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| Gilmer Letters | Civil War Letters of Russell County |
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Monterrey July 21 1861 Dear Pa; We are stationed at Monterrey and getting somewhat rested and refreshed. I will commence my letter with news extending back to Laurell Hill, giving you a sketch of our last day or two at that place; our departure, journey and arrival here. The day before we left Laurell, we had right smart skirmishing and canonading. One of our canons were taken down the road half a mile in the direction of the yankees and brought to bear upon an old house full of devils, and a company was sent as secretly as possible within musket shot of the house, to make them bite dust as they left. When the canon fired, it made the old house lumber, and what it didn't hill commenced makeing their escape and the muskets began to fire. Our canon got three or four pops at the house before it was entirely vacated. There is no doubt but that several were killed and wounded in the house and several were seen to fall as they ran through the meadow to the woods. The enemy has a canon planted ranging nicely with the house and of course our men did not go to see how many times they had knocked out the center. They seemed well satisfied that they took the hide and tallow. They had been trying to canonade us (our camp) from that battery, which commanded the old house and vicinity for a day or two, before but doing us no damage in the least, the balls or bombs striking and bursting in the hill side and in the bottom to our south west, where we, had sentinels, though none were hurt. As soon as the shells would fall and burst the boys would rush and hunt the fragments to see what kind of ball they were throwing at us. Some failed to explode and we got them whole. These are not the regular bombs - they are made to burst when they strike. The operator of that battery, at last got our range and in the evening he threw 5 or 6 of these missils into our camp - three of them fell in our regiment; only two out of the 6 bursted. One fell in 30 yards of our Generals tent. It is truely strange that none of us were hurt. Now this was the last canonading that we got - the next day being still more so, than any day we had had for some time. I was on picket, on top of a ridge fronting the enemys camp but not in sight. I could hear but two of the enemy's guns fireing, which was kept up till late; they were shooting at one of our sentinels on the side of a ridge to the south of me. I could hear the balls strike the trees and other objects on the hill side, frequently through the day. This was the 11th day. I could see the movements of our camp all day and I suppose our General had found out that morning that he had to retreat or be surrounded on the next day. He ordered a battery to be commenced on the highest point we had that morning and I saw from where I was, three or four of our canons going up. They worked at it all day. This, from what I can learn was a sham business, to make the remaining enemy think that we were still fixing to meet them. No doubt they laughed in their sleeve all day - thinking that our general had not found out their plot; but they were deceived. It had been arranged, and the work was speedily going on to bring a strong force into Beverly and attack us on the rear where we had no chance at all, hardly, and make us move in the direction of Philippi, thus bringing us between two forces; in this way they could have in a manner captured the whole force - especially all our property. I stood at my post all day not knowing about this thing at all. It commenced raining in the evening, and I thought we would have a rough night to stand guard - having been sent out to stand two days and a night. From the movements of the enemy and from what I can learn, the enemy had most all moved back toward Philippi - no doubt to where they had a good position and had blockaded all the branching roads between us and them, so as to keep us in the main road between the two forces. The force to come in on the rear of us had routed our men from Rich Mountain and taken several prisoners, and were on their way to Beverly. Just at dark there came a runner and told our lieutenant to bring his men into camp - we all went into camp in the rain and it was very dark, and found out to our great surprise and mortification that we had to make a secret and speedy retreat. There lay all my plunder - the most of which was wet. I was very much vexed and felt mean - to think that we had such a General. The fault may lay somewhere else but I have my doubts. The way I view everything the fault was in our general. With great hurrying, stillness and secrecy we got under way about 12 Oclock in the night, leaving a great deal of property - tents, provisions &c. Some of the sick were left - though none of our regiment. All the tents were wet and of course could not be taken. It was truely a distressing time. There were 20 men sick in our own company of measels &c some just takeing it some at their worst and some recovering - They got as many on waggons as they could leaving several to walk who were not able. As to health, I was remarkably well - also Rives. Most all the boys that I talked with said they would rather go into fierce battle than to leave that place in such a plight. It was better for us though and better for our country. Daylight overtook us within 7 or 8 miles of Beverly. When we got in 5 or 6 miles of B. news came back along the line of march that we were blockaded between that and Beverly and we made a countermarch - going back about a mile to a road that goes east, in the direction of Black Mountain. We traveled all day on this road without any thing to eat and encamped for the night on the east side of Shavers fork of Cheat river. Some of the companines had a little provisions in their waggons; our had none. I by being shifty got a little meal, the next morning - baked me an ashcake and got a small piece of meat from a man in the scott company. I divided with Rives. I had gone then two nights and a day without any thing to eat, except a little parched corn, which I got the night before. This brings me to the morning of the 13th. We took the line of march down the East side of Shavers fork in the rain and mud and crossed the river again to the West side - the soldiers having to wade of course, sick and well no odds how deep. The Georgia Reg. and its waggons were in the rear. They were I suppose three or four miles further behind and were overtaken by a large force and attacked. Now it is little that I know about this affair. They formed themselves for defense in such a manner that they killed a great many of the enemy - lost from 15 to 25 of our own and 6 of the Georgia companies were cut off, with waggons and all. They never traveled in our direction any more but took into the mountains - got pilots to lead them out in the direction of the road that leads from Beverly to here. They are still dropping in, in small squads. The Georgians are right smartly discouraged. Some of them came near starving - though this was general with the army. I am a little too fast. Two attackes were made and in the last attack our general fell. The news came to the front just after it crossed Cheat river. Then and there our officers met and consulted. It being late and raining - mud deep and no prospect for anything to eat except beef (raw) they marched ahead on the roughest kind of a road - some waggons breaking down some stalling and all kinds of difficulty round about us. You can form no idea of it. Baggage of all kinds was thrown out and horses and wagons pushed a head. Several waggons were left on the road besides the Georgia. This was done on the day and night of the 13th if I mistake not. I don't know where the 14th found us, for I was too tired, sleepy, and hungry to enquire much about matters. I think though we got into the North Western road that day - taking a South E. direction. This is as far as I can keep up with the dates, distances and places. It was a round about way indeed. We crossed a corner of Maryland - both North and south branches of Potomac river. At last we arrived at Petersburg Hardy County and got something to eat, though we had nothing to cook in - some made up their bread on a handkerchief some in a tin cup and some baked on boards some on flat rocks &c &c. We got a bit of cooked meat and bread at Petersburg. We took up our march from there in the evening & left the women crying. Hardy county is a hard place yet there seems to be some good citizens there; several in Petersburg. From here we took the road for Monterrey, staying one night at Franklin (or a part of a night and till 4 Oclock next day). I wrote you a short letter from this place (Franklin). We arrived here on the 19th. I believe all of Capt Hunts men are up. We have nothing to cook in yet. The loss in this retreat is enormous. Of course I will not attempt to say how great - not knowing. I learn that the enemy have advanced to Cheat Mountain. It is certain that we will not stay here long; for this is no strong hold. Since I have examined things, it was extreme folly to have advanced so far in these mountains, North. I might say in truth that we traveled three days and nights, without sleep or anything to eat. We were eight days making the trip. If you knew how much we have suffered in the time you would have something to cry for - all of you. As for myself, I have not shed a tear since I left home. This is the Sabbath and the only day that has looked like sunday to me since I left Russell. When Uncle Vincent gets home he can tell you a great deal. He left here this morning for home. I wish him a pleasant and safe trip. He is a noble uncle. God be with you all - Good bye J. E. Gilmer W. R. Gilmer | |