October 27 found the 8th New York pursuing Confederate cavalry from Purcellville toward Snickersville along the Snickersville Turnpike. An article in the October 31, 1862 New York Daily Herald reported: "the Eighth New York under Colonel Davis was sent on a reconnaissance along the turnpike toward Winchester. It was understood a rebel force was stationed at Snickersville about 15 miles from here. When the advance squadron of the regiment, under Captain Pope, reached within two miles of Snickersville the rebel pickets appeared on the right and left of the turnpike and fired at our men. Shots were exchanged, the enemy falling back and our men advancing... At every turn in the road the rebel skirmishers appeared in increasing force." As the Eighth New York continued their advance along the turnpike "the right platoon reached the enemy first near a belt of woods, the remainder of the squadron followed on a charge. The rebels were dispersed. Beyond there was a large open space completely commanded by rebel artillery planted on rising ground behind. As soon as our men debouched from the woods the artillery opened on them. One shell killed 5 of our horses and wounded two or three of our men." The squadron was then ordered to rejoin the regiment drawn in a line a short distance to the rear. Having ascertained the position of the enemy the regiment returned to Purcellville."
Henry Norton also described the action along the turnpike: "On the morning of the 27th, we broke camp and started for the rebs. Our cavalry was on the advance of the army. The rebel cavalry covered the retreat of their army...We marched along until we came to Snicker's Gap. The Colonel marched the regiment up the mountain to see what was there. We were marching by fours, and had gone but about one-half mile when we found the "rebs". They had a cannon planted in the road, and when we were near enough, they fired the gun. It was loaded with canister. The balls hit some of the horses, and made quite a commotion among the boys for a few minutes. The order was given to about face and retreat. Away the regiment went down the road faster than they had come up".
After the engagement Colonel Davis noted in a report to Alfred Pleasonton that he had "driven the enemy through Snickersville, that his advance was fired on from the gap and he lost 1 man killed and 5 horses by the bursting of a shell". Actual losses included 1 enlisted man killed, 1 enlisted man wounded and 5 enlisted men missing.
Cavalry Action Near Snickersville from Harpers Magazine
On October 29, 1862 Major General J. E..B. Stuart headed east from Jefferson County, Virginia through Snickers Gap with Brigadier General Fitz Lee's Cavalry brigade, commanded by Colonel William C. Wickham and Major John Pelham's horse artillery. On October 31 Stuart advanced along the Snickersville Pike to Mountville where he routed three companies of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry before coming in contact with George Bayard's command farther east near Aldie. Fearing federal forces that were reportedly approaching from his rear Stuart disengaged late in the day and retreated to Middleburg.
Area of Operations in Loudoun County, November 1-2, 1862.
On November 1, 1862 Stuart was informed Pleasonton was advancing with his division southward toward Philomont from Purcellville. Stuart moved the 3rd Virginia Cavalry and Major Pelham's horse artillery from Middleburg to Union (present day Unison) and arrived there before Pleasonton. Stuart's cavalry skirmished with Pleasonton's forces near the town of Philomont for most of the afternoon. Colonel Davis's 8th New York, the 8th Pennsylvania, the 3rd Indiana and guns of Lieutenant Alexander C. M. Pennington's horse artillery engaged the rebel cavalry west of town. Norton commented on the fighting at Philomont. He said: "When General Davis came upon the rebels, he never waited for them to attack him. He would cast his eyes over the field, and he could tell in a minute what to do. He would take them on the flank and would go for them heavy. He would drive them every time he attacked them." By days end Union cavalry had pushed Stuart's forces westward toward Union where they would make a stand on November 2nd. Davis's command did not suffer any losses in the engagement.
North Fork Beaverdam Creek Ford between Philomont & Unison
Looking eastward from Unison toward Philomont
Late in the evening, as darkness shrouded the battlefield, the Confederate cavalry withdrew toward Upperville where, according to Civil War in Loudoun Valley "many spent the night huddled in their blankets in a family graveyard among the headstones". The 8th New York Cavalry under Colonel Davis was engaged most of the afternoon with other forces of Pleasonton's command. Davis's command captured 3 prisoners and had several men wounded during the days fighting. Pleasonton noted in his November 2 dispatch to Randolph Marcy, McClellan's Chief of Staff: "The cavalry dismounted under Colonel Davis 8th New York have behaved markedly well."
Looking eastward toward Unison from Quaker Meeting House site
Fighting occurred east of Upperville on November 3. Pleasonton's command had been augmented by troops of Brigadier General William W. Averell's cavalry brigade and Captain John C. Tidball's horse artillery. When the 8th New York Cavalry arrived on the field Colonel Davis had Company H dismount and fight on foot. According to Henry Norton "every fourth man stayed with the horses... We marched along until we came to the edge of the woods...where there was a stone wall. One of our men saw a "reb" off about a half mile, and fired at him without orders. There was a rebel battery off to our right, and when they heard the shot, they turned their guns that way and commenced firing. We must have been just the right distance off for the shells exploded right over our heads. Soon we heard a yell. It was General Davis with the rest of the regiment, charging the rebels. We went back where our horses were, mounted, and on we went."
After the days fighting had ceased on November 3 Stuart departed Upperville and headed westward toward Ashby Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stuart briefly turned over command of Fitz Lee's cavalry to Colonel Thomas Rosser so he could confer with Stonewall Jackson at Millwood. Rosser would head the Confederate cavalry southward toward Piedmont Station (present day Delaplane) on the Manassas Gap Railroad where he hoped to join up with Wade Hampton's Brigade which was in route from Front Royal. When Rosser arrived at Piedmont Station Hampton was not there so Rosser moved westward toward Markham. Rosser would be engaged in a "minor skirmish" with Union forces commanded by Averell at Markham.
Area of Operations in Fauquier County, November 3-4, 1862
November 5, 1862 would find both Stuart's and Pleasonton's cavalry at Barbee's Crossroads (present day Hume) south of Markham. The crossroads was an important intersection of four roads about 12 miles northwest of Warrenton. Barbee's Crossroads was named after Joseph Barbee who built a tavern at the intersection about 1790. Stuart's troops arrived first. He deployed Fitz Lee's command (under Rosser) on the right and Hampton's on the left of the main road leading south out of town. They were supported by Pelham's horse artillery. Pleasonton arrived about 9:00 a.m. He positioned his two brigades of cavalry and Pennington's artillery to assaulted the rebel line. A savage fight ensued.
Colonel B. F. Davis's 8th New York was in the thick of the fight. General George McClellan addressed the fighting in his official report noting: "About 12 m today Pleasonton's cavalry met and attacked Stuart's command of about 3000 cavalry and 4 pieces of artillery at Barbee's. Colonel Gregg with the 8th Pennsylvania and the 6th U. S. Cavalry moved on the right and turned his (Stuart's) position. Colonel Davis with the 8th New York attacked the enemy's left and Colonel (John F.) Farnsworth with the 8th Illinois moved against the center. A largely superior force charged Colonel Davis's 8th New York but were gallantly met and repulsed." Davis had his horse killed under him.
Area of Operations in Fauquier County November 5, 1862
Henry Norton mentions the fight at Barbee's in his history of the 8th New York Cavalry. Norton wrote" We marched along (on November 5) until the middle of the afternoon, when we came to Barbee's Crossroads. The rebels had made a stand to hold us in check. When we came within a mile of the crossroads we went into the fields. After marching nearly one hundred rods, we came to a knoll that hid us from view. There we halted...the general dismounted Company I and one other company to fight on foot." Davis deployed the dismounted men behind a stone wall and attempted to take a Confederate battery which was firing at the 8th New York. He was unable to capture the battery however. "We were glad when Davis came and marched us down under the knoll out of range" of the artillery. "After we went under the know the rebels lost track of us. They made out where the dismounted horses were, and made a charge on them. Then the General got in one of his counter charges. It was not long before he came over the knoll and gave the command to right wheel and come on. It was cut and slash. When the rebels saw us they were under such headway that many of them could not stop their horses and rode past us and were taken prisoners. Those who could, wheeled their horses and got out. We went for them heavy, and killed a number and wounded a good many."
Norton also mentioned that Pleasonton was watching the 8th New York. "When the rebels made the charge on us: Pleasonton "said to one of his aides: The Eighth New York is a goner. When he saw that we had driven the rebels back, he slapped his hands and yelled out: Bully for the Eighth New York."
A correspondent writing from Barbee's Crossroads, under date of November 5 wrote, in part, as printed in Frank Moore's The Rebellion Record, 6th Volume; "Colonel Davis had taken his regiment on the right, and placing two squadrons in a hollow, concealed from sight had dismounted one squadron and placed the men behind a stone wall, where there was a small detachment of the sixth regulars. Captain Houston lead the charge of the (1st) North Carolina Regiment...When he halted to form his own regiment, seeing the squadron deployed, he shouted, Only one squadron and then gave the command to charge. With a fearful yell the rebels in a solid column, with sabres flourishing, and pistols and carbines cocked, dashed at the squadron of Col Davis's regiment, expecting its speedy annihilation. Colonel Davis, who was watching the rebels from the knoll, behind which his two (mounted) squadrons were formed, dashed from the hollow, and bringing them around to the right, awaited the assault for a moment. At the same instant the dismounted men behind the wall opened fire as the North Carolinians came near. Then Colonel Davis, with his two squadrons, dashed at them. Sabres glistened, carbines cracked, and men rent the air with cheers. The rebel regiment wheeled about and fled as fast as their horses could carry them, and screaming like a troop of wild Indians, Colonel Davis, with his squadron chased them shouting and cheering as they went."
A correspondent writing from Barbee's Crossroads, under date of November 5 wrote, in part, as printed in Frank Moore's The Rebellion Record, 6th Volume; "Colonel Davis had taken his regiment on the right, and placing two squadrons in a hollow, concealed from sight had dismounted one squadron and placed the men behind a stone wall, where there was a small detachment of the sixth regulars. Captain Houston lead the charge of the (1st) North Carolina Regiment...When he halted to form his own regiment, seeing the squadron deployed, he shouted, Only one squadron and then gave the command to charge. With a fearful yell the rebels in a solid column, with sabres flourishing, and pistols and carbines cocked, dashed at the squadron of Col Davis's regiment, expecting its speedy annihilation. Colonel Davis, who was watching the rebels from the knoll, behind which his two (mounted) squadrons were formed, dashed from the hollow, and bringing them around to the right, awaited the assault for a moment. At the same instant the dismounted men behind the wall opened fire as the North Carolinians came near. Then Colonel Davis, with his two squadrons, dashed at them. Sabres glistened, carbines cracked, and men rent the air with cheers. The rebel regiment wheeled about and fled as fast as their horses could carry them, and screaming like a troop of wild Indians, Colonel Davis, with his squadron chased them shouting and cheering as they went."
Colonel Davis wrote an official report of the battle. It was found by another blogger, reportedly, in the National Archives. The report does not appear in the Official Records. It is included in its entirety below.
“Dec. 5, 1862
Captain,
I have the honor to submit herewith in compliance with the 742 Article Army Regulations, the following report of the operations of my regiment at the fight at [Barbee’s] Cross Roads on the 5th of November.
On leaving Piedmont in the morning the regiment was placed in rear of the leading section of artillery and followed in this order until we came up with the enemy. The guns were placed in position and I was directed to support them, but before the regiment was formed I was ordered by Gen. Pleasonton in person to move towards a mill which was on our right and front and operate in that direction. By taking advantage of hollows and ravines we reached the mill unmolested but on attempting to pass the crest were met by severe fire of spherical case from the enemy’s artillery which was posted on a commanding eminence about 600 yards to our left and front. The enemy’s cavalry could also be seen in large force in the other end of a field about a quarter of a mile distant. The regiment was halted momentarily behind the crest and dispositions made to attack.
Capt. [Hobert] Mann’s squadron was dismounted and sent along a stone wall which was somewhat in the direction of their guns, with orders to drive away their skirmishers and if he could get close enough to pick off their gunners. The other three squadrons were then moved over the hill into the field and placed behind some high ground to screen them from the artillery fire, which was at this time very severe.
The enemy’s cavalry were also hidden from view by high ground at the other extremity of the field. Capt. [Edmond] Pope’s, a small squadron of fifty men, was then thrown forward as skirmishers toward a piece of woods to the right and front. The regiment opposite to me proved to be the 1st North Carolina and the commanding officer seeing Capt. Pope’s squadron and supposing it to be alone immediately ordered the charge. The Captain ordered his men to rally in the corner of the field to my right and rear and the enemy came dashing after him at full speed and with loud cheers. From an eminence on which I was standing I galloped back to the Reserve Squadrons, brought them up over the hill and charged the enemy somewhat obliquely just as the main body had arrived nearly opposite to our position. Although less than half their numbers the charge was made with such vigor and intrepidity that he hesitated, pulled up, opened fire with pistol and carbines and finally as the leading files were closing upon him, turned about and fled in the utmost confusion. The men followed with the greatest eagerness close up to the reserves, sabering and taking prisoners at every step. Knowing that a regiment was in reserve ready to call on in case the pursuit was followed too far I ordered the men to rally in the woods on our right already referenced to. This was done but owing to the confusion that necessarily follows a successful charge, not without considerable delay.
I should have mentioned that a part of the enemy’s leading squadron had anticipated the main body and had reached the corner of the field in pursuit of our skirmishers when they were opened upon by a sharp fire from Capt. Mann’s dismounted squadron, and driven back, most of them making their escape through the woods on the right. Quite a number of prisoners also made their escape in the same manner for want of a reserve to pick them up. As soon as the command was rallied, Capt. Pope’s squadron was again thrown forward in the woods as skirmishers and was fast gaining a position to their left and rear when the 3rd Indiana reached me as a support. I ordered it forward to attack the enemy now in full retreat, and informed Major [George] Chapman that I would follow closely and give him support. Whilst proceeding to execute this order the Major was called by a counter order from Gen. Pleasonton to go to the rear and support guns. I then recalled Capt. Pope and moved the regiment to the front but by this time the enemy’s columns had safely retreated and taken up a position with their artillery a mile or so in rear. Understanding no pursuit was to be made I repaired to the rear and reported myself to the general in person.
The result of the charge was five of the enemy left dead on the field, one captain and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates taken prisoners. We had one man “Pat [Peter Kelley]” of Co E killed by a blow from a saber and six wounded. Two of the wounded who were taken prisoner report that the enemy buried that night six of their men who were mortally wounded in the charge. I cannot conclude this report without claiming for the cavalry service in general and my regiment in particular that this was a complete and thorough repulse of a charge of cavalry by a counter charge, although the enemy outnumbered us at least two to one. In regard to the conduct of the officers and men I can make no discrimination. As far as I could see and hear every officer and man behaved in a courageous and soldier like manner.
The charging squadrons were those of Capt. [Benjamin] Foote and [George] Barry. Capt. Pope also rallied part of his men in time to join in the charge. The field officers, Lt. Col. [Charles] Babbitt & Major [William] Markell and my Adjt. Lt. [Albert] Ford were in the thickest of it and did good service.
I am Sir, Respectfully, B. F. Davis
Col. 8th New York Cavalry”
To be continued.
Some information in this presentation regarding the strength and disposition of Confederate forces is derived from "The Perfect Lion: The Life and Death of Confederate Artillerist John Pelham by Jerry H Maxwell.
Some information in this presentation regarding the strength and disposition of Confederate forces is derived from "The Perfect Lion: The Life and Death of Confederate Artillerist John Pelham by Jerry H Maxwell.
