The Battle of Payne’s Farm
The Stonewall Brigade
“We soon struck the Yankee skirmishers and drove them back through the woods to an open field, where we ran into French’s entire corps and into about the hottest place that could be imagined.” — Capt. William B. Colston, 2nd Virginia Infantry, CSA
“Thousands of shots were fired at that lone hero [Pvt. Alexander T. Barclay, Stonewall Brigade]. ‘Shoot the man with the flag’ was heard all around. Hearing a sergeant near me give that command, I said: ‘Don’t shoot that man, he is too brave to kill.” — Sgt. John R. King, 6th Maryland Infantry, USA
After countermarching to the scene of the action, the famed Stonewall Brigade under Gen. James A. Walker formed a line of battle along the Raccoon Ford Road behind you. The 2nd Virginia Infantry advanced in a strong skirmish line and moved to your left, threatening the flank of Union Gen. Henry Prince’s division.
Union Gen. Joseph B. Carr’s division drove back the Virginians as well as other Confederate skirmishers. In the fighting, Lt. Col. Raleigh Colston, 2nd Virginia Infantry, was mortally wounded.
When Confederate Gen. Edward Johnson’s entire force had assembled and he ordered it forward, the Stonewall Brigade advanced through this area and into the open ground beyond, where it suffered heavily from flanking fire. The brigade wisely fell back and occupied this position at the edge of the woods. However, Pvt. Alexander T. Barclay, 4th Virginia Infantry, seized the regimental flag, walked calmly out into the open field, and planted the flag well in front of the rest of the line. Remaining in that position for some time, the brave soldier slowly faced about and returned unscathed to the safety of the woods despite the many shots fired at him.
Marker can be reached from Zoar Road (Virginia Route 611) near Zoar School Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
