Battle of Monocacy
New York Times Article - July 13, 1864
The following article is transcribed from the New York Times, dated July 13, 1864:
THE BATTLE ON THE MONOCACY
Details of the Action.
From the Baltimore American, July 11. In order to ascertain the precise condition of affairs at the front, and to sift the truth from the contradictory rumors afloat in the city, we drove out yesterday afternoon to Ellicott's Mills, to which point it was understood Gen. WALLACE had fallen back. On the Frederick road, after passing the limits of the city, we were surprised to find such a general absence of the excitement that prevailed in the city. With the exception of about a dozen contrabands, and two wagons loaded with cotton, there was no evidence of the anticipated approach of the enemy. In front of London Park Cemetery we met Capt. ALEXANDER's battery coming toward the city, and were pleased to find the Captain and all his officers, after three days' hard fighting, safe and sound, and all his guns in good condition. On inquiring, we ascertained that he had only had three men wounded and lost three horses in all the actions. The enemy made a desperate attempt to capture his guns at the Monocacy fight, but were repulsed with great slaughter. At Ellicott's Mills, which we reached at 5 o'clock, we found Gen. WALLACE, with the remnant of his force, numbering about 5,000 men, resting from their three days' struggle with the enemy. They were all in good spirits, and claimed that though they had lost about 600 prisoners captured, that they had punished the enemy during their eight hours' fight to an extent that more than counterbalanced all our losses. The veterans of the command especially distinguished themselves in the fight, and it was only when they were in danger of being enveloped by three immense lines of battle approaching them that they fell back. The force of the enemy was not less than 20,000 men -- more than treble that of the gallant band of Gen. WALLACE -- and the solid phalanx that he threw forward to protect his rear soon drove back their cavalry that attempted to harass his movements. The enemy did not follow them more than three miles from the Monocacy, and it was during this time that they picked up most of the prisoners that they secured. The enemy were commanded by Gen. EARLY, and no doubt his entire corps was on the field. Gen. TYLER was cut off and it was thought he was captured, though nothing definite is known with regard to him, except that he is missing. Capt. F.I.D. WEBB, Inspector-General of Gen. TYLER's Staff, is also missing, and supposed to be a prisoner. The Eleventh Maryland Regiment acted throughout the fight as supports to Capt. ALEXANDER's battery, and were exposed to heavy shelling. But two or three of them were, however, wounded, and about fifty who broke down in the march are supposed to have been capture. There were about twenty-five prisoners captured, who were brought down in the train. Several officers were among them. The rebels had twelve pieces of cannon in service, whilst Gen. WALLACE had but seven, including a small Napoleon gun, which was served with great precision. The number of sick and wounded that arrived here yesterday from the field was about 400, and some few fell into the hands of the enemy. The whole loss may be stated at about 1,500, of whom about 600 are prisoners. At 6 o'clock most of the infantry left in a special train for Baltimore, leaving a good force of veterans at Ellicott's Mills to protect that locality from any cavalry raids. The rebels, of course, destroyed the fine iron railroad bridge recently constructed over the Monocacy in the place of the one destroyed in the first rebel raid two years ago. The turnpike bridge in the same vicinity was destroyed by the order of Gen. TYLER.
WHY THE BATTLE WAS FOUGHT.
There were several reasons which, no doubt, induced Gen. WALLACE to give battle to the enemy where he did. It was important to endeavor, if possible, to keep open our communications with the forces at Harper's Ferry, and to cover the turnpike road leading to Baltimore and Washington; and also important to develop, or cause the enemy to develop his strength. Though the first-mentioned objects failed of being accomplished, owing solely to our totally inadequate force -- yet the last-mentioned aim, and by no means the least important one, was fully accomplished. Such was the stubborn resistance offered by our brave troops to the onward progress of the enemy, and such the fierceness of our assaults, that he was forced to show his strength, and afford us information vitally important.
THE STORES FROM MONOCACY.
The capture of Monocacy Junction was as barren in its results, as far as supplies for the rebels are concerned, as was the capture of Frederick. Everything in the way of supplies, ammunition, forage, &c., all the rolling stock of the railroad, telegraph instruments, &c., everything in fact that would be of use to the enemy had been removed by Gen. WALLACE to this side of Monocacy bridge before the rebel attack, and when it had commenced all was on its way to Baltimore by the railroad, and can now be seen in this city.
SCENES AT THE CAMDEN DEPOT.
From an early hour in the morning until the night had advanced, the spacious inclosures of the Camden Railroad Station were crowded with citizens, amongst whom were many relatives and friends of the Maryland soldiers engaged under Gen. WALLACE, in the severe engagements of Saturday, particularly those of the Eleventh Maryland, (100 days' men,) and commanded by Col. WM.T. LANDSTREET. About 10 o'clock on Saturday night a passenger train, under charge of Conductor HEIGHTCHEW, left the station with a number of soldiers and citizens on board, and a mail, with the intention of proceeding as near Frederick as safety would permit. On reaching Plane No. 1, it was deemed prudent to return, as news of the approach of the rebel force was received, and the train reached here at 3 o'clock yesterday morning, having on the way picked up about sixty stragglers. The officers of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were at their offices during the night, and all day yesterday, with engines fired up and trains ready, awaiting the emergences of the occasion, and they rendered service of a valuable character. As the morning advanced it was announced by these officers that a special train would be dispatched for Ellicott's Mills, where Gen. WALLACE had arrived with the wounded on board. About 8 o'clock in the morning a special train arrived, with 341 wounded and sick of the General's command from Ellicott's Mills, but there were very few Marylanders among them. The Medical Director, Dr. JOSIAH SIMPSON, U.S.A., caused to be provided a train of ambulances, which were drawn up near the National Hospital, Camden-street, and which conveyed the men to Patterson Park, where they are now quite comfortable. During the morning, forty-five additional men reached here in ambulances from Ellicott's Mills by the turnpike, and as the day advanced, a considerable number of stragglers arrived, all of whom reported themselves to Surgeon PETERS, at the Jarvis Hospital. Amongst the wounded officers were the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourteenth New-Jersey Infantry; Capt. Adam EKING, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General of a Daleware regiment, who was wounded in the arm and abdomen; Capt. PAYNE, of the One Hundred and Sixth New-York, also wounded in the arm near the elbow, and Adjutant Gen. RICKETTS, of the Sixth Corps, wounded in the arm; Capt. Harris, wounded; Capt. Conover, wounded and a prisoner; Adjt. Buckalew, wounded; Capt. Craig, wounded; Capt. Hawk, wounded; Capt. Jannay, wounded; C.H. Stultz, killed; Capt. Conine, killed; Lieut. Green, wounded; Lieut. Craig, wounded and a prisoner; Lieut. Bartruff wounded; Capt. J.C. Patterson, wounded. All these belong to the Fourteenth New-Jersey. Col. LAFT, of the Ninth New-York Heavy Artillery, was killed. These officers are at the Newton University Hospital. The Fourteenth New-Jersey suffered very severely. They were on the left of the line when the enemy appeared on the flank. They went into action with 360 men, and are said to have lost about one-half. In the evening a special car arrived from Ellicott's Mills with a few more wounded men, but the injuries generally were not of a serious character. The surgeons in attendance were unable to make out a correct list of the names of the patients, being too busily engaged in the various wards. Shortly after 7 o'clock a train arrived from the mills, numbering about thirty cars, and propelled by two locomotives. This train was crowded with the forces of Gen. WALLACE, consisting in part of the First and Third Maryland Regiments, of the Potomac Home Brigade, an Ohio regiment, and the Eleventh Maryland, (one hundred days' men,) Col. WM.T. LANDSTREET. Upon the arrival of the train it was surrounded by thousands of persons, who manifested deep interest in the men, particularly those from Baltimore. It was soon ascertained that the field and stuff of the Eleventh were safe, but, as regards the number killed, wounded and missing, the company officers differ much in their statements. Lieut.-Col. THOMAS SEWALL. Capt. JAS. A. COURTENAY and Lieut. CHARLES LILLY agree in their brief accounts of the fight of Saturday, viz.: that although the men had seen but twenty-one days in the field, they behaved well, showed no faltering, but, on the contrary, retreated in good order. A part of the command rendered effective service in supporting ALEXANDER's battery, and were exposed for several hours in a bread open field to the shells of the rebels. These officers speak highly of the bravery of Capt. HENRY WRIGEL, of Gen. TYLER's Staff, who worked one of the guns with effect, and was one of the last to leave the ground. Gen. TYLER was captured by a small party, who took advantage of his being almost alone. Among the many missing of the Eleventh Maryland are the following young men, well known in this city: Messrs. ANDREW CAER, FRANK GILMOUR, JOHN HAMILTON and JOHN FREELAND. They are supposed to have been taken prisoners. Mention has been made of the arrest of JULIUS H. ADERSON, HUGH MCELDERLY GATCHELL and SAMUEL THOMAS, at Monocacy, by order of the military authorities. They are young Baltimoreans, and as soon as arrested were placed in the ranks of the Eleventh Maryland, but on Saturday morning they were released, and it is said went over to the enemy. THE LEAGUE MEN. The men of the Union Leagues were out in strong force yesterday, assembling at their several places of meeting early in the morning, properly armed and equipped. The rebel sympathizers in our midst must have been astonished at the number of men the Leagues mustered for the emergency. They were assigned to duty by Gens. KENLY and LOCKWOOD in the forts and fortifications around the city. A company of independent scouts, under the command of Maj. PETHERBRIDGE, was also organized, and were engaged throughout the day and night in securing the roads leading to the city.
GOV. BRADFORD'S HOUSE BURNED.
We regret to learn that the rebel guerrillas, under HARRY GILMORE, numbering some dozen, surrounded the country mansion of Gov. BRADFORD, on Charles-street avenue at daylight this morning, about four miles from the city, and ordered Mrs. BRADFORD and her family to vacate the premises. They allowed them to remove some few household valuables, and at 8 o'clock this morning fired the premises. They had previously arrested all the citizens in the neighborhood, including Capt. WILLIAM J. BREYSON and JOHN CLARKE, Esq., who they kept under custody until the flames were well under way. Capt. BRYSON, as soon as released, went to work with other citizens to save as much of the furniture and effects as could be secured. Nearly all the private papers and valuables of the Governor were destroyed, including his library. They took one horse out of Mr. PRESBURY's stables, about four miles cut on the Charles-street avenue, and are also understood to have carried off many valuable horses from the neighborhood. The residence of the Governor was one of the most extensive and elegant establishments in the vicinity of the city. The Governor came to town on Sunday evening, and thus saved himself from being carried off us a prisoner, as well as his carriage and two valuable horses. He has sent out this morning to bring his family to the city. We learn that they treated the Governor's family with great respect, and plead the usages of war, and the destruction by Gen. HUNTER of the private residence of the Governor of Virginia as the cause of the act. STATEMENT OF CAPT. BRYSON. Capt. BRYSON states that he was coming in on the Charles-street avenue this morning at 8 o'clock, when he met a cavalryman, and supposed him to be a Union scout. He hailed him, and asked him if the rebels were about, and he replied, "Yes, you damned Yankees will find out that we are pretty soon." The cavalryman refused to allow him to go back or forward. He sat down on the grass, and was then told that they were about burning the Governor's house. Immediately after he heard the women and children screaming at the home, and he begged the man to allow him to go up to their assistance. He assented to this, and proceeded toward the house, and was stopped by a rebel officer; but on explaining that he had been allowed by the picket on the road to come to their assistance, was allowed to pass on. He was joined by Major LILLY, SAMUEL LANDSTREET, Mr. FISHER and Mr. PARKER, from the city, and they succeeded in saving some few articles of furniture. Mrs. BRADFORD informed him that they had set fire to all the beds in the house and the library simultaneously, and that, though she appealed to them to allow her to save the Governor's private papers, that they would not listen to her. They showed her a written order from BRADLEY T. JOHNSON to burn the house and all it contained, in retaliation for the burning of the house of Gov. LETCHER by the troops under Gen. HUNTER. The whole party consisted of but a Lieutenant and twelve men. They had also set fire to the barn, but it was extinguished before the flames got under headway. VISIT TO ISHMAEL DAY. We learn from a gentleman who arrived this morning from Harford County, that the rebels last night, two hundred and forty strong, stopped on the farm of JOSHUA PRICK, in Long Green Valley. They were under the command of HARRY GILMORE, and one of Mr. PRICE's sons was one of the party. At 5 o'clock this morning they crossed the Belair road, thirteen miles from the city, and moved in the direction of the Philadelphia Railroad. Alter they crossed the road aboat ten more stragglers arrived and followed on after them. A short distance from the turnpike is the residence of the venerable ISHMAEL DAY, so well known in the country for his unswerving loyalty. Over his gate he erected the Union flag, which attracted a party of the raiders to his house. They ordered him to take down the flag, and he replied: "Gentlemen, you may take my horses and my cattle, or burn my house to the ground, but I will shoot any man that touches that flag." On this, one of the rebels approached to take down the flag, when the old man fired at and wounded him. What ensued is not known, further than that the house of Mr. DAY was seen from a distance in flames, and the old man could not be found after the rebels had left. P.S. -- We learn that Mr. DAY made good his escape after shooting the rebel, but his whereabouts is not known. They fired three shots at him, and burned his barn.
BURNING OF S.F. COCHRAN'S HOUSE.
We learn that a gentleman who arrived about noon, from the vicinity of Lutherville, confirms the rumor that the dwelling of S.F. COCHRAN, Navl Agent, was destroyed this morning, it is supposed by the same party who burned the Governor's house. We have no particulars of the fire further than the testimony of those who saw it burning at a distance. It was also thought that the houses of some other persons holding official position, in the neighborhood, would also be destroyed.
SAFETY OF GEN. TYLER.
We are gratified to learn that Gen. TYLER, who was supposed to have fallen into the hands of the enemy at the Monocacy battle, succeeding in eluding the enemy, and arrived last evening at Ellicott's Mills. This will be gratifying news to the many friends of the General in this city. ASHLAND IRON WORKS. We are informed that the report published in the morning papers of the burning of the Ashland Iron Works, on the Northern Central Railway, is incorrect. Up to 3 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, when our informant left there, the buildings had not been injured.
DESERTERS FROM THE REBELS.
About 11 o'clock this morning twelve deserters appeared at Gen. WALLACE's headquarters and took the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States.
THE MURDER AT MIDDLETOWN.
JOSHUA CARRICK, Esq., who was murdered at his residence in Middletown, on Wednesday last, by the rebels, for refusing to deliver his horses into the hands of the rebel robbers, was a gentleman very much respected and esteemed by the community, at large. He served a long time as Justice of the Peace, and was repeatedly elected Mayor of the town.