David Cunningham VAN METER

                   or 1831

age 19


" [from Richmond Whig].   Died.  December 18, 1863, Mr. David C. Vanmeter, son of David and Hannah Vanmeter, of Hardy County, Virginia.

"Mr. Vanmeter was attached to the command of Gen. Rosser, and fell in an attack on Sangster's Station on the 17th of December, badly wounded, and died the next day, leaving a devoted wife, two little children, his aged parents, and a large family of brothers and sisters to mourn his loss.  He was a dutiful son, a kind husband, a tender father, an affectionate brother, and a good soldier, and what is best of all, an [sic] humble Christian.  Brought up by pious parents, at an early age he became a communicant of the Presbyterian church, in his native valley, of which he continued a consistent member until he fell in discharge of one of the highest and most sacred of duties -- the defence of his country.

"Doubtless it is a source of much affliction to his family and friends, that, dying as he did in the hands of the enemy, they could learn nothing of his spiritual exercises in his last moments; but let them remember that a Christian life is much better than dying raptures.  Nor let them imagine that, because no loved ones were near to smoothe his dying pillow, or soothe the anguish of his last moments, he died alone-- Christians never die alone.  Angels delight to minister to them; and as they carried Lazarus to Abraham's bosom, so they carry every one of his saints to the bosom of their redeemer and God.  W.V.W.

"[Extract from an Address, by Col. Ball, upon the occasion of the presentation of a flag to the Virginia Military Institute by Gen. Rosser, in April, 1864.]

"Colonel Ball, during his address, alluded to the death of the heroic Captain Vanmeter in the following words: -- 'And thou, too, my noble friend, ever gentle, modest and daring, who fell by my side, leaving to thy young family the glorious legacy of the dying words, "Tell them I fell at the head of the column." ' "

This Week in the Civil War (http://www.civilweek.com/1863/dec1363.htm): From the editor:  When a small Union detachment is sent into the Shenandoah Valley to divert attention away from William Averell's raid against the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, Tom Rosser's Laurel Brigade is ordered to move swiftly to the lower end of the valley to cut off their retreat. Although only twenty-seven years old, Rosser, who started the war as a lieutenant, was promoted to brigadier-general and command of Turner Ashby's old brigade last October. The order is welcomed by Rosser as it provides him with a chance to display his skills in independent command. The valley men in the brigade also welcome the mission because is means spending Christmas in home territory. Rosser's ride quickly turns sour when three men drown while crossing the rising waters of the Occoquan River. Knowing that he has other streams to cross, Rosser abandons his cross country path and heads for Sangster's Station. Although only lightly guarded, Rosser's attack misfires in the inky darkness. A second attack claims the lives of Captain Mordecai Cartmell and Private David Van Meter and fills three of Rosser's ambulances with casualties. Rosser catches a break when the telegraph operator at the station is too drunk to send for reinforcements. Knowing that his presence is now known, Rosser can't wait long enough to burn the railroad bridges at Sangsters. He continues the march throughout the night as the rain gives way to sleet, only to find that the Shenandoah River is too high to cross as Berry's Ferry. According to Rosser, "My mind was now bent, not on how best to...capture the party mentioned in General Lee's order, but how best I could escape with my own command." Captain McDonald describes the condition of the bedraggled troopers. "The horses, jaded and hungry, staggered through the mud, now stiffened with cold, while the men with garments frozen, bodies benumbed, and faculties almost palsied with distress, half unconscious, kept their places in the laboring column." By the time Rosser is able to cross the Shenandoah River at Conrad's Store, the Union forces in the valley have retreated back to Winchester. Rosser's first independent trial as an independent commander is a dismal disappointment and his weakened men will need ten days of rest before the unit is operational again. The body of Captain Cartmell is claimed by his two brothers and brought to the family homestead at Round Hill for burial. Private Van Meter's widow is able to secure transportation for his body three weeks later and it is brought Moorfield, West Virginia. Two forgotten casualties from an obscure campaign that failed. General Early said it best: "Rosser's horses were broken down and his men a good deal scattered, he having accomplished nothing."

Dec 17 1863 (Thursday)   Using a local guide, General Rosser pushes his brigade across the Occoquan River at Wolf Run Shoals. Three men drown in the rising waters during the crossing as Rosser's march to the Shenandoah Valley is hindered by a driving thunderstorm. Worried that the streams may become impassable, Rosser abandons his cross country path and heads for the bridge over Pope's Head Creek at Sangster's Station, despite knowing that it is garrisoned by a Union outpost. When Rosser reaches the small station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, he launches a swift attack. The initial charge by the 7th Regiment becomes disoriented in the darkness and Rosser sends Lieutenant-Colonel Ball's 11th Regiment against the Union fortifications. Rosser reports, "Although the enemy was by this time thoroughly aroused and was pouring sheet after sheet of fire into the head of Ball's column, the gallant old regiment went surging through the water and in a moment was up the hill on the other side, and the stockade was ours." Captain Mordecai B. Cartmell, shot in the breast and killed instantly, is the only Rebel fatality during the charge. J.H. Devereux reports, "Rosser's brigade...struck the Orange line at Sangster's. The wires were at once cut, and firing continued between the road guards and this force for some hours. Two bridges on Pope's Head were set on fire, but the damage done was slight. Two of the rebel wounded were found by Armor (telegraph operator) in the poor-house at Sangster's, and one of them said the rebels...went off in direction of Blue Ridge." General Corcoran, who commands this stretch of the Union line, organizes a force to chase down the Rebel raiders. He reports, "Our guard, consisting of about 50 men, was attacked at Sangster's Station. Our telegraph operator was so much intoxicated that we did not receive any intimation of the attack until about half past 8 p.m....Colonel Flood...collected what force could be spared...and went to the relief of Sangster's as quickly as possible....Through the utter inefficiency of the cavalry, the expedition proved a failure. At the first fire they broke and ran back...producing great confusion....The most efficient officer with the squadron could not make himself understood by the men from the fact that he did not speak German, and they could not understand commands given in English." The body of Captain Cartmell is strapped to a horse and carried to Berryville, where two of his brothers then transport him back to the family homestead near Winchester, Virginia, for a proper burial.