Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-08-21

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single room, added to the din Of small me-.
nagerie of other animals, is something surpri-
sing to one the first time he enters.-Ernest
IngsrsoR, ST. Nicholas. 5s -
THE EIDE AROUND MCCLELLAN.
[John Esten Cook in Philadelphia Times.l
Stuart set out from his headquarters, east
of Richmond, at about moonrise on the night
of think-the 18th of June, 1862. Be.
yond the city he caught up with his column,
which consisted of about fifteen hundred
horsemen and two pieces of artillery, under
command Of Colonels Fitz Hugh Lee, Will
liam II. F. Lee, and Will T. Martin, of Mis-.
sissippi, and the force proceeded northward to
the vicinity of Taylorsville, where the men
went into bivouac. As this sketch aims to
record such incidents as took place on the
famous march, l will mention that, tired out
as he was, Stuart rode on the same night to
Hickory Hill, the residence of Col. William
Wickham, and fell asleep in his chair while
he was talking. It was afterwards ascertain
ed that Federal scouting party had passed
the house during the night, and Stuart thus
narrowly escaped capture. They did not
stop, however, and the General returned to
the cavalry bivouac, from which he advanced
early in the morning in the direction of Han
over 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 q squadron of
Federal cavalry, and Col. Fitz Lee was sent
round to the right to cut them of, while Stu
art charged them in front. The charge was
made without delay, and the Southern horse
men swept at gallop down on the little vii,
lage, whose ancient courthouse, ip its grassy
yard, was the scene of Patrick Henrys first
great speech in the Parsons case" The
men uttered shouts as they charged, and the
startled Federals-numbering about one hum
dred and ffty-ran hastily to their horses and
retreated at full gallop. Stuart'passed on in
pursuit without drawing rein in the village,
but the pursued went faster than the pur-
suers, and were soon out of sight -unmo-
Tested by Fitz Lee, who had been directed the
wrong road. The pursuit was then discon.
tinued, and Stuart advanced steadily on the
road leading to "Old Church." which passed
by place called Hawe's shop. it
At the Tattepotemoi, 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 in field
on the other side a considerable body Of Fed.
eral cavalry was seen drawn up in line of bat
tie. They were at once charged by Col. Will
liam H. F. Lee, who was in advance, and a
sharp engagement followed. 1t did not last
long. The enemy gave way and retreated
rapidly, leaving number of dead and woun-
ded-among the latter Capt. Royal, COM
manding, though he was not captured. The
bloody blanket in which he was wrapped was
found at the headquarters tent, / was inform
ed. The Confederates lost only one person,
but the loss was serious. This was Capt. La
tame, of the Essex Calvary, who was shot and
killed. His death, produced great sadness,
and Stuart, in general order after the expe-
dition, called on his men to "Avenge Latane !"
The body of the poor fellow was buried after
nightfall by friends in the vicinity, two ladies
being present, one Of whom read the burial
service. ...
Old Church was the point, it seems, which
Gen Lees order directed him to reach, if pos.
sible, after which he was to be guided by cir.
cumstances. Now circumstances" were gen.
orally regarded in different light by Stuart
than by other men, and the circumstances
here, were these The alarm had been given,
no doubt, by the Federal fugitives, and the
presence of Southern cavalry near Old Church
was known. It was obvious, therefore, that
strong force would probably be sent to cut
them off on their return What was to be
done? The Pamunkey could not be crossed /;
it was too deep, and no boats were at hand.
To attempt to pass around the Federal army,
and cross at the Chickahominy below, SEEM
ed madness; but then the movement would
be daring, brilliant, and might succeed.
Knowing the country perfectly, and our ex-
act situation, I watched Stuart's face with
interest, curious to ascertain what he was
going to do. The first words he uttered, at:
ter musing for moment, put my doubts en-
tirely at rest.
"Tell Fitz Lee to come along" he said to
me; II am going to move on steadily with
my column"
Knowing on" meant complete circuit of
McClellan's army, with view to crossing
below.
The order was delivered, and also that to
Col. Fitz Lee, who sounded ITO horse" and
followed-the movements of his men some
what hastened, no doubt, by the report that
one of the BURNING tents contained large
quantity of powder. I rejoined Stuart at the
head of the column, and was soon conEinced
that he had fully resolved to ride around the
Federal army. 1t was neck or nothing. In
twenty-four hours the whole command would
be dead or captured, or would have escaped.
Stuart had plainly determined to take the
and was moving steadily toward the
York River Railroad, connecting the Federal
army with its base at the "White House"
landing on the Pamunkey.
Everything was now on the qus viue, as an
attack might take place at any moment either
on the front or rear. A laughable incident
proved that the men were looking for one,
and that Stuart expected it would come from
the rear, as he sent me to Col. Martin, com.
manding there, with the message:
"Tell him to have his artillery ready and
look out for an attack at any moment
I was riding back after delivering this Or
der when cry passed along the line:
"Yankees in the rear !"
Sabres flashed out, horses wheeled, and
then came burst of laughter showing that
the alarm was false. MANY incidents follow