Bull run to Bull run; or, Four years in the army of northern Virginia. Containing a detailed account of the career and adventures of the Baylor Light Horse, Company B., Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, C. S. A., with leaves from my scrap-book

Front matter

Robt. W. Baylor.

OR,

FOUR YEARS Z ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

Preface

Having long and earnestly desired that some one more competent would write the biilliant career of the Baylor Light Horse during the Civil War, but finding the work still unperformed, I have been induced in my humble way to undertake the task, trusting my effort may serve to revive, if not perpetuate, the story of its heroism and devotion to the " Lost Cause." In doing so, I have endeavored to portray its deeds of daring and adventure with truth, justice, and impartiality to friend and foe. The Records of the Civil War, as well as contemporaneous writings and the history of the times, have been freely used to present fairly the adversary's account and version of the events narrated.

With a just pride in the leadership of so gallant a band of soldiers, with high appreciation of the cheerful and ready manner in which so many dangers were shared, and with a grateful sense of the uniform kindness and courtesy extended me at all times, this work, imperfect as I know it to be, is humbly commended to the favorable reception of my comrades and friends.

Contents

Page.

Chapter I.— Outbreak of War— Joined Ashby's Company — Ride to Harper's Ferry — Changed from Cavalry to Infantry and Enlisted in the Botts Greys — Camp Lee — Ordinance of Secession— Skirmish on July 2d — Confronted Patterson at Darkesville — Retired to Winchester — March to Manassas — Battle of Manassas 15

Chapter II. — Camp Harman — Death of Lawrence — Lee Berry- Jackson's Address — Return to the- Valley — Flank into Winchester—The " Dam Trip "—March to Berkeley Springs- Firing on Hancock — Move to Romney — Return to Wincheste:— Banks's Advance — Battle of Kernstown 26

CHAPTER I. To every man upon this earth

Death eometh soon or late; And how can man die better Than facing fearful odds For the ashes of his fathers And the temples of his gods?

Macaulay.

In the summer of i860, after a three years' course at Dickinson College, I was honored as an alumnus of that institution, and the following October found me engaged in the peaceful occupation of assistant of R. Jaquelin Ambler, at the Clifton High School, near Markham, in Fauquier county, Virginia. The principal of that institution had been my preceptor, several years before, at the Charlestown Academy, and in that relation I had formed for him a warm attachment, and was consequently much gratified that my career in life should have its begiiming under so estimable a gentleman, and was especially pleased that my horse should bear me company.

Young men of the present day, who flourish in fine buggies, smoke cigars and cigarettes, part their hair in the middle, and occasionally greet " inspiring bold John Barley Corn," can ill appreciate the pastimes and pleasures of the youth of a generation ago, when the horse, the gun, and the dog were the ne plus ultra of masculine aspirations. Those good old days of innocent, manly sports and recreations, are still valued as the brightest and happiest in life. Alas! of our little group, that often chased the squirrel from tree to tree and made the forests ring with volleys of musketry, or startled the partridge from its repose in the fields, but two are left to tell the tale. That acquaintance with the horse, [15]

j^ Bull Run to Bull Run.

which began in early childhood, soon ripened into affection, and the horse and rider were one in life and action.

During- mv collegiate course the family conclave met, my pursuit in life was determined, and the law chosen. The program arranged was for me to spend a couple of years in teadiing. and then attend the School of Law at the University of Virginia. But man proposes and God disposes.

Taking up my abode in this rural retreat in Fauquier at the age of eighteen, the hours not occupied in school duties or recreation were devoted to the study of Blackstone, and some progress was being made in the rights of persons and rights of property when the 19th of April, 1861, rolled around, and Virginia's call to arms awakened me from my

repose.

The country around Markham was at that tmie settled by old and highly distinguished families, among whom may be named: Marshall, Ambler, Ashby, Stribling, Carter and others, and my stay among them was made as agreeable as it could be— for' a youthful pedagogue. My temper, naturally irascible, was ill-suited to a pursuit and profession requiring a large modicum of patience and good nature; and the few months spent in this service was sufficient to implant m me a deep sympathy and commiseration for the toilers m the schools. The time spent in this community was a period full of import. The country was verging on a great civil war. The North and South were fast becoming estranged and designing politicians on either side fanned the flame of discord The Cotton States had seceded from the Union and formed a Confederacy, with its capital at Montgomery. The Star of the West had attempted to provision Fort Sumter, had been refused permission, and a collision had occurred between the forces of the United States and of the State of South Carolina. Virginia, reluctant to leave the Union, was by the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 troops, forced to take sides, and natural affinity, education, and similarity of interests determined her choice.

Edw. M. Aisquith.

Soldiering in time of peace, liad found little favor with me, and I had refrained from joining- any military organization, thongh many, the outgrowth of the John Brown raid, were in existence in the vicinity of my home and present ahode. Bnt now that A-'irginia had taken her stand with her Southern sisters, and the two sections were in hostile array, I felt it my duty to lay down the plow and the pruning-hook and take up the s\\ord and the hattle-axe.

Turner Ashl)}-, who lived near Markham, was then captain of a volunteer company of cavalry, composed of men of that vicinity, and had received orders to report -with his company at Harper's Ferry. The inclination to go could not be resisted, and, seeking my principal, I asked to be relieved from further duty under my contract with him. He was too patriotic to refuse such a request, and on the 19th of April, 1 861, I joined Ashby's company of horse, crossed the Blue Ridge, and reached Charlestown about 6 P. M. At Halltown we overtook a portion of the Second Virginia regiment of infantry, under command of Colonel Allen, and with it took possession of Harper's Ferry that night.

The long ride on the 19th had rather worsted my steed, and meeting many of my old school-mates and friends in the Botts Greys, Second Virginia regiment of infantry, with the permission of Captain Ashby, I changed my arm of service from cavalry to infantry, and joined the Botts Greys — a step soon afterwards much regretted. My first duties as a soldier were performed with the awkward squad (mi the j^lateau in the armory yard at Harper's Ferry, and in a short time I became a fairly well-drilled recruit.

Troops continued to pour into Harper's Ferry from all parts of Virginia and were gradually organized into regiments, brigades, and divisions. Tlie First Brigade was com])osed of the Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Twenty-seventh Virginia regiments, and shortly after its formation, the Thirty-third was added. Colonel Thomas J. Jackson, then little known in military circles, although a graduate of West

Bull Run to Bull Run. ip

Point and a soldier of some distinction in the Mexican .War, was assig-ned to the command of onr brigade. His appearance was not mihtary or striking in any particular. He had rather a sleepy look, and was a very unimposing figure on horseback. He was a strict disciplinarian, and immediately went to work to prepare his brigade for the great work before it. For a couple of months we were marched and counter-marched, with no other ostensible purpose than to prove our metal and endurance.

In June, 1861, our regiment was sent to Berkeley count}', and established a camp opposite Williamsport, known as Camp Lee and especially noted as the scene of the incarceration of Comrade Flagg for the trivial offence of shooting at a squirrel which appeared on a tree within the camp. His imprisonment seemed to us then a terril)le outrage on the rights and liberties of a freeman and an insult to the honor and dignity of a soldier, and served somewhat to dampen the ardor and enthusiasm of our patriotism. We were then, however, novices in military life and discipline, and knew little of what the future had in store for us.

While in this cam]\ the Ordinance of Secession was voted on, and we juniors, although bearing arms and ready to battle for our State, were not permitted to cast our votes in settling this momentous fpiestion. This denial of the right of franchise to soldiers in the field was also esteemed an outrage far worse than taxation without representation.

In the latter part of June, the other regiments of our brigade joined our regiment and the brigade went into camp just south of Hainesville, near which place a portion of the Fifth regiment, on the 2d of July, had a little skirmish with Patterson's advance. Our regiment, though under artillery fire, can hardly be said to have smelt powder.

On July 4th, General Johnston, who was in command of the Armv of the Shenandoah, joined us at Darkesville with his whole command, and his little army was drawn up in line of battle to confront Patterson, who was then in possession of Martinsbiirg. This offer of battle was not accepted by Patterson, and after remaining in this position several (lavs our army retired to Winchester, and preparations were hastily made to join Beauregard at Manassas, though our destination was not disclosed until we were well on our way.

On the 1 8th, our brigade marched to Berry's Ferry, waded the Shenandoah, then up to the shoulders of the men, and reached Piedmont next morning, where we took the cars and arrived at Manassas on the evening of the 19th. At Piedmont, when the train pulled up, and orders were given to board, there was one coach a little superior to the others (which were principally box-cars and gondolas), and the Botts Greys seeing it, were soon snugly seated within; when to our surprise, Sandy Pendleton, then on General Johnston's staff, entered and ordered us to vacate, saying that was the officers' coach. The boys, saying they were as good as the officers, refused to vacate, and after some idle threats Pendleton disappeared, and the coach was retained.

On the 20th, our brigade went into line in front of McDowell, near Mitchell's Ford, on Bull Run, close to the battle-field of the i8th.

On the morning of the 21st, the brigade was ordered to the left of our army to reinforce our troops then engaged with McDowell's advance. We moved into line southeast of the Henry house, on a little crest, in front of a pine thicket. The battle was then raging and the Confederates were retiring. As the dead and wounded were carried past, we realized for the first time the horrors of battle.

Company C, commanded by Captain Nelson, was on the left of our regiment, the Botts Greys, Company G. was next in line to Companv C, and as the men in the companies fell into line according to size, my place Avas on the extreme left of Company G, next to Tom Burnett, our fourth corporal, and adjoining the right of Company C. Captain Nelson was at the right of his company, and near him were the Randolphs, Grubbs, Cooke, and others of large stature. On the

Bull Run to Bull Run.

left of Company C was the Thirty-third regiment of our brigade, the Fourth, Fifth, and Twenty-seventh being on the right.

The enemy's artillery shelled us in this position for an hour or more, doing little damage. During this cannonade I remember General Beauregard riding in our front and the rousing cheer we gave him. Sam Wright broke ranks, ran forward and shook his hand. This was our first view of Beauregard, and his appearance is still indelibly impressed on my mind. About 2 P. M. I heard small-arms on our left, and turning in that direction, saw the Thirty-third regmient engaging the enemy. I recollect their first volley and how unfavorably it affected me. It was apparently made with guns raised at an angle of forty-five degrees, and I was fully assured that their bullets would not hit the Yankees, unless they were nearer heaven than they were generally located by our people. To my great astonishment and admiration, however, I soon saw these same men gallantly charging a battery in their front, and my spirits rose. Our men clamored to go forward to assist them, but our oiificers refused permission, and the golden opportunity was accordingly lost. The Thirty-third took the battery, but not being reinforced, was forced to fall back in some disorder, which resulted in leaving the left of our regiment exposed to an enfilading fire, and the enemy soon took advantage of the situation and opened on Companies C and G at short range. Under this galling fire, with some of our officers shouting to the men, "don't fire; they are friends," our men were some-' what confused, but soon realizing the true situation, briskly returned the enemy's fire with telling effect. I have since that time been in many engagements, yet have never seen men act as coolly and boldly under such disadvantageous circumstances as our men did on that occasion. Companies C and G, though sufifering heavily, were unflinching and holding their own against largely superior numbers when the order was given to fall back and form a new' line. This was clone, no (lonl)t. to present a front to the foe now outflanking ns. Tt was. liowever, an unfortunate move. Few men can retire calmly under a galling lire, and the execution of this order resulted in stamj^eding some good soldiers, but the large majority re-formed and again advanced, and our right at the same time moving forward, the enemy was pressed back and soon in flight, ddie forward mcn-ement of our l)rigade. sustained by the attack of a portion of Gen. Kirby Smith's command, produced this favorable result. We had now recei\'ed our ])aptism of hre and the brigade was christened by the dying words of General Bee, " Stonewall," a name which it bore through the four years' conflict and handed down to posterity untarnished.

The victory was decisive. General Scott wired McClellan : "After fairly beating the enemy and taking three of his batteries, a panic seized McDowell's army and it is in full retreat on the Potomac. A most unaccountable transformation into a mob of a finely appointed and admirably led army." B. S. Alexander, a captain of engineers, wired General Scott:

" General McDowell's army in full retreat through Centre\ille. The day is lost. Save Washington and the remnant of this army. General McDowell is doing all he can to cover the retreat. Colonel Miles is forming for that purpose. He was in reserve at Centreville. The routed troops will not re-form."

The report of General McDowell, then at Fairfax Courthouse, on his retreat, says:

" The men having thrown awa\- their haxersacks in battle and left them behind, they are without food: have eaten notliing since breakfast. We are without artillery ammunition. The larger part of the men are a confused mob, entirely demoralized. It was the opinion of all the commanders that no .stand could be made this side of the Potomac. We will, h()we\cr, make the attem])t at Fairfax Courthouse.

Isaac Anderson.

From a prisoner we learn that 20,000 from Johnston joined last night, and they will march on us to-night."

And in his report, written at Arlington, on August 4th, two weeks after the battle, he says :

" From the late reports it will be seen that our killed amounted to 19 officers and 462 non-commissioned officers and men, and our wounded to 64 officers and 947 non-commissioned officers and privates. The returns of the missingare very inaccurate, the men supposed to be missing having fallen into other regiments and gone to W asJiington — many of the Zouaves to New York.''

General Johnston, in his report of the battle, says :

" Our victory was as complete as one gained by infantry and artillery can be. An adequate force of cavalry would have made it decisive. It is due, under Almighty God, to the skill and resolution of General Beauregard, the admirable conduct of Generals Bee, E. K. Smith, and Jackson, and of Colonels (commanding brigades) Evans, Cocke, Early, and Elzey, and the courage and unyielding firmness of our patriotic volunteers. The admirable character of our troops is incontestably proved by the results of this battle, especially when it is remembered that little more than 6,000 men of the Army of the Shenandoah with 16 guns, and less than 2,000 of that of the Potomac with six guns, for fully five hours successfully resisted 35,000 United States troops with powerful artillery and a superior force of regular cavalry. The loss of the Army of the Potomac was 108 killed, 510 wounded, and 12 missing. That of the Army of the Shenandoah was 270 killed, 979 wounded, and 18 missing. Twentyeight pieces of artillery, about 5,000 muskets, and nearly 500,000 cartridges, a garrison fiag and ten colors, were captured on the field or in the pursuit. Besides these, we captured 64 artillery horses with their harness, 26 wagons and much camp equipage, clothing and other property abandoned in their flight. We captured also about 1,600 prisoners."

Bull Run to Bull Run.

As will appear from the foregoing- reports, the rout was complete, and onl_v a small portion of our forces was actually engaged. The brunt of the day was borne by the Seventh and Eighth Georgia, the Fourth Alabama, the Second and Eleventh Mississippi, the Sixth North Carolina, Hampton's Legion, and Jackson's Brigade— about three-fourths of the total loss on our side being suffered by these commands.

Though the rout of the Federal army was complete, the fruits of the victory were lost by poor generalship. With fully 10,000 men who had not been engaged favorably located on our right, where the distance to Centreville was less than it was from the l)attle-field, no effort was made to intercept the flying foe. It was reported and currently believed that Jackson had been refused permission to pursue with his bngade. With. President Davis, Generals Johnston and Beauregard on the field, eye-witnesses of the enemy's discomfiture and utter demoralization, their strange conduct cannot be explained or their sin of omission condoned.

It has been truly said that the Army of Northern Virginia possessed only one general who reaped the proper fruits of victory — his name was Stonewall Jackson. Having routed the enemy, our army quietly rested on its arms and patiently waited until our opponent, fully rallied from discomfiture, recruited and organized a larger and better-equipped force, and again advanced to give us battle. Such folly on our part seems almost criminal. With an Alexander, a Napoleon, or a Von Moltke for a leader, the war would have been of short duration, and the success of our arms assured.

Company G, Botts Greys, lost in this battle, Butler, Page, and Briscoe killed, and Lieutenant English and Privates Aisquith, W. P. Manning, Seth and Joe Timberlake, Wiltshire, Painter, Wright, and Middlecoff wounded.

Chapter II

" All quiet along the Potomac," they say, Except now and then a stray picket Is shot, as he walks on his beat, to and fro.

By a rifleman hid in the thicket. 'Tis nothing; a private or two, now and then,

Will not count in the news of the battle: Not an officer lost — only one of the men. Moaning out, all alone, the death-rattle.

Thadden.'i Olirrr.

The (lav after the Manassa.s hght, our l^rigade went into camp just east of Centrexille (known as " Cam]) Harmau "), where it remained for se\eral months, now and then varying the monotoii}- of cam]) hfe h)- ])icket (hity in tlie x'icinity of Fahs Church and Munson's llilL It was on one of these occasions, Se]:>teml)er 21st. that our conu'ade, Lawrence Lee Rerr}', was kiUed, on ])icket ])ost. The situation the night ])rece(Hng his death is xixich}' im])ressed on m}' mincL Our line of i^ickets and the enemy's were in close proximity, and tiring I)etween them was frecjuent. Two of my comrades and m)seif were assigned a ])ost at the edge of a woods, about three hundred yards from the enemy's line, and a shot at each other was freel_\- indulged, without much effect, as we had tree fortifications for shelter. So accurate, howe\er, was the enemy's aim, that the\- barked the trees that ])rotecled us. There was a lud in the hring at nightfall, but nnr exes and ears were both \igilant and our imaginations at high tension. In media iioclw as Julius C;esar would saw strange noises were heard around our ])osition, resem1)liug footsteps of men in the lea\es, and well remembered is the comforting ])icture presented by the senior of our post to our excited minds of our next day's march to the old Capitol ])ris()n — tlie greatest of liorrors to the soldiers at that period [26]

Bull Run io Bull Run. 2'j

of the war. Just as day broke, however, the enemy's attack was made on the post to our left, held by Judge Green, Lawrence Berry, and joe Sherrard. In the attack Berry was killed, but Green and Sherrard escaped unhurt. Green and Sherrard were accused of enabling- the enemv to locate their station by a U^ud political discussion on the right of secession had by them during the night, but both indignantly denied the grave accusation. The post was soon retaken by our reserve and the line re-established.

General Jackson, whose star was now in the ascendant, was made a major-general in the latter part of October and assigned to duty in the Shenandoah Valley Department, with headquarters at Winchester. A few days thereafter he took leave of his old brigade, in the following touching and thrilling words :

" I am not here to make a speech, but simply to say farewell. 1 hrst met you at Harper's Ferry in the commencement of this war. and I cannot take leave of you without giving expression to my admiration of your conduct from that day to this — whether on the march, in the bivouac, in the tented held, or on the bloody plains of Manassas, where you gained the well-deserved reputation of having decided the fate of the battle. Throughout the broad extent of country over ^^■hich you have marched, by }'our respect for the rights and the property of citizens, you have shown that you were soldiers — not only to defend, but able and willing both to defend and protect, ^'ou have already gained a brilliant and deservedly high reputation throughout the army of the whole Confederacy, and I trust in the future, b}' }()ur deeds on the field, and l)y the assistance of the same kind Providence who has heretofore favored our cause, \-ou will gain more victories, and add additional luster to the re])utation you now enjoy, ^^ou have already gained a proud position in the future history of this our Second ^^'ar for Independence. I shall look with great anxiety to your future movements, and I trust whenever I shall hear of the First Brigade on the field of battle, it will be of still nobler deeds achieved and higher reputation won."

Then, overcome with emotion, he paused as if to conquer his own feelings, and after a few moments' silence, which in itself was eloquence, he concluded with much warmth and feeling" :

" In the Army of the Shenandoah you were the First Brigade! In the Army of the Potomac you were the First Brigade! In the Second corps of the army you are the First Brigade! You are the First Brigade in the affections of your General ! And I hope, by your future deeds and bearing, you will be handed down to posterity as the First Brigade in this our Second War for Independence. Farewell ! "

The applause that greeted these words evinced the hold the General had already obtained in the aft'ections of his brigade, and the tears that streamed down the sunburnt cheeks of that hardy soldiery were more eloquent than a thousand tongues in assuring him of its depth and sincerity.

Our brigade parted with its General in sorrow, but the separation was happily not of long duration. About the middle of November we were ordered to Winchester to report to General Jackson, and the announcement was received with great joy and delight. As the homes of our men were in the Valley, the expectation and anticipated pleasure of meeting the loved ones added zeal to our joy. We took cars at Manassas and were conveyed to Strasburg, from which place the brigade footed it through a drenching rain to Kernstown and was ordered into camp there.

Many of us having a longing desire to enter Winchester and greet our many friends and acquaintances, struck out for that destination, but were halted by the militia, who had a circle of pickets around the town, with strict orders not to allow the regulars to pass. The regulars held the militia in great contempt, and were little disposed to acquiesce in

^OTW^

Pachard C. Baylor.

JO Bull Run lu Bull Run.

their orders, Init. preferring peace to war with them, devised ways and means to evade and a\oid them. Some tianked the posts, some deceixed them with forged passes from General Jackson; but it was left to the ingenuity of our comrade Jim Frazier to obtain for us a wholesale entrance. He elected himself captain of the flankers, and ordering us to fall in line, marched us up to the militia post in military style and order and halted us. Frazier then stepped up to the of^cer of the picket guard and saluting, informed him that General Jackson had ordered him to proceed to Winchester with his company and arrest members of our brigade found there without leave. His authorit\', l)acked b\- force, was at once recognized and we marched through, the militia posts giving the usual military salute — a part of a soldier's tactics and education in which they especially excelled. Out of sight of the post, we broke ranks, and each found friends and a comfortable resting place in hospitable old \\'inchester. I think it safe to say that fully half of the Firsl Brigade visited Winchester that night.

On December 4th, our brigade moved into camp near Stephenson's Depot, and Brigadier-General Garnett (a cousin of mine) was assigned to its command, and a review w^as had to show^ him what sort of looking fellows we were.

On the 15th, General Jackson started us on what was generally termed the " dam trip," the object of which was to destroy dam No. 5 on the Potomac and crij^ple the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. The undertaking was only partiallysuccessful, and we returned to camp at Stephenson's. The monotony of camp life was ill-suited to our juvenile temperaments and Winchester had many attractic^ns we longed to enjoy. Why General Jackson had banished the young volunteers to this rural retreat and hard-tack diet, while the old seedy militia had comfortable quarters in the cit}' and feasted on the best in the market, we could not easily understand, and were therefore inclined to rebel against such an unjust and arbitrar\' restriction, and clailv devised schemes to

Bull Run to Bull Run. ji

overcome it. The militia guards seemed to have no other occupation l)iit that of opposing- our entrance. We daily outwitted them and our officers, ho\ve\er, and gained admission. I remember on one occasion se\'eral of our company, Comrade Flag-g among the number, obtaining permission to visit W'inchester on a Sabl)ath day to attend church and not returning for a week. On reporting to camp, each expected a berth in the guard-house and extra duty as a punishment for our offence; but Flagg was equal to the occasion, and when our captain demanded to know why we had absented ourselves without leave, as he had only given us permission to attend church. " Yes," says Flagg. " but when we got there we found it was a ' protracted ' meeting and lasted all the week." The captain was put in good humor and all escaped punishment.

On another occasion I remember approaching the militia pickets without passes, Comrade Flagg acting the part of a lunatic and we as his guard taking him to jail. The pickets for a while refused us passage, but just then our lunatic made such violent attacks and demonstrations on the pickets, that they, fearing great bodily harm, were only too glad to get rid of him and passed us through.

On the ist of January, 1862, General Jackson moved with his whole force in the direction of Berkeley Springs. The morning was fair, bright, mild, and beautiful; about sundown, however, a northwester sprang up, and the night was very cold. To add to our discomfort, we had left our overcoats and blankets in our company wagons, and they failed to reach us. Our company laid down in a pile of leaves, hogfashion, and tried to rest, but failed, as the night was too cold. Farly next morning Sam Wright and myself flanked out to a little mountain hut to get something to eat, and only found buckwheat cakes and bacon gravy — a meal remembered by me still as the most enjoyable of my life.