CAMPBELL COUNTY, VA - HISTORY - Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches Battle of Lynchburg ----¤¤¤---- CAMPBELL CHRONICLES and FAMILY SKETCHES Embracing the History of CAMPBELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1782-1926 By R. H. EARLY With Illustrations J. P. BELL COMPANY LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 1927 A Close Call Chapter XI Hunter's Raid LESS than 1OO years had elapsed, after Tarleton's fruitless effort to capture patriot stores at New London, when a similar incursion was made into Campbell with Lynchburg as objective point. Both had for aim the weakening of resources of the opposing armies. In early June of 1864 it had become known that Lynchburg held stores which belonged to the Confederate government. Hunter was accordingly detailed to make a raid and destroy what he found. This order was carried out very thoroughly both as to public and private property along the route. Sure that success awaited him, this commanding officer moved with deliberation and meeting no invincible stone walls on his forward course, he foresaw easy conquest. Arriving near the Quaker Meetinghouse he chose Sandusky Major George Mutter's residence for his headquarters, and there held council with his officers as to the plan of attack of what was to be a "walk-over" for them. Circumstances seemed to favor him, for though brave Confederate cavalry under McCausland and Imboden had managed to delay final issue, they were not adequate, even with aid from the hastily collected force of the town, to withstand Hunter's well-equipped and trained army, and the second day's engagement was anticipated with considerable anxiety by the people in the town. The 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, was near Games' Mill on June 12th, when General Early received instructions from General Lee to move to the Valley by way of Charlottesville, strike Hunter's force in the rear and if possible destroy it, then move down the valley and threaten Washington city; also to communicate with General Breckenridge, who would co-operate in the attack on Hunter. Railroad and telegraph lines had been cut by Hunter's cavalry between Charlottesville and Lynchburg: by Sheridan's cavalry between Richmond and Charlottesville, so there was no way of communicating with Breckenridge. Riding in advance of his troops, Early reached Charlottesville on the 16th and there received a telegram from Breckenridge at Lynchburg, informing him that Hunter was in Bedford county. Early arranged for transportation of his troops to Lynchburg, and some of the latter reached that city on midday of the seventeenth. Breckenridge had been disabled by the fall from his horse, killed under him, and unable to go to the field, was replaced by General D. H. Hill, then in Lynchburg, who rode out with Early to make a reconnaissance of the country, the inspection of which determined Early to meet the enemy with his troops in front. As it was of the utmost consequence to the army at Richmond that Hunter should not get into Lynchburg, Early did not feel justified in attacking him until he could do so with a fair prospect of success, and therefore contented himself with acting on the defensive until the whole of his force had arrived in the afternoon of June 18th. Arrangements were made for attacking Hunter on the 19th, but an unlooked-for change had taken place, Hunter taking flight in the darkness, thus served notice that he declined further battle, and abandoning his forward march, he more hastily turned backwards, having received impression that a superior force faced him. He could have reported, as did Tarleton, that he had found no military stores at the place to which he had been sent, but had he moved forward more promptly he might have secured a different result. Of the battle on the outskirts of Lynchburg, June 18th, 1864, in an account given by Colonel J. Floyd King (who took part in it), he states that he was detailed, personally, by President Davis to report to General Breckenridge in the valley, and that commander placed him at the head of all of his artillery. On his march to Lynchburg, holding to the mountains, a cloud of dust could be seen on the horizon for miles in length, marking the advance of Hunter's army. It became a race as to which of the two armies would reach Lynchburg first. Hunter had been joined by Generals Crook and Averill, and his army was then 26,OOO strong, but they were skillfully opposed by Vaughn, with his Tennessee, and McCausland, with his Virginia cavalry brigades. Breckenridge, without resting his troops, put them in line with these cavalries five miles beyond the city on June 17th. That afternoon, General Early, commander of the 2nd Army Corps, A. N. V., arrived and took command by superior rank. He promptly ordered Breckenridge's line (including Vaughn and McCausland) back to enable him to place his right flank against James river and thereby give more secure protection to Lynchburg, at the same time, shorten and straiten his line. This was done at night. Next morning Early at once advanced his entire line to Blackwater creek and ordered redoubts, which were quickly thrown up. The enemy arriving in front, deployed and kept up a fire of artillery and sharpshooters until nightfall. As chief of artillery, Col. King tells that he had under him 32 guns. Among these were Chapman's, Bryan's and Lowry's batteries, carrying 2O guns, all of them Virginia troops. About mid-day the enemy threw forward a full line of sharpshooters, followed by a line of battle to the right and north of the turnpike. He developed firing to the left, then advanced but a short distance when he met the galling fire of the Confederate infantry and steady aim of artillery, which caused him to fall back under such natural cover as he could find. For four or more hours he kept up a roar of artillery and rattle of musketry, as though it was a pitched battle. Towards sunset firing lulled and died down to a hum of hostile camps. That evening, all of the 2nd Corps having arrived, Early called a council of war and made dispositions for attack to begin at daylight next morning. His plan comprehended turning the enemy's right and flanking him by that means with Gordon's division, while the rest attacked in front. Early's available force at this juncture, including Breckenridge's, did not reach 13,OOO men. Taking alarm, the armies in front, double his numerical strength, stole away in the night and when day dawned there was nothing in front save their empty camping ground, covered by a scattered line of mounted riflemen, who for a short time kept up a desultory fire, then disappeared. Early's entire command marched in pursuit, but did not reach the enemy near enough for attack of any consequence until near Salem, when Hunter's rear was crushed. The flight, however, continued without stop to Ohio, 2OO miles away. Diary of Captain IV. IV. Old, A. D. C. (Kept from June 13th, 1864 to August 12th, 1864) The operations of Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early, June, 1864: June 13—Monday: Left the trenches around Richmond, with corps composed of Gordon's Division, Major General John B. Gordon, commanding; Rode's Division, Major General Robt. E. Rodes, commanding; Early's Division, Major General S. D. Ramseur, commanding; Wilson's and Braxton's Battalions of Artillery, Brigadier General A. R. Long, commanding. Marched to Goodall’s Tavern. June 14: Marched to Gardner's Cross Roads, Louisa county. June 15: Marched'to Valentine's and West's Mills, Louisa county June 16: Marched to Keswick Depot, Albemarle county. June 17: Took cars for Lynchburg at daylight and arrived there about noon with Lewis' (Hoke's) and Johnston's brigades of Ramseur's division; Pegram's brigade C Brigadier General Lilly, commanding) of Ramseur's division; and Gordon's brigade; and a small part of Terry's brigade of Gordon's division. Arrived late in afternoon. Formed line in battle. Some artillery of King's battalion on the line. Imboden's men stampeded. Jackson's cavalry also ran but were reformed and remained in line all night. Some artillery firing and skirmishing. June 18: Lay around Lynchburg in line all night. Some skirmishing and artillery firing. The troops arriving slowly; all in by 3 p. m. Troops moving into position. June 19: Marched at daylight in pursuit of enemy (who began to retreat by sending off their trains at 2 p. m. yesterday). Ramseur in front. Reached Liberty (Bedford) and drove the enemy through the town. 8 :OO p. m.: All quiet; marched 25 miles. June 2O: Marched at daylight. Enemy moving nearly all night. Hunter's Raid Described by One of His Soldiers On June 8, 1864, General Hunter was reinforced by a division of infantry commanded by General Crook and a brigade of cavalry under General Aver ill. One of this command furnished the following account of their march to Lynchburg: "All the commands, under Hunter as head general, left Staunton on June 1O and marched to Lexington, where there was a lively skirmish with the Confederates. The Federals encamped in Lexington. It was noticed that hundreds of soldiers were running to some point, and then discovered that it was General Jackson's grave, and the soldiers were carrying away by piece-meal, the head and foot boards of the grave, and were cutting small pieces of wood from the flagpole with their knives. Virginia Military Institute was burned by Hunter's orders. The army remained about Lexington the 12th, which was Sunday. Monday, June 13th, orders were given to form into line and march. Colonel Jas. M. Schoonmaker, a Pittsburg millionaire, commanding the 14th Penn. Reg., but then in command of the brigade, ordered Capt. Miles to take the 3rd Battalion of the Regiment as advance guard. Near Natural Bridge these troops came upon McCausland's Confederate cavalry brigade. Miles charged on them for a short distance, and then commanded a halt. The Confederates charged and the Federals got back a short distance, where they met the regiment, and again charged, when Capt. Miles was wounded. The rest of the brigade came up, and the Confederates fell back a short distance. General McCausland formed a line on the top of the hill. The Federals dismounted and were driving the Confederates back, when one of their rear batteries mistook them for Confederates and began to throw shell among them. The Confederates fell back and the Federals mounted and went on a charge to Buchanan, where they found that the bridge across James river had been set afire, and the cavalry and artillery had to ford the river, Infantry crossing on pontoon bridges. When Hunter's infantry came up the soldiers were covered with thousands of snowballs roses and lilacs which they had pinned to their coats. Hunter encamped around Buchanan, and sent out several detachinents of cavalry on scouting expeditions. One went to Fincastle, where they broke open the jail and liberated the prisoners, a Union soldier, two Confederates and four negroes. One of the latter was asked why he was put in jail, he said "for stealing1 ducks, but when I'se stealing, I steals chickens, not ducks." On June 15th, Hunter crossed Blue Ridge Mountains and encamped near the foot of Peaks of Otter. Next day moved only ten miles, passing through Liberty. Had a skirmish with. the Confederates. June 17th, moved towards Lynchburg. All that forenoon saw no enemy; halted for an hour within six miles of the city; at 2 p. m. \vere within four miles, and found the Confederates in line. Ordered to dismount and form a skirmish line to the right of the pike. All companies of the regiment were soon up and joined this skirmish line. This regiment was armed with Spencer rifles and fired a terrific volley at their opponents. All the brigade was soon in line. When the infantry and artillery came up the latter moved farther over to the left and the infantry took their place. They found they were opposed by Bireckenridge's division of infantry. From 5 to 7 o'clock that evening the cannonading was very heavy. The battle lasted till dark. General Lee had heard of Hunter's movement so he detached Ewell's corps of his army commanded by General Early to move at once to Lynchburg and drive Hunter back. On the morning of June 18th Hunter's army was in line of battle early. The forward brigade was sent over to the left of the army and put into line. They could hear the whistle of the engines which were hauling cars filled with Confederate troops into Lynchburg, and could see the movements of both armies; saw some of Hunter's staff officers galloping after stragglers, and some of Crook's division fall on the field of battle. This brigade appeared to be doing it all. That was a long day, and many would go off into a doze but shell from the enemy now and then would waken them up. The battle lasted until dark, then Hunter withdrew his army. When the last brigade was ordered in they were surprised to find that all of the troops had left the field and their brigade was the rear guard. Had Hunter listened to Generals Crook and Averill he would have routed Breckenridge's division, commanded by General Wharton, the day before. Lynchburg could then have been taken; but the afternoon was too late, for General Early's army was on the field and it must be recalled that three months later it took Sheridan with an army three times larger than Hunter's to defeat General Early. Besides Hunter was out of ammunition and provisions and 30O miles away from all supplies. The army retreated all that night and next day. A small fight occurred near Liberty on the afternoon of the 19th, when a Confederate brigade of cavalry charged upon the regiment which was the rear guard. But that turned upon them and with the assistance of the brigade drove them back. From Liberty Hunter retreated through Buford Gap in the Blue Ridge mountains. Averill’s cavalry pushed ahead towards Salem and took up the railroad track of the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, June 2Oth. During that night Hunter's whole army reached Salem. The next morning when the army was passing through a gap, a body of dismounted Confederate cavalry charged upon the artillery, dismounted one gun and blew up some caissons. The Lynchburg raid is known as "the hungry raid," for there were many soldiers who travelled for days on the retreat over the mountains who had nothing to eat but birch bark and sassafras leaves. Many gave out and were captured or died along the route. In Charleston some died from eating too much. Rumors of wanton destruction and lawlessness preceded the invading army and spread alarm and terror among1 the old and young throughout the community. Little children understood that it was an army of wild creatures. General Early made his city headquarters at the home of Captain Samuel Early and many commissary wagons were left there. While the battle was going on some of the prisoners, then taken, were sent in, and to relieve the guard that he might get his dinner, Captain Early took his place. His small niece seeing him so engaged approached and asked, "Uncle Tham, what's them?" He answered, "These are Yankee soldiers." She was so accustomed to being teased, she suspected him of doing it then, and quickly retorted, "You can't fool me, they's folks." SECOND ARMY CORPS, 1864 LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JUBAL A. EARLY, Commanding Gordon's Division—MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN B. GORDON—Brigadier-General Harry T. Hay's brigade. Regiments- 5th Louisiana, Col. Henry Forno. 6th Louisiana, Col. William Monaghan. 7th Louisiana, Col. D. B. Perm. 8th Louisiana, Col. A. DeBlanc. 9th Louisiana, Col. Wm. R. Peck. Gordon's brigade (Evans' brigade)—Col. E. N. Atkinson commanding, and containing 12th Georgia battalion. Regiments— 13th Georgia, Lieut.-Col. J. H. Baker. 26th Georgia, Col. E. N. Atkinson. 31st Georgia, Col. C. A. Evans. 38th Georgia, Col. J. D. Matthews. 6Oth Georgia, Col. W. H. Stiles. 61st Georgia, Col. J. H. Lamar. Brigadier-General John Pegram's brigade. Regiments— 13th Virginia, Col. J. B. Terrell. 31st Virginia, Col. J. S. Hoffman. 49th Virginia, Col. J. C. Gibson, 52nd Virginia, Col. Jas. M. Skinner. 58th Virginia, Col. H. F. Board. Hoke's Brigade.—Brigadier General Robert F. Hoke: Regiments— 6th North Carolina, Col. R. F. Webb. 21st North Carolina, Lieut.-Col. W. S. Rankin. 54th North Carolina, Col. K. M. Murchison. 57th North Carolina, Col. A. C. Godwin. 1st North Carolina Battalion, Major R. W. Wharton. Johnston's Division—MAJOR-GENERAL R. D. JOHNSTON-Stonewall brigade—(William Terry's brigade). Regiments- 2nd Virginia, Col. J. Q. A. Nadenbousch. 4th Virginia, Col. William Terry. 5th Virginia, Col. J. H. S. Fund. 27th Virginia, Lieut.-Col. Chas. L. Haynes. 33rd Virginia, Col. F. W. M. Holliday. Steuart's brigade—Brigadier-General George H. Steuart. Regiments— 10th Virginia, Col. E. T. H. Warren. 23rd Virginia, Col. A. G. Taliaferro. 37th Virginia, Col. T. V. Williams. 1st North Carolina, Col. H. A. Brown. 3rd North Carolina, Col. S. D. Thruston. Jones' Brigade: Regiments— 21st Virginia, Col. W. A. Witcher. 25th Virginia, Col. J. C. Higginbotham. 42nd Virginia, Col. R. W. Withers. 44th Virginia, Col. Norvell Cobb. 48th Virginia, Col. R. H. Dungan. 5Oth Virginia, Col. A. S. Vanderventer. Stafford's brigade—Brigadier-General Leroy A. Stafford: Regiments- 1st Louisiana, Col. W. R. Shivers. 2nd Louisiana, Col. J. M. Williams. 10th Louisiana, Col. E. Waggaman. 14th Louisiana, Col. Z. York. 15th Louisiana, Col. E. Pendleton. Rodes' Division—MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT E. RODES— Daniel's brigade-(Grimes'). Regiments— 32nd North Carolina, Col. E. C. Brabble. 43rd North Carolina, Col. Thos. S. Kenan. 45th North Carolina, Col. Samuel H. Boyd. 53rd North Carolina, Col. Wm. A. Owens. 2nd North Carolina Battalion, Major John M. Hancock. Ramseur's brigade—Brigadier-General Stephen D. Ramseur. Regiments- 2nd North Carolina, Col. W. R. Cox. 4th North Carolina, Col. Bryan Grimes. 14th North Carolina, Col. R. T. Bennett. 3Oth North Carolina, Col. F. M. Parker. Johnston's brigade: Regiments- 5th North Carolina, Col. T. M. Garrett. 12th North Carolina, Col. H. E. Coleman. 2Oth North Carolina, Col. T. F. Toon. 23rd North Carolina, Major C. C. Blacknall. Doles' Brigade—Brigadier-General George Dole: Regiments- 4th Georgia, Col. Philip Cook. 12th Georgia, Col. Edward Willis. 21st Georgia, Col. John T. Mercer. 44th Georgia, Col. W. H. Peebles. Battle's brigade—Brigadier-General Cullen A. Battle. Regiments— 3rd Alabama, Col. Charles Forsyth. 5th Alabama, Col. J. M. Hall. 6th Alabama, Col. J. N. Lightfoot. 12th Alabama, Col. S. B. Pickens. 61st Alabama, Major (Lt.-Col.) L. H. Hill. The Virginia Military Institute Cadets, under Colonel Scott Ship, who came to Lynchburg to assist in its defense, were encamped in the old Methodist cemetery. In this band of youthful heroes were several Lynchburg boys, among whom were Frank T. Lee, R. Spotswood Payne, J. Cabell Early, together with Charles C. Randolph (later rector of Campbell's Episcopal churches, and resident at Evington) and a young Richmond boy, Moses Ezekiel, who afterwards won fame as a sculptor and who contributed a memorial of his workmanship, in honor of his fellow cadets, which was erected at Lexington. No incident of the war proved Lee's strategic ability more forciby than the expedition of 1864. Commander of a pitifully dwindling army and faced by an immensely superior force in numbers and equipment, with bold strategy he sent Breckenridge with his cavalry (eyes and ears of the army) to patrol the valley and interrupt the progress of the advancing enemy. When it was found that Hunter, commander of that army, was gaining ground in his forward march, Lee then ordered Early to the assistance of Breckenridge. The command, under Early, reached Lynchburg in time to prevent its capture and the destruction of army stores there, a result of great import as the town was the store base of his supplies. Further orders had been given Early to march to Washington and threaten that city, which he knew was inadequately protected. Lee accomplished both of his objects—his stores at Lynchburg were saved, and a portion of the Federal force in front of him was diverted for the defense of Washington city. It can scarcely be presumed that either Lee or his fearless follower hoped to hold Washington even if the Confederate contingent was successful in entering it. The flag pole in front of Walter Reed Hospital at Washington marks the point of nearest approach to the city reached by Early, and thus this institution, for the treatment of disabled soldiers, serves to preserve the site of a war adventure in a manner satisfactory to veterans of the armies of both North and South. Hunter's attack was made at a point on Salem turnpike near land then owned by Frank T. Lee, Moorman's and neighboring farms. Here earthworks were thrown up by Early's orders and left undisturbed afterwards. At the close of the war Mr. Lee gave the site of the fortifications for a county school-house, one of which was erected within the enclosure and used for some years, but about the end of the century, this school was moved near the Quaker Meeting House, leaving the fort site unused. It seemed peculiarly appropriate that an old soldier, Robert B. Dameron, who had served behind the works when they afforded shelter from the enemy guns, should have called attention to their abandonment and through David Walker (who as a small boy witnessed that June day fight and was son of a Confederate soldier killed in battle) sent a recommendation that the Old Dominion Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, make an effort to secure it. Prompted by these two citizens, and with their aid, the reservation was acquired through the chapter president, by deed of gift from the Campbell school trustees in 1905, and in 1924, sixty years after the battle there, the chapter erected a commemorative arch of Bedford, Indiana stone, at the opening in the fortifications which had been made for the scholar's' entrance, the old sallyport, opening upon private property, not being available for the purpose. A 30-foot shaft of Barre granite had previously been reared by private subscription to Early and his soldiers at a point of land nearby where two streets merge into Salem pike, the site for which was donated by Howell C. Featherston for the purpose, and is now incorporated within city limits. Several other war works which circled the town at the time of Hunter's raid have been levelled for utilitarian purposes; one, situated near Tyreeanna, several miles distant, remains unchanged except by a thicket of 60 years' tree growth. Fort Early also possesses a 63-year-old oak. This war relic, which received its name from the command that erected it, was in 192O placed by the O. D. chapter in the charge of residents, near, composing the Fort Hill Woman's Club, who are conveniently situated to look after it, and who built a club house within its enclosure. That Hunter's army felt sure of success in his expedition, may be known from the fact—as afterwards reported by officers under him that several of them carried letters of introduction to citizens within the town and a few of the prospective guests returned in later years and were entertained by those to whom the letters had been addressed; they were interested in revisiting the scene of their repulse. Colonel L. W. Kennon (afterwards on Crook's staff) detailed at War Department in Washington, was also a visitor to the fort, having been informed of the engagement there by his superior officer, who with Averill had joined Hunter in his raid. Many persons come who request further information concerning the battle-ground of which they have heard through participants there in 1864. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________________________