The Portland daily press., 1866-05-19

'Campaans Of the FIRST Maine and First District
OF Columbia Cayalry."l
THE FIGHT AT BRANDY STATION.
Fifty miles southwest from Washington, the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad crosses the
happahannock. From this point, the course
OF the railroad is nearly east and west to Cul-
pepper, ten miles distant. About midway be-
tween the two points is Brandy Station.
The railroad passes through valley. Stand
ing on the track at this point, and looking
southwark, the ground is open, and rises gen
tly about threeIourths of mile. Inc open
ground is there terminated by heavy timber
land, the edge of which, quite clearly defined,
extends along parallel with the railroad, a dis
tance of two or three miles. Now turn and
look in the opposite direction. The ascent on
the north side of the road is much greater
On your LEFT, at the distance OF about one
fourth of mile from the railroad is an emf
hence from which the ground descends to-
ward the east to small brook and then grad
ually rises again and eliminates in beauti-
ful swell, ON which stands fine old Virginia
mansion, surrounded by large orchard,
The head quarters OF the rebel General
Stuart are in that house, with a heavy force
OF cavalry and artillery strongly posted around
Keeping this position in mind, we must fall
back little as to time. The battle of Chan
cellorsville was fought on the first week in
May. On the sixth, General Hooker fell back
across the Rappahannock, to his old position
around Falmouth Early in June it was as
certained that General Lee was moving in
westerly direction, but his purpose, whether it
was to retire south or to make another demon
stration on Washington, was problem un-
solved. !.
No sooner was it known to General Hook
er that the enemy was moving westward on
The south side OF the river, than he commenc-
ed corresponding movement on the opposite
side, the cavalry having the advance. On
reaching the Orange and Alexandria Railroad,
1t became necessary to ascertain the position
and designs OF the enemy. For this purpose
a reconnaissance in force was made by the cav
airy across the river. One division crossed at
beverly Ford, early in the morning of the 9th
of June.
This regiment moved with Gregg's Divis-
ion, at an early hour, crossing the river at
Kelly's Ford, at six o'clock, but not till the
booming OF artillery had told them that the
work of the day had already begun. Many a
man frightened the girth of his saddle, and ex-
amined his carbine, and tried the edge of his
sabre on the ball OF his thumb.
The small force Of the enemy, posted to
guard the crossing, was quickly Dispersed
General Gregg marched by a circuitous route
leading to the rear of the enemy at Brandy
Station. The Second Brigade, Colonel WIND
ham commanding, had the advance, and il
was not long before heavy firing told that he
was at work. Colonel fitzpatrick now pushed
his brigade forward as rapidly as possible,
consisting of the Second and Tenth New
York, and the First Maine, numbering in ali
but fifteen hundred men.
Colonel Wyndham had charged the enemy's
right on the eminence above described, and
had gained possession OF it, capturing two
guns. He had then charged across the valley.
toward the other eminence upon the left
But with six pieces of artillery SO posted as to
command the entire ground, with a strong in
fantry support, the enemy opened upon them
so terrible fire that they fell back. They
quickly rallied, however, and advanced again.
but only to be driven back by the murderous
fire, till broken, torn and bleeding, they re-
treated in confusion.
A heavy force OF cavalry, las prisoners said
consisting OF three brigades, at once covered the
HILL and rushed on the rear of the retreatino
Second Brigade.
1t was at this juncture that Colonel Kilpat-
rick, at the head of his brigade, arrived upon
the held, and was ordered to form in echelon
OF regiments. The Tenth New York, having
the advance, formed in line parallel with the
railroad. The Second New York Cavalry.
otherwise known as the "Harris Liohts.n had
scarcely got into position, on the right and
rear of the line, when Colonel Irwin, of the
Tenth New York, was ordered forward to re-
take the position on the hill.
He moved promptly, but scarcely had he adj
vanced hundred yards, when the whole line
was threatened by a superior force. Colonel
Davies, of the Second New York, was then
ordered; with battalion to attack the enemy
on his left flank. But before either of these
officers, with any considerable portion of their
respective commands, had crossed the railroad.
the enemy, in two heavy columns, struck their
advance, forcing them back in confusion.
AT this critical juncture, the First Maine
having debouched from the woods, was taking
its position in the field. The aspect of al
fairs, as then presented, was not calculated to
inspire men with tn hope of success. The
terrible blows which had been dealt by the
greatly outnumbering foe to the regiments of
their own and Col. Wyndham's Brigade, were
disheartening. At that trying moment, when
the day seemed lost, Colonel Fitzpatrick GAL
Hoped up to Colonel Douty, and exclaimed,
"Col. Douty, what can you do with your regi-
ment?"
The answer shouted back, IT can drive the
rebels" showed a confidence in his men which
the event fully justified. He was then order
ed to attack the enemy on his left flank. 1t
was proud sight, that column of mounted
men advancing as the inspiring bugle sound
ed the charge. Before them the field present.
ed the frightful spectacle of fleeing friends and
pursuing foes, OF horses galloping two and fro
with empty saddles, and men seeking to escape
on foot, resounding meantime with the thun-
der OF artillery, the heavy thus of solid shot.
the strange scream OF shells, the roar of mus
kerry, the clashing of steel, and the fierce
shouts OF eager combatants. The rebels had
come up and were cutting down the fugitiyes
without mercy, and general panic and COM
plete r0ut were imminent.
And yet, almost as by magic stroke. the
oh
old guard advance to the shock of arms with
more intrepidity.
Fitzpatrick wished the First Maine. if posi-
BILE, to hold the enemy in check for short
time, till he could reform his broken reei-
ments.
This was the utmost he expected. But once
in motion there was no pause. The ditch in
their front was cleared, the railroad crossed
and the foot of the hill gained. Then, with a
wild shout they dashed up the steep ascent
driving the enemy before them, and charging
directly on the battery. The gunners fed, OF
were captured, or hewn down at their guns.
In the words of Col. Kilpatriclx's official re-
port, "They could not stand the heavy sabre
blows ofthe men OF Maine, who rode over
them and through them"
No sooner would they attempt to make a
stand. than the vengeful Yankees would be
upon them. On the crest of the hill the bat,
tie was ficrcest. The sharp clash of sabres, the
incessant crack, crack, crack of reVolvers, anG
rattle of carbines, mingling with the confused
shouts of contending squadrons, told of stern
and desperate encounter. The rebel defences
were carried. One portion of the command,
under Major Boothby, swept around the left
OF the house where Stuart had his head quar-.
tiers, whilst the other, under Lieutenant Col
onel Smith, swept around the right. and unit
ing on the other side, they charged the enemy
into the woods.
When the rebel battery of six guns were
captured, the Union flag was planted ON the
spot. and the column pushed on after the re.
treating foe. But from an unfortunate over.
sight, the guns were neither manned nor re-
moved, and no sooner had the charging col
,,,nn naseed on than the enemy numerous nc