Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-11-27
FarnsWorth's Cavalry Regiment.

our TcdUcES VIII bC fHtctcSt'u III thS
perusal of the following letter which |
we copy from the Belvidere, Ill.,, I'm
ion. 1t was written by II. A. Hum
p hrey, formerly Of this town, and well
known to many of our citizens. Mr.. Ii.
Joined Col. Farnsworth's Cavalry Reg
iment soon after the commencement
of the war. Those who knew him
will readily believe him capable of the
brave and daring deeds he describes
FROM THE STH REGIMENT ILLINOIS CAVALRY.
SHARpsBURG, Nov. 3rd, 1862.
They still keep us very busy scouting
across the river. Day before yesterday
the Sd Indiana, Sth Pennsylvania, and
our regiment, and two batteries Of fly
ing artillery crossed the river and
drove the rebels nine miles from Shop
herdstown, and out of Martinsburg
We were fighting all the way more or
less. Our regiment was in advance,
and our Squadron the advance guard
and skirmishers 2 of Co. A, and or
6 of Co. c. were in the road, and the
remainder of the squadron were de-
ployed as skirmishcrs on the right and
left.
We routed them from every position
they took. At one time the road lay
through an open section of country for
about two miles, where there was no
advantageous position for them to raj,
ly; they crossed this road at full speed,
and we after them. Soon we were
half mile ahead of our skirmishers,
who were unable to keep up on ac-
count of fences, &c, and one mile ahead
of the column. At this point we were
at the foot of hill, on one side the
open field extended to the brow, and
on the other side was woods The
road passed directly over the hill, the
rebels were visible on the crest, and
we gave them a volley from our car
bines, and they DISAPPEARED. We
should have halted here, and waited
till our skirmishcrs came up, but the
Captain started up the hill, i hesitated
knowing that VIC should be sent back
quicker than we could go up, yet
ordered the boys to keep well closed,
and on we went. A few jumps of my
horse brought me on the right side of
the Captain, and just rs we reached
the brow of the hill fire was opened
upon us, from the right hand side of
the road from behind ledge ofrocks,
stumps, trees, SC. They were not
more than ten feet from my side when
they fired. One ball passed back of
my leg and struck my horse just
below the saddle pad, passing direct
ly through him, another through his
neck, between his windpipe and the
spinal colum. The bullets whistled
near and lively around me, but | was
not idle, had two revolvers ready
and one in my hand as ] cam" up, and
| put three charges among the dis
mounted men at our right By this
time the Captain and men had check
ed their horses and started back, but
mine being wounded failed to mind
the rein as usual, and passed on over
the hill. AS far as | could see, the
road was full Of rebel cavalry. just
coming up for a charge in solid column.
Using my left hand only to manage
my horse, with my right gave them
the remaining three charges from my
first revolver and returned it to my
holster drawing my second, | gave
them three from that when they were
not more than twenty feet from me.
then checked and wheeled my horse,
giving him rein and spur, and cleard
the hill, amid a perfect shower of pis-
toll bullets, and was soon at the foot of
the hill where a few of the boys had
stopped to know if the rebels were com
ing after them. Seeing them coming in
solid column, they gave them a shot
and went on. My horse was fast Civ
out, and with the quickness of
thought wheeled bringing my side to
the rebels and gave them the remaing
three charges from my revolver
The first aimed at the officer leading
them, the other two fired into the
column. AS we fired, the column
slackcned its pace, and rained the bull
let's down the road, and they whistled
right lively around me, tell you; an
othSi otiuSh NY hoISc III tic ncCk.
! sped on, returning my revolver aud
drawing sabre, as / was bound to
give them the best had if they caught
up with us. Quarter of a mile furth-
er we reached our skirmishers. The
men were formed and checked the rob-
els. My horse had almost bled to
death, and / shot him, took the halter
and started for new one, which |
found in pasture near by, saddled
it, joined the company and went into
Martinsburg. The citizens told us
that within circuit Of five miles, the
rebels had 1000 cavalry under Gen.
Stuart and Col. Lee. We rested our
horses little while and started back.
They rushed upon us with force of
six regiments ofcavalry, but our artil-
lery made the rear too hot for them,
and they followed us only four miles.
We reached camp at o'clock p. NJ,
losing four men prisoners, who have
since been paroled, IL wounded com
ing back and going in, making Is
/ Il