The Portland daily press., 1870-09-17
TIL E p r e IS
Written for the Portland Press.
n nrrnut frnu,p Tin lnr neF.
MARROW ESCAPE OF FIRST MAINE CAV


The Army of the Potomac were at Cuipep-
er. The daily newspapers announced TINS
to an expectant people anxiously waiting and
watching for some tidings that would bring
a certainty of a decisive movement toward
victory. Our faith in the final result was un-
shaken. but our patience at these continued
DELAYS was sorely tried. We wanted, not only
to know that the great triumph was approach
ing, but we wanted to see how it was being
accomplished. "Our forces retreating," had be-
come word of fear to us. "Retrograde move
ments" were looked upon as perilous or dis
astrous, whereas it was most often by these
very movements that the enemy were discon-
certed, and thrown off the track in regard to
our plans.
Gen. Meade, then at the head of the Army
of the Potomac, had the full confidence of the
people, but still we could not see how going
backward, could be going forward. 1t was
much after the manner of train of cars
moving slowly out of the depot, and returning
again and again, until at last gaining the
right track, they rush forth with an impetus
that carries all before them.
We could not see this, and the announce
ment of "change of base" no longer brought
with it certainty of speedy success, as we
at FIRST supposed. And now again, was the
news sent forward of 'Retreat from Culpep-
err" startling the North like tidings of dis
aster to the Union forces.
Some incidents connected with this latter
movement will give you. They are drawn
from amemorandum kept by we'll known cit
izen OF Portland, belonging to the First Maine
Cavalry, and who was present as participant
in the hair-breadth escape here narrated. 4
1t was the 18th day of Oct. 1863, and the
Union forces were lowering, as said, around
Cupeper. On that day commenced one OF
those retrograde movements which gained for
the Army of the Potomac its notoriety for
changing base. The order had been given,
and onward, steadily, fairly, did this immense
body move. Closely, fercely, did the enemy
follow, harassing their rear-allowing no rest
or pause, until within few miles of the Rap
pahanock, when the rebels halted, and al
lowed our forces to retreat without further
molestation. On the evening of that day, the
LIST Maine Cavalry, after this hard days march
from Culpeper, found itself at Sulphur Springs
where it encamped for the night. From there
on the morning of the 18th the Regiment was
ordered to proceed to Little Washington
about twenty miles distant, and some foul
miles beyond, where rested the left flank O
the rebel army. They were to reconoitre ant
return on the following day. They started
about sunrise, body of fine spirited soldiery
awake to their duties, and to the interests o.
the cause in which they were enlisted. Procee.
ding about two miles on the road they had
traversed the day previous, they from thence
diverged toward the mountain, at whose base
lay Little Washington, the place of their des
tination. Nothing worthy of note occurred
until they reached this place, which they did
quietly, and without warning.
1t was the county seat, and the Court was
tn session when they arrived. So imposing
and unexpected was the appearance of the
Cavalry, the tramp of thousand horses, the
spectacle of thousand armed men, on that
quiet day IN their midst, that panic ensued
at once among the rebel lawgivers, as well as
the common people. The Court adjourned
rather suddenly. The Judges opinion was
not asked. neither was the Jury consulted
about the expediency of a retreat, but Judge
jury, lawyers, clients, clerks and witnesses
setting aside the dignity OF the law, made q
stampede into the surrounding country. with.
out ceremony.
1t was high loon. Cooks and housewives
had carefully prepared dinner for their lords
and masters, but alas the feast was not for
them! But the 1st Maine Cavalry, being
equally as good judges of these things, did full
justice in the matter. For when was SOL
der lacking in his appreciation of a good din
Eagerly, therefore, they discussed the merit
OF the different viands, and being satisfied
with the result, after clearing the tables, they
took up their line of march to return to Sui.
phur Springs, first ascertaining that there
were no rebel forces in that vicinity.
Meanwhile Lieut.. Harris of Co. F., with
some few men, hsd been dispatched to return
to Sulphur Springs in advance, and report
progress at head quarters without delay. We
were to move more slowly, accommodating on
our way, and gathering such information as we
could, of the position of the enemy therea-
bouts.
When near Amissvile on our return. with
in about four miles of our place of destination,
Just as we emerged from a thick wood, the
advance guard were met by sudden yolley
of musketry from rebel arms. The column
halted, and Col. Smith, as brave and trusty
man and soldier as ever held command, at
once comprehended the state of affairs. The
enemy were here IN full force. This was
startling intelligence.
Since passing this point in the morning, A.
?. Hill. with his whole corps, had advan-
eed and now occupied this position, and
probably Sulphur Springs ALSO All
was now stir and hustle. Fences were
Immediately torn down, and active prepare
tous made for resistance, if an immediate at
tempt were put forth to overpower U.s. But
the enemy were evidently taken as much by
surprise as ourselves, apparently wondering
where all these ''Yanks' came from, and not
prepared for action, with such uncertainty as
tonumbers. At any rate, much to our aston
1shment, no attempts were made to secure the
rich prize so nearly within their grasp.
Our brave Col. saw how matters stood. and
you may be sure, no time was allowed them
to recover from their uncertainty. Orders
were promptly given us-@fours right about
trot-march', and we were notlong in placing
couple OF miles distance between the enemy
and ourselves.
And here again we were in a most perplex-
ing dilemma. Though we had lost little in
this slight skrnish and were distarcing the
visible enemy we were not nearing our friends
We knew nothing of any direction to take,
nothing of the roads, ii any such existed, by
which we might reach our lines, without
again encountering our foe on the uncertain
way. 1t was with uneasy glances that we
search the distance but found no outlet.
A halt was made; a consultation held
There seemed but one course open to us.
Seeing small house near we reused the in
mates.
"Wbo's there ?" gruff voice asked.
"Hallo, reb," was the quick reply. "Come
show yourself outsider
"What do you wans?"
I'VE want guide to show us the wav to
the Union lines"
"A guide I'd like to guide you to,n-we
did not hear the place he named, mutteripe
between his teeth, but we heard the officers
cool reply.