The 15th Alabama Falls Back

On the morning of June 8, 1862, the 15th Alabama began around Union Church, where it met the initial Union advance and, by forcing the Federals to deploy, gave Confederate Gen. Richard S. Ewell time to align and prepare his troops on the ridgeline. After waiting at the church cemetery for the approaching enemy, the regiment's commander, Col. James Cantey, saw Union troops moving around the right flank and abruptly ordered a withdrawal. The regiment then raced cross country in a chaotic mile-long retreat under Union fire toward the ridgeline, where Pvt. Ben Culpepper and Pvt. William McClendon recalled the bullets striking their rear and men falling, including Bill Toney of Co. K, who was mortally wounded or dead; two others were killed and others seriously wounded. As the exhausted men reached the low ground at the base of the height, Confederate Capt. Alfred Courtney's artillery battery unlimbered on the ridgeline near Port Republic Road and fired on the pursuing Federals, breaking off the pursuit and allowing the Alabamians to climb the slope. Soon afterward, they were sent east to take part in a pivotal action of the battle.

Virginia · United States