Bivouack of the Rockbridge Artillery 1st Brigade Army of Valley
[On Turnpike from Staunton to Monterey--38 miles west
of Staunton 7 miles from Monterey] Highland Co. Va.
Mrs.Wm. M. Blackford-Lynchburg
My Dear Mother
My last letter home was written
on Tuesday form our bivouack 2 miles beyond Staundon, and if I
remember aright brought up my record of events to that date
As I mentioned before greatly to my chagrin, I could not get
to town on Tuesday but determined not to be cut off entirely
from a sight of my friends there, I started in before sunrise
with Berkeley on Wednesday morning, preceding the battery by
an hour or two, and went to Mr Phillips's to breakfast. We had
pretty sure information that our march wd. be in this direction,
and if so knew that the battery would pass withing a square
of the Institute and full view, so that we could then join it.
Mr. Phillips himself was not at home but we received a most
kindly welcome from the ladies and family generally, and were
hospitably regaled with a very choice breakfast, the which
we enjoyed the more from the conviction that it was in all the
probability the last comfortable meal we should have for a
long time. Mrs. Phillips made other additions to our refresh
ment so that we left Staunton better prepared for a long day's
march than we would have been but for her thoughtfulness.
Miss Agnes furnished us with some light reading; always ac-
ceptable and in demand. I was gratified at being remembered so
kindly as I am apparently by the whole household, children,
housekeepers, servants, etc. The people in Staunton seem much
reassured by Jackson's army coming in this direction and the
consciousness that Ewell's force is between them ad the enemy
in the Valley. This is not to be wondered at as they have
lately been the sufferers under two distinct panics; the first
about Easter when we fell back from Rude's Hill and took
the detour to Swift Run Gap: the second, some time since then when
Brig. Gen. Edwd. Johnson fell back with his force from Shenandoah
mountain to a point six miles from Staunton and the enemy
advance to within that distance of him, i.e. through Buffalo Gap,
if I am rightly informed. I did not have the pleasure of
[page 2]
my good friends Mr. and Mrs Latane in Staunton, or visited
any others than those at the Institute, as time did not permit.
A few I met on the street, it is true, and had a few minutes
chat with. My friend Dr J. M. Baldwin, as you may have heard
has recently died. His widow has broken up housekeeping--
they had only had a home of their own 15 months--and is now
residing with her little ones at her husband's aunt's--old Mrs
Baldwin, the mother of Hon. J.B.B. Mrs. Dr B. is a daughter
of Jno. Barton of Winchester. Dr. Baldwin had been for some
years a communicant of our church, and in a dying hour
beautifully attested to the faith he had long lived by. I hear
that his death was calm and peaceful, even triumphant.
He was a lovely character and very highly esteemed and
beloved in and about Staunton for his virtues, as well as his
medical skill. He had a large and growing practice. Since
his death I am informed that his two brothers, both surgeons,
in this brigade, have been impressed deeply on the subject
of personal religion, and are awaiting an opportunity of
professing publicly their faith in Christ. Truly, their excellent
brother neither lived not died in vain.
Wednesday was a beautiful bright day--as has been every one
since--and we left Staunton in fine spirits. One does not
know anywhere out of the army how to appreciate fine
weather. In this manner of life, particularly when so con-
stantly moving and having no tents, I consider it one of
Heaven's best blessings. Our march on Wednesday was with
out incident: the road though busy was a very good one
and we made good time, even with mountains to cross as
we had. Indeed, since we passed Buffalo Gap we have had
but little else, though the whole road, except a little here
and there has been fine, and no where better than on
the mountains. It seems to have been particularly well
located in crossing them, & though they are steep and unpo-
mising enough the road is so cut as to afford no very sharp
ascents anywhere. To arrive at this result of course its
windings are often tedious and often apparently unduly
protracted, but of course the saving in draught is very great.
[I neglected to mention in speaking of Staunton above that
I received there the bundle you dispatched by Rutledge containing
[page 3]
salt, handkerchiefs, pair of pants, and pair of drawers. Rut-
ledge had brought it to Charlottesville and left it there
with friends who sent it to Staunton to meet me as the army
passed through. I am glad it did not reach me before,
as part of its contents would have been rather in my way
for we have now generally to carry our own knapsacks and
blankets, and of course every man reduces his baggage to the
minimum. I brought the salt on and handed it over to the
mess-stock, and pocketed the handkerchief; both of these
things were particularly acceptable, though as a general
thing we have enough salt now: a reserve however is desirable.
The clothes I got Mrs Phillips to keep for me till I send for them.
She very kindly offered to attend to any thing of this kind for
me that lay in her power. I sent from Mechum's River to
the University a black patent leather valise containing my unnecessary bag-
gage and bedding, with the request that it might be forwarded to Lyg.
Please take care of it when received and let the contents and the
inside of the valise be sunned, if necessary, to prevent moulding,
of which there appeared some danger. The lock is spoiled
though I have the key. I would be obliged to father to have
the lock fixed forthwith as the valise is a good one and worth keeping.
I received the India Rubber Blanket which is an excellent
one and such as are now hard to get. I would have liked
it much larger, so as to serve for two men to sleep on or
under, but this is fully compensated for by Berkeley's having
a similar one which, with mine, answers every purpose,
and their being separate renders each available to wear
in rainy weather as a cape. He got his in this way. I sent
to Richmond, after writing home for one, by a direct opportunity
to get such a thing, thinking the chance too good a one to
let slip and knowing that if I got two, one could be readily
disposed of By this means I secured last week--at $6.00 one
exactly like that you sent me. When the latter came I took
it, and Berkeley was glad to take the other off my hands.
I doubt not they were both bought from the same stock,
by a singular and very fortuneate coincidence. I could dispose
of a dozen in this co. alone of such if I had them, I am sure.]
[page 4]
to return to my account of our journey: Wednesday evening
we bivouacked on a mountain 4 miles this side of Staunton
The cannon and wagons were left standing in the road and the
men made their fire and beds on a ledge somewhat resembling
an old roadway a little way below. The ascent was very
steep and the selection of the ground altogether a very singular one.
Thursday we resumed our march at an early hour and came
on at a pretty steady rate. The day was a warm one and
I was very foot-sore, and moreover suffering from an ulce-
fation on my right leg a few inches above the ankle, first
occasioned by an abrasion from a boot and afterwards much
inflamed by walking; though but a trifle if I could be quiet
a few days to let it heal up. I was fortunate enough to
have my knapsack carried most of the way, and but for
this could not have gotten on at all. My friend Adjt. Ro. W.
Hunter, of the 2d. Va., which marched must behind our company
that day,
first made me ride several miles on his horse and then
carried the knapsack for me a good many more.
We crossed the Shenandoah mountain some 25 miles from
Staunton. It was at this mountain that Brig. Gen Johnson
was for a long time stationed with his force (some 4500 men)
and I saw his entrenchments, with large bodies of wood
cut away from before them to leave the vision clear before
them. It is a very strong position, and seems almost im-
pregnable. The mountain is high and the ascent to Gen.
Johnson's position on either side readily commanded by
artillery or even small arms. So at least it appeared to me.
Soon after crossing it, indeed while in the act of doing so,
we begun to hear the distant though distinct sound of
cannon and received orders from Gen. Winder to leave our
baggage pile up on the side of the road, under guard,
(the wagons were miles behind) to fill canteens and press on
to the front. This order extended to the entire brigade. Our battery
went on some miles further, halted when about half way
up a mountain and after a delay of an hour or two were
ordered back to a valley a little in our rear to spend the night.
[page 5]
The Infantry too were sent back a little to the rear for the
same purpose. Ahead of us were the forces of Gen. Johnson
and Jackson's 2d and 3rd Brigades, all of which had the
start of us by a half or whole day in the march. All
of the artillery--of which this army here now comprises
at least 35 pieces--was in the rear a little, like ourselves,
the position held by our men on the front not being one from which
artillery could be used. The sound of cannon continued during
the afternoon at intervals, and later more rapidly, but
it was all the enemy's; we used none, and have not
since leaving Staunton. We had just unhitched our horses
and were preparing to make ourselves comfortable for the
night after a wearisome march of 17 or 18 miles, when a
familiar though not very pleasing sound on the front at-
tracted our attention. It was near sundown and I was sitting
by the side of a creek that ran by our camp bathing my
feet, when the sharp sound of musketry--not near but
distinct int he distance--attracted my attention. I thought
at first it might be the discharge of damp loads of some
cos that had been on picquet, or some such shooting, as
I did not suppose a fusillade at the distance of 4 miles,
where I knew the forces were opposed to each other, could
be so distinctly heard. the rapid succession of the volleys
and their continuance soon shewed my mistake, and
I became assured, as we all did, that a sharp battle
was going on. This was corroborated shortly after by
seeing ambulances quickly sent off up the mountain road
we had just descended from and in the direction of the
firing. The
--the invariable companion of troops expecting action
after others have been left in the rear--left no doubt
that a loading of appropriate freight was soon to be created.
The firing continued sharply, though not continuously, as late
as 9 o'ck., occassionally interspersed by cannonading, all,
as said before, on the side of the enemy. We had none there
and could not have used it if we had.
[page 6]
Later [?] shewed that we had been successful in the
engagement. I give you such particulars as I can gather
though they are but meager. You have but little idea
how hard it was to gain true accounts of these things
even when as near the scene of action as I was, and the
difficulty is of course enhanced by the army being in motion
immediately afterwards. Some days ago upon being reinforced
by the advance of Jackson's army, Gen. Ed. Johnson moved
forward upon the position of the enemy, the latter retreating be-
fore him. the enemy are understood to be under command
of gen.. Milroy, and are variously represented to number from
4 to 8000. I believe our whole force here now is not less
I suppose than 12000 men. On Bull Pasture Mountain,
choosing his own position, the enemy made a stand,
probably with no purpose other than to check our advance long
enough for him to remove his baggage train etc. How many
men he opposed to us there in actual conflict, or the por-
portion of our force engaged, I cannot rightly determine, though
it is supposed we did not have more than 8000 engaged
The enemy had the advantage of position over us, and
from this fact I should not wonder if our loss exceeded theirs.
Tempted I suppose by this superiority the enemy attacked
our positions and made a vigorous endeavour to dislodge
our force, but to no purpose, our fellows gallantly stood
their ground, and during the night the Yankees departed,
leaving us in possession of the field--I should rather say,
the mountain sides. Gen. Jackson claims it, and I believe
with good reason, as a decided victory, though for the
length of time and the numbers engaged a dearly bought one.
The forces engaged on our side were chiefly taken from John-
son's brigade, I believe, the 12th Georgia Regt. suffering most severely.
Some of Jackson's men were engaged, I know, though no part
of this Brigade. The 10th Va. lost its commander (Col. Gibbons)
who was shot through the head. He was considered one
of the best officers in this army: from Shenandoah county, I think.
Brig. Gen. Johnson was wounded n the ancle, and two majors were
wounded. Our loss in company officers too was severs. In killed
we lost I fear not less than 50 and probably 3 times as many wounded.
[page 7]
The Yankees decamped during the night taking with them,
it is believed their dead and wounded, or rather the greater
part of them. Few dead were found by our men as we cam
on yesterday and one poor fellow badly wounded, who was
doubtless cared for by our surgeons. All of them were some
miles from the battlefield and in hospital, except the wounded man
in his regiment, but so far nothing reliable has been ascertained
about the Yankee loss. It may be much greater than ours,
can scarcely be much less. Yesterday after an early breakfast
a general advanced movement of the army begun, though
the advance of our brigade during the day did not exceed
8 miles. We then halted and after spending many hours in
the road finally bivouacked for the night. During the
march we met going to the rear some 8 or 10 prisoners,
among them a very fine looking colonel, who had been at a
house near the camp of his regiment sick and had not been
apprised of the retreat of his compatriots in time to save
himself. H was riding on horseback properly escorted.
Our short march yesterday possessed various items of interest, some sad
indeed. Near the scene of the battle we passed over men at work
burying our dead. The graves were dug about 20 yds. off the
road in a thickly wooded spot, and the dead were ranged in
rows along the road side awaiting interment. I glanced but a
moment at the awful sight and turned away sick at
heart. Those I saw had no ghastly disfigurement, but in
their travel stained and disordered dress, and the not over-
careful arrangement of the limbs, looked even more dreadful
than I would have supposed, with their lifeless faces exposed
to the full glare of the sun. Besides I knew many of them
were from Georgia and it was particularly distressing to think
of their finding a grave in this wild spot in the mountains
of Virginia. That one glance, it seemed to me, was enough
to cure any reflecting and reasonable man of the vanity
of this thing called military glory, in itself considered, and
to rob war of everything like attraction for its own sake.
For myself I can truly say no conviction of these things
was needed, but ths sight made me sad enough and for
[page 8]
some time afterward I was much depressed. Not tht my
ardour in the noble cause which supplies me all the
incentive I need to continue cheerfully in the military ser-
vice, was cooled by it or that my feeling was altogether a
selfish one, but I could not help drawing many a sigh to think
how common such scenes were now throughout this fair
land of ours, and to reflect that they may be even yet
more so and for long to come, ere God shall see fit to lift
this scourge from us. Within a few hundred yards of our
camp of Thursday night were the hospital tents to which
during the night our wounded were brought. some of them were
mortally hurt and having died were being buried as we commenced our march.
About 5 miles from the place of staying night before last
we came to a village called McDowell where the Yankee HdQrs
seemed to have been, their camps being withing a mile of it
on this side. From here on the evidences of a precipitate
retreat of the enemy became manifest on all sides; and a
bloody bandage dropped here and there in the road indicated
the removal of their wounded. First were the charrred remains
of a large house, not yet extinguished, in which they had their
depot of Commissary stores. In a field near were a large number of
beef cattle (200 I heard) which the enemy had left probably
stolen from the people of the neighbouring counties. In addition
to those destroyed there were a
barrels of crackers etc. which the men helped themselves to
so too great coats, clothing, blankets, saddles, etc, etc. A large
amount of ammunition too was abandoned by the enemy
and some small arms and other articles too numerous
to mention, including a quantity of tents of the best quality.
Such things were of course taken in charge by the proper
authorities. We passed their camps where the sgins of a
percipitate departure were yet more apparent. Tables,
camp beds, & furniture, coffee in small quantities, and such
things were left where last used, and many letters were
blowing about. Some days ago a large number of tents and
cooking utensils were captured, which with this addition
makes a raise of considerable value for one week. We met
8 or 10 wagon loads of these going to the rear the first day of
the march out here from Staunton.
[Launcelot Minor Blackford will continue this letter on May 11]
MSS 4763
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