The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-09-30

participated IN the numerous skirmishes on
the route, and was.the first Union Battery to
enter Winchester 1t also participated in
the frequent rcconnoisanccs made around
that city. In April it Joined McDowell's S
Corps, near Warrenton. Here several i'm
portant engagements took place. in all of
which Capt Brockway took prominent part.
| Speaking of one of these rcconnoisances,
Col. Bryan, commander ef the expedition
in his official report said -
'Two masked batteries then suddenly en-
fladed us. A slight change was made in our
position and we replied to their fire brisky
for some moments when | saw two sections
OF Battery gaoping rapidly to our right.
Lieut. Brockway Immediately opened on
them, one shell bursting and killing three
men and one horse. These were seen to fall,
the distance not being over 1900 yards. They
however managed to get into the woods, and
were not seen afterwards. Lieut.. Brockway
then threw few shot and shell at house,
said to be Headquarters in front of which
were some carthworks. Some Sibley tents
were near it. By the side of one of these
tents trooper dismounted and came forward
TO reconnoter. The first shell struck him
down, and sent his horse flying across the field.
The soldier Tor olficcr) struck did not move
during the engagement, SO | presume he was
killed. Several shell struck in the earth
works in front, and numerous horses ran from
the woods in the rear. One round shot went
entirely through the house.
Two masked batteries however opened on
Lieut., Brockway, one a 32-pounder, which
enfiladed the line of skirmishers of the 10Th
Indiana, and also the Battery. The first
ricochetcd from the crest of the hill. and
making two bounds, passed Immediately over
Col. Humphrey, who, being on foot fell fiat,
and | thought him killed. This shot passed
down the rear of the whole line of the 10Th
Indiana, as did several which followed it.
The Battery then took another position and
tried an earthwork on their extreme left.
Hardly had they taken position, when another
Battery in front, not over 500 yards, replied.
The brush in front Of this being knocked
down the first fire, Lieut.. Brockway direc-
ted one Of his pieces upon it with such effect
that at the second fire one of the enemy's
guns was knocked oyer, and the horses ran
galloping away across the fields. They fired
but one more shot and were silenccd. The
heavy gun still kept up its fire on the extreme
left Of us, and having shot and shell brought
me from all the Batteries | concluded to re-
call Lieut.. Brockway and Col. Humphrey,
not knowing where the sections that had
passed to our right had gone, y \ 4 \
| would especially mention the fine gunnery
Of Lieuts. Godbold, Brockway and Berry |
never saw finer practice by older officers in
the United States service ="
Soon after Gen. Abercrombic sent Lieut..
Conover Of his Staff Capt. Matthews and
Lieut.. Brockway with 20 cavalrymon, from
Warenton Junction to Rappahannock Sta
ton on fresh expedition. Arriving there
they determined to strike down the river to
Falmouth, and if possible join Gen. Augur's
command at that point The party made
the raid successfully, reaching Falmouth near
midnight, and conveyed much valuable in
formation to the General commanding.
In May the Battery moved to Falmouth, |
but the sudden appearance of Stonewal |
jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, caused |
Mcdowell to detach a portion of his Corps
the Battery with it, and by forced marches
through the rain, and over bad roads they
reached Front Royal, The result is too we'll |
known to require further comment. From
this point the Battery followed the move
ments of Pope's army. engaged in the battle
Of Cedar Mountain, advanced to the Rapi-
dan, and participated in the disastrous retreat
that followed, At Rappahannock Station it
became necessary to make stand and, al
though the whole army had crossed the river,
llartsuil's Brigade and Lieut.. Brockway's
section of Artillery crossed to the side held
by the enemy, on a narrow Railroad bridge,
and held the Conlederates at bay until rein
lorcemcnts arrived. Soon after fierce artil-
lery fight began, in which a number of men,
including Lieut. GOdbOld, were killed and |
wounded, and two guns were dismountcd.
Stoncwall jackson having outnanked Pope,
and as Long'trcct was Fastening to Join him, |
portion of Popc's command including the |
Battery was sent to Thoroughfaro Gap to in.
tcrcept him, and hold him at bay until Pope
could 0vcrwhelm Jackson. Bates in his
State History, says: "Blockways section
was pushed by hand into position in the Gap,
and after rddling II stone mill and some
houses in which the enemy sharpshootcrs
were posted, the infantry advanced and took
I n,,ln 1, Ii, L..
sure the safety of the Battery, and to hold
the enemy at bay. The guns held complete
command of the Gap until dark, when the
Brigade fell back to join the main body"
The command then took position in line
of battle at Bull Run, near the Henry
House, Says Bates History;
SAT four clock in the afternoon, Lieuten.
ant Case was sent with his section to the
right to report to General Stevens, leaving
Brockway alone-the section disabled at Rap.
pahannock Station not having been repaired.
To the left of Brockway was commanding
ground, where the enemy had posted fifty
pieces Of his artillery At Il concerted sig
nal his guns opened, and his infantry moved
forward in heavy masses A fierce cannon
ldo was opened in reply, and his infantry i
were driven back, The troops in support of
our artillery soon disappeared, and the bat
terry was Withdrawn to new position; but !
here it was discovered that the enemy had t
possession of the Sudlcy Spring Road, the
1nly avenue of escape, and the guns were
ost. OF the thirty five men with the battery
n the morning, only three remained, and ,
hey succeeded in making their way to point |
where an effort WAS being made to stay the
advancing tide Of the enemy Another gun,
With fresh detachment of men, was placed
lnder Lieutenant Brockway, with orders to ,
i'll "thc chest full of ammunition"
\ slow fire was kept up until dusk upon