History of the Laurel Brigade Ashby Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia and Chew’s Battery By Capt. William N. Mcdonald 1907 499 pages, illustrated, searchable - Bonus Book - Reminiscencies of a Confederate Solder Of Co. C, 2nd VA. Cavalry. By R. J. Peck, Fincastle, VA 1922 73 pages, searchable ******************************************************************************** Requires Adobe Reader 7.0 or higher to View (or MAC Preview Ver. 3)******************************************************************************** $11.99 + $1.99 shipping and handling http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200452756200 CONTENTS Chapter I Development of the Laurel Brigade from the Seventh Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, enlisted under Col. Angus W. McDonald—Border service under Colonel McDonald and Col. Turner Ashby—Heroic death of Capt. Richard Ashby—Destructive expedition against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal—Chew's Battery attached to the command—Romney winter campaign under Jackson—Battle of Kernstown I7 Chapter II Daily skirmishes with force of Banks—Addition of new companies and recruits swell the brigade—Jackson orders it divided into two commands, and Ashby tenders his resignation—Jackson revokes the order and Ashby withdraws his resignation—Jackson marches to McDowell and defeats Fremont—Ashby screens the movement from Banks by constant skirmishing in his front —Destroys railroad and telegraph between Front Royal and Strasburg—Attack upon Federal infantry at Buckton, where Captains Sheetz and Fletcher fall—Battle of Winchester and pursuit of Banks—Ashby throws his cavalry between the converging armies of Shields and Fremont and prevents communication between them— Informs Jackson fully of their movements Capture of Sir Percy Wyndham— Death of Ashby—Cross Keys and Port Republic 48 Chapter III Jackson marches from Brown's Gap to the Chickahominy—His ingenious ruses to deceive Shields and Fremont—Munford screens Jackson's movement and follows him with the Second Virginia Cavalry—Genl. Beverly Robertson succeeds in command of Valley cavalry—Reorganization of the Ashby cavalry —Robertson an organizer and diciplinarian—Brigade leaves with Fitz Lee—They make midwinter raid to capture cattle for Lee's army—March down the Patterson Creek Valley Capture a Federal wagon train—Move towards New Creek Return to Early in the Valley—Fitz Lee with his division returns to the Army of Northern Virginia—Early and Rosser make the Petersburg raid—Returning, the Laurel Brigade camps at Weyer's Cave—Rest and hilarity—Across the Blue Ridge to catch Kilpatrick—Return to Valley—The camp in Rockbridge county—Recruiting - Grant moves his multitudes A call from Lee—The Laurel joins Lee in the Wilderness The Sth and 6th of May—Join Hampton at Shady Grove—Yellow Tavern—Death of Stuart 215 Chapter IX Hampton takes command of cavalry—Milford—Haw's Shop Atlee's Station—Depleted condition of brigade—Scarcity of food and forage—Grant develops his wearing out policy Assails Lee's lines of communication—Wilson attempts to cut the Virginia Central Railroad—Fight at Ashland—Heroic act of Maj. Holmes Conrad—Wilson defeated and pursued Another affair at Haw's Shop—White's Comanches charge Federal breastworks—Hampton sent to meet Sheridan's raiders—The battle of Trevilians—Pursues Sheridan to the North Anna—Hard fare for men and horses—Some types of vandals—Skirmishing near White House—Cavalry against infantry and gunboats—Hanging on Sheridan's flank—White's Battalion detached— Sheridan entrenches at Samaria Church Is driven out of entrenchments, leaving dead and wounded —Col. Thomas E. Massie of the Twelfth wounded— Pursuit of Sheridan to Charles City Court House 242 Chapter X Hampton marches towards Richmond—Federals cross to south side of James River, and Hampton follows, crossing near Drury's Bluff—Moves below Petersburg—Camp near Reams Station Intercepts Wilson's raiders, and sharp fight near Sapony Church—Lieutenant Vandiver's account of the engagement Ruffian marauders—Wilson escapes after punishment and loss — A short rest, watermelons and hospitality—Brigade recuperates by return of men from hospitals and horse furloughs Fitz Lee with his division sent to the Shenandoah Valley of each of the generals, and the outpost and reserve pickets —The hazards of the undertaking—The surprise and capture Two future Presidents of the United States narrowly escape A future judge not so fortunate—Federals pursue but give it up—Prisoners transported to Dixie 341 Chapter XIV After the return from Beverly, Munford's and Payne's brigades ordered east of the Blue Ridge—Wharton's division of infantry and Rosser's brigade of cavalry only force left under Early in the Valley to face Sheridan—Government supplies almost fail, and home supplies no longer cheer the soldiers—Sheridan lays waste the Valley, and with 10,000 sabres advances—Rosser meets him with 300 men and, aided by high water, retards him at North River—Early withdraws towards Charlottesville, is overtaken, defeated, and his army captured or dispersed near Waynesboro—Rosser attempts to recapture the prisoners, but fails—Rosser made major-general and Dearing takes command of the Laurel Brigade—The trail of Sheridan—Division under Rosser, not over 1,200 men, moves below Petersburg—Federals capture Five Forks—Rosser's division forms rear guard of Fitz Lee's column'— Advancing Federals punished in their onsets Deep Creek—Brigade, April 5th, with rest of division moves towards Amelia Court House—Soldiers depressed but resolute—Desperate charge of Dearing near Amelia Springs Desperate fighting by great fighters—Federals driven back into Jetersville—Death of Captains Rutherford and Hugh McGuire—High Bridge— Death of Dearing, Knott, Thompson and others and the wounding of many— White takes command of brigade—Appomattox—The last charge—Brigade disbanded near Lynchburg by Colonel "Lige" White—Remnant of the Twelfth Regiment, under Lieut. Wm. F. Anderson, surrenders at Appomattox 357 Appendix 382