Rebels at the Gate: Lee and McClellan on the Front Line of a Nation Divided
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Authors: W Hunter Lesser
Tags: #History, #Americas, #United States, #Civil War, #Military
Copyright (c) 2004 by W. Hunter Lesser
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Cover image top (c) Corbis, bottom AP Wide World Photo
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lesser, W. Hunter.
Rebels at the gate / by W. Hunter Lesser.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Campaigns. 2. Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Campaigns. 3. West Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Campaigns. 4. Virginia—History—Civil
War, 1861–1865. 5. West Virginia—History—Civil War, 1861–1865. I. Title.
E470.2.L48 2004
973.7'3'09755—dc22
2003027656
Printed and bound in the United States of America
QW 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Walt and Ellie, who lit the flame,
and to Leann, who patiently nurtured it.
There is great power in the written word. I have always found that evident when reading a tattered Civil War–era diary or letter. The faded sweep of pencil and ink yields haunting voices from the past—voices that ring with great dramatic power. A journey to the ghost-filled grounds of which they speak may almost bring the dead to life.
It has been my privilege to walk with such ghosts in the preparation of this book. Some of their words have never before been published. All quotations and dialogue from letters, diaries, and other sources have only been modified for clarity, without use of the term “[
sic
]” to denote quirks in spelling and punctuation. I did not wish to stifle the power and meaning of their words.
Many among the living (and a few now sadly deceased) have generously helped along this journey. While all cannot be named, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the following:
Historians Richard L. Armstrong and Joe Geiger Jr. unselfishly opened their extensive files of manuscripts and printed material from the Western Virginia campaign—material gleaned from myriad libraries and archives that saved me countless hours and miles of travel. Their research skills far overshadow my own, and I owe them both an enormous debt of gratitude. Richard's hospitality included a quiet workspace at his place of employment, the Bath County, Virginia, Sheriff's Department: a holding cell.
Another talented and tireless researcher, Gary Ecelbarger, often shared discoveries while combing the archives for his own book projects. His energy and insight never fail to amaze me. Max Arbogast, an avid student of Robert E. Lee's nadir on Cheat Mountain, shared references, field trips, and ideas about what really happened in that rugged wilderness during 1861.
I am especially indebted to Donald L. Rice, for his trailblazing work on the Western Virginia campaign; and to Jessie Beard Powell, matron of Travellers Repose, for her insights on the Yeager family and the war in their midst. Heartfelt thanks as well to members of the Rich Mountain Battlefield Foundation, the Laurel Mountain Reenactment Foundation, Monongahela National Forest, and others engaged in preserving and interpreting sites of the first campaign.
Other authors, historians and friends shared research, manuscripts and inspiration—or led me to “hallowed grounds.” They include William Acree, Randy Allan, Jeffrey Barb, Phyllis and Peter Baxter, Mark E. Bell, Richard Beto, Robert Black, Matthew Burton, Lars Byrne, Steve Chandler, Larry Corley, Jon Csicsila, Steve Cunningham, Reuben Currence, Jeffrey B. Davis, Terry Del Bene, Robert Denton, Robert Duncan, Alta Durden, Julia Elbon, Scott Francis, Carroll M. Garnett, Clarence Geier, Dean Harry, Jack and Janet Isner, Mark Jaeger, Katherine Jourdan, Mike Ledden, Terry Lowry, Kim and Stephen McBride, Stuart McGehee, Tim McKinney, Bill McNeel, Harry Mahoney, Mark Mengele, Martin C. Miller, Paul Mullins, Michael Pauley, Johnnie Pearson, Michael Phillips, Franz Pogge, Gerald Ratliff, Gilbert T. Renaut, Joe and Mary Moore Rieffenberger, Ed Riley, Hugh and Ruth Blackwell Rogers, Robert and Anita Schwartz, R. Wayne Scott, Darrell See, Bill Smedlund, Joy Stalnaker, Matthew Switlik, Gail Tacy, Mark and Diane Tennant, Don Teter, Victor Thacker, William E. Thompson, Darley Ware, Robert Whetsell, Beth A. White, Richard Wolfe, and Eddie Woodward.
The following libraries and archives were generous in sharing their treasures for this story. Without exception, I found their staffs to be marvelously helpful: Alexander Mack Memorial Library; Allegheny Regional Family History Society Library; Bath County (VA) Library; Central West Virginia Genealogy and History Library; Duke University Library; Emory University Library; Georgia Department of Archives and History; Huntington Library; Indiana Historical Society; Indiana State Library; Library of Congress; Lilly Library, Indiana University; Mary Baldwin College Archives; Museum of the Confederacy, Eleanor S. Brockenbrough Library; National Archives; Ohio Historical Society; Randolph County (WV) Historical Society; Shepherd College, George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War; Stanford University Libraries, Department of Special Collections; Tennessee State Library and Archives; University of Virginia Library; Upshur County (WV) Historical Society; Virginia Historical Society; Virginia Military Institute Archives; West Virginia State Archives and West Virginia University Libraries. A special thanks to staff of the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library and Davis and Elkins College Library in my hometown—always willing to summon books from the stacks or find them by interlibrary loan.
I am indebted to author John Waugh, and to my literary agent Mike Hamilburg, both of who have kindly guided me through the mysteries of publishing. Gladys Walker, an accomplished writer who happens to be my aunt, also provided wise counsel. My editors at Sourcebooks, Hillel Black and Laura Kuhn, deserve much praise. Hillel skillfully trimmed the manuscript and added clarity, while making me think I'd somehow done it myself. Laura fine-tuned the result with a sharp eye for detail, and, with the production team at Sourcebooks, brought it to fruition.
Edwin C. Bearss, National Park Service Chief Historian Emeritus, graciously read the manuscript and shared his unmatched insight. I thank him for long ago recognizing the importance of this story.
And finally, I offer very special thanks to my family; all were ever supportive and understood the need for solitude. I cannot properly express my love and gratitude for the contributions they made as their husband, son, brother, and in-law journeyed through the past.
IN WESTERN VIRGINIA, 1861
- First enlisted man in United States service killed by a Confederate soldier: T. Bailey Brown, May 22, 1861.
- First regiment mustered on Southern soil for defense of the Union under President Lincoln's call for troops: First (U.S.) Virginia Infantry, May 23, 1861.
- First campaign of the Civil War: Federal troops under General George McClellan invade Virginia, May 27, 1861.
- First trains used to carry soldiers to battle on American soil, May, 1861.
- First land battle of the Civil War: Philippi, June 3, 1861.
- First Federal officer wounded by a Confederate: Colonel Benjamin Kelley, June 3, 1861.
- First amputation of the Civil War: James E. Hanger, June 3, 1861.
- First Union government restored in a Confederate state: Wheeling, June 20, 1861.
- First use of the telegraph by an American army in the field: June 1861.
- First general killed in the Civil War: Robert S. Garnett, C.S.A., July 13, 1861.
- First time Robert E. Lee leads troops into battle as a commanding general: September 1861.
