The Battle of White Sulphur Springs by Eric J. Wittenberg

Author:Eric J. Wittenberg
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2012-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Major Patrick McNally, 2nd West Virginia Mounted Infantry, was mortally wounded during the afternoon attack on the barricade. Frank S. Reader, History of the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry.

“We advanced through the cornfield, meeting with a murderous fire from the enemy, safely posted behind their breastworks,” remembered a member of the 2nd West Virginia. “We pressed onward, however, almost up to the fortifications, but were there met with such a withering fire that human endurance could stand it no longer, and we fell back a short distance, taking position in a gully or dry creek bed, where we were partially sheltered. In that severe charge some of our bravest officers and men fell.”304

The rest of the regiment failed to support McNally’s attack, which was forced back by a vicious counterattack by the 22nd Virginia and two companies of Derrick’s Battalion, commanded by Major William Blessing, that came to the aid of the hard-pressed 22nd Virginia.305 McNally grabbed hold of a Confederate at the barricade and captured him, but the Irish major was mortally wounded and taken prisoner by the Confederates.306 Six of Averell’s men dashed forward to try to rescue McNally, but all were captured, ending any further attempts to rescue the fallen major, who was left to his unhappy fate.307 Patton later reported that his defenders killed and wounded many of the West Virginians within “15 paces of our lines.”308

Henry C. Carpenter, one of Patton’s foot soldiers, had a clear view of McNally’s wounding and capture. His poor spelling, grammar and punctuation are presented here just as he originally wrote his letter:

One of the charges was they made on us was led by a Magor the Magor himself succeeded in getting through our lines he ran and squatted down behind a stump then jumpted up and drawd his sword on one of our men and demanded him to surrender which the fellow did the Magor taken him by the Collar and started back to the yankey lines when some of our men noticed him going back and shot him down and wonded the prisoner he had taken.309

Major Augustus Bailey, who succeeded the wounded Lieutenant Colonel Barbee in command of the 22nd Virginia, described this as a “spirited and bold charge” upon his lines. “This may be considered the most critical moment,” recounted Bailey.

My ammunition was almost entirely exhausted—few had more than five rounds, many none at all. This caused some to break to the rear, but they were easily rallied by their company officers. The enemy, advancing with loud cheers, made a most desperate assault on our lines. Here the bravery of the troops was conspicuous. Led on by their company officers, they determinedly met the foe and repulsed them in handsome style, driving them in confusion beyond their own lines, killing many, and wounding and capturing the field-officer [McNally] who headed the charge.310

Patton realized, “Having thus tried the left and center [and failed], a very heavy force of at least two regiments was formed to force my right, but Colonel Browne, ever vigilant, informed me in time to send him Major [James R.

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