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**Stonewall_Greyfox** · 06-08-2009, 12:47 PM

Re: Gettysburg: Spangler's Springs Living History June 26th-28th, 2008

Note, this event is this year June 26th-28th, 2009 and not 2008 as the title is written.

Thanks John.

Paul B.

**Stonewall_Greyfox** · 06-12-2009, 10:08 AM

Re: Gettysburg: Spangler's Springs Living History June 26th-28th, 2009

And now for some historical references:

Order of Battle:

2nd Army Corps
Lt. General Richard S. Ewell

Johnson's Division
Maj. General Edward Johnson

Steuart's Brigade
Brig. General George H. Steuart

23rd VA Vol. Regt.
Lt. Col. Simeon T. Walton

For your reading pleasure, I have included a few excerpts from the ORs with regards to the action of the 23rd Virginia Regiment's involvement in the July 1863 Battle:

Reports of Brig. Gen. George H. Steuart, C. S. Army, commanding brigade:
JUNE 3-AUGUST 1, 1863.--The Gettysburg Campaign.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVII/2 [S# 44]

HEADQUARTERS STEUART'S BRIGADE,
September 2, 1863.

Capt. R. W. HUNTER,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Johnson's Division.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the battle of Gettysburg:
We reached the battle-field of July 1 toward evening of that day, and, marching through a part of the town and along the Gettysburg and York Railroad, formed line of battle to the northeast, our front facing the south and our left wing in a skirt of woods. The Fourth and Second Brigades were on our right, the Stonewall on our left. We slept on our arms that night.
At about 3 p.m. the following day, the enemy's and our own batteries opened fire, and the shelling was very heavy for several hours. The brigade, however, suffered but little, being protected by the woods and behind rising ground. Our pickets, which had been stationed 300 yards in front of our line the night previous, were relieved at about 5 o'clock by four companies of skirmishers from the Twenty-third Virginia, and shortly afterward the brigade was formed in line of battle and moved forward.
The hill where the enemy was strongly intrenched, and from which we were ordered to drive him, lay in a southwesterly direction from our position, and accordingly our left wing was obliged to swing around by a right half-wheel, and the brigade thus formed front toward the west by south. The enemy's skirmishers fell back rapidly as we advanced through the fields and across Rock Creek, they suffering slightly, and inflicting little or no injury. The right wing of the brigade crossed the creek considerably in advance of the center and left wing, owing to the fact that the order to move by a right half-wheel was not immediately understood on the left, and also to the greater number of natural obstacles to be overcome by that part of the brigade. The slope of the hill above referred to at the point where the brigade crossed the creek commences about 50 feet from the bank, and, being thickly wooded, the charge of our right wing was made under great disadvantages. The Third North Carolina and First Maryland Battalion, which were now entirely separated from the rest of the brigade, advanced up the hill, however, steadily toward the enemy's breastworks, the enemy falling slowly back. Our loss was heavy, the fire being terrific and in part a cross-fire.
The order was now given by the major-general commanding to advance our left wing as rapidly and as steadily as possible, which was done as soon as the regiments composing it could be hurried across the creek. The left of the brigade now rested very near one line of the enemy's breastworks, which extended up the hill at right angles to the creek and then parallel with it on the summit. The enemy's attention being called more especially to our right, this fortification was not occupied in force. The Twenty-third Virginia accordingly, under Lieutenant-Colonel [S. T.] Walton, immediately charged the work, and scattered the enemy which was behind it. This regiment then filed to the right, until it reached the portion of the breastworks which was at right angles to the part first captured. Forming in line on the flank and almost in rear of the enemy, there stationed, it opened fire upon them, killing, wounding, and capturing quite a number. The Thirty-seventh and Tenth Virginia and First Maryland Battalion then came to the assistance of the Twenty-third Virginia, and fully occupied the works. The Third North Carolina still maintained its former exposed position, although its ammunition was nearly exhausted, notwithstanding the fact that the men had sought to replenish their cartridge-boxes from those of the wounded and dead. The First North Carolina, which had been kept in reserve, was at this crisis led by Lieutenant McKim to its support.
The brigade, with the exception of the two North Carolina regiments, was then formed in line of battle between the captured breastwork and a stone wall on the left of and parallel to it, from which position it was enabled to open a cross-fire upon the enemy, doing considerable execution. More, however, might have been done had not the impression at this time prevailed that we were firing upon our friends, and the fire been discontinued at intervals. To ascertain the true state of the case, the Tenth Virginia, under Colonel [E. T. H.] Warren (which was on our extreme left, and had formed a line at and perpendicular to the stone wall above referred to), changed front forward to the wall, and then moved by the left flank along it until it was supposed the regiment had gained the enemy's rear, when it opened fire, and drove that part of the enemy's line back.
Finding, however, the enemy in its own rear, as evinced by their fire, the regiment was compelled to change front to the rear and perpendicular to the wall, from behind which it repulsed a bayonet charge made by a regiment of the enemy which emerged from a wood on the left of the stone wall. The enemy not renewing the attack, the brigade was ordered back to the works, where it was formed in line of battle, the First Maryland Battalion on the right and Tenth Virginia on the left, the North Carolina regiments still remaining outside the breastworks. This reconnaissance, as well as the reports of scouts and the statements of prisoners, gave us the assurance that we had gained an admirable position. We had been but a short time behind the breastworks when at least two regiments advanced from the woods to the left of the works, and opened fire upon us, but they were soon driven back.
The prisoners and wounded were sent a little to the rear, and our sufferers received such attention as could be given them by Dr. [D.] Snowden, assistant surgeon of the Maryland battalion.
The whole command rested from about 11 p.m. till about daylight, 3d, when the enemy opened a terrific fire of artillery and a very heavy fire of musketry upon us, occasioning no loss to the brigade, excepting to the First Maryland Battalion and Third North Carolina, which in part alternated positions behind the breastworks. The First North Carolina, with the exception of four companies which had been stationed as a picket on the other side of the creek, was at this time formed to the left of the brigade.
At about 10 a.m. the Tenth Virginia was ordered to deploy as skirmishers, and clear the woods on our left of the enemy's skirmishers. This was done, and the enemy was discovered in the woods, drawn up in line of battle, at not over 300 yards from the west of the stone wall.
The brigade then formed in line of battle at right angles to the breastwork in the following order: Third North Carolina, First Maryland Battalion, Thirty-seventh Virginia, Twenty-third Virginia, and First North Carolina, and charged toward the enemy's second breastworks, partly through an open field and partly through a wood, exposed to a very heavy fire of artillery and musketry, the latter in part a cross-fire. The left of the brigade was the most exposed at first, and did not maintain its position in line of battle. The right, thus in advance, suffered very severely, and, being unsupported, wavered, and the whole line fell back, but in good order. The enemy's position was impregnable, attacked by our small force, and any further effort to storm it would have been futile, and attended with great disaster, if not total annihilation.
The brigade rallied quickly behind rocks, and reformed behind the stone wall which ran parallel to the breastworks, where it remained about an hour, exposed to a fire of artillery and infantry more terrific than any experienced during the day, although less disastrous. Ultimately, in accordance with orders from the major-general commanding, the brigade fell back to the creek, where it remained during the rest of the day, nearly half of it being deployed as skirmishers.
During the night, the enemy advanced their line some distance beyond the breastworks, but were driven back to them again. Toward midnight, the brigade, with the rest of the division, recrossed the creek, and, passing to the rear of the town, occupied and intrenched itself on the crest of the hill where the enemy had been posted on the first day of the engagement.
It affords me the greatest pleasure to say that the officers and men of the brigade, with a few exceptions of the latter, conducted themselves most gallantly, and bore the fatigue and privations of several days in a soldierlike manner.
The commanding officers of the different regiments of the brigade--Colonel Warren, Tenth Virginia ; Lieutenant-Colonel Walton, Twenty-third Virginia; Major Wood, Thirty-seventh Virginia; Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, First North Carolina; Major Parsley, Third North Carolina, and Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert, First Maryland Battalion Infantry, who was dangerously wounded the evening of the 2d, his successor, Major [W. W.] Goldsborough, also severely wounded next morning, and Capt. J. P. Crane, upon whom the command of the battalion finally devolved--handled their regiments with great skill and manifested the utmost coolness.
The following officers and non-commissioned officers are mentioned in the regimental reports as deserving of great praise for their coolness and bravery: Adjt. T. C. James, Third North Carolina, dangerously wounded; Lieut. R. H. Lyon, Company H, Third North Carolina; Lieut. R. P. Jennings, Company E, Twenty-third Virginia; Sergt. Thomas J. Betterton, Company A, Thirty-seventh Virginia, who took a stand of colors and was severely wounded.
To the officers serving on my staff--Capt. George Williamson, assistant adjutant-general, and First Lieut. R. H. McKim, aide-de-camp, whose duties kept them constantly with the brigade; Maj. George H. Kyle, commissary of subsistence Maryland troops, who was always with me when his other duties would allow, and Mr. John H. Boyle, volunteer aide--I am greatly indebted for valuable assistance rendered, and of whose gallant bearing I cannot too highly make mention.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. STEUART,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Reports of Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson, C. S. Army, commanding division.
JUNE 3-AUGUST 1, 1863.--The Gettysburg Campaign.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXVII/2 [S# 44]

HEADQUARTERS JOHNSON'S DIVISION,
August 18, 1863.

Maj. A. S. PENDLETON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
MAJOR: In obedience to orders, headquarters Second Army Corps, August 13, 1863, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my division, from the time of leaving Fredericksburg for Winchester until it recrossed the Potomac:
The division left camp near Hamilton's Crossing June 5, and moved in the direction of Winchester, crossing the Blue Ridge at Chester Gap. Nothing occurred worthy of particular note during the march, which was steady and regular, the command being in good condition and excellent spirits.
At daylight of the morning of the 13th ultimo [June], the division left its camp at Cedarville, moving on the Winchester and Front Royal turnpike. The enemy's pickets were discovered 4 miles from the town, about 12 m. The Second Virginia Regiment, Colonel [J. Q. A.] Nadenbousch commanding, was detached from the Stonewall Brigade, and deployed as skirmishers to the left of the road. This regiment advanced handsomely, driving the enemy to a stone fence near the junction of the Millwood and Front Royal roads, behind which they made a stand. After a sharp skirmish, they were driven from this position.
At this juncture, they advanced a battery to an eminence on the right of the road, and opened fire upon our skirmishers and the woods in the vicinity. Carpenter's battery, Lieutenant [William T.] Lambie commanding, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel [R. S.] Andrews, was put in position on the left of the road and behind a stone fence, from which it opened an accurate fire upon the enemy's battery and supporting infantry, the effect of which was to explode a limber, killing 3 men and a number of horses, and put the enemy to precipitate flight upon the town.
The Stonewall and Steuart's brigades were formed in line of battle in a ravine to the right of the road, out of sight and range of the enemy's guns; J. M. Jones' and Nicholls' brigades to the left, in a body of woods. Later in the day, the brigades to the right of the road were advanced under cover of woods to a position nearer the town, where they remained until the following morning.
When General Early advanced on the left, a body of the enemy's infantry, retreating, became exposed to view, and were fired upon by two rifled guns of Carpenter's with good effect, greatly accelerating their speed. This attracted the fire from the fortifications north of the town upon the battery and such portions of the infantry as were necessarily exposed, which was maintained in a desultory manner until nightfall.
The casualties in my command during the day's operations were, happily, few--2 men killed and 3 horses disabled.
The following day (14th) was occupied in engaging the enemy's attention upon the right, while Early was putting his command in position upon the left, for the main attack upon the fortifications. For this purpose, the Stonewall Brigade, Brig. Gen. J. A. Walker commanding, was moved across the Millwood pike to a range of hills east of and fronting the town and between the Millwood and Berryville pikes. Steuart's brigade was posted in rear and within supporting distance of Walker. The Fifth Virginia Regiment, Lieut. Col. H. J. Williams commanding, was thrown forward as skirmishers, encountering the enemy on the crest of the hills above mentioned and driving them to the edge of the town, from which position, sheltered by houses and fences, they kept up a brisk and continual fire upon our line, which occupied the stone fence at the western base of the hills and within easy musket-range.
About 4 p.m. the enemy advanced a considerable force against the right of our line of skirmishers, compelling it to fall back, and capturing 10 men. Lieutenant-Colonel Williams, Fifth Virginia, who had commanded the skirmish line during the day with conspicuous gallantry, was severely wounded in this engagement. The reserve of the skirmishers was immediately ordered forward, and succeeded in driving the enemy back and recovering their former line.
The only casualties during the day occurred in the Fifth Virginia, the only regiment engaged--3 killed, 16 wounded, and 10 missing.
About nightfall, I received an order from the lieutenant-general commanding to move by the right flank with three of my brigades and a portion of my artillery to a point on the Martinsburg turnpike, 2 miles north of Winchester, with the double purpose, I supposed, of intercepting the enemy's retreat and attacking him in his fortifications from that direction. Steuart's and Nicholls' brigades, with Dement's and portions of Raine's and Carpenter's batteries, under Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, were immediately put in motion, and Brigadier-General Walker, whose line was nearest the enemy, was ordered to follow, after having advanced his skirmishers to the town to conceal the movement and ascertain the position of the enemy. J. M. Jones' brigade and the remainder of Andrews' battalion, under Major [J. W.] Latimer, were left in reserve, and for the purpose of preventing the enemy's escape by the road we had advanced.
After moving some distance on the Berryville road, I was informed by my guide that I would be obliged to cross fields over a rough country in order to carry out literally the directions of the lieutenant-general; and, moreover, that near Stephenson's, 5 miles north of Winchester, there was a railroad cut masked by a body of woods, and not more than 200 yards from the turnpike (along which the enemy would certainly retreat), which would afford excellent shelter for troops in case of an engagement.
The night was very dark, and, being satisfied that the enemy would discover the movement and probably escape if I moved to the point indicated by the lieutenant-general, I determined to march to Stephenson's, by the road which led by Jordan Springs. Halting the head of the column at a small bridge which crosses the Winchester and Potomac Railroad a few hundred yards from the Martinsburg pike, I rode forward with my staff and sharpshooters to reconnoiter the position and assure myself of the whereabouts of the enemy. I had gone but a short distance when I distinctly heard the neighing of horses and sound of men moving, and in a few moments ascertained that I had opportunely struck the head of the enemy's retreating column. Their vedettes fired upon us, and I returned to my command to make the necessary dispositions for an instant attack. Along the edge of the railroad cut, next to the pike, ran a stone fence, behind which I deployed the three regiments of Steuart's brigade (Tenth Virginia and First and Third North Carolina Regiments) on the right, and three regiments of Nicholls' brigade, under Col. J. M. Williams, on the left. One piece of Dement's battery was placed upon the bridge, one piece a little to the left and rear, the remaining pieces, with sections of Raine's and Carpenter's batteries, the whole under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews, on the rising ground in rear of the position occupied by the infantry. Two regiments of Nicholls' brigade were held in reserve as support to the artillery.
My dispositions were scarcely completed when the enemy, cheering, charged with his whole force the front of my position, driving in the skirmishers and delivering heavy volleys. My infantry and artillery fired with such rapidity and effect as to repulse them with considerable loss. At longer range the enemy maintained a heavy fire upon us, until, convinced that nothing could be effected by a front attack, he detached heavy flanking parties of cavalry and infantry to the right and left, whether for the purpose of breaking our lines and effecting his escape, or driving us out of the railroad cut, is not known: still, however, keeping a vigorous attack in front. My infantry had expended all but one round of ammunition; the ordnance wagons were 7 miles in rear. The situation was exceedingly critical, and nothing could have been more timely than the arrival of the Stonewall Brigade.
Owing to a misconception of orders, for which Brigadier-General Walker was not in the slightest degree responsible, his brigade did not leave its former position until 12 o'clock of the previous night. He was a mile from Stephenson's when the engagement began. Hurrying up his brigade, he arrived upon the ground just in time to meet the flanking party to the right. He pressed them hotly through the woods, beyond the turnpike, and into a woods a half mile to the right of the Carter House, where they surrendered as prisoners of war, the cavalry alone escaping.
The flanking party (about 300 cavalry and 600 infantry)which moved to the left, under the immediate command of Major-General Milroy (as was ascertained afterward from prisoners and citizens on the route of his escape), was met by two regiments of Nicholls' brigade (the Second and Tenth Louisiana). Raine's battery was faced to the left, and played upon them with fine effect, while sections from Dement's and Carpenter's batteries were hurried down the road to intercept their retreat. The two Louisiana regiments above named moved parallel with the enemy's line, a ridge intervening, until they reached a level space, when they opened a destructive fire upon them, killing a considerable number, and, with the aid of the artillery, scattering them in every direction. Most of them were captured by these two regiments. The person supposed to be Milroy (riding a fine white horse), with most of his cavalry, after a vigorous pursuit, unfortunately escaped.
The substantial results of the engagement were from 2,300 to 2,500 prisoners and about 175 horses, with arms and equipments in proportion, Steuart's brigade capturing about 900, the Stonewall Brigade about 900, and Nicholls' brigade the remainder. Eleven stand of colors were captured, of which the Stonewall Brigade captured six, Steuart's brigade four, and the Louisiana one.
For particulars as to the numbers captured and the individual instances of gallantry, I have the honor to refer you to the accompanying reports of the brigade and regimental commanders. It will be observed that my force, until the timely arrival of the Stonewall Brigade, did not amount to more than 1,200 muskets, with a portion of Andrews' battalion, J. M. Jones' brigade, and two regiments (the Twenty-third and Thirty-seventh Virginia) of Steuart's brigade, a portion of the artillery having been left in the rear on the Front Royal road.
The number of prisoners considerably exceeded the whole number engaged on our side, including the Stonewall Brigade.
Before closing this report, I beg leave to state that I have never seen superior artillery practice to that of Andrews' battalion in this engagement, and especially the section under Lieutenant [C. S.] Contee (Dement's battery), one gun of which was placed on the bridge above referred to, and the other a little to the left and rear. Both pieces were very much exposed during the whole action. Four successive attempts were made to carry the bridge. Two sets of cannoneers (13 out of 16) were killed and disabled. Lieutenant-Colonel Andrews and Lieutenant Contee, whose gallantry calls for special mention, fell wounded at this point. Lieut. John A. Morgan, First North Carolina Regiment, and Lieut. Randolph H. McKim, took the place of the disabled cannoneers, rendering valuable assistance, deserving special mention.
I feel much indebted to Majs. B. W. Leigh, H. K. Douglas, and E. L. Moore, of my staff, for their gallantry and efficiency on the field and in the pursuit of the enemy; to Surg. R. T. Coleman, for correcting a misapprehension of orders on the part of my engineer officers, thereby expediting the march of General Walker, who found me most opportunely.
The total list of casualties in the division during the operations embraced in this report amounted to 14 killed and 74 wounded.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ED. JOHNSON,
Major-General.

While we have a commitment to the NMP to run the scheduled field demonstrations (skirmish drill); this years event will be complete with Camp Guards & Piquets, Rations Issue, and MORE.

Interested Parties should contact me at the following address: paulboulden@hotmail.com

Paul B.

**Stonewall_Greyfox** · 06-22-2009, 09:17 AM

Re: Gettysburg: Spangler's Springs Living History June 26th-28th, 2008

LAST CALL!!!

Parties interested in attending as participants for the 23rd VA's Spangler Springs Living History (commemorating the 23rd VA's assault on Lower Culp's Hill) should contact me: paulboulden@hotmail.com

Must know by Tuesday 23 June 09.

Paul B.

**Marylander in Grey** · 06-28-2009, 12:25 PM

Re: Gettysburg: Spangler's Springs Living History June 26th-28th, 2008

I would like to thank The Officers and Men of the 23rd VA for putting on this event. The Piquet duty was a new experience for me and fun. Learning Gilhams was a treat. The rations were great. I really enjoyed meeting and conversing with a good many of you over the weekend.
Thanks again for the oppurtunity to just be a Private. I cant wait till next year.
IRYMHOS,

**Stonewall_Greyfox** · 06-29-2009, 09:18 AM

Re: Gettysburg: Spangler's Springs Living History June 26th-28th, 2008

Chris,

Thanks for the plug, it was a pleasure adding you to the Unit Rolls for the weekend...and hopefully we won't be waiting another year before working together in the field again.

Paul B.

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Gettysburg: Spangler's Springs Living History June 26th-28th, 2008

Gettysburg: Spangler's Springs Living History June 26th-28th, 2008

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