Today at Brandy Station: August 21, 1862
A portion of the diary of Jed Hotchkiss, civilian mapmaker for Stonewall Jackson, from Make Me a Map of the Valley: The Civil War Journal of Stonewall Jackson’s Topographer, Jedediah Hotchkiss
"We started from our ground bed at an early hour and went to Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Hd. Qrs. at Maj. Barbour’s, and breakfasted with him. ... Found an enemy posted on the river bank with artillery in earth-works; they opened a severe cannonading showing that they intended to defend the R.R. bridge crossing, but we moved up cavalry, infantry and artillery and opposed them while the main body of Jackson’s Corps moved on to Beverly’s (Cunningham’s) Ford where we had a cannonade as well as at the R.R. bridge, simultaneously, Longstreet coming up to the R.R. bridge in time to occupy it, or the front near it, tonight after we had marched on. A portion of our troops crossed the river at Beverly’s Ford and drove the enemy from it, taking some prisoners, gun, etc. ...The cannonading from both sides was quite heavy; the Yankees shelled the wood we were in. I was engaging getting the topography of the country and at a late hour hunted up the General coming in from the front. We spent the night at Mr. Thompson’s, near St. James Church. The General was very weary and much enjoyed a glass of milk I procured for him. There was a heavy shower of rain in the night."
Even Generals need their milk.
Showing posts with label JEB Stuart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JEB Stuart. Show all posts
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Beverly Roberson's Good Day at Brandy Station
Today at Brandy Station: August 20, 1862
From BG Beverly Robertson's report of the First Battle of Brandy Station:
"...As soon as practicable I ordered a charge, and led the Twelfth Virginia Regiment directly against the center of their line, while the Sixth and Seventh were directed against their flank. The men charged gallantly, and after a brief hand-to-hand contest the enemy was routed with the loss of several killed and a number wounded, capturing 64 prisoners, including several commissioned officers. Our loss was 3 killed and 13 wounded."
Major General JEB Stuart had praise for Robertson for his action on this day. Not so, the following June, when Robertson would report "present":
"General Robertson had cause to be proud of the command which his superior discipline, organization, and drill had brought to the stability of vetreans."
None of the Federal Cavalry units engaged submitted reports, so Federal casualties are unknown. The center of the Union line was atop Fleetwood Hill. Unsuccessfully holding the hill was the 1st New Jersey under Colonel Joesph Karge, and the 2nd New York commanded by Colonel Judson Kilpatrick.
The 6th and 7th Virginia Cavalry, who turned the Federal flanks were commanded by Colonel's Tom Flournoy and 'Grumble' Jones. The 12th, which charged the center was under the leadership of Colonel A. W. Harman.
The postcard shown, from my collection shows the advance of Harman's 12th up the western slope of Fleetwood Hill.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
"Our horses are nearly all broken down"
Today at Brandy Station: August 10, 1863
Portion of a letter written by Lt. Samuel Willliam Newman Feamster of the 14th Virginia Cavalry
"We have a pretty hard time here, we are on duty all the time 16 of our men are on Provo Guard in Culpeper CH. Gen Stuart is not willing to let us leave, I think the Brig[ade] will all soon be gone if they keep on living as they have been doing. Our horses are nearly all broken down. My horse is gotten quite poor & I got him reared [sent to the rear]. We haven’t had any fighting for a few days not since I wrote you, but we are lying close to the Yankees all the time. I would like to have another horse but it is not worth while to bring a fat horse her for the way we have to treat them they would soon be as poor as the ones we have. The order is whem our horses break down we have them to send back & take to foot."
From the Regimental History of the 14th Virginia Cavalry, by Robert Driver Jr..
It should be noted that two months prior, JEB Stuart and his cavalry were at their zenith. Now, after two months of near constant activity from Culpeper to Gettysburg and back, plus the fighting that took place on the 1st and 4th of August, the mounted arm of the Army of Northern Virginia is broken down and in serious need of refit.
Portion of a letter written by Lt. Samuel Willliam Newman Feamster of the 14th Virginia Cavalry
"We have a pretty hard time here, we are on duty all the time 16 of our men are on Provo Guard in Culpeper CH. Gen Stuart is not willing to let us leave, I think the Brig[ade] will all soon be gone if they keep on living as they have been doing. Our horses are nearly all broken down. My horse is gotten quite poor & I got him reared [sent to the rear]. We haven’t had any fighting for a few days not since I wrote you, but we are lying close to the Yankees all the time. I would like to have another horse but it is not worth while to bring a fat horse her for the way we have to treat them they would soon be as poor as the ones we have. The order is whem our horses break down we have them to send back & take to foot."
From the Regimental History of the 14th Virginia Cavalry, by Robert Driver Jr..
It should be noted that two months prior, JEB Stuart and his cavalry were at their zenith. Now, after two months of near constant activity from Culpeper to Gettysburg and back, plus the fighting that took place on the 1st and 4th of August, the mounted arm of the Army of Northern Virginia is broken down and in serious need of refit.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
"We expect to start early tomorrow"
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.
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.
Monday, June 7, 2010
"Be Troubled ye Careless Ones"
Today at Brandy Station: June 7, 1863
It is a Sunday, but the Rebels our on the march.
The Fluvanna Artillery passed through Vierdieville and Somerville, and reached Culpeper at 3pm.
Richard Ewell's Corps crossed the Rapidan at Raccoon and Summerville Fords, Ewell was their to greet his men, and cheers went up as he moved along the column. Ewell would arrive in Culpeper around 10 am and be met there by Robert E. Lee. His Corps would move north along the Rixeyville Road, north of town. Robert Rodes' Division in the lead, Jubal Early and Edward Johnson's Divisions about four miles behind
James Longstreet Corps had already arrived. His Corps was camped Southwest of Pony Mountain, just outside town. John Bell Hood's Division was just coming back from near the river. Lafayette McLaws was marching through town and his division would camp along the Sperryville Road.
George Pickett's Division and the whole of A.P. Hill's Corps had yet to arrive.
JEB Stuart's Cavalry was spread out in front of the Infantry, providing the screen in case Yankee cavalry poked its head across the Rappahannock. However, one Yankee column did cross into Culpeper County.
Alfred Napolean Duffi'e's command moved across the Rappahannock and at Jeffersonton, turned south towards the Hazel River and Rixeyville. He returned back into Fauquier County, failing to find any enemy. He did not see and Confederate Cavalry, which were posted the Sperryville Turnpike and at Brandy Station, on either side of the Rixeyville Road his avenue of approach.
The grass was high and thick, the air bracing.
Back in Falmouth, those soldiers of the 4th Michigan Infantry who decided to attend church, heard a sermon titled, "Be troubled ye careless ones."
It is a Sunday, but the Rebels our on the march.
The Fluvanna Artillery passed through Vierdieville and Somerville, and reached Culpeper at 3pm.
Richard Ewell's Corps crossed the Rapidan at Raccoon and Summerville Fords, Ewell was their to greet his men, and cheers went up as he moved along the column. Ewell would arrive in Culpeper around 10 am and be met there by Robert E. Lee. His Corps would move north along the Rixeyville Road, north of town. Robert Rodes' Division in the lead, Jubal Early and Edward Johnson's Divisions about four miles behind
James Longstreet Corps had already arrived. His Corps was camped Southwest of Pony Mountain, just outside town. John Bell Hood's Division was just coming back from near the river. Lafayette McLaws was marching through town and his division would camp along the Sperryville Road.
George Pickett's Division and the whole of A.P. Hill's Corps had yet to arrive.
JEB Stuart's Cavalry was spread out in front of the Infantry, providing the screen in case Yankee cavalry poked its head across the Rappahannock. However, one Yankee column did cross into Culpeper County.
Alfred Napolean Duffi'e's command moved across the Rappahannock and at Jeffersonton, turned south towards the Hazel River and Rixeyville. He returned back into Fauquier County, failing to find any enemy. He did not see and Confederate Cavalry, which were posted the Sperryville Turnpike and at Brandy Station, on either side of the Rixeyville Road his avenue of approach.
The grass was high and thick, the air bracing.
Back in Falmouth, those soldiers of the 4th Michigan Infantry who decided to attend church, heard a sermon titled, "Be troubled ye careless ones."
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.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Jeb Stuart arrives
Today at Brandy Station: May 20, 1863
JEB Stuart established his headquarters to day in Culpeper. He was broadly tasked to gather his Cavalry forces and prepare them for the summer campaign. He set up his headquarters tent on the property of the Bradford family, named Afton.
From this day until the first week of June, Stuart's cavalry and horse artillery will come into the county. Afton still stands today, located on Route 666, on the Northeastern edge of Culpeper.
By June 8, Stuart would have close to 10,000 under arms with him.
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