Page 163 - History of Rockingham Co
P. 163
A HISTORY OF
part in the battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, in which Gen.
Lew Wallace was defeated.
The writer was exchanged on the 3d of August, 1864,
came home, and rejoined his command. In the meantime,
however, the regiment, now no larger than a company, took
part in the third battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864,
when Capt. C. F. Campbell was killed, and at Fisher's Hill,
both engagements being disastrous to Early, who came up
the Valley as far as Weyer's Cave. In a short time he moved
down the Valley, surprising the enemy by a flank movement
at Cedar Creek on the morning of October 19, in which the
Tenth took an active part, the Confederates driving every-
thing before them. They captured a large number of pris-
oners, many pieces of artillery, and quantities of supplies,
only to lose all except the prisoners, and more too, before
the day ended.
In December (1864) Terry's brigade was sent to Gen.
Lee, near Petersburg, camping on Hatcher's Run, a few
miles south of the city. The Tenth took part in a hotly fought
battle in February, 1865, the writer being in command of the
10th, 23d, and 37th Va. Regiments. Later on we were moved
to a point in front of the city, where on the morning of April
2, as part of Gen. J. B. Gordon's corps, we stormed and car-
ried the enemy's works, but were finally driven back, the
Tenth losing many of its number in killed, wounded, and
captured.
Late on the 2d of April we withdrew from the front
of Petersburg, in the vain effort to get away from Grant.
On the retreat we took part in the fight at Sailor's Creek,
with but two commissioned company officers in the Tenth:
Lieut. John H. Ralston, who was badly wounded and left in
the hands of the enemy, and Lieut. J. G. H. Miller, now com-
manding the regiment.
On the morning of April 9 we had a skirmish with the
enemy at Appomattox, driving them some distance, only
—to be withdrawn and to furl our banners, banners never
again to be unfurled. But the Tenth did not surrender the
—140—
part in the battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, in which Gen.
Lew Wallace was defeated.
The writer was exchanged on the 3d of August, 1864,
came home, and rejoined his command. In the meantime,
however, the regiment, now no larger than a company, took
part in the third battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864,
when Capt. C. F. Campbell was killed, and at Fisher's Hill,
both engagements being disastrous to Early, who came up
the Valley as far as Weyer's Cave. In a short time he moved
down the Valley, surprising the enemy by a flank movement
at Cedar Creek on the morning of October 19, in which the
Tenth took an active part, the Confederates driving every-
thing before them. They captured a large number of pris-
oners, many pieces of artillery, and quantities of supplies,
only to lose all except the prisoners, and more too, before
the day ended.
In December (1864) Terry's brigade was sent to Gen.
Lee, near Petersburg, camping on Hatcher's Run, a few
miles south of the city. The Tenth took part in a hotly fought
battle in February, 1865, the writer being in command of the
10th, 23d, and 37th Va. Regiments. Later on we were moved
to a point in front of the city, where on the morning of April
2, as part of Gen. J. B. Gordon's corps, we stormed and car-
ried the enemy's works, but were finally driven back, the
Tenth losing many of its number in killed, wounded, and
captured.
Late on the 2d of April we withdrew from the front
of Petersburg, in the vain effort to get away from Grant.
On the retreat we took part in the fight at Sailor's Creek,
with but two commissioned company officers in the Tenth:
Lieut. John H. Ralston, who was badly wounded and left in
the hands of the enemy, and Lieut. J. G. H. Miller, now com-
manding the regiment.
On the morning of April 9 we had a skirmish with the
enemy at Appomattox, driving them some distance, only
—to be withdrawn and to furl our banners, banners never
again to be unfurled. But the Tenth did not surrender the
—140—
