Episode 12: PVT Edward A. Moore and the 1st Rockbridge Artillery at the Battle of Second Manassas
Mar 13, 2024
William Coghlan
At the Battle of Second Manassas, or Second Bull Run, PVT Edward A. Moore and the 1st Rockbridge Artillery, as part of the Stonewall Brigade, engage the soon to be named Iron Brigade on the evening of 28 August 1862 at the Brawner Farm. The 1st Rockbridge then duels Battery B of the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery as BG George G. Meade's Brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves advances upon the same location on 29 August. On 30 August, PVT Moore and the 1st Rockbridge Artillery duel with Battery D of the 5th US Artillery as the V Corps attached to the Army of Virginia prepares to advance upon the left wing of the Army of Northern Virginia. After besting this battery, PVT Moore and the 1st Rockbridge Artillery are personally congratulated by Stonewall Jackson. The 1st Rockbridge Artillery then assists in repulsing the Union Assault.
Moore, Edward A. The Story of a Cannoneer Under Stonewall Jackson In Which is Told the Part Taken by the Rockbridge Artillery in the Army of Northern Virginia. New York and Washington: The Neale Publishing Company, 1907. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/22067/pg22067-images.html.
At the Battle of Second Manassas, or Second Bull Run, PVT Edward A. Moore and the 1st Rockbridge Artillery, as part of the Stonewall Brigade, engage the soon to be named Iron Brigade on the evening of 28 August 1862 at the Brawner Farm. The 1st Rockbridge then duels Battery B of the 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery as BG George G. Meade's Brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves advances upon the same location on 29 August. On 30 August, PVT Moore and the 1st Rockbridge Artillery duel with Battery D of the 5th US Artillery as the V Corps attached to the Army of Virginia prepares to advance upon the left wing of the Army of Northern Virginia. After besting this battery, PVT Moore and the 1st Rockbridge Artillery are personally congratulated by Stonewall Jackson. The 1st Rockbridge Artillery then assists in repulsing the Union Assault.
Moore, Edward A. The Story of a Cannoneer Under Stonewall Jackson In Which is Told the Part Taken by the Rockbridge Artillery in the Army of Northern Virginia. New York and Washington: The Neale Publishing Company, 1907. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/22067/pg22067-images.html.
hello. My name is bill Conklin. And welcome to first person civil war podcast. Which retells the stories of the soldiers and officers on the ground, in the battles of the civil war. Episode 12 is entitled private Edward, a Moore and the first rock bridge artillery at the battle of second Manassas. And relies on his book. The story of a cannoneer under Stonewall Jackson. In which has told the part taken by the Rockbridge artillery. In the army of Northern Virginia, which Edward Moore published in 1907. Edward A. Moore lived in Rockbridge county for Virginia before the civil war began. And by the spring of 1861. Was in his junior year at Washington college. In the early months of 1861, Edward Moore talks of a minority of residents in the county supporting succession. As Virginia had not yet left the union. But after president Lincoln called for 75,000 troops against the newly formed Confederacy farther south. The residents of Rockbridge county as a whole favored succession. Edward Moore watched as the Rockbridge artillery formed in late April, 1861. Alongside other units of infantry and cavalry. Who drilled under the supervision of cadets from the Virginia military Institute. Which resided in Rockbridge county. Edward Morris, three brothers all joined Confederate units, but he was forbidden by his father to join in the fighting. The first rock bridge artillery left in June, 1861. But Edward would not join the battery until after he enlisted on three March, 1862. The first Rockbridge artillery formed alongside the second, fourth, fifth, and eventually the 27th and 33rd Virginia regiments. As the first brigade. I commanded by Thomas J. Jackson. At the battle of first Manassas. The first rock bridge artillery famously stood like a stone wall alongside the rest of their brigade. Commanded by Jackson. And was thereafter known as the Stonewall brigade. Edward Moore joined the first Rockbridge artillery by mid-March 1862. Which was still in the Stonewall brigade. And fought in Jackson's valley campaign and Malvern hill. The first Rockbridge artillery at this time was still directly attached to the Stonewall per Cade. I commanded by Colonel William S Baylor. And Jackson's division commanded by Brigadier general. William B Topher. In major general Stonewall Jackson's left wing. Of the army of Northern Virginia. Following the army of the Potomac defeat, just outside of Richmond, major general John Pope, commander of the army of Virginia. And eventually detached core from the army of the Potomac advanced from Washington DC into Virginia. Private more. And the first rock bridge artillery marched north from their camp outside of Richmond in the left wing. To meet general Pope's advance the left wing arrived on the same ground around Manassas junction. That was fought on the year before. And occupied a position alongside an unfinished railroad line. Long Street's wing at that time was still miles away. As the battle of second Manassas. Or second bull run began. And Jackson would have to fight alone. Private more. And the first rock bridge artillery entered the fight on the first day. Here we halted long enough for a hurried breakfast for men and horses. Sleep did not seem to enter into Jackson's calculations. Or time was regarded as too precious to be allowed for it. We were on the move again by noon and approaching the scene of battle of July, 1861. This was on Thursday, August 28th, 1862. And the battle was evidently to open at any moment. And he continues. About 2:00 PM. We went into position, but before firing a shot, suddenly moved off and marching almost in a semicircle, came up in the rear of the infantry who were now hotly engaged. This fighting was around the Brawner farm. And we're from Brigadier general Kings division who were marching along the warrant and turnpike. To link back up with the army of Virginia. The Stonewall brigade faced the regiments of the second sixth. And seventh Wisconsin and the 19th Indiana. Which were in a brigade that would in the next month. Earn the title of the iron brigade. Private more. And the first Rockbridge artillery. Provided infantry support. The battle was about two hours in duration. And by sundown, the firing had entirely ceased the enemy being driven from the field, leaving their dead and wounded. The infantry of the Stonewall brigade had been in the thickest of it all and it's suffered severe loss. The morning of 29 September. Was mostly an artillery duel, but private more noted the precarious situation. Jackson's wing faced. As long Street's wing was still approaching. The now formed army of Virginia outnumbered the Confederates they faced and began maneuvering infantry and artillery into position. Before he meaning long street. Reach the field. However, and while we were enjoying the sense of relief at his coming. One of the enemy's batteries had quietly and unobserved managed to get into one of the positions occupied by our battery. During the morning. They're first folly coming from such an unexpected quarter. I created a great commotion. This was battery B of the first Pennsylvania light artillery who was supporting Brigadier general. George G meets brigade of Pennsylvania reserves. As they maneuvered toward the Brawner farm. Private more. And the first Rockbridge artillery. Engaged the Pennsylvania ans. Instantly we galloped to their front and unlimited our guns at close range. Other of our batteries fired a few shots, but soon ceased all seeming intent on witnessing a dual between the two batteries of four guns. Each. Their position was more favorable as our limbers and case ons or ammunition wagons. We're behind the crest of a hill while we were on level ground with ours, fully exposed. Each man worked as if success depended on his individual exertions. While captain Pogue and Lieutenant Graham. Galloped back and forth among the guns, urging us to our best efforts. Eugene Alexander of Morefield had his thighbone broken and was incapacitated for service. Sergeant Payne was struck by a solid shot just below the knee and his leg left, hanging. by shreds of flesh. An hour later when being lifted into an ambulance, I heard him ask if his leg could not be saved. But in another hour he was dead. Brigadier general meets brigade and artillery support retired from the Brawner farm. As long streets wing began arriving on the same ground. Private more. in the first rock bridge artillery. We're no longer on the flank of the army, but now at the hinge of the two wings. On the morning of 30 August private Moore took stock of the two previous days of fighting. The shifting of troops began early hour battery changing position several times during the four noon. Neither army had buried a stead of the first day's battle. We held the ground on, which were strewn the corpses of both blue and gray. In some places lying side by side. The hot August sun had parched the grass to a crisp. And it was frequently ignited by bursting shells. And this way, the clothes of the dead were sometimes burned off. And the bodies partially roasted. Such spectacles made little or no impression at the time. And we moved to and fro over the field, scarcely heating them. By the afternoon of 30 August. The army of Virginia formed for an assault upon Jackson's wing. Which included battery D fifth United States artillery commanded by Lieutenant Charles E Hazlett. In the afternoon, I was ordered by major general Porter to place the battery on a hill to the left of the road. Uh, in order to shell the woods in front of our position until our infantry advanced. And then turn my guns on the enemy batteries. Which included the first rock bridge artillery. When the order was given general Reynolds, his division occupied the woods on the left and front of the designated position. But as I was proceeding to it, I saw his division. Withdrawn. The private more and the first Rockbridge artillery. I received orders to engage this wayward battery. About two o'clock. We were ordered some distance forward to fire on a battery posted on a low Ridge, near a piece of woods. By skirting along a body of woods on our left and screen by it. We came out in full view of this battery and on its right flank. My gun being in front and the first seen by them attracted their whole fire. But most of their shells passed over our heads and bursts among the guns in our rear. In a few minutes, all four of our guns were on limbered and opened on them. Most vigorously. In five or six rounds. They're guns ceased, firing. And he continues. As we stood by our guns, highly satisfied with our prowess. General Jackson came riding up to the first detachment and said, That was handsomely done. Very handsomely done. Then passed on to the other detachments. And to each one, addressed some complimentary remark. Battery D of the fifth artillery had more than Confederate artillery to contend with. As long street began his advance upon that same location. What little union infantry and artillery in the area had no choice, but to retreat. Private more in the first rock bridge, artillery returned to their position at the railroad cuts and participated in repulsing the union fifth Corps assault upon Jackson's wing. The most continued and persistent fighting was where it began on that portion of the line held by Jackson's old division. In the course of an hour, the attack was repulsed. And accounter charge made. But judging from the number of dead, the enemy left on the field. And the rapidity of their pursuit. The Confederates met with, but little resistance thereafter. The first rock bridge artillery joined in the pursuit of the retreating union army. And private more encountered a wounded man on the field. And crossing a field in the pursuit, a short distance from our gun. I passed near a young infantry men lying entirely alone with his thigh bone broken by a mini bullet. He was in great distress of mind and body and asked me most pleadingly to render him some assistance. If I could do nothing else, he begged that I should find his brother who belonged to Johnston's battery of Bedford county, Virginia. I told him I could not leave my gun, which gave him little comfort. But he told me his name, which was Ferguson and where his home. Was. Fortunately, however, I happened on Johnston's battery soon after and sent his brother to him. That private more found this battery was by mere chance as it was assigned to long streets wing of the army. Seems like this, where no doubt common on the battlefield. Of wounded man, trying to find a family member on a different part of the battlefield. It was a tall order for private, more to look for someone in a specific unit. Though the battle was now in its final stage. His battery would participate in the pursuit until nightfall. Private more remained with the first Rockbridge artillery throughout the war. Present for the surrender at Appomattox courthouse. Two years after the war. Edward Moore encountered the same, man. He left on the battlefield at second Manassas. While visiting relatives in Bedford county, Virginia. As we started to church in Liberty one Sunday morning, I recalled the incident and mentioned it to my aunt's family. And was informed that Ferguson was still alive. And that I would probably see him that morning at church. And sure enough, I was scarcely seated in the church when he came limping in and took a seat near me. I recognized him at once. But fearing, he had not forgotten what he felt was cruel in difference in his desperate situation. Did not renew our acquaintance. Edward A. Moore wrote his book in 1907. Entitled. The story of a cannoneer under Stonewall Jackson. In which has told the partaken by the Rockbridge artillery. In the army of Northern Virginia. I noticed while researching that Edward, a more, seemed to be quite short in his descriptions of engaging infantry. But if the first Rockbridge artillery faced a union battery, he provided a detailed account. While engaging infantry was critical to success on the battlefield. Besting enemy artillery seemed like it was a point of pride. And Edward a more wanted readers to know it. Thank you for listening to the 12th episode. The link to private Edward, a more's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X. And LinkedIn this week. You can find a picture of Edward, a Moore in 1862. Which was the year of the battle. And in 1907. When he published his book. Links to social media sites are at the top of each webpage. Nurse Louisa may Alcott of the Georgetown union hospital provides next week's first person account. Where she tends to the wounded. After the battle of Fredericksburg. My name is bill Coughlin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.
