Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/554

514 laid down its arms and left its memory, without a stain, embalmed in the undying history of Virginia and of the Confederacy.

General Early remained at New Market until December 16th, when Wharton's division fell back to near Mt. Crawford, Rosser's cavalry toward Swoope's, near Buffalo gap, west of Staunton, and Lomax's cavalry to Swift Run gap. Wharton's division, a mere regiment in numbers, the only infantry now left with Early, went into winter quarters near Fishersville, between Staunton and Waynesboro, on the 19th; on which day two divisions of Federal cavalry crossed the Blue ridge, at Chester gap, near Front Royal, and made demonstrations toward Gordonsville. The same day the signal stations reported an advance of the enemy up the valley to Woodstock. On the 20th, Early again started down the valley, with Rosser in advance, followed by Wharton, the former marching to Harrisonburg, and the latter to Naked creek beyond Mt. Sidney. The Federal cavalry came to Lacey's Springs. On the 21st, through a blinding snowstorm. Early moved forward to attack the enemy. Rosser, marching at dawn, fell on Custer's division, consisting of Pennington's and Chapman's brigades, at Lacey's, or Big Spring, on the Valley turnpike, having, in crossing over from the middle road, struck the Federals in flank, with Payne's brigade in front, followed by Morgan's, just as they were saddling their horses to advance on Wharton. Rosser routed their First and Second brigades, capturing 35 prisoners and their wagons and ambulances; but they rallied on their Third brigade, compelled him to fall back, and recaptured their wagons, when they at once retreated down the valley. Rosser was unable to get his whole command together for this attack, and so had joined issue at a disadvantage. Wharton was halted at the Big Spring, some two miles southwest of Harrisonburg.

On the 22d, Wharton marched back to near Staunton, as did also Payne's and Wickham's brigades. On the 23d, two brigades of Wharton's division took cars at Staunton for Gordonsville, to assist in repulsing the movement of cavalry that had crossed the Blue ridge at Chester gap, on the 19th. One of Wharton's brigades went into its former camp at Fishersville.

On the 24th, the brigades of Jackson, Imboden and