Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-07-07
Battle Of Mcdowell

ation of this sketch, IL Is my raEe
privilege to have the assistance OF
two confederate veterans, in refer
eenee to the movements Of the 3ist
Va. Infantry, from Tuesday, May
9, 1852 TO MAY 10Th, following.
These persons are residents of Mon
terey. Va, Capt. Jacob Matheny,
who was wounded in the action,
and Sergt. Osborne Wilson. The
former is clerk Of both courts. and
so far as | am advised is the dean
of Virginia clerks. The last nam.
ed il a commissioner of the, circuit
court OF Highland Sergt Wilson
kept diary, q Is mo. memorand-
UNI book of hundred or more
pages, and we'll deserved a conspic.
ious niche in the Richmond con-
federate museum. So far, as tested
its contents agreed with the ,accu-
rate recollections of Capt Matheny.
Tuesday, May 6, 1862, Gen Edward
Johnson's brigade at West View,
Augusta county, began to move at
/ pm, toward Buffalo Gap, reach
ing that point at dark. At day
light, May 7th, the march west
ward was resumed, reaching. Ry-
ans at about $50 am. This is
where the Stanton and Parkers.
burg pike leaves the Harrisonburg
road. Here the 31st "cameiu hear
ing Of considerable firing" in the
direction of the old camp at the
east base Of Shenandoah mountain.
Confederate scouts and hanking
parties had made an onset so
fierce aud unexpected that the un-
ionists stampeded OVER the Shenan-
doah, leaving all their belongings,
over which the Confederates were
much elated.
Pressing forward. the brigade
reached the summit of the Shenan.
doah before the unionists could be
rallied and reinforced. Here the
confederates waited for the artille-
ry to come up and be placed in pc.
sition. Thereupon the confeder.
ates moved on for Shaw's Fork,
where they were checked rather
fiercely by union artillery from the
summit Of Shaw's Ridge. The
unionists soon gave way in such
hurry as to leave the most OF
Shaw's Fork equippage for the use
Of the confederates, all of which
was much appreciated.
The 31st bivouacked on the sum.
NIT of Shaw's Ridge. On Thurs
day morning, May 9Th. 1T was
found to he quite frosty but indica
tions were that all would be warm
enough to move more ways than
one ere nightfall." Rumors were
rife that the federals were 1900
strong between Allegheny noun
tain and Mcdowell. aiming to en-
velope the confederates, provided
they could be induced to lilger
awhile until movements in THE low.
er valley could be accomplished
By IL m. the 3lst was near the
top of Bullpastmre mountain. 9th
er regiments had passed on, land
for the first time Gen. Jackson, ap'
pears" Twenty. five rounds of ar
t;llery are heard from Hull's Hill
details are made for taking care Of
the wounded; a section Of artiller,
is ordered up; reenforcements arr
seen coming on in long gray lines
All this stirs the emotions Of thu
note book soldier and he writes
that we may have a successful figh
and drive the invaders from GU
country. God Of mercy help ant
make US brave and prudent. Thu
details of the battle are given il
the diary for May 9Th, are virtual
Nv the same as mentioned by DR.. /
l. Dabnty and illustrates hov
truthfullY the story OF the Nc
Dowell affair is told by Stonewall'
preacher, chief Of staff. That IS L
say, the part taken by the 3lst reg
iment in that memorable action
and SO upon the principle Of ss IN
omnia disco, we infer that so far Al
facts are concerned, DR.. Dabney'
sketch cannot be successfully i'm
peached.
Thursday night, after the battl
closed, the 3lst went into bivoua
Al "