Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-09-05


writes prompted by the recent article
in the Times ispatch) contributes to the
SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON the following in re-
gard to our welLknown and popular
townsman
Julius c Holmes enlisted in Richmond
Fayette Artillery, in Richmond, Va, on
April rs, 1861. On May ?. 1861. the bat
terry of six guns was ordered to Glouster
Point, Va, and on June 10 was sent
across York river to Yorktown, and
made forced march to reach Big Beth
ell, but arrived too late to engage III the
fight that day. but remained several days
and returned to Glouster Point. Va.
On February 22, 1862. the battery was
ordered across York river and into the
Yorktown battle lines, and on April 8,
1862, six guns-four I2-pound brass Ma
poleon guns and two I2-pound Parrot
steel rife guns-were placed in position
at the earth breastworks. and the battery
was then under fire for the first time
| Were then transferred to the earth works
at Wynn's Mill. and was under FIRE from
April S. day and night until the night of
May 8. 1862, when the retreat to Rich
mond began. On May S. 1862. the bat
tie was opened by the guns of the Fay
cite Artillery, it holding Fort Magruder
from daybreak until in the afternoon, an
enfilade fire being opened on Fort Ma
gruder, killing three commanders and
wounding all but two. Julius c. Holmes
sponged, loaded. sighted and fred No. I
piece some fifty times alone. and was
complimented by Col. jenkins. of the
5th Palmetto Sharpshooters. for his gal
liant conduct.
| In the afternoon the battery was placed
in the open field to check this flank at
tack. where it remained all night, and
then was placed in the rear guard COW
ering the retreat from Williamsburg to
| Richmond.
The battery participated in the battles
OF Seven Pines, Gaines Mill. Frazer's
Farm and Malvern Hill. After the bat
ties around Richmond the battery was
| ordered across the James river on a
forced march, on July IL, 1862. and was
engaged in General Pendleton's Mid
night attack on General Mcclellan S fleet
at Harrison's Landing. The battery
took part in the second battle of Manas-
sas, and was in the first Maryland CAM
paign, at the fight at Champion Gap and
the battle of Sharpsburg, and on Decem-
Der 10. 1862, at Fredericksburg. was hot
ly engaged all day with the Federals, in
the railroad cut Was also holly en-
gagged, April FL. ~. 20 and "a. 1862. on
White March Road, in front of Suffolk.
Va, and were complemented in general
orders by General Pickett, as follows:
Headquarters 37th Va. Reg. Inf'y.
April 26. 1862.
General Order No.
The General commanding, recognizing
the important services rendered by the
Richmond FayetteArtillery and the nth,
18th and 57th Virginia Regiments. on
April "a. 1862. in the defence of the
White Marsh road, desires me to convey
to you sense of his high appreciation of
your gallant conduct on that occasion.
Though attacked by overwhelming num-
bers. supported by twice your artillery.
you not only CALAMITY repulsed them
with perhaps loss tenfold greater than
your own, but impaired such lesson
that they have been in no haste to re-
sumo the unequal contest. To the Rich
mond Fayette Artillery the thanks of the
command are eminently due.
[Signed] JOHN B. MAGRUDER.
Col. Com. 57th Va. Regt. Vols.
The battery was also engaged in the
third days battle at Gettysburg, July 8.
1868. Up to this time Julius c. Holmes
was in all the above battles. and was
known to be brave and fearless in battle.
In the latter part of August, 1868. un-
der an act of the Confederate Congress,
dated February, 1862, transferring all
Marylanders. upon their own application.
to Maryland organizations. through Gen,
John H. Winder, Commanding the De-
partment of Richmond, he was trans |
ferred to the Second Maryland battalion
of Cavalry, Co, B. Eugene Deggs Cap |
tain, and was at once made Ist seargent |
and chortlv fbaroo+far o,J 7 :o.x
and was placed in charge OF body of |
scouts. During the month of October
was constantly engaged fighting the Fed |
eral troops. On the second SATURDAY.
night in October Lieut.. Holmes was or
dered to select twenty men of the and |
Maryland Cavalry and proceed to the
Harpers Ferry road below Charles Town |
and prevent the Federals from escaping
to Harpers Ferry. He proceeded by
Roper's Mill and crossed in the rear oil
the Cemetery. and held the pike, pre-
venting the 9th Maryland Infantry and |
Coles Battalion of cavalry from escap-
ing. Five hundred Federal prisoners
were taken. besides large numbers OF
horses and wagons, army supplies and
suffers stores. Was with Col. Harry Gil
more's command, which brought up the
rear to Berryville. Though pursued by
twice their number. not man was lost
in the retreat. Lieut.. Holmes was high
ly complimented by Col. Harry Gilmore
and Gen. John Imboden for the skillful
manner of holding back the Federals
and preventing them from escaping
down the Harpers Ferry pike. Also for