The Texas Brigade

[Oldshooter]

                           Hood's Texas Brigade's Finest Hour
                                   (Saving The Army Of North Virginia)
On the second day of fighting in Virginia's Wilderness, the fate of the Army of Northern Virginia hung in the balance on May 6, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness, under pressure from a five division Union attack. General Robert E. Lee's right flank was crumbling. Lee watched as routed troops of Lieutenent General A.P. Hill's III Corps ran west along the Orange Plank Road, away from the approaching enemy. Lee quickly took action to avert disaster. His trusted aide, Lt. Col. Charles Venadle was sent southwest to hurry Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's advancing I Corps into the fight. Informed of the critical situation on the march, Longstreet brought his two divisions the last mile and a half at the double-quick. Moving in parallel columns on the road, veteran brigades led both divisions. On the right was Bri. Gen. B.G. Humphrey's Mississippi Brigade and on the left Hood's Texas Brigade, under the command of Brig. Gen. John Gregg.
As the Texans advanced up Orange Plank Road, Longstreet's columns broke through the confused and demoralized mass of Hill's Corps, "Old Pete" (Longstreet) ordered Gregg to form his 800-man strong Texas Brigade north of Orange Plank Road. The Mississippians went into line south of the road. The Brigade's regiments, now under fire, began moving into their standard fighting formation. Left to right were: 3rd Arkansas, 1st Texas, 4th Texas and the 5th Texas. Lee rode up to Gregg (as the 5th Texas started forming battle lines) and asked Gregg who was new to the Army of North Virginia, and what unit he commanded. Taking position near the colors of the 5th Texas, bullets zipping about his head. "The Texas Brigade", was the Texan's proud answer. "I am glad to see it, when you go in there I want you to give those men the cold steel" said Lee.
Gregg saluted Lee and spurred his horse to the front of his command. Standing up in his stirrups, the Texas General aligned his regiments, then yelled: "Attention, Texas Brigade! The eyes... of General Lee... are upon you! Forward march!" In the rear of the Brigade, Lee ros in his saddle, doffed his hat, and said in a loud voice, "TEXAS ALWAYS MOVES THEM!!!" The troops within hearing raised a cheer. Lee's remarks passed like electricity through the ranks. The cheering spread along the advancing battle line. General Lee was also caught up in the emotion of the moment, rode through a gap in the line, intending to lead the Texans in the attack. Realizing Lee's rash intention, several soldiers ran in front of Traveller, grabbed his bridle rains and began yelling, "General Lee to the rear." On all sides, Texans took up the shout, "We won't move until you go back. To the rear General Lee, to the rear!" He did as they wished their beloved leader safe. The Texans resolved to halt the enemy attack or die. The Rebel yell rose above the sound of the firing. With Confederate and Texas battle flags leading the way, the Texas Brigade surged into the fray. From accross the open field, a Federal skirmish line 300 yards away open ineffective fire from a sparse stand of pines. Men began to fall, but the pace of Greggs veterans quickened. The wood line was overrun, the Federal skirmishers routed. Two hundred yards beyond, another Federal battle line materialized. The Texas men did not hesitate, they were unstoppable this day. The fire directed at the charging Confederates intensified. Their numbers dwindled with every yard, but the Texans kept coming. The seasoned veterans of Maj. Gen. Winfield Handcock's II Corps broke and ran as the screaming men of the Texas Brigade crashed into their battle line. The Texans continued to advance, hot on the heels of the routed Federals. After advancing another 200 yards through heavy fire, Gregg halted his men 100 yards from a formidable line of log breastworks. From south of the road, a Federal unit fired into the right flank of the Texas Brigade. The 4th and 5th Texas Regiments changed front, and led by Gregg charged the flanking Federal force. Crossing the Orange Plank Road, the Texans came under fire from at least two artillery batteries. Swept by the artillery's double shotted canister, many of the veterans did not make it accross the road. Those who did discovered another line of entrenchments. At 100 yards, two depleted regiments stood their ground, facing the protected enemy. The Texas Brigade was alone. Supporting brigades were to far away to the rear. Facing srongly manned positions on two fronts, and learning of fresh Federal divisions advancing down the Orange Plank Road, Gregg ordered his weakened regiments to execute a retreat, the Texans reoccupied the positions lost earlier by Hill's III Corps. The Brigade's unsupported charge had stopped the attack of two Federal corps and restored the army's right flank. Of the 800 Texans that charged that morning under the eyes of Lee, 565 fell dead or wounded. The Texans had once again upheld Lee's confidence in their ability to hold or take any position, regardless of the cost or circumstances involved.

Heard on the radio today that MY congressman, Ted POE(R), a northern congressman(D) and Robert Duvall were in at the site of this battle the other day trying to preserve it due to the fact that "WALLY WORLD" was going to put a store on it. They were in negotiations with corporation to get them to move their planned location away from the sacred ground. Drop Wally World a line if you can telling them we would appreciate that!

[Rustyinfla]

 Oldshooter,

       I was thinking about this situation last night while I was driving. As sad as it is to say I wonder if more people wouldn't learn more about the history if they built the Wally World with the condition that they erect a monument between the two front doors of the store. You just about have to drag folks kicking and screaming to get them to do anything that resembles learning about American history in any fashion. Maybe the local SCV camp could come up with something.

[Ga.windbreak]

Damn, that brings pride to my heart and a tear to my old eyes. Thanks Oldshooter.

[jdickey]

Proud to say that my grandfather was a member of the Brigade, from Grayson County, Texas.