Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-08-01
The Fight at BerryYille.

b. stuart Camp of Confederate Veterans
AZ their meeting last Saturday. by Maj.
samuel {. Moore of Berryville:
In the spring Of 1864, the army of the
Valley OF Virginia bad been ordered to
reinforce the army defending Richmond
against the persistent and powerful at
tacks made upon it by the Federal army
under General Grant. and very small
number of Confederate troops was left
N the Valley. n consequence OF this,
General David Hunter was enabled TO
march from the Potomac To- the neigh
borhood OF Lynchburg, without meeting
any formidable opposition. burning and
devastating the country on his march.
In order 20 protect Lynchburg, and keep
oprn the communications between Rich
mond and The southwest. General Early
commanding the second corps, was hur-
ried with his troops 10 that City by rail-
road, where they arrived just in time 20
prevent Hunter from occupying the City,
and TO drive his army into the mountains
of southwest Virginia and West Virginia,
where cut of from all sources OF supply,
in country where provisions ..ere
scarce. they suffered great privstions, and
retreated ia a condition more resembling
mob than au organized army.
General Early did not pursue him
more than q few miles, for being familiar
with the country, he was unwilling to
subject his men t. the hardships that
would attend a pursuit through II. Being
satisfied that the only idea Of the re-
doubtable Hunter was 10 get away from
him. and that there was no probability
Of his returning 10 the Valley, he return
ed TO LynchburC, and took up the re-
markable march from there 10 Washing
ton City, in which he cleared the Valley
OF Federal troops, all OF whom abandon
ed the posts they occupied and retired
into Maryland. At Monocacy he en-
cOuntered and defeated General Lew
Wallace, and pushed on 10 Washington,
TO the great CONSERVATION Of the Gov
crnment and the people of that City.
The effect Of this bold movement was TO
cause General Grant 20 detach two corps
OF his army, and hurry them to the de-
fence of the capital. Not having sul-
cient force to occupy the City, and the
main object having been accomplished
in reducing the strength of Grants at
tacking army, he then retired into Nir-
ginia, closely pursued by large army.
Crossing the Blue Ridge at Smokers
Gap, and the Shenandoah river at Cas-
ueman's Ferry, he took up a strong posi-
tion on the west side of the river in
Clarke County, and inflicted u severe
blow upon his pursuers at Cool Spring.
Having ascertained that force of the
enemy was advancing by way of Mar
tinsburg, with view of getting into his
rear, he continued his retreat 10 the
ncighborhood of Mount Jackson, and
after resting his men and horses for
few days. he assumed the offensive, and
cncountering the enemy under Crook at
Ncwtown and defeating him, drove his
army through Winchester and occupied
that place.
The military policy adopted was to
maintain an army in the lower Valley,
as constant menace TO Washington and
thus detain as many of the Federal army
as possible for its defence, so as to pre-.
vent them from being sent to aid in the
attack on Richmond. For this purpose
il was considered necessary for General
Early to present bold front, and with
his small army 10 conduct an active
campaign. He therefore established his
Head Quarters at Bunker Hill, about
half way between Winchester and Mar
,insburg. lie had encamped there three
small divisions, commanded by Gordon,
Rhodes and Ramseur, which had been
greatly reduced by the casualties Of the
campaign. From that point he was
constantly making demonstrations to
Martinsburg, to Charles Town, to Shep-
herdstown and other places driving the
enemy before him at every point A
small division, commanded by Pegram
was at Winchester, and another division,
commanded by General j. B. Korshaw of
South Carolina, which had been sent TO
reinforce him, was on the west side Of
the Opequon, between Winchester and
Berryville. The cavalry camp was at
Leetown in Jefferson County, from
which place scouting parties were sent
out, and delachments were distributed
at different points along the line.
The enemy occupied continuous line
OF earth works from Summit Point to
Bcrryville, with redOubts at different
points along the line, terminating at a
rcdoubt on Grindstone hill, in the field
Immediately in rear of the ROsemonl
house, about a mile west of Berryville
They had also a lateral line of earth
works, starting about the point where
the road from the County Poor house
farm reaches the summit Point turnpike
and extending across the Charles Town
turnpike to the high ground where tho
public cemetery now is, where was 4
redoubt with artillery.
Soon after daylight of the Bird of Sep
tember 1864, we ere aroused at Head
Quarters at Bunker Hill, by artillery tir
Ing and volleys Oi musketry, whereupoT
the troops were Immediately formed anC
moved in the direction of the firing
which we judged was near Berryville
Marching across the fields, and orossing
the Opequon near the burnt factory, W,
reached the Winchester and Berryvill,