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Amick's Rangers
ELI AMICK |
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ELI AMICK was born in 1820 in Pendleton County, Virginia to John the Miller Amick and his wife, Catherine.
Eli Amick was a veteran of the Mexican War, a steamboat worker, and a saw mill worker. He married Mary Nance, the daughter of John Nance, of Tennessee.
The children of Eli and Mary Amick were: John, Matilda, Mahulda, Lorenzo, Andy and Jane. John was born in 1844 when the family lived in Zanesville, Ohio. Jane died at a very early age, and Andy died in his latter teens.
Elis son John fought in Amick's Rangers.
Eli liked to sing, and "Marching Down to Old Quebec" one of his favorite songs: "We are marching down from old Quebec, Where the drums are loudly beating,
For America has gained the day, And the British are retreating.
I'll take my knapsack on my back,
My gun upon my shoulder,
And march away to Mexico, Where the war will soon be over."
When the Civil War started, Eli joined the Jenkins Guards, of the Greenbrier Cavalry. Eli and cousin Noah Propst were captured by yankees near their homes in late 1861 while guarding the Wilderness Road. Accused of bushwhacking, they were released in the spring of 1862. Jenkins Guards was later designated as Company D of the 14th Virginia Cavalry and Eli enlisted in Company D on Nov. 1, 1862, in Lewisburg. He was recruited by Captain Moorman. The company was commanded by Captain Benjamin Eakles and then by Captain Alpheus McClung when Eakles was promoted to major.
The 14th Virginia Cavalry went with Jenkins Brigade to Gettysburg when Lee decided to take the fight to the north. Eli was always with the company horses and frequently detailed to care for them. Eli Amick was shot in action at Caledonia Iron Works and died of wounds June 23, 1863. |
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| "June 23d.--At dawn we moved on by roads to Caledonia Iron Works, catching only twenty-six horses and twenty-two mules, the great bulk having been moved on upon Mr. Use's messages of warning. We obliged the overseer of the place to provide us with rations, and about 2 o'clock in the afternoon we advanced with forty of our men in pursuit of the Yankee guard and the horses in the direction of Gettysburg. About two miles beyond Caledonia Iron Works we discovered the road to be blockaded, just where it entered into dense woods. Major Bryan called the officers together for consultation, and an attack was resolved upon. I was ordered with nine men to approach the blockaded place and to clear it. I directed four men to approach the barricade to the right of the road, where they were protected by bushes, while I took the open field to the left with the others. There were about twenty-five men awaiting us, lying in ambush, but they disappeared in a hurry as we drew near. We quickly removed the obstructions, and as soon as the road was clear Captain Moorman charged, with twenty-five men, in pursuit of the Yankees. I followed him with my squad as soon as our horses were brought up. The Federal infantry took refuge behind a company of Union cavalry hiding in the woods, and the troopers turned their horses' heads when we rushed upon them. We were frequently fired upon in our pursuit, and one private, Amick, was mortally wounded. Major Bryan, recognizing the dangers of further advance, ordered us to break off the pursuit, and we slowly returned to the Caledonia Iron Works. Having passed the buildings we were again fired upon from ambush. This section of Pennsylvania seems to be full of "bushwhackers." At Greenwood we met our rear-guard, in charge of the captured horses, and required the citizens to feed men and animals. During the night we marched by way of Funkstown to Greencastle. Twice we came very close to strong cavalry detachments of the enemy, but escaped their attention." Diary of Hermann Schuricht,
First Lieutenant of Company D, 14th Virginia Cavalry |
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Eli Amick
KIA
Not Forgotten |
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Soldier List |
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| Website map |
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