Chantilly, September 1st 1862.

After the Confederate victory at 2nd Manassas the Confederates caught up with the Union Army on September 1st at Chantilly. Early’s brigade, which the 13th was a part of, was initially in reserve, but General Starke on the Confederate left, fearing a Federal assault, requested Early to move his brigade to the left. Early agreed and without informing Lawton (the Division commander) or Stonewall Jackson, and relying on the Louisiana Brigade that was in the front line to cover the position he was leaving, moved his brigade just as a violent thunderstorm started. On the way to the new position Early heard a racket of musketry that seemed to be coming from the position he’d just left. On arrival at the new position he discovered that the 13th, 25th and 31st Virginia were not with him.

Investigating what was going on he found the three missing regiments fighting off a Federal contingent, who had broken through the Louisianans in the front line. The Louisiana regiments ran back through the units of Early’s brigade that were about to march off to the left. The commanders of the three Virginia regiments stayed where they were, forming a barrier behind which the Louisiana men could rally. Once more the Union forces got the worst of it, being repulsed everywhere along the line and went into retreat as night fell. General Early was at his proudest of his men following this action. For the 13th the roster shrank with another 2 killed, 14 wounded, and 2 missing.

 

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