A history of the Laurel Brigade : originally the Ashby Cavalry of the Army of the army Northern Virginia and Chew's Battery /
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| Author / Creator: | McDonald, William, 1834-1898. |
|---|---|
| Edition: | 1st Johns Hopkins Paperback ed. |
| Imprint: | Baltimore, Md. : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002. |
| Description: | xvi, 396 p., [34] p. of plates : ill. ; 23 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Subject: | |
| Format: | Print Book |
| URL for this record: | http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/4735150 |
Table of Contents:
- Preface
- The Author
- Introduction to the Johns Hopkins Edition
- Chapter I.
- Development of the Laurel Brigade from the Seventh Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, enlisted under Col. Angus W. McDonald
- Border service under Colonel McDonald and Col. Turner Ashby
- Heroic death of Capt. Richard Ashby
- Destructive expedition against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
- Chew's Battery attached to the command
- Romney winter campaign under Jackson
- Battle of Kernstown
- Chapter II.
- Daily skirmishes with force of Banks
- Addition of new companies and recruits swell the brigade
- Jackson orders it divided into two commands, and Ashby tenders his resignation
- Jackson revokes the order and Ashby withdraws his resignation
- Jackson marches to McDowell and defeats Fremont
- Ashby screens the movement from Banks by constant skirmishing in his front
- Destroys railroad and telegraph between Front Royal and Strasburg
- Attack upon Federal infantry at Buckton, where Captains Sheetz and Fletcher fall
- Battle of Winchester and pursuit of Banks
- Ashby throws his cavalry between the converging armies of Shields and Fremont and prevents communication between them
- Informs Jackson fully of their movements
- Capture of Sir Percy Wyndham
- Death of Ashby
- Cross Keys and Port Republic
- Chapter III.
- Jackson marches from Brown's Gap to the Chickahominy
- His ingenious ruses to deceive Shields and Fremont
- Munford screens Jackson's movement and follows him with the Second Virginia Cavalry
- Genl. Beverly Robertson succeeds in command of Valley cavalry
- Reorganization of the Ashby cavalry
- Robertson an organizer and disciplinarian
- Brigade leaves Valley and joins Jackson near Richmond, July 10th, Company B of Twelfth Virginia Cavalry being left in the Valley
- Fighting at Gordonsville and Cedar Run
- Genl. J. E. B. Stuart leads cavalry in a reconnoissance
- Brandy Station
- Catlett's Station
- Thoroughfare Gap
- Sudley Road fight and death of Major Patrick
- Second Manassas campaign
- Advance into Maryland
- Robertson assigned to Department of North Carolina, and Munford again commands the brigade
- Poolesville and Crampton's Gap
- Affair at Darksville
- Capture of Harper's Ferry
- Brigade covers Lee's recrossing of Potomac
- Raid into Pennsylvania
- Col. William E. Jones takes command
- Various skirmishes in the Valley
- White's Battalion attached to brigade
- Snickers Gap and Castleman's Ferry
- Company D of the Eleventh at Romney, and capture of Capt. E. H. McDonald
- General Jones in command of the Valley District
- Expedition to Moorefield
- Scarcity of forage
- Midwinter diversions in the Valley
- Chapter IV.
- Jones' expedition into Western Virginia
- Weak men and horses left in camp
- Inclement weather and swollen streams
- Dangerous crossing of the Potomac at Petersburg
- Heroic assistance of citizens
- Rev. Richard Davis
- Fight at Greenland Gap
- McNeil's Rangers co-operate with Jones
- Colonel Harman enters Oakland, destroys railroad bridge
- Cranberry Summit
- Mountaineers unfriendly and bushwhack our column
- Capture of Morgantown
- Bridgeport and Fairmont
- Destruction of oil wells
- A river on fire
- Return to the Valley
- Results of expedition
- Cross the Blue Ridge to join "Jeb" Stuart
- A grand review
- Battle of Brandy Station
- Chapter V.
- A short rest
- The army of Northern Virginia moves northward
- Jones' brigade guards the line of the Rappahannock
- Federal cavalry in search of Lee make for the passes of the Blue Ridge
- Aldie and Middleburg
- Fight at Upperville
- Stuart makes famous raid in rear of Federal Army
- Jones' and Robertson's brigades left to defend passes of the Blue Ridge
- Operations of White's Battalion
- In Maryland
- Sixth Virginia meets Sixth United States Regulars near Fairfield and defeats the latter
- Joy of victory turned to sadness by news of Lee's failure at Cemetery Ridge
- Jones and Robertson hold the passes of Jack Mountain
- Jones saves Ewell's wagon train
- Buford and Kilpatrick thwarted
- Fighting between Hagerstown and Williamsport
- Gallant charge of the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry
- Funkstown and Boonesboro
- Williamsport relieved and Lee's wagon train saved
- The Seventh Virginia retaliates upon Sixth Regulars
- Artillery practice upon a flying target
- Lee recrosses the Potomac
- The brigade ordered south of the Potomac to cover Lee's communications with Winchester
- The Twelfth, under Colonel Harman, on detached service near Harper's Ferry
- Capture of Federal picket reserves
- Colonel Harman falls into the hands of the enemy
- Brigade encamps near Charles Town and engages in reconnoitering and skirmishes
- Lee retires up the Valley and crossing the mountains resumes the line of the Rappahannock
- Chapter VI.
- Brigade returns to watch the fords of the Rappahannock
- Differences between General Stuart and General Jones
- The latter court-martialed and removed to another field of operations
- Personality of Jones and attachment of his troopers
- Admiration and loyalty of the men soon won by "Jeb" Stuart
- Federals under Meade advance towards Culpeper Court House
- Hard and continuous cavalry fighting against Buford and Kilpatrick, in which the brigade now under command of General Lomax takes prominent part
- Capt. Samuel B. Coyner of the Seventh Virginia Cavalry killed
- Enemy surround and capture one of Thompson's guns of Chew's Battery
- A front and rear fight at Jack's Shop
- Successful charge against infantry by Company B of the Twelfth Virginia
- Second battle at Brandy Station
- Fight at Fauquier Surphur Springs
- Notable exploit at the Rappahannock bridge
- Stuart in a tight place at Auburn
- Bold dash and escape of his command
- Chapter VII.
- A new commander
- Sketch of Thomas L. Rosser
- The Buckland races
- Camp at Flint Hill
- At Hamilton's Crossing
- Night surprise of a Federal camp
- Dash upon Meade's wagon trains in the Wilderness
- Back to Hamilton's Crossing
- Hard fight at Parker's Store
- Watching Meade
- Raid around Meade's army
- Night attack upon Sangster's Station and death of Captain Cartmell
- Brigade heads for the Valley and crosses the Shenandoah
- Joins the force of Early at Mt. Jackson
- A Merry Christmas in the Valley
- Chapter VIII.
- Rosser with Fitz Lee
- They make midwinter raid to capture cattle for Lee's army
- March down the Patterson Creek Valley
- Capture a Federal wagon train
- Move towards New Creek
- Return to Early in the Valley
- Fitz Lee with his division returns to the Army of Northern Virginia
- Early and Rosser make the Petersburg raid
- Returning, the Laurel Brigade camps at Weyer's Cave
- Rest and hilarity
- Across the Blue Ridge to catch Kilpatrick
- Return to Valley
- The camp in Rockbridge county
- Recruiting
- Grant moves his multitudes
- A call from Lee
- The Laurel joins Lee in the Wilderness
- The 5th and 6th of May
- Join Hampton at Shady Grove
- Yellow Tavern
- Death of Stuart
- Chapter IX.
- Hampton takes command of cavalry
- Milford
- Haw's Shop
- Atlee's Station
- Depleted condition of brigade
- Scarcity of food and forage
- Grant develops his wearing out policy
- Assails Lee's lines of communication
- Wilson attempts to cut the Virginia Central Railroad
- Fight at Ashland
- Heroic act of Maj. Holmes Conrad
- Wilson defeated and pursued
- Another affair at Haw's Shop
- White's Comanches charge Federal breastworks
- Hampton sent to meet Sheridan's raiders
- The battle of Trevilians
- Pursues Sheridan to the North Anna
- Hard fare for men and horses
- Some types of vandals
- Skirmishing near White House
- Cavalry against infantry and gunboats
- Hanging on Sheridan's flank
- White's Battalion detached
- Sheridan entrenches at Samaria Church
- Is driven out of entrenchments, leaving dead and wounded
- Col. Thomas E. Massie of the Twelfth wounded
- Pursuit of Sheridan to Charles City Court House
- Chapter X.
- Hampton marches towards Richmond
- Federals cross to south side of James River, and Hampton follows, crossing near Drury's Bluff
- Moves below Petersburg
- Camp near Reams Station
- Intercepts Wilson's raiders, and sharp fight near Sapony Church
- Lieutenant Vandiver's account of the engagement
- Ruffian marauders
- Wilson escapes after punishment and loss
- A short rest, watermelons and hospitality
- Brigade recuperates by return of men from hospitals and horse furloughs
- Fitz Lee with his division sent to the Shenandoah Valley
- Hampton kept to hold the lines on Lee's right
- Grant creates a diversion on the north side of the James
- Hampton ordered to Culpeper, but was recalled when he reached Beaver Dam
- Fight at White Oak Swamp
- Brigade returns to south side
- Monk Neck's Bridge
- Hatcher's Run
- Reams Station
- The newspaper raid
- Hampton's cattle raid
- Chapter XI.
- The return to the Valley
- Tedious march and worn out horses
- Eager to avenge the outrages of Sheridan
- Federals devastate the Shenandoah Valley
- Fitz Lee having been wounded, Rosser commands the Cavalry Division
- Fight at Mill Creek
- Toms Brook
- A much-mooted night attempt to surprise and bag Custer
- Cedar Creek
- Brent's Farm
- Fighting on the Back Road
- Death of Lieut.-Col. Thomas Marshall
- Brigade camps and rest at Fisher's Hill and Timberville
- Kershaw's division and Crosby's brigade of cavalry withdrawn from Early's army
- Sheridan with superior numbers hesitates to attack Early
- Chapter XII.
- Difficulty of supplying subsistence for Early's army
- Plenty beyond the mountains westward
- Rosser starts out for New Creek with the Laurels and Payne's brigade
- New Creek a Federal stronghold
- Rosser joined by McNeil's Partisan Rangers
- McNeil defeats Federals at Parsons Ford
- Some unexpected happenings
- A council of war
- Rosser decides
- The surprise
- A successful ruse
- Capture of New Creek
- Homeward bound with captures, flocks, and herds
- Brigade camps near Timberville
- Moves to near Swopes Depot
- Custer with large cavalry force threatens Staunton
- Rosser and Payne make night attack on Custer's camp
- Back to old camp at Swopes Depot
- Lack of forage
- Companies detached in order to subsist
- Beverly
- Chapter XIII.
- The capture of the Federal Major-Generals Crook and Kelly, in the City of Cumberland by McNeil
- The capture proposed and planned by John B. Fay, formerly of Company F, Seventh Virginia Cavalry, but at the time a member of McNeil's partisan company
- Fay with Ritchie Hallar reconnoiters in the neighborhood of Cumberland
- They locate the sleeping apartments of each of the generals, and the outpost and reserve pickets
- The hazards of the undertaking
- The surprise and capture
- Two future Presidents of the United States narrowly escape
- A future judge not so fortunate
- Federals pursue but give it up
- Prisoners transported to Dixie
- Chapter XIV.
- After the return from Beverly, Munford's and Payne's brigades ordered east of the Blue Ridge
- Wharton's division of infantry and Rosser's brigade of cavalry only force left under Early in the Valley to face Sheridan
- Government supplies almost fail, and home supplies no longer cheer the soldiers
- Sheridan lays waste the Valley, and with 10,000 sabres advances
- Rosser meets him with 300 men and, aided by high water, retards him at North River
- Early withdraws towards Charlottesville, is overtaken, defeated, and his army captured or dispersed near Waynesboro
- Rosser attempts to recapture the prisoners, but fails
- Rosser made major-general and Dearing takes command of the Laurel Brigade
- The trail of Sheridan
- Division under Rosser, not over 1,200 men, moves below Petersburg
- Federals capture Five Forks
- Rosser's division forms rear guard of Fitz Lee's column. Advancing Federals punished in their onsets
- Deep Creek
- Brigade, April 5th, with rest of division moves towards Amelia Court House
- Soldiers depressed but resolute
- Desperate charge of Dearing near Amelia Springs
- Desperate fighting by great fighters
- Federals driven back into Jetersville
- Death of Captains Rutherford and Hugh McGuire
- High Bridge
- Death of Dearing, Knott, Thompson and others and the wounding of many
- White takes command of brigade
- Appomattox
- The last charge
- Brigade disbanded near Lynchburg by Colonel "Lige" White
- Remnant of the Twelfth Regiment, under Lieut. Wm. F. Anderson, surrenders at Appomattox
- Index
