Waynesboro, VA
03/02/65
BRILLIANT CONDUCT IN A FIERCE BATTLE
Hartwell B. Compson, Robert Niven, & Andrew Kuder,
Charles Goheen, Daniel Kelly, Henry Bickford,
James Congdon, John Miller, Peter O'Brien,
Warren Carman, Harry Harvey, George Ladd,
Michael Crowley
LEAVING Winchester, Va., on February 27, 1865, General Sheridan
began his march to Petersburg, Va., with the intention of
destroying the Central Railroad and James River Canal. General
Early with a large Confederate force stood ready to oppose and
frustrate, if possible, the expedition, and upon learning of the
approach of the Federals went into position at Waynesboro, Va.
The two armies clashed March 2d. The rain had been pouring in
torrents for two days and the roads were bad beyond description ;
nevertheless the Union men seemed tireless, although neither they
nor their horses could be recognized for the mud which covered
them. General Early had at his disposal two brigades of infantry
and some cavalry under General Rosser, the infantry occupying
breastworks. General Custer was ordered to attack the enemy and,
not wanting the Confederates to get up their courage during the
delay that a careful reconnoissance necessitated, made his
dispositions for attack at once, sending three regiments around
the left flank of the enemy, which was somewhat exposed by being
advanced from, instead of resting upon, the bank of the river in
his immediate rear. "Our general committed an unpardonable error
in posting so small a force with a swollen river in its rear and
with its flanks wholly exposed," says a Confederate report of
General Early's position. General Custer with two brigades,
partly mounted and partly dismounted, at a given signal boldly
attacked and impetuously carried the enemy's works, while the
Eighth New York and the Twenty-second New York Cavalry formed in
columns of fours, dashed over the breastworks and continued the
charge through the little town of Waynesboro, the Twenty-second
supporting the Eighth New York. The Eighth crossed the South
Fork of the Shenandoah River-General Early's rear-where they
formed with drawn sabres and held the east bank of the stream.
The enemy being now pressed by Custer found their retreat cut
off, and, completely disorganized, confused, bewildered, threw
down their arms. Amidst cheers and hurrahs the victorious
Federals surrounded their brave opponents.
The substantial result of this magnificent victory was the
capture of the Confederate General Wharton and some 1,800
officers and men, fourteen pieces of artillery, seventeen battle-
flags and a train of nearly two hundred wagons and ambulances,
including General Early's headquarters wagon, containing all his
official papers and records, 1,500 stands of small arms and 800
team horses and mules.
It was a battle where the Eighth New York Cavalry, under the
gallant leadership of Major Hartwell B. Compson, earned undying
fame. The major himself performed wonderful feats of bravery and
set an example which electrified his men and inspired them to
deeds of splendid heroism. At the head of his troops who were
selected to make the attack, he charged down the highway into
Waynesboro. The enemy had five pieces of artillery in the
roadway and had thrown up earthworks on each side of the road ;
behind these breastworks infantry was posted. He was at the head
of his command with a color-bearer on one side and a bugler on
the other, when they struck the Confederate forces and a hand-to-
hand fight took place. Just then General Early and his staff
moved down their front to direct the movement of the Confederate
forces.
Coming upon Early's headquarters battle-flag he ordered the
bearer to surrender. A fierce fight at close quarters ensued and
finally a heavy blow with the sabre knocked his opponent from his
horse and the flag was captured.
Breaking through the Confederates, he moved his forces down
towards South River and kept up the charge until he reached the
bank. Seeing that the enemy were closing in on his rear and that
his support did not come up, he crossed the river and found
earthworks thrown up on the opposite side from which the enemy
could have prevented their crossing had they occupied them. He
at once dismounted his men and placed them in the Confederate
earthworks. Then when Custer pressed down upon the rebels they
were forced to cross the river, where they were ordered to
surrender. The result was that when the battle was over Colonel
Compson's command alone had taken 800 prisoners five pieces of
artillery, 1,500 stands of small arms and eight battle-flags.
Being needed no longer at the ford, Compson, who had noticed the
enemy moving their wagon-trains over the mountains by way of Rock
Fish Gap, followed with his regiment, overhauled it and captured
everything in sight. It was in this action where Second
Lieutenant Robert Niven, of Company H, of the same regiment, had
a hot encounter with a body of rebels. "I was ordered to pick
out five men from my company," says the lieutenant, " to go
ahead as an advance guard and we pressed along the narrow, hilly
road, densely lined with woods. By this time the atmosphere was
quite foggy. I had gotten far in advance of my comrades when
suddenly I found myself right in the midst of a wagon-train
composed of about ten wagons and a dozen Confederates, commanded
by a lieutenant. With a great show of bravery I ordered them to
surrender and promised that every one who attempted to escape
would be shot on the spot. But they saw that a one-man order to
twelve scattered men was practically worthless, when the bushes
around there offered such a good opportunity to get away.
Consequently, when the regiment came up I had captured not only
three or four prisoners, but also two rebel flags, ten army
wagons with mules attached, the lieutenant's horse, and all of
General Early's official papers."
Second Lieutenant Andrew Kuder, First Sergeant Charles A. Goheen
and Sergeant Daniel Kelly of Company G, and also Corporal Henry
H. Bickford and Sergeant James Congdon as well as Private John
Miller of this same regiment, the Eighth New York Cavalry, were
fortunate enough to capture rebel colors in this grand melee.
Rebel flags were also captured in this battle by Privates Peter
O'Brien and Warren Carman, of the First New York Cavalry
(Lincoln), and Harry Harvey, George Ladd and Michael Crowley of
the Twenty-second New York Cavalry. All of above mentioned were
awarded the Medal of Honor.
Source: Deeds of Valor, p. 487
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