Private John Rice Payne 7th Virginia Cavalry Regiment Company A: A Confederate Cavalryman In The Field?

Confederate Cavalryman In The Field?

  • No looks post war.

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Johnny_Reb_1865

Sergeant
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
Do y'all think this could be a Confederate Cavalryman in the field?
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Do y'all think this could be a Confederate Cavalryman in the field? View attachment 341125
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Gettysburg after battle report:

Reports of Lieut. Col. Thomas Marshall, Seventh Virginia Cavalry.

June 10, 1863.
Capt.: I herewith send a report of the part taken by the Seventh
Regt. in the action of yesterday, in the vicinity of Beverly Ford
and Brandy Station.

Soon after reveille, a considerable skirmish fire in the direction of
Beverly Ford showed that the enemy was probably making an advance.

One regiment was mounted, and moved at a rapid gait in a
few moments to the scene of action. The reserve of the Sixth Regt.
being immediately in our front, I ordered the Seventh to move
upon our left flank. Just as we were emerging from a skirt of woods,
we came under the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, protected by
woods, about 200 yards distant. Not knowing what might be the
force hidden from view, we continued the charge upon the flank.
The head of my column, which went some depth into the woods, fell
back, encountering a superior force. At this point one of the enemy
was killed and another taken prisoner, and about the same time 2 of
our men were killed.

I then received orders to fall back gradually, if pressed upon by a
much heavier force. Throwing out skirmishers, I moved the regiment
into a body of woods about 150 yards distant. Here a number
of sharpshooters, in charge of Lieut. [J. G.] Neff, were dismounted
and placed near the edge of the woods, and protected by a
fence, who kept the enemy in check. The pickets upon my left having
reported that the enemy had placed a piece of artillery in a position
which would command the body of woods held by us, we fell
back slowly, and, moving in the direction of Brandy Station, I drew
up the regiment in line upon a commanding hill, with a wood in our
rear, and from which position we had an extensive view of the field
of battle.

At this point, receiving orders to regain the position occupied earlier
in the morning, the regiment was moved by me in column of
fours in the direction of the river. Previous to this I had ordered
out a body of sharpshooters, in charge of Maj. [S. B.] Myers, to
feel the woods in our front, in order to ascertain the force of the
enemy thought to have possession of it.

Hearing from Lieut. [W. W.] Buck, Company E, that there
was a force of cavalry in such a position that we could probably gain
something by an attack upon them, I ordered the regiment forward,
and, as soon as we came in view, charged them. Before we came
in effective range of them, they wheeled about, and made good speed.
A portion of our column pursued them for some distance until they
fell upon a supporting force. The enemy then opened upon us from
a battery on our flank. I then moved the regiment in column of
fours under the shelter of a hill, at which point we fell in with
Gen. W. H. [F.] Lee's brigade, which had come up on our left.
Being for the time effectually separated from our own brigade, I
continued to operate in conjunction with Gen. Lee. A portion
of the artillery of the Third Brigade coming up, was placed in a
commanding position, and did admirable service.

We remained under the shelling of the enemy for some hours
without any casualties, excepting a slight wound received by Capt.
[B. P.] Crampton from the bursting of one of the enemy's
shells, as we were moving in the direction of Brandy, by order of
Gen. Lee.

On my way, I received orders from Gen. Jones to rejoin his
brigade, which I did in a portion of the field about half a mile from
brigade headquarters. Here we remained, resting in place, until ordered
to move up in column of squadrons, to charge the enemy in
case of an attempt on his part to take our batteries. While in this
position, the fighting on the left wing became much warmer, and the
Seventh was ordered to go to the support of Gen. W. H. [F.] Lee,
at a rapid trot.

Arriving near the scene of action, and upon information given by
a soldier who appeared to know the position of affairs, I ordered a
charge; but upon reaching the brow of a very steep hill, our column
was a good deal separated. Instead of finding the enemy at the point
indicated, they were discovered drawn up in heavy force upon a still
higher eminence, and protected in their rear by a wood. In this
charge, which resulted only, perhaps, in checking their advance, our
right flank was fired upon by one of the enemy's batteries, and we
had 1 man wounded.

I then fell back, and, in accordance with an order from Col.
[J. L.] Davis (who was commanding in that portion of the field,
Gen. Lee having been wounded), I moved down in column of
squadrons, preparatory to a charge upon the enemy.

We were afterward ordered to support Gen. Robertson, and
subsequently, in the evening, to support infantry skirmishers. At
the close of the day, we received orders to move in the direction of
our old camp. Thence we marched in the direction of Beverly Ford,
and took charge of the picket posts in that vicinity.

Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing is as follows: Killed, 2
men, 1 in Company C, and 1 in Company F; wounded, mortally, as
supposed, 2 (1 since dead); severely, 4; slightly, 8; not seriously, 6.
Total killed and wounded, 22.

Among the wounded is Sergeant Whiting, who is represented to
have acted with a great deal of gallantry.

Very respectfully,

THOMAS MARSHALL,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Seventh Virginia Cavalry.

Capt. W. K. Martin,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

[P. S.]--There were also 2 men missing, supposed to be captured.
Our loss in horses was--Killed, 8; wounded, 15. Both officers and
men acted their parts well, and though not on this occasion tested by
any imminent peril, yet I feel quite sure they would have done their
duty had such been the case. The report upon horses, arms, saddles,
&c., captured will be handed in by the adjutant of the regiment.

-----

August 9, 1863.
Capt.: In obedience to the order from brigade headquarters, I
beg leave to submit the following report. Owing to constant active
employment in the field, I have been delayed hitherto, and the same
cause must be my excuse for its imperfection.

On June 17, our regiment, which had been on picket, crossed the
Rappahannock near the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, and, passing
through Warrenton, encamped for the night near Salem.

On the 18th, we moved forward, and encamped near Bloomfield,
Loudoun County.

June 19, we had a skirmish with the enemy near the pot-house.
Moving forward at a rapid trot in support of Col. Rosser, we
came up with the enemy's sharpshooters. Our long-range guns
(mounted by order) were sent to the front, and soon became engaged
with the enemy, who were protected by a body of woods. There
appearing to be a good deal of confusion, I ordered the Seventh to
charge on the right flank, which was done with spirit. A stone
fence was soon discovered in front, which had to be pulled down.
We then charged through the gap, and uncovered the position of
the enemy, which proved to be too strong to be attacked, three pieces
of artillery occupying the crest above us, and with cavalry support
and dismounted skirmishers behind a stone fence immediately in
front of us. We moved on the flank and to the rear, but in quite
good order, the enemy opening upon us with canister, but having only
2 horses wounded. Among the sharpshooters, Sergeant [Phineas]
Stickley, Company H, was wounded in the hand, and Capt. [J. C.]
Shoup's horse wounded. The regiment then fell back with the brigade
to Union. Remained near Union on the 20th.

On the 21st, commenced skirmishing with the enemy near Union.
Moved, as the day progressed, toward Ashby's Gap, and encountered
the enemy in force near Upperville. Companies F and G had been
ordered to support the battery. In obedience to Gen. Jones' order,
I charged upon the right flank of the enemy, who were posted behind
a stone fence. The enemy charging on our flank, Company D
was ordered by Gen. Jones to charge them, which was done.
Being exposed to a flank fire for a considerable distance, and the enemy
being strongly posted, we failed to dislodge him, but succeeded
in preventing the advance of the enemy. By this charge, the squadron
with me became separated from the rest of the brigade, and
acted, by order from Gen. Stuart, in support of Gen. Robertson.

We made a successful charge in concert with him, driving the
enemy a considerable distance before us. In this fight our losses
were as follows:* Total--5 killed, 3 men mortally wounded, 13 others
wounded in various degrees, and 1 missing. Total horses killed, 21;
wounded, 27. Adjutant McCarty's horse also wounded.

In reviewing this fight, I desire to pay a passing tribute specially to
two noble spirits among the fallen--Lieut. Walter [W.] Buck, Company
E, Seventh Virginia Cavalry, and Private J. Warren Brent,
Company A, Seventh Virginia Cavalry. Few more gallant have
yielded up their spirits on the gory field since the opening of the war.
Lieut. Buck was bright, intelligent, and full of zeal in the service
of his country. He was temporarily detailed to attend to the
wants of the regiment in the assistant quartermaster's and commissary
of subsistence departments, but nothing could withhold him
from the field. The manly qualities of Private Brent are well illustrated
by his words of encouragement to his fellows at the battle of
Beverly Ford--"Come on, boys; it is better to die a brave man than
live a coward;" and his sacrifice of life in the forefront, extorting
from his enemies the praise that he was the bravest rebel they had
ever met.

June 22.--Followed the enemy to and beyond Middleburg, the only
casualty being 1 horse wounded.

__________
* Nominal list omitted.

June 23.--Moved to Snicker's Gap, and relieved in part the pickets
of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.

June 24.--Still on picket, and until June 29, upon which day moved
in rear of the brigade to camp near Berryville, Clarke County.

June 30.--Moved to and encamped for the night within 3 miles of
Martinsburg, Berkeley County.

July 1.--Crossed the Potomac at Williamsport, Companies F and
G being sent on a scout to Hagerstown, the brigade, our regiment
included, moving on, and encamping within 2 or 3 miles of Greencastle,
Pa.

July 2.--Went on a scout with the regiment through Hagerstown
nearly to Funkstown, and, sending a scouting party beyond that
place toward Boonsborough, retraced our steps to Hagerstown;
moved on through Middleburg on the line, Greencastle, and Chambersburg,
Pa., encamping with the brigade about a mile beyond the
latter place.

July 3.--Left camp with the brigade at 1 a. m., crossing the mountain
range, reaching Cashtown. Rested a little while; then moved
on our right flank toward Millerstown, or Fairfield. Encountered
the enemy, who were in pursuit of some wagons. Moved up at a
charge, in order to save the wagons, and found the enemy strongly
posted, a portion of their column in the lane, and their other forces
disposed on either flank, protected on the one side by an orchard and
on the other by a strong post and rail fence in front. They opened
a galling fire upon us, driving us back, and killing and wounding a
good many. The regiment did not at this place and time close up
as promptly as it should, in this manner, no doubt, making our loss
greater than it would otherwise have been, though the final result
was probably on this very account more favorable to us. The Sixth
Regt., coming to our support, made a gallant and successful
charge. A portion of the Seventh joined in this charge of the column,
and near its head, down the lane toward Fairfield, and also
drove the enemy on either flank, capturing from 75 to 100, the whole
number taken being about 220. Some horses and a large number
of arms were also captured.

Our losses* in this engagement were as follows: Total loss at
Fairfield fight: Officers and enlisted men--Killed, 8; wounded, 21;
missing, 1. Horses--Killed, 13; wounded, 8.

Adjutant [J. W.] McCarty's horse was also wounded and my own
killed.

Encamped that night on the battle-field. Moved up next day (July
4), and encamped in the vicinity of Fairfield, our sharpshooters skirmishing
with the enemy on the road leading to Emmitsburg.

July 5.--Our regiment was sent on scout and picket in the direction
of Emmitsburg, to join Gen. Stuart, if practicable. Sent a
scout nearly to Emmitsburg, which was fired upon by the enemy's
pickets; 1 man wounded--Private Peter Hulva, Company H, Seventh
Virginia Cavalry.

July 6.--Participated in the cavalry fight near Hagerstown. No
casualties.

July 7.--On picket with all the regiment, excepting Company C,
near Funkstown. Company C on picket on Sharpsburg road, at
which time Lieut. [W. W.] Murphy, commanding, had some
skirmishing with the enemy, without casualty of any kind.

The enemy were reported advancing upon Funkstown. I moved
down immediately to the support of the advance picket, which had
been driven in. After examining their position, which was very much
obscured by woods and the crest of an intervening hill, I ordered
Companies F and G to advance upon them, and moved forward at a
rapid trot. Their advance gave way after firing upon us, and fell
back toward their reserve. I then ordered up our reserve at a charge,
and moving F and G, or portions of them, on the right flank, to clear
the woods, while Lieut. Neff, with a small scouting party, was
moving on the left, we drove the enemy before us, though they
strove at first to make resistance. Our column pressed upon them
with great rapidity, overtook, killing and wounding a number, and
taking some 60 prisoners, capturing also a great many horses and a
large number of rifles and revolvers. As I was mounted upon a
recently captured Confederate horse, about whose qualities I knew
nothing, I did not endeavor to remain at the head of the column, but
closed it up, sending back men when I found too many with the prisoners,
and urging forward those who were in rear.

Fearing (as eventually occurred) that in their eagerness our men
would press the pursuit too far from our support, I sent two orders
to the front to restrain them, but in vain. Coming up at length
somewhere near the head of the column, I discovered that the enemy
had rallied. I sent back immediately a rapid and reliable messenger
to Gen. Jones, to make him aware of our position, and ordered all
the men on jaded horses to go some distance to the rear, and form in
a strong position, to protect the portion of the column nearest the
enemy. With a few better mounted men, I awaited the development
of the enemy's force and intentions. As the head of the column
appeared, we fired upon them. They then charged vigorously
upon us. Seeing our only hope was in a quick retreat, we double-quicked
it as well as the condition of our horses would allow. I endeavored
to rally the men when we came near the portion of the
regiment which had been drawn up in a strong position, but to no
purpose. One volley from this reserve brought down the leader of
the enemy's column and several on the flank, but scarcely at all checking
them.

In this return trip, in which we lost a portion of our laurels, we
sustained the following loss in wounded and captured:* Total captured
by the enemy, 9; wounded, 2. Horses captured by the enemy,
9; killed, 1; wounded, 4.

Privates Joseph S. Hutton and William L. Parsons, of Company
F, are spoken of by their captain as having made themselves particularly
conspicuous for gallantry.

July 8.--Our regiment, in connection with the rest of the brigade,
and other brigades of cavalry, moved upon the enemy in the direction
of Boonsborough. Fought him most of the day, principally
sharpshooting and artillery. Our sharpshooters, under Maj. Myers,
charged the enemy, and took about 10 prisoners.

Supporting a piece of artillery while under heavy fire from the
enemy, Orderly Sergeant [Wallace J.] Payne, Company A, was
wounded, and 1 or 2 horses wounded with shell; 1 man in Company
B taken prisoner. Fell back in the evening, and encamped near
Hagerstown.

July 9.--Still in the vicinity of Hagerstown.

July 10.--Sharpshooters to the front, under command of Capt.
[Isaac] Kuykendall, all day.

July 11.--Sharpshooters still skirmishing.

July 12.--Sharpshooters drawn in; regiment ordered upon our extreme
left, in the direction of Greencastle. Afterward moved by the
shortest route to Williamsport; crossed the Potomac; pressed on,
and encamped within 2 1/2 miles of Shepherdstown, it being feared
that a cavalry force of the enemy was about to fall upon our flank
and rear.

Total loss:


Officers and men. K. W. M. T.

Officers..................................... 3 3 1 7
Enlisted men................................. 10 38 11 59

Total.............................. 13 41 12 66

K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total.

Also 1 officer injured by fall of his horse, shot under him.

Horses killed, 37; wounded, 45; captured by enemy, 9.

We are called to mourn the death of a number of brave officers and
men. In Lieut. [J. G.] Shoup is lost to the service a most gallant
and valuable officer, and in Lieut. [Erasmus] Rosenberger
a faithful and improving one.
In respect to the conduct upon the field of the officers of this regiment,
as far as my observation has extended, it has been active, zealous,
and gallant. If I may be allowed to mention the case of a single
one as peculiarly marked, it would be that of Lieut. [C. H.]
Vandiver, Company F, who on every occasion is among the foremost,
and who at the Fairfield fight, with his double-barreled shot-gun,
whipped in single combat three of the foe, shooting one, capturing
a second, and putting to flight the third.

In Maj. Myers the regiment has a most valuable field officer, whose
merits are well known to the commanding officer of the brigade.

Adjutant McCarty proved himself, as always, fearless of danger.

Trusting that in the future conflicts with the foe this regiment may
be even more successful than it has been in the past, and prompt at
the call of duty, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS MARSHALL,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Seventh Virginia Cavalry.


Capt. W. K. Martin, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part II. Reports. Serial No. 44
 
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Not a lot clearer, couldn't do much but it's great image! The backyard looking fence makes me think this was taken before he left? Also his horse's condition. Looks pretty good, they got seedier after being in service for awhile.

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Could as well be mounted militia or home guard. It's on us if we project him to be enlisted CSS (or US for that matter) without further provenance. This may be as much a case of what we want him to be, if we can admit to that. For instance if he were of darker complexion he'd be a black Confederate, yes?
 
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It does look as if he has a rifle.
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"Cavalryman" is a function. He is mounted and armed as a cavalryman. If he is a militia cavalryman, a home guard cavalryman or some other type of cavalryman remains to be seen, but I think there is little doubt that he is equipped as a cavalryman.
 
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