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CHAPTER OR STORY 17 – WAR STRIKES DOWN A WASHINGTON https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=50m14s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 50:14 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September 6, 1906”

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With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.

FIRST, A WORD

The Washington Family presence in Jefferson County included among its residents two of George Washington’s brothers (Samuel and Charles) and their descendants. Then there is a third brother’s – John Augustine Washington – very numerous descendants that included those with other surnames (but not John Augustine himself).

The three family owners of Mount Vernon lived here in their “personal” home from 1829 up to the end of the 1850s when Mount Vernon was sold. According to scholar, Scott Casper, ten persons of color and their children originated in Jefferson County and relocated to Mount Vernon after 1833.

The family presence was so great that even in the 1920s when the late John A. Washington, the family historian, visited as a young boy that, he said: “It seemed as if I was related to everyone in Charles Town.”

I think of Jefferson County as the Washington family’s “ancestral pillow.”

Walter Washington’s fabled home, Harewood, heads the list of the best known, most historic of the family homes: Happy Retreat, Cedar Lawn, Blakeley, Beallair, and Claymont. There is also Belleview (Bellevue), Walnut Hill, Anna’s Woods, Barleywood, Braddock, Richwood Farm, Sulgrave, several homes built in Charles Town by family, in addition to those no longer standing that include Braddock Hill, Megwillie, Prospect Hill, Locust Hill, and Rock Hall). Then there is the George Washington Masonic Cave with his name and the date “1748” chisled into a wall. Today I count four, to my knowledge, Washington family members living in the County.

This background frames the fact that family members most related to George Washington living in our county and up to and including the Civil War time, generally saw themselves more as Virginians, than Americans, as a touchstone of their identities, personal and collective.

The fighting-age men enlisted in the Confederate Army and several died in so doing. I’m sure this reality about the Civil War era descendants to General George Washington, the exemplar even to this day of a military leader  – if he could ever have known – it would have wounded, nay, enraged him as almost the opposite of his lifelong goal of birthing a powerful, united nation, weaning itself from enslavement practices.

Worthy of more study and recognition, as John Washington said, are some of the pious and impactful Washington women, especially the so-named Blackburn sisters, who married Washington men. They are worth more study because of their keen consciences and activism with regards enslavement. Jane Charlotte Blackburn Washington (“Grandmother Jane” to family members today), owned and managed Mount Vernon for some time and deserves to be seen of as the one who woke Americans to the need to preserve its most historic homes – starting with Mount Vernon, the structure that, at one point, was the only thing citizens – North and South STILL jointly revered. 

So this is an account of the fate of the last family member to own Mount Vernon who fell from his horse – barely a soldier – in a rainy West Virginia forest in September, 1861, struck by three bullets – while wearing the Confederate grey. – Jim Surkamp

That August (1861), there were many young mouths to feed at Claymont, Blakeley and Walnut Hill Farms with the male head of both Claymont (Bushrod Corbin Washington II) and Blakeley Richard Blackburn Washington) going off to war.

. . . trying his hand at being aide-de-camp for the emerging Confederate leader, Robert E. Lee, who himself always carried a deep fascination with the George Washington story.

“I have literally had my feet wet for a week at a time and though on top of a high mountain am really in all the mud and mire of an alluvial bottom, such is the soil on these mountains . . .

“My health has been perfect thus far, lost thirty lbs of flesh – “superfluous beef” My health has been perfect thus far, lost thirty lbs of flesh – ‘superfluous beef'”

“If I have any wheat in Jefferson to sell and there is sale for it, sell it if you can.

“Please also sell any corn or other grain that may be due me. . .

“Charly I hear is in the Army & believe me my dear Doctor . . .

“Most affectionately yours, John A. Washington”

Then three quickly-fired bullets ripped into the body of Washington when he strayed a bit too far into the woods —— on a reconnaissance.

Wrote Union officer and eyewitness Warren Kiefer:

“Colonel Washington, on the 13th, in endeavoring to get on our right came into Elkwater Valley via Brady’s Gate, and descended it with Major Lee’s cavalry as escort.

“Three balls passed through Washington’s body near together, coming out from his breast. Colonel Washington was struggling to rise on his elbow, and, though gasping and dying, he muttered, ‘Water,’

“but when it was brought to his lips from a nearby stream . . .

“He was dead.”

The losses from war’s killing still very new to him, General Lee wrote Washington’s daughter:

REFERENCES:

Keifer, Joseph Warren. (1900). “Slavery and Four Years of War, Vol. 1-2.” New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. archive.org pp. 205-228.

“Simple Inscriptions and Sentiment Tell the Impressive Tale: Letters of General Robert E. Lee to Miss Louisa Fontaine Washington,” edited by John E. Stealey, III, Ph.D. Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Vol. XLVIII. (December 1982). pp. 31-37. Print.

Stutler, Boyd. (1961). “Death of Col. John Augustine Washington, CSA, at Elkwater.” Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Volume XXVII. pp. 15-18. Print

Washington, John A. (2007). “John Augustine Washington III et al.” with photographs provided by Walter Washington. Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Vol. XLVIII. pp. 24-34. Print.

Washington, John A. “The Washingtons of Jefferson County.” Justjefferson.com.

Chapter or Story 18 Click Here https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-18-64-war-events-in-jefferson-county-oct-61-march-64-summarized-by-jim-surkamp-3-parts-part-1/

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CHAPTER OR STORY 18 – A TWELVE-MINUTE MEDITATION ON WAR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=55m40s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 55:40 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September6, 1906”

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With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.

Jefferson County, Virginia, becoming West Virginia after June, 1863, was witness to over 130 officially documented war events during the Civil War. These are events that took place between October, 1861 through the end of March, 1864 – the time period Jasper Thompson, we believe, was in the County tending to Washington lands or elsewhere accompanying a family member wearing a Confederate uniform. Jasper enlisted in March, 1864 into the 23rd United States Colored Troops.

1. 1861.October.11.Harpers.Ferry.Skirmish: Chapter XIV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 5, p. 2. hathitrust.org

2. NOTE – October 14, 1861: Richard B. Washington absent with sick leave since August 20 discharged by special Order Genl. Johnston dated Oct. 14, 1861 No. 304. fold3.com

3. 1861.October.16.Bolivar.Heights.Skirmish – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER TWENTY-THREE:
Confederate Col. Turner Ashby gave his eyewitness report of the event of October 16th:
The enemy occupying that position for several days, had been committing depredations in the vicinity of the camp. Having at my disposal three hundred militia armed with flint lock muskets and two companies of cavalry, Turner’s and Mason’s of Colonel McDonald’s regiment. I wrote to Genl. Evans to cooperate with me, taking position on Loudoun Heights and thereby prevent reenforcements from below, and at the same time to drive them out of the Ferry where they were under cover in the buildings.

On the evening of the 15th I was reenforced by two companies of Colonel McDonald’s regiment (Captain Wingfield), fully armed with minie rifles and mounted. Captain Miller’s about 30 men mounted, the balance on foot and with flint lock guns. I had one rifled four-pound gun and one 24-pound gun badly mounted which broke an axle in Bolivar, and I had to spike it. My force on the morning of the attack consisted of 300 militia, part of two regiments commanded by Colonel Albert of Shenandoah and Major Finter of Page. I had 180 of Colonel McDonald’s cavalry (Captain Henderson’s men) under command of Lieut. Glenn, Capt. Baylor’s mounted militia, Capt. Hess about 25 men.

The rifled gun was under command of Capt. Averitt, the 24-pound gun under command of Capt. Canfield. I made the attack in three divisions and drove the enemy from their breast works without the loss of a man, and took position upon the hill, driving the enemy as far as lower Bolivar. The large gun broke down and this materially effected the result. The detachment from the large gun was transferred to the rifled piece, and Captain Averitt was sent to Loudoun Heights with a message to Colonel Griffin. The enemy now formed and charged with shouts and yells, which the militia met like veterans. At this moment I ordered a charge of cavalry, which was handsomely done, Captain Turner’s in the lead.

In this charge five of the enemy were killed. After holding this position for four hours the enemy were re-enforced by infantry and artillery, and we fell back in order to the position their pickets occupied in the morning. The position Colonel Griffin held upon Loudoun Heights was such as to be of very little assistance to us, being so elevated as to prevent them from controlling the crossing. My main force is at Camp Evans while I hold all of the intermediate ground. The enemy left the ferry last night and encamped on the first plateau on Maryland Heights. My loss was one killed and nine wounded. Report from the ferry states the loss of the enemy at 25 killed and a number wounded. We have two Yankee prisoners and eight Union men co-operating with them. We took a large number of blankets, overcoats, and about a dozen guns. – T. ASHBY, Chapter XIV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 5, pp. 247-249.

Federal commander John Geary reports on the event of October 16th:
. . . but about 7 o’clock on the morning of the 16th my pickets stationed on the heights above Bolivar, extending from the Potomac to the Shenandoah River, about 2 miles west of Harpers Ferry, were driven into the town of Bolivar by the enemy, who approached from the west in three columns, consisting of infantry and cavalry, supported by artillery. I was upon the ground in a few minutes, and rallied my pickets upon the main body of our troops in Bolivar. In a short time the action became general. The advanced guard of the rebels, consisting of several hundred cavalry, charged gallantly towards the upper part of the town, and their artillery and infantry soon took position upon the heights from which my pickets had been driven. The enemy’s three pieces of artillery were stationed on and near the Charlestown road where it crosses Bolivar Heights. They had one 32-pounder columbiad, one steel rifled 13-pounder, and one brass 6-pounder, all of which were served upon the troops of my command with great activity, the large gun throwing alternately solid shot, shell, and grape, and the others principally fuse shell. While these demonstrations were being made in front a large body of men made their appearance upon Loudoun Heights, with four pieces of cannon and sharpshooters stationed at the most eligible points of the mountain, to bombard our troops, and greatly annoy us in the use of the ferry on the Potomac. The commencement of the firing upon our front and left was almost simultaneous.

In order to prevent the enemy from crossing the Shenandoah, I detached a company of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment, under command of Captain Shriber, for the defense of the fords on that river. He took position near the old rifle works, and during the action rendered good service there. There then remained under my immediate (241) command about 450 men. With these the fierce charge of the enemy’s cavalry was soon checked and turned back. A second and a third charge was made by them, increasing in impetuosity with each repetition, during which they were supported, in addition to the artillery, by long lines of infantry stationed on Bolivar Heights, who kept up a continuous firing. They were repulsed each time with effect. Under this concentrated fire our troops held their position until 11 o’clock, when Lieutenant Martin, by my order, joined me with one rifled cannon, which, had been placed to cover the ferry, he having crossed the river with it under a galling fire of riflemen from Loudoun Heights.

I then pushed forward my right flank, consisting of two companies (A and G) of the Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. They succeeded in turning the enemy’s left near the Potomac, and gained a portion of the heights. At the same time Lieutenant Martin opened a well-directed fire upon the enemy’s cannon in our front, and Captain Tompkins succeeded in silencing some of the enemy’s guns on Loudoun Heights. These services, simultaneously rendered, were of great importance, and the turning of the enemy’s flank being the key to the success of the action, I instantly ordered a general forward movement, which terminated in a charge, and we were soon in possession of the heights from river to river. There I halted the troops, and from that position they drove the fugitives with a well-directed aim of cannon and small-arms across the valley in the direction of Halltown. . .

Immediately after the capture of the heights Major Tyndale arrived with a re-enforcement of five companies of my regiment from Point of Rocks, two of which he ordered to report to Major Gould at Sandy Hook, and soon joined me with the others on the field. The standard of the Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers the flag of the Union was then unfurled on the soil of Virginia, and planted on an eminence of Bolivar Heights, and under its folds we directed the fire of our artillery against the batteries and forces on Loudoun Heights, and soon succeeded in silencing every gun and driving away every rebel that could be seen. The victory was complete. **The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded is generally conceded to be about 150, which they carried back in wagons and on horses as rapidly as they fell. We took 4 prisoners, among whom is Rev. Nathaniel Green North, chaplain of Colonel Ashby’s command. He is said to have been present at every battle that has occurred in Virginia. The fine 32-pounder columbiad, mounted on an old-fashioned gun-carriage, was captured, together with a quantity of ammunition for it, consisting of ball, shell, and grape shot, for the transportation of which a wagon was used as a caisson. . . . One of their small guns used at Bolivar Heights was disabled, having one of the wheels shot from the gun carriage by a well-directed shot from Lieutenant Martin. They succeeded in dragging it from the field.

**Our loss is 4 killed, 7 wounded, and 2 taken prisoners, . . . The greater part of the loss occurred in the Wisconsin companies, who gallantly sustained the position of our left flank throughout the contest. One of the soldiers taken by the enemy (242) was Private Edgar Ross, of Company C, Third Wisconsin Regiment, who was wounded in the action. The other, Corporal Beniah Pratt, of Company A, Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was accidentally taken by a few of the enemy, whom he mistook for Massachusetts men, their uniform corresponding in all respects to that of the latter. The four men who were killed were afterwards charged upon by the cavalry and stabbed through the body, stripped of all their clothing, not excepting their shoes and stockings, and left in perfect nudity. One was laid in the form of a crucifixion, with his hands spread out, and cut through the palms with a dull knife. This inhuman treatment incensed my troops exceedingly, and I fear its consequences may be shown in retaliatory acts hereafter. . . . More – J. GEARY, Chapter XIV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 5, pp. 240-242.

REFERENCE: from The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. (multiple volumes) Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1880-1901. hathitrust.org)

4. 1861.October.16.Harpers.Ferry.Destruction.Foundry:
Federal Gen. Geary described the event that occurred late on October 16th:
I visited the iron foundery at Shenandoah City, and ascertained that it was used by the rebels for casting shot and shell of all kinds. I ordered it to be burned, which was done the same night. . . . – J. GEARY, Chapter XIV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 5, pp. 239-243.

5. 1861.October.18.Harpers.Ferry.Destruction.Herr’s.Mill:
Federal commander John Geary reports on the event of October 18th:
On this morning a few of the enemy in citizens’ dress came secretly to Harper’s Ferry, by way of the Shenandoah road, burned Herrs mill, from which a great portion of the wheat had been taken, and immediately retired. – J. GEARY – Chapter XIV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 5, pp. 242-243.

6. 1861.December.Dams.4.5.Attempts.To.Destroy:
Confederate Cavalryman Harry Gilmor describes these efforts:
“An attempt was made about tho middle of the month to destroy dams Nos.4 and 5, so as to make the canal useless, and finally we did succeed in destroying No. 5.” – Gilmor, Harry. (1866). “Four years in the saddle.” New York, Harper & brothers pp. 24 (bottom)-26.

7. 1862.February.7.Harpers.Ferry.Destruction.of.Town:
On February 7, 1862, Union forces did their part in the destruction, completing the ruination of the railroad’s properties in the town. – Caplinger, Michael W. (1997). “Bridges Over Time: A Technological Context for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Main Stem at Harpers Ferry, west Virginia.” Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Institute for the History of Technology & Industrial Archaeology. Print. p. 50.

United States forces under Col. Geary crossed over into Harper’s Ferry and burned the Company’s hotel, warehouse, ticket office and water station, also 38 panels, 570 feet in length, of wood work on the double track iron trestling through the arsenal yard and boatway bridge. This was the remainder of the Company’s property in Harper’s Ferry not destroyed by the enemy. – Harwood, Herbert H. Jr. (1994). “The Impossible Challenge.” Baltimore, MD.: Barnard, Roberts and co., Inc. Print. p. 77.

8. FOOTNOTE. 1862.March.23 – Bushrod Corbin Washington captured at Kernstown:
WASHINGTON, BUSHROD CORBIN: b. 1831. 5’8 1/2″. light complexion, gray eyes, light hair. Farmer in Jefferson Co. m. 1) Katharine Blackburn; 2) Emma Willis. enl. 4/18/61 at Charles Town in Co. G of 2nd Va. Inf. as Corp. POW at Kernstown, 3/23/62 (Ft. Delaware). Exchanged 8/5/62. – Frye, Dennis E. (1984). “2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment.” H.E. Howard, Inc.: Lynchburg, Va.

9. March-May, 1862 – Thousand of the enslaved seek freedom at Harpers Ferry:
“MARCH 8, SATURDAY. Fair and mild. . . . An excitement was produced in town by the arrival of a wagon load of Negro women and children with bag and baggage as if bound for a free country. They were stopped in front of the provost marshal’s office for a long time and were the theme of much speculation for the citizens and soldiers. I understand they were forwarded to Harpers Ferry. Numbers of men have flocked into town more or less every day since our occupation. They were arrested and put into the jail. As the number increased, it was asked what was to be done with them. The quarter master from Harpers Ferry had just desired a detail of men to load and unload army stores. It was suggested to send the Negroes there to do the work and so decided. Each day since, as they have gathered in, they have been marched in squads to Harpers Ferry and having disposed of the stores are still occupied in the repairing of the railroad. This all fairly in accordance with the professed intentions of the Government. The sending forward of the women and children, however, looks ominous and may bear a dark interpretation.” – Strother, David. H. (1961). “A Virginia Yankee in the Civil War: The Diaries of David Hunter Strother.” edited Cecil D. Eby, Jr. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press. Strother, p. 182. from Strother, David H. (1961). A VIRGINIA YANKEE IN THE CIVIL WAR THE DEARIES OF DAVID HUNTER STROTHER.” edited by Cecil Eby. Chapel Hill, NC: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PRESS – p. 10. archive.org

10. 1862.May.28-29.CharlesTown.Skirmish.Destruction.Town.Hall:
“MAY 28, WEDNESDAY. Threatened rain. Went forward with a reconnoissance toward Charles Town. We saw nothing until we arrived at the hill near the Charles Town toll gate where a sharp fire of musketry was opened on our advance by some Rebel pickets stationed on the road at the fair ground. . . In the meantime, flanking parties of cavalry were sent around the town. . . When I got to Mrs. Hunter’s house, I stopped and stood guard over it. The troops went firing down every cross street as they rushed to the other end of town. Some stopped and, breaking open the town hall, set fire to it. As it began to burn fiercely, I endeavored to get some soldiers and then some citizens to put it out. The soldiers did nothing and the citizens who showed willingness to act were deterred through fear of the soldiers. I appealed to the colonel of infantry just marching by and then to the major commanding the rear guard, but they flatly refused or evaded my request. The flames rose fiercely and threatened to destroy the village.” – Strother, David. H. (1961). “A Virginia Yankee in the Civil War: The Diaries of David Hunter Strother.” edited Cecil D. Eby, Jr. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press. archive.org. pp. 47-48.

Local resident, Confederate artilleryman and eyewitness Roger Preston Chew also described the May 29th event:
Winder with the Stonewall Brigade and some Artillery was ordered to Charles Town. The enemy had formed a line of battle on Potato Hill in Charles Town. General Winder planted his artillery near Cooke’s house, and deploying his infantry commenced an attack at once. The enemy soon gave way and retreated in great confusion through the town. The Market House and Railroad Station had been destroyed by the enemy the day before. General Winder pursued to the vicinity of Harper’s Ferry, but was ordered back on the 30th, and made his wonderful march to Strasburg. – Chew, Roger P. (1911) “Military Operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865.” [s.l.] : Charles Town, WV: published by authority of Jefferson County Camp, U.C.V. [by] Farmers Advocate Printing. archive.org 27 p. 35. – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER NINETEEN.

11. 1862.May.29-30.Harpers.Ferry.Operations:

See VIDEO: Dennis Frye – Stonewall is Stopped, Harper’s Ferry May 30, 1862 by Jim Surkamp Click Here. – TRT: 15:43.

See POST/VIDEO Illustrated Transcript: Dennis Frye: Stonewall is Stopped, Harper’s Ferry May 30, 1862 by Jim Surkamp Click Here. – 4558 words.

Events in Jefferson County regards freed enslaved workers and their families force changes in Federal policy on their treatment:

Wednesday, July 2, 1862 in Washington, D.C.: Lincoln decides to help persons deemed contrabands:
In conference with Sec. Stanton on subject of fugitive Negroes President decides that by law they cannot be sent back to masters, should not be allowed to starve, should be given work and paid reasonable wages. Butler, Correspondence, 2:41-42. thelincolnlog.org

Thursday, July 17, 1862 in Washington, D.C. – Confiscation Act passed:
Confiscation Act July 17, 1862 Congress Passed – “An act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the property of rebels, and for other purposes.”

Tuesday, July 22, 1862 in Washington, D.C. – Legislated Order included the following:

2. That military and naval commanders ((shall employ as laborers within and from said States so many persons of African descent)) as can be advantageously used for military or naval purposes,(( giving them reasonable wages for their labor.))

3. That as to both property and persons of African descent accounts shall be kept sufficiently accurate and in detail to show quantities and amounts and from whom both property and such persons shall have come, as a basis upon which compensation can be made in proper cases; and the several Departments of this Government shall attend to and perform their appropriate parts toward the execution of these orders. presidency.ucsb.edu

12. Train Attack between Summit Point and Wade’s Depot on August 23rd:
Resident and artilleryman Roger P. Chew described the August 23rd event between Summit Point and Wade’s Depot:
(NOTE: Official references in the War’s Official Record to this event placed the railroad train’s capture in Harper’s Ferry. But Harper’s Ferry was the place of origination of the train; the actual capture, according to these eye-witness accounts, locate the capture of the train at Wade’s depot near Summit Point coming from Harpers Ferry about 20 miles away.-JS). In August 1862 Lieutenant Rouss with Lieut. Baylor, Lieutenant Rowland and thirty men marched down the valley intending to attack the train between Summit Point and Wade’s Depot. In each of these places the enemy had stationed eighty infantry and five cavalry. The distance between the depots was four miles. At four o’clock in the afternoon the road was reached, and soon after the whistle of the engine was heard. Obstructions were placed across the track to bring the train to a stand-still. This proved effectual and when the engine struck the obstruction, the train was halted. It was then boarded by our men and eight yankee soldiers were captured. The express car was opened, where they found baskets of champagne and boxes of fruit. It is needless to say, as the men were thirsty and hungry, they proceeded to partake of these good things. The express safe was opened and $4,000 in U. S. money was taken out. Nothing remained to be done but to burn the car. This was done effectually and a full head of steam was put on the engine and it was started in the direction of Winchester. The telegraph wire was cut for two hundred yards. Lieutenant Rowland with thirteen men took charge of the prisoners, and started back over the route they came, while Lieutenants Rouss and Baylor, with the seventeen men remaining, determined to penetrate farther into Jefferson County. – Chew, p. 19.

13. Surprise and Capture in Smithfield on August 23th:
R. P. Chew described the Smithfield event on August 23rd:
Lieutenant Rouss with these men moved in the direction of Smithfield, five miles distant. When they arrived within half a mile of the town the blue uniforms of the yankee pickets were discovered. Thinking we were a scouting party of their own men, Rouss and his party approached within twenty yards of them before they discovered who they were. The command was given to charge, and before they could fire a shot, our men were upon them and captured all three with their arms and equipment. These pickets informed our men that there were fourteen of their companions in town. A charge was made and the fourteen yankees were captured, being taken completely by surprise. The spoils amounted to 17 horses, 20 revolvers, 5 Sharpe’s carbines, saddles, bridles and other trappings. After the capture Lieut. Rouss led his men safely back into our lines. – Chew, pp. 19-(bottom of page)-20.

More at Chew:
In August, 1862, Lieutenant Rouss and Baylor; with seventeen men, captured seventeen yankees with their horses and equipments complete, in the Main street of Smithfield, not losing a man. – Chew, p. 23.

More at: Baylor, George. (1900).”Bull Run to Bull Run: Four years in the army of northern Virginia.” Richmond, VA: B. F. Johnson Publishing. archive.org. pp. 56-60.

from The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. (multiple volumes) Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1880-1901. hathitrust.org)

Federal General Julius White and Baltimore & Ohio Railroad president, John W. Garrett, report of the August 23rd train capture and Smithfield event in the Official Record:
Wrote Garrett of the events of August 23rd:
. . . at 4 p.m. a squadron of the enemy’s cavalry stopped the passenger train between Harper’s Ferry and Winchester; took the agent of Adams Express and all on board prisoners except two, who escaped, and burned the train and cut the telegraph wire. The command of Lieutenant Milling, at Smithfield, a point west of Winchester road and en route to Martinsburg, was captured during the evening. – J. GARRETT, Chapter XXIV, Official Record, Series I, Part 3, Volume 12, pp. 650-651

Wrote Federal General Julius White of the August 23rd events:
The railroad train from Harper’s Ferry to this place was fired into and burned this afternoon; the mail captured, and telegraph wire cut. A few soldiers coming here were taken. With what mounted force I can muster I am trying to intercept the marauders. – J. WHITE, Chapter XXIV, Official Record, Series I, Part 3, Volume 12, p. 652.

14. 1862.September.2.Keyes.Ford.Skirmish:
Confederate Cavalryman and local resident George Baylor described the September 2nd event and adds an account from a letter of a federal eyewitness:
On September 2d, the day General White evacuated Winchester, about 9 am., with six men, we attacked the enemy’s picket near Keyes Ford, a short distance south of Harper’s Ferry, taking eight prisoners, with their horses and equipments, without loss. The Federal account of this little dash is as follows (based on a letter to the author Baylor-JS): Lieutenant Bierney, with an orderly, went to Keyes Ford to ascertain the truth of the reported capture of Cole’s cavalry pickets, and ascertained the facts to be as follows: A party of 25 Confederate cavalry dashed down the Kabletown or River road and captured the outer vidette, a quarter of a mile from his comrades, and forced him to inform them of the position of the others, who were at that time in a cornshed, dismounted. They dashed in and captured the party without resistance on the part of our pickets. – Baylor, George. (1900).”Bull Run to Bull Run: Four years in the army of northern Virginia.” Richmond, VA: B. F. Johnson Publishing. archive.org. pp. 70-71.

15. 1862.September.3-4.CharlesTown.Reconnaissance: From Harper’s Ferry to Lovettsville and Charles Town:

Chapter XXXI, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 19, p. 157. (Summary)

Charles Town Farmer Charles Aglionby wrote in his farm diary of the September 4th event:
There was a skirmish between some Confederate rangers and Federal cavalry. Carey Selden was shot in the mouth and a Federal soldier was shot in the groin. The Federals retired towards H. Ferry – Aglionby, Charles. “The Day Book Kept By Charles Aglionby at Mount Pleasant, Charles Town, Jefferson County, Virginia.” 6 March, 1861 to 1 January, 1866.” Transcribed by Francis John Aglionby (1932-2002). With permission from Julia Aglionby. (Available at the Jefferson County Museum, Charles Town, WV) – September 4, 1862.

16. 1862.September.12.Halltown.Skirmish:
Eyewitness George Baylor of the Virginia 12th Cavalry described the September 12th event:
About noon we again entered Charlestown and followed the enemy to Halltown. While occupying a position near Halltown, we were surprised at seeing General Jackson’s advance approaching on the Martinsburg road, en route to Harper’s Ferry. From them we learned that our troops were moving on Maryland and Loudoun Heights and investing Harper’s Ferry. – Baylor, p. 72.

Federal General Julius White reported on the September 12th incident near Halltown:
(As White’s men were evacuating from Martinsburg en route to Harper’s Ferry), upon the march, the pickets of the enemy were encountered at Halltown, but they were driven back to Charlestown, the command arriving safely at Harper’s Ferry on the afternoon of the 12th. – White – Chapter XXXI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 19, p. 524 (last paragraph).

17. 1862.September.12-15.Harpers.Ferry.Siege.Capture:
See POST: The Fall of “Freedomland” – Harper’s Ferry, September, 1862 – With Dennis Frye. Click Here. 25,220 words.
See VIDEO: The Capture of Harper’s Ferry, Va. September, 1862 with Historian Dennis Frye. Click Here. TRT: 45:12.

18. (Outside County) 1862.September.15-17.Antietam.Campaign:
See POST: Video Illustrated Transcript: Antietam – Decisions Sorely Missed by Jim Surkamp Click Here. – 7125 words.
See VIDEO: Antietam – Decisions Sorely Missed Click Here. – TRT: 40:40.

19. 1862.September.17.Dec.Shepherdstown.Hospital.Care.Antietam:
See POST: The Home Front in Jefferson County Then-VA, Fall, 1862 by Jim Surkamp. Click Here. 1449 words.
See VIDEO: The Home Front in Jefferson County Then-Virginia, September-October, 1862. Click Here. TRT: 12:07.

See POST: Unforgettable, Wounded Thousands – 3 Women Paint the Picture from September, 1862 Click Here. 12556 words.

See POST: “Beyond a cut finger. . .” – Wounded Thousands in Shepherdstown, Va.- September, 1862 Click Here. 13468 words

See VIDEO: Shepherdstown’s Wounded Thousands – Sept., 1862 by Jim Surkamp Click Here. TRT: 54:53.

See POST: Video Transcript: Shepherdstown’s Wounded Thousands, September, 1862 Click Here. 6522 words.

20. 1862.September.19.Botelers.Ford.Skirmish; 1862.September.20.Action.Shepherdstown

See POST: A “Small” Blunder Ends Lee’s Campaign – Sept. 19-20, 1862 With Thomas A. McGrath – Click Here. 6496 words. (McGrath, Thomas A. (2007). “Shepherdstown: Last Clash of the Antietam Campaign, September 19-20, 1862.” Lynchburg, VA: Schroeder Publications. ISBN 978-1-889246-39-0)

See VIDEO: A “Small” Blunder Ends Lee’s Campaign – Sept. 19-20, 1862 With Thomas A. McGrath – Click Here. TRT: 35:02.

See POST/VIDEO Transcript – One “Small” Blunder Ends Lee’s Campaign – Sept. 19-20, 1862 With Thomas A. McGrath (2) – Click Here. 5169 words, and Here (video)

21.1862.September.20.Boteler’s.Ford.Trough.Road.Action: (See links #20)

22. 1862.September.21.October.8.Bridges.Main.Stem.Destroyed:
In September, 1862, the rebels returned and again laid waste to the railroad. Confederate troops destroyed much of the B&O main stem between Harper’s Ferry and Martinsburg and absconded with equipment, using teams of horses to haul locomotives over dirt roads into southern territory. They blew up two new Bollman trusses (spans three and four) as well as Bollman’s original 1852 Winchester span. Troops also burned the remainder of the temporary Potomac trustle, twenty-four spans of armory-trestle woodwork, the boatway trestle, and the 148-foot-long government power canal bridge. The latter had been the last undamaged wooden bridge remaining between Monocacy and Cumberland. . . One locomotive dangled in the trestlework at the west end of the Potomac bridge, while another sat and burned in the west of town until repair crews arrived. – Caplinger, p. 50-51.; Harwood, pp. 77-78.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee wrote of the destruction of Baltimore & Ohio as well as Winchester & Potomac railroad lines and equipment from that time period:
The condition of our troops now demanded repose, and the army marched to the Opequon, near Martinsburg, where it remained several days, and then moved to the vicinity of Bunker Hill and Winchester. The enemy seemed to be concentrating in and near Harper’s Ferry, but made no forward movement. During this time the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was destroyed for several miles, and that from Winchester to Harper’s Ferry broken up to within a short distance of the latter place, in order to render the occupation of the Valley by the enemy after our withdrawal more difficult. – R.E. LEE, Chapter XXXI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 19, p. 152 (top).

23.1862.September.25.Halltown.CharlesTown.Reconnaissance:
George Neese in the Confederate Cavalry wrote of the September 25th event. (The very next day – the 25th – the Federals did move from Harper’s Ferry on reconnaissance on Charles Town):
This morning we ordered up the Berryville pike. We went about three miles toward Berryville, then came right back to camp. After we got back we moved camp to Leetown, which is seven miles from Charlestown, on the Smithfield and Shepherdstown road. – Neese, George M. (1911). “Three years in the Confederate horse artillery.” New York, NY; Washington, D.C.: The Neale Publishing Company. archive.org. p. 127

Heros Von Borcke, on Confederate Cavalry General J.E.B.Stuart’s staff, wrote of the September 25th event:
Quite unexpectedly I received orders next morning from General Stuart to proceed with half of the Staff and couriers to Charlestown, nearly twenty miles off, and to establish near there, until further instructions, a second headquarters, to which reports from Robertson’s brigade, forming the right wing of our line, should be sent, and from which, in case of urgency, they should be transmitted by me to General Jackson, at Bunker Hill. . . . (263) On my way to the scene of action, I met a courier from Colonel Munford, who reported that the enemy had driven back our pickets opposite Harper’s Ferry, and was advancing towards Charlestown in considerable strength. I found the brigades drawn up across the broad turnpike leading to the river, on a slight range of hills beyond Charlestown, and our artillery well posted and already hotly engaged with two Federal batteries. A large number of our men were dismounted as sharpshooters, and the firing ran briskly along our whole line. The combat grew for a time fiercer and fiercer, and the Yankees seemed determined upon driving us off; but during the afternoon we assumed the offensive and repulsed them heavily, chasing their flying columns into the protecting fortifications of Harper’s Ferry. Our loss in killed (264) and wounded was small; that of the Federals must have been large, for, besides those left upon the field, many of their wounded were carried off in their ambulances, which I had seen moving to and fro all the morning. We took twenty-five prisoners. More . . . – Von Borcke, Heros. (1867). “Memoirs of the Confederate war for independence.” Philadelphia. PA: J. B. Lippincott & Co. archive.org Borcke, pp. 260-265.

USEFUL REFERENCE

from The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. (multiple volumes) Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1880-1901. hathitrust.org

24. 1862.September.24-25.Shepherdstown.Reconnaissance:
Federal Cavalryman Pleasonton described the events of September 24-25:
By direction of General McClellan, I am about to throw a squadron of cavalry across the river at the ford near Shepherdstown. I am instructed to notify you of the same. The party will be at the ford within an hour, and a small detachment will first cross over to feel the way. – A. PLEASONTON, Chapter XIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 2, Vol. 19. p. 355.

Dr. Abner Hard of the 8th Illinois Cavalry Regiment wrote of the September 24-25th events:
Near the village we encountered the rebel pickets who beat a hasty retreat, but our movements were ordered and executed so quickly and with such celerity, that the village was surrounded and occupied before many were aware of our presence. The place had the appearance of one immense hospital, nearly every house being filled with wounded which had been taken from the battle of Antietam. Among them were some union prisoners which we provided for with great pleasure. We drove the enemy some three miles beyond the town, and took about thirty prisoners, among them Lieutenant Colonel Lee of the Thirty-third Virginia Infantry. He was finely mounted and equipped, and expressed himself greatly chagrined at being captured. Toward evening the regiment returned to camp with their prisoners, proud of their day’s work. More . . . – Hard, Abner, M.D. (1868). “History of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment Illinois Volunteers.” Aurora, Ill.: self-published. Google Books. Hard, p. 190.

25. 1862.September.28.CharlesTown.Skirmish:
Von Borcke, of Confederate Gen. Stuart’s staff, wrote of the September 28th events:
General Stuart had meanwhile shifted his headquarters to a point exactly in rear of the centre of our outpost lines, and much nearer to Jackson than my own position at Charlestown, thus rendering my further detached duty unnecessary. Accordingly, on the morning of the 28th, orders reached me to join him at The Bower, a plantation eight miles from Martinsburg, and about ten from Charlestown. Two-thirds of our march thither had been already accomplished, and we were just entering the little village of Leetown, when a heavy cannonade was heard from the neighbourhood we had left, and Stuart soon came galloping towards us. His orders now were that I (267) should return with him at once to the scene of the conflict. Riding at full speed, in an hour’s time we reached the spot, where our troops were hard pressed by the far superior numbers of the foe. General Stuart immediately sent instructions to Fitz Lee to come with all haste to his support, and determined upon trying to maintain his position until his reinforcements should arrive. Munford and his men had been fighting with their accustomed gallantry; but the Yankees receiving again and again fresh troops from Harper’s Ferry, and their numerous batteries pouring upon us a most destructive fire, we were compelled to retreat and abandon Charlestown, which was instantly occupied by the enemy, who halted there, and did not seek to push their success farther. Their possession of the town, however, was of very short duration; for Fitz Lee suddenly appearing on their right flank at the same moment that we attacked them vigorously in front, they were now driven in turn to their stronghold of Harper’s Ferry; and before nightfall we had regained our old lines and re-established our pickets. – Von Borcke, pp. 266-267.

26. 1862.October.1.Shepherdstown.Opequon.Martinsburg.Reconnaissance.Skirmish:
Confederate General Robert E. Lee wrote of this October 1st event in his report:
The enemy’s cavalry, under General Pleasonton, with six pieces of artillery, drove back our pickets yesterday in front of Shepherdstown. The Ninth Virginia Cavalry, which was on picket, repulsed the enemy several times, by vigorous charges, disputing the ground, step by step, back to the main body. By the time his artillery reached him, Col. W. H. F. Lee, who was in command of the brigade, was obliged to place it on the west bank of the Opequon, on the flank of the enemy as he approached Martinsbnrg. General Hampton’s brigade had retired through Martinsburg on the Tuscarora road, when General Stuart arrived and made dispositions to attack. Lee’s brigade was advanced immediately and Hampton’s ordered forward. The enemy retired, at the approach of Lee, along the Shepherdstown road, and was driven across the Potomac by the cavalry, . . More . . . – R. E. LEE, Chapter XIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 2, Vol. 19. p. 12.

Participant Dr. Hard, with Federals under Gen. Pleasonton, described the October 1st reconnaissance and skirmish:
Selecting the Eighth Illinois, a portion of the Eighth Pennsylvania, and one battery of Regular Artillery, he crossed the Potomac at Shepherdstown, at an early hour on the morning of the 1st of October, the Eighth Illinois being in the advance. We had proceeded but two or three miles when the advance guard, under command of Captain Forsythe, came upon tho enemy’s cavalry. The Captain, with a furious charge, such as he was in the habit of making, gallantly dispersed their advance, but finding them in too strong force to be easily driven, a section of the artillery was brought forward and forced them to retire, which they did very reluctantly, stoutly contesting every part of the road to Martinsburg, a distance of seven or eight miles. On approaching the town our troops were ordered to make a dash into it, which they did, capturing a number of the enemy, releasing some of our men held as prisoners of war, securing a quantity of plunder and driving a large force of them out of the place. It was about one o’clock when we entered and took possession. During the forenoon the rebel cavalry manifested that stubbornness and confidence which is always inspired by the consciousness of superior numbers. Our forces sustained a loss of several wounded but none killed. We killed one or two of their number. Numerous bodies of the enemy had been seen at a distance during the day, and while we remained in possession of the town they still lingered, keeping up a constant fire on our pickets and advanced posts. Our prisoners showed by their conduct that they had very little idea of being obliged to re-cross the Potomac with us. From the inhabitants, some of whom were union at heart, we learned that a large force was encamped about us; and we afterwards ascertained that during all this time, up to four o’clock in the afternoon, the commander of the rebels was engaged concentrating his forces ready to “gobble up” our entire command whenever we attempted to return. However we had a word to say on that subject.

At about four o’clock pm., General Pleasanton having gained all the information possible of the situation of the rebel army, made preparations to return. This move called for more military skill, caution and courage than it had required to advance. We were twelve miles from Shepherdstown, the nearest ford, with a force not to exceed eight hundred men, (our regiment being very much reduced at that time,) and with an opposition of five or six times our number on all sides, well acquainted with the country, of which we were comparatively ignorant. On withdrawing, the Eighth Illinois was placed in the rear of the column, the rear guard being commanded by Major Medill. Scarcely had our pickets left their post before the rebel cavalry came pouring along in pursuit. The streets were filled and completely blockaded with them. A section of our artillery, placed on a slight eminence just outside of town, and trained to bear on a bridge, with a few well directed shots held the enemy in check for a short time, and created considerable confusion in their ranks. More . . . – Hard, pp. 190-193.

27. 1862.October.8-14.Leetown.Expedition – CONFEDERATE GENERAL J.E.B. STUART LEAVES “THE BOWER” IN LEETOWN AND LEADS 1200-1500 (1800) MEN IN RIDE AROUND FULL FEDERAL ARMY IN MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA, CAPTURING HORSES AND DESTROYING SUPPLIES.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee summarizes Gen. Stuart’s Oct. 8-14th journey:
On October 8 General Stuart was ordered to cross the Potomac above Williamsport with 1,200 or 1,500 cavalry (NOTE: 1800, in Stuart’s report.-JS), and endeavor to ascertain the position and designs of the enemy. He was directed, if practicable, to enter Pennsylvania, and do all in his power to impede and embarrass the military operations of the enemy. This order was executed with skill, address, and courage. General Stuart passed through Maryland, occupied Chambersburg, and destroyed a large amount of public property, making the entire circuit of General McClellan’s army. He recrossed the Potomac below Harpers Ferry without loss. – R.E. LEE, Chapter XXXI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 19, pp. 152-153.

(28). 1862.October.16.Smithfield.Reconnaissance – The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official … ser.1, v.19, pt.2. p. 82

(29). 1862.October.16-17.Kearneysville.Skirmish – ROADSIDE MARKERS NO. 1, 8, & 6:
Local resident and Confederate artilleryman, Roger P. Chew, described the October 16th event in Kearneysville:
On the Sixteenth of October, 1862, Brigadier General Humphreys crossed the Potomac at Boteler’s Ford, with six thousand infantry, five hundred cavalry, and six pieces of artillery, and advanced on the roads leading to Kearneysville. Another force, commanded by Brigadier General W. S. Hancock, with his own brigade, fifteen hundred from other brigades, four regiments of cavalry, and four pieces of artillery, advanced from Harpers Ferry at the same time, in the direction of Charles Town. We had, at the time, a line of pickets extending from the North Mountain to the Shenandoah River. The advance was so sudden that it cut off some of the pickets. Humphrey’s advance guard went as far as Smithfield, and his main body a little south of Kearneysville. The Confederates had been destroying the railroad in this section, and some of General Winder’s Infantry was near. They, with Fitz Lee and Hampton’s Brigades of Cavalry, commanded by General Stuart, attacked late in the evening of the sixteenth of October, (Marker No. 1), and, after some severe fighting, drove him from his position. They were steadily driven back on the Seventeenth, but made a determined stand two miles south of Shepherdstown, on the Shepherdstown and Duffields road at what is called the Forks. A brigade of regulars, commanded by Major Lovell, U.S.A. occupied this part of the field, and the importance of holding it was apparent. Back of him was the Trough road which led to the ford on the Potomac and also the road leading to Shepherdstown. If the position were carried his retreat was endangered. Trees were felled across the road to impede the artillery and cavalry, but Winder’s infantry forced them back slowly, and the whole force crossed into Maryland.- Chew p. 8.

30. 1862.October.16-17.CharlesTown.Reconnaissance:
Artilleryman and local resident Roger P. Chew described an artillery duel at the old fair grounds near Charles Town – MARKER NUMBER TWENTY-ONE:
After the battle of Sharpsburg, McClellan remained north of the Potomac for about thirty days, when he crossed below Harper’s Ferry with his artillery on October 16, 1863. To screen that movement he sent Hancock with a large force of infantry, cavalry and artillery to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Charles Town. Our cavalry under the command of General T. T. Munford retired before this force until they reached a point about half a mile below Charles Town, known as the Old Fair Grounds. Here a section of Chew’s Battery under Lieutenant J. W. Carter and two guns of the Richmond Howitsers, a third company under Captain B. H. Smith were placed in position, and opened on the enemy, who had planted their batteries on the hill about three quarters of a mile below, known as Butler’s Hill. A severe engagement between the artillery on either side took place at this point, although the enemy were greatly superior in number and guns. – Chew, pp. 36-37.

George Baylor of the Virginia 12th Cavalry recounts the October 16-17 events:
{On September 18th}, Company B was ordered back to Harper’s Ferry, with instructions to picket the Potomac at that point and report any movement of the enemy in that direction. This position was held by our company until the enemy crossed in force and drove us back to Halltown. We remained at Halltown until the 16th of October, when a column of the enemy under General Hancock advanced, and, after a brisk fight just east of Charlestown, our small force of cavalry under Colonel Munford was driven back, and Charlestown was occupied by the enemy. On the afternoon of the 17th, General Hancock withdrew his command to Harper’s Ferry, and Charlestown was again occupied by us and pickets posted at Halltown. General McClellan having now crossed the Potomac east of the Blue Ridge, began his march southward, and General Lee, who had been resting his army near Bunker Hill, moved across the mountains to confront him, but our company was left at its post. – Baylor, pp. 73-74.

Excerpts from the report of Federal commander Winfield Hancock about the Oct. 16-17 events:
On the 16th instant, in obedience to instructions, I marched toward Charlestown, Va., with my division and 1,500 men of other divisions, under command of Col. W. R.. Lee, Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteers, and a force of cavalry, with a battery of four guns (horse artillery), Colonel Devin being in command thereof. . . . The advance of our column encountered the enemy’s pickets beyond Halltown, drove them in, and pursued until, when within short artillery range of the high ground this side of Charlestown, the enemy was found posted. He opened fire upon us with artillery. Our horse artillery battery, supported by Capt. M. A. Reno’s First Cavalry, then engaged the enemy, who opened fire from five guns, and deployed dismounted cavalry as skirmishers on their front and flanks. . . . We soon ascertained that the enemy had been driven away by the fire of our artillery, together with the threatened attack by the infantry. His force only consisted of the artillery already referred to, with two or three regiments of cavalry. The town was at once taken possession of and the troops suitably disposed for defense. Toward evening our infantry advanced and occupied the heights surrounding the town, within artillery range. . . The command remained in Charlestown until about 2 pm. The next day, when we received orders to return. It then marched to Halltown, and occupied that position during the night. The next morning, after an examination of the roads, and it being found there was no enemy in front, the command returned to Harper’s Ferry. While in Charlestown I appointed Col. J. R. Brooke, of the Fifty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, military governor, the better to preserve order. About 100 officers and soldiers of the Confederate Army were found in the town, consisting entirely, it is believed, of surgeons, hospital attendants, convalescents, and sick. Twenty-six were sent to the provost-marshal at Harper’s Ferry, and 38 wounded and unable to be removed, were paroled. Time did not permit the paroling of all who were severely wounded, as they were scattered throughout the town, requiring more time than we had for the purpose, to find them. The casualties (from the skirmish-JS) on either side were about equal, and were not numerous. I found some parts of artillery carriages belonging to the enemy, which I destroyed. . . More . . . W. HANCOCK, Chapter XIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 2, Vol. 19. pp. 91-93.

31. 1862.November.date.uncertain.Uvilla.CharlesTown.Roads.Intersection.Skirmishing:
Roger P. Chew described the above-mentioned skirmish – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER EIGHT:
Company D, of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, was picketing from Engle’s Hill to the Shepherdstown road. The reserve was near where Marker No. 8 stands, at the intersection of the Uvilla and Charles Town roads. A sharp encounter took place between the Federal advance and company D, a little south of this point in Rocky Lane. Captain Knott was wounded in the shoulder. Many of the company were from this section, and knew every road. They easily made their way through the enemy’s lines and joined the Regiment. (Thus they played even; for about a month previous, our line of pickets were being advanced, and company D struck their pickets at Duffields, and chased them back on their company reserve at Marker 8. They held their own until the company had closed up, when a charge was made and they were driven to Lucas’ woods, where a regiment was stationed. They all decamped and crossed the Potomac). – Chew, p. 8.

32. 1862.November.1.Halltown.Skirmish:
George Baylor, of the 12th Virginia cavalry, wrote of the November 1st event:
On November 1st, while our company reserve was occupying a little woods on the Brown farm, we were surprised in our camp in the early morning by a dash made by the enemy’s cavalry. Our horses were unsaddled and unbridled and tied to trees. Awakening from our slumbers and realizing the situation, we fought the enemy on foot and drove them out of camp and over a hill in our front; then, while keeping up a fire with a few men, the others retired to camp, saddled, bridled, and mounted, and, making a charge on the enemy, drove them back to Halltown. Just in front of Mr. Shaeffer’s house my horse received a fatal wound and I a slight one in the calf of my leg, which was not sufficient to render me hors de combat, I led the noble animal, which I dearly loved, and whose very life seemed bound to mine by dangers shared and daily companionship, to the roadside, where she laid down on the green turf. Her breathing too plainly indicated that death was near. As her eyes rested on me in fondness and affection, human nature could not resist, and, kneeling down by her side, and clasping my arms about her neck, I wept. When I arose she was dead. She died, and with her life passed away my hopes and aspirations for her whose name she bore. The dream of my young life vanished, and the hopes of the future were dissipated. . . . The enemy having made a stand at Halltown, our company passed unobserved to the south of the turnpike, in the rear of Rion Hall, coming in their rear just east of the town, and, making a dash, routed and drove them in confusion over the hills. In this fracas we captured seven prisoners. This force proved to be Cole’s Cavalry battalion. – Baylor, p. 74.

33. 1862.November.9-10.Rippon.CharlesTown.Skirmish:
From a Federal report in the Official Record on the events of November 9-10:
(last paragraph) The command has been actively employed in picketing 3 miles of front, from the Potomac to the Shenandoah, occasionally harassed by small parties of rebel cavalry, without any serious casualties. A large portion of the division has also been arduously engaged in fatigue duties, felling timber, and constructing and improving the fortifications of the position. . .(fifth paragraph same page) November 9, a reconnaissance in force was made by the division, under brigadier-general commanding, to Rippon, within 6 miles of Berryville, driving the enemy before them, capturing prisoners, arms, horses, and cattle, and ascertaining the location and strength of the enemy in the valley between this point and Front Royal. – Itinerary of the Twelfth Army Corps, September-November 30, 1862. SECOND DlVISION., Chapter XXXI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 19. p. 481.

34. 1862.November.24.25.Shepherdstown.Capture:
Federal troops locate a Confederate scouting party in Shepherdstown. They kill its leader, Redmond Burke, and capture the others. The following day they search homes in Shepherdstown.
See POST: The Fall of Redmond Burke and the “Harvard Men”, With Author Steve French. Click Here. 7988 words.
See VIDEOS:

1. The “Harvard men” Hunt Down “Bushwhacker” Burke – November 24, 1862, Shepherdstown, VA Click Here. TRT: 16:30.
2. Shepherdstown, VA. November, 1862 & The Shameful Searchers Click Here. TRT: 23:06.

35. 1862.November.26.Cockralls.Mill.Skirmish:
From a Federal report in the Official Record on the events of November 26:
A . . . reconnaissance, with 600 infantry and two pieces of artillery, under the general commanding the division (Gen. George S. Greene, 2nd Division, XIIth Crops, Federal Army.-JS) was made on the 26th as far as Charlestown, having a skirmish with the enemy’s cavalry at Cockralls Mill, on the Shenandoah, routing them, wounding several, and taking a number of prisoners, arms, and horses, together with a quantity of flour, and destroying at that place a cloth-mill in the employ of the rebels. Thence the command marched to a point opposite Shannondale Spring, and thence to Charlestown, between which and Halltown a rebel camp was broken up, and the Seventh and Twelfth Vir- ginia Cavalry put to flight. No enemy was discovered, other than cavalry parties, in the immediate front. Returned on the same day without any casualties. – Itinerary of the Twelfth Army Corps, September-November 30, 1862. SECOND DlVISION. Chapter XXXI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 19. p. 481.

36. 1862.December.2.CharlesTown.Skirmish:
Participant Baylor wrote of the December 2nd event:
. . . (last paragraph p. 74) matters remained quiet in our front until the first part of December, when a column under General Geary, about 5,000 strong, advanced on Charlestown. Just east of the town we engaged his advance, and after a spirited contest, were driven back. In this fight, Sergeant Timberlake, Richard Baylor, and Charles Isler were wounded. The enemy passed through Charlestown and continued its route through Berryville to Winchester. Company B, falling in its rear, harassed the enemy along the route and captured some prisoners. Geary’s cavalry (Cole’s Battalion) kept close beside the infantry and could not be induced to part company. – Baylor, pp. 74-76.

37. December.20.Halltown.Skirmish:
Confederate Cavalryman George Baylor wrote of the December 20th event:
(mid-page) On the 20th of December, with 25 men, we moved down the River road and attacked the enemy’s reserve cavalry picket near the double toll-gate, just west of Bolivar Heights, capturing seven prisoners, horses and equipments, and as we were returning to Charlestown, at Lucas’s gate, just west of Halltown, encountered about 200 of Cole’s cavalry under Colonel Vernon, who, it seems, had started out on a raid to Charlestown, but on hearing the cannon firing at Bolivar heights had turned back to Harper’s Ferry. At the first glance we supposed them to be some of our regiment from Winchester, sent down to look after us, but soon realized the true situation and prepared for an attack. Five of our men had charge of the prisoners captured, which left us only 20 effective men. Both sides charged, we met near the cake and cider shop, and after a short struggle positions were exchanged, the enemy passing on to Harper’s Ferry and we to Charlestown. We brought off safely our seven prisoners, and wounded several others of the enemy. We lost one prisoner in the fight, W. L. Wilson. The enemy about a mile east of Charlestown picked up my father, who was unarmed, still a sufferer from his wound, and on a visit to some wards, but I was not aware of it until I returned to Charlestown. I met Colonel Cole that evening under flag of truce, and after inquiring after my father, proposed to him to make an exchange for him and Wilson, first offering him three for two, and finally offering his seven men for our two, but he declined. My father remained a prisoner from that time until late in 1864, but Wilson was soon exchanged and back with the company. – Baylor, pp. 77-78.

CHAPTER OR STORY 18 For War Events Oct., 1861-March, 1864 Part 2. Click Here https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-18-64-war-events-in-jefferson-county-oct-61-march-64-summarized-by-jim-surkamp-3-parts-part-2/

6855 words.

CHAPTER OR STORY 18 (in three parts, part 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=55m40s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 55:40 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September6, 1906”

https://web.archive.org/web/20190612203828/https://civilwarscholars.com/2017/05/story-18-2-war-events-of-jefferson-county-wv-oct-1861-to-march-1864-by-jim-surkamp/

FLICKR 87 images (For Parts 1,2,3)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsurkamp/albums/72157686843306093

With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.

Jefferson County, Virginia, becoming West Virginia after June, 1863, was witness to over 130 officially documented war events during the Civil War. These are events that took place between October, 1861 through the end of March, 1864 – the time period Jasper Thompson, we believe, was in the County tending to Washington lands or elsewhere accompanying a family member in Confederate uniform. Jasper enlisted in March, 1864 into the 23rd United States Colored Troops. Continued from Page 1 Click Here.

38. 1863.February.12.Smithfield.Skirmish – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER TWELVE:
    Eyewitness and artilleryman Roger P. Chew described the February 12th event:
    February, 1863, Lieut. Rouss with Lieut. Baylor, John Chew, Billie Manning, Charlie Henderson, John Yates, John Coleman, George Crayton, Billie Gibson, Up Manning, Joe Crane and Duck English marched to Summit Point where information was received that a small scouting party of about 21 men had passed that place in the direction of Smithfield. Rouss immediately started in pursuit of this party. Just before entering the town of Smithfield there is a long straight stretch of road, probably a mile long. There our party came in full view of the foe. The Confederates approached the enemy, who were entirely unmindful of our presence, and dashed into their rear and shot down some of their party before they were aware of any danger. No resistance was made, but pell-mell down through the town they ran, with Confederates behind them, yelling like hyenas. Summing up the result of the fight, four were found killed, three wounded, 7 men and 11 horses captured, without a casualty on our side. A negro man by the name of Redmond, a resident of Jefferson county, who had guided the yankees to people’s homes was shot by Lieut. Rouss and died in a stable north of the town. The party with their prisoners and horses, returned to Summit Point and from there to Locke’s shop, where a stop was made to have a horse shod. The smith had hardly completed the job when the yankees were seen approaching from Charles Town, and a handful of our men were sent to make a dash on the head of the column. This charge was led by John Chew and Charles Crane and was so successful that the head of the column was broken and thrown into confusion. The balance of the party retreated down Locke’s lane. The enemy pursued rapidly and, captured Frank Manning, John Coleman, and Lieut. Baylor. The rest of the party made their escape. – Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 (1911). published by authority of Jefferson County Camp, U.C.V. [by] Farmers Advocate Print written by Roger P. Chew pp. 20-21 archive.org.

39. 1863.February.12.CharlesTown.Skirmish:
    R. P. Chew gives his account of the February 12th event in Charles Town:
    February 12th, 1863, 21 men of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry were scouting in that section, and so was Baylor with 13 of his company. Baylor completely surprised and routed them, killing four, wounding three, and capturing seven men and eleven horses. But on their return south of Charles Town, they encountered a large body of federal cavalry, and lost all they had captured, and Baylor and two of his men were made prisoners. – Chew, p. 23 (top)

Federal General B. F. Kelley reported on both (Smithfield and Charles Town) events of February 12th:
Yesterday about 1 pm. a squad of {R. W.} Baylor’s rebel cavalry attacked a small scouting party of the Twelfth Pennsylvania Cavalry, from Kearneysville, of 12 men, near Smithfield, killing 1, wounding 2, and capturing 4 men and several horses. About 4 pm. my scouts from here fell in with the same party a few miles south of Charlestown, and, after a running fight of several miles, recaptured our men and horses, and captured Lieutenant [George] Baylor, two of his men, and several horses. – B. KELLEY, Chapter XXXVII, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 25. p. 15 (from The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. (multiple volumes) Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1880-1901. hathitrust.org)

40. 1863.Early.May.16.CharlesTown.Skirmish – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER EIGHTEEN:
    David Hunter Strother with the Federals, wrote of this second-hand report of the May 16th event:
    May 16, Saturday. Took the cars for Harpers Ferry, and arrived there at 12:30. A voice called my name from another car. I turned and saw young Tom Buchanan among a squad of Confederate prisoners. I went in and shook hands with him. He was a lieutenant in my cadet company and I paid a drill sergeant to teach him to drill. When the war broke out he and a number of others joined the Confederacy. He looked sunburned and dirty . . . Was told that Mosby had made a raid into Charles Town and had captured our troops. This, of course, changed my plans, and I determined to remain at the Ferry until the next train of cars going west . . . – Strother, p. 182. from Strother, David H. (1961). “A VIRGINIA YANKEE IN THE CIVIL WAR THE DEARIES OF DAVID HUNTER STROTHER.” edited by Cecil Eby. Chapel Hill, NC: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PRESS – archive.org

Confederate Participant Roger Preston Chew wrote of the May 16th event:
After Gen. William E. Jones had left New Market on his West Virginia raid in May, 1863, Lieutenant G. B. Phillpott and Captain R. P. Chew gathered together about 45 men of Company “Q”, and crossing the mountain, went down the Luray Valley through Front Royal, crossing the Shenandoah river at Myers Ford about 11 o’clock at night, May l5th. They pursued their way to Tate’s woods, about three quarters of a mile from Charles Town. They dismounted here and tied their horses, and marched behind the house of Andrew Hunter, down the back street. Thence in front of Hawks’ Factory to George (Street-JS) and turning moved in the direction of the Court House. Phillpott and Chew reached the old cattle scales where a sentinel challenged them and raised his gun. They both fired on him and he fled into the Court House yard and fell. Summers’ Company was quartered in the Court House and the Carter House. They numbered about ninety men. A lieutenant and ten men stationed in the parlor of the Carter House opened fire upon us as soon as Phillpott and Chew fired upon the sentry. They kept up a constant fusilade. It had been arranged that Lieutenant J. W. Carter of Chew’s Battery should attack and capture the soldiers in the Carter House. He was assigned six men for this purpose. When the Company reached the corner of the Court House yard, Carter with his men moved swiftly up the walk in front of the Court House, and crossing the street opposite the Carter House threw open the hall door and entered the parlor. Striking the lieutenant over the head with the butt of his pistol he demanded a surrender. The guard threw down their arms and were taken prisoners. In the meantime Phillpott and Chew, with the remaining men, had entered the Court House and captured, without trouble, the balance of the company of Capt. Summers. Summers, who happened to be out at the time of the attack, hid in the wood pile of Major Hawks, whose house was nearby. The horses in the hotel stable were captured, and the men were mounted with the prisoners behind them. Summers’ company numbered about ninety men, sixty of whom were captured with their arms, and about seventy-five horses. Returning through Tate’s woods the prisoners were mounted on the broken-down horses, and at daylight the whole party re-crossed the river at Myers’ Ford. This capture was made without a single man being killed or wounded on either side. The Federals seemed dazed by the night attack and offered but feeble resistance. – Chew, pp. 30-31. archive.org

41. 1863.May.17.CharlesTown.Skirmish:
    David Hunter Strother with the Federals, wrote a second-hand, mention of this May 17th event:
    May 17, Sunday . . . We went to see General Morris . . . The General is a stout, easy-mannered man of thirty or thirty-five, not much of a soldier in appearance. He seemed to get all his orders from General [Robert C.] Schenck and declined doing anything on his own responsibility. He expressed great apprehension about the safety of the place, and about midday a train arrived from the west with a regiment aboard to reinforce Harper’s Ferry. At dinner came news that the Confederate raiders into Charles Town had been attacked by Union cavalry and beaten with the loss of spoils, prisoners, and a number of their own men killed and wounded (NOTE: This counter-attack occurred outside the County, at Piedmont, VA.-JS) . . . . Took a walk around the hills with Mrs. Strother. We remained out until sunset, and I never saw more beautiful natural pictures than those we enjoyed, looking up and down the two rivers. – Strother, p. 182.

Confederate Lt. Col. O. R. Funsten described both the May 16-17 events in his report:
On the night of May 16, a party of 45 men under Captain [R. Preston] Chew and Lieutenant {John W.} Carter oi Chew’s battery, and Lieutenant [G. B.] Philpot, of the Seventh Regiment, was sent down to attack a cavalry company which was stationed in Charlestown, Jefferson County, which numbered about 93 men. The expedition was entirely successful in the beginning. The enemy was surprised about 1 o’clock at night, and, besides several who were killed and wounded and left behind, Captain Chew brought out 56 prisoners and 75 horses. Unfortunately, they were attacked the next day at 2 pm, after having marched 85 miles on their return, at Piedmont, in Fauquier County, by about 120 of the enemy’s cavalry, and after a firm resistance (in which the captain commanding the enemy’s cavalry was killed, besides several of his command), they were obliged to abandon the prisoners and captured horses. Our loss in this whole affair was only 5 men wounded and 2 or 3 taken prisoners. – O. FUNSTEN, Chapter XXXVII, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 25, p. 145.

42. 1863.June.15.Harpers.Ferry.Evacuation:
    Federal officer Adams describes carrying out the order to evacuate:
    About 8 pm. an attempt was made to storm the main fort, occupied by General Milroy, but the storming party was promptly met and repulsed, General Milroy commanding in person. It was now quite dark, and the firing ceased on all sides. About 1 am. on Monday, 15th, I was informed by Colonel McReynolds that it was determined by a council of war to evacuate the forts and fall back on Harper’s Ferry, “taking nothing that goes on wheels,” and that to my regiment was assigned the post of honor that of bringing up and protecting the rear of our forces. At 2 o’clock, the main body of the division having reached the Winchester and Martinsburg turnpike, I marched with a strong rear guard in inverse order, expecting an attack in rear by the rebel cavalry, and never for one moment anticipating trouble in front. The wily enemy, however, by a rapid flank movement, had succeeded in throwing a heavy force of artillery and infantry in our front, at a point about 4 miles from Winchester, on the Martinsburg road, and opened a terrific fire upon our retreating forces. – A. ADAMS, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 2, Vol. 27, p. 85. from The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. (multiple volumes) Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1880-1901. hathitrust.org

43. NOTE – June 30, 1863:
    WASHINGTON, GEORGE: b. 2/22/42. Student. enl. 4/18/61 at Charles Town in Co. G of 2nd Va. Inf. as Pvt. Elected Sgt., 6/10/61. Absent sick since 10/5/61. Discharged 8/31/62, reason not stated. Unofficial source (Virginia State Library) says he served in Co. B of 12th Va Cav. Virginia State Library also says KIA (location and date of battle not stated). d. 6/30/63. Frye, Dennis E. (1984). “The 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment.” H.E. Howard: Lynchburg, VA.

44. 1863.July.Melvins.Hill.Skirmish:
    Roger P. Chew described a small skirmish at Melvins Hill, but with no exact date given:
    A sharp encounter occurred at Melvin’s Hill, about one and one quarter miles east of Duffields, between three rebs and three yanks, in July ’63. The three rebs had been sent to establish a picket post on Engle’s Hill, not knowing that the Federals were advancing. After crossing the Halltown and Shepherdstown road, a citizen informed them that the Federals were advancing, and that a company had just passed. The Confederates wheeled about to investigate. The Federal company had sent three scouts up the road towards Duffields, and the Confederates, being informed of that fact, prepared for it. The yanks saw the rebs coming, raised their carbines, and waited until the rebs were within seventy-five yards, and fired, but missed. Both sides used their revolvers. The rebs drove the yanks back to the stone house, killing one, wounding one, and liberating one prisoner they had captured. In the melee, a horse of one of the rebs fell, and disabled its rider. The Federal cavalry, hearing the firing, wheeled and come back at full tilt. Reb No. 2, getting too close with an empty revolver, was taken in. Reb No. 3, with two loads in his second revolver, could not shoot, for fear of killing his comrade; and the company, almost on him, he gave the spur to his horse, jumped the cap fence, and reported to his company. – Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 (1911). published by authority of Jefferson County Camp, U.C.V. [by] Farmers Advocate Print written by Roger P.Chew pp.20-21 archive.org written by R. P. Chew, pp. 16-17.

45. 1863.July.5-7.Harpers.Ferry.Bridge.Destruction.Skirmish:
    Southern troops from Gettysburg passed through town on July 5, 1863. They laid wood flooring across the spans for their troops and wagons to use, prompting Union cavalry under General Henry A. Cole to raid the town and burn the woodwork on the four Bollman spans. – p. 52 – Caplinger, Michael W. (1997). “Bridges Over Time: A Technological Context for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Main Stem at Harpers Ferry, west Virginia.” Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Institute for the History of Technology & Industrial Archaeology. Print.

46. 1863.July.14.Harpers.Ferry.Skirmish:
    Federal Cavalry Commander Pleasonton described the July 14th skirmish:
    On July 14, General Gregg, with McIntosh’s and Gregg’s brigades, of his division, crossed the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry, and quickly drove a force of the enemy’s cavalry back upon Charlestown. The entire rebel army having effected a crossing of the Potomac on that day, Gregg was re-enforced by Huey’s brigade, and directed to gain the flank and rear of the rebels, and harass them as much as possible. He (Gregg) marched to Shepherdstown, found the roads to Martinsburg and Winchester strongly picketed, and Huey’s brigade not having joined him, he waited until the 16th, when the enemy attacked him in force. A spirited contest was maintained until some time after dark, when the enemy withdrew. A large quantity of bacon and flour was captured by our troops at Shepherdstown. General Gregg speaks of the high soldierly qualities exhibited by his officers and men on that occasion. – A. PLEASONTON, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, p. 917.

Union Losses July 14, 1863 near Harper’s Ferry: **1 officer and 24 enlisted men were captured or missing. – Return of Casualties in the Union Forces, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, p. 193.

Confederate Cavalryman Commander Stuart gave this report of the July 14th events in Harpers Ferry:
Harper’s Ferry was again in possession of the enemy, and Colonel Harman, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, had in an engagement with the enemy gained a decided success, but was himself captured by his horse falling. – J. E. B STUART, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 2, Vol. 27, pp. 705-706.

48. 1863.July.15.Halltown.Skirmish:
    Federal officer C. H. Smith described the skirmish in Halltown on July 15th:
    On the morning of July 15, when the column had reached Halltown; the colonel commanding the brigade ordered me to go forward with my regiment on the Charlestown pike, and directed that I should go into Charlestown or until I found the enemy in force. Having advanced nearly a mile, we surprised the pickets of the enemy, and drove them until we were met by a regular line of dismounted skirmishers; then the engagement became general. I deployed six companies, kept two companies on the pike to charge the center of the enemy from time to time after his flanks were sufficiently forced back, and kept but three small companies in reserve and to guard our flanks and rear. Thus, by a bold front and two hours severe skirmishing, we drove a very much larger number over a mile and from several good positions, when ordered to retire and join the column. The enemy opened upon us with two pieces of artillery. The officers and men of my regiment behaved with the utmost gallantry. All of which is respectfully submitted. – C. H. SMITH, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, p. 980.

More at J. GREGG, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, pp. 978-979.

49. 1863.July.15. Shepherdstown.Skirmish:
    Leaving the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and a detachment of Scott’s Nine Hundred on picket at Halltown, the brigade (Third Brigade, Second Div., Cavalry Corps) moved on the Shepherdstown Road, encountering and capturing a number of the enemy’s stragglers, and on arriving at that place, two squadrons of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, under command of Major Fry charged through the town. The Sixteenth lost 1 man wounded – J. GREGG, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, pp. 978

50. 1863.July.16.Kearneysville.Pike.Butlers.Woods.Action – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER TWO – Butler’s Woods:
    Confederate Cavalry Commander J.E.B. Stuart described the conflicts of July 15-16th in his report:
    Upon my arrival at the Bower that afternoon (15th), I learned that a large force of the enemy’s cavalry was between Shepherdstown and Leetown, and determined at once to attack him in order to defeat any designs he might have in the direction of Martinsburg. I made disposition accordingly, concentrating cavalry in his front, and **early on the 16th moved Fitz Lee’s brigade down the turnpike, toward Shepherdstown, supported by Chambliss, who, though quite ill, with that commendable spirit which has always distinguished him, remained at the head of his brigade. Jenkins brigade was ordered to advance on the road from Martinsburg toward Shepherdstown, so as by this combination to expose one of the enemy’s flanks, while Jones, now near Charlestown, was notified of the attack, in order that he might co-operate. No positive orders were sent him, as his precise locality was not known. These dispositions having been arranged, I was about to attack when I received a very urgent message from the commanding general to repair at once to his headquarters. I therefore committed to Brig. Gen. Fitz. Lee the consummation of my plans, and reported at once to the commanding general, whom I found at Bunker Hill. Returning in the afternoon, I proceeded to the scene of conflict on the turnpike, and found that General Fitz. Lee had, with his own and Chambliss brigades, driven the enemy steadily to within a mile of Shepherdstown, Jenkin’s brigade not having yet appeared on the left. However, it (Jenkin’s brigade-JS) soon after arrived in Fitz. Lee’s rear, and moved up to his support. The ground was not practicable for cavalry, and the main body was dismounted, and advanced in line of battle. The enemy retired to a strong position behind stone fences and barricades, near Colonel [A. R.] Boteler’s residence, and it being nearly dark, obstinately maintained his ground at this last point until dark, to cover his withdrawal. Preparations were made to renew the attack vigorously next morning, but daybreak revealed that the enemy had retired toward Harpers Ferry. The enemy’s loss in killed and wounded was heavy. We had several killed and wounded, and among the latter Col. James H. Drake, First Virginia Cavalry, was mortally wounded, dying that night (16th), depriving his regiment of a brave and zealous leader, and his country of one of her most patriotic defenders. (NOTE: Reported Federal casualties: Union Losses July 15-16, 1863 Shepherdstown: 8 enlisted men killed; 8 officers and 64 enlisted men were wounded; 24 enlisted men were captured or missing. – Return of Casualties in the Union Forces, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, p. 193.

Stuart continues:
The enemy’s loss in killed and wounded was heavy. We had several killed and wounded, and among the latter Col. James H. Drake, First Virginia Cavalry, was mortally wounded, dying that night (16th), depriving his regiment of a brave and zealous leader, and his country of one of her most patriotic defenders. The commanding general was very desirous of my moving a large portion of my command at once into Loudoun, but the recent rains had so swollen the Shenandoah that it was impossible to ford it, and cavalry scouting parties had to swim their horses over. – J. E. B. STUART – Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 2, Vol. 27. p. 706.

Roger P. Chew described the two conflicts on July 15-16 near Shepherdstown and halfway between Shepherdstown and Kearneysville on the Kearneysville Pike:
After the Gettysburg Campaign, with Lee back in Virginia and Harper’s Ferry in the hands of the enemy, the situation in Jefferson County was about as follows: The enemy’s pickets extended about 2 miles out from Harper’s Ferry, with signal and spy stations on Maryland Heights. Any movement of troops in day time could be seen by them. Even many of the picket posts were under their observation. The Shenandoah River was high, hardly fordable. Lee’s army was in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties until after the middle of the month. The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers were carefully picketed, and the army uncertain what the next move would be. On the Sixteenth, the Federals, crossing at Shepherdstown and driving in the pickets, advanced a large force of cavalry as far as Kearneysville. Here Fitz Lee and Chambliss’ brigades of cavalry confronted them and steadily drove them back. The federals were amply supplied with artillery, and at every favorable position, made stubborn resistance. Late in the evening, Stuart came on the field and took command, having ordered General Jenkins, with his brigade of cavalry from near Martinsburg to his assistance, who arrived later in the evening. The enemy, having fallen back to Butler’s woods, made a final stand. The cavalry could not well operate, and so both sides dismounted their men and fought until dark. The Confederates remained on the field, expecting to renew the engagement in the morning, but the enemy moved off in the night. . . . Colonel Drake, of the first Virginia Cavalry, was mortally wounded, and died that night at Mr. Marshall’s. About 40 feet from Marker No. 2, measuring west, is the place where he was shot. He was an able officer. This movement of the enemy had been made to ascertain Lee’s position, but failed. This force was to have been supported by a brigade from Harper’s Ferry, but they failed to arrive on time, as will be shown. Company I, of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, was picketing from near Shepherdstown to Engle’s Hill; and when the advance was made, they stayed within the enemy’s lines to operate. A courier was captured at Uvilla on the evening of the fifteenth, and sufficient information obtained to justify our watching this road. – Chew, p. 9.

Federal Eyewitness C. H. Smith of the First Maine Cavalry gave this report of the July 16th action on the Kearneysville Pike:
On July 16, about 12 in., I was ordered by the colonel commanding brigade to proceed from Shepherdstown with my regiment out about 4 miles on the Winchester pike for forage. Having advanced about a mile, I met a courier from the picket (a squadron of the Tenth New York Cavalry), who reported that the picket had been attacked, and were hotly pursued by the enemy. Looking forward, I observed that about half a mile ahead the pike crossed a ridge covered by a belt of timber, and, being desirous of obtaining that position, I ordered the gallop, and the regiment dashed forward. As we drew near the timber, we met the squadron on picket completely overwhelmed by a superior foe, making every effort to cover its led horses and wounded men. The advance of the enemy reached the crest of the ridge first, but, in spite of their steady firing, two companies from my regiment, commanded respectively by Lieutenants Coleman and Cole, when ordered to take the summit of the hill, charged with such impetuosity as to drive back the enemy, killing 1 and wounding 3. The enemy thus received a serious check, the position was gained, and the regiment was immediately disposed for still further defense. In that position we opposed the rapidly increasing number of the enemy for more than an hour, strengthening our line from time to time until the regiment was nearly all deployed and engaged in the front. Here it was that Major Boothby and Lieutenant Hunton were wounded, while engaged urging the men to still more gallant resistance. Subsequently the enemy massed in such numbers on our left flank as to make longer resistance impossible, and our line of skirmishers was driven back about 200 yards to a favorable position. Supported by a portion of the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, the regiment defended this position against every effort of the enemy to rout it, even driving the gunners from a howitzer that the enemy had the rashness to bring within carbine range, until relieved by the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, when it retired from the front and took position as support. But a short time afterward, however, the enemy opened with several pieces of artillery, and simultaneously advanced with such overwhelming numbers as to peril the thin line of skirmishers of the Sixteenth. Observing this, I at once ordered four companies to the front just in season to render timely assistance, and shortly after the rest of the regiment became actively engaged again, and thus shared the fortunes of the rest of the day until withdrawn from the field at midnight. – C. H. SMITH, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27. pp. 980-981.

More at E. DOSTER, Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, pp. 983-985.

and M. HENRY AVERY Chapter XXXIX, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Vol. 27, pp. 982-983.

51. 1863.July.16.Uvilla.Skirmish – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER SEVEN: Uvilla Store. (No report in Official Record.-JS)
    Roger P. Chew wrote of the July 16th event:
    (bottom) Early on the morning of the sixteenth, Captain Kearney took position in the timber adjoining the Uvilla store, put a picket in either direction, and awaited events. It was not long until a squad appeared. They were taken in. The company would divide, and charge front and rear. This was continued until thirty-three prisoners, their horses and equipments, and the General’s headquarter’s wagon with his extra clothing, camp fixtures, and bedding, and two fine horses and harness, and servant were captured. Several escaped and gave the alarm. Marker No. 7, on the hill north of the Uvilla store, is where most of the captures were made. – Chew, p. 10.

52. 1863.July.16.Moler’s.Crossroads.Skirmish – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER FIVE:
    Roger P. Chew wrote of the Moler’s Crossroads event on July 16th:
    Major Knott, joining the company at this time, sent the prisoners back to safety, and moved the company to Moler’s Cross Roads, two and one-half miles east of Uvilla. When they neared the place, they saw the advance guard of some force. They charged and captured one. The others ran into their column, closely followed by our company. They were over the hill and could not be seen. The company wheeled about and exchanged some shots and retired. It was a brigade of cavalry with artillery on their way to reinforce their forces at Shepherdstown. They, supposing that a heavy force was in their front, placed their artillery in position, threw out skirmishers, put their squadrons in line of battle and awaited developments. Full three hours time was lost. Every citizen that happened along was held by them until near midnight. – Chew, p. 11.

53. August, 1863 – Federals confiscate 2000 bushels of wheat from Blakeley and Claymont run by Richard B. Washington. (Farm Records of Bushrod Corbin Washington – Perry Room, Charles Town Library).

54. 1863.September.15-16.Smithfield.Affair:
    September 15, Captain (Abram) Jones, of the First New York Cavalry, with 100 men, attacked a party of rebels, 70 strong, at Smithfield, and captured 11 prisoners, with horses and full equipments. Captain Jones was slightly wounded in the hand. No other injury was sustained on our part. September 16 and 17, scouts were sent up the valley, but returned without discovering any enemy. – Extract from “Record of Events,” Chapter XLL, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 29, p. 102.

55. 1863.October.1.Harpers.Ferry.Skirmish:
    Chapter XLI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 29, p. 4.

56. 1863.October.7.CharlesTown.Summit.Point.2.Skirmishes:
    Federal Colonel George Wells described the October 7th events in his report: (The skirmish ranged widely across the county including more than just this point Gilmor fought Summers near Summit Point)
    The affair at Charlestown would appear to be this: On the morning of October 7, before receiving my dispatch, Colonel Simpson sent out a scout of 20 cavalry on the Berryville road. Information was soon brought in that this force was cut off by the enemy. Captain Summers was immediately sent out to their relief, with 43 men, his entire available force. Some time after his departure the scout of 20 men came in on another road, closely followed within half a mile of the town by the enemy. Colonel Simpson immediately went out with his infantry and drove the enemy back, capturing 4 prisoners and 3 horses of Companies A and F, Twelfth Virginia Cavalry. As Captain Summers was on his return from his scout, when near Summit Point he fell in with this party. He was leading the advance, when, at a bend of the road, he came upon a portion of the enemy drawn up in the road. He instantly charged them, and as he did so received a volley from a squad which had dismounted and were concealed behind a stone fence skirting the road. Captain Summers fell at the first fire. His men, deprived of their leader, scattered and fell back. They were not followed. Cole’s cavalry, placed under my orders by the brigadier-general commanding, were sent to Charlestown that night, and the next morning scouted out the Summit Point and Smithfield road, bringing in the bodies of our killed. They report seeing no enemy. It would seem that the rebel force consisted of two companies (Captains Baylor aud Morrow) Twelfth Virginia Cavalry and Gilmor’s entire battalion . . . Our loss was: Capt. George D. Summers, Company F, Cavalry, Second Maryland Regiment, [Potomac Home Brigade,] killed [and 1 man killed and 4 wounded]. I think Colonel Simpson’s disposition and management of his small force very judicious. The loss of Captain Summers is greatly to be deplored. – G. WELLS, Chapter XLI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 29, pp. 210-211.

Confederate Cavalryman Col. Harry Gilmor described in his book his lead role in the skirmish on October 7th at Summit Point, leading to the skirmish at Charles Town – ROADSIDE MARKER NUMBER THIRTEEN:
About the close of September, 1863, I took 50 men from my camp at Mt. Jackson with the intention of crossing the Potomac to capture a lot of government horses and mules which my scouts had reported to be grazing in the neighborhood of Hagerstown. Their picket lines extended to and beyond Charles Town, where a regiment of infantry and two companies of cavalry were stationed. Captain Somers commanded the cavalry, and Col. Benjamin Simpson the 9th Maryland. I crossed the line without being detected, but when I reached the river I found it past fording, and had to return. I camped in the woods on William Washington’s place, and, being determined not to go back without some game, sent scouts to watch the road leading out of Charles Town. I had not slept more than two hours when I learned that 27th cavalry had gone up the road leading to Smithfield. The men were soon mounted, and, striking out across the country, we got into the road in the rear of this squad, and followed on their trail to Smithfield. Soon after reaching the turnpike we met a man whom I knew to be a Unionist, but, expecting to capture the party ahead of me before they could reach Charles Town in my rear, I let him pass. What a change it would have made in subsequent events had I taken him along with us! We continued at a trot until we gained the hill immediately above Smithfield, when I closed up the column, drawing sabres, charged into the town, expecting to find the enemy there; but to my chagrin, learned that they had passed through without halting, taking the road to Summit Point, and were now a considerable distance ahead. I followed on at a good swinging trot, with four or five well mounted men in advance, until we got nearly to Summit Point, when my scouts returned, saying the enemy had passed through that place also a short time previous, and were now on the road back to Charles Town.

My horses were by this time much jaded, and some hardly able to keep up; still, determined not to abandon the enterprise, I struck across the fields, hoping to cut them off before they could reach Charles Town. In this I did not succeed; but three of my men ran into their rear guard just as they were entering the place. One of them, Charles Forman, was captured. I dismounted half my men, put them in position, and tried to draw out the enemy, but they had their own plan in view, and refused to follow. This made me rather suspicious, so putting twelve men under Captain Blackford as a rear guard, I started for Summit Point and camp. I had reached the “White House,” owned by Mr. Morrow, two miles from Summit Point, had halted to let the men dismount and get water from the large spring about fifty yards off, and was the only mounted man left in the road. I had ridden up to the yard fence, and was talking to the ladies, when I heard a voice exclaim, “Here they are boys by God, we’ve got them now!” At the same instant a bullet whistled through a lilac bush between the ladies and myself. I wheeled around and saw the head of a cavalry column on the rocky hill above, and between me and Summit Point.

Here was a perilous position. Seeing only the first section of fours, I knew not how many were behind them. I could not retreat, and therefore determined to make the best light possible under the circumstances. I ordered ten of my men who had carbines to get behind the ruins of an old stone stable, and fight them to the last. Seeing my horses without their riders, the others thought we were apprized of their coming, and had prepared an ambuscade; and though Captain Somers, whom I recognized, begged, implored, and cursed them, they would not charge, but stood still on the hill, popping away at us with their carbines. One of my men Ford, from Baltimore came up with a rifle and putting his hand on my thigh, asked what he should do. I told him to get behind the stone wall, and take a good aim every time he fired, “all right, Major.” Just as he spoke the word a ball pierced his head, killing him instantly.

At that moment Captain Somers. who I must say was a brave man, spurred his horse down the hill, and engaged me with his pistol, firing wildly, for I saw he was much excited. I reserved my fire till he came within twenty paces, steadied my horse with the bit, took a long sure aim, and Somers fell from his horse. The ball entered the side of his nose, and came out back of his head. By this time nine of my men had mounted, and, as the sharpshooters had been doing good work. I thought I could risk a charge, but it was unnecessary to give the order, for I heard Read or Bosley say, “come, boys it’s a shame to leave the major there by himself;” and by the time I had returned the pistol and drawn my sabre, the boys were at my side, so on we went. When we gained the hill top, I saw, to my amazement, that there were about sixty before me, but, as there was a good post and rail fence on either side, they could show no more front than my ten men. To whip the foremost was to whip all. As I passed by the stone stable I ordered the rest to mount and follow. Captain Somers was lying across the road. I was obliged to jump my horse over his dead body; four others lying near were either dead or wounded.

Settling myself in the saddle, I dashed in among the blue jackets, cutting and thrusting right and left, and parrying a blow when necessary. They were from Michigan and Maryland, and for a while fought well. Observing an officer fighting like a Turk and cheering his men on, I made for him. He was a man of my own size, wore a very heavy beard, and looked, I thought very savage as he yelled out, “Come on you damned rebel, I’ll soon fix your flint.” This promised good sport. I closed with him, making a powerful front cut, which he parried, and at the same instant made a right cut at my neck. By bringing my sabre down in time, my side caught the blow. Now I had the advantage.

Quick as a flash I cut him across the cheek, inflicting a large gash, and he fell to the ground. I gave him in charge of one of my men, and then followed after my first ten, who had pushed the column back two hundred yards while the lieutenant and I were busy with our affair. The latter soon after escaped by jumping a stone wall and running into a thick woods. We soon got them on the run, nor did we give them time to stop and reform until they had passed through and beyond Summit Point. We had taken eighteen prisoners, and were unable to pursue them farther until my men had come up, for the federals had formed and turned upon the two or three men who were still in pursuit, but by the time they had pushed these back again to Summit Point I had dismounted ten or fifteen men, who easily checked them. We charged again, took five more prisoners, and the rest made their escape. After collecting my prisoners and men, I left by a private route for the Upper Valley, with twenty three prisoners and twenty nine horses, leaving four of their dead and three wounded on the field. My loss was one man killed, three wounded, and one taken prisoner. I reached camp safely with everything I had captured. It seems the Unionist went immediately to Charles Town and gave information of what he had seen, and Somers followed me all the way round. A sad affair it turned out for him, but “such are the fortunes of war”. Captain Somers was highly esteemed by his commanding officers, as shown by a long article, highly complimentary to him, that appeared a few days after. The same paper also alleged that I had murdered him! Indeed! Then not a few were murdered on both sides. – Gilmor, Harry. (1866). “Four years in the saddle.” New York, Harper & brothers pp. 107-111.

57. 1863.October.18.CharlesTown.Capture:
    Telegram from Federal Gen. Jer. Sullivan, summarizing the events of October 18th:
    This a.m. at about 7 o’clock the forces of Imboden and White, numbering about 900 cavalry or mounted infantry and three pieces of artillery, surrounded the command of Colonel Simpson at Charlestown, and captured almost all his entire command, consisting of about 250 men. As soon as information reached me I sent out my cavalry under Major Cole, one battery of artillery, and two regiments, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts and Tenth Maryland, all under command of Colonel Wells. The cavalry came up with the enemy this side of Charlestown, and drove them through the town. Artillery coming up, drove them about 4 miles. A portion of infantry force, one regiment, reaching them, the enemy were driven from every position they took, to near Berryville. Night coming on, I ordered them to fall back. Our entire loss, irrespective of the force captured, will not exceed 25 killed and wounded. – J. SULLIVAN,
    Chapter XLI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 29. p. 485.

Local resident and Confederate Cavalryman Roger P. Chew described the event of October 18th:
(bottom) On October 18, 1863, Gen. John D. Imboden marched to the vicinity of Charles Town for the purpose of capturing the enemy, who were posted there in large force. The 9th Maryland Regiment of Infantry and Capt. Summer’s Cavalry Company were quartered, the first in the Court House, and the latter in the Jail. Imboden formed a line of battle on the Hanson farm west of the town, and extending his line to the east to the Kabletown road. He located a battery near the house of Robert Brown but found, after firing a few shots, he could not reach the Court House. He then extended his line across the Harpers Ferry road to the farm of James M. Ranson, and placing his gun on the hill north of town fired several shots through the Court House. The enemy immediately evacuated the Court House and attempted a retreat towards Harpers Ferry but were intercepted by the Confederates and the entire command captured, excepting Summers’ company which effected its escape towards Leetown. He (Imboden-JS) then commenced to retreat by the pike to Berryville. He was pursued by a large force of the enemy and had a number of engagements between that point and Rippon. Here he (Imboden-JS) formed in line to check the advance of the enemy and a serious engagement took place in which a number of men on both sides were killed and wounded. The enemy discontinued their pursuit at that point and Imboden retreated unmolested with his prisoners and captures. – Chew, pp. 31-32.

More reports about the October 18 conflict:
G. WELLS, Chapter XLI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 29. pp. 486-489

B. SIMPSON, Chapter XLI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 29, pp. 489-490.

J. IMBODEN (Commander of Confederate force), Chapter XLI, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 29, pp. 490-492

November, 1863 Federals confiscate most foods and livestock from Richard B. Washington’s managed farms, incl 2000 pounds of bacon and thirty head of cattle. (Farm Records of Bushrod Corbin Washington – Perry Room, Charles Town Library).

CHAPTER OR STORY 18 WAR EVENTS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY OCT, 61-MARCH, 1864 (in three parts, part 3) CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-18-64-war-events-in-jefferson-county-oct-61-march-64-summarized-by-jim-surkamp-3-parts-part-3/

3264 words.

STORY 18 – A TWELVE-MINUTE MEDITATION ON WAR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=55m40s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 55:40 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September6, 1906”

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59. 1864.January.10.Loudoun.Heights.Skirmish:
    Partisan Commander Mosby gave this first-hand account of the January 10th event:
    On Saturday, January 9, having learned through Frank Stringfellow (a scout of General Stuart) that Coles (Maryland) cavalry was encamped on Loudoun Heights with no support but infantry, which was about one-half mile off, I left lie with about 100 men in hopes of being able to completely surprise his camp by a night attack. By marching my command by file along a narrow path I succeeded in gaining a position in rear of the enemy between their camp and the ferry. On reaching this point without creating any alarm. I deemed that the crisis had passed and the capture of the camp of the enemy a certainty. I had exact information up to dark of that evening of the number of the enemy (which was between 175 and 200), the position of their headquarters, & c. When within 200 yards of the camp I sent Stringfellow on ahead with about 110 men to capture Major Cole and staff, whose headquarters were in a house about 100 yards from their camp, while I halted to close up my command. The camp was buried in profound sleep; there was not a sentinel awake. All my plans were on the eve of consummation (16) when suddenly the party sent with Stringfellow came dashing over the hill toward the camp yelling and shooting. They had made no attempt to secure Cole. Mistaking them for the enemy, I ordered my men to charge. In the mean time the enemy had taken the alarm and received us with a volley from their carbines. A severe fight ensued, in which they were driven from their camp, but taking refuge in the surrounding houses kept up a desultory firing. Confusion and delay having ensued from the derangement of my plans, consequent on the alarm given to the enemy, rendered it hazardous to continue in my position, as re-enforcements were near the enemy. Accordingly I ordered the men to retire, which was done in good order, bringing off 6 prisoners and between 50 and 60 horses. My loss was severe; more so in the worth than the number of the slain. It was 4 killed, 7 wounded (of whom 4 have since died), and 1 captured. A published list of the enemys loss gives it at 5 killed and 13 wounded. Among those who fell on this occasion were Capt. William R. Smith and Lieutenant Turner, two of the noblest and bravest officers of this army, who thus sealed a life of devotion and of sacrifice to the cause that they loved. In numerous other affairs with the enemy between 75 and 100 horses and mules have been captured, about 40 men killed, wounded, and captured. A party of this command also threw one of the enemy’s trains off the track, causing a great smash-up. – J. MOSBY, Chapter XLV, The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. (multiple volumes) Washington, Govt. Print. Off., 1880-1901., Series I, Volume 33, pp. 15-16 hathitrust.org (Vol. 33 ALL)

Federal Officer Henry Cole gave his first-hand report of the January 10th event:
I have the honor of addressing you for the purpose of reportlng the facts of an attempt by Major Mosby’s battalion of guerrilla cavalry to surprise and capture my camp, between the hours of 3 and 4 am. of this day. They studiously avoided my pickets; divided themselves into small bodies, which were speedily consolidated in sight of my camp. They then made an impetuous charge with a yell on the right of the same. In consequence of the suddenness of the same this company could offer but a feeble resistance. In the mean time Company A, the second in the line, was speedily rallied by its commanding officer, Captain Vernon, who contested their farther advance in such a sanguinary manner that [they] formed a rallying point for the balance of the command, who were now thoroughly aroused of the danger that threatened them, and one and al], from the officer to the private, entered into the contest with such a determined zest as led to the utter rout and discomfiture of the enemy, and the signal failure of their base attempt. They experienced a loss of 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and 2 privates killed, and 2 privates mortally wounded, and 1 prisoner. It was also very evident that they removed a large portion of their wounded with them in their precipitate flight, as a detachment of the command, subsequently sent in pursuit, found evidence of blood all along their line of retreat. I experienced a loss of 4 enlisted men killed and 16 wounded. – H. COLE, Chapter XLV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 33, pp. 17-18. hathitrust.org

60. 1864.February.5.Smithfield.Skirmish:
    Local resident and Confederate Artilleryman Roger P. Chew gives his first-hand account of the event on February 5th:
    In February, 1864, General Rosser, with all his command except a small portion which were picketing the outposts down the valley, was west of the mountains on his celebrated cattle raid. Captain Kearney, with a part of his company engaged in picket duty at the time, and being relieved too late to join Rosser, asked permission to make a scout to Jefferson (County-JS). The request was granted. He got together nineteen of his company and started, early on the 4th of February, 1864, from New Market; and by 2 AM of the fifth, eighteen of his men were hidden in the pines and cedars along the pike, a short distance north of Smithfield. A picket was placed on the Charles Town pike, and one on the Shepherdstown pike, with instructions to report in haste, the approach of the enemy, and count the number, if possible. It was known that every day a squad came from Shepherdstown or Kearneysville on that pike to Smithfield, and a battalion came from Charles Town three times each week. About sunrise, both pickets came at a gallop, and reported that 22 federals were advancing from Kearneysville. Kearney kept nine of his men to charge down Main street, and sent nine in charge of a sergeant, down a back street, to meet in the centre of the town; and he started these nine a moment ahead to allow for distance.

Just at this stage, with the nine gone on their mission, some one exclaimed, “Look there on the Charles Town pike, there comes the battalion,” which unfortunately, was true. Kearney, equal to the emergency, said, “Boys, we will charge through the yanks in the town, but don’t stop.” Forward and away we went. We were on them so suddenly, and the surprise was so great, that nearly all surrendered without a shot, not knowing that several hundred of their own men were at hand. We had not time to disarm them. A few took our direction ahead of us; and as soon as we passed those in the street, they, seeing the situation, with the whole battalion, gave chase, and began firing with their carbines, killing one of our best men, David Hoffman. The squad that tried to escape ahead of us on Main street had one killed and several wounded. Two of our squad, wanting a remount, stopped long enough to disarm and dismount two yanks, and, taking as they thought, a near cut to overtake the company, were captured. The horses would not jump fences.

We were thirty-five miles outside our lines. A ruse saved the rest of the company. The Major inquired, “How many men had you in that command?” The reb thought quickly, “The truth will be the best answer,” and replied, “Eighteen.” “You are lying”, he said, “Eighteen men would not come so far out of their lines;” and he would not follow. Our horses were nearly worn out from hard service and the long ride from New Market the day and night before, they could have easily overtaken, at least, some of the men. Our scout was a failure, as was Captain Baylor’s the year previous. – Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 (1911). published by authority of Jefferson County Camp, U.C.V. [by] Farmers Advocate Print written by Roger P. Chew pp. 21-23 archive.org

More from Federal Col. RODGERS, Chapter XLV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 33, pp. 508-509. hathitrust.org

61. 1864.February.11.B&O.Railroad.Kearneysville.Browns.Shop.Raid
    Chief Participant Harry Gilmor gives his account of the February 11th event:
    There were three thousand cavalry encamped around Charlestown, near which we must pass, and a double row of pickets, extending from the Shenandoah to the North Mountain, through which also we had to find our way. The point on the railroad to which my attention was directed was about midway between Duffield’s Depot and Kearneysville, and at both of these places a strong (144) picket-guard of cavalry and infantry were stationed; therefore it must be quick work. Well, after a great deal of nice manoeuvering, I worked through all the pickets, and dismounted in a piece of wood near Brown’s shop. Obstructions were soon placed upon the track, but we were unable to move a rail, so securely were they bolted down. Having firmly placed these obstructions so that the train could not drive through, I sent two men two hundred yards down the track, to put light fence-rails across, in order to check the engine, and not let it run into the logs at full speed; for I would rather have let it go than inflict injury beyond what was actually necessary to stop the train. Lieutenant Kearney was put in charge of the boarding party, with very precise instructions as to their conduct toward the passengers. The train in a short time came thundering along from Harper’s Ferry. The fence-rails had the desired effect; the engineer had time to check and reverse the engine before it struck the logs, and it ran off the track so easily that some of the passengers were still asleep when Lieutenant Kearney boarded the train. I ran to the engineer to know if he was hurt; he said “No.” I then entered the smoking-car, thinking it was the mail, but found it filled with soldliers, mostly cavalry, all armed. I announced to them they were my prisoners; ordered them to take off their arms, and come out one at a time. But a large Irishman drew his sabre and swore “he had paid his passage, and intended to ride.” As I went up to take hold of him, he made a tremendous front cut at me; but, fortunately, the roof was too low to allow his sabre full swing, and I caught the blow on my fore-arm. I had a thick overcoat on, and received merely a bruise. Orders had been given for no firing under any circumstances (145), but I could not refrain from striking the fellow a blow on the head with the barrel of my revolver, which brought him down on his seat. I then seized him by the collar and hurled him to the door. There were several more around me disposed to fight, but a little persuasion from the muzzle of a cocked pistol quieted them all, I then turned to see what was meant by a scuffle at the door, and found that two of my men, in coming to my assistance, had been thrown off the platform by my Irish friend, whom the blow had made ferocious, and one of them, Norwood, severely injured. Dropping on one knee, and seizing him at the same instant, I threw him head foremost from the platform, and he fell on a flat rock lying on one side. When we left, there he still lay. Having had all the prisoners brought together, I ordered the stoves to be knocked down, and all the train burned except the sleeping-car, which was reserved for the ladies. Information had been given me that a large amount of public money was in the iron safe, and I made every effort to get into it, but in vain. The expressman had made his escape.

I then went back to see how the men were getting on, and was told that some of them had been robbing the prisoners and passengers. This was against my positive orders, and I threatened to shoot any one caught in the act. Of course I could not see every thing going on, and all around was in confusion. Judge Bright, of Indiana, complained that he had been robbed of his watch. I promised him to endeavor to have it restored, which was afterward done. Just then a scout informed me the other train was coming from Wheeling with troops on board, and soon after it came near and stopped. I ordered all hands to make for the horses, taking with me two officers whom I had captured (146). There were some others who, having torn off the insignia of their rank, could not be detected. We had not been gone five minutes before the enemy were all through the wood in which our horses had been tied. The two officers were carried behind our men; but, as it was rather hard upon the horses, to say nothing of the officers, and a long tramp lay before us, I let them go, under a promise not to leave the house in which we left them until daylight. We had passed the picket-lines by break-of-day, although the whole country was alive with cavalry, hunting for us in every direction. I took the most out of the way by-paths, but did not hurry myself. I preferred to let the Federals go ahead, and then follow on in their wake, until we got above Winchester, where I went into the pine hills and laid by at a friend’s house. The enemy soon became tired of looking for us, and returned to camp. . . More . . . – Gilmor, Harry, (1866). “Four years in the saddle.” Baltimore: Butternut and Blue pp. 143-146. archive.org

Federal General Kelley gave the report of the February 11th event:
The express train west last night was thrown off the track near Kearneysville by a band of Gilmor’s guerrillas, numbering about 25. They did not burn the train or take away any prisoners, but robbed the conductor and passengers of quite a sum of money. Brigadier-General Sullivan reports his cavalry in pursuit. General Duffie reports his cavalry had captured a portion of the guerrilla force that took General Scammon, but, does not say that the general is recaptured. – B. KELLEY, Chapter XLV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 33, p. 151. hathitrust.org

Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart reported on the February 11th event:
I have the honor to report that Maj. H. W. Gilmor, commanding cavalry battalion, has made a successful attack upon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On the night of the 11th instant he, with 20 men, penetrated to the railroad at Brown’s Shop, between Kearneysville and Duffields Depot, attacked the express train from Baltimore, threw it from the track, disabling the engine and damaging the track. He captured nearly 90 prisoners, but owing to the proximity of the enemy was compelled to abandon them, having taken away their arms. He returned to Mount Jackson without loss, although pursued, as he states, as far as Strasburg by four or five regiments. – J. STUART, Chapter XLV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 33, p. 151. hathitrust.org

62. 1864.March.10.CharlesTown.Kabletown.Skirmishes:
    Federal Col. R. F. Taylor gives eyewitness account of the March 10th events:
    I have the honor to report that our pickets were attacked between Charlestown, Va., and the river, at the crossing of the Keys Ferry and Kabletown roads, yesterday morning at 6 o’clock, by what is supposed to be a portion of Mosby’s command, numbering from 40 to 80 men. The force passed to the left of the vedette, on the Kabletown road, seen by them, but supposed to be a reserve from Charlestown, they being dressed in our uniform. The mistake was not discovered until the rebels had obtained a position and fired a volley into the reserve at less than 10 rods distant, completely surprising them. The loss at the reserve post is 1 killed and 4 wounded, and 2 lieutenants and 11 privates missing. After the attack they retreated with great rapidity by the way of Kabletown, recrossing at Sampson’s Ford, about 3 miles this side of Snicker’s Ferry, except small parties, which went to the right below Kabletown, crossing near and at Snicker’s Ferry. Major Sullivan, commanding picket, pursued the enemy with 9 men, overtaking them at Kabletown; found them concealed behind an old building, from which they fired a volley, killing Major Sullivan and 2 privates, and severely wounding Lieutenant Baker, all of the First [New York] Veteran Cavalry. The balance of the reserve, under Lieutenant Conway, numbering about 50 men, came up a few moments after, but failed to overtake the enemy. The firing was distinctly heard at this place, and the entire force ordered out. Lieutenant Wyckoff, with 15 men, got to the ford just as they had succeeded in crossing. Anticipating an attack, I sent Lieutenant Wyckoff to Charlestown on the evening of March 9, informing Major Sullivan of the probability of an attack, ordering him to strengthen his pickets and order them to keep on the alert, which I learn he did. I also informed him that I had 150 men in readiness to re-enforce him at any moment. I learn that there were a number of shots fired by the vedette at the post attacked between the hour of 3 and the time of the attack. – R. TAYLOR, Chapter XLV, Official Record, Series I, Part 1 Volume 33,, p. 248. hathitrust.org

Confederate Partisan John S. Mosby describes the events of March 10th:
On March 10, with a detachment of about 40 men, I defeated a superior force of the enemy’s cavalry near Greenwich, severely wounding 3, and capturing 9 prisoners, 10 horses, arms, &c. **On the same day Lieut. A. E. Richards, with another detachment of about 30 men, surprised an outpost of the enemy near Charlestown, killed the major commanding and a lieutenant, several privates, and brought off 21 prisoners with their horses, arms, &c. In neither engagement did my command sustain any loss. – J. MOSBY, Chapter XLV, Official Record, Series I, Part 1, Volume 33 pp. 248-249. hathitrust.org.

63. 1864.March.16.Shenandoah.Ferry.Scout:
    Federal Gen. Averell wrote in his report of March 16:
    I have out three patrols, one to Bloomery Gap (on the Shenandoah River-JS), one beyond Pughtown, and one to Smithfield. I have to request you to direct the senior officer of your cavalry to report to me in person at this place as soon as practicable, bringing with him the latest returns of all the cavalry with your division. – W. AVERELL, Chapter XLV, Official Record, Series I, Volume 33, p. 683. hathitrust.org

64. 1864.March.22.Keyes.Ford.Skirmish:
    Local resident and Confederate Artilleryman Roger P. Chew described the March 22nd event:
    On the night of March 22, 1864, George Baylor with seven men passed unnoticed through the enemy’s infantry picket at Halltown, and got in rear of a cavalry force at Keyes Ford, giving the Rebel yell they charged along the river road and dashed into the enemy’s camp, where they found fifty horses and 13 men. The party consisted of 50 cavalry, the rest had taken to their heels and concealed themselves. Baylor and his party gathered up thirteen prisoners and 26 horses, leaving the other horses because they could not well manage them. Then they crossed the river and made their escape along the Blue Ridge Mountain road. This remarkable skirmish illustrates the terror troops feel when surprised and attacked in the night. – Military operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Va.) 1861-1865 (1911). published by authority of Jefferson County Camp, U.C.V. [by] Farmers Advocate Print written by Roger P. Chew p. 42. hathitrust.org

CHAPTER OR STORY 19 – JASPER’S NEW LIFE COME JULY GETS OFF WITH A BIG BANG – CLICK HERE. https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-19-jasper-thompsons-new-life-and-the-big-bang-by-jim-surkamp/

2872 words words

CHAPTER OR STORY 19 – JASPER’s NEW LIFE COME JULY GETS OFF WITH A BIG BANG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=1h8m33s Click here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 1:08:33 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September 6, 1906”

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Monique Crippen Hopkins:

“Jasper was a Civil War soldier – 23rd regiment. He was a private and went to corporal, and ended up becoming first sergeant. His tombstone says “First Sergeant”, which is great. I didn’t know anything about Civil War history, Civil War anything. So I learned about my family history and that started coming alive to me. Jasper made Civil War history come alive to me, because I was not interested at all. But now – wow! – I can’t even believe it.”

The sun sleeping before arising on that day July 30th, 1864 next to Petersburg, Virginia – could have shone upon a brand new day in American military history – two-fold in that it would, in the first instance, have debuted a radical achievement in civil engineering and, secondly, quite possibly could have ended the Civil War eight months sooner.

The engineering achievement was the inspiration of one man – a 510 foot long, hand-dug tunnel to underneath the Confederate line . . .

containing four tons of gun powder in magazines under that line – blowing with a strange muffled “thud”, in the bosom of the quiet cricketing night, a crater 150 feet long, sixty feet wide, and thirty feet deep and sending tons of earth, men, horses 150 feet into the air – and coming back down on more victims some buried almost alive – some just buried alive.

THE WARRIORS AT THE CRATER

. . . and, the potential victors rushing through that gap in the Confederate line, trained for the task – African-American men from the region hungry to vanquish the stunned opponent.

Jasper Thompson was one of these warriors, one of the survivors in the regiment with the most casualties of any regiment,

counting 36 white regiments, who for the most part shamefully hid inside the just settled crater with its twelve-foot high lip of loose earth.

and of the nine eager regiments in Gen. Ferrero’s African-American 4th division?

For them however, it would become teeth-clenched, eyes-wide fighting: personal anger versus hatred, bayonet-to-bayonet and a swung gun stock against another. No mercy on all sides that officers just couldn’t stop.

Called “the saddest affair he had witnessed in war,” Union General Ulysses Grant blamed the flub-a-dub division- and Corps-level upper

Federal ranks for squandering and quarreling away a great potential triumph awaiting them that would have captured Petersburg for the Federals that summer and with Richmond, the seat of the Confederacy not to far beyond that.

Ledlie’s 1st Division advanced on the Crater first with little enemy fire un-led. Becoming jammed in the breach of the crater they took cover in the Crater, while their commander Gen. Ledlie was taking rounds of inebriating stimulants in the surgeons’ hospital for an unconfirmed ailment – and remained there for most of the day – basically hiding.

Moreover, Ledlie had been chosen by his wishy-washy Corp commander Gen. Burnside just the evening before to lead his division by a process of picking names out of a hat.

But four months earlier, Jasper’s life turned a big corner . . .

Listening to the rhythm of the rails Jasper Thompson was between the world the Washington Family Farms where he grew up and Washington, D.C. – one behind and a dreamed-of world ahead on a troop train to Washington, D.C. – very likely given the circumstances

taking him to Washington D.C. – and he would enlist at Camp Casey and formally become the property of another overlord, the United States Army. But that offered him a freedom – of sorts.

REFERENCES:

1. Gen. Grant’s first disappointed response to The Crater battle:
Volume XL – in Three Parts. 1892. (Vol. 40, Chap. 52) Chapter LII – Operations in Southeastern Virginia and North Carolina. June 13-July 31, 1864.
Part I – Reports

Union Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant first reports on the Crater and the institution of a Committee of Inquiry:

CITY POINT, VA., July 30, 1864 10 a.m. Finding that my effort to surprise the enemy by sending an army corps and three divisions of cavalry to the north bank of the James River, under cover of night, for the purpose of getting on to the rail- roads north of Richmond, drew all of his forces from Petersburg except three divisions, I determined to attack and try to carry the latter place. The enemy’s earth-works are as strong as they can be made, and the ground is very broken and favorable for defense. Having a mine prepared running for a distance of eighty feet along the enemy’s parapet, and about twenty-two feet below the surface of the ground, ready loaded, and covered ways made near to his line, I was strongly in hopes, by this means of opening the way, the assault would prove successful. The mine was sprung a few minutes before 5 o’clock this morning, throwing up four guns of the enemy and burying most of a South Carolina regiment. Our men immediately took possession of the crater made by the explosion, and a considerable distance of the parapet to the right of it, as well as a short work in front, and still hold them. The effort to carry the ridge beyond, and which would give us Petersburg and the south bank of the Appomattox, failed. As the line held by the enemy would be a very bad one for us, being on a side hill, the crest on the side of the enemy, and not being willing to take the chances nf a slaughter sure to occur if another assault was made, I have directed the withdrawal of our troops to their old lines. Although just from the front, I have little idea of the casualties. I think, however, our loss will be but a few hundred, unless it occurs in withdrawing, which it may not be practicable to do before night. I saw about 200 prisoners taken from the enemy. Hancock and Sheridan returned from the north side of the river during the night, and are now here. U. S. GRANT, General. Maj.

To H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff. CITY POINT, VA., August 1, 1864. The loss in the disaster of Saturday last foots up about 3,500 of whom 450 men were killed and 2,000 wounded. It was the saddest affair I have witnessed in the war. Such opportunity for carrying fortifications I have never seen and do not expect again to have. The enemy with a line of works five miles long had been reduced by our previous movements to the north side of James River to a force of only three divisions. This line was undermined and blown up, carrying a battery and most of a regiment with it. The enemy were taken completely by surprise and did not recover from it for more than an hour. The crater and several hundred yards of the enemy’s line to the right and left of it and a short detached line in front of the crater were occupied by our troops without opposition. Immediately in front of this and not 150 yards off, with clear ground intervening, was the crest of the ridge leading into town, and which, if carried, the enemy would have made no resistance, but would have continued a flight already commenced. It was three hours from the time our troops first occupied their works before the enemy took possession of this crest. I am constrained to believe that had instructions been promptly obeyed that Petersburg would have been carried with all the artillery and a large number of prisoners without a loss of 300 men. It was in getting back to our lines that the loss was sustained. The enemy attempted to charge and retake the line captured from them and were repulsed with heavy loss by our artillery; their loss in killed must be greater than ours, whilst our loss in wounded and captured is four times that of the enemy.- U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant- General. Major-General HALLECK, Washington, D. C.

Title: The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 – Volume 40 (Part I). Digital Library. Cornell University. 28 August 2004 Web. 10 July 2011. pp. 17-18.

2. Opinion from a Court of Inquiry citing failures by Burnside, Ledlie and Ferrero:
Record of the Court of Inquiry on the Mine Explosion. RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF A COURT OF INQUIRY INSTITUTED BY VIRTUE OF THE FOLLOWING ORDER: SPECIAL ORDERS, 258 WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERALS OFFICE, No. 258. * Washington, D. C., August 3, 1864. * * * * * * 43. By direction of the President, a Court of Inquiry will convene in front of Petersburg at 10 a.m. on the 5th instant, or as soon thereafter as practicable, to examine into and report upon the facts and circumstances attending the unsuccessful assault on the enemy’s position on the 30th of July, 1864. The Court will report their opinion whether any officer or officers are answerable for the want of success of said assault, and, if so, the name or names of such officer or officers. Detail for the Court: Maj. Gen. W. S. Hancock, U. S. Volunteers; Brig. Gem lit B. Ayres, U. S. Volunteers; Brig. Gen. N. A. Miles, U. S. Volunteers; Col. E. Schriver, inspector-general, U. S. Army, judge advocate. By order of the Secretary of War: E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant- General.

WINFD S. HANCOCK, Major- General, U. S. Volunteers, President of Court. ED. SCHRIVER, – Inspector-General U. S. Army, Judge-Advocate. The court then adjourned sine die. WINFD S. HANCOCK, Major- General, U. S. Volunteers, President of Court. ED. SCHRIVER, Inspector-General U. S. Army, Judge-Advocate.

The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies. ; Series 1 – Volume 40 (Part I). Digital Library. Cornell University. 28 August 2004 Web. 10 July 2011.
pp. 125-129 – FINDING of the Court

3. “The Battle of the Petersburg Crater by Major William H. Powell, U.S.A.
“Battles and Leaders. Vol. 4”. (1887). Robert Underwood Johnson, Clarence Clough Buel (Ed.). New York, NY: Century Co. Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. archive.org 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. pp. 545-560.
p. 546 – “The main gallery was 510 8/10 feet in length. The left lateral gallery was thirty-seven feet in length and the right lateral galleries – two at each end a few feet apart in branches at nearly right angles to the side galleries, and two more in each of the side galleries similarly placed by pairs, situated equidistant from each other and the end of the galleries.”

wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 10 February 2017:
4. Ulysses S. Grant
5. Ambrose Burnside
6. James H. Ledlie
7. Edward Ferrero
8. Henry Pleasants

9. Dobak, William A. (2011). “Freedom By the Sword: The U.S. Colored Troops 1862-1865.” Washington, D. C. : Center for Military History, U. S. Army.
history.army.mil 13 September 2007 Web. 20 December 2016.

10. Thomas, Gen. Henry G. “The Colored Troops at Petersburg.” in “Battles and Leaders. Vol. 4”. (1887). Robert Underwood Johnson, Clarence Clough Buel (Ed.). New York, NY: Century Co. Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. pp. 563-567.
p. 567 – “The 23rd Regiment entered the charge with eighteen officers; it came out with seven. . . .”

11. Price; Stevens, Michael E. ed. (1999). “As If it Were Glory: Robert Beecham’s Civil War from the Iron Brigade to the Black Regiments.” Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. googlebooks.com 2 February 2003 Web. 20 January 2017. p. 184.

12. “The Battle of the Petersburg Crater by Major William H. Powell, U.S.A.
“Battles and Leaders. Vol. 4”. (1887). Robert Underwood Johnson, Clarence Clough Buel (Ed.). New York, NY: Century Co. Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. archive.org 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.
pp. 545-560.

13. Pvt. Henry Van Lewvenigh Bird of the 12th Va. Virginia – letter August 5, 1864 to “sweetheart.” edited by Gregory J. W. Urwin.(2004). Black Flag Over Dixie: Racial Atrocities and Reprisals in the Civil War. Carbondale, IL.: Southern Illinois University Press.

The whole letter is sourced from “Letter to Margaret Randolph, Aug. 5, 1864, Pvt. Henry Van Lewvenigh Bird, Bird Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond.”

The full transcription in Urwin/Suderow of the letter:
Saturday’s fight was a bitter struggle. No furlough wounds given *there and no *quarter either. Prayers for mercy and the groans of the wounded were alike hushed in death. There was no volley and cheers to excite the men to the work of death. The knowledge of dishonor to the loved ones behind if we failed and victory before us if we succeeded earned everything before it resistlessly. The negro’s charging cry of “No quarter” was met with the stern cry of “amen” and without firing a single shot we closed with them. They fought like bulldogs and died like soldiers. Southern bayonets dripped with blood and after a brief but bitter struggle the works were ours. The only sounds which now broke the stillness was some poor wounded wretch begging for water and quieted by a bayonet thrust which said unmistakenly “Bois ton sang. Tu n’aurais plis de soif.” (Drink your blood. You will have mo more thirst.)

quoted in Bryce A. Suderow’s “The Battle of the Crater: The Civil War’s Worst Massacre,” Civil War History Vol. 43 (September, 1997), reprinted in Urwin, p. 205.

Suderow as reprinted in Urwin p. 207 – casualty lists of the USCT at The Crater

Urwin, Gregory J. W. (ed.) (2004). “Black Flag Over Dixie: Racial Atrocities and Reprisals in the Civil War.” Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press. Print. pp. 203, 205, 207.

Urwin, Gregory J. W. (ed.) (2004). “Black Flag Over Dixie: Racial Atrocities and Reprisals in the Civil War.” googlebooks.com 2 February 2003 Web. 20 January 2017.

14. Rickard, James H. (1894) “Services with Colored Troops in Burnside’s Corps.”
from Personal Narratives of events in the War of the Rebellion, being papers read before the Rhode island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society. Fifth Series – No. 1(1894). Providence, RI: The Providence Press. googlebooks.com 2 February 2003 Web. 20 January 2017.
pp. 1-47.

15. Interview with Family historian Monique Crippen–Hopkins April, 2016 Perry Room Charles Town Library, Charles Town, WV.

CHAPTER OR STORY 20 – CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-20-shepherdstown-va-april-1864-netta-lee-meets-the-19th-u-s-colored-troops-by-jim-surkamp/

CHAPTER 20 – Shepherdstown, Va. – April, 1864: Netta Lee “Meets” the 19th U.S. Colored Troops by Jim Surkamp.

4564 words.

CHAPTER OR STORY 20 – SHEPHERDSTOWN, VA: NETTA LEE “MEETS” THE 19th U.S.COLORED TROOPS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=1h17m36s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 1:17:36 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September6, 1906”

https://web.archive.org/web/20190612201712/https://civilwarscholars.com/2017/04/story-20a-shepherdstown-va-netta-lee-meets-the-19th-u-s-colored-troops-by-jim-surkamp/

FLICKR 57 images
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsurkamp/albums/72157678950839813

With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.

 Just when Jasper was leaving Jefferson County, his future comrades at the Crater were combing the area for recruits.

Tuesday, April 5th, 1864: 300 men of the 19th Colored Troops march from Maryland to Shepherdstown to recruit.

“These (negroes) were hailed with much joy by some of our loyal citizens and some five or six negro soldiers were invited to breakfast by Mrs. C__.”

April 12, 1864 – Diarist continues: “Twenty-four black yankees and a white officer passed through, going to Martinsburg.”

Twenty-year-old Netta Lee was living at Bedford outside Shepherdstown at that time with her mother Henrietta, her younger brother, Harry,

and enslaved African-Americans: a worker named Nace; father and daughter, Tom and Keziah Beall;

along with Peggy Washington and her three grand-sons – Thompson, William and George, and her grand-daughter Virginia, also called “Jinny.”

Edmund Lee, Sr., Netta’s father, was away; son/brother Edwin Grey was in the Confederate army and Edmund, another brother, had enlisted the year before.

The United States Colored Troops organization was created by presidential order in May, 1863.

In letters of Henrietta Lee and Tippie Boteler, they write that most able-bodied, enslaved African Americans left the County for good as of May, 1863, . . . posing challenges in household upkeep and crop production for them.

Netta Lee wrote:
(NOTE: Netta Lee in her reminiscences refers to this event as occurring in the second year of the war – the time the USCT troops visited Bedford – when records of Captain James Rickard, commanding the party shows it was in the spring of 1864, or the third year of the war.)

“The months sped by and we were in the second (should be: “third”-JS) year of this terrible war.”

“All of our men, including Edmund, the next to the youngest brother, had gone to join the army, leaving Harry, a boy of about thirteen, as our protector, and seized every opportunity to come home, or as near home as possible when our troops were in the Valley.”

Men of the 19th U.S. Colored Infantry, who fought with Jasper soon at the Crater, visited the Lee’s home, Bedford, in Shepherdstown to find recruits.

“Mother and I were seated on the portico one bright morning, playing a game of chess. So intent were we upon our play that not one word had been spoken, save an occasional monosyllable: ‘Check!’ when Harry came running up the gravel walk toward us. The boy’s eyes seemed black with indignation, his face flushed with anger.’What is it, Harry?’ we both exclaimed in a breath. ‘What has happened – another battle? Tell us quickly!’

TITLE: These accounts are taken from Netta Lee’s diary, maintained during the war. The prejudicial sentiments were common to the time and place, but are properly censured today. They are included for historical accuracy and to promote a greater understanding of racism.

‘. . . The white yankees, who were quartered here at the river to picket the town have been removed, and Heaven knows they were bad enough, but now a negro regiment has replaced them and will be here tonight!’

“Our Mother’s face grew pale. She arose and placed her hands on Harry’s and my shoulders as we stood beside her, saying: ‘Through Captain Cole’s reign, our Father in Heaven has guarded us, my children: I do not believe the negroes can be worse than Captain Cole’s men were. . .”

(Netta to Harry): ‘A regiment of them, did you say, Harry?’ I asked. ‘Yes, And we hear they are going to draft all the able-bodied men under forty-five years.’

‘Have they white or black officers? Oh, white officers, all of them. And what is worse, I hear they are going to camp out of town in this lot of ours next to the meadow. Oh, that is too outrageous,’ exclaimed Mother.”

“Just at this moment was seen approaching from one of the servant’s cottages, a stately elderly black woman with a tall turban on her gray head and a red kerchief crossed over her chest. She was walking briskly and talking to herself.”

‘There comes Aunt Peggy (Washington),’ I said. ‘Mother, she must have heard the bad news.’

‘Yes,’ continued Harry, ‘for George was in town with me.’

“Then Peggy Washington said: ‘Miss Netta, is that so about the soldiers coming to this town and drafting everybody they can?'”

Netta: “Yes, Peggy. Harry says they really are to be here tonight. I was just going to send for you and tell you to fix up something up to eat for the boys, Bill, Thompson and George, and send them out to the farm (Oak Hill on the Kearneysville Pike) before sun-up tomorrow morning. They must stay there all day tomorrow. Be sure they start very early.”

Peggy: “Yes, that’s so. I’ll get them off in time. The nasty trash. They aren’t going to get my grandsons, all the children I’ve got left, and make them fight against the ones they they played with all their lives.”

Netta: “Well, you see, Peggy, we don’t know what these new men will do; but the boys will be safe at Oak Hill.”

Peggy: “Yes, that’s so. I’ll get them off in time.”

Henrietta: “They must hide during the day and return home at night for food; and none of them must go to town tonight,” said Mother.

Peggy: “No m’am! They won’t want to go to town tonight!”

Netta Lee wrote: “Sure enough, it was well. Peggy got her boys off early to Oak Hill for the report was true, and next day, negro troops encamped in our fields;

“and Harry called to me: ‘Just come and see how they are shooting down all the hogs in sight.’

“Mother added: ‘I’m glad I made the boys lock up all the sheep, which are quieter animals than these hogs, though, no doubt they will soon follow, except (they will) love hog meat better than anything unless it is chickens.’

“. . . (As he looked through a field-glass, his mother asked Harry): ‘What are they doing now, Harry? A squad of them seems to be coming this way.’

“Mother hastily turned to the door, saying: ‘Come, let us go in. I don’t want them to see us looking at them.’

“We went into the library, where I busied myself buckling the belt of my little six-shooter around my waist, taking care that its bright silver mounting could be seen.

“On a table near her was Mother’s larger one, similarly mounted. She was just about to lay her hands upon it

“when Jinny, her old Granny’s (Peggy Washington) favorite, came bursting into the room . . . ‘Oh Mistiss, Granny says come down in the kitchen quick, please ma’am. Those soldiers are down there.’

Hastily Mother placed her pistol in her pocket, keeping her hand upon it. Then all of us started to the kitchen.

“There we found a party of six or seven stalwart negro soldiers insolent and swaggering. None however were actually inside the door; but two were on the threshold and swearing at Peggy, who had thus far kept them at bay with a large butcher knife and her tongue – the latter weapon being the sharper of the two. She was arguing manfully with them, saying: ‘I’m not afraid of yankees!’”

“What does all this mean?” asked Mother, who met the two of them as they succeeded in pushing past Peggy, starting to come up the basement stairs. ‘What are you here for; who sent you?’ asked Mother.”

“We were sent here for your three young colored men,” the man replied. “We’re gathering up recruits.”

(NOTE: William, Thompson and George were all draftable age in their late teens. – JS)

“Peggy broke in with: ‘I told them, Miss Netta, that there weren’t any men here. Then they told me they were going to search my room and the house and see if I didn’t hide them.’”

“Well,” said mother, “. . . and tell your officers there are only young boys. Go now, and don’t dare to come to this house and try to steal our young servants.”

“We’re only doing what we’ve been sent and ordered to do. We have to obey orders or get shot,” (replied the spokesman).

“Well, now you obey my orders and go to your officers and tell them what I have told you: “There are no men here; and also tell them that Southern women know how to shoot as well as their men do. Go!” said Mother.

(Netta wrote): “I was not slow to let them see the hilt of my pistol, and Mother kept her hand on hers. Harry, too kept around, with his military belt and Confederate buckle, showing that he also might be carrying arms, as he was, for, in that belt was hidden a sharp, two-edged dagger.”

The recruiting party made their muddy return to Harper’s Ferry – and soon central Virginia.

Only for a short time were the negro soldiers encamped near Bedford; they seemed to have been sent here to gather up negro recruits, and having accomplished their purpose, were soon replaced by a company of white men under the command of Captain Teeters.

ADDENDUM

According to Netta Lee’s diary, George, Thompson, and Bill had kept well out of sight of the African-American soldiers and Harry had kept his chickens in close confinement, too, up to the day of their departure. So the day the soldiers marched across the Potomac, Harry came in saying: “Mother, I think I may as well let all those fowl out.” Those two game roosters have fought every day since I penned them in the chicken house and have killed each other. Bill and I have named them Abe and Jeff. “Well,” said Mother, “put one of them in the cellar and tell Peggy she can kill him tomorrow.” “All right!” says Harry, “I will imprison Abe.”

Jim Surkamp:

Service records indicate enlistments into the U.S. Colored Troops by two men with the names of 56-year old (1864) Peggy Washington’s grandsons, both enlistees also born in Jefferson County. It should be noted that the Lees refer to likely enlisted men in their households as “boys,” creating a wrong impression of their age.

There is a record of a Jefferson County-born African American named William H. Washington, who was born in 1834 who enlisted in 1864 in the 32nd USCT Infantry at Chambersburg, PA. He was at least the same generation of the Lee’s butler named “Bill.”

His service record:
William H. Washington – age 30 and a 5’9” laborer. In 1864, he enlisted at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in Co. B the 32nd USCT infantry regiment. Mustered out in 1865 at Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Ms. Washington had two other grandsons, named George and Thompson. There are no records of Thompson serving in the USCT, but a 35-year old African-American by that name appears in the 1870 Census in the adjacent Loudoun County, Va.

Service Records also show a Jefferson County-born African-American named George Washington, enlisting September 12, 1864 at Harper’s Ferry into the 37th U.S. Colored Troops in Company K. He deserted October 1, 1864.

Some of the men who were active in Co. G. of the 19th U.S. Colored Troop in April, 1865, at the time the company participated in recruiting in Jefferson County and in Shepherdstown were:

39-year-old James Alexander enlisted in Frederick, Maryland;

30-year-old Jenkins Banks enlisted in Dorcester, Maryland and died of that disease on September 7, 1865 at Galveston, Texas.

30-year-old John Bond enlisted in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, and died of pneumonia five months later.

18-year-old James Briscoe was a slave of Edward Wilkens of Kent County, Maryland, served with his regiment throughout the war, and died in the Post Hospital at Brownsville, Texas on July 31, 1865 of chronic diarrhea.

23-year-old John F. Butler enlisted in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, was wounded by a minie ball at Petersburg, Virginia on September 30, 1864 and died of erysipelas on March 20, 1865.

Some of the other men present were 20-year-old Samuel Chambers; 30-year-old Lewis Cooper; 26-year-old Emery Demby; 23-year-old Thomas Hackett; 18-year-old Thomas King; 24-year-old Charles Kinnard Lindsey, 21-year-old Stephen Lindsey and 30-year-old Henry Murray.

Of these additional eight men, all died during while in the service from wounds or illness.
Captain Rickard wrote his widow of Henry Murray:

To all whom it may concern:

Camp in the field near Petersburg VA
June 19, 1864
Madam:
I have to announce to you the sad intelligence that your husband “Henry Murray,” a Corporal in my Company died this morning. He has not been well for some time & yesterday he accidentally fell into a small stream which we crossed on a march. He was brought along in an ambulance & died this morning. He was a good & faithful soldier. I regret his loss & sympathize with you in your bereavement.

Respectfully Yours,

J.H. Rickard
Capt., 19th U.S.C. Troops
Comd’g Co. G

It should also be noted that thirty-year-old free African-American William Spellman in Charlestown enlisted in the 19th USCT regiment in Frederick, MD, May 24th that same year, fought at the “Mine” and Petersburg and was mustered out January 15, 1867 in Brownsville, Texas.

Two other enlisting African—Americans from Jefferson County who, according to Tippie Boteler’s 1864 diary and Alexander Boteler’s farm records as written in Charles Adams’ biography of ARB, had also worked for the Botelers and or Pendletons. They were William Bunkins who enlisted July 13, 1864 into the 23rd USCT Infantry Regiment when he was about 24-years-old, and Randolph Thornton, who enlisted into the 3rd USCT Infantry Regiment on July 3rd, 1863, when he was twenty-three-years old.

William, who served as a hospital steward at Camp Casey in Virginia throughout the war and lived in Jefferson County in 1880, is a likely relation to a Wilson or Nelson Bunkins, who was born in 1841 and was the husband of Margaret Bunkins, a servant, along with their daughter Fanny, for the Botelers on the fateful day in July, 1864 when Fountain Rock burned.

Randolph Thornton, who mustered out in Jacksonville, Florida in 1865 and was living with his family in Charlestown in 1880, may have been a relation to the only African-American Thornton family in the County in the 1850s, a large enslaved family that worked for both the Pendletons and the Botelers, and some of whom emigrated to Liberia in 1855.

REFERENCES:

Lee, Henrietta Edmonia. (1925). “The Recollections of Netta Lee,” Alexandria, VA: The Society of the Lees of Virginia. Print. (by permission)

Society of the Lees of Virginia @ at the Alexandria, Virginia Library
Box 2641 Series: Family Papers. 10. Bedinger Family; 38. Goldsborough Family
Leeland Collection Box 264AA (Originals) Box 264BB(Transcriptions) Henrietta Bedinger Lee Letters; Box 264CC (Originals) Henrietta Bedinger Lee Letters; Box 264DD Henrietta Lee (“Netta”) Goldsborough Diaries 1864-1921; Letters (NOTE No. 16 Goldsborough, Henrietta Lee (“Netta”): Netta’s Reminiscences, draft, 1861-1865);
Box 264EE: Misc. Box 264FF Great variety of letters;
alexlibraryva.org 2 September 2016 Web. 20 January 2017.

Rickard, James H. (1894) “Services with Colored Troops in Burnside’s Corps.”
from Personal Narratives of events in the War of the Rebellion, being papers read before the Rhode island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society. Fifth Series – No. 1(1894). Providence, RI: The Providence Press. books.google.com 24 November 2005 Web. 20 February 2017.
pp. 1-47.
https://books.google.com/books?id=vqcyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP10&focus=viewport&dq=inauthor:%22James+H.+Rickard%22&output=text

Full published account from the perspective of Captain James H. Rickard regards the 19th U.S. Colored Troops recruiting party into the Shenandoah Valley, including Shepherdstown in March, April, 1864.

After serving nearly two years in this regiment, I made application to be examined for a position with colored troops, which were now being organized, and was ordered to Washington, before the board of which General Casey was chairman, for examination, and was commissioned by President Abraham Lincoln captain in the Nineteenth Regiment United States Colored Troops, March 12, 1864, and was ordered to report to Colonel Bowman at Baltimore, Md., for muster. The regiment, which had been recruited mostly from the eastern shore of Maryland, and composed entirely of slaves, was rendezvoused there and making final preparations to take the field. The officers had been assigned and rapid progress had been made in drill and discipline.

Soon after joining my regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins, in command, obtained permission to take the regiment up the Shenandoah Valley recruiting. Arrived at Harper’s Ferry, with much difficulty we obtained a four-mule bag age wagon and started up the Valley for Winchester.

Col. Perkins was a peculiar individual, and seemed bent on making some kind of a demonstration with his regiment of colored men. When about half way from Berryville to Winchester our advance guard were fired upon, and returned the fire; for a moment some confusion prevailed, as it was expected we were intercepted by a rebel force. After forming line to the left of the road in a rocky piece of woods, an officer was sent forward to ascertain the cause of the firing. It was found that a company of our scouts, dressed in grey, had opened fire on our men to see how they would stand. Our men returned the fire and did not flinch. One colored man was struck on the forehead by a minie ball, and a piece of his skull as large as a silver half dollar knocked out, but it did not knock him down. He was assisted by his comrades, and when the wagon came up he was put in, and when after several days we returned, he was sent to the hospital, and came back healed, and did good service afterward. Our expedition continued to Winchester, where the colonel intended to pass the night, but having served in this valley previously and knowing the danger of remaining there, I prevailed upon him to move on to Bunker Hill, where we might be within supporting distance from Martinsburg should we be attacked; and I had information that a superior mounted force of the enemy were near.

On the way to Bunker Hill that night we met about eight hundred of our cavalry passing up the valley from Martinsburg; they were attacked the next morning and entirely routed, proving the wisdom of my insisting that we move on and not stop over night there with our small force of less than 750 men, untrained and untried.

From Martinsburg we passed over into Maryland to Shepherdstown and back to Harper’s Ferry. I was then ordered to proceed with my company to Charlestown with three days rations, and “recruit vigorously.”

My men had only five rounds of ammunition. I asked for forty and was refused. I went under protest, as I knew that with less than one hundred colored men, ten miles away from any assistance, with only five rounds of ammunition, it was a foolhardy adventure, as Mosby with his guerrillas was scouring that country continually, and there were probably more Confederate soldiers in Charlestown at that time, well armed, than my company numbered.

It was a cold stormy night, about the first of April, when I arrived there. I quartered my men in a church, situated on the south of a square, the country to the south of the church being open toward a knoll where John Brown was hung. After seeing that the men were comfortably cared for, I found quarters near by in a cottage. The woman, whose husband was in the rebel army, was violently loyal to the Confederate cause. After much bantering and my offer to pay, I got a good supper, and a feather bed on the floor in front of a good fire. I was very anxious, and placed four or five pickets out and a sentinel in front of my door, with orders to report to me immediately any noise like the tramp of cavalry. I was just getting into a doze, between one and two o’clock. The sentinel knocked on the door and said, “I .hear cavalry. Having removed only my sword and boots, I was outside in an instant. I could hear the heavy tramp of a large force of horsemen apparently entering the place from the northwest. I had the men quietly aroused, and knapsacks packed without lights, and held a hasty consultation with my lieutenant (Raymore) and decided that ” discretion was the better part of valor.” It was raining and intensely dark. I moved down the macadamized pike towards Harper’s Ferry, where if attacked I might be within reach of assistance if necessary. We continued our march about four miles, when we reached a cavalry vidette, thrown out from Harper’s Ferry. I ascertained from him that a force of cavalry of our own troops had gone up the valley on a reconnoitering expedition, and on account of the muddy condition of the roads had gone up the road to the north, and entered the place from the northwest. Knowing now that there were troops between me and the enemy I was relieved of my anxiety, retraced my steps, and went back to the same quarters and slept soundly.

The negroes had become scared and kept out of sight, as the report had spread that we were pressing them into the service. In a few days the regiment returned to Baltimore without any recruits.

About the 20th day of April, 1864, we were ordered to embark on boats and proceed to Annapolis, Md. The impression made by these troops was voiced as follows by the Baltimore American the day of our departure: ” The three regiments of colored troops recruited in this city and State, nearly three thousand men, under the auspices of Colonel Bowman, made a dress parade through our streets this morning previous to their departure for the scene of—it is to be hoped—active operations. No man desiring the speedy overthrow of the rebellion, and its proper termination, could have looked upon the spectacle with other than feelings of satisfaction. Only one of the regiments was armed (the Nineteenth), the other two were fully equipped except arms. A splendid brass band was on the right of the line, and a full drum corps accompanied each regiment. The men all marched proudly and soldierly, and nothing could have been more perfect than their movement, evidencing a great deal of care in their management and drill. Magnificent working and fighting material was in that column. Sturdy, stalwart, able-bodied and healthy men, well disciplined by careful training, proud of their new and novel position, they looked every inch the soldier.

pp. 9-13.
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Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Vol. 62. Fragments of a Diary of Shepherdstown – Events During the War 1861-5
Eby, Cecil D. editor. pp. 83-96. Publish Date: 1996

“Fragments of a Diary of Shepherdstown. Events During the War of 1861-5.” Contributed by D. C. Gallaher, Shepherdstown Register, April 23, 1925.
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Fulltext (wvgeohistory.org)
Gallaher, D.C. Fragments of a Diary of Shepherdstown. Events During the War of 1861-5. Contributed by D.C. Gallaher. Shepherdstown Register, 4/23/1925

William Spellman, 30 years drafted into Co. K. 19th U.S. Colored Troops Frederick, MD, May 24, 1864 from Charlestown, WV. He was in the action July 30th at the Mine near Petersburg, Va. Mustered out January 15, 1867 at Brownsville, Tx by Captain Lockwood.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 20 January 2017.
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William Spellman, freed African-American in the 1860 Census for Charlestown, Va.
1860 Census Jefferson County, Va. Charlestown p. 171.
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29-year old Albert Cook of Shepherdstown also enlisted on Co. F of the 28th U.S. Colored Troops drowned June 20, 1864 at White House Landing.
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“Thy Will” (20) – April, 1864 – U.S. Colored Troops Stop at The Lees’ Home
civilwarscholars.com 10 June 2011 Web. 10 January 2017.
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CHAPTER OR STORY 20a CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-20a-a-boy-remembers-shepherdstown-in-the-1850s-then-during-wartime/

Remembrances of DeWitt Clinton Gallaher who was a child in Shepherdstown and, in later life, the editor of the Charleston Courier. While Shepherdstown always had several dozens of households with a Unionist cast, Gallaher, like most of the young white men, chose what they initially believed would be a brief, successful and glorious war experience fighting in grey uniform.

Shepherdstown Sixty or Seventy Years Ago: Boyhood and Other Reminiscences by D.C. Gallaher

Shepherdstown Register April 19, 1923
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AccessID 1830
author Gallaher, D.C.
article Fragments of a Diary of Shepherdstown – Events During the War 1861-5
title Magazine of the Jefferson County Historical Society
editor Eby, Cecil D.
pub Place
publisher
Date 1/1/1996 12:00:00 AM
pub Date 1996
volume 62
page 83-96
found At
topic Civil War
note From “Fragments of a Diary of Shepherdstown. Events During the War of 1861-5.” Contributed by D. C. Gallaher, Shepherdstown Register, April 23, 1925.

3312 words

(Note: In my boyhood there was only a “Main Street” and nameless others. A kind friend has lately given me the modern names of the streets.)

Born in Shepherdstown, removing to the Upper Valley when quite young, spending a winter there later as a boy, and with several other visits, once as a soldier in grey, the writer has often given many somewhat affectionate thoughts to the good old town. These memories, let me say at the inception, are not claimed to be entirely free from the natural inaccuracy of so many years gone, but are submitted with the prayer in one of my early school books that the hypercritical “may pass my imperfections by, and not view me with a critic’s eye.” I may add that many named herein I first knew well during a visit in the summer of 1865, to which time I refer as to them.

Along the “fifties,” as I recall it, the German Reform Church and the Lutheran were on the hill opposite each other. The new church of the latter is now, I hear, down on King street. I do not recall any buildings then standing on the south side of the square on which the German Reform Church stood, and west of the church. But opposite, at the corner of German street and Rumsey avenue, formerly Mill street, lived the Parran family, whose beautiful daughters old residents will recall. Coming on that side toward Princess street was the handsome home of Mr. Jim Shepherd, and at the northeast corner of German and Princess streets was a saloon, mainly for “lager beer,” as it was then called. I think it was then or later kept by a Mr. Grice.

On the opposite (S.E.) corner Thomas Hopkins, an old bachelor, had a furniture and undertaking business, and next to and east of it was the family residence of Mr. George Byers, a somewhat distinguished school teacher. I recall two sons, Bill and Newt; the latter, after several years at the University of Virginia and four years of honorable service in the Southern Artillery, married, I believe, Miss Eleanor Rentch, an attractive belle in her [page 30] day and daughter of D. S Rentch, an honored and prominent citizen and merchant.

I do not recall just who then lived in the handsome brick home just beyond the Byers home in which the Hamtramck family later lived. The Selbys? Turning now into Princess street. It ran down a steep hill to the river, but I can recall only one family living below on Princess street, the Barnharts and Entlers living near the old yellow covered wooden bridge over the river one named “Ed.” They kept the toll house on this side. Following Princess street out towards Charles Town (now towards the N. & W. freight station) stood the residence of Wm. Bowen and Eli Conley on the north side, the Conleys owning a very large property with an extensive garden fronting on Princess street.

Returning to German street, on the northwest corner stood Entler’s Hotel. I hear it is still there and I expect that when McCauley’s “wreck of matter and crash of worlds” come, it will still be found surviving! Opposite stood the Lucas home, on the S. W. corner. The boys of about [page 31] my age, John and Frank, were great fighters as I soon discovered. Both, I believe, were good soldiers who wore the grey. Mrs. Line lived there later. Nearby, on the south side were Cameron’s shop and Moore Entler’s residence, and then the residence of Colonel or General Hamtramck, who had only a short while before returned with honor from the Mexican War. I recall as a leader in society, Miss “Folly,” later Mrs. Shepherd, and his son Selby, who was the keen envy of every boy, for his father had brought him a black Mexican pony with long mane and tail. His father rode a big bay — a striking contrast. Selby was a fine soldier, and I think was killed at the First Manassas July 21, 1861. Further up on the same side were McKendree’s store and residence. Never shall I forget my first pair of red-top boots, bought there! I recall Morgan McKendree and his sister, Miss Nannie, who was one of the town’s favorites and of charming personality.Near the corner was the Marmaduke home, whose tannery was at the corner of King and German streets, where I hear the Register office now stands. Leaving Entler’s Hotel, there was adjoining it a drug store, and across the alley was a stone-built store and further up was Lambright’s candy and ice cream place.

One soon came to the residence of Mr. Harper near the “run,” crossing the street in a culvert. There were in his window three big high bottles, three or four feet high, of red, blue and green colors, the prevailing sign in those days of drug stores. But the smell of drugs, etc., in that old store! When the door was closed it was a memory that for more than a half century lingered in one’s nasal organs. Mr. Harper’s daughters, named I think, Fannie and Ellen, were prominent in society. From Harper’s to the corner was, as I recall it, a vacant lot, on the rear of which I think the normal college now stands. Opposite this corner stood the old Odd Fellows Hall, which was right in the center of King street, a driveway on each side of it, the lodge using the second story, while below was the fire company’s engine, etc. This engine was about as big as an ordinary small motor truck of nowadays and was pumped by eight or ten men, two rows of them, using long parallel handles. “Bucket brigades” were the main reliance in those days. I shall never forget the building. It stood in the center of King street facing north. Nearly at the top in the front wall was a great big gilt-coated “all-seeing” eye. It inspired my boyish mind with awe. It seemed almost real and celestial. Whether it is still there or not, its sleepless eye will have seen very much.

Going up on the hill on the north side, one came soon to Adams’ store and residence. Oh! the candy and “squibs” (firecrackers), etc., in that store! His two sons, Billy and George, I think, of course were blessed, for they could get from the store all they wished; and then, too, they could ride in their father’s “hack” to Kearneysville, in which he carried people to the railroad trains. This brilliantly painted hack was one of the widest I ever saw. It carried ten or twelve people. Years afterwards I saw the splendid state carriages in London, Paris and Berlin, but none of them impressed me as grand as I, a little boy, used to think that hack was. Further up lived some of the Shepherds and at the northeast corner of German and Church streets was Billmyer’s big store. He dealt largely in canal boats and their supplies, etc. Some distance back and on the same side of Church street stand the old Episcopal Church, a small white structure. The much beloved Dr. Andrews was the rector. I remember a fashionable wedding there so many years ago, the church was packed and a big crowd on the outside, a lot of boys and the writer “among those present.” I may be mistaken, but I think the groom was a Mr. Livermore. I have an idea who the bride was, but will be pardoned in withholding the name, as I am not positive.

Returning now to the Odd Fellows Hall, going out south on King street, Joseph Welshans lived at the corner of New street. He was an exemplary and honored citizen and lived to a good old age, I hear. At the southwestern corner of German and King streets was the big store room of John K. White, and later a Mr. Mohler had a store there. Mr. White had a son of about my age, named Bob, and his boy playmates roguishly likened him and his name to a quail or partridge, which sometimes brought on a fisticuff. Further up I think Mr. D. S. Rentch lived; also Rightstine, Licklider and Stonebraker, and opposite Billmyer’s store was a tin shop on the southeast corner. On the northwest corner above Billmyer’s store, corner German and Church streets, lived the Towner family. That big brass highly polished door plate with the family name on it still shines in my memory. I do not recall any material object of my early boyhood, excepting that big gilt eye on the Odd Fellows Hall, that impressed me as that door plate. Further up one came to Dr. Quigley’s home, whose daughter was one of the favorites of society. Then the Rickards, who made those famous locks, and none better did I ever see.

Then at the northeast corner of German and Duke streets lived Jacob Hill, and there ran the road out to “Hardscrabble,” as it was then called, where recent letters in the Register from there show that literary style and quite good wit now dwell. Beyond Duke street going west on German street was known as “Philadelphia,” but I do not know whether some Quakers once lived out there, or only in derision it was so named. On the southwest corner of German and Duke I think Dr. Reynolds lived, one of the town’s first gentlemen and a fine physician. Nearly the whole square, where the hospitable home of Harry L. Snyder and the new Episcopal Church now stand, was occupied by the even then ancient hotel and caravansary of Joseph Entler. Here in its ample yard multitudes of wagons going west and east usually stopped, carrying merchandise west and products east. How well I remember my first circus, which was on this lot! It was, of course, one of those overland circuses, but it seemed immense to my childish mind.

A great storm suddenly arose, and the loud peals of thunder and blinding flashes of lightning, with a downpour of rain, simply terrified the audience. Men paled with fear, women screamed and children cried, when some fool (there are always in addition to the clown, some in every circus) cried out “the lion is loose.” (There was only one and he was only about as big as an airedale dog.) Everybody for himself, a sort of sauve qui peut mad rush it was. Everybody tried to get out of the tent at once and some cut holes in it to escape, and I was dragged out through one of them, full of mud and wet as a rat. I can now, but could not then, laugh over it all. Incidentally, there were many other families besides those named herein above that I recall, but I cannot now locate their then residence, such as Berry, Towner, Snyder, Pendleton, Reinhart, Zittle, the editor of the Register, Humrickhouse, etc.

I do not remember if Colonel Wm. A. Morgan, under whom I served in the cavalry, then lived at Morgan’s Spring. There was no braver man in the whole army than he, and withal he was a gentle and modest as a woman and loved by every soldier who knew him. At the northeast corner of Church and New streets lived the Boteler family, whose sons were Henry and Charlie, later gallant Confederate soldiers and daughter Miss Pink, a beauty and beloved by all, one of the sweetest nature I ever knew. Dr. Andrews lived nearby opposite and the Shepherd cemetery was nearby. Opposite his home stood a little frame school-house. A Mr. Pierce, the teacher, prepared boys for college, many of them sons of the wealthier class. The school-house was known as the “salt box,” it being in derision so called by many because its patrons claimed that the pupils were the “salt of the earth.” At least some claimed this was the origin of the nickname. Others claimed it was so called because it was not unlike a salt box in size and shape, etc. Traditions are uncertain.

In politics, A. R. Boteler, Sr., who lived out on the “pike,” whose daughter Lottie was a great belle and Charles J. Faulkner alternated to Congress from that district, and like two polished and keen Damascene blades, they often crossed in public debates, both eloquent and chivalrous. I think the ever genial and scholarly Joe McMurran was conducting a school about that time or a little later. The courtly and polished Henry Bedinger, minister to Denmark, lived out on the Kearneysville pike near town. Among those at the “salt box” school, I recall the gallant Henry Kyd Douglas and his brothers, John and Bob, who lived on the hill across the river in that beautiful home where I spent several days at different times; also Charlie and Jim Clarke, who lived near the canal lock. Jim fell at the first battle of Manassas and Charlie at Waynesboro in the fall of 1864. Among them also the Boteler boys, Henry, Charlie and Alex Boteler, Jr. I am not sure, but I think Towner Schley also was a scholar there, and some of the Pendletons. It was a fine classical school and Mr. Pierce, the teacher, was very popular in society. There were many other scholars whom I knew but their names I cannot definitely now recall.

Among the older people known as “men about town” were Jim Lane Towner and Rebo Staley, gallant beaux, debonair and faultlessly dressed always. There were of course the usual number of dandies and, as always in the town’s history, a multitude of pretty girls. At the head of the now called New street on the road to Kearneysville stood the little stone jail (all about twelve feet square). It was seldom occupied sometimes by an anti-Volstead disciple.

A somewhat regular occupant was an old fellow from out on the Charles Town road, who always walked in the middle of the street and came in or went out, or both, drunk. Unlike the Pied Piper of Hamelin, he was a holy terror to children, who fled from him affrighted. I remember his name well, but he may have left sensitive descendants. On the edge of town near the present cemetery was the toll-gate, near the foot of the E. I. Lee property. Mr. Lee was, I think, the only lawyer then residing in the town. A good lawyer, a handsome, aristocratic gentleman, of whose family I recall E. I. Lee, later a Confederate General, and Edmund, and daughter, Miss Nettie, and none more a general favorite in society. I do not recall any others of this family, except Rev. Harry B. Lee, some of whom, I understand, still live at “Leeland.” In a brick house nearby, I believe on the right hand side of the pike, Redmond Burke, was murdered during the war. Going down New street not far from the jail stood the Methodist Church, built, I think, just before the war. At the corner of the present Washington and King street was then, and may be still, the Presbyterian Church. The only ministers then that I recall were Rev. Mr. Andrews, Rev. Mr. Douglas and Rev. Mr. Bragonier.

On Washington below King, near the run, lived the Faymans, who had on the opposite or lower side of the street a felt or wool hat shop. I wore one of their make and still almost feel its weight on my brow, like all wool hat factories, the odors therefrom were simply fierce. And the brass band! Wasn’t it Criswell’s? What a deserved loyal pride all felt in its sweet music and how we boys followed it!

In 1855, aged 12, I was a student at Georgetown College, and about July first my younger brother Charlie and I came on the canal from that place to Shepherdstown on a little steamboat, the first, I think, ever run there. We left Georgetown about 8 a.m. and arrived about 3 a.m. next morning. A fearfully hot journey, but to a boy one of much novelty and pleasure. Weary and dead tired, we trudged up the hill in the night with the friends who had sat up nearly all night to meet us. No telegraph or phones were in use then along the canal.

July Fourth, 1858, was a big day. Big military parade and several bands of music, with a finely drilled company of young boys from Charles Town who won special admiration.

I remember Joe Crane as one of its officers. Later many of these boys were members of the Second Virginia and of Baylor’s Cavalry in the war. There was a grand barbecue that day in the woods just beyond. “Philadelphia,” with whole beeves roasted over pits of glowing fires, etc. Of course there were the usual addresses, one of which I think was by the favorite orator of that day, the Hon. Alex R. Boteler. How many thousands of our soldiers at different times passed through her streets, never to return especially on the night before the battle of Sharpsburg, September 17th, 1862, when all night long the tramp of passing battalions was heard. The Yankees had possession of the town nearly all of the war.

“Shepherdstown,” Aug 29, 1862. Guards and Pickets will pass this little boy to get his cow until further orders.

CHARLES A. WELSH,

Captain and Provo Marshal

How dangerous a “little” boy on hunting his cow must have been to their armed forces and what a fearful spell this doughty captain had!

Well, dear Register, these memories may be somewhat inaccurate, as above stated, but infrequent visits, mainly in early boyhood, to the good old town some nearly three score and ten years ago, may have left dimmed impressions, for which I pray forgiveness and indulgent tolerance.

If some of your readers find any pleasure in their perusal, I shall share with them affectionate reminiscences of one of the best old town with some of the best people then and now living there, in the wide, wide world.

These memories, let me say, are not claimed to be entirely free from the natural inaccuracy of so many years gone, but are submitted with the prayer in one of my early school books that the hypercritical “may pass my imperfections by, and not view me with a critic’s eye.” I may add that many named herein I first knew well during a visit in the summer of 1865, to which time I refer as to them.

Gallaher, D.C. Fragments of a Diary of Shepherdstown. Events During the War of 1861-5. Contributed by D.C. Gallaher. Shepherdstown Register, 4/23/1925.

The diary, so far as the fragments were found and shown to the writer, gives a somewhat inside view of those terrible days when the always good old town was torn and distressed with internecine bitterness, strife and sometimes bloody scenes and tragedy. The participants are pretty much all gone and but few now living can or will remember those unhappy days. I have omitted in the main the names of many for considerate and obvious reasons, and some of the names are indistinct. The mantle of charity of more than sixty years should and does hide the former animosity and ill feeling now in this year of grace and of a happy and united country, let us hope. – Dewitt Clinton Gallaher.

The contents of the diary contains many events that I have researched and read of from other reliable sources. The Confederate sympathies of the author and of Gallaher himself are evident and it should be understood that the town was very divided in sympathies throughout the war. – JS

5316 words

“Fragments of a Diary of Shepherdstown. Events During the War of 1861-5.” Contributed by D. C. Gallaher, Shepherdstown Register, April 23, 1925.
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Sunday, May 25, 1862. In the great stampede from Winchester the Yankee troops left everything behind them and made for the Potomac here and elsewhere. “Stonewall” Jackson was after them. Captain Kerl left Wade’s Depot and Captain John Harner left Kearneysville with their companies, all passing through the town to the north side of the Potomac, and many of the Union citizens of the town also fled for Maryland. (I omit their names, although he named many of these refugees.)

Monday, May 26, 1862. Sharpsburg rowdies and refugee Virginians brought a cannon to the Maryland river bank and made threats to fire across, but did not.

May 27. Today all the stores in Sharpsburg were by the military kept closed and the next day some boys from our town crossed over the river and came back with the cannon. Captain John Harner, who had fled across the river with his soldiers, appeared on the north river bank and demanded the cannon be returned, but it had already been sent to Winchester and he was told that if he would “apply to Colonel Ashby he might at least see the cannon.”

May 30th. Great cannonading at Harper’s Ferry.

May 31st. The Confederates fell back from Martinsburg and Harper’s Ferry and on the same day some three hundred Yankees passed through the town with a great many empty wagons. (He then gives a very long list of prominent Union men of the town, which I here omit.)

September 9th. Thousands of Confederates are marching through the town all day and night and across into Maryland.

September 14th. Battle at Boonsboro.

September 17th. Battle at Sharpsburg. (Sometimes called Antietam.)

September 20th. Battle at Boteler’s Ford, near town, where the Yankees were driven back across the river with bloody slaughter and many driven over the cliffs along the river and many drowned in their hasty retreat. Their dead lay thick on the sides and top of the cliffs.

September 25th. The Yankees crossed the river and captured E. W. Lee, and on the 27th they came over again and took all of Selby’s hay and went on up the Martinsburg road to M. Billmyer’s but were forced to retreat back across the river to Maryland.

October 2nd. Yankees crossed the river again, some twelve thousand cavalry, but left in great haste, with loss of men and horses in the fight here in town.

October 16th. About twenty thousand Yankees crossed the river and went up the Smithfield pike, and with heavy loss had to make quick retreat from Jackson’s forces.

October 19th. “Stonewall” Jackson burned the railroad shops in Martinsburg and tore up the railroad tracks.

October 24th. Redmond Burke, a famous Confederate scout, was today shot and killed before day at his home here, and his two sons and Lapold and Hipsley and one other man were captured. Some negroes had piloted the Yankee soldiers with two white citizens along (naming them) at their head. On the same day in large numbers they broke into private houses and plundered them and took some citizens prisoners, Dan Rentch among them, who wrote a note back saying that H. Kyd Douglas had also been captured and that, he, Rentch, and others would be sent to prison at some fort and among them would be Captain Burke’s men.

December 26th. The 12th Pennsylvania Cavalry the “Bull Run Racers” crossed over the river ford into town and the refugees all came back home from Maryland with fire in their eyes and revenge for Mort Cookus’s blood, who had been shot by Captain Burke’s men, and declaring that every Southern Man’s house should be burned down, etc.

January 12th, 1863. Captain Burke’s house was searched for Rebels by the Yankees, piloted by Bill Colbert, a Union man. (He then gives a list of what he calls Tories, deserters, refugees, bounty jumpers and conscripts from the town.)

January 16th. Captain James Glenn was arrested by the Yankees, who then robbed his home, stealing all of the plate, watches, jewelry, etc., of his wife. A military force took from the mill of Byers and Harris twenty-one barrels of flour and all of the meat in Byer’s smoke-house. Dan Rentch is now out of prison and free from arrest and is sending wheat to Georgetown and Billmyer is doing the same, and Rentch and Stonebreaker are sending wagons with tobacco to Baltimore. Rentch says that Rebo Staley is in Baltimore. Michael Cookus gathered up a wagonload of cartridges left by the army in September, 1862, after the fight on the river cliffs, and sold them in Sharpsburg.

January 6th, 1864. Captain Corbin Blackford was captured and shot by “Jessie Scouts,” who are Yankees who wear Confederate uniforms to deceive, in Newtown, near Winchester. They failed to relieve him of his arms and left him in charge of a guard and while alone with him he shot the guard through the body and then started to run away, but the guard shot him through the heart, when he fell dead. The wounded guard died on his way to a hospital in Winchester. George Byers, Sr., has discharged from his school all children who are not loyal to the Union side.

January 14th. A discharge by order of the military of various clerks in the stores, they not being “loyal.” From Baker’s store Jim Lane Towner and C. Huffman; from Cronise’s store Daniel Hill; from Kearneysville M. Stanley and G. Hinkle.

January 19th, 1864. Dan Hill, Dan Rentch and Jim Lane Towner are arrested and taken to Martinsburg, and all later released and returned home, and on the 27th J. L. Towner is again arrested by the military and again taken to Martinsburg.

Feb. 10th, 5 P.M. The town is again infested with Yankees, who picketed the river and streets for the night. All the stores were ordered to be closed and not to be opened until allowed by military orders. Reported that J. L. Towner had been sent through the lines south. January 29th. Some of Captain Kearney’s Yankee camp came to town and went to the “Baltimore Store,” where Mr. Woody refused to accept Confederate money offered him by the Yankees. They then helped themselves, taking what they wanted, and went to Cronise’s store and compelled him to acc[e]pt their Confederate money.

January 31st. James L. Towner under a strong guard was returned to town to get his clothes and then taken back to the fort at Baltimore. Snowden & Company are taking their goods to Baltimore and Cronise took his to Sharpsburg. Two companies of Yankee cavalry passed through and on to Martinsburg and the Rebels are said to be near that town.

February 6th. Other cavalry forces passed through town going to Martinsburg.

February 10th. The Yankees stopped James Adams from carrying the mail and passengers to and from Kearneysville. A Confederate force on a raid, “Mosby’s men,” stopped the up train at a point between Duffields and Kearneysville at night by aid of a red lantern, and entering the cars placed a guard over the engineer and fireman and took whatever things they wanted. From one good Union man they took $1,200.00 in money and from other Union men they took smaller amounts, and nothing from female passengers, whom they treated with respect. None now but Union men can travel and the military compelled Mrs. Jewett to prove her loyalty before she could travel to Baltimore to remain. A blacksmith, Andrew O——-, was refused travel to Baltimore to buy some plow points, iron, etc., because he could not prove his loyalty by John Boroff.

February 15th. The Lutheran clergyman from Winchester was arrested with two other men and taken to Harper’s Ferry because they were driving along without passes from the military and were charged with flanking the pickets, and for that great offense they were arrested, but finally released. A Union man of this town had seen them and informed upon these gentlemen.

March 24th. C. Baker brought his store goods back to town from Maryland.

March 26th. Captain Richie left with his company of Yankees and, Captain Johnson takes his place. William Marmaduke last week moved back to Virginia from Maryland, and while on his way Josiah Baker handed him a letter with request to deliver it to Captain Richie. Upon opening it, the Captain said to Mr. Marmaduke, “This letter tells me you have two barrels of whiskey in your wagon.” But upon examination only a little whiskey for the waggoner was found.

April 5th. Something new! Three hundred black Yankee soldiers come to town and some are quartered in the Jim Lane Towner store room, where they are in command of Colonel Perkins. Others with white skin and black hearts took Dan Rentch’s parlor for headquarters. These negroes were hailed with much joy by some of our loyal citizens and some five or six negro soldiers were invited to breakfast with her by Mrs. C—.

April 7th. The black Yankees left hurriedly for Harper’s Ferry, for the river was up and they could not get back into Maryland and the Rebels were reported to be coming.

April 9th. Twenty-six negro soldiers and a white officer came to town and quartered in Mohler’s store.

April 12th. Twenty-four black Yankees and a white officer passed through, going to Martinsburg.

April 20th. Pickets at Smith’s shop on the railroad shot Alex Lemon, returning from a visit to Clarke county. He received three wounds, in the hand, leg and bowels, and the next day died. He was killed without warning.

April 25th. Some Rebel soldiers came in and went to C. Baker and demanded the key to his store, saying they wanted some goods, and took about $100.00 worth. On the same day, Mr. H. L— cut down in part the fence made by some citizens around the graves of Rebel soldiers, buried inside of Jacob Line’s field, adjoining the Methodist graveyard. The next day out of shame he put the fence back.

April 28th. Some ten or twelve Yankees came down from Martinsburg and arrested Virginia, daughter of Samuel Brooke, upon the charge of being a mail carrier through the lines. She was arrested upon information of —-, a Union man and informer.

May Some ten or twelve Yankees disguised in Rebel uniforms entered the store of William Cronise on the Maryland shore, placed guards over it helped themselves and left.

May 30th. Andrew Leopold’s body, the Confederate scout, was brought from Baltimore, where he had been hung on the 24th at 5 a.m. His funeral was large, not less than 400 in attendance, in spite of the objection and threats of the Union men of the town, all of whom said they would back their leader, Mr. — in whatever he would order done. So they sent a man (naming him) to the graveyard to inform those in attendance that they had better go home and that the corpse would not be allowed to come across the river, but it was finally brought across and buried with the Confederate flag on the coffin. Some of the union citizens gathered in a group opposite Entler’s Hotel as the funeral passed up the street and made loud threats that those in the procession would be sent to prison, etc., etc., “for this day’s work.” The horse and hearse were taken from the owner by these Union men.

July 3rd. The Yankee army retreated from Martinsburg through town and across the river and some of the merchants and Union men (naming them) packed up and crossed with the army to Maryland.

July 4th 1864. The Rebels in full force passed through town into Maryland, fording the river.

July 15th. Some of the Union men are returning from Maryland.

July 18th. The refugees are fleeing back across the river, as the Rebels are reported coming.

July 19th. Some of the Yankee 1st New York Cavalry burned down the homes of Alex R. Boteler and E. I. Lee, together with all of the outhouses and the Potomac river is picketed at all points by the Yankees. The Rebels are in Martinsburg and reported to be coming here.

July 26th. Many Union men again refugeeing to Maryland, and the Rebels under General William L. Jackson, Cavalry Brigade, come into town.

July 30th. Jackson’s command are now occupying the woods at the west end of town. About 1 p.m. some Yankee scouts came across the river, but left in a great hurry, being informed by Mr. _ (naming him) that they were in danger of capture.

August 4th. A corps of General Early’s army crossed the river and are now in Hagerstown, while some crossed at Williamsport. General Imboden’s Brigade of Confederate Cavalry are encamped in the west end of town.

August 8th. The Rebels fell back to the railroad. Some three or four hundred Yankees came into town, but being warned, left in haste.

August 15th. General Averill’s Yankee cavalry came in, having crossed the river. Some of General Sheridan’s army made a forced march from Harper’s Ferry here, but left in a hurry for Winchester and were met by General Early, who repulsed them with heavy loss, and drove them back through our town, crossing the river at Boteler’s ford and at Knott’s ford.

August 27th. A skirmish between some Rebels and Yankees through our streets and out on the pike, the Rebels falling back to the railroad.

August 28th. About four thousand Yankees crossed the river at Boteler’s ford and went on to Charles Town and burned down some barns and haystacks of the Butlers, Browns and others. General Tolbert and staff came to town, but left in great haste when warned by some Union men that the Rebels were near and coming.

October 8th. Sam Martin, of Sharpsburg, was shot dead by a Yankee soldier. Martin was accused of horse stealing and robbing William Osborne in daylight.

October 13th. The Rebels came in, commanded by Colonel Mosby, and near Kearneysville above Brown’s shop they captured an express train and among others caught a Yankee paymaster with $150,000.00 in greenbacks!

October 27th. This is election day for the new State government, and some men professing to be Southern actually voted, and among them were (naming them.)

November 8th. Some men entered the house of John Snyder, who had a sick family, beat up the old man, shot his son Henry, who died from his wounds. From there they went to C. Reinhart’s, at 10 p.m., demanded his money, and after he gave them his pocket book struck him over the head, cutting and beating him badly. These men wore masks and blew out the candles while pilfering and robbing the house.

November 10th. The Confederate Major Harry Gilmore of the “Maryland Line” and some of his command came in. They did not rob or molest anyone, but paid for some hats at the store.

November 15th. Some of Mosby’s command came in and captured a Yankee scout named Alexander and at Mike Coleman’s house they found some Yankee horses and took them away.

November 24th. A party of two hundred and fifty or three hundred Yankees passed through town on their way from Martinsburg to Harper’s Ferry. Some of them went to Tom Butler’s and there arrested John Keplinger and then to Henry Shepherd’s and arrested and took him away. Some four hundred and fifty or five hundred Yankees passed through, going to Martinsburg. They said they were hunting Colonel Mosby and that if they found him in this town they would burn the whole town down.

December 1st. Henry Shepherd released and returned home, but they still hold John Keplinger a prisoner.

December 3rd. The Reverend Frary was robbed by and two other men out on the pike a half mile from town.

December 6th. The river picketed all along and nobody allowed to cross. Some twenty or thirty Yankees arrested and took away John Grant and Joe Stonebreaker and all of Grant’s things from his shop and some from Thompson and crossed the river, and also took off Ben Graves and all of his goods to Harper’s Ferry.

December 11th. William, son of Mike Coleman, blew himself up playing with a bombshell. He took it between his knees to get the powder out when it blew him to pieces and wounded several others.

December 13th. John Grant and Thompson are released. Three or four men piloted by a boy went to B. Lucas’ house at night and demanded entrance, and being refused left, and then went to H. Shepherd’s and there robbed John Shepherd of $40.00 and his gold watch. John recognized some of them and came to town and had the boy and one of the men arrested and taken to military headquarters.

December 16th. Stonebreaker released and returned home. Graves still held a prisoner.

December 17th. Mrs. Arthur’s house burned down at midnight by the Yankee soldiers. Some of these soldiers went to the house of Lucy Hedges a black woman and demanded supper, who gave them the very best she had. They then carried away all the sausage and pudding etc., that she had in the house, also several hams. They had already taken all of Mrs. Arthur’s meat and everything else they wanted.

December 18th. Soldiers from Kearneysville arrested Mrs. Arthur and young daughter and a man named Jarvis and took them all to Martinsburg.

December 21st. Some soldiers from Charles Town came over for the purpose of burning down Mrs. Arthur’s house, but found it had already been burned down.

December 29th. Two Yankee wagons passed through town with some of the Hooff family from Charles Town, taking them as prisoners to Fort McHenry. (NOTE: HOOFF, WILLIAM A.: POW at Salem Church, 5/12/64 (Pt. Lookout). Exchanged 3/14/65. Paroled 4/16/65 at Winchester).

December 30th. A wagon with the remainder of the goods of the Hoff family and some women and children passed through on their way to Pennsylvania, where they were sent by the military.

Jan. 6th, 1865. Baker opened his store, as did also Chapline and Hill their stores up-town. The Arthur family returned to town.

January 10th. James P. Conley and James Hamill were said to be captured on their way home from the army. Conley had been wounded in the thigh.

January 11th. A party of Yankees came in the night to capture Hamill and Conley, but not finding them they arrested some citizens instead and took them away.

January 13th. George Lucas was shot dead by J. VanMetre at the Tucker farm. His brother, Edward, while on his way to bring the body home, was arrested at Kearneysville.

January 19th. The Rebels made a raid at Duffields Depot, captured a train, took what goods they wished and left with no loss.

January 30th. About thirty Yankees came to town and entered the stores of William Chapline and Baker Brothers and took all they wished. Chapline had a guard, but he and the guard hid in the cellar. They left Henry Entler on the outside. Chapline from the voice thinks one of the raiders was Lampas, a Yankee scout in disguise. When they came to the door Lampas called out, “Come on, boys, hurry up, for I want to get across the river, for I have a dispatch for General Murray.” They forced the door and searched Henry Entler and told him they knew him. These were Yankees in disguise.

January 22nd. A wedding at West Myers’ house today.

January 27th. The Yankees arrested Joe Randall, James V. Moore and George Wilshire, who were required to give a bond of $1,500.00 for James Van Metre, who had killed George Lucas.

January 29th. Blockade on the river. No passage across. Chapline’s store guarded by twelve Yankee soldiers.

January 30th. Doctor Lucas arrested. Released the next day. Colonel R. Lucas arrested and required to go a bond of $3,000.00 in the Van Metre case. A party from the Maryland side came over and robbed Joseph Staley’s meat-house, and took forty chickens and then crossed on the ice and in their hurry dropped some of the meat and some of the headless poultry. Staley saw them but was told that if he came out of his house they would shoot him. —- —- piloted some Yankees to Mr. Atkinson’s house and they took a lot of tobacco from him. Tobacco is very rare and commands a big price. Dan Hill drew out of the Chapline stores because it is said Chapline would not agree to make the people of Shepherdstown pay for the goods taken out of the store by the supposed Rebels.

February 5th. The smoke-house of Philip Wintermeyer was set on fire by some unknown person. Some ten days previously, David Hout, James Hiser, Andrew Brantner and Wintermeyer received notices that their house would be burned down, but no name was signed to the notice, which was in a female handwriting.

February 6th. Some Yankees came in from Kearneysville, got drunk, mistreated some citizens and went across the ice on the river to Maryland. Some of the citizens crossed the river and secured a posse of Yankee soldiers, who arrested these raiders, and Kelly Osborne took them across the river to headquarters and from there they were sent to Kearneysville and put at hard labor and on bread and water.

February 13th. Douglas Bowers and Frank Licklider are arrested and sent to Hagerstown. A band of Yankee robbers came to town, entered the stores of G. Baker, William Chapline and J. V. Underdonk and John Keesecker, and after loading themselves up with goods left in the direction of the Yankee camp, but before leaving broke into a private house, and took money and watches.

February 23rd. John Davis arrested for telling Park Strode that all deserters from the army should be shot. Strode had come home without leave.

March 1st. A lot of Yankees from Martinsburg under a Captain Rider entered the home of Captain Reynolds and took two overcoats, five or six hundred dollars in money, various other clothing, etc., and also entered the homes of Mrs V. M. Butler and Jacob Miller, robbing the families of many valuables, such as clothing of all kinds, store goods, tableware, etc., and then went to Mr. Thompson’s and ordered supper and fires to warm by in two rooms and on their way back to Martinsburg robbed James Baner, living on the road, of $600.00 in money.

March 2d. A lot of Yankees came across the river and entering by force the house of Mrs. Drusie Ray broke open bureaus and carried most of her clothing and also all of her son’s clothing away.

March 15th. The members of the bogus court were sworn in today, judges, clerks, etc. The blockade guard has been removed to the Shenandoah.

March 30th. George Colbert and George Myers went to Summit Point to arrest a man named — on the charge of horse stealing, but they came back with bloody noses and had been disarmed by a strip of a boy, brother of the man accused. A second trip was made by them, calling in the military to help them. They got nobody on this second trip except the boy, and on their third trip they finally got the accused and our great (?) lawgivers not knowing what to do with him, turned him over to the military.

April 3rd. The news of the fall of Petersburg gives great rejoicing, also that of Richmond, to the Union people. Much shooting in the streets. All the church bells are ringing, loud and long all day and into the night. Flags waving from buildings.

April 5th. Flags were strung across the street, one from the Jim Lane Towner house to the Sheets corner, but when the Rebels were reported coming, the flags were taken down quickly.

April 8th. Flags hoisted again and some speeches were made by Joe Chapline and others. They are having quite a time in court. All loyal men can get Judgments but no one’s evidence is allowed who would not take the oath of loyalty. Some Yankees from Kearneysville entered a house of a negro man here in town named Jordan and took him out of his bed about midnight and made him go undressed as he was and nearly naked and chilled to death to the Episcopal Church and ring the bell for about two hours over the fall of Richmond, finally telling the poor negro to go home and put his clothes on.

April The news of General Lee’s surrender. The Tories (Unionists-ED JS) were all out again marching up and down the streets with drum and fife, ringing all the church bells, etc. A motley crew, many of whom had never seen a Rebel except from across the river. Some had deserted from the Southern army, some had been supplied with meat and bread by Southern people to keep them and their families alive and from starving, and thus they showed their gratitude! One fellow did his first day’s work for years by ringing a church bell. He and his family had been supported by kind Southern sympathizers for months and months.

April 11th. Some Yankees disguised in Rebel uniforms, a favorite deception of theirs, entered at night the shop of John Keesecker and carried away everything in sight.

April 15th. Long faces in town. Death of Abe Lincoln. Flags draped in morning. Store rooms hung with black cotton, etc., and all stores closed.

April 19th. Reverend Dr. Andrews, Reverend Mr. Miller, and Reverend Mr. Craiglow and Reverend Mr. Whisler were all arrested for not praying for the President of the United States and all were finally released upon taking the oath, but it was ordered that all of their churches be kept closed and they were. They were all arrested upon information given by a Union man.

April 22nd. A big love feast, for two thousand estimated, was in preparation, but they lacked about fifteen hundred. Soldiers from Harper’s Ferry and from along the railroad and about fifty loyal citizens and a lot of negro men and women and some boys form the big procession. One of the leaders and marshal had lost a brother in the Southern army. Another had lost a brother in the Southern army at Kernstown under “Stonewall” Jackson. There was a great uproar and the mob sang negro songs, etc. Many were drunk and there were many brawls and fights among themselves. Stores broken open, for all business had been ordered suspended and stores closed, etc. Some robbers entered by force the store of Colbert and carried away everything they wished and one struck Colbert on the head with a revolver and one struck down Mr. Lucas, and later Michael Sigler and shot and robbed of all his money.

April 23rd. A lot of Yankee scouts in town, arresting all paroled and returned Confederate soldiers. A granary of J. G. Unseld was set on fire, but was discovered in time to be put out. Some of the paroled Confederate soldiers who had been arrested were ordered to report the next day to the military at Kearneysville. They did so and were released. William Arthur was given a pass to Winchester, there to get his parole, and when on his way there he was seized and taken to Martinsburg and confined in the guardhouse, stripped of his clothes, boots, cap and money, and ordered to take the oath or go to the prison at Fort Delaware. He felt forced to do the former and came home with some old Yankee duds on. All of his trouble was caused by a Union man of this town.

April 28th. Yankees in town ordering all returned soldiers to take off their gray clothes or go to prison in some fort. Jacob Voorhees, a man with one arm, was arrested. He had lost the other at Bull Run. He was taken to Martinsburg and finally released. Arrested for wearing his old gray uniform.

May 4th. Major Henry Kyd Douglas, former member of “Stonewall” Jackson’s staff, was arrested today for wearing gray pants and taken a prisoner to Martinsburg and after some time released.

May 6th. John Hill and another Confederate got home today from prison at Camp Chase.

May 18th. A Yankee understrapper stuck up a notice ordering all Confederates from Maryland to return there and stay there. This was aimed at Major Henry Kyd Douglas, whose home is just across the river in Maryland and who has spent most of his life here in Shepherdstown. Robert Thompson was drowned while trying to regain a boat that got away from the wharf at the river.

June 1st. William Sprinkle was killed instantly by a log falling from a wagon, and his son also was badly injured. All business is suspended today. All churches are open and all persons forbidden to labor today under penalty of $5.00 and all informers of such violation to receive $10.00 reward, but some Union men worked all day with closed doors.

June 29. Major Henry Kyd Douglas again arrested today for remaining in town and not returning to his home in Maryland. Again released July 1st and returned to his home across the river.

July 7th. Major Douglas arrested for the third time and taken to Harper’s Ferry and later released. Wearing gray is treason!

July 17th. The first session of the Superior Court today under Judge Balch, who charged the jury to indict and convict all Rebels and to let none escape who had not been loyal. C. Thompson was charged with the murder of Snyder. Rebecca Spotts was charged with the murder of H. Unseld and released on bail. William Edwards was put on his way to the penitentiary within three hours after he had been indicted. Judge Balch would allow him no counsel. Captain James Hurst was indicted for contempt of court, though he was living at Kearneysville, five miles away, and was fined $10.00. Balch told Hurst that he was letting him off easy and that even if the President to the United States was living at Kearneysville or anywhere else and was guilty of contempt of his court by not coming there when summoned, he would fine and imprison the President himself.

December 25, 1865. Frank Jones fell from his horse in Sharpsburg and fractured his skull while attending the funeral of Mrs. C. Reinhart. Today is Christmas day and the usually sober men are pretty much all drunk, while the usual drinkers all seem pretty much sober.

The diary, so far as the fragments were found and shown to the writer, gives a somewhat inside view of those terrible days when the always good old town was torn and distressed with internecine bitterness, strife and sometimes bloody scenes and tragedy. The participants are pretty much all gone and but few now living can or will remember those unhappy days. I have omitted in the main the names of many for considerate and obvious reasons, and some of the names are indistinct. The mantle of charity of more than sixty years should and does hide the former animosity and ill feeling now in this year of grace and of a happy and united country, let us hope.

CHAPTER OR STORY 21 CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-21-trained-at-camp-casey-and-a-lincoln-moment-by-jim-surkamp/

3218 words

CHAPTER OR STORY 21 – TRAINED AT CAMP CASEY & A “LINCOLN MOMENT” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=1h29m00s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 1:29:00 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September6, 1906”

https://web.archive.org/web/20190612200703/https://civilwarscholars.com/2017/03/story-21-a-lincoln-moment-for-jasper-by-jim-surkamp/

FLICKR 31 photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsurkamp/albums/72157681950935236

With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.

SOURCES AND IMAGE CREDITS & LINKS ARE LISTED FOLLOWING THE NARRATIVE

It’s hard to tell if Jasper knew, as he touched the ground at Camp Casey

that 20-year-old Charles Armistead Alexander – a Washington family member Jasper probably knew quite well – had died two days before on March 27th at Blakeley and had been buried in the churchyard of Zion Church.

Captured the previous July while on a cavalry reconnaissance very near where both Charles and Jasper grew up at Walnut Hill Farm.

Charles was shuttled among three Federal hospitals as the family’s age-old nemesis – tuberculosis – overtook his weakened frame.

The family obtained his release just in time for the Christmas sojourn at Blakeley in 1863.

Artist Francis B. Carpenter recalled:

The 25th of April, Burnside’s command marched through Washington, on the way from Annapolis, to reinforce the army of the Potomac. The President reviewed the troops from the top of the eastern portico at Willard’s Hotel, standing with uncovered head while the entire thirty thousand men filed through Fourteenth Street. Of course the passage of so large a body of troops through the city — presaging as it did the opening of the campaign — drew out a numerous concourse of spectators, and the coming movement was everywhere the absorbing topic of conversation.

The last to march by Willard’s Hotel were the black troops, the first that Lincoln had ever formally reviewed. Charles Coffin, a reporter for the Boston Journal, described the moment as one of “sublime spectacle. “

Captain James H. Rickard of the 19th U.S. Colored Troops later wrote: – “From Annapolis we marched to Washington. When we arrived at the outskirts of the city we halted, and after an hour of busy work, had removed most of the mud, brasses were polished and shoes blacked,

so that notwithstanding it had rained hard most of the way from Annapolis,

we made quite a presentable appearance. We now passed through the city in column, and were reviewed by President Lincoln and General Burnside.”

Charles Coffin reported:
Upon seeing Lincoln their Emancipator gazing down upon them, the Colored soldiers lapsed – “swinging their caps, clapping their hands and shout their joy – long loud and jubilant are the rejoicing of these redeemed sons of Africa.”

THAT EVENING AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Description of the uses of rooms in the Lincoln White House.

There were seven bedrooms on the second floor of the White House where the office of the President was also located. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln each occupied one. Lincoln’s secretaries, John Nicolay and John Hay, occupied another one. After Willie died, only Tad needed a bedroom on a regular basis and he often slept with his father. Robert occupied one of three guest bedrooms when he was home from college. So, there was always room for relatives and old friends, whom Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln often encouraged to stay with them – mrlincolnswhitehouse.org

The Queen’s Bedroom is located across the hall from the Lincoln Bedroom on the second floor of the White House. The room received its name from the various royal guests, such as Queen Elizabeth II, that have stayed in the room. In prior administrations the room was used as a bedroom for private secretaries and the children of the President, the room was previously known as the Rose Room. Currently the Queen’s Bedroom is furnished in the Federal style with a bed that once belonged to President Andrew Jackson. – theenchantedmanor.com

Later that evening at the White House, Carpenter recalled Lincoln’s reflections on the day:

“Subsequently two gentlemen proposed to visit my room, and Mr. Lincoln accompanied them to see the painting I was working on.

“Sitting down under the chandelier on the edge of the long table, which ran the whole length of the apartment, swinging back and forth his long legs, passing his hand occasionally over his brow and through his rough hair (his appearance and manner come back to me most vividly, as I write), he listened abstractedly to my brief explanation of the design of the picture.”

“When I ceased, he (Lincoln) took up the record in his own way, referring to one of the gentlemen: ‘You see, Curtin,” said he, “I was brought to the conclusion that there was no dodging this negro question any longer. We had reached the point where it seemed that we must avail ourselves of this element, or in all probability go under.’”

REFERENCES: (and IMAGE CREDITS)

Jasper Thompson’s service records
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web 20 February 2017

Charles A. Alexander’s service records
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web 20 February 2017

C. A. Alexander Service record taken from the 2nd Virginia Infantry Regiment by Dennis Frye Lynchburg, Va: Howard, Inc.

C. A. Alexander Service record
civilwarscholars.com 11 June 2011 Web. 20 February 2017.

Title Surveys for Military Defenses Map of Northeastern Virginia and Vicinity of Washington
Creator: Young, J. J. ; Hesselbach, W.
Publication Info: Washington: Government Printing Office http://digitalcollections.baylor.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/tx-wotr/id/2067/rec/6

Google Maps location of Camp Casey west of the Pentagon bordered by Glebe Road-2nd Street South-Fillmore Street-7th Street South. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Washington,+DC/@38.8724491,-77.0900922,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89b7c6de5af6e45b:0xc2524522d4885d2a

Casey, Silas. (1862). “Infantry tactics, for the instruction, exercise, and manœuvres of the soldier, a company, line of skirmishers, battalion, brigade, or corps d’armée.” v.1. New York, NY: D. Van Nostrand. https://archive.org/details/infantrytacticsf01brig

Carpenter, Francis Bicknell. (1866). “Six months at the White House with Abraham Lincoln.” New York, NY: Hurd and Houghton. Internet Archives archive.org 26 January 1997 Web. 20 February 2017. pp. 81-84 https://archive.org/stream/sixmonthsatwhit02carpgoog#page/n89/mode/1up

Carpenter’s room where they gathered:
I had been engaged in the official chamber until quite late one evening, upon some pencil studies of accessories, necessary to introduce in my picture. The President, Mrs. Lincoln, and the Private Secretaries had gone to the opera, and for the time being I had undisturbed possession. Towards twelve o’clock I heard some persons enter the sleeping apartment occupied by Mr. Nicolay and Major Hay, which was directly opposite the room where I was sitting; p. 149. https://archive.org/stream/sixmonthsatwhit02carpgoog#page/n157/mode/1up

Willard Hotel Location on a Map today Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/place/38°53’47.2″N+77°01’56.5″W/@38.89645,-77.03235,15z?hl=en

Hail to the Chief
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

Rickard, James H. (1894) “Services with Colored Troops in Burnside’s Corps.”
from Personal Narratives of events in the War of the Rebellion, being papers read before the Rhode island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society. Fifth Series – No. 1(1894). Providence, RI: The Providence Press. books.google.com 24 November 2005 Web. 20 February 2017.
pp.13-17 https://books.google.com/books?id=vqcyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP10&focus=viewport&dq=inauthor%3A”James+H.+Rickard”&output=text Rickard’s account of the 19th U.S. Colored Troops in Annapolis, MD. then Washington D.C.:
About the 20th day of April, 1864, we were ordered to embark on boats and proceed to Annapolis, Md. The impression made by these troops was voiced as follows by the Baltimore American the day of our departure: ” The three regiments of colored troops recruited in this city and State, nearly three thousand men, under the auspices of Colonel Bowman, made a dress parade through our streets this morning previous to their departure for the scene of—it is to be hoped—active operations. No man desiring the speedy overthrow of the rebellion, and its proper termination, could have looked upon the spectacle with other than feelings of satisfaction. Only one of the regiments was armed (the Nineteenth), the other two were fully equipped except arms. A splendid brass band was on the right of the line, and a full drum corps accompanied each regiment. The men all marched proudly and soldierly, and nothing could have been more perfect than their movement, evidencing a great deal of care in their management and drill. Magnificent working and fighting material was in that column. Sturdy, stalwart, able-bodied and healthy men, well disciplined by careful training, proud of their new and novel position, they looked every inch the soldier.

A few years ago the man who would have said that the negro would have marched through the streets of Baltimore in military equipments and unarmed without being assaulted, would have been considered a fit candidate for a lunatic asylum. But such is the case, and during their march this morning it was pleasant to see, as the head of the column passed the Maryland Institute, where the arrangements for the fair are in progress, that they were lustily cheered. In many places along the route of march, flags were waved from the stateliest or from the humblest dwellings. Several of the men were accompanied to the point of embarkation, the foot of Long Dock, by their wives and sisters, and many were the leave-takings there witnessed. Some of the more rabid of the rebels in our midst gave vent to their spleen in silent murmurs and ‘curses not loud but deep.’ One female, who was standing at the Institute as the procession turned down the market space, thought it had come to a pretty pass when she had to stand to allow ‘ni**ers’ to pass, and that they were a nice crowd to send to fight white men. But notwithstanding the grievances of the fair secesh, the troops passed quietly by, amid the congratulations of those who think the United States government can rightly use the colored man for a soldier or a laborer, as well as the rebel oligarchy at Richmond. May we have many more such regiments to credit to the quota of Maryland, as those that passed the American office this morning.”

From Annapolis we marched to Washington. When we arrived at the outskirts of the city we halted, and after an hour of busy work, had removed most of the mud, brasses were polished and shoes blacked, so that notwithstanding it had rained hard most of the way from Annapolis, we made quite a presentable appearance.

We now passed through the city in column, and were reviewed by President Lincoln and General Burnside from the steps of WiIlard’s Hotel. Accoutered, as we were, with a full complement of clothing, etc., and the day being very warm, the march from outside the city until across Long Bridge, without a stop and with cadenced step, was very trying, but not a man left the ranks until the bridge was passed. We now found we were to join the Ninth Corps, which was marching to join the Army of the Potomac. We arrived at the Rapidan River on the morning of the first day’s fight in the Wilderness. We immediately crossed a pontoon bridge and relieved a part of the Sixth Corps, who had been heavily engaged. Our position was now on the extreme right of the Army of the Potomac, just above Germanna Ford, where we and all the army crossed, and that night our regiment was on the picket line with the rebs in sight in our front. About two o’clock the next morning the Ninth Corps was ordered to fall back and move to the left; the aide, with the orders for our division, either lost his Way or for some other reason, did not reach us until after the time we were to move ; orders then had to be sent to the different brigades and by them to the regiments, and the pickets withdrawn, which took some time. Before we could move the three other divisions had fallen back and moved to the left, leaving us entirely out off. It was a race for life as we moved down that plank road through the thick pine forest, and the enemy trying to cut us off, but we passed behind the right of our army, which was being thrown back to the river much lower down.

Title: Map of the Ground of Occupation and Defense of the Division of the U.S Army in Virginia
Other Title: Defenses of Washington
Publication Info: Washington: Government Printing Office
Physical Description 1 map: col.
Plate No. 6
Map No. 1
Scale 1 : 31,680
Resource Type: Map
Date: 1861/06/01 – 1861/07/31
Publication Date: 1891
Coverage – Date Range 1861-1865
City/Towns: Alexandria ; Georgetown ; Washington ; Uniontown http://digitalcollections.baylor.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/tx-wotr/id/2051/rec/2

Title: Central Virginia showing Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant’s Campaign and Marches of the Armies under his Command in 1864-1865. Engineer Bureau, War Dept.
Publication Info: Washington : Government Printing Office
Physical Description: 1 map :col.
Plate No.: 100
Map No. 1
Resource Type: Map
Publication Date: 1891
Coverage – Date Range: 1861-1865 http://digitalcollections.baylor.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/tx-wotr/id/1353/rec/1

James H. Rickard Captain 19th USCT Service Record p. 5
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web 20 February 2017

They swing their caps, clap their hands and shout their joy Long loud and jubilant are the rejoicings of these redeemed sons of Africa. – Charles Coffin The Boston Journal as quoted in
books.google.com 24 November 2005 Web. 20 February 2017.
Trudeau, Noah A. “A Stranger in the Club: The Army of the Potomac’s Black Division.” Chapter 5 in Boritt, Gabor S. (2007).”Slavery, Resistance, Freedom.” New York, NY, London, UK: Oxford University Press Co.

There were seven bedrooms on the second floor of the White House where the office of the President was also located. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln each occupied one. Lincoln’s secretaries, John Nicolay and John Hay, occupied another one. After Willie died, only Tad needed a bedroom on a regular basis and he often slept with his father. Robert occupied one of three guest bedrooms when he was home from college. So, there was always room for relatives and old friends, whom Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln often encouraged to stay with them. http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/residents-visitors/relatives-and-residents/

The Queen’s Bedroom is located across the hall from the Lincoln Bedroom on the second floor of the White House. The room received its name from the various royal guests, such as Queen Elizabeth II, that have stayed in the room. In prior administrations the room was used as a bedroom for private secretaries and the children of the President, the room was previously known as the Rose Room. Currently the Queen’s Bedroom is furnished in the Federal style with a bed that once belonged to President Andrew Jackson. http://theenchantedmanor.com/tag/white-house-second-floor-plan/

Hay’s office is today known as the Queens’ Sitting Room; the bedroom he shared with Nicolay is known as the Queens’ Bedroom. See Zeitz 2014a, p. 87.

Zeitz, Joshua (2014). Lincoln’s Boys: John Hay, John Nicolay, and the War for Lincoln’s Image (Kindle ed.). New York: Viking Penguin. ISBN 978-1-101-63807-1.
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

POST: 27 “Sacrificers” by Jim Surkamp. 1098 words.
civilwarscholars.com 11 June 2011 Web. 20 February 2017.

IMAGE CREDITS:

Zion Episcopal Church
zionepiscopal.net 19 July 2008 Web. 20 February 2017.

Letter confirming C. A. Alexander’s oath of allegiance and release on Dec. 23, 1863
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web 20 February 2017

Tombstone of Charles A. Alexander by Monte Harding
findagrave.com 5 December 1998 web. 20 February 2017.

Wayland, John W. (1944). “The Washingtons and their Homes.” McClure Printing Company: Staunton, VA. hathitrust.org 26 August 2015 Web. 20 September 2016.
p. 226 – Blakeley.

Strother, David H., “Personal Recollections of the Civil War.” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. New York, NY: Harper and Bros. Volume 34, Issue: 200, January, 1867. hathitrust.org

Strother, David H., “Personal Recollections of the Civil War.” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. New York, NY: Harper and Bros. Volume 34, Issue: 200, January, 1867. hathitrust.org
p. 190 After the battle (two women sitting, one grieving, one comforting). https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31210012370779&view=1up&seq=203&skin=2021

Walnut Hill from
Title: Map of Jefferson County, Virginia
Summary: Shows Jefferson County before the formation of West Virginia in 1863.
Contributor Names: Brown, S. Howell. Created / Published: [S.l., s.n.,] 1852.
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31210012370779&view=1up&seq=203&skin=2021

Title: Point Lookout, Md. View of Hammond Genl. Hospital & U.S. genl. depot for prisoners of war
Contributor Names: Everett, George (Publisher). Created / Published: Point Lookout 1864.
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.

Title: A map of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and its principal connecting lines uniting all parts of the East & West.
Summary: Outline map of the eastern half of the United States to about the 95th Meridian. [From published bibliography]
Contributor Names: A. Hoen & Co. Created / Published: Baltimore, Lith. by A. Hoen & Co. [1860]
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.

NOT USED
Opening of the Wilderness by Thomas Rossiter about 1857-1859
Credit Line
Bequest of Martha C. Karolik for the M. and M. Karolik Collection of American Paintings, 1815-1865
mfa.org 20 December 1996 Web. 20 February 2017.

Station on the Morris and Essex Railroad
Edward Lamson Henry – 1864 https://gallerix.org/storeroom/1844945966/N/1980614078/

NOT USED
Title: Camp Casey, near Bladensburg, Md. / lith. by E. Sachse & Co., Baltimore, Md.
Summary: Camp Casey showing 4th Regt. R.I.V. Col. J.P. Radman, 5th Regt. N.H.V. Col. Edward Cross, and Fort Lincoln in background.
Contributor Names: E. Sachse & Co., lithographer. Created / Published: c1861.
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.

Lithograph of Camp Casey according to Chelsea Gilmour
consortiumnews.com 11 November 1998 Web. 20 February 2017.

Silas Casey
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

Casey, Silas. (1862). “Infantry tactics, for the instruction, exercise, and manœuvres of the soldier, a company, line of skirmishers, battalion, brigade, or corps d’armée.” v.1. New York, NY: D. Van Nostrand. Internet Archives archive.org 26 January 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
title page

p. 34 – shouldered arms

p. 39 – Support arms

p. 39 – Present arms

p. 40 – Ordered arms

p. 46 – Aim

Title: Washington, District of Columbia. Grand review of the army
Creator(s): Brady, Mathew B., ca. 1823-1896, photographer
Date Created/Published: 1865 May.
Medium: 1 negative (2 plates) : glass, stereograph, wet collodion.
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.

Abraham Lincoln is a painting by Francis Bicknell Carpenter which was uploaded on May 22nd, 2014.
fineartamerica.com 11 November 1998 Web. 20 February 2017.

Francis Bicknell Carpenter
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

Image: Detail from – [Unidentified African American soldier in Union sergeant uniform holding a rifle] Date Created/Published: [between 1863 and 1865] Medium: 1 photograph : sixth-plate tintype, hand-colored ; 12.3 x 11.2 cm (frame).
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.

Strother, David H., “Personal Recollections of the Civil War.” Harper’s New Monthly Magazine. New York, NY: Harper and Bros. Volume 35, Issue: 207, August, 1867. hathitrust.org https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015056090429&view=1up&seq=300&skin=2021
p. 288 – in the rain

Image: Detail from [Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform with a rifle and revolver in front of painted backdrop showing weapons and American flag at Benton Barracks, Saint Louis, Missouri] at attention small rimmed hat straight ahead medium build flag. Creator(s): Long, Enoch, 1823-1898, photographer. Date Created/Published: [between 1863 and 1865]. Medium: 1 photograph : quarter plate tintype, hand-colored ; 16.2 x 13.6 cm. (frame).
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.

NOT USED
Image: City Point, Virginia. Negro soldier guarding 12-pdr. Napoleon. (Model 1857?) Date Created/Published: [1865]
Medium: 1 negative (2 plates) : glass, stereograph, wet collodion. Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-cwpb-01982 (digital file from original neg. of left half) LC-DIG-cwpb-01983 (digital file from original neg. of right half)

The 26th U.S. Colored Volunteer Infantry on parade, Camp William Penn, Pa., 1865. 165-C-692. National Archives Identifier: 533126.
archives.gov 31 March 2002 Web. 20 February 2017.

Title: English: Abraham Lincoln poses in Gardner’s new gallery. Imperial albumen print.
Description: English: Gardner took this portrait of Lincoln 8 November 1863, along with four other studies made during the same sitting.
Date: 8 November 1863
Medium: photograph
Dimensions 46.4 × 36.8 cm (18.3 × 14.5 in)
Object history Sold at auction by Sotheby’s for $98,500 USD on 05 October 2011.
Notes: Ostendorf# O-79; Meserve# M-58
Source/Photographer: Alexander Gardner (1821–1882) Link back to Creator infobox template wikidata:Q661176
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

Abraham Lincoln on November 8, 1863. Eleven days before the Gettysburg Address.
civilwarprofiles.com 15 May 2013 Web. 20 February 2017.
http://www.civilwarprofiles.com/abraham-lincoln-smallpox-and-the-gettysburg-address/

The White House North Lawn in the 1860s, during the Abraham Lincoln administration
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

Sentry on duty at the east gate on the north side of the White House, 1864
Library of Congress / White House Historical Association
kentucky.com 21 December 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.

White House & The Queen’s Bedroom
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

Lincoln standing beside table in bedroom;
whitehousemuseum.org 25 June 2006 Web. 20 February 2017.

Abraham Lincoln in his office, circa 1863
whitehousemuseum.org 25 June 2006 Web. 20 February 2017.

viewing Carpenter at Work on the Picture
townofhomer.org 18 August 2013 Web. 20 February 2017.

Andrew Gregg Curtin
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 February 2017.

Abraham Lincoln, c 1863. Known as the “big foot” photograph.
Lincoln in November, 1863, about to leave for Pennsylvania. The reason for his confident look may have been within the envelope lying on the table, believed to contain his draft of the Gettysburg Address
conservapedia.com 14 December 2006 Web. 10 February 2017.

Vieilles Annonces
Black Civil War Soldier
These photographs have one thing in common. They are all unknown. The only information known is what I’ve published here. If you know or think you know anything at all about the photographs, please comment on the photo. Thank you for your assistance.
flickr.com 26 February 2004 Web. 20 February 2017.

CHAPTER OR STORY 22 CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-22-manassas-camp-the-men-become-one-by-jim-surkamp/

2668 words.

CHAPTER OR STORY 22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=1h29m00s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 1:29:00 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September6, 1906”

https://web.archive.org/web/20190612213303/https://civilwarscholars.com/2017/03/story-22-manassas-the-men-become-one-by-jim-surkamp/

FLICKR 38 images
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsurkamp/albums/72157682027135335

With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.

SOURCES AND LINKS OF IMAGES ARE GIVEN UNDER “REFERENCES” AND “IMAGE CREDITS” AFTER THE NARRATIVE

Camp of the Seventh Regiment, near Frederick, Maryland, in July 1863 by Sanford Robinson Gifford – 1864
The 9th Corps under Gen. Burnside made camp near Manassas Junction, setting up dog tents, and otherwise – –

Men with whom Jasper and the others would entrust their lives were arriving:

Zelotis Fessenden, (Capt.).

and above all Joshua Sigfried 1832-1895 of the first Brigade, and Henry G. Thomas 1837-1897.

Jasper’s commander, heading the 2nd Brigade.

In fair weather times an army saw battle once every thirty days – so the men eased the empty hours of waiting with cards, and pranks.

Officers from the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry play cards in front of their wall tents in camp at Petersburg, Virginia, in August 1864.(Cropped) – Library of Congress

Those in Jasper’s Brigade and Colored units – studied, to use their word for it, and sang.

Men in the streets of tents of Jasper’s 23rd regiment were experiencing their new found freedom and pondering with grim resolve the approaching challenge of fighting for it – even unto death.

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper (New York), May 7, 1864.

Quiet and patient was their manner, but thoughts would return to the fact that less than a month before on April 12th at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, dozens of captured colored soldiers were bayoneted and killed in a massacre. “No quarter” was going to be the rule on their own battlefields – both ways, many of these in the Manassas camp assumed.

Soldiers in the 23rd – who would (nearly all) not survive the war:
James Douglas, Voghl Foster, George Kellum, John H. Simms, Thomas H. Barney, George W. Taylor, Uriah Perry, Perry Smith, James Smith, William H. Chandler, Adam C. Liscomb, Henry Yates, John F. Bowman, George H. Briscoe, Peter Churchwell, Noble A. Stewart, John W. Thomas, Francis Tucker, Charles H. Summer, Basil Tyler, Richard Saunders, & Alexander Savoy

Drawing by Ward S. Day, 5th New York, Company C
Strolling often around the camp their commander Henry G. Thomas observed later:

Any striking event or piece of news was usually eagerly discussed by the white troops, and in the ranks military critics were as plenty and perhaps more voluble than among the officers. Not so with the blacks; important news was usually followed by long silence. They sat about in groups, “studying,” as they called it. They waited, like the Quakers, for the spirit to move; when the spirit moved,

one of their singers would uplift a mighty voice, like a bard of old, in a wild sort of chant. If he did not strike a sympathetic chord in his hearers, if they did not find in his utterance the exponent of their idea, he would sing it again and again, altering sometimes the words, more often the music. If his changes met general acceptance, one voice after another would chime in; a rough harmony of three parts would add itself; other groups would join his, and the song would become the song of the command. – Thomas, p. 563. http://archive.org/stream/battlesleadersof04cent#page/563/mode/1up

One night Thomas watched this act of creation and wrote down its score.
Score – Thomas p. 564 https://archive.org/stream/battlesleadersof04cent#page/564/mode/1up

The joyous negro guffaw always breaking out about the camp-fire ceased. They formed circles in their company streets and were sitting on the ground intently and solemnly “studying.” At last a heavy voice began to sing,

“We-e looks li-ike we-en a-a-marchin’ on, We looks li-ike men-er-war.”

Over and over again he sang it, making slight changes in the melody. The rest listened to him intently; no sign of approval or disapproval escaped their lips or appeared on their faces. All at once, when his refrain had struck the right response in their hearts, his group took it up, and shortly half a thousand voices were upraised extemporizing a half dissonant middle part and bass. It was a picturesque scene these dark men, with their white eyes and teeth and full red lips, crouching over a smoldering camp-fire, in dusky shadow, with only the feeble rays of the lanterns of the first sergeants and the lights of the candles dimly showing through the tents. The sound was as weird as the scene, when all the voices struck the low E (last note but one), held it, and then rose to A with a portamento as sonorous as it was clumsy. Until we fought the battle of the crater they sang this every night to the exclusion of all other songs.
Thomas, p. 563. http://archive.org/stream/battlesleadersof04cent#page/563/mode/1up

Wednesday, May 4th: The 4th USCT Division prepared to leave camp.
They were to guard 4300 wagons and 835 ambulances pulled by 27,000 horses and mules.

They crossed at Germanna Ford on the Rapidan on Saturday, May 7th and drew ire from a white staff officer on Gen. Meade’ s staff. http://digitalcollections.baylor.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/tx-wotr/id/1345/rec/2

Theodore Lyman https://archive.org/stream/meadesheadquarte00lyma#page/n11/mode/1up

To his wife: “God help them if the grey-back infantry attack them.” https://archive.org/stream/meadesheadquarte00lyma#page/102/mode/1u

Sunday-Monday
May 8-9, 1864 – Jasper’s 23rd was placed in charge of the army’s supply train then located at Belle Plain Landing on the Potomac River.

They were also charged with escorting wounded men to Belle Plain. Once they arrived, the supply wagons were refilled and the regiment turned around to head back to the Army of the Potomac.

REFERENCES: (FOLLOWED BY IMAGE CREDITS)

Plaine Landing to the Army of the Potomac, that the 4th Division guarded.
– Dobak, William A.(2011). “Freedom by the Sword – The U.S. Colored Troops 1862-1867.” Army Historical Series. Center of Military History, Washington, D.C.: United States Army. history.army.mil 12 September 2007 Web. 12 December 2016. pp. 340-341.
https://history.army.mil/html/books/030/30-24/CMH_Pub_30-24.pdf

During the fair-weather campaign season, soldiers could expect to be engaged in battle one day out of 30. Their remaining days were filled with almost interminable drilling, punctuated with spells of entertainment in the form of music, cards and other forms of gambling. The arrival of newspapers or mail from home — whether letters or a care package — in camp was always cause for celebration. Despite such diversions, much time was still left for exposure to the noncombatant foes of poor shelter, unhealthy food, and a lack of hygiene, resulting in waves of sickness and disease. The shelter half, or “dog tent,” became the most practical means of overnight shelter. While portable and lightweight, shelter halves provided minimal protection for their two inhabitants.. . . To protect the soldier from the damp ground, a tarred or rubberized blanket could be used. A stout wool blanket kept the chill off. Compressed together dried vegetables – these delicacies consisted of “a combination of corn husks, tomato skins, carrots and other kinds of vegetables too numerous to mention.” This bounty had been dried and compressed into a sheet or block and, when boiled, expanded to many times its previous size, denigrated as “desecrated vegetables” by the boys in blue . . .” The full Union marching ration consisted of one pound of hard bread (the infamous hardtack), three-quarters of a pound of salted pork or one-and-a-quarter pound of fresh meat, along with coffee, sugar and salt allotments.”
– Helm, Gary. ”Life of the Civil War Soldier” series was contributed by Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier in Virginia and appeared in the Hallowed Ground Magazine, Winter 2013 issue.
civilwar.org 15 May 1998 Web. 10 January 2017.
http://www.civilwar.org/hallowed-ground-magazine/winter-2013/life-of-the-civil-war-soldier-camp.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Thomas, Henry G. “The Colored Troops at Petersburg.” “Battles and Leaders. Vol. 4”. (1887). Robert Underwood Johnson, Clarence Clough Buel (Ed.). New York, NY: Century Co. Internet Archives archive.org 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. pp. 563-567
http://archive.org/stream/battlesleadersof04cent

In these first marches and movements some of the black troops fell into enemy hands. This was the first time that armed African American soldiers were taken prisoner in this theater of operations, but their fate differed little from that being suffered by their western comrades. Charles Hopkins, a white soldier who had been captured during the Wilderness fighting, was witness to the hanging of a black POW at Orange Court House on the morning of May 9. An even more chilling incident is related in the diary of a Virginia cavalryman named Byrd C. Willis. “we captured three negro soldiers the first we had seen. They were taken out on the road side and shot, & their bodies left there.”
– Trudeau, Noah A. “A Stranger in the Club: The Army of the Potomac’s Black Division.” Chapter 5 in Boritt, Gabor S. (2007). ”Slavery, Resistance, Freedom.” New York, NY, London, UK: Oxford University Press Co.

Memorial of Colonel John A. Bross, Twenty-Ninth U.S. Colored Troops, who fell leading the assault on Petersburgh, July 30, 1864: together with a sermon by his pastor, Rev. Arthur Swazey. (Chicago: Tribune Book and Job Office, 1865.) content.wisconsinhistory.org 24 July 2001 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/search.asp?id=994

Present were in camp with the 23rd U.S. colored Troop with Jasper Thompson:

Robert K. Beecham
Captured July 30th 1864
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263456020

Douglas, James (WC89446)
Killed July 30th 1864
22 Washington, D.C.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263462604

Foster, Voghl (WC77186)
Killed July 30th 1864
26 Hanover, Va.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263448427

Kellum, George (WC88335)
MIA July 30th 1864
33 year old Mariner Accomac Co., Va.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/264223612

Simms, John H (WC98729)
MIA July 30th 1864
25 Waiter Ann Arundel, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265122544

Barney, Thomas H (WC119439)
KIA July 20th 1864
23 Baltimore, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263455691

Cleaveland J. Campbell (Lt. Col)
Died June 15th 1864 pulmonary consumption
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263457387

Taylor, George W (WC121972)
Killed Nov. 29, 1864
24 Farmer Cecil County, MD.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265129584

Perry, Uriah (WC124357)
Killed July 30th 1864
32 Laborer Montgomery County, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265126195

Smith, Perry (WC47025)
Killed July 30th 1864
39 Laborer Carroll, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265126195

Smith, James (WC83914)
Killed July 30th 1864
21 Laborer Prince Georges County, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.

Chandler, William H (WC87669)
Wounded July 30th 1864
23 Laborer Georgetown, D.C.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263458514

Liscomb, Adam C (Capt.)(WC40881)
Killed July 30th 1864
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/264226958

Walker, Charles (WC87960)
MIA July 30th 1864
24 Laborer Fairfax, Va.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265124563

Yates, Henry (WC106358)
MIA July 30th 1864
24 Laborer Fairfax, Va.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265133032

Briscoe, George H (WC118654)
Killed July 30th 1864
30 Laborer Charles County, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263459284

Churchwell, Peter (WC119367)
MIA July 30th 1864
35 Laborer Virginia
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263459273

Fessenden, Zelotis (Capt.) (WC86885)
Killed July 30th 1864
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/263447480

Stewart, Noble A (WC107371)
Killed July 30th 1864
23 Laborer Ann Arundel, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265128423

Thomas, John W (WC49821)
Killed July 30th 1864
23 Laborer Washington, D.C.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265126601

Francis Tucker Co. F
MIA July 30th
44 Laborer Norfolk, Va.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265128735

Charles H. Summer Co. G
Killed July 30th 1864
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265128984

Abraham Tuxon Co. G
Killed July 30th 1864
30 Laborer Fredericksburg, Va.
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265129373

Basil Tyler Co. A
MIA July 30th
27 Howard County, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265129450

Richard Saunders
Captured/escaped July 30th 1864
21 Laborer Fredericksburg, Va
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265121690

Alexander Savoy Co. E
Captured/released July 30th 1864
20 Farmer Prince George’s County, MD
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/273/265121750

Belle_Plains,_Virginia
WGS84 38° 20′ 33.38″ N, 77° 19′ 50.71″ W
38.342606, -77.330753
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 January 2017
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belle_Plains,_Virginia

Chancellorsville,_Virginia
Coordinates: 38°18′30″N 77°38′4″W
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 January 2017
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chancellorsville,_Virginia

IMAGE CREDITS:

Title Central Virginia showing Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant’s Campaign and Marches of the Armies under his Command in 1864-1865. Engineer Bureau, War Dept. Publication Info: Washington: Government Printing Office. Physical Description 1 map : col. Plate No.: 100
Map No. 1. Resource Type: Map. Publication Date: 1891.
digitalcollections.baylor.edu 18 February 2012 Web. January 10 2017
https://digitalcollections-baylor.quartexcollections.com/Documents/Detail/war-of-the-rebellion-atlas.-volume-i.-plate-c-plate-no.-100/208523

General search of War of the Rebellion Atlas Maps at the Baylor Texas Collection
https://digitalcollections-baylor.quartexcollections.com/explore-the-collections/list/collections/9

flag 1864_in_the_United_States
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 20 January 2017
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1864_in_the_United_States

Camp of the Seventh Regiment, near Frederick, Maryland, in July 1863
Sanford Robinson Gifford – 1864.
the-athenaeum.org 23 May 2002 Web. 10 January 2017.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140822055114/http://the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=15754

detail
Title: [City Point, Va. African American army cook at work]
Summary: Photograph from the main eastern theater of war, the siege of Petersburg, June 1864-April 1865.
Created / Published
[Between 1860 and 1865]
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2005683189/

detail
Title: War views — Army of the Potomac — the way they cook dinner in camp
Summary: Photograph shows five Union soldiers, including one African American soldier, sitting and eating in front of tents.
Contributor Names: Roche, T. C., photographer
Carson, Marian S., collector
E. & H.T. Anthony (Firm), publisher
Created / Published
New York: E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., [between 1861 and 1865]
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2005683189/https://www.loc.gov/item/2005683189/

34th Pennsylvania Infantry
Mathew Brady Civil War Photographs flickr.com 26 February 2004 Web. 10 January 2017.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnationalarchives/collections/72157622495226723/

John A. Bross findagrave.com 5 December 1998 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127971314/john-armstrong-bross

Memorial of Colonel John A. Bross, Twenty-Ninth U.S. Colored Troops, Who Fell in Leading the Assault on Petersburgh, July 30, 1864.
content.wisconsinhistory.org 24 July 2001 Web. 10 December 2016.
http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/tp/id/55643

Delavan Bates 1840-1918
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 web. 10 January 2017.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delavan_Bates

Robert K. Beecham 1839-1920
wisconsinhistory.org 24 July 2001 Web. 10 January 2017.
https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM46690

and
findagrave.com 5 December 1998 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13640168/robert-k-beecham

Fessenden, Zelotis (Capt.)
Co. H Widow’s Pension P. 2
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.fold3.com/image/288695128

Joshua Sigfried 1832-1895 of the first Brigade
findagrave.com 5 December 1998 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41822884/joshua-k-sigfried

Henry G. Thomas 1837-1897 Battles & Leaders Vol. 4 Image – Thomas, p. 565.
http://archive.org/stream/battlesleadersof04cent

The soldiers are seated reading letters and papers and playing cards. 111-B-220. National Archives Identifier: 524639 (Cropped)
archives.gov 31 March 2002 Web. 10 January 2017.
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/military/civil-war/photos/images/civil-war-002.jpg

Civil War Quarters (Cropped) – Library of Congress
Officers from the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry play cards in front of their wall tents in camp at Petersburg, Virginia, in August 1864. (Cropped) – – Library of Congress, also at:
civilwarmonitor.com 25 September 2011 Web. 10 January 2017.
http://civilwarmonitor.com/photo-essays/album?albumid=1019

Officers from the 114th Pennsylvania Infantry play cards in front of their wall tents in camp at Petersburg, Virginia, in August 1864.(Cropped)
– Library of Congress
civilwarphotos.net 29 June 2003 Web. 10 January 2017.
http://www.civilwarphotos.net/files/images/533.jpg

African American musicians performing in camp
This rare photograph shows a Union army camp scene where soldiers are entertained by a group of African American minstrel performers. (No source given at websites showing the image.)

1. civilwartalk.com 17 August 2000 Web. 10 January 2017.
   http://civilwartalk.com/threads/occupational-photographs-ladies-were-occupied-too.118227/ (Anna Elizabeth Henry
2. Minstrels playing
   aimeedaviscms.files.wordpress.com start date unavailable Web. 20 January 2017.
   https://aimeedaviscms.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/img_4008.jpg

and

3. randomthoughtsonhistory.blogspot.com 25 August 2011 Web. 20 January 2017.
   http://randomthoughtsonhistory.blogspot.com/2014/06/bully-civil-war-photograph_21.html

Title: [colored soldiers at Aikens Landing]
Contributor Names: E. & H.T. Anthony (Firm)
Created / Published: [New York City : E. & H.T. Anthony Co., photographed between 1862 and 1865, printed later]
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
http://www.loc.gov/item/98500957/

The 26th U.S. Colored Volunteer Infantry on parade, Camp William Penn, Pa., 1865. 165-C-692. National Archives Identifier: 533126.
archives.gov 31 March 2002 Web. 10 January 2017.
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/military/civil-war/photos/images/civil-war-006.jpg

Caption in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper (New York), May 7, 1864- “The war in Tennessee: Confederate massacre of black Union troops after the surrender at Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864”. Leslie, Frank; Moat, Louis Shepheard (c1895). “Frank Leslie’s illustrated history of the Civil War. The most important events of the conflict between the States graphically pictured. Stirring battle scenes and grand naval engagements … portraits of principal participants.” Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. archive.org 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. p. 492.
Also at:
commons.wikimedia.org 5 June 2004 Web. 10 January 2016.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_Fort_Pillow.png

Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park (HFNHP) Drawing by Ward S. Day, 5th New York, Company C, Lithograph by E. Sachs and Company; pages 176-177 in Frye, Dennis E. (2012). “Harper’s Ferry Under Fire – A Border Town in the American Civil War.”
Harper’s Ferry Historical Association. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company Publishers.

Title: News from home / EF.
Creator(s): Forbes, Edwin, 1839-1895, artist
Date Created/Published: 1863 Sept. 30.
Medium: 1 drawing : pencil.
Summary: Soldier lying on the ground reading letter or newspaper.
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsca.20648/

Head of a Negro – John Philip Simpson – circa 1827
the-athenaeum.org 23 May 2002 Web. 10 January 2017.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150928190351/http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=130284

Title: Campfire
Artist: Winslow Homer (American, Boston, Massachusetts 1836–1910 Prouts Neck, Maine)
Date:1880. Medium: Oil on canvas. Dimensions:23 3/4 x 38 1/8 in. (60.3 x 96.8 cm)
Classification: Paintings. Credit Line: Gift of Josephine Pomeroy Hendrick, in the name of Henry Keney Pomeroy, 1927
Accession Number:27.181
metmuseum.org 11 November 1996 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/11112

Germanna Ford Old Plank Road Overland Military Map Germanna ford Old Plank road to Chancellorsville Overland Military Map baylor.edu
Germanna Ford en route to Belle Plain
War of the Rebellion Atlas. Volume I. Plate LXXIV (Plate No. 74) from Maj. A.H. Campbell’s Surveys, showing the Positions of the Camps and Pickets of the 2d Corps, A.N.Va., May 3d, 1864, and the Routes of March from May 4th to May 21st, 1864, Battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania C.H., Va.
Creator Campbell, A.H., Maj.; Robinson, S.B. ; Hotchkiss, Jed.
Publication Info Washington : Government Printing Office
digitalcollections.baylor.edu 18 February 2012 Web. January 10 2017
https://digitalcollections-baylor.quartexcollections.com/Documents/Detail/war-of-the-rebellion-atlas.-volume-i.-plate-lxxiv-plate-no.-74/208245?item=208246

Title: City Point, Virginia. Negro soldier guarding 12-pdr. Napoleon. (Model 1857?)
Date Created/Published: [1865]
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cwpb.

CHAPTER OR STORY 23 CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-23-jaspers-23rd-usct-runs-off-tom-rossers-virginia-cavalry-near-chancellorsville-by-jim-surkamp/

3382 words.

CHAPTER OR STORY 23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJpJeIwFMw#t=1h43m06s Click Here and the link will take you to the beginning of this story at 1:43:06 within the longer video called “Jasper Thompson’s Destiny Day September 6, 1906”

https://web.archive.org/web/20190612202911/https://civilwarscholars.com/2017/03/story-23-lees-men-first-face-black-men-in-bluecoats-by-jim-surkamp/

FLICKR 26 images
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimsurkamp/albums/72157678730919713

With support from American Public University System (apus.edu). The sentiments expressed do not in any way reflect modern-day policies of APUS, and are intended to encourage fact-based exchange for a better understanding of our nation’s foundational values.

That cloudy, soggy Sunday morning of May 15, 1864, Theodore Lyman’s doubts of colored men fighting were scotched.

Pvt. Luman Tenney and others in the 2nd Ohio Cavalry lazed about after breakfast disassembling and cleaning and drying out their guns in camp near Piney Branch Baptist Church and after several days of drenching rain.

Shortly after twelve noon, Confederate Brigade Cavalry commander Thomas Rosser, whose men were doing other business and easing north on Catharpin Road, saw them and pounced, sending the Ohio horseman jumping on their horses and the chase up Catharpin road began.

One of the Ohioans went northwest instead to get word to and help from Union General Edward Ferrero’s colored infantry troops who were guarding supply wagons kept at the ruins of the old Chancellor house.

Ferrero made Jasper’s 23rd infantry regiment a historical footnote by sending them marching the two miles at the double quick down Old Plank Road to their place in history, as one historian has termed it the first African-American Union unit to have “ordered, directed combat” with Gen. Robert. E. Lee’s redoubtable Army of Northern Virginia – and more. They prevailed.

After two miles of chasing the Ohioans and as the 23rd was on its way from the northwest, Rosser’s cavalry pressed down hard on the panicked fleeing Ohioans.

when as Rosser’s horsemen were reaching Old Plank Road were astonished to find themselves hit on their left by the 23rd with bayonets displayed. Rosser’s men, in an instant, went from the fighting router of an enemy to the retreating routed.

Ohioan Pvt. Luman Tenney drolly wrote in his diary” Rebs fell back as soon as the “dark cloud’ made its appearance.” In an account recently uncovered by

Historian Gordon C. Rhea, one of the Ohio cavalrymen wrote, “It did us good to see the long line of glittering bayonets approach. Those who bore them were blacks, and as they came nearer they were greeted by loud cheers.”

Jasper’s Division Commander Ferrero wrote in his report:
I immediately ordered the Fourth Division in readiness, and marched the Twenty-third U. S. Colored Troops to support the cavalry. On arriving at Alrichs, on the Plank Road, I found the Second Ohio driven across the road, and the enemy occupying the cross-roads. I ordered the colored regiment to advance on the enemy in line of battle, which they did, and drove the enemy in perfect rout. Not being able to pursue with infantry,

the Second Ohio formed and gave chase to Piney Branch Church, which they (the Second Ohio) now occupy. Recovering, the Ohioans joined the pursuit on horseback of Rosser back down Catharpin road where they regained their old position near the Piney Church by 4:30 that day. Both sides had a handful of wounded and each lost between 10-20 horses.

Rosser, perhaps flummoxed at facing determined black men in bluecoats, barely reported the event in his official report, and not mentioning anything about a soldier’s ethnicity.

References and Image Credits:

“In Our Midst: First Combat of the USCTs in Northern Virginia.” Noel G. Harrison, Posted June 15, 2010.
This small engagement has huge symbolic importance: it was the first directed combat between Union African American soldiers, known then as United States Colored Troops (USCT’s), and Confederates in the Army of Northern Virginia. . .

On May 15, 1864, Rosser’s men sought information on a Union army corps as it shifted southeastward towards Spotsylvania Court House. Apprised by the retreating Ohioans of Rosser’s approach, the 23rd United States Colored Infantry hastened southeast from Chancellorsville, where those and other African American regiments of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero’s division had bivouacked. Moving in column along the plank road, the reinforced 23rd first made contact through its deployed skirmishers with Rosser’s men. The Confederate troopers had stopped short of the Catharpin-plank road intersection to occupy the southwestern side of the Alrich clearing, holding an edge-of-treeline position that likely straddled Catharpin Road.

The climax of the action came when the column of the 23rd reached the intersection and faced right. In an account recently uncovered by historian Gordon C. Rhea, one of the Ohio cavalrymen wrote, “It did us good to see the long line of glittering bayonets approach, although those who bore them were Blacks, and as they came nearer they were greeted by loud cheers.” The 23rd charged southwest toward the treeline. Rosser’s men withdrew, pursued by the now-reformed Ohio cavalrymen.
npsfrsp.wordpress.com 7 April 2010 Web. 15 June 2010.
https://npsfrsp.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/in-our-midst-first-combat-of-the-uscts-north-of-the-james/

“The 23rd Regiment United States Colored Troops became the first colored troops to fight in “directed combat” against Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.”
Steward T. Henderson – Fact List About the 23rd United States Colored Troops…Past and Present. Posted on February 16, 2012.
emergingcivilwar.com 16 September 2011 Web. 20 February 2017.

Fact List About the 23rd United States Colored Troops…Past and Present

At the beginning of the Overland Campaign, the 23rd Regiment United States Colored Troops was an infantry regiment in the 4th Division of the independent IX Army Corps. This regiment became the first black regiment to fight in directed combat against the Army of Northern Virginia. This happened 150 years ago today, on May 15, 1864.. . .
During the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, the 23rd Regiment USCT was at the Chancellorsville ruins, guarding wagon trains on May 15, 1864, when the 2nd Ohio Cavalry asked for assistance. The Ohioans were being attacked by General Thomas Rosser’s Confederate Cavalry Brigade. General Edward Ferrero marched the 23rd at the double quick to the intersection, now known as the Catharpin and Old Plank Roads intersection. “It did us good to see the long line of glittering bayonets approach, although those who bore them were Blacks,” one Buckeye wrote, “and as they came nearer they were greeted by loud cheers.”

The 23rd USCT formed a battle line and fired on the Confederate army and drove them away. They became the first African American soldiers to fight in “directed combat” against the Army of Northern Virginia. They were cheered by the white soldiers of the 2nd Ohio, who now knew that these black soldiers would fight against the Confederates.

Tenney, Luman H. (1914). “War Diary of Luman Harris Tenney 1861-1865.” Cleveland, OH: Evangelical Publishing House. babel.hathitrust.org
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t1pg2b07c&view=1up&seq=7&skin=2021

p. 116 – May 15, 1864 – Trains passing to the rear all night and today. Started teams for forage. Rainy day and cloudy today. Several from the Regt. down, Col. P Regt under Maj. Nettleton had a fight with a brigade of rebs. Lost 15 or 20 horses and four men were wounded. Rebs fell back as soon as the “dark cloud’ made its appearance. Big Reports came to the rear. Guess Dutton showed little pluck. – Tenney, Luman H. Pvt. p. 116. (actual #)

Tenney service record page
fold3.com 16 September 2011 Web. 10 January 2017.
https://www.fold3.com/image/292528472?terms=luman,h,tenney

Armstrong, Richard L. (1989). “11th Virginia Cavalry.” Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, Inc. pp. 72, 163.

Davis, Julia. (1967). “Mount Up: A True Story Based on the Reminiscences of Major E.A. H. McDonald of the confederate Cavalry.” New York, NY: Harcourt. Brace & World, Inc. p. 130.

Rhea, Gordon C.(2000). “To the north Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13-25, 1864.” Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press. pp. 106; 412.
quoted in:
npsfrsp.wordpress.com 7 April 2010 Web. 15 June 2010.
https://npsfrsp.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/in-our-midst-first-combat-of-the-uscts-north-of-the-james/

The war of the rebellion: a compilation of the official records of the Union and Confederate armies.; Series 1 – Volume 36 (Part I) Volume XXXVI – in Three Parts. 1891. (Vol. 36, Chap. 48)
Chapter XLVIII – Operations in Southeastern Virginia and North Carolina. May 1-June 12, 1864. Part I – Reports: babel.hathitrust.org
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924097311744&view=1up&seq=11&skin=2021

Report of Brig. Gen. Edward Ferrero U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Division. HDQRS. FOURTH DIvision, NINTH ARMY CORPS, Millers House, on Plank Road east of Alrich’s, May 15, 1864.
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that at 12.30 p.m. this day the Second Ohio Cavalry, stationed at Piney Branch Church, were compelled to fall back, being attacked by superior forces, consisting of one brigade of cavalry, with two pieces of artillery. I immediately ordered the Fourth Division in readiness, and marched the Twenty-third U. S. Colored Troops to support the cavalry. On arriving at Alrichs, on the Plank Road, I found the Second Ohio driven across the road, and the enemy occupying the cross-roads. I ordered the colored regiment to advance on the enemy in line of battle, which they did, and drove the enemy in perfect rout. Not being able to pursue with infantry, the Second Ohio formed and gave chase to Piney Branch Church, which they (the Second Ohio) now occupy. All quiet elsewhere. Our loss amounted to about 8 or 10 wounded. The enemy lost some 5 horses killed. I have changed my position to a more secure one, to protect the trains and roads leading to the army. I have since learned from one of my scouts that Hamptons brigade is in full retreat, in perfect disorder, toward Todd’s Tavern. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, EDW. FERRERO, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
hathitrust.org 11 December 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
p. 986.
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924097311744&view=1up&seq=1004&skin=2021

Report of Lieut. Col. George A. Purington, Second Ohio Cavalry
About noon May 15 a rebel cavalry brigade, under command of Colonel Rosser, suddenly attacked us in two columns, driving in the pickets and causing us to fall back on the ford, which we held for some time, and until it was plain they outnumbered us 3 to 1, and were moving columns to our right and left with the intention of flanking our position. Major Nettleton, being in command of the regiment during my absence in Fredericksburg, then fell back slowly, fighting all the way, by forming alternate lines wherever the ground would admit it. On reaching Alrich’s he found that infantry had come to his support, when, by order of General Ferrero, he again advanced toward Piney Creek Church, coming upon the enemy’s rear several times. At 4 p.m. he re-established his picket at Piney Creek Church. Our loss in this affair was 4 men wounded and 18 horses killed and wounded. babel.hathitrust.org 11 December 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
pp. 892-4. (actual #s)
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924097311744&view=1up&seq=910&skin=2021

Report of Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser, C. S. Army, commanding brigade, of operations May 15, 1864.
I have just returned from an expedition in rear of the enemy’s position, and as General Hampton is not here, think it well to report directly to you. Near Piney Creek Church I found this morning a brigade of cavalry, which, after a brisk skirmish, I drove to the Plank Road, about 2 miles below Chancellorsville, below the Catharpin road, where I met a small force of infantry at Mr. Alrich’s.

Not more than a regiment was seen. Captured a few prisoners, who reported the Ninth Corps at this place. I then moved to the right, passing down the Ny River to Mr. Armstrong’s, where I found a new road cut by the enemy, leading out into the Spotsylvania Court-House and Fredericksburg road, passing between the poor house and Mr. Harris. Pressing down upon this road (which is almost impassable) I ran upon the Second Corps (so reported by the prisoners captured), which was just going into camp just to the right of the poor house. In going to this point I passed in rear of the enemy’s line for some distance, the right of which rests at this time (I think it will be moved to-night) on the heights opposite Captain Browns place (Mr. Rowe lives there now). All wagons, cattle, & c., which have been on the Plank Road have been moved off toward Fredericksburg. There is nothing but a few cavalry near Chancellorsville, one brigade head-quarters at Zion Church, about 3 miles from Chancellorsville, on the old pike. Yours, truly, THOS. L. ROSSER, Brigadier-General. babel.hathitrust.org 11 December 1997 Web. 20 February 2017.
pp. 1098-1099.(actual #s)
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924097311744&view=1up&seq=1116&skin=2021

Additional resources:

(Cited previously in these references in less detail) Fact List About the 23rd United States Colored Troops…Past and Present
Posted on February 16, 2012 by Steward T. Henderson

I wanted to convey some information about the 23rd United States Colored Troops. The unit proudly served in the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James. Today, the unit is based out of Spotsylvania County Virginia, and I am one of the proud representatives that brings the unit and their stories back to life. We plan on participating in numerous Sesquicentennial events, including an upcoming event on February 25th at the John J. Wright Museum. I hope to meet some of our readers at the events. In the meantime, I have provided information on the wartime and current unit below.

Recruitment – The 23rd Regiment United States Colored Troops (or 23rd Regiment United States Colored Infantry) was recruited in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD from November 23, 1863 until June 30, 1864. They were organized at Camp Casey, VA (near the location of the Pentagon today).

Armies – The 23rd was originally assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, of the IX Army Corps. This was an independent unit until May 24, 1864, when it was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. From September to December 1864, the 23rd was assigned the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, IX Corps, and in December, it was in the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division of the XXV Corps (an all-black Corps) in the Army of the James. After the war, they were assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division of the XXV Corps in the Department of Texas

Officers – The General-in-Chief of the United States Army was Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant. The commanding officer of the IX Army Corps was Major General Ambrose E. Burnside, and the 4th Division commander was Brigadier General Edward Ferrero. The Brigade commander was Colonel Henry G. Thomas. When they became part of the Army of the Potomac, Major General George Gordon Meade was the commanding officer. In the Army of the James, the commanding officer was Major General Benjamin Butler until January 1865; then, General Edward Ord commanded that Army. General Godfrey Weitzel commanded the XXV Corps. Colonel Henry G. Thomas was promoted to Brigadier General and commanded the division.

Service – The 23rd served in the following battles and campaigns:

Overland Campaign, May to June 1864
Battle of Petersburg, June 15 – 18, 1864
Siege of Petersburg and Richmond June, 1864 – April 2, 1865
Battle of the Crater – July 30, 1864
Weldon Railroad – August 18-21, 1864
Fort Sedgwick-September 28, 1864
Poplar Grove Church – September 29-30, 1864
Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher’s Run – October 27-28, 1864
Bermuda Hundred – December 13, 1864
Bermuda Hundred Front – December 1864 – March 1865
Appomattox Campaign, March 28th to April 9th, 1864
Hatcher’s Run – March 29-31, 1865
Fall of Petersburg – April 2, 1865
Pursuit of Lee – April 3 – 9, 1865
Surrender of Army of Northern Virginia – April 9, 1865
Duty in Department of Virginia until May
Department of Texas from May until November 1865
Mustered out November 30, 1865
emergingcivilwar.com 16 September 2011 Web. 20 February 2017.
https://emergingcivilwar.com/2012/02/16/fact-list-about-the-23rd-united-states-colored-troops-past-and-present/

Chancellorsville,_Virginia
Coordinates: 38°18′30″N 77°38′4″W
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chancellorsville,_Virginia

May 13–16: Reorienting the lines
Reorienting the lines, May 13–16

Despite the significant casualties of May 12, Grant was undeterred. He telegraphed to the Army’s chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck, “The enemy are obstinate and seemed to have found the last ditch.” He planned to reorient his lines and shift the center of potential action to the east of Spotsylvania, where he could renew the battle. He ordered the V and VI Corps to move behind the II Corps and take positions past the left flank of the IX Corps. On the night of May 13–14, the corps began a difficult march in heavy rain over treacherously muddy roads. Early on May 14, elements of the VI Corps occupied Myers Hill, which overlooked most of the Confederate line. Col. Emory Upton’s brigade skirmished most of the day to retain possession of the high ground. Grant’s command was too scattered and exhausted to undertake an assault against Spotsylvania Court House on May 14, which was unfortunate because Lee had left it practically undefended for most of the day. When he realized what Grant was up to, Lee shifted some units from Anderson’s First Corps to that area. Grant notified Washington that, having endured five days of almost continuous rain, his army could not resume offensive operations until they had 24 hours of dry weather.[42]
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Spotsylvania_Court_House

Image Credits;

10727 Piney Branch Road address of African American school google.com/maps
https://www.google.com/maps/place/10727+Piney+Branch+Rd,+Spotsylvania+Courthouse,+VA+22553/@38.2559967,-77.6389095,880m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6beb12df03ae1:0x73a28757842aae32!8m2!3d38.2559925!4d-77.6367208

Piney Branch Baptist Church
Added by: MKlump 8/25/2011
findagrave.com 2 February 2001 Web. 20 June 2016.
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2320364

Miller, Francis Trevelyan. (1912). “The photographic history of the civil war in ten volumes.” Vol. 4. New York, NY: The Review of Reviews Co. Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. archive.org
p. 75 – Lancers in the Federal Cavalry
http://archive.org/stream/photographichis08lanigoog/page/n85/mode/1up?view=theater

Miller, Francis Trevelyan. (1912). “The photographic history of the civil war in ten volumes.” Vol. 4. New York, NY: The Review of Reviews Co. Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. archive.org
p. 73 – Thomas Rosser
http://archive.org/stream/photographichis08lanigoog/page/n83/mode/1up?view=theater

Piney Branch Road and south showing Route 612 (Catharpin Road)
google.com/maps 13 October 2001 Web. 20 January 2017.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Piney+Branch+Baptist+Church,+Spotsylvania+Courthouse,+VA+22553/@38.2557979,-77.6366089,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x89b6beb132eadb31:0xe9cda54a4152b32a

“Battles and Leaders. Vol. 1.” (1887). Robert Underwood Johnson, Clarence Clough Buel (Ed.). New York, NY: Century Co. Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. archive.org
p. 126 – An Affair of Outposts
https://archive.org/stream/battlesleadersof01cent/page/126/mode/1up?view=theater

Map of battle May 15, 1864
npsfrsp.wordpress.com 7 April 2010 Web. 15 June 2010.
https://npsfrsp.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/in-our-midst-first-combat-of-the-uscts-north-of-the-james/

Chancellor House was the headquarters of General Joseph Hooker during the Battle of Chancellorsville, 1863. The general was knocked off his feet with a possible concussion when a Confederate artillery round smashed into a column that he was standing beside. Later, the general would take flight leaving the house to fall prey to heavy Confederate fire.
Date Published 1911 (photo 1863)
Source File from The Photographic History of The Civil War in Ten Volumes: Volume Two, Two Years of Grim War. The Review of Reviews Co., New York. 1911. p. 126.
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 10 December 2016.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chancellorsville/

Ruins of the Chancellorsville House (NOTE Previous entry)
Title: Chancellorsville (Ruins), State Routes 3 & 610, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania County, VA. Historic American Buildings Survey, creator
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://www.loc.gov/item/va0921/

Catharpin Road and Old Plank Road Intersection today 610 and 612
Google maps
street view
google.com/maps 13 October 2001 Web. 20 January 2017.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Piney+Branch+Baptist+Church/@38.286039,-77.6161999,184m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6beb132eadb31:0xe9cda54a4152b32a!8m2!3d38.2559692!4d-77.6366845

or

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Old+Plank+Rd,+Fredericksburg,+VA+22407/@38.2859116,-77.6155089,3a,60y,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZi7FlhvfN2_TcvjGCdrcTA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6bf8fdbb558bb:0x4ada6c71e4a4b329!8m2!3d38.2861709!4d-77.590698

street view 11769 Catharpin Rd
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
google.com/maps 13 October 2001 Web. 20 January 2017.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/11769+Catharpin+Rd,+Spotsylvania+Courthouse,+VA+22553/@38.2830371,-77.6206127,3a,75y,34.04h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s5ByvREUvoYzDxHVmzbD8Dg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D5ByvREUvoYzDxHVmzbD8Dg%26cb_client%3Dsearch.gws-prod.gps%26w%3D86%26h%3D86%26yaw%3D34.040646%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6bef0ad59de41:0xf16a94762ffade!8m2!3d38.2828692!4d-77.6202571

street view
11799 Catharpin Rd closer to old plank
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
google.com/maps 13 October 2001 Web. 20 January 2017.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/11799+Catharpin+Rd,+Spotsylvania+Courthouse,+VA+22553/@38.2835179,-77.6200625,3a,75y,229.23h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ssopMg-GTm3AoN8RDI8n-gg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DsopMg-GTm3AoN8RDI8n-gg%26cb_client%3Dsearch.gws-prod.gps%26w%3D86%26h%3D86%26yaw%3D229.22604%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6bef0ad59de41:0x6a04af7d6da9fa99!8m2!3d38.2832644!4d-77.6198111

street view
11807 Catharpin Rd
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
google.com/maps 13 October 2001 Web. 20 January 2017.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/11807+Catharpin+Rd,+Spotsylvania+Courthouse,+VA+22553/@38.2833631,-77.6218532,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6bef0ad59de41:0xe75371092a88c39e!8m2!3d38.2833589!4d-77.6196645

street view
11805 Catharpin Rd looking down Caparthin 23rd USCT view of Rosser
Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
google.com/maps 13 October 2001 Web. 20 January 2017.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/11805+Catharpin+Rd,+Spotsylvania+Courthouse,+VA+22553/@38.2833379,-77.6218939,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6bef0ad59de41:0x7cd144125304ba87!8m2!3d38.2833337!4d-77.6197052

Intersection of Old Plank Road and Catharpin Road
google.com/maps 13 October 2001 Web. 20 January 2017.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Piney+Branch+Baptist+Church/@38.2866011,-77.6175115,879m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b6beb132eadb31:0xe9cda54a4152b32a!8m2!3d38.2559692!4d-77.6366845

Edward Allen Hitchcock McDonald – Julia Davis Adams.
findagrave.com
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143120024/edward-allen_hitchcock-mcdonald

Media Farm
National Register of Historic Places Inventory. Nomination Form for Media Farm / Media 1/1/93, last page not numbered
wvculture.org
https://wvculture.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Media-farm.pdf

“Battles and Leaders. Vol. 3”. (1887). Robert Underwood Johnson, Clarence Clough Buel (Ed.). New York, NY: Century Co. Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010. archive.org
p. 1. In the Van.
http://www.archive.org/stream/battlesleadersof03cent/page/1/mode/1up?view=theater

L. H. Tenney – frontispiece.
Luman H. Tenney Diary 1865-1866 – babel.hathitrust.org
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t1pg2b07c&view=1up&seq=7&skin=2021

(detail) Siege of Petersburg – The colored Infantry Bringing in Captured Guns Amid Cheers of the Ohio Troops – Frank Leslie’s Weekly
Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. archive.org 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.
http://www.archive.org/stream/importantevents00franrich/page/438/mode/2up?view=theater

Black cloud Luman Tenney Catharpin road May 15 1864 from Frank Leslies June 27, 1863 Port Hudson
Title: Bombardment of Port Hudson by Admiral Farragut’s fleet Assault of the Second Louisiana (Colored) regiment on the Rebel works at Port Hudson, May 27 from a sketch by our special artist. Illustration in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1863 June 27 pp. 440-441.
Date Created/Published: 1863 June 27.
Medium: 1 print (2 pages) : wood engraving.
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 10 December 2016.
http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3c33081/

General Edward Ferrero
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Ferrero

Also (For general reference):

Frank Leslie’s illustrated history of the Civil War. The most important events of the conflict between the States graphically pictured. Stirring battle scenes and grand naval engagements … portraits of principal participants.
Internet Archives: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music, and Wayback Machine. archive.org 27 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 Sept. 2010.
http://www.archive.org/stream/importantevents00franrich/page/440/mode/2up?view=theater

The First Virginia Cavalry at a halt, Antietam campaign. Pencil drawing by Alfred R. Waud, 1862. Reproduction number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-21554
loc.gov 16 June 1997 Web. 10 December 2016.
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsca.21554/

Thomas_L._Rosser
wikipedia.org 27 July 2001 Web. 10 December 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_L._Rosser

CHAPTER OR STORY 24 CLICK HERE https://civilwarscholars.com/uncategorized/chapter-24-the-crater-climax-jaspers-biggest-bravest-fight-by-jim-surkamp/