2005 Chapters 5 & 6
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Chapter V.

Arrival at Winchester - Our Pay Increased to Sixteen Dollars a Month - Assigned to the second Brigade, First Division, West Virginia Cavalry - Massing of Troops - A Reconnaissance Ordered - The Skirmish at Lost River Gap - The Skirmish at Newtown - Capt. Brett of the First New York Cavalry Killed - The Noted Rebel Guerrilla Harry Gilmour Captured but Manages to Escape.

On Saturday, May 1^st, 1864, the regiment reached Winchester, arriving there about 7 P.M., and going into camp on Senator Mason's plantation. The government to-day increased the pay of her soldiers to $16 a month. Our brigade at this time was known as the Second Brigade, First Division, West Virginia Cavalry. The division was commanded by Brigadier-General Duffie and the brigade by Col. Wynkoop, and consisted of the 15^th New York and 20^th and 22^nd Pennsylvania Cavalry.

May 2^nd.- The troops in the vicinity of Winchester were reviewed by Gen. Stahl. They comprised infantry, cavalry and artillery to the number of 15,000 or more, under command of Gen. Sigel. The cavalry were kept busy scouting in various directions, and everything betokened a movement against the enemy.

May 6^th.- A detail of 200men from the 15^th New York cavalry under the command of Lieut.-Col. Root, Capts. Hathaway and Bigelow, and the Lieuts. Hurd and Rulifson, together with a battalion of the 22^nd Pennsylvania cavalry, all under the command of Col. Jacob Higgins of the 22^nd Pennsylvania, were ordered to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Moorfield and left camp that evening. As they were participants in some exciting scenes your historian thought it might be of interest to give an account of their jouneyings.

They arrived at Moorfield on Saturday evening, May 8^th, losing one man on the way, and drove the rebels out of the place and encamped there for the night. On the morning of the 10^th they broke camp and resumed the march. Nothing of importance occurred until about 10 A.M. when the enemy's cavalry were discovered and the 22^nd Pennsylvania, who were in advance, immediately charged them and they retreated into a mountain pass hotly pursued by our men. This was just what the Johnnies wanted, for they had led us into an ambush. They had artillery and infantry posted in the gap, and no sooner had our men entered it than they opened a destructive fire, but luckily not doing much damage. Our boys were compelled to retreat, the enemy closely pursuing in overwhelming numbers. A running fight was kept up to and beyond Romney when the pursuit was abandoned. This affair was known as Lost River Gap. The loss to the detachment of the 15^th was eight.

The detachment brought up at Cumberland, Md., and thence proceeded to Green Spring Run, and after remaining there a day or two took up their line of march for Martinsburg at which place they went into camp.

On the 24^th of May what was left of the detachment of the 15^th New York, together with a small remnant of the 21^st New York Cavalry and a few infantrymen, in all about 125 men under command of Lieut.-Col. Root, left Martinsburg for the front in charge of twelve or fifteen wagons loaded with hospital supplies. Capt. Brett of the 1^st New York cavalry was one of the party on his way to join his regiment. The command halted for the night within a mile or so of Winchester. The next morning the march was resumed. Passing through Winchester safely they soon reached Newtown without any signs of the enemy being seen. Continuing their march they had not proceeded far when shots were heard in the rear. Lieut. Hurd of the 15^th who was in command of the advance guard immediately led his men back to the town and found the wagon train in possession of the enemy and the rear guard scattered. He immediately ordered a charge which served to hold the rebels in check. At the first onslaught of the enemy Capt. Brett was killed and Lieut. Rulifson received a clip over the head with a sabre. The rebel force outnumbering our troops, the command fell back about a mile when they encountered a Union force consisting of a regiment of infantry on their way to Martinsburg. The situation was quickly explained to the colonel of the regiment who urged forward his men, and on arriving at Newtown a charge was made which ended in the complete route of the enemy, the recapture of the train, and the recovery of the body of Capt. Brett. During the charge Lieut. Hurd captured the noted guerrilla, Harry Gilmour, but he managed to escape during the melee. Several of the 15^th were taken prisoners, among them being Samuel Webber of Co. L and George Sturdevant of Co. I, who subsequently died at Andersonville. The command retraced their steps to Martinsburg and in the course of a few days again started toward the front, rejoining the regiment on the night of June 5^th. In this affair the 15^th lost sixteen in wounded and missing.

Chapter VI.

A Forward Movement - The Battle of New Market - Repulse of the Union Forces - The Gallant Stand made by the Second Squadron of the Fifteenth - Gen. Sigel Superceded by Gen. Hunter - Another Advanced Ordered - Capt. Auer Taken Prisoner - The Battle of Piedmont - The Enemy Routed - The Affair at Waynesboro - The Fifteenth Hold in Check a Large Force of the Enemy - Complimented by Gen. Duffie - The Battle of Lynchburg - Disastrous Retreat of Our Forces - A Skirmish at Salem - Hardships and Privations - Arrival at Parkersburg.

To return to the operations of the main army. On the 9^th of May another forward movement was made and the army went into camp the first night on the banks of Cedar Creek. Companies A, C, and D, were detailed for picket duty at Front Royal.

May 11^th.- Resuming the march, Woodstock was reached where the troops went into camp and remained there several days. The weather was very disagreeable, and to make matters worse rations and forage were scarce.

May 12^th.- A detail of the 15^th was sent out in the direction of Front Royal on a reconnaissance.

May 14^th.- Capt. Auer with a detachment of the 15^th left camp and proceeded in the direction of New market. They soon became engaged with the enemy's pickets, but not wishing to bring on a general engagement they returned to camp.

On the morning of the 15^th boots and saddles was sounded at an early hour, and the army moved out with drums beating and flags flying. The advanced guard soon came upon the enemy's pickets who slowly retired disclosing to view a large force of rebels. The troops were quickly formed in line, artillery was brought up, and the battle of New Market opened. The contest raged furiously nearly all day, neither side gaining and decided advantage, when for some unaccountable reason our forces were obliged to retreat with a loss of nearly 1,000 in killed, wounded and missing.

The second squadron of the 15^th made a gallant stand at Rude's Hill during the retreat, but being overpowered were forced to give way. They made for the bridge crossing the river amid a perfect shower of shot and shell. No sooner had the last man crossed over the structure than the engineers applied the torch to prevent further pursuit. The 15^th lost in wounded and missing 21.

The retreat was kept up all night, the 15^th acting as rear guard, until Strasburg was reached, where the weary troops halted and went into camp.

Gen. Sigel was soon afterwards relieved and Gen. Hunter took command. He found the army somewhat demoralized from their resent defeat and sadly deficient in shoes and arms. He immediately proceeded to reorganize his forces for another forward movement. Reinforcements were constantly arriving and soon he had an army of from 12,000 to 15,000 men. The weather at this time was beautiful, and the men soon regained their wonted cheerfulness and were ready and eager to try conclusions with the foe again. Rations were very scarce and foraging parties were sent out in every direction to scour the country, but they invariably returned empty handed, as the ground has been pretty well gone over by the two opposing armies.

May 19^th.- A detail of thirty men from the 15^th were sent to guard a wagon train to Martinsburg, and a detail sent to Front Royal on picket. While there Mosby's guerrillas swooped down on them on the 22^nd and succeeded in capturing Capt. Auer and carrying him off a prisoner, together with eleven men, principally from Co. D, and forty-five horses.

May 26^th.- Another forward movement made by the army. Encamped for the night at Woodstock.

May 29^th.- Arrived at Mt. Jackson at 2 P.M. Our brigade acted as flankers to-day.

June 2^nd.- Left camp at an early hour, passing through New Market, the scene of our late disaster, and took the road to Harrisonburg, encamping at night near that place. We laid here until the morning of the 4^th , when we crossed the river at Port Republic on pontoons. The bugler of Co. E drowned while fording the river. Captured part of a rebel wagon train and burned a woolen factory.

On the morning of June 5^th the rebels, under command of Gen. Jones, were encountered in force at a place called Piedmont, when a general engagement took place, which resulted in the complete route of the enemy. Their loss was about 500 killed, (among whom was Gen. Jones), 1,500 wounded, about 1,000 prisoners, beside several pieces of artillery captured. Our loss was about 800 killed and wounded. It was a glorious victory and served in a measure to wipe out the disgrace of New Market.

June 6^th.- The army moved out early in pursuit of the rebels, who continued to fall back as we advanced. Took possession of Staunton in the afternoon.

June 7^th.- At 10 A.M. the 15^th was sent off in the direction of Buffalo Gap, encountering the forces of Gen. Averill and Crook who had been operating in southwestern Virginia. Returned at night to Staunton and went into camp. Capt. Moschell and three of his men taken prisoners.

June 8^th.- Troops engaged all day in destroying railroad property.

June 10^th.- Boots and saddles rang out early, and the cavalry division, under command of Gen. Duffie, started off on a reconnaissance. Col. Richardson was ordered by Gen. Duffie to take his regiment and hasten with all possible speed to Waynesboro as if intending to go through the gap as a vanguard of an army, and at all hazards prevent the enemy from following up our army and attacking it in the rear, and if it became necessary to engage the enemy even if he knew it to be a desperate and hopeless fight.

The regiment, numbering about 300 men, fell out of line and started at once on its mission. The surface of the was rolling and we found heavy hills on our way. Several squads of the enemy were encountered on our march concealed behind barricades who kept up a lively fusilade on the advance guard, but they succeeded finally in clearing the route.

Arriving in front of the town we discovered the enemy. A force of about seventy-five men were thrown out on the skirmish line, dismounted, and their horses left behind with the main body of the regiment. The skirmish line occupied a ridge in plain view of the town and also the enemy, but the reserves could not be seen from the town nor by the enemy, being concealed behind a ridge. A sharp fusilade was kept up between the opposing forces for several hours, the enemy occasionally sending their compliments in solid shot. A number of the regiment had already been wounded and the officers begged the colonel to order a charge, he assuring them he would do so when the proper time arrived.

The situation was becoming exceedingly critical. The enemy outnumbered us six to one, and if they chose could have soon annihilated the little band confronting them, or compelled them to flee for their lives. But so long as the enemy made no moves to advance the boys held their ground. Suddenly a commotion was discovered in the enemy's camp, and it was seen that they were retreating through the gap in great haste, having learned that the main body of our army, would soon be in their rear.

The object of the reconnaissance having been accomplished the regiment retreated and soon regained the main road, and after some seven or eight hours of constant marching rejoined the division encamped on the other side of the mountain. Although it was after midnight when the regiment reached camp Gen. Duffie was awakened and acquainted of our safe arrival and of the work performed. His joy knew no bounds, for he told the colonel he never expected to see the regiment again. He complimented the officers and men in glowing terms, and ever afterwards exhibited a marked partiality for the regiment.

Nineteen of the regiment were reported wounded and missing in this affray. Lieut. Ruliffson's horse was severely wounded in the jaw.

June 11^th.- In the saddle all day and at night encamped on the banks of the river near Ty Mills. Sergeant Putney of Co. F killed by our own pickets.

June 12^th.- Made another march of over twenty miles and encamped at a place called White's Gap for the night. Three men of the regiment were wounded during the day.

June 13^th.- Gen. Hunter's forces occupied Lexington, at which place our division joined him.

June 14^th.- Another hard day's march. The weather being extremely hot, men and horses suffered intensely. Reached Buchanan late at night.

June 15^th.- Forded the river at an early hour, ascended the mountain, and at midnight encamped on its highest summit, called Otter Peak. The scenery at daylight was magnificent.

June 16^th.- Left camp early and after a fatiguing march under a broiling sun, encamped for the night about five miles beyond Liberty. Heavy firing heard in the direction of Lynchburg.

June 17^th.- Resumed the march in the direction of Lynchburg. Nearing that place we encountered the rebels who seemed disposed to dispute our further progress, but we held our ground and concluded to stay there all night.

June 18^th.- The battle of Lynchburg, Va., was fought. The Union forces were commanded by Gen. Hunter and the rebels by Gen. McCausland, who were strongly entrenched. Several assaults were made by our troops but they were repulsed in every instance. The enemy receiving heavy reinforcements during the day from Richmond our forces were obliged to retreat and they fell back to Liberty. The Union loss was about 1,000 in killed, wounded and missing. The rebel loss was much less, they being protected behind entrenchment's. The 15^th came in for their full share of glory, losing 32 in killed, wounded and missing. Our position was on the left of the line.

June 19^th.- The retreat was kept up during the day, the fifteenth acting as rear guard. Finding escape down the valley cut off there was no alternative for the army but to make its way across the mountains and so on in the direction of Parkersburg. The men were in the saddle all day and all night, when about daylight a halt was called to allow the men and horses to obtain a little rest. Rations had now begun to grow scarce with no prospects of obtaining any more just then.

June 20^th.- Still on the retreat with the 15^th acting as rear guard to the wagon train. Another all night march.

June 21^st.- Reached a place called Salem where a brief halt was made, but the rebels making things too lively the retreat was resumed, the rear guard continually skirmishing with the enemy. A few miles beyond Salem it becomes necessary to abandon eight pieces of artillery and also destroy a large quantity of ammunition. Another siege of it all night and on the morning of the 22^nd the command reached a place called Fincastle, which was found to be in possession of Major Hyde of the 15^th who had gone on ahead with a squadron of cavalry.

June 23^rd.- The different squadrons of the 15^th having been separated for a few days past were at last reunited and passed through Fincastle, encamped for the night at Sweet Sulphur Springs.

June 24^th.- Lay at this place all day unmolested and at 6 P.M. took up the line of march, traveling all night.

June 25^th.- Arriving at Lewisburg, Gen. Hunter's forces divided. The infantry go to Martinsburg, Averill and Crook to Beverly, and Duffie's forces, in which the 15^th are, go to Charleston.

June 26^th.- At 5 P.M. boots and saddles sounded and the weary column was off again. A halt was called at midnight as human endurance was at its limit. Rations and forage, there were none to speak of. Roots and berries was the chief subsistence of the men.

June 27^th.- Daylight found us in the saddle again plodding our weary way over the mountains. Half a day's rations of coffee and sugar were issued to the command, the first since June 14^th.

June 28^th.- After drawing two day's rations of hard tack the march was resumed at 6 A.M., and after traveling all day arrived in the vicinity of Gauley Bridge and went into camp.

June 29^th.- No marching to-day. What few men and horses were left were completely played out. Nothing worthy of note transpired.

June 30^th.- Broke camp, forded the river, and went into camp at a place called Loup Creek.

July 1^st.- Off again, and at 2 P.M. reached the headwaters of navigation on the Kanawha river. What a relief, and what a shout went up, knowing for a certainly that we were out of the wilderness.

July 2^nd.- Broke camp at 6 A.M. and arrived at Charleston in the afternoon and lay here during the 3^rd. The dismounted men were sent off to the dismounted camp. The men were gladdened by receiving their mail, the first they had received since leaving Staunton.

July 4^th.- Independence Day but no celebration for us. Left Charleston for Parkersburg at 2 P.M., acting as an escort to the artillery. Traveled fifteen miles before we went into camp.

July 5^th.- After a march of twenty-five miles today we encamped at Ripley Creek.

July 6^th.- Resumed the march and at sundown of July 7^th reached Parkersburg where we were kept busy all night loading the horses on the cars for a run down the Baltimore & Ohio railroad.

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