March Routes in the Gettysburg Campaign – Edward A. O’Neal’s Brigade

Tom Elmore

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The map attachment illustrates the route taken by Colonel Edward O’Neal’s brigade of Major General Robert Rodes’ division during the Gettysburg campaign, between the night of June 9 and July 6. The map accompanies the following description, which is based on diaries, letters and official reports.

June 9 – Marched at 10 a.m. from camp 4 miles north of Culpeper Court House to the assistance of J. E. B. Stuart at Brandy Station, camped at Beverly Ford at 7 p.m.

June 10 – Marched in the afternoon, camped on the Hazel River near Gourd Vine Church; 10 miles total.

June 11 – Marched early, passed Newby’s Cross-Roads, Gaines’ Cross-Roads, camped just north of Flint Hill at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains; 15 miles total.

June 12 – Marched early, with the 5th and 12th Alabama being assigned to the rear guard behind the wagon train, crossed the Blue Ridge mountains at Chester Gap, passed through Front Royal, forded both branches of the Shenandoah River (Jenkins’ cavalry passed the brigade once the river was crossed), camped about 4 miles south of Millwood in the evening; 18-19 miles total.

June 13 – Marched early in the morning, passed through Millwood, formed line of battle 1.5 to 2 miles from Berryville after noon, the enemy fell back without a fight, leaving behind food, clothing and other stores. Resumed march, camped about dark near Summit Point. [Attached photograph is the Old Chapel, an Episcopal stone church on the road between Millwood and Berryville that was completed in 1793.]

June 14 – Marched, passed through Smithfield [now Middleway, West Virginia], proceeded to Bunker Hill and took the turnpike, passed through Darkesville, approached within 1-2 miles of Martinsburg at sundown [6 p.m.-Forsyth], formed line of battle with the left resting on the turnpike (and on the right of Iverson’s brigade), in support of a battery. The enemy was driven out of Martinsburg with the loss of several pieces of artillery [Maulsby’s West Virginia battery of 3-inch Rifles] and stores. The 6th Alabama was sent into Martinsburg.

June 15-18 – The 6th and 26th Alabama were left in Martinsburg on provost guard duty on June 15-16, and marched on June 17 to rejoin the brigade. Meanwhile, the remainder of the brigade proceeded to the south bank of the Potomac River opposite Williamsport and rested four days.

June 19 – Marched, waded Potomac River (water level just above the knees) at Williamsport, passed through Hagerstown, camped in woods 2 miles beyond along the bank of the Antietam River opposite Funkstown at 2 p.m.

June 20-21 – Remained in camp.

June 22 – Marched early in the morning, returned back through Hagerstown and took the road to Chambersburg, crossed the Pennsylvania line at Middleburg at noon, camped 2 miles beyond Greencastle at 2 p.m.; 13 miles total.

June 23 – Marched to the foot of the Allegheny mountains with a cavalry squad looking for beef cattle, returned to camp.

June 24 – Marched at 5 a.m., passed through Marion and Chambersburg, camped 1.5-2 miles beyond Chambersburg; 14 miles total. The 3rd Alabama was assigned to provost guard duty in Chambersburg.

June 25 – Remained in camp.

June 26 – Marched in the morning, passed through Green Village and Shippensburg, took the road on the right and camped. The left wing of the 5th Alabama went on picket 1 mile beyond Shippensburg.

June 27 – Marched, moved off the turnpike, passed through Leesburg, Centreville, arrived on the edge of Carlisle at sundown, took the Baltimore Turnpike, camped in a large orchard about 2 miles from Carlisle; 25-26 miles total.

June 28-29 – Remained in camp. Fell in at noon on June 29, but the order to march was countermanded.

June 30 – Marched in the early morning down the Baltimore Pike, passed through Petersburg after 14 miles, took the state road to the right, marched 5 more miles and camped at Heidlersburg; 19 miles total.

July 1 – Marched at 6:30 a.m, after 7 miles turned left at Middletown [now Biglerville] on the road to Gettysburg.

July 5 – Marched between midnight and 1 a.m., halted after 2 to 2.5 miles due to a blocked road, resumed march several hours after daylight, using the fields and woods alongside the road, which was occupied by the wagon train, fired on by the enemy just beyond Fairfield.

July 6 – Marched 1-2 miles and halted until noon, resumed march until after midnight.

July 7 – Halted after midnight 1 mile from Waynesboro. Marched at daylight, passed through Waynesboro, took the road to the left, passed through Leitersburg, camped in the woods 1.5 miles from Hagerstown; 11 miles total.

July 10-12 – Remained in camp west of Hagerstown.

July 13 – Marched in the evening and halted at Williamsport, leaving the 5th Alabama behind to hold the breastworks in case of an enemy advance.

July 14 – Waded the Potomac River at daylight, halted from 6-7 a.m. to rest, resumed march at 11:30 a.m. for another 3-4 miles, camped in the woods; 8-9 miles total.

July 15 – Marched to an open field at 8 a.m. and waited 3 hours for Longstreet’s and Hill’s corps to pass, camped in a grove to the right of Martinsburg; 4-5 miles total.

July 16 – Marched at 6 a.m., camped at Darkesville; 7 miles total.

July 17-19 – Remained in camp.

July 20 – Marched late in the day 5 miles back towards Martinsburg, where the 5th Alabama was placed on picket.

July 21 – Marched, passed through Martinsburg and halted. Resumed march back to the same camp at Darkesville.

July 22 – Marched at 5 a.m. in the direction of Culpeper Court House.

Sources: Voices from Company D, ed. by G. Ward Hubbs, 5th Alabama; Diary of Sgt. John S. Tucker, Company D, 5th Alabama; Diary of Samuel Pickens, Company D, 5th Alabama; Official Reports of Maj. Gen. R. Rodes, Col. E. A. O’Neal, Lt. Col. C. Forsyth (3rd Alabama), Col. J. M. Hall (5th Alabama) and Capt. M. L. Bowie (6th Alabama); Letters of Lt. Thomas S. Traylor, Company G, 6th Alabama; July 18 letter of Bolling H. Hall, Company E, 6th Alabama; Diary of Capt. Robert E. Park, 12th Alabama.

CivilWarOldChapelbetweenMillwoodBerryville.JPG
 

Attachments

  • O'NealMarchRoute.pdf
    2.3 MB · Views: 95
Roughly speaking, O'Neal's regiments followed modern Route 11 up through Carlisle, Route 34/94 to York Springs (Petersburg), Old Route 15 to Heidlersburg, Route 234 to Biglerville, then picked Route 34 back up towards Gettysburg before turning off before Oak Hill. If anyone wanted to follow their path on a modern map, that is.

Ryan
 
Interesting -- thanks. In spite of having read histories of these movements, I'm often amazed at how much distance these armies could cover on foot, when under good conditions.

Roy B.

Indeed. I regularly walk between 8-12 miles a day for work and these guys were doubling it while carrying their equipment. That boggles my mind.

Ryan
 
The map attachment illustrates the route taken by Colonel Edward O’Neal’s brigade of Major General Robert Rodes’ division during the Gettysburg campaign, between the night of June 9 and July 6. The map accompanies the following description, which is based on diaries, letters and official reports.

June 9 – Marched at 10 a.m. from camp 4 miles north of Culpeper Court House to the assistance of J. E. B. Stuart at Brandy Station, camped at Beverly Ford at 7 p.m.

June 10 – Marched in the afternoon, camped on the Hazel River near Gourd Vine Church; 10 miles total.

June 11 – Marched early, passed Newby’s Cross-Roads, Gaines’ Cross-Roads, camped just north of Flint Hill at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains; 15 miles total.

June 12 – Marched early, with the 5th and 12th Alabama being assigned to the rear guard behind the wagon train, crossed the Blue Ridge mountains at Chester Gap, passed through Front Royal, forded both branches of the Shenandoah River (Jenkins’ cavalry passed the brigade once the river was crossed), camped about 4 miles south of Millwood in the evening; 18-19 miles total.

June 13 – Marched early in the morning, passed through Millwood, formed line of battle 1.5 to 2 miles from Berryville after noon, the enemy fell back without a fight, leaving behind food, clothing and other stores. Resumed march, camped about dark near Summit Point. [Attached photograph is the Old Chapel, an Episcopal stone church on the road between Millwood and Berryville that was completed in 1793.]

June 14 – Marched, passed through Smithfield [now Middleway, West Virginia], proceeded to Bunker Hill and took the turnpike, passed through Darkesville, approached within 1-2 miles of Martinsburg at sundown [6 p.m.-Forsyth], formed line of battle with the left resting on the turnpike (and on the right of Iverson’s brigade), in support of a battery. The enemy was driven out of Martinsburg with the loss of several pieces of artillery [Maulsby’s West Virginia battery of 3-inch Rifles] and stores. The 6th Alabama was sent into Martinsburg.

June 15-18 – The 6th and 26th Alabama were left in Martinsburg on provost guard duty on June 15-16, and marched on June 17 to rejoin the brigade. Meanwhile, the remainder of the brigade proceeded to the south bank of the Potomac River opposite Williamsport and rested four days.

June 19 – Marched, waded Potomac River (water level just above the knees) at Williamsport, passed through Hagerstown, camped in woods 2 miles beyond along the bank of the Antietam River opposite Funkstown at 2 p.m.

June 20-21 – Remained in camp.

June 22 – Marched early in the morning, returned back through Hagerstown and took the road to Chambersburg, crossed the Pennsylvania line at Middleburg at noon, camped 2 miles beyond Greencastle at 2 p.m.; 13 miles total.

June 23 – Marched to the foot of the Allegheny mountains with a cavalry squad looking for beef cattle, returned to camp.

June 24 – Marched at 5 a.m., passed through Marion and Chambersburg, camped 1.5-2 miles beyond Chambersburg; 14 miles total. The 3rd Alabama was assigned to provost guard duty in Chambersburg.

June 25 – Remained in camp.

June 26 – Marched in the morning, passed through Green Village and Shippensburg, took the road on the right and camped. The left wing of the 5th Alabama went on picket 1 mile beyond Shippensburg.

June 27 – Marched, moved off the turnpike, passed through Leesburg, Centreville, arrived on the edge of Carlisle at sundown, took the Baltimore Turnpike, camped in a large orchard about 2 miles from Carlisle; 25-26 miles total.

June 28-29 – Remained in camp. Fell in at noon on June 29, but the order to march was countermanded.

June 30 – Marched in the early morning down the Baltimore Pike, passed through Petersburg after 14 miles, took the state road to the right, marched 5 more miles and camped at Heidlersburg; 19 miles total.

July 1 – Marched at 6:30 a.m, after 7 miles turned left at Middletown [now Biglerville] on the road to Gettysburg.

July 5 – Marched between midnight and 1 a.m., halted after 2 to 2.5 miles due to a blocked road, resumed march several hours after daylight, using the fields and woods alongside the road, which was occupied by the wagon train, fired on by the enemy just beyond Fairfield.

July 6 – Marched 1-2 miles and halted until noon, resumed march until after midnight.

July 7 – Halted after midnight 1 mile from Waynesboro. Marched at daylight, passed through Waynesboro, took the road to the left, passed through Leitersburg, camped in the woods 1.5 miles from Hagerstown; 11 miles total.

July 10-12 – Remained in camp west of Hagerstown.

July 13 – Marched in the evening and halted at Williamsport, leaving the 5th Alabama behind to hold the breastworks in case of an enemy advance.

July 14 – Waded the Potomac River at daylight, halted from 6-7 a.m. to rest, resumed march at 11:30 a.m. for another 3-4 miles, camped in the woods; 8-9 miles total.

July 15 – Marched to an open field at 8 a.m. and waited 3 hours for Longstreet’s and Hill’s corps to pass, camped in a grove to the right of Martinsburg; 4-5 miles total.

July 16 – Marched at 6 a.m., camped at Darkesville; 7 miles total.

July 17-19 – Remained in camp.

July 20 – Marched late in the day 5 miles back towards Martinsburg, where the 5th Alabama was placed on picket.

July 21 – Marched, passed through Martinsburg and halted. Resumed march back to the same camp at Darkesville.

July 22 – Marched at 5 a.m. in the direction of Culpeper Court House.

Sources: Voices from Company D, ed. by G. Ward Hubbs, 5th Alabama; Diary of Sgt. John S. Tucker, Company D, 5th Alabama; Diary of Samuel Pickens, Company D, 5th Alabama; Official Reports of Maj. Gen. R. Rodes, Col. E. A. O’Neal, Lt. Col. C. Forsyth (3rd Alabama), Col. J. M. Hall (5th Alabama) and Capt. M. L. Bowie (6th Alabama); Letters of Lt. Thomas S. Traylor, Company G, 6th Alabama; July 18 letter of Bolling H. Hall, Company E, 6th Alabama; Diary of Capt. Robert E. Park, 12th Alabama.

View attachment 380705
If I may, I'd like to put a little more detail on your outline of the movements of O'Neal's Brigade.

On the afternoon of June 10, 1863, Robert Rodes’ Division moved out from “Auburn” and retraced their movements of the 9th​ and, inserting a rear guard behind each brigade, they headed straight past the Rixeyville Road and continued to the intersection of the Richmond Turnpike. Turning right on the Turnpike, the men proceeded past Stonehouse Mountain, on their left, and then El Dorado Mill at Muddy Run. Soon the division went down a long hill and crossed the Hazel River. Trudging up the steep incline from the river, Rodes turned his men into camp near Gourdvine Church.[1]

The army was underway at early dawn on June 11, 1863, and the 5th​ Alabama Infantry Regiment lead the way.[2] However, the division had some problems with the road they had taken. Upon entering Rappahannock County, they crossed the Thornton River at Joliffe’s Ford and arrive at Newby’s Cross Roads. For whatever reason, Rodes had been ordered to head to Little Washington on a “tortuous and difficult” road instead of the good, direct road from Newby’s to Gaines’ Cross Roads. Rodes wasted no time in abandoning the bad road selection. Returning to Newby’s Cross Roads he turned north on the Richmond Turnpike and headed towards Gaines’ Cross Roads. Coming up out of the deep hollow where Newby’s is situated, the men climbed a long hill. Battle Run, a stream paralleling the road to the east, offered a source of cool water on an increasingly hot day.[3] Fortunately for the men of the 5th​ Alabama, as the lead regiment they enjoyed a full ten minute rest every hour.[4] Passing Gaines’ Cross Roads, the men continued north on the Turnpike climbing yet another steep hill. Soon they dropped down into the hamlet of Flint Hill, halting near the Jordan River. Although Rodes initially intended to camp in this location, a courier from General Ewell brought different orders and Rodes moved his encampment a mile and a half north of the town, at Hittles Mill Stream, having travelled about fifteen miles.[5] The men of the 5th​ Alabama were quite disappointed to learn that they had to move because they had already started cooking. However, they got up, tied up their blankets, harnessed themselves to their accoutrements, and dragged themselves on to the second encampment. They were footsore and tired to be sure.[6]

The next day, the men continued on the Richmond Turnpike-Chester Gap Road. Rodes’ men snaked slowly up a thousand feet in a loose column of fours on the narrow mountain road from Sandy Hook to Chester Gap. Finally scaling the crest at the narrow gap, the exhausted, dust-caked, thirsty men took a quick breather and observed spread out below the magnificent Shenandoah Valley. Before long, they were passing through Front Royal. Not stopping long in Front Royal, Rodes quickly pushed his division beyond the town where they waded the two knee-deep forks of the Shenandoah River. Climbing up the steep grade Guard Hill, the men advanced two miles north on the Front Royal Pike and halted at a little crossroads town of Cedarville. The 5th​ Alabama Infantry had spent this day’s march at the very rear of the column, acting as the rear guard and the men found it much different than the previous day. The dust was terrible and the halts were greatly abbreviated, because by the time the column had closed up, the ten minute break was almost over![7] It was here at Cedarville, that General Rodes and the other division commanders met with General Ewell and were informed of Lee’s plan to invade Pennsylvania. Just north of their position was the Union garrison of 7,000 men at Winchester, with another 1,800 Federals occupying Berryville ten miles to the east. Another smaller force was farther north at Martinsburg. Ewell’s men would have to clear the Valley of this threat so the rest of Lee’s army could move to the Potomac River unmolested.[8]

Ewell’s plan called for a coordinated thrust by Rodes’ Division against Berryville’s garrison while the rest of his men attacked the strong fortifications at Winchester. Due to the fact that he had a greater distance to travel to Berryville, General Rodes decided to march on the late afternoon and evening of June 12, 1863. For the second day in a row, Rodes’ disappointed men did not camp at the spot where they first halted at day’s end. Pulling out of Cedarville while leaving the rest of the Second Corps before their campfires, Rodes utilized the Rockland Road to the east. The Division was guided by a soldier from the ranks that had lived in the area. He led them east and then north on an “unfrequented road” passing through Rockland and continuing north a couple of more miles, entered Clarks County. They soon approached a small country byway that led straight north to Millwood. The guide, Private McCormick of the 2nd​ Virginia, suggested General Rodes take this road and he concurred, but first he wanted the men to get some rest. So here at the little settlement of Stone Bridge, General Rodes camped his 8,000 men that evening after having marched over twenty miles.[9]

Early on the morning of June 13, 1863, Rodes’ Division moved up the Bordens Spring Road until the intersection with Red Gate Road. There they turned left and headed straight up to Millwood. As the men approached Millwood, a Union cavalry patrol appeared and then took off at a gallop towards Berryville. ”Finding our movements discovered,” Rodes reported, he “marched with the utmost celerity.” Passing through Millwood “on the doublequick”, they moved north on Bishop Meade Road. Soon approaching the Berryville Road, Rodes veered to the right past Old Chapel, one of the most historic churches in Virginia. Rodes then heard firing and quickly realized that his cavalry escort had prematurely engaged the Berryville garrison. After a “rapid and toilsome march,” a regimental commander reported, Rodes deployed his brigades for battle at about noon. O’Neal’s Brigade stepped out front, and in the centre of the Division the Alabamians headed straight for town. The Federals, knowing they were outnumbered, made a hasty retreat.[10] As the troops passed through Berryville, they discovered the Yankee encampment. All the tents were standing and it was evident that they had left in a great hurry, because their cooking utensils were still on the fire with meat and beans were cooking! General Rodes formed the column again and prepared to pursue the Federals. Company D of the 5th​ Alabama Infantry was detached and detailed to prevent the camp from being plundered by the troops that followed. They apparently had a very difficult time fulfilling their mandate and were only successful in protecting the officer’s tents and some commissary stores.[11]

Following the retreating Yankees north, Rodes shot out of Berryville on the Charles Town Road and very quickly hooked left to the northwest of Summit Point Road. Reaching Summit Point in a driving rainstorm, the General was then informed by the cavalry that the enemy had circled back to the main garrison at Winchester. As the rain continued unabated, Rodes put his men into camp at Summit Point around Bullskin Run.[12] While in Berrysville, the Confederate troops had discovered a large supply of dried beans abandoned by the Federals. This was their first experience with this new staple, and when they moved on, all were well supplied. Bean pots boiled at every campfire that night.[13] It continued to pour down rain throughout the night and most men didn’t get much sleep.[14]

Realizing that there were plenty of Confederates in the area of Winchester, early on June 14, 1863, Rodes decided “in accordance with my general instructions” to continue on the Leesburg Road to Martinsburg. The men soon entered the little town of Smithfield.[15] The people of the town were very glad to see the men. Some offered milk and bread. The troops cheered the ladies who were waving handkerchiefs and the regimental band played.[16] The army then turned left onto the Bunker Hill Road and carried on past Phoenix Mill into the town of Bunker Hill. At Bunker Hill, Rodes turned right onto the Valley Pike and pushed hard on through Darkesville. “After a very fatiguing march of 19 miles” Rodes said, they reached the southern outskirts of Martinsburg late in the afternoon. Back at Winchester, General Ewell’s forces had easily destroyed the Union garrison there and that evening, orders were sent by Ewell to Rodes urging him to push on to the Potomac. As Rodes approached Martinsburg ahead of his infantry coming up behind on the Valley Pike, he found his cavalry escort skirmishing with about 1200 Federals. Rodes instructed Jenkins, the cavalry commander, to take his men around the left side of town and determine enemy strength to the west. As the infantry shuffled in expecting an immediate fight, Rodes put his division in line of battle “without halting” and commenced a “direct attack.” O’Neal’s Brigade was on the right, Ramseur on the far left, Iverson and Doles in the middle, and Daniel’s Brigade was held in reserve. Rodes ordered his command to “advance with speed upon the enemy’s position.” He noted that despite the day’s “fatiguing march”, his troops “exhibited great enthusiasm” and forthwith swept into town and “occupied…the enemy’s position.” However, once again the enemy had made good his escape. They were pursued all the way to the Potomac by Jenkins’ Cavalry, capturing many prisoners and supplies. These included about 6000 bushels of good grain, various commissary stores, about 400 rounds of rifled artillery ammunition, five artillery pieces, and a variety of fine ammunition, as well as two excellent ambulances, all of which would prove useful in the days ahead. Satisfied with his division’s performance, Rodes put his men down to a late bed in Martinsburg.[17] Private Jerry Tate of the 5th​ Alabama observed, “the Yankees went out at one side of town as we came in the other. Our loss was not exceeding five killed and wounded.”[18]

As Rodes awaited orders, he allowed his men to rest until after 10:00 A.M. on the morning of June 15, 1863. The Division had marched hard over the last week, averaging twenty to twenty-five miles a day in oppressive heat. By late morning, the men were underway heading north on the Valley Pike and glad to have had the extra rest as they were to endure “the most trying march they had yet had.” The roads were rocky, rough, and difficult for the two-thirds of the soldiers that had no shoes. Many attempted to follow the columns through nearby fields.[19] The Division arrived at the river across from Williamsport by dark. Rodes had the Brigades of Ramseur, Doles and Iverson cross the Potomac at once using Light’s Ford just east of the pike. The brigades of O’Neal and Daniels remained on the Virginia side of the river to protect the crossing. O’Neal’s Brigade awaited the arrival of the 6th​ Alabama Infantry, they having been left as guards at Martinsburg while the division Pioneers had torn up the railway. In obedience with orders, Rodes held his men at Williamsport for the next three days.[20] This was a welcomed respite for the men. General Rodes had become quite concerned about their physical condition since they had marched hard every day since departing Culpeper and he stated, “It was not until this day that the troops began to exhibit unmistakable signs of exhaustion, and the stragglers could be found in the line of march...A halt at Williamsport was absolutely necessary from the condition of the feet of the unshod men. Very many of these gallant fellows were still marching in ranks with feet bruised, bleeding, and swollen and withal so cheerfully, as to entice them to be called the heroes of the Pennsylvania Campaign. None but the best soldiers could have made such a march under the circumstances.”[21] Major Eugene Blackford brought his sharpshooters over the river on June 17, 1863. “We crossed over the Potomac yesterday morning at Williamsport and hoisted our colors on Maryland soil. Our beautiful flag floats proudly over several towns this morning. We find a great number of sympathizers here and a large number of Unionist.”[22]

General Lee once again issued orders against looting as they entered enemy territory. However, the hungry men found ways of obeying orders and yet obtaining the fruits of the land. They were not adverse to approaching well-groomed houses and simply asking to be fed. Their very appearance encouraged a positive response, for they were gaunt, bearded, fearsome looking, and intimidating to the stranger. They appeared to the civilians as outlaws and food was willingly provided in most cases.[23] Many soldiers resented their close supervisor regarding the protection of private property, for they had seen firsthand the wanton destruction and plundering perpetrated by Northern troops in Virginia. However, most of the men cheerfully obeyed the order out of respect for General Lee.[24]

On June 19, 1863, O’Neal’s Brigade crossed the Potomac River at Williamsport. Almost all the men were nude and “cut a rather odd figure”. The crossing was about two hundred yards wide and the water was just above the knees.[25] Rodes’ Division was once again put in motion towards Hagerstown. As they passed through the town, ladies all along the streets waved handkerchiefs and some, Confederate flags. The troops cheered loud and heartily.[26] In obedience to orders, after passing through the town, they moved in the direction of Boonsboro, as if threatening Harper’s Ferry, and halted about two miles from Hagerstown, on the Boonsboro Road.[27] The camp was made on Antietam Creek between Funkstown and Hagerstown, about six miles from the Pennsylvania border.[28]

The men remained there for two days and on June 21, 1863, Major Eugene Blackford wrote the following letter: “I dispatched a letter to you from Williamsport, giving some slight sketch of our wanderings up to that day. I hope that it has reached you. We moved to this town (Hagerstown) the day before yesterday and met with a most enthusiastic welcome, very different from that tendered us at WmsPort, which is a miserable little town. I have visited Hagerstown once and was much pleased with my visit. I called at Dr. McGill’s the most prominent secessionist in this part of the state. He had been confined 14 mos. in a Yankee Bastile but was released unconditionally. His home is the Hd. Qu. of all who wish to make it such. I was invited there to a dance last night which I enjoyed very much as you can imagine. Managing my new …boots and spars very successfully. Besides the Misses McGills, who are very pretty – there were several other ladies from the country – two from Frederick , & one from Baltm. Who hastened in to meet their friends in the Maryland line.” While camped there, Private William L. Calhoun of Company I, died on June 21, 1863, from a wound caused by the falling of a tree. The incident involving the death of Private Calhoun is mentioned by Major Eugene Blackford in his memoirs. He noted that the soldier was struck by a falling tree while clearing the area around their camp. The man's injuries proved so severe that he died almost immediately. Blackford pointed that "the poor fellow was buried that same evening (sic)."A coffin was provided for burial at a cost of $15.00.[29] He is interred in Dunkard graveyard at Funkston, Maryland.

On June 22, 1863, they resumed their march. Passing through Hagerstown, Middleburg and Greencastle, camp was made two miles past Greencastle. They had crossed the Mason-Dixon line and were now in Pennsylvania. We hear again from Major Eugene Blackford: “We came here today 10 miles from Hagerstown. I hail it as the proudest day of my life – the day for which I have been looking for so long, when Confederate infantry would invade this state. As we approached the line the band prepared to play, and just as the head of the column reached it, they struck up the “bonnie blue flag” most cheerily. We have no communication with our rear except at long intervals so you must not expect letters frequently. I have not received a line from home since May, so you can imagine how much in the dark I am in regards to home matters. Don’t let this however prevent you from writing just as usual as they will all come up at once time or other, and will lose nothing by their age. Yesterday I accompanied one of the Misses McGill to Church where I was highly edified by hearing the prayer for the president of the Yankees read most devoutly. There was a large …of soldiers, all of whom behaved very well upon the occasion, except a colonel who …..walked…of the church, making a great noise with his spurs. I was amused at the ferocity with which the rector (a black republican) prayed for deliverance from his enemies. In this however the Confederates could join, placing their own interpretation on their words. The ladies call us “the dear rebels” in Hagerstown, and make great boasts of us you may be sure. I called upon the most prominent, and became as well acquainted as possible considering the shortness of our stay. I never was treated with greater hospitality. The villainous unionists of the town swear that they will make the Yankees burn every one of their houses when they return. It amuses me to see their sour looks. I always laugh at them which makes them the more furious. One woman told me that she hated me that she wished I was in hell with all other Rebels, at which I made my head bow and took no greater notice as the attack was entirely unprovoked. I was passing down the street innocently enough.
The secrecy with which our movements are conducted is wonderful for Rodes told me he did not know one evening in which direction his march would take the next day. Of course the enemy must be in the dark themselves. For 3 weeks we have heard nothing of our other divisions and have entirely outgeneralled Hooker so far….nothing of…. We are getting any quantity of flour, forage, horses & beef cattle in this country. Every man has about 100 acres, a little dwelling home, a big bake house, & a huge barn, out of which our Quartermasters obtain unlimited supplies of all kinds of grain etc. Of course we are not annoyed by settling bills. In another letter I spoke of having bought some dry goods for Mary. I hope the letter was rec’d containing a list of them. Give my best love to all at home. It seems that a great ocean separates us now that we are in this ….country.”[30]

The division remained just north of Greencastle, Pennsylvania, the next day, but resumed the march on June 24, 1863, at about five o’clock in the morning. They passed through Marion[31] and by about nine o’clock in the morning; Rodes Division proceeded up Walnut Hollow Road and turned into the Main Street of Chambersburg. As they did so, the band strike up “The Bonnie Blue Flag” and the marchers laughed and joked with bystanders.[32] They marched through Chambersburg and bivouacked on the Conococheague Creek, about 2 ½ miles beyond the town after covering fourteen miles that day.[33] By the time they had stacked arms, the men went off by scores to the neighboring houses and brought back a great many hens, milk, and butter. They even got some apple butter which was a great novelty to them, most having never seen it before. The people “gave” everything to the soldiers as they said that Confederate money would do them no good.[34]

The following day, June 25, 1863, the regiment remained near Chambersburg while foragers replenished supplies for the Quartermaster. At Chambersburg, the division of General Johnson met up with Rodes’ Division, and the two, moving on slowly on the morning of June 26, 1863, marched to Shippensburg. It was a very disagreeable march because it had started to rain during the night and continued throughout the day. The road was very wet and sloppy. Shippensburg was described as being a place of considerable length, being built along on both sides of the road. After passing through the town, a portion of the regiment took a road to the right and went out about a mile on picket duty. They were quartered in a large barn that had plenty of straw with which they made comfortable beds. That evening they feasted on chicken stew. Whiskey and sugar were issued to the men and they mixed them with milk to make an egg-nog.[36]

On June 27, 1863, the regiment left Shippensburg and had a very hard march of 25 miles to Carlisle. They left the turnpike and travelled down a muddy, clay, road, passing through the towns of Leesburg, Centerville and several smaller ones. Near Carlisle, O’Neil’s Brigade took the Baltimore Turnpike which formed an acute angle with the road they had been walking on. They went out a mile or more, then turned on another road and camped in a large orchard about two miles from town. The men were all quite fatigued.[37] Pickets were set out on the road and all were sure that an attack on the Pennsylvania State Capital, Harrisburg, was imminent. Private Jeremiah Tate of Company H wrote the following in a letter home. “We have had a fine time and past over some of the finest country I ever seen. We have past through Franklin County and is near the center of Cumberland. In one more day we will reach the capitol of the state. That is at Harrisburg, it is reported that we will meet a large force of Militia there. We may attack the place in a few days and we may not. No one knows except the generals. I think the object is to pass through the country and destroy all the government property that they can find, such as government works, railroads, etc…..”[38]



[1] ”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 46
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[2] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[3] ”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 46
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[4] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[5] ”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 46
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[6] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[7] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[8] ”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 47
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[9] ”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 48
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[10] ”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 49
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[11] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[12] ”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 49
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[13]“Warrior in Gray – General Robert Rodes of Lee’s Army” by James K. Swisher, page 112
[14] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[15] “The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 50
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[16] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[17]”The Army is Moving” by Clark B. “Bud” Hall, Blue and Gray magazine- Spring 2004, page 50
Confederate Veteran Magazine, Volume XXX, No. 10, October 1922, page 383-384
[18] Letter of Jeremiah Tate dated June 18, 1863 – The Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York Historical Society (GLC2082.35)
[19]“Warrior in Gray – General Robert Rodes of Lee’s Army” by James K. Swisher, page 112
[20] O.R. Series I, Volume 27 (Part II), page 550
[21] “Warrior in Gray – General Robert Rodes of Lee’s Army” by James K. Swisher, page 112
[22] Letter of Jeremiah Tate dated June 18, 1863 – The Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York Historical Society (GLC2082.35)
[23] “Warrior in Gray – General Robert Rodes of Lee’s Army” by James K. Swisher, page 115
[24] “Warrior in Gray – General Robert Rodes of Lee’s Army” by James K. Swisher, page 117
[25] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[26] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[27] O.R. Series 1, Volume 27 (Part II), page 551
[28]Letter of Jeremiah Tate dated June 18, 1863 – The Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York Historical Society (GLC2082.35)
[29] Compiled Service Record of Simeon T. Woodard
[30] Letter of Eugene Blackford dated June 21, 1863
[31] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[32] “Warrior in Gray – General Robert Rodes of Lee’s Army” by James K. Swisher, page 117
[33] O.R. Series 1, Volume 27 (Part II), page 551
[34] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[36] Diary of Samuel Pickens
[37] Richmond Daily Dispatch – February 22, 1864
[38] Letter of Jeremiah Tate dated June 28, 1863 – The Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York Historical Society (GLC2082.37)
 
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