The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-06-19
Army Correspondence,
CAMP lsr MAINE CAVALRY,
WARRENToS JUNCTION. Va,
June IL, 1863.

AkhkNTON OUNCiiONs 'h'S 4
june IL. 1868.
Mn. BUrLxR:-Will you allow me short
space in your paper to report to the people
of Maine, and more particularly to those Of
our good old County of York, whose worthy
sons and brave brothers form one company
OF this regiment, how wo met the enemy
and what we did with them.
am we'll aware that very many people
out of the army, and especially those of our
own State, have thought our whole cavalry
force dead weight to the army and very OK
pensivo to the government, and perhaps have
wished it disbanded altogether.
To certain extent they were right but we
have always done moro than we have been
credited with. All last winter while we
should have been encamped where we could
have had good comfortable sheds for the
horses, where they could DO sheltered from
tho cold storms of winter, and 80 been in u
grand condition for an early campaign, we
were kept on picket ten days at time on the
bank of the Rappahaunock, and only allow.
cd to unsaddle third at time-and that
only long enough to feed and groom-so
that our horses were almost wholly unfit for
cavalry duty when called on to do it; which,
according to my notions, is quito different
from what We did last winter.
But when Averill made his bold dash, and
gallant fight at Kelly's Ford, it seemed to
relieve us somewhat; and then caino Stone.
mans raid, Greirson's, Aliens and many
Others, and every where tho cavalry was fast
redeeming itself. And now comes the great
est and most sanguine cavalry engagement
of tho whole war; and ono in which the lst
Maine has gained a name and reputation
that will live as long Us the history Of this
war shall be read.
We of this regiment have felt littlc
chagrincd rs We have read in tho public jour
mails and daily papers Of tho gallant charges
of the Harris Light, tho 9th Penn. the 9th
VI, and others; and our friends writing US
to know where the LIST Maine was, &c.
So little had wo done Of real fighting that
wo began to think the Commanding General
was little suspicious Of our fighting quail
ties; although wo had never once failed to
do I'll ,vo ,vsro ordered tn
But every thing has its time and last Tues.
day was the time for the LIST Maine, although
the chances looked very slim until the very
moment came to charge; for we were put to
tho rear Of two brigades. But we were not
to he kept out always. And whom the nd.
vance had driven the enemy's pickcts about
five miles thOy camo upon the enemy drawn
up in line OF battle on their own chosen
ground near Brandy Station, aud the order
to charge was at once given, and rs we closed
up in the rear We could hear the crack Of
the carbine and pistol and then tho charge.
making us moro anxious than ever before;
and as tho head Of our column came through
the woods into the open fields where the enc
my was we could sec them charging and
fighting most furiously. Just then Col.
Fitzpatrick, commanding tho brigade, me, us
and told Col. Douty they were getting the
best of US and asked him If no thought ho
could drive thcm2 "Drive them, yes !" said
Col. D., "the lst Maine can drive thom to
-" (Richmond guess he mcant) and so
without hating we formed column of squad.
rons. at the trot, and away we wont over
fences, through brooks, lcaping ditchcs-
crossed the railroad, and through fields and
pastures, oil the while in plain sight Of the
fighting. We bad to go most mile before
wo reached them. We could plainly see they
were getting the best Of our little band, as 1t
looked to be, compared with their superior
number. And on their right was large
forco forming to charge their flank; against
this our Col. who was at the head Of the
column directed US. They saw us coming
and prepared to meet US, by selecting one OF
the best positions that could be chosen. It
was half way down small hill on which
was a Emo house surrounded by many trees,
in which they had battery. and which
opened on US ist with shell and then with
grape and canister. But Il was no use, we
had been spelling for 6ght, and now was
bound to 90 in. And with our bright sabres
glittoring in the sun on We rushed at the
gallOp, but in perfect order, every man in bis
,,ba-l iur'