General Lee's Immortals: The Battles and Campaigns of the Branch-Lane Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865 by Michael Hardy

Author:Michael Hardy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, United States, Civil War, Units Histories
ISBN: 9781611213638
Publisher: Savas Beatie
Published: 2018-04-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“I reckon the Devil himself would have run with Jackson in his rear”.

Chancellorsville

Although not the coldest winter of the war, that of 1862-63 brought abject misery for Lee’s army. Soldiers struggled to stay warm while fighting off the doldrums of winter quarters. On January 15, 1863, the brigade went into winter camp at Camp Gregg. Poor roads and heavy rains led the brigade to build a “pole” road in February, connecting the camp with the closest railroad depot. Many furloughs were granted, although never enough to suit the men, a few of whom slipped off home without permission. Some eventually returned, following an order encouraging men to rejoin their commands by March 10. If they did so, they were reprieved from disciplinary action for being absent without leave. Some deserters’ cases were handled during a week of brigade-level courts-martial in mid-February. While these actions engaged many of the officers, common soldiers had little excitement.

March 27 was an official day of fasting and prayer, one of several during the war. “I preached this morning from Psalms 8th Cp., 3-4 verses, the largest audience I have ever addressed in camp—nearly the entire regiment was out and quite a number from neighboring Regiment [37th],” Chaplain Kennedy (28th NC) wrote. “The men seem to appreciate the importance of a proper observance of the day. … Pretty nearly all the men too fasted. … I feel hopeful of the influence of the day’s work in the Confederacy.”1

Three days later, with the entire brigade formed into a hollow square, Kennedy witnessed the presentation of a sword, belt, sash, saddle, and bridle to General Lane by the brigade officers. Colonel Barber stood in the center as commanders of the other regiments escorted Lane. Speaking on the history of the brigade, Barber lamented the dead, particularly the “chivalric and high-souled Col. Campbell” of the 18th Regiment, the “pure and noble Lee” of the 37th, and the “gallant and patriotic” General Branch, who had “sealed his devotion to his country with his heart’s blood, on the hard fought field of Sharpsburg.” Barber then presented the sword to Lane promising him that “his brigade would never fail him.” “Many of you,” Lane declared in response to the men, “bear upon your persons honored scars, silent witnesses of the dangers you have encountered and bravely faced in defence of all that a freeman holds dear.” At the conclusion of the brief ceremony, the men of the 28th Regiment wanted to give Lane three cheers, but Col. Lowe thought it “would appear rather out of taste.”2

Little military action transpired during the winter months of 1863. Hill held a grand review of the Light Division on January 6. On January 19, Burnside launched a second attempt to cross the Rappahannock River. A winter storm that started during the evening of the next day quickly brought an end to the campaign, dubbed the “Mud March.” On January 25, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker replaced Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac. In

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