THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY: Movements of the Armies; Heavy Skirmishing Going On (8/31/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 8/31/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

BALTIMORE, Tuesday, Aug. 30.

The American has the following:

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION, TUESDAY, Aug. 30.

The position of our army since my letter yesterday, remains unchanged.

There was a very spirited cavalry fight yesterday, at Smithfield, or as it is sometimes called, Middle Way, about seven miles from Charlestown, which proved that the enemy had not retreated up the Valley. Gen. CUSTAR's brigade of cavalry, with Capt. RANSOM's battery of artillery, were moved across the Opequan, about a mile beyond Smithfield, for the purpose of making a reconnoisance toward Bunker Hill. They had proceed about a mile when they came on the enemy's skirmish line. A portion of Gen. CUSTAR's command were dismounted and sent to engage them. Skirmishing lasted until 11 o'clock, when CUSTAR was obliged to retire across the Opequan, where he was reinforced by two brigades of cavalry, when skirmishing was renewed with increased vigor. The enemy now sent two brigades of infantry across the Opequan with a view of outflanking us and cutting off our retreat on Smithfield. In this they were foiled, for Gen. MERRITT discovering their intention retired on Smithfield before they could accomplish their design.

Heavy skirmishing was kept up all the time we were retreating, and we inflicted considerable loss on the enemy, as our men took advantage of every commanding position and from behind every cover to pick off their advancing line.

In the meantime Gen. SHERIDAN had ordered Gen. RICKETT's Division of infantry, of the Sixth Corps, to proceed toward Smithfield, and support the cavalry. The infantry reached a point two miles this side of Smithfield, at 5 P.M., when they formed a junction with the cavalry, which had gradually fallen back to that point, contesting every inch of the ground.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4261684/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Shenandoah Valley: Movements of the Armies – 2
The Guerrillas on the Mississippi: Their Attack Upon the Empress-Order by Gen. Rosecrans – 2
Yellow Fever at Key West: Death of Gen. Woodbury – 2
From Sherman – 2
From Nashville: The Rebel Wheeler Approaching Murfreesboro – 2
Rebel News: From the Trans-Mississippi-Mosby Hanging Union Soldiers – 2
From Gen. Sherman’s Army: Live in the Trenches – 2-3
Department of the Gulf: Operations Against Fort Morgan – 3-4
The Pennsylvania Oil Wells – 4
From Gen. Grant’s Army: All Quiet – 4-6
The Tallahassee: Statement of the Captain of the Schooner Maria L. Davis – 6
News from Washington – 6-7
Straits of the Rebels – 7
Editorial: The Last Port Left to the Southern Confederacy – 7
Editorial: Naval Recruiting – 7
A Speech by Gen. Burnside: No Cause for Despondency – 7
From Memphis – 7

[chajin]

Yellow Fever at Key West: Death of Gen. Woodbury – 2

I think of Key West for a lot of things, but the Civil War was not one of them until today.

While Florida was part of the Confederacy, Key West was not and freed its slaves early

FYI I live in central FL, and it is a 7-to-8 hour drive from here to there; FL is longer than most non-Floridians think.

[ReformedBeckite]

Tennessee is like Florida being longer then most people think. From east to west on I-40 it is 540 some mils long, if I remember right. If I remember right Floridians were involved in the Battle of Nashville on the second day, in action of defending Shy’s Hill, which was a loosing situation for them since they were probably outnumber by 10 to 1 so it was predicted then didn’t too good.

[M Kehoe]

Do you know if Myles Keogh served with Custer during the war?

5.56mm

[Homer_J_Simpson]

It appears not. But his Civil War service was quite noteworthy. A relative?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myles_Keogh

[M Kehoe]

Yes.

Great great uncle. Dads side.

5.56mm