The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-11-19
From the Army of the Potomac.

in writing you this note, in answer to
yours of the goth inst. 1 wrote you
last at Culpepper. We were then in
the reserve; but few days later to
our great JOY and entire satisfaction,
we were placed in our old position
with Kilpatrick's cavalry. l cannot
describe to you the scene of that morn
ing in the Cavalry Camp. Officers
came out to shake hands with officers ;
and the men that lined both sides OF
the road, as we passed would express
their congratulations by deafening
cheers. The next day, about O'Clock
p. NJ, we received orders to move, and
in less time than you imagine, we were
ready to stnrt. At IL o'clock that
night, we went into camp one mile
from James City, having travelled Is
miles. The next day we exchanged
our camp for one of better location,
and more convenient to both wood and
water. Here we remained several days
withou. any interruption. In the mean
while the cavalry were having some
little trouble with the enemy every
day, but we were not called out to as
sist in any of their troubles until the
10th inst. We were aroused at an
early hour, and without giving us time
to break our fast, hurried off to the
front. The fighting commenced early
in the morning and continued until
late in the day, they having gained
nothing. save the ground occupied by
our pickets in the morning, which We
made no attempt to regain. We bi-
vouacked on the field, and ere the day
had sufficiently broken to show our
movements we had retreated within the
neighborhood of Culpepper. twas
not until now, that / could believe thai
Meade's army was falling back. but 9
single glance at the smoking camps
that had SO completely covered the val
ley convinced me that such was the
case. They did not make any deter
mined demonstrations toward US, unit
late in the afternoon.
We passed Culpepper, and ere We
had time to take up position on the
Bluffs commanding the town, they
dashed in with heavy body of caval-
ry, at the same time bringing artillery
to bear on our right flank. We took
up a position and Immediately returned
the fire, and ere many shots were ex
changed they made up their minds te
the effect that it was best to haul off
1t was not long before they opened
fire from different point, and with
much greater effect than one would sup
pose. We fought them for about two
hours Uhen (Gen. CUSTER second bri
gade, having fallen back to position
commanding chr retreat, we were or
dered to withdraw. In like manner
did the first brigade General Davis,
perform the same duty. In this wa,
we fell back to Brandy Station, (s'
noted as cavalry battle-feld.J our re
treat having been protected alternaiEl,,
by the first and second brigades, whel
to our great surprise we discovered tina
we were surrounded. Quick as light
ming the sabres of the First end Sixth
Mich. Cavalry flashed in sight, and will
shout of defiance they galloped t.
the front. The first Brigade faced t.
the rear to await the approaching foe
Our Battery was divided, one section
opening fire on our pursuers, while tn,
other was sent TO the assistance of thos,
in front.
For a moment all was as quiet as
review, then the 9th Mich. Brass Bant
struck up "Yankee DOODLE" Chez
on cheer arose, and thousand sabrei
waved on high. The fight commenc
| ing with fury to last but moment
Like thunderbolt our brave men brok,
through their line, scattering them tt
the right and left. The first Brigad
charged those in our rear, and so com
pletely checked them that we had tim
to fall back half mile further ant
make all necessary preparation for |
fight as b1h
An hour had passed but the tim,
seemed short. They came with sabre
waving high, and glistening like silve
in the setting sun. A fendish vel
broke from that band of outlaws:
wreath of smoke hid them a momen
from our view. A thunder sound
Twas our dead Artillery! &
They came within fifty yards of The
cannon's mouth, amid that shower o
"iron hail'' and when the smoke wa.
blown away, oh! horrid sight the
field was covered over with the dead
and dying. This was their last attack
Gen. Buford, who was on our left
here formed a junction with Kilpat
rick, and Gen. French came from tn,
Rappahannock to our assistance, will
a division of infantry. The shades o
night were falling fast, as over Kappa
hannock's bridge we passed, and tive
hours later We resi- gned ourselves to th'
arms of Morpheus, quietly forgetting
the cares of the day.
On the next morning we were 20
summoned until old Sol had touched