Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1198

1120 returned to Virginia in December. In the following April he entered the military service as junior second lieutenant of the Rockbridge artillery, and during his first year's service received promotion to first lieutenant. At the reorganization in the spring of 1862 he was promoted captain of the battery, and in the following winter was further advanced to the rank of major. At Chancellorsville he served with the battalion of Maj. D. G. McIntosh, but soon, afterward a new battalion of four batteries was formed, attached to the Third army corps, of which Major Poague was given command. In this capacity he served until the end of the war, receiving further promotion in the winter of 1864, to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His first service in battle was rendered at Manassas in 1861, and in the fall of that year he participated in artillery skirmishes on the Potomac under command of Stonewall Jackson and Turner Ashby. Subsequently he participated in the Romney expedition and the affairs at Bath and Hancock on the upper Potomac. He served through the Valley campaign of Jackson, beginning at Kernstown, as first lieutenant in the battery, and in the subsequent retreat, doing effective service with the rear guard of Jackson's little army, and was soon thereafter elected captain. At McDowell, stationed at the Confederate center, he did an important part in the defeat of the Federal forces. Continuing the fight throughout this campaign he was engaged at Middletown, in the skirmishing on the way to Winchester, the defeat of Banks at Winchester, the skirmishing to Harper's Ferry, and two days of battle at Port Republic. Then accompanying Jackson's command to Richmond, he fought at Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. In the Manassas campaign of 1862, with Jackson's corps, he was engaged at Cedar Mountain, sustained an effective artillery duel at Groveton, participated in the action at Manassas Station, and throughout the battle of Second Manassas was distinguished for valuable and intrepid service. Subsequently with Jackson's command he took part in the reduction of Harper's Ferry, and at Sharpsburg held an important position on the left near the Dunker church. In December he was engaged at Fredericksburg, during the following winter had several skirmishes while engaged in picket duty on the Rappahannock, and during 1863 participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Mine Run, in these great struggles being equally conspicuous for gallantry and skill. He took part in the opening attack upon Grant in the Wilderness and after two days of battle on that field was engaged in line of battle with firing every day for a week at Spottsylvania Court House. Subsequently he took part in the action at Jericho Ford and the discomfiture of Grant at Cold Harbor. After a month's service at Petersburg he was stationed at Dutch Gap from August, 1864, to March 31, 1865, in charge of the mortar battery that was operated day and night at that point. On April 1st, he was in action at the time the lines were broken before Petersburg. During the retreat he fought at Cumberland Church and other points, to Amelia Court House, where his battalion and that of McIntosh were selected to accompany the infantry of Lee's army to Appomattox, during which movement he participated in all actions up to the surrender. During this long and active service Colonel Poague was fortunately wounded but twice, and both