STOP F
Federal Rear Area
Walk about 60 yards west on the service road running parallel to
the hedge row until it cuts through the hedge again. At this point, look
to the north. The other five companies of the 1st West Virginia were
on the knoll about 200 yards to the north of the hedge. General Sigel spent
most of his time in this general area and farther toward the next stop.
A staff officer's view of the situation was given by Sigel's Chief of Staff,
Col. David H. Strother.
Sigel seemed in a state of excitement and rode here and there with
Stahel and Moor, all jabbering in German. In his excitement, he seemed
to forget his English entirely, and the purely American portion of his
staff were totally useless to him. I followed him up and down until I got
tired, and finding a group of his staff officers together near a battery,
I stopped and got a drink of whiskey and a cracker which an artillery man
gave me. These officers said the General had ordered them to remain there,
but seeing him riding rapidly to the artillery position on our right, we
started to join him. Just then the enemy appeared, advancing in two lines
of battle extending unbroken along our whole front, while along the front
of the cavalry a line of skirmishers was seen pushing forward. Our artillery
immediately opened, all the guns firing with great rapidity. The enemy's
artillery played chiefly on our cavalry which after making a few futile
movements was totally withdrawn to the rear. The Rebel infantry continued
to move in advance; in spite of our furious artillery fire their lines
were steady and clean, no officers either mounted or on foot appearing
among them. When within three hundred yards they began to yell as usual,
and the musketry from both lines opened with great fury.
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