A professor's recollections..

The following is a letter from Professor Gabriel Campbell. Professor Campbell was the captain of Company E, 17th Michigan during the Battle of South Mountain. He enlisted in June 1862 and was appointed captain of Company E. He would resign his commission in November 1863 to return to college to complete his degree in Philosophy. He would go onto to teach at the University of Minnesota and Bowdoin College. Company E was unique in that its ranks were made up of mostly students from the Michigan State Normal School, known today as Eastern Michigan University. It was written to Ezra Carmen for his history of the 1862 Maryland Campaign.

Dartmouth College
Hanover, N.H. Aug 23 1899.

Dear General Carmen,

I think you will find the following a very accurate itinerary of the 17th Mich at South Mountain, Sep 14, 1862.

Leave Camp 9:00 AM
March through Middletown   10:00 AM
At foot of mountain     11:30 AM
Enfiladed by battery    12:00 noon
Prostrate in cornfield   1:00 PM
"Attention" called        3:00 PM
First Charge        4:00 PM

The ridge of So Mountain ran nearly N and S, the road at the summit nearly East and West.

When I visited the field in 1892, I found that most of the woods had been cut away, the woods on the east of Wise's field, however remaining; while the little field, about an acre and a half was quite overgrown by trees and buses, the woods to the west remaining. Meanwhile the walls of the lane had been rebuilt about 20 yards to the west, the lane running close by the east end of the Wise house. Near the road, the south part of the wall had been carried to the east bringing it nearly in a line with the lane. The ditch like accent had been washed away and much leveled and an ordinary wagon road or highway had taken its place.

Of course, the so called "lane" was the "ridge" road, which here had a stone wall on either side. The walls were about three feet in height. The road, however, was worn or washed out so that the center of the "lane" was some six inches deeper than the sides.

Where we filed to the right at the deep cut of the road suddenly ended, the road sides becoming level. As we began to leave the cut, the rebels began to enfilade us. I stood at the edge of the track until my company (E) had all filed past. I could see the cannon balls coming, bounding down the road. One came within arms length of me, dashing through the head of the company just behind. There was an immediate scramble up the sides of the ditch and out of range.

Just as I was turning into the field, Gen Willcox came flying up on his horse, saying to me "Is this my Michigan". "Form into line". The expression "My Michigan" was applied to the 17th because we had been his escort in Detroit when he was given the reception upon his return from the rebel prison to which he was taken from The First Bull Run. Our Col. Withington was Captain in the 1st Michigan under col. Willcox and was taken prisoner with him. Willcox applied to the Secretary of War and had the 17th ,for that reason, put in his division.

Crossing to the left of the road, we marched forward in line of battle until we came in range of rebel batteries to the NW and W and of infantry in the woods before us. Here we fell on our faces, the grape shot cutting off the leaves of corn until we were quite thoroughly covered [a] considerable number were wounded.

Falling back a short distance, we passed into the woods to the right of the road. Here we formed in column of battalions, the left wing forming behind the right, the two wings mingling, the companies mixing as we moved on.

Although there was a sharp fire from the stockade, which reminded me of a hail storm on the roof, our men gave tremendous shouts as there were coming out of the woods pressing on without pausing. Although met by a terrific storm of bullets from the stone wall, we simply rushed forward giving a storm in reply. But before we could make a bayonet thrust, the enemy fled. The rebel batteries now fairly swept the open field. This drove us to the left across the road and into the woods. At the edge of the woods, came the tug of war. We were square in front of the double lines at the lane. The batteries played upon the woods bringing down an abundance of branches, but doing little damage. The discharge of musketry from the lane was a constant blaze. Evidently, they were unable to take aim and fired over us. We aimed at the top of the wall.

After a while, the artillery firing relaxed momentarily and our right moved into the field across the road and advanced to the stone wall when the rebel regiment was soon dislodged, but fought as it fell back across that field. Our men now obtained a raking fire from behind the wall, then a flank fire from the north on the men behind the lane walls. Upon this the major part of the regiment pressed across Wise's field from the east but the rebels fell back. We pursued them down the slope and into the woods, taking many prisoners. We at once began to reform the regiment at the edge of the woods to the east of Wise's field when we had done most of the fighting. Here we rested on our arms for the night.

As soon as we had fixed the point of rendezvous, I secured a small detachment of men and started to care for the wounded, who had been left on the field. Just as we finished removing and caring for the wounded in the field, a few rebels without arms appeared coming into the field, ostensibly looking for their dead and helpless comrades. I quickly observed that they were pilfering from our dead as well as their own, and also gathering up arms, occasionally discharging a musket into the air. When I remonstrated with them for picking pockets and firing at random, they answered [illegible]. As I was now the only Union soldier in the field, I walked quietly towards the exit. Just as I reached the doorway at the S.E. corner, I men General Willcox who asked with some indignation what that firing meant. I replied the men were rebels who were robbing the dead and picking up arms. I pointed to several who were just then climbing the fence, coming in from the woods, and added this was evidently the beginning of a volley. Gen. Willcox turned his horse, touching him with his spur, and rode back hastily. The twilight was growing dusky. Meditating on the stranger events of the day- a most suggestive Sunday eve- I was winding my way slowly back to the regiment when, about 50 yards from where I met Gen. Willcox, I encountered Gen. Reno and four or five members of his staff riding quietly to the front.

Reno, who was about half the length of his steed in advance, was leaning forward peering steadily through his field glass, in order, evidently, to reconnoiter for himself. I stood and watched. Just as I reached the end of the fence, there was a sudden fusillade- five or six shots in about a couple of seconds. There was at once commotion among the Reno horsemen, a dismounting and catching of someone. Evidently the rebels had begun to form behind the stone fence. Quickly an orderly comes back leading several horses. To my inquiring "what happened?" , he answered, "Reno's shot." Immediately men bearing the General on a blanket follow. They pause as they meet me, and are glad of a little assistance in carrying the middle of the blanket on the right side, which duty fell to me. It was too dark to see Reno's face at all closely. He seemed pale but perfectly composed. No one of us spoke. We bore our beloved commander silently, slowly, tenderly.

Reaching the corner of the wood east of the Wise Field, we were met by attendants and a stretcher. As we placed him on the better resting place, he looked up at us gratefully. It was the last I saw of the brave Gen. Reno. I may add that although conscious that he was mortally wounded, he did not utter a word or a groan as we were carrying him off the field. When the commander of the division came up, Reno said, "Willcox, I am killed. Shot by our own men." This implies that Gen. Reno did not, in the gathering darkness, satisfy himself that the rebels were so close at hand. Gens. Sturgis and Rodman, with their supporting divisions, were very nearly abreast of Reno, coming up, as they did, across the field to the North of the road. He could scarcely have recognized such a mistake as possibly on their part. Of course, he thought the shooting random and not intentional. Possessed of the conviction that the rebels were not there, it was the necessary inference that he was killed by his own men.

It is my recollection that Cox, his successor, at first accepted this opinion. In the Chicago Tribune for 1877 or 1978, there was a discussion by D.H. Hill and Cox as to the death of Reno, the article for each general representing a different view. My article following practically closed the contention. When the committee was locating the Reno monument at S.M., Gen. Hartfrant sent me a diagram of the field asking for facts as to where Reno was shot. Gen. Hartfrant died before I learned the result, but his chief of staff told me my testimony settled the question. The monument stands on the side of the road close beside the lane.

Our supporting troops, promptly, met the volleying rebels who fought for several hours to regain what they had found to be an uncommonly strong position. In the forenoon, the 30 and 36 Ohio had each struggled valiantly to dislodge the enemy from the lane but without success. A considerable number of the dead behind the lane walls were evidently the result of these struggles earlier in the day. I never saw it where dead men so emphatically heaped up. I recollect the group photograph in the Century War Book.

The 17 Mich was no doubt chosen for this emergency because it was strong and new. The report that there were about 500 for duty must be a mistake. Company A was absent on Provost duty at Frederick, and say 10-15 percent sick or detached, this would mean between 700 to 800 for duty. Evidently the new regiments were thought more reliable by the commanding generals than old ones for an attack in front of stonewalls, old ones being more inclined to "shy off" and attack the flank in such cases. When  Gen Willcox in his report speaks of a contest of some minutes he, of course, refers to only the carrying of the first stone wall on the right of the road.

My Co. E, was composed mainly of students from the Mich School and University. I do not see how better soldiers could exist. Their one impulse was to press forward and win. I prefer, however, that others should commend. As I have been writing the seven and thirty years have seemed to pass out of existence, an again its only the day after the battle. I hear again the church bells of Middletown ringing as we march through the town.

Very Truly Yours,
Gabriel Campbell
Capt. 17th Mich

"Tell my command that if not in body, I will be with them in spirit." : The 9th Corps remembers Major General Jesse Reno

Jesse Reno was killed just as the fighting at Fox's Gap ended on the night of September 14th, 1862. As he lay dying under a massive oak tree, Reno in his last breath ordered those nearby, "Tell my command that if not in body, I will be with them in spirit." With those words, Jesse Reno closed his eyes for the last time.

The effort by survivors of the 9th Corps to memorialize their fallen commander at South Mountain began when the Society of the Burnside Expedition and 9th Army Corps set in place plans to erect a monument to Reno on the battlefield at Fox's Gap. At the meeting of the society in 1888, a resolution was put before the veterans and it was decided to erect a memorial to General Reno. Here is the resolution passed during this meeting:

"Resolved, That a committee consisting of a member from each organization in the 9th Corps participating in the Battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862, be appointed, which committee is hereby authorized to solicit subscriptions to be used in the erection of of a suitable memorial - costing not over $1,000 - to designate the spot where our great soldier and commander, General Jesse L. Reno, was killed, the same to be in position by September 14, 1889, on which day it shall be dedicated by this society. The commitee are authorized to make all necessary arrangements."

With this resolution, the men who fought under Reno took their commanders last words to heart. The commanding general may not be there in body, but his spirit was. The society appointed General John Hartranft to head the memorial committee and the President of the society would appoint other members to the committee. Also during this meeting, several of the regiments represented pledged on the spot to contribute $100 to the effort.

For the next year, Hartranft and his committee raised funds and looked into locating the site of Reno's wounding and purchasing the property. When the next meeting came about in June 1889, General Hartranft reported that funding was being raised at a suitable rate but the form of the monument, the commitee had decided, was to be placed before the society for suggestions. With this report, it appeared the monument would not be ready by September. A motion was made to delay the dedication for one year, but was quickly withdrawn after heated discussions. In the end, the society decided to leave the design and arrangements up to those members serving on the memorial committee.

With this vote, the committee set about designing the monument and finding a suitable location. With little time left before the monument would be dedicated, the location of General Reno's wounding was determined and the rights to the land were purchased for erection of the memorial. The design of the memorial would be a short, granite column with crowned at the top with a Maryland Cross on each side to commerate the 1862 Maryland Campaign. On each side would be an inscription dedicated to General Reno. On the North face (front) would be, from top to bottom: 9th Corps September 14, 1862 Reno. The Ninth Corps insignia would also appear on this side. On the West facing side the inscription reads: This monument marks the spot where Gen. Jesse Lee Reno, commanding 9th Army Corps U.S. Vol's, was killed in battle Sept. 14, 1862. On the South side is a listing of Reno's battles during his career: Battles. Vera Cruz; Cerro Gordo; Cantretras; Churubusco; Chapultepec; Roanoke Island; New Berne; Camden; Bull Run; Chantilly and South Mountain. On the east side is the dedication inscription: Erected by the survivors of the 9th Army Corp to their Commander and Comrade September 14, 1889.

With the monument completed and placed, all was set to go on September 14, 1889. The day dawned cold and wet but nevertheless, nearly 1,000 people gathered for the ceremony. The dedication speech was read by one of Reno's division commanders, Orlando Willcox. A photo of the dedication ceremony appears in William F. McConnell's Remember Reno: A Biography of Major General Jesse Lee Reno attesting to the size of the crowd that gathered.

Following the dedication, the society appropriated the remaining funds from the memorial to construction of a stonewall around the monument. The society raised $1,009 and the memorial cost just over $688 to construct and place. A fund was also established to pay a local caretaker to tend to the monument in the absence of society members. The society also ordered 500 copies to be made outlining the dedication ceremony proceedings along with a photo of Reno and of the memorial. The little booklets were entitled Reno Memorial South Mountain, MD: Unveiled September 14, 1889, Its Inception, Erection, and Dedication. The monument is a testement to the love a general's soldiers have for the commander, nearly 30 years after he was killed in battle. Today, the monument is cared for by the National Park Service.

Sources:

The Society of the Army of the Potomac. Report of the 19th Annual Re-Union at Gettysburg, PA July 1st, 2d, & 3d, 1888. (New York: Macgowan & Slipper, 1888). Pg. 59-60

The Society of the Army of the Potomac. Report of the 20th Annual Re-Union at Orange, New Jersey, June 12th & 13th, 1889. (New York: MacGowan & Slipper, 1889), 90-91.

The Society of the Army of the Potomac. Report of the 21st Annual Re-Union at Portland, ME July 3d & 4th, 1890. (New York: MacGowan & Slipper, 1890). Pg. 80-81.

William F. McConnell. Remember Reno: A Biography of Major General Jesse Lee Reno. (Shippensburg,Pa: White Mane Publishing,1996).

"The army has met with a grievous loss. . ."

After fighting a long and bloody stalemate around Fox's Gap on September 14, 1862, Major General Jesse Reno moves up with his staff to get a look at the situation for himself. With daylight fading, it is quite difficult to get a handle on his troops positions and as General Reno's party came within yards of the gap, shots rang out. Immediately, there was the distinct thud of hot lead hitting human flesh and General Reno crumbles in the saddle. One of his staff officers gains control of the General's horse and leads the mortally wounded commander of the Union 9th Corps back down the mountain. Reno would be laid underneath an oak tree where, within the hour, he would succumb to his wound.


Jesse Lee Reno was born on April 20, 1823 in Wheeling, West Virginia to Lewis Thomas and Rebecca Reno. He was the third of eight children the couple would have together. His parents moved the family Franklin, Pennsylvania in the northwestern part of the state. The young Reno would spend his childhood here and he would receive an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1842 while living here. in 1846, he would graduate eighth in a class that included future Civil War generals George B. McClellan, Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall), and George Pickett. He would serve in the Mexican-American War where he would be brevetted a first lieutenant following the Battle of Cerro Gordo and Captain following the battle of Chapultepec.

During the period before the outbreak of the Civil War, Reno would serve in various different capacities. He would teach at West Point, be a member on various ordnance boards, take part in
mapping surveys, and he would serve as the chief of ordnance during Albert Sidney Johnston's Utah Expedition. He would also hold commands at the U.S. Arsenals at Mount Vernon, Alabama, and Leavenworth, Kansas.

In January of 1861, during the secession crisis, Reno was forced to surrender the Mount Vernon Arsenal to the State of Alabama. In April, war broke out and by November, Jesse Reno was commissioned a brigadier general of volunteers and his first command was a brigade in the Carolina Coast expedition under Ambrose Burnside and fought in the fights on Roanoke Island, New Bern, and Camden, North Carolina. Following this expedition, Reno would command a division in the Federal Department of North Carolina until he was recalled to Washington, D.C. in August 1862.

He was appointed major general on August 20 with rank from July 18th, 1862. During the Second Manassas Campaign, he commanded Burnside's IX Corps while General Burnside was in command of the right wing of John Pope's Army of Virginia as it advanced north away from the Rappahannock River. Reno's command would fight well during the Battle of Second Manassas and in the Battle of Chantilly of September 1, 1862. As the Union force retreated into the defences of Washington, D.C., George McClellan was given command of the demoralized force and it was incorporated into the Army of the Potomac with Reno remaining in command of the IX Corps with Burnside given the overall command of the Right Wing of the Army. The Rebel Army crossed into Maryland between September 4-7, 1862 and by the 9th they were concentrated around the city of Frederick, Maryland. Their stay in Maryland would prove to be a short one. Reno's 9th Corp was ordered to move to Leesbourough, Maryland on September 5th and then onward through Damascus and New Market and the corps arrived in the vanguard of the Army of the Potomac at Frederick on September 12th fighting a brief skirmish in the outskirts and streets of Frederick before encamping on the banks of the Monocacy River. On the 13th, the IX Corps moved through Frederick towards Braddock Gap and after Union Cavalry under Alfred Pleasonton cleared the gap, Reno pushed his corps right up to the base of South Mountain. The evening, McClellan recalled Reno's troops back to Middletown where they would encamp for the night.

On the morning of the 14th, the Kanawha Divison under Jacob Cox moved out in a reconnaissance in force towards Turner's Gap along the National Pike. After recieving information that a sizable force of Confederate Infantry was at the gap, Cox filed his division off to the left of the pike and moved up the Old Sharpsburg Road in an attempt to outflank the Turner's Gap position. The lead elements of Cox's men ran into the brigade of General Samuel Garland around 9 in the morning near Fox's Gap and fighting became rather intense with General Garland being mortally wounded. Reno pushed forward the remainder of the IX Corps to the support of Cox at Fox's Gap. The Confederates attempted a counterattack in the afternoon but it was stopped cold and Reno ordered the entire IX Corps to push towards the gap. Reno's men gained possession of the gap before being pushed back by reinforcements from John Bell Hood's division of Confederates.

As light was fading, General Reno moved up the Old Sharpsburg Road with his staff to get a handle on the situation himself and issue orders as needed. As he got close to the gap, picket's from both sides were firing and a volley from the woods was unleashed upon the group. General Reno was struck in the chest of and Major Charles Goodwin assisted the General back down the mountain until the general could be placed on a stretcher. As orderlies carried the general on the stretcher, Reno saw his old friend, one of his brigade commanders, Samuel Sturgis and cried out, "Hallo Sam! I'm Dead". Sturgis heard the voice in such a way that he would not believe that Reno was going to die. Reno also came across one of his division commanders, Orlando Willcox, who Reno confided in that he believed the he had been shot by his own men. Major General Jesse Reno would die of his wounds within an hour underneath a large Oak tree.

The general's body was taken to Boston to his wife and placed within a vault at Trinity Church. His remains would be removed to Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown in April 1867. General Reno is memorialized by a monument within a gated area near that site of his wounding on the Fox's Gap Battlefield (above, right). He is also memorialized by the City of Reno, Nevada. The city sprouted up near a silver mine and the settlers of the town voted to name in Reno, in honor of the general. This act caught the notice of President Lincoln who would make Nevada a state in October 1864. Today, Reno memorializes its name sake with a large wooden statue of the general. He is also memorialized by various other places and communities throughout the country including his birthplace of Wheeling, West Virginia.

(Monument in Wheeling, WV)