BALTIMORE, May 26 – The following is the statement of Capt. Geo. Smith, in the first regiment who succeeded in effecting his escape in the fight at Front Royal about one o’clock in the afternoon.
A negro mounted upon horseback came dashing into camp crying out that the rebels were coming in great numbers, and they will surround you and cut you off. At first the men laughed at him saying they had waited so long for them that they did not believe a word of it. As soon however as Col. Kenly saw the man he became satisfied of their approach, the long roll was beaten and the men responded by springing hastily to arms and forming in line by companies. Very soon the rebels made their appearance and strange to say not a single gun was fired by the pickets of the 1st regiment. It may have been in consequence of sudden turn in the road and they were surprised and captured. Company A was ordered to deploy as skirmishers and support a section of Knapp’s Pennsylvania battery, in the meantime the Lieut. Col. of the 29th infantry with a small detachment of his men who had been acting as a _____ corps also formed and prepared to receive the enemy, the battery was soon engaged and discharged shot and shell for near two hours until nearly all its ammunition had been expended, the firing was spirited and there is no doubt of its efficiency. Unable however to withstand such an overwhelming force the order was given to retire which was done and the entire column moved over the Shenandoah river, the retreat being covered by a company of the 5th New York Cavalry about eighty strong.
Whilst passing over the bridge the Captain distinctly saw the rebel forces. There was a very strong column of cavalry, say four squadrons – eight companies – and five regiments of infantry. Of this two squadrons of cavalry were fording the stream – the water being very low. The order to double quick was given and the Federals took to the pike, where another stand was made. Col. Kenley addressed the men and told them that their only chance was to stand and fight to the last as the rebel cavalry were fast pushing on and displayed a black flag. Capt. Smith states that he did not see them display the white flag.
A second stand was made, and many shots exchanged when the New York cavalry, still in the rear of the column broke and retired, riding through the ranks of the infantry. A part of the Maryland command retired to a wheat field and there made another stand firing rapidly and with deliberate decision. Presently on came the rebel cavalry cutting right and left yelling like Indians. In some instances neither the dying nor the wounded were spared and in two instances the Captain saw the rebels draw their pistols and shoot them in the head whilst laying on the roadside. The Captain told the men they had better escape as best they could.
There were but six companies of the regiment engaged in the fight, the remaining four being on picket duty as provost guard at Front Royal.
– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 4
No comments:
Post a Comment