[from the diary of Frank C. Fitzhugh of Cutshaw’s Battery]
November Wednesday 5 1862
Started out about
4 P.M. & moved about
4 miles towards the
River (Shenandoah)
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 4448
[from the diary of Wesley Hammond, Co. E, 42nd Virginia, “Dixie Greys”]
Wednesday 5th – Stay at Mrs. Nobbs
till after dinner then return
to hospital, was much pleased
with my trip and the kindness of Mrs.
Nobb’s. Appreciate it very much
in evening gave in my name
to be transfered to Lynchburg
Hospital.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 5526
Snickers Gap Nov 5th 1862
Dear Father–We started from Bakersville three days ago & are
Camped in A piece of woods at the foot of the Mountain Gap we are as I sup
pose the reserve Corps of the army as we have been in all the Battles & I can tell
you that the reserve has the hardest part of it because if the Army does
have to retreat we have to stand the blunt of all the fighting besides having
to stop nights without sleep when I left Berlin to cross the River I saw Charley
Green & he said that he was quite well & when we parted I got him to write to
you that we had gone into Virginia I write these few lines in A hurry Just to
let you know Where we are & every stopping place I will write you my love to all
From you affectionate Son Joseph Leavitt, P.S. The night I left berlin
I received two letters from you & one from William, in one of yours was the letter
tat you wrote about Georges Death & about the one that Mr Jackson
wrote to you & I forget the date of either of them as I let Charley Green have them to read
Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Massachusetts and his brother George of the 5th Maine were copied into a ledger book after the war by their father as a remembrance of his sons, both of whom were killed in the war, George at 2nd Bull Run and Joseph at Spotsylvania
MSS 66
Hd. Qrs. Cav. Brigade
Piedmont Nov 5. 6.15 am
To Colonel Colburn
A.A.G.
Colonel–
Your dispatch of
last night is rec’d–a prisoner
captured at Linden, says he
belongs to the 10th Va of “Hamptons
Legion”, that his Brigade came
today from the other side of the
Paris, his regt having the advance
& crossing the mountains came
down to Linden about dark–
30 of his right were ordered down
to the front, the remainder going
to Linden Station–about 1 1/4
miles from Linden–The remain-
der of the brigade went in the
direction of “The Manassas Gap”-
He reports infantry on the
railroad between Markham &
the Gap–This shows Ham=
pton‘s brigade took the road
[page 2]
under the mountain from Paris-
It would be well for Couch to
send a division from that
road today–to occupy Linden, as
that would prevent any flank
movement through the “Gap,” &
from this place there’s no road
that turns off from here to
Linden–A citizen from Cul=
pepper states that he saw
Longstreet at that place with his
command & that he passed thro’
“Chester Gap”–this was some days
ago–col. Gregg thinks the two guns
abandoned by Stuart may be near
Bloomfield as his men ran the
rebels out of that so fast they left
every thing behind–even 250
dollars confederate money–which
of course they would hardly leave behind
except under a very high pressure–
Burnside had best occupy
Markham early today–or the rebels
can get behind we in going to
Chester Gap & I will not be able
to get out–A. Pleasonton
Brig Genl
MSS 495
[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cav. Brigade
Barbees, Nov 5. 1.30 P.M.
To Colonel Geo. D. Ruggles
Asst.Chief of Staff–
Colonel–Agreeably to the orders
of the General Commanding I
started early this morning forthis Chester Gap–I passed
Averell’s brigade at Markham
& gave orders for him to follow
me–& then moved on this
place & found Stuart in position.
He opened on me & I have been
up to this time driving him
from his position–He had
four guns & about 3000 men
Col. Gregg with the 8th Penn
& 6th regulars, moved on the
right of the enemy & turned
their position in fine style–
Col. Davis 8th New York
[page 2]
moved against their left &
Col Farnsworth with 8th
Illinois & 3d Indiana-
moved against the center while
Remington’s battery by sections
played upon the enemy–
about 1500 cavalry charged
Col Davis 8th New York which
was gallantly [met?] &
repulsed & a section of artillery
in opportune time opened
on the fugitives & punished
them severely–Seven or eight
rebels were left dead on the
field & a number of carbines
& pistols–Some of the prisoners
are Georgia cavalry–& say they
came thro’ Chester Manassas Gap last night
from Hedgeville, & this the first
time they have met us–
They are 300 strong & dont
know anything about
[page 3]
the infantry (rebel) say
they have seen none–of
the desperate fighting I can
mention that a rebel & one
of the 8th Illinois shot
each other at arm’s length
& lay dead together on the
road–Col. Davis had
his horse killed under
him & the Adjutant of
one of the Virginia regiments
had his leg broke–
My brigade today
fought at least 3 rebel
brigades & they were driven
from a very strong position
I just hear a rebel Captain
was killed–my loss is slight
Shall report it as soon as I can
[page 4]
General Averell has just
reported he can’t leave
Markham until the infantry
comes up-as he would
lose his wounded–I shall
not be able to leave before
he joins me–there is
no appearance of infantry
down this way, & I think
it will be very well to
push our infantry down
towards Culpepper–
The cavalry is fighting
so hard only to cover it–
A Brigade of infantry
(light) would save me
much valuable time–
Please ask the Gen’l to send
me one–A. Pleasonton
Brig Gen
MSS 495
[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cav Brigade
2 miles from Sandy Hook, Nov 5. 4.15 P.M.
To Colonel Geo. D. Ruggles
asst: Chief of Staff
Colonel
I have pushed on this far-
& have sent two squadrons to the
Gap which is about two miles
from this–there is no evidence
of infantry here & I am told
by citizens that Longstreet
passed Flint Hill last Friday.
This is confirmed by reports
from Averell–D.H. Hill’s
also gone down & from the
way the cavalry fought today
I feel satisfied they are about
the last–unless Jackson
is in Winchester–Valley–
the rebels today left 10
dead on the field & we have
taken 20 prisoners–
[page 2]
& a number of Arms–
we had five killed &
eight wounded–
My officers
declare it was the finest
cavalry fight of the war &
the repulse on the rebels regt
in their charge by the 8th
New York was a magnificent
sight seldom witnessed–
The rebel regiment was
the 1st North Carolina–
Unless otherwise ordered
I shall to Flint Hill tomorrow-
I would advise that our
infantry corps push towards
Culpeper–
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig General
Comdg
MSS 495
[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cav: Brigade
Camp near Sandy Hook Nov 5.
6.20. P.M.
To Colonel Geo. D. Ruggles
Asst: Chief of Staff-
Colonel:
I have been informed
by several sources that the
officers of the cavalry which
engaged me today, made many
inquiries for the shortest &
best route to Warrenton. Altho’
they made for Chester Gap,
I feel sure they are going
to Warrenton– From all
my explorations in this vicinity
I believe the enemy have passed
the greater part of their force
beyond this point some time
since, & they may attempt
to strike Sigel a blow
near Warrenton–For
me to follow up this ridge
[page 2]
will take a good deal of
time, & no infantry com-
mands can follow on the
roads with their trains the
roads are so gad–I should
like the General’s per=
mission to strike in the
direction of Warrenton
or Culpepper, between which
points I think I may find
some of the enemy.
My command marched
12 miles today & was fighting
for six hours–pretty good
days work–I can not
say too much of my men
& officers–Hurry up
the Carbine Ammunition
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig. Genl
Com’dg
MSS 495
[from the dispatch book of General Alfred Pleasonton]
Hd. Qrs. Cav: Brigade
Camp near Sandy Hook Nov 5.
6.30. P.M.
To Colonel Colburn
a.a.G.
Your dispatch of
3.50 P.M. rec’d–Averell
has been holding on to
the Manassas with a section
of Artillery & three squadrons
the rest of his command
is with me–A scout has
just returned from Chester
Gap & reports nothing
there–In the houses ahead
of us are a number of
wounded from today’s fight
among them one Captain
13 Virginia cav. mortally
wounded–five more wounded
rebels have turned up in our
drives & several dead
rebels were found by the
[page 2]
scouting party on the road
to the Gap—
If the General wishes
me to keep on from here
towards Flint Hill & Cul-
pepper—Bayard ought
to go towards Warrenton—
Should he & I both
strike that way we might
make a good thing–
Stuart & Hampton
last night slept in the room from
which I am now writing–
I send this by an
Aid, as directed–
Very respectfully
A. Pleasonton
Brig. General
Comdg.
[page 3]
8. P.M.
A citizen of Sandy Hook
has just informed me that
Longstreet Corps passed here on
Thursday last–that
he (himself) was at Front
Royal yesterday & saw
Hill’s corps there, did not
know which Hill–& that
their Corps was to pass Chester
Gap to day, but did not
come through–that he had
heard they had gone to
Smoketown–He says there is
some infantry–four guns
in the gap–did not know
of any more troops in this
vicinity–I shall look
out for them tomorrow
A. Pleasonton
MSS 495
[from the diary of the Rev. Francis E. Butler, chaplain of the 25th New Jersey]
Wed 5th. Wrote letters – rode to Emory Hos. Cap Hill ten miles. Crossing
long bridge met Rev. Mr. _ who sd. the 2nd. Pa. Cavalry were still
waiting for me as Chaplain – Called on Mr. Hilgard – gave me maps
found – Cook dead & buried – & his brother just breathed his last –
Nicholson. apparently dying with measles all – others convalescent
some – most – nearly well – one with typhoid better – spent about four
hours there – talking – counselling comforting them & others fr. other
Regts Saw some fine sweet looking ladies ministering to
the wants of the soldiers. One however of dift. stamp excellent
disposition but not judicious came up & implored my help –
“for what” – “Why I want you to persuade these men to lay by money
& have themselves embalmed!” I told her I had rather they
would take care of their souls than their bodies. The idea
of urging men to that, & yet she meant it well, I know,
turned my horse homeward – reached Long Bridge – it was
broken & no travel – went back by way of Georgetown
Stopd. for hasty dinner at Mr Hilgards – It was dark as I
came out of his house – my horse (not tied) was gone, I saw
down block, up the alley – enquired for Provost Marshalls
Office took course up street. Saw a dark object crossed over
there stood old Speed – I tied to a post – I mounted & galloped
back to Camp – pretty tired – ridden some 25 miles
little dash of rain on way home. Sent for Nicholsons brother,
talked to him about his brother – made arrangements for him to go
in & see him tomorrow. On way in met Gen Casey & staff
going out to review. Saluted & part.
Brothers Martin and William W. Cook
As Mr. Hilgard gave Butler maps he may possibly be the German-American engineer Julius Erasmus Hilgard (1825-1890), acting superintendent of the Coast Survey, who constructed maps and charts for the Union army and navy during the Civil War.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12935
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, former musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1862
This morning went
over & fixed the fence a
little then helped the
boys plow & scrape the
pond also helped plow
up some Potatoes this
afternoon
Jo Crotty came along about
noon Herb remaining
in Ashland Jo staid
for dinner a little
under the influence
of liquor
Saw Lew Gray on his
way home.
Cloudy raining this
evening Cool
MSS 10317
