1R .1 
 

 HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 tafaifff, 
 
 $ * 
 
 0. S. -A.. 
 
 BALTIMORE : 
 
 KELLY, PIET & COMPANY. 
 
 1870. 
 
. 5 
 
 W3 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by 
 
 GEORGE WISE, 
 In tho Clerk s Office of the District Court of tn United States for tlio District of Maryland. 
 
With emotions of affectionate sadness, this little volume 
 is dedicated to the imperishable memoiy of those who 
 yielded up their lives, though vainly, upon the altar of 
 Southern Liberty. 
 
 $198274: 
 
Alexandria, May iS///, 1870. 
 Mr. Gee. Wise, Dear Sir: 
 
 We take pleasure in vouching for the 
 correctness of facts and incidents (as far as our memory 
 serves its}) compiled in your History of the Seventeenth 
 Virginia Infantry during the late war, t/ie matter having 
 been carefully compiled, as we know, from official reports, 
 and diaries kept by members of the Regiment. 
 Wishing you much success from its publication, 
 
 We are yours truly, 
 
 Signed: 
 
 M. D. Corse, - 
 
 Late Brig. Gen. C. S. A. 
 
 Morton Marye, 
 
 Late Col. nth Fa., Infantry, C. S. A. 
 
 Arthur Herbert , 
 
 Jjate Col. 11th Fa., Infantry, C. S. A. 
 
T is that the friends of the Seventeenth Virginia Regiment 
 may have a reliable chronicle of many of the ups and 
 downs through which it passed during the four years War, 
 that the ensuing pages have been laid open for publi 
 cation . 
 
 Upon its imperfections in a literary point of view I shall not 
 comment, but of those so far more competent to such work, I ask 
 that the intentions of the heart may be remembered, and their criti 
 cisms tempered with mercy. 
 
 The Regimental Muster Roll attached is as comprehensive as it 
 has been practicable to make it, though still incomplete, which is 
 a source of regret, for the desire is to omit none who deserve men 
 tion. How many familiar faces arise before the mind s eye asso 
 ciated with scenes of unfailing interest as we review that catalogue i 
 A smile involuntarily comes as we glance upon some name in 
 separably associated with a merry-hearted, fun-loving temperament; 
 at the next perhaps, the heart is bowed in sadness that but the 
 name and memory alone remain of one so gifted in all the attri 
 butes of noble manhood. 
 
OF THE 
 
 Seventeenth Virginia Infantry, C. S. A 
 
 ALEXANDRIA. 
 
 THE autumn of 1860 found the good old city of 
 Alexandria, Va., enjoying its usual business pros 
 perity and a characteristic hopefulness of "a better time 
 coming." Soon the great tide of disquiet, arising from 
 political differences between the Northern and South 
 ern sections of our country, cast its waves upon our 
 shores, producing in the minds of our little community 
 emotions as varied as they are indescribable. 
 
 Frequent meetings were held, where the signs of the 
 times were discussed and sentiments expressed for or 
 against the probabilities of a disunion of the States. 
 The city volunteer companies : " Alexandria Rifle 
 men " and " Mount "Vernon Guards," revived the 
 " drill " and added many members to their respective 
 corps. On the 6th December, the "Old Dominion 
 
8 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Rifles/ 7 composed of the " bone and sinew " of the 
 remaining youth of our city, was organized, and every 
 exertion made to render it, as it subsequently became, 
 the honored helpmeet of its senior military confreres. 
 
 Our well-known and well-loved townsman, M. D. 
 Corse, was elected captain. This high-toned, courteous 
 gentleman, having served through the United States 
 war with Mexico, was considered eminently fitted for 
 the position. 
 
 All that could be done to prepare for the emergency 
 was executed with promptness and energy. The 
 " John Brown Raid," so well known to history, had 
 left its impression on the minds of our quiet people > 
 the volunteer companies of the city had tasted of 
 " camp life " during their sojourn at Harper s Ferry 
 in October, and, returning, gave their influence to the 
 stirring events then transpiring. Much was to be 
 accomplished, and citizen and soldier lent their aid to 
 the work of military organizations. 
 
 Early in February, 1861, the Alexandria Battalion 
 having been organized, Captain Corse was elected its 
 major, and First Lieut. A. Herbert succeeded to the 
 command of the " Old Dominion Rifles." The quota 
 of troops furnished by old Alexandria to the Battalion 
 was composed of the following companies : Alexandria 
 Riflemen, Captain Morton Maryc; Old Dominion 
 Rifles, Captain A. Herbert; Mount Vernon Guards, 
 Captain S. H. Devaughn ; Alexandria Artillery, 
 Captain D. Kcmpcr. 
 
 The 22d of February was properly commemorated 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 9 
 
 by the general turnout of citizens, soldiers and fire 
 companies, in honor to the " Father of his Country." 
 Much enthusiasm was evinced ; addresses suitable to 
 the occasion were delivered by Messrs. K. Kemper, 
 H. Snowden and others to a large concourse of atten 
 tive listeners. 
 
 The fall of Fort Suinter, and the stirring events 
 rapidly transpiring in the South, having occasioned 
 great excitement and alarm, it was deemed expedient^ 
 (in order to allay somewhat these feelings in the. people, 
 and to strengthen the tone of military power for the 
 protection of life and property,) to call out a guard. 
 On the 18th April, 1861, the Battalion met at its 
 armory and the first guard was detailed. This step 
 was hailed by all with satisfaction. On the 23d, a 
 picket detail in charge of Lieut. W. H. Fowle, Jr., 
 of the Old Dominion Eifles, was sent out upon the 
 Washington and Alexandria turnpike. 
 
 Leaving the city after dark, the detachment pro 
 ceeded to the Little Bridge, and, posting the reserve at 
 that point, continued the line along the pike to the 
 intersection of the two roads south of the Long Bridge. 
 
 The post at this point was occupied by Sergeant K. 
 and Corporal W. of Lieut. Fowle s company, and was 
 the only infantry post ever stationed by the Confederates 
 so near to Washington city. 
 
 Yankee infantry, with several pieces of artillery, 
 being stationed on the Long Bridge, the order was 
 given the Southern pickets to watch them closely and 
 report their movements. 
 
10 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Great excitement prevailed throughout the country, 
 and volunteer troops were everywhere enrolling, pre 
 paratory to the organization of a new confederation, 
 in which the Southern States might hope to preserve 
 their institutions from further interference, and guard 
 against encroachment upon their rights, by Northern 
 fanatics and politicians. The election of Abraham 
 Lincoln, as the candidate of the ultra Abolition party, 
 hastened the severance of the tie between the South 
 and a people whose objects, aims andprinciples were so 
 utterly antagonistic to their own. 
 
 Virginia convened her statesmen in the Capitol at 
 Richmond to determine upon the course most consistent 
 with her principles and dignity, as the " Old Mother 
 State/ 7 whilst her soldiery strained every nerve to be 
 ready for the worst. 
 
 Alexandria and the roads leading therefrom were 
 daily and nightly patroled, and every available means 
 used to prevent surprise from the Federal troops sta 
 tioned at Washington. 
 
 A telegram received the latter part of April, from 
 the commander at Culpeper C. H., to send the " Bat 
 tery up at once," was, through a mistake of the opera 
 tor, construed into " Battalion -" so off the companies 
 were hurried to the depot in a heavy, driving rain 
 storm, and, in due time, reached their destination, where 
 the mistake was soon rectified and we returned to our 
 old headquarters. 
 
 Early in May the Old Dominion Rifles, having been 
 ordered to take charge of commissary stores in the hos- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA 1XFANTRY. H 
 
 pitable town of Warrenton, passed two weeks there, 
 upon duty, most agreeably, when they were recalled to 
 Alexandria. A good deal of excitement arose about 
 this time from the sudden appearing of the gunboat 
 " Pawnee," which anchored in front of Alexandria, 
 with ports open, and guns bearing upon the town. 
 
 Her purpose could only be conjectured, and the emo 
 tions produced thereby were anything but pleasurable. 
 
 The 23d of May arrived ; the polls w r erc opened, and 
 an almost unanimous vote for secession was taken 
 night closed upon the city the citizens, deep in slum 
 ber, dreamed not of what the morrow would bring the 
 sound of the sentinel s tread and the oft-repeated cry of 
 "All s well," were the sole interruptions to the calm of 
 the midnight hour. 
 
 Merrill, the sentinel on duty at Cazenove s wharf, 
 keeping a sharp watch upon the movements of the 
 "Pawnee," caught the sound of creaking oars, and, 
 through the faint glimmer of the dawning day, beheld 
 the outlines of a boat coming quietly towards him. 
 The challenge, " Who comes there ?" is thrice repeated, 
 and the sharp report of the sentinel s rifle awakes the 
 neighboring housetop pigeons, and gives the alarm to 
 the soldiers on guard ; a volley from the boat, aimed at 
 the sentinel, drowned the rifle s echo, but did no further 
 damage. 
 
 A flag of truce from the enemy was received by Col 
 onel Terrett, then in command of the city, and, after 
 consultation with the civil authorities, terms were 
 agreed upon for its surrender ; a specified time being 
 
12 HISTORY OF TUB 
 
 promised for the withdrawal of the Confederate troops. 
 Long, however, before the expiration of said time, the 
 enemy s forces were landing upon the wharves. Orders 
 were at once issued for our companies to assemble at 
 the Lyceum Hall, the point previously designated as 
 our " rendezvous." 
 
 The Battalion assembled, and there being no time for 
 farewells to the numerous friends, most of whom were 
 asleep in their beds, we marched out Duke street and 
 took the Little River Turnpike westward, the enemy, 
 at the same time, entering the city from transports lying 
 at the wharves, and by column from the Washington 
 and Alexandria Turnpike, down which they had 
 inarched during the night. 
 
 Through an oversight, the " Old Dominion Rifles 7 
 failed to receive the order to march, and came near 
 sharing the fate of Captain Ball s Cavalry, who, acting 
 as rear guard to our forces, were captured, and, after 
 some months close imprisonment, paroled as prisoners 
 of war. Captain Herbert, hearing musketry below, 
 called his men into line and started at once for the 
 point from whence the sounds proceeded. The Battal 
 ion was marching out Duke as the company reached 
 the intersection of King and West streets, where, the 
 Major recognizing it, a halt was ordered, and the Old 
 Dominions soon joined the column. 
 
 Among the Federal troops, who entered Alexandria 
 at an early hour, was a regiment of Zouaves under the 
 command of Colonel Ellsworth; this officer, with a 
 portion of his command, proceeded to the Marshall 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 13 
 
 House to remove therefrom the " Stars and Bars" of the 
 new Confederacy, which were floating above it on the 
 morning breeze. After taking from the staff the, to 
 them, obnoxious flag, they turned to retrace their steps, 
 the Colonel, in advance, bearing in his arms his trophy ; 
 as they reached the foot of the attic steps, they were 
 met by Jackson, the proprietor of the hotel and owner 
 of their booty. Aroused from sleep by the announce 
 ment of the enemy s presence, he had dressed hastily, 
 and hurried, armed with a double-barrelled shot gun, 
 to the rescue of the beloved flag he had sworn to pro 
 tect at all hazards. In the foeman s grasp he found 
 it ; an instant later and Colonel Ellsworth fell bleeding 
 in death. Jackson, seizing in his grasp the new-born 
 banner, folded it around his person, ere he sank life 
 less from the balls and bayonets of the dying Colonel s 
 companions. Thus, within the space of a few seconds/ 
 the souls of two brave men were hurried into eternity; 
 one actuated by ambition, the other a defender of the 
 ensign adopted by his country. 
 
 Let us again join the retreating Battalion, which, on 
 reaching the tollgate, a mile or more from the city,, 
 learned that a report was in circulation to the effect 
 that a squadron of cavalry were in pursuit. Our 
 Major immediately halted the column and gave the 
 order to "fix bayonets;" after waiting a short time, 
 the rumor proved false, and we again moved on. 
 
 Soon, the welcome sound of the car-whistle reached 
 our ears, and striking for the O. and A. R. K, track,, 
 we had the pleasure of stopping the trains moving, 
 2. 
 
14 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 towards Alexandria. But little time was consumed 
 in occupying the " Flats/ and the Battalion was pushed 
 back to Manassas where many friends from various 
 quarters awaited us. 
 
 But oh ! how sad the thought to many a weary 
 heart as it turns once more to that memorable 24th of 
 May, 1861 ! 
 
 The husband was seen for the last time, through the 
 gray, misty morning, trudging under the weight of 
 his knapsack and musket, and, with eye turned upward 
 to the open casement, received the wife s last smile, 
 and saw, perhaps, her eye s first tear, as a farewell 
 never to be repeated. 
 
 The son lingered not to receive a mother s blessing, 
 but hurried on to scenes of death and blood. Alas [ 
 many are the mounds that mark the spots where only 
 the dust of those numerous manly forms are to be 
 found, and many are the hearts that mourn, aye ! 
 mourn, and cannot be comforted ! 
 
 Those unspoken farewells will never now be uttered; 
 but in the 
 
 " Beautiful land 
 By the spoiler untrod, 
 
 there w r ill be joyful reunion for many who met for 
 the last time on that memorable morning. 
 
 Our troops were concentrating at Manassas ; a few 
 tents were pitched, and several companies were quartered 
 in plank houses, built for the purpose, affording shelter, 
 secure from the weather. Not expecting the Alexan 
 dria Battalion so soon, no arrangements had been made 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 15 
 
 for our comfort ; and we were left to take care of our 
 selves. The first night was spent in the box cars 
 standing near by, the men retiring to rest without 
 blankets or covering, and supper less ; yet not a murmur 
 was heard from any, and the night passed in apparent 
 comfort. All were in good spirits ; we had voluntarily 
 linked our fate with that of the young Confederacy, 
 to share her sorrows, and go hand in hand through 
 the coming bitter trials. 
 
 When the bright sun, on the morning of the 25th 
 of May, first peeped through the haziness above Man- 
 assas, it shone upon the long train of motionless cars 
 with its scores of sleeping forms and hosts of hungry, 
 homeless soldiers, unprovided for in any respect, save 
 that each man s cartridge box contained two rounds of 
 ammunition. Yet many, it may be readily believed, 
 gave no thought of what was to become of them in 
 dividually. 
 
16 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 MANASSAS. 
 
 MAY and June passed rapidly. Great activity in both 
 the North and the South was evinced. The ranks 
 of the opposing armies, one concentrating at Manassas, 
 the other at "Washington city, were being rapidly in 
 creased, and extensive preparations were made for the 
 Doming struggle. The streets and by-ways of the Federal 
 Capitol were crowded with companies and regiments 
 of the enemy, coming in to await the orders of their 
 chieftain, while the roll of drums and lively airs *of 
 fifes fell harshly upon the Southern ear, detained, by 
 force of circumstances, in their proximity. 
 
 The South sent forth her sons, the youth and flower 
 of her firesides, to take up arms in defence of her rights, 
 whilst every practicable preparation was made to 
 present a bold front and deal a heavy blow when the 
 hour of conflict should arrive. The forces at Manassas, 
 at first but few in number, and many of those without 
 the necessary arm of defence, were rapidly augmenting 
 by daily arrivals from all parts of the South. Bustle 
 and activity at the station were increasing, and each 
 hour added new strength to the hearts and spirits of 
 the soldiers present. New tents, and all the necessary 
 paraphernalia for an army, were fully supplied ; the 
 comfort and health of the men were remembered and 
 well cared for by those in command. 
 
 The Alexandria companies, belonging to the Alex 
 andria Battalion, were fully equipped, and presented 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 17 
 
 on parade a very creditable appearance. Guard duty, 
 drills, details for cleaning camp, cutting wood and 
 bringing water, were among the daily duties, upon 
 which our boys grew fat and thriving. The gay 
 songs and amusing incidents, so common to a soldier s 
 life, kept us all in fine spirits, and were sources of 
 pleasure in helping to beguile time of its monotony. 
 
 Several companies from the Battalion were sent on 
 duty to the stations below, and were watching the 
 enemy during a part of May and June. 
 
 On the 10th day of June, 1861, the 17th Virginia 
 Regiment was organized, being composed of the follow 
 ing companies : 
 
 Alexandria Riflemen, Co. A, Capt. M. Marye; War 
 ren Rifles, Co. B, Capt. R, II. Simpson; Loudoun 
 Guards, Co. C, Capt. C. B. Tebbs ; Fairfax Rifles, Co. 
 
 D, Capt. W. H. Dulany ; Mount Yernon Guards, Co. 
 
 E, Capt. S. II. Devaughn ; Prince William Rifles, Co. 
 
 F, Capt. G. S. Hamilton; Emmett Guards, Co. G, 
 Capt. Jas. E. Towson ; Old Dominion Rifles, Co. H, 
 Cipt. A. Herbert; O Connel Guards, Co. I, Capt, S. 
 W. Prcstman ; Warrenton Rifles, Co. K, Capt. B. II. 
 Shackelford ; Colonel, M. D. Corse ; Lt. Colonel, Wm. 
 Munford ; and Major, Geo. W. Brent, who had been 
 commissioned by the Governor of Virginia, were assign 
 ed the command of the regiment ; M. M. Levns, M. D., 
 was appointed Surgeon ; H. Snowdcn, M. D., Assistant 
 Surgeon ; Lieut, A. J. Humphreys, Co. A, Adjutant, 
 and W. W. Athey, Co. C, Sergeant Major. 
 
 9* 
 
18 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 Companies G and I formed after the beginning of 
 hostilities, and were composed of Irish citizens from 
 Alexandria, Va. The Alexandria Riflemen, the Old 
 Dominion Rifles, and the Mount Vernon Guards, were, 
 as we have before stated, volunteer companies, formed 
 in Alexandria, Va., prior to the crisis. The other five 
 companies were volunteer organizations bearing the 
 names of their respective origin. 
 
 The Warrenton Rifles lost its first captain, John Q. 
 Marr, in a skirmish at Fairfax C. H., on the 1st day 
 of June, and B. H. Shackelford was elected as his suc 
 cessor. This company, under Captain John Q. Marr, 
 was stationed at Fairfax C. H , to act in conjunction 
 with the Rappahannock and Prince William Cavalry, 
 in defence of that town. On the morning of June 1st, 
 before daylight, a force of Federal cavalry made a rapid 
 descent upon them, hoping, by the rapidity of the move 
 ment, to find the Confederates off their guard. In this, 
 however, they were mistaken ; in passing through the 
 ^.own at the rate described, firing to the right and left 
 indiscriminately, they aroused the sleeping inhabitants, 
 and by the time they had halted beyond and prepared 
 for a return charge, the Rifles were ready to meet them. 
 During the advance, Captain Marr had moved off a 
 short distance, for the purpose of securing a position for 
 his company ; his voice was not heard thereafter, and 
 from what information could be gathered, it is judged 
 that he fell from the first fire of the enemy. In the 
 meantime, General Ewell, who was severely wounded, 
 and Ex-Go v. Win. Smith, both of whom happened to 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY.. 19 
 
 be passing the night in the town, had taken charge of 
 the Rifles, to all of- whom they were well known, and 
 deploying them along the main street in the Court House 
 lot, met and repulsed the second charge of the enemy. 
 Two other attempts were made to force a passage, 
 neither of which, from the determination of our brave 
 Fauquier boys, proved effectual. After the departure 
 of the enemy, it was found that the beloved Marr had 
 fallen. 
 
 The Regiment was attached to the 4th Virginia Brig* 
 ade, commanded by General J T. Longstreet, and was 
 generally known as the "Alexandria Regiment." 
 
 The camp at Manassas Junction was much enlarged 
 by the daily arrival of additional troops ; it received 
 the name of " Camp Pickcns," in honor of the brave 
 General Pickens, of S. C. 
 
 General G. T. Beauregard arrived at Manassas on 
 the 1st day of June, and was placed in command of the 
 army ; the month passed in making the position as im 
 pregnable as possible. The work, in charge of Colonel 
 Williamson, his chief of engineers, progressed rapidly; 
 large earthworks and field fortifications, with wings 
 and covers of rifle pits, and infantry works, sprang up 
 on all sides. Details from the different regiments in 
 camp were daily employed in digging and ditching. 
 Many of the troops, who were reared in all the lux 
 ury of affluence, rendered themselves valuable in their 
 active wielding of spade and axe. 
 
 Company C (Loudoun Guards) was deprived of its 
 gallant captain, Chas. B. Tebbs, on the 1st day of July, 
 
20 HISTORY OF Tttfl 
 
 he having received a commission as Lieutenant Col 
 onel, and assigned to the 8th Virginia Regiment. Geo. 
 E. Head, 1st Lieutenant, was then promoted to the 
 captaincy of the Company. 
 
 For several days before the 13th of July, it was gen 
 erally known that the enemy were moving against us ; 
 and every effort was made by the General in command 
 to prepare his troops for battle ; extra details were 
 made, the works around Manassas strengthened, and 
 the 16th and 17th of July were busy, truly busy days, 
 in the fullest signification of the term. 
 
 Couriers were flying in every direction, delivering 
 orders ; and on the last named day, the infantry, in 
 cluding the 17th Ya. Regiment, marched to their re 
 spective places, in line, on the banks of Bull Run. 
 
 The men were in excellent spirits, and impatiently 
 awaited the coming of the foe. The morning of the 
 18th of July opened beautifully upon the Confederate 
 line of infantry and artillery, stretched along the west 
 bank of Bull Run. 
 
 About one o clock the enemy advanced and attacked 
 Longstreet s Brigade, stationed at Blackburn s Ford. 
 
 Extracts, from the report, as made by our Colonel, 
 will give the part sustained by our Regiment, and show 
 the valor and veteran bearing of the raw soldiers on 
 their first battle field. 
 
 " In pursuance of orders, the rifle Companies B and 
 H, commanded by Captains Simpson and Herbert, were 
 deployed as skirmishers along the right bank of Bull 
 Run, above Blackburn s Ford, whilst Companies A 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 21 
 
 and G, commanded by Captains Marye and Towson, 
 were posted at the Ford. Companies E and K, under 
 Captains Devaughn and Shackelford, were detached 
 and posted lower down the run, on the right of the 
 First Virginia Regiment." 
 
 " About one o clock P. M. the enemy appeared in 
 considerable force on the opposite bank, and opened a 
 severe and continuous fire upon the First and Seven 
 teenth Regiments. At this moment, the remaining 
 companies of the Regiment were marched to the run, 
 and responded briskly and gallantly to the enemy s 
 fire. Company A, Captain Marye, was then ordered 
 to cross the run, and deploy as skirmishers on the 
 opposite bank ; Company C, Captain Head, and Com 
 pany F, Captain Hamilton, were subsequently ordered 
 to cross also, and sustain this movement. The three 
 companies promptly executed these orders, and after 
 bravely driving the enemy through the woods, back 
 to their main body, returned, bringing their own 
 wounded and seven prisoners. Some fifteen or more 
 of the enemy were killed and many wounded." 
 
 " It affords me much gratification to remark upon the 
 coolness and bravery manifested by both officers and 
 men under my command." 
 
 " Particularly I must speak of the gallant conduct 
 of Lieut. Col. Munford, Maj. Brent, Adjutant Hum 
 phreys, Captain Marye and Captain Head, who w r ere 
 actively and fearlessly employed during the engage 
 ment at the points where the fire was hottest." 
 
 " I must also mention Surgeon Lewis and assistant 
 
22 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Surgeon Snowden, who were untiring in their efforts to 
 relieve the wounded, regardless of their personal safety. 
 I regret to add that Captains Dulany and Prestman 
 were severely wounded whilst at the head of their 
 companies. Captain Shackelford, commanding Com 
 pany K, and Lieut. Javins, of Company E, were slightly 
 wounded. Private Thomas R. Sangster, Company A 
 was killed, and four privates severely, and six slightly 
 wounded." 
 
 List of killed and wounded in the battle of Black 
 burn s Ford, July 18th, 1861. 
 
 Company A Killed, Private T. R. Sangster; 
 wounded, A. D. Warfield, slightly. 
 
 Company B None, 
 
 Company C Wounded, Ed. Donnelly, flesh wound ; 
 C. G. Edwards, dangerously ; J. W. Sexton, lost leg. 
 
 Company D Wounded, Capt. Win. H. Dulany, 
 dangerously ; Privates W. H. Steele, Thos. Beake and 
 B. Thomas, slightly. 
 
 Company E Wounded, Lieut. C. Javins, slightly ; 
 Privates Jas. A. Proctor and Geo. W. Tyles, slightly. 
 
 Company F None. 
 
 Company G Wounded, Private Win. MeKcown, 
 slightly. 
 
 Company H Wounded, Private John Withers, 
 slightly. 
 
 Company I Wounded, Capt. S. W. Prestman, dan 
 gerously ; Private Dennis Murphy, lost arm. 
 
 Company K Wounded, Capt. B. H. Shackelford, 
 slightly ; Private A. G. Sinclair, badly. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 23 
 
 Friday, 19th, and part of Saturday, passed without 
 change, the Regiment being held in reserve during the 
 time. On Saturday, the 20th, they again occupied the 
 line near Blackburn s Ford. On Sunday, the 21st of 
 July, 1861, the first great battle in our struggle was 
 fought, and, though our Regiment was not actively en 
 gaged, it faithfully performed its duty, and was under 
 heavy artillery fire a greater part of the day. 
 
 A lovelier Sabbath morning never shone than that 
 of the 21st July, 1861. The enemy s movements fore 
 told another conflict, but more sanguinary and im 
 portant in its results. Their artillery opened at an early 
 hour from the different points along their line, while 
 their main forces were massing on our extreme left, 
 preparatory to a heavy assault upon our flank. Cross 
 ing at Sudley Mills, they bore clown upon the South 
 Carolina troops stationed near the Stone Bridge for 
 the protection of our flank, and, hurling with terrific 
 force a large body of troops against them, succeeded in 
 forcing back our line at that point. 
 
 Reinforcements were sent to the rescue of the brave 
 Bee and his men, and for hours the battle raged. 
 Success varied : first one and then the other was forced 
 back, until the few Southern troops, fighting against 
 such fearful odds, became exhausted. 
 
 At this critical moment, the cry : " The Valley 
 Boys have come," arose, and spread like wildfire and 
 with marvelous effect ; our men by desperate exertion 
 held their position until Johnston s army came in to the 
 rescue.. 
 
24 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Fresh and ready for the " fray/ they rushed onward, 
 carrying all before them. Yells of triumph from the 
 wounded, as well as from the uninjured, rent the air, 
 sending a thrill of joy to the hearts of the approaching 
 army. After the severest fighting of the day, our foes 
 were driven from hill and dale. Peal after peal of 
 victorious shouts followed in their wake, quickening 
 their flight. 
 
 Our artillery made dreadful havoc among their re 
 treating columns; the Alexandria Artillery, commanded 
 by Capt. Kemper, was not behind in the race towards 
 Washington city. The unerring aim of his gunners 
 filled many a narrow home,, now marked by a green- 
 topped mound. 
 
 The rout was perfect; rnen, horses, wagons and 
 artillery were one mass of moving lumber, all bound 
 for a haven secure from the bullets of the " Rebels," 
 from the scenes of warfare. Company H, commanded 
 by Capt. Herbert, had been ordered across the Ford 
 in the early part of the day, and was under a heavy fire 
 of canister and grape. A large party of the enemy 
 attempted to capture this Company by stealth, but 
 failed and were driven back with heavy loss. The 
 Company had one killed, viz : Dennis McDermot ; 
 and two wounded, viz : Corporal Jas. E. Grimes, and 
 Private J. P. Kiley. 
 
 Darkness ended the pursuit, and many of our army 
 bivouaced upon the battle field. 
 
 On Thursday, after the battle, the dead of the ene 
 my in the vicinity of the Stone Bridge and Henry 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 25 
 
 House lay uncovered on the field, and the sight was 
 heart-rending. At the point where the Federal battery, 
 known as the " Kicketts Battery/ had fought, and 
 bled, and died, numbers of bodies, both of man and 
 beasts, were still in the position in which they fell, and, 
 as may be readily imagined, the effluvia arising from 
 their decomposition was so great as to render it almost 
 impossible to remain in the locality. The battle, at 
 this point, must have been very severe, for as many as 
 seven dead bodies were lying across each other just as 
 they had fallen on Sunday. 
 
 The Confederate losses in the battle of the first Ma- 
 nassas, amounted to about 1,200 in killed and wounded ; 
 the enemy lost nearly 5,000, including 1,700 prisoners. 
 We captured 82 pieces of artillery and a vast number 
 of small arms ; also, wagons, ambulances, tents, and 
 numerous pieces of different kinds of army munition* 
 and outfit. 
 
 During the battle, on the 18th of July, at Black- 
 bitrn s Ford, w r hen the fire of the enemy was hottest 
 and damaging, the 1st Virginia Regiment, held in re 
 serve, General Longstreet commanded Captain Marye r 
 to take his company and " Clear those scoundrels out/** 
 and as the riflemen plunged into the stream with a. 
 shout, General Longstreet took off his hat, and, rising 
 in his stirrups, called for " three cheers for the Alex 
 andria Riflemen" which compliment was acknowl 
 edged by a touch of the hat by Captain Marye. 
 
 The following incident, which occurred as given by 
 the principal actor, War field, of this company, in. hi 
 3 
 
26 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 own words, we insert, believing it will be of interest to 
 our readers : 
 
 " The order was promptly obeyed ; the company 
 crossed the Ford with a yell ; upon reaching the oppo 
 site bank, Captain Marye ordered the company to de 
 ploy as skirmishers and advance. About 150 yards 
 from the stream we came upon the skirmishers of the 
 1st Massachusetts Regiment, stationed behind trees, 
 bushes, &c. At once attacking them, we had a very 
 nice time, killing 16 of them and taking some 20 pris 
 oners ; we were all tangled up together, and the only 
 way to distinguish one from another was by the U. S. 
 on the Yankee breast-plates." 
 
 " In the conflict, I ordered a Yankee to surrender, 
 but he refused. I grabbed him by the collar, my 
 gun being empty and his loaded ; he cut my head with 
 the barrel of his gun. Being in too close quarters to 
 use our arms, we clinched, and in the struggle rolled 
 down the hill into a spring branch, Yank on top and 
 myself in the mud and water, face down. I was only 
 relieved from my disagreeable position by E., of the 
 Loucloun Guards, who came up at the time and gave 
 Yank his bayonet in left side ; at this, Yank hallow- 
 el Good God, Capt. Hall, come here/ but I told him 
 that his hide had gone up and that Capt. Hall could do 
 him no good. I then took him to Gen. Longstreet, 
 who, after finding out who he was, said to me : Well 
 done, old fellow; this is the first prisoner, go back and 
 get another/ which command I respectfully declined, 
 as things were waxing warm just about that time." 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 27 
 
 We also insert the following letter, as copied from a 
 Richmond paper, feeling assured that it will interest 
 many of our readers : 
 
 "A GRAPHIC PICTURE." 
 
 " We have been permitted to copy the following ex 
 tracts from a letter written by a young officer who 
 greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Manas- 
 sas. 
 
 " Should his modesty take offence at the publication 
 of his frank expressions of feeling and unreserved nar 
 ration of events, our apology is found in the fact that 
 the original was placed at our disposal by the courtesy 
 of those to whom it was addressed. The style is sin 
 gularly copious, and the descriptive passages especially 
 fine ; and the more to be admired when we reflect that 
 the letter .was written, a la Pope, upon fugitive scraps 
 of paper, and currente calamo." 
 
 THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE. 
 
 Saturday night was spent in watching. The enemy s 
 bugles, his drums, the rumble of his baggage trains 
 and artillery ; not only these, but their very words of 
 command being distinctly audible in the silent night. 
 
 The next morning, partly refreshed, we were ordered 
 over the ford, (Bull Run,) as scouts in that direction. 
 I was creeping over the field when the enemy threw a 
 shell at my party, which exploded just in advance of 
 
28 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 us. Here we passed a body, one of the Massachusetts 
 slain, (shot the day before,) blackened and ghastly. 
 
 After a few hours we were ordered to our reserve, 
 -and, without breakfast, to deploy as skirmishers. The 
 first reserve had been left in charge of Willie Fowle. 
 I led the second further on, while the Captain placed 
 himself in the skirt of the wood, having established a 
 line of sentries. Here he watched the enemy s batteries, 
 and would report their movements to the General. 
 Becoming anxious about him, I left my reserve under 
 Zimmerman, and advanced to the spot. The Captain 
 .said: "Don, I am awfully sleepy, and will just take 
 a little nap, if you will watch those fellows there." I 
 cheerfully acquiesced, and relieved Jordan, one of our 
 men, who was the actual look-out at the fence. Here I 
 lay on my face, my time pleasantly occupied with the 
 proceedings at the batteries, the ceaseless explosions of 
 the guns and the rattle of musketry from the great fight 
 below, being in strange constrast with the quiet scenery 
 of mountain and valleys. 
 
 SHOWING HOW YANKEE SPORTSMEN FLUSHED GAME 
 AND THEMSELVES TOOK WING. 
 
 I unclasped my sword-belt and yielded myself to 
 the seductions of the scene, and was startled from my 
 almost reverie by the cry of Lovelace, one of our men, 
 posted on the right : " Lookout Lieutenant ! Here they 
 are ! " Looking around I saw their skirmishers within 
 about thirty yards, with their pieces at a ready, and 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 29 
 
 advancing, just as sportsmen approach a covey of 
 partridges. I shouted to the Captain, and we dashed 
 into the woods. I then asked him if we should fight 
 them? He said, "He reckoned we had." I then yelled 
 to the boys, " Come on, Old Dominions ! now s your 
 chance ! now s the chance you ve waited for ! " 
 
 This shout of mine was heard by our forces on the 
 other side of the run. The boys say I said, " Isn t 
 this glorious ! " but I don t remember. On came the 
 boys. I led them, pointed out the Yankees, and we 
 drove them out of the woods and completely put them 
 to flight. As we drove them into the field, the en 
 emy s battery, about four hundred yards off, opened 
 on us with grape and canister, and we ordered a 
 retreat; not, however, before our men returned it, 
 firing right at the guns, wounding, as I have since 
 learned from a prisoner, several of their men. 
 
 THE " IRON DICE " RATTLE. 
 
 We were exposed nearly half a mile without sup 
 port. The enemy had our range completely, and we 
 were in great peril, the balls whizzing and humming 
 all around us. 
 
 Fowle, who had advanced his reserve and behaved 
 with great coolness, says the line of skirmishers ex 
 tended a long way and intended to cut us off; but we 
 gave a yell, and, as I have said, drove them home. 
 
 Arthur was too slow in retreat even after he had 
 given the order. I had to turn back twice to look for 
 3* 
 
30 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 him. How the balls rattled ! Every man would 
 sometimes have to get behind a tree to escape the 
 "dreadful storm." 
 
 . A SOLDIER S GRAVE, 
 
 McDerrnot, one of our men, was killed by a grape- 
 shot. On yesterday I buried him. He had lain out 
 all night, and our eyes filled with woman s tears as we 
 -covered him with his blanket, and left him to sleep 
 on the field where he had fallen. Hurdle put a head 
 and foot mark at his grave, with the inscription in 
 pencil : 
 
 " Dennis McDermot, of the Old Dominion Rifles, 
 of Alexandria, Va., died in battle, July 21, 1861 ; a 
 gallant soldier and a good man." 
 
 THE RETREAT OF THE " GRAXD ARMY." 
 
 What a glorious day Sunday was for the South ! 
 When the rout of the enemy came down the long line 
 of Bull Run, (Yankee s Run ? Eds.) up went a shout ! 
 Oh ! how grand it was ! Imagine the quiet w r oods 
 through which the watching bayonets glittered silently, 
 suddenly alive with triumphant hurrahs ! From right 
 to left, and left to right, for seven miles they were 
 repeated 1 Then came the order to advance, and as 
 we left the woods and gained the high and open 
 grounds, the grandest spectacle I ever saw met my 
 eyes. Company after company, regiment after regi- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. $]_ 
 
 raent, brigade after brigade, army after army of our 
 troops appeared. "We halted to enjoy the sight, and 
 as our glorious artillery and dashing cavalry spurred 
 by in pursuit, shout after shout rent the air. General 
 Longstreet, our Brigade Commander, rode along our 
 line with his staff, and thousands of men flun- their 
 
 / o 
 
 caps in the air, or swung them on their bayonets. 
 Col. Corse, our gallant little Colonel, got his meed of 
 hurrahs ; and an old negro who rode by with his gun, 
 got no small salute. And then the sunset came in a 
 perfect glory of light sifted through the leaves. 
 
 The following extract, from a letter to the " Balti 
 more Exchange," dated, Alexandria, Ya., July 29th, 
 1861, speaks nobly of a well-deserving but deceased 
 comrade : 
 
 " In this battle one of Alexandria s bravest sons fell, 
 and in his fall this whole community is sunk in sad 
 ness. Thomas Sangster, son of Mr. Edward Sang- 
 ster, lately the sheriff of this county, fell pierced by a 
 ball. He was generally known, and, by all who knew 
 him, beloved. For an entire absence from anything 
 like fear he was remarkable from a child. He was as 
 kind as brave. He died in a noble cause, and his mem 
 ory is enshrined, along with all who fell there, in the 
 hearts of a brave and generous nation." 
 
 Now, let us go back to the Regiment. The nights 
 of the 21st and 22d of July, were spent by us near the 
 battle field; and on the 23d we marched to Centreville 
 and went into camp: whilst there we performed picket 
 
32 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 duty below, besides all the ordinary camp duties. The 
 Regiment remained thus until the 12th day of August, 
 when it moved to Fairfax Court House and went into 
 camp most of the army having preceded it to that 
 point. 
 
 Whilst near Centreville, the following beautifully 
 written order was issued and read to the troops : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, \ 
 MANASSAS, July 25th, 1861. / 
 
 Soldiers of the Confederate States : 
 
 One week ago a countless host of men organized into an army, 
 with all the appointments which modern art and practised skill 
 could devise, invaded the soil of Virginia. Their people sounded 
 their approach with triumphant displays of anticipated victory. 
 Their Generals came in almost royal state ; their great Ministers, 
 Senators and women came to witness the immolation of this army, 
 and the subjugation of our people and to celebrate these with 
 wild revelry. 
 
 It is with the profoundest emotions of gratitude to an over-ruling 
 God, whose hand is manifest in protecting our homes and our lib 
 erties, that we, your Generals commanding, are enabled, in the 
 name of our whole country, to thank you for that patriotic courage, 
 that heroic gallantry, that daring exhibited by you in the action of 
 the 18th and 21st of July, by which the hosts of the enemy were 
 scattered, and a signal and glorious victory obtained. 
 
 The two affairs of the 18th and 21st were but the sustained and 
 continued effort of your patriotism against the constantly recurring 
 columns of an enemy fully treble your numbers, and this effort was 
 crowned on the evening of the 21st with a victory so complete that 
 the invaders were driven disgracefully from the field and made to 
 fly in disorderly rout back to their entrenchments, a distance of 
 over thirty miles. They left upon the field nearly every piece of 
 their artillery, a large portion of their arms, equipments, baggage, 
 stores, etc , etc , and almost every one of their wounded and dead, 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 33 
 
 amounting, together with the prisoners, to many thousands and 
 thus the Northern hosts were driven from Virginia. 
 
 Soldiers : We congratulate you on an event which ensures the 
 liberty of our Country. We congratulate every man of you whose 
 glorious privilege it was to participate in this triumph of courage 
 and truth to fight in the battle of Manassas. You have created an 
 epoch of Liberty, and unborn nations will rise up and call you 
 "blessed." 
 
 Continue this noble devotion, looking always to the protection 
 of a just God, and before Time grows much older we will be hailed 
 as the. Deliverers of a nation of Ten Millions of people. 
 
 Comrades, our brothers who have fallen have earned undying re 
 nown on earth ; and their blood shed in our holy cause is a precious 
 and acceptable sacrifice to the Father of Truth and Right. 
 
 Their graves are beside the tomb of Washington, their spirits 
 have joined his in eternal communion. We will hold the soil in 
 which the dust of Washington is mingled with the dust of our 
 brothers. We drop one tear on their laurels, and move on to avenge 
 them. 
 
 Soldiers ! We congratulate you on glorious, triumphant and 
 complete victory. We thank you for doing your whole duty in the 
 service of your Country. 
 
 Official : 
 
 Signed, J. E. JOHNSTON, Gen. C. S. A. 
 
 G. T. BEAUREGARD, Gen C. S. A. 
 
 FR. S. ARMSTEAD, A. A. A. G 
 
 "EXTRACT FROM A LETTER." 
 
 " The conduct of the Alexandria boys in both battles 
 is spoken of in the highest terms ; and the charge of 
 the Alexandria Riflemen, led on by Captain Morton 
 Marye, in the Thursday s fight, is said to have been 
 one of the most gallant and splendid military manoeu 
 vres ever witnessed. Most nobly did that little band 
 
34 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of as true hearts as ever fluttered, advance upon the foe, 
 and bearing down all before them, lead the way to a 
 quick and glorious triumph. The old Dominion 
 Rifles, not a whit behind their fathers and brothers, 
 (who were in the foremost company) in courage, desci- 
 pline and all that goes to make a true soldier, were in 
 the thickest of this hard-fought battle." 
 
SEVE^TEENTB VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 35 
 
 FALLS CHURCH, UPTON S AND MUNSON S 
 HILLS. 
 
 UPON our arrival in the vicinity of Fairfkx Court 
 House the Regiment went into camp^ east of^ and 
 below the village, on the right bank of the Alexandria" 
 turnpike, upon a good location, with plenty of wood 
 and water. 
 
 Not many days after its arrival Company H was 
 sent on picket duty to Falls Church, a small village 
 about nine miles east of Fairfax Court House and 
 about the same distance from Alexandria, Va. This 
 Company was the first Infantry stationed at this post,, 
 and had the pleasure of extending the lines to Taylor s 
 Tavern and Rocky Ridge, points about half a mile 
 distant from the village. 
 
 Fort, a Texan scout, with club feet, but indomitable 
 energy and bravery, in command of ten men of 
 Company H, met the enemy about 150 strong, near 
 Taylor s tavern and, after expending one or two 
 rounds of ammunition, drove the entire column from 
 that locality, and picketed posts beyond, which were 
 held until our evacuation of the line some months 
 after. 
 
 Numbers of amusing incidents, various hair-breadth 
 escapes, occurred to those on duty in that vicinity : and 
 the minds of many on perusing these pages will re 
 vert to the early morning fights between the pickets 
 of the enemy and themselves, over the little peach 
 
36 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 orchard and the rich gardens below Taylor s tavern, 
 and to Farley s narrow escape in the woods near, when 
 he met two of the " blue jackets," and came near losing 
 his life by a pistol shot discharged by one of them. 
 
 Early in September the lines below were extended 
 to Mason s, Munson s and Upton s hills, where the 
 points were guarded by a few companies from the 
 army lying around the Court House. The men in 
 camp were employed in regular drills, guard duty, &c. ; 
 but found plenty of time for frolic and impromptu 
 tours between the hours of duty. 
 
 The bright smiles and kind words of patriotic en 
 couragement from our sweet lady friends of that neigh 
 borhood, whom many of us visited whenever oppor 
 tunity permitted, proved an invaluable antidote to 
 the weariness and ennui which might otherwise have 
 arisen from the labor and monotony of camp life. 
 
 The lines in front had been strengthened by earth 
 works and rifle pits ; a strong line of redoubts encircled 
 the top of Munsoii s hill, and heavy wooden guns were 
 mounted ready for action. The enemy did not trouble 
 us at that point, thinking probably the apparent Fort 
 was heavily armed and strongly garrisoned. At Up 
 ton s hill the pickets were generally busy at target 
 practice, at each other, and, for many weeks the pop, 
 pop, pop of their firearms was of daily occurrence ; 
 though there was seldom any one seriously hurt, some 
 times a lucky fellow received a wound and was sent 
 home rejoicing on a thirty days furlough. 
 
 The enemy wasted numberless charges of powder 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 37 
 
 and ball at target practice near Arlington Heights, 
 while we were in that vicinity, until finally their 
 noise became annoying. 
 
 Lieut. Forrest, of Company H, bade adieu to the 
 Regiment on the 15th of September, to join General 
 Trimble s Staff at Evansport, by which the Command 
 lost a good officer, a courteous gentleman, and a social 
 companion. 
 
 The total strength of the Regiment on the 1st day 
 September, 1861, is shown by the following figures : 
 
 Present for duty, 665 ; present and unfit for duty, 
 80 ; total in camp, 745. 
 
 Absent on detached service, 33 ; absent with leave; 
 4 ; absent without leave, 11 ; absent sick and wounded, 
 101 ; total absent, 149. Total on rolls at said date 
 including officers and men, 894. 
 
 On the 24th September, the Regiment was ordered 
 to take with them three days cooked rations, and to 
 march to Falls Church. That night was spent in the 
 village. On the following day, the Colonel received 
 orders to prepare for a march, equipped for fighting. 
 In company with Kershaw s South Carolina Regiment, 
 and three pieces of the Washington Artillery, the 
 Seventeenth Virginia proceeded up the Alexandria 
 and Leesburg turnpike, and after passing the railroad 
 station, one mile above the village, threw out skir 
 mishers to the right. Arriving at the intersection of 
 the turnpike and the road leading to Georgetown, they 
 were halted and informed that a column of the enemy 
 4 
 
38 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 was at Lewinsville, and the object of their expedition 
 was to dislodge it. 
 
 This village was only about two miles distant, so 
 that in a very short time we attained an eminence 
 overlooking it, and also the Yankee line drawn up^ 
 as if ready for combat. 
 
 Our infantry were below the brow of the hill, hidden- 
 from the enemy ; in a few seconds, the artillery had 
 unlimbered and moved to the front. After one or 
 two shots our forces moved forward in line of battle 
 to the village, (the Yankees, having to use their own 
 expressive term, skeedaddled at our first fire,) from 
 which point the artillery again opened upon the retreat 
 ing column. 
 
 The enemy replied from a battery at Langley, some 
 half mile distant ; and their first shot, a 24 pounder, 
 passed over our heads and exploded in our rear ; the 
 second proved a truer aim, killing one of Kershaw s 
 men and wounding another. Being under full range of 
 their fire, Colonel Corse, (in command,) ordered the 
 line to fall back, which was done in good order, the 
 troops passing over five lines of oak paled fencing, 
 which fell before them like chaff before a tempest. 
 
 Making a circuit we overhauled our retreating foes 
 and opened fire on them from Langley ; night put a 
 stop to our operations. 
 
 In the excitement of the chase none of the officers 
 noted particularly the direction they were making, 
 and there was but one man in the Regiment who would 
 undertake to guide us through the darkness to Falls 
 Church . 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 39 
 
 He took the head of the line and all passed very 
 quietly until we reached a farm house ; at that point 
 :a din arose occasioned by ducks and chickens evidently 
 in distress, and it is presumable that many dined the 
 next day upon more delicate soup than was furnished 
 by army rations. 
 
 Oncoming in sight of Falls Church, about nine o clock 
 P. M., our hearts were gladdened by the camp fires of 
 about 20,000 Confederate soldiers, sent by Gen. B. to 
 -support us in case of need. 
 
 Whilst on duty at Falls Church, the troops fared 
 well from the excellent vegetables flourishing in the 
 deserted gardens around them. There was more or 
 less gaiety according to the weather, and spirit of the 
 .men. Sham battles were often indulged in, and the 
 time, generally, passed rapidly. 
 
 On the night of the 27th of September, about nine 
 o clock P. M., the long roll sounded on all sides through 
 the village ; the troops hastily turned out from their 
 quarters, and fell into line on the turnpike. After 
 midnight, the column moved towards Fairfax Court 
 House. They were halted at Mills Cross Roads, 
 ;about three miles west, and slept on their arms the re 
 mainder of the night. About eight o clock the next 
 morning, our Regiment was ordered to return to the 
 village. After our arrival within a few hundred yards 
 thereof, we were gentlemen of elegant leisure until 
 .about five o clock P. M., when orders arrived for us 
 to remove the telegraph wires from the village, west 
 ward ; this was accomplished with hard labor, as the 
 
40 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 roads were deep and muddy, and the wires were to be 
 rolled up as we marched. Upon reaching ChichesterV 
 gate, we were met by Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, who thank 
 ing the men through our Colonel, told us to return to 
 camp at Fairfax Court House and enjoy that rest so 
 needed by us all. On the 3d of October, "Camp Har 
 rison" around the Court House, was the scene of a 
 brilliant turn out of the army in honor of the presence 
 of our President and Commander-in-chief, Jefferson 
 Davis, who w r as there for the purpose of reviewing his 
 troops, and great enthusiasm was evinced by them. 
 
 On the 11 th of October, our Regiment and one com 
 pany of the Washington Artillery, were sent on a 
 scouting expedition in the direction of Anandale, but 
 failing to find the enemy, reported to be in that vicin 
 ity, we returned to camp late in the day, tired and; 
 pretty well used up. 
 
 On the 12th of October, the Brigade to which our 
 Regiment was attached, drilled for the last time under 
 the command of Gen. J. T. Longstreet, and, as that 
 officer bade adieu to the body of men so long known 
 to him as true and brave soldiers, unbroken silence 
 was observed along the line for a brief moment, ami 
 then, as if the earth had opened with volcanic erup 
 tions, a loud and long peal of heart-felt cheers sounded 
 from a thousand throats, and drowned the words of 
 farewell from a chieftain so beloved and honored for 
 his bravery. 
 
 In relinguishing command of our Brigade the follow 
 ing complimentary order was addressed to us : 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 41 
 
 TERS FOURTH BRIGADE, FIRST CORP 
 A. P., FAIRFAX C. H., October 13th. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS FOURTH BRIGADE, FIRST CORPS, \ 
 
 General Order No. 17 : 
 
 In relinguishing the command of the Fourth Brigade, First Corps 
 Army of the Potomac, the Commanding General expresses his sin 
 cere thanks to the officers and soldiers of the command, for the 
 kindly patience, the soldierly fortitude, and cheerful obedience 
 which they have invariably exhibited during the many hardships 
 and privations of a long and trying campaign. 
 
 The command of a brigade, second to none, is well worthy the 
 boast of any General, and even regret may well be felt at promotion 
 which removes it a step at least from him. 
 
 By command of Maj. Gen. Longstreet. 
 
 G. MOXLEY SORREL, 
 Capt. and A. A. G. 
 
 The 14th of October found the Regiment on its way 
 to Mills Cross Roads, where it had been ordered on 
 picket duty. The men were all in fine spirits, and 
 gay songs from a hundred throats in unison, made the 
 march a merry one. Upon reaching the lines, the Reg 
 iment was drawn up, details made and the pickets re 
 lieved. During our brief stay on this occasion, our 
 ears not uufrequently tingled with the rattling of an 
 army of drums, apparently beaten for the benefit of 
 the Confederates ; it seemed as if all the drum corps 
 from the Federal army had congregated at that point, 
 each trying to rival others in noisy demonstrations. 
 
 Late on the evening of the 16th of October, the 
 picket lines were abandoned by the infantry, and our 
 Regiment begun a tiresome march that continued until 
 midnight, and brought us to Centreville. 
 
 Fairfax Court House, for many months, a piy, 
 4* 
 
42 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pleasant village, presented a most deserted appearance 
 as we passed through it, late at night ; only a few cav 
 alry were to be seen, the army having some hours pre 
 viously, left for Centreville. Many of the citizens, 
 for fear of being within the enemy s lines, left home 
 with the troops. 
 
 The Seventh Virginia Regiment, during the hurry 
 of moving, had a number of their tents burnt by an ac 
 cidental fire, many of the men losing their clothing. 
 
 Arriving at Centreville about midnight the boys 
 threw their tired frames upon the ground and slept 
 soundly. Early the following morning everybody was 
 astir. The different regiments marched off to the 
 grounds allotted for camping, pitched their tents and 
 made themselves comfortable. Our camp was located 
 on the hill to the west and south of the village. This 
 home upon the hills will never be forgotten by the 
 survivors of our Regiment, associated as it is in our 
 minds with a pleasant winter s amusements. 
 
 Ere the sun slumbered in the west, the hills and 
 valleys around the little village of Centreville, were 
 occupied by Regimental and Brigade camps. As the 
 darkness increased, the skies above were lighted with 
 the glimmer of a thousand camp fires ; the lively song 
 of the happy soldier, as he was attending to the duties 
 of the camp fire, could be heard upon every hill and 
 in every vale. All went merrily as a marriage bell. 
 
 Just here we present you a memento of the stirring 
 scenes and trying times in picketing at Falls Church 
 and vicinity. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 4;> 
 
 " FALLS CHURCH, October 5th, 1861. 
 "Editor National Republican : 
 
 "Enclosed, I send you a correct copy of a letter found by me, pin 
 ned on a gate near Falls Church. The letter is something of a cur 
 iosity : so I send it for publication. The direction on the outside 
 is to Yankee care of Luck. 
 "Yours, &c. 
 
 "W. H. G. 
 "35th Regiment N, Y. S. V." 
 
 [COPY OF LETTER.] 
 
 ".Dear Yankees : 
 
 Having been resident denizens of Falls Church for sometime, we 
 to-day, reluctantly evacuate, not because you intimidate by your 
 presence, but only in obedience to military dictation. 
 
 " We leave you a fire to cook potatoes, also to warm by, as the 
 nights are now uncomfortable on account of their chilling influence. 
 Mr. J. T. Petty, an inhabitant of Washington, but a * Secesh in 
 the rebel army, joins compliments with me upon this propitious 
 occasion. 
 
 " Signed, 
 
 "JOHNSTON, 
 "Company B, 17th Regiment, Va. Volunteers." 
 
 " P. S. We are members of the Bloody Seventeenth the well 
 merited sobriquet of our Regiment gained in the battle of Bull 
 Run." 
 
 The army of Northern Virginia soon made Centre- 
 ville what Fairfax Court House had been, and the 
 fields around were converted into drill grounds for 
 thousands of Confederate soldiers. 
 
 Engineers were soon at work ; forts, breastworks, 
 rifle-pits and batteries, marked the high points around. 
 Regular details from every regiment in the army 
 
44 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 were daily made for ditching and digging, and the 
 adjacent country for miles became alive with men. 
 The " big balloon " of the enemy appeared often in 
 the direction of the Court House, and, no doubt, its 
 occupants took the Southern army for a large body of 
 " Sappers and Miners," as men and officers, for days 
 and weeks were in the " ditch." 
 
 On the 22d October two brigades from our army 
 were sent to support the small force at Leesburg, the 
 enemy having advanced the day before in large num 
 bers, and, although they had been badly beaten in the 
 battle of "Ball s Bluff/ it was deemed prudent to 
 send reinforcements in case of another advance. 
 
 The weather during October was cold and frosty, 
 but the men found ample means to while the hours 
 between drills and guard duty. Games of " foot-ball " 
 and " bandy " were often zealously indulged in. 
 
 On the 30th October, the Virginia troops were 
 ordered out, and a flag bearing the State crest and her 
 motto : " Sic Semper Tyrranis," was presented to each 
 regiment by Governor John Letcher. When the 
 turn of our Eegiment came to receive the flag, the 
 Governor said : " I present this flag in the name of 
 the Commonwealth of Virginia ; take it, and when 
 vou go into Alexandria, drive out the invaders of our 
 soil." 
 
 Colonel Corse, in his usual good humored manner 
 replied as follows : 
 
 " Governor, I accept this flag from our beloved old 
 Mother, and tender the thanks of the Regiment 1 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 45 
 
 have the honor to command ; with confidence I place 
 it in their hands and promise you that it shall be 
 planted on the high places around Alexandria, or the 
 blood of the Seveenteenth shall flow freely in the 
 attempt," 
 
 The following day passed pleasantly to all : a grand 
 review in honor of the distinguished guest was ordered, 
 and many happy hearts grew happier with the pre 
 vailing enthusiasm. 
 
 November was ushered in like a (l roaring lion," 
 bringing grief and destruction in its wake to many a 
 well-kept camp ground. On the night of the first, a 
 most terrific storm of wind, rain and hail commenced 
 from the northwest ; the howling tempest and pelting 
 rain blended in a continuous roar throughout the night- 
 
 When the morning of the 2d began to send its 
 pale rays across the hills, our camp presented a most 
 lamentable spectacle. Only two tents were standing 
 out of about one hundred and fifty ; the men were 
 huddled together in groups endeavoring to keep warm ; 
 the fires having been extinguished could add nothing 
 to their comfort and the poor fellows, wet, supperless, 
 and without the fragment of a chance for breakfas^ 
 presented a most wretched appearance indeed. Tents, 
 blankets, and all the paraphernalia of a soldier s outfit 
 were scattered right and left over the camp ground. 
 
 Our brave and ever faithful Colonel, like a man in 
 a dream, was seen standing near the remains of his 
 once comfortable tent, lamenting his lost breakfast, in 
 his shirt sleeves, regardless of the rain, and reminding 
 
4(j HISTORY OF THE 
 
 one of a person invited to a feast, who couldn t go. 
 Poor fellow ! he looked the personification of " Pa 
 tience on a monument, smiling at Grief. 7 
 
 The storm continued until afternoon when the wind 
 changed, and it cleared up piercingly cold. 
 
 On the 3d, our Regiment picketed near Fairfax 
 Court House ; whilst there, two of the officers were put 
 under arrest for allowing a lady to pass the outpost, 
 losing their swords for a few hours. 
 
 Brigadier General Clark, of Mississippi, was assigned 
 the command of our Brigade on the 4th of November, 
 in place of General J. T. Longstreet, promoted. On 
 the 8th, Brigadier General Ewell succeeded General 
 Clark in the command, the latter having been ordered 
 to the Western army. The Brigade at the said 
 time was composed of the 1st, 7th llth, and 17th Vir 
 ginia Regiments. 
 
 On the 6th, we returned from picket duty and 
 resumed the routine of camp life. On the 8th, Com 
 pany PI, voted unanimously to enlist for the war. 
 Their example was soon followed by the remainder of 
 the Regiment. Jackson s Brigade left our neigbor- 
 hood the same day for the Valley, and their camp 
 ground was occupied by a South Carolina Brigade. 
 Seven prisoners were sent in by the cavalry, who were 
 always on the allert to " gobble up " stray parties too 
 far from home. 
 
 On the 18th, a part of the Regiment picketed near 
 Stuart s camp, and spent a most jovial time. A num 
 ber of the men took their meals at Mrs. Stewart s, 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 47 
 
 several miles above the Court House, where they were 
 highly pleased with the good fare set for their enjoy 
 ment. 
 
 During the winter months, whilst at Centerville, the 
 men were allowed twenty-four or forty-eight hours 
 passes, with which to visit their friends and acquain 
 tances, indulge in a frolic, or in whatever they might 
 choose for the time specified. It produced the good 
 effect of keeping the troops contented and obedient. 
 
 On the 28th, battle-flags were presented to General 
 Longstreet s Division. The presentation addresses to 
 each regiment were enthusiastically received by the 
 men. Senator H. W. Thomas, gave a supper to Com 
 pany B. on the 29th, and on the following day a grand 
 review of General Longstreet s Division took place, 
 which passed off quietly, reflecting credit upon both 
 troops and Commander. 
 
 December s severely cold nights made dreadful havoc 
 with the soldiers toes on the out posts, where for six 
 long hours without fire or aught to shield from Jack 
 Frost s intrusion, they trod their lonely beat, dreaming 
 of home and friends far away. 
 
 Only the experience can know the real state of a 
 man s mind when on such duty, especially if in hourly 
 expectation of the enemy s approach. They alone can 
 understand the watchfulness and care necessary to 
 protect the line as well as the body of the sentinel. 
 Eyes and ears must be ever ready to catch the 
 faintest sound, and the musket must be in place for 
 instant use in the event of an alarm. 
 
48 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 On the 6th December, our Regiment picketed at 
 post No. 5. Whilst on duty there, Companys A, G, 
 and H, were sent on a foraging expedition, and after 
 marching down the Alexandria turnpike as far as 
 Gooding s, the column halted, had details made and 
 the w r agons filled with corn from the fields adjacent. 
 The detachment then returned without experiencing 
 any remarkable adventure. 
 
 We were relieved on the 9th by the Fifth South 
 Carolina Regiment, and returned to camp. On our 
 arrival we received information that two of the " Tiger 
 Rifles," of -Wheat s Battalion, were to be shot for at 
 tempting the life of one of their Lieutenants. The 
 execution took place not very far from our camp, and 
 was witnessed by some of our men. 
 
 During the month of December, orders were issued 
 for the troops to put up winter quarters. 
 
 The companies having wagons and horses put them 
 in requisilion for hauling the materials for build 
 ing. The frame work of dilapidated and deserted 
 dwellings was taken to camp, where we lost no time in 
 erecting good substantial houses, with all the con 
 veniences for cooking, sleeping, &c. we could contrive. 
 On the llth, Major Barbour, Quartermaster of the 
 army, gave a grand entertaiment at his quarters in Cen- 
 terville, to the Generals in command ; among those 
 present, were Johnston, Stuart, Longstreet and Van 
 Dorn. Egg-nog, apple-toddy, mixed and plain liquors 
 of various kinds, with refreshments and substantials, 
 were spread to tempt the appetite and gratify the 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 49 
 
 tastes of all. The party continued their festivities 
 until near the dawn of day. On the 13th, Longstreet 
 had his Division drill (he was the only General who 
 drilled by division.) 
 
 The evolutions of at least fifteen thousand men, 
 enmasse, was a grand sight. Thousands of the army- 
 met as spectators, and no doubt, considered themselves 
 well repaid for coming. 
 
 On the 17th, the left wing of our Regiment went 
 on picket at Post No. 4, and returned to camp on the 
 20th. On the same day, as a foraging party consisting 
 of four regiments with an escort of Stuart s Cavalry- 
 were approaching Drainsville, Loudoun County 
 they were entrapped by a large body of the enemy in 
 ambush, and, after a short and bloody battle, forced 
 to fall back leaving their dead and wounded on the 
 field. The weather was bitterly cold, and the suffer 
 ing of the wounded intense, as they were left lying on 
 frozen ground throughout the night. 
 
 The llth Virginia Regiment, one of our Brigade, 
 lost fifty men in killed, wounded and missing. As 
 the affair was supposed to be the result of carelessness 
 on the part of some one in command, it was more 
 than ordinarily deplored. 
 
 Two days after a number of the dead were brought 
 into Centerville for burial. It was indeed a heart 
 rending sight : frozen stiff, there was no relaxation of 
 muscle to change the posture in which the agonies of 
 death were endured; some lay doubled up, other 
 5 
 
50 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 with their rigid fingers clutched in their clothing or 
 around their acoutrements. 
 
 The following beautifully conceived letter of friend 
 ship and regard, was written by the brave Samuel 
 Garland, Jr., Colonel commanding the llth Virginia 
 volunteers the gallant "Old Eleventh/ 7 and read 
 to our Regiment on dress parade. 
 
 ,\ 
 
 " CAMP OF THE HTH VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS, 
 IST BRIGADE, 2o DIVISION, 
 
 December, 23d, 1861. 
 " COL. M. D. CORSE, 
 
 Commanding 17th Virginia Volunteers, 
 
 " DEAR SIR : I desire to express, on my own behalf, and on be 
 half of the officers and men of the llth Virginia Volunteers, our 
 grateful appeciation of the soldierly friendship, which induced 
 your command to unite in paying the last tribute of respect to 
 those of our gallant comrades, whom we buried 011 yesterday. 
 
 " Such evidences of mutual regard cannot fail to have the effect 
 of increasing the spirit and efficiency of both commands. Rest 
 assured that we shall share together the hardships of the tented 
 field, watching with eager interest the fortunes of the gallant 17th 
 until the day shall come, when their flag shall wave once more in 
 the streets of Alexandria. 
 
 " That our acknowledgment of the act of friendship referred to 
 may be communicated to your command, I request that you will 
 direct your Adjutant to read this note at your evening parade. 
 " I remain, Colonel, with high regard, 
 
 "Your friend and obedient servant, 
 (Signed) " SAMUEL GARLAND, JR., 
 
 "Col. llth Va. Vols." 
 
 The 23d of December, 1861, was a severe day to 
 the soldiers of the army of Northern Virginia. Snow, 
 rain and hail fell in torrents, and as a preventive of 
 colds rations of whisky were issued to the men. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 51 
 
 The "Seventeenth/ 7 so long without a copious 
 supply of " Pine top/ 7 hailed the liquor with delight, 
 and ere the faint beams of twilight s silent hour 
 had retired, about two-thirds of Longstreet s " Bloody 
 Seventeenth " were certainly not frozen. 
 
 Almost every tent and house, both of officers and 
 men, had its canteen swinging near ; in many, upon 
 the floor or "bunk/ 7 were to be seen four or more 
 soldiers engaged in the fascinating game of " Bluff. 77 
 When the cry of " Lights out 77 ran from mouth to 
 mouth along the line of sentinels, the camp became 
 shrouded in darkness but suppose we step into a 
 tent and see if the lights are really " out. 77 Lifting 
 the heavy " fly 77 upon the inside of which an oilcloth 
 is pinned, we enter. Looking around we notice Capt s 
 
 and , Lieut s * * * and o o o (whom 
 
 many of our readers would recognize without the aid 
 of a magnifier) and others, seated comfortably upon a 
 blanket ; each mouth adorned with a pipe from which 
 clouds of smoke are emanating, while their minds are 
 all intent upon the cards before them ; the light is 
 well shaded, so as to be invisible on the outside, as 
 the game goes on under the whispers of the players. 
 Corn or coffee grains are spread around, each repre 
 senting a specified amount, not greater than a dollar. 
 
 From the players, who are steeped in tobacco smoke 
 and " fire-water/ we catch the sentences : " I ll raise 
 you two 7 "I ll go five better " " Can t see it 7 
 " Three Queens " <fec., &c. Thus was the game of 
 "Bluff" often played in our camp, and seldom was it 
 
2 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 finished until the early morning reveille startled the 
 players from their sport. 
 
 The 24th was a continuation of the preceding day, 
 aud many fights, fisticuffs and scuffles, all brought on 
 by whisky, occured, but, as is generally the case, very 
 few were hurt. Two of our officers, allowing full 
 scope to their imbibing capacities, had passed the day 
 quietly together, but towards night the canteen of one 
 failed to furnish him even the agreeable fragrance of 
 " Pine top ; " this not proving congenial with his 
 inclinations, he helped himself from the canteen of his 
 friend. The owner thereof appearing at the moment 
 the destitute one was slacking his thirst at his expense, 
 and not fancying the disappearance of his "fire-water" 
 except through one channel, insisted upon stopping 
 the leak. From words they came to blows, until they 
 knocked each other into the Company street, when 
 the Colonel soon appeared and put them under arrest. 
 
 The following morning they were much surprised 
 to hear of the fight, and rather mortified to feel that 
 they had lost their swords, but it was soon arranged 
 and they were released, becoming firmer friends for the 
 future. 
 
 The 25th (Xmas,) was a keenly cold day, and was 
 rendered far from agreeable under foot by a previous 
 fell of snow and hail. A few broken noses and a little 
 blood unnecessarily spilled were all that disturbed the 
 monotony of our every day life. 
 
 Many of the soldiers at Centerville, during the win 
 ter of 1861 received gifts from their distant homes to 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 53 
 
 replenish their larders ; but those of our Regiment 
 were not so lucky, as our homes were in the hands of 
 the enemy. Silently we watched the wagons, loaded 
 Avith Xmas boxes, pass our camp for more fortunate 
 men ; silently we saw the fat turkey stripped of his 
 flesh in the hands of others ; when suffering, we tried 
 to bear it heroically, though no gentle hand was near 
 to soothe the aching brow ; we were refugees from 
 home, the first in the struggle but no laughter was 
 more unrestrained, more merrily heart-felt than that of 
 the 17th Ya. ; and no sweeter songs than those of 
 Smith, Bradley and the Kidwells, were heard upon the 
 midnight air. 
 
 The New Year was hailed by us all with sundry 
 congratulations toasts, songs, and general hilarity 
 these formed the programme of the day. 
 
 A " home gathering" of some description was given 
 by the captains throughout the Regiment, in and 
 around their tents, thus drawing the hearts of their 
 men more closely to themselves ; whilst officers and 
 men worked as a unit in our common cause : A cause 
 for which much that had formed life s dearest pleasures 
 had been sacrificed without a murmur, and with the 
 determined spirit to yield up life itself, if necessary, in 
 upholding and defending it. 
 
 The day passed with incredible swiftness, and forms 
 an era in our soldier life not to be forgotten by any 
 who were present. 
 
 During the latter part of the winter, many of our 
 men received thirty days furlough, renounced camp 
 5* 
 
54 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 life pro tern, some for a trip to Richmond, others to 
 Lynchburg, and a few to visit distant friends. 
 
 On the 7th of March, 1862, that portion of the army 
 of Northern Virginia stationed near Leesburg, under 
 the command of Gen. Hill, began its evacuation, and 
 inarched via the Plains and Warrenton to the vicinity 
 of Culpeper Court House. 
 
 On the 9th, those at Centerville composing the main 
 army, broke camp and fell back slowly towards Cul 
 peper, passing through Warrenton. Thousands of 
 pounds of bacon, flour and other army stores were 
 burned, indeed, there was a general destruction of 
 whatever could not be made transportable. 
 
 Our Regiment, in company with Longstreet s Divis 
 ion passed through Warrenton on the llth, the men 
 in high spirits ; the boy s making the welkin ring with 
 their merry songs. Most of the army reached the 
 neighborhood of Orange Court House on the 17th of 
 March, 1862. Our Regiment encamped on Taylor s 
 farm about one and a half miles south-west of the vil 
 lage. The rains had been heavy, hence the ground 
 was in bad condition for camping. Many of the men 
 were unfitted for duty from sickness occasioned by 
 fatigue and exposure during the inclement weather 
 while falling back. On the 26th, our camp was re 
 moved a short distance to a more comfortable location, 
 and the companies resumed the drill and parades. 
 
 While in this camp, Col. A. P. Hill was promoted 
 to Brig. Gen., and assigned the command of our Brig 
 ade, vice Gen. Ewell, promoted. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 55 
 
 On the 17th of March, Maj. G. \V. Brent, whose 
 social companionship had quickened the dragging 
 hours of many a dreary march, was detached from our 
 Regiment by order of Gen. Beauregard, and assigned 
 to duty as Inspector General of the army of the West. 
 The severing of a tie, that for nearly a year had given 
 so much pleasure to all, was a source of deep regret ; 
 but like true soldiers, we were aware that duty must 
 forestall pleasure. 
 
 Subsequently, he was assigned to duty as Adjutant 
 General, and retained the position until the close of 
 the war, having served as such under, Gen. s Beaure 
 gard, Bragg, Hardee and Johnston. His career was 
 one of hardships and excessive toils ; he participated 
 in the battles of Shiloh, Farmington, Richmond and 
 Perryville, in Kentucky, Murfreesborough, Chicka- 
 mauga, Chattanooga, and was present in several battles 
 around Petersburg. 
 
56 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 THE PENINSULA. 
 
 ABOUT the 6th of April the army of Northern 
 Virginia left Orange Court House, taking the route 
 towards Fredericksburg. Our Regiment proceeded by 
 the road to Louisa Court House, and during the march 
 was subjected to the discomforts of a severe snow storm 
 which, together with previous rains, made the roads 
 almost impassable. 
 
 The men bore their trials with veteran fortitude, 
 and, with few exceptions, presented themselves in due 
 time at the end of the day s march. 
 
 After bivouacing near Louisa for two days, where 
 rations of good whisky were issued, the march was re 
 sumed and continued to within a few miles of Rich 
 mond. 
 
 On the 14th, the camp near Richmond was aban 
 doned. The Regiment moved through the city, took 
 transports on the James River, and passed down to 
 King s Mill, where a landing was made. On the 17th, 
 the trenches around Yorktown were reached, where 
 Gen. McClellan was concentrating his army prior to 
 the movement against Richmond. 
 
 Gen. Magruder \vas in charge of the Confederate 
 forces at this point until the army arrived, when Gen. 
 Jos. E. Johnston was assigned the command. About 
 two weeks were spent in the trenches, during which 
 the men suffered severely. We were daily annoyed by 
 artillery and sharp-shooters, from which our Regiment 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 57 
 
 lost one man killed and had several wounded, viz : 
 Sergt. J. "W. Ivors, Co. G, severely wounded, from 
 the effects of which he died ; Private A. F. Skidmore, 
 Co. E, killed; Privates Lyman Coons, Co. D, and 
 H. Biggs, Co. E, wounded. 
 
 On the 26th of April, the Regiment was re-organ 
 ized in accordance with a recent law of Congress. Col. 
 M. D. Corse was re-elected Colonel. Capt. M. Marye 
 was elected Lieutenant Colonel ; Capt. A. Herbert, 
 Major. 
 
 Lieut. A. J. Humphreys was elected Captain of Com 
 pany A, vice, Marye, promoted ; Capt. R. H. Simpson 
 was re-elected Captain of Co. B ; Capt. Geo. R. Head 
 was re-elected Captain of Co. C ; but resigning on the 
 28th, Lieut. W. B. Lynch was elected in his stead ; 
 Lieut. J. T. Burke was elected Captain of Co. D; 
 Lieut. James M. Steuart was elected Captain of Co. 
 E ; Lieut. Grayson Tyler was elected Captain of Co. 
 F ; Lieut. R. F. Knox was elected Captain of Co. G ; 
 Lieut. W. H. Fowle, Jr., was promoted to the Cap 
 taincy of Co. H, vice A. Herbert, promoted ; Lieut. 
 Raymond Fairfax was elected Captain of Co. I, and 
 Lieut. J. D. Kirby was elected Captain of Co. K. 
 
 On the 3d of May, a retreat becoming necessary, the 
 army was quietly withdrawn under the Generalship of 
 Jos. E. Johnston, the enemy not being aware of the 
 movement until the following morning. Williams- 
 burg was reached on the morning of the 4th, after a 
 severe night march, over roads in truly deplorable con 
 dition from recent heavy rains. The men spent the 
 
58 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 day in the town ; in the afternoon, our Regiment was 
 ordered into line of battle near by, where we slept on 
 our arms. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 5th the enemy advanc 
 ed, and our batteries opened upon them. About 10 
 o clock our Infantry moved to the front, and engaged 
 the Federals in a most desperate fight, which lasted 
 throughout the day. The rain poured without inter 
 mission, but the men fought stubbornly ; gradually 
 but surely we gained ground. It was a hotly contest 
 ed field on which the blood of many a brave heart 
 flowed freely, for the troops in both armies fought with 
 irreproachable valor. 
 
 The following extracts from the official reports of 
 Brigadier General Hill and Colonel M. D. Corse will 
 show the part so nobly sustained by the Seventeenth 
 Virginia Regiment : 
 
 General Hill says : 
 
 " Colonel Corse, calm and equable as a May mom- 
 ing, bore himself like a true soldier throughout. 
 
 " Lieutenant Colonel Marye and Major Herbert 
 were brave, active and energetic in the discharge of 
 their duties. 
 
 "Among those who, by the fortunes of war, were 
 most prominently brought forward and noticed arc 
 Captain R. H. Simpson ; Cadet J. Herbert Bryant, 
 Acting Adjutant; Color Sergeant Mahlon G. Hatcher, 
 and Color Corporal Henry N. Bradley. This Regi 
 ment mourns the loss of three gallant officers Capt. 
 Humphreys, Lieuts. Addison and Carter." 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 59 
 
 Colonel Corse says : 
 
 " My field officers, Lieutenant Col. Morton Marye, 
 and Major Arthur Herbert are entitled to my highest 
 admiration for their gallantry and great activity in 
 inspiring the men with confidence and encouraging 
 them forward. My Acting Adjutant, Cadet J. Her 
 bert Bryant, displayed great zeal and courage, moving 
 from one end of the line to the other, cheering the 
 men on. Capt. Robert H. Simpson of Company B, 
 won my praise for his perfect coolness and self- 
 possession, keeping his company well in line, and 
 directing their fire with telling effect. 
 
 Capt. Wm. B. Lynch, Company C ; Capt. J. T. Burke, 
 Company D; Capt. James M. Steuart, Company E; 
 Capt, Grayson Tyler, Company F; Capt, Robert F. 
 Knox, Company G ; Capt. "Wm. H. Fowle, Company 
 II ; Capt. James D. Kirby, Company K ; and Lieut, 
 Thomas O Shea commanding Company I, did their 
 duty faithfully and well. Never was a Regimental 
 Commander more zealously supported by his company 
 officers. When subaltern officers universally behaved 
 so well, I cannot mention one individual without 
 doing injustice to the others. Among the non-commis 
 sioned officers and men, I witnessed innumerable 
 instances of distinguished courage, many refusing to 
 leave the field, though suffering from painful wounds. 
 Capt. A. J. Huphreys commanding Company A, my 
 late Adjutant, and one nearest my person during the 
 past year, fell about one o clock mortally wounded, 
 bravely leading his company. Of him, I must say a 
 
60 HISTORY GF TUB 
 
 more gallant or better soldier never led men to battle, 
 Lieut. John F. Addison of Company G, fell dead 
 about the same time. His remarkable activity and 
 intrepidity came frequently under my notice during 
 the action. Lieut. "W. L. Carter was killed early in 
 the day cheering his men on. He was a steady, deter 
 mined soldier. These officers were amongst the most 
 beloved in the Regiment, and their loss is deeply 
 mourned. Color Sergeant Mahlon G. Hatcher was 
 severely wounded in the arm, while courageously 
 bearing the colors to the front. Color Corporal H. N. 
 Bradley was badly wounded in the face, while steadily 
 moving forward in his place." 
 
 The enemy having been at last driven at every 
 point, the battle proved a victory to our forces ; they 
 remained that night upon the field and commenced 
 
 eir retreat from Williamsburg on the following morn 
 ing. Many of our wounded, who were unable to move, 
 were left in Williamsburg and fell into the hands of 
 the enemy. Our march was slow and toilsome ; on 
 the 9th, we reached the Christian Farm, near the Long 
 Bridge, w T here we rested several days. 
 
 The hardships of those memorable three days march, 
 were not equalled during the war, though the men of 
 the army bore them unmurmuringly. The enemy 
 hugged close upon the rear for some distance, but hav 
 ing had a taste of the fangs of the " bull dog warrior," 
 who defended and protected the rear of the army, they 
 preferred not giving him another opportunity to bite, 
 contenting themselves with watching at a safe distance. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 61 
 
 From Long Bridge we fell back to a camp near 
 Richmond, and for several weeks did picket duty at 
 Deep Bottom, on the James ; there the line of skirm 
 ishers had a fight with a gunboat and had one man 
 wounded. 
 
 The loss of the Seventeenth Virginia, in the battle 
 of Williamsburg, amounted to about sixty-five men 
 and officers killed and wounded about thirty per 
 cent, of the number engaged. Our camp was again 
 moved, and we settled near the city of Richmond. 
 
 General McClellan, in command of the Army of the 
 Potomac, had moved his forces nearer Richmond and 
 fixed his lines, bordering the Chickahominy river, 
 upon grounds of his own choosing. The men of the 
 army, under General Johnston, were busy strengthen 
 ing the works around the " City of Seven Hills," and 
 in recruiting and filling up their decimated ranks. 
 
 Richmond was filled with people from all parts of 
 the country, of every grade, from the earnest sympa 
 thizers in our cause to the Shy locks, who came like 
 vultures to seize upon any prey within range of their 
 tender mercies, whether citizen or soldier, widow or 
 orphan ; and it is to this class of people, whether 
 native or imported, may be justly attributed the down 
 fall of the Southern Confederacy ; to them rightfully 
 belongs the opprobrium which fraud and extortion 
 should ever bring upon their votaries ! It is needless 
 to say, these people remained in civil life, pursuing 
 what ever avocations would best accomplish their 
 ends. 
 
62 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 While we were recruiting strength to defend our 
 Capitol, Gen l McClellaii was weaving, as he believed, 
 a powerful net in which to entrap and crush us at one 
 blow ; but it proved a mightier task than even his 
 great military genius had imagined. Fever and ague, 
 malignant fevers, and disease of every description, 
 occasioned by the miasma arising from the surround 
 ing swamps, mowed down his men by thousands. 
 Mired in mud that precluded the use of wheels, he 
 could only rest on his oars until a more propitious 
 season, a delay which afforded us ample time to mass 
 a considerable force in his front. As the time 
 approached for us to make a bold stroke, stringent 
 orders were issued and great care taken to keep the 
 men from straying off. The roads leading to and from 
 Richmond were guarded, and a Major General s pass 
 required to effect an entrance thereto, while her streets 
 were lined with armed men fully empowered to enforce 
 these regulations ; running the blockade at that time 
 was far from child s play. Our Regiment (Seventeenth 
 Virginia) was a fair sample, we may judge, of our 
 confreres in arms generally, and of it it may be truth 
 fully told that no opportunity was allowed to pass 
 unimproved which w r ould bring us within range of the 
 bright eyes and gentle words of our lady friends. The 
 gauntlet was run regardless of distance or danger, for 
 where was the Soldier Boy in those days for whose 
 coming no fair one watched in our beautiful " Modern 
 Rome," so renowned for the loveliness and nobleness 
 of her daughters ? 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 3 
 
 Partial list of casualties in the Seventeenth Virginia 
 Regiment, at the battle of Williamsburg, May 5th, 
 1862. 
 
 Field and Staff Color Sergeant M. G. Hatcher, 
 wounded. 
 
 Company A Killed, Capt. A. J. Humphreys ; 
 Privates, F. H. Abbott and E.V . Fairfax. Wounded, 
 Lieut. John Addison, Sergeants J. H. McVeigh, Jr., 
 and S. B. Paul; the former badly; Privates R. C. 
 Johnston, E. T. Taliaferro, T. B. Turner, C. H. 
 McKnight, J. N. Swann, and H. S. Hite ; the last 
 two died of their wounds. 
 
 Company B Killed, Privates, Peyton Scroggin 
 and John W. Chrisman ; wounded, Lieut. Win. Rich 
 ardson, mortally, and Sergt. W. A. Rust, badly. 
 
 Company C Killed, Privates Jas. H. Sibbett and 
 Chas. E. Wright ; wounded, Privates R. Burke and 
 John L. A. Murphy ; the latter died of his wounds. 
 
 Company D Killed, none; wounded, Privates S. 
 D. Mills, D. A. Marks and J. Cook. 
 
 Company E Killed, Privates Thos. Padgett and 
 Jos. Penn ; wounded, Corp. S. S. Coleman, severely. 
 
 Company F Killed, Lieut. W. L. Carter and Pri 
 vate B. Gray son. Wounded, Privates F. Ebhardt, A. 
 J. Carter and M. R. Newman. 
 
 Company G Killed, Lieut. John F. Addison and 
 Private John Murfee. 
 
 Company H Killed, Privates Clinton Ballenger 
 and P. Lannon. Wounded, Sergt. James E. Grimes ; 
 
64 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Corp. E. G. Barbour, both died of wounds ; Color 
 Corporal H. N. Bradley ; Private H. S. Pitts. 
 
 Company I None reported. 
 
 Company K Killed, Private Richard Payne ; 
 \YOimded, Privates James A. Singleton, J. O. Pember- 
 ton and Wm. M. Spillman, the last two, badly. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. ($5 
 
 THE BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND. 
 
 WHEN night closed in on the 30th May, 1862, 
 blindingly vivid lightning and loud crashes of 
 thunder betokened the approach of a storm,which soon 
 burst forth in terrific fury. "Wind and rain penetrated 
 everwhere; the camps were soon deluged and the men 
 subjected to great inconvenience, for the darkness was 
 impenetrable except when the heavens were illumined 
 with electric flashes. Thus it continued until mid 
 night ; as it abated the men were endeavoring to quiet 
 themselves down for at least a short nap, when a 
 courier rode hastily to the Colonel s quarters, the long 
 roll beat and the cry of " Turn out ! turn out ! " re 
 sounded on all sides. 
 
 The order to prepare two days rations was issued, 
 and the men instructed to be ready to march at a 
 moment s notice. As day dawned the drum sounded, 
 and the Brigade falling into line moved noiselessly away. 
 Passing around the suburbs of the city, we struck 
 the Williamsburg road. Small streams swollen into 
 rivers by the storm, had to be forded by the troops. 
 
 When about five miles from R. the Brigade halted, 
 then moved into an open field on the left of the road, 
 and awaited orders. About ten minutes to one o clock 
 the first gun was heard in our front, and the battle of 
 " Seven Pines " or " Fair Oaks " was opened. Not 
 many minutes elapsed ere the sounds of rapid firing 
 6* 
 
66 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 from the pickets rolled towards us, then gradually the 
 roar of heavy musketry and the air filled with the 
 din of strife and carnage. 
 
 During this time the Brigade moved forward and 
 took its position to the right and in rear of the fight 
 ing. The battle continued during the entire afternoon. 
 About four o clock P. M. the order for our Brigade 
 to move to the front was received, and, following 
 Kemper, we double quicked, marching at the rate of 
 seven miles an hour. It was the last march of many 
 a noble soldier. The distance was more than a mile to 
 the battle field, and as we filed to the right at Barker s 
 house, our left flank was exposed to one of the heaviest 
 assaults of lead and canister that we had ever passed 
 through. The order to charge was given, and the 
 men moved briskly to their work. The following 
 extracts, as copied from the official report of the Col 
 onel commading the Seventeenth Virginia, will show 
 the part sustained by it in this battle. 
 
 "At 4 o clock P. M., I moved my Eegiment by the 
 left flank, following the Eleventh in double-quick 
 time for one and a half miles down the Williamsburg 
 road, passing for five hundred yards under a heavy ar 
 tillery and infantry fire, to a wood pile to the left of 
 the Barker House, where we halted for a few minutes 
 to close up the ranks and permit the men to recover 
 breath ; the Eleventh was soon put in motion. I fol 
 lowed by the left flank, filing to the right in front of 
 the redoubt and rear of the Barker House and the 
 enemy s camp, and the open space beyond, encounter- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 67 
 
 ing a galling infantry fire from the enemy stationed in 
 the edge of the woods, and meeting numbers of our 
 own troops falling back, which prevented me from 
 presenting a compact line to the enemy. After ad 
 vancing some distance, I received an order to fall back 
 and re-form behind the trenches, which was done in 
 tolerably good order, which position we held until 
 near nightfall, holding the enemy in check until they 
 were driven from their position." 
 
 " The Regiment was then re-formed with the Brigade, 
 and moved forward through the enemy s camp and oc 
 cupied the w r oods beyond, from which they had been 
 driven. About 9 o clock P. M. we were withdrawn, 
 and bivouaced a mile to the right and rear of the posi 
 tion occupied by the Brigade in the afternoon." 
 
 " In the advance into the enemy s camp, Color Cor 
 poral Morrill was struck down, wounded in three 
 places, and rose upon his elbow to cheer the men for 
 ward. The colors were caught by Capt. Raymond 
 Fairfax, Company I, and handed to Color Corporal 
 Diggs, who instantly fell wounded ; they were then 
 taken by Private Harper, Company E, who retained 
 them until the close of the day. Sergeant Major 
 Francis fell mortally wounded some distance in ad 
 vance of the Regiment ; he w^as a gallant soldier and 
 most estimable gentleman. Sergeant Basey, Company 
 F, was killed while gallantly charging the enemy far 
 in advance of the Regiment. Lieut. Win. Gray was 
 killed whilst bravely cheering his men on. His con 
 duct has been remarkable for heroism on every occa- 
 
68 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sion in which he has been under fire. Capt. Knox, 
 Company G, Capt. Fowle, Company H, and Capt. 
 Burke, Company D, were wounded whilst leading 
 their companies. Lieut. Adie was wounded whilst 
 gallantly doing his duty. Lieut. Thos. V. Fitzhugh 
 received a wound, whilst passing through a shower of 
 lead, in the voluntary act of carrying an order to 
 Colonel Moore, of the Alabama Regiment ; Ma 
 jor Herbert was wounded w 7 hilst passing through a 
 sheet of fire to take charge, by your order, of some 
 companies of Col. Moore s Regiment, to the right and 
 rear of our position, having volunteered for the ser 
 vice, Col. Moore having previously fallen desperately 
 wounded ; Col. Marye acted with his usual gallantry. 7 
 
 " It gives me great pleasure to say that I was well 
 and bravely sustained by my company officers. I 
 could record many instances of distinguished courage 
 among the non-commissioned officers and men, but for 
 fear of leaving out some who are really deserving, I 
 shall merely say, that with very few exceptions they 
 all did their duty faithfully and well." 
 
 While holding the line beyond the enemy s camp, 
 after nightfall, the men stood in water from one to 
 three feet deep, surrounded on all sides by the dead 
 and dying. It was a soul-harrowing position. On 
 our return to the rear we passed through the camps, 
 where many secured blankets and " grub," - two 
 invaluable acquisitions to cold and hungry men. The 
 loss of our Regiment in this battle was very heavy, 
 over 70 having fallen killed and wounded in a few 
 minutes. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 69 
 
 Partial list of casualties in the Seventeenth Virginia 
 Eegiment at the battle of Seven Pines, May 31st, 
 1862: 
 
 Field and Staff Killed, Sergeant Major J. F. Fran 
 cis ; wounded, Major A. Herbert. 
 
 Company A Wounded, Sergt. W. E. H. Clagett, 
 severely; Privates A. C. Fairfax, severely, R. W. 
 Avery and M. L. Price, slightly. 
 
 Company B Killed, Private E. Broy; wounded, 
 Private Stephen Carder, who died from his wounds. 
 
 Company C Wounded, Privates C. H. Bradfield 
 and D. Wallace. 
 
 Company D Wounded, Capt. J. T. Burke, Sergt. 
 R. Steel, and Private C. Cornwell ; Killed, Privates 
 Thos. W. Lynn and C. R. Pettett. 
 
 Company E Killed, Private Jas. E. Molair ; 
 wounded, Lieut. Wm. Simpson ; Privates R. Roland, 
 G. Kreig, A. W. Hicks, D. Bruin and R. Allison. 
 
 Company F Killed, Sergeants E. Basey and Wm. 
 R. Smith ; Privates J. D. Brady and E. W. Burgess. 
 Wounded, Lieut. S. Harrison, Corp. Jesse S. Rogers ; 
 Privates E. W. Clowe, M. F. Davis, R. Watson and 
 Chas. Cogan. 
 
 Company G Killed, Lieut. Wm. E. Gray; Privates 
 P. Doyle and P. Harrington. Wounded, Capt. R. F. 
 Knox. 
 
 Company II Killed, Privates W. J. Higdon, W. 
 H. Lunt, John S. Murray and Rodie Whittington. 
 Wounded, Captain W. H. Fowle, Jr., severely, Lieut. 
 Thos. V. Fitzhugh, died of wound ; Privates D. H. 
 
70 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Appich, ill head, J. W. Baldwin, died of wound, E. 
 
 F. Baldwin, Jas. Godwin and "VV. J. Hall, all severely ; 
 A. Calmus, R. Young, S. D. Smith and S. K. Sowers, 
 slightly. 
 
 Company I Wounded, Lieut. Geo. C. Adie and 
 private P. Eyan. 
 
 Company K Killed, Privates Thos. F. Kane and 
 R. Love. Wounded, Lieut. A. M. Brodie, severely ; 
 Color Corp. C. W. Diggs, severely ; Privates John E. 
 Fisher and Henry Payne. 
 
 In the height of the battle, when the fire was hottest, 
 the voice of a wounded officer, Capt. Knox, Company 
 
 G, was heard in our front, calling for some one to 
 move him out of range of the enemy s fire ; im 
 mediately, Lieut. Kell, Company H ; Lieut. Powers, 
 Company G ; Privates Harrigan, Company G, and 
 Ashby, Company A, all of the Seventeenth sprang 
 forward over the parapet and seizing him in their 
 arms bore him to a place of safety. 
 
 About nine o clock on Sunday morning, July 1st, 
 we were again ordered to the front, and took position 
 in support of Stuart s Horse Artillery, stationed in the 
 captured fort, near the Barker House. The battle 
 was again opened to the left of the Williamsburg 
 road in our front soon after our arrival, and for 
 several hours we witnessed, (without engaging in it,) 
 the grandeur of an Infantry combat, about three 
 hundred yards distant. Several lines of the enemy, 
 making charge after charge without effect, finally gave 
 it up and withdrew, leaving us victors and possessors 
 of the entire battle field. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 71 
 
 Watkins of Company H, and Hunter of Company 
 A, were particularly conspicious in the heat of the 
 first day s fight, for bravery and unearing aim. Guns 
 were loaded by the boys around them, arid the two 
 standing upon the embankment, fired as rapidly as 
 they could take the guns ; the colors of a regiment in 
 front were cut down three times in succession. 
 
 Sunday morning, while the bullets were cutting the 
 air, and the shells of the enemy were spluttering 
 around, several of the boys performed the last sad 
 offices for the dead of Company H, who fell in the 
 battle the day before. A grave was dug in the circle of 
 the fort, and the remains of the gallant dead, Higdon, 
 Lunt, Murray and Whittington were laid side by side 
 therein, with their blankets folded carefully about 
 them. The last named had joined the Company but a 
 few hours previous, and in the flower of youth w r as 
 cut down, without even a sight of the enemy that slew 
 him. As soldiers they met their death in the path of 
 duty and were awarded a soldier s grave a burial in 
 the midst of strife. 
 
 Sadly were the duties performed, and the tears that 
 again start forth in the review of these pages, bespeak 
 in strong, deep language, a memory, that words are too 
 feeble to portray. 
 
 The gifted, loved and noble Morrill, (the one who 
 fired the first gun on the morning of the 24th of May, 
 1861,) as brave a man as ever entered battle, fell on 
 Saturday, proudly waving in the enemy s face the bat- 
 
72 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 tie-torn banner of the Seventeenth Virginia Regi- 
 ment. As he fell, courageous and true to the last, his 
 memory will ever be enshrined in the hearts of those 
 who knew him. 
 
 About noon, the Brigade moved position to the ex 
 treme right of our line, and, after throwing up rifle 
 pits, awaited further orders. 
 
 This battle, in which the Confederates lost over 
 5,000 men, was one of the hottest of the war. Gen. 
 Johnston was severely wounded in the shoulder and 
 sent to Kichmond. The command of the army was 
 then given to Gen. R. E. Lee. 
 
 On Monday night, June 2d, the troops were with 
 drawn, and our Regiment returned to its camp. Sev 
 eral days after, our camping-ground was moved to a 
 point on the left of the Williamsburg road and about 
 two miles from the city. 
 
 While in this camp, very little of interest beyond 
 the usual routine occurred, and the 25th of June soon 
 dawned. 
 
 At this time, orders were issued for the troops to 
 prepare to march ; this being done, we awaited further 
 orders, which were received on the following morning. 
 Our Regiment formed and moved out from camp in 
 company with the Brigade. Numbers of troops were 
 moving in different directions, and brigade after brig 
 ade was passed as we marched partly around and halt 
 ed on the suburbs of the city, near the Mechanicsville 
 turnpike. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 73 
 
 We remained in this position until late in the day. 
 About four o clock in the afternoon, the guns of Gen 
 eral Hill were heard in our front, as he moved his 
 Division against the enemy who were strongly posted 
 around the village of Mechanicsville, three miles dis 
 tant from us. The battle was continued until late at 
 night before the enemy gave way, and many on both 
 sides were killed and wounded. 
 
 About dark we moved forward, and halted on the 
 narrow causeway crossing the Chickahominy Swamps, 
 where the night was spent, the men and officers sleep 
 ing on the gravel road. 
 
 While we were all sound asleep, and no doubt many 
 dreaming of what the morrow would bring, a horse 
 broke loose from his halter, and knocking clown several 
 stacks of arms, caused quite a commotion in our midst ; 
 the cry of "Look out! Yankees!" &c., &c. r broke 
 frightfully upon the ear. Many being half awake r 
 must have thought the enemy were really upon us, for, 
 like frogs chased by bad boys, they went into the adja 
 cent ditches headforemost. About fifty were com 
 pletely drenched, and looked not quite so self-possessed 
 as usual when the cause was discovered. 
 
 Early on Friday morning, (27th,) we crossed the 
 river and moved slowly forward in direction of the 
 battle then in progress. Before our arrival, General 
 Hill had driven the foe before him after a sharp con 
 flict, and was following close upon his heels. We 
 passed many of the dead and wounded of both armies 
 in our march. The Federal troops had fired the stores, 
 7 
 
74 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 camps, and surplus baggage ; clouds of smoke filled the 
 air before us as we advanced. The enemy had in readi 
 ness for our reception a strong line of works well 
 manned in the vicinity of Gaines s Mill, against which 
 our army was put in position ready to drive them out. 
 Their line was so well chosen and so strong, that time, 
 perseverance, and superior generalship were required 
 to dislodge them. 
 
 Longstreet, with the Hills in his front, opened bat 
 tle upon the well organized and equipped troops of 
 General McClellan s army, about noon. 
 
 Brisk cannonading was continued and good show 
 made in the enemy s front. In the afternoon, a single 
 gun was heard far in the enemy s rear, then another 
 and another, until the forest around resounded with 
 echo upon echo of artillery reports. 
 
 Soon the truth, like lightning, flashed upon us and 
 was carried down the line, that " Stonewall Jackson" 
 had arrived, and the guns heard were his. Now, 
 kind reader, imagine the result ! A yell of joy broke 
 forth, such as may well have struck terror to the hearts 
 of the enemy, and the lines, as if by magic, moved for 
 ward to the charge. 
 
 Over hill and vale, field and morass, swept the Con 
 federates, until the entire line of the Federals was car 
 ried by the bayonet. 
 
 The enemy, like a wounded lion at bay, fought with 
 desperation, doing all in his power to keep back the 
 advancing, victorious army of General Lee. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 75 
 
 The intrepid McClellan, by far the best General in 
 the Federal army, had found his match in General 
 E. E. Lee, while the flank movement of " Stonewall 
 Jackson " (peace to his noble ashes !) completely out 
 witted the " Mogul " of the Chickahominy, and caused 
 him to seek safety in flight. Our Regiment was not 
 engaged in this fight, being held in reserve, conse 
 quently it lost none of its men. 
 
 The number of killed and wounded on both sides 
 was great ; the fields and woods for miles were filled 
 with the dead and dying. "We spent the night on the 
 battle-field, part of the Regiment doing picket duty in 
 the Chickahominy swamps. During the first night, as 
 many as forty of the wounded enemy died in our 
 midst, and numbers during Saturday ; most of the day 
 mentioned w r as employed in removing the wounded and 
 burying the dead. Just after the battle ended on Fri 
 day night, companies H and K took charge of 1,400 
 prisoners and escorted them to General Lee s quarters ; 
 after guarding them during the night these companies 
 were relieved by cavalry and returned to the Regiment. 
 Many of us saw General Lee take his breakfast in the 
 saddle, about daylight on the following morning, before 
 the cavalry relieved us. 
 
 Coming out of the house in which he had passed the 
 night, a slice of bread and ham in his hand, he mounted 
 his " charger " and calling out to his aids, he said : 
 " Come, boys, it is time for us to be off," and, suiting 
 his actions to his words, he galloped away, followed by 
 his staff. 
 
76 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 General McClellan s army had taken the direction 
 of the Seven Pines battle-field, having crossed the 
 Chickahominy via the " Grapevine " and " McClellan " 
 bridges. A division had been sent to y cut off his retreat, 
 but failed, and he was allowed to proceed towards the 
 James River. 
 
 On Sunday morning, our Brigade crossed at " Grape 
 vine " bridge, and followed the enemy at a rapid pace ; 
 the day was very sultry, and numbers of the men fell 
 by the wayside from exhaustion. Reaching the vicin 
 ity of the enemy, on Frazier s farm, on Monday morn 
 ing, June 30th, 1862, the Brigade was formed into line 
 and arrangements made for battle. Our position was 
 on the right, and our Regiment was on the extreme 
 right of the line. 
 
 In the afternoon, about 4 o clock, we were ordered 
 to charge a battery on the opposite hill, near the Fra- 
 zier s farm mansion, and the troops moved forward 
 briskly to the work. The guns of the enemy were 
 abandoned, and we had possession of that portion of 
 the field for a short time ; but a terrific fire from the 
 front and an enfilading fire from both flanks caused 
 us to fall back ; the Brigade having been unsupported, 
 a retreat was compulsory. The vastly superior num 
 bers of the enemy enabled them to almost surround 
 us, causing the Brigade a severe loss in killed, wounded 
 and missing. 
 
 The following extracts from official reports will show 
 the part sustained by this Regiment. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 77 
 
 Col. M. D. Corse says : 
 
 " Capt. Simpson s Company (B) and Capt. Kirby s 
 Company (K) were sent forward as skirmishers, with 
 orders to advance about two hundred and fifty yards, 
 and, if they met the enemy, to engage them. The 
 Regiment remained in position until about 4 o clock, 
 when I received an order to advance with the other 
 regiments of the Brigade, which was done with spirit 
 and enthusiasm. After moving forward about fifteen 
 hundred yards, a great part of the way through dense 
 woods, the ground covered with thick undergrowth, 
 fallen timber and swamps, which rendered it totally 
 impracticable to keep a compact alignment, we en 
 countered the enemy s infantry in large force, with a 
 battery in position playing upon us with grape and 
 canister for some minutes, when the left of the line of 
 the Brigade commenced to fall back, and an order for 
 similar movement was sent along the line ; from whom 
 it originated I cannot tell. Soon after, the enemy ap 
 peared in large force on our right and left flanks ; the 
 men stubbornly stood their ground until greatly out 
 numbered, and, seeing no support on either flank, I 
 rallied a few men on the colors and slowly fell back, 
 making repeated stands facing the enemy, and finally 
 reached the position occupied before the advance was 
 made. The right companies of my Regiment came 
 upon the enemy in an open field and drove them from 
 a breastwork made of some fencing and earth ; my left 
 companies w r ere in the woods, engaging the enemy in 
 front and on their right. 
 7* 
 
78 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 " The only field officer I had with me, Lieut. Col. 
 Marye, behaved with distinguished gallantry, and all 
 the company officers, as far as I could observe, did 
 their duty bravely and well. The non-commissioned 
 officers and men lost none of their reputation for valor 
 won at < Bull Eun/ ( Williamsburg/ and Seven 
 Pines/ "******* 
 
 Brig. Gen. Kemper says : 
 
 " This Brigade left its camp on the Williamsburg 
 road about dawn on the morning of Thursday, the 
 26th ultimo, numbering fourteen hundred and thirty- 
 three muskets, and provided with three days 7 rations, 
 which were carried by the men in their haversacks. 
 The Division being inarched left in front during the 
 late operations on the north side of the Chickahominy, 
 the First Brigade brought up the rear of its line, and 
 was not ordered into any of the actions which occurred 
 prior to Monday, 30th ultimo. It was held in reserve, 
 however, in immediate proximity to the battle-fields 
 of the 26th and 27th ultimo, as well as that of the 1st 
 inst., in readiness to be thrown into action at a mo 
 ment s notice." 
 
 " Upon the 30th ultimo, the Division was halted in 
 the vicinty of the enemy, on the road leading through 
 Frazier s farm, and under the orders of Brigadier 
 General E. H. Anderson, commanding the Division, 
 I formed my command in line of battle on the right 
 and nearly perpendicular to the road ; one regiment 
 of the Second Brigade being posted in line between 
 my left and the road. My command constituted th e 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 79 
 
 extreme right . of our general line of battle, and was 
 posted upon the rear edge of a dense body of timber ; 
 the Seventeenth Virginia Regiment (Colonel M. D. 
 Corse,) occupying the right ; the Twenty-fourth Vir 
 ginia Regiment, (Lieut. Colonel Hairston command 
 ing,) the left ; the First Virginia, (Capt. Norton com 
 manding,) the centre ; the Eleventh Virginia, (Capt. 
 O.ey commanding,) the right centre, and the Seventh 
 Virginia, (Colonel W. T. Fatten,) the left centre. 
 Soon after getting into position, I received orders 
 from Major General Longstreet, to use the utmost 
 care in guarding against any movement of the enemy 
 upon my right, and I at once caused Colonel Corse, of 
 the right regiment, to change front to rear on his 
 left company, so that his regiment formed an obtuse 
 angle with the line of the Brigade, and fronted ob 
 liquely to the right. I also caused two companies of 
 this regiment to move forward from Corse s new 
 front, as skirmisers, under command of Capt. Simpson. 
 After advancing several hundred yards, these skirm 
 ishers were halted upon the rear edge of an open field, a 
 good view of which was commanded from their position. 
 I also posted Rogers Battery of four pieces upon an 
 open eminence, near the right of my line, and in 
 supporting distance of Corse s Regiment ; the position 
 being such as to command an extensive field upon my 
 right. About five o clock, P. M., an order being 
 received from Major General Longstreet to advance 
 my line, I immediately, in person, ordered Colonel 
 Corse to change his front forward so as to bring the 
 
80 MS TORY OF THE 
 
 right of his Kegirnent up to the Brigade line, and 
 sent my staff along the line towards the left, so as to 
 ensure the simultaneous advance of the entire line. 
 The Brigade advanced in line of battle steadily and 
 in good order, notwithstanding the unevenness of the 
 ground, which, in places, was almost precipitous, the 
 entangled undergrowth which filled the woods, and 
 the firing of one of the enemy s batteries located 
 directly in front, which rapidly threw shell and round 
 shot over and almost in the midst of my command. 
 The advance continued to be conducted in good order, 
 until very soon coming upon the packets of the enemy, 
 and driving them in, the men seemed to be possessed 
 with the idea that they were upon the enemy s main line, 
 and, in an instant, the whole Brigade charged forward 
 in double-quick time, and with loud cheers. Nothing 
 could have been more chivalrously done, and nothing 
 could have been more unfortunate, as the cheering of 
 the men only served to direct the fire of the enemy s 
 batteries; and the movement in double-quick time 
 through dense woods, over rough ground, encumbered 
 with matted undergrowth, and crossed by a swamp, 
 had the effect of producing more or less confusion, 
 and breaking the continuity of the line, which, how 
 ever, was preserved as well as it possibly could have 
 been under the circumstances. But a single idea 
 seemed to control the minds of the men, which was to 
 reach the enemy s line by the most direct route, and 
 in the shortest time ; and no earthly power could have 
 availed to arrest or restrain the impetuosity with 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. gl 
 
 which they rushed towards the foe, for my orders pre 
 viously given, with great care and emphasis, to the 
 assembled field officers of the Brigade, forbade any 
 movement in double-quick time over such ground, 
 when the enemy Avere not in view." 
 
 " The obstructions were such as to make it impossi 
 ble for any officer to see more than a few files of his 
 men at one view, and it was apparent that any effort 
 to halt and re-form the entire Brigade would be futile, 
 and would only serve to produce increased confusion. 
 But whatever the error of the men in advancing too 
 rapidly, in disregard of previous orders to the contrary, 
 it was an error upon the side of bravery. After ad 
 vancing in this way probably ten or twelve hundred 
 yards, crossing two bodies of woods, and a small inter 
 mediate field, the line suddenly emerged into another 
 field, facing a battery of the enemy, consisting of not 
 less than eight pieces, distant but a few hundred yards, 
 while the enemy s infantry were found protected by an 
 imperfectly and hastily-constructed breastwork, and a 
 house near by. At the same time, it became apparent 
 that another battery of the enemy was posted a con 
 siderable distance to our left. These two batteries and 
 the enemy s infantry poured an incessant fire of shell, 
 grape, canister and lead upon my line, and did much 
 execution. Still there was no perceptible faltering in 
 the advance of these brave men, who rushed across the 
 open field, pouring a well-directed fire into the enemy, 
 driving him from his breastworks and the battery in 
 our front. The guns of the battery were abandoned 
 
82 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to us for the time being, and my command was in 
 virtual possession of the chosen position of the enemy. 
 A more impetuous and desperate charge was never 
 made than that of my small command against the 
 sheltered and greatly superior forces of the enemy. 
 The ground which they gained from the enemy is 
 marked by the graves of some of my veterans, who 
 were buried where they fell ; and those graves marked 
 with the names of the occupants, situated at and near 
 the position of the enemy, show the points at which 
 they dashed against the strongholds of the retreating 
 foe. It is proper to be stated here that the left of my 
 line was entirely unsupported, and greatly to my sur 
 prise and disappointment, for I had supposed that the 
 movement of my Brigade was a part of a general ad 
 vance of our entire lines. Up to this time no firing 
 was heard upon my left, except the firing of the ene 
 my, which was directed upon my line with telling 
 effect," 
 
 " Afterwards, at a late hour, I found the right regi 
 ment of the Second Brigade (on the right of which I 
 had originally formed) standing fast at or near the 
 position they had occupied in the beginning, and near 
 the line from which my advance was begun. I was 
 informed that this regiment had remained from the 
 first in that position, having received no subsequent 
 orders to move forward. I trust I shall not be under 
 stood as alleging or intimating any delinquency upon 
 the part of the Second Brigade, and I certainly do not 
 undertake to say at what time that Brigade, commanded 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. $3 
 
 by Colonel Jenkins, advanced ; but, if its advance was 
 simultaneous with my own, it must have happened that 
 the lines of advance of the two brigades were so diver 
 gent as to leave a wide interval between the right of 
 the one and the left of the other. Whatever were the 
 operations of the Second Brigade, they were doubtless 
 in keeping with its proud character in the past and 
 that of its gallant commander. All that I undertake 
 to state positively in this connection is, that the right 
 regiment of the Second Brigade did not advance for a 
 long time after my Brigade had been moved forward, 
 and that at the time when my command had obtained 
 virtual possession of the enemy s position, no Confed 
 erate troops were anywhere visible except my own. It 
 now became evident that the position sought to be held 
 by my command was wholly untenable by them unless 
 largely and immediately reinforced. The inferior 
 numbersjwhich had alarmed the enemy, and driven him 
 from his breastworks and batteries soon became appa 
 rent to him, and he at once proceeded to make use of 
 his advantage. While greatly superior numbers hung 
 upon our front, considerable bodies of the enemy were 
 thrown upon both flanks of my command, which was 
 now in imminent danger of being wholly captured or 
 destroyed. Already they were capturing officers and 
 men at diiferent points of my line, principally upon 
 my right. No reinforcements appeared, and the dire 
 alternative of withdrawing from the position, although 
 of obvious and inevitable necessity, was reluctantly 
 submitted to." 
 
84 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 " Owing to the difficulties offered by the wilderness 
 through which the Brigade had advanced, the task of 
 reassembling and reforming the regiments was attended 
 with much trouble. I sent out details as speedily as 
 possible to direct officers and men where to reform, and 
 as soon as this task was accomplished, imperfectly it is 
 true, but as effectually as was possible at so late an 
 hour of the day, I repaired to General Longstreet s 
 headquarters as soon as I could find them, and, under 
 instructions there received, it now being night, I pro 
 ceeded to select a suitable position on the road in the 
 rear, at which stragglers could be arrested, and such of 
 my men as had not then come in could be re-collected." 
 
 " I should have mentioned before, that soon after 
 my command was overpowered, and before all of it had 
 fallen back, General Branch s Brigade was found com 
 ing up, and General Branch was shown by me into the 
 position which my gallant men had vainly sought to 
 hold against overwhelming odds, and immediately 
 afterwards the Third Brigade of this Division, Colonel 
 Hunton commanding, took position on Branch s right. 
 If it had been possible for these brigades to have 
 advanced simultaneously with my own, the victory of 
 the day would have been achieved on the right of our 
 line with comparatively little difficulty, and at an early 
 hour. When my line emerged into the open field in 
 front of the enemy s batteries, the Seventh Virginia, 
 commanded by Colonel W. T. Patton, gallantly assisted 
 by Lieutenant Colonel Flowrceand Major Swindler, was 
 in good order, considering the difficulties of the ground 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 85 
 
 over which it had passed, and this Regiment and the 
 First Virginia, nobly sustained by such portions of 
 the other regiments as had come up, made the first 
 daring charge which drove the enemy from his posi 
 tion. Several companies of the Seventeenh Virginia 
 were unavoidably delayed for some time by the almost 
 impassable nature of the swamp at the point at which 
 they crossed." 
 
 " Praise is due to Colonel Corse, Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia, and to Lieutenant Colonel Hairston, Twenty- 
 fourth Virginia, as well as to Colonel ~VV. T. Patton, 
 Seventh Virginia, (who acted with eminent gallantry,) 
 for discharging their duties with the utmost fidelity 
 and bravery." 
 
 " The same praise is accorded to Captain K. Otey, 
 commanding Eleventh Virginia; Captain Norton, 
 commanding First Virginia; Lieutenant Colonel Marye 
 and Captain Simpson, of the Seventeenth Virginia, 
 fell into the hands of the enemy while discharging 
 their duties with conspicuous gallantry. I am satis 
 fied all the field officers did well. I especially com 
 mend the good conduct of Captain "W. T. Fry, my 
 A. A. General, and Mr. A. Camp Beckham, who acted 
 as my volunteer aid-de-camp." 
 
 " Among those reported to me as deserving especial 
 notice for gallantry on the field, are Captain Joel 
 Blanchard, Company D, and Lieutenant W. "YV. Good- 
 ing, Company K, Seventh Virginia, who were both 
 killed ; Lieutenant \V. E. Harrison, Company A, Ser 
 geant Major Tausill and Color Sergeant Mays, both 
 8 
 
86 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 wounded, and both of whom had distinguished them 
 selves in the battles of Williamsburg and Seven 
 Pines; First Sergeant William Apperson, Company 
 C, who was killed, and Private George Watson, 
 Company F, who has also repeatedly distinguished 
 himself for bravery, all of the Seventh Virginia 
 Regiment." 
 
 " Captain James Mitchell, Company C, and Lieut. 
 Logan Robins, Company B, First Virginia Regiment, 
 both of whom were wounded ; Lieut. W. R. Abbott, 
 Company E, and Lieutenant E. S. Dix, Company K, 
 Eleventh Virginia, both of whom were killed ; Lieut. 
 Calfee, Company G, of the Twenty-fourth Virginia, 
 who was killed within a few paces of the enemy s 
 battery, and Captains Bently and Nowlin, of the same 
 regiment. I doubt not there are many others, omitted 
 in the reports, who equally distinguished themselves. 
 The list of killed and wounded are made up of the 
 very best officers and men of which my command could 
 boast.." ******* 
 
 Major General Longstreet says : 
 
 ****** Troops were thrown forward as 
 rapidly as possible to the support of the attacking 
 columns. Owing to the nature of the ground, that 
 concert of action, so essential to complete success, could 
 not be obtained, particularly attacking such odds 
 against us and in position. The enemy, however, was 
 driven back slowly and steadily, contesting the ground 
 inch by inch. He succeeded in getting some of his 
 batteries off the field, and by holding his last position 
 
SE VENTEENTII VIR GINIA INF ANT R Y. 87 
 
 till dark, in withdrawing his forces under the cover 
 of night. The troops sustained their reputation for 
 coolness, courage, determination and devotion so well 
 earned on many hotly contested fields. Branched 
 Brigade of Major General A. P. Hill s Division did 
 not render the prompt support to our right which was 
 expected, and it is believed that several of our officers 
 and men were taken prisoners in consequence. The 
 other brigades of this Division were prompt, and 
 advanced to the attack with an alacrity worthy of 
 their gallant leader. They recovered and secured the 
 captured batteries, from some of which the troops of 
 my Division had been compelled to retire for want of 
 prompt support. The odds against us on this field 
 were probably greater than on any other." 
 
 " I would also mention, as distinguished among 
 others for gallantry and skill, Brigadier Generals R. 
 H. Anderson, Kemper, Wilcox, Pryor and Feather- 
 stone, (the latter severely wounded,) and Colonels Jen 
 kins, Corse, Strange, Patton, Perry, severely wounded ; 
 Lieutenant Colonel Marye, Lieutenant Colonel Cop- 
 pens, Lieutenant Colonel Koyston, and Major Cald- 
 well, the two latter wounded." 
 
 General Lee says : 
 
 * * * * * " Huger reported that his progress 
 was obstructed ; but about four P. M., firing was heard 
 in the direction of the Charles City road, which was 
 supposed to indicate his approach. Longstreet imme 
 diately opened with one of his batteries to give notice 
 of his presence. This brought on the engagement, but 
 
88 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Huger not coming up, and Jackson having been 
 unable to force the passage of White Oak Swamp, 
 Longstreet and Hill were without the expected sup 
 port. The superiority of numbers and advantage of 
 position were on the side of the enemy. The battle 
 raged furiously until nine P. M. By that time the 
 enemy had been driven with great slaughter from 
 every position but one, which he maintained until he 
 was enabled to withdraw under cover of darkness. 
 At the close of the struggle nearly the entire field 
 remained in our possession, covered with the enemy s 
 dead and wounded. Many prisoners, including a 
 General of division, were captured, and several batteries, 
 with some thousands of small arms taken. Could the 
 other commands have co-operated in the action, the 
 result would have proved most disastrous to the 
 enemy." ******* 
 
 The loss sustained by our Regiment was heavy, 
 having three officers and fourteen men killed, two 
 officers and twenty-one men w r ounded, and thirteen 
 officers and sixty men missing. 
 
 The crowning effort of the six days was made by 
 both armies on Tuesday, July 1st, and the bloody 
 battle of " Malvern Hill " was fought. The two 
 armies rested within a short distance of each other, 
 panting from the exhausting struggles of the past 
 week. The hill, occupied by the enemy, bristled with 
 at least three hundred pieces of artillery, supported by 
 about sixty thousand bayonets. Below and partly 
 around this mountain of iron and steel, the army of 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 89 
 
 General Lee was posted, awaiting quietly the order to 
 strike the last great blow. General Lee, in his report, 
 speaks of the enemy s position in the following words : 
 " On this position, of great natural strength, he had 
 concentrated his powerful artillery, supported by masses 
 of infantry, partially protected by earthworks. His 
 left rested near Crew s house, and his right near Bin- 
 ford s. Immediately in his front the ground was 
 open, varying in width from a quarter to half a mile, 
 and sloping gradually from the crest, was completely 
 swept by the fire of his infantry and artillery. To 
 reach this open ground our troops had to advance 
 through a broken and thickly wooded country, tra 
 versed, nearly throughout its whole extent, by a 
 swamp passable but at few places, and difficult at 
 those. The whole was within range of the batteries 
 on the heights and the gunboats in the river, under 
 whose incessant fire our movements had to be exe 
 cuted." ******* 
 Generals Longstreet, Jackson, the Hills, McLaws 
 and others were there. Ere long the earth around 
 fairly trembled from the heaviest cannonading ever 
 before heard upon this Continent, and the infantry 
 were ordered forward to the charge. The lateness of 
 the hour in which the advance was made, the uneven- 
 ness and extreme difficulty of the ground, ignorance 
 of the country by subaltern officers and other causes, 
 prevented that concert of action, so necessary for the 
 attacking columns, and not a great deal was accom 
 plished before the darkness of night put a stop to our 
 movements. During the time that the troops were 
 8* 
 
90 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 engaged the battle was terrific, and the two monsters 
 grappled hand to hand upon the hill-top, neither side 
 gaining much advantage. 
 
 Night had closed upon the combatants side by side 
 when the conflict had ended. The troops of both 
 armies, now exhausted, lay perfectly quiet, the well in 
 sleep, the wounded in the agonies of death. 
 
 When the following morning dawned upon the 
 field of blood and carnage, the enemy had withdrawn, 
 leaving his killed and wounded in our possession. 
 
 The neighboring farm houses were turned into hos 
 pitals for the wounded of both armies. Federal and 
 Confederate surgeons united their efforts to supply 
 their wants and relieve their sufferings. 
 
 Our Kegimentwas not actively engaged ; its position 
 being on the right of the line, it received no attack, 
 nor was it ordered to advance. From that field we 
 followed General McClelland retreating army to 
 Harrison s Bend, on the James River, where we 
 remained several days. On the 7th of July, we 
 returned to our old camp near Richmond, whence we 
 had marched on the 26th day of June. On the 10th, 
 our encampment was removed near " Darby town," on 
 the James, where we spent a pleasant month, during 
 which the men rested, and the decimated ranks again 
 filled. Such of the sick and wounded as were able 
 returned and the spirit of the men was unbroken. 
 
 Partial list of casualties in the Seventeenth Virginia 
 Regiment at the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 
 Field and Staff Lieutenant Colonel M. Marye, 
 missing. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 91 
 
 Company A Killed, Privates R. C. Johnson, D. 
 McLee, John S. Hart, and T. A. Partlow. Wounded, 
 Captain W. W. Smith; Privates V. "VV. Ashby, 
 T. L. Chase, and H. B. Eaches, the latter severely 
 and left in the hands of enemy ; missing, Lieutenant 
 C. W. Green, Corporal William Perry, Privates Win. 
 Harmon, A. Hunter, W. J. Paul, R. C. Paul, and 
 J. H. L. Sangster. 
 
 Company B Captain R. H. Simpson, captured; 
 Privates P. C. Darr, and J. W. Steele, killed. 
 
 Company C Killed, Lieutenant G. T. Lamden, 
 and Private James M. Wallace. 
 
 Company D Missing, Lieutenant W. A. Bares, 
 and Privates Newcomb and D. A. Marks. 
 
 Company E Killed, Corporal G. T. Warfield, 
 Privates A. Wools and Joseph Bushby ; wounded, 
 Sergeant J. Proctor, Corporal S. S. Coleman, Privates 
 F. Fields, F. Emmerson, E. Warren, and Thomas 
 Hudson. 
 
 Company F Killed, Lieutenant J. N. Hullfish, 
 Privates J. R. Burgess and F. G. Hixson ; wounded, 
 Privates J. D. Rollins, M. W. Galliher, and J. W. 
 Cornwell. 
 
 Company G 
 
 Company H Killed, Privates C. K. Burgess and 
 H. Fewell; wounded, Privates V. Brent, severely, 
 and H. S. Pitts, the latter left in the hands of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Company I Killed, Lieutenant George C. Adie. 
 
 Company K 
 
92 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 FROM RICHMOND TO THE POTOMAC 
 
 ON the 10th of August, 1862, we broke camp on 
 the Darbytown road, six miles below Richmond, 
 and by daylight were on the march for the city, which 
 we reached in time for the Gordonsville train. That 
 afternoon the Regiment arrived safely in the village of 
 hard boiled eggs and chicken bones, and bivouaced in 
 the neighbouring woods for the night, during which 
 we had full benefit of a soaking rain. The following 
 morning, after marching a short distance in the direction 
 of Orange Court House, an order was received causing 
 a " Right about-face " movement, and we retraced our 
 steps, passed through the village, and encamped two 
 miles southwest of it. 
 
 In this encampment several days were passed 
 pleasantly by us all ; the monotony of camp life being 
 relieved by numerous bathing and fishing excursions. 
 On the 16th of August, we marched in direction of 
 Orange Court House, and owing to the extreme 
 heat we were ordered to halt during the middle of the 
 day. The whole army was moving in the direction of 
 Fredericksburg. We passed that night in an old 
 encampment, near Taylors s farm, and were greatly 
 refreshed for the next day s operations. 
 
 We marched on Sunday (17th,) down the Plank 
 road and again on Monday, until near the Rapidan 
 river ; here Lieut. Colonel Marye returned to us and 
 took command, having been exchanged, after his 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 93 
 
 incarceration in Fort Warren. On Tuesday (19th,) 
 we stopped near Raccoon Ford, and on Wednesday 
 crossed the stream, marched a short distance there- 
 down, and taking a southeasterly direction, moved 
 towards the Rappahannock. 
 
 While approaching Kelly s Ford, the following day 
 (21st,) the enemy opened 011 the head of the column 
 from a field battery, but were soon persuaded to 
 desist from such amusement by one or two rounds 
 from our artillery, and the command proceeded. 
 
 The night of the 21st was passed near Stevensburg, 
 where the command rested on the following day. 
 During the afternoon of the 23d, we arrived at Brandy 
 Station, O. and A. R. R., encamped on a hill near by 
 and spent the night. On the following day, a heavy 
 artillery duel occurred at Rappahannock Station. Sev 
 eral brigades of the Division, including our own, were 
 sent forward and formed in line of battle on the plains 
 west of the station. There was some picket firing, 
 but towards evening the enemy were driven off, and 
 we proceeded up the river, bivouacing for the night 
 near the small village of Jeffersonto n. 
 
 On the 25th we arrived in the neigborhood of 
 Waterloo, on the Warrenton and Little Washington 
 turnpike, where we spent the night. After nightfall, 
 while we were eating and smoking quietly around the 
 camp-fires, several shells landed in our midst, creating 
 much amusement, as they did no damage. We remained 
 here until late the following day, when we n* arched 
 via Amesville to Hinson s Ford, which we stum- 
 
94 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 blingly crossed in the dismal darkness of that night, 
 clambered up the opposite hill, rocky and rough though 
 it was, and succeeded in finding a suitable place for 
 bivouac in a wheat field on the left of the road lead 
 ing to Orlean, and near the top of the ascent. 
 
 On the 27th, we continued the marched; about 
 noon, as we came in sight of the town of Salem, it was 
 ascertained to be occupied by Federal cavalry, which 
 rendered a halt necessary. Generals Lee, Longstreet 
 and Staff rode forward to the head of the corps to 
 reconnoitre, and while in this position, (rumor says,) 
 they had a narrow escape from capture, a column of 
 the enemy s cavalry passing within a short distance 
 of them without noticing them. 
 
 Salem having been vacated, our Corps moved on 
 after nightfall until midnight when they halted near 
 the Plains. General Lee s Headquarters were es 
 tablished at the hospitable mansion of Mr. J. W. 
 Foster, above and below which his men were bivou- 
 aced for miles. 
 
 The Federals having possession of Thoroughfare 
 Gap, in the Bull Run mountains, it was deemed expe 
 dient to drive them out before joining Jackson s army, 
 then at or near Groveton, some miles east of the small 
 range of mountains. The Gap was narrow and held 
 by a large force. A brigade was detached from our 
 Corps, with orders to cross the mountain a<, Hopewell 
 Gap, and after reaching a flanking position from which 
 they could fire with telling effect, to open upon the 
 enemy. This was accomplished and resulted in the 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 95 
 
 enemy s retirement from the Gap, leaving about fifty 
 dead, and consuming almost the entire day, hence it 
 was late in the afternoon when one portion of the 
 Corps passed through. General Jackson had cut the 
 enemy s line of communications at Manassas, burnt 
 his stores, trains, and baggage, played the mischief 
 generally, and had quietly fallen back upon Grove- 
 ton, where he awaited the coming of Longstreet. 
 His guns could be plainly heard as he defended his 
 position against the forces under General Pope. 
 
 Having marched hundreds of miles and fought 
 numerous battles, his men were greatly exhausted 
 when General Longstreet s forces reached him on Fri 
 day, the 29th of August, The delay at the Gap 
 allowed General Pope time to concentrate his army and 
 meet General Lee on ground of his (Pope s) own 
 choosing. 
 
 Our Regiment passed through the Gap on the morn 
 ing of the 29th, coming in sight of Gen. Jackson s 
 army and the enemy at a passage of arms, a mile or 
 more distant, in the valley below. Our timely arrival 
 ended the battle. Gen. Longstreet s corps formed in 
 line on the right of Gen. Jackson s in crescent shape, 
 extending around the enemy to the M. G. E. R. on 
 the right of the turnpike. 
 
 The march from the Gap was indescribably severe, 
 the weather being exceedingly warm and water not 
 obtainable, except in ditches or stagnant pools on the 
 sides of the road ; these were eagerly drained by the 
 half-famished men, with their heat and green slimy 
 
96 BISTORT OF THE 
 
 skim, regardless of the animated nature which at other 
 
 times would have been so revolting to them. 
 
 Our Regiment w r as sent to the extreme right of the 
 
 line, where it took position under a heavy shelling 
 
 from one of the enemy s batteries, posted near the 
 
 Junction. 
 
 C. Fadely of Company E, had his arm broken by a 
 
 piece of shell, and was sent to the rear ; one other of 
 
 the Regiment (whose name we cannot now recall,) was 
 
 wounded. 
 
 We moved position several times during the night, 
 
 but not to any distance. 
 
 The morning of the 30th of August, 1862, dawned 
 
 upon the First Manassas battle-field, again lined with 
 troops and artillery ready for action. Not a sound 
 arose to disturb the quiet of the early morning. 
 
 Corn-fields and gardens in the locality sutFered ter 
 ribly, no rations having been issued to us for several 
 days previous ; these were our only resources against 
 the ravages of hunger. The fields around were dotted 
 with half-starved Confeds., who were plucking the 
 daily rations of corn to be distributed, three ears to 
 the man. The morning was passed in preparing and 
 eating the food thus obtained ; many a poor fellow, as 
 he feasted upon the delicious grain, little imagined it 
 to be his last repast upon this earth. 
 
 Ere long came distant rumbling of artillery, and all 
 eyes were turned in direction of the enemy s line, 
 whence the noise proceeded, Clouds of dust arose in 
 our front, and, as they drew nearer, the stillness was 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 97 
 
 harshly broken by a cannon shot, followed by the 
 bursting of a shell over the centre of our line, a 
 notice that the battle was about to begin. 
 
 Gen. Jackson s Corps met the assault of the enemy 
 on its centre and left ; charge upon charge was made 
 upon its position, only to be repulsed with the inde 
 fatigable energy and unwavering promptness for which 
 the " Stonewall" was so justly famed. A part of our 
 Corps was moved to the front, and the enemy received 
 from its veterans a heavy blow that sent them reeling 
 back upon their reserves. 
 
 The battle was continued all the afternoon. About 
 five o clock our Division, commanded by Gen. Kem- 
 per, formed and hurried to the scene of carnage. Our 
 Brigade was commanded by Col. Corse and our Regi 
 ment by Lieut. Col. Marye. We moved in upon the 
 enemy s extreme left, and striking them near the 
 "Chinn House," where, after a short but decisive 
 engagement, they fell back, closely followed by the 
 Confederates until about nine o clock P. M., when the 
 chase was relinquished. 
 
 " The gallantry and skill of Col. Corse in the man 
 agement of his command, Avon for him the admiration 
 of all who witnessed the conduct of his Brigade upon 
 the field. He was wounded while leading his men 
 and had his horse shot under him." 
 
 " Lieut. Col. Marye, who, while bravely leading his 
 Regiment, was wounded by a minnie ball. He lost 
 his left leg, the ball penetrating the knee joint, com 
 pelling amputation. His loss from the active duties 
 9 
 
98 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the field was seriously felt by his Kegiment ; while 
 a brave and gallant officer, he was an accomplished, 
 courteous and high-toned gentleman, who held the 
 confidence and esteem of his comrades in arms." (The 
 above is copied from the writings of Capt. "Wm. B. 
 Lynch, commanding Company C, Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia Regiment.) 
 
 The following extracts from the official report of 
 Major Herbert, commanding the Regiment after the 
 fall of Lieut. Col. Marye, will show the part sustained 
 by it in the second battle of Manassas : 
 
 " Leaving our bivouac at Thoroughfare Gap on the 
 morning of 29th, we soon came in sound of the guns, 
 and a short distance below Gainesville in sight of our 
 batteries^ then replying rapidly to those of the enemy ; 
 were soon sent with our Brigade and took position on 
 the extreme right of our lines. In taking this position 
 we had to cross an open field in full view of the 
 enemy s batteries, which opened upon us with a hot 
 fire of shell, under which our line advanced steadily 
 and coolly ; our casualties were two men wounded. 
 We were afterwards moved with our Brigade some 
 three-quarters of a mile to the left, where we remained 
 under arms and bivouaced for the night. 
 
 " On morning of 30th again under arms in same 
 position, and remained so until about four o clock in 
 the evening, when orders arrived for our Brigade to 
 forward in the direction of the Chinn House ; some 
 one-half mile this side our Brigade was formed in line 
 of battle, the Seventeenth occupying the right, Col. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 99 
 
 Marye, commanding ; when near the Chinn House 
 came under heavy fire, shell and musketry, the enemy s 
 batteries and line of battle being in full view on the 
 hill beyond. Our line advanced firmly under the 
 enemy s fire, and not until the men commenced firing 
 and advancing did any irregularity occur, though 
 many were shot down in this part of the engagement. 
 It was here that Lieut. Col. Marye received his wound 
 and fell nobly doing his duty. The well known 
 bravery and good conduct of this officer needs no 
 eulogy. Our Color Sergeant being struck down, the 
 colors were hardly allowed to touch the earth before 
 they were seized by Corporal Harper of the Color 
 Gruard, and by him carried steadily and bravely to the 
 front during the remainder of the fight. Though 
 somewhat scattered, our Regiment assisted in capturing 
 the enemy s guns and driving him from that portion 
 of the field." 
 
 Private Colernan, Company E, taking from the 
 enemy s Color Bearer the national colors of one of 
 his regiments, handed them to Colonel Corse, who 
 waving them in front of the Brigade added life and 
 renewed vigor to our men. Officers and men with 
 rare exceptions, behaved well and were conspicuous for 
 their coolness. I beg leave to mention Lieut. Gard 
 ner, Acting Adjutant of the Regiment, Lieut. Perry, 
 in command of Company A, Lieut. Turner, command 
 ing Company C, Lieut. Wallace, commanding Com 
 pany F, Lieut. Tubman, commanding Company E, 
 Sergeant Lovelace, Company H, killed on the field. 
 
100 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Privates Harper and Manly, Company G, Corporal 
 Ryan, Company I, and many others whose names 
 cannot be learned at this late day owing to absence 
 from wounds and death of officers." * * * * 
 The following is from General Longstreet s official 
 report : 
 
 * * * " Early on the 29th, the columns were 
 united, and the advance to join General Jackson was 
 resumed. The noise of battle was heard before we 
 reached Gainesville. The march was quickened to 
 the extent of our capacity. The exitement of battle 
 seemed to give new life and strength to our jaded men, 
 and the head of my column soon reached a position in 
 rear of the enemy s left flank, and within easy cannon 
 shot. On approaching the field, some of Brig. Gen, 
 Hood s batteries were ordered into position, and his 
 Division was deployed on the right and left of the 
 turnpike, at right angles with it, and supported by 
 Brigadier General Evan s Brigade." 
 
 * * # te Three brigades under General Wilcox, 
 were thrown forward to the support of the left, and 
 three others under General Kemper, to the support of 
 the right of these commands. General D. R. Jones* 
 Division was placed upon the Manassas Gap Railroad 
 to the right and in echelon with regard to the three 
 last brigades. Colonel Walton placed his batteries 
 in a commanding position between my line and that 
 of General Jackson, and engaged the enemy for several 
 hours, in a severe and successful artillery duel. At a 
 late hour in the day, Major General Stuart reported 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 101 
 
 the approach of the enemy in heavy columns against 
 my extreme right. I withdrew General Wilcox, with 
 his three brigades, from the left and placed his com 
 mand in position to support Jones in case of an attack 
 against my right. After some few shots, the enemy 
 withdrew his forces, moving them around towards his 
 front, and about four o clock in the afternoon, began 
 to press forward against General Jackson s position. 
 Wilcox s brigades were moved to their former posi 
 tion, and Hood s two brigades, supported by Evans, 
 were quickly pressed forward to the attack. At the 
 same time Wilcox s three brigades made a like ad 
 vance, as also Hunton s brigade, of Kemper s com 
 mand." ******** 
 * * * "After withdrawing from the attack, 
 my troops were placed in the line first occupied and 
 in the original order." 
 
 * " From an eminence near by, one 
 portion of the enemy s masses attacking General Jack 
 son were immediately within my view and in easy 
 range of batteries in that position. It gave me an 
 advantage that I had not expected to have, and I 
 made hast to use it. Two batteries were ordered for 
 the purpose and one placed in position immediately 
 and opened. Just as this fire began, I received a 
 message from the commanding General, informing me 
 of General Jackson s condition and his wants. As it 
 was evident that the attack against General Jackson 
 could not be continued ten minutes under the fire 
 of these batteries, I made no movement with my 
 9* 
 
102 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 troops. Before the second battery could be placed in 
 position, the enemy began to retire, and in less than 
 ten minutes the ranks were broken and that portion of 
 his army put to flight. A fair opportunity was offered 
 me and the intended diversion was changed into an 
 attack. My whole line was rushed forward at a 
 charge. The troops sprang to their work, and moved 
 forward with all the steadiness and firmness that 
 characterise war-worn veterans. The batteries con 
 tinuing their play upon the confused masses, com 
 pleted the work of this portion of the enemy s line, 
 ui-ud my attack was, therefore, made against the forces 
 fin my front." ******* 
 
 * * * The battle continued until ten o clock 
 :at night, when utter darkness put a stop to our pro 
 gress. The enemy made his escape across Bull Run 
 before daylight. Three batteries, a large number of 
 prisoners, many stands of regimental colors, and twelve 
 .thousand stands of arms, besides some wagons, ambu- 
 .lances, &c., were taken." * * 
 
 General Lee, in his official report, says : 
 
 * * " Longstreet took position on the right 
 of Jackson, Hood s two brigades, supported by Evans 
 being deployed across the turnpike and at right angles 
 .to it. These troops were supported on the left by 
 three brigades under General Wilcox, and by a like 
 force on the right under General Kemper. D. R. 
 Jones Division formed the extreme right of the line 
 resting on the Manassas Gap Railroad." * * 
 
 * * * * "About theree P. M., the enemy 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY, 103 
 
 having massed his troops in front of General Jackson, 
 advanced against his position in strong force. His 
 front line pushed forward until engaged at close quar 
 ters by Jackson s troops, when its progress was 
 checked, and a fierce and bloody struggle ensued. A 
 second and third line, of great strength, moved up to 
 support the first, but in doing so, came within easy 
 range of a position a little in advance of Longstreet s 
 left. He immediately ordered up two batteries, and 
 two others being thrown forward about the same time 
 by Colonel S. D. Lee, under their well directed and 
 destructive fire the supporting lines were broken and 
 fell back in confusion. Their repeated efforts to rally 
 were unavailing, and Jackson s troops being thus 
 relieved from the pressure of overwhelming numbers 
 began to press steadily forward, driving the enemy 
 before them. He retreated in confusion, suffering 
 
 f O 
 
 severely from our artillery, which advanced as he 
 retired. Gen. Longstreet, anticipating the order for 
 a general advance, now threw his whole command 
 against the Federal centre and left. Hood s two 
 brigades, followed by Evans, led the attack. Gen. E,. 
 H. Anderson s Division came gallantly to the support of 
 Hood, while the three brigades under Wilcox moved 
 forward on his left, and those of Kemper on his right. 
 Gen. D. R. Jones advanced on the extreme right, and the 
 whole line swept steadily on, driving the enemy with 
 great carnage from each successive position, until ten 
 P. M., when darkness put an end to the battle and 
 the pursuit," * * * * * * * 
 
104 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 As we went into the fight and j ust after passing the 
 " Chinn House/ 7 many of us witnessed the charge of 
 one of Gen. D. R. Jones 7 brigades to our right ; they 
 moved forward slowly but in perfect line. It was 
 indeed a heart-thrilling sight those men presented 
 marching so coolly into the jaws of death. 
 
 A charge by one of Gen. Stuart s brigades of cav 
 alry was made soon after. The column of horsemen, 
 moving like the wind, soon disappeared behind the 
 woods to our extreme right, leaving but an impression 
 upon the minds of the infantry of what cavalry fight 
 ing was. 
 
 This battle took place upon the first Manassas battle 
 field, the lines being reversed, we holding and fighting 
 from the position, from which the enemy were driven 
 in the first engagement. 
 
 The rout was complete, and as in the first Manassas 
 battle, the enemy retreated by way of Sudley Mills 
 and the Stone Bridge, leaving knapsacks, guns, wagons 
 and every conceivable article pertaining to an army in 
 quantities along the roads. Their dead, wounded, 
 many prisoners, and a number of guns, fell into our 
 hands. 
 
 Our Regiment brought from the field five stands 
 of colors. The Brigade captured about sixteen stands 
 of colors and four pieces of artillery, with the remain 
 ing horses attached, most of them having been killed 
 by our heavy fire. After the battle we bivouaced on 
 the field near the " Chinn House," where the night 
 was passed. The dead were buried by details for 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 1Q5 
 
 that purpose from the Division, while the wounded 
 were brought in and cared for. 
 
 Colonel Corse received a wound in the leg and had 
 his horse shot, but did not leave the field. Lieut. 
 Colonel Marye was removed from the field in the 
 midst of the battle, and several of the men were 
 wounded whilst bearing him to the rear. 
 
 Early the following morning, (Sunday 31st), our 
 Division marched forward, took the Sudley Mills 
 road, crossing at the ford, and went into bivouac for 
 the night on the opposite bank of Bull Eun. Our 
 breakfast that morning consisted of beef, sliced off by 
 us as we hurriedly passed the smoking carcass, slaugh 
 tered by the enemy a short time previous. Rations 
 issued to us on Sunday evening at Sudley, consisted of 
 two crackers and about one quarter of a pound of bacon 
 to each man. On Monday the march was continued ; 
 as we neared Chantilly, (a long name for a small Post- 
 office,) a heavy thunder storm overtook us soaking 
 every man to the skin. 
 
 Having scarcely tasted food since the morning 
 previous it is unnecessary to say we were getting 
 hungry, but we comforted ourselves with the hope 
 of being soon overtaken by the wagons, which to our 
 minds, then seemed as desirable as anything that 
 could happen. 
 
 A fight occurred just before our arrival in the 
 valley below Chantilly, in which Generals Phil. 
 Kearney, (one of the best and bravest men in the 
 Federal Army,) ^and -, (name forgotten) lost 
 
106 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 their lives. We moved into a meadow on the right 
 of the turnpike and prepared for a good nights rest* 
 but alas ! for human hopes ! We kindled fires and 
 were in the act of drying our wet garments, when the 
 order came to move the Brigade to the front. Passing 
 to a piece of woodland not far off on our right, the 
 Brigade entered, single file, and posted sentinels from 
 the rear as we moved through the impenetrable dark 
 ness ; our Regiment being in advance had the longest 
 march and after going about a mile we halted and 
 took position as a reserve, supposing ourselves about 
 fifty yards in rear of our pickets. Imagine our aston 
 ishment, as the tedious, dragging night at last gave 
 way to the coming morning, to find ourselves facing 
 our line and between it and the enemy. Front to 
 rear was soon ordered and we had the satisfaction of 
 hearing that our foe had left us during the night. 
 Fires were soon blazing in our midst to the no small 
 enjoyment of our rather forlorn looking band, who 
 refreshed themselves for at least an hour chewing the 
 substance from sassafras twigs. 
 
 Returning to the meadow where the fires had been 
 vainly kindled the evening previous, the unwelcome 
 tidings, " The wagons had nt come/ 7 greeted us on all 
 sides, so we raised our " flies " and sought forgetfulness 
 in slumber, 
 
 In the afternoon, a wagon load of provisions arrived, 
 as a present to the members of Company C, from the 
 ladies of their native place, the good old town of Lees- 
 burg. The unloading of bread, hams, cakes, pickles 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 1Q7 
 
 and other delicious edibles was a sight productive of 
 indescribable feeling to men who had not tasted food 
 for forty-eight hours. Company C, composed of 
 noble, generous spirits were not long in extending to 
 the Eegiment a whole-souled invitation to partake 
 with them of their luxuries ; a second invitation was 
 not necessary, as we most promptly accepted and 
 joined them in the feast. 
 
 And such a feast ! Who could forget it ? There 
 was even old wine to wash our dinner down ! Now 
 judge if it was not a feast ? Can any one wonder that 
 under the circumstances we review it as one of the 
 happiest eras in our soldier life ? 
 
 The next morning, (September 3d,) we took up the 
 line of march northward, passing by "Frying Pan 
 Church," and on until we came to the A. L. and H. 
 R. R. (at Guilford Station); marching thereon in 
 direction of Leesburg for a short distance, the head of 
 the column filed to the right, striking the Alexandria 
 and Leesburg turnpike south of Broad Run, and 
 passed down the road until near Drainsville where 
 we passed the night quietly. 
 
 On the afternoon of the fourth, we again passed over 
 a part of the route traveled the day before, and about 
 night halted near Mr. Robert Harper s farm, two miles 
 south of Leesburg. The next day (5th,) the troops 
 commenced crossing the Potomac river at the different 
 fords above Leesburg. 
 
 Our Corps marched through the town the same day 
 and passed the night in the vicinity of the "Big 
 
108 HISTORY OF TUB 
 
 Spring." On Saturday (6th,,) we crossed the river at 
 Poland s Ferry and marched as far as Monocacy 
 river, crossing that stream and bivouacing beyond. 
 Our army was much reduced from battle, straggling 
 and sickness, while many of the men, for want of 
 shoes, were ordered to remain on the Virginia shore, 
 
 For the first time the borders of the enemy s terri 
 tory were crossed, and strict orders issued by General 
 Lee for the protection of private property. So far as 
 destruction of grain and fruit was concerned, it would 
 have been almost an impossibility to have prevented 
 starving men from helping themselves whenever ail. 
 opportunity presented itself; our own State having 
 been stripped of its standing corn for the sustenance 
 of both armies, it was not to be supposed that Penn 
 sylvania w r ould suffer less. 
 
 Partial list of casualties in the Seventeenth Virginia 
 Regiment at the battle of second Manassas : 
 
 Field and Staff Wounded, Col. M. D. Corse, Lieut, 
 Col. Morton Marye, and Color Sergeant Eobt. Steele. 
 
 Company A Wounded, Lieut. John Addison, 
 Corp. Wm. Perry, Privates A. Hunter, J. S. Mason, 
 C. A. Smith, and J. H. L. Saugster, the latter 
 mortally. 
 
 Company B Wounded, Capt. R. H. Simpson ; Pri 
 vate S. F. Spengler, mortally. Killed, Privates C. 
 J. Steed and J. W. Simpson. 
 
 Company C Wounded, Private D. Dove, mortally. 
 
 Company D Wounded, Privates P. Ha ward, J. 
 Sewall, J. D. Newman, E. Beach and W. S. Ford. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 1Q9 
 
 Company E Lieut. Simpson, wounded. 
 
 Company F None reported. 
 
 Company G Wounded, Private D. Manly. 
 
 Company H Killed, Sergeant W. A. Lovelace and 
 Private F. Ballengen ; wounded, Lieut. "W. F. Gard 
 ner, Asst. Adjt., severely, Sergt. "VV. H. Boyer. 
 
 Company I 
 
 Company K Wounded, Private E. Fletcher. 
 
 10 
 
110 I1ISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 
 
 ON the 7th of September, 1862, the bivouac on 
 Monocacy river was broken tip, and our Regiment 
 marched to Buckeyestown, and, after a short rest, again 
 took up the line of march and halted near Monocacy 
 Junction, B. & O. R. R., where the men (who were so 
 disposed,) enjoyed a good bath in the river. On the 
 9th, the railroad bridge was blown up by our forces, 
 and one poor fellow, (whose name we cannot now recall,) 
 not a member of our Regiment, was killed whilst bath 
 ing near the bridge by a fragment of iron from it. 
 
 On the 10th, the line of march was resumed, and 
 we passed through Frederick City and Middletown, 
 bivouacing some two miles beyond the latter place. As 
 we were passing through the last-mentioned place, 
 several ladies appeared on the street with cockades of 
 ribbon, red, white and blue, upon their breasts; one of 
 
 our men, C , of Company E, stepped up to them, 
 
 and very politely touching his hat, said : " If you will 
 take the advice of a fool, you will return into the house 
 
 and take off those colors ; some d d fool may come 
 
 along and insult you." The advice had its effect, for 
 they at once withdrew. 
 
 On the llth, we left our bivouac beyond Middle- 
 town at 5 A. M., and marched through Boonsboro , 
 halting for the night about five miles from Hagerstown. 
 On the 12th, we started at 7 A. M. and traveled until 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 two o clock, passing through Funkstown and Hagers- 
 town, halting about a mile beyond the latter place, 
 where the remainder of that and the whole of the next 
 day (13th,) were spent. 
 
 While here, the Pirooters " and " Pisanters" (the 
 latter, a sobriquet given to Company H by Col. Corse,) 
 were busy in foraging for their stomachs, and kept no 
 record of the quantity of butter, honey, bacon, &c., 
 brought into camp for both individual and social 
 enjoyment. 
 
 On Sunday, (14th,) the battle of " Boonsboro," on 
 " South Mountain," took place. Leaving camp about 
 five o clock A. M., we retraced our steps through 
 Hagerstown and Boonsboro 7 ; took the road leading to 
 Harper s Ferry for two miles, then along the mountain 
 side until we came out on the turnpike about a half 
 mile from where we started. Marching several hundred 
 yards further, our baggage was dispensed with, and 
 then up the mountain side, in full view of the enemy, 
 our column was moved. 
 
 They opened on us with shell and grape, enfilading 
 our line, but doing very little damage. This was about 
 four o clock P. M. The Regiment soon after moved 
 to the edge of a corn-field, skirmishers were thrown 
 out, and the men formed in line of battle. While 
 moving to this battle-field, the sad intelligence reached 
 us of the fall of Gen. Garland, formerly Colonel of the 
 Eleventh Virginia Volunteers a man that was loved 
 and honored for his gentlemanly courtesy and noble 
 bearing by all the Brigade. The Seventeenth and the 
 
112 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Eleventh had been on the most friendly terms since 
 their first encampment at Manassas, and had fought 
 side by side on every battle-field. Brothers in arms, 
 they felt themselves brothers in heart, and the fortunes 
 of each were watched over and guarded by the other. 
 Their blood had been mingled in many a hard-fought 
 battle; their tears had blended o er many a loved 
 one s grave; now they sorrowed, as with one heart, 
 for the brave Commander who had been friend and 
 comrade to each, and the conservatory of each heart 
 still nurtures the myrtle and cypress enwreathing his 
 memory. 
 
 In this battle, the Seventeenth, though greatly out 
 numbered by the opposing forces, held their own . Maj or 
 Arthur Herbert was not with the Seventeenth Virginia 
 on this day, but commanded the Seventh Virginia 
 Infantry, with which he passed safely through the 
 battle. 
 
 The following is from the official report of Colonel 
 Corse, who was slightly w r ounded during the engage 
 ment : 
 
 " My Regiment was placed in line of battle about 
 four o clock P. M., in a field to the right of the road 
 leading to the summit of the mountain, and to the left 
 of Crampton s Gap. In the act of taking that position, 
 the Regiment was subjected to a very fierce shelling 
 from a battery of the enemy, which enfiladed our line ; 
 fortunately, however, we suifered very little loss from 
 that, having but two men slightly wounded." 
 
 " I moved the Regiment forward about a hundred 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. H3 
 
 yards, by your order, towards a woods in our front and 
 ordered Lieut. Lehew, with his company, to deploy 
 forward as skirmishers into the woods and to engage 
 the enemy, which were supposed to be there; very 
 soon I heard shots from our skirmishers; your aid, 
 Capt. Beckham, at this time delivered me an order to 
 move my Regiment by the left flank and to connect my 
 line with the Eleventh, occupying a corn-field, which 
 order was obeyed ; we remained in this position a few 
 minutes, when Col. Stewart s Eegiment (Fifty-sixth 
 Virginia), Pickett s Brigade, joined my right. Imme 
 diately the brigade on our right became hotly engaged ; 
 we reserved our fire, no enemy appearing in our front." 
 
 " After the fire had continued about fifteen minutes, 
 Col. Stewart reported to me that the troops on his right 
 had fallen back. I also observed that they had aban 
 doned the left of the Eleventh. I communicated my 
 intention to Col. Stewart and Major Clement, of the 
 Eleventh, to fall back about ten or fifteen steps behind 
 a fence, which was simultaneously done by the three 
 regiments in good order. WQ held this position until 
 long after dark, under a severe fire of musketry 
 obliquely on our right flank and in front, until nearly 
 every cartridge was exhausted. Shortly after the 
 enemy had ceased firing, about half-past seven o clock 
 P. M., I received your order to withdraw my Regi 
 ment, which was done in good order, and halted to rest 
 on the Boonsboro 7 and Frederick Town road, with the 
 other regiments of your Brigade." 
 
 " In this engagement I was particularly struck with 
 10* 
 
114 HISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 the determined courage of officers and men ; they held 
 their ground manfully against a largely superior num 
 ber, as far as I could judge, from the heavy fire of the 
 enemy upon our right and front. Those who deserve 
 particular mention for distinguished gallantry and 
 activity were Capt. J. T. Burke, of Company D, Lieut. 
 Thos. Perry, of Company A, Lieut. Turner, of Com 
 pany B, Color Corporal Murphy, of Company C, Color 
 Corporal Harper, of Company E, who won my highest 
 admiration for their cool bravery." 
 
 The following is from the official report of General 
 J. T. Longstreet : 
 
 * * * a ^y e succeeded in repulsing the repeated 
 ;and powerful attacks of the enemy, and in holding 
 our position till night put an end to the battle. It 
 was short but very fierce. Some of our most gallant 
 officers and men fell in this struggle, among them the 
 brave Colonel J. B. Strange, of the Nineteenth Vir 
 ginia Regiment." 
 
 After the battle was over our Regiment returned to 
 where their baggage had been left, resting until all 
 -the wounded from the field had been brought in and 
 eared for. We then took up the line of march, pass- 
 Ing back through Boonsboro and taking the road to 
 Harper s Ferry. On the morning of the 15th, after 
 a weary night s march, we halted near the small town 
 of Kistersville and were allowed time to cook and eat 
 breakfast, after which we again started, marched to 
 Sharpsburg and took our position in line of battle 
 southeast of the town. Soon after sun-rise on the fol- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. H5 
 
 lowing morning (16th,) the enemy commenced shelling, 
 our batteries replying slowly ; near noon a battery of 
 eight pieces on our left opened, and a most terrific artil 
 lery duel commenced. Our batteries being situated in 
 front of Sharpsburg, the shots from the enemy passed 
 over our heads, bursted and fell in the town, from the 
 effects of which many of the houses suffered terribly. 
 
 At midnight, four men from the Regiment (Hough, 
 Company A, Lewis, Company E, Sherwood, Company 
 F, and a member of Company D, whose name we have 
 forgotten,) were detailed and sent back to cook ; after 
 getting flour from the provision train, two miles to the 
 rear, they returned to Sharpsburg to borrow utensils in 
 which to bake bread our wagons having taken the 
 wrong road and left us destitute. Most of the citizens 
 had deserted their homes, and there was some difficulty 
 in borrowing from the few who remained, consequently, 
 it was nearly daylight when they met to commence 
 operations, having obtained one skillet and an old oven 
 with the bottom half out. They were genuine men, not 
 easily baffled ; they persevered, but had hardly made 
 up one batch of dough when the guns of the enemy 
 opened again, and the shells falling about them com 
 pelled a change of position. Two shells bursted in the 
 yard in which they were cooking, about ten yards in 
 front of them; two more struck the house behind which 
 they were standing, and a fifth struck the adjoining 
 house, bursted inside and set it on fire. 
 
 They retreated and sought refuge in the cellar, but 
 even that proved unsafe a shell came down through 
 
$. 
 
 116 HISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 two floors into their midst and buried itself in the 
 ground, fortunately without bursting, else all would 
 inevitably have been killed. From cellar to yard again 
 they flew, where, the enemy s fire having abated, they 
 continued their cooking. About four o clock in the 
 afternoon, Hough and Lewis started for the Regiment 
 with a batch of biscuits, and just after their return 
 from delivering them the battle opened fiercely along 
 the line. The " Report " of the " Captain " of the 
 squad closes thus : " The cooks were now ordered to 
 retreat out of town, which they did i in good order/ 
 but making very good time." 
 
 The ranks of the Seventeenth Regiment had been 
 greatly reduced by the hard marches, desperate battles 
 and the excessive toils of the preceding thirty days. 
 The small number carried into the battle of Sharps- 
 burg, as will be shown by extracts from official sources 
 further on in the succeeding pages, was diminished yet 
 more, until but a handful of that once numerous, fear 
 less body of troops, now rallied around their battle 
 stained banner. The battle was severe upon our 
 Regiment, for nearly all that went into the fight 
 were either killed, wounded or captured. " The 
 gallantry of the command, (wrote an officer of our 
 Regiment,) was never more conspicuous than in those 
 engagements." 
 
 The following is from the report of Colonel Corse, 
 who was wounded and fell into the hands of the 
 enemy, but was afterwards rescued by Tooinbs 
 Brigade. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. H7 
 
 " About four o clock P. M., the enemy was reported 
 to be advancing ; we moved forward with the First 
 and Eleventh regiments of the Brigade (the Seventh 
 and Twenty-fourth being detached to operate on some 
 other part of the field) to the top of the hill to a fence, 
 and immediately engaged the enemy at a distance of 
 fifty or sixty yards, at the game time under fire from 
 their batteries on the hills beyond." 
 
 " My Regiment being the extreme right of the line 
 then engaging the enemy, came directly opposite the 
 colors of the regiment to which it was opposed, con 
 sequently being overlapped by them, as far as I could 
 judge, at least a hundred yards. Regardless of the 
 great odds against them, the men courageously stood 
 their ground, until overwhelmed by superior numbers, 
 were forced to retire." 
 
 " I have to state here, General, that we put into the 
 fight but forty-six enlisted men and nine officers, out 
 of this number seven officers and twenty-four men 
 were killed and wounded and ten taken prisoners." 
 
 " It was here that Captain J. T. Burke and Lieut. 
 Littleton fell, two of the bravest and most valuable 
 officers of my command. Color Corporal Harper also 
 fell fighting heroically at his post, these brave men I 
 think deserve particular mention. I received a wound 
 in the foot which prevented me from retiring with 
 our line and was left in the hands of the enemy for a 
 short time, but was soon rescued by General Toombs 
 Brigade and a portion of yours, who drove the enemy 
 back beyond the line we had occupied in the morning." 
 
118 HIS TOR Y OF THE 
 
 " I saw Major Herbert come up with a portion of 
 the men of the First, Eleventh and Seventeenth re 
 giments of your Brigade on the left of General Toombs 
 line, cheering the men on with his accustomed cool 
 and determined valor. Lieut. "W. \V. Athey, Com 
 pany C, captured a regimental color of the 103d New 
 York Regiment, presented to them by the city council 
 of New York City, which I herewith forward to you ; 
 my wound being painful I rode to the surgeon to have 
 it examined, leaving the command to Major Herbert." 
 
 The following is from General Longstreet s official 
 report, he says : 
 
 * * * Before it was entirely dark, the hundred 
 thousand men that had been threatening our destruc 
 tion for twelve hours, had melted away into a few 
 stragglers." * * * ^ * * * * 
 
 * * * <t rh Q name O f every officer, non-commis 
 sioned officer and private, who has shared in the toils 
 and privations of this campaign, should be mentioned. 
 In one month, these troops had marched over two 
 hundred miles, upon little more than half rations, and 
 fought nine battles and skirmishes, killed, wounded 
 and captured nearly as many men as we had in our 
 ranks, besides taking arms and other munitions of war 
 in large quantities. I would that I could do justice 
 to all of these gallant officers and men in this report. 
 As that is impossible, I shall only mention those most 
 prominently distinguished. These were * * * * 
 Brig. Gen. Kemper, at Manassas plains, Boonsboro 
 and Sharpsburg. Colonels Hunton, 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. H9 
 
 Corse, Stuart, Stevens, Hately, (severely wounded,) 
 and Walker (commanding Jenkins Brigade, after the 
 latter was wounded,) at Manassas plains, Boonsboro 
 and Sharpsburg. * * *. * Lieut. Colonels 
 Skinner and Marye, at Manassas plains, where they 
 were both severely wounded. " 
 
 The remainder of the Regiment spent the night 
 near the battle field about half a mile out of town. 
 The next day was passed in apparent quiet, with 
 nothing occurring to disturb the men but an occasional 
 " whiz " from some sharp-shooter s passing bullet. 
 
 The Regiment returned to their old position on the 
 line and held it during the day. 
 
 About nine o clock on the night of the 18th, we 
 again took up the line of march in direction of Shep- 
 herdstown ; crossing the canal and river about half a 
 mile below the town, we found the w r ater very cold 
 and about waist deep, but it brought us once more to 
 Virginia soil. 
 
 After crossing the river a very amusing scene oc 
 curred. Major Herbert had received orders to follow 
 Dray ton s Brigade ; in the darkness and confusion arising 
 from fording we had entirely lost sight of it and were 
 hurrying forward to overtake it. We were to pass up 
 a narrow ravine in front of us which would admit but 
 one regiment four abreast at a time. At its mouth, 
 coming from another direction we met the Fifth North 
 Carolina and, as both could not enter, Major Herbert 
 explained to the Major in command of the Fifth, that 
 we had to follow Drayton, being under orders to do so 
 
120 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 to which from some misapprehension of the circum 
 stances perhaps, our friend from the good old State as 
 renowned for its patriotism as for its " Tar and Tur 
 pentine/ paid no attention, but ordered his men 
 forward. Herbert also gave the order: "Forward 
 Seventeenth," and the head of the two columns met 
 in the mouth of the ravine, and such a scene took 
 place as was never before witnessed. 
 
 The repeated orders : " Forward Seventeenth ; " 
 " Forward Fifth ; " and from Mitchell in rear com 
 manding the Eleventh " Forward men, follow the old 
 Seventeenth, and don t let them get between you " 
 rang out upon the midnight air. The Fifth was 
 jammed against the sides of the steep rocky ravine, 
 while many clambered up the hill side and clung to 
 the roots, as we passed triumphantly through. The 
 victory was announced with a shout from the boys 
 and " Come along Fifth ? " sent back upon the ears 
 of our necessarily inhospitably treated friends from 
 North Carolina. 
 
 "We marched four miles from the river and rested 
 as day was breaking. In an hour and a half we were 
 ordered back towards the river and after returning 
 two miles, we halted, stacked arms and awaited further 
 orders. An attack had been made by the enemy s 
 cavalry at the crossing, but they were beaten back. 
 About five o clock P. M. we left there, reached the 
 turnpike leading to Winchester, and after marching 
 several miles thereon, we stopped in the woods where 
 the night and the greater part of the following day 
 were passed. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 121 
 
 On the afternoon of the 20tb, about five o clock, we 
 started again taking the road to Martinsburg, halted 
 about fifteen minutes past one o clock A. M. within 
 three miles of town, tired, sleepy and nearly worn-out. 
 About nine o clock the next morning, we forded 
 Opequan creek halting about half a mile beyond. 
 
 The Chaplain of the First had service in the after 
 noon, and preached from the text : " I have fought a 
 good fightj I have finished my course, I have kept 
 the faith," Paul s 2d Timothy. 
 
 On the 27th, we broke camp near Opequan creek 
 and marched all day, bivouacing near Bunker Hill. 
 The next day, (28th,) we moved to near the Hopcwell. 
 Meeting House, where we remained in camp some 
 days, nothing taking place of much interest. 
 
 On the 6th of October, General Kemper reviewed 
 the Brigade ; on the 9th, General Longstreet had a 
 review of the Division. 
 
 On the 13th, a review of a part of the Corps took 
 place for the benefit of some English Lords, who were 
 making a tour of inspection for their own gratification. 
 
 On the 16th, Gen. Pickett inspected the Division, and, 
 on dress parade, orders were read for us to be ready to 
 move at a moment s notice, but it amounted to nothing. 
 
 On the 20th, we changed our camp ground and 
 pitched tents near White Hall, about two miles from 
 Bunker Hill. 
 
 General R. E. Lee reviewed our Division on the 
 22d, and the day passed away quietly. 
 
 On the 28th of October, we left Bunker Hill and 
 11 
 
122 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 took up the line of march through Winchester and 
 beyond, about five miles on the Front Royal road where 
 we passed the night. 
 
 The march of the 29th brought us to one mile south 
 of Front Royal, after fording the North Fork of the 
 Shenandoah river, and crossing the South Fork on a 
 bridge of wagons. 
 
 On the 30th, the mountains were crossed at Chester 
 Gap, and the road to Games Cross Roads taken.; 
 passing two miles beyond the latter point the Brigade 
 bivouaced for the night. 
 
 On the following day, (31st,) we marched within one 
 mile of Culpeper Court House, via Little Washington 
 and Sperryville, and encamped about half-past five 
 P. M. The night was made so lively among some of 
 the Regiment, by the introduction of " pine-top," that 
 after midnight the Colonel had to turn out to quell the 
 disturbance and restore quiet. 
 
 While in the vicinity of the Court House, where we 
 remained some time, the drills, guard and picket duties, 
 were resumed, and the ranks of the Division greatly 
 augmented by the return of convalescents and strag 
 glers. The Division received orders on several occa 
 sions to pack up ready for a move, but each time the 
 orders were countermanded and the tents re-pitched. 
 On the 20th of November, we marched two miles be 
 yond the Court House in direction of Raccoon ford, 
 but were ordered to return after a short halt ; the fol 
 lowing day, however, the right order came, and by 
 daylight we were on the march ; we crossed the Rapi- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 123 
 
 dan river at Raccoon ford and took the road to Fred- 
 ericksburg. After a march of about twenty-two miles 
 we encamped for the night. 
 
 On the following day, (22d,) we marched as far as 
 Chancellorsville, where the night was passed. On the 
 23d, we marched to a point beyond the Telegraph Road 
 and west of Fredericksburg, where we went into 
 regular camp. 
 
 The army of Gen. Burnside was concentrating on 
 Stafford Heights, opposite Fredericksburg ; we were in 
 his front to oppose his passage of the Rappahannoek 
 river. 
 
 The men of our army, notwithstanding that they 
 had passed through battles, marches and trials of every 
 kind, were buoyant in spirit and quite ready to meet 
 the hosts of the Federal army upon any field. 
 
 The ravages made among our troops by death, 
 wounds, disease and discharges, were being rapidly 
 remedied, thus restoring the usual cheerfulness and 
 strength to our ranks. 
 
 Our camp was beneath the green feathers of a large 
 pine forest, and there the order for the promotion of 
 our brave and dearly-loved Colonel to a Brigadier 
 Generalship was read to the men on the 1st of Nov 
 ember ; his command to consist of a brigade formed 
 expressly for him. 
 
 Many hearts were filled with sadness in losing so 
 dear a friend. The pages of this record of facts have 
 chronicled in brief some few of his noble acts whilst 
 Colonel of the Seventeenth Virginia, but the history 
 
1 24 SISTOR Y OF TEE 
 
 of him as an accomplished soldier, a revered commander, 
 a beloved companion, is engraved upon the hearts of 
 his men in characters not to be tamed into language. 
 
 The following are incomplete lists of casualties in 
 our Regiment in the battles of Boonsboro 7 and Sharps- 
 burg : 
 
 BOONSBORO . 
 
 Field and Staff Wounded, Adjutant J. H. Bryant, 
 Colonel M. D. Corse. 
 
 Company A None. 
 
 Company B Killed, Marcus D, Darr. 
 
 Company C Killed, Sergeant F. M. Wallace. 
 
 Company D Wounded, Lieutenant W. A. Barnes 
 and Private John Hickson. 
 
 Company E Wounded, Lieutenant A. M. Tubman 
 and Privates A. F. Rose and W. H. Underwood. 
 
 Company F Wounded, Private R. M. Lee. 
 
 Company G Killed, Private Daniel Dohoney ; 
 wounded, Lieutenant F. Powers. 
 
 Company II Wounded, Lieutenant A. C. Kell. 
 
 Company I 
 
 Company K 
 
 SHARPSBURG. 
 
 Field and Staff Wounded, Colonel M. D. Corse. 
 Company A Wounded, Corporal W. J. Paul. 
 Company B Wounded, Corporal Thos. N. Garrison, 
 badly. 
 
 Company C Killed, Lieut. F. B. Littleton and 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 125 
 
 Privates Luther L. Attwell and John C. Brown; 
 
 wounded, Privates W. H. Hardy, badly, and 
 
 Wallace. 
 
 Company D Killed, Captain J. T. Burke and Ser 
 geant J. R. Steel ; wounded, Privates M. Crowley and 
 D. McC. Chichester. 
 
 Company E Killed, Color Corporal W. Harper 
 and Private J. Calmus ; wounded, Lieut. W. P. Me 
 Knight and Sergt. Jos. Gregg. 
 
 Company F Wounded, Private W. E. Davis. 
 
 Company G Wounded, Corporal Thomas Hays. 
 
 Company H. Killed, Private W. A. Castleinan ; 
 wounded, Private W. J. Hall, shot in four places. 
 
 Company I 
 
 Company K 
 
 11 
 
126 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 FREDERICKSBURG AND THE WINTER 
 CAMPAIGN. 
 
 TTNTIL the morning of the 30th November, 1862, 
 the encampments around Fredericksburg remained 
 in such perfect quietude, that drills and the regular 
 .routine of camp were again resumed. At the above 
 mentioned time, however, the guns of the enemy 
 opened upon the town from the hills opposite and 
 -shelled it throughout the day, to the great annoyance 
 <of the inhabitants. 
 
 On the 3d of December, our camp was broken ; we 
 Ibade adieu to the men of our old Brigade and removed 
 ;to the encampment of the new one : the Seventeenth 
 Virginia Eegiment having been assigned with the 
 Fifteenth, Thirtieth and Thirty-Second Virginia re 
 giments to the command of Brigadier General Corse. 
 Upon General Corse s promotion, the Colonelcy of 
 our Eegiment devolved upon Lieut. Colonel Marye, 
 but owing to his misfortune at the second battle of 
 Manassas, he was physically incapacitated to assume 
 the command. Major A. Herbert was promoted to 
 the Lieut. Colonelcy and Capt. E. H. Simpson, of 
 Company B, became Major of the Eegiment; Lieut. 
 Lehew, succeeded to the command of Company B. 
 
 Notwithstanding the severity of the winter, we had no 
 cause for complaint, our rations being sufficiently good, 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA^ r^FANTRY. 127 
 
 and warm clothing having been fesued to most of the 
 men. 
 
 The enemy were working like beavjrs in our front 
 strengthening their position and prepari-ag all things 
 for a grand move. 
 
 On the llth of December, we were all startled by 
 the reports of two signal guns ; they were fired about 
 half past four o clock A. M., and immediately there 
 after, orders were issued us to make ready for a march. 
 
 The Brigade formed and moved out to the road 
 leading into the town ; thence to a position in line of 
 battle to the right and below Fredericksburg. The Di 
 vision was in line upon a slope of hills forming a 
 " horseshoe," and had strengthened their position by 
 erecting breatworks of rails and earth, from which to 
 fight in case of an attack being made upon them. In 
 our rear, upon the crest of the hill, were planted a 
 number of pieces of field artillery, with which the 
 plains below could be swept in case of their occupancy 
 by the Federals. Heavy cannonading was in progress 
 above the town, caused by an attempt of the enemy to 
 throw pontoons across the river and thereby eifect a 
 passage ; but our pickets stationed along the banks of 
 the river, fought them hard, driving them back each 
 time the attempt was renewed ; a number of Federal 
 soldiers were reported killed. The artillery was in 
 peration most of the day, and night closed upon the 
 Confederates in line prepared for battle. 
 
 The morning of the 12th opened quietly, but 
 towards nine o clock A. M., our guns were in opera- 
 
128 UISTOR T OF THE 
 
 tion ; very soon the/jnasketry broke loose on our left 
 and sounds of he*wy fighting reached us. A crossing 
 had been effected by the Federals above the town, our 
 forces foiling back without much resistance and per 
 mitting them a free passage. 
 
 The 13th arrived, and as yet no very heavy battle 
 had transpired ; the morning was dark, damp and 
 gloomy, enveloping the plains below us in such im 
 penetrable fog that nothing was discernable in the 
 direction of the river. At noon, however, the sun 
 appeared and rapidly absorbed the veil in its majestic 
 brightness. Then the lines on the right and left of 
 us opened with artillery and musketry. The battle 
 raged for hours ; musketry was heard above the roar 
 of the artillery, and particularly on our left, the fight 
 ing was terrific. 
 
 From our position overlooking the river bottoms 
 for miles to our right, we had an excellent view of 
 the enemy s position; they crossed the open plain, 
 four lines -deep, and made charge after charge upon the 
 " Rebels " posted in the edge of the woods. General 
 Hood was protecting our right with his brave Texans, 
 consequently, each effort was repulsed, and whenever 
 the blue curl of smoke was visible from the Texan s 
 line, parts of " the grand army " dropped away until 
 the ranks were not only thinned but completely scattered. 
 
 Towards night the battle closed ; the enemy had 
 been repulsed at all points and fell back discomfited 
 upon his reserves. 
 
 " The sight in our front, and, to the right, during that 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 129 
 
 afternoon, (writes one of the Seventeenth,) was as 
 grand as could be witnessed. The number of the 
 Federals in sight at the time was estimated at, at least, 
 sixty thousand, and lines upon lines moving beauti 
 fully and with perfect order in quick succession upon 
 Hood, melted into nothingness, soon as the blue smoke 
 curled above the Texans position. Their officers 
 endeavored by every means to reform their broken 
 ranks, but all in vain, they could not be made to meet 
 that galling fire the second time." 
 
 During t^e heavy fighting on the right and left, 
 a brigade of the Yankees advanced in our front, 
 to the right a short distance, and deployed their 
 skirmishers. They were met by our skirmish line, 
 who fired and fell back slowly, then halting, firing and 
 again retreating. After drawing them into really close 
 quarters, a section of artillery was unlimbered, moved 
 quickly to the front, and fired upon the advancing 
 column ; at the same moment a brigade of infantry 
 moved out in line, from under cover of the brushwood, 
 and charged them with a yell. The Federal line broke 
 at once, and made good speed to the rear. The loss on 
 each side was small, having only a few killed and 
 wounded. 
 
 Saturday night passed off quietly, and the morning 
 of Sunday, (14th,) opened beautifully. Column after 
 column of the enemy could be plainly seen from our 
 elevated position passing down the river to the right, 
 but the fighting and charging had ceased ; the earnest 
 zeal of the "Kebels" having been fully tested the day 
 
130 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 before, Gen. Burnside seemed quite satisfied. We had 
 acted altogether on the defensive in this battle, and our 
 victory was a complete one. 
 
 Monday passed without demonstration on either side, 
 except occasional cannonading, the lines being about 
 the same as on Saturday. Our men waited in readiness 
 for whatever was to be done, though much wonderment 
 was exhibited : " Does General Lee intend to allow 
 Burnside to re-cross the river without molestation ? " 
 was asked on every side, and anxiously the answer was 
 looked for. 
 
 Tuesday, being a dark, rainy morning, our artillery 
 opened fire to ascertain the Federal whereabouts, and, 
 being replied to from the opposite heights, it was con 
 jectured that a crossing had been effected during the 
 night, and so it proved to have been. Amid the dark 
 ness, Gen. Burnside s army had slipped from General 
 Lee s grasp, and was safely landed upon the Stafford 
 shore. 
 
 Their dead had been left in our hands unburied, and 
 on a small lot of ground above the town, supposed to 
 contain about one acre square, as many as eleven hund 
 red of the enemy s dead were counted by one of our 
 Regiment. As many as seven and eight were noticed 
 lying one upon the other, showing that the battle at 
 that point must have been frightfully sanguinary. 
 
 General Jackson s Corps occupied the extreme right 
 of our line, and received the assaults of the enemy 
 without giving a single advantage ; his men could not 
 have fought better, and the real victory should be given 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 to him ; the unexampled fortitude of his body of brave 
 troops needs no laudation. 
 
 The position of our Corps, (Longstreet s-,) in this 
 battle was as follows : General McLaws Division oc 
 cupied the heights, behind the town ; General Ander 
 son s Division on McLaws left, above the town, 
 extending to Taylor s Hill, on the river; General 
 Pickett s Division on McLaws right ; General Hood s 
 Division was posted near Hamilton s crossing, and 
 General Ramseur s Division between Generals Hood 
 and Pickett filled the gap, left open in the first of the 
 army s movements. 
 
 The following are the losses, copied from General 
 Longstreet s Official Report : 
 
 Anderson s Division .,...*.. 159 
 
 McLaws Division ......... 858 
 
 Pickett s Division ......... 54 
 
 Hood s Division .......... 251 
 
 Ramseur s Division ..... .... 535 
 
 Artillery ......... .... 37 
 
 1,894 
 Jackson s Corps lost . . . . , . . . . 2,682 
 
 Making a total of 4,576 
 
 " We captured 9,000 stands of arms, 255,000 rounds 
 of ammunition, and 1,800 sets of accoutrements." 
 Col Baldwin s Report, Chief Ord. A. N. Va. 
 
132 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 On the evening of Tuesday, (16th,) our Kegiment 
 was sent on picket duty on the banks of the river, 
 below the town, and the men were all in such good 
 spirits from the recent victory, that it was considered 
 a pleasure rather than a duty, although the weather 
 was intensely cold and the men suffered severely while 
 on picket post. 
 
 On the 18th, (Thursday,) the Regiment returned to 
 their old camp, and then removed from the bleak hills 
 to a piece of woods about a half mile back ; after pitch 
 ing tents and gathering wood, large fires w r ere built, and 
 all hands warmed up. 
 
 The next morning, after the men had made them 
 selves comfortable and all were congratulating them 
 selves upon the situation of affairs, orders were received 
 to march ; the tents were struck, the baggage was 
 packed, and the line formed ; marching out upon the 
 open hillside, we patiently awaited further orders ; 
 towards night they arrived and the line was dismissed; 
 the previous day s work had to be re-performed ; the 
 cold not having abated, and there being no fires, it was 
 a " long, long- weary " day of suffering to many. 
 
 The second Christmas to us was a dull one ; very 
 few extra edibles were handed around, and only a 
 sprinkling of liquor was to be had outside of the joy 
 ous group that encircled the table spread by the ener 
 getic and gentlemanly caterer, Mr. Jonah White, our 
 worthy Brigade Sutler ; his good things were well re 
 ceived and much enjoyed by his numerous friends. 
 
 On the 27th, our camp was removed to within a few 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 133 
 
 miles of Guinea Station, R. & F. E. R., where we 
 found abundance of wood and water. Here we went 
 into winter quarters, and the men were not very long 
 in making themselves comfortable. The following 
 month (January,) passed off quietly, and nothing worthy 
 of note, outside the usual routine of daily camp life, 
 transpired. 
 
 On the 27th of January, 1863, orders arrived for 
 us to march, and in a heavy rain, which soon changed 
 into snow, we filed out of camp, traveled in a northern 
 direction, and at nightfall arrived at a point about fif 
 teen miles above Fredericksburg. The tramp was a 
 very severe one, as the snow laid six inches deep before 
 it ceased to fall, and the roads were heavy with mud 
 and water. Upon our arrival, a large forest of pines 
 was selected as our place of bivouac ; ere long the men 
 had roaring fires burning, and were engaged in pre 
 paring for the night s rest. The wind howled above 
 us, and the snow fell thick and fast ; large pine trees 
 were torn up by the roots, and the men were in much 
 danger of being crushed by the falling trees and limbs. 
 Our ordnance wagon during the night was crushed to 
 its bed by a tree twelve inches in diameter, that was 
 uprooted and thrown across it ; fortunately, no persons 
 were sleeping in it at the time, or they would certainly 
 have been killed. 
 
 Several days were passed here, during which the 
 
 men held themselves in readiness to move at a 
 
 moment s notice ; then the order arrived to return, and 
 
 the line formed, and we moved back to our quarters. 
 
 12 
 
134 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 What a glorious time some of the Eegiment had during 
 that night, after our return, can only be told by them 
 selves. But it is a fact worth mentioning, to remind 
 them, that a self-constituted provost guard confiscated 
 several barrels of whiskey, which enabled a large por 
 tion of the boys to be " gay and lively too." 
 
 While encamped near Guinea s, the Regiment did 
 picket duty at times on the Rappahannock river, and 
 also worked on the trenches near Fredericksburg, 
 details being made for the latter purpose. 
 
 On the llth of February, Colonel Herbert received 
 a twenty days furlough, and Major Simpson was left 
 in command of our Regiment. 
 
 On the 15th, our camp was broken up, and, in com 
 pany with the Division, we marched, taking the direc 
 tion of Richmond. The baggage was sent by the 
 cars, and about nine o clock, in a hard rain storm, we 
 set out ; after a wearisome march, we went into bivouac 
 at nightfall. The next morning, a detail of one com 
 pany from each regiment of the Brigade was sent 
 about one mile back, for the purpose of getting the 
 wagons out of the mud, where many of them had 
 remained immovable. We then continued the march 
 and arrived near Hanover Junction, where we en 
 camped. A heavy snow storm set in during the night, 
 through which we marched on the following day. 
 
 February 17th, was a severe day upon both men 
 and teams. Company G was detailed to accom 
 pany the Brigade wagon train, to haul them out as 
 they became stuck in the mud. We halted about 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 135 
 
 eleven miles from Richmond, and built large fires by 
 which to dry our saturated clothing. 
 
 The following day, the march was resumed in a 
 hard rain storm ; we halted within five miles of Rich 
 mond where we went to rest, wet and cold ; the rain 
 continued to fall during the night, rendering it yet 
 more chilly and disagreable. The next day about ten 
 A.M., we were again on the march ; we passed through 
 Richmond and crossed the James River at Mayors 
 Bridge. 
 
 The Division marched through the city by com 
 panies in column, presenting a handsome appearance. 
 The sidewalks were filled with ladies, and many highly 
 palatable gifts were distributed by them to the men. 
 We encamped some three miles below the city, and 
 passed the following clay in quietness. 
 
 On the 21st, about 10 A. M., we again started, 
 reached Chester Station, nine miles from Petersburg, 
 and bivouaced for the night. It was there, and on 
 that very night, that the heavy snow storm fell in 
 which Pickett s Division was lost for so many hours. 
 The men had retired under their blankets and fallen 
 asleep before the storm set in, and, when morning came, 
 they were all invisible, being entirely covered by the 
 snow, which laid on the ground to the depth of eight 
 inches. Many found themselves so comfortable in 
 this pleasant situation, the warmth of the snow being 
 equal to many blankets, that they did not rise until 
 mid -day. 
 
136 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 On the 25th, a battle took place between Generals 
 Jenkins and Kemper s brigades; but as it was a 
 friendly combat, in which snow balls were the only 
 missiles used, no one was seriously hurt. 
 
 We remained at Chester Station in regular camp, 
 (our tents, baggage &c., having arrived,) until the 
 first day of March, when we bade adieu to that place 
 and left for Petersburg ; the roads were in dreadful 
 order, rendering the march a memorably tiresome one. 
 Arriving at the bridge over the Appomatox river, 
 below the city, the Division formed by companies in 
 column, marched through, passed down the City Point 
 road some three miles, and encamped for the night. 
 
 The following day very little transpired worthy of 
 note ; our bivouac remained undisturbed, and the day 
 passed rather quietly than otherwise. On the 3d 
 March, Col. Herbert re-joined the Regiment, having 
 been absent on furlough ; on the 4th, we moved our 
 camp a short distance and settled near the City Point 
 railroad, where a permanent camp was laid out. 
 
 On the 9th, General Garnett s Brigade left for the 
 vicinity of North Carolina. 
 
 On the 18th, we had Brigade Inspection, which 
 passed oif quietly. On the 19th, Kemper s Brigade 
 started for North Carolina, leaving only Gen. Arm- 
 stead s and ours in camp, both under command of 
 Brigadier General Corse. 
 
 On the 20th of March, a tremendous snow storm 
 occurred, completely blockading the roads, in con- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 137 
 
 sequence of which drilling &c. were temporarily sus 
 pended; it fell to the depth of twelve inches, occasion 
 ing much suffering, as the atmosphere was piercingly 
 cold. When the light of the 21st dawned upon us, 
 the snow had increased to fourteen inches on the level 
 ground, and still continued falling until towards noon, 
 when it was superseded by rain, which caused its 
 rapid disappearance. 
 
 On the morning of the 23d, preparations were made 
 for removal, tents were struck, baggage packed, and 
 the Brigade took up its line of march. Passing 
 through Prince George Court House, we took the 
 road leading to Ivor Station, N. and P. R. R. ; just 
 before dark we halted and went into bivouac. The 
 following day brought us a tedious march, the small 
 streams having swollen into rapid, almost rivers ; the 
 roads in many places were so submerged that we were 
 very frequently wading in water ; soon after getting 
 into bivouac it rained heavily, necessitating all hands 
 to pass the night in their wet clothes. 
 
 About daylight on the 25th, we arose refreshed, and 
 very soon after were on the move ; it would puzzle 
 one to imagine a more toilsome, disagreable march, 
 through sand and water, than we underwent, until 
 reaching Ivor, where we encamped in a swamp, near 
 the Station, for the night. This neighborhood has 
 notoriety in history, as that in which the scene of 
 Nat. Tyler s negro insurrection was enacted, in 1831 ; 
 New Jerusalem, the place of rendezvous for himself 
 
 12* 
 
138 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and accessories, was only a few miles off from our 
 encampment. 
 
 On the morning of the 28th, Compaies A, E and C, 
 were sent on picket duty to the Blackwater river; field 
 artillery from Petersburg had arrived the day previous 
 and was parked near the Station, ready for instant 
 service. 
 
 On the 30th, General Pickctt appeared and took 
 command; his headquarters were located near Ivor. 
 On the 31st, our Regiment filed out and, marching 
 several miles from the " Swamp," encamped near 
 Tucker s Swamp Church, pitching our tents in a piece 
 of woods bordering on a small stream, where we 
 Tesumed regular camp life. Whilst here, the men 
 ^exercised their talents in the interesting and highly 
 necessary operation of brushing up, washing, and 
 cleansing generally, greatly to their individual benefit 
 (both in feeling and appearance. 
 
 Information soon arrived, that Longstreet s Corps 
 -was approaching our locality in anticipation of a 
 movement to be made upon a point below. The roads 
 were improving, rendering active operations practical. 
 The succeeding chapter will show the destination, 
 success and general movements of this Corps, particu 
 larly the part sustained by the Seventeenth Virginia 
 Regiment, in the battles, skirmishes and incidents 
 consequent upon so interesting a campaign. 
 
 The men were in fine spirits, quite ready and almost 
 anxious to meet the enemy once more, after such pro 
 longed rest from the excitement of battle. Having 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 139 
 
 acquired a right good opinion of themselves from the 
 records of former days, they were quite confident of 
 ability now, to keep their names untarnished upon 
 the role of honor. It was while encamped at Tucker s 
 Swamp Church, that the Twenty-ninth Virginia Regi 
 ment was added to our Brigade. 
 
140 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 SUFFOLK, AND THE MARCH TO WIN 
 CHESTER. 
 
 ON the 6th of April, Lieut. Col. Herbert was as 
 signed the command of the Twenty-ninth Virginia 
 Regiment, of this Brigade, and Major R. H. Simpson 
 left to take charge of our Regiment. 
 
 On the morning of the 9th, our camp near Tucker s 
 Swamp Church was broken, and the tramp commenced 
 towards the Blackwater river. We reached the small 
 village of Franklin on the 10th, after a slow, quiet 
 march, passing through and halting near South Quay, 
 where we received orders to prepare four days rations, 
 and be ready to move at short notice in light marching 
 order, baggage, tents and wagons, to be left at South 
 Quay. 
 
 On the following day, (llth,) the troops crossed the 
 river on pontoon bridges, Generals Jenkins 7 and Hood s 
 divisions at Franklin, and ours at South Quay, where 
 the command, consisting of infantry, artillery and 
 cavalry, under General J. T. Longstreet, made a rapid 
 march in direction of Suffolk, reaching a point about 
 seven miles distant therefrom before night. 
 
 About four o clock on the morning of the 12th, we 
 moved forward by the various roads leading thereto, 
 and before noon the Corps had encircled the town of 
 Suffolk from the White Marsh to the Nansemond river; 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 the enemy were first apprised of our presence by 
 several shots from our line, then extending in readiness 
 for combat for ten or twelve miles around the town. 
 
 The following day, (13th,) our Regiment moved to 
 its position in the siege, near White Marsh, holding the 
 road and a narrow neck of land between there and the 
 Dismal Swamp the other part of the Brigade was 
 posted further to the left ; heavy skirmishing took 
 place soon after the lines were occupied. 
 
 The supply train was left at South Quay, but on the 
 above-mentioned day a portion of it moved across the 
 river and proceeded to forage through the counties ad 
 jacent; the regimental wagons of the Commissary De 
 partment were ordered to follow the troops, and started 
 to do so on the 14th, but the roads were in such bad 
 condition that the train did not reach the vicinity of 
 the army until about two o clock the following morn 
 ing, after hard labor, each wagon having taken its turn 
 at a " stick in the mud." 
 
 On the morning of the 15th, at early light, our Re 
 giment was attacked by a greatly superior number of 
 the enemy, consisting of infantry, cavalry and artillery. 
 They opened with two cannon shots, immediately after 
 which their infantry and cavalry advanced upon our 
 pickets, and drove them in upon our Regiment, which 
 had not been formed, a greater part of the men having 
 been asleep when the artillery opened. But well aware 
 of the proper course to pursue, they immediately fell 
 back and took position in a piece of woods some half 
 a mile to the rear, opening a brisk fire, which retired 
 
142 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the enemy quickly from his position, leaving three 
 dead horses on the field, two prisoners, two horses, 
 (alive,) five saddles and a number of small arms, in our 
 hands. Soon after, the Fifty-seventh and Third Vir 
 ginia regiments came to our relief, and our former 
 position was reoccupied, after several well directed 
 shots at the retreating Federals. Our loss was four 
 wounded and four captured. 
 
 The following are the names of those wounded in 
 this little skirmish : Privates C. O. Ripple, Company 
 E, O. F. Hoffman and T. B. Saunders, of Company K, 
 the latter very badly wounded. 
 
 In the afternoon our skirmishers advanced, whilst 
 our artillery operated against the enemy, and took posi 
 tion a long distance in front of our line, the enemy 
 falling back as our skirmish line moved forward. 
 
 The following day, (16th,) another attack was made 
 upon us, and a part of our line was broken by the 
 charge of their cavalry and driven in, but the Fifteenth 
 and Thirtieth Virginia regiments of our Brigade ad 
 vanced and dispersed the Federals in short order. The 
 loud rattle of musketry and booming of cannon on our 
 left the same day, was caused by the attack of a part of 
 General Armstead s Brigade upon the enemy, and the 
 " driving out " of the Federal pickets from a thicket, 
 the possession of which was necessary to us for the 
 straightening of our lines. 
 
 The troops of the Corps were posted as follows : 
 General Pickett commanded the right, General Jenkins 
 the center, and General Hood the left. Our Regiment 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 143 
 
 was on the extreme right of the line, and we picketed 
 in the Dismal Swamp. 
 
 On the 17th, the Twenty-ninth Virginia of our 
 Brigade, commanded at that time by Lieut. Col, 
 Herbert, met the enemy, (who charged them,) repulsed 
 and drove him a considerable distance. On the 18th, 
 their cavalry again advanced, when the firing of a few 
 volleys caused them to retire. 
 
 The heavy cannonading above the town and to our 
 extreme left on the 19th and 20th, proceeded from 
 the gunboats of the Federals, and from a portion of 
 our field artillery that had been sent down upon the 
 river bank to harrass them. 
 
 On the 23d, the enemy again advanced in our front, 
 threw out their skirmishers in order to engage our 
 attention, while they set fire to a large building several 
 hundred yards from our outposts, and then retired, but 
 not without some loss, as our pickets report having 
 seen them carrying several men from the field. 
 
 The next day they reappeared in front of our Regi 
 ment, engaged our pickets who fought them until 
 each man had fired thirty rounds of ammunition, and 
 then retired until they re-entered our lines to await 
 an attack. The enemy at once advanced and formed 
 in a piece of woods, of which we commanded a full 
 view, and where our artillery opened upon them with 
 terrible effect ; so true was the aim of the efficient 
 gunners, and so demoralizing in its influence upon the 
 enemy, that they broke ranks, and, to use their own 
 phrase, " skedaddled " in unmeasured haste, accelerated 
 
144 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 by deafening cheers from our soldiers. Our loss was 
 three wounded among the artillerymen, and several 
 horses killed. We found four of their dead on the 
 field, and numbers of guns, haversacks, &c., &c., 
 improvidently abandoned in their precipitate flight. 
 On the 25th, they sent into our lines a flag of truce 
 for the purpose of obtaining the bodies of their men 
 left on the field the day before. The same night, we 
 left the White Marsh road and rejoined our Brigade, 
 stationed about three miles to the left. 
 
 The wagons were busily engaged, after our arrival 
 here, in removing further back into the country the 
 bacon, hay, grain, and other forage from this part of 
 Virginia, and a portion of North Carolina had also 
 been well visited for the same purpose. 
 
 There were heavy cannonading and musketry on 
 the left on the 30th, but the Federals did not make 
 the attack that we supposed they would, but satisfied 
 themselves with watching our movevents. 
 
 The month of May, 1863, opened beautifully, and 
 found the lines maintaining comparative quiet. On 
 the third, orders were received to prepare to march ; 
 in the afternoon the wagons started to the rear, taking 
 the direction of South Quay, and about 9 o clock P. M., 
 the main body of the army withdrew from around 
 Suffolk, and returned to the Blackwater river by 
 the roads marched down one month previous. The 
 trains crossed the river at South Quay and Franklin, 
 about midnight, and at daylight on the morning of 
 the 4th, the troops commenced crossing. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 145 
 
 By twelve o clock M, all had passed over but the 
 rear guard, which was in line on the Suffolk side and 
 remained in position until about four P. M., when, 
 they too, came over and the pontoon bridges were 
 taken up. The enemy s cavalry followed us, but only 
 captured a few stragglers ; they had not forgotten the 
 retreat from Yorktown, one year before, when we 
 gave them such a " drubbing " for coming too near 
 our rear. 
 
 At an early hour on the 5th, we were again in 
 motion, and not long after starting we received the 
 welcome tidings, through a despatch from General 
 Lee to General Longstreet, of the victory at Chan- 
 cellorsville. This announcement acted like a charm 
 upon the men, almost annihilating all thought of 
 physical inconvenience arising from the toils of the 
 day s march. 
 
 About sundown we halted and bivouaced beyond 
 the beautiful village of Jerusalem, through which we 
 passed in a drenching rain. On the 6th, the rain con 
 tinued at intervals throughout the day ; after marching 
 about twenty miles, we bivouaced, wet and tired, near 
 the village of Littletown, and made a rather successful 
 effort to sleep. 
 
 On the 7th, we reached a point about seven miles 
 from Petersburg after a most wearying twenty miles 
 march. The next day, (8th,) we passed through the 
 city and bivouaced a mile or so beyond, when many 
 of the men were allowed to return to the "Burg," 
 and spend a portion of the night with their friends 
 13 
 
146 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 and acquaintances. It was a great treat, after such a 
 prolonged campaign, to visit the dear old city so popu 
 lous with kind hearts, so noted for genuine hospitality. 
 
 Leaving our bivouac about nine o clcock on the 
 9th of May, w^e marched to within about six miles of 
 Bichmond, and encamped near Falling Creek on the 
 R. and P. R. R. Whilst here the men passed their 
 leisure hours in fishing, boating, bathing and sight 
 seeing in the vicinity. 
 
 On the llth, the sad news of the death of Lieut. 
 Gen l Jackson was made known to the men of our 
 Division, causing a general depression of spirits among 
 all classes. His death took place at the residence of 
 Mr. Chandler, near Guinea Station, on the evening 
 of the 10th of May, 1863 : words could not express 
 the intensity of sadness that filled all hearts for this 
 irreparable loss. His remains were conveyed to 
 Richmond on the evening of the llth, and upon 
 their arrival all business was suspended, all business 
 places closed ; his body was embalmed and remained 
 in the Governor s Mansion until the next day, (12th,) 
 when it was removed to be laid in state in the hall of 
 Representatives, where until night closed in, a living 
 stream of sorrowing hearts gathered for a gaze, (to be 
 cherished through time,) upon the face of the unwavering 
 Christian Hero of so many hard fought battles. On 
 the following day, the remains were taken to Lexington, 
 Virginia, for interment. The escort from the Capitol 
 building to the depot, consisted of two regiments of 
 our Division, a battery of artillery, and a detachment 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 147 
 
 of cavalry ; a long procession of citizens, preceded by 
 President Davis and staff, followed the soldiery. 
 
 On the 13th, Lieut Col. Herbert returned to the 
 Regiment and resumed command. On the 15th, 
 orders were received to march ; after striking tents 
 and packing baggage, we moved, with the Division, to 
 within a short distance of Manchester and encamped 
 for the night. 
 
 The following morning we passed through Rich 
 mond and onward about twelve miles, going into 
 bivouac about three P. M. 011 the Hanover Junction 
 road. The march on the 17th was short, as we halted 
 about 12 o clock M. within three miles of the Junction. 
 Here we went into regular camp and received orders 
 to resume the company drills. 
 
 In the month of April, while the army was lying 
 in quietude, having closed every approach to Suffolk 
 from the Nansemond river to the Dismal Swamp 
 General Pickett, wishing to know the situation of the 
 enemy in his front, applied to Capt. "Wm. H. Fowle 
 of this Regiment, (then performing picket duty with 
 his Company on the line,) to procure him the services 
 of a good scout for the accomplishment of this very 
 desirable object. 
 
 Sergeant J. P. Jordan, of this Company, having 
 been successful before upon similar errands, was sum- 
 mond, and the General gave him instructions to pro 
 ceed in direction of Suffolk, and, if practicable, to 
 ascertain the situation of the enemy s camp, report 
 their strength, &c., without arousing their suspicions 
 
148 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 or disturbing them, as he particularly wanted them 
 kept quiet until his plans were perfected. 
 
 Posted with the necessary instructions, and knowing 
 well his duty, our Sergeant after selecting three of his 
 companions : John T. Mills, Company H, Seventeenth 
 Virginia, S. C. Madison, and Wm. Gravatt, Company 
 F, 30th Virginia, all of distinguished bravery and 
 unimpeachable reliability, to accompany him, pushed 
 forward into the forest on his left, moving in the 
 direction of the Federal line. 
 
 With great caution the quartette glided stealthily 
 along in single file, and struck the swamp, studded 
 thickly with under-growth, pursuing their way until 
 they thought themselves near the enemy s picket line. 
 The Sergeant then rose to his feet and upon looking 
 around, he says : " I found that I had unobserved 
 passed the enemy s pickets, posted not over ffteen paces 
 on either side of me, and was a short distance in their 
 rear" 
 
 They were now really in for it ; nothing but un 
 shrinking nerve whilst they avoided attracting atten 
 tion, surrounded as they were by enemies, could ensure 
 success to their undertaking. The utmost caution 
 was observed ; not even a twig was broken, the noise 
 of which could arouse suspicion, as the brave soldiers 
 crept on almost into the enemy s midst. 
 
 The timber here being more open, they could see dis 
 tinctly, some distance in front of them, a line of the 
 enemy busily engaged in throwing up breastworks, 
 thus rendering impracticable their further advance in 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 149 
 
 direction of Suffolk. This was a movement of im 
 portance to them, and a master stroke was required 
 by which to spirit themselves back through the line 
 of pickets. Certain capture, and, probably death, 
 would attend their advance ; to retrace their steps in 
 the path they came, was utterly out of the question, 
 and, after consultation, the advice of Jordan, to work 
 their way as near the lines as possible, without being 
 seen, was concurred in, and they immediately com 
 menced operations. 
 
 Proceeding cautiously, they came in sight of the pickets 
 posted in squads of four about twenty paces apart. 
 This was truly the climax of the "situation" and made 
 another council necessary, as they laid themselves 
 down together in the sheltering undergrowth ; some 
 thought escape impossible, but Jordan, ever quick 
 witted and prompt in facing danger, determined to 
 make a bold effort before yielding to the pressure 
 against them. 
 
 They were now on that part of the line which 
 skirted the edge of the woods, and the Confederates 
 could be seen, about four hundred yards beyond, 
 quietly walking their posts, not dreaming of the danger 
 of their comrades, who were watching them so anxi 
 ously from the enemy s picket line. 
 
 The active brain of our Sergeant soon concocted a 
 plan, which he communicated to his companions, and 
 told them to follow him ; the four sprang upon the 
 pickets, (four in number,) ordering them to surrender, 
 which they did without waste of words, by throwing 
 13* 
 
150 HISTORY OF 
 
 down their arms. They then ordered their prisoners 
 to run for their lives, and the party, friend and foe, 
 dashed across the field, our boys keeping the captured 
 ones near them for protection. Not a shot was fired 
 from the enemy, and in a few minutes they were safe 
 in our line, each with his prisoner. 
 
 The following order was issued from Division Head 
 quarters soon after in proof of the appreciation of 
 such service and was read to the troops on dress 
 parade, on the 19th May, 1863, while encamped near 
 Hanover Junction : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS, PICKETT S DIVISION, \ 
 May 15th, 1863. / 
 Special Orders No. 48 : 
 
 The Major General commanding takes pleasure in expressing his 
 high appreciation, to his command, of the gallant and meritorious 
 conduct of Sergeant J. P. Jordan, Company H, Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia; Private J. T. Mills, Company H, Seventeenth Virginia; 
 Private S. C. Madison, Company F, Thirtieth Virginia, and 
 William Gravatt, Company F, Thirtieth Virginia, in the late siege 
 f Suffolk. These gallant soldiers, being sent by their commanding 
 officers, when on picket duty on the new Somerton road, immedia 
 tely in front of Suffolk, alone and unsustained, pierced the enemy s 
 line of skirmishers, penetrated to within a few yards of his main 
 line of battle, gained valuable information, and returned, bringing 
 Tvith them four (4) prisoners and all their arms and equipments. 
 
 It is with especial pleasure that the Major General commanding 
 observes such acts of gallant chivalric daring among the brave men 
 whom he commands, and while the above-named soldiers have, in 
 ao doing, written their own names on the roll of honor, it is hoped 
 that their example will incite others to deeds of a similar nature. 
 
 He desires that this order be published to each regiment and bat 
 talion of the Division on dress parade. 
 
 By order of Major General Pickett : 
 
 (Signed) E. R. BAIRD, A. A. A. Gen l. 
 
 Official: H. BRYANT, A. A. A. Gen l. 
 
 To J. P. JORDAN, Co. IT, 17th Va. Reg t. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 Passing on to the latter part of May, we find the 28th 
 was the day for the Gubernatorial, and other State 
 officer s elections. The soldiers in camp voted for the 
 candidates from their districts, and quite a lively can 
 vass occurred. Our Regiment was handsomely enter 
 tained by the brief, but happy remarks of Surgeon IT. 
 Snowden, upon the questions at issue. 
 
 At this time the army of Northern Virginia was 
 divided into three corps, commanded by Lieutenant 
 Generals Longstreet, A. P. Hill and Ewell, each of 
 whom it is a pleasure for us to remember, as Brigadier 
 Generals in command of our old Brigade. 
 
 On the 2d of June, 1863, while we were preparing 
 to attend a review of the Brigade, an order was received 
 for the Regiment to escort a wagon train, about to 
 visit King and Queen county for the purpose of col 
 lecting forage. We were soon in line with one company 
 of the Fifty-seventh Virginia and a detachment of 
 cavalry ; we moved off, taking the road leading to 
 Newtown. 
 
 After marching about ten miles, we were informed 
 that the enemy were advancing ; the Colonel dispatched 
 a courier to General Pickett to inform him of the re 
 port, and we pursued our way, crossing the Mattapony 
 river and halting on its opposite bank; the cavalry 
 were then sent forward to reconnoitre ; in an hour we 
 moved on, and, at night, bivouaced under arms on the 
 Mntococy creek. 
 
 Early the following morning, a courier arrived from 
 General Pickett, informing Colonel Herbert that the 
 
152 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Division would start at four o clock A. M. via the 
 Bowling Green and Tappahannock road ; we then 
 moved forward to Newtown, where we halted and 
 loaded the wagons with bacon and meal. The ladies 
 of the village were very kind, sending us out boquets 
 of flowers and delicious eatables in abundance. Some 
 of them having expressed a desire to see a dress parade, 
 we were marched to a neighboring field, and, with 
 pleasure, gratified the wish. Passing on about five 
 miles beyond, to Garnett s Mill, companies A and G 
 were sent out as pickets. 
 
 On the morning of the 4th, two brigades of the 
 Division arrived and bivouaced a short distance in ad 
 vance of us, the residue of the Division remaining 
 some four miles to the rear. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 5th, the Division com 
 menced its return march to our old camp near Hanover 
 Junction, our Regiment having been detailed as rear 
 guard. When within a few miles of Newtown, we 
 saw dense columns of smoke rising in our rear ; a 
 courier bearing dispatches from General Pickett arrived, 
 but we continued the march towards Newtown. On 
 reaching the above village, we about-faced and formed 
 in line of battle ; a section of artillery was placed in a 
 field near, and companies A and I detached to support it. 
 
 The report was abroad that the enemy were landing 
 about five miles off from three boats, and Company H 
 was sent about half a mile to the front as a picket, 
 while a detachment of cavalry, supported by two regi 
 ments of infantry, remained to support us in case the 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 153 
 
 enemy advanced; the remainder of the Division moved 
 on towards Hanover Junction. About three o clock, 
 we were relieved by a regiment from General Kemper s 
 Brigade. We rejoined the Division at the Mattapony 
 river, and passed the night at " Ruddy Mills," on said 
 river. 
 
 The march was resumed next morning, the Seven 
 teenth Virginia in advance, and about four P. M., we 
 halted near Taylorsville and went into camp. On the 
 next day, (7th,) late in the afternoon, the Regiment 
 fell into line and moved down to the railroad bridge 
 over the South Anna river, to which place we were 
 sent as a guard. 
 
 The Division, except our Brigade, marched on the 
 8th to join the army in the neighborhood of Culpeper 
 Court House. We put on a strong guard at the 
 " Bridge/ 7 and throwing out pickets a short distance 
 in front, made ready to resist any attack that might 
 be made upon us. General Corse s Headquarters were 
 at Taylorsville ; the different regiments of his Brigade 
 were engaged in guarding the numerous bridges in 
 that vicinity. But we were not destined to remain 
 long in this quiet and beautiful spot, for on the 10th, 
 orders came for our departure, and being relieved by a 
 part of the Twenty-seventh Xorth Carolina Regiment, 
 we marched to a point about half a mile beyond Hanover 
 Junction and awaited the arrival of the rest of our 
 Brigade. While there we received a visit from Col. 
 Marye, which aifordcd much pleasure to the members 
 of his old command, its only defect being its brevity. 
 
154 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 About eight o clock on the morning of the llth, 
 the Fifteenth and Twenty-ninth regiments having 
 joined us, we began the march in direction of Culpeper 
 Court House, taking the Telegraph Koad as far as Mt. 
 Carmel, and then the left hand road, passing through the 
 village of Childsburg, where the Thirtieth Virginia 
 joined us ; we bivouaced beyond, having inarched 
 eighteen miles. The march on the following day, 
 (12th,) was a very tiresome one, warm almost to suffo 
 cation, while the dust was most uncomfortably per 
 ceptible ; we halted about fifteen minutes in every 
 hour to rest. "We bivouaced about three o clock P. M. 
 near Taylor s Mill, when a courier arrived, bidding us 
 to remain until further orders. 
 
 By eleven o clock on the 13th, orders arrived for 
 the Brigade to return to Hanover Junction, and we 
 moved off, arriving about night at the camp we had 
 occupied on the night of the llth. We marched 
 about four o clock A. M. on the 14th, and after a 
 tramp of twenty-three miles, we reached Taylorsville 
 and spent the night. The next day we took our old 
 position at the South Anna bridge, settled down very 
 naturally to the enjoyment of the pleasures of fishing, 
 bathing and boating, on the river. Our duties at the 
 bridge being light, we all passed many pleasant hours, 
 feasted on the fruits and vegetables of the neighbor 
 hood, and had a good time generally. 
 
 On the night of the 24th, orders were received by 
 General Corse from General Lee to report, with his 
 Brigade, at Gordonsville ; soon after, a dispatch came 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 155 
 
 from General Elsey at Richmond, informing us that 
 the enemy were landing troops at the White House. 
 A guard of ten men, in charge of a lieutenant, was 
 detailed to remain at the bridge while the residue of 
 the Eegiment marched to the Junction, where the 
 Brigade was forming, and we then moved on some six 
 miles beyond, where we were overtaken by a courier 
 with the welcome news that the cars were coming to 
 carry us to Gordonsville. 
 
 About ten o clock that night we gladly availed our 
 selves of car transportation, arriving at Gordonsville 
 about daylight on the 26th, and bivouaced in the woods 
 near the village to await further developments. 
 
 On the Friday after we left the bridge, on the South 
 Anna, the enemy appeared, and as a detail of eighty 
 North Carolina troops had been sent to assist in its de 
 fence, the squad of ten men and a lieutenant, (formerly 
 referred to,) were sent on a scouting expedition to hunt 
 up the raiders. Not long after leaving the bridge, as 
 they were approaching a piece of woods, they were 
 greatly surprised at hearing an order to surrender from 
 a body of the enemy among the trees; they made an 
 attempt to escape, and four of the men succeeded. The 
 Federal s then moved down upon the North Carolinians 
 stationed at the bridge, and drawn up on either side of 
 the railroad to receive them ; before attacking, several 
 companies of their dismounted men were sent over the 
 river at a ford below, but not until after they had 
 taken position in rear did our men become aware of the 
 movement, and then it was too late ; whilst attempting 
 
156 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to cross the bridge the whole force of them fell into 
 the hands of the enemy, whose number was estimated 
 at about twelve hundred, while our force consisted of 
 but eighty. A gallant fight was made, and twelve fell 
 out of the eighty. The enemy then set fire to the 
 bridge and soon after retired. 
 
 We return now to Gordonsville, where the Regiment 
 was in bivouac awaiting further orders. 
 
 On the 28th, about eight o clock in the afternoon, 
 we were ordered back to Richmond, and embarking 
 on the cars, at that hour, we were transported thither ; 
 arriving about daylight the succeeding morning, we 
 encamped about three miles from the city on the north 
 side of the James. On the following day we were 
 again ordered to move, and about three P. M. we 
 marched to the depot of the Central Railroad ; after 
 remaining there patiently until about nine o clock P. 
 M., we took the cars for Gordonsville, where we ar 
 rived after a tedious ride and many stoppages about 
 ten o clock the next day. 
 
 We went into camp near the village and had a 
 pleasant, quiet time, as communications with Lynch- 
 burg and Richmond, for several days, were entirely 
 cut off. The weather was warm, but we enjoyed our 
 idle life and relaxation from fatiguing marches, to the 
 utmost. 
 
 Our camp near Gordonsville was broken up on the 
 8th July, 1863, and the Brigade began the march to 
 the Valley. After effecting a progress of nineteen 
 miles the first day, we bivouaced near Madison Court 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 157 
 
 House. On the 9th, we proceeded to within six miles 
 of Milan s Gap and encamped on the mountain side ; 
 where, in the enjoyment of delightfully cool water, a 
 pure bracing atmosphere, and the unbroken slumber a 
 tired soldier can so well appreciate, we were amply 
 remunerated for the fatigues of the march. Swollen 
 streams were forded, and a detail of twenty men from the 
 Brigade was made to repair the roads for the passage 
 of wagons. 
 
 About six o clock on the morning of the 10th, we 
 began the ascent of the Blue Eidge along the steep 
 and winding road. It was a glorious march* all 
 nature seeming jubilant. In the rushing mountain 
 streams we listened to majestic music, while the forests 
 were vocal with melody from the little throats that- 
 weary not in sounding the " Jubilate Deo." The 
 gorgeous sunrise viewed from the mountain height,, 
 the evidence of Divine handiwork bursting upon us 
 at every step, swelled our hearts with unutterable 
 emotions. Arriving upon the summit each would 
 stop and gaze with breathless admiration upon the 
 grandeur of the scenery ; the west side of the range 
 particularly, presented a picture of unparalleled beauty; 
 farms clad in the richness of garden spots were ranged 
 continuously as far as the eye could reach. This por 
 tion of our State not having then experienced the 
 ravages of war, presented itself with luxuious beauty 
 depicted upon its every feature, from the outstanding 
 crops to the barns and storehouses replete with it* 
 produce. 
 
 14 
 
1 58 HISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 After moving on about twenty-two miles, we halted 
 a short distance beyond Luray, the county seat of 
 Page, and went into bivouac. The morning, (llth,) 
 bright and early we resumed the march, and had not 
 gone very far when a courier reported to General Corse 
 that the Shenandoah was not fordable; the General 
 determined, however, to make the attempt at a ford 
 higher up, so we passed to the left of the main road, 
 and after marching about sixteen miles, bivouaced for 
 the night near McKay s ford, on the South Branch. 
 
 On the 12th, we continued the march, forded both 
 branches of the river which were deepened, widened 
 and the current greatly strengthened by recent rains, 
 consequently, we made a march of about twelve miles 
 only, so much time being consumed in the crossing. 
 
 On the 13th, we struck the " Valley Pike " at Mid- 
 dletown, taking the direction of Winchester; im 
 mediately after marching through Newtown, quite a 
 sizable village, we passed a column of prisoners about 
 4,700 in number, guarded by a regiment of infantry, 
 a detachment of cavalry and two pieces of artillery, on 
 their way to Stauntoii from the battle-field of Gettys 
 burg, where they had been captured ; we passed on 
 through Kearnstown, (noted for the battle between 
 Generals Jackson and Shields,) forded a stream four 
 feet deep, and arrived within a mile of Winchester 
 about three o clock P. M. During the last day s 
 march it had rained without intermission, consequently, 
 when we encamped, no one in the Regiment could 
 boast of a dry thread in his clothing. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 159 
 
 We remained at the camp near Winchester some 
 days, and learned the particulars of the great battle of 
 Gettysburg, in which the loss of our Division was 
 unprecedented ly heavy. The army had recrossed the 
 Potomac about the time of our arrival, when a period 
 was allotted us for recruiting strength, washing clothes 
 and righting up generally. Passes were granted the 
 men to visit Winchester, of which many availed them 
 selves. The works surrounding it had been strength 
 ened, and every preparation made to thwart the enemy 
 in any attempt to surprise the town. 
 
160 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS GAP; ONE 
 
 MONTH IN TENNESSEE, AND WINTER 
 
 OF 63 AND 64. 
 
 ON the morning of 20th July, 1863, the camp near 
 Winchester was broken up, and our Brigade, (as 
 the advance of the army lately returned from Mary 
 land,) moved oif in direction f the mountains. Strik 
 ing the Front Royal road about three miles from 
 Winchester, we proceeded slowly, owing to the extreme 
 heat of the weather, and, at the end of fourteen miles, 
 bivouaced near Cedarville. About daylight on the 
 following morning the march was resumed, and the 
 Brigade hurried towards the Gap in the mountains. 
 
 The north and south branches of the Shenandoah 
 were so high that the troops had great difficulty in 
 fording them, particularly the latter ; several men were 
 carried down by the rapidity of the current, and would 
 certainly have been drowned, had it not been for the 
 prompt assistance of the mounted officers, who spared 
 no effort necessary to the rescue. 
 
 After passing through Front Royal, our Regiment 
 was ordered to Manassas Gap, east of the town. The 
 enemy were in force at Linden Station, on the east 
 side of the mountains, and were advancing upon the 
 left of our column by two roads, each leading to the 
 town of Front Royal, one passing through the Gap of 
 the Manassas railroad, and the other, over the m oun- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 tain by the little village of " AYappen." Companies 
 B and C were detailed by Col. Herbert to proceed out 
 the road on the left, while the remainder of the Hegi- 
 ment met the enemy on the road crossing the moun 
 tain. The principal fight took place on the mountain 
 and resulted in the enemy s defeat. The companies 
 fought bravely at both points ; at the Manassas road 
 the enemy were held in check for the greater part of 
 the day, and when ever they approached too near our 
 thin line, strongly posted in the woods on the moun 
 tain side, they were severely punished. 
 
 This was a victory of great importance to our army ; 
 had the Federals succeeded in gaining possession of 
 the Gaps at that time, we can form no conjecture as 
 to what the results would have been, as it is well 
 known, that they had two corps in reserve not far 
 distant, while our handful of men, (comparatively 
 speaking,) were battling for most of the day 
 against ten times their number. Great credit was 
 awarded them from the rest of the army, when the facts 
 became known, and they were loudly eulogized on all 
 sides. Our loss was three wounded, (one of whom 
 afterwards died,) five officers and sixteen men captured. 
 
 During the progress of this battle, Color Coporal 
 Robert Buchanan, Company H, seized the colors from 
 the hands of Color Sergeant Kobert Steel, who fell 
 wounded, and had not held them many minutes before 
 he, too, fell pierced by a ball. His wound proved 
 fatal ; after lingering many weeks in the town of Lynch- 
 burg, he died, lamented by his comrades in arms, and 
 14* 
 
162 HISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 numerous friends and relatives as a gallant, good and 
 courageous soldier. 
 
 Those captured, were on picket duty at the time, 
 and having been surrounded by cavalry, it was im 
 possible for all to escape. The cavalry force opposed 
 to the Regiment in this battle was composed of the 
 First and Second Regulars of the United States Army. 
 On the east side of the mountain, the Sixth Pennsyl 
 vania and the Fifth Regulars, with a battery, were 
 posted, under command of General Merritt. 
 
 Lieut. Scott Roy, Company B, who was ^ among 
 those captured, effected his escape on the night of the 
 22d ? thus, for the second time, outwitting his captors. 
 
 The night of the 21st of July, was passed by the 
 Regiment on the summit of the mountain, near 
 Chester Gap, to which point we marched after the 
 battle. Early on the 22d, General McLaws Division 
 of infantry moved foward, clearing the way for the 
 passage of the army. In the afternoon, we moved 
 through the Gap, and after a tiresome night march, 
 reached Game s Cross Roads about daylight, and there 
 encamped. The weary men gladly threw themselves 
 upon the grassy fields, and slept, during the few hours 
 halt, in preference to preparing breakfast. The column 
 was then formed, and we again moved, taking the 
 direct route to Culpeper Court House, near which 
 point we bivouaced for the night. The wagon trains 
 were sent to Little Washington, and then to Culpeper, 
 making the trip in two days. 
 
 For some days the camps near Culpeper were quiet and 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 163 
 
 going through the regular routine of duties peculiar to 
 army life. On the night of the 30th, Lieut. Scott 
 Roy, Company B, of this Regiment, whose escape from 
 the enemy has been referred to, returned to the Regi 
 ment, greatly to the surprise of all, as he was generally 
 supposed to be dragging out the weary term of a 
 prisoner in some of the Northern strongholds. When 
 the squadron in charge of the prisoners, captured at 
 Manassas, halted the night of the 22d to rest and sleep, 
 the fearlessly brave Lieut. Roy, undaunted as usual by 
 surrounding circumstances, promptly laid his plans to 
 circumvent the kind intentions of those having him in 
 custody, watched his opportunity, and, after they had 
 fallen asleep, he rolled himself out of the circle of slum 
 bering guards, made choice of the finest horse in the 
 group, and rode off without molestation, enriched by 
 the possession of a valuable steed and a full cavalry 
 outfit, a result which amply repaid him for the incon 
 venience endured in obtaining them. 
 
 While we were encamped near Culpeper, the enemy 
 advanced, threatening an attack. Troops were moved 
 to the Hazel river, where preparations were made to 
 meet them, but no opportunity for battle was afforded 
 us, the enemy preferring to remain on the defensive. 
 
 On the 3d of August, the army again changed posi 
 tion, taking the direction of Orange Court House. 
 Our Regiment marched with the Division, crossed 
 Cedar Run, passed the battle-field of Cedar Mountain 
 at the point where the hardest fight had occurred, 
 moved over the river near Rapidan Station, in the 
 
164: HISTORY OF THE 
 
 neighborhood of which we spent that night and the 
 day following. 
 
 On the 5th, we moved down the river, and went into 
 camp near Summerville ford. Nearly a month was 
 passed in this pleasant locality; the Regiment was 
 increased in strength and numbers by the return of 
 the sick and wounded reinvigorated by several months 
 absence and rest. The period was passed quietly, and 
 without other occupation required of us than the 
 regular camp duties, which proved highly beneficial to 
 all, recuperating health, energy, and buoyancy of spirit 
 for the winter s campaign. 
 
 On the 18th, orders were received allowing fifteen 
 days furlough to two men in each hundred, by which 
 numbers were sent home rejoicing. A great revival of 
 religion, throughout General Lee s army, took place 
 during its encampment on the Eapidan, which added 
 many, from every regiment, to the Army of the Cross. 
 
 On the 8th of September, 1863, the camping grounds 
 of Pickett s Division were left bare, and we began the 
 march to Petersburg. The first night was passed 
 about five miles east of Gordonsville, nothing occur 
 ring on the route worthy of noting as an incident of 
 interest. The following day we passed through Gor 
 donsville, and bivouaced within two miles of Louisa 
 Court House. The march was rather a rapid one 
 in such torid weather, consequently, many lagged, 
 being utterly incapable of locomotion at such a gait, 
 for so long a time. 
 
 On the 10th, we moved seventeen miles; the day 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 165 
 
 was cloudy, hence, there was not so much suffering from 
 heat. The vicinity of Richmond was reached on 
 the 12th, and we encamped, the men in good spirits, 
 and glad to. be so near the " City of Seven Hills." 
 During the following day, the Division marched 
 through the city to the depot of the R. & P. R. R., 
 occupied the cars, and were conveyed to Petersburg, 
 near which we went into camp. On the afternnon of 
 the 14th, we moved down to the depot of the South- 
 side Railroad, for Lynchburg, the trains leaving the 
 city after night had set in. Our Brigade only em 
 barked, the residue of the Division remaining in the 
 vicinity of Petersburg. A very sad affair occurred 
 prior to our leaving the depot. Two of our Regiment 
 becoming involved in a quarrel with each other, Hirst, 
 of Company F, a good soldier, was mortally wounded 
 by a stab in the groin, inflicted with a small knife in 
 the hands of the other, belonging to Company G. 
 The latter was arrested and confined for trial in 
 Petersburg, but finally acquitted, and returned to his 
 company. 
 
 Arriving in Lynchburg early on the morning of the 
 15th, we remained until evening, when we left on the 
 V. & T. R. R. train, and traveled all night, reaching 
 Glade Spring the next afternoon. Several hours were 
 passed at Wytheville, many of the Brigade taking ad 
 vantage of the opportunity for a stroll through the 
 village. Just before leaving, Hansborough, of Com 
 pany K, had his hand crushed by the cars, One of the 
 Fifteenth Virginia was also wounded; he fell from the 
 
1G6 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 cars while they were in motion, thereby fracturing his 
 leg so severely as to render amputation necessary. 
 
 At daylight, on the 17th, we arrived at Zollicoffer, 
 Tenn., having halted a short time at Bristol, a town 
 belonging, according to State lines, equally to Tennessee 
 and Virginia. The cars were unloaded, and the Brig 
 ade encamped near the village. The ride from Peters 
 burg to Tennessee was truly a pleasant change from 
 our previous tedious marches ; the scenery from either 
 side of the route, in passing through the rich valley of 
 Koanoke, was magnificent, and doubly recompensing a 
 lover of nature for any annoyances occasioned by the 
 trip. The fair sex was well represented at each station 
 we passed, and our hearts gladdened by kind words 
 and gentle smiles, as most acceptable lunches to regale 
 our inner man were dispensed to us by delicate hands. 
 It is hard to determine which was most grateful to us. 
 Perhaps the memory of both nerved our arms to more 
 valorous deeds, but be that as it may, we shall always 
 think of them with pleasure. 
 
 We were all much pleased with the wild country of 
 East Tennessee, so different from the open fields of the 
 section we had just left. Provisions were abundant, 
 and fruit, so much sought for in Virginia, abounded. 
 The grist mills in the vicinity were kept grinding in 
 cessantly day and night to supply the army. The army 
 was commanded by General Jones, an officer who had 
 spent the greater part of the war in that section of our 
 Confederacy. 
 
 On the 1 9th, it was ascertained that the enemy were 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 advancing in our direction from the village of Blounts- 
 ville, and preparations were made to give them a warm 
 reception. The Brigade was marched a short distance 
 from camp, the regiments placed in position on the 
 hillside, and pickets from the Twenty-ninth Virginia 
 Regiment thrown out. The next morning, (20th,) the 
 enemy neared our picket line, throwing out their dis 
 mounted cavalry as skirmishers. They, no doubt, ex 
 pected their advance to meet with but slight resistance, 
 but upon striking the brave men of the Twenty-ninth, 
 they met with such sharp repulse, that they fell back 
 discomforted. Several rounds of shell from a mountain 
 howitzer were fired at our line, but, fortunately, did no 
 damage. The Twenty-ninth Virginia lost two killed, 
 and four wounded, in the skirmish. The Federals then 
 withdrew, taking the road to Bristol, thus leaving us 
 for a while in quiet. 
 
 On the 24th, they again approached our line, and 
 after discharging a few shots at our pickets, which 
 were promptly reciprocated, they retraced their route 
 in direction of Blountsville. 
 
 A small party of the Quartermaster s Department, 
 belonging to our Regiment, while returning from 
 Bristol, where they had been on duty, met a squad of 
 the Confederate Tennessee cavalry, and, as night had 
 closed in, each mistook the other for the enemy, and the 
 cavalry fired into the squad, scattered them into the 
 woods, giving them a good scare, and furnishing mate 
 rial for a long and exciting story after their return to 
 camp of an attack from a large body of the enemy. 
 
168 HIST OR Y OF THE 
 
 This was all spoiled, however, and the participants 
 quite crest-fallen, when enlightened, after the narration 
 of their wonderful escape had been listened to by many, 
 by the information that the imaginary foe was in reality 
 a party of our own cavalry. 
 
 One of our Brigade officers, (Staff,) was so over-joyed 
 at hearing the glorious news from Bragg s army, that 
 he snatched up a gun and charged upon a cow standing 
 in the road ; the creature very naturally retreating, de 
 veloped, to his astonished gaze, the form of a lady 
 seated upon a stool in front of an overturned milk pail. 
 The Lieutenant apologized, explained and righted 
 matters, to the best of his ability, but could not restore 
 the " spilt milk." 
 
 On the 27th, the Regiment, in company with the 
 Brigade, moved down to Carter s Station, ten miles 
 below Zollicoffer, and remained there until the 30th, 
 when it inarched back, and embarked on the cars for 
 Lynchburg. We arrived in Lynchburg on the 1st of 
 October, without anything worthy of note having 
 transpired ; here we idled our time away until the fol 
 lowing night; during our stay, Captain Wallace, of 
 the Fifteenth Virginia, was severely hurt from a fall 
 over a railroad tie, and one of the Thirtieth Virginia 
 was killed by a negro, on the outskirts of the town. 
 
 About 11 o clock, on the night of the 2d, we took 
 the cars for Petersburg, arriving safely the following 
 morning. We remained near there for several days, 
 and on the 8th, our Kegiment was detached from the 
 Brigade, and sent by railroad to Ivor Station, P. & N. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 R. R., where we went into camp, on the left of the 
 road, opposite the Station. Colonel Herbert, at this 
 pointj was in command of the Department known as 
 the "Blackwater line/ with his Headquarters at 
 Ivor. 
 
 Soon after our arrival there, a regular camp was laid 
 out, and the tents pitched. Clothing was issued, and 
 most of us put in comfortable trim for the winter. We 
 found oysters and sweet potatoes abundant, the former 
 could be purchased for $5.00 per gallon, and the latter 
 for $6.00 per bushel. The remainder of our Brigade 
 left Petersburg for Dublin, "Va., on the 15th of Octo 
 ber, General Armistead s Brigade having gone to North 
 Carolina some days previously. 
 
 On the 21st and 22d, a number of refugees from 
 Norfolk came into our lines, having been sent out of 
 the city by the United States authorities ; most of our 
 tents were vacated for their accommodation, and as the 
 trains came down but twice a week, they were neces 
 sarily compelled to remain two nights. There were 
 many pleasant ladies in the party, and our time passed 
 with agreeable rapidity in their society. The first 
 night of their stay, they were serenaded by the Glee 
 Club of the Regiment ; the next night we arranged for, 
 and enjoyed a dance in honor of their presence, in a 
 wheelwright s shop near the Station. When the train 
 came down on the 23d, the ladies were escorted thereto 
 and regretfully bidden farewell ; the remembrance of 
 those truly happy hours, so replete with social pleasure, 
 will ever be bright in the hearts of no small portion of 
 15 
 
170 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the Seventeenth Virginia, though they never more 
 may meet, in this life, those gentle heroines. 
 
 On the 24th, Colonel Herbert sent in a flag of truce 
 to Suffolk, accompanied by some of our wagons in 
 charge of the Quartermaster, for the purpose of trans 
 porting from there more refugees to some points within 
 our lines. 
 
 Two of our companies were posted on picket at the 
 river ; above and below the infantry pickets, outposts 
 of cavalry, were constantly kept on the alert, in case 
 of an advance by the Federal troops. On the 3d, 4th, 
 and 5th days of November, salt was distributed among 
 the citizens of the adjoining counties; great numbers 
 of them came in gladly to get it, riding in every con 
 ceivable sort of conveyance ; a large majority freighted 
 with something they hoped to sell to the soldiers. On 
 the 9th, we received orders to march ; previous to this 
 time, Colonel Herbert, having dispatched Lieut. Roy, 
 Company B, on a scout into the enemy s line near 
 Suffolk, received information of their not being in very 
 strong force at that place. In company with a detach 
 ment of cavalry and a section of artillery, we vacated 
 our camp at Ivor, crossed the Blackwater at Broad 
 Run Ferry, and halted about 11 o clock P. M., near a 
 Mr. Marshall s, where we slept on the ground without 
 fires ; it was cold napping, but as we were on a " Sur 
 prise party" expedition, we did our best to enjoy it. 
 
 The march was resumed on the 10th, and upon ar 
 riving at Windsor Station, we halted, stacked arms, 
 and awaited the report of a party of the cavalry sent 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 171 
 
 forward upon a scout ; they returned not many hours 
 after at full speed, with seven prisoners, eight fine 
 horses, and an excellent spring wagon, all of which 
 they had captured in Suffolk. The next morning we 
 returned to Ivor, not having accomplished the object 
 at which we aimed, the why and wherefore of the failure 
 being ascertained only upon our arrival at Windsor. 
 
 Lieut. Scott Roy, who had been captured while 
 scouting within the Federal lines, returned to camp on 
 the 15th, having for the third time outwitted his cap 
 tors. It appears, that after he was captured, some 
 Federal officer recognized him as one who had escaped 
 once or twice before, and to make themselves doubly 
 sure of retaining him this time, they placed him, with 
 his comrade, (one of Company B,) in an upper room of 
 Fort Norfolk, and deputed a heavy guard to take care 
 of him. Roy had advised the Federals to watch him 
 closely, as he intended to leave them, if possible. So, 
 after remaining several nights in the Fort, he and his 
 companion cut through the roof of the building, and, 
 sliding down the lightning-rod, passed the sentinel s 
 beat in the darkness, and finding a canoe near the Fort, 
 on the river, quickly availed of. it and paddled up the 
 Nansemond to a convenient landing, whence they came 
 into camp. 
 
 Early in the month of January, 1864, our Regiment 
 marched in direction of Chuckatuck, on a reconnoisance ; 
 without anything of importance transpiring, we re 
 turned the following day to camp. This move was 
 made in consequence of a report of the arrival of two 
 
172 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 gunboats, from which the enemy were landing a raid 
 ing party ; it was incorrect, however, there was only 
 one gunboat, and no attempt to land. 
 
 On the 23d of January, after a long rest and quiet 
 winter, our Eegiment took the cars, and arrived safely 
 in Petersburg, where several days were spent. On the 
 28th, we left Petersburg for Kingston, N. C., prepara 
 tory to the attack contemplated upon Newbern at that 
 time, and arrived on the 30th ; on the evening of that 
 day the march to Newbern was commenced; on the 1st 
 of February, we arrived near the city, and opposite 
 Fort Anderson. This was the longest forced march 
 the Regiment had ever been called upon to make, 
 having traveled 53 miles in 27 hours. It being con 
 sidered impracticable to attack the Fort at this time, 
 Col. Bearing, in command of the troops, ordered a 
 withdrawal, and after another weary march over the 
 sandy roads of North Carolina, the Regiment reached 
 its encampment, near Kingston, on the 5th of Feb 
 ruary. 
 
 The following day, (6th,) the march was commenced 
 to Goldsboro , where we arrived on the 7th. On the 
 24th, we were ordered to Lexington, N. C., to quell a 
 disturbance apprehended in that locality. We remained 
 two days and then returned to Goldsboro , leaving 
 Companies F and I as a guard ; after a stay of about 
 ten days, the companies above-mentioned rejoined the 
 Regiment. 
 
 On the 7th of March, we moved by railroad to 
 Kingston, where we encamped. At that time the 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIR GIN I A 1NFANTR Y. 173 
 
 Brigade marched to Deep Creek as a feint, to prevent 
 the Yankees from reinforcing Plymouth from Newbern, 
 while that place was besieged by General Hoke. The 
 Regiment encamped on the Neuse river, and whilst 
 there, a conscript member of Company G was tried by 
 court martial at Petersburg, for desertion, sent to the 
 Regiment at Kingston, where he was executed on Fri 
 day, April 1st, being shot in the back. 
 
 The rations at this time were rather light, consisting 
 of 1J Ibs. of meal and J- Ib. of bacon per day, with an 
 occasional ration of rice or beans. The prices of every 
 thing, at all saleable, were enormously high, as the 
 following price-list will show : Board in Richmond, 
 at private house, $25.00 per day ; at hotel, $30.00 per 
 day, $10.00 per meal; butter, $12.00 per Ib.; sugar, 
 $8.00; coffee, 15.00; beef, $8.00; bacon, $7.00; flour, 
 per barrel, $300.00 ; corn meal, per bushel, $50.00 ; 
 shoes, per pair, $100.00; boots, $350.00. 
 
 On the 3d of May, General Corse s Brigade marched 
 from Kingston to participate in the contemplated at 
 tack upon Newborn, by General Hoke s command. 
 Arriving in front of Newbern on the 5th, our Regiment 
 was assigned a position in the line of battle on the east 
 of the city, bordering upon the river. During the 
 evening and night, we were under a terrific fire from 
 the gunboats of the enemy, but suffered no loss. The 
 operations in Virginia having caused the suspension of 
 hostilities against Newbern, before an attack had been 
 made, our Regiment was ordered back to Kingston, 
 where it arrived on the 8th ; orders were immediately 
 15* 
 
174 EISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 issued for cooking three days rations as preparatory for 
 the return to Virginia. 
 
 The great battle of the Wilderness commenced on 
 the 6th, between Generals Lee and Grant; on that day, 
 General Longstreet was severely wounded. The enemy 
 were repulsed at all points, and a great number of them 
 killed, wounded and captured. 
 
 On the 9th, our tents \vere struck, and a general 
 packing up ensued in the Eegiment to make ready for 
 the trip to Petersburg ; we then marched into town, 
 stacked arms in the street, and there passed the night. 
 During the night three regiments of the Brigade and 
 the artillery, embarked on the cars for Petersburg. 
 The following morning we left in the train, which 
 was laden with the pontoons of the Division ; between 
 Wilmington and Weldon, a fire having broken out in 
 the woods, had spread to the railroad and consumed 
 or rendered useless a portion of the ties ; consequently, 
 we were delayed at that point until the damage Was 
 repaired, wjhieh prevented our reaching Weldon until 
 about daylight. Moving down to Bellplain, we left 
 the train, the track in advance of us having been torn 
 up and the bridges burned by a raiding party from 
 the enemy. We then marched about nine miles to 
 Stony Creek Station, where we again availed of the 
 cars and traveled for Petersburg, arriving there on the 
 12th, about two o clock P. M. 
 
 We moved about three miles from the city and 
 encamped for the night, tired and pretty well worn, 
 from the eifects of hard marching and excessive fatigues. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 175 
 
 THE BATTLES OF FLAT CREEK AND 
 DRURY S BLUFF. 
 
 UPON our arrival at Petersburg, on the 12th of 
 May, 1864, we learned that Butler had landed at 
 City Point, with about 25,000 troops, and that several 
 fights had already taken place. There being but a 
 handful of men present, on Butler s arrival, General 
 Pickett had the engines on the rail roads around fired 
 up and moved to and fro, while their whistles re 
 sounded in the most business like manner, creating 
 the impression, that large reinforcements were at hand, 
 thus producing the desired eifect of saving the city 
 from capture. A force of the enemy sent to Chester 
 Station, destroyed the railroad and burned the build 
 ings, but they were soon after driven back, until they 
 found protection under cover of their gunboats. 
 
 On the above date, 12th, Gen l Beauregard arrived 
 and assumed command of the army around Petersburg. 
 On the morning of the 13th, we were ordered to the 
 vicinity of Amelia Court House, on the line of the 
 Danville Railroad, to repel a Cavalry raid, which 
 threatened destruction to the railroad bridges in that 
 locality. In company with the Thirtieth Virginia, we 
 availed of the cars at Petersburg, and traveled therein 
 as far as Burkeville Junction, and thence, were 
 moved rapidly down the road, about twenty-six miles, 
 
176 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to the neighborhood of two large bridges, arriving 
 about three o clock P. M. Just before reaching the 
 iron bridge, the Federals made their appearance, but 
 did not attack us, as the Eighth and Thirtieth Virginia 
 regiments were in position to receive them. Finding 
 the force sufficient at that point, we passed on to the 
 wooden bridges, and took our position. Three com 
 panies of the Regiment, B, C, and I, were ordered to 
 the bridges over Flat Creek. Company B was posted 
 above the railroad bridge, and instructed to guard the 
 county road bridge, which had been barricaded by 
 order of Colonel Herbert the night before; Companies 
 C and I were put in position below the railroad 
 bridge ; the residue of the Regiment acted as a reserve 
 ready to reinforce either point, in case of need. 
 
 About midnight, the men were called up, the scouts 
 having reported the enemy at the Station some two 
 miles above ; soon after, we heard the pickets, across 
 the bridge, firing. About daylight, we moved to the 
 bridge, and had scarcely taken position behind the 
 embankment of the railroad, when the enemy s pickets 
 opened fire, and our pickets were driven in. 
 
 Their main force attempted to obtain possession of the 
 bridge, guarded by Company B, under command of 
 Capt. Lehew. They opened upon it with artillery, 
 then charged with a detachment of cavalry, but the 
 steadiness with which their attack was received and 
 responded to, forced them, after severe fighting, to 
 retire, leaving several of their dead within a few feet 
 of the bridge. The greatful acknowledgment of the 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 177 
 
 Company s services at this time, was publicly expressed 
 to them by the Colonel commanding. Our loss was two 
 killed and two wounded. Company B Privates M. 
 Eoberts and Joseph Kellar, killed; Privates Joseph 
 Miller, in arm, and L. Reager, (who afterwards died,) 
 wounded. 
 
 The attack below the bridge was made by a heavy 
 line of skirmishers, who were driven back by Com 
 panies C and I, reinforced by Company E. The battle 
 was in progress about three hours before the enemy 
 commenced to retire, at which time the remainder of 
 our Regiment passed, by order, over the bridge with 
 a line of skirmishers in front, and drove them towards 
 Amelia Court House. We found nine of their dead 
 on the field, and as we crossed the bridge, we captured 
 thirteen, five of whom were wounded; we came in 
 possession also, of a number of carbines, sabres and 
 pistols. Most of their wounded had been carried off 
 in ambulances; from the prisoners we learned that 
 their force consisted of four companies of cavalry, and 
 six pieces of artillery, under command of Gen l Kantz. 
 
 On Sunday morning, May 15th, we marched to 
 Powhatan Station, six miles distant, and, after remain 
 ing about an hour, received a dispatch from Richmond 
 containing orders for a return to the bridge. Fortu 
 nately, the trains had just arrived from Richmond, 
 thus enabling us to avail of them for transportation to 
 our old position. Soon after, another dispatch arrived, 
 in consequence of which we made ready for transfer to 
 Drury s Bluff. 
 
178 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 That evening, we passed on board the Danville rail 
 road train, and were carried by it to Richmond, where 
 we arrived about midnight. Passing through Man 
 chester to the Petersburg Railroad, we found the cars 
 in readiness for us ; after riding about eight miles, we 
 left the cars, marched down the pike, and took our 
 position in line of battle, and under fire, losing Sergeant 
 Major Hart and several men ; the Brigade occupied 
 the extreme right of the line, our Regiment being the 
 second from the left. 
 
 About ten o clock on the morning of the 16th, 
 (Monday,) the order to charge the enemy was given, 
 and the Brigade, composed of the Fifteenth, Seven 
 teenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-ninth and Thirthieth 
 Virginia Regiments, commanded by General Corse, 
 moved against the enemy in gallant style, driving 
 them from their fortifications, killing and wounding 
 a great number, and capturing many prisoners. It is 
 as well to remark here, that as the Brigade was pre 
 paring to charge, General Corse received a wound 
 across the loins, but as in previous instances, he did 
 not allow the injury to prevent his taking the front of 
 the line, as it moved against the enemy. The charge 
 was made with a vigorous yell, and the enemy was 
 forcod to retire nearly a mile from his entrenchments. 
 After the Federals were driven from our immediate 
 front, they still held a position on the extreme right, 
 where we were losing heavily. When the Regiment 
 was reformed, and joined by men and officers from the 
 rest of the Brigade, it changed front, and by a flank 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 179 
 
 fire, drove them from their last position. The injury 
 oar Regiment sustained in killed and wounded was 
 not heavy, and the wounds of many were but slight. 
 
 Casualties at Drury s Bluff Battle, May 16, 1864. 
 
 Field and Staff Wounded, Colonel A. Herbert, 
 slightly ; Major R. H. Simpson, leg amputated died 
 June 9, 1864; Ensign Robert Steele, arm, severely; 
 Sergeant Major T. G. Hart, mouth. 
 
 Company A Wounded, Privates S. McMurran, 
 face, and E. T. Johns. 
 
 Company B Killed, Private John N. Brown. 
 
 Company C Killed, Private R. Muckle ; wounded, 
 Private J. T. Brightwell, side mortally. 
 
 Company D Killed, Private Robert Corbett; 
 wounded, Private S. Spindle, leg amputated. 
 
 Company E Wounded, Privates Wm. Underwood, 
 knee severely ; H. C. Crowder, thigh and foot ; F. 
 Fields, J. Rudd, Geo. Summers, Chas. Arrington and 
 Briggs, slightly. 
 
 Company F Wounded, Private William Baxter, 
 severely. 
 
 Conjpany G Killed, Private William Haywood ; 
 wounded, Sergeant Jas. Fisher, slight ; Privates T. W. 
 Austin, face severely; John Harrigan, abdomen 
 mortally ; T. G. Elliott, leg ; L. Loving, slight. 
 
 Company II Killed, Corporal John T. Mills; 
 wounded, Captain W. H. Fowle, Jr., leg severely. 
 
 Company I Killed, Private Jas. Whalen. 
 
 Company K Killed, Private H. A. R. Stanfield ; 
 
180 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 wounded, Privates Henry Briggs, shoulder; G. T. 
 Mooney, slightly. 
 
 Recapitulation. 
 
 Killed 7 \ rp , i o n 
 
 Wounded 23 / Iotal > 3 < 
 
 The line then moved to the breastworks of the 
 enemy, and the men of Company A were deployed as 
 skirmishers ; the position was strengthened, and rifle 
 pits dug for our pickets with the shovels captured from 
 the Federals. 
 
 A quantity of sugar, coffee, " hard tack," rubber 
 blankets, canteens, money, watches, &c., &c,, were also 
 among the spoils. 
 
 Major Eobert H. Simpson, during this engagement, 
 received a musket shot in his knee ; amputation was 
 resorted to in the hope of saving a valuable life, but 
 without avail ; he died in Richmond, June 9, 1864. 
 " His loss was a source of deep and painful regret to 
 the entire Regiment; a graduate of the Virginia Mili 
 tary Institute, he was among the first to buckle on his 
 sword for his country. As Captain of Company B, 
 Warren Rifles/ at the organization of the Regiment, 
 he had shared all its vicissitudes and perils up to the 
 time of his death. Being thoroughly familiar with 
 the duties of the officer and soldier, and with a fearless 
 and conscientious discharge of his responsibilities, in 
 both field and camp, he combined the qualities of an 
 estimable gentleman with a kind and agreeable com 
 panion in arms." 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 After this temporarily effectual defeat of the enemy, 
 our troops held possession of the line until evening, 
 when, in accordance with an order received about 
 three o clock P. M., they moved to the extreme left, a 
 distance of about two miles, passing under a galling 
 fire from the enemy s artillery. Immediately after 
 arriving, our Regiment was counter-marched, and 
 returned to its former locality, near the Petersburg 
 turnpike, where we formed a second line of battle 
 in rear of the first, and passed the night, the lines 
 continuing in undisturbed quietude. 
 
 On the morning of the 17th, our forces advanced 
 in three columns, in the second of which our Regi 
 ment was placed. We had the satisfaction of finding 
 that our antagonists had fallen back, upon lines around 
 Bermuda Hundreds. The Petersburg turnpike was 
 well strewn with broken drums, guns, cartridge boxes 
 &c., which they had thrown away in their flight. 
 The buildings occupied for hospital purposes, contained 
 a number of wounded, among whom were some of our 
 own men. A line of battle was formed in the enemy s 
 front, and about half a mile west of the Hewlett House. 
 The position of our Regiment was near the centre, 
 and not far distant from the building occupied by 
 Butler, as his headquarters. 
 
 Towards midnight a strong demonstration was made 
 in our front, and several companies were sent forward 
 to the support of our skirmishers. The firing was 
 prolonged for about an hour, when the enemy con 
 cluded to retire; the Regiment then resumed work 
 16 
 
182 HISTOR T OF THE 
 
 upon the breastworks in course of erection. Several 
 hours after, the Federals returned with a few pieces 
 of Light Artillery, and a heavy fire was poured upon 
 us the remainder of the night. 
 
 Throughout the entire day of the 18th, heavy skirm 
 ishing was going on ; a small party sent out to con 
 struct a battery, was discovered and driven back. 
 The line was inspected by General Beauregard in the 
 afternoon, and such changes ordered as his unques 
 tionably military genius suggested. 
 
 On the 19th, the gunboats opened on our line and 
 continued their shelling operation at intervals during 
 the whole day; one of our Regiment, Geo. W. Raney, 
 Company C, was deprived of his legs, poor fellow, by 
 a piece of shell, whilst in front of the pickets. 
 
 General Corse s Brigade left the trenches on the 
 James river, after night on the 19th, and marched to 
 Richmond city, where it halted in the Capitol Square, 
 and remained until the next morning about three 
 o clock A. M., when the trains on the Fredericksburg 
 Railroad transported it to Penola Station, thirty-two 
 miles from Richmond. About three o clock in the 
 afternoon of the same day, (20th,) upon which we ar 
 rived at Penola, information was received that the 
 raiders were moving upon Chesterfield Station ; leaving 
 two regiments to protect Penola, the remainder of the 
 Brigade, (our Regiment included,) moved forward to 
 intercept them. After marching about three and 
 a half miles, we came to the road over which the 
 enemy must necessarily pass in order to reach the 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 183 
 
 Station ; here, we threw out skirmishers, formed line 
 of battle, and awaited their approach. About dark, 
 General Rosser s Brigade of cavalry joined us, with a 
 batallion of artillery. They had been watching the 
 movements of the enemy, and reported his cavalry 
 supported by a corps of infantry. It afterwards came 
 to light that General Corse had been endeavoring to 
 entrap General Hancock s Corps. A mighty deed, if 
 it could have been carried out, considering the small 
 Brigade commanded by the former. 
 
 We rested on our arms the. night of the 21st, which 
 passed quietly. On the 22d, we moved a short 
 distance, fronting the railroad, and again formed in line 
 of battle, but were soon after ordered to Hanover Junc 
 tion. The armies of both Generals Lee and Grant 
 were at this time moving in direction of Richmond, 
 General Lee, however, having the inside track. 
 
 Just before reaching the North Anna river, we 
 overtook General Swell s Corps, marching towards 
 our destination ; Y T C halted until it had passed, when 
 we fell into line of General Longstreet s Corps, then 
 under command of General Anderson; we marched all 
 night, halted south of the North Anna, and bivouaced. 
 There was sharp skirmishing between the cavalry 
 forces beyond the river, on the 23d. In the afternoon 
 of the same day, our Division moved to the neighbor 
 hood of the Junction, and being held as a reserve, 
 encamped in a piece of woods, but before the night was 
 over we were ordered to the front. 
 
 General Grant s attempts at flanking General Lee, 
 
184 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 had all proved abortive, so lie had rested for a short 
 time on the North Anna, where our army watched his 
 every movement. Fortifications were thrown up by 
 our forces, and preparations made for battle, but our 
 opponents, for very good reasons, declined making 
 an attack at that time. 
 
 On the 27th, General Grant moved on, followed by 
 our army, which kept pace with his movements, until 
 arriving at Cold Harbor, when the two again faced, 
 built very strong fortifications, and rested awhile. 
 
 On the 31st, Butler having withdrawn his army 
 from the neighborhood of Petersburg, General Beau- 
 regard s troops passed through Richmond and added 
 their strength to the army of General Lee. 
 
 On the 3d of June, a part of our line near Cold 
 Harbor was assaulted, and after a very bloody battle, 
 the assaulting party was repulsed with very heavy 
 loss in killed, wounded and prisoners ; our loss was 
 comparatively light. Our Regiment, with the brigade, 
 was daily engaged in heavy skirmishing, equal in 
 losses and hard fighting to many of the earlier battles 
 of the war. 
 
 On the 7th, the line of skirmishers in front of our 
 Regiment advanced, drove the enemy out of his first 
 line of breastworks and made a picket line of it. Our 
 loss was two wounded, both mortally. Private Wm. 
 Terrett, of Company H, and Sergeant J.W. Newcomb, 
 of Company D. Privates A. G. Embrey, Company 
 K, and Wm. Hickson, Company B, were also killed 
 while on this line. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 185 
 
 The lines were strong with abatis in front ; about 
 three hundred yards in front of our Brigade, our 
 pickets were posted,- while those of the enemy were 
 about one hundred yards distant, and his main line 
 of battle behind strong earthworks, about seventy 
 yards beyond them. Music from the bands of the 
 enemy was of no unfrequent occurrence ; on one oc 
 casion they struck up " Dixie," which brought forth 
 on our side, a loud and prolonged cheer ; immediately, 
 that was succeeded by "Yankee Doodle," when a 
 thundering groan was emitted, while the Yankees 
 cheered lustily. Our rations whilst on this line were 
 ample and of a superior quality to those ordinarily 
 issued ; bacon, corn meal, coffee, sugar, salt and rice 
 or beans, were issued every day. 
 
 16 s 
 
186 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 THE SUMMER OF 1864. 
 
 On the 13th of June, our troops were in motion 
 early, in consequence of the enemy having withdrawn 
 from the front of General Lee s army during the pre 
 vious night. About eight o clock the Corps moved, 
 crossed the Chickahominy on the McClellan bridge, 
 passed over the battle fields of Seven Pines and Frazier s 
 Farm, and about the same hour P. M., encamped near 
 Malvern Hill. General Grant was evidently making 
 for the Southside, so the main part of our army marched 
 down within striking distance of the nearest point 
 needed by them. 
 
 About five o clock A. M., on the 15th, after our 
 Division had received marching orders, they were 
 countermanded, just as the rear brigade was moving 
 out of camp ; thereupon, we returned, resuming our 
 old position. The next morning, (16th,) at daylight 
 we moved, crossed the James river on the pontoon 
 bridge at Drury s, and marched in direction of Peters 
 burg. As the head of the column, passing leisurely 
 along, reached a point some five miles from the above- 
 mentioned city, it was fired upon by the enemy. 
 Skirmishers were immediately thrown out, and the 
 troops of that portion of the column formed in line of 
 battle ; they soon discovered that the enemy s troops 
 were in possession of our breastworks; (General Beau- 
 regard having been forced to withdraw most of his 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 187 
 
 troops from them, in order to defend Petersburg, leav 
 ing only a skirmish line for their protection.) General 
 Hunton s skirmishers attacked them so vigorously, as 
 to drive them back. Our Brigade moved down through 
 the woods, until it reached the first line of breastworks. 
 The Fifteenth Virginia, and some companies from the 
 Seventh Virginia Regiment were then deployed beyond 
 the fortifications as skirmishers, while the residue of 
 the Brigade marched by the right-flank down the earth 
 works, until reaching that portion thrown up by them 
 on the 17th ultimo; here, the pickets of the enemy 
 appeared in front, and we exchanged fire. 
 
 By this time our skirmishers arrived, and the order 
 to charge having been given them, they obeyed with 
 alacrity, driving the Federals, first from their rifle-pits, 
 and then from their line of earthworks. Our Regiment 
 moved forward, took possession of these breastworks 
 and threw out pickets ; one-third of the men were 
 ordered to remain up at a time, ready for duty during 
 the night. 
 
 Just before daylight, on the following morning, the 
 other regiments of the Brigade marched forward to our 
 position, and the Seventeeth Virginia was ordered to 
 the front as skirmishers. We deployed and took posi 
 tion in a ravine, some three hundred yards from the 
 breastworks ; we had hardly arrived, when the Federals 
 opened on us briskly. Their fire was quickly returned, 
 and thus, for an hour, the picket fight was continued ; 
 the enemy occupied rifle-pits and a Church, about four 
 hundred yards in our front. 
 
1 88 HISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 About three o clock P. M., our Regiment was re 
 lieved and returned to the main line; just after, our 
 artillery opened a heavy fire upon the enemy ; loud 
 musketry then commenced in front, our troops having 
 attacked, and driven their s from a portion of our old 
 position they had continued to hold. 
 
 On the 18th, the position of our Brigade was changed 
 to the occupancy of that part of the line nearest the 
 Howlett House, on the James river. Our Regiment 
 was posted on the right, about half a mile from the 
 river. 
 
 About four o clock in the afternoon of the 18th, our 
 artillery opened a rapid fire upon the enemy, which 
 continued thirty minutes ; our pickets then advanced^ 
 drove the Yankees out of their rifle-pits, and established 
 our skirmish line in advance of our old one. We had 
 one man wounded only, while we captured a few 
 prisoners from them. 
 
 The fortifications on the south side at that time were 
 defended by Pickett s Division, and became known as 
 the "Hewlett s Line;" they extended not quite three 
 miles in length, from the James to the Appomattox 
 rivers, and consisted of a heavy line of earthworks along 
 the entire distance, with felled trees at intervals in 
 front, and rifle-pits, for the protection of the pickets, 
 still beyond. Heavy guns were mounted at the How 
 lett House, overlooking the river, to guard against the 
 passage of gunboats up the stream ; occasionally the 
 guns were put in requisition, and then, heavy cannon 
 ading proceeded therefrom. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 189 
 
 General Grant s army was on the south side of the 
 Appomattox, next to Petersburg ; his lines extended 
 from the river, in a semi-circular shape, to a point be 
 yond the P. & ]S T . E. R. General Smith s Corps, (10th,) 
 was in front of the Hewlett s Line. On the 19th, the 
 complimentary order of General Lee, upon the gallantry 
 of our Division in recapturing the works on the 16th, 
 was read to the regiments. 
 
 On the 20th, our Brigade moved further to the left, 
 allowing space for General Davis Brigade to take 
 position in the line. A very sad accident occurred in 
 the Regiment soon after moving. Adam Goucher, of 
 Company I, accidently discharged his gun, the load of 
 which, passing through his head, killed him instantly. 
 At night, the pickets in front of our Regiment were 
 advanced about two hundred yards without meeting 
 with any trouble, thus securing a better position. 
 
 On the 21st, the Confederate gunboats on the James; 
 moved a little below the Hewlett House, and, in con 
 junction with our heavy land batteries, opened fire on 
 the fleet of the enemy, which replied promptly, and 
 thus the fight was kept up all the afternoon, though 
 but little damage was done ; one of the heavy land 
 guns at Hewlett s was dismounted, and one man 
 wounded. 
 
 The following day, our scouts, who were kept in 
 front to watch the movements of the Federals, reported 
 a very perceptible stir among them, hence, orders were 
 issued to prepare for action, but as it amounted to 
 nothing, we resumed our original state of quietude. 
 
1 90 HISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 About four o clock on the 23d of June, our batteries 
 opened, but received 110 reply ; after continuing the fire 
 for at least one hour, we desisted. There was but little 
 picket firing, at this time, along the line. Some several 
 days previously, a considerable force of the enemy had 
 re-crossed the James river and entrenched themselves 
 at Deep Bottom. Our removal further to the right, 
 on the 24th, thinned the line, one brigade already hav 
 ing been sent across the James. There was artillery 
 firing nearly all day, from which the woods in our front 
 were set on fire, and numbers of shells that fell and 
 had not exploded were bursted at intervals through the 
 day, as the heat reached them, rendering them far from 
 agreeable neighbors. 
 
 A number of deserters came in at various times, on 
 the Hewlett s Line, from some of whom valuable in 
 formation was obtained. The 4th of July passed away 
 very quietly, the position in front of Bermuda Hun 
 dreds not being attacked, as many of the men supposed 
 it would have been. The month of July glided past, 
 causing no change whatever in our position. The 
 regular picket guard was daily sent forward, the men 
 remained at their posts, and extraordinary quiet reigned. 
 The pickets often exchanged newspapers, and conversed 
 with each other across the lines, portions of which were 
 only a short distance apart. Being on such good terms, 
 there was, of course, no firing indulged in ; occasionally, 
 a cannon shot was fired, or the guns on the river bank 
 opened on the fleet ; with these exceptions, the days 
 were Sunday-like in their dullness, while the men were 
 not at all injured by extra duty. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 An attack was expected on the night of the 29fch, 
 which did not take place. About 4 o clock on the 
 morning of the 30th, General Grant s long-talked of 
 Mine, was sprung. The explosion took place on the 
 line around Petersburg, under a battery posted at 
 Elliott s salient, and about one and a half miles from 
 the city. The breastwork was demolished, and the 
 earth, for a space of about 250 feet in circumference, 
 violently thrown out, leaving a hole about 40 feet deep. 
 The battery, (men and guns,) with three companies of 
 infantry, (who occupied the redoubt as a support to 
 the battery,) were thrown high into the air, and shared 
 a most heart-rending death. Before the smoke had 
 cleared away, a heavy force of the enemy, massed for 
 the purpose, were hurried forward and occupied the 
 breach made in our fortifications ; their guns from all 
 sides opened, and a general hubbub ensued. 
 
 The Confederate troops on either side of the breach, 
 were, at first, thrown into much confusion, but soon 
 rallied, and closing upon the enemy, fought with des 
 peration ; but it was quite impossible for so small a 
 force to battle with successful results against about one- 
 third of General Grant s army; consequently, they 
 were compelled to fall back, though but a short dis 
 tance. The enemy, pushing his men through the 
 breach, occupied about 300 yards of our line. General 
 Mahone arrived just about this time, and, encouraging 
 our men by his presence, succeeded in forcing back a 
 large portion of the enemy, capturing great numbers 
 of prisoners, and occupying a part of the works. 
 
192 IlISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 Later in the day, another attack was made upon him, 
 and he was entirely driven out, leaving numbers of his 
 dead on the iield, 855 men, 74 officers, (including one 
 Brigadier General and his staff,) 12 stands of colors, and 
 4 pieces of artillery, in our possession. 
 
 Their loss in killed and wounded was unquestion 
 ably heavy, judging from the numbers of their white 
 and negro soldiers left on the field. Our loss was 
 small ; the enemy gained nothing by this great event, 
 from which their people had seemed to anticipate so 
 much, the time at which it was expected to transpire 
 having been announced by their newspapers. 
 
 On the same day, (30th,) one of our Brigade, belong 
 ing to the Thirtieth Virginia, was shot for desertion to 
 the enemy ; having been caught with a party of Fed 
 eral raiders, he was recognized, tried, and condemned ; 
 his execution took place at 12 o clock, M. 
 
 On the 1st of August, 1864, a flag of truce was sent 
 in by General Grant, asking the privilege of burying 
 his dead. It was granted, causing, for the first time 
 in months that had passed, a general quiet, for five 
 hours, on the lines around Petersburg. At the expir 
 ation of the truce, the guns and mortars of the Federals 
 re-opened. On the 5th of August, the enemy opened 
 a " Masked Battery/ and the night was made hideous 
 with the shot and shells spluttering around ; the gun 
 boats and land batteries also opened, and the uproar 
 was prolonged for hours. At this time, the wells, 
 which had been ordered to be dug in rear of each regi 
 ment on the Hewlett s Line, had been completed, 
 resulting in supplies of excellent water. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 193 
 
 About this time, a law creating an Invalid Corps 
 having been passed, Colonel M. Marye asked to be 
 transferred to it, so that his Regiment might have a full 
 compliment of field officers, and Lieutenant Colonel 
 A. Herbert might be promoted to the rank of Colonel, 
 the duties of which office he was filling so acceptably 
 to all. His request was complied with by the War 
 Department, and Lieutenant Colonel Herbert promo 
 ted to the Colonelcy. Captain Grayson Tyler, who 
 had been acting Major of the Regiment since the fall 
 of Major R. H. Simpson, was promoted to the Lieu 
 tenant Colonelcy. 
 
 The troops fared well, though all merchantable 
 articles, especially edibles, were at exorbitant prices : 
 Potatoes, $4 per quart. Onions, cymlings, and toma 
 toes, from 75 cents to $1 each. Pies from $2.50 to $3. 
 apiece, according to size. Cider, $1 per quart. Apples,, 
 from $2 to $3 per dozen. Our soldiers pay was $16 
 per month. 
 
 On the night of the 5th of August,, the small mine,, 
 completed under the enemy s picket line and a sap that 
 they were working in front of Grade s salient, on the 
 Petersburg side of the Appomattox, was sprung by our 
 troops, blowing up the Federal skirmish line, and conir- 
 pletely demolishing the work under the sap, thu& 
 entirely frustrating their purpose. Their troops, for & 
 while, were thrown into great confusion, thinking, per 
 haps, that we were about to attack them, but as no such, 
 thing had been intended by our army, the scene closed; 
 with a fierce artillery duel. 
 17 
 
194 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 General Lee, in company with General Pickett, 
 inspected the Hewlett s Line on the 10th of August. 
 They were also present at the shelling of the enemy s 
 camps and batteries near Dutch Gap, from our batter 
 ies at Hewlett s, on the 12th ; we had one man killed 
 and six men wounded in the fight. 
 
 About the 14th, General Grant moved a considera 
 ble part of his army to the north side of the James 
 river, and, for several days, the air was filled with the 
 thunderings of artillery from that direction. Several 
 divisions from the Petersburg line, and three regiments 
 from ours, were sent over, and hard fighting took 
 place ; but as the Federals gained nothing, by the 19th 
 most of their troops, had returned to the south side. 
 
 Heavy fighting took place on our extreme right, 
 near the Weldon Railroad, during the 19th, 20th, and 
 21st instants, when the enemy succeeded in gaining a 
 foothold and fortifying himself. They lost heavily in 
 both killed and captured, but with forces so numeri 
 cally superior to our own, an immense depletion in 
 their rank and file would have been necessary before 
 they could have had cause to feel that they had sus 
 tained serious loss. 
 
 Not long before daylight on the 25th, the men of 
 our Regiment were awakened by the discharge of 
 musketry on their right ; tumbling out and forming 
 into line was but a minute s work ; we soon discovered 
 that our skirmishers were charging the enemy s pickets, 
 in order to get possession of a ridge in front of Generals 
 Barton s and Hunton s brigades. 
 
SE VENTEENTH VIR G1NIA 1NFANTR Y. 195 
 
 The right advanced first, then the left ; the latter 
 was repulsed by the enemy, and our loss was consider 
 able. The right, consisting of Generals Barton s and 
 Hunton s brigades, drove the Federals from their rifle- 
 pits, killing and wounding some, and capturing 59 
 prisoners. Soon after, however, the enemy having 
 received reinforcements, drove back General Hunton s 
 men, but General Barton retained the position captured 
 in front of his line. Our Regiment had five wounded 
 and one captured ; after about two hours fighting, quiet 
 was again restored and time passed off as usual. 
 
 The following day, (26th.) a heavy battle occurred 
 on our extreme right, in the vicinity of Rheiin s Station. 
 The Federal cavalry were employing themselves in 
 tearing up the track of the Weldon Railroad, and, 
 whilst thus engaged, General Hampton, with his cav 
 alry, overhauled them, driving them back beyond their 
 infantry supports, and then, dismounting his men, he 
 fought their infantry, driving them back upon their 
 strong works, and capturing some 800 prisoners. 
 
 At this time, General A. P. Hill s Corps advanced, 
 made a vigorous attack upon their strong position, and, 
 completely routing them, succeeded in capturing their 
 breastworks, together with a large number of prisoners, 
 9 pieces of artillery, and 7 stands of colors. 
 
 During this period, prayer meetings, morning and 
 evening, were held in our Brigade camp, and many 
 determined to relinquish the fleeting pleasures of 
 worldly enjoyment, and become followers of that 
 Saviour who bids all : " Take my yoke upon you, and 
 
196 HISTOR Y OF THE 
 
 learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and 
 ye shall find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy 
 and my burden is light" A Christian Association had 
 also been formed, of which Colonel Herbert was Presi 
 dent. Such meetings and associations served greatly 
 to lighten the toils, trials, and monotonies of camp life. 
 
 The fever and ague having broken out amongst the 
 men, spread to an alarming extent ; more than half the 
 men of one of our regiments were confined with them, 
 and among the members of one battery, near us, there 
 was not a sufficiency of men well enough to work their 
 guns. 
 
 The Dutch Gap sappers and miners, furnished by 
 Butler, were very frequently much annoyed by our 
 mortar shelling, and their work progressed slowly. 
 The Gap is a narrow neck of land running out towards, 
 and not very far from, the Hewlett House, but on the 
 opposite side of the river. This neck making a great 
 curve in the James Kiver, Butler expected, by ditch 
 ing, or canal making, to pass our obstructions and bat 
 teries without trouble ; as disappointment comes least 
 to those who expect least, he found this road a hard 
 one to travel. 
 
 On the 10th of September, one of our Regiment, 
 Cologne, Co, K, was captured whilst on post beyond 
 the pickets. 
 
 September was a quiet month for our Regiment, 
 there being but little fighting, and our duty not being 
 at all heavy. During the latter part of the month, 
 General Longstreet, having recovered from his wound, 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 197 
 
 returned to his Corps, and, on the 28th, in company 
 with Generals Pickett and Corse, he appeared along 
 our line ; had not the fear of drawing upon the party 
 a fire from the enemy restrained them, the boys would 
 have given " Old Pete," as many of them called him, 
 a rousing cheer of satisfaction. 
 
 Fort Harrison, on the north side of the James, was 
 attacked at an early hour on the morning of the 29th, 
 and captured. One regiment from each brigade of our 
 Division was ordered to the scene of conflict, and, on 
 the following day, our forces attacked the enemy, mak 
 ing two attempts to recapture the Fort, both of which 
 were unsuccessful. In the afternoon of the same day, 
 a terrific cannonading, coupled with heavy picket 
 firing, was indulged in on the Petersburg line ; the 
 noise was continued, without intermission, until late in 
 the night. 
 
 It is only those who have witnessed such rifle and 
 mortar shelling as frequently took place upon the 
 above mentioned line, from over 500 guns and mortars 
 at a time, can comprehend the grandeur of the scene ; 
 words are inadequate to describe the feelings of the 
 beholder, as myriads of shells and shot, rising, falling, 
 crossing, curving, and bursting, in awful splendor, in 
 the front, to the right, left, and rear of his position ; 
 illumining the heavens with their glare, for miles. 
 
 The ditching of Butler s famous Dutch Gap Canal 
 
 continued, and, during September, numerous attempts 
 
 were made by our forces, with heavy land batteries, in 
 
 conjunction with the James river fleet, to breakup the 
 
 17* 
 
198 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 work, but, like a ground hog, he continued his burrow 
 ing, and the stronger the endeavor to unearth him, the 
 more obstinately he persisted in his work. 
 
 The many hard fought battles that had transpired 
 n different parts of the line, the diminished fare 
 issued to the troops, and the monotonous life led by 
 them in the trenches, were begining to shew their 
 effects very plainly in the spirit of depression to which 
 many of the men were succumbing. For over three 
 years they had battled in defence of all that was dear 
 to them in life, with gallantry and zeal well nigh un 
 exampled in the annals of the history of any nation. 
 The results of the sacrifices they had so cheerfully 
 endured were disheartening in the extreme; hemmed in 
 on all sides by an invading host, whose majority was 
 composed of the refuse population from every point of 
 the compass, afforded but little prospect for the estab 
 lishment of that liberty, in the defence of which, so 
 many noble Southern hearts, passed from the tumult 
 of the battle field, to the Court of their God. 
 
 Notwithstanding this depression, notwithstanding the 
 fact that they had scarcely space allowed them for 
 necessary bodily exercise, their escutcheon remained 
 untarnished. Battles were yet to be fought in 
 which that energy, the most powerful capacity of 
 which is the offspring of trial and suffering, and the 
 instigator to unparalelled exertion, must shew itself 
 equal to the emergency. There were but few, if any, 
 delinquents from duty, in these trying scenes, among 
 those enrolled as members of the Seventeenth "Virginia. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 199 
 
 The history of a regiment, in contrast with that of 
 an army, is seemingly but a small affair, yet, in the 
 hearts of the relatives and friends of the members of a 
 single company, the record of the entire outside world 
 is insignificant indeed, in comparison with that which 
 chronicles the chivalrous deeds and unblemished repu 
 tation of the atom, as it were, with whose honor is 
 identified that of their own and their neighbor s house 
 holds. 
 
200 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 THE WINTER OF 64 AND 65. 
 
 THE month of October, 1864, opened with a heavy 
 rain ; the water pouring down in torrents, rendered 
 camp life in the trenches, not altogether as agreeable 
 as it might have been, under other circumstances. 
 
 General Forrest was busy in the rear of Sherman s 
 army in the West, destroying the railroads and cut 
 ting off his supplies ; General Beauregard had been 
 sent from the army of Northern Virginia, to the com 
 mand of two departments in the South, embracing 
 General Hood s army, and those of our forces in 
 Florida and around Charleston, South Carolina ; the 
 latter named place was in command of General Har- 
 dee ; Butler was still engaged in digging at Dutch 
 Gap, under severe artillery shelling, whilst General 
 Lee and his men, were in and around Richmond and 
 Petersburg, defending the Capitol of the Nation. The 
 position of our army remained unaltered, while the 
 daily crack of the sharpshooter s rifle and the quick 
 report of the bursting shells, resounded from the hills 
 around, as of yore. 
 
 No new attempt at a " grand flank movement w had 
 been indulged in by General Grant, with his hordes 
 of well-fed soldiers, consequently, time passed in the 
 ordinary routine of duties, varied at times by heavy 
 artillery duels, conducted between the land batteries 
 of the enemy near Dutch Gap, and our own guns at 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 201 
 
 the Hewlett House. Our terribly thinned line of 
 half famished men, held their own before the swarm 
 ing ranks of the army of the Potomac, which were on 
 both sides of the James and Appomattox rivers ; the 
 bulk of its forces had been withdrawn from the North 
 to the South side, and resting near City Point from 
 their toils and losses in the battles near Fort Harrison, 
 were busily concocting new movements. 
 
 On the 7th of the month, at an early hour, a brigade 
 of our cavalry supported by infantry, made an attack 
 upon the enemy, posted, with their right wing resting 
 on the Charles city road, and their main infantry force 
 near Fort Harrison, and drove them from two lines 
 of intrenchments, forcing them back upon the New 
 Market road, upon a third line of heavy works. We 
 captured ten pieces of artillery, with their caisons and 
 horses, and a number of prisoners ; our loss was but 
 slight. General Gregg fell in this battle, at the head 
 of his Brigade, nobly doing his duty. 
 
 During the first of this month, the men on the 
 Hewlett s Line were kept busy arranging for winter 
 quarters ; log huts covered with boards, were erected 
 near the line, and the rifle-pits in front were also 
 covered to protect the pickets from the weather. 
 
 This line had become so quiet, and the picket firing 
 so unfrequent, that it was no longer necessary for the 
 troops to shelter themselves behind the earthworks, 
 hence, they could sleep once more above ground, with 
 a feeling of security. 
 
 On the 13th, the enemy made another effort to ad- 
 
202 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 vance his position on the North side, but his attempts 
 were all fruitless. His final effort for that day, was 
 made in the afternoon, when he brought a superior 
 force against that portion of our fortifications (on the 
 North side) ; this, however, though more gigantic 
 than his former operations, was equally unavailing, 
 for he was handsomely repulsed, losing heavily, after* 
 which he withdrew his forces within his own entrench 
 ments. 
 
 On the 17th, one hundred and eight of our Regi- 
 ment, volunteered to assist in building a church, in 
 which the Brigade might hold its meetings, and wor 
 ship in spirit and in truth the " Father of light, from 
 whom cometh down, every good and every perfect 
 gift, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of 
 turning. 77 The work was commenced on the same 
 day ; the men were regularly detailed to assist in its 
 erection. The members of Parker s Battery, occupy 
 ing a redoubt between our Regiment, and the Fifteenth 
 Virginia, also lent their assistance. 
 
 The guns from the enemy s land batteries on the 
 North side, kept up a brisk fire for about two hours, 
 on the 22d, to which there was prompt response from 
 our gunboats lying in the stream; the result, however, 
 amounted to nothing. 
 
 The ranks of our army were greatly augmented in 
 consequence of an order, recalling all able-bodied men 
 on detached service, back to their regiments, and, 
 during the beautiful weather with which we were 
 favoured in October, the troops having regained their 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 203 
 
 former buoyancy, looked forward with the eagerness 
 of yore to an encounter with the enemy. 
 
 When the church was completed, it was at once put 
 in requisition for our daily prayer meetings, which 
 were usually conducted by the Chaplain of our Regi 
 ment, Mr. Baker ; they were always well attended by 
 the men. A spirit of grace seemed to pervade a 
 greater portion of the army ; numbers came forward, 
 avowing a lively hope of an inheritance in that better 
 land reserved for the faithful followers of Christ. It 
 was truly heart-thrilling to hear the songs of praise 
 ascending upon the twilight air from that band of 
 warriors, ready to obey the first summons to the field 
 of battle, where, perhaps, they were to meet death at 
 the onset; and, while the heart thus thrilled with the 
 melody of human voices, joy unspeakable was born of 
 the knowledge that many in those ranks were doubly 
 soldiers. Those who had enrolled under the Heavenly 
 banner, resolved to " fight the good fight of faith," 
 viewed with an eye of calmness the approach of any 
 ordeal through which they might be called to pass, 
 trusting in the Omnipotent for a happy result. 
 
 Had the remainder of our army and our people been 
 equally trustful in Him, our highest anticipations might 
 have been fully realized. 
 
 On the 27th, General Mahone attacked the enemy 
 on our right, about seven miles from Petersburg ; cap 
 tured 400 prisoners, 3, stands of colors, and 6 pieces of 
 artillery, with but a very small loss on our side. The 
 enemy, in turn, attacked him, when three of their lines 
 
204 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 were broken ; at night they fell back, leaving their 
 wounded and upwards of 250 dead on the field. We 
 were also successful in the battle on the north side, 
 General Fields capturing 500 prisoners and 7 stands of 
 colors. 
 
 The rations issued to the troops on the Hewlett s 
 Line, at this time, consisted of a third of a pound of 
 bacon, one pound of flour, and a tablespoonfull of rice, 
 per diem. 
 
 The new church was first occupied for Division ser 
 vice on the 30th, when a sermon from Rev. Mr. 
 Baker was listened to with interest by a large assem 
 blage of soldiers. 
 
 The Regiment was, at this time, making a daily 
 detail of forty men for picket, and, at night, fifteen 
 men for guard duty on the parapet ; the number of men 
 present for duty in the Regiment did not exceed 250. 
 
 On the night of the 30th, General Mahone, with a 
 part of his Division, penetrated the enemy s picket line 
 in his front, and captured 230 men and officers, with 
 out losing a man. 
 
 On the 1st of November, General Lee, in person, 
 accompanied by his staff, inspected the Hewlett s Line. 
 
 As some of our men had deserted to the enemy, 
 during the recent trials and sufferings in the trenches, 
 General Pickett issued an order, offering 20 days fur 
 lough to each one who should arrest a soldier attempt 
 ing to desert, or 30 days to each one who should fire 
 upon and thus secure the body of a deserter. The 
 adoption of this method was productive, beyond doubt, 
 of beneficial effects. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 205 
 
 Everything remained unusally quiet on the Hew 
 lett s Line during the first half of the month of 
 November; the daily morning and evening Prayer 
 meetings were never neglected in our Eeginient ; th e 
 men employed themselves in a variety of ways, when 
 not on duty ; game abounded, affording sport as well 
 as luxury to our huntsmen ; snares were placed, and 
 many a rabbit paid the forfeit for meddling with them. 
 The huts were well attended to and kept in the state of 
 cleanliness, so in conformity with gentlemanly taste. 
 The position was somewhat strengthened by a second 
 abatis in front. 
 
 On the night of the 17th November, the pickets in 
 front of Generals Hunton s and Stewart s Brigades, 
 attacked the enemy s pickets, and forced them back 
 upon their reserves; we captured one hundred and 
 twenty prisoners, including one Colonel, two Captains,, 
 and two Lieutenants. In front of General Hunton s 
 line, our pickets were only about fifty yards in ad 
 vance, so by occupying the posts vacated by the enemy 
 we were enabled to straighten our picket line, and 
 while so doing, place it at a greater distance from our 
 main trenches. Our injuries in this little fight, (mostly- 
 to General Hunton s Brigade,) were one killed and 1 
 nine wounded. 
 
 It was expected by the troops on our side, that the 
 enemy would atttempt to re-capture the position on 
 the following night, but they were disappointed, though 
 not disagreeably so, as they were not disturbed, except 
 by occasional picket firing; the 19th was not so quiet, 
 18 
 
206 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 cannonading and picket firing continuing throughout 
 the day. 
 
 The nights of the 20th, 21st, and 22d, were very 
 trying upon the pickets in front ; heavy rains filled 
 the rifle-pits, and as the enemy kept up a continual 
 fire from videttes stationed at the various points, the 
 troops were subjected to great danger from inability 
 to screen themselves therefrom, in consequence of the 
 water in the ditches. 
 
 It was ascertained on the 22d, that the skirmish 
 line in front of our Regiment, was composed entirely of 
 negro troops ; many of the boys were in favor of a 
 charge upon them, but there were no orders to that 
 effect and the negroes remained. 
 
 The Regiment received orders on the 24th, to pre 
 pare two days rations, and to keep in readiness to 
 move at a moment s notice, which was obeyed, but the 
 cause which prompted this was probably removed, as 
 we heard nothing further in connection with it. 
 
 A negro deserter came in on the Hewlett s Line, on 
 the night of the 26th, and gave quite a sad account of 
 the ill treatment received by those of his complexion 
 from their emancipation champions. During the latter 
 part of the month, orders were received for us to 
 maintain a sharp picket fire upon the negroes, so long 
 as they remained in our front, whilst our batteries 
 were to shell them at intervals. 
 
 The continued activity and frequent conflicts be 
 tween the lines, did not prevent the men from attend 
 ing daily worship in their comfortable chapel. The 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 207 
 
 Rev. Dr. Stiles spent a week in our camps and preached 
 daily to attentive congregations. The spirit was moving 
 in the midst of the camp fires and many precious souls 
 were brought into His service. 
 
 Several engagements had taken place on the river, 
 between the land batteries and the gunboats, by which 
 very little was accomplished on either side, except a 
 a great waste of powder and iron, attended with un 
 musical sounds. 
 
 The negroes were withdrawn from in front of the 
 Hewlett s Line, in the early part of December, thus 
 restoring quiet again to the pickets. 
 
 Several demonstrations were made on the 10th of 
 December ; one of which was by General Longstreet, 
 on the North side ; he moved forward his troops, and 
 finding only a line of pickets in his front, he forced 
 them back to the New Market road, where encounter 
 ing a heavy force well entrenched, he at once withdrew 
 and occupied his former position ; the purpose of the 
 movement having been to ascertain as far as practic 
 able, the enemy s strength. 
 
 Another was made by the enemy on our extreme 
 right; they moved in a large body in direction of 
 Weldon. Our cavalry pickets on the Vaughn road 
 were driven in, and the Federals advanced towards 
 Dinwiddie Court House. Our cavalry, reinforced by 
 infantry, attacked and drove them back, after which, 
 our lines were re-established; we then pursued the 
 enemy into their own intrenchments. 
 
 On the 12th, Bishop Johns visited our Brigade, and 
 
208 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 held regular service in the new chapel ; sixteen soldiers 
 were confirmed by him ; he had performed the same 
 rites for many in the other brigades of our Division, 
 but a few days previous ; it was indeed encouraging 
 to the lovers of God, thus to see the manifestations of 
 His spirit at work upon the hearts of their comrades 
 in arms ; men who, above all others, needed the con 
 soling power of His precious promises, as unfolded in 
 the Gospel. 
 
 Chrjistmas day passed very quietly. There were 
 neither fine dinners nor jovial parties to be found 
 among the troops on the Hewlett s Line ; some apple- 
 dumplings were enjoyed in camp, and several invita 
 tions were extended by the Yanks for our pickets " to 
 step over and drink with them," but these were 
 declined. 
 
 An elegant dinner of the " good things of life " was 
 received by our Regiment, on the 29th, from the citi 
 zens living in the vicinity of Flat Creek, in token of 
 their appreciation of our successes in defending the 
 bridges near that point in May, 1864. The substan- 
 tials and delicacies were alike acceptable, and received 
 unequivocal attention from each recipient, as the fol 
 lowing announcement will show : 
 
 [FROM THE RICHMOND PAPERS.] 
 
 " The following is nobly conceived and beautifully said ; and it 
 comes from a regiment that, from the 18th of July, 1861, to this 
 day, has signalized its courage on as many battle-fields, and won 
 as proud a name, as any that marches under the banners of our 
 beloved Confederacy. 
 
 "We take much pleasure in complying with the request to 
 publish it : 
 
SE VENTEENTH VIR GIX1A 1NFANTR Y. 209 
 
 " CAMP SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY, \ 
 "January 1, 1865. / 
 
 * To the Citizens of Amelia county, Va. : 
 
 "With much gratitude and pleasure, we acknowledge the receipt 
 of your liberal donation of a Christmas dinner, through the hands 
 of Rev. Mr. Littleton a donation all the more appreciated from 
 its being unexpected." 
 
 "We accept it as a spontaneous overflow of kind sympathy for 
 soldiers unknown to you, and whose only claim upon your notice 
 was a simple act of duty. As refugees, we appreciate the donation 
 highly, and still more the motive that prompted it. It adds another 
 incentive to nerve us for coming trials and dangers in a cause so 
 sacred and dear to us all, and we will ever look back upon it as a 
 pleasant episode in our history as a Regiment." 
 
 May a kind Providence ever protect the homes and hearth 
 stones of such friendly and sympathetic hearts." 
 
 " We send you our greetings for the New Year: May it be a 
 happy and prosperous one, and may you ever have as willing hearts 
 to defend you, in your need, as beat in the breasts of your friends," 
 
 " THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE 
 
 "SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY." 
 
 The people of Richmond, and of other parts of the 
 State, attempted to raise, by contribution, a grand New 
 Year s dinner for General Lee s army, and after a great 
 flourish of trumpets through the mouths of the daily 
 papers, for at least some ten days previous to the time 
 it came. 
 
 It was certainly a large donation, and spoke well for 
 the generosity of its donors, but there was bad man 
 agement in its distribution ; consequently, great waste. 
 Our Regiment received 42 pounds of meat, 20 loaves 
 of bread, and 1 peck of vegetables a quantity insuf 
 ficient for more than one company, hence, the different 
 18* 
 
210 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 companies concluded to draw lots for it, and Co. B was 
 the winner. 
 
 The soldiers in the trenches having heard of this 
 prospective feast, as a natural consequence, had their 
 mouths watering in anticipation ; and had pictured for 
 their own special enjoyment, smoking turkeys, with 
 gravy sauce and stuffing, mince pies, and currant tarts, 
 while some, no doubt, had visions of " plum-pudding;" 
 but, alas ! for such expectations ! they toiled on, poor 
 fellows ! without realizing any nearer enjoyment of 
 tempting viands than was afforded by their daily 
 rations. 
 
 The New Year opened with cold, piercing weather, 
 and the ground covered with snow ; the pickets of both 
 armies hugged their little fires closely, and there was 
 almost quiet along the lines. The frequent shelling at 
 Petersburg afforded remunerative employment to the 
 soldiers of our army, who gathered in many a dollar 
 from the sale of shells, (whole or in pieces,) bullets, 
 and balls. They were disposed of to their Brigade 
 Ordnance Officer, who had instructions to pay a stipu 
 lated amount, per pound, for all that should be deliv 
 ered to him. 
 
 On the night of the 4th of January, 1865, after a 
 sojourn of nearly seven months on the Hewlett s Line, 
 in front of Bermuda Hundreds, orders were received 
 for our Kegiment to move out from the trenches. 
 About 9 o clock, Hunton s Brigade passed down and 
 occupied our position ; after which, our Kegiment, in 
 company with the Brigade, marched in direction of 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 211 
 
 Chaffin s Bluff. The night was intensely cold ; to men 
 who had been seven long months cooped up, it was 
 pleasure indeed to be at liberty to stretch their limbs 
 once more upon a march. Arriving at the river, the 
 pontoon bridge was crossed, and our destination, (Fort 
 Gilmer, a large structure situated about one and a half 
 miles from the river,) reached about half-past t\Vo 
 o clock in the morning. The brigade on duty was 
 relieved, and the men who were disengaged turned in 
 to sleep in the tents vacated by the troops recently 
 quartered there. The camp was miserably constructed, 
 rendering the change from the pleasant houses on the 
 Hewlett s Line far from an inviting one. Our Regi 
 ment was posted on the left of the Brigade, and 
 between Forts, Gilmer and Gregg. 
 
 The Federal picket line was about half a mile in 
 front, where they were clearly visible, as were their 
 fortifications, about 400 yards in their rear. Fuel was 
 so scarce that the men suffered terribly from the heavy 
 rains, being unable to build sufficient fire to warm 
 themselves. The rations issued to us, while on the 
 North side, were less in quantity and inferior in quality, 
 especially the meal, which, at times, was so musty as 
 to render it far from palatable. But the men, most of 
 whom were reared in affluence, rarely uttered a com 
 plaint, being perfectly aware of the condition to which 
 the Commissary Department was reduced in regard to 
 stores. Our camp, too, was in horrid condition, being 
 over shoe-top in mud and water. 
 
 In front of the lines on the North side, where we 
 
212 BISTORT OF THE 
 
 were stationed, torpedoes had been placed, which were 
 so arranged as to require but the weight of seven 
 pounds to cause their explosion ; they were made of 
 thirty-two pound shells, having attached to them 
 sensitive primers, which when stepped upon would 
 produce a sudden upheaval of the earth, from which 
 damage was likely to ensue to the trespasser* 
 
 The Brigade remained in this position until the 
 latter part of February. Many of our men were 
 without overcoats, and during the cold, raw, freezing 
 nights of January and February, picket duty was no 
 child s play. 
 
 Somewhere about the 20th of February, the Brigade 
 was withdrawn, and marched back to its old position 
 on the Hewlett s Line } really glad were the officers 
 and men to re-occupy their former quarters. 
 
 It was during this month that General R. E. Lee, 
 was made Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the 
 Confederate States, and the appointment was hailed 
 with expressions of delight by every soldier in his 
 army. But, too late came the appointment, and as 
 we draw near to the closing scenes of this four years 
 struggle through which the army of Northern Vir 
 ginia remained unwavering in their allegiance, and 
 prompt in the performance of duty, from first to last, 
 affectionate admiration for this great military Chief 
 tain, will rise pre-eminent in the mind of the Southern 
 reader ; the mildew of time will never mar the bright 
 ness of his escutcheon, nor blot from our hearts the 
 cherished image of our Military Father, for as such 
 we must ever revere him. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 21 3 
 
 From his kind indulgence and ever watchful care, 
 for the welfare of his men from his every act which 
 marks him "a chevalier sans peur, sans reproche" 
 arises that unquenchable love which will survive in 
 the bosoms of remote generations and quicken into 
 being again as we shall gather in the land of love, 
 where " time shall be no more." 
 
 The following is a partial list of Casualities in our 
 Regiment, while occupying the Hewlett s Line : 
 
 Private W. Fara, Company B, wounded ; Private 
 H. Garner, Company C, killed ; Privates P. Gooding 
 and G. S. Millan, Company D, wounded; Sergeant 
 B. F. Fields and Private John Allison, Company E, 
 wounded, the latter mortally ; and Privates A. Harris 
 and J. O. Pernberton, Company K, wounded.* 
 
214 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 THE LAST MONTH S CAMPAIGN. 
 
 dark days were casting their mantle around us, 
 - as the month of March, 1865, with its thawing ice 
 and swollen streams, opened its first dawn upon the 
 Hewlett s Line. Despondency, occasioned by late 
 reverses to the Confederate arms, was leaving its 
 impress, too plainly to be misunderstood, and, yet, the 
 men of our Division determined to stand unfalteringly 
 by the Confederacy to its latest breath, be the result 
 what it might. 
 
 On t}ie 4th of the month, orders were received by 
 the Division for active field service, and, about daylight 
 on the following morning, General Mahone s Division 
 arrived ; our command moved to the rear about three- 
 quarters of a mile, and stacked arms in a large field. 
 
 Soon after, the wagons came up, and three days 7 
 rations were issued ; the troops were then moved into 
 a piece of woods near the turnpike and went into camp. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th, at 9 o clock, a review of 
 the Division was made ; this exhibition of the men was 
 a fine sight, after a winter of trench duty ; 6,400 mus 
 kets were in line. Soon after, Generals Hunton s and 
 Stewart s brigades were ordered off, and took the road 
 to Richmond. 
 
 The residue of our Division remained near the Hew 
 lett s Line, until the night of the 9th, when, about 8 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 215 
 
 o clock, it inarched to Manchester, arriving there about 
 3 o clock in the morning, after a muddy, and, conse 
 quently, a heavy march. It rained all night ; about 
 daylight it commenced snowing, and, during the day, 
 continued to rain, snow, and hail, rendering the camp 
 anything but pleasant. 
 
 The Federal raiders, at this time, were making havoc 
 along the canal, and on the railroads above Richmond ; 
 the object in our Division s moving was to counteract 
 these manoeuvres as much as possible, and render such 
 assistance as was in its power to our exhausted, deci 
 mated cavalry. Early on the morning of the 12th, the 
 two brigades moved across Mayo s bridge, and marched 
 up Main street, and taking the Brooke Turnpike, moved 
 onward to the outer line of defences, where they formed 
 in line of battle, anticipating an attack from a body of 
 the enemy s cavalry, near the city. 
 
 The alarm bells in the city had been rung the pre 
 ceding night, and the local troops were out in strong 
 force to help repel the invasion . A brigade of Mahone s 
 Division also arrived, and took position in the line. 
 About 3 o clock, P. M., our Regiment marched down 
 the Military road to the Nine Mile road, distant about 
 five miles, it being supposed that the enemy s infantry 
 would advance from that direction as a support to their 
 cavalry. 
 
 At daylight on the following morning, we again 
 changed position, and marched to a point on the 
 "Works" between the Meadow Bridge and the 
 Mechanicsville road, when the Regiment was posted 
 at different points on the line. 
 
216 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The next day, (14th,) the Brigade again marched, 
 followed by the Division, (Generals Hunton s and 
 Stewart s brigades having returned,) taking the Brooke 
 Turnpike. General Longstreet was in command. 
 After dark, the Division halted about twelve miles from 
 Richmond, and formed in battle array on the crest of a 
 hill overlooking Totopotamy Creek. Artillery and 
 cavalry composed a part of the command ; the object 
 of the move was to intercept the raiders. 
 
 On the 15th, at an early hour, we again started, the 
 Fifteenth and Seventeenth Virginia Regiments in 
 advance, deployed as skirmishers ; after marching about 
 one and a half miles, the skirmishers of the Fifteenth 
 came upon the enemy, when some little firing ensued, 
 by which the latter were easily driven back. The Fif 
 teenth had one man killed and three men wounded. 
 We then passed on in direction of Ashland, hoping to 
 overtake the main body of our foes, but, before our arri 
 val, it had taken its departure. 
 
 The following morning, we moved to the neighbor 
 hood of Peake s Station, on the Virginia Central Rail 
 road, where we prepared our rations. Taking up the 
 march, we reached Hanover Court House the same 
 evening, where a part of our Regiment was left to 
 guard the pontoons, which had just arrived from Rich 
 mond for the purpose of bridging the Parnunkey. 
 Several days after, the command returned to the 
 vicinity of Richmond, and encamped on the Nine Mile 
 road. On the 21st, a review of our troops took place 
 at the Fairfield Race Course. Everything remained 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 217 
 
 comparatively quiet an all the lines, until the morn 
 ing of the 25th. 
 
 Just before daylight, the skirmishers in front of 
 Generals Gordon s and Johnson s Divisions, posted in 
 front of Petersburg, and embracing Colquet s Salient 
 advanced, capturing the enemy s pickets, without 
 firing a gun ; upwards of five hundred prisoners, in 
 cluding one Brigadier General, fell into our hands ; 
 afterwards our forces drove the enemy out of two lines 
 of his entrenchments, and took possession of the large 
 fort on Hare s hill, known as Fort Steadman, contain 
 ing nine guns and eight mortars. 
 
 The Federals were taken so completely by surprise^ 
 that they fell back in great confusion. After having 
 these lines in possession, it was found by our Generals- 
 that the capture of the strong works in rear of, and 
 commanding their main line, would occasion too great a 
 loss in making the necessary assault, so it was decided 
 to withdraw the troops to our old position. 
 
 By this time, our antagonists had entirely recovered 
 from their surprise, and opened a terrific fire of shot* 
 canister and grape, upon our troops in the fort ; for 
 some hours the battle raged furiously ; our men hold 
 ing their position until ordered to fall back. Many on> 
 our side were killed and wounded ; the nature of the- 
 ground would not allow the removal of the heavy 
 guns, which in consequence were spiked, and then* 
 abandoned. 
 
 Our troops had never fought with greater gallantry,, 
 but the overpowering numbers of the opposing army 
 19 
 
218 HIST OR Y OF THE 
 
 proved too many for them, in their enclosed position. 
 Our Division had been ordered over, but on reach 
 ing the cars in Eichmond, the order was counter 
 manded, and we returned to our camp on the Nine 
 Mile road; before night, however, orders again ar 
 rived, when we took possesion of the cars, were carried 
 to the vicinity of Swift Creek, and encamped, ready 
 for removal to any point where we could render as 
 sistance in case of stringent need. 
 
 On the 29th of March, our camp near Swift Creek 
 was broken up, and we marched to the Southside Rail 
 road, about one mile above the city of Petersburg, 
 where the Division was being rapidly collected, and 
 sent off on cars awaiting to transport it. Just before 
 dark our Regiment left on a train, and arriving at 
 Southerland Station, disembarked, and marched about 
 two miles, where we laid down to sleep until the ar 
 rival of the residue of the Division. 
 
 Sheridan, with a host of cavalry and infantry, was 
 at this time moving against the railroad, where sharp 
 work and bloody deeds were expected by the troops 
 under General Pickett. 
 
 The rain fell in torrents upon the weary forms 
 sleeping in silence near Southerland Station; about two 
 o clock the following morning, we were aroused from 
 our slumbers, and forming into line, moved off in the 
 storm as rapidly as the darkness would allow us, in 
 direction of the extreme right of General Lee s lines. 
 About eight o clock A. M., after a wearisome march, 
 we reached our destination, and formed for battle, 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 219 
 
 just outside of the fortifications, and near to where 
 General Wise s command and the enemy had had a 
 severe fight, a short time previous. 
 
 Soon after halting, Generals Lee and Pendleton 
 arrived; from their movements, it was inferred by 
 many of us, that preparation for a great battle was in 
 progress. 
 
 In the afternoon, about two o clock, we again changed 
 our position; we marched forward in direction of 
 Five Forks, but had not advanced more than two 
 miles, when skirmishing commenced in our front; 
 halting, the men began to remove the fences and con 
 vert them into rude rifle-pits, or breastworks ; but 
 before this was accomplished, the firing grew heavier 
 and extended to the left, upon which we were ordered 
 in that direction ; ere reaching the spot whence the 
 sounds of fighting proceeded, they ceased altogether, 
 and we learned that they had been caused by the 
 enemy s cavalry having charged our troops, who opened 
 fire upon, and repulsed them. 
 
 During the firing, some ladies and children were 
 noticed by our men in a field some hundred yards or 
 more in our front, running about in great alarm, not 
 knowing what to do, or where to seek refuge from the 
 balls whizzing through the air. Their house was not 
 far distant in front, and they had deserted it, hoping 
 to find shelter elsewhere. One of the members of 
 Company A, of our Regiment, called the attention of 
 General Corse to the state of affairs, who sent a courier 
 to tell them to plunge into the woods on their right 
 
220 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and come into our lines, which was soon accomplished, 
 and they were thus rescued from their perilous situa 
 tion. 
 
 After the firing ceased, the command moved on to 
 Five Forks, where General Payne and his cavalry had 
 been skirmishing with the enemy during the day ; the 
 firing on this portion of the line, which had ceased for 
 some hours, was again renewed upon the approach of 
 our command, but the enemy were soon driven back, 
 when we passed to the rear a short distance, formed 
 in line of battle, stacked arms, and remained for the 
 night, during which the rain poured without intermis 
 sion, and continued until after the dawn of the morning 
 f the 31st day of March. 
 
 Early upon that morning, (March 31st,) a new line 
 of skirmishers was formed, but in an hour or so after, 
 they were ordered back to the Regiment; a scouting 
 party sent out had returned, after ascertaining that the 
 Federal forces were moving in direction of Dinwiddie 
 Court House. We immediately marched off with the 
 Division, upon another road than that taken by the 
 enemy, for the purpose of intercepting them, and soon 
 after, the battle of Dinwiddie Court House, opened 
 
 After a short march, the Regiment reached its 
 destination, and found that the cavalry were already 
 engaged with the enemy, and had been successful in 
 driving them back beyond a stream, near thereto. 
 Our men were then moved across the stream, a line 
 of battle formed, and skirmishers thrown forward, 
 after which, they advanced rapidly towards the enemy s 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 221 
 
 position, driving in his pickets, until the crest of a hill 
 was reached, distant about four hundred yards from 
 his main body ; at this point, our skirmishers halted 
 and awaited the arrival of our Division, which was ad 
 vancing; after its arrival, a line was formed between a 
 fence and a heavy growth of young pines. 
 
 Whilst we were getting into position the enemy 
 charged, driving back the Thirty-second Virginia 
 Regiment, which was on our right, and his skirmishers 
 bore down upon our flank and rear, capturing Capt. 
 James Steuart and some few men on the extreme right 
 of our Regiment, but our position w r as held. At first 
 the men were slightly confused, but immediately 
 thereafter rallied, and forced the enemy back, not 
 however, until about thirty-five of our men were 
 killed and wounded, and some, though not many, taken 
 prisoners. 
 
 The members of Company A, (Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia,) with other companies of the Division, were 
 then detailed to act as skirmishers ; they moved for 
 ward, and after passing through a piece of woods came 
 in sight of the Federals, about three quarters of a mile 
 distant, beyond an open field, with skirmishers in 
 front, protected behind a breastwork of rails. As our 
 skirmishers became visible, our enemies opened upon 
 them with artillery, but did no damage. Up to this 
 time, our Division had remained in the woods, but 
 being informed of the existing state of affairs in front, 
 it immediately marched forward, while the skirmishers, 
 were ordered to continue to advance, which they did 
 
222 HISTORY OF THB 
 
 under a heavy fire, driving those of the Federals in 
 upon their main body. 
 
 Our line of battle now appearing, the enemy retired 
 about a mile, to a ridge in his rear. Night now closed 
 in upon the scene ; the troops halted, were ordered to 
 stack arms, and to sleep near them. Company A was 
 relieved from duty in front, after which, the members 
 returned to the battle field in quest of their wounded, 
 five of whom had fallen in the morning, during the 
 advance. After midnight, they came in to the Regi 
 ment, having conveyed to the field Hopital, all their 
 wounded except one man, whom they did not succeed 
 in finding; this done, they gladly laid themselves 
 down, to rest from the exertions of the day. 
 
 Though the Federals had been driven several miles 
 in this battle, the injuries inflicted upon them was but 
 slight, and the advantage derived by ourselves little 
 more than nominal. 
 
 The Mowing incident transpired a very short while 
 before this engagement, and is worthy a place upon 
 our record. It is entitled : 
 
 " HOW THE CONFEDEKATES MISSED A FEAST AT 
 DlNWIDDIE." 
 
 On the morning of the battle of Dinwiddie Court 
 House, Sergeant J. P. Jordan, Company H, Seven 
 teenth Virginia, Private F. Beach, Company D, Seven 
 teenth Virginia and three others, members of the 
 Brigade, whose names we have been unsuccessful 
 in recalling, were sent by General Corse in direction 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 223 
 
 of the enemy s position, with instructions to capture 
 one of the pickets, if posible, in order to ascertain 
 the strength and location of the army to which he be 
 longed. 
 
 The party proceeded at once in direction of the 
 enemy, taking the straight road, trusting to circum 
 stances and sharp eyes to show them the Yankees 
 whereabouts. They had not marched far when a 
 volley advised them of the situation of the Federals ; 
 without waiting, they plunged into the dense pines on 
 their right, and making a detour of some half a mile, 
 struck the main road again, this time in rear of their 
 foe. 
 
 In their front, and extending for several miles 
 down the road, appeared a large wagon train ; a glori 
 ous spectacle, in the eyes of our half starved Confeds, 
 w r as this same train, [no doubt, well laden with pro 
 visions. 
 
 Our hungry Sergeant immediately detaching one of 
 his command, sent him, by a circuitous route back 
 again to the Brigade, with a message to Colonel Her 
 bert : " To bring, if possible, the Seventeenth Virginia 
 and capture the train." 
 
 The party then " treed," to await the result. Some 
 time elapsed; and no signs of the Eegiment were 
 forthcoming. A few minutes more, and a mounted 
 Federal officer appeared, riding directly towards them 
 from the wagon train. To prevent an alarm, the officer 
 must necessarily be captured but how w r as this to be 
 accomplished ? It would not be expedient to halt 
 
224 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 him, for his comrades were in close proximity and 
 would hear the challenge. 
 
 Without giving notice to his companions, a plan of 
 capture was soon matured in the mind of the quick 
 witted Sergeant ; dropping quietly to the ground, 
 followed by his command, the quartette faced the 
 enemy, single file, and marched forward, keeping a 
 large oak tree between themselves and the officer. 
 
 On reaching the tree, the Quartermaster, for such 
 he proved to be, was politely requested to continue 
 his ride, in which he was escorted by two of the party 
 and delivered over to the Brigade. 
 
 But one man now remained to the Sergeant; yet, still 
 hopeful that the Regiment would come, they kept 
 their position. Not a great while after, a party of the 
 enemy, having missed their Captain, entered the woods 
 in search of him, when, as a matter in course, the 
 Sergeant and his command were compelled to fall 
 quietly back> which was done successfully; they 
 reached the Regiment as it was on the eve of moving 
 out to the battle-field. 
 
 The receipt of marching orders had prevented the 
 Seventeenth Virginia from capturing that train ; the 
 gallant Colonel Herbert having made application to 
 General Pickett, for permission to do so. 
 
 It was thus, that the Yankees saved their train, and 
 the " Rebels " missed a feast at their expense. 
 
 The record of the last " month s campaign " is fin 
 ished ; but the heart-rending trials of the ten days 
 which succeeded would beggar the descriptive powers 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 225 
 
 of the most gifted, and yet the half would remain 
 untold. 
 
 As the few members left of the Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia Regiment, were quietly sleeping during the last 
 night of the last month, visions of home and friends 
 were probably adding their charms to the refreshments 
 of slumber, but the startling dream of culminating 
 events haunted them not. 
 
226 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 THE CLOSING SCENES. 
 
 THOSE of the Seventeenth Virginia Regiment, 
 whom we had left in temporary repose at the 
 close of the preceding chapter, were aroused about 
 daylight on the morning of the 1st day of April, 
 1865, with orders to withdraw from the vicinity of 
 Dinwiddie Court House to Five Forks. 
 
 The forces of the enemy followed, so soon as they 
 found the Confederates were falling back, and were 
 very near capturing a part of the wounded as they 
 arrived within a few yards of the hospital, when the 
 last of the men were being borne away upon the should 
 ers of comrades. 
 
 Upon reaching the extreme right of the infantry 
 line of our army, near Five Forks, the troops halted, 
 and were allowed to prepare their breakfast, w r hich 
 was not sufficiently luxurious to necessitate a bill of 
 fare. 
 
 About an hour after, the Regiment proceeded to a 
 road, along which it formed in line of battle, when 
 they went promptly to work to throw down the fenc 
 ing, and convert it into breastworks. 
 
 The artillery was also brought up and placed in 
 position; scarcely had these preparations been com^ 
 pie ted when the cavalry of the enemy made their 
 appearance, and began skirmishing with our cavalry 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 227 
 
 on the right. The artillery opened upon and forced 
 them to retire, but they soon advanced again, when 
 one squadron charged to within about two hun 
 dred yards of our position, wheeled and disappeared 
 in the woods. 
 
 For several hours thereafter quiet reigned, except 
 occasional skirmishing on the left. Late in the after 
 noon heavy firing commenced on the left, and increased 
 until it extended along the entire line, except in front 
 of the Seventeenth Virginia, Avhere all remained un 
 disturbed. Although it was noticed that the firing 
 extended to the rear, there was but little attention paid 
 to it at this time, the men of our Regiment being 
 impressed with the idea that our line continued in 
 that direction, and consequently that all was right. 
 
 Soon after, the enemy made demonstrations in our 
 front ; a battery of horse artillery and two regiments 
 of infantry were dispatched to the left to reinforce the 
 troops at that point ; in a few moments, however, the 
 men of the battery returned, reporting that just as 
 their guns were placed in position, the enemy had 
 penetrated and captured them. 
 
 Affairs were now assuming a startling aspect, espe 
 cially for the members of the Seventeenth Virginia, 
 who saw no resource other than to be ever on the 
 alert ready to meet the emergency. 
 
 Not very long after the artillery men returned, the men 
 of those regiments which had been driven from their 
 position on the left, were approaching in disorderly 
 retreat through the woods. Our Regiment being 
 
228 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 under pressure from three sides, had necessarily to fall 
 back on the Brigade ; an effort was made to rally the 
 fleeing men, and form in position at right angles with 
 the line of works, but this it was impossible to- accom 
 plish, as the retreating column, hotly pressed by the 
 enemy, was too thoroughly disorganized. 
 
 Three times our Regiment rallied and fought the 
 enemy with the tenacity of bull dogs, but it was un 
 availing ; a handful of men could effect nought in con 
 flict against the powerful wing of an army gigantic in 
 numbers ; most unwillingly this knowledge was al 
 lowed entrance into the minds of our veterans, but 
 there was no refuting it ; then came the order for the 
 men to take care of themselves. Thus closed the bat 
 tle of Five Forks. 
 
 It was just at this time, when the capture of the en 
 tire force engaged was almost a certainty, that Sergeant 
 Ira Deavers, a member of Co. II, tore the old tattered 
 " Flag " of our Regiment from its staff, and secreting 
 it in his bosom, safely retained it, notwithstanding the 
 perils and trials consequent upon the "blue days" that 
 preceded and followed the surrender of our army. 
 
 The color-guard having been entirely annihilated, it 
 was the gallant Deavers who volunteered to take 
 charge of the flag ; and nobly he performed it, thus 
 saving us the mortification of having it fall into the.* 
 hands of the enemy. It is to this day, and will ever 
 be, valued by its fortunate possessors, as one of the 
 most precious mementos of those loved comrades, who, 
 in acting " well their part," poured out their life s 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 229 
 
 blood in its defence, recognizing it as emblematic of a 
 noble part of our national escutcheon. 
 
 After the close of the war it was divided, and each 
 of its remaining defenders cherished the fragment of 
 plain discolored bunting which fell to his lot, with 
 feelings of sad affection, which language is inadequate 
 to describe. But to Deavers belongs the glory of 
 having saved it. 
 
 The enemy had possession of our artillery, and we 
 expected every moment to have it turned upon us, but 
 such was not the case ; when darkness closed upon the 
 frightful scene the Confederates were moving rapidly 
 in retreat along the road. 
 
 It must be said here in justice to the cavalry, that 
 they fought valliantly under the circumstances, even 
 more so than the infantry, when the knowledge of 
 defeat insinuated itself along the line. 
 
 After the battle, General Pickett s Division, for the 
 first time since it had been organized, was much de 
 moralized ; the men were scattered everywhere through 
 the country. The loss in General Corse s Brigade is 
 estimated at somewhere near forty men; from the 
 Division there were a great many missing. 
 
 After the retreat, many of the command struck for 
 the railroad, where they formed again, but it was im 
 possible to conjecture how many were absent. About 
 three o clock on the morning of the 2d of April, we 
 moved off to a ferry on the Appomatox, where we 
 laid down to rest, and slept until daylight. Through 
 out the night, heavy cannonading was progressing in 
 20 
 
230 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 the direction of Petersburg, but we at the ferry could 
 only imagine what was transpiring at that point; soon 
 after daylight, General Pickett gave orders for a 
 march, hoping to reach Southerland Station, but after 
 advancing about one mile, wagons and some of the 
 wounded were met, when the news of the evacuation 
 of the lines around Petersburg, then in progress, was 
 announced for the first time. 
 
 The enemy having broken through the scant line 
 of men at Burgess Mills, four miles to the right of 
 the city, thus cutting us off, the order was given us to 
 return to the ferry. After reaching there, an attempt 
 was made to cross, but finding the stream too swift 
 and deep to ford, and as the boat would consume too 
 much time in ferrying all over, it was decided to 
 to avail ourselves of a bridge some fifteen miles further 
 up the stream. 
 
 Before leaving, the wounded and sick were sent 
 over, and then the Division moved off; Gen. Corse s 
 Brigade acting as rear guard. As the enemy in squads 
 of various dimensions were assiduously scouring the 
 country, it became necessary for the command to move 
 in as solid a body as possible ; this being ordered, the 
 men formed, and marched in heavy column, ready for 
 duty should an attack from any source be made upon 
 them. We were without anything to eat and nearly 
 exhausted from heat, hunger, and fatigue, yet, we 
 marched rapidly, until about four o clock P. M., when 
 we halted to rest ; in about half an hour afterwards, 
 greatly to the surprise of all, the Division wagon train 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 231 
 
 drove up, having escaped the enemy the day previous, 
 when the line was broken. 
 
 As soon as they arrived, General Corse s Brigade 
 was ordered forward to take possession of the bridge 
 in anticipation of the coming of the enemy s cavalry, 
 which was moving in that direction by another road. 
 After marching until late at night, the plan was again 
 changed, and our Brigade, (General Corse s,) quartered 
 in a pine woods, there to rest from the toils of the day 
 and to find in sleep, temporary oblivion to the heart- 
 scathing reality of our situation. 
 
 When Monday morning, (3d April,) arrived we were 
 aroused for the march, whereupon, it was discovered 
 that nearly all the wagon trains from the army around 
 Petersburg, had arrived during the night, by which 
 arrangement the Division had a train from eight to 
 ten miles long to protect. The time necessarily con 
 sumed in getting it into motion was considerable, 
 greater than one unfamiliar with military life would 
 imagine; it was started at last, however, and the 
 troops took up the line of march as rear guard. 
 
 Xot many miles had been traveled, when it was 
 noticed that our cavalry were deploying as skirmishers 
 on the right, in the wood ; a short distance further on, 
 we fell into position for the protection of the wagons 
 as they passed over Deep Creek. This was a precau 
 tionary move; as the enemy was near. When they 
 had passed over in safety, General Hunton s Brigade 
 and the cavalry, were left to fight the Federals, while 
 the other portion of the command, hurried quickly 
 
232 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 forward to a bridge higher up the stream, which the 
 enemy were attempting to repair, in order to cross 
 upon it. 
 
 Upon our arrival, skirmishing immediately com 
 menced ; notwithstanding, a detail of men were dis 
 patched to burn the bridge, but owing to its being 
 wet, they succeeded in affecting only its partial 
 destruction. "We remained at this point during the 
 night, being in readiness to repulse any assault that 
 might be made upon us. 
 
 Early the following morning, another detail was 
 sent to complete the annihilation of the bridge, while 
 our Regiment, with the residue of the troops, moved 
 about five miles higher up, formed in line of battle 
 and constructed a breastwork of trees, felled by us for 
 the purpose. 
 
 When this operation was nearly accomplished, firing 
 commenced on the right, occasioned by the cavalry of 
 the enemy charging that part of the line, and being 
 repulsed, they very soon after withdrew. 
 
 During the night, at this point, a number of large, 
 bright fires were built along our position, after which 
 we quietly decamped, taking the direction of Amelia 
 Court House. 
 
 Soon after the dawn of day on the 5th of April, 
 our Division, with its long wagon train in charge, 
 reached the Danville Railroad, about three miles below 
 Amelia Court House, where, for a good length of time 
 it halted, allowing the troops with their cortege of 
 ladies, children, and their attendants, in every con- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 233 
 
 ceivable form of conveyance, from Richmond and 
 Petersburg, to pass on. Here, and for the first time 
 the news was received of the evacuation of Richmond, 
 and our lines in that vicinity. It had occurred during 
 Sunday night, leaving the city to the merciful hands 
 of the Federals, who entered, and occupied it on Mon 
 day morning. 
 
 The column again moved on, passing through 
 Amelia Court House ; but in consequence of the road 
 in our front being effectually blockaded by the wagon 
 train captured, and burned by the enemy that morn 
 ing, thus destroying all our stores, medical, commis 
 sary and ordnance, we were compelled to select another 
 route, and proceeded, with General Mahone s Division 
 in advance. 
 
 Not long after, it was ascertained that the enemy 
 were again in front in considerable force, consequently, 
 they had to be whipped off, before the column could 
 proceed. Marching had now become a perilous opera 
 tion ; the cavalry of the enemy were numerous on all 
 sides, and every now and then, would dash in upon 
 the wagon train, capture, burn, and be off before our 
 infantry could get near them, then occupy the roads 
 in front, and harrass us in every way possible. 
 
 The troops marched, almost exhausted from excessive 
 fatigue and lack of food, throughout Wednesday night, 
 (the 5th,) with the exception of about one hour, in a 
 severe rain storm. On the next morning, a halt for 
 an hour was allowed in which to rest and breakfast, 
 
 20* 
 
I. 
 
 234 HISTOR T OF THE 
 
 the latter consisting of parched corn and coffee for some, 
 whilst many had not a mouthful of anything. 
 
 The suffering of every one was, indeed, great ; men 
 were so overcome as to slumber soundly in line, and as 
 our Regiment passed along, numbers of the army were 
 fast asleep in the fence corners, temporarily indifferent 
 to whatever might be transpiring. From the time our 
 Regiment left the neighborhood of Petersburg on the 
 29th of March, the members of it had been permitted 
 but one entire night s rest ; having been either march 
 ing or fighting, and had lived principally on parched 
 corn during the period. 
 
 When the halt and breakfast were concluded, the 
 Division again marched, moving near to Sailor s Creek, 
 where it again halted, while the wagons were passing. 
 We had not been long at a stand-still, when skirmish 
 ing commenced with the cavalry ; a force of infantry 
 detailed from the command was thrown out to the 
 front, Company A, of our Regiment, being among the 
 number. This squad of skirmishers had not been long 
 in line, some few hundred yards in advance of the 
 main body of our troops, when the rattle of musketry 
 arose in a piece of woods on the right, through which 
 the wagon train had passed, and almost immediately 
 the teamsters and stragglers were seen rushing there 
 from ; the enemy s cavalry, taking advantage of a gap 
 in the column, had made another charge upon the train, 
 and captured a number of pieces of artillery that were 
 moving in line with the wagons, which they turned 
 upon our skirmishers. At this time the Division was 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 235 
 
 ordered up, and very quickly it drove the enemy back, 
 recapturing two of the guns ; but the Federals having 
 received reinforcements of infantry, the battle became 
 general and very severe. 
 
 The divisions of Generals Lee and Anderson were 
 then brought forward ; the booming of artillery, and 
 the loud rattle of musketry, resounded on all sides. 
 One shell exploded in front of our Regiment and killed 
 the first sergeant of Company A, Addison Sounders, as 
 gallant a soldier as ever faced the enemy, and wounded 
 several others ; Geo. Pickett, of Company F, another 
 fine specimen of a brave man, being among the 
 number. 
 
 Late in the day, the enemy, with an overpowering 
 force, broke through our position on the left, and get 
 ting into the rear, opened a cross fire with artillery. 
 Heavy masses of the Federals now swept down the 
 line, disorganizing and capturing a large number of the 
 brigades, very few of which came out in organized 
 bodies ; those that effected their escape did so under a 
 most terrific fire ; many fell, and from necessity, were 
 left to the mercy of the victorious enemy. 
 
 The battle was prolonged until night, and it is known 
 as the battle of Sailor s Creek. During the day, the 
 wagons traveled off to the High Bridge, and many of 
 the soldiers, in disorganized bodies, followed in their 
 rear; cavalry, at different points, dashed into the train, 
 damaging it considerably; artillery also poured shot 
 and shell into it as it moved off hastily. 
 
 Upon reaching the bridge, which was crowded with 
 
236 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 troops, a panic was raised, which would have resulted 
 in fatality to many had it not been for the presence of 
 mind and exertions of a portion of them. 
 
 Sleeping in the fence corners, old cars, wagons, or 
 whatever afforded shelter, the night of the 6th of April 
 was passed by the scattered troops along the route 
 between the High Bridge and Farmville. 
 
 Everything on the succeeding morning, (the 7th,) 
 was in utter confusion in and around Farmville. Car 
 loads of flour and bacon had been dispatched from 
 Lynchburg, with which the wagons, as they passed, 
 had been loaded and sent on, so that rations could be 
 issued to the starving men in the ranks, then arriving 
 on their way through. None, however, were issued, to 
 them, so it was decided among the poor-fellows, who 
 were very hungry, to charge the commissary stores and 
 help themselves ; this was done in gallant style, and 
 many a one went on his way rejoicing in the trophy of 
 a ham or a haversack of bread. 
 
 An attempt was made by the Federals to cross the 
 river, near Farmville, later in the day, but they were 
 beaten back, and a number of them captured by the 
 infantry and cavalry bringing up the rear. 
 
 The following is taken from the diary of one of our 
 Kegiment, who, with another of his company, were the 
 only two who escaped from the Sailor s Creek battle. 
 It was written on the 7th, and runs thus : 
 
 "During the past ten days our losses have been very 
 heavy, and we are now sadly straitened for food and 
 forage, while we are pressed on every side by a large 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 237 
 
 army that is abundantly supplied with everything. 
 Still, I am willing to follow as long as Uncle Bob 
 leads. I only hope the Yank s may not get him, 
 whatever befalls the rest of us." 
 
 The night of the 7th, was passed by a large portion 
 of our command near the New Store, Buckingham 
 county, and the march resumed the next day at an 
 early hour. Flour and bacon, in small quantities, were 
 issued to the troops on that Friday night, the first they 
 had received since the previous Sunday evening; a 
 great trouble was experienced in the effort to find suit 
 able means to bake the bread, the utensils for the pur 
 pose having been thrown away some days previously. 
 
 At this time the horses and mules were unfitted, in 
 most instances, for the draught of even the empty 
 wagons, and numbers of them sank down in the road 
 and died, utterly incapable of proceeding another step. 
 Those that could move were hitched to the guns to 
 assist in dragging them a little further ; the wagons 
 were destroyed, the caissons having been either de 
 stroyed or captured prior to this time. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 8th, a halt was made within 
 about two miles of Appomatox Court House, in order 
 to rest the animals, while the commissary officers 
 were sent out to forage for the broken down teams. 
 Up to a late hour in the afternoon, the march had not 
 been molested by the enemy, but just before dark 
 ness set in, they dashed into the artillery, parked near 
 Concord Station, some three miles from the Court 
 House, and capturing the trains laden with provisions 
 
238 SIS TORY OF THE 
 
 sent from Lynchburg for the sustenance of the army, 
 set fire to, and destroyed them. 
 
 Our troops were forced back and their guns captured ; 
 the fighting continued until after night commenced, 
 the Federals gradually gaining ground, until our line 
 of battle was within a quarter of a mile of the Court 
 House. Quoting from the before mentioned diary, 
 we are told : " We are now in a pretty bad fix and I 
 cannot imagine how Uncle Bob is to get out, as 
 the Yanks are now in our front and rear and a column 
 moving up from Farmville on our flanks." 
 
 "Commissary came in with a little corn and beef; 
 two ears of the former and about a pound of the latter 
 were issued to each man. Went to a farmhouse and 
 traded my neck-tie for a piece of corn bread." 
 
 During the night, the trains moved, (such as could 
 do so,) and by seven o clock on the following morning, 
 ( 9th,) they had parked on the side of the hill, about 
 one and a half miles from the C. H. 
 
 The captured prisoners were also marched up, and 
 placed in a ravine near by. The day had now arrived 
 for the surrender of General Lee s army, but the 
 troops at the hour mentioned were not aware of it. 
 They thought strange of the movement ; i. e., parking 
 so early, without a days march ; but not much time 
 elapsed before the air was rife with the rumor, that 
 our soldier life was rapidly approaching its last sad 
 scenes. 
 
 About seven o clock, (the hour mentioned,) fighting 
 along the lines was renewed, and continued until be- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 239 
 
 twcen nine and ten o clock, when all firing ceased. 
 The cavalry under General Fitz. Lee s command made 
 its escape through a gap in the Federal line, but this 
 opening was soon closed, and thus all channel of escape 
 cut off. 
 
 We were now, completely surrounded on all sides, 
 and not long after nine o clock, General Ouster of the 
 Federal army, entered our line, under flag of truce, 
 and proceeding to General Longstreet s headquarters, 
 arranged for a meeting between Generals Lee and 
 Grant. The meeting took place in the house of Mr. 
 McLean, where terms were agreed upon for the sur 
 render of General Lee s army. 
 
 In the afternoon, a great jubilee took place among 
 the Federal forces present, but the hearts of the irre 
 proachable Lee and his veterns, were bowed with that 
 sorrow whose depth neither tongue nor pen may 
 describe. 
 
 On the 10th, the officers busied themselves in mak 
 ing out property returns, having wagons parked, guns 
 stacked and other necessary arrangements made. On 
 this day, rations of one pound of beef to each man, 
 were issued by the United States authorities, to the 
 Confederate troops. The following order was then 
 issued, and the hour of parting drew near. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, \ 
 April, 10th, 1865. / 
 General Order No. 9 : 
 
 After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed 
 courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been 
 compelled to yield to over- whelming numbers and resources. 
 
240 BISTORT OF TEE 
 
 I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought 
 battles who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented 
 to this result from no distrust of them. But feeling that valor and 
 devotion could accomplish nothing that would compensate for 
 the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, 
 I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past 
 services have endeared them to their countrymen. 
 
 By the terms of agreement, officers and men can return to their 
 homes and remain until exchanged. You will take with you the 
 satisfaction that proceeds from a consciousness of duty faithfully 
 performed, and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend 
 to you his blessing and protection. 
 
 With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to 
 your country, and a grateful remembrance of yeur kind and gene 
 rous considerations for myself, I bid you all an affectionate fare 
 well. 
 
 (Signed) R. E. LEE, General. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 241 
 
 MEMENTOS. 
 
 JOHN Q. MARK. 
 
 The lamented John Q. Marr was a whole-souled 
 gentleman, an honorable, upright citizen, and a good 
 soldier. He was born on the 27th day of May, 1825, 
 in the town of Warrenton, Fauquier County, Ya. 
 
 His great-grandfather left France at the time of the 
 Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and was among the 
 first settlers of the above-named section of our old 
 State. He was the second son of John Marr, whose 
 labors as Commissioner in Chancery in the Superior 
 and County Courts, and in other offices of trust con 
 fided to him by his neighbors and fellow-citizens, are 
 still fresh in the minds of many now surviving him. 
 His mother, (a daughter of Dr. Gustavus B. Horner, 
 an eminent physician in his day,) still survives, at the 
 advanced age of seventy-two years. 
 
 Marr entered the Virginia Military Institute in 
 July, 1843, as a cadet, and in 1846, he graduated with 
 the second distinguished honor of his class ; as a mem 
 ber of the first class, he was one of the cadet captains. 
 
 Immediately after graduating, he received the ap 
 pointment of Assistant Professor of Mathematics and 
 Tactics in the Institute, and filled the position with 
 great credit, until called home by the death of his father. 
 21 
 
242 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 Though young Marr held a post of preferment, re 
 ceived heartfelt praise for his progress in science, and 
 was flattered with the hope of future advancement by 
 the teachers of the Institute, if he would remain, he 
 still saw and felt that duty called him home to his 
 widowed mother and fatherless sisters ; banishing, 
 therefore, from his mind these bright anticipations of 
 future eminence, he obeyed the dictates of his noble 
 nature. 
 
 By extraordinary exertion, he succeeded in placing 
 his mother and family above want. The first tribute 
 of trust conferred upon him was his appointment to 
 the position vacated by the death of his father. To 
 this he also added, as his father had done, the gratuitous 
 services of a justice of the peace. 
 
 His attainments were such (having studied, but 
 never practised, law) that, upon the death of the 
 lamented Hunton, the magistrates of the county ap 
 pointed him the presiding justice of the court. This^ 
 when we remember his youth at the time, must be 
 acknowledged as a high demonstration of respect and 
 trust, called forth by his superior intelligence and 
 dignity of deportment. 
 
 The next token of confidence was from the people, 
 who elected him Sheriff of the large and opulent county 
 of Fauquier. After performing its arduous and re 
 sponsible duties for two years, a full term, he was again 
 unanimously elected. Upon a full, calm survey of its 
 troubles and responsibilities, he declined the office ; his 
 past ample experience in its anxieties and heart-harrow- 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 243 
 
 ing scenes determined him to forego its pecuniary gains 
 and patronage so coveted by many. 
 
 The grandest and most decisive proof of the estima 
 tion in which his judgment and ability to serve vv r ere 
 held, was clearly manifested in 1861, when an election 
 for delegates to the convention was held. 
 
 The following extracts from his response to calls 
 made upon him by his fellow-citizens, to permit his 
 name to be used as a candidate for the convention, will 
 show truly his position in regard to his State and the 
 welfare of her vital interests. He closes his address 
 in these words : 
 
 "If, therefore, you think proper to confide such great 
 trust to my judgment and discretion, I shall be grateful 
 for your suffrages. If, on the contrary, there should 
 be other gentlemen before you in connection with this 
 trust, on whose judgment, discretion and patriotism 
 you would feel safer to rely, vote for them your in 
 terest and your duty demand it. 
 
 " As for myself, whether in a representative capacity, 
 or as a private citizen, my fortunes are indissolubly 
 connected with Virginia, the land of my birth, and by 
 whom I have been nurtured with more than a parent s 
 care, and on whose bosom I shall repose when time, 
 with me, shall be no more. She shall know no peril 
 but that it shall be my peril, no conflict but that it shall 
 be my conflict, and there is no abyss of ruin to which 
 she may sink, so low, but that I shall share her fall/ " 
 
 It is needless to say, that John Q. Marr received the 
 largest vote ever polled in the county, and was made 
 th^ representative to the convention* 
 
244 BISTORT OF THE 
 
 In April, 1861, Marr entered military service as 
 captain of Virginia volunteers. It appears that he had 
 "heard, from other than military sources, of his appoint 
 ment to a lieutenant colonelcy in the volunteer forces, 
 as not long before his death he had inquired of a mem 
 ber of his family whether his commission had reached 
 home. The promotion had been made, but by some 
 fatality his commission had miscarried and remained 
 in the dead-letter office for months after his death. It 
 was post-marked "Richmond, May 9, 1861," and read 
 as follows : 
 
 * The Commonwealth of Virginia to John Q. Marr, greeting : 
 
 "Know you, that from special trust and confidence reposed in 
 jour fidelity, courage and good conduct, our Governor, in pursuance 
 f the authority vested in him by an Ordinance of the Convention 
 of the State of Virginia, doth commission you a LIEUTENANT 
 -COLONEL in the active volunteer forces of the State, to rank as 
 inch from the second day of May, 1861. 
 
 " In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name as 
 Governor, and caused the Seal of the Commonwealth to 
 be affixed, this 5th day of May, 1861. 
 
 (Signed) " JOHN LETCHER." 
 
 When the sad news of his death reached the town 
 of Warren ton, the hearts of old and young were bowed 
 in mourning. The Confederate flag was lowered to 
 half-mast, and tokens of sorrow for the fall of a loved 
 and truly great man were visible on all sides. His 
 remains reached Warrenton on Saturday evening, when 
 they were met and escorted into the town by the Lee 
 Guard and a large concourse of citizens. On the fol 
 lowing day, all that was left of the gallant soldier, was de 
 posited in the cemetery near, beside his father and sister. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 245 
 
 STEALING A GRAVE. 
 
 While encamped near Guinea s Station, on the Rich 
 mond and Fredericksburg Railroad, during the winter 
 of 1862, quite an amusing incident occurred between 
 two of General Hood s regiments, one from Arkansas 
 and the other from Texas, which were encamped a 
 short distance from us, near Massaponax Church. It 
 appears that the Texas regiment was detailed to go on 
 picket duty, just below Fredericksburg, to watch the 
 enemy and present him from throwing a pontoon 
 across the river. While engaged on this duty, the 
 Arkansas regiment made "a raid" on the deserted 
 camp, and captured nearly all the cooking utensils, 
 (articles then very scarce and much in demand.) A 
 short time afterwards the Arkansas regiment was called 
 on to perform the same duty, and, while absent, the 
 Texas boys paid its camp a visit, recaptured their 
 cooking utensils, and carried off almost everything they 
 could lay their hands on. The Arkansas boys, seeing 
 the state of affairs on their return, determined to watch 
 their opportunity for revenge. 
 
 About ten days after this, one of the Texas regiment 
 died, and a party of his comrades started out to prepare 
 a grave. After having completed their sad task, they 
 returned to camp for the body. In the meantime, a 
 small party from the Arkansas regiment, came out to 
 perform the same solemn duty, bearing the remains of 
 21* 
 
.246 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 -their dead comrade with them. Finding a grave al 
 ready dug, they quietly buried the body and returned 
 to camp. 
 
 The Texas party, upon their return to the grave, 
 comprehended the situation at a glance, and ever after 
 "yielded the palm" for stealing to the Arkansas boys. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 247 
 
 LITTLE LULY. 
 
 (Written by LIEUT. COL. AVM. MUNFORD ) 
 
 She sits in her chair in her chamber, 
 
 A miniken, moody and mild, 
 And old people seemed to be puzzled, 
 
 At seeing our curious child. 
 She rocks to the hymns she is humming 1 , 
 
 And gloomily fixes her gaze 
 On figures that flash in the firelight 
 
 And float in the fanciful blaze. 
 
 To birds in the parlor she prattles, 
 
 The painted birds up on the wall, 
 And spreads for them daily such dainties 
 
 As berries and water for all ; 
 Then closing the door very gently, 
 
 She stops at the key-hole to peep, 
 She says they are eating and drinking 
 
 She saw them so once in her sleep. 
 
 She lolls on the floor by the fender, 
 
 And gives the old Lion a hug, 
 The old Lion woven in worsted 
 
 That lies on the new parlor rug ; 
 She pats him and calls him " Old Fellow, 
 
 And tells us she saw him on guard, 
 At the gate for the bug-a-booz coming, 
 
 One night when twas snowing so hard. 
 
 She cuts up her calico pieces, 
 And sews on her curious things, 
 
 And working her whimsical patterns, 
 She sits by the seamstress and sings ; 
 
 Her babies have all pretty names too, 
 
248 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 She dresses them up every day, 
 And each has its place and its plaything. 
 And each n particular play. 
 
 Now, sometimes she gives them a party, 
 
 The Chess men are bid to the " Hall " 
 The Kings and the Queens and the Bishops 
 
 Are brought to the Baby-house Ball. 
 The Knight never goes in the parlor, 
 
 But stands on the outside, of course, 
 The ladies expressing says Luly 
 
 Regret that he can t leave his horse. 
 
 When supper comes on in the evening, 
 
 She works with a farcical zest, 
 And keeps up the party quite gaily, 
 
 By talking for hostess and guest ; 
 The King at the head of the table, 
 
 The Queen at the opposite place, 
 All standing in stateliest order, 
 
 She makes the Old Bishop say grace. 
 
 My Luly had lost a young playmate, 
 
 The last of a lingering race, 
 We carried her down to the cedars, 
 
 The bosky old burial place ; 
 She clung to me closer that evening, 
 
 Said : " Father, when Luly shall die. 
 Don t cover her up in the grave yard, 
 
 To keep her away from the sky." 
 
 I told her the grave was God s garden, 
 
 To plant out His prettiest flowers, 
 That thence they are moved in His mercy 
 
 To bloom in His beautiful bowers 
 The blossoms He buries in winter, 
 
 And covers in snow from the cold, 
 So like the shroud wrapped around Gary, 
 
 The sunlight of Spring will unfold, 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 249 
 
 That even the loveliest lily 
 
 That lolls on the laziest wave, 
 In winter time buries its beauty 
 
 And blooms again blanched in the grave 
 A smile through her pretty eyes played then, 
 
 A moment forgetting her pain, 
 The tears seemed to sparkle with gladness, 
 
 Like sunshine when streaming through rain. 
 
 She said she was dreaming so sweetly 
 
 Last night in her nice little bed, 
 That standing on clouds in the starlight, 
 
 The Heavens were touching her head ; 
 That then came the dear little Gary, 
 
 But only to kiss through the blue, 
 As oft as the pane in the window 
 
 Your Luly plays kissing with you. 
 
 I asked her " how Gary had entered ? " 
 
 She said with her serious air : 
 " The moon I suppose did just open 
 
 And God carried Gary through there." 
 Oh ! Luly, my dear little angel, 
 
 God grant that we both may be blest, 
 That the moon which has opened for Gary, 
 
 May soon roll away for the rest. 
 
 I thank thee, ! Father in Heaven ! 
 
 Because from the prudent and wise 
 Thou hidest those things thou revealist 
 
 To babes, with their Heavenly guise ! 
 Him, who is invisible, seeing 
 
 They walk in the glorious light ; 
 And even so let it be Father ! 
 
 For so it seems good in thy sight. 
 
250 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "THE WARRIOR S GRAVE." 
 
 Sleeping, sleeping neath the shadows 
 Of Virginia s mountain peaks 
 
 Where the " Valley " streams are wending, 
 
 Where the aged oaks are bending, 
 Sighing midst the tempest s freaks 
 
 Rests the mortal part of Jackson, 
 
 Resting till the trumpet speaks. 
 
 Waiting, waiting for the summons 
 
 Of Jehovah s final call- 
 Lies this mortal dust in keeping. 
 Loving hearts are sadly weeping 
 
 O er a country s hero s fall 
 Moaning for the soldier, Jackson, 
 Loved and honored by us all. 
 
 Fragrant, fragrant o er the grave-sod, 
 Blooms the yellow-mountain rose 
 
 With the robing red-breast singing, 
 
 And the rippling water ringing 
 Forth its echos as it flows 
 
 Rests the mortal part of Jackson, 
 
 Resting from its earthly woes. 
 
 Happy, happy, and imortal 
 
 Is the Christian s soul in bliss 
 
 Sainted, and in sweet communion 
 
 Looking for the last reunion 
 Smiling neath a Saviour s kiss, 
 
 Dwells the lofty part of Jackson, 
 
 Goodness, that a people miss. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 251 
 
 S. W. PRESTMAN. 
 
 Capt. S. "W. Prestman, of Company I, Seventeenth 
 Virginia Regiment, who was wounded at the battle of 
 Bull Run, July 18, 1861, is remembered by the sur 
 viving members of that band of soldiers with feelings 
 of fond regard. As an officer and social companion, 
 he was without exception, beloved and honored. His 
 untimely end, after such a bright and goodly record, 
 will not be out of place in the annals of his first com 
 mand. 
 
 In May, 1862, he was ordered to report to General 
 Beauregard at Corinth, Mississippi, and served with 
 distinction as Engineer in the Western army. Upon 
 the arrival of the army at Chattanooga, he was ap 
 pointed Chief Engineer of General Hardee s Corps, 
 and as such, served faithfully during the Kentucky 
 campaign. Upon the return of the army, he received 
 the appointment of Chief Engineer of the army of 
 Tennessee, with a position on General Bragg s staff. 
 He afterwards served under General Johnston, and 
 ever carried with him a knowledge of having done his 
 duty as a soldier. 
 
 In January, 1864, his health gave way, and upon 
 application, he received a furlough to visit his native 
 State to recruit it. Whilst enroute to his home, and 
 upon arrival near Danville, Ya., the accident which 
 deprived him of life, occurred. He had stepped out 
 of the cars to warm, during the stoppage, and in 
 crossing the track, (the engine having been detached 
 
252 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 for water,) he slipped and fell ; he was too weak to 
 regain his feet in time, and the engine returning, 
 struck him, killing him instantly. 
 
 Colonel Prestman was a most gallant officer, and from 
 his conduct in the many battles and army movements 
 in which he was a conspicuous actor, he was frequently 
 mentioned, with well deserved praise, in official reports. 
 
 He was universally beloved by all who came in 
 contact with him, and his sudden death, when so near 
 a reunion with his family and friends, cast a deep 
 gloom over the hearts of many who served with him, 
 both in the Virginia and Western armies. 
 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 DIED. In Washington City, on Tuesday, the 5th day of October, 
 1869, of Erysipelas, MR. JOHN A. DIVINE, only surviving sou 
 of James F. and H. Elizabeth Divine, of Leesburg, aged 26 
 years and five days : 
 
 [FROM THE LEESBURG MIRROR.] 
 
 Death of John A. Divine. Our obituary column 
 this morning records the announcement of the death 
 of John A. Divine. Aware that after death the obi 
 tuary column, no less than the " sculptured urn " too 
 often records, not what the deceased was, but " what 
 he should have been," we nevertheless feel that justice 
 demands something more than a passing notice to the 
 memory of one who gave the morning of his " brief, 
 brave young life/ 7 to a cause whose only recognition 
 of his services is now found in the enduring sympathy 
 of its friends. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 253 
 
 But a few short weeks ago, the subject of this notice 
 left Leesburg in the bloom and vigor of youthful man 
 hood the very picture of health, full of life, and en 
 ergy and hope, with every indication of many long 
 years before him. To-day his body rests in the bosom 
 of mother earth, and his spirit has winged its flight to 
 the God who gave it a fearful admonition of the im 
 mutability of that solemn decree, that " in the midst 
 of life we are in death." 
 
 Eight years ago, when the dim speck of war was 
 first seen upon the horizon, though a mere boy, he re 
 turned to this town, the home of his childhood, and 
 joined his fortunes with those of his kindred and 
 friends, and for four weary years struggled with and 
 for them in a fruitless effort to beat back the dark 
 wave of wrong and injustice that threatened to sub 
 merge them. As a member of the Loudoun Guard, 
 Seventeenth Virginia Eegiment, he participated in the 
 first battle of Manassas, on the 18th of July, 1861, 
 and the records of his Company attest that, in every 
 march, skirmish, or regular fight, in which that gal 
 lant Regiment bore a part, either on the soil of Vir 
 ginia, Maryland, or Pennsylvania, John A. Divine 
 followed the flag of the Confederacy, until that sym 
 bol of his early, ardent love was lowered in defeat 
 upon the memorable plains of Appomattox. Quiet 
 and unobtrusive in his manner, but animated by a soul 
 that knew no fear and shrunk from no danger im 
 pelled by a conscientious sense of duty with nothing 
 to contend for but the sacred love he bore his mother, 
 22 
 
254 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Virginia, he regarded the post of danger the post of 
 honor, and wherever the conflict raged fiercest his 
 manly form was ever seen. Many will be the tears 
 shed o er his memory, that one so generous, so genial, 
 so happy in his disposition, and withal so brave and 
 so esteemed by those who knew him, and who for four 
 years had faced death in a thousand forms without a 
 scar, should fall so suddenly and so young. 
 
 He died on Tuesday evening, after a brief but ma 
 lignant illness, of only six day s duration. His re 
 mains were brought to this town on Wednesday, and 
 deposited in the M. E. Church, South. At 4 o clock, 
 a brief but impressive discourse was delivered by the 
 Rev. Dr. Head, after which, attended by Laurel Di 
 vision, Sons of Temperance, of which organization he 
 was a member, and an unusually large concourse of 
 citizens, his body was borne to Union Cemetery, and 
 as the sun sank to rest on that beautiful October even 
 ing, mid falling leaves and withering flowers, all that 
 was mortal of our young friend was consigned to his 
 narrow bed, overcome by the last great enemy of his 
 race Death. 
 
 And now, while the flowers of Autumn, placed upon 
 his early grave by the hands of affection, are still 
 green, and the fresh earth yet presses lightly upon his 
 bosom, we suggest that a subscription be started for 
 the purpose of erecting o er his grave a suitable tomb, 
 that will attest the gratitude of friends and mark for 
 all time the last resting place of the gallant dead. He 
 has given his body to the worms, and his spirit to 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 255 
 
 God his memory alone remains with the living ; let 
 us cherish it as we would a brother s. Any contribu 
 tions left at this office for the purpose indicated, will 
 be faithfully applied. 
 
 [FROM THE LEESBURG WASHINGTONIAN.] 
 Death of John A. Divine, a member of the Seventeenth 
 Virginia Regiment. The intelligence of the death of 
 this young man, cut down in the very dawn of man 
 hood, which occurred in Washington, on Tuesday last, 
 will be received with painful regret by all his old com 
 rades in arms, and by a large circle of acquaintances. 
 He shared the fortunes of the entire war, most of the 
 time as Orderly Sergeant of Company C, (known as 
 the Loudoun Guard,) Seventeenth Virginia Regiment. 
 Of him can it be said, that the name of a truer, braver 
 and more constant defender of the cause of the South, 
 at the time " which tried men s souls," cannot be found 
 upon the muster rolls of the Confederate Army. 
 
 In the history of his Regiment, prepared a short 
 time before the close of the war, by order of the Di 
 vision Commander, his name appears as having par 
 ticipated in every battle, fight, skirmish and march in 
 which his Regiment was engaged an honor of which 
 but few can boast. He was beloved and respected by 
 all who knew him, and his memory will be long cher 
 ished by his companions and associates. 
 
 Peace to his soul. A nobler type of brave 
 And generous manhood ne er wore the grey. 
 
 Though Death has cast him in the dark, cld grave, 
 His life, unstained, shall have an endless day. 
 
 AUTHOR. 
 
256 EISTORY OF THE 
 
 LIEUT. THOS. Y. FITZHUGH. 
 
 Dear Tom Fitzhugh ! who does not remember him ? 
 The life of the " Old Dominions " when in Alexan 
 dria ; of the companies when in barracks at Manassas 
 Junction ; and of the " Old Seventeenth " when at 
 Manassas, Centreville, Fairfax Court House, on the 
 Peninsula, and around Richmond ; always bright and 
 amusing ; in battle, brave as a lion ; on the march, 
 cheerful ; around the camp-fire, irresistable. 
 
 What a favorite the old Sergeant was with officers 
 and men ! and what a gallant Lieutenant he was as he 
 " went in " with the " Old Dominions " at Williams- 
 burg and Seven Pines ! 
 
 We will all ever remember dear old Tom, with his 
 warm, true heart, his winning smile, and droll stories. 
 His was an earnest, Christian heart ; his soul is, we 
 trust and believe, with Jesus; and many were the 
 hearts that sorrowed, and still sorrow, over the Chris 
 tian warrior s fall, when duty, without regard to dan 
 ger, called him to the defence of Richmond. 
 
SEVENTEENTH V1ROINIA INFANTRY. 257 
 
 MUSTER ROLL 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SEVENTEENTH 
 
 (Based upon the Rolls of September, 1861.) 
 
 FIELD AND STAFF. 
 
 ( Those marked thus : * distinguished on the field for gallantry.) 
 
 *M. D. Corse, Colonel, wounded at Second Manassas, Boons- 
 boro , and Sharpsburg ; made Brigadier General, Novem 
 ber, 1862; wounded at Drury s Bluff. 
 
 * William Munford, Lieutenant Colonel, with the Kegiment 
 until reorganization. 
 
 *Geo. W. Brent, Major, assigned to duty with the Army of 
 the West, March, 1862. 
 
 *A. J. Humphreys, Adjutant, made Captain Company A, 
 April, 1862. 
 
 *M. M. Lewis, Surgeon, Made Medical Director of Brigade. 
 
 *H. Snowden, Assistant Surgeon, made Surgeon upon the 
 promotion of M. M. Lewis. 
 
 Win. B. Richards, Jr., Captain and Assistant Quarter 
 master, made Major and Assistant Quartermaster, and 
 assigned to duty at Gordonsyille. 
 
 Victor M. Brown, Captain and Assistant Commissary, made 
 Major and Assistant Commissary of Brigade, 1862. 
 22* 
 
258 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Rev. John L. Johnston, Chaplain, served with Kegiment 
 
 until 1862. 
 *Jos. F. Francis, Sergeant Major, killed in the battle of 
 
 Seven Pines. 
 *Geo. C. Adie, Quartermaster Sergeant, elected Lieutenant 
 
 Company I, April, 1862. 
 Jas. H. Brown, Commissary Sergeant, transferred to 
 
 Brigade Commissary Department, 1862. 
 
 MEMBERS OF FIELD AND STAFF AFTER 
 SEPTEMBER 1, 1861. 
 
 *Morton Marye, Colonel, unfit for field service on account 
 of wound received at Second Manassas; transferred to 
 Invalid Corps, August, 1864. 
 
 ^Arthur Herbert, Colonel, Acting Colonel of Regiment 
 until date of commission, August, 1864. 
 
 *Morton Marye, Lieutenant Colonel, made Colonel, Nov 
 ember, 1862 ; lost a leg at Second Manassas. 
 
 * Arthur Herbert, Lieutenant Colonel, made Colonel, August, 
 
 1864; wounded at Drury s Bluff. 
 
 *Grayson Tyler, Lieutenant Colonel, Acting Major of Regi 
 ment from May to August, 1864. 
 
 * Arthur Herbert, Major, wounded at Seven Pines; made 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel, November, 1862. 
 *R. H. Simpson, Major, severely wounded at Drury s Bluff; 
 
 died from effects of wound, in Richmond, June 9, 1864. 
 *J. H. Bryant, Adjutant, appointed Captain and Aide-de- 
 
 Camp to Brigadier General Corse, November, 1862; 
 
 wounded at Boonsboro . 
 *W. W. Zimmerman, Adjutant, served with distinction till 
 
 close of war. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 259 
 
 *H. Snowden, Surgeon, elected to House of Delegates ; as 
 signed to Examination Board, 1864. 
 
 J. W. Leftwich, Assistant Surgeon, made Surgeon, vice 
 H. Snowden. 
 
 J. W. Leftwich, Surgeon, served with Regiment till close 
 of war. 
 
 Dr. Boswell, Assistant Surgeon, transferred to Artillery. 
 
 R. H. Turner, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, made 
 Major and Assistant Quartermaster of Brigade, January, 
 1863. 
 
 C. W. Green, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, served 
 until transferred to Artillery by General Orders No. , 
 1864. 
 
 H. B. Taliaferro, Captain and Assistant Commissary, as 
 signed to duty with Brigade, 1864. 
 
 Rev. G. H. Norton, Chaplain, served faithfully with Regi 
 ment till August, 1862. 
 
 Rev. Baker, Chaplain, served faithfully with Regi 
 ment till . 
 
 *T. G. Hart, Sergeant Major, badly wounded at Drury s 
 Bluff; died from effects of wound. 
 
 *D. A. Marks, Sergeant Major, wounded at William sbur g ; 
 served till close of the war. 
 
 C. J. Wise, Quartermaster Sergeant, served throughout the 
 war. 
 
 T. L. Chase, Commissary Sergeant, served throughout the 
 war. 
 
 F. M. Henderson, Ordnance Sergeant, made Brigade Ord 
 nance Officer, November, 1862. 
 
 Geo. Wise, Ordnance Sergeant, assigned to Company G, 
 First Regiment Engineer Troops, November, 1863. 
 
 E. C. King, Ordnance Sergeant, served with Regiment till 
 close of the war. 
 
260 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 COMPANY A. 
 
 ("ALEXANDRIA RIFLEMEN.") 
 
 *Morton Marye, Captain, elected Lieutenant Colonel, April, 
 1862. 
 
 *A. J. Humphries, First Lieutenant, Adjutant of Regiment 
 till reorganization ; then made Captain Company A ; 
 killed at Williamsburg. 
 
 *W. W. Smith, Second Lieutenant, made First Lieutenant 
 Company A, April, 1862; wounded at Frazier s Farm; 
 captured at Manassas Gap and held prisoner till close of 
 the war. 
 
 *P. B. Hooe, Second Lieutenant, declined re-election on 
 account of ill health ; afterwards made Captain and Ac 
 ting Adjutant General to Brigadier General Corse. 
 
 C. J. Wise, First Sergeant, appointed Quartermaster Ser 
 geant 17th Virginia, April, 1862. 
 
 *John Addison, Second Sergeant, elected Second Lieutenant 
 Company A, April, 1862; wounded at Williamsburg and 
 Second Manassas. 
 
 *Thomas Perry, Third Sergeant, elected Second Lieutenant 
 Company A, April, 1862; with Regiment in fourteen 
 battles. 
 
 C. W. Green, Fourth Sergeant, made First Sergeant Com 
 pany A, April, 1862; Second Lieutenant in May, 1862; 
 Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, January, 1863. 
 
 *Addison Saunders, First Corporal, made Second Sergeant, 
 April, 1862; First Sergeant, May, 1862; killed at Sailor s 
 Creek by a shell. 
 
 *W. E. H. Clagett, Second Corporal, made Third Sergeant, 
 April, 1862; Second Sergeant, May, 1862; severely 
 wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 261 
 
 Wm. Murray, Third Corporal, made Fourth Sergeant, April, 
 
 1862 ; discharged, 1862 ; over age. 
 *"Wm. E. Gray, Fourth Corporal, made First Lieutenant 
 
 Company G, April, 1862; killed at Seven Pines. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Adam, John G., transferred to Second Virginia Cavalry, 
 November, 1862. 
 
 Addison, W. D., with Company A until close of the war ; 
 wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 Avery, B. W., wounded at Seven Pines; detached at Gen 
 eral Pickett s Headquarters, November, 1862. 
 
 Ashby, W. W. 
 
 * Addison, John F., elected Second Lieutenant Company G, 
 
 April, 1862; killed at Williamsburg. 
 
 * Abbott, Frank H., Killed at Williamsburg. 
 
 Adams, Francis, transferred to Maryland Line, May, 1862. 
 Burke, Jourdan M. f detached with Signal Corps, June, 
 
 1862. 
 Bryant, John Y. Jr., discharged on account of ill health, 
 
 May, 1862. 
 Crockford, W. H. , transferred to Twelfth Virginia Infantry, 
 
 January, 1863. 
 Carter, Meriwether, discharged on account of ill health, in 
 
 winter, 1861. 
 Chage, T. L., wounded at Frazier s Farm ; made Commissary 
 
 Sergeant of Regiment, July, 1863. 
 Cawood, Chas. H., made Sergeant in Signal Corps, June, 
 
 1862. 
 
 Cadle, James K, transferred to Maryland Line, May, 1862. 
 Dyer, F. Baker, discharged on account of ill health. 
 Douglass, Thos. U., transferred to Second Virginia^Cavalry 
 
 in fall of 1861. 
 
262 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Davidson, Francis J., discharged on account of ill health. 
 
 Dunn, John W., transferred to Second Virginia Cavalry, 
 in fall, 1861. 
 
 Fairfax, A. C., severely wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
 Foard, E. Norval, discharged on account of ill health, in 
 winter, 1861. 
 
 Grady, Frank T., discharged on account of ill health. 
 
 Gwinn, Thos. T., transferred to Triplet s Battery. 
 
 Gunnel, Henry L., made a Lieutenant in First Virginia 
 Battalion, October, 1864. 
 
 Green, Rob t H., died of disease in Charlottesville, June, 
 1862. 
 
 Gwinn, Geo. E., transferred to Maryland Line, May, 1862. 
 
 Hunt, Albert L., on detached service; in January, 1864, 
 made Captain and Assistant Commissary of Fifth Virginia 
 Cavalry. 
 
 *Hite, Hugh S., killed at Williamsburg ; a good soldier. 
 
 *Hite, Kidder M., made First Corporal Company A, Janu 
 ary, 1864. 
 
 Hicks, Geo. L., discharged on account of lameness. 
 
 Harmon, William, discharged being a Mary lander and 
 entered Tenth Virginia Cavalry. 
 
 Hartley, Ephraim W., died of disease at Staunton, July 22, 
 
 1862. 
 
 *Hunter, Alexander, wounded at Second Manassas ; trans 
 ferred to Fourth Virginia Cavalry, July, 1863. 
 Hyde, Reginald F., transferred to First Regiment Engineer 
 
 Troopa. 
 
 Hutchison, Ludwell L., on detached service with Signal 
 Corps ; killed at Spottsylvania Court House, May, 1864. 
 Hoxton, William W., transferred to Stewart s Horse Artil 
 lery, 1861, and made a Lieutenant. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 263 
 
 Harmon, Chas. P., discharged being a Marylander and 
 
 joined Imboden s Cavalry. 
 Jamieson, Geo. W., discharged on account of ill health, 
 
 fall, 1861. 
 *Johnson, Rob t C., wounded at Williamsburg ; killed at 
 
 Frazier s Farm. 
 Jackson, And. J., discharged in summer, 1862; entered 
 
 Quartermaster s Department. 
 Kelley, E. F., on detached service during the war with 
 
 Medical Department. 
 
 Lambert, B. F., on detached service in Commissary Depart 
 ment. 
 
 *Lee, Daniel M., killed in the charge at Frazier s Farm. 
 Mills, John, discharged being a Marylander in May, 
 
 1862. 
 
 Mason, John S., wounded at Second Manassas; made Lieu 
 tenant in Signal Corps in fall, 1862. 
 Mason, Landon R., discharged on account ill-health. 
 Marshall, E. C., Jr., transferred to Stribling s Battery, 
 
 July, 1862. 
 
 McVeigh, James H. Jr., made Sergeant Company A, May, 
 1862; wounded badly at Williamsburg ; transferred to 
 Fourth Virginia cavalry, May, 1863. 
 *Morrill, Wm. T., made Color Sergeant of Regiment ; killed 
 
 at Seven Pines. 
 Milburn, W. C., on detached service during the war with 
 
 Medical Department. 
 
 Murray, Jesse, with his Company until close of war. 
 Marye, Charles B., transferred to Braxton s Battery, 1862. 
 *McMurran, Samuel, in thirteen battles with his Company; 
 
 wounded at Drury s Bluff; killed at Sailor s creek. 
 McKnight, C. H., badly wounded at Williamsburg; right 
 arm amputated. 
 
264 BISTORT OF THE 
 
 Mason, J. T., made midshipman, 1861. 
 
 *Malone, Edward, made Lieutenant in Third Kegiment 
 
 Engineer Troops, April, 1864. 
 
 *Perry, William, in seventeen battles with his Company ; 
 made Corporal, April, 1862 ; wounded at second Man- 
 assas; made Sergeant, January, 1864; present at sur 
 render. 
 
 Potter, George F. 
 
 *Partlow, Theodore A., struck by a grape shot and three 
 bullets at battle of Frazier s Farm, and died the follow 
 ing day. 
 
 Paul, Wm. J., wounded at Sharpsburg ; transferred to 
 Cavalry, 1862. 
 
 *Paul, Samuel B., made Sergeant, April, 1862; wounded 
 at Williamsburg ; made Lieutenant Company G, Nov. 
 1863 ; killed at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 Powell, R. C., made Assistant Surgeon in Navy Depart 
 ment, October, 1862. 
 
 Powell, Alfred H., transferred to Sixth Virginia Cavalry, 
 fall, 1861. 
 
 Price, Mark L., with his Company until close of war; 
 wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
 Purcell, Wm. F., discharged May, 1862, being a Mary- 
 lander. 
 
 Robinson, R. H. P., discharged on account ill-health. 
 
 Slater, Joseph, discharged on account of injured foot, 1862. 
 
 Sangster, J. H. L., made Corporal Company A, August, 
 1862 ; mortally wounded at second Manassas. 
 
 Sully, Robert M., on detached service with Engineer Corps ; 
 made a Lieutenant therein. 
 
 *Stickley, James, made Corporal Company A, April, 1862; 
 Sergeant, May, 1862. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 265 
 
 *Swann, John N., mortally wounded at Williamsburg ; 
 
 died at Fortress Monroe. 
 Smith, Charles A., with his Company during the war; 
 
 wounded at second Manassas. 
 
 Savage, John H., transferred to Maryland Line, May, 1862. 
 Thompson, John E., transferred to Maryland Line, May, 
 
 1862. 
 Taliaferro, Ed. T., wounded at Williamsburg ; discharged, 
 
 winter, 1862. 
 Thomas, Joshua, on detached service at Headquarters Army 
 
 Northern Virginia. 
 Turner, Thomas B., wounded at Williamsburg ; transferred 
 
 to Scott s P. Bangers, August, 1862 ; made a Lieutenant 
 
 thereof; killed in a skirmish. 
 Taliaferro, H. B., detached in Commissary Department 
 
 until made Captain and Assistant Commissary, December, 
 
 1863. 
 
 Warfield, Abel D., discharged; over age; fall 1861 ; after 
 wards Foragemaster for La. Brigade. 
 Wright, Wm. D., transferred to Second Virginia Cavalry, 
 
 fall, 1861. 
 White, Thomas M., on detached service at Headquarters 
 
 Army Northern Virginia. 
 Wise, Edwin N., on detached service with Engineer Corps; 
 
 made First Lieutenant Engineers, and assigned to First 
 
 Regiment Engineer Troops. 
 Withers, Littleton, detached with Medical Department on 
 
 account of bad health. 
 *Zimmerman, John B., in thirteen battles; with his Company 
 
 during the war. 
 
 23 
 
266 BISTORT OF TEE 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 A, AFTER SEPTEMBER 1st, 1861. 
 
 Ashby, Vernon W., wounded at Frazier s Farm; trans 
 ferred to Cavalry, 1862. 
 
 *Bryant, J. Herbert, appointed Adjutant Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia, April, 1862 ; badly wounded at Boonsboro ; made 
 A. D. C. to General Corse, November, 1862. 
 
 Buford, P. S., detached with Pioneer Corps till October, 
 1864. 
 
 Bowers, D., exchanged to Twenty-ninth Virginia for Sain l 
 Loggans. 
 
 Cary, Clarence, made midshipman C. S. Navy, 1861. 
 
 Chase, J. E., on detached service as Division Dentist. 
 
 Eaches, H. B., severely wounded at Frazier s Farm ; there 
 after detached. 
 
 Eaches, J. M., transferred from First Missouri Infantry, 
 February, 1864. 
 
 Edwards, B. C., wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 ^Fairfax, E. V., killed in the charge at Williamsburg. 
 
 Ford, H. 
 
 Foster, George B,., on detached service. 
 
 *Hart, John S., made First Sergeant Company I; killed 
 at Frazier s Farm. 
 
 Hough, Harrie, detached at General Pickett s Headquarters, 
 November 10, 1862. 
 
 Hancock, J. D. 
 
 Hillsman, A. S. 
 
 Hancock, William, discharged ; overage; February, 1864. 
 
 Haskins, D. H. 
 
 Hall, L. H. 
 
SE VENTEENTH VIR QINIA INF ANTE Y. 267 
 
 Jones, S. J., wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 Johns, E. F., wounded at Drury s Bluff; discharged ill- 
 health, December, 1864. 
 
 Kerr, George. 
 
 Laughlan, W. C. 
 
 Laudreth, Thomas. 
 
 Loggans Samuel. 
 
 May, Reuben, on detached service. 
 
 McCawley, A. S. B. 
 
 Nannie, B. W., died of consumption in Petersburg, Decem 
 ber, 1863. 
 
 *Paul, R. C., made Second Lieutenant, Company I. 
 
 Pulliam, T. A. 
 
 Ramsay, George W., with his Company during the war; 
 present at surrender. 
 
 Rowland, Abner. 
 
 5 toots, John. 
 
 Sutherland, John. 
 
 Turner, Wilson, transferred to Stewart s Horse Artillery ; 
 killed at second Manassas. 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 ("WARREN RIFLES.") 
 
 *Robert H. Simpson, Captain, made Major Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia, November, 1862 ; mortally wounded at Drury s 
 Bluff. 
 
 Newton W. Snyder, First Lieutenant ; not re-elected at 
 reorganization; since dead. 
 
 Thomas W. Petty, Second Lieutenant; not re-elected at 
 reorganization ; served in Twelfth Virginia Cavalry. 
 
268 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Victor M. Brown, Second Lieutenant; made Captain and 
 Regimental Commissary, 1861 ; Major and Brigade Com 
 missary, November, 1862; served till close of war; since 
 dead. 
 
 *Francis W. Lehew, First Sergeant, made First Lieutenant 
 Company B, April, 1862; Captain Company B, Novem 
 ber, 1862 ; served till close of war. 
 
 Richard L. Timberlake, Second Sergeant, entered Twelfth 
 Virginia Cavalry, 1862 ; mortally wounded at 
 
 *Richard B. Buck, Third Sergeant, made First Sergeant 
 Company B, April, 1862 ; Lieutenant in 1862 ; served 
 till close of war; wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 * William A. Rust, Fourth Sergeant, made Third Sergeant 
 Company B, April, 1862; badly wounded at Williams 
 burg, and detailed in Quartermaster s Department there 
 after. 
 
 John W. Boone, First Corporal, exchanged to Twelfth Vir 
 ginia Cavalry, 1862. 
 
 Henry Walter, Second Corporal. 
 
 George Groves, Third Corporal, detailed in 1863 as Regi 
 mental shoemaker. 
 
 *Thomas N. Garrison, Fourth Corporal; badly wounded and 
 disabled in the battle of Sharpsburg. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Ashby, B. A. 
 
 Bowen, Thomas A., discharged in 1862. 
 
 Buck, Charles N. f disabled by accidental wound, April, 
 
 1862. 
 
 Brown, David. 
 Brown, James E. 
 Balthis, William H. 
 Brown, Jesse. 
 
SE VENTEENTH VIR OINIA INFANTR F. 269 
 
 Cornwall, Lebius, served with his Company till close of war. 
 
 Chapman, S. F. 
 
 *Carder, Stephen, mortally wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
 Chuning, Walter. 
 
 Cooley Samuel C., transferred to Seventh Virginia Cavalry 
 
 in 1862. 
 
 Copp, Leonard, died, May 2d, 1862. 
 Castelow, George W. 
 Cline, Wm. R., made Sergeant of Company B ; transferred 
 
 to Seventh Virginia Cavalry, 1863. 
 *Darr, Marcus D., killed in the battle of Boonsboro . 
 *Darr, Philip C., killed in the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 Derflinger, Jonas J., served with his Company till close of 
 
 war. 
 
 Duke, George, served with his Company till close of war. 
 Earle, Baalis. 
 
 Eckardt, Charles, killed in the battle of Five Forks. 
 Farra, Walton, wounded while on the Howlett s Line. 
 *Frii?toe, Scott, served with his Company till close of war, 
 Forsythe, William. 
 
 *Forsythe Milton, killed in the battle of Five Forks. 
 Fox, Charles W. 
 Fox, Lemuel F. 
 
 Grove, Amos, discharged in 1862 ; over age. 
 Garrett, Newton, served with his Company till close of war. 
 Gordon, James W., died, April, 1862. 
 Grubbs, Franklin, died date not known. 
 Harry, James P. 
 
 Hopper, James, died date not known. 
 Johnston John J., transferred to Seventh Virginia Cavalry; 
 
 killed. 
 
 23* 
 
270 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Kenner, William B., served -with his Company till close of 
 war. 
 
 Kidwell, John T. 
 
 Kendrick, James W. 
 
 Lehew, Charles E., served with his Company till close of 
 war. 
 
 Lake, John H. 
 
 Littleton, E. S., served with his Company till close of war. 
 
 Miller, Joseph W., served with his Company till close of 
 war ; wounded in the battle of Flat creek. 
 
 Mitchell, KobertB. 
 
 Miller, David. 
 
 Myers, Gasper, served with his Company till close of war. 
 
 McDonald, William H., served with his Company till close 
 of war. 
 
 McKay, Thomas B., put in a substitute in 1862. 
 
 Nail, James J. 
 
 Oliver, James A., on detailed service during war in Quarter 
 master s Department. 
 
 Painter, John R. 
 
 Painter, William H. 
 
 Peterson, Elijah. 
 
 *Petty, James T., served with his Company till close of 
 war; wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 Pipher, De Kalb, made Corporal, then Sergeant Company 
 B ; transferred to Seventh Virginia Cavalry, 1863; after 
 wards killed. 
 
 Peterson, J. W. 
 
 Petty, George N. , exchanged to Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, 
 October, 1862. 
 
 Richardson, C. W., transferred to Seventh Virginia Cavalry, 
 1862. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 271 
 
 ^Richardson, William, made Lieutenant Company B, April, 
 1862; mortally wounded at Williainsburg. 
 
 *Roy, Walter S., made Sergeant Company B, 1862; Lieu 
 tenant Company B, November, 1862; served with dis 
 tinction till close of war. 
 
 Rinker, Romanus, served with his Company till close of 
 war; wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 ^Roberts, Marcus, killed in the battle of Flat creek. 
 
 Reed, Peter, served with his Company till close of war. 
 
 Ritenour, Isaac. 
 
 *Scroggin, Peyton, killed in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 
 Spengler, D. H. 
 
 *Spengler, S. F., mortally wounded in the battle of second 
 Manassas. 
 
 *Steel, John W., killed in the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 
 Santmyers, Thomas W. , served with his Company till close 
 of war. 
 
 Settle, George W. 
 
 Seemers, John. 
 
 Spicer, Charles W. 
 
 Saffell, Ed. M. 
 
 *Steod, C. J., killed in the battle of second Manassas. 
 
 Triplett, William B. 
 
 Triplett, Leonidas. 
 
 Tyler, Gustavus, made Corporal Company B ; served till 
 close of war. 
 
 Turner, R. H., made Captain and Regimental Quartermaster, 
 Aprii, 1862; Major and Brigade Quartermaster, Novem 
 ber, 1862. 
 
 Turner, James H. 
 
 Thompson, E. D., served with his Company till close of war. 
 
272 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Turner, William B., made Corporal Company B; served 
 
 till close of war. 
 Thompson, Gilbert. 
 Walter, William. 
 
 Williams, George N., discharged in 1862; over age. 
 Williams, William. 
 Willy, Atwell T. 
 Watkins, Samuel A., served with his Company till close of 
 
 war. 
 
 Weaver, Robert L. 
 
 Buck, Alvin D., on detached service at Army Headquarters. 
 Buck, Irvin A., went, as clerk to Gen. Beauregard s office, to 
 
 the West ; made Captain and A. A. Gen. to Maj. Gen. 
 
 P. R. Cleburn, December, 1861. 
 Brown, James H., served with his Company till close of 
 
 war. 
 
 Campbell, Thomas R. 
 
 Hope George H., detached service during the war. 
 *Roy, Thomas B., went, as clerk to Gen. Beauregard e 
 
 office, to the West; made A. A. Gen. to Gen. Hardee at 
 
 battle of Shiloh; Major in August, 1862; Lieutenant 
 
 Colonel, in March, 1863. 
 Scroggin, Lewis A., detailed as teamster in Quartermaster s 
 
 Department. 
 Stickley, Philip, served with his Company till close of war. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 B, AFTER SEPTEMBER 1st, 1861. 
 
 *Turner, Smith S., made Second Lieutenant Company B, 
 April, 1862; First Lieutenant, November, 1862; served 
 with distinction till close of war. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 273 
 
 Williams, George A., made Captain and A. A. General to 
 
 Brigadier General Liddell, in June, 1862. 
 Petty, Bertrand W., made First Sergeant Company B; 
 
 served till close of war. 
 Cook, Giles, Jr., made Sergeant Company B; transferred 
 
 to Seventh Virginia Cavalry in 1863. 
 *Brown, John N., killed in the battle of Drury s Bluff. 
 *Broy, Elias, killed in the battle of Seven Pines. 
 Broy, William. 
 Brown, George W. 
 
 Brown, Joseph, died date not known. 
 Brown, Joseph. 
 
 Cooper, Edward, served with his Company till close of war. 
 *Chrisinan, John W., killed in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 Elbon, Joseph, on detached service. 
 Hopper, Harrison, served with his Company till close of 
 
 war. 
 
 *Hickson v William, killed at Cold Harbor in 1864. 
 *Keller, Joseph, killed in the battle of Flat creek. 
 Farmer, Edward. 
 
 Petty, Henry S., served with his Company till close of war. 
 *Reager, Lewis, killed in the battle of Flat creek. 
 Steed, Charles B., killed accidently, April, 1864. 
 *Simpson, John W., killed in the battle of second Manassas. 
 Simmons, Charles, died date not known. 
 *Stokes, Joseph, killed in the battle of Dinwiddie Court 
 
 House. 
 
 Venable, James. 
 
 Willey, Achillis, discharged date not known. 
 Willey, Jacob, served with his Company till close of war. 
 
274 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 COMPANY C. 
 
 ("LOUDOUN GUARDS.") 
 
 George R. Head, Captain, re-elected Captain at reorganiza 
 tion, but resigned. 
 
 William B. Lynch, First Lieutenant; elected Captain upon 
 resignation of Geo. R. Head. 
 
 Charles B. Wildman, Second Lieutenant. 
 
 Jesse J. Stansbury, Second Lieutenant. 
 
 *W. W. Athey, First Sergeant, promoted First Lieutenant 
 Company C, April 28, 1862. 
 
 A. J. Bradfield, Second Sergeant, on detached service in- 
 Commissary Department. 
 
 F. M. Henderson, Third Sergeant, promoted to First Lieu 
 tenant and Ordnance officer, Corse s Brigade, October, 
 1862. 
 
 Charles E. Evard, Fourth Sergeant. 
 
 William D. Easterday, First Corporal. 
 
 William S. Pickett, Second Corporal. 
 
 Benjamin F. Head, Third Corporal, promoted to Sergeant, 
 April, 1862. 
 
 Edgar Littleton, Fourth Corporal, served through the war. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Anker, Moses, discharged, August 10, 1862. 
 
 *Adie, George C., promoted Lieutenant of Company I, 
 
 April, 1862; killed at Frazier s Farm. 
 Athey, John M. 
 *Atwell, Luther L., killed at Sharpsburg, and buried on 
 
 battle field. 
 Bender, William. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 275 
 
 Birkby, Charles T. 
 
 Birkby, Henry C. 
 
 Bopp, William G-. 
 
 Brenner, John E , captured at Manassas Gap, and a prisoner 
 
 till end of war. 
 
 Brown, Felding, discharged, July, 1862. 
 *Bradfield, C. H., very badly wounded May 31, 1862; 
 
 Seven Pines. 
 
 Burke, Richard, promoted to Sergeant Company C, Sep 
 tember, 1862 ; served during the war ; wounded at Wil- 
 
 liamsburg. 
 
 *Brown, John C., killed at Sharpsburg. 
 Clagett, Thomas H., Jr., promoted Captain in Signal Corps, 
 
 May, 1862. 
 
 Cockran, William J. , with his Company during the war. 
 Cocklin, Michael, 
 Coury, David H. 
 Chamberlin, AM. 
 
 Chamberlin, John, discharged, June 15, 1862. 
 Dailey, John T. 
 Donnelly, Edward. 
 *Divine, John A., promoted to First Sergeant Company C, 
 
 September, 1862 : was in every battle and skirmish his 
 
 Company engaged in ; since dead. 
 *Edwards, Chas. GL, badly wounded in battle of Blackburn s 
 
 Ford ; promoted Orderly Sergeant Eighth Virginia, May, 
 1862. 
 
 Edwards, Chas. E., discharged May 16, 1862. 
 Fox, Erasmus H., discharged. 
 *Francis, Joseph F., Sergeant Major Seventeenth Virginia; 
 
 killed at Seven Pines. 
 
 *Garner, H., promoted to Corporal Company C ; killed on 
 Hewlett s Line. 
 
276 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 Hamilton, Charles. 
 
 Hardy, Win H., badly wounded at Sharpsburg. 
 
 Harris, Spencer M. 
 
 *Hatcher, Mahlon Gr., Color Sergeant Seventeenth Virginia ; 
 
 badly wounded at Williamsburg, and thereafter detailed 
 
 in Quartermaster s Department. 
 Hammerly, John U. 
 Hurst, Samuel N., promoted to Corporal Company C ; served 
 
 during the war. 
 
 Insor, John, served with Company during the war. 
 Johanas, Martin. 
 Johnson, Wm. H. 
 Kelly, John W. 
 King, Edgar C., appointed Ordnance Sergeant Seventeenth 
 
 Virginia, November, 1863 ; served till end of the war. 
 Kephart, Jasper C. 
 *Lambden, Geo. T., promoted to Lieutenant Company C, 
 
 .April, 1862; killed at Frazier s Farm. 
 Lauman, John H. 
 ^Littleton, Francis B., promoted to Lieutenant, April, 1862 ; 
 
 killed at Sharpsburg. 
 Linkins, Henry B. 
 Loughlin, Michael. 
 McCue, Patrick. 
 Manning, Jacob H., promoted Captain Signal Corps, June, 
 
 1862. 
 
 *Murphy, John, promoted Color Corporal Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia. 
 
 Muse, James H., discharged in 1862, (July 16th.) 
 Mitchell, E. H., died in hospital at Manassas, January, 
 
 1862. 
 Moley, James. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 277 
 
 *Murphy, John L. A., lost a leg at Williamsburg ; died in 
 
 Old Capitol prison, June 30, 1862. 
 Norris, Thos. B., discharged July, 1862. 
 Orr, John M. 
 Orrison, Samuel. 
 Parker, Lafayette. 
 Quigley, John. 
 *Raney, Geo. W., killed May 19, 1862, by shell, while 
 
 near Hewlett s Line. 
 Ran, Charles H. 
 Rogers, Milton M., promoted to Lieutenant in Loudoun 
 
 Artillery, May, 1862. 
 
 Rheim, James J., discharged May 15, 1862. 
 Rheim, Wm. (}., discharged May 15, 1862. 
 Sexton, John W., wounded badly at Blackburn s Ford; 
 
 discharged July 16, 1862. 
 *Sibbett, James H., killed at Williamsburg. 
 Sinclair, Chas. W., discharged July 16, 1862. 
 Skinner, Edgar, discharged. 
 Small, John C. 
 
 Steadman, Marshall B., discharged July 16, 1862. 
 Smart, Fayette, died March 24, 1863. 
 Thomas, Joseph B. 
 Thomas, Wm. H. 
 Thompson, John E. 
 Taylor, John M. 
 Vaudevanter, C. 
 
 Wallace, David M., wounded at Seven Pines. 
 Wallace, James W. 
 * Wallace, Francis M., promoted to Sergeant Company C, 
 
 April, 1862 ; killed at Boonsboro . 
 *Wallace, James M. Jr., killed in battle Frazier s Farm. 
 
 24 
 
278 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Woodard, John W., died January, 1862. 
 Wright, John E. 
 
 Zealort, John, transferred to Maryland Line. 
 Adams, William, Regimental drummer. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 C AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1861. 
 
 Adams, Wm. F., discharged in 1862. 
 
 *Brightwell, Jas. T., killed at Drury s Bluff. 
 
 * Cherry, Benj. E,., killed at Dhrwiddie Court House. 
 
 Donnelly, Patrick. 
 
 Dove, D., Wounded in battle of Second Manassas. 
 
 East, Jos. H. 
 
 Ford, Sephton. 
 
 Hays, Edward. 
 
 Harris, Chas. T., with his Company through the war. 
 
 Hollingsworth, Thos. J., with his Company through the war. 
 
 Lefever, Henry, with his Company through the war. 
 
 *Lawhorn, Wm., lost a leg in battle at Dinwiddie Court 
 
 House. 
 
 Massie, Z. P., served with Company during the war. 
 McCraw, Richard, died in hospital, August, 1864. 
 McCraw, Robert, died in hospital, July 25, 1864. 
 Mechols, Samuel, served through the war. 
 Morris, Nicholas, served through the war. 
 *Mechols, Rosemary, killed at Drury s Bluff, May 16, 1864. 
 Parker, John W. B., on detached service. 
 Reynolds, John, Served through the war. 
 Sewell, James W., died in hospital, North Carolina, April, 
 
 1864. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 279 
 
 *Wright, Chas. E., killed in battle of Williamsburg. 
 Witt, Adam H., discharged July 9, 1864. 
 
 COMPANY D. 
 
 ("FAIRFAX RIFLES.") 
 
 Wm. II. Dulaney, Captain, badly wounded at Blackburn s 
 Ford. 
 
 *Wm. A. Barnes, First Lieutenant, promoted to Captain 
 Company D, upon death of J. T. Burke ; wounded at 
 Boonsboro . 
 
 Francis Or. Fox, Second Lieutenant. 
 
 *John T. Burke, Second Lieutenant, elected Captain Com 
 pany D, April, 1862; wounded at Seven Pines; killed in 
 battle of Sharpsburg. 
 
 Alexander C. Williams, First Sergeant. 
 
 George W. Gains, Second Sergeant. 
 
 John D. Newnan, Third Sergeant. 
 
 John K. Steel, Fourth Sergeant, promoted Sergeant Com 
 pany D. 
 
 William H. Steel, First Corporal. 
 
 James R. Steel, Second Corporal. 
 
 Richard H. Butler, Third Corporal. 
 
 John H. Barnes, Fourth Corporal. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Ashford, Charles C. 
 
 Ashford, Francis A; made Lieutenant Company D. 
 Ashford, John A. 
 
 *Barnes, Samuel L., killed in the battle of Dinwiddie Court 
 House. 
 
HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 *Beach, Ferdinand. 
 Beach, James. 
 Brown, William H. 
 Beak, Thomas. 
 Beach, Kichard. 
 Caton, John C. 
 Cash, Patrick. 
 Chichester, Daniel Me. 
 
 Coon, Solyman. 
 
 *Corbit, Robert E., killed in the battle of Drury s Bluff. 
 
 Cornell, Charles. 
 
 Cornell, Alexander. 
 
 Cockerville, Joseph. 
 
 Cockerville, John H. 
 
 Cook, Israel, wounded in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 
 Crowley, Michael. 
 
 Davis, John H. 
 
 Davis, James F. 
 
 Dulany, Winn T. 
 
 Dove, Armstead. 
 
 Firmacom, Geo. W. 
 
 *Ford, Walter S., killed in the battle of Dmwiddie 
 
 House. 
 
 Freeman, Joseph N. 
 Fairfax, James W. 
 Fox, Wm. H. 
 Gooding, Wm. P. 
 Guard, Robert. 
 Gunnell, Charles A. 
 Gossam, James H. 
 Grigsby, A. S. 
 Hall, William. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 281 
 
 Hixon, John, wounded at Boonsboro . 
 
 Howard, Peter. 
 
 Harmon, Henry T. 
 
 Ish, Milton. 
 
 Jackson, Charles. 
 
 Kidwell, John T. 
 
 Kincheloe, Robert E. 
 
 Kidwell, Charles. 
 
 Lynn, Thos. W. 
 
 *Marks, David A., wounded in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 
 Millan, George S. 
 
 Monroe, Deskin. 
 
 Mills, S. D., wounded in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 
 Mayhugh, James. 
 
 Mayhugh, Richard. 
 
 Mayhugh, George. 
 
 Nails, Benj. F. 
 
 *Newcomb, John W., promoted to Sergeant Company D- 
 
 killed in front of Cold Harbor. 
 Newman, Charles. 
 Payne, Sanford. 
 Pettitt, John T. 
 Pettitt, Geo. W. 
 Pettitt, Chas. R. 
 Pearson, James. 
 *Richardson, Jas. W., killed in the battle of Dinwiddie 
 
 Court House. 
 Richardson, Geo. H. 
 Ratcliffe, John R. 
 Simpson, Silas J. 
 Speaks, Everett. 
 Spindle, Spotsylvania. 
 
 24* 
 
282 HISTOR T OF THE 
 
 Steel, Robert, promoted to Color Sergeant ; wounded at 
 
 Seven Pines. 
 Sutherland, A. 
 Sutherland, E. 
 Sutherland, J. W. 
 Stallians, Wm. 
 Steel, Peter C. 
 
 Taylor, Robert S., on detached service. 
 Thomas, Edgar. 
 Thomas, James A. 
 Thompson, Minor L. 
 Trumble, Martin. 
 Wrenn, Nelson H. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 D AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1861. 
 
 Coons, Lyman, wounded at Torktown. 
 
 COMPANY E. 
 
 ("MOUNT VERNON GUARDS.") 
 
 S. H. Devaughn, Captain. 
 
 *Steuart, Jas. M., Captain, elected Captain, April 29, 1862 ; 
 
 vice W. H. Smith, resigned. 
 William H. Smith, First Lieutenant, re-elected Captain, 
 
 April, 1862, and resigned the next day. 
 "William "W. Allen, Second Lieutenant. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 283 
 
 Charles Javins, Second Lieutenant, severely wounded at 
 Blackburn s Ford, July 18, 1861. 
 
 John T. Devaughn, First Sergeant, discharged on account 
 of over age. 
 
 *A. M. Tubman, Second Sergeant, promoted to First Lieu 
 tenant, April, 1862; badly wounded at Boonsboro , and 
 retired. 
 
 Joseph Hantzman, Third Sergeant. 
 
 * James A. Proctor, Fourth Sergeant, wounded at Frazier s 
 
 Farm, and died from effects of wound. 
 
 * James E. Molair, First Corporal, killed in the battle of 
 
 Seven Pines. 
 
 *William M. Simpson, Second Corporal, promoted Lieuten 
 ant Company E, April, 1862. 
 
 William Hammerdinger, Third Corporal. 
 
 John A. Humphries, Fourth Corporal, on detailed service 
 at Lynchburg. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 * Allison, John, badly wounded on Hewlett s Line, and died 
 
 from effects of wounds ; distinguished for bravery. 
 
 Allison, Richard F., wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
 Arrington, Charles H. 
 
 Allison, John H. 
 
 Allison, George W., on detailed service with Brigade Ord 
 nance. 
 
 Biggs, Henry R., wounded at Yorktown. 
 
 Beach, Solomon. 
 
 *Bushby, Joseph, killed in the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 
 Brown, Alexander H., on detached service with Medical 
 Department. 
 
 Bruin, Delaney. 
 
284 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 *Coleman, S. S., distinguished for gallantry; transferred to 
 Navy Department, 1864. 
 
 Craven, George. 
 
 Conway, Albert. 
 
 *Colonms, Joseph, killed in the battle of Sharpsburg. 
 
 Clapdore, William H. , transferred to Navy Department. 
 
 Chauncey, Thomas A. 
 
 Cook, John T., died of disease. 
 
 Cross, Thomas, with his Company during the war. 
 
 Davis, Thomas, on detached service with Quartermaster s 
 Department. 
 
 Delphy, John, on detached service in Richmond. 
 
 Dudly, Joseph T. 
 
 Day, James, detached service in Lynchburg. 
 
 Duvall, James E., transferred to Maryland Line, 
 
 Donelly, John. 
 
 Davis, R. H., transferred to Cavalry service. 
 
 Davis, Arthur, on detached service with Quartermaster. 
 
 Darly, William. 
 
 Davis, Peter, on detached service with Ordnance Train. 
 
 *Emmerson, Benjamin F., wounded at Frazier s Farm, and 
 died from effects of wounds. 
 
 Edwards, Ephriam, discharged over age. 
 
 Field, Edgar H. 
 
 Field, Benjamin F., promoted First Sergeant, Company E. 
 
 Field, George W. 
 
 Fadely Charles W., wounded at Second Manassas, and dis 
 charged. 
 
 Flxhnor, William, discharged over age. 
 
 Greenwood, Charles, promoted First Corporal Company E. 
 
 Gregg, Joseph, promoted Corporal Company E. 
 
 Gale, James, on detached service in Lynchburg. 
 
 Hantyman, George. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 285 
 
 Hudson, Thomas B., wounded at Frazier s Farm, and dis 
 charged. 
 
 Horseman, John. 
 
 Hicks, Albert, promoted to Second Sergeant Company E ; 
 with Company till end of war. 
 
 *Harper, Washington M., promoted to Color Corporal ; dis 
 tinguished for gallantry; killed at Sharpsburg. 
 
 Harper, George G., discharged over age. 
 
 Jones, Stephen. 
 
 Jenkins, William. 
 
 Kid well, Hezekiah, died of disease. 
 
 Kraig, Godfred, procured a substitute. 
 
 Kirk, Harrison, discharged over age. 
 
 Lyles, George W. 
 
 Lyles, Alexander. 
 
 Lewis, William L. 
 
 Lewis, Charles E., transferred to Cavalry service. 
 
 Lawler, John, transferred to Navy Department. 
 
 Myers, Abraham, furnished a substitute. 
 
 Murray, John W. 
 
 Mankin, Charles. 
 
 *McKnight, William P., elected Second Lieutenant, April, 
 1862 ; promoted to First Lieutenant Company E, July 
 26, 1864; received three wounds at Sharpsburg. 
 
 Ogden, George. 
 
 Ogden, Elijah, on detached service in Richmond. 
 
 Piles, Walter, discharged over age. 
 
 Paff, Frederick. 
 
 Powers, Franklin, promoted Lieutenant Company G. 
 
 Proctor, John J. 
 
 Paine, John. 
 
 *Padgett, William T., killed in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 
286 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 *Penn, Joseph B., killed at the battle of Williamsburg. 
 
 Rudd, Charles D., discharged over age. 
 
 Richards, George H., on detached service in Commissary 
 
 Department. 
 Roland, Richard, promoted Sergeant Company E ; severely 
 
 wounded at Seven Pines. 
 Rudd, Isaac W. 
 
 Rudd, Robert, on detached service in Lynchburg. 
 Robey, William, transferred to Maryland Line. 
 Sipple, Charles 0. 
 Shinn, James W., on detached service in Quartermaster s 
 
 Department. 
 Stephenson, Robert A., promoted to Sergeant Company E ; 
 
 afterwards Lieutenant in Twenty-fifth Battalion. 
 Schwartz, Isaac, furnished a substitute. 
 Summers, George L., promoted to Sergeant Company E. 
 Sullivan, John. - 
 Snyder, George. 
 Swann, James. 
 
 *Skidmore, A. F., killed at Yorktown. 
 Turner, Albert, discharged over age. 
 Underwood, William, with Company during the war. 
 Walker, James T. , transferred to Navy Department. 
 *Warfield, George T., promoted Corporal Company E; 
 
 killed at Frazier s Farm. 
 Walker, E. 0. 
 
 Waters, John W., transferred to Navy Department. 
 Williams, Joseph, discharged over age. 
 Warring, Edward, with Company during the war. 
 Warring, Basil. 
 
 *Wools, Albert, killed in the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 White, Charles 0., discharged. 
 Young, Daniel. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 287 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 E, AFTER SEPTEMBER 1st, 1861. 
 
 Greenwood, John, died of disease. 
 Rose, A. F., wounded at Boonsboro . 
 
 Gardner, . 
 
 Kenly, . 
 
 Hanks, E. 
 Carrico, W. 
 
 Clarke, . 
 
 Glasscock, George, wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 Abbot, George. 
 
 *Duncan, W., killed at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 Bransford, . 
 
 Cassel, . 
 
 Christian, , died from disease. 
 
 Shrakes, James P., ^ 
 
 Mankin, Samuel, V Alexandrians who joined about 1864, 
 
 Miffleton, Henry, ) 
 
 COMPANY F. 
 
 ( " PRINCE WILLIAM RIFLES.") 
 
 Geo. S. Hamilton, Captain, resigned at reorganization, 
 April, 1862. 
 
 *Grayson Tyler, First Lieut., made Captain, April, 1862; 
 acting Major from May, 1864; madeLt. Col. Aug., 1864. 
 
 * Winston L. Carter, Second Lieutenant, killed at Williams- 
 burg, May 5, 1862. 
 
288 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 John R. Jordan, First Sergeant, transferred to Navy De 
 partment. 
 
 * James E. Herrell, Second Sergeant, made First Lieutenant, 
 
 April, 1862 ; Captain, August, 1864. 
 
 Lewis H. Hambrick, Third Sergeant, discharged. 
 
 *Joel N. Hulfish, Fourth Sergeant, made Second Lieu 
 tenant; killed at Frazier s Farm. 
 
 * James A. Pattie, First Corporal, made Sergeant Com 
 
 pany F. 
 
 ^Frederick Ebhardt, Second Corporal, lost left thumb at 
 Williamsburg. 
 
 * Jessie S. Rogers, Third Corporal, made First Sergeant 
 
 Company F ; wounded at Seven Pines. 
 *Geo. S. Pickett, Fourth Corporal, severely wounded at 
 Sailor s Creek. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 * Arnold, William. 
 
 *Brady, James D., killed in the battle of Seven Pines. 
 *Brady, Richard, died in Richmond. 
 *Brady, John W., died in prison. 
 
 *Basey, Edmond, made Sergeant Company F ; killed at 
 Seven Pines. 
 
 * Burgess, John R., killed in the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 *Burgess, E. W., killed in the battle of Seven Pines. 
 Bristow, R. B., transferred to artillery. 
 
 *Baxter, Wm. H., wounded badly at Drury s Bluff; killed 
 
 in the battle of Five Forks. 
 Cogan, Chas. E., wounded at Seven Pines. 
 Clowe, Thos. S., died at his home. 
 
 * Carter, A. J., wounded at Williamsburg. 
 
 *Clowe, E. W., wounded at Seven Pines, afterwards dis 
 charged. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 289 
 
 *Cornwell, John W., wounded at Frazier s Farm. 
 
 Callehan, Patrick. 
 
 *Carter, James A. 
 
 Canty, Stephen. 
 
 Davis, Minor F., wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
 *Davis, Wm. E., wounded in the battle of Sharpsburg. 
 
 Duval, F. M. 
 
 Ellis, Thos. R., killed in the battle of Sailor s Creek. 
 
 Foley, A. R. 
 
 Foley, Richard A. 
 
 Foley, Willis F. 
 
 Flynn, John. 
 
 *Grayson, A. B., killed in the battle of William sburg. 
 
 *Galliher, M. W., wounded at Frazier s Farm, and dis 
 charged in consequence. 
 
 *Hutcherson, R. L. 
 
 Harrison, John C., transferred to . 
 
 *Hairless, James N. 
 
 *Hairless, Chas. S. 
 
 *Hurst, James R., killed at Petersburg by one of the 
 
 Seventeenth Virginia. 
 *Hawley, A. B. D. 
 
 *Hixson, Felix G., killed in the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 ^Harrington, Daniel, discharged, over age. 
 *Hutcherson, F. M. 
 Kermard, Geo. W. 
 Keys, Rob t A. 
 
 *Lee, Reubin M., killed in the battle of Five Forks. 
 McDonaugh, Jas., discharged in 1862. 
 Mclntosh, Wm. S., died in hospital date not known. 
 *Moore, John A., supposed to have been killed at Five Forks. 
 Marshall, John G. 
 
 25 
 
290 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ^Newman, M. R., wounded at Williamsburg ; made Color 
 
 Corporal. 
 *Nalls, Thos. W. 
 
 *0 Shea, Thomas, made Lieutenant Company I. 
 Polend, John T. 
 Polend, Chas. J. 
 Payne, James B. 
 Payne, Levi. 
 *Pierson, Geo. W. 
 Pierson, Rob t A. 
 *Rollins, James D., wounded in the battle of Frazier s 
 
 Farm. 
 
 Riszin, John F., discharged while at Fairfax Court House. 
 Rennoe, John L., wounded at May s Head. 
 ^Smith, Wm. R., made Sergeant Company F; killed at 
 
 Seven Pines. 
 Sutler, William. 
 ^Sherwood, W. W. 
 *Sullivan, Jas. R. 
 Sherwood, James B. 
 
 Turner, Thos. W., discharged on account of ill health. 
 Tillet, James F. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 F AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1861. 
 
 *Basey, Luther, died in hospital at Petersburg. 
 
 *Brawner, John A. 
 
 #Hite, George, supposed to have been killed at Sailor s 
 
 Creek. 
 
 *Rollins, Geo. W., wounded at Five Forks. 
 *Harrison, S., Lieutenant, wounded at Seven Pines. 
 Watson, R., wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 291 
 
 COMPANY G. 
 ("EMMETT GUAKDS.") 
 
 J. E. Towson, Captain, entered artillery service. 
 
 W. H. Kemper, First Lieutenant, entered artillery service* 
 
 *Robert F. Knox, Second Lieutenant, promoted Captain 
 
 Company Gr, April, 1862 ; wounded at Seven Pines, and 
 
 Dinwiddie Court House. 
 Charles W. Wattles, Second Lieutenant, entered the War 
 
 Department in Richmond. 
 * James W. Ivors, First Sergeant, wounded at Yorktown ; 
 
 died from effects of wound. 
 
 James Donohoe, Second Sergeant, record unknown. 
 Edmund Costigan, Third Sergeant, record unknown. 
 Michael Nugeant, Fourth Sergeant, record unknown. 
 *Patrick Doyle, First Corporal, promoted Sergeant, April, 
 
 1862; killed at Seven Pines. 
 
 Francis McEllier, Second Corporal; record unknown. 
 John Murphy, Third Corporal, record unknown. 
 James Brannon, Fourth Corporal, record unknown. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Archibald, James, record unknown. 
 Butler, Thomas, record unknown. 
 Burke, Patrick, record unknown. 
 Bradley, James, record unknown. 
 Brennan, Thomas, record unknown, 
 Conner, Cornelius, record unknown. 
 Connelly, Francis, record unknown. 
 Carroll, Thomas, record unknown. 
 
292 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Cook, William, record unknown. 
 
 Delihunt, John, record unknown. 
 
 Dohoney, Daniel, killed at Boonsboro , Md. 
 
 Downey, Michael, record unknown. 
 
 Dohoney, John, record unknown. 
 
 Dyer, Michael, wounded at Williamsburg ; discharged, 
 
 1862; over age. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Lawrence, record unknown. 
 Fitzgerald, Jerry, record unknown. 
 Farrell, Anthony, record unknown. 
 *Grace, John, with his Company during the war. 
 Griffin, Daniel, record unknown. 
 Harper, Charles. 
 
 Honigan, John, killed in the battle of Drury s Bluff. 
 Hayes, Thomas, promoted to Color Corporal ; wounded at 
 
 Sharpsburg. 
 
 Hassan, Patrick, record unknown. 
 Hart, Patrick, record unknown. 
 Hoar, Morris, record unknown. 
 Henry, Alexander. 
 
 ^Harrington, Patrick, killed in the battle of Seven Pines. 
 * Johnson, James, with his Company during the war. 
 *Keating, James, killed in the battle of Boonsboro 1 . 
 Keating, Patrick, wounded at Williamsburg. 
 Lane, Patrick, record unknown. 
 Lynch, Morris, record unknown. 
 *Murphy, John, killed in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 Mack, Dennis, record unknown. 
 McSherry, Patrick, record unknown. 
 McSherry, Richard, record unknown. 
 Moore, Michael, record unknown. 
 McKeown, William, record unknown. 
 McGinnety, John, record unknown. 
 McKiligat, John, record unknown. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 293 
 
 McCarty, Charles, record unknown. 
 
 Monahan, Lawrence, record unknown. 
 
 Mongoll, Frederick, discharged, 1862 ; over age. 
 
 Martin, James, record unknown. 
 
 *Manly, David, wounded at second Manassas. 
 
 Manly, Joseph, record unknown. 
 
 Nugent, John, record unknown. 
 
 Purcell, William, died in Richmond, 1863. 
 
 Quinn, James, record unknown. 
 
 *Riley, Patrick, promoted First Sergeant Company G; 
 
 served with distinction during the war. 
 *Ready, John, with Company during the war a good 
 
 soldier. 
 
 *Smith, Hugh, record unknown. 
 Thompson, James, with his Company during the war.. 
 Travers, Michael, record unknown. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 G, SINCE SEPTEMBER 1st 1861. 
 
 * James A. Fisher, promoted First Sergeant ; badly wounded* 
 
 at Drury s Bluff. 
 *Paul, Samuel B., Lieutenant; formerly in Company A^ 
 
 killed at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 Robinson, r killed in the battle of Dinwiddie Court 
 
 House. 
 
 Clark, G., record unknown. 
 
 *Haywood, William, killed in the battle of Drury s Bluff> 
 Elliott, Thomas, wounded at Drury s Bluff. 
 Austin, L. W., wounded at Drury s Bluff. 
 25* 
 
294 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Looing, L., wounded at Drury s Bluff. 
 
 *Powers, F., First Lieutenant, wounded at Boonsboro , Md. 
 
 *Addison, J. F., Lieutenant; formerly in Company A ; 
 
 killed at Williamsburg. 
 *Gray, William E., Lieutenant; formerly in Company A; 
 
 killed at Seven Pines. 
 Kennedy, Daniel, wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 COMPANY H. 
 
 ("OLD DOMINION RIFLES.") 
 
 * Arthur Herbert, Captain, elected Major, April, 1862; 
 Lieutenant Colonel, November, 1862; Colonel, August, 
 1864. 
 
 *Wm. H. Fowle, Jr., First Lieutenant, promoted Captain, 
 April, 1862 ; wounded at Seven Pines and Drury s Bluff. 
 
 *D. F. Forrest, Second Lieutenant, accepted a position on 
 General Trimble s Staff, afterwards Paymaster in the 
 Navy. 
 
 *W. W. Zimmerman, Second Lieutenant/promoted to First 
 Lieutenant, April, 1862; served as Adjutant of the Seven 
 teenth Virginia from November, 1862. 
 
 *A. C. Kell, First Sergeant, promoted to Second Lieutenant, 
 April, 1862; wounded at Boonsboro . 
 
 S. K. Shinn, Second Sergeant, promoted to Lieutenant of 
 Heavy Battery, near Richmond ; since dead. 
 
 *Thos. V. Fitzhugh, Third Sergeant, promoted to Lieu 
 tenant, April, 1862 ; wounded at Seven Pines, and died 
 from effects of wound. 
 
 A. N. Hurdle, Fourth Sergeant, promoted to Sergeant; with 
 Company during the war. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 295 
 
 *Jas. E. Grimes, First Corporal, promoted to Sergeant; 
 died from effects of wounds received at Williamsburg. 
 
 George Wise, Second Corporal, promoted to Sergeant Com 
 pany H; appointed Ordnance Sergeant Seventeenth Vir 
 ginia, November, 1 862 ; assigned to duty with First 
 Regiment Engineer Troops, by order of the War Depart 
 ment, December, 1863. 
 
 W. H. H. Smith, Third Corporal ; since dead. 
 
 *Euwin G. Barbour, Fourth Corporal, a good soldier ; died 
 in prison from effects of wounds received at the battle of 
 Williamsburg. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Arnold, John, with his Company during the war. 
 Ashby, V. W., transferred to Company A while at York- 
 town. 
 Adam, W. W., transferred to Cavalry while on Hewlett s 
 
 Line. 
 *Appich, Harrison, wounded at Seven Pines and at Sailor s 
 
 Creek. 
 ^Baldwin, Jonah W., died in Richmond from effects of 
 
 wounds received at Seven Pines. 
 Baldwin, Ed. F., wounded at Seven Pines and at Sailor g 
 
 Creek. 
 Beacham, Edwin S., died in Lynchburg from disease; a 
 
 good soldier. 
 
 Bacon, Wm. H., with his Company during the war. 
 *Buchanan, Robert, promoted Color Corporal ; died from 
 
 effects of wound received at Manassas Gap. 
 *Bradley, Henry N., promoted to Color Corporal; wounded 
 
 severely at Williamsburg, and afterwards on detached 
 
 duty. 
 
296 HISTORY OF TEE 
 
 *Burgess, Charles, killed at Frazier s Farm while gallantly 
 fighting. 
 
 Berry, Douglass, on detached service in Lynchburg during 
 the war. 
 
 Beach, John, with his Company during the war. 
 
 Brent, Virginius, severely wounded at Frazier s Farm. 
 
 *Boyer, Wm. H., promoted to Sergeant; wounded at Second 
 Manassas ; died from effects of wound received at Sailor s 
 Creek. 
 
 *Ballenger, Clinton, killed in the battle of Williamsburg. 
 
 *Castleman, Wm. A., killed in the battle of Sharpsburg. 
 
 Collingsworth, Robert, with his Company during the war. 
 
 Calmus, August. 
 
 Carlin, J. E. F., on detached service during the war. 
 
 *Deavers, Ira, at Five Forks, when the Regiment was cut 
 off, he secreted the Colors " in his breast and saved 
 them. 
 
 Duffey, John H. 
 
 Dozier, Melville, detached from Company as a courier for 
 General . 
 
 Darley, Charles, lost his arm by an accident in Richmond. 
 
 Godwin, James, wounded at Seven Pines, and afterwards 
 detailed on account of wounds. 
 
 Gardner, Wm. F.,. promoted Lieutenant Company H after 
 battles around Richmond, 1862; wounded at Second 
 Manassas; acting Adjutant of the Regiment at the time; 
 detached as Adjutant, Post at Staunton, on account of 
 wound, until appointed Chaplain of Twenty-fourth Vir 
 ginia. 
 
 Howell, Emory, on detached service in Richmond. 
 
 Hough, Lewis E., on detached service at Post Office Depart 
 ment, Richmond, Virginia ; since dead. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 297 
 
 Hough, Harrie, transferred to Company A while at York- 
 town. 
 *Hall, Wm. J., wounded at Seven Pines; wounded in four 
 
 places at battle of Sharpsburg; on detached service there 
 after. 
 *Higdon, Wm. J., on detailed service: voluntarily entered 
 
 battle of Seven Pines, and was killed. 
 Hurdle, A. U., detached in Richmond on account of ill 
 
 health; since dead. 
 Hunter, Chas. E., shot himself accidentally at battle of 
 
 Drury s Bluff. 
 
 Heiss, Fred. S., discharged in 1862 as an alien. 
 Holland, Wm. J., transferred to Maryland Line. 
 * Jordan, J. Pendleton, wounded in the battle of Frazier s 
 
 Farm in two places. 
 
 Kid well, Wm. F., with his Company during the war. 
 Kidwell, Robert. 
 Kinsloe, Owen, on detached service with Quartermaster s 
 
 Department during the war. 
 Krouse, John E., disabled while cutting wood, and put on 
 
 detached service. 
 *Kelly, Thomas, with his Company during the war and in 
 
 all the battles. 
 *Lovelace, Wm. A. , promoted to Sergeant Company H ; 
 
 killed at Second Manassas. 
 *Lunt, Wm. H. , killed in the battle of Seven Pines ; a noble 
 
 soldier. 
 
 *Lannon, Patrick, killed at Williamsburg. 
 Latham, R. M., with Company until 1863; discharged on 
 
 account of injury. 
 *Mills, John T., killed at Drury s Bluff; distinguished for 
 
 bravery. 
 
298 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 *Murray, John S., killed in the battle of Seven Pines. 
 
 Murray, Chas. H. 
 
 Miller, Fred. W., on detached service until 1864, with 
 Company thereafter. 
 
 Murphy, James, entered Cavalry service. 
 
 McKeown, Nicholas, discharged 1862; over age. 
 
 Mankin, Oscar, wounded at Second Manassas, afterwards 
 transferred to Cavalry. 
 
 Moore, Frederick, on detached service; since dead. 
 
 Plain, B. K , with his Company during the war. 
 
 Padgett, Benjamin, died at Culpeper Court House from 
 disease, 1862. 
 
 Paul, Rob t C., transferred to Company A, at Yorktown. 
 
 Pattie, John H. 
 
 Pitts, Henry S., wounded at Williamsburg. 
 
 Riley, J. P., wounded at first Manassas, in hand. 
 
 Roxbury, Edward, with his Company during the war. 
 
 Simmons, Jos. F. 
 
 Summers, George W., wounded at Sailor s Creek. 
 
 Smith, S. D., wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 Smith, James M., on detached service. 
 
 Suit, John, on detached service. 
 
 Summers, W., on detached service, with Ordnance Depart 
 ment, during the war. 
 
 Sutherland, Lee, transferred to Maryland Artillery, 1863. 
 
 Sowers, James K., entered Cavalry service ; since killed. 
 
 Sedwick, William D., transferred to Cavalry. 
 
 Taylor, Robert J. 
 
 Taylor, George W. 
 
 Tatsapaugh, William H., discharged, 1862; over age. 
 
 *Terret, William, killed in front of Cold Harbor. 
 
 Travers, John, transferred to iron-clad at Kingston, 1864. 
 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 299 
 
 White, B. C., promoted Sergeant Company H ; with his 
 Company during the war. 
 
 Whiting, Charles, transferred to Cavalry. 
 
 Warfield, Edgar, on detached service with Medical Depart 
 ment; was at surrender 
 
 Wall, Augustus, with his Company during the war. 
 
 Withers, John B., entered the Cavalry service. 
 
 *Watkins, James H., wounded at Five Forks. 
 
 Wood, Francis, entered Artillery service. 
 
 Whitely, William, discharged, 1862; overage. 
 
 Williamson, James A,, with his Company during the war. 
 
 Wise, Frank, on detached service ; elected Captain of local 
 defence Company, 1864. 
 
 Young, Robert, with his Company during the war ; present 
 at surrender ; went down with ship Santee, December 30, 
 1869. 
 
 Patrick, John H., transferred to Maryland Line. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 H, AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1861. 
 
 *Ballenger, Frank, killed in the battle of second Manassas. 
 Deavers, Barney, with his Company during the war. 
 Fewell, Rodie, with his Company during the war. 
 *Fewell, Haydon, killed in the battle of Frazier s Farm. 
 Howell, Asbury, joined Company in 1864; wounded at 
 
 Five Forks. 
 Milburn, J. C., joined Company in 1862 ; was present at 
 
 surrender. 
 Price, Charles. 
 Smith, James, on detached survice on on account of ill 
 
 health. 
 
300 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Sedwick, Charles, discharged under age. 
 Whittington, Rodie, killed at Seven Pines ; joined Com 
 pany day previous. 
 
 COMPANY I. 
 
 ("O CONNEL GUARDS.") 
 
 *S. W. Prestman, Captain, wounded at Blackburn s Ford ; 
 assigned to du r y with Army of the West in May, 1862 ; 
 accidently killed January, 1864. 
 
 *Raymond Fairfax, First Lieutenant; promoted Captain, 
 April, 1862; in command of Division Pioneer Corps. 
 
 *H. S. Wallace, Second Lieutenant, promoted First Lieu 
 tenant, April 1862; in command of Company through 
 the war ; since dead. 
 
 James E. Green, Second Lieutenant, not re-elected at re 
 organization. 
 
 *John S. Hart, First Sergeant, killed at Frazier s Farm. 
 
 James Southerland, Second Sergeant. 
 
 R. C. Bell, Third Sergeant. 
 
 Michael Clune, Fourth Sergeant. 
 
 Patrick Creely, First Corporal. 
 
 Thomas Kelleher, Second Corporal. 
 
 J. W. King, Third Corporal. 
 
 J. Sulivan, Fourth Corporal. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Bluit, William 
 Burmingham, Thomas. 
 Berry, John. 
 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 
 
 Boswell, James. 
 
 Cornell, Martin. 
 
 Cully, Michael. 
 
 Couda, John. 
 
 Carnell, W. A. 
 
 De Grave, Antoine. 
 
 Dougherty, Edward. 
 
 Goushur, Adam. 
 
 Heard, John L. 
 
 Hanriham, Michael. 
 
 Hanriham, Thomas. 
 
 Herring, Thomas. 
 
 Horan, Timothy. 
 
 Hurley, Cornelius. 
 
 Kennedy, Jeremiah. 
 
 Kinnery, William. 
 
 Kerby, Thomas. 
 
 Leary, John, record unkown. 
 
 McSherry, Michael. 
 
 McBride, Michael. 
 
 Murphy, Dennis, lost an arm in the battle of Blackburn * 
 
 Ford; a good soldier. 
 McMahon, Michael, record unknown. 
 Murray, William, record unknown. 
 McCormic, Patrick, record unknown. 
 Mahar, Edward, record unknown. 
 McGuire, Owen, record unknown. 
 Noland, John, record unknown. 
 O Hair, Michael, record unknown. 
 Phalin, James, record unknown. 
 Quigljj Patrick, record unknown. 
 Ryan, John, promoted Corporal Company I. 
 26 
 
302 BISTORT OF THE 
 
 Ryan, Timothy, record unknown. 
 Rosa, Frederick, record unknown. 
 Slemmer, John, record unknown. 
 Slember, Benjamin, record unknown. 
 Shennessy, Simon, record unknown. 
 Tierney, Michael, record unknown 
 Townsend, George, record unknown. 
 Whalin, James, record unknown. 
 Conners, Owen, record unknown. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 I, AFTER SEPTEMBER 1st, 1861. 
 
 *R. C. Paul, Lieutenant, promoted Lieutenant Company I 
 from Company A; wounded at Dinwiddie Court House. 
 
 *George C. Adie, Lieutenant, promoted Lieutenant Com 
 pany I, April, 1862; wounded at Seven Pines; killed 
 at Frazier s Farm. 
 
 Ryan, Patrick, wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
 *0 Shea, Thomas, made Lieutenant Company I, from Com 
 pany F. 
 
 COMPANY K. 
 
 ("WARKENTON RIFLES.") 
 
 B. H. Shackelford, Captain, discharged on account of wound 
 
 received at Blackburn s Ford. 
 J. W. McGee, First Lieutenant, made Captain, vice B. H. 
 
 Shackelford^ served with distinction till April, 1862. 
 H. C. Withers, Second Lieutenant, honorably discharged in 
 
 fall of 1861. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 3Q3 
 
 S. C. Lindsay, Third Lieutenant, resigned September, 1861 
 
 ill health. 
 
 David C. Graham, First Sergeant. 
 
 *A. M. Brodie, Second Sergeant, made Lieutenant Com 
 pany K, April, 1862; wounded at Seven Pines. 
 J. H. F. Tompkins, Third Sergeant, made Lieutenant at 
 
 Fairfax Court House, afterwards honorably discharged. 
 John E. Turner, Fourth Sergeant, made Lieutenant at 
 
 Fairfax Court House, afterwards transferred. 
 Hugh T. Kemper, First Corporal. 
 William Lear, Second Corporal, transferred to another 
 
 service. 
 John Beckham, Third Corporal, made Sergeant Company 
 
 K, thereafter Lieutenant in Irish Battalion. 
 L. E. Hamme, Fourth Corporal, on detached service in 
 
 Medical Department. 
 
 Privates. 
 
 Allen, Henry, discharged cause and date not known. 
 
 Allison, B. S. 
 
 Bragg, Wm. M., transferred to Mosby s command; died in 
 
 prison. 
 
 Bragg, Chas. P., transferred to ; date not known. 
 
 Bennett, H. T., made Corporal Company K. 
 
 Brooks, Thos. D. 
 
 Brigges, Henry C. , transferred to First Regiment Engineer 
 
 Troops ; wounded at Druty s Bluff. 
 Cologne, J. A. C., made Sergeant Company K. 
 Cromwell^O. 
 
 Cole, Francis M., discharged cause and date not known. 
 Cole, Jos. N., discharged cause and date not known. 
 
 Carter, C. S., transferred to ; date not known. 
 
 Day, Henry. 
 
304 . HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Digges, Geo. W., discharged on account of ill health. 
 *Digges, Chas. W. Jr., made Color Corporal Seventeenth 
 
 Virginia ; wounded at Seven Pines, thereafter transferred 
 
 to Cavalry and made Lieutenant. 
 *Embrey, A. G., killed before second Cold Harbor. 
 Edmonds, Elias, wounded at , and discharged in 
 
 consequence. 
 
 Fisher, James A., made First Sergeant Company G. 
 Fisher, John E., wounded at Seven Pines, thereafter unfit 
 
 for duty. 
 
 Fletcher, Robert H. 
 Fletcher, Harrison. 
 Florance, Benj., made Corporal Company K. 
 
 Fletcher, Albert, on detached service with = . 
 
 Francis, A. B., made Color Corporal; wounded at Din- 
 
 widdie Court House. 
 Fant, John E. P. 
 
 Field, W. H., died; date not known. 
 Frankland, W. E., transferred to Mosby s command; made 
 
 a Captain. 
 
 Foster, Wm. G., made Sergeant of Company K; on de 
 tached service. 
 
 Fletcher, Edwin, wounded at the battle of Second Manassas. 
 Golway, Wm., discharged cause and date not known. 
 Groves, R. H., made Corporal -Company X ; died from 
 
 disease. ; * 
 
 Hughlett, R. K., discharged <ftuse and date not known. 
 Hughes, Geo. N., made Sergeant Company K. 
 Harris, Albert, wounded at Hewlett s house. ^ 
 Hope, Jas. W., died; date not known. 
 Hoffman, 0., wounded at Suffolk, thereafter discharged. 
 Hansbrough, P. C. 
 Hansbrough, John G. 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY. 305 
 
 Jeffries, Fred. 
 
 Jeffries, J. A., on detached service. 
 
 Jenkins, Geo. P., wounded at 
 
 Jones, Eicon, transferred to Signal Corps; made a Captain. 
 Kemper, Geo. N. 
 Klceber, C. C. 
 
 *Kirby, James D., made Second Lieutenant Company K; 
 at reorganization elected Captain ; wounded at Dinwiddie 
 Court House ; present at surrender. 
 *Kane, Thos. F., killed in the battle of Seven Pines. 
 Leitz, George. 
 
 Lear, Alpheus, transferred to . 
 
 *Love, Robert, killed at Seven Pines. 
 
 McConchie, B. F., discharged; date not known. 
 
 McLearen, T. C., discharged; date not known. 
 
 McClanahan, Geo. W. 
 
 Mcllhany, Hugh M., transferred to , and made a 
 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 Moore, Jos. E., on detached service. 
 Mooney, N. R. 
 Mooney, G. T., wounded at Drury s Bluff. 
 
 Mclntosh, C. R., wounded at . 
 
 Murray, Thomas J. , made Sergeant Company K, afterwards 
 
 Lieutenant of Irish Battalion. 
 Marshall, Robert T., transferred to Louisiana Artilleryf 
 
 killed. 
 
 Minter, William H., wounded at . 
 
 Nelson, Joseph H. , transferred to Mosby s Command ; made 
 
 a Lieutenant. 
 Norris,<^V. C., Jr., on detached service with Ordnance 
 
 Department. 
 Parkinson, John W., discharged date not known. 
 
 26* 
 
306 SIS TORT OF THE 
 
 Pattie, James S. 
 
 *Pemberton, J. 0., wounded at Williamsburg, and on Hew 
 lett s Line. 
 
 Payne, "Richards, Jr., made Sergeant Company K, there 
 after a Lieutenant in Irish Battalion. 
 
 Payne, Richard, killed at Williamsburg. 
 
 *Payne, Henry, wounded at Seven Pines. 
 
 Reynolds, L. H., discharged cause and date not known. 
 
 Saunders, T. B., badly wounded at Suffolk, and discharged. 
 
 Sedwick, John F., transferred to . 
 
 Smith, Edwin, made Captain and Assistant Commissary 
 Forty -ninth Virginia Regiment, September, 1861. 
 
 Smith, John J. 
 
 Smith, Norman E., transferred to Mosby s Command ; made 
 Lieutenant; killed. 
 
 Singleton, James A., wounded at Williamsburg, and cap 
 tured. 
 
 Suddith, P. H., wounded at . 
 
 Sinclair, A. Gr., discharged on account of wound received at 
 Blackburn s Ford. 
 
 Suddith, R. A. 
 
 Spilman, William M., badly wounded at Williamsburg. 
 
 *Slaughter, Lewis, elected Lieutenant Company K, April, 
 1862 ; served till close of war. 
 
 Smith, Albert, made Adjutant of the Thirty-eighth Virginia 
 Regiment, 
 
 *Stanfield, H. A. R., made Sergeant Company K; killed 
 at Drury s Bluff. 
 
 Stout, James H., assigned to light duty; ill health. 
 
 Tapp, H. J. 
 
 Thomas, J. P., made Corporal Company K. 
 
 White, Frank, transferred to . 
 
SEVENTEENTH VIRGINIA INFANTRY, 3Q7 
 
 Weaver, II. A., died date not known. 
 
 Walden, R. E., wounded at . 
 
 Weaver, M. A. 
 
 Wall, William, transferred to . 
 
 Withers, A. F. 
 
 Whitescarrer, Gr. H., made Sergeant Company K; trans 
 ferred to Mosby; made a Lieutenant; killed. 
 Washington, Mason. 
 
 NAMES OF MEN WHO JOINED COMPANY 
 K ; AFTEK SEPTEMBEE 1, 1861. 
 
 Day, Alexander, died date not known. 
 
USTOTIE]- 
 
 The following Statement did not receive its proper place in the 
 first pages of this record, because of ignorance of the subject. The 
 writer takes pleasure in giving it space at this late day, (a number 
 of pages of this work having been printed before his attention was 
 called to it,) and hopes the readers of these pages will appreciate 
 his feelings and join with him in. regrets because of its omission. 
 " Better late than never." 
 
 STATEMENT. 
 
 The Loudoun Guards, (Company C,) and the War 
 ren Kifles, (Company B,) were engaged with the 
 Alexandria Battalion in the irksome duty of guarding 
 the city of Alexandria previous to its evacuation. 
 These companies were present when the Federal 
 troops entered, and they marched out Duke street, 
 wilh the Battalion, on the memorable 24th of May, 
 1861. 
 
 They were earnest, zealous co-workers in the cause, 
 and are entitled to equal credit with the Alexandria 
 companies. 
 
 (308) 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 ALEXANDRIA. 
 
 Signs of the times ; Organization of Volunteer companies ; 
 Formation of the Alexandria Battalion ; The 22d of February, 
 1861 ; The fall of Sumter ; The first Infantry pickets ; Excitement 
 increasing ; The evacuation of Alexandria ; Jackson and Ellsworth; 
 The morning of the 24th of May ; Arrival of the Battalion at Ma- 
 nassas Junction. 
 
 MANASSAS. 
 
 Activity in the North and South ; The Station ; Organization of 
 the Seventeenth Virginia Infantry ; Beauregard arrives and takes 
 command ; Approach of the enemy ; Seventeenth Virginia takes 
 position on Bull Run ; are attacked ; the battle, official report and list 
 of killed and wounded; The battle of Manassas; Alexandria 
 Artillery ; Rout of the Federals ; Company H ; Sights and Scenes 
 on the Battle Field ; An amusing incident, in which an Alexan 
 drian gets the worse of a ruff and tumble fight; " A Graphic Pic 
 ture ; Thomas Sangster ; The Camp at Fairfax Court House ; 
 Address of Generals Johnston and Beauregard to the Army. 
 
 FALLS CHURCH, UPTON S AND MUNSON S HILLS. 
 
 Pickets to the front ; Strength of the Seventeenth Virginia ; Trip 
 to Lewinsville ; Review of troops by President Jefferson Davis ; 
 General Order No. 17 ; Fairfax Court House abandoned ; Center- 
 ville ; A curiosity ; Digging and ditching ; Presentation of 
 "Flags " to the Virginia regiments; A forsaken looking camp; 
 Picket duty ; Winter Quarters ; Division drill ; The battle near 
 Dranesville; Eleventh Virginia Regiment; "Pine Top;" New 
 year ; Centerville abandoned. 
 
 (309) 
 
310 CONTENTS. 
 
 THE PENINSULA. 
 
 . The departure from Orange Court House ; On the march ; York- 
 town ; Reorganization of the Seventeenth Virginia Infantry ; The 
 retreat from Yorktown ; The battle of Williamsburg ; Official 
 reports ; The return from the Peninsula ; Affairs in and around 
 Richmond ; Blockade running. 
 
 THE "BATTLES AROUND RICHMOND." 
 The night before the battle ; Seven Pines ; Official reports ; Heroic 
 action on the field ; Burial in the midst of strife ; Return to camp ; 
 Preparations for the Seven days battles ; Mechanicsville ; 
 Ludicrous scene ; In pursuit ; Gainses Mill ; Stonewall Jackson ; 
 Slaughter of the enemy ; A breakfast in the saddle ; McClellan 
 falls back ; Frazier s Farm ; Official reports ; Battle of Malvern 
 Hill; Harrison s Bend, and return to camp. 
 
 FROM RICHMOND TO THE POTOMAC. 
 
 Ride to Gordonsville ; Marching and countermarching ; Passage 
 of the Rappahannock ; On to Manassas ; A halt and its conse 
 quences ; The Plains ; At Thoroughfare Gap ; Jackson fighting 
 the enemy ; Going into position ; Second battle of Manassas ; 
 Official reports ; Further particulars ; Chantilly ; A feast ; March 
 to the Potomac ; On to Maryland. 
 
 THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN. 
 
 On the march ; Battle of South Mountain ; Official reports ; 
 Sharpsburg ; The cooks of the Regiment ; The Regiment ; Official 
 report ; Recrossing the Potomac ; An amusing scene ; Camp near 
 Hopewell Meeting House ; The march to Culpeper ; In camp ; On 
 the march ; Fredericksburg ; Comments. 
 
 FREDERICKSBURG AND THE WINTER CAMPAIGN. 
 
 The promotion of Colonel Corse ; His Brigade ; Signal guns ; 
 Burnside effects a crossing ; The battle of Fredericksburg ; Scenes 
 and incidents ; The field ; The position of the Confederates ; Losses ; 
 Quiet restored ; The Second Christmas ; Mr. Jonah White ; Orders; 
 The march ; Return ; Confiscation, and its effects ; The march to 
 Richmond; Lost in a snow-storm; Chester station; Petersburg; 
 The Regiment marches to Ivor ; The preparation for a move ; Our 
 condition. 
 
CONTENTS. 311 
 
 SUFFOLK, AND THE MARCH TO WINCHESTER. 
 The Blackwater; Crossing; Suffolk; The Confederates lay 
 siege to Suffolk ; The fight on the White Marsh road ; Position 
 of our troops ; Sundry fights ; Orders to march ; We quietly with 
 draw; The march to Falling Creek; The death of Lt. Gen J. T. 
 Jackson ; On the march ; A scouting expedition while at Suffolk ; 
 Complimentary order; The three Generals; The expedition into 
 King and Queen ; Return ; Bridge guarding ; A long tramp ; The 
 ride to Gordonsville ; The fight at the South Anna bridge ; Back 
 to Richmond; To Gordonsville again ; Camp ; On the march ; The 
 Blue Ridge ; Winchester at last. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS GAP; ONE MONTH IN 
 TENNESSEE AND WINTER OF 1863 AND 1864. 
 
 Break camp; The .march to the Gap; The battle; Clearing the 
 way ; Camps near Culpeper ; Lt. Scott Roy s escape from capture ; 
 A change of camp ; On the march ; Again at Petersburg ; Embark 
 for Tennessee ; The ride ; Pleasures by the way ; Zollicoffer ; A 
 small skirmish ; Incidents ; The return to Virginia ; 17th Va. sent 
 to Ivor ; The " Blackwater Line ; " The Norfolk Refugees ; Dis 
 tribution of salt; A move, and what became of it ; Lt. Roy s es 
 cape from Fort Norfolk ; At Petersburg ; North Carolina ; Return 
 to Virginia. 
 
 THE BATTLES OF FLAT CREEK AND DRURY S 
 BLUFF. 
 
 The situation around Petersburg ; On the cars ; Flat Creek ; 
 Are hurried back to Petersburg; The battle of Drury s Bluff; 
 Casualties; Maj. R. H. Simpson; Formation of the Hewlett s 
 Line ; The trip to Penola ; Corse s Brigade attempt the capture of 
 Hancock s Corps ; Movements of the Army ; The lines at Cold 
 Harbor. 
 
 THE SUMMER OF 1864. 
 
 The Howlett s Line recaptured; Position of General Grant s 
 army; Explosion of a mine in front of Petersburg; The battle 
 following; General Mahone ; Losses, &c.; The troops; Destruction 
 of a sap ; Heavy fighting on the Northside ; Battles below Peters 
 burg; Christian Association organized on the Howlett s Line; 
 
312 CONTENTS. 
 
 Dutch Gap ; "Old Pete;" Butler ; Effects of trench life upon the 
 Confederates. 
 
 THE WINTER OF 64 AND 65. 
 
 The situation ; Winter quarters on the Hewlett s Line ; General 
 Grant s efforts on the Northside ; Church building ; Prayer meet 
 ings ; Rations ; Desertions ; Picket firing and Negro troops ; Con 
 firmation by Bishop Johns ; Christmas ; Dinner for New Year ; 
 Dinner for General Lee s Army ; Orders to march ; Fort Gilmer 
 and the situation on the Northside ; Torpedoes ; Return to Hew 
 lett s Line ; General R. E. Lee. 
 
 THE LAST MONTH S CAMPAIGN. 
 
 Pickett s Division vacate the Hewlett s Line ; Federal raiders ; 
 Marching and countermarching of the Seventeenth Virginia ; Ar 
 rival at Hanover Junction ; Return to Richmond ; The charge 
 upon and capture of Fort Steadman by Generals Gordon s and 
 Johnson s Divisions ; Confederates are forced to retire ; Ride and 
 march of the Seventeenth Virginia to the right of General Lee s 
 lines ; Preparation for battle ; Ladies and children in danger ; 
 The battle of Dinwiddie Court House ; The wounded ; How the 
 Confederates missed a feast at Dinwiddie ; " Seventeenth." 
 
 THE CLOSING SCENES. 
 
 Preparation for battle ; The battle of Five Forks, in which the 
 Cavalry out do the Infantry ; Ira Deavers and our Flag ; The news 
 of the evacuation of Petersburg ; A surprise ; A long train for a 
 few men to guard ; The passage of Deep creek ; Evacuation of Rich 
 mond ; Harrassed by Federal Cavalry ; Suffering increasing ; The 
 battle of Sailor s creek; Panic at High Bridge, &c., &c. ; The 
 Confeds led on by hunger, charge the Commissary Stores and gain 
 a victory ; Death of horses and mules from starvation ; Wagons 
 destroyed ; Provisions for the Confederates destroyed by the Fed 
 erals at Concord Station ; The Army of Northern Virginia hemmed 
 in ; Appomattox Court House ; Escape of General Fitz. Lee s 
 Cavalry ; The surrender; General Lee s farewell address. 
 
 MEMENTOS. 
 
 John Q. Marr ; Stealing a grave ; Little Luly ; "The warrior s 
 grave;" Colonel S. W. Prestman ; "In memoriam ; " Thos. V. 
 Fit/hugh; The muster roll of the 17th Virginia Volunteers. 
 
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