Virginia Infantryman’s Chance Encounter with a Pennsylvania Artilleryman at a Hospital

Tom Elmore

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Smith A. Jeffries, born in 1836 or 1837, was a resident of Warrenton, Virginia. For the year 1859, he contracted to carry the U.S. mail on a 13-mile round trip between Warrenton and Warrenton Springs. Two years later he was serving the Confederacy. On May 28, 1861, Smith left his wife and family behind to enlist in the “Fauquier Guards,” which became Company H of the 49th Virginia. It subsequently became Company C. Private Jeffries took part in the early battles of the regiment, and in late June 1863 he was marching north toward Pennsylvania.

George V. Marshall was a member of Hampton’s Independent Battery F, Pennsylvania Artillery. In 1862, he joined the battery’s newly formed String Band, as “Second Violin and Guitar.” The band was very active during the winter of 1862/1863, sometimes joining with bands from other regiments and batteries posted in the neighborhood. They often played with the brass band of the 111th Pennsylvania in serenading corps and brigade commanders. On one occasion they performed for a gathering of Generals, including Joseph Hooker, John W. Geary, Thomas L. Kane, and George S. Greene.

At Taneytown, enroute to Gettysburg, the instruments became too much of a burden to transport and were left behind with the Alexander McAllister family, who in due time shipped them back to Pittsburgh, with the exception of George’s guitar. By that time, Battery F had consolidated with Battery C. George does not appear on a list of casualties from the battle, but apparently he became very ill and was sent to the West’s Buildings Hospital in Baltimore for a lengthy period of recovery.

On the early morning of July 3 at Gettysburg, Smith Jeffries’ 49th Virginia crossed Rock Creek, then moved south in a column, the 49th leading. Soon coming under fire, the regiment wheeled into line and advanced to a strong stone wall fronting a meadow. Coming from the opposite direction was the 27th Indiana, making a desperate but futile charge. Within 15 minutes the 27th was repulsed with heavy loss. The 49th was then ordered forward in a countercharge, which proved equally unsuccessful. During the encounter Smith received a severe fracture of his right ankle joint, by gunshot. He subsequently became a prisoner and was sent on to the West’s Buildings Hospital. Ironically for a former mail carrier, Smith was unable to get a letter through to his wife, and weeks became months.

George and Smith found themselves in the same ward at the hospital. One day, after summer had turned to fall, George was telling a comrade about a letter he had received from a battery messmate named William Alexander, who was then stationed near Warrenton Junction. Smith, who was within earshot, immediately perked up at the mention of his hometown. He eagerly asked if George could get a letter through to his wife, who still did not know his fate. George told him to write the letter, then enclosed it within a letter that he sent to his friend William. It reached its intended destination without delay and brought the first news that Smith was indeed still alive. Being happy and grateful, Smith’s wife prepared an excellent meal for William as the messenger of such glad tidings. Writing her reply, William forwarded it back to George, along with the following note: “Say, George, be sure and have Jeffries write soon again, for there are about ten of us [who] want to deliver her letter. She treated me so finely and gave me such a good supper that all want to go this time; so hurry up another letter.” No doubt other correspondence soon followed.

Smith was paroled from the hospital on November 12, 1863, and admitted to Chimborazo Hospital #4 in Richmond on November 18. He was retired to the Invalid Corps on April 28, 1864, returning home to his family. Meanwhile, while still in the hospital George received a surprise visit from one of the McAllister girls, who brought him his guitar. Perhaps it aided in his recovery. Long after the war, George passed through Warrenton and looked up Smith’s wife and family. They had a pleasant visit, but unfortunately Smith had died some years before. As of 1907, George was still active in the Twelfth Army Corps Association.

Sources:
-Executive Documents, Printed by order of the House of Representatives during the first session of the 36th Congress, 1859-1860.
-History of Hampton Battery F, Independent Pennsylvania Light Artillery, compiled by William Clark, 1909, pp. 149-153.
-George V. Marshall, Hampton Battery, The National Tribune, July 18, 1901.
-W. James Kincheloe, 1st Lieutenant, Company C, 49th Virginia, Diary, Fauqier County Historical Society.
-John W. Busey and Travis W. Busey, Confederate Casualties at Gettysburg.
 
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