The Comanches: A History of White's Battalion, Virginia Cavalry

by Frank M. Myers

Jackson instantly ordered his artillery up, and very soon the enterprising “boys in blue” were compelled to change their position, thus leaving the bridge open to the Confederates, and General Jackson’s old Division crossed the river, followed slowly by that of Gen. Ewell, with whom White’s cavalry moved.

Immediately on reaching the east bank, the line of battle was formed, and the fight commenced, and as soon as everything[everything] had crossed the bridge it was fired, cutting off Fremont’s army from that of Shields, and with it a company of the 6th Va. Cavalry, which acted as rear guard and was compelled to swim the river.

Here was begun and carried through to complete success one of the most brilliant displays of generalship witnessed during the war, or, in fact, in any war of modern times.

“Stonewall” had not only eluded the superior force of Fremont, but had actually whipped him, almost in cannon shot of his colleague, on the 8th, and now, on the 9th of June, was massing all his troops and crushing the army of that colleague—(Gen. Shields)—while Fremont, with his troops formed in battle-ranks on the hill-sides bordering the Shenandoah, was unable to do more than look at the battle and see the army of Shields annihilated; while, without a guard, and just in his front, moved the long train composed of all of Jackson’s wagons, all of Ewell’s and nearly every one of Banks’, besides some of his own; and standing still in all the circumstance and panoply of war, the blazing bridge cutting off his last and only means of doing harm to his wily foe, the savage Gen. Fremont, in pitiful helplessness and vindictive vandalism, could only fire his guns upon the empty town of Port Republic.

By 10 o’clock the battle was over and Shields flying down the river with the scattered remnant of his army, which Gen. Jackson only followed for nine miles when he returned to look after his trains and captures.

The enemy had lost all of his artillery, consisting of about fifteen guns, all of his wagons and a great number of prisoners, besides many killed and wounded, for Shields fought with more obstinacy than Fremont, although the latter had considerably more force than his adversary—Gen. Ewell—while Shields had an inferior one to the combined troops of Jackson and Ewell.

The couriers had very warm and exciting work to-day, as is usual on the battle-field, but although many narrow escapes were made not one was wounded, and they captured a full company of Ohio infantry.

Lieut. Myers was sent by Gen. Jackson, during the heat of the battle, with a dispatch to Col. Munford to charge, with his cavalry, a battery which was doing heavy execution, and remained with the Colonel until the enemy’s lines broke up in full retreat, when he rejoined Gen. Jackson and kept with him in the nine mile pursuit, which caused him to be the recipient of another scolding from Gen. Ewell, who informed him that he was no courier for Gen. Jackson, and that his business was to keep his (Ewell’s) Division supplied with couriers, and to obey his orders and nobody else’s. It is needless to say that the lesson was laid to heart and closely followed thereafter.

The army bivouacked in Brown’s Gap that night, and the next day the usual rain storm which follows a battle poured down upon them, as they still waited to see and do whatever “Old Stonewall” might decide upon as best for them; and two days after, the great commander put his people in camp at Mount Meridian, where, for several very beautiful June days, the troops passed away the time, fishing and bathing in the blue Shenandoah, and visiting the wonderful Weyer’s Cave, while each day a regular detail was made to go to Port Republic and “make believe” build a bridge as if Jackson intended to try another campaign down the Valley, when, in reality, he was preparing to march his army to the relief of the Confederate Capital, which was now closely environed by the magnificent army of McClellan, and was anxiously waiting the critical moment when the last spadeful of dirt should be thrown, and the “Young Napoleon” would replace his sappers and miners with the splendid battalions who were to immortalize the name of McClellan by taking, under his plans and direction, the now world-renowned City of Richmond.

White’s company was in splendid condition, the ranks full, the horses thriving and the men all armed equal to any cavalry in the army, and all they wanted was for their Captain to come up and take command again. While at Mount Meridian Gen. Jackson had divine service regularly, and appointed times for praise and thanksgiving to the God of battles who had crowned his arms with victory; while from all around our borders came news of Confederate successes, and rumors that foreign nations had recognized the independence of the Southern Confederacy. So that the future was brilliant with hope and no man in the army would have willingly exchanged his Confederate dollars for an equal amount of greenbacks.