Ely's Brigade Actions in the Valley

Ely's Brigade Actions in the Valley. A 12th West Virginia Infantry Soldier's Story. , Pvt. William Allison Fleming, who was born near Fairmont, VA in Marion County, enlisted in August 1861 and was assigned to Company F, 12th Virginia Infantry (Union). He saw action on this battlefield in these two engagements:, Battle of 2nd Winchester: In January, 1863, Pvt. Fleming, while camped in Winchester (his unit became the 12th West Virginia), wrote home, remarking that General Milroy hoped Gen. Jackson would attack him, stating, "General Milroy says for them tell Jacon (Union slang for Jackson) to Come as soon as he wants to that if he Comes And he we hast to Leave that he will burn the City..."., On June 10th and 11th, Pvt. Fleming's Co. F with Co.'s I, C, and H, were posted on Sandy Ridge, about half a mile northwest of here. They were ordered forward to guard overnight a battery of artillery. On the 13th, Gen. Gordon's Brigade, part of Gen. Ewell's Corps, attacked along Sandy Ridge. As Gen. Gordon's skirmishers advanced, they began firing at the 12th, whose inexperienced men asked "Are those minié balls we here whizzing over our heads?" An officer replied,, "Boys, those are bullets as sure as you live!, Battle of 2nd Kernstown: Back in the Valley, Pvt. Fleming took part in the short but bloody Battle of Cool Spring on July 18, 1864. In this fight, Union Gen. Horatio Wright had attempted, but failed, to cross the Shenandoah River at Snicker's Gap and maintain his pursuit of Gen. Early's retreat. At the close of the battle, the 12th WV found itself being the last regiment to cover the Union retreat eastward back across the river., Less than one week later, Pvt. Fleming found himself again on the Kernstown battlefield. On Sunday, July 24, he and the 12th WV, now part of Col. Thoburn's Division of Gen. Crook's Army of the Kanawha, fell in for inspection, but without notice were quickly ordered forward to attack. Despite the urgency, as it was berry season, the men stopped to pick some as they moved through the woods on the western slope of Pritchard's Hill. Col. Ely, the Brigade Commander, shouted at the men to, "Keep in ranks men! This is no-o-o time for gathering blackberries.", Crook had ordered Col. Thoburn to attack the left flank of Gen. Gordon's Confederate Division in the center of the Confederate line, ignoring reports that Confederate Gen. Steven Ramseur's division was on Gordon's left flank. Nearly too late, Gen. Crook realized that Col. Thoburn's Division, with the 12th WV of Col. Ely's Brigade as its left-most unit (located a hundred yards or so from this point), was at risk of being encircled., He ordered Thoburn to withdraw, with Col. Ely's Brigade leaving in place a skirmish line of 12th WV soldiers (none from Co. F), most of whom were killed or captured. This withdrawal exposed Col. Mulligan's division's right flank and enabled the Confederate forces to rout Gen. Crook's army., Private William A. Fleming survived the war and was honorably discharged June 6th, 1865 at Richmond Va., (Caption):, Members of the 12th West Virginia Infantry at an undated reunion. William Fleming (with cane) is seated 2nd from the left in the middle row., This marker was funded in partnership by the Elizabeth Van Lew Detached Tent 1 (VA), Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), the SUVCW Charitable Foundation, the Department of the Chesapeake SUVCW, and Department of the Chesapeake Auxiliary to the SUVCW (ASUVCW). The family of Private William A. Fleming, 12th WV, provided photos and documents.