Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-11-25
A STRAY LEAF FROM THE HIS
TORY OF THE WAR.
HOW the 18th Virginia Infantry Held
MANASSAS Gan.


General Lee, repulsed al Getty sburg, crossed
the river into Virginia and retreated slowly
aud sulleny up the valley Behind him, at a
respectable distance, came Meade, with the
Grand Army of the Potomac, cautiously feel
Ing his way, while on the eastern side Of the
Blue Ridhe, at lope, rode Butord aud his
cavalry The Southern General, whilst closely
watching his rear, was not uumindtu of his
flank, aud constantly threw out strong parties
towards the various gaps oil the mountains, but
the enemy made 20 demonstrations from that
qualtsr, riding swiftly on toward The south, as
though endeavoriug to get ahead of the South
err army and break in at some uuguarded
point. The Wagon train OF the Coniederates
swelled by large additions FROM the farms Of
Pennsylvania, strung out for many miles in
length, aud Was the rich prize, which would
amply repay the Federal commander, for the
desperate endeavors he was making to obtain
it. Almost unguarded, it reached Winchester
but there found Corse's brigade, which had
been left behind when the army. crossed into
Pennsylvania, To take care of the raiding par
ties OF cavalry which the Federa;s frequently
sent toward GordouSvlIIe and Hanover juno
ton. This brigade of veterans, accustomed
to march and couut rmarch at the word
of command, without asking the reason
why, took up their liue oil march at four
o'clock 10 the afternoon, and moved to-
ward Frout Royal with that swinging gait
which gave to them and the rest of
their corps the name Of "Lougstreet's foot
cavalry" When they reached the Shenap
dOah lIvcr, it was found impossible to cross the
troops III boats 10 the short time allowed, and
almost without halt the whole force waded
tho river, which here was nearly four feet deep,
the meu carrying their guns and ammunition
above their heads, to preserve them FROM the
wet. Beautifully rose the sun upon the little
town OF Front Royal, as 10 close column the
brigade moved through the streets Here
halt was called, and the coumaud.r of the l7tt
virginia, MAJOR Simpson, having received his
Instructions, moved his regiment rapidly to
ward Manassas Gap, which Opcus into the
valley about mile from the tuwu; the rest of
the brigade going gu to Chesters Gap, some
four mules distant. Poets have sung and his
torlans have delighted TO wTue of the charge
OF the light brigade at Balacava "wheu all he
world Wondered, but tiey went into the fight
10 the herce heat OF the combat aud in sight of
beth armies, under the eyes Of their general,
With everything So dear TO Il soldier heart to
urge them to do or die" But here the
world Was not present to WOnder, III fact, no
one, but few teamSt RS Of the traia which
was just then arriving, a few of the citizens of
the town, VINO 'reckoned" there was going to
be fight, a few weeping women whose hearts
beat warm for their defenders And yet, with
out the sound OF buglc, without the beat of
a drum, with nothing to urge them on but
parting word from their brave old general,
Corsc, at the command forward - given by
Maj. Simpson, IN low aud steady tone, they
moved 90 into the gap. luto the wolf ) mouth
into the jaws Of danger aud dcath-but not
step was less hrm than it would have been
on The parade ground. And not moment
too soon did they come Scarcely had
. they reached the gap and formed their line
of battle, scarcely had the skirmishers been
thrown out beyond the sight oil the main body,
into the thick lcaiy woods; than they met the
enemy cavalry Advancing through the gap at
u rapid trot. They, too, had travelled all night,
and Knowing that trout Royal Through which
the wagon train was then passiug) was but
short dlsttnce off, came forward with shout.
The surprise Was mutual, but the Federals
having the advantage OF uumhers, immcd,at
ly charged, killed several Of the skirmishers,
captured others, aud drove the rest in upon
the main body, following close behind They
were received with we'll directed volley, which
endorsed several OF them aud threw the rest
Into confusion, and so taken by surprise, they
fell back without aSceranug the number and
position OF their foes. This Was a critical mo-
ment for the Coutederates; their position was
| mr. md had
juucture charged 10 force, the moYement must
have resulted 10 the total destruction oil the
eutlre regiment aud the capture of the Wagon
train. But the arrival of Que man changed
the condition OF affairs. Col. Arthur Herbert,
who had been wounded III previous battle,
had been marching many days to cvcrtake his
regiment, and arriving in Front Royal, at the
time the hring commenced, mounted his horse
aud gallopcd rapidly to the front. lie was re-
ce.ved with thrill OF joy by every man 10 the
command, and feeling Of safety Immediately
pervaded the rauks Casting his eye over the
scene, he at ouce saw the weakness of the no.
sltIon aud as rapidly found remedy One
hundred yards to the rear in a clear open field.
rose small hill about scventyfve yards from
the road. The tip of this hill was covered
with young Chestnut sprouts, about teu feet
high, standing SO thick as to make an etfecual
| screen. Gould this position be reached all
would be we'll. With raw troops or tmid
commander this would be simply impossible;
with Herber; and the veterans Of the 18th, ali
things were possible. Already the enemy
was preparing to advance; already the com
mand had been given, "Sklrmishers, deploy
toright and left! forward quick time march ~
Not moment to be lost. La low voice
Colonel Herbert gave the word Of command,
18th, attention shoulder arms about face
slow time, march," Like piece of we'll reg
ulated machinery did the regiment execute
these orders and, without break 10 the ranks
moved to the rear, to take up their new posi-
ton, which they reached in time to CONCEAL
themselves from the skirmishers of the enemy,
who, breaking into run, charged upon the
spot they had just left, closely followed by the
main body Great Was their astonIshment to
hud the birds had f ,wn. But they soou learned
where, Tor the l1th, with deliberate aim,
poured 10 close aod weIl-dlrected fire. aud
before the PederaIs recovered from their as
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