Movements of Generals – Major General Jubal A. Early

Tom Elmore

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The following compilation of primary sources describe the movements, activities and quotations of Confederate division commander Major General Jubal Anderson Early during the Gettysburg campaign, June-July 1863. The divisions of Early, Robert Rodes and Edward Johnson comprised the Second Corps, under Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell. Early commanded four brigades, led by Brigadier Generals John B. Gordon, Harry T. Hays and William Smith, and Colonel Isaac E. Avery.

Assembled (for the most part) in chronological order, in some cases the approximate time of day is also provided. Direct quotes (verbal or written) attributed to Early are highlighted in bold. Source attributions are in brackets.

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Unknown date, latter June? The soldiers asked Early and Rodes to make them speeches. Early said, “My speaking days are past and my fighting days are on.” Rodes said, “My speaking days have never come, but if we get back safe into Virginia I may give you a talk.” [John J. McLerdon Reminiscences, 14th North Carolina, William Alexander Smith Papers, Special Collections, Duke University Libraries, Durham, NC.]

June 22. Early, with his division, crossed [forded] the Potomac at Shepherdstown, Virginia, moved through Sharpsburg and Boonsboro, Maryland, and encamped three miles beyond Boonsboro on the road to Hagerstown. [Early’s Official Report]

June 23. Early, with his division, moved through Cavetown, Smithsburg and Ringgold. Reached the Pennsylvania line around mid-afternoon. Camped near Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. [Early’s Official Report; Diary of Lt. J. Warren Jackson, 8 LA, Pennsylvania History, vol. 30, April 1963, no. 2, p. 186]

June 24. Early, with his division, moved through Quincy and Altodale to Greenwood on the Chambersburg turnpike. [Early’s Official Report; 1858 map of Franklin County, Pennsylvania]

June 25. While his division remained in camp at Greenwood, Early visited Ewell at Chambersburg and was instructed to go through Gettysburg to York and cut the Northern Central Railroad and destroy the bridge across the Susquehanna at Wrightsville, then rejoin Ewell at Carlisle by way of Dillsburg. [Early’s Official Report]

June 26, morning. Early, with his division, moved toward Gettysburg. One mile from Cashtown he sent Gordon to Gettysburg, while moving the rest of his command to the left, through Hilltown to Mummasburg. [Early’s Official Report]

June 26, forenoon. At Mary Bruch’s tavern on the north side of Hilltown Road, between Old Route 30 and state Route 30, at the foot of the Cashtown Pass, Early hopped over the bar, drew his knife, and cut out an 1858 map of Adams County that was hanging on the wall. [http://theirstoriescw.blogspot.com/2013/01/if-walls-could-talk-part-1.html]

June 26. Early went to Mummasburg in advance of his troops. Retaining his troops there, Early rode on to Gettysburg, finding Gordon just entering the town [about 3 p.m.]. Gettysburg authorities said they could not furnish supplies. Early’s men searched the town, found 2,000 rations, burned 10-12 railcars and a small railroad bridge near Gettysburg. [Early’s Official Report; William H. Swallow, Early’s division, Southern Bivouac, vol. IV, June 1885 – May 1886, Reprint, Broadfoot Publishing Company, 1993, p. 357]

June 26, late afternoon. Early sat mounted near a horse trough in the first block of Baltimore Street in Gettysburg and wrote out a list of supplies he required. It was presented to borough council president David Kendlehart, at his home. Kendlehart informed Early that it was impossible for the town to meet the demands, but that he was welcome to examine the merchants’ stores to see what they could find. Early was evidently satisfied for the moment. However, later that evening when a courier arrived at Kendlehart’s front door to summon him to a meeting with Early, he had his daughter inform the courier that he was not home and then slipped out the back door. [Days of Uncertainty and Dread, by Gerald R. Bennett, Camp Hill, PA: Plank’s Suburban Press, Inc., 1994, p. 13.]

June 27. Early moved from Mummasburg with part of his command through Hunterstown, New Chester, Hampton, and East Berlin, toward Dover; encamped a short distance beyond Berlin. Early rode to Gordon’s camp on the York pike about four miles distant. [Early’s Official Report]

June 28. On the march toward York, Early saw a York newspaper in the hands of a local citizen. He requested it and it was given to him. Riding along while scanning the paper, he said, “This is just what I wanted.” [History of York County, Pennsylvania, by George Reeser Prowell, vol. 1, p. 965]

June 28. When Brig. Gen. William Smith halted his brigade in York, part of Early’s division following behind was brought to a standstill. Early rode forward through the crowd of citizens and soldiers, and approaching Smith, grabbing him by the collar. “General Smith, what the devil are you about, stopping the head of the column in this cursed town.” Smith replied, “Having a little fun, General, which is good for all of us, and at the same time teaching these people something that will be good for them and won’t do us any harm.” [Robert Stiles, Four Years Under Marse Robert]

June 28. Early established his headquarters in the sheriff’s office, located at the county court house in York, and was personally present as $28,000 was counted out by three leading citizens of the town. [History of York County, by Prowell, vol. 2, p. 268; Early’s Official Report]

June 28. Upon being informed that York could offer him a lot of cigars, Early said, “Ah, that is good, let us have them. Where were they made?” When told York County, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “I think we won’t rob you of them.” [Military Images, Autumn 2018, p. 76, quoting History of York County]

June 28, shortly before nightfall. Early rode in the direction of the Columbia Bridge on the Susquehanna, arrived in Wrightsville, and later returned to York. [Early’s Official Report]

June 29, evening. Early received from Ewell’s aide, Capt. Elliott Johnson, a copy of a note from Lee, together with verbal instructions, to rejoin the rest of the Second Corps near South Mountain. [Early’s Official Report]

June 30. Early and his division moved by way of Weigelstown and East Berlin in the direction of Heidlersburg. At East Berlin a courier from Ewell arrived with orders for Early to march toward Heidlersburg; encamped about three miles from Heidlersburg. [Early’s Official Report]

June 30, noon. Arriving at a hotel in Davidsburg, Early ordered dinner for himself, his staff, and for Smith and Hays, in all 20 men. Departing a half-hour later, Early handed the proprietor four five-dollar Confederate notes as payment. [History of York County, by Prowell, vol. 1, p. 965]

June 30, after dark. Early attended a consultation in Heidlersburg called by Ewell; Rodes and Trimble were also present. [Isaac R. Trimble, The Battle and Campaign of Gettysburg, SHSP, vol. 26, p. 122; Confederate Veteran, vol. 25, p. 211; Early’s Official Report]

July 1, late morning. After passing Heidlersburg, Early received a note from Ewell ordering him to Gettysburg. [Early’s Official Report]

July 1, early afternoon. Early rode at the head of his division, with his staff. [Speeches and Orations of John Warwick Daniel]

July 1, early afternoon. William H. Swallow, on Early’s staff, delivered a written message from Rodes to Early stating “I can burst through the enemy in an hour.” Early replied (via a courier), writing, “All right, burst through.” [William H. Swallow, Southern Bivouac, p. 440]

July 1, about 2:15 p.m. Early called out, “Tell Gordon, Hays, Avery and Smith to double-quick to the front and open the lines of infantry for the artillery to pass.” [Speeches and Orations of John Warwick Daniel]

July 1, about 2:50 p.m. Early paused at Capt. Carrington’s battery on the way to the front. Carrington playfully stated that his artillerymen were becoming impatient. Early replied good-naturedly that he need not be impatient, that there would be plenty for him to do after a while. [James M. Carrington, Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. 37, 1909, p. 330]

July 1, about 3:20 p.m. Early joined Capt. Carrington’s battery as it followed in the wake of Gordon’s advance. Early instructed Carrington that if anything happened to Gordon’s men he wanted him to unlimber his battery immediately. When Early reached about the middle of the field, he turned his horse toward Carrington and in quick sharp tones ordered him to prepare his battery for action. Early then rode 50 yards beyond to observe, where Carrington joined him. A battery sergeant rode up, stating that a wounded Federal lieutenant colonel wished to see him. In a kindly manner, Early said, “Go back and see what he wants.” [James M. Carrington, Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. 37, 1909, p. 331]

July 1, about 3:30 p.m. Early rode off, telling Carrington to keep his battery in position. [James M. Carrington, Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. 37, 1909, p. 332]

July 1, about 3:30 p.m. Early rode to Gordon’s brigade [near the Almshouse], and finding the line extended beyond the left across the road, ordered him to remain stationary while Hays and Avery advanced on his left. [War Memoirs, Autobiographical Sketch and Narrative of the War, by Jubal A. Early, ed. by Frank E. Vandiver, 1960, p. 268]

July 1, late afternoon. As soon as Early saw his men entering the town, he rode forward into the town, where Hays was reforming his line [on East High Street]. [A Review by General Early, Southern Historical Society Papers, vol. 4, no. 6, 1877, Richmond, p. 254; War Memoirs, Early, 269; Early’s Official Report]

July 1, late afternoon or early evening. Gen. Hays sent for Early and pointed to him the importance of moving the whole division on Culp’s Hill. [William H. Swallow, Southern Bivouac, pp. 441-442]

July 1-3. General Early had come and occupied for awhile part of a house opposite [from the Gates Fahnestock residence on the northeast corner of East Middle and Baltimore Streets]. [Firestorm at Gettysburg, Civilian Voices, p. 65]

July 1, around 5:45 p.m.? Early rode to the west side of town to find either Ewell, Rodes or Hill, without success. But he encountered one of Pender’s staff officers. Soon Col. Smead of Ewell’s staff rode up to deliver a message from Ewell, and shortly after Early was summoned by Ewell to a meeting [possibly at the town square]. [A Review by General Early, SHSP, p. 255; War Memoirs, Early, 269; Early’s Official Report]

July 1-3. Gen. Early was dashing along [in town] with bluster and self-importance. Stopping, he raised his finger and said, “I know you. I saw you up at that window last Friday” [June 26]. Spoken to Professor Martin L. Stoever of Pennsylvania (now Gettysburg) College, who lived on the southwest corner of the town square. [online reference to Firestorm at Gettysburg, Civilian Voices]

July 1, around 6:15 p.m.? Early accompanied Ewell to the southern edge of the town, where they were stopped by enemy sharpshooter fire. [A Review by General Early, SHSP, p. 256]

July 1, around 6:45 p.m.? Early, Ewell and Rodes rode east of town on the York road; it was now getting towards sunset. [A Review by General Early, SHSP, p. 256]

July 1, around 7:15 p.m.? Early rode back into town to check on Hays and Avery. [A Review by General Early, SHSP, p. 256; War Memoirs, Early, 269; Early’s Official Report]

July 1, around sunset (7:32 p.m.) Early was sent for by Ewell. [A Review by General Early, SHSP, p. 257]

July 1, nightfall. Lee, Ewell, Early and Rodes met on the back porch of a small house north of town. [A Review by General Early, SHSP, p. 257; War Memoirs, Early, 271; Early’s Official Report]

July 1, night. I saw a light, and going to it, found Gen. Early was there - a small house with a porch in front of it. On the porch were Lee, Ewell and Rodes. It was the house of the superintendent of the Gettysburg poor-house [Alms House]. At one point Early left the porch and walked out into the yard. His aide, Capt. Robert D. Early, approached and volunteered to place some guns on elevated ground east of the town. Early replied, “If you think so, take [certain designated] batteries and place them there at once.” [A Southern Boy’s Experience at Gettysburg, by John Cabell Early, p. 420]

July 2, morning. Early and Rodes accompanied Ewell to breakfast at the John S. Crawford house, on the Harrisburg road northeast of Gettysburg (just southwest of the Alms House buildings). [Annie Young, Firestorm at Gettysburg: Civilian Voices, by Jim Slade and John Alexander]

July 2, about 9:30 a.m. Early was at Ewell’s headquarters with Lee, Ewell, Rodes and Trimble. [Isaac R. Trimble, The Battle and Campaign of Gettysburg, SHSP, vol. 26, p. 123]

July 2. I stood by Gen. J. A. Early and heard him remark now is the time to advance – but we continued to wait [for Longstreet’s attack]. [Memoirs of Benjamin Anderson Jones, Company F, 44th Virginia]

July 2, about 4 p.m. Gettysburg teenager John C. Wills went up to the roof of the Globe Inn [at 10 York Street] to watch Maj. Latimer’s artillery deployment. A Confederate officer afterwards appeared and said, “General Early wants to see you and if you come down now you will not be hurt.” Wills was marched to Early’s headquarters at the John Cannon marble works on East Middle Street, near Baltimore Street. In an angry tone Early asked, “What were you doing on the roof?” Wills replied, “I was looking over the battle.” Early responded, “Your people are on the streets. They are at their garret windows. I sent guards door to door to tell them to get into their cellars or at least stay inside, the only safe place. I want to save your people.” John was allowed to return to the inn, where he remained inside. [Days of Uncertainty and Dread, p. 52.]

July 2, around sunset (7:32 p.m.) Just before dark the solitary figure of old Gen. Early is seen emerging from one of the streets of the town and, riding slowly across the field in the direction of our position, the little puffs of dust that arise from around his horse’s feet show that the Federal sharpshooters are paying him the compliment of their special attention. Presently the old General reaches us and after inquiring whether we are ready, gives the order to charge. [The Civil War Memoirs of Captain William J. Seymour, on staff of Hays’ Louisiana brigade, ed. by Terry L. Jones]

July 4. General Early made a visit to the field hospital, urging all the men able to ride in wagons to go. [David E. Johnston, 7 VA, The Story of a Confederate Boy in the Civil War, p. 219]

July 5, afternoon. Gen. Early was sitting on his horse … one of the men said he believed the enemy was bringing out a battery on a high hill we had passed. (Early) took out his field glasses and looked, then replied in his high pitched whining tones, “No, nothing there but a cow and a horse and a straggler.” (Just then) a shell fell right in the line of infantry and exploded … rapid scrambling away; shell did no damage. One or two shots followed. Gordon was sent right back. [Sgt. Major Wilbur Fisk Davis, Carrington’s battery, Papers, University of Virginia, Charlottesville]
 
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