Campaign and battle of Lynchburg, Va.Blackford, Charles Minor
History
Campaign and battle of Lynchburg, Va.
Blackford, Charles Minor
Lynchburg (Va.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865; Lynchburg, Battle of, Lynchburg, Va., 1864
Some description of Hampton's great cavalry battle at Trevilian's Depot
would strictly be a part of any history of the siege and battle of
Lynchburg, for had he failed, Lynchburg would necessarily have fallen
into the hands of the enemy; but time will not permit so pleasant a
digression. It is enough to say that it was one of the most brilliant
and successful engagements in which our troops were involved during
the war, and one which shed well-deserved renown not only on General
Wade Hampton, who commanded, but on every officer and man under him.
Conspicuous for their gallantry and valuable service in that battle was
the Second Virginia Cavalry, under our distinguished fellow-citizen,
General T.T. Munford. This great regiment was made up of companies
from Lynchburg and the surrounding counties, and was therefore one of
whose record we all have a right to be proud. On the day of that fight
it was especially distinguished for its daring courage and for its
achievements. It was in the front of the charging column which broke
Custer's line and captured _four_ out of the five caissons lost by
Sheridan on that day. It captured Custer's headquarters, his sash and
private wagon and papers. The wagon was used by General Munford until
it was recaptured, a few days before Appomattox.
On the 12th of June General Lee, who had anxiously been watching the
movements of the enemy in the Valley, and who was perfectly informed
of his designs, gave verbal orders to General Jubal A. Early to hold
his corps (the Second, or Ewell's), with Nelson's and Braxton's
artillery, in readiness to march to the Shenandoah Valley. After
dark upon that day these orders were repeated in writing, and he was
directed to move to the Valley that night at three o'clock _via_ Louisa
Courthouse, Charlottesville and Brown's Gap. He was further ordered
to communicate with General Breckinridge at Lynchburg, with a view of
a combined attack on Hunter. Breckinridge was to attack in front and
Early in the rear.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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