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Image by Jim Surkamp<\/a><\/i>
\nAbout a young man from Sharpsburg and Shepherdstown who war changed into an avenging angel of death but who, at the foot of the gallows, found God.- JS.<\/p>\n
1. Andrew Leopold\u2019s Forlorn Hope (1) \u2013 by Jim Surkamp With Author Steve French 2. Author Steve French on Andrew Leopold (Video Transcript Link) Made possible with the generous, community-minded support of American Public University system, offering a quality, affordable, online education. Interpretations in civilwarscholars.com videos and posts do not in any way reflect modern-day poilicies and positions of American Public University System. More at apus.edu<\/a><\/p>\n Andrew Leopold\u2019s Forlorn Hope (1) \u2013 by Jim Surkamp With Author Steve French<\/p>\n Made possible with the generous, community-minded support of American Public University system, offering a quality, affordable, online education. Interpretations in civilwarscholars.com videos and posts do not in any way reflect modern-day poilicies and positions of American Public University System. More . . .<\/p>\n What is a mother to do?<\/p>\n 1_Polly Zittle\u2019s 22-year old son Warmaker Andrew T. Leopold (also Laypole, Lepole, and Isadore Laypole) had in his hands a small book that he hoped he could put in the hands of another prisoner who, unlike him, would leave the prison upright and alive.<\/p>\n 2_The crash of battle shells 3_He wrote in his cell on the blank leavesGlimpses_of_Heaven_frontispiece 4_Robert Baylor, the prisoner there from Charlestown 5_1859_Leopold\u2019s River of Peace 6_Andrew\u2019s quiet days just before the war years 7_Only the almost inaudible ripple of the boat 1860: War Clouds Stir Leopold To Action:<\/p>\n 8_Even after the John Brown Raiders Ahead was the November election for president. Locals didn\u2019t support Lincoln, but they didn\u2019t support Breckinridge either. They preferred a pro-unionist \u201cconciliator,\u201d named John Bell. The Shepherdstown Register editor, John Zittle, the second husband of Leopold\u2019s mother, wrote July 14, 1860: <\/p>\n 9_There are four candidates for president 10_The Fourth of July celebration 11_The Union may the ship of state ride safely 12_Lincoln is elected. War begins The crisis at Fort Sumter, South Carolina changed hot words to hot guns. Virginia voted to join the secession, pending a referendum. With the secession vote planned the next day on whether or not to secede, these same local militias marched that night towards Harper\u2019s Ferry to take the Federal arsenal.<\/p>\n David Hunter Strother, who joined the Federal Army, wrote of the night of April 18th at Harpers Ferry after the Federal guard blew up much of the armory to keep militias from capturing the arms there. The vote on secession in Richmond had not been completed:<\/p>\n 13_many more were on the way Among those on the way to enlist that April 18th was firebrand soldier William A. Morgan from his Falling Spring manse outside Shepherdstown, who was quickly made Captain of Company F of the 1st Virginia Cavalry and, as was his nature would take part in most major fights in his state and walk away from many horses shot from under him as the way of the warring life until peace arrived again at last.<\/p>\n 14_Leopold, the next day, joined Company F 15_tutelage and charisma of Capt. Morgan So they all prepared. In June, Confederates under Gen. Joseph Johnston left Harper\u2019s Ferry, eased upriver towards Falling Waters, encamping for their awaited first war-time brush with the Federal Army nearby. Leopold would come face-to-face with another mesmerizing cavalryman, J.E.B. Stuart, who, in early July on the eve of battle, told all his men in this camp:<\/p>\n 16_you are ignorant of this kind of work Leopold and Morgan \u2013 the \u201cReckless Invincibles:\u201d<\/p>\n 17_the first Battle of Bull Run\/Manassas 18_horses at full speed broke through Leopold was \u201cSeeing The Elephant,\u201d the phrase of all soldiers for beholding war\u2019s immediate horror. It was described right after this July, 1861 battle by Morgan to his wife: By dawn the conflict began with the booming of artillery and the sharp reports of musketry, mingled with the hoarse commands given by the officers, the screams of the dying horses and the groans of the wounded which kept up without intermission until moonlight. Two whole cavalry front ranks went down as they entered the enemy\u2019s line, myself and company were in the very center of their ranks. <\/p>\n 19_balls flying thick all around . . . But Others Deserted:<\/p>\n 20_Unlike Leopold, Charles Entler 21_set on fire on June 13, 1861, the wooden covered bridge 22_Jacob Hudson would desert 23_Leopold, though, warmed in the glow of a war-maker 24_Leopold wrote his mother from Camp Ashby This may have been an event May 6, 1862, reported with some differences by Federal Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, U. S. Army: August 30, 1862 \u2013 Leopold The Avenger at 2nd Manassas\/Bull Run:<\/p>\n 25_Sergeant Leopold, of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, was in the thickest of the fight Beverly_Robertson Image of B. H. Robertson. The cavalry brigade of Brig. Gen. Beverly H. Robertson and the regiment of Col. Thomas Munford raced to the extreme right of the Confederate position, hoping \u2013 with the support of four batteries of horse artillery \u2013 to block the retreating Union men at Lewis Ford.<\/p>\n 26_I charged the regiment on the hill and drove them back<\/p>\n Col. Asher W. Harman of the 12th Virginia Cavalry, Leopold\u2019s and Morgan\u2019s regiment, wrote: I charged the regiment on the hill and drove them back on their support, which were in quick succession broken and driven back in complete disorder. I pursued them over the run and as far as the pike near the stone bridge, capturing many prisoners, among them Colonel Brodhead and Major Atwood, of the First Michigan Cavalry, the former severely wounded. My loss was 6 men wounded. \u2013 p. 752.<\/p>\n Author Eric Wittenberg wrote: 27_The charge of the 12th Virginia crashed into the West Virginians The savage onslaught of the 12th Virginia broke the Union line and drove it back toward Bull Run.<\/p>\n 28_Brodhead refused, the Confederate shot and mortally wounded the Yankee officer The fight at the ford, however, had been severe. Robertson\u2019s men suffered five men killed and 40 men wounded, including Munford. One member of the 12th Virginia, a Sergeant Leopold, was wounded in three places during the furious clash at Lewis Ford. Buford\u2019s losses were heavier, with approximately 300 casualties. \u2013 pp. 746-747.<\/p>\n 29_Robertson\u2019s regiments swept down upon a force greatly outnumbering them Winslow_Homer_Sitting_Federal<\/p>\n Leopold Becomes an Avenging Scout and Bushwhacker:<\/p>\n September \u2013 late October, 1862: Leopold, still fired by the battlefield, recuperates.<\/p>\n 30_J.E.B.Stuart and his staff are resting at The Bower 32_Probably under the great oaks there, Stuart discussed 33_Stuart discussed plans and met with Redmond Burke and Andrew Leopold<\/p>\n More Pretoria Images<\/a><\/p>\n This Blue Bulls<\/em> image was automatically curated and published with WP Robot<\/a> plugin \u2013 CLICK HERE<\/a> to learn more about WP Robot for WordPress<\/a> \u2013 a massive time and money saver.<\/small><\/p>\n
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\nVIDEO: www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W_9FQvYpQRsfeature=youtu.be<\/a> TRT: 25:23<\/p>\n
\nPolly Zittle\u2019s 22-year old son, Andrew \u2013 soon-to-be-hanged \u2013 had much to consider in his solitary cell in the deepest sanctum of Fort McHenry prison near Baltimore.<\/p>\n
\nThe crash of battle shells, the crushing of bones like lath and cries, the groans, the clash of sabers, the shrieking thrill of musketry, the shattering in general \u2013 had unleashed something fierce in Andrew, native to the gun \u2013 this one-time crew mate on a lazy Potomac canal boat, who a young girl named Mary described as: \u201cwell built, straight as an arrow, not handsome of face, but with an honest, grave face that one knew how to trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHe wrote in his cell on the blank leaves of \u201cGlimpses of Heaven or, The Light Beyond Jordan\u201d: My dear and kind loving mother, It is with the deepest sorrow that your humble son has to report to you the sad news of my unfortunate and much unexpected fate which is deemed for me by now. But be of good cheer. I have good grounds to think and hope that I go to a better world for I have cast myself on the mercies of our God. Look to his Son, Jesus Christ, who died upon the cross without sin that we might have eternal life by believing in him. I hope to meet you and my two sisters in that bright land where sin and troubles are no more and there to show forth love to God and Jesus Christ, our redeemer. My fate is that of a felon. I know not the day that I have heard from a minister of the Gospel that I am not to suffer death on \u201cHangman\u2019s Day,\u201d but that is poor consolation to you but it will be a consolation to know that I went willing and prepared to meet my peace maker. . . I write this hoping you may get this book and hope the gentleman who finds it may send it to you. May God be merciful to you is the prayer of your unfortunate son and brother.\u201d \u2013 Spirit of Jefferson., April 19, 1898, Image 1.<\/p>\n
\nRobert Baylor, the prisoner there from Charlestown, also condemned to death but who had his commuted less than ten days after Leopold\u2019s last, wrote in his diary that Leopold\u2019s \u201cGlimpses\u201d book had underlined by Andrew many pertinent poetic lines.<\/p>\n
\n1859: Leopold\u2019s River of Peace:<\/p>\n
\nAndrew\u2019s quiet days just before the war years on the deck and towing the lines for a canal boat are best put by a fellow boatman in the year 1859:<\/p>\n
\nOnly the almost inaudible ripple of the boat in the water, the distant click of the mules\u2019 feet, the purring of the river, the hum of insects, and occasionally chirp of a bird broke the stillness. It was almost an ideal state of repose. The days drifted by as a dream and as I look back, it was a very tranquil dream, day ran into day, sunshine into sunshine, with no care or thought for the morrow. \u2013 Ella E. Clark (ed.).<\/p>\n
\nEven after the John Brown Raiders, their capture, trials in a Virginia Court and hangings \u2013 Shepherdstown\u2019s Hamtramck Guards and all militias, hard-marched even more in anticipation.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThere are four candidates for president of the United States. The contest bids fair to be the warmest ever known in the political annals of our country. The troubled waters appear so threatening to engulf us we can invoke the blessings of providence to direct us through.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Fourth of July celebration at Big Spring held together \u2013 barely. It began \u201cwith the Hamtramck Guards; Capt. V. M. Butler with the spirited notes of the fife and the inspired music of the drum . . . All hands did justice in relieving the table of it\u2019s ponderous weight of provisions \u2018done up brown\u2019 by our friend Martin Yontz,\u201d wrote Zittle. Capt. Heskitt had earlier marched the Guards, the town militia, from the town armory in full parade dress, each man having fifteen rounds of blank cartridges. Auctioneer George McGlincey lifted his glass to: <\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe Union . . . may the ship of state ride safely into port over the troubled waters.\u201d Then C. W. Yontz counter-toasted: \u201cTo Virginia, so long as she contains the graves of Washington, Jefferson, and a Madison, she must be faithful to her glorious title of Old Dominion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n1860-April, 1861 \u2013 Lincoln is elected. War begins April, 1861:<\/p>\n
\nAs the night advanced, the streets became more crowded with people from the town and neighborhood. By one o\u2019clock (early April 19th) the fires had sunk in ashes, when, gloomy, chilled and fatigued, I sought a bed at the house of an acquaintance . . I did not sleep soundly and was frequently disturbed during the night by the sound of drums and the tramp of passing squadrons. . . . many more were on the way. \u2013 p. 14.<\/p>\n
\nAndrew Thomas Leopold, the next day, joined Company F under Captain Morgan\u2019s command \u2013 and influence. Two other young men about Shepherdstown, both about Leopold\u2019s age, had the same intent to enlist in Confederate regiments and nearly at the very same time. Nineteen-year-old carpenter, Jacob Hudson, and seventeen-year-old Charles Ed Entler, a ferry boatman \u2013 were making the trip to Harper\u2019s Ferry to join Company B of the 2nd Virginia infantry regiment under the command of this unknown, odd Col. Thomas Jonathan Jackson, with long days just ahead of sorry-making, endless drill.<\/p>\n
\nBut Leopold had a ferocious role model in the tutelage and charisma of Capt. Morgan.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAttention!\u201d he cried. \u201cNow I want to talk to you, men. . . . you are ignorant of this kind of work, and I am teaching you. I want you to observe that a good man on a good horse can never be caught. Another thing: cavalry can trot away from anything, and a gallop is a gait unbecoming a soldier, unless he is going toward the enemy. Remember that. We gallop at the enemy, and trot away, always. p. 116.
\n\u2013 More . . .<\/p>\n
\nSoon at the first Battle of Bull Run\/Manassas Leopold and Morgan were both among the 150 men in the 1st Virginia Cavalry \u2013 thundering galloping, steam-nostril, horse weight hurling toward the panicked red-scarlet uniformed men in the New York Zouaves fleeing to anywhere, raised sabers at them. William Blackford remembered: \u201cThe tremendous <\/p>\n
\nimpetus of horses at full speed broke through their line like chaff before grain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe balls flying thick all around \u2013 apparently as thick as hail and yet strange to say there was no one killed \u2013 two or three of us were slightly wounded, myself among the number. . . My horse, George, behaved nobly, never flinching at any time.<\/p>\n
\nUnlike Leopold, Charles Entler and Jacob Hudson both deserted from Co. B 2nd Virginia, returning home. Entler was already back home, once again a ferry boatman at Blackford\u2019s Landing. His B company of the 2nd Virginia had passed through Shepherdstown and <\/p>\n
\nset on fire on June 13, 1861, the wooden covered bridge across the River near the ferry. Wrote his friend, Henry K. Douglas: I saw the glowing windows in my home on the hill beyond the river . . . I realized that war had begun. . . and my soul was filled with revengeful bitterness. Two days later, on June 15th Charles Entler was reported as having deserted, resuming his ferry boat duties.<\/p>\n
\nJacob Hudson would desert the following spring on March 15,1862, also re-appearing in Shepherdstown, stricken from the rolls and out of uniform.<\/p>\n
\nLeopold, though, warmed in the glow of a war-maker:<\/p>\n
\nLeopold wrote his mother from Camp Ashby near Harrisonburg that he had a skirmish near Luray, where with sixteen men he routed a Yankee Camp, capturing 18 prisoners, wounding 12 and killing 5, capturing ten thousand dollars worth of medicines, clothing and supplies. \u2013 Martinsburg Statesmen (from the Shepherdstown Register), May 23, 1895.<\/p>\n
\nMay 7, 1862. The Fifth New York Cavalry had a sharp skirmish with Ashby\u2019s cavalry (7th Virginia Cavalry-JS) yesterday near Harrisonburg. They (The Federals-JS) made a succession of most spirited charges against superior numbers, killing 10, wounding many, and capturing 6 rebels. Their conduct gave the highest satisfaction. Their chief weapon was the saber. The enemy does not show himself except by cavalry. \u2013 p. 456.<\/p>\n
\nSergeant Leopold, of the Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, was in the thickest of the fight and acted most gallantly during its continuance. He was wounded in three places. \u2013 Official Report by his Brigade Commander Brig. General Beverly Holcombe Robertson \u2013 pp. 746-747.<\/p>\n
\n800px-Second_Bull_Run_Aug30_1700 Source of map. Click on map to enlarge.<\/p>\n
\nAt Manassas, on August 30, about 4 p.m., I was ordered, with six companies of my regiment (A, C, D, E, F, and H), to support the Second Virginia Cavalry. I found the enemy occupying the hill to the right of the Lewis house, with the First [West] Virginia Cavalry, supported by a New York and the First Michigan Cavalry, drawn up about 200 yards in their rear. <\/p>\n
\nThe men of Robertson\u2019s brigade formed into line and, (Harman wrote) \u201cin wedgelike form, dashed headlong toward the battle line of blue; and as the apex of this swiftly moving mass was about to pierce the center of their line, it wavered for an instant, then broke and fled in every direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe charge of the 12th Virginia crashed into the West Virginians and drove them back upon their reserves. As one member of the 12th Virginia later wrote, the West Virginians \u201cbroke and ran and we were after them with pistol and saber.\u201d A member of the 4th New York noted, \u201cThe Secesh used their revolvers with a determination to slaughter some of our lads\u201d Capt. William Porter Wilken of the 1st West Virginia was left to cut his way out, and only barely escaped capture when his horse bolted. He recorded, \u201cI think nothing of charging against equal numbers, but to charge into a whole army of cavalry and infantry and artillery and see your comrades mowed down by by their sabres and the deadly fire of their musketry and cannon, is not particularly funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAdjutant Lewis Harman of the 12th Virginia met Brodhead near the Lewis Ford. Harman demanded Brodhead\u2019s surrender and, when Brodhead refused, the Confederate shot and mortally wounded the Yankee officer. Harman rode off with Brodhead\u2019s horse, saddle, pistols, and sabre. Brodhead received a deathbed brevet to brigadier general for his valiant stand at the Lewis Ford. . . . the 12th Virginia pursued as far as the Warrenton Turnpike. In his official report of the campaign, Stuart pointed out that the melee at the Lewis Ford \u201cwas of remarkably short duration.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nStuart exulted in his official report of the campaign that at Lewis Ford, \u201c\u2026 over 300 of the enemy\u2019s cavalry were put hors de combat, they, together with their horses and equipments, falling into our hands.\u201d Stuart bragged about his victory, stating \u201cNothing could have equaled the splendor with which Robertson\u2019s regiments swept down upon a force greatly outnumbering them, thus successfully indicating a claim for courage and discipline equal to any cavalry in the world..\u201d \u2013 Gen. J.E.B. Stuart\u2019s Report to Gen. Robert E. Lee February 28, 1863, OFFICIAL RECORDS: Series 1, vol 12, Part 2 (Second Manassas) p. 737.<\/p>\n
\n31_overlooking the Opequon Creek
\nConfederate Cavalry General J.E.B.Stuart and his staff are resting at The Bower overlooking the Opequon Creek and will remain there until late, October, 1862. <\/p>\n
\nProbably under the great oaks there, Stuart discussed plans and met with Redmond Burke and Andrew Leopold to make them mail-carriers, horse-thieves, conscriptors, and his \u201ceyes\u201d along the rivers around Jefferson County.<\/p>\n