Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-08-30
THE FIGHT OF TIE TWELFTH PENN.
SYLvANIA CAVALRY WITH THE
ENEMY.
TREACHERY IN THE MATTER OF A
DISPATCH.

ALEXANDRIA, Aug. SO.-EIdO- Star: There
seems to have been very much misapprehsasion
In the public mind with reference 10 the is.h
Pennsylvania cavalry, Gel Lewis B Pierce, ana
the part taken by them IN the late attack upon
Brittow, Manassas, ana Fairfax Station. r1e
earlier newspaper accounts would have "a q az
they displayed preat cGwardice, and ignSbly
ske5a ddled when there was ntne % pursue To
those acquaintel with the facts, nothing corli
have been mere surprising than such n statement
The contrary is the case, ana instances o: pc.
sonal bravery quite Numerous. At the time OF
the attack upon Manassas, there were but - OF
the cavalry at the pei and they the lick and dis
abled, who had been left behind IN the afternoon
march OF the regiment towards White Plains.
These, on the first alarm, were rallied, ard in
connection with q battery Of artillery, n wy
arrived, taken into action by Col Pierce himself,
who, though for a week before confined TO Tel
by a severe attack CT bilious remittent fever,
mounted his horse and conducted the defence,
until from extreme exhaustion be was compelled
| 20 seek TN ambulance and be carried from the
field.
With green horses, 2 handful OF sick men, anS
few pieces OF artillery, the Colonel, with his
custoned gallantry, held the overwhelming force
In check until our own wagon trsin ana the i'm
be removed from danger when, losing the ar.il-
lery for want OF support, and having u turned
upon them, they were forced reluctantly TO fall
back While this scene was being enacted az
Manassas the regiment was battling with an
overpowering force ia the HeighbOr6pod Of
Gainesville, having been surrounded b. TIA
enemy. By determined trJt tSev cut their
way through this force ana from therce to Brs-
| tow, Manassas, and airiGx Station sEd Court
| House, their retreat WEE continued series Of
| skirmishes-tne whole country a. every strip OF
| woods seeming 10 simultaneously swarm with
armed rebels. What az frs. was deemed i raid
Of d hundred or two guerilla cavalry has slice
proved 10 be many thousands Of the flower ana
pride Of tie Rebel army, commanded by their
best and most energetI. officers. The party COR
hours resisted and LsfHei has since called forth
| the united energies Of Generals Mcclellan o.
Pope to subdue and scatter. When the real his
tory Of this Midnight attack is known, We feel
convinced that the gallant o6cers and men OF the
Twelfth will receive their due share OF conmen-
dalton, and the noble State from which they hal
feel that her sons have no! been dishSnorea or
her glory furnished.
The wife Of Sergeant Major Hollis, and also
that OF Qusrtermaster Sergeant Cobu n, bravsly
remained with Ora Lasckelle ana Bowes, In the
hospital, 10 ere lJI Gnu @ouhhAolSi " No
wounded who might be brought in, prefering TO
trust rebel honor rather taan permit cur fallen
comrades to lack all necessary care fer their con-
fort. will only add that copy OF The dispatch
from Brig. General Sturgis, ordering Gel. Pierce
20 march with his whole force from Manassas fer
White Plains, dated II o'clock, August PC, wss
taken fiom the person OF a captured rebel during
the same evening and ia the course CT the attack,
while the orly dispatch was supposed 10 be IN
the hands Of the Colonel, thus n3csting that the
enemy were well advised Of all movements, sna
disposed Of their large force so as 10 secure the
capture or ennihiletion Ct tie entire force guard.
Ing the points already named. TX.