HEADQUARTERS-CORPS OF
CADETS,
July 4, 1864.
GENERAL: In obedience to General Orders, No. --,
headquarters Virginia Military Institute, June 27. 1864, I have the honor to
submit the following report of the operations of the Corps of Cadets under my
command in the field from May 11 to June 25, inclusive:
In obedience to orders from Major-General Breckinridge,
communicated through you, at 7 a.m. on the morning of May 11 the Corps of
Cadets, consisting of a battalion of four companies of infantry and a section
of 3-inch rifled guns, took up the line of march for Staunton. The march to Staunton
was accomplished in two days. I preceded the column on the second day some
hours for the purpose of reporting to General Breckinridge, and was ordered by
him to put the Cadets in camp one mile south of Staunton.
On the morning of the 13th I received orders to march at
daylight on the road to Harrisonburg, taking position in the column in rear of
Echols' brigade. We marched eighteen miles and encamped; moved at daylight on
the 14th; marched sixteen miles and encamped.
At 12 o'clock on the night of the 14th received orders to
prepare to march immediately, without beat of drum and as noiselessly as
possible. We moved from camp at 1.30 o'clock, taking position in the general
column in rear of Echols' brigade, being followed by the column of artillery under
the command of Major McLaughlin. Having accomplished a distance of six miles
and approached the position of the enemy, as indicated by occasional
skirmishing with his pickets in front, a halt was called, and we remained on
the side of the road two or three hours in the midst of a heavy fall of rain.
The general having determined to receive the attack of the enemy, made his
dispositions for battle, posting the corps in reserve. He informed me that he
did not wish to put the Cadets in if he could avoid it, but that should
occasion require it, he would use them very freely. He was also pleased to
express his confidence in them, and I am
happy to believe that his expectations were not disappointed, for when the tug
of battle came they bore themselves gallantly and well.
The enemy not making the attack as was anticipated, or not
advancing as rapidly as was desired, the line was deployed into column and the
advance resumed. Here I was informed by one of General Breckinridge's aids that
my battalion, together with the battalion of Col. G. M. Edgar, would constitute
the reserve, and was instructed to keep the section of artillery with the
column, and to take position, after the deployments should have been made, 250
or 300 yards in rear of the front line of battle, and to maintain that
distance. Having begun a flank movement to the left, about two miles south of
New Market, the nature of the ground was such as to render it impossible that
the artillery should continue with the infantry column. I ordered Lieutenant
Minge to join the general artillery column in the main road and to report to
Major McLaughlin. After that I did not see the section of artillery until near
the close of the engagement. Major McLaughlin, under whose command they served,
was pleased to speak of the section in such complimentary terms that I was
satisfied they had done their duty.
Continuing the advance on the ground to the left of the main
road and south of New Market, at 12.30 p.m. we came under the fire of the
enemy's batteries. Having advanced a quarter of a mile under the fire we were
halted and the column was deployed, the march up to this time having been by
flank in column. The ground in front was open, with skirts of woods on the
left. Here General Breckinridge sent for me and gave me in person my
instructions. The general's plans seem to have undergone some modification.
Instead of one line, with a reserve, he formed his infantry in two, artillery
in rear and to the right, the cavalry deployed and, guarding the right flank, left
flank resting on a stream. Wharton's brigade of infantry constituted the first
line; Echols' brigade the second. The battalion of Cadets, brigaded with
Echols, was the last battalion but one from the left of the second line,
Edgar's battalion being on the left. The lines having been adjusted the order
to advance was passed. Wharton's line advanced; Echols' followed at 250 paces
in rear. As Wharton's line ascended a knoll it came in full view of the enemy's
batteries, which opened a heavy fire, but not having gotten the range, did but
little damage. By the time the second gotten line reached the same ground the
Yankee gunners had the exact range, and their fire began to tell on our line
with fearful accuracy. It was here that Captain Hill and others fell. Great
gaps were made through the ranks, but the cadet, true to his discipline, would
close in to the center to fill the interval and push steadily forward. The
alignment of the battalion under this terrible fire, which strewed the ground
with killed and wounded for more than a mile on open ground, would have been
creditable even on a field day.
The advance was thus continued until having passed Bushong's
house, a mile or more beyond New Market, and still to the left of the main
road, the enemy's batteries, at 250 or 300 yards, opened upon us with canister
and case-shot, and their long lines of infantry were put into action at the
same time. The fire was withering. It seemed impossible that any living
creature could escape; and here we sustained our heaviest loss, a great many
being wounded and numbers knocked down, stunned, and temporarily disabled. I
was here disabled for a time, and the command devolved upon Captain H. A. Wise,
Company A. He gallantly pressed onward. We had before this gotten into the
front line. Our line took a position behind a line of fence. A brisk fusillade
ensued; a shout, a rush, and the day was won. The enemy fled in confusion,
leaving killed, wounded, artillery, and prisoners in our hands. Our men pursued
in hot haste until it became necessary to halt, draw ammunition, and
re-establish the lines for the purpose of driving them from their last position
on Rude's Hill, which they held with cavalry and artillery to cover the passage
of the river, about a mile in their rear. Our troops charged and took the
position without loss. The enemy withdrew, crossed the river, and burnt the
bridge.
The engagement closed at 6.30 p.m. The Cadets did their
duty, as the long list of casualties will attest. Numerous instances of
gallantry might be mentioned, but I have thought it better to refrain from
specifying individual cases for fear of making invidious distinctions, or from
want of information, withholding praise where it may have been justly merited.
It had rained almost incessantly during the battle, and at its termination the
Cadets were well-nigh exhausted. Wet, hungry, and many of them shoeless--for
they had lost their shoes and socks in the deep mud through which it was
necessary to march--they bore their hardships with that uncomplaining
resignation which characterizes the true soldier.
The 16th and 17th were devoted to caring for the wounded and
the burial of the dead. On the 17th I received an order from General
Breckinridge to report to General Imboden, with the request upon the part of
General Breckinridge that the corps be relieved from further duty at that time
and be ordered back to the Institute. The circumstances of General Imboden's
situation were such as to render our detention for a time necessary. We were
finally ordered by him to proceed to Staunton without delay, for the purpose of
proceeding by rail to Richmond, in obedience to a call of the Secretary of War.
Returning, the corps marched into Staunton on the 21st; took the cars on the
22d; reached Richmond on the 23d; were stationed at Camp Lee until the 28th;
were then ordered to report to Major-General Ransom: ordered by him to encamp
on intermediate line. On the 28th left Camp Lee; took up camp on Carter's farm,
on intermediate line, midway between Brook and Meadow Bridge roads; continued
in this camp until June 6. On the 6th received orders to return to Lexington;
reached Lexington on the 9th; Yankees approached on 10th; drove us out on the
11th; we fell back, taking Lynchburg road: marched to mouth of the North River
and went into camp. Next day (Sunday, the 11th) remained in camp until 12 m.;
scouts reported enemy advancing; fell back two miles and took a position at a
strong pass in the mountains to await the enemy. No enemy came. We were then
ordered to Lynchburg; went there; ordered to report to General Vaughn; ordered
back to Lexington; reached Lexington on the 25th. Corps furloughed on June 27.*
I am, general, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
S.
SHIPP,
Lieutenant-Colonel
and Commandant.
Maj. Gen. F. H. SMITH,
Superintendent.
_________________
* Nominal list of casualties (omitted) shows 8 killed and 44
wounded.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official
Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 37, Part 1
(Serial No. 70), p. 89-91
