Report of Brig. General Darrell N. Markijohn, commanding Federal Forces October 19-20, The BATTLE OF 2 nd WINCHESTER AND CEDAR CREEK

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Report of Brig. General Darrell N. Markijohn, commanding Federal Forces October 19-20, 2013 --The BATTLE OF 2 nd WINCHESTER AND CEDAR CREEK HDQRS.

1 Report of Brig. General Darrell N. Markijohn, commanding Federal Forces October 19-20, The BATTLE OF 2 nd WINCHESTER AND CEDAR CREEK HDQRS. VIII Corps, Near Middletown, VA, 1863 The 2013 Campaign Season is about to close. The Federal Army ended the year at the 150 th Anniversary of the Battle of 2 nd Winchester and Cedar Creek. I write to provide a summary of the Federal VIII Corps performance at these important engagements. The decision to reenact the 150 th Battle of Winchester was decided in early September after a walkthrough at the Cedar Creek Battlefield. It was the anniversary year and we wanted to do something a little different. We all knew that the Battle was fought from Federal Fortifications and with the decision to reenact the battle came the commitment to build forts, to wit; Fort Milroy and West Fort. With no budget, no materials, and little time, we turned this challenging project over to the USV Chief Engineer, Maj. Don Ernsberger. Within weeks, he made two trips to the site from his home in New Jersey, and with the help from Col. Rick Dennis and our friends from the USV Artillery and Artillery Reserve, had secured 6 bundles of slab wood. Additional material was made available to him from the folks at the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation including additional slab wood, telephone poles, logs and 40 railroad ties. Monetary donations from the USV, Artillery Reserve, Federal Volunteer Brigade, and Maria Weyraugh allowed us to purchase more slab wood. The call went out for volunteers to help build the forts and a response from Capt. Bob VanderPlate and the 1 st Pa. Reserves came in offering his help and that of his men. Bob and Don embarked on another trip to the site to deliver piles of slab wood. One of the wall building crews, during Thursday s rain and a Virginia Rainbow in the background

With the material and Maj. Ernsberger s field Manuals, we arrived on the Wednesday before the event to begin construction. We had two short days, and the first day, it rained all afternoon.

2 With the material and Maj. Ernsberger s field Manuals, we arrived on the Wednesday before the event to begin construction. We had two short days, and the first day, it rained all afternoon. I have to give a shout out to a number of individuals that showed up to lend a hand. I can t say enough about the help from Capt. VanderPlate and the boys from the 1 st Pa. They manned the crew that harvested a bunch of cedar trees from the 19 th Corps Trenches that have overgrown that historic ground and helped build walls on Friday. Carl Staub worked on the wall assembly crew for two days and afterwards took fabulous photographs of his work. Capt. Steve Wagner from the Federal Volunteer Brigade cut slabs and used his pick-up truck to deliver material to the wall building crews. To a Pvt from 3 rd US who just happened to join in on Thursday and worked both days doing all the heavy lifting that a young strong soldier can do. My son, Pvt. Markijohn manned the nail gun and worked both days without a single complaint. On Friday, we received help from the USV s 50 th Pa. The USV Brigade Staff, (as if they didn t have anything else to do) especially Maj. Dudek, pitched in. Even the Mayor of Middletown helped out. I am sure I may be missing someone, but if I have, I am sure that Maj. Ernsberger will recognize you in his Engineering Report. BATTLE OF 2 ND WINCHESTER With Fort Milroy nearly complete by Friday afternoon, Brev. Brig. Gen. Chuck Young, Commander of the USV 2 nd Regiment (portraying the 2 nd Brigade) took command of the works and marched his brigade into the works on Friday evening. I transferred my flag there as well and we all settled down for a hectic evening defending the works from a threatened Confederate Assault in the morning. Sgt. Maj. Cavallone after ordering pickets and patrols.

Throughout the night, regiments ventured out to the works to help out with its defense. With a harvest moon to guide them, Capt. Eller from the 69 th Pa.

3 Throughout the night, regiments ventured out to the works to help out with its defense. With a harvest moon to guide them, Capt. Eller from the 69 th Pa. lead a detail of 2 nd Brigade troops and laid exterior perimeter breast works and extended the fortification s walls a good 150 feet to the west. Pickets were posted, and we all awaited the Confederate morning Assault that we all expected. At around 6 am, well before dawn and with the full moon still glowing, our pickets noted movement on our western and eastern flanks. Firing first erupted to our west. Orders were issued to the remaining Brigades to bring up support. Firing then came from the east and from our rear. 4 th Brigade troops that were responding to the call for support had run into a Confederate force that was probing our rear. With all of the Federal Brigades up, and with a strong defensive position behind the fort, we were able to quell the weak Confederate Attack on the works. Later in the day however, Maj. Gen Ewell brought up his entire Corp and once again attacked the works. He attacked the Southern wall first. The 3 rd and 4 th Brigades held this firm position and beat back the attack. The Confederates then attacked our right flank from the West. We had 4 artillery pieces in West Fort to secure our right flank and we sent the 1 st Brigade to help out. They received a heavy fire and despite bravery and fine leadership, our 1 st Brigade was forced to fall back to the works, exposing the right flank of our 3 rd Brigade to enemy fire. The union guns were captured and turned on the retreating federal forces. At the worst possible time, we then received an attack on our left flank from the east. The 2 nd Brigade was ordered up to hold the line. However, being attacked on now three flanks, and with our losses great, I consulted with the four Brigade Commanders and it was decided that in the interest of ending any further slaughter, that we would surrender the fort. Generous terms were secured from the Confederate Commander and the engagement ended. The 4 th Brigade awaits the expected attack on the Southern walls of Fort Milroy

4 The men ready their defense. The battle is joined.

5 The 3 rd Brigade holds the line West Fort and our right flank is attacked.

6 The 1 st Brigade responds to the threat. The Confederates assault our weakly defended east wall.

7 The 2 nd Brigade is ordered to defend the East Flank. The Surrender.

BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK After its performance at 2 nd Winchester, the VIII Corps was hoping to restore some of its fighting spirit. It was invigorated by its new army commander, Maj. Gen. Sheridan.

8 BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK After its performance at 2 nd Winchester, the VIII Corps was hoping to restore some of its fighting spirit. It was invigorated by its new army commander, Maj. Gen. Sheridan. It was camped on Cedar Creek to address the new found threat in the Valley provided by Gen. Early s Confederate Army. Division Commander, Gen. Thoburn, built wooden breastworks on the south side of its encampment. We therefor designated our fort as the Thoburn Defenses. The 4 th Brigade once again took its place with the 3 rd and 2 nd Brigade army in and just outside the works for an early morning breakfast. The 1 st Brigade was position in the ANV Camp. The Federal Cavalry was out on Picket duty. No one expected any Confederate action. Suddenly, shots rang out. The Cavalry immediately responded to a large force of Confederate Cavalry. No bother to the rest of the army it was only Cavalry. Then more shooting arose and so did warnings that Confederate Infantry had been seen. Just then, a large volley from the woods and in came the flood of refugees from 1 st Brigade (along with some fair looking female concubines). A full scale enemy attack was underway. The entire Federal Army was now on the run down the hill from the works. Fortunately, Gen. Sheridan, who was in Winchester, arrived after a hard ride and reorganized the men and launched a counter attack that recaptured the army s camp ground and Thoburn s Defenses. The entire battle was well fought and the VIII Corps did indeed restore its honor. Soldiers of the 4 th Brigade getting ready to eat a hearty breakfast unaware of the enemy threat

9 Federal Cavalry encounters a large body of Confederate Cavalry and Charges! Early attacks, and the 1 st Brigade routs and falls back.

10 And now the entire VIII Corps is in retreat. Gen. Sheridan finally stabilizes his line

11 The Federal Army Counterattacks. And Charges back up the hill.

12 The fight is on. The 1 st Brigade Rallies

13 Thoburn s Defenses are recaptured.

14 EPILOGUE. The Federal Army once again wrapped up the campaign year at Cedar Creek. There a ton of folks that deserve thanks. First off, our friends at Cedar Creek that so generously allow us to reenact this important period of Civil War history on the original ground. Not many places allow that. To Mike, Tom, Butch and Tim, and the scores of volunteers, a sincere Thanks again for an event well done. You guys are the best. It is an honor working with you all. We all look forward to the big 150 th Anniversary Cedar Creek event next year. Let s retire the mortgage once and for all! I want to thank the USV Brigade Staff. The fortifications were magnificent. The three battles went off just as expected and were done safely and accurately according to a historic script. Camp Layout was good and provisions were always available. Your work behind the scenes is outstanding. I also want to thank the Brigade Commanders, Brig. Gen. Tony Daniels 4 th Brigade, Brig. Gens. Shirk and Baldwin 3 rd Brigade, Col. Young, 2 nd Brigade and Col. Childs 1 st Brigade. Kudos to Col. Dennis and Capt. Sopko who commanded the Federal Artillery and Cavalry respectively. I also have to recognize Brevet Captain Womak for commanding the Federal Cavalry on Sunday. You did a fine job for your first command. I would be remiss if I did not recognize my Confederate counterpart. Gen. Gesuero is a true gentlemen and fine Confederate Commander. Our working relationship continues to grow. We could not put on such an event without the full cooperation and trust from and in the Confederate Army. I will work with you anytime. By the way, thank you for the generous surrender terms. The tables are about to turn my friend. And finally, to the federal reenactors and families that attended the 150 th Anniversary of the Battle of 2 nd Winchester and 149 th Cedar Creek. Your commitment to the hobby is unmatched and all of this would be for naught without your support. See you at Remembrance Day Parade and on to the Overland Campaign in It is time for the Federal Army take the initiative. ON TO RICHMOND! Very Respectfully, your obedient servant, D. MARKIJOHN Brig. General, United States Volunteers, VIII Corps, 2 nd Winchester and Cedar Creek, Commanding

Report of Brig. General Darrell N. Markijohn, commanding 2 nd Division, Federal Forces June 28-30, The BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, Pa

Report of Brig. General Darrell N. Markijohn, commanding 2 nd Division, Federal Forces June 28-30, 2013 --The BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG, Pa HDQRS. USV Brigade, Near Gettysburg, Pa., 1863 The greatly anticipated