Cumberland George Shumate was a volunteer soldier serving in the 6th Virginia Cavalry between the years of 1862 and 1864 for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. He had served in the cavalry for a period of two years till his death in July of 1864.

I was not able to locate C. G. Shumate in the 1860 Census due to a number of factors such as: he might be traveling during this time or some of his personal records may have been lost in the process of translation or due to some unfortunate circumstance.

According to his 24 page service record, C. G. Shumate was admitted into the 6th Virginia Cavalry as a 3rd Lieutenant and left as a 2nd Lieutenant. His card numbers are the following: 50798955, 9052, 9164, 9266, 9369, 9478, 9695, 50806418, 6745, 50795517, and 52455467. It is also stated that he has one medical card and no personal papers. Lt. Shumate appears on a register containing Rosters of Commissioned Officers for the Provisional Army of the Confederate States. He was appointed to Company D 6 Regiment on April 20, 1862. 3rd Lieutenant Shumate appears on the 6th Virginia Cavalry Company Muster Roll for the months of May and June of 1863 and was marked as present. After a reevaluation on Company Muster Rolls for the months of September and October, November and December in 1862 he was marked as present for duty. In the Company Muster Roll for the months of January and February in 1863,he was reevaluated as present for duty. He is marked as present for the Company Muster Roll on the day of August 31, 1863 as well as the Roll marked for the months of November and December of 1863.

3rd Lt. Shumate appears on Regimental Return of Company D of the 6th Virginia Cavalry in the month of November 1862, and was marked as present at his station at Harrisonburg. He also appeared on the Regimental Return in December of 1862, and was marked as present. Shumate appears on a Company Muster Roll as a 2nd Lt. for Company D of the 6th Virginia Cavalry for the months of July and August. He was reported as killed in action with the enemy at Berry Ferry July 20, 1864.

In the service records there is a letter to the Secretary of War that was written on November 20, 1863. Based on the letter 2nd Lt. C.G Shumate of the 6th Virginia Cavalry was recommended the appointment of Colonel. He was recommended to the command of the 36th Battalion of Cavalry filled up to regiment. It was also stated that at the battle of Brandy Station on the 9th of June. Even though he had been wounded through the arm and body he still remained on the battlefield the whole day. According to the letter “ He is well calculated to fine, efficient consistency to the good material conforming the wild command of cavalry.”

The Battle of Brandy Station was one of the few battles in the Gettysburg Campaign. On June 9, 1863 Confederate General J.E.B Stuart ordered a force of 9,500 cavalry to conduct a diversionary raid across the river to attack Brandy Station. In response to this Union General Joseph Hooker order his forces on the opposite side to attack. His orders were to “ Disperse and Destroy” Stuarts entire command. Going by this order Cavalry Commander Gen. Alfred Pleasonton added a group of Infantry under his command bringing his forces to about 12,000 strong. Pleasanton's plan was to coordinate a double attack with General John Buford’s troops at Beverly’s Ford as well as a force under General David Gregg who was further south at Kelly’s Ford. The Union troops surprised Confederate troops who then retreated back to their main camp near St. James Church. With Stuart’s cavalry suffering heavy casualties, they bought enough time for the artillery to set up and start laying down fire on the Union line. Later Union artillery opened up on Stuart’s camp stationed on Fleetwood Hill. With the majority of Stuart’s troops fighting on the frontlines. This bombardment gave an opportunity to pull back troops to Fleetwood Hill to meet the first Union charge. The two opposing sides clashed many times over the hours and finally at 5 P.M. General Pleasonton decided to withdraw his troops.

The battle of Brandy Station involved a total of about 20,500 troops of varying companies for both sides. The Union army consisted 11,000 troops in which 81 were killed, 403 were wounded, and 382 were either missing or captured. The Confederate army consisted of 9,500 troops in which 51 were killed, 250 were wounded, and 132 were either missing or captured. The total casualty count was 1,451 for both sides. The battle was regarded as inconclusive.

So in conclusion, Cumberland George Shumate was a soldier who not only fight valiantly but was also a good leader even at the cost of his own life. During the battle of Berry Ferry he died a glorious death fighting the enemy for his cause. And that is the legacy of the man named Cumberland George Shumate.

Bibliography

www.Civilwar.org

https://www.fold3.com/image/7097228