The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-08-14
/ WAR INCIDENT.


! Stuart set out from his head quarters
cast of Richmond, at about moonrise on
the night Of the 18th Of June, 1862.
Beyond the city he caught up with his
column, which consisted of about fifteen
hundred horsemen and two pieces of
| artillery, under command OF Coils. Fitz
Hugh Lee, William H. T. Lee and VIII
I. Martin of Mississippi, and the force
proceeded northwari to the vicinity of
| Iaylorsville, where the men went into
biyouac. rs his sketch aims to record
such incidents as took place on the fa-
| fous march, | VIII mention that, tired
| out as he was, Stuart rode on the same
night to Hickory Hill, the residence of
Col. Williams Wickham, and fell asleep
il his chair while ho was talking. It
was afterwards asoertained that a federal
aeouting party had passed the house
daring the night, and Stuart thus mar
rowly escaped capture. They did not
stop however, and the general returned
to the cavalry bivouac, from which he
advanced early in the morning III the
| direction Of Hanover courthouse.
There could be very little doubt that a
heavy picket, perhaps the enemy in
| force, would here be encountered, and
! this was found to be the fact. Scouts
sent in advance Of the column returned
with the report that the courthouse
was held by squadron of federal caval-
ry, and Col. Eitz Lee was sent around to
the right to cut them of, while Stewart
charged them in front. The charge was
made without delay, and the southern
horsemen swept at gallop down on the
little village, whose ancient court house,
in its grassy yard, was the scene of Pat
rick Henrys first great speech IN the
Parsons case" The men uttered
shouts as they charged, and the startled
federals-numbering about one hundred
and fifty-ran hastily to their horses and
retreated at full gallop. Stuart pressed
on in pursuit without drawing rein at
the village, but the pursued went faster
than the pursuers, and were soon out of
sight-unmOlested by Gel. Titz Lee.
who had been directed the wrong road
The pursuit was then discontinued and
Stuart advanced steadily on the road
leading to Old Church, which passed by
place called Hawes' shop.
At the Tottapctemoi, a sluggish stream
crossed by rustic bridge, the enemy
was met with in some force. The picket
at the bridge was swept away at once,
but il a field on the other side q consid-
cradle body of federal cavalry was seen,
drawn up in line of battle They were
at once charged by Col. William II. I.
Lee, who was in advance, and sharp
engagement followed. 1t did not last
long. The enemy gave way and retreat
ed rapidly, leaving a number of dead
and wounded-among the latter Capt.
Royal, commanding, though he was not
captured. The bloody blanket in which
he had been wrapped was found at his
headquarters tent, l was informed. The
c0uiedtratcs lost only one person, but
this loss was serious. This was Capt.
| Latane of the Essex cavalry, who was
shot and killed. His death produced
great sadness, and Stuart in n general
order, after the expedition, called ON his
men to aven5e L.atane The body OF
the poor fellow Was buried after night
fall by friends in the vicinity, two ladies
being present, one of whom read the
burial service.
Stuart was now in high glee and sent
me back to hasten up his artillery and
open on the enemy. Against this order
L demonstrated, urging that it would
prove an alarm gun, and the order was
countermanded. Meanwhile, Col. Fitz
Lee had pushed on to the federal camp
near Old Church, where large supplies
of boots, pistols, carbines and other
stores were appropriated and the tents
set on fire. Stuart had halted his col
umu and was rejecting. Old Church
WAS the point, it seems, which Gen. Lees
orders directed him TO reach, if possible,
after which he was to be guided by cir
! cumstances. How circumstances" were
/ generally regarded in different light by
Stuart than by other men, and the cir
eumstances here were these: The alarm
had been given no doubt, by the federal
/ fugitiyes, and the presence of southern
/ cavalry near Old Church was known. 1t
was obvious, therefore, that a strong
force would probably be sent to cut them
of on their return. What was to be
done? The Pamuukee could not be
crossed. it Was too deep, and no boats
were at hand. To attempt to pass around
the federal army and cross the Chicka-
homipy below, seemed madness; but