The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-07-04
The Cavalry Battle AZ IppervflIe
How PIeasanton attended 10
ETE2rf.

|
Stuart.
! UPPERvI1LE, Va, Sunday, June q. 5p
M.-TAis has been truly glorious day for
that portion Of the army commanded by
| Gen. PleasantOn.
On Saturday but little advance was
| made, our forces in front bivOuacking at
night in piece of woods but a short dis
! lance west of Middeburg. At 8 o'clock
this morning hostiiities were resumed, and
! there has been running fight up to sever
! al miles west OF this town. The contest as
well as the result, must be particularly
gratifying TO the Commanding General, for
he has met the famous General Stuart in
pitched combat, halfa dozen times, and in
all cases defeated him, and caused his
forces to fail back precipitatoly.
Stuart, all along the road between Paris
and Middleburg, told the inhabitants that
he would certainly drive our forces back
to Manassas, and there whip them. Per
| to the Blue Ridge, and from the stone
! where [ am seated penning these lines,
I can see the smoke of his guns fired in
| the defense of Ashby's Gap. so hard
pressed was he, and so fearful that his de-
feat might result in an entire route, that at
Common, or Hatch's Run, three miles
west of Middleburg, he sent an express
messenger, ordering up a brigade. OF in
! tantry TO meet him at Rector's Cross
Roads. The wished-for assistance came,
but 1t awaited him little. Our men nerved
themselves for the task, and dr0Ue cVsry
| thing before them; the enemy, in their
| haste, throwing away their announcements,
provisions, clothing, wagons, cannon, and
camp equipagc. Three cannon have been
captured, number of horses, and more
than one hundred prisoners, representing
nearly every State in the COnfederacv.
Moving out Of Middleburg this morning.
the troops under Gen. Butord tool. road
to the right, leading to UnionvilIe, while
Gen. Gregg moved up the main road d-
rect toward Ashby's Gap, passing through
Rector's Cross Roads. Col. Vincent, with
the SD Pennsylvania, 18th Michigan, 4ith
New York, and 10th Maine Infantry, also
moved up this road in advance, two COM
pan!eS in advance of each regiment de-
ployed as sllirmishers, while other cOmpa-
MES acted as supports. Fuller's regular
battery was planted in the first favorable
position west of the town, and fired sever
al shots before receiving any response
The enemy finally opened fire with two
guns, and q brisk cannOnading was kept
up for half an hour, when the CaissOn of
one Of the enemys guns was exploded by
a shell thrown from a section of Fuller's
battery, commanded by Lieut.. Kelly, and
another shell broke the timber Of another
piece. Both guns were captured by the
cavalry. The rebels at another point,
abandoned brass hOwitzer and caissOn
They fell back from one position to an
|
on the mountain. The strongest resistance
was made at COmelps River, Goose Creek,
and just above the Upperyille bridge over
Goose Creek. The enemy had made every
arran cement to destroy the bridge, but
| General Fitzpatrick, whose brigade was in
the advance-in fact it was during the
whole day, pursuing the retreating forces
| ordering charge to be made as he reach
ed the bridge, completely frustrated the
design. Captain CoOns, of the Harris Light
Cavalry, led this charge, while the 4th
New York advanced as dismounted carbi-
neers, enfladng the bridge.
| Arriving at CpPerville, two sqUadrOns of
the 1st Maine were ordered to charge
through the town, which they did in the
most gallant manner. The rest of the LIST
| Maine and the 9Th New York acted as sup
ports. just beyond the town, a considera-
| bic force Ofthe enemy was massed. The
! lst Maine, 9Th Ohio, 10th New York, I'd
| New York and 18th Pennsylvania charged
upon them turIoUsly. The resistance was
greater here than a, any other point. Two
ofOur regiments were in the road, and one
on each side. They charged and were re-
pulsed: the enemy charged ard were like
wise reYu!5cG. Several charges were made
with like results, until tie two forces be-
| came jammed in together, and q TGgl1iGr
| hGnd-t0- hand conflict took place, tasting
OUer tGentU inmates. II the first charge,
the enemy placed sharpshOoters along the
stone walls at the side OF the road, and our
troops suffered from their fire. Genl Kill
| patrick also arranged a similar reception
! for the enemy, and thus the two forces
swayed to and fro under CALLING cross
! fire. The officers and men on both sides
| fought like fendS. and in the excitement
many of the enemy were killed who might
| have been taken prisoners. General Kill
patrick nearly lost his own life Ill attempt
! ing to save the life of the Colonel of a North
! Carolina regiment. Finally the enemy
yielded, and fell back, hotly pursued by
| General kilpatrick's bloody brigade, until
the concentrated fire from u battery warn
| ed General Greg that it was time TO with
draw his men. The brigade of regulars
which had been sent up as q support, much
| to the amusement Of all about, wheeled and
hurried out Of range. The Harris Light
and First Maine marched ont of range as
! slowly and deliberately as if going upon
parade. No troops IN the world ever stood
such a terrible fire more unflinchingly.
From Rector,s Cross Roads to Upper
vile was almost rout. The enemy turn
ed at bay near Upperville. The 4th New
i York charged: with Gen. Fitzpatrick at
their head, and, breaking, retired, leaving
Gen. Fitzpatrick prisoner. The 4th, how
ever, promptly rallied, charged again, and
+ the General was rescued. The troops, with
the single exception noted, all behaved
! well, as did most Of the officers. General
Fitzpatrick, commanding the center, was
always IN the right place and inspiring the
= men under him by his dashing example,
7 He led several charges III person, the most
+ dashing of all being the onset west OF Up
f perville. Colonel Gregg, commanding the
c left, discharged his duties promptly and
z like brave man. Gen. Gregg, command
/ ing this division, and General PIeasanton,
- We're near the front all day, carefully
watching every movement. The former
: had horse killed under him by round
: shot. The conduct of Col. Vincent, COM
It handing the infantry, is everywhere spo-
= ken of in the highest terms. Capt Arm
a strong and Lieut.. Estes, of Gen. hi!pat-
rick's staff, on two occasions, after deliver
e ing an order, led column against the enc,
e my under a most terrific fire, and excited
If the admiration of all for their gallant con-
J. duct and excellent example.
n While the center and left were engaged
e with Gen. Stuartin person, General butord,
r with varying success, was fighting al pha-