CHAPTER SIX
As Buford tested the line at St. James Church, Rooney Lee’s troopers readied themselves to enter the fight. Earlier that morning, without orders to do so, and responding to the crisis unfolding in front of him, Lee brought his men to the aid of Jones, deploying to his left. Lee’s men took position behind an L-shaped stone wall on the Richard Cunningham farm, where they could hear the Union attacks to their right. Rising directly behind the Confederates was a northern extension of Fleetwood Hill, Yew Ridge. A strong defensive position, it offered Lee the opportunity to potentially enfilade the enemy line.
With Federal skirmishers in his immediate front, Lee sent forward dismounted sharpshooters to clear them out and secure the area. Sallying forth, members of the 9th Virginia moved out to engage the enemy. “After advancing … about 1/2 mile the fire became general,” one Confederate wrote. “Along the line there was an incessant roar of small arms which lasted all day.”
This movement, in turn, stirred up the 5th U.S. Cavalry. Engaging Lee’s troopers, the Regulars briefly captured a portion of the wall before finally being driven back. This temporary success inspired Buford, who decided to send the rest of the Reserve Brigade into the fight. These soldiers joined the brigades of Maj. William McClure and Col. Thomas Devin on the firing line. Brigadier General Adelbert Ames’ supporting infantry brigade formed on the cavalry’s flanks.
In conjunction with the deployment, Lieutenant Elder’s artillery engaged the Confederates. This artillery duel grew in ferocity, paving the way for Buford’s men to attack the stone wall once again. Firing from their sheltered position, Lee’s men blasted the Yankees and turned back their assault once again.
The 124th New York Infantry came up in support of the cavalry. Arriving about the same time as their comrades’ retreat, one man remembered that the “wounded … began to straggle back past us … some of these were on horseback, others with pale faces and blood-stained garments came staggering along on foot, and occasionally one was borne hurriedly by on a stretcher … a little farther on we began to pass over, and saw lying on either side of us, lifeless bodies of men, dressed, some in grey and some in blue.”
Known as the “Orange Blossoms,” the New Yorkers found themselves in a band of thick woods with an open field to their front. Forming in a single line of battle, the Union infantry were directed to defend their position. Anxiously, they watched as dismounted Rebel cavalry entered a ravine and began working their way around the flank of the Union line. Opening fire, the Confederates then charged the New Yorkers who returned their volley. This firefight soon escalated into one called “a hand to hand Indian fight.” Seeing the plight of their fellow Empire Staters, a company of the 86th New York came to the aid of the 124th New York. The arrival of the reinforcements drove back the Confederates. Shouted orders from men on horseback hastened the withdrawal of the Confederates, who believed that a mounted Union charge was about to befall them, the Rebels gave up the fight. Interestingly, those hollered commands came from the colonel of the 124th New York, Augustus Van Horne Ellis, and several members of his staff. Their ruse helped beat back the attack.
Rooney Lee’s troopers deployed behind the stone wall to blunt Buford’s initial advance. The Confederates held their position and kept the Yankees at bay for most of the battle. (cm)
This brisk action prompted Ames to dispatch companies from the 3rd Wisconsin and 2nd Massachusetts Infantry to the aid of the New Yorkers as well as to support Devin. A Wisconsin soldier remembered, “soon the infantry were at business” and in the middle of “a lively fight.”
While his infantry reinforcements forced the Confederates back, Ames decided to add more of his infantry to the fight. He decided to send in soldiers from his Bay State regiments. Supported by the 2nd Massachusetts, the 33rd Massachusetts advanced. One soldier remembered that their “skirmishers so annoyed a rebel battery at the edge of the woods beyond.”
In response to the infantry threat, Stuart redoubled his artillery efforts and ordered Beckham to concentrate on the foot soldiers. Along with Beckham’s fire, the Confederate commander advanced sharpshooters and shifted part of Lee’s brigade to support them. The action escalated into a slugfest. Even with the added weight of the enemy infantry attacking his line, Stuart held firm. One Indiana trooper remembered, “Both parties fought earnestly and up to 12 o’clock the enemy held his position.”
A lull soon settled over the field. As both sides attempted to recover and evacuate their wounded, Stuart prepared for a counterattack. However, it soon became obvious that his plans might all be for naught. Around 11:30, a trooper from the 8th New York wrote that he could “hear the booming of distant cannon … Gen. Graig (sic) had arrived … and was engaging the enemy.” The guns reached the ears of John Buford at his headquarters. Although Buford had been on his own for nearly six hours, from his perspective, the fight was far from over. He “resolved to go to him if possible.”
Unfortunately, Alfred Pleasonton did not possess the gritty determination of Buford. As Gregg’s division arrived on the field, Pleasonton sent a dispatch to Hooker stating “all the enemy’s force are engaged with me. I am holding them until Gregg can come up. Gregg’s guns are being heard in the enemy’s rear.” Stuart’s stubborn defense took the starch out of Pleasonton, who cautiously held Buford in check, refusing to allow the frustrated Kentuckian to advance.
The surprise that Stuart received earlier in the morning paled in comparison to the shock he was about to experience. A new phase of the fighting was about to erupt in his rear along Fleetwood Hill.
At Buford’s Knoll
The imminence before you is Buford’s Knoll. Buford’s Knoll may only be accessible seasonally. There is no paved parking, so please use caution.
Here, John Buford established his headquarters after he crossed the river and directed the battle. Pull your car around, park and follow the trail to the interpretive signs on the crest of the knoll. Directly behind you was the position of Battery E, 4th U.S. Artillery, under Lt. Samuel Elder. To your immediate left front and hidden by the tree lines is the site of St. James Church. The stone wall that Rooney Lee deployed his troopers behind on the Cunningham farm is in the tree line directly to your front and below you. The high ground beyond is Yew Ridge (the action here is described in Chapter 9).
You may walk to the stone wall by following the trail that parallels the tree line in the area where you parked. Due to heavy vegetation and snakes, it is recommended that you only walk to the site during the fall, winter, and early spring. Continue along the trail until the woods turn to your right. Follow the path into the woods and you will find the stone wall.
GPS: 38° 32.592′ N, 77° 51.509′ W
In 1863, the wall was about waist high. During the morning fight for the stone wall, Capt. James E. Harrison of the 5th U.S. Cavalry led two squadrons in an assault on Lee’s position. Thirty-one years old, Harrison, a Virginian, had remained loyal to the Old Flag when his native state seceded in 1861. Fighting dismounted, Harrison led his troopers in an assault on the wall. The fighting here was bitter. Although heavily outnumbered, the Regulars were able to capture a portion of the wall and hold it against several counterattacks. It was only when his men ran out of ammunition that Harrison ordered a withdrawal. The 5th U.S. sustained 38 casualties during the engagement here, including four killed and three mortally wounded.
Although overgrown in many areas, the stone wall on the Cunningham Farm, occupied by Rooney Lee’s troopers throughout the battle, still stands today. (cm)
If you wish to have more details about the action that occurred here and on Yew Ridge directly in rear of the stone wall, you may turn to Chapter 9. Otherwise, return to your vehicle. Drive back to the Beverly Ford Road and turn right.
TO STOP 6
Turn right on the Beverly Ford. In 1.2 miles, bear right onto Cobb’s Legion Lane and follow it to the stop sign. Turn right onto Fleetwood Heights Road. In 0.8 miles, you will pass the United Daughters of the Confederacy marker on your left. As you crest the hill, you will see a parking area and a Civil War Trust sign on your left. You will return to this site in the next chapter. Proceed over the crest of Fleetwood Hill. Travelling 0.4 miles beyond the marker, you will see a pull off on the left with interpretive signs. Pull in, get out of your vehicle, and face Fleetwood Hill.
GPS: 38° 30.45′ N, 77° 53′ W
This view greeted David Gregg as he deployed his brigades to assault Fleetwood Hill. (dd)