Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-07-18
THE SECOND DAYS FIGHT.
Conclusion of the History of tho Battle Of
Lynchhurg and the Movement
Leading to 1t.
(Lynchburg NewS.)

| On June 18th Breckinridge's infaI
try and most of his artillery wer
placed on the front line, while the lin
on College Hill was held by dismount
ed cavalry and irregular troops. JUS
where Breckinridge left rested doe'
not matter, but it was at or not fal
/ from the redOubt on the Salem road
His line extended thence to the right
F, towards the Blackwater. Wharton
seemingly forming the right wing OF
the infantry with McCausland pro
tecting the right flank, a few Of bis
men being deployed between the creek
and the river. From the redoubt on
the Salem road to the left short line
was occupied by Lewis North Carroll
ma brigade, of Ramseur's division
Farther to the left not intrenched, was
concealed a large force of infantry
presumably the rest of Early's men
The cadets were in the cemetery. Chap
mans and LOwry's batteries were
placed in and near the redoubt. Jack
sons battery was somewhere on the
right; participants in the action are
not sure of the exact position. Lurty
was on the left of the Salem road with
Lewis brigade. Douthat was on the
right and operated against Dufie Oh
the Forest road. Information as to the
disposition of McClanahan and Marquis
is not yet obtained. The second section
of Bryan's battery was posted on the
right of Chapman and Lowry, under
fire, but not engaged. The first and
third sections of Bryan's battery, with
their two 20 FOUNDER PARROTS, their
3 inch U. s. rifle, and their fine steel
3 inch French rifle probably the most
accurate gun in the two armies known
to hundreds of men as 'Maggie1 were
held in reserve near the cemetery, to
the great disgust of the men, who had
no suspicion of the turn that events
were destined to take.
During the night the Federals had
made preparations for the next days
work. For reasons obvious to anyone
who has attempted to tramp over the
region to the southwest of Lynchburg
communication with Dufie was diff.
cult. Averell makes the characteristic
statement that Duffie had lost himself
on the extreme left . On the morning
of the 18th, however, he was found
with large division of cavalry almost
skirmishing. 1t is interest
ing to note that in September Sheridan
Averell from his command
for incompetency.
Plans of battle that fail are rarely
but Hunters plan for the
18th is obvious enough. Sullivan s
division was to demonstrate vigorously
On the Salem road with Ayerell in
reserve behind them, and Duffie was
20 threaten the Confederate right,
while Crook made one of his customary
iank movements around the left The
purpose must have been to press the
if Crook succeeded which
would surely have brought on general
When Crook started,
sullivan, aided by Mem ullin's and part
If DuPont's artillery, began to threat
IN the centre. Duffie was ordered to
attack the right wing, but it was 1920
/. m. when he received the order. This
attack of cavalry with only 2 pieces
If horse artillery was. of course,
to be repulsed, and was in
ended merely to keep the Confederate
light wing employed. At an early
lour Sullivan began to press the centre.
4 strong skirmish line was sent out
md forced the Federals to develop
heir lines. The pursuit of the retiring
Ikirmishers is called in the reports
driving the enemy in confusion to
heir works. One regimental com
nander, speaking of an analogous sit
nation later in the day says: but no
inc of battle was apparent, the enemy
being scattered and firing from behind
;rees and fences.
1t would be tedious and useless to
race the movements of each Federal
or even brigade. The sum
IF it was that the Federals exhibited
great courage, pushing their guns un-
usually close, and amply supporting
hem with infantry Here a special
Incident of the engagement will illus
rate the general situation. Word was
Drought to Bryan's four guns held in
reserve. that Chapman and Lowry had
Oeen silenced fan error justly resented
Afterwards by those batteries) and that
the fire must be drawn from them at
once. The guns proceeded, at gallop
Dr. a trot according to character of the
ground, along road leading to the
left beyond the cemetery, down to a
little stream. Where the road crosses
the stream is the northern point of
long hill which runs north from an
asylum. The hill was and still is bare,
and slopes gently towards the Salem
road, while it is almost precipitous on
the other side, towards the railroad.
A higher hill TO the east, partly wood
ed then as now, gives it the temperance
of long field on a hillside as viewed
from the Federal position. The guns
were almost literally carried by hand
up the point of this hill, and moving
along the top sometimes less than 200
yards, were planted square on the right
flank of the Federal artillery about
l 900 yards away. The guns could not
fire from behind the crest. because the
recoil would have carried them down
the bluff. No friend or enemy was
anywhere visible in the space between
them and the hostile batteries. Not