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Tuesday, August 30, 2022

"Feel the Enemy Gently" : The Texas Brigade at Eltham's Landing

 

Texas Brigade Flag


Throughout his checkered career in the Confederate Army, Major General Joseph E. Johnston was often vilified, and at times lauded, for one tactic— retreat.  During the spring of 1862, he applied this tactic stealthily along the Virginia Peninsula against the Union Army of the Potomac.  Under Major General George P. McClellan, the Union army’s objective was the Confederate capital of Richmond.  Fortunately for Johnston, McClellan was convinced he was heavily outnumbered, leading to an overly cautious advance that gave Johnston more than ample time to retreat towards Richmond’s stalwart defensive works.  After a brief hearted attempt to hold Williamsburg, Johnston again ordered a retreat to gain distance from McClellan.  To seal off Johnston’s rear, McClellan ordered Brigadier General William B. Franklin’s division of 11,300 men to board transports and then steam up the York River to Eltham’s Landing, across the river from the town of West Point. From there, they would march to the village of Barhamsville to attack Johnston’s rear.  Despite an uneventful landing, Franklin spent precious hours unloading his transports, delaying his advance.  Johnston was aware of his presence and ordered Major General Gustavus Woodson to block the road to Barhamsville, protecting his line of retreat.  Not wanting to bring on a major battle, Johnston ordered him to “go feel the enemy gently and fall back.”  Woodson selected Brigadier General William C. Whiting’s division to “feel” Franklin.  Whiting’s division included one exceptional brigade that would go on to legendary status in Confederate military lore - The Texas Brigade.

 

After spending months observing Union activity along the north bank of the Potomac River and retreating up the Virginia Peninsula, the Texas Brigade was itching for a stand-up fight.  Under the command of Brigadier General John Bell Hood, the brigade consisted of the 1st, 4th, 5th Texas regiments, the 18th Georgia regiment and the Hampton Legion from South Carolina.  The long-bearded, six foot tall Hood cut an imposing figure the Texans respected, especially on the battlefield.  To honor their commander, they presented Hood with a horse they had purchased with their own money.

 

On May 7, 1862, Hood advanced on Franklin’s position.  Rain fell incessantly during the week, turning  dirt roads into quagmires and creeks in raging rivers.  Because of the dense woods ahead, Hood ordered his men not to load their rifles to prevent friendly fire among his troops.  No sooner had they entered the woods, they encountered a Union picket line.  Hood later recalled, “I did not discover the Federals till they were close enough to shake hands.”  A Union corporal offered no handshake but leveled his musket at Hood instead.  Fortunately, Private John Deal of the 4th Texas had ignored Hood’s order.  He shot the Union corporal dead.   Afterwards, Hood’s Texans advanced into Franklin’s 16th New York and 95th Pennsylvania regiments, driving them toward the York River.  Franklin’s troops fell steadily back to the river and the protection of gunboats that accompanied the transports.  Hood retired from Franklin’s position.  Casualties totaled 194 for the Union side and 48 for the Confederates.  The Confederate line of retreat was secured. 

 

Johnston was pleased with the outcome. He humorously asked General Hood, "What would your Texans have done, sir, if I had ordered them to charge and drive back the enemy?” Hood replied, "I suppose, General, they would have driven them into the river, and tried to swim out and capture the gunboats.”  As the Texans would later prove, they would have certainly done just that.