The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-09-14

to be torn from him at any moment by
the rapacious soldiery who were surely
comingy
The friends Of the South went wild
with excitement, prophesying the Ger
taipty Of the triumph of their cause
"Lee has cut the Union army into
pieces" it was said. "lle is marching
straight ou Philadelphia aud New York
He vii! be here tonight p
Hereto night
Wild with terror at the words, tn,
fugitive tealnsters whip up their jadoc
horses, and fastening on their way
shout out at their very next hnlting
place that they have left the whole
Rebel army in Westminster.
Amidst all this confusion, on Sunday
morning, the 2Sth of June, u company
Of cavalry from the State of Delaware,
rode into town, aud in thee Course of the
day, encamped on College Hill.
They brough, with them no news OF
Meade or Lee, aud were even unable tc
state the object Of their coming. Their
presence in no wise tended to allay the
alarm and confusion, but rather increas.
ed it, as the Major in command having
more nerves than brains and more COW.
ardicc than common sense, aud being
afflicted with an insane belief that the
whole aud sole object of tho invasion
was the capture Of his precious person,
could see in his every glass Of whiskcy,
which he drank at intervals Of five min
utcs with the most commendable indus
try aud astonishing regularity, whole
hosts Of Rebels within few moments
march Of him. Consequently, all that
day there was a continual gallobiug to
and fro Of armed men, until, finally, the
whole company made last desperate
charge through the street, aud disap
peared in the direction of Baltimore
Early the next morning, however they
again made their appearance, aud took
up their old quarters tho meu on the
Hill, the Major at the nearest bar room
Not many hours after their return, at
about three o'clock on the afternoon of
the 10Th, Stuart, on his way, us before
stated, to Hanover to join Lee, came in
sight Of Westminster. IL marched
along the Washington road until within
a mile of town, when learning Of the
presence OF the Delaware men, he halted
the main body Of his troops for few
moments, aud sent on in advance a
force Of about hundred men 10 inter.
cept the retreat Of the Union cavalry.
while larger force, despatched across
the country TO the northwest, should
attack them in the rear.
Information of these movements was
ut once conveyed to the Delaware Major
by Il young man who had accidentally
discovered them, aud that gallant officer,
inspired by an extra glass-"full and
no watcr'-without paying his bills,
waiting for his men, or saying good bye,
circumyeuted all Vi Lees aud Stuart
plans for his capture BY making the
most expeditions aud extraordinary Of
all modern retreats lie never drew
rein until he reached Baltimore, aud
there he gave the most wonderful nc
count Of his dreadful encounter with the
Rebel troops. As far as his company
was concerned, the war was now over.
Alone they fought the whole Of Stuart's
men (whose bloodthirsty obslinacy he
could not too severely rcprehend) until
every man but himself was slain,
1t is great satisfaction to know that
his story was not believed, aud that the
poor coward was Immediately dismissed
the service.
La the meantime, the officer next 10
command of the Delaware company
drew up his men, aud bravoIy determin
ed to fight his way out of the difficulty;
and never yes, since the days when the
Six Hundred rode down the valley at
Baluelava, did brayer men follow leader
on deed Of more desperate daring.
One hundred to five thousand each
man knew the odds, and not one thought
of surrender.
ln few moments, they were all
mounted and ready for the fray.
GLOW many Of 'em arc there, Ser
geauty' asked one. "Is there more of
EN- than we are 2"
"Cuss these rebbils % said another;
| was takin' bully snoozc."
"a charge is game enough, but moth.
in but darn nonsense" Ventured third:
why not pop 'em over from the houses?
that's my idee p
A word of command, and they moved
of down the street at sharp trot. Ia
a few moments, they came in sight of
the advance Of Stuart's men drawn up
at the intersection of the turnpike and
the Washington road
At once, the bugle sounded charge.
the men dashed forward, aud in an in.
staut both parties were mixed in the
widest confusion. First came the
quick, vehement crack of carbines in
two explosions in rapid succession; then
a general discharge, as Of number of
persons firing at once, aud at last, the
toundeting of horses, the cries aud
curses of men, and the ringing of steel
steel. This lasted for a mo.
ment or two that seemed hours, and then
the Rebels turned aud fed; but the
cheer that went up from tho yictors had
scarcely died in their throats before the
whole Of Stuart's men were upon thom.
In turn, the Union men sought to fly,
but it was now too latc-the whole
around was black with enemies.
A number of citizens stationed them
selves in an alley near the battle ground,
lnd were excited witnesses Of the whole
encounter. When the charge was
made, Rebel soldier, trying to escape,
dashed past close to them.
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