by Unknown
Part 3
Gettysburg-The First Day
Chapter 13
Attribution: Map by Hal Jespersen
I set off for Gettysburg in good heart. We were free from the shackles of the Corps and Colonel Boswell. However we were the wrong side of the Union forces as we soon discovered. Despite our small numbers I still had scouts out and they galloped back in an agitated manner. This was not like them and I immediately halted the small column.
“Sir, there is a huge Union army ahead!” Trooper Drake pointed behind him. “There are artillery on the road and cavalry in the fields guarding the flanks. It must be Corps strength at least.”
I was in a pickle. I had to get the message through but short of back tracking to Westminster I could not see how we could manage it. I examined the map. The two sergeants rode next to me to see if they could offer any advice.
I pointed to a small ridge, “This ridge runs south and it looks like there is a small trail running beside it. If we ride along the ridge then we can drop down the other side and get ahead of this army corps.”
They both nodded and Sergeant Jones said, “At least it proves we are heading in the right direction. I don’t think they would be marching this way if General Lee wasn’t ahead.”
“Right. Keep eyes and ears open. There may be scouts out. We aren’t the only cavalry who are good at hiding.”
We cut across country to begin to climb the hill which rose behind the small farm. As we rose we could see the long blue snake heading west. It was at least an army corps. I hoped that their attention was on their front and not their rear. It was with some relief that discovered the track which led along the ridge. It was not well worn but it was easier than picking our way across rough ground. When we reached the top of the ridge I dismounted and crawled to the sky line to get a better view. The lead elements of the Corps were almost at Littlestown. I glanced at the sun. I suspected they would camp nearby as we were still some way from Gettysburg. That decided me.
“Right boys, we’ll drop directly down and ride parallel with the road.” I pointed to the woods to our right. “Once we drop from the ridge then we will be hidden from view and we can move much faster than they can. I reckon that we can make Gettysburg by dark. We best ride single file.”
Trotting down the slope we felt cocooned from prying eyes. I could see the outskirts of Gettysburg in the distance. It was still some seven miles away but barring an accident we should be there by nightfall. Trooper Wilson was on point, some four hundred yards ahead of us. Suddenly he whirled and drew his pistol. Although I could not see what had made him do that I trusted his judgements. “Ambush!”
His gun cracked and he turned to ride back to us. There was a ripple of fire and he fell from his horse. “Follow me!” I headed away from the danger but still down the slope. A line of horsemen appeared. There were only ten of them and, when they saw us, they halted. They were too far away for us to guarantee hitting them and we did not want to waste ball and powder. They fired at us with their pistols but, as the range was still two hundred yards they did no damage. I could now see that they had been travelling on the road which ran parallel to the pike and they were alone.
“Wildcats! Charge!” I suddenly wheeled Copper and it took the Union horsemen completely by surprise. We covered the ground so quickly that they had no chance to react. They appeared to be disordered and the corporal with them did not take the decision that was needed. He died in the first volley. A second and a third man fell and the survivors decided that they could now retreat. My men galloped after them as I dismounted to check Trooper Wilson. He was dead. I collected his gun, valuables and horse as my men returned. The enemy patrol all lay dead but I could hear the bugles from the main column. They would soon send cavalry to investigate.
“Grab any ammunition. Sergeant Ritchie, take the rear. We are going to find it pretty hot, real soon.”
I left the troopers to retrieve the ammunition as I mounted Copper and tied Wilson’s horse to my saddle. I checked the map. We would have to head to the south of Gettysburg if we were to lose the chasing cavalry. I could now see the cavalry. They were a mile away. It was at least three companies. Whoever led them had a sound military mind for they were coming in three columns and they would cut us off if we tried to deviate from a straight line.
“Let’s go now.”
I kicked Copper on and the chase began. The ground soon levelled out as we crossed the Frederick Pike. I briefly contemplated heading along it but that would take us away from our destination. I was resolved to stick to my plan. I did spy a road which led to the south of Gettysburg and I took that. I did not intend to become trapped on the road but it would cause confusion for the three pursuing columns. I noticed that the ground was falling away quite slowly and I remembered that there was a creek which ran to the east of the town. A waterbed meant places to hide. I veered from the road at a farm entrance and we galloped through the farm sending squawking ducks and chickens flying in our wake.
I heard Sergeant Ritchie shout and the message was repeated until Sergeant Jones received it. “They are gaining sir.”
“Don’t worry sergeant. Gettysburg is just a mile or so ahead.”
“What if the Yankees are there too?”
“Then we are in an even deeper hole. Tell the boys to be ready to dismount quickly and hide their horses when I shout.”
I saw two round topped hills rising to my right. I veered closer to them. Suddenly the ground almost fell away. There were huge rocks and a mass of scrubby undergrowth. It was a perfect place to hide. We plunged, recklessly down the bank and then turned left to ride up the other side of the shallow creek we later found was called Plum Run; we came to know it well. I saw an enormous rock, seemingly planted by giants and I rode behind it. There was enough space to hide us all.
“Dismount. Horse holders.”
The designated men grabbed their horses as we all cocked our carbines. “Find somewhere to hide let’s hope that they lose our trail.”
I was trying to picture it the way that they would see it. They would reach the side of the hill and see nothing before them save the creek and the mass of rocks and undergrowth to their front. They would have to stop unless they were as crazy as I was. Perhaps they would assume we had headed directly for Gettysburg. We would soon find out.
I took off my hat and began to climb the rock. There were enough smaller rocks to facilitate this. When I neared the top I paused and raised my head inch by inch until I could see across to the two round topped hills. A solitary horseman appeared and halted. He waved to the others to join him and soon there were forty horsemen on the opposite side of the valley. I saw that one of them had a looking glass and was scanning our side of the valley. I remained perfectly still. Had I ducked down there was a risk he would have detected the movement.
Two of the troopers were ordered down to investigate the creek. If they went to where we had crossed then they would see the tracks and the muddied water. To my relief they went right and not left. They went to the creek and rode in opposite directions for thirty yards or so. They rode back up the slope. The looking glass kept scanning the undergrowth and then, to my relief, they left.
I slithered back down the rock and retrieved my hat. “We have lost them but let’s just wait to make sure.”
“Where are we sir?”
“As near as I can make it we are a mile and a half due south of Gettysburg. We will head east and try to find the Emmitsburg road.” As we waited I wondered about the cavalry we had seen. They could mount a search for us the next day and we still had no idea where General Lee was. I had hoped to come across some of our own scouts and it was worrying that we had found none.
I was about to lead us out when I heard a noise. I climbed back up the rock and saw, to my horror, that the cavalry had returned and were executing a more thorough search. They would find were we had crossed the creek. I slipped back down.
“We are going to try to find a way out of this w
arren of rocks. The last two men try to hide our tracks. The rocks will help us.”
I watched as Sergeant Ritchie got handfuls of rocks and spread them out on the earth where we had stood. I led the men and our horses through the rocks. It was difficult to judge direction in this jungle of rocks, trees and scrubby undergrowth but that aided us as it would make pursuit difficult. The land began to climb and I saw another ridge rising before us. The rocks gradually petered out and then we came across an open area, a wheat field. We had to turn left and follow the slight indentation on the land covered with bushes. Ahead of us I could see the Emmitsburg Road but, as it ran along the ridge we would be highlighted. Then I saw a small orchard. If we lay the horses down we might escape detection.
“Quickly men, get into the orchard and lie the horses down.” I waited until they had passed and then I followed with Sergeant Ritchie. “Any sign of them?”
“No sir but I can hear them in the rocks. They are still there.”
I looked at the sun which was beginning to set. That would be our only hope. Copper lay down easily enough but Wilson’s horse was a bit skittish. I wished that Sergeant James was with us for he would have calmed her down. Eventually, when all the rest had settled, so did she. There was total silence, save for the sound of the crickets and the fire flies dancing in the wheat field. We heard the troopers as they came up the slope. The creaking of their leather and the jingling of their equipment marked their progress. They crossed the wheat field and I could hear them talking on the other side of the wall.
“Well you had better report to General Buford that there are Rebs on this side of the road as well as to the west. Tell him we can’t be certain how many. We’ll return to the column.”
After they had left us I was in an even greater quandary. There were cavalry ahead of us and General Lee or at least elements from Lee’s army. I decided, after a short wait that we would risk crossing the road and heading west. We led our horses across the road into the woods on the other side. We all kept a close watch on both sides. Fortunately we saw no one and we plunged into the woods.
We mounted and headed as close to west as we could get. “Sir, where do you think the army is?”
“The Yankees believe it is to the west of us but it could be to the north or the south, sergeant. I take it as a good thing that the Union army doesn’t know where the general is. With General Stuart’s cavalry on the loose I have high hopes that we can win.”
As we trudged through the woods I was optimistic. I just hoped that I would meet some of our men sooner rather than later. I had the feeling that the Yankees were bringing their army up and were already fortifying the hills. As we went downhill I tried to imagine how hard it would be to attack troops who were dug in on the hill.
I suddenly heard a noise and I held up my hand to halt the men. I could see a camp fire in the distance. I left Copper with Trooper White and, with pistol drawn I headed towards the sound. I smelled tobacco and caught the glow of the cigar the sentry was smoking. Was he a Reb or a Yankee? I moved a little closer and caught sight of a butternut trouser leg and a bare foot. That could only mean one thing, a Reb.
I did not want to be shot by frightening the guard and so I said, “Captain Hogan of the 1st Virginia Scouts with a message for General Lee.”
He stepped towards me with musket levelled. We were just a yard or so apart. “Where the hell did you come from?”
I shook my head, “A long way from here, my friend.” I whistled and the rest of my troop appeared. “Where am I?”
“This is the 3rd Alabama and General Hill is the commander.” By now the officer of the day had arrived. “Sir I have despatches from General Stuart and they are for General Lee.”
He nodded. “Follow me.”
“Sergeant, see to the men.”
We trotted off through the lines of tents to a glow at the far end. I had never met General Lee but I had seen him before and I knew him to be a gracious gentleman. He beamed at me, “Ah Captain Hogan I believe. My nephew speaks well of you sir.”
I held out the leather pouch. “I have despatches for you sir; from General Stuart.”
As he opened them General Hill came towards me. I recognised him from other campaigns. “Tell me Captain Hogan, where is General Stuart?”
I pointed east. “Between Westminster and Hanover and there is at least two Union Corps between him and us.”
The general stopped reading. “Are you sure?”
“We passed one Corps of infantry, artillery and some cavalry close to Littlestown. I think there is a Cavalry Corps on that ridge yonder.”
Hill looked at General Lee and said, “Seminary Ridge.” General Lee nodded. “Damn Pettigrew, he should have occupied it when he had the chance.”
“It is no use worrying about what might have happened we will have to deal with the situation in which we find ourselves.” He finished reading and then looked at me. “Are there guns on the ridge?”
“Not that I saw general.”
“Well that is a relief.” He turned to General Hill. “We will not see General Stuart today general. We will have to deal with the men on the ridge without his aid. Captain, when your men are rested I would appreciate it if you would act as scouts. I believe you know the area?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good.” He put his hand on my arm, “Well done sir. You have done well to breach their lines. Tell me, did you lose many men?”
“Just one sir.”
He shook his head sadly, “And that is one too many. Make sure you eat too. We may not have much but we will share what we have.”
I smiled, “Don’t worry sir, we bring our own. We always take from the Yankees. They are very generous.”
Even the dour A.P Hill smiled at that. He nodded, “You’ll do captain, you’ll do. If you would care to join me in my tent in an hour or so I will give you your orders.”
I returned to my men. They waited expectantly. As I had expected Sergeant Jones had arranged for food. He handed me a mess tin with some hot food.”It seems the Alabama boys had heard of us and when they heard that you were one of the men with a price on your head they insisted on sharing their food with us. They had been hunting.”
I greedily devoured the welcome food. “We are now attached to General Hill. I think it means that we will be used as scouts. Sergeant Jones, divide the men into three. I guess we will be in great demand.” I pointed to the east. The first job will be to find those Yankee cavalry for the general.”
We left almost immediately. I did not see the point in being briefed and then finding my men. We would need to get down to action immediately. General Hill came out to see me with a map in his hand. “I want to know numbers of men on these three ridges: Seminary, Herr and McPherson. We are blind at the moment without General Stuart’s cavalry.” He added bitterly.
I felt honour bound to defend my commander. “He is trying to get here general but the whole Union army is in his path.”
The general snorted. “Make sure you keep me informed of what you discover.”
I turned to my sergeants. “Sergeant Jones head north and scout Herr Ridge. Sergeant Ritchie, go with him and scout McPherson Ridge. I will take Seminary Ridge. Don’t risk the men unnecessarily. The General needs to know the enemy numbers.” I looked around. We will make our camp over there in the woods there. Good luck.”
I looked at the eight troopers with me. Troopers Lowe and White were the most experienced. “You two, as of now you are corporals.”
They both looked pleased, “We thank the captain.”
I smiled, “Don’t thank me yet. We are going to have to get really close to over five thousand men.”
General Pettigrew’s men were already rushing towards the east. I could hear the ripple of rifles and muskets firing ahead of us. I rode down the creek known as Willoughby Run. It hid us from the men on the ridge and I hoped to get behind them. I remembered that there were two creeks before the ridge and then the tangle of the rocks behind. That
would be our observation point. We could hear the guns but we saw no-one as we were cocooned in the shallow valley. After the small rise I headed east and crossed Pitzer’s Run.
I saw, in the distance, Union troops marching in column. I wondered if they would form on Cemetery Ridge. I could see no-one on Seminary Ridge as yet. Wheeling Copper north I led my patrol towards the ridge. We slowly climbed up and I constantly expected to see blue uniforms but there were none. I halted the troop and took out my pencil and paper. “You boys try to see where the enemy are.”
I could see that, towards the west, they had dismounted cavalrymen and they were desperately trying to hold back General Hill’s leading brigade. Away to the north I could see that there were infantry. I wrote it all down.
“Sir it looks like a Corps is heading from the east. I think it is the one we saw yesterday. “
“Well done Lowe.” That was valuable information as it meant we knew its rough numbers.
I turned to Trooper Grant. “Ride back to General Hill and tell him that it is just cavalry to his fore but there is a Corps on its way.” I pointed due west. “Try to get there the quickest route. We will come with you part of the way and see if we can help clear a path for you.”
I turned to the troopers. “Right boys, here is where we earn our pay. We are going to clear a path so that Grant can take the message to the general. Follow me.”
We headed down the hill towards Pitzer’s Run. Ahead of us were the troopers holding the horses of the dismounted horsemen. It was too good a target to miss. “Grant, ride like the wind! Open fire!”
We blazed away with out Colts. Two of the men holding horses fell and another two went for their weapons. The noise of battle meant that we were in a private little war with these men holding their horses. They made the mistake of trying to use their carbines and we closed with them, firing at almost point blank range with our pistols. One trooper tried to grab Copper’s reins and he was rewarded by a bite on the arm. He fell screaming to the floor to be trampled by Corporal Lowe’s horse.
“Drive those horses!” There were enough loose horses now to cause a panic amongst the troopers who were busy fighting General Hill’s attack from behind the wooden fences. Finally an officer saw us and turned his men to fire at the new target. I emptied my gun and drew my second. I contemplated dismounting until Corporal Lowe shouted, “Sir! On the ridge behind us!”