Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-08-22
THE LATE BRILLIANT CAVALRY
FIGHT AT FRONT ROYAL.

Col. Thomas c. Devens, commanding a cav
airy brigade, arrived in town on Saturday, and
is at present at the National Hotel. We learn
from him that about O'Clock on last wednes-
day, the 18th, the pickets OF Devens' brigade
were driven in by heavy force of rebel in
fantry and artillery. The brigade advanced TO
support the pickets. The 4th N. Y. cavalry
was placed to guard the road.
Wickham's (rebel) brigade Of cavalry having
crossed the river and charged the dismounted
men of the 9th N. Y, Coz. Devens ordered the
4th N. Y. to charge the rebel in flank, which
order was brilliantly executed by Col. Cesnola,
who swept of as with an avalanche the whole
head of the rebel column, capturing the battle
nag of the Sd Va. regiment and many prison
ers.
The enemy, finding he could make no i'm
preston on the turnpike, crossed with a brig
ade Of infantry half q mile TO the LEFT, and
sought to outnank Col. Devens' brigade. The
4th N. Y. were Immediately deployed In their
front, and charged upon them before they had
an opportunity to form themselves into line.
About the same time the cavalry again ad-
vanced through the gorge through the turnpike
and sought to gain the rear of, and cut of, our
cavalry. Two squadrons of the 9Th New York,
which had been held In reserve on the tight,
were thrown on the rebel column as soon as
they were fully exposed, completely routing
and driving them back. In the mean time the
infantry on the LEFT had driven them back 10
the river, capturing another battle-hag Of
Cobb's Legion. While the Cd brigade was
lighting on the right, still another force of in
fantry was crossing on the LEFT. Gen. Custar
had arrived few hours before, 10 the support
of Col. Devens. Ransom's battery of Colonel
Devens' brigade was Immediately opened on
his advance, and as they emerged from the
woods upon the left, Custar s,Oept down upon
them, and they were gobbled up by scores.
The enemy planted a battery on the north
side OF the Shenandoah, and 1t was this alone
that saved tho rebel column from utter ami.
hilstion before 1t could have recrossed the
river. The position was so elevated that our
guns could not reach them, and they were thut
enabled to hold US at bay, and retire with q
shattered column. The rebels acknowledg,
the loss Of 600 killed, wounded and missing
OF which there is now In our hands over 800
while the entire loss Of Colonel Deyens', .
brigade, which was most heavily engaged, wi
not amount 10 As killed, wounded and missing
Gen. Custar's loss was proportionately lesl
although he captured as many prisoners.
The regiments engaged were the 4th, 9th an
yth New York and the 18th Pennsylvania
Col. Cesnola OF the 4th New York and MaJC
BeArdsley, commanding the 9th New Yorl
behaved with distinguished gallantry, T
peatedly charging the enemy's columns.
Captain Mann, Of the 4th New York, WI
killed. He was gallant officer and met
hero's death. Capt. Snyder Of the 4th, Cap
Hermance of the 9th New York, and Lieu
Weston of the 9th New York, were wounde
Although Col. Devens was severely woundt
in the foot, he did not leave the nsld, but he
the ground bravely, and won for himself ga
land Of honors. Capt. Handy had three hors,
shot from under him while charging the en-
my's line.
The l7h Pennsylvania were drawn up In tt
support under heavy fire, and behaved then
selves with their usual steadiness.