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NORTH ANNA LINE
Once again following a pitched battle, Grant disengaged and continued his southward movement. His objective was the crossings of the Anna River about 25 miles north of Richmond. Grant was then given a grand opportunity to defeat Lee. Lee was fooled into thinking the Federal army would continue further east rather than trying to cross the river sooner. Warren, Burnside, and Hancock’s corps arrived first and crossed at Jericho Mills and the Chesterfield Bridge. Lee had not called for any fortifications along the river but the Confederates were able to scramble together a defense. The Confederate line was shaped line an upside down “V” with the point on the river. Due to this Grant would have to split his army across the river to be able to attack. This happened but due to Lee being ill he was unable to coordinate the attacks. Grant soon discovered the threat in attacking, disengaged, and once again moved to the southeast.
The Brigade did not see any action along their part of the line. When Grant disengaged the Brigade moved south to the town of Ashland.
During the movement, Co. E of Philip’s Legion was in a minor skirmish near Hanover Junction. 3 were wounded including my GGG Uncle James Blackwell.
Wofford’s Brigade can be seen at the center right of the eastern side of the inverted “V”.
Hanover Junction today is known as Doswell, Virginia.
BATTLE OF COLD HARBOR
After breaking off contact with Lee along the North Anna River, Grant began his southeastern movement by sending Sheridan’s cavalry out ahead. Their objective was the crossroads of Cold Harbor which provides a direct route to Richmond. Lee, however, had already foreseen this and had his old cavalry commanded by his nephew Fitzhugh Lee hold the crossroads. Sheridan attacked the Confederate defenders and drove them back from the crossroads where both sides began to dig in. Richard H. Anderson, who was commanding Longstreet’s corps while he recovered from wounds received at the Wilderness, was first to arrive along with Wofford’s Georgians and the newly arrived division of Robert F. Hoke. The Confederates worked to strengthen their lines on the night of May 30 but a gap of about fifty yards formed in a low swampy area of vegetation on Wofford’s right. On the morning of June 1, the federals began a general advance along the lines. Federals of the VI Corps found the gap and streamed in. The federals emerged from the low ground and began overtaking the right of Wofford’s line. The 18th Georgia was on the far right and immediately broke and retreated. To prevent a domino effect along his line, Wofford called for a general retreat. The brigade reformed several hundred yards away then accompanied Kershaw’s South Carolina Brigade as they charged retake the lost works and plug the gap. The brigade was able to seal off the breakthrough and formed a new line which included a bulge around the low area. On this day of the battle the Confederates would lose 1800 casualties. Of that number, 500 came from Wofford’s Brigade.
The next day Grant desired to continue the assaults however he was not able to move his men into position in time. The Confederates used this time wisely as they adjusted and improved their works. In what seems like impeccable timing, the Brigade was moved out of the works just before dawn of May 3rd. Just as they were settling into their new positions the Federals emerged from the opposite tree line. In what was one of the most lopsided engagements of the war, the Federals were mowed down from crossfires of musketry and canister. As the attacks began to wane, the brigade moved up into the front works to provide support. The colonel of Philip’s Legion, pictured below, was wounded at this time.
Action on June 1. Wofford’s Brigade is in the center of the Federal attack with the gap visible to his right.
Landscape around the area of the Brigade. Little has changed since the battle.
Confederate earthworks on the Cold Harbor battlefield.
Lt. Colonel Joseph E. Hamilton of Philip’s Legion was wounded in the neck on the last day of Cold Harbor.
He would rejoin the Legion just before the surrender.
The two armies faced and sniped at each other for the next ten days. Then on June 13 the Federals had mysteriously vanished and reappeared across the James River threatening Richmond and Petersburg. Lee shifted his troops to the works protecting Petersburg and settled into a siege which was what he was hoping to prevent. The Brigade shared time manning the siege lines and resting in reserve suffering several casualties and desertions. On July 31, the Brigade pulled out of line and boarded trains. They were in route to the Shenandoah Valley to reinforce the Confederate army there under Jubal Early who was getting pressed by Federal General Phil Sheridan’s Army of the Shenandoah.
BATTLE OF GUARD HILL
Arriving at Front Royal, Virginia on August 13, the Brigade occupied the south bank of the Shenandoah River just outside town. Three days later General Wofford led the 16th Georgia, 24th Georgia, and Cobb’s Legion across the river to drive back Federal cavalry were guarding the crossing. Being successful, the Confederates continued the chase before being surprised by addition Federal cavalry who swooped in and hit them from the side. Wofford skillfully averted a complete disaster and was able to retreat but not before losing about 300 as prisoners.
Here Wofford’s Brigade and the Confederate supporting cavalry crossed the river before and after the battle.
Following Guard Hill there was a short lull in the fighting. The Brigade moved east across the mountains to Woodville. Sensing the weakening of the Confederates, Sheridan launched an attack which became the Battle of Third Winchester in which he routed Early’s army. They fell back to Fisher’s Hill where they were again routed and in which several of my ancestors from several of Wofford’s regiments were captured. Many of them had transferred out of the brigade and into cavalry regiments.
BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK
Early was given an opportunity to deliver a severe blow to a portion of the Federal army in the vicinity of Middletown, Virginia. Attacking at dawn, the Confederates were able to drive the Federal back several miles. At 10:30 am, General Sheridan arrived on the field and in one of the most popular episodes of the war, inspired his men and led a counterattack that tipped the balance back to their favor and drove the Confederates from the field in disarray. Wofford’s Brigade was only lightly engaged and were in reserve most of the battle. They did receive some casualties mostly from artillery fire.
Wofford’s Brigade can be seen in reserve in the bottom center of the map.
Early’s army was essentially destroyed at the Battle of Cedar Creek. Most of it, including Wofford’s brigade, was transferred back east to rejoin General Lee around Petersburg. They arrived on November 23 and took a place in the line. Jockeying for positions and skirmishing would continue until April 2, 1865 when the Federal would finally break through the Confederate line forcing them to flee to the west and abandon Petersburg and Richmond.
APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN
Once the Confederate army was fleeing west, the chase was on. Grant pushed his generals to the west in an attempt to cut off Lee’s choices of escape. Federal cavalry tormented the retreating Confederates until Ewell’s Corps, which included Wofford’s Brigade which was now under the command of General Dudley DuBose, was forced to halt to make stand. This they did near Marshall’s Crossroad in the area of Sailor’s Creek. Federal cavalry charged the brigade but were repulsed by concentrated volleys. While falling back to continue the retreat many encountered more Federal cavalry and were forced to surrender.
DuBose’s Brigade can be seen in the middle of the Confederate line. When they fell back they ran into George Custer’s cavalrymen to the west.
At this point the brigade ceased to exist as an intact unit. There was an ‘every man for himself’ situation following Sailor’s Creek. It is said that the colors of Cobb’s Legion were burned by its color bearer rather than surrendering them. Several groups from the regiments of Wofford’s Brigade were able to escape and make it to Appomattox Court House where the army was virtually surrounded and forced to surrender as a whole.