A Private's View of Cedar Creek

This is from acting adjutant Samuel P. Collier of the 2nd North Carolina State Troops, of Cox' Brigade. Collier was away on regimental business and missed the battle of Cedar Creek, but his views of the condition of the valley army, and his disgust at the "stampede" of Cedar Creek, were universally held. (This is from the Collier Papers, North Carolina State Archives).

Camp near New Market
Oct 22nd 1864

My Dear Parents

I arrived here safely yesterday and found every thing in perfect confusion. Our Regt numbered about 60 men but they are coming in hourly from the mountains whither they took refuge when the stampede occurred at Middletown. I will give you the particulars of it or as far as I have heard. It seems that the morning after I left or rather the same evening they started forward and by marching all night succeeded in getting completely on the enemys flank at Cedar Creek. The flanking party consisted of Ramseurs, Gordons, and Pegrams while Whartons and Kershaws were to attack in front. At daylight the attack was made simultaneous upon the enemys camp, who were sound asleep, they immediately ran, leaving every thing just as they were standing, wagons, artillery, sutlers and medical stores and Quarter Masters goods. We immediately charged them, they ran but were soon rallied but only to run again. We drove them as far down as Middletown when we halted. The enemy were reinforced by the 6th Corps which had been stationed at Winchester. They now had Three Corps and greatly outnumbered us but we would have easily repulsed them had the men been at their post but they were off plundering the enemys camps. They charged our line and succeeded in breaking through Gordons line (who occupied the left) who immediately broke and ran in every direction. We captured 18 pieces of artillery but lost it all and 12 more in the stampede. Lost also a good many ambulances and wagons. Maj Genl Ramseur was wounded (mortally I am afraid) and captured Gen Battle was also wounded. Cousin Bryan Cobb was struck on the head but did not enter the skull. He will be home I expect before this reaches you. I do not know who was to blame in the affair. This army will certainly have to undergo at least two months of the most rigid discipline before they will fight and this army will certainly have to change commanders before it can be done for Genl Early is no disciplinarian. He is one of the best military men of the present time. Take Genl Lee out and I don’t think he has his equal.
That movement was the most excellent planned affair that was ever known and I am sure we would have been successful but for the men plundering. I must soon close. Best love to all. Write soon.
Affectionate Son
Sam. P. Collier
P.S.
I am acting adjutant of the Regt. Adjutant Dillingham being either killed or captured or he may be in the mountains and will come in.
Sam P.C.

Winter Quarters

During my visit to the Archives this past Saturday, I was browsing through the John B. Chesson papers. In one particular letter one of Chesson's sons? wrote about preparations for winter quarters at Camp Potomac near Fredericksburg, VA. The 2nd North Carolina State Troops are mentioned, but I have not found a Chesson in the muster rolls for the regiment. Hmmm. Anyway here is what he had to say about winter quarters, written November 16, 1861. I had a hard time transcribing this letter. Penmanship was not this gents. forte nor punctuation. I will do some more searching and see if I can come up with this man's unit. Stay tuned.

The regiment has slightly scattered about the neighborhood erecting winter quarters when we can find the material I am myself however upon the old ground still with one of the companies I am still in a tent though I have dug a small cellar in one side of it and cut a fireplace out of the bank of earth thus obtained. When it does not smoke or let the wooden [illegible] or upper [illegible] afire it keeps me quite comfortable, and at night with all the bedding I can muster I find it difficult to keep tolerably warm. I have not yet tried the newspapers.

Col. Charles Courtenay Tew Letter

Was at the North Carolina Division of Archives and History on Saturday doing some research for my Ramseur's brigade project. Transcribed a few letters. Here is one written by Colonel Charles Courtenay Tew, commander of the 2nd NCT. The Hillsboro he mentions is the Hillsboro Military Academy of which he was the superintendent. This letter was written on May 9th, 1861 at Fort Macon North Carolina. Question marks are guesses on my part.

Dearest Wife,

I scarcely can miss an opportunity of sending you a letter and as Whitted? is going up I avail myself of his services.
Dr. Jones told me this afternoon that you and Mrs. J were coming down soon, and I hope it is true, though you will not see the fort in as good order as you would if the visit was postponed a fortnight. The Newbern ladies were to come anon? yesterday, but they have not done so yet. [illegible] Annie Roulhac? Finland to name our big Columbiad after her, "Annie". Several of the guns bear ladies names.
I am comfortable enough down here, but have not taken my pants off [illegible] night yet_ think of that. Mrs. T. boots and coat only are removed; to bed from 12 to 1.30 and up in time for drill at 61/2 A.M. We live right well too; I get any quantity of presents? from the officers and men, and flowers etc. from the ladies, but you need not say anything about that. What is Hamilton doing? I heard something about his going to Weldon to take charge of a company, is it so?
I see that our arms resolution has been brought up and killed in the House; I have just sent a note to Shelman? about it which you will probably see in the State Journal. Without being positive on the subject I certainly never expect to receive or accept from the Legislature of N.C. any favors, any pay, any return for services or any anything else. What turn things may take it is impossible to say, but I feel as though I never wanted the legislature to notice the academy at all. One thing is certain; I am confident private patronage enough to keep off the necessity of applying to the legislature.
By the way I wonder whether the Hearth? family have been yet brought back [illegible] that the H.M.A? is of any use to the State or to Hillsboro:
Come down and bring the children if only for two days. Perhaps you may get a free ticket; I know you would if Mr. Fisher was aware of your intention. I hope all our Cadets will pay up soon_
Yours Respectfully (have Richardson write to me)
Courtenay