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2nd Battalion, CSA
In obedience to Orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the 44th Georgia, Company C under the command of Captain Art Mallette in the field from October 14 to October 16, inclusive:
Responding to a call to arms in the Shenandoah Valley the 44th Georgia, Company C made arrangements to join a larger force of the Army of Northern Virginia, along the Valley Pike south of Middletown, Virginia.
Utilizing an alternate route much desired munitions and supplies were secured in the vicinity of Winchester. Arriving in camp beginning in the afternoon of October 14th we set up the Company street in a field east of the Belle Grove plantation, aligning our tents north of Captain Mallette with other forces from the 2ndh Battalion. 1st Sergeant Rick Sasor and Corporal Ken Doran provided leadership and victuals during the weekend campaign.
Friday evening, we gathered around the fire, glad for moderate temperatures and relative quiet within the camp. Canvas cities expanded, highlighted by the orange glow of dozens of campfires and silhouettes of well used tents. In anticipation of future skirmishing we turned in early, serenaded by livestock in the adjacent pasture and the sounds of transports from the nearby pike and highway.
Saturday morning we fell in for morning drill around 10 o’clock, executing our field maneuvers much to the satisfaction of Brigade command.
In the early afternoon we were summoned to form up and prepare for battle. We advanced northward through rolling hills witness to a cavalry skirmish to our right, passed through a line of Confederate artillery and entered the fray, driving the Yankees in our fore, both sides taking losses. The Union command busily moved their troops to different areas of the field to address the constant attacks being thrown at them by our Southern units, albeit in a reverse march.
As we passed a dried stream by the Heater House a lull settled on the battlefield. The Union forces seemed re-energized upon encouragement from their General riding their line. I was informed that the rider was none other than General Sheridan, haven risen from a nap after a long ride from the vicinity of Westminster.
Commanded to fall back we did so several times, struggling each time to maneuver amongst the rocks while climbing the ridges we had so skillfully mastered on the attack. During these adjustments of our position, I saw many of our troops fall.
Reduced in number, the 2nd Brigade valiantly made a stand to stall the blue hoard, sending our banner to the rear, and paid dearly for it. Almost to a man, the whole of the Brigade fell, victims of a blue enfilade. I was miraculously spared the same fate, and fell back several more times, witnessing the ensuing procession of a blue wave. As it passed the fallen in my front it seemed unaffected by my constant discharges as well as those of the depleted forces to either side of me.
All ground which we had gained earlier was lost during the afternoon, and we were obligated to leave the field in the hands of the enemy. When the battle having ended, those of us ambulatory enough to regain our feet reformed and prepared to salute those recently fallen.
We returned to camp, having burned a great deal of powder, prepared to tend to our rifles and sample the meal which awaited our palettes. During the evening we attended the annual meeting of the Brigade and were witness to a very brief cannonade at dusk. We turned our attention that evening to the skies, witness to the rising of the harvest moon.
Having fulfilled our heavenly watch we retired to our tents, insulated by the spirits of comradeship.
Sunday morning I awoke rested and took advantage of the opportunity to attend Church service in the large tent. The smells of bacon (LOTS of it) and coffee infiltrated the camp air, and, as we had done the day prior, we assembled for weapons. Shortly thereafter we formed up again to participate in an attack in an effort to drive the blue belies from the area.
The 44th was positioned on the left wing of the Brigade, advancing flawlessly through artillery in echelon behind a line of confederate companies in our fore. During the advance we maneuvered to a position which extended the whole of the rebel front, reaching from the pike far across the battlefield to our left, putting the 2nd Brigade in the center of all activities. We joined the engagement , pushing the enemy hard, driving them rapidly northward , pursuing them down the pike with a multitude of volleys. Barely had we fired each round that we advanced, flags hoisted on high and leading the charge. We closed to within mere yards of the enemy time and again, responding to the orders of our superiors.
Having pressed the Lincoln mob beyond a muddy stream the Brigade was halted and ordered to execute a right wheel, trapping a contingency of Yankees in a pincer move. At the Command of “Brigade Fire” we unleashed a most loud and perfect fire eliminating the threat, those not fallen having become captives.
As confederate units to our right charged the remaining line, storming the rise before us, the calls of a bugle of truce ended the carnage. Throughout the remainder of the afternoon Northern wagons were viewed leaving the area and heading home along the Valley Pike, their camps packed and armaments stored.
Let us bask in the successes of the weekend and gather soon under the sycamore, marching in unison before cheering and adoring supporters, shouting our allegiance and commitment to the 44th Georgia, remembering the sacrifices being made by those in harm’s way in defense of freedom as well as those who offer their support to the cause. May God’s grace fall upon them and their families for their commitment to Duty.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pvt. Jim Marshall
44th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Co. C.
The Johnson Guards
2nd Brigade, ANV
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