The Second Maryland Infantry, which was destined to take such a brilliant and conspicuous part in the great rebellion, was formed and partially organized in Richmond during the autumn of 1862.
To the exertions of Major Herbert, Captains William H. Murray, Ferdinand Duvall, and other officers, the Confederacy was mainly indebted for this splendid command. As I have said, they but partially organized in Richmond, and then proceeded to Winchester, where the organization was perfected and Captain Herbert elected Major.
Shortly after my company joined them, an order was issued by General Jones directing that the officers of the command should go into an election for a Lieutenant-Colonel, it having more than the requisite number of companies. Major Herbert was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel. A short time after Captain W. W. Goldsborough was promoted to the Majority, when the organization stood as follows:
Lieutenant-Colonel, James R. Herbert; Major, W. W. Goldsborough; Acting Adjutant, Lieutenant George Thomas; Quartermaster, Major James Hardin; Commissary, Captain John E. Howard; Surgeon, Dewilton Snowden.
Company A.—Captain, William H. Murray; Lieutenants, George Thomas, Clapham Murray, William B. Zollinger.
Company B.—Captain, J. Perrin Crane; Lieutenants, John H. Stone, Charles B. Wise, James H. Wilson.
Company C.—Captain, F. C. Duvall; Lieutenants, Charles W. Hodges, Joseph W. Barber, Thomas H. Tolson.
Company D.—Captain, Joseph L. McAleer; Lieutenants, James S. Franklin, J. T. Bussey, S. T. McCullough.
Company E.—Captain, John W. Torsch; Lieutenants, William Broadfoot, W. R. Byus, James P. Quinn.
Company F.—Captain, A. J. Gwynn; Lieutenants, Polk, John Hyland, and Forrest.
Maj. W. W. GOLDSBOROUGH.
Maj. W. W. GOLDSBOROUGH.
Maj. W. W. GOLDSBOROUGH.
Company G.—Captain, Thomas R. Stewart; Lieutenants, James Davis, W. H. Wrightson, G. G. Guillette.
After the Moorefield trip the Second Maryland spent the remainder of the winter in camp at various points in the Valley of Virginia, first at New Market, then near Edinburg, Lacy’s Springs, Harrisonburg, and at Woodstock.
Nothing of importance occurred during that time to disturb the monotony of camp life, except an occasional alarm, or expedition after pig iron to the furnaces in the vicinity of Edinburg. These expeditions were facetiously called “Jones’ pig iron raids” by the men, and which they, as well as the officers, heartily detested, for it seemed as though General Jones invariably selected a blinding snow storm in which to make them.
It was in March, whilst encamped near Woodstock, that one day a cavalry picket dashed into camp and informed Colonel Herbert that a large body of the enemy’s cavalry were advancing rapidly, down the valley turnpike, and were within three or four miles of us. The long roll was instantly sounded, and although the men were all engaged at one thing or another around the camp, and the summons was totally unexpected, yet within less than three minutes the column was formed and on the move. Such was the state of efficiency our able commander had brought his battalion to.
We marched rapidly up the turnpike until we hadpassed Woodstock, three miles from our encampment, and were within two miles of the enemy before we were overtaken by the cavalry, under command of Jones in person. He ordered us to halt and form line of battle, whilst he pressed forward to ascertain the number and character of the Federal forces. In a short time we were startled by a volley of small arms and the wild yell which we knew too well came from our men in the charge. It was not long before prisoners began to come to the rear in large numbers, and we were assured that it had been successful. The General had encountered the Twelfth and Thirteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, and at one charge, with an inferior force, scattered them to the four winds, capturing, killing, and wounding over three hundred of them.
Although the troops were without shelter the whole winter, except such as they could erect out of brush and leaves, there was scarcely any sickness, and a hardier set of men I never saw. It was demonstrated to our entire satisfaction that tents were not fit for troops in winter, as the winter before we had tried them for a while in the First Maryland, and much more sickness prevailed.
It was some time in April, 1863, that General Jones determined to make a raid upon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the neighborhood of New Creek and Cheat River. The Second Maryland was to accompany the expedition as far as Moorefield, between sixty and seventy miles distant, to bringback the wagon train, which could accompany them no further, and to gather up stores of every kind to be found in that rich and fertile valley.
It was a lovely morning that we left our camp, and although the roads were bad we made good progress the first two days. On the third day, however, the rain commenced to pour down in torrents. It was a cold, sleety rain, and about as disagreeable a one as it had ever been my misfortune to encounter. On we pressed, though, fording rapid streams waist deep and climbing immense ranges of mountains. By three or four o’clock of the third day we had reached the summit of the last range, at the foot of which lay the beautiful town of Moorefield. Suddenly the wind sprung up, the clouds and mist disappeared, and away off in the distance lay this magnificent valley, one of the most enchanting spots in West Virginia. I was perfectly charmed, and for a long while gazed upon the scene before me in silent admiration.
That night we went into camp within two miles of the town, and next morning moved a portion of the command into the place, whilst the remainder encamped upon its suburbs.
General Jones finding it impossible to cross the river at Moorefield, moved up to Petersburg with his cavalry, where a crossing was effected.
We were now left to ourselves, with instructions to rest the men and horses, and then return to the Valley of Virginia in the vicinity of Harrisonburg.We had but little to fear from the enemy, who were at Winchester, some seventy miles off. We therefore took our own time about leaving, for we found Moorefield a most delightful place, and the people kind and hospitable. However, after a stay of three days, we retraced our steps by the way of Franklin to Harrisonburg, taking with us about one hundred and fifty prisoners that General Jones had captured after a sharp fight at Greenland Church, and also some of our wounded, among whom was the gallant Colonel Richard Dulaney, of the Seventh Virginia Cavalry.
We reached Harrisonburg without an incident worthy of note, and went into camp to await the return of the expedition, which we did not expect for at least a month.