Hey everyone, thanks for downloading the 58th episode of our Civil War podcast.

I'm Rich.

I'm Tracy. Hello, y'all. Welcome to the podcast. In the last episode, we looked at some

of the fighting at Henry Hill, including how McDowell sent forward two federal artillery

batteries, commanded by Ricketts and Griffin. We also talked about how Stonewall Jackson

got his famous nickname. And then we wrapped up the last episode with the capture of two

of Griffin's guns by the Confederates. And we said that many people consider that action

the turning point of the battle. Griffin's two howitzers, that had taken up a position

opposite the Confederate left flank, had been overrun by southern troops led by extra

Billy Smith, as well as some men of the 33rd Virginia. Private John Castler of the 33rd

Virginia recalled, quote, then came the command, attention, forward march, charge bayonets,

double quick, and away we went sweeping everything before us, but the enemy broke and fled.

We were soon in possession of the guns, killed nearly all the horses, and a great portion

of the men were killed or wounded. And we were none too soon, for one minute more and

the guns would have belched forth into our ranks, carrying death and destruction, and perhaps

been able to have held their position. As it was, the guns were rendered useless. We

were halted, and one of my company, Thomas Furlow, who belonged to the artillery in the

Mexican War, threw down his musket and said, boys, let's turn the guns on them. That was

the last sentence that ever passed his lips, for just then he was shot dead. End quote.

As Private Castler's account indicates, the Confederates had little time to celebrate

their capture of the two guns before a Union counter attack by the 14th Brooklyn, led

by Colonel A. M. Wood recaptured the howitzers. But then, rather than stop there, Wood decided

...