W. W. Goldsborough

“ They had no money or means to supply their wants—nothing but their destitution and soldiers life to plead. But Virginia people did not forget their services, and hastened eagerly to relieve their necessities. At the end, as in the beginning, and through the progress of the war, the warm-hearted kindness and genuine hospitality of the Virginians adorned them with a lustre equal to their valor in battle. The soldiers of the First Maryland cavalry must cease to have hearts or memories when they forget the Virginia people and their devoted attentions. ”

“ Lieutenant Colonel Ridgely Brown, commanding First Maryland cavalry, fell in battle on the 1st instant, near the South Anna. He died, as a soldier prefers to die, leading his men in a victorious charge. As an officer, kind and careful; as a soldier, brave and true; as a gentleman, chivalrous; as a Christian, gentle and modest; no one in the Confederate army surpassed him in the hold he had on the hearts of his men, and the place in the esteem of his superiors. ”

“ It will be interesting to all to know what turned disaster into victory, and converted a triumphant column into a flying rabble. The successful assault of the enemy was made under cover of darkness, before the morning star had been hid by the light of the sun. They came gallantly forward in spite of a severe fire from General Echols’ brigade, and in spite of the loss of many of their men, who fell like autumn leaves, until the ground was almost blue and red with their uniforms and their blood. They rushed in heavy mass over our breastworks. ”

“ What is this dark mass seen in the twilight thundering down upon us, making the very earth tremble? The column halts. On come the gallant troopers. The sight is grand beyond description. Nearer and nearer they approach. They are almost upon us! “Fire,” is the command, and the heavens are lit up by the flash that leaps along the line; and when the smoke lifts, hundreds of riderless steeds are seen flying frantically across the plain, whilst the ground in front of us is covered with dead and wounded men and horses. ”

“ Muzzle to muzzle, each delivered their fire into the very bosoms of their foe. Dead and wounded men fell by hundreds, and many on both sides rolled down the embankment and intermingled at the bottom. The importance of the place was known to each, and each was determined to possess it. The appearance of Colonel Johnson upon that field I shall never forget. But few men had ever before had so important a trust imposed in them, and there he intended to win or die. Never have I seen such sublime courage displayed upon the field of battle. ”

“ It was but a moment, however, for these were Lee’s signal guns to commence the battle, and the thunder of two hundred pieces of artillery burst forth from our lines. The enemy replied with as many more, and the earth shook and trembled as though riven by an earthquake. The air was filled with exploding, crashing, screaming shells. “Lay down!” is the command, and every man was flat on his face. ”

“ Brave hearts and strong arms had carried it through the blood and carnage of many an ensanguined field, and where the fight raged thickest there it was ever to be found. Heroic men had fallen beneath its folds, and as the eye grew dim they sought a last glance at the colors they had loved so well in health and strength, but which seemed still dearer to them in death. Farewell, dear little emblem of woman’s devotion; upon thy folds rests no dishonor. There, fold it gently, for it is precious, and will ever serve to remind us of the First Maryland Regiment of Infantry, C. S. A.
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“ There were no bright smiles to greet us from the fair daughters of the town; no waving of handkerchiefs, no expression of joy; for all believed that the Confederate army was retreating from the superior forces of Patterson, and that they were soon to experience the horrors of a military despotism. And the troops partook of the same feeling, for, as yet, our destination had not been divulged to them. But few cheers were heard as they moved sullenly along the quiet streets. ”

“ Completely unnerved and prostrated by the fire we had been compelled to endure so long, we threw ourselves upon the ground in the midst of the dead and dying, not to sleep, but to lay awake and watch the enemy’s lanterns flitting over the field, where they were busily engaged removing the wounded, and to listen to the cries of our own poor fellows who lay mangled and dying upon that field of awful carnage. ”

“ Elegant and refined gentlemen, who at home never knew what it was to want for a single comfort, were in rags and tatters, sleeping in mud and filth, and when the bleak winds of December pierced many a rent in their wretched garments they only drew their sorry blanket the closer around their gaunt and shivering limbs, and cheerfully responded to the call for any duty. Was it a wonder, then, that after the battle of Cold Harbor General Breckinridge should have exclaimed, “What could not be done with a hundred thousand such men.” ”

“ Gentle as a woman in his daily intercourse with men, upon the battle-field his whole nature underwent a change. Ever foremost in the fight, his splendid figure towering above his companions, with eyes flashing, nostrils dilated, and his features all animating, he became as fierce as an unchained lion, and by his reckless exposure of person and daring courage made himself the target for many a bullet. Here at Ream’s Station, in the full tide of victory, and whilst cheering his men on in the pursuit, he was struck in the forehead and fell dead without a groan. ”

“ At daylight on the morning of the 28th, Jackson resumed his march, but owing to the incompetency of his guides it was late in the afternoon before he neared the point of attack assigned him. But at length everything indicated a rise of the curtain in the fearful drama about to commence. Columns were marching and countermarching, staff officers dashed hither and thither, while the crash of small arms, and the sullen boom of artillery on the right told full well that the work of death had begun. ”

“ In this disgraceful affair we came near losing two pieces of the Baltimore Light Artillery. Entirely deserted by the cavalry supporting them, they were at the mercy of the enemy; but the brave Griffin, although surrounded, drove his guns through their ranks, and bore his pieces off in triumph.
These skirmishes were of daily occurrence as the Confederate army marched leisurely in the direction of Staunton. By burning bridges along our route we were enabled to retard the enemy’s advance, and by easy marches to rest and refresh our men and keep the wagon train and prisoners well up. ”

“ Soon after this occurrence, Mahone’s division came up at the quickstep, and in fine order and spirits, which cheered the hearts of the little cavalry band beyond expression. Day had dawned before the rear passed, and just at that time, in the grey light of morning, was seen a brilliant flash, and for a few moments the earth trembled under foot, and a tremendous explosion plainly told that the fortifications at Drury’s Bluff were no more. ”

“ A most desperate and sanguinary hand-to-hand struggle then ensued, in which the bayonet and the short swords of the officers were used with dreadful effect, and it can be said to be one of the few instances of the kind in the history of battles. The enemy did not long withstand this mad attack, but fled over the breastworks and sought the cover of the line of works from which they had just emerged, falling by hundreds at every step, from the fire of the recaptured artillery and the deadly minnie that relentlessly pursued them. ”

“ From this time until Lynchburg was reached, on the night of the 9th of April, when General Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, the First Maryland subsisted on corn and some rations taken from the captured enemy. It was hard to take food from prisoners, perhaps, but necessity knows no law, and between starving men the weakest must yield.
Every day’s history was much the same, a constant night and day struggle with the enemy’s cavalry, who would scarcely be repulsed at one point before they had to be met at another, perhaps five or ten miles distant. ”

“ When within a mile or two of Woodstock, Fremont’s cavalry, under Colonel Percy Wyndham, dashed upon the cavalry under Stewart and scattered it in every direction. It was in vain that gallant officer endeavored to rally the frightened troopers; but the harder he swore the faster they rode, until they came upon the First Maryland in the streets of Woodstock.
“Get out of the way! get out of the way! the enemy are upon you!” ”

“ I will secure what some dead man has left. The idea may shock the sensibilities of the reader with a well-filled stomach, but a tired and hungry soldier is not much troubled with such wares. Crossing the Groveton road I threaded my way among the dead and wounded with a melancholy interest. A few minutes before the air had resounded with the shouts of infuriated men, the roar of artillery, and the rattle of small arms; but now all was still, save an occasional picket shot, and the groans and cries of those who had fallen wounded in the bloody strife. ”

“ After a rapid march of a few hours the column reached the town of Fayetteville, through which we passed without a halt. Shortly after, the troops of Longstreet’s corps were encountered, quietly cooking their rations in a wood close by the roadside. These veterans—scarcely a man of whom did not carry the scars of some hard fought field—suspended their labors and closely scrutinized us as we passed by. How it made my heart thrill with pleasurable emotions as I heard the compliments they bestowed with no sparing hand upon the splendid command to which I had the honor of belonging. ”

“ In an instant the gallant troopers sprang to their horses, and Jackson’s brigade dashed at the enemy’s advance. For some time the ground was stubbornly contested, when Jackson’s column to the right and left of the First Maryland broke, which compelled the whole to fall back. They were quickly rallied, however, when a desperate charge was made, and the enemy in turn compelled to retire. Lomax then withdrew his division to Gordonsville, where it rested that night, and at daylight it was again drawn up in line of battle to meet the enemy, who had made his appearance. ”

“ Halting the column for a minute to reform, Elzey pressed on in pursuit; and, when we came once more into the open country, we saw before us, and for a mile down to our right, no organized force, but one dense mass of fugitives. With the successful charge of Elzey upon their right flank, the whole of the Federal army had given way, and was rushing madly in the direction of Washington. Nothing that I ever saw afterwards could compare with that panic; and, as we pressed on in pursuit, men surrendered themselves by hundreds. ”

“ Cheer after cheer, huzza upon huzza, and presently a long line of skirmishers appear over the intervening hill. An attack beyond question. They are met unhesitatingly by our skirmishers, and a fierce fight ensues. But the dense, dark column that now comes in view compels our advance to fall back. But Hood, with his Texans, Virginians and Mississippians, are in waiting. Rapidly they approach, and musket balls are whistling in every direction. ”