Memoirs of William Nelson Pendleton, D.D., rector of Latimer parish, Lexington, Virginia; brigadier-general c.s.a.; chief of artillery, army of northern Virginia. |
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| XXIX. | CHAPTER XXIX. |
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 | CHAPTER XXIX. Memoirs of William Nelson Pendleton, D.D., |  |
CHAPTER XXIX.
SUMMER OF 1862.
Two days after the fight at Malvern Hill General Pendleton
" received, on calling upon the commanding general, personal
instructions to take to the rear all the artillery not requisite for
the divisions, and to co-operate with the ordnance and quartermaster's
departments in having sought for and secured all the
stores wrested from or left by the enemy."[1]
From Richmond
he wrote to his wife, July 6,—
"Active operations have prevented my writing for a week.
We have been down below following and fighting the Yankees.
There have been exceedingly hard fights day after day for a whole
week, the Yankees being driven every time. They were, last
evening, below Westover, and still going.
"General Lee requested me to come back and get all the captured
ordnance brought in. I saw Sandie; safe and sound thus
far. . . . Owing to the movements of the enemy and the nature
of the country, no large artillery force could be placed by us anywhere.
We had a vast deal that could not be used at all. The
fights on our side were mainly infantry, and very gallant they
were. Oh, the awfulness of the different battle-fields! Language
cannot describe it!
"What McClellan is going to do we are not apprised. He
may go to Old Point and rally his energies for another attempt.
He may stop in the point between Chickahominy and James,
having gunboats on his flanks, there fortify and refit for his
next effort, or he may cross James River and try 'On to Richmond'
number three by the south side. We must keep for him
a sharp lookout. Meanwhile, this blow will stagger Brother
Jonathan very seriously. If there is half a chance our army
will be pushed North . . . Now, I write to urge you to come
down to Richmond as soon as you can. It is best to lose no
time about it, because we do not know how long a respite from
Yankee outrage we shall have. My calculation is you will get
this Sunday morning, leave home Monday, and come down the
Central Railroad Tuesday."
Mrs. Pendleton and one of her daughters went to Richmond
immediately, and remained several weeks under the hospitable
roof of Mrs. Charlotte Bransford, aunt of General Pendleton's
aide, Lieutenant Charles Hatcher. Many of their days were
spent at artillery head-quarters, about two miles below Richmond,
where the presence of ladies was welcomed as an evidence
that for a brief space the battle-worn soldiers might rest and enjoy
some of the comforts and graces of peaceful life. The rest was,
however, only comparative. Some of the batteries were always
on duty towards the front, those which were stationary were
required to be drilled daily, and the letter- and order-books tell
how diligent were General Pendleton's efforts to fill up the depleted
companies by the return of all absentees and the bringing
in recruits. The batteries were also rendered more efficient in
those cases where old guns could be replaced by some of the
captured ordnance; in other instances, where both officers and
men had proven careless of responsibility, companies were
broken up, and the men and guns distributed where they could
be made of more service.
Richmond presented a strange scene in those days. Not only
were the hospitals crowded with the wounded from both armies,
to whom the compassionate women of the city ministered, but in
many a private house the best room—often the parlor—was
given up to some suffering soldier, one of the family, or a comrade-in-arms;
best beloved, fallen in their defence; a solemn calm pervaded
the population, brought for the first time face to face with the
awfulness of war, and the sorrow and suffering consequent even
upon a series of victories. But along with this was a deep sense
of gratitude, a long sigh of relief from the tension of anxiety
and apprehension which had oppressed the city during the two
months since Johnston's army had retreated from Yorktown,
followed closely by the invading hosts. The thousands of refugees
from the far South had not yet overcrowded the city;
familiarity with horrors had not engendered the recklessness
which, later on, amused itself with mistimed gayeties; but
hearts grew light at the knowledge that Richmond was safe and
free, and could pet and praise her defenders to her fill; eyes
smiled through their tears upon dear ones still left to them; and
strangers and friends coming daily to look for others reported
" wounded" or "missing" were received with cordial and limitless
hospitality. The city kept "open house" for every one who had
fought or prayed for her safety.
Called down one Sunday morning to meet a soldier visitor,
Mrs. Pendleton found General Jackson standing in the hall
awaiting her. His "faded and sunburned uniform" and unassuming
manner had been thought by the spoilt negro servant a
proof that he need not be ushered into the parlor. Sandie Pendleton
was sometimes with his mother, notwithstanding the constant
pressure of office-work. Jackson's mountaineers, however,
pined and sickened in the swamps and lowlands, and he longed
for the pure air and familiar sight of his beloved mountains;
Pope, with his "head-quarters in the saddle," and his brutal
orders and braggart boasts, was en route for Gordonsville;
Jackson was therefore ordered to that point.
Late in July General Lee desired General D. H. Hill, commanding
on the south side of James River, to make a night
attack upon McClellan's shipping, so as to interrupt, if possible,
his water-communications. General Pendleton was sent over
with a large artillery force to act under General Hill's direction.
This attack, which was made at night, July 31, from Coggin's
Point, is described in General Pendleton's letters. One to his
son is selected, not only for its graphic description, but still
mind amidst the excitements and harassments of his military
duties:
"My dear Son,—Your last letter to your mamma was handed
me just now. She has gone in consequence of my taking part
in an expedition on the other side of James River against the
enemy's shipping. We attacked them terribly night before the
last,—opening forty guns by surprise at midnight. They were
profoundly still in sleep, and were waked up at a rate rarely
experienced even in war. I never witnessed anything more terribly
grand than that cannonade in the pitchy dark. How much
damage was done we cannot say; it must have been serious.
One hundred and fifty ships of all sorts, and the Yankee camp
beyond them, lay stretched before us at from eight hundred
yards to two and a half miles, and by aid of some sight-lines we
had adjusted in the day we knew pretty well how to fire in the
dark.
"I came over to have a conference with General Lee, and go
back presently to try and repeat such attacks. We were shelled
after some fifteen minutes, and pretty severely, with long-range
guns, but with slight loss. One man killed by the enemy and
two wounded.
"My main object, my son, in writing, while my time is so
limited, is to say a word respecting your state of mind. You
tell your mamma that camp-life is destroying your religious
character. Take care of this, my dear boy. 'Watch and pray.'
If you do not make opportunities for prayer regularly you will
spiritually die. Let nothing prevent this. My only sure way
for getting a certain time for prayer is to compel myself to
awake early, and then employ the first waking hour in steady
reflection and prayer. Do this, or something like it, and your
soul will live. I find, too, that by dwelling on the several petitions
of the Lord's Prayer until each word impresses on the
mind its full force and stirs up feeling, I get more of the spirit of
prayer than I have been able to secure in any other way. Be
industrious here, and you will find spiritual health and strength
the sure result. I have hardly a moment, so must stop. Kind
other friends. God bless you!
Ten days were spent on the south side reconnoitring the
country and organizing an artillery force for service there. On
the 15th of August he wrote,—
". . . We came over Tuesday evening, the I2th. My mission
on the other side being accomplished and my duties here needing
attention exceedingly. That night I stayed at Peterkin's
John and Dudley were in to see me before breakfast. I soon
rode to see General Lee, and then had to go to work for certain
preparations of batteries to be sent General Jackson. All that
day and the two following was pushed exceedingly.
"I saw General Stuart at General Lee's from Jackson since the
last fight. He told me he saw Sandie quite well,—that 'he as
usual distinguished himself.' I hope we are thankful."
The fight referred to was the battle of Cedar Mountain,
August 9, of which Sandie Pendleton wrote to his mother,—
"Through the blessing of God we had another victory over
Banks and McDowell, of Pope's corps. It was yesterday afternoon.
The fight was about seven miles from Culpeper Court-House.
Ned Lee is safe, and so are all the staff. Nobody from
Lexington hurt. Poague's battery lost nobody. We had some
eight thousand men engaged; loss about one thousand, among
them General Winder killed. We captured quite a large number
of officers and men,—one brigadier-general, colonels, etc., and
one piece of artillery. Major Holliday, of the Thirty-third,
wounded badly, also Alf. Jackson. Owing to bad management
of some of the officers, incident upon the loss of Winder,
some confusion resulted. But it was soon recovered, and we
drove them at all points. Ned Lee carried the colors of his
regiment and rallied them. The enemy's loss must have been
severe, from his leaving his wounded in some numbers, among
them some officers, as well as the dead. Write to pa, as
wounded."
One after another the divisions of the army were ordered to
follow Jackson to Gordonsville, and thence no one knew whither.
The movements of the artillery are given from General Pendleton's
letters:
". . . This is the last time this season I shall write to you from
here. We are under orders for Gordonsville, and set out this
afternoon. It is now two P.M., and I have been hard at work
since dawn. Yesterday, among other things, I attended General
Winder's funeral. The procession was not very large. Peterkin
read the service. It excited serious reflection, no doubt, in many
who are likely to be exposed to sudden summons. I go now,
not knowing what is to be experienced in the new sphere. But
this I do know, all things work together for good to them that
love God, and with confidence I hope I may say, this I do."
". . . Before we left Richmond I wrote you word we were
under orders for Gordonsville. Information, however, received
respecting certain Yankee movements caused a modification in
our orders. General Lee telegraphed to Richmond that a
column of the enemy was reported to him as advancing on the
direct road from Fredericksburg towards Richmond. Hence a
division and my artillery were ordered to the neighborhood of
the Junction to take post on the south side of the North Anna
River. Yesterday Generals Garland, Cobbs, and myself, with a
number of colonels and majors, rode over the country a great
deal reconnoitring, so as to make sure what to do if the Yankees
come. But we hear nothing of them, and my belief is they are
not going to attempt any aggressive movement now."
". . . We have here now a considerable force awaiting orders
from General Lee. McLaws is here with his division, and D. H.
Hill will be here this afternoon to command the portion of his
division also here,—a part of it having, before we were stopped
commanded by General Ripley. I have to-day your letter of the
20th, telling me of Sue's and Sandie's sickness. I infer from the
incidental way in which you speak of Sandie's being at home, and
of the sickness of both, that a previous letter telling me of the
beginning of their sickness and of Sandie's getting home has not
reached me. It will not, I trust, be serious with either of them.
Sandie will, I know, regret being detained from his post at this
stirring time. Mr. Stringfellow came to see me, and asked me
to preach at Trinity to-morrow. I will do so if no military hindrance
occur and the weather permit. It will be a great treat to
me to see dear Aunt Judy and all at Oakland."
". . . Here, after a march of twenty miles to-day, and waiting
for the cars to take me on to General Lee, meanwhile taking a
loll to rest myself, I write you in a new position, flat on my back.
Your letters since the one of the 20th, telling me of Sue's and
Sandie's sickness, have failed. I am in consequence ignorant
of their condition now, not only so, but uneasy by learning
yesterday that a letter had been received at Oakland saying that
Sandie was doing well, but that Sue was very sick with what was
thought typhoid fever. I trust she may soon be better. It will
not be practicable for me to hear now for some time, as I am
going where letters are not easily transmitted. How we come
to be moving this way I will describe.
"Sunday morning I rode to Trinity, preached, and went home
with dear Aunt Judy,—riding in the carriage with her. We
stayed till next morning,—John, Randolph Page, Dudley, and
myself. When I got back to camp and went to see General
Hill, he begged me to communicate with the President about
some move for us. I accordingly jumped on the cars then
passing,—half-past two o'clock,—and, accompanied by Charley
Hatcher, was in Richmond before five. That night I was with
the President and General G. W. Smith till twelve, considering
what was best to be done, and next morning—yesterday—I
again breakfasted at the President's. Dr. Minnegerode and an
English clergyman, whose name I did not hear when introduced,
were there, as also General Smith. The latter the President
Secretary of War, kept all in conference again till twelve. The
decision reached was that all the troops near the Junction and
certain brigades near Richmond called for by General Lee
should be sent him whatever risks might ensue. I started in the
train crowded with troops at two yesterday, and came to Bumpas
Station, above Beaver Dam; near there my artillery halted for
the night, and I was soon with them. They had marched from
our late camp early in the morning, being ordered by telegraph.
The President wished me to get to General Lee as soon as practicable,
after stopping to see that all was right with the artillery.
To-day, therefore, I marched with them to a point a few miles
below this place, where they deflected on a shorter route to
Rapidan Station, and I came on to take the cars with Dudley
and Randolph Page,—our horses, of course, to go on the cars
with us. Barnwell is not very well, hence I left him to take it
leisurely. George Peterkin went home with John night before
last, and had not come up to-day when I left them, hence he
could not come. Charley Hatcher did not meet me at the cars
in Richmond, and has not yet been heard of. He was not well.
Tom Randolph had his horse stolen some nights ago, so he
must take it slowly; and Dandridge's horse is not in good
plight, so he, too, remains with the rear. We go on when the
trains arrive this evening, as they will, loaded with troops. It
will be midnight before we reach Rapidan. I will try to get
quarters at my cousin Eliza Taliaferro's close by.
"What we are going to do I do not exactly know. It looks
like the approach of a great battle. I pray God we may, if so,
be given a great success. The more I see of battles and blood
the more heart-sick I am under the dread necessity which compels
us thus to meet a ruthless invasion. But my mind is clear
that we are sacredly bound to meet these people unto death as
in the sight of God. Nor have I one particle of hesitation as to
my own duty in the case,—still imperative.
"How dear Sue and Sandie are I long to hear, but cannot.
The Lord have them and all of you in His gracious keeping.
"P.S.—I just hear that Stuart came within an ace of catching
Pope a day or two ago,—got his uniform and a number of important
hence escaped. Better luck next time."
Hard riding brought him to General Lee on the bloody battlefield
of Second Manassas. Jackson had gotten completely behind
Pope, had cut his communications, and forced him to change
his front, and then, against heavy odds, had held his position by
stubborn fighting until joined by Longstreet's corps. The battlefield
was near that of July 21, 1861, and the position of the two
armies on that occasion reversed. Jackson captured Manassas
Junction, with its immense depot of army stores of all sorts, on
the 26th of August, and held it until nightfall of the 27th.
During this time the starving and destitute soldiers were allowed
to supply themselves fully from the captured stores, and the
great amount of material which could not be removed was
burned. He then fell back and posted his men north of the
turnpike near Groveton. Here he attacked the advancing column
of the enemy on the flank about sunset of the 28th, and a
bloody conflict of several hours ensued, in which the enemy was
compelled to abandon the field. All through the 29th he was
engaged. The enemy repeatedly assaulted his lines with great
vigor, but without success, and the timely arrival of Longstreet's
corps gave the assistance so much needed. "The battle continued
until nine P.M., the enemy retreating until he reached a strong
position, which he held with a large force."[3]
On the 30th
General Pope again attacked Jackson's position in strong force,
was again repulsed, and in his turn was attacked by Longstreet
and Jackson, and driven "with great carnage from each successive
position until ten P.M., when darkness put an end to the
battle and the pursuit."[4]
As at First Manassas, a pouring rain
succeeded the battle; but in spite of this Jackson's command
was pushed forward to intercept the Federal retreat towards
Washington. Coming up with the enemy at Ox Hill in the
afternoon of September 1, Jackson again attacked him notwithstanding
the inclement weather and the weariness and exhaustion
of his men. Darkness closed this last of the series of desperate
around Washington. In this series of engagements the
Federal loss was not only "seven thousand prisoners, besides
two thousand wounded left on the field, thirty pieces of artillery,
upward of twenty thousand stands of small-arms, and a large
amount of stores, besides those taken at Manassas Junction,"[5]
but their prestige was gone, their men greatly demoralized, their
boastful commander proved incompetent and unworthy, and the
whole nation thrown into great consternation. The Confederate
loss in killed and wounded was seven thousand two hundred and
forty-four,[6] and the gain in prisoners and material as stated
above; but here, as at Richmond, the skilful combinations projected
by General Lee were rendered ineffectual to the capture
and entire destruction of Pope's army by causes which he had no
power to control.
In concluding his report of the part taken by his command
against McClellan, General Pendleton had remonstrated against
the inadequate use of artillery in the Seven Days' battles, and
had urged that more batteries should be thrown into action at
once, and concentrated upon the enemy whenever possible.[7]
This
advice was acted on with evident success in the battles of Second
Manassas, where the combined fire of the Confederate batteries
had done admirable execution, and repeatedly silenced the opposing
guns and mowed down the lines of advancing Federals.
From this time on the artillery became more and more appreciated
as a powerful agency not only in opening an engagement,
but in checking the advance of the enemy, silencing his batteries,
and harassing him in retreat.
General Pendleton wrote to his wife,—
Sunday night, August 31, 1862.
"My Darling Wife,—Again I am writing to you from a bed,
and this time I am in it as an invalid. Not much, I hope, only
the crisis of a diarrhœa of some two weeks' duration, rendered
worse by hard effort to catch up with General Lee. This I did
After delivering the messages sent by the President and tendering
my services for whatever I could do, disordered and jaded as
I was, I was urged by the general in the kindest manner to find
some comfortable place, rest, and get well. We then remained,—
Randolph Page, Dudley, and myself,—interested in the battle,
though liable to shells every moment, till after five, when we
rode back to our friends, the Jordans, in Haymarket, and they
directed us to these admirable people about two miles north.
They have suffered much, but are still wealthy, and as whole-souled
as any people I ever met.
"There has been severe fighting these two days—that is, yesterday
and the day before—near the old Manassas battle-ground.
The Yankees terribly beaten and slaughtered. We, too, have
lost more than a few. Willie Preston killed, Jemmie McCoughtrey
severely wounded in the upper part of one lung, Everard
painfully, though not dangerously, in the arm and side, Hugh
White killed, General Ewell lost a leg, General Trimble lying
with a leg wound in this house, Neff killed, etc., etc.
"General Lee's movements have been masterly, Jackson and
Longstreet have fought with accustomed skill, energy, and
success. We are in a fair way to shake Yankeedom to its centre.
God be praised! Oh, that a just peace might come without
more bloodshed! My command, with General D. H. Hill's
forces, will not probably get up for some two days yet, so that I
may with an easy mind rest and recruit till then. Randolph is
doctoring and nursing me most attentively. So you may rest
contented. I am as comfortable as I could be anywhere in the
world away from home. Randolph and Dudley rode to-day to
see the wounded boys. They are taken by friends straight
home. They saw Mr. Ed. J. Lee; come to see about Edwin;
found he had been too sick to be present for a week or two. He
and Sandie will both regret missing the occasion, but they need
not, as God's hand was in it.
"General Lee got entirely round the Yankees again. He was
on the south side of the Rappahannock. They in full force on
the north side facing him. He kept some batteries, etc., playing
in front, but sent first Jackson with his fine army, and then
Longstreet with his, way round by the head-waters of the Rappahannock
it was Jackson's capturing everything at Manassas. Of course
they had to change front and do the best they could. The
slaughter among them has been frightful. They have left their
dead in our hands, and a good many guns, and seem making off
for Alexandria.
"But alas for the noble fellows cut down! Willie Preston,
one of the best I ever knew; Hugh White, also of high Christian
worth; Neff, a true man. Thank God they were Christ's
own, and have gone, we may rejoicingly trust, to eternal peace.
"Sue and Sandie, I have taken for granted, are improving.
Somehow, I have not been unhappy about them, though I
long to hear. Tell Mrs. Brockenborough I saw Willoughby,
and he desired me to send word Bowyer and himself were still
safe.
"And now, commending you all to God's covenant goodness
and sending tender love to each,
| CHAPTER XXIX. Memoirs of William Nelson Pendleton, D.D., | |