The Unfought Battle of Mine Run

We drove as fast as possible on our road home leading across the Old Turnpike and Orange Plank Road, used as military thoroughfares in so many campaigns. And sure enough when we reached the Plank Road, there it was again! - a solid column of Confederate infantry stepping out lively from dull winter quarters, in the early frosty morning hunting a fight -- their uniforms nothing to brag of, but their arms clean, glancing bright against the morning sun and "loaded for bear" - and with flags unfurled expecting to meet the enemy every mile. They were on a still hunt for Meade's army that had crossed the Rapidan down towards Mine Run for another "On to Richmond" drive while Lee's army was divided, Longstreet's corps being then in Tennessee. It was the bravest sight since Chancellorsville - this prompt move by Lee with only part of his army to meet the superior forces of the Federals for another pitched battle regardless of odds. It was a Georgia command that was passing when we reached the Plank Road as we noticed by their battle flags having the name and number of each regiment inscribed and literally covered with the names of heavy engagements in which the regiment had been distinguished and permitted by general orders to inscribe each name on its colors.

The column was so dense we were some time finding a gap sufficient for us to get through, but we finally did this and drove rapidly home. These troops soon found what they were looking for a few miles further down their road, at Paine's Farm, I think, where they pulled off one of the most sanguinary combats of the war, before holding the right of way for General Lee down to Mine Run. There he chose a position that Meade could neither take nor pass, as he found after opening up a regular attack with artillery and skirmishers, and so recalled his battle lines and made a hasty night retreat to his former position north of the Rapidan. Hence this has been called "The Unfought Battle of Mine Run", a great disappointment to the Confederate rank and file eager to "be attacked and get even for Gettysburg", they said.

My brother Alfred was in the skirmish line of his old Company G 9th Ala. infantry in this engagement and brought in a wounded Federal skirmisher whom he nursed till he died that night.

This was just across Mine Run from our grandfather Dr. James Scott's old home in Orange County at the crossing of the Old Mountain Turnpike, where he and his wife were buried and where still can be seen remains of a water supply he arranged for tired passing teams that the drivers would otherwise allow to go thirsty. Humane Societies were not needed in the "barbarous South" in those days.