The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1879-08-16
A DARlRG FEAT.
The Famous Ride Around NcClelsn's
Army.
A Lively Story OF one OF the Most 70
mantle Incidents Of the War-An
Adventure Full Of Danger and
Fun-Stuart inthe
Saddle.

Adventure Full Of Danger and
Fun-Stuart In the
Saddle.
John Eston Cookein Philadelphia Week
" Times.]
Stuart set out from his headQuar-
tiers. east OF Richmond, at about
mOonrise on the night OIL think
the twelfth Of June. 1862. Beyond
the city he caught up with the col.
umn, which consisted Of about fifteen
hunded horsemen and two pieces of
artillery, under command OF Colonies
Fi'z Hugh Lee. William, H. F. Lee
anu Will T. Martin. Of Mississippi,
and the force proceeded north ward
to the vicinity OF TaylOlville, where
the men went into bivouac. As thts
sketch aims to record such incidents
az took place on the famous march,
| will mention that, tired out as be
was. Stuart rode on the same night
to Hickory Hill, the residence Of Col.
Williams Wickersham. and fell as.
leep in the chair while be was
talking. 1t was afterward ascertain.
ed that Federal scouting party had
passed the house during the night,
and Stuart thus narrowly escaped
capture. They did not, however. and
the Generl returned to the cavalry
bivouac, from which he advanced
early in the morning in the direction
OF Hanover Court. House.
There could be very little doubt OF
q 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 a squadron
OF Federal cavalry, and Col. Fitz
Lee was sent round to the right to
cut them of, while Stuart charged
them In front. The charge was made
without delay, and the Southern
horsemen swept at a gallop down on
the little village, whose ancient
court. house, in its grassy yard, Mas
the scene Of Patrick Henry's first
great speech IN the Parsons CASE"
The men uttered shouts a. they
charged. and the startled Federals-
numbering about one hundred aud
flfty-ran hastily, to their horses
aud retreated at full gallop. Stuart
pressed on In pursuit without draw.
ing rein at the village, but the pur.
sued went faster than the pursuers
aud we're soon out of sight, unmo.
Tested by Col. Fitx 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.
STUART STRIKES TIE ENEMY.
At the Tattapotemois, q slugggish
stream crossed by rustic bridge,
the enemy was met with in some
force. The picket at tho bridge wac
swept away at once, but In q field on
the other side considerable body OF
Federal cavalry was seen drawn up
10 line OF battle. They were ut once
charged BY Col. VIM. Il. F. Lee, VIII
was In advance, and q sharp engage.
ment followed. It did not last long.
Tho enemy gave way and retreated
rapidly, leaving . 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 Wss
found at his headQusrters'-tent. I
wss Informed. Toe Condolences
lost only one person. but the loss
was serious. This Vas Capt. Latane,
OF the Essex Cavalry, who was shot
and killed. His death produced
great sadness, and Stuart, in q gen.
eral order after the expedition. called
on his men to ''avenge Latane -
The body OF the poor fellow was
buried after nightfull by friends 10
the vicinity, two ladies being present,
one OF whom read the burial service.
stuart vas now in high glee, and
sent me back TO hasten up his artil.
lery and open on the enemy. Against
this order I demonstrated, urging
that It would prove an alarm gun,
aEd tho order was cOunteTmanded.
Meanwhile Col. Fi,z Leo had pushed
on to the Federal camp near Old
Church, where large supplies vi
boots, pistols, carbt1es and other
stores we're appropriated and the
tents SGT on Gre. Stuart had halted
bic column and was rejecting. Old
Church was the point, 1t SCENE,
which Gen. Lees orders directed
him to reach, II possible. after which
he vas to be guided by circumstan.
ces, Now circumstances" were
generally regarded In . different
light by Stuart than by other men,
aud the circumstances here, were
these: The alarm had been given
no doubt. by the Federal fugitives,
and the presence Of Southern cavsl.
~ near Old Church vac known. II
vas obvious, therefore, that q strong
force would probably he sent to cui
them Of on their return. What VA
TO be done : The Pamunkee could
not be creased It was too deep, and
no boats we're at hand. To sttemp,
TO pass around tho Federal army and
cross the Ou,ckahominy below seem.
cd msdnese; but then the movemen,
would b daring, brilliant, and might
succeed. Knowing the country Per.
lectly. and our exact Situation,