Episode 16: CPL Preston L. Ledford and the 14th North Carolina at the Battle of Cedar Creek
Apr 10, 2024
William Coghlan
At the Battle of Cedar Creek, the morning of 19 October 1864, Corporal Preston L. Ledford and the 14th North Carolina participated in a surprise attack upon the Army of West Virginia, also known as the VIII Corps. Thanks to a dense fog, the Confederate Army of the Valley surprised the Union Soldiers in their camp. COL Rutherford B. Hayes, commander the Second Division VIII Corps, and future 19th President of the United States, managed to form his division in line of battle before CPL Ledford and the attacking force routed them.
Despite the fog, the Union XIX and VI Corps, just north of the VIII Corps, formed in line and engaged the Confederates. But CPL Ledford, the 14th North Carolina and the rest of the attacking force flanked the XIX Corps, forcing both Union formations to retreat to a location about 1 mile away.
The Union Army of the Shenandoah managed to reform in the late morning, check the Confederate afternoon advance, and push the Army of the Valley off the field.
Sources used for this episode:
Ledford, Preston L. Reminiscences of the Civil War 1861-1865. Thomasville: News Printing House, 1909. https://www.loc.gov/item/09027417/.
At the Battle of Cedar Creek, the morning of 19 October 1864, Corporal Preston L. Ledford and the 14th North Carolina participated in a surprise attack upon the Army of West Virginia, also known as the VIII Corps. Thanks to a dense fog, the Confederate Army of the Valley surprised the Union Soldiers in their camp. COL Rutherford B. Hayes, commander the Second Division VIII Corps, and future 19th President of the United States, managed to form his division in line of battle before CPL Ledford and the attacking force routed them.
Despite the fog, the Union XIX and VI Corps, just north of the VIII Corps, formed in line and engaged the Confederates. But CPL Ledford, the 14th North Carolina and the rest of the attacking force flanked the XIX Corps, forcing both Union formations to retreat to a location about 1 mile away.
The Union Army of the Shenandoah managed to reform in the late morning, check the Confederate afternoon advance, and push the Army of the Valley off the field.
Sources used for this episode:
Ledford, Preston L. Reminiscences of the Civil War 1861-1865. Thomasville: News Printing House, 1909. https://www.loc.gov/item/09027417/.
“Prof. P.L. Ledford Dies in Thomasville.” Dispatch, May 29, 1922. Newspapers.com.
Hello. My name is bill Coughlin. 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 16 is entitled. Corporal Preston, L Ledford, and the 14th North Carolina. At the battle of Cedar Creek. And relies on his book. Reminiscences of the civil war, 1861. To 1865. Which he published in 1909. Preston Lafayette Ledford lived in the town of Thomasville in Davidson county, North Carolina. Before the war and enlisted as a private on 15 July, 1862. The 14th North Carolina formed in July of 1861. And as a replacement, he joined company B. Also known as the Thomasville rifles. Throughout his book, Preston Ledford used first to describe what he and the 14th North Carolina. Experienced during the war. The beginning of the war was to some, a surprise, but the old 14th at once organized the regiment marched to the front, along with the first. Meaning the first North Carolina. Along with the first. And was on the frontline when shells began to burst. It was composed of 10 companies of stalwart men. Who were determined with the enemy to contend. At seven Pines and battles below Richmond to Malvern hill, the regiment fought with a determined, will many of the men Gallant and brave. On these battlefields filled bloody graves. Received recruits the regiment again, took a start, displaying courage and endurance on the Maryland March. Near Sharpsburg the regiment. Wasn't an old road aligned. And fought the Yankees advancing in three lines. The boys were conspicuous at the wilderness Chancellorsville and mind run. And at Spotsylvania and Gettysburg handled their guns. And the thickest of the fight, the regiment would be. Fought to the finish and surrendered with Lee. Private Ledford joined the 14th North Carolina after the seven days battles. Two years of fighting had hardened Preston Ledford after participating in several major engagements, he boiled down almost every fight in this way. To contending armies aligned for a fight. Present to the eye and imposing site. When the pickets begin to exchange their shots. The battle is on and soon gets hot. With terrific noise of destructive shells and hissing many balls and soldiers yells. Such noise and confusion. Make a stunning din. And in the smoke of the battle, there is a contest to win. The lines from and steady throughout their length. With stubborn persistence measure, their strength officers and men artful tactics display. Until one of the lines is forced to give away. Charge after charge Greek meets Greek. The two contending, armies and deadly strife meet. The powers of the soldier, both sides feel. As they force their way with steel against steel. Or per chance one line or the other overpowered gives way. And the contest is ended. The victors win the day. The vanquished sometimes eager to be freed. Run for their lives in a disgraceful stampede. The only battle that he used first was the battle of Cedar Creek. Save for reports. Preston led Fred's account. We'll use this form. His regiment wasn't in all North Carolina brigade. Which included the first, second, third, fourth, 14th. And 30th regimens under the command of Brigadier general, William Cox. And major general rim serves division in the army of the valley commanded by Lieutenant general. Jubal early. Beginning in may of 1864 as part of larger operations against Confederate forces in Virginia. Georgia and Alabama. Numerous locations within the Shenandoah valley. Became focal points for battles between the army of the valley and several union formations. With both sides, seeing their share of victory and defeat. Preston Ledford while on the March with the 14th North Carolina. Was promoted to corporal on one August, 1864. By October, Lieutenant general, early after suffering a string of defeats. Planned an attack upon union forces and camped north of the town of Strasburg, Virginia. Having received information that the enemy was continuing to repair the Manassas road. Meaning a railroad. And that he had moved back from fishers hill. I moved on the 12th towards Strausberg for the purpose of endeavoring to thwart his purposes. If he should contemplate moving across the Ridge. Or sending troops to grant. Meaning sending them to Petersburg. Lieutenant general early had a signal station. A top Massa Naton. And mountain, which could view the army of the Shenandoah camped along the Eastern bank of Cedar Creek. And north of the north fork of the Shenandoah river. Cam to generally from the south to the north. Where the army of West Virginia. Also known as the eighth core. Then the 19th core, the sixth core and the cavalry core. Which was the furthest north. Lieutenant general early believed that the arrangement of the union army provided an opportunity to attack it on its left flank, meaning the eighth core. It being camped, the furthest south. Lieutenant general early planned for a surprise attack on the morning of 19 October. The night before corporal Ledford and the 14th North Carolina. Maneuvered into position. Just after dark and order came. To fall in line and answer to our names. An order then came to move without delay. And very soon we were marching on the way. Around the hill. Our line was strong. There was no blowing of the five or beating of the drum. An order in a whisper, came down the line. That no one must talk even in a whisper at any time. We marched all night with scarcely a stop. So still we could have heard a pencil drop. We've we're marching on to certain doom. Destined to engage in a battle very soon. Three divisions under the command of major general Gordon. Corporal led efforts, division included. Cross the nearby Shenandoah river and where to attack the union encampment in the rear while other Confederate forces concentrated on the center and the left. The army of the valley had not only marched into position without being detected, but they also had the great fortune of an early morning fog to mask the army as it arrayed themselves for attack upon the eighth Corps at approximately 5:30 AM. Corporal Ledford, the 14th, North Carolina and the rest of the attacking force. Initially met little resistance. Far to the right. We heard the report of a signal gun. And to the left, the report of another one. In front, we saw the flash and heard the report of a gun. And was ordered to move forward at a run. Forward double quick March was the cry. And the surprise Yankees did swiftly fly. They were in their tents, their breakfasts cooking. And we're by no means for the rebels looking. They left meat and vegetables, cooking in the pot. And cans of coffee, smoking hot. When they heard the familiar rebel yell, there was not one left to tell the tale. Most of the Corps was caught off guard. But after hearing the opening shots south of him, colonel Rutherford, B Hayes, second division commander of the eighth core. And future 19th president of the United States ordered his men into line. At early daylight, we were notified that the enemy were already driving the first division from their position. My command was underarms and in line of battle. He described how he formed along the valley pike. Ordered the men to lie down and then continues. There was a heavy fog, which concealed objects, a little distance off. But firing in our front and both right and left flanks. Told plainly enough that the rebels were rapidly advancing. This was the first organized line of union soldiers that corporal Ledford the 14th North Carolina. And the rest of Gordon's men met, but soon the eighth Corp was routed. General William H Emory. Commander of the 19th core and just north of the eighth core. Spoke of the opening moments of the fight. The fog was so dense that it was impossible to see the positions of the enemy. Or the direction of his advance. But guided by the firing. I ordered the second brigade first division. To cross the pike and occupy a wooded Ridge in order to sport general crooks camp. Meaning the eighth core. Followed by prolonged. Cheers as if the enemy were making an assault. As the 19th core and maneuvered into position thing, engaged the Confederates, but they were outflanked. The six core marching from their camps still further north arrived on the battlefield and began to engage the Confederates. But the army of the valley that morning stood victorious, corporal Ledford and the 14th North Carolina pushed elements of these commands across the valley pike. We captured wagon, trains, ammunition, and men. Drove prisoners to the rear and put them in a pen. It was fun to see the Yankees run. And we heard them on by firing our guns. We emptied our cartridge boxes of 50 rounds. The continued firing, made the Hills resound. We ran the Yankees down and pulled them in. End the way we captured prisoners was a sin. With the 19th core flanked and the sixth core, unable to fight on its own. Both core retreated. The army of the Shenandoah reformed approximately one mile to the north. Late in the morning, major general Sheridan who was commander of the army. But not present for the surprise attack. Arrived on the field. And solidified this position. The army of the valley became disorganized. And this morning assault. And was unable to continue pushing union forces from the field. By mid-afternoon corporal Ledford and the 14th North Carolina. Had reformed with the rest of the army and advanced upon the union position to their north. It is said it is a long lane that has no turning. And we finally got to the end of our journey. The enemy was reinforced by another command. Then we turned and ran and raised the sand. For five long miles under shot and shell. For real swift running, we made a tell. Finally, the sun went down and darkness came. And the Yankees ceased their fiery flame. The army scattered ran to and fro. Not knowing how or where to go. The enemy halted and the darkness of the night. And our scattered forces continued the flight. And our hasty retreat, we lost in our flight. All we had gained in the morning fight. The surprise was successful in our victory. Complete. If we had been able the prisoners guns and wagon trains to keep. Fortunes made and lost in a day. And battles sometimes won and lost and the same time and way. After the battle was over, we had caused to weep and regretted meeting the enemy. At Cedar Creek. The battle of Cedar Creek effectively ended the fighting in the Shenandoah valley for the rest of 1864. With the army of the valleys effectiveness as a fighting force nullified. Preston Ledford harbored, mixed feelings toward Lieutenant general early. While writing his book. Compared to stellar summarizations of other Confederate generals. General early was regarded as rather eccentric. And acquired a reputation for gaining many battles and losing out in the end. After bagging his game, he seemed not to have the ability to retain it. He gives an example here. But does not specify if they was at Cedar Creek. On one occasion after driving the Yankees unceremoniously from their position. He passed along. And familiarly said to the soldiers. Boys, you walled it to them this time. For many weeks, he kept his command on the run. Either in hot pursuit of the Yankees or running in a stampede from them. He kept the Yankees in constant dread and did some very effective work as a commanding officer. Preston Ledford became a teacher after the war. And served for 13 years as the superintendent of schools. In Davidson county, North Carolina. In 1909, he wrote reminiscences of the civil war, 1861 to 1865. And he firmly believed that every Confederate veteran should pass on their stories. And another decade by the sweep of time, many of the veterans will fall out of line. After a score of years. Very few, there will be. For people then living to entertain or see. The few that are left will be old and alone. And quietly waiting for their summons to come. Not until the last one shall have passed away. Full justice be done to the heroes of that day. Monuments will be erected on the ground where they sleep. And generations to come, will their memory keep. Patriots. We'll pause with trembling and fear and reverently on their graves, drop a tear. Uh, responsibility now rests on veterans passing away. To rescue from oblivion, the doings of that day. We may not with a facile pen, give a glowing description of scenes and men. We can in a plain and plausible way. Give a rough sketch of the doings of that day. After we have gone to our final home. These sketches will be ready by generations to come. Let us be up and doing and work with might and though late in the day, Commemorate the right. Thank you for listening to the 16th episode. The link to corporal Ledford book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn this week. You will find a drawing of Preston Ledford in 1902. A picture of president Rutherford, B Hayes in 1877. And a sketch of the battle of Cedar Creek. Please follow. And subscribe to the podcast on social media and your podcasting app. And leave a review. View. Private Leander, Stilwell of company, D 61st, Illinois. Provides next week's first person account. At the battle. Of Shiloh. My name is bill Conklin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war pods. Podcast.
