Today at Brandy Station: June 8, 1863
A portion of a letter from James M. Homerick to his brother.
Camp near Brandlt Station
Culpeper Court House
June 8/63
Dear Brother,
...We left Dayton one week today ago and after five days of marching we encamped at this place. We have had two grand reviews of five brigades of cavalry about 12,000 in number under Gnl. Stuart. The first took place Saturday when we were inspected by Stuart and I have just now returned from the second when we were inspected by Lieutenant General Robert E. Lee in person. He is a fine looking old man but very gray haired.
We are now in a battalion of artillery numbering about 16 pieces under the command of Major Beckham. ...The ?? artillery was along you can expect out for some small fighting before a week. We are now about two miles from the Rappahanock at Beverly’s Ford
I expect from the preparations that are being made that we are going to make a grand raid towards the Potomac as soon as the valley is cleared.
...excuse the shortness of this letter as I have just returned from the review and I feel tired from riding so much. Direct your letter
To Chew’s Battery
Jones Cavalry Brigade
Culpeper Court House
Please answer immediately, as we may leave in a couple days.
Remaining your
affect. brother James M. Homerick
Homerick enlisted into The Ashby Horse Light Artillery (Chew's) in December 1862 and would survive the war. The letter is from the Robert Luddy Collection.
Jed Hotchkiss, in his diary for the 8th, is making plans for tomorrow. A portion follows:
I went to work on a map reaching to the mountains, towards Front Royal, as Gen. Ewell told me that was the route he wished the troops to take tomorrow after they had rested and cooked rations. .... Our wagons were busy until late at night loading up commissary stores. The day has been quite pleasant. We expect to start early tomorrow.
Showing posts with label Grand review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grand review. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A 'grand display'
Today at Brandy Station: June 5, 1863
Today was a big day for JEB Stuart. Not a happy one for John Minor Botts. Nearly the entire Cavalry Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia gathered in the corn of Bott's farm. Those who could, journeyed from Culpeper and points south by foot, horse, wagon and rail to witness the event.
John Opie, a trooper in the 6th Virgina Cavalry, wrote it was a "brilliant affair and that it was a grand sight to behold this splendid pageant." It was a review of the Army of Northern Virginia's Cavalry.
The event was bracketed by dancing. The previous evening their was a ball at the Courthouse in Culpeper. Afterwards, officers and ladies would celebrate the days events by firelight in front Afton, Stuart's headquarters.
Numbers vary, but between 7 and 10,000 participated. Four regiments were on duty elsewhere, and there were men who were dismounted. Beckham and his horse artillery were on the field.
Stuart left his tents on Afton at 8 am, meaning the horse-soldiers, very familiar with the adage, "hurry up and wait", were doing just that.
The event took several hours. After Stuart and his staff passed his command, they took position on a small hill and the 'review' began. The command turned out and passed. They were led by the horse artillery who, after passing, went into battery on a nearby hill .
Each regiment would pass twice. The first time at a walk, then they as each successful until would pass, they circled back to their starting location and would come forward at a gallop and charge. Beckham's men added to the experience by firing blanks and, moving to alternate locations and again commencing fire.
The activity on Bott's farm did not go unnoticed north of the Rappahannock River. Brigadier General John Buford, commanding the Regular Division, messaged his superior, Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton that he heard cannon firing near Culpeper and he believed it was a salute. He had been told that Stuart was to inspect his command.
The day ended for the the gray cavalrymen, not with a fire-light ball, but with a return to the regimental camps to care for their horses first, and then finally, in the gathering darkness, themselves.
Today was a big day for JEB Stuart. Not a happy one for John Minor Botts. Nearly the entire Cavalry Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia gathered in the corn of Bott's farm. Those who could, journeyed from Culpeper and points south by foot, horse, wagon and rail to witness the event.
John Opie, a trooper in the 6th Virgina Cavalry, wrote it was a "brilliant affair and that it was a grand sight to behold this splendid pageant." It was a review of the Army of Northern Virginia's Cavalry.
The event was bracketed by dancing. The previous evening their was a ball at the Courthouse in Culpeper. Afterwards, officers and ladies would celebrate the days events by firelight in front Afton, Stuart's headquarters.
Numbers vary, but between 7 and 10,000 participated. Four regiments were on duty elsewhere, and there were men who were dismounted. Beckham and his horse artillery were on the field.
Stuart left his tents on Afton at 8 am, meaning the horse-soldiers, very familiar with the adage, "hurry up and wait", were doing just that.
The event took several hours. After Stuart and his staff passed his command, they took position on a small hill and the 'review' began. The command turned out and passed. They were led by the horse artillery who, after passing, went into battery on a nearby hill .
Each regiment would pass twice. The first time at a walk, then they as each successful until would pass, they circled back to their starting location and would come forward at a gallop and charge. Beckham's men added to the experience by firing blanks and, moving to alternate locations and again commencing fire.
The activity on Bott's farm did not go unnoticed north of the Rappahannock River. Brigadier General John Buford, commanding the Regular Division, messaged his superior, Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton that he heard cannon firing near Culpeper and he believed it was a salute. He had been told that Stuart was to inspect his command.
The day ended for the the gray cavalrymen, not with a fire-light ball, but with a return to the regimental camps to care for their horses first, and then finally, in the gathering darkness, themselves.
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