. Up to this time he was very successful, and but for the difficulty of taking with him sufficient ordnance stores over so long a march, through a hostile country, he would no doubt have captured that, to the enemy, important point. The destruction of the enemy’s supplies and manufactories was very great. To meet this movement under General Hunter, General Lee sent a force, perhaps equal to a corps, a part of which reached Lynchburg a short time before Hunter. After some skirmishing on the 17th and 18th, General Hunter, owing to a want of ammunition to give battle, retired from before the place. Unfortunately, this want of ammunition left him no choice of route for his return but by way of Kanawha. This lost to the country the use of his troops for several weeks from the defence of the north; at a period, too, when they were urgently needed.
Had General Hunter moved by way of Charlottesville, instead of Lexington, as his instructions contemplated, he would have been in a position to have covered the Shenandoah valley against the enemy, should the force he met have seemed to endanger it. If it did not, he would have been within easy distance of the James river canal, on the main line of communication between Lynchburg and the force sent for its defence. General Grant says: “I have never taken exception to the operations of General Hunter and I am not now disposed to find fault with him, for I have no doubt he acted within what he conceived to be the spirit of his instructions and the interest of the service. The promptitude of his movements and his gallantry should entitle him to the commendation of his country.”
As soon as it was ascertained by the enemy that General Hunter was retreating from Lynchburg by way of the Kanawha river, thus laying the Shenandoah valley open for raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania, he returned northward, and moved down that valley. When this movement of the rebels was ascertained, General Hunter, who had reached the Kanawha river, was directed to move his troops without delay, by river and railroad, to Harper’s Ferry; but owing to the difficulty of navigation by reason of low water and breaks in the railroad, great delay was experienced in getting there. It became necessary, therefore, to find other troops to check this movement of the enemy. For this purpose General Grant detailed the Sixth corps, taken from the armies operating against Richmond, to which was added the Nineteenth corps, then fortunately beginning to arrive in Hampton Roads from the Gulf department, under orders issued immediately after the result of the Red river expedition had become known. The garrisons of Baltimore and Washington were at this time made up of heavy artillery regiments, hundred-days’ men, and detachments from the invalid corps. One division under command of General Ricketts, of the Sixth corps, was sent to Baltimore, and the remaining two divisions of the Sixth corps, under General Wright, were subsequently sent to Washington.
On the 3d of July the enemy approached Martinsburg. General Sigel, who was in command of the Federal forces there, retreated across the Potomac at Shepardstown; and General Weber, commanding at Harper’s Ferry, crossed the river and occupied Maryland heights. On the sixth, the enemy occupied Hagerstown, moving a strong column towards Frederick city. General Wallace, with Rickett’s division and his own command, the latter mostly new and undisciplined troops, pushed out from Baltimore with great promptness, and met the enemy in force on the Monocacy, near the crossing of the railroad bridge. A spirited engagement took place, but owing to the inferiority of General Wallace’s command in numbers and discipline, he was unable to withstand the rebel army, and the Federal arms suffered defeat. An important result was gained, however, for the rebel army was checked in its onward march, and sufficient time gained to enable General Wright, with two divisions of the Sixth corps, and the advance of the Nineteenth corps to reach Washington, and guard the national capital from the peril which was threatening it. General Wallace was warmly commended by the commander-in-chief, for his courage and promptness in meeting the enemy at that important crisis.
Great alarm was now manifested in Baltimore and Washington, which was heightened by the daring and success of numerous raiding parties from Early’s command, who spread themselves in all directions, carrying off horses and cattle, and levying contributions from the inhabitants. Darnestown, in Maryland, was visited by one party, and Brestown, sixteen miles from Baltimore, by another. A third party swept round Baltimore, inflicting damage on the Northern Central railroad, while a fourth reached the Baltimore and Philadelphia railroad, stopped the train, and robbed the passengers, capturing Major-General Franklin, who was a traveller in citizen’s dress. The house of Governor Bradford, of Maryland, within five miles of Washington, was burned by Early’s soldiers.
From Monocacy, General Early, the Confederate chief, marched direct for Washington, his cavalry advance reaching Rockville on the evening of the 10th. General Wright, who had now reached the outer defences of Washington, was placed in command of all the forces that could be made available to operate against the enemy in the field, and made preparations to advance and meet Early, with the design of forcing him to battle, or of pursuing him as far as prudence would warrant.
A reconnoissance was thrown out from Fort Stevens on the 12th of July, and the enemy was soon discovered in force. A short but severe engagement ensued in which only a small portion of the Union forces were engaged; but the enemy were soon put to flight, and Early commenced a retreat, vigorously pursued by the Federal troops. The Union loss in this engagement was about two hundred and eighty in killed and wounded; while the rebel loss was probably somewhat greater. On the 13th a portion of Early’s forces were overtaken at Snicker’s Gap, where a sharp skirmish occurred. On the 20th, another portion of the rebel army was confronted at Winchester, by General Averill’s command, in which the enemy was engaged and defeated, with the loss of several hundred prisoners and four pieces of artillery.
The protracted absence of General Hunter’s corps on his unsuccessful expedition to Lynchburg, encouraged the rebel forces in the valley to attempt another raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania. The enemy moved down the valley, and on the 30th of July, a raiding party burned Chambersburg in Pennsylvania, and then retreated towards Cumberland, pursued by the Federal cavalry. Near that point they were met and defeated by General Kelly, and then, with diminished numbers, they made their escape into the mountains of Western Virginia.
During the whole of these movements in the months of June and July, in the department of Western Virginia, Washington, Susquehannah, and the Middle Department, much confusion arose from the rebel forces invading so many points where they were brought in conflict alternately with different, and independent Federal commanders, who all received their instructions and reported to the General-in-chief, or through General Halleck at Washington. From the time of the first raid the telegraph wires were frequently down between Washington and City Point, making it necessary to transmit messages a part of the way by boat. It took from twenty-four to thirty-six hours to get dispatches through and return answers back; so that often orders would be given, and then information would be received showing a different state of facts from those on which they were based, causing a confusion and apparent contradiction of orders that must have considerably embarrassed those who had to execute them, and rendered operations against the enemy less effective than they otherwise would have been. To remedy this evil, it was recommended by General Grant that one general should be appointed to have supreme command of all the forces actively engaged in the field in those departments. On the 2d of August, General Grant ordered General Sheridan to report in person to Major-General Halleck, chief-of-staff, at Washington, with a view to his assignment to the command of all the forces against Early.
At this time the enemy was concentrated in the neighborhood of Winchester. General Hunter’s forces at that time were posted on the Monocacy, at the crossing of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Before any definite orders were given in relation to army movements, General Grant paid a visit to General Hunter at his headquarters, and gave definite written instructions for the coming campaign. General Hunter having expressed a willingness to be relieved of command, General Sheridan was telegraphed to join General Grant at Monocacy.
On the 7th of August the middle department and the departments of West Virginia, Washington, and Susquehanna were constituted into the “Middle military division,” and Major-General Sheridan was assigned to command of the same.
Two divisions of cavalry, commanded by Generals Torbert and Wilson, were sent to Sheridan from the Army of the Potomac. The first reached him at Harper’s Ferry about the 11th of August.
General Sheridan was confronted by a rebel force of about twenty thousand men. Although a much larger force than this was at his disposal, yet the numerous points that lay exposed to the incursions of the enemy prevented the Federal commander from concentrating his army for offensive operations, and the movements of the campaign for the first month were of a desultory character.
On the 11th of August a detachment of Federal cavalry encountered the enemy a few miles beyond Winchester, and engaged him for two hours, with a loss to the Unionists of thirty men. Some infantry supports coming up, the contest was continued from eleven o’clock till two, when the rebels were driven from their position, but not until they had inflicted severe loss on the Federals. The enemy were followed the next day to Cedar creek, a few miles from Strasburg, where, from a strong position, they resisted the Union advance throughout the day, but retreated at nightfall, when the Federals pursued, and entered Strasburg.
On the 15th, Colonel Mosby, the noted rebel guerrilla, made a foray through Snicker’s Gap, and succeeded in capturing a Federal supply train, which he carried off in safety, securing seventy-five wagons, two hundred prisoners, six hundred horses, and two hundred beeves.
Not knowing the extent or character of the rebel forces in their rear, the Federals became alarmed, and beat a hasty retreat to Winchester, destroying many of their stores, which they were unable to remove in their flight. Being closely followed by the rebels, the Unionists continued their retreat to Harper’s Ferry, fearful that Longstreet’s army had reinforced Early.
On the 21st of August, General Sheridan had posted his army on an important eminence called Summit Point, two miles out from Charlestown, where he was attacked by General Early on that day, the fight lasting from ten o’clock till dark, when the Federals were defeated, losing three hundred men. They were compelled to retreat to Bolivar Heights.
During all this time, General Sheridan was restrained from inaugurating any decisive movement against the enemy, owing to the important points which it was necessary for him to cover, and which would be jeopardized, should any serious misfortune befall his army. At a conference held on the 15th of September, at Charleston, between Generals Grant and Sheridan, it was determined that an immediate advance should be made on the enemy. General Sheridan, always noted for the celerity of his movements, took the field in less time than General Grant thought it possible for him to be in readiness, and at 3 o’clock on Monday, the 18th, the troops marched to meet the foe.
BATTLE OF OPEQUAN CREEK, VA.
September 19, 1864.
The rebel army was intrenched from the Opequan Creek to Winchester, in the vicinity of Bunker Hill. The Federal troops advanced rapidly up the valley through a narrow defile, designing to deploy beyond the gorge before attacking the rebels, who were stationed in force in a ravine whose sides were thickly wooded and steep, and bordered on the south by a ridge of high hills. Early’s plan was to allow a portion of the Unionists to pass along the ravine, and then attack before the remainder could march through the narrow defile and take part in the conflict.
At ten o’clock in the morning, the Sixth corps emerged through the ravine, and filing to the left in two columns, occupied some rifle-pits and a wood on the enemy’s right, without opposition. A portion of the Nineteenth corps and Rickett’s division now advanced and occupied the centre, where they met a most determined resistance from the enemy, but maintained their position against several furious charges of the rebels, in which severe loss was suffered on both sides. Grover’s division passed through the defile at eleven o’clock, and pressing immediately into action, afforded welcome assistance to their exhausted comrades-in-arms. An immense body of the rebels, hitherto lying concealed, now advanced with loud shouts against the Union columns, and for a time there was great danger that Sheridan would suffer defeat before he could bring the whole of his force into action. The rebel columns bore down on Grover and Ricketts, and poured volley after volley into their unflinching ranks, until finally Rickett’s division wavered, and was driven back along the Berryville and Winchester road towards the mouth of the gorge. Many regiments for the time lost their organization, and Early’s stern veterans pursued vigorously their advantage, already confident of the overthrow of the Federal forces. The patriot commanders exerted themselves to the utmost to stay the retreat of the panic-stricken troops. A section of the First Maine battery availed itself of a favorable position, and finally General Grover, assisted by his officers and others of Emery’s command succeeded in opposing an unbroken front to the advancing Confederates, and very soon the First division of the Nineteenth corps, emerged from the defile, and again the entire army was rallied and valorously contesting the field with their opponents.
The undulating nature of the ground, and the dense woods which obstructed the view on all sides, shut out the scene of conflict from all the participants, who could only take cognizance of what was transpiring in their immediate vicinity, and remained in ignorance of the destiny of the battle in other portions of the field. It was a wild, chaotic scene. The battle was now raging with the greatest fury, and was urged with great desperation by both parties.
One regiment, the One Hundred and Fourteenth New York, suffered a loss of one hundred and eighty-eight men in killed and wounded, more than half their effective force brought into the field. The battle raged over many miles of rugged country—of steep hills and stony ravines, dense groves and tall grass.
Crook’s division executed a brilliant flank movement about three o’clock in the afternoon, from the extreme right of the Federal lines, for which the enemy seemed to be fully prepared. The battle at that point was for a time of the most desperate character; and the prolonged and heavy firing from that quarter, which appeared to deaden the noise from the many lesser points of attack and defence, excited much anxiety in the minds of all for the issue. But the gallant charge of Crook’s troops upon the very stronghold of the enemy, became the signal for the advance of the whole Federal line; and an impetuous charge now took place, which the rebels found it impossible to resist, and they were soon routed with great slaughter, and driven back into the woods.
The Federal cavalry now came forward, and dashing upon Early’s disordered regiments, scattered them wildly in all directions, and drove in their prisoners in large numbers. The Federals captured five thousand prisoners, five cannon, and six thousand small arms. The entire rebel loss must have exceeded seven thousand men.
BATTLE OF FISHER’S HILL, VA.
September 21, 1864.
Though badly defeated, the strength of General Early’s army was not broken. He retreated up the valley beyond Strasburg, and on the succeeding day, the Federal advance found the rebels confronting them on a strong position known as Fisher’s Hill. After a thorough reconnoissance General Sheridan at once determined to attack the enemy in his intrenchments.
Early’s forces lay on the north fork of the Shenandoah river, with his left on North Mountain, his line extending across the Strasburg Valley.
The attack was made by Sheridan on the 21st of September, and the combat lasted with varying success until evening, when the Confederates were driven from their intrenchments in great confusion, leaving the line of their retreat strewed with the debris of a routed army.
Eleven hundred prisoners and sixteen cannon were the fruits of this victory, besides an immense quantity of wagons, caissons, horses and camp stores. Sheridan pursued him with great energy through Harrisonburg, Staunton, and the gaps of the Blue Ridge. After stripping the upper valley of most of the supplies and provisions for the rebel army, he returned to Strasburg, and took position on the north side of Cedar Creek.
Having received considerable reinforcements, General Early again returned to the valley, and on the 9th of October his cavalry encountered General Sheridan’s near Strasburg, where the rebels were defeated with the loss of eleven pieces of artillery, and three hundred and fifty prisoners.
During the interim of the defeat of the rebels and the return of Early, with reinforcements, General Sheridan, not anticipating important movements, had gone to Washington, and was on his return to the army at the time of Early’s advance. The Union army was posted on Cedar Creek, behind breastworks, in a line of four or five miles in extent, while the rebel camp was about four miles distant. Custer’s cavalry on the right, was assailed on the 16th, but after a severe skirmish the enemy were driven back.
BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK, VA.
October 19, 1864.
On the night of the eighteenth, General Kershaw, of the rebel army, 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.
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.
At Kingsport Gillem captured Duke’s train, and at Bristol Burbridge captured another large train, loaded with supplies. In the fight on the 16th, Gillem captured all of Vaughn’s train, about seventy-five wagons; and on the 20th Colonel Wade captured, near Saltville, a supply train of fifteen wagons, with ninety mules and seventy-five negroes.