Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/374

 368 Southern Historical Society Papers.

advanced without my regiment, nor was my regiment ordered for- ward at any time that it did not promptly respond.

May 3d, 1864. Wm. Terry,

Colonel Fourth Viro^inia Infantry.

The above is a true copy of a paper forwarded to Brigadier- Gen- eral Ramseur May 4th, 1864.

Wm. Terry,

Colonel Fourth Virginia Infantry.

Feeling deeply interested in this matter, I went to General Ram- seur's headquarters. We talked it over. He told me that in riding along the breastworks, to the right of and near the plank road, he saw a line of battle lying behind the works, and a few steps in rear were men at about the intervals of skirmishers. He asked several of these men as he passed, to what command they belonged, and they replied, to the " Stonewall Brigade." General Ramseur very naturally concluded that the troops behind the works was the " Stonewall Brigade," and these, no doubt, were the troops that he subsequently passed over. I do not know to what command they belonged. There must be men living who can answer, should they ever see this article. I then explained to General Ramseur the po- sition of our skirmishers in the morning and the orders that Captain Wade had. It was then perfectly apparent to General Ramseur that the men that he spoke to, standing at intervals, were some of the skir- mishers of the " Stonewall Brigade," who had crossed from the lelt to the right of the plank road, and who had halted in rear of the troops behind the breastworks. General Ramseur expressed himself as perfectly satisfied that he had made a mistake and that he would correct his report.

This was on the 4th May, 1864, and the battle of the Wilderness commenced on the 5th. All who were engaged or took an interest in the movements of the army, will remember how active the cam- paign of 1864 was. Readers will remember General Grant's flank movement from the Rapidan to reach Richmond. After second Cold Harbor General Early was detached with his corps. He met Hunter in front of Lynchburg, and drove him back into West Virginia. Early then moved down the Valley; fought the battle of Monocacy and advanced even to the defences of Washington city. He then retired into Virginia, and over into the Valley. Many small affairs took place in the Valley between the armies of General Early and