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1. SUBJECT:

Breastworks and Cannon Pits Fortifications.

2. LOCATION:

Browns Gap, near Grottoes, Virginia.

3. DATE:

About 1864.

4. OWNERS:
5. DESCRIPTION:

Interviews with those who are supposed to know, I find a conflict of opinion as to who built the Breastworks and Cannon Pits in Brown’s Gap, near Grottoes, Virginia.

Mr. J.E. Reherd, President of The National Bank of Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg, Virginia, says they were built by Jackson; that he, Reherd, was a member of Company B, of Imboden’s Command and a part of Jackson’s forces, but cannot say when they were built.

Mr. P.C. Kaylor, somewhat of a local historian, says they build by Imboden, attached at the time to General Early’s Brigade.

My own impression, gathered from reading, and from the fact of Jackson’s not being at Brown’s Gap after the Battle of Cross Keys and Port Republic, that the fortifications were probably built by Imboden, under the order of General Early. General Early was in Command of the Valley Department in 1864, appointing the Federal forces, and Sheridan in particular. General Early’s forces being so much smaller than Sheridan and others, it seems to be a fact that he used Brown’s Gap as his rendezvous, it being nearer and in closer touch with General Lee at Petersburg, Virginia, in case he should have to retreat to that point. Colonel O’Ferrell’s Regiment, I think, was also attached to General Early. Jones, too, I think was a part of General Early’s forces. Either of these might also have built trenches and pits.

John Esten Cook, in his Surry of Eagles Nest, a member of Jackson’s Staff, nowhere mentions Jackson as having built fortifications in Brown’s Gap. Neither does Dabney as far as I have been able to discover, in his life of Jackson.

A sketch of Jerry Jirard Kerr, an old Confederate Veteran, now living at Cadiz, Ohio, appeared in the Times Dispatch, of December 5^th, in the sketch it is said that he was a member of Company L, of General John Imboden’s Artillery, part of Jackson’s Fighting Brigade. Mr. Kerr was captured in 1863. Imboden’s unit later fought as the 5^th Virginia Infantry. I very much doubt whether the defenses were built up to the time he was captured.

I have written him in connection with the building of these trenches; whether he knows anything about it, but as yet have not had a reply. As said above, I think the correct inference is, that the trenches and pits were built during Early’s Command in the Valley, the possibly under Imboden’s instructions.

6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

It is a known fact that these trenches and pits were built during the War Between the States.

7. ART:

 

 

 

 

Breastworks and Cannon Pits Fortifications

Page 2

 

8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: