44th Georgia Company C, 2024 Events

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 18 to October 20, 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.

Arriving in camp beginning in the afternoon of October 18th 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. Sergeant Ken Doran provided leadership and victuals during the weekend campaign, directing myself, Privates Ben Lanza, Otter and Kevin Downey. 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 the sounds of transports from the nearby pike and highway.

Saturday morning we formed up around 1030 o’clock moving into position upon Hupp’s Hill. A battery of artillery was run out and opened on a Yankee position. Little did the Federals know that the entire rebel army was aligned on the heights.

Our leadership brought the troops forward and, outnumbered, the Union brigades began to withdraw. Outflanking the boys in blue we aimed low and gave them a steady fire successfully driving them from the field and demonstrating our strength and resolve.

The triumphant day’s events pointed with great promise towards the probability that our Confederate leadership intended to resume the offensive in days to come and we returned to camp jubilant and ready for whatever would come next.

In the early afternoon we were once again 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.

This action of advance, halt, advance, halt and advance again was reminiscent of the morning’s efforts and the demoralized Union soldiers seemed intent on fleeing all the way to Winchester. We paused just before a dry stream adjacent to the Heater House and watched as rebel units on our right and left engulphed woeful remaining northern soldiers. Satisfied that we had indeed carried the day, and in need of resupply we returned to the camps.

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. In the early afternoon we assembled for weapons inspection and formed up again to participate in an attack in an effort to drive the blue belies from the area once more.

A lull settled on the battlefield, and I have been told that the Union forces which we had earlier driven from Middletown seemed re-energized upon encouragement from a General riding their line. I was informed that the rider was none other than General Sheridan, having reached the troops after a long ride from the vicinity of Westminster.

A line of skirmishes was sent to our front and scattered fire began along their line. We watched as a long line of blue flanked their left and appeared in our front. The skirmishers shifted left, and we opened with a crisp brigade fire. More blue units joined those before, and they began to crest the hills all along our front. The fire was continuous, and bodies began to litter the ground.

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 the afternoon before. During these adjustments of our position, I saw many more 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, over the next twenty minutes nearly the whole of the Brigade fell, victims of a blue enfilade. I too was victim of the Yankee fire and while prone on the ground witnessed the ensuing procession of a blue wave. Helpless to stop the tide it passed over me and I was left to acknowledge the bravery of those who stood and valiantly sacrificed their souls in their efforts to forestall the carnage. Nary a member of 44th Georgia stood when the final bugle sounded.

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.

Resurrecting, we returned to camp, packed our gear, and headed home having burned a great deal of powder and shared once again in the brotherhood that calls us to arms. Respectfully Submitted,

Corp. Jim Marshall 44th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Co. C., 2nd Brigade, ANV
.