The Coming Storm

The Coming Storm. “My anxiety was intolerable”. , Despite Union Gen. George Crook’s attempts to conceal his flank march, some Confederates on these heights spotted the Federals as they moved along Little North Mountain. “We discovered on the slopes of the mountains on our extreme left a line of infantry making their way around the flank,” Confederate Capt. George W. Booth recalled. “The sunlight flashing of their burnished muskets and bayonets making a glimmering sheen of silver as seen through the openings in the mountain foliage.”, Even as it happened, Confederate Pvt. Robin Berkely wrote, “We can see them plainly climbing up the side of North Mountain.”, Pvt. John H. Lane remembered that “one member of our battery called [Gen. Stephen Ramseur’s] attention to what seemed to be a column of men moving on the side of North Mountain.” Ramseur initially thought “it was nothing more than a fence row,” but after looking through his field glasses, he exclaimed, “My God! Two lines of infantry.”, Standing near here, Gen. Bryan Grimes, whose brigade held the left flank of the Confederate infantry line, also spotted Crook’s men. “About 3 o’clock we perceived two columns moving up the side of the mountain to our left,” he later recalled. “I then urged upon Ramseur, who commanded our division, to send a brigade or two over to their assistance … but he declined to do so until he could communicate with General Early … but alas! It was too late. During that hour I suffered more than I’ve ever done in my life. My anxiety for the fate of the army was intolerable.”, If any warning reached Confederate commander Gen. Jubal Early, it was, as Grimes said, “too late.” For the defenders on this height, the storm was about to strike.