The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-22
THE STAUNTON RIVER FIGHT.
Colonel FarinhOlt Replies 10 General
Dabney kauFy.
CERTAIN ALLEGED ERRORS CORRECTED.
Another Account OF that Famous Engage.
ment-To Whom the Honor of the Victory
Is Partly Due-Interesting Details.

b. L. Farinholt, in reply to the account Of
that memorable engagement from the pen OF
General Dabney II. Maury. and which was
recently published in THE TINES:
BALTIMORE, Nh. Nov. 20, 1891.
General Dabney H.. Maury.
Dear Sir.-My attention has been called to
a. copy OF The IIMKs. of Richmond. Va.
giving. over your signature, an account Of the
engagement between the Confederate and
Federal forces which took place at Stanton
River bridge. on the Richmond and Danyille
Iahroad' on the 10Th June. 1854 you say the
9th.
Believing you would not misrepresent the
facts Intentionally. and would not knowingly
minimize the Just deserts of one officer TO
a~ggrandlze the fame and add to the laurels Of
another. and feeling sure that after the lapse
OF 50 many years you have either miscon-
strued the conversation you had with Colonel
Stanhope Flournoy or that your remem-
Drance OF his account is at this date imper-
iect. write 20 inform you Of the facts. and,
in justice to myself. place in your hands a
correct statement OF this engagement.
HOW II FIGHT BEGAN.
had been in charge Of the post at Staun-
ton River bridge for about forty days prior
20 the engagement preparing its defenses and
organizing and drilling the reserve forces.
On the I'D OF June receiving a telegram from
General Beauregard. at that time near Pc
tersDurg, that q large raiding party Of the
enemy was out making It's way towards the
Danyllle railroad, / at once sent out, cour-
iers III every direction calling upon the citi-
zens and all local organizations and soldiers
at home 'on leave. 10 come forward and as
slst III completing the defenses Of this. the
largest and most important bridge on the
railroad, well knowing that If IL was given up
and DESTROYED from there to Danyille.
as the Federal force succeeded in
doing at every depot ir.m Burkeville TO
stanton bridge. our wagon trains would
find It impossible TO I'LL up the long gap until
the railroad could be repaired or the rolling
stock replaced. and that it would conse-
quentlY be next TO. If not quite. impossible.
for General Lee TO hold his position in frOnt
of Richmond but q short time aftersuch COM
plete destruction of this road. then almost our
only artery for supplies from the South.
AS evidence OF my correct view or the situa-
ton at the time refer youtO an order issued
by General Lee almost Immediately after this
fight for the impressment and use of an extra
large number Of wagons, detailing all that
could be spared from other portions of the
army under specially detached vigilant and
expert Quartermasters and cOmmissaries 10
cover this gap IN the road from stanton
bridge TO BurkevIlo until it could be re-
paired.
The defenses on both sides Of the river. al
ready well under way. were rendered as com
plete as the limited time after receiving GEN.
eral feauregard's order up 20 the hour Of the
commencement of the fight would permit.
every position Of which ] directed and super
intended myself, including the rifle pits on
the north and east sides of the Staunton
river.
COLONEL cOLEMAS's POSITION.
Your statement says Colonel Coleman as
sumed command of the forces az the bridge
and prepared the defenses. on the contrary,
Colonel Coleman reported to me for service
only a short time before the engagement
actually begun. then had $50 men In posi-
ton on the north and east side of the river,
having placed them and fully directed them
what to do, both in regard to improving
their d%efenses, as well as 10 reserve
fire upon the enemy's approach
until they could aim with deadly
precision and ct close range; this was all
done before / had seen Colonel Coleman.
AMI well do remember the words Of gallant
old Mr.. William Clarke. who remarked. when
/ returned 10 the defenses on the south side
OF the river. that seemed 20 be satisfied that
we should hold the place against all odds, as
/ had by the disposition Of our forces
abandoned all idea of retreat and intended
that il was to be victory, death or imprisOn-
ment, for, said he we are between the devil
and the deep sea-"
After Colonel Coleman reported to me I
placed him in command of 200 men besides
those already on the east side Of the river.
placing twenty of the 200 behind heavy tim
Der crossed so as TO leave loopholes for them
to fire through. in the form Of an A over that
end Of the bridge, and 1t was at this point
the Rev. Mr.. Burke was instantly killed by
the explosion OF a she'll from the enemy's bat
terry.
Colonel Coleman did his duty g%allantly and
efficiently. and IN recognition of which | es-
p~ecially mentioned him IN my report 70 Gen
eral Lee of the engagement, causing him 10
give Colonel coleman due consideration in his
cOugratulRtOry order TO ms command.
il Was / who sent the message 10 Colonel
FlOurnoy and many other prominent men
throughout that and other adjacent counties.
urging them to assemble all men who could
bear arms, even temporarily, TO assist in this
defense.
COLONEL FLOURNOY AND FABMER EDMONDs.
Colonel Flournoy. as did Hon. Paul Ed
monds then at home on leave. now member
Of Congress from that district. reported to
for any duty | might assign them to. and
as each came mounted and with a gOodly
number of followers. likewise mounted. 1
sent one 10 the nearest ford above and the
other 10 the nearest ford below the bridge.
Zach some two miles away. TO guard and pre-
vent the enemy crossing TO attack US in the
ear. while both of these gentlemen and their !
did most efficient service. neither
If them were immediately present while the
battle was being fought. !
Your report OF it, after giving Colonel Cole .
nan the credit Of preparing the defenses on !
he north and east side OF the river and com ,
handing those forces. says the rest Of the ;
command was held in reserve under Colonel
l%lOurnoy on the right bank of the river. This
work was armed with four six Founders. which
we're worked upon the enemy under the CON- !
nand Of Captain Marshall. Z
GALLANT yIBGISIAs. .
Colonel Flournoy was a gentleman sans G
ct sans reproche. and as he. by special in
on two occasions (once at his own O
.ouse and once Mt the house of his neighbor, a
lr. Clarke soon after this engagement met
ne and assisted in entertaining me as a COM I
tor the most gallant defense" as he {
leased 10 term 10, made OF Staunton river Y
his hOmeand household goods" i can o
OF think for a moment Colonel Flournoy
Iould have related % you that he was in com a
land of the forces on either side of the river
this engagement, or that Colonel Coleman c
'ould have claimed for himself what your re-
Ort of this fightdOes VIZ. that he assumed CON- O
land. constructed the defenses and arranged
be plan of battle on the left bank Of the II
.yer. Colonel Henry Eaton Coleman, / con- n
der, was a man OF high sense OF honor and a '
liyarous. gallant officer. He was my friend. II
fter leaving your Office IN Washington he
10 see me in Baltimore. nj
knowing. a. he did, my report 10 General q
ee and General Lees complimentary reply u
me and my command for the disposition Of
)rces and the determination with which We n,
ade this fght. Colonel Coleman could not =
ave been my friend and written the friendly n,