The New York herald., 1864-09-03
s E \ = I . q NJ.
Dzr. Francis @. xsag's Dsspaecnes.
Hs.poCARruxs,' FlaSs CAVALRY Divn.os.
NKAR RARPRE's FsRsy, Va, August ~, loS4 +

I&fFN M M>A->-~~--~~-~~---~~~
1zr. Francis O. xsag's Dsspasenes.
Hs.porAsuxs.. T,sss oAvAlRY Dlvrs'o1,
NKAR RAarRE's Fsssx, Va, August ~, IoSA
AN APoLo,V
Having been with the Third Cas>ry division, have
not been able 70 give account N the Operations
Of the Iirst anti the present moment, Sod although
tsw days have elapsed sinos the reeonncssanos
trust wal not bs devoid of nteres, 10 the resdsrs Of
thsHsRALD.
ApvAEon nxRRsr's prvnloa.
The FIRST division marched from its camp, q Shop
hsrdstowp, At O'Clock NJ on Thursday she 26io
Instant the Winchester rosd General Cusler taking
the advance followed the brsades Of CooneIs Cesnca
and Gibbs AT Walper's crossroads the division met
Wilson's command, stated In former despatch The
First and second brgades masssd the rgh. Of the
road while the Third dsmouniod leaving their horsos In
tho road. The crossroads mentioned reached At
sevea O'Clock A. NJ. Soon Aitor Cusers brigade moved
out towards Karreysve, followed BY the reserve brig
aae, while Colonel Cssnola Win the Second, advanced
through the dsids the right In line parallel with
Custer
I'm ADVANCE NIT.
About three hundred yards from the railroad (.he
Baltimore and Ohlo) VIC met the cnemy's advance,
which wss coming up the road evidently to meet US.
They driven back about half mile into the woods.
Custer then dsmounted MS ccmaod and went into the
woods after the enemy and became hoty engaged
Tho Third division up and formed on his Left
as have previously stated. The other two brisades
formed In The roar facing to the right, to bold the VIM
cncs;or road and guard against aank movement Ran
sons battery pu, position iitslo 70 the iet and
ahelied the woods, brisky firing part Of General
ns csss saa ss s Sc or spon. s a an
the reserve brigade covering the rear, amt the First
United states cavalry being depoyed as ssrrushers TO
| allow the dismountod to retro. Major James
Starr. WITH his reglment sixth Fennsylvanial !,
No ynpHd dr. his
left. until the dismounted men could leave the field
after which cssnols, w.th his brigade retired followed
wore retiring, advanced rapidly, but were gaanty
| me: held ia check while the First New York
followed D. The skimshsrs. At the railroad the two
regiments mentioned broke into column OF fnurs and
ng taken possession Of the ground wnels Wilson'S dv
| sion had lately been formed
The division fell III back 'l, ssrnsnns a sharply captain
A. Y. Morrow, with squadron OF tho SIXTH Pennsyi
vania, covering oar left dank un,ii We reached point
! within mile Of Shepberdstown AT this point orders
received from General Merrill to hold tue place
until Custor could establish picket line Soon after the
FIRST United States relieved by the First New York
dragons, who then joined the brigade Major Smith
having orders to hold the position II possble ont il too
hntly pressed, to break across the country 70 the
| 7as ArrAcK-cusrrR cur OFF.
The regiment attacked IN heavy force, both
in front and both tanks. and 10 avoid capture Major
Smith obliged to retire through the to~n. ent down
the Lharlestown road for about half nile, the enemy
following with infantry "a .hs rear cavalry
on the ri.ht Hank Hero toe regiment halted formed
~ line and srccoedod in holding tho enemy until Gepesal
Custer came up Meaawi,e Colonies Gibbs and cesno.
had moved on some distance wards Haiown, leay ng
considerable interval between aud General
which the enemy took advantage Of. and hrsw
column OF his rfsntfy between them, thus ehectaaiy
seyorlng the latter from bis division.
1 RANs0hs PATfhRy ESaAesD
Hearing the firing IN tho rear, Custer snrncd the peao
OF ns column about and went back 70 SOC VIVA!
of charging upon Ransons battery, who was CALAMITY
defending himself discharsog MS guns INTO hs ranks
when support arrived Ransom removed his battery
two hundred yards to the rear TO ne crest OF
volunteered and nenced nec are under cover oi
which the brigade formed on either side Of the
battery. 4.e
| The position being defended With 30 much determine
tir, he enemy apreared e waver aud hesitate Finally
be sent column Of n'sntry on upon our efs to take
possession OF the apers Ferry rooi and another al ths
same tine on our right 10 bar our retreat to Shepherds
| town iofd
The moment was critical for the brigade, az Il
already perceived the the ecmy and without
delay ho hasteaed with his gallant little band to the
river FIRST New York draeocns taking the ad ance
followed by tie battery, with regimen, the iet
as Aanksrs. to protect the eoiuoan from sudden
the rear facing part Of lhe pursuing
Ore Ibs brigade crossed The Potomac w'ihou. difficulty
and Sharpsburg which is about miles dssans, leav
Ing heavy picket force a, the river.
l GENERAL AvEgfi
engaged with the enemy further the river as ths
booming o his could nc Cstnc'y heard Learn
ing OF Cuscrs proximity, he nt to nnn requesting lis
Corporation 10 which ne Custer readily assonte .
He irrg nriIg IN the erection OF Wilamsport the bf
gade moved out the ageYsiowu road intending t. &c
10 Ayeras support Sat .t Shsrpseurg despatch was
received from General Merritt ordering the brigade T.
join tie division ut Harpers Ferry. Custer instantly
started for Harrers Ferry, compliant 10 the order bu
he had marched his csmmand far when resh order
came Tor him 20 roosn ntG ais Command al Antiotanl
f5rd eSf Tortyef 5fJsIs Accordingly he repaired J.
| thar place, who're be stu rcrnaioS
The Frat New York d,as3ces. which belongs 70 The
! reserve brigade, With thS tirss having been cut OF
from tue coidn with Custer ot min at An,ieiam ford
Afternoon snd THE, with list OF tie casualties oriags
| me TO tie sad vi the recsBLoisssnce