Historical Background for Confederate Cavalry

Historical Background
for
Confederate Cavalry

Hampton's Cavalry Activities: Summer 1864

The Confederate Cavalry Corps of Major General Wade Hampton had been quite busy along the Weldon Railroad and in the vicinity of Petersburg in the weeks and months leading up to the August 25, 1864 Battle of Reams Station.

Especially notable is another significant fight at and around Reams Station that took place on June 29, 1864. Just two days before that fight, General U.S. Grant wrote the following remarks to General George Meade regarding Confederate Cavalry moving along the James River:

The enemy's cavalry, or at least rebel troops supposed to be the cavalry that engaged Sheridan, were seen to cross the James River yesterday. It is highly probable that this cavalry will take position to try to prevent operations by us on the Weldon road. You can give Sheridan such directions as you deem best under the circumstances.⁽¹⁾

The fighting that took place on June 29, 1864 probably convinced Grant that Hampton's Corps was indeed a formidable cavalry force. Following the June 29 fight, General Kautz wrote to General Meade:

I have to report that my division, and a portion of General Wilson's division, has just arrived here. Our expedition was very successful until this afternoon, when we were surrounded and overpowered and had to abandon our transportation, wounded, and prisoners. I escaped with my division by taking it through the woods and charging across the railroad. General Wilson has probably gone back to go around by way of Jarratt's Station. The fight occurred near Reams' Station, on the Halifax road.⁽²⁾

General R.E. Lee then wrote the following to Confederate Secretary of War James Seddon:

General Hampton reports that he attacked the enemy's cavalry yesterday afternoon on their return from Staunton River bridge this side of Sappony Church, and drove them beyond that point. The fight continued during the night, and at daylight this morning he turned their left and routed them. When they reached Reams' Station they were confronted by a portion of Mahone's division, who attacked them in front, while their left flank was turned by General Fitz. Lee's cavalry. The enemy was completely routed and several pieces of artillery, with a number of prisoners, wagons, ambulances, &c., captured. The cavalry are in pursuit.⁽⁴⁾

The June 29 fight was decisive and netted the Confederates prisoners and supplies. The month of June 1864 had been active and successful. On July 10,1864, Hampton reported about his activities from June 8 through June 29:

The pursuit of the enemy, which ended near Peters' Bridge, closed the active operations which began on the 8th of June, when the movement against Sheridan commenced. During that time, a period of twenty-two days, the command had no rest, was badly supplied with rations and forage, marched upward of 400 miles, fought the greater portion of six days and one entire night, captured upward of 2,000 prisoners, many guns, small-arms, wagons, horses, and other materials of war, and was completely successful in defeating two of the most formidable and well organized expeditions of the enemy.⁽⁵⁾

The weeks that followed, leading up to the August 25 Battle of Reams Station, did not bring much relief to Hampton's Cavalry, with fighting and picketing along the banks of the James River and along the Weldon Railroad. The month of July saw two additional, smaller engagements at Reams Station⁽⁶⁾, and the engagement at Deep Bottom. Hampton's men were involved in the battles around Globe Tavern August 18 through 21. Clearly, his cavalry forces were in very frequent hostile contact with the Federals the summer of 1864.

Access to Federal Supplies and Implications for this Event

The OR's provide numerous reports of Hampton's Cavalry Corps capturing Federal supplies. As noted above, Hampton reported capturing "many guns, small-arms, wagons, horses, and other materials of war"⁽⁷⁾ in his recap of activities in June. Fitzhugh Lee mentioned "captured property" in his report about June 29 fighting at Reams Station.⁽⁸⁾ He had already in the same report stated that "I am pursuing, capturing wagons, ambulances, artillery, caissons, negroes, and prisoners"⁽⁹⁾.

In addition to goods captured as a result of battlefield contact with the enemy as described above, there were efforts to procure Federal supplies through other means, as Union General David M. Gregg reported on September 5:

General Kautz reports that the dismounted men who have for some days been prowling about his lines are there for the purpose of capturing horses. This learned from a prisoner captured from First North Carolina Cavalry.⁽¹⁰⁾

During the summer of 1864, through picket duty along the Weldon Railroad and in various hostilities between cavalry forces, Confederate cavalry had contact with a great deal of Federal goods and supplies.

Implications for this Event

As a result of this documented contact with Federal supplies, our Authenticity Regulations for the Reams Station event will allow for limited use of Federal military goods. Federal items are, however, generally the last option and therefore least desirable among the items listed. We do not want to over-represent captured Federal equipment.

Unit Portrayal: Company C, Second North Carolina Cavalry & Implications for this Event

"I have frequently been called upon to mention the services of North Carolina soldiers in this army, but their gallantry and conduct were never more deserving of admiration than in the engagement at Reams' Station, on the 25th instant"⁽¹¹⁾, General R.E. Lee stated in a letter to Governor Zebulon Vance on August 29, 1864, following The Battle of Reams Station. He went on to say, "General Barringer bore a conspicuous part in the operations of the cavalry…"⁽¹²⁾. Barringer was commanding General W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee's Division during the Reams Station fighting due to General W.H.F. Lee having a severe case of poison oak.⁽¹³⁾ As a part of Rooney Lee's Division, Barringer's Brigade and the Second North Carolina had distinguished themselves during the active weeks and months leading to the late August Battle of Reams Station.

Major William P. Roberts served the Second North Carolina, an officer whose "courage never failed", who "saw everything in battle"⁽¹⁴⁾. Roberts played a key role in the fighting at Blacks and Whites (now known as Blackstone) on June 24, 1864, orchestrating a flanking movement that eventually pushed the Federals out, "leaving their dead and wounded behind".⁽¹⁵⁾ Rooney Lee reported on the events of that day saying "My command has behaved in the most credible manner".⁽¹⁶⁾

Later, on August 15, Barringer's Brigade was successful at pushing back the Thirteenth and Eighth Pennsylvania in the fighting near White's Tavern. The next day, responding to a near-break in the line by the Ninth Virginia during fighting at Charles City Road, Rooney Lee ordered the Second North Carolina "to hurry to the front".⁽¹⁷⁾ Major Roberts later wrote,

In a short while I reported to the Major-General. My orders were to relieve the regiment to my front, the Ninth Virginia, I think it was, and he further said to me: 'Roberts, you know what to do, but this line must be held!'⁽¹⁸⁾

The line was held and the battle ended in Federal retreat, but not before the Federals started a brush fire that Roberts ordered his men to charge through, which they did without pause. Union General W.S. Hancock reported, "Our losses so far as I can ascertain are heavy. Four brigade commanders are reported killed or wounded."⁽¹⁹⁾ Later in the day, Hancock reported, "My casualties to-day in the entire command, including cavalry, at the minimum, 1,500". The fight at Charles City Road had been costly for the Federals and the Second North Carolina with its young Major Roberts had played a pivotal role.

In his report on the 25 August Battle of Reams Station, Hampton stated:

General Barringer, whom I had sent with his brigade to the east of the railroad, reported that he had met a strong force of infantry, with cavalry, on the road by which he was advancing. I ordered him to picket the road strongly and to join me with his command at Malone's Crossing. This he did just as my line was retired, and I dismounted the Second North Carolina Regiment, under Colonel Roberts, ordering him to take position on the right of the line and to attempt to turn the flank of the enemy if an opportunity offered. At 5 p.m. the artillery of General Hill opened fire, and I at once ordered an advance of my whole line, which was then formed across the railroad at Malone's Crossing. This order was promptly obeyed, and the enemy gave way. They were driven to their works near Reams' Station, giving up several positions which they had fortified. Colonel Roberts, with his regiment [2d North Carolina Cavalry], charged here one line of rifle-pits, carrying it handsomely, and capturing from 60 to 75 prisoners.⁽²⁰⁾

As Andrew A. Humphreys, Chief of Staff, Army of the Potomac, reported:

Hampton with his dismounted cavalry now made an attack on the left, driving General Gibbon's division from its breastworks, the division offering little resistance. Pressing on with loud cheers, Hampton's cavalry was met by a heavy flank fire from Gregg's dismounted cavalry, which checked their advance. Then they turned on Gregg, who was forced to fall back and form on the left of the new line which General Gibbon had established a short distance in the rear of the intrenchments.⁽²¹⁾

Hancock's report on the battle commented thusly about the charge against Gibbon's position:

About 6.45 p.m. the enemy made a spirited advance upon General Gibbon's line of rifle-pits in the corn-field. Gibbon's division at once fell back in great confusion. Gregg's cavalry, dismounted, which was posted in rifle-pits on Gibbon's left, fought gallantly, and completely checked the enemy's advance in that direction until darkness came on, when our troops were withdrawn from the field and marched to the vicinity of the Williams house.⁽²²⁾

Of course, the best endorsement of the efforts of the Second North Carolina Cavalry and its gallantry during The Battle of Reams Station comes from Roberts himself:

After the death of Colonel C.M. Andrews, I was commissioned Colonel of the Regiment about the 1^st of August, and soon after followed the battle of Ream's Station, brought on by a movement of the Federals to capture and hold the Weldon and Petersburg Railroad, on 25 August. The bearing of the 2d there furnished an inspiration to the whole cavalry command. The fact is, the great brunt of the battle, so far as cavalry participated, was borne by the 2d North Carolina and the 10^th Virginia, and these two regiments, unsupported, carried the last of the entrenchments held by the enemy. It was just dark, I remember, and I never witnessed a more splendid charge. Our losses were small, but our captures were great. The command captured twice as many prisoners as it had men engaged, and the next morning Richmond papers gave full credit to its splendid and heroic service. The superb soldier and our chief, General Wade Hampton, in his official report upon the battle, referred especially to the conspicuous gallantry of my regiment.⁽²³⁾

Given the historical record we have regarding General W.H.F. Lee's Division in defense of the Weldon Railroad, and particularly that of the Second North Carolina during the fighting at Reams Station, we will humbly attempt to portray that Regiment during the event. We have chosen Company C as this was William Roberts' company prior to promotion.

Implications for this Event

Portraying the Second North Carolina should not be radically different in appearance than other ANV cavalry regiments during the summer of 1864, particularly those within Barringer's Brigade and W.H.F. Lee's Division.

The portrayal of this regiment presents no unusual challenges in terms of material culture. We hope the vivid historical background of this regiment will prove enriching to the living history experience for the re-enactors.

1. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Carmal , IN: Guild Press of Indiana, 1997), Series I--Volume XL/2 [S# 81].

2. Ibid, Series I - Volume XL/2 [S# 80], JUNE 13-JULY 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign. No. 280.--Reports of Brig. Gen. August V. Kautz, U. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations June 15-30.

3. Ibid, Series I - Volume LI/2 [S# 108], Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Maryland, Eastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia (Except Southwestern), And West Virginia.--#42.

4. Ibid, Series I--Volume XL/1 [S# 80], June 13-July 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
No. 293.--Reports of General Robert E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding Army of Northern Virginia.

5. Ibid, Series I--Volume XL/1 [S# 80], August 1-December 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign. No. 374.--Reports of Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, of operations August 25, September 14-17, September 29-October 1, October 27-28, and December 7-11.

6. Ibid, Series I--Volume XL/1 [S# 80], June 13-July 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.The OR's report a "skirmish" on July 22 and an "engagement" on July 29.

7. Ibid, Series I --Volume XL/1 [S# 80], August 1-December 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign. No. 374.--Reports of Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, of operations August 25, September 14-17, September 29-October 1, October 27-28, and December 7-11.

8. Ibid, Series I -- Volume LI/2 [S# 108], Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Maryland, Eastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia (Except Southwestern), And West Virginia, #42.

9. Ibid.

10. Ibid, Series I --Volume XLII/2 [S# 88]Union Correspondence, Orders, And Returns, Relating To Operations In Southeastern Virginia And North Carolina, From August 1, 1864, To September 30, 1864, #29.

11. Ibid, Series I -- Volume LI/2 [S# 108], Confederate Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Maryland, Eastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia (Except Southwestern), And West Virginia, #42.

12. Ibid.

13. Mary Daughtry; Gray Cavalier: The Life and Wars of General W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee, (Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2002), p.210.

14. Ibid, p. 190.

15. Ibid.

16. Ibid.

17. Ibid, p. 203.

18. Ibid, p. 204.

19. Ibid, Series I--Volume XLII/2 [S# 88] Union Correspondence, Orders, And Returns, Relating To Operations in Southeastern Virginia And North Carolina, From August 1, 1864, To September 30, 1864, #9.

20. Ibid, Series I--Volume XLII/1 [S# 87] August 1-December 31, 1864.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign. No. 374.--Reports of Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, of operations August 25, September 14-17, September 29-October 1, October 27-28, and December 7-11.

21. Andrew A Humphreys, The Virginia Campaign of 1864 and 1865, (Edison, NJ: Castle Books, 2002), p.282.

22. Ibid, Series I--Volume XLII/1 [S# 87]August 1-December 31, 1864.-- The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign. No. 17.-- Reports of Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, U.S. Army, commanding Second Army Corps, of operations August 12--October 28.

23. Lee Jacobs; The Gray Riders (Shippensburg, PA: Burd Street Press, 1999), p.29. This work includes articles and writing from various authors. The source for this particular piece is cited as Walter Clark, Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War 1861-1865.

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Last updated: 29 December 03 at 2000 hrs
by Mark (Silas) Tackitt