Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-11-10
4 FREAK OF DARE-DEvILs.
How a Squadron Of Federal
Cavalry Attacked Heth's
Whole Division.

We daily anticipated an attack
from Meade in pursuit, but none of
his army put in an appearance, that
is to fight, until we reached Falling
Waters, near the Potomac. On that
day Heth's Division stopped on the
road leading to the Potomac, distant
about two and a half miles. We
always kept up line OF battle, and on
this occasion halted and formed on
the left, the west side Of the road. In
a part Of our front was an old breast.
work that had been abandoned long
ago. Our men bad stacked their arms
some we're lying on the ground
asleep, Others were collected in groups,
all feeling a sense of security, as no
enemy had ventured in sight since we
had left Hagertown.
On a small eminence on the front of
our line Generals Heth and Pettigrew
and several other officers, including
myself, we're looking back over the
route we had travelled, when we no.
tieed small body of cavalry emerge
from a S rip of woods, distance about
two hundred and fifty yards. After
reaching the open space they halted
and the officers in command rode TO
the front as if to address the men. We
observed them closely, and our groom
concluded they we're Confederates.
We saw them uufurl United States
flag, but we thought it was a capture
that our friends were to carry to US
and make some ado about it. Present
ly they started toward US at a tolerable
rapid pace, aud when they got within
fifty yards o { US they advanced at a
gallop will. drawn sabers, shouting /.
Surrender surrender !" General
Heth exclaimed: Its the enemys
cavalryW When opposite, they
rushed over our little group, using
their sabers and firing their pistols,
mortally wounding General Petit
grew, and dashed among the infantry
eighteen hundred strong, shouting at
the top of their voices surrender
surrender !"
At 6rst, the confusion was great,
our officers calling upon their men to
form and use the bayOnet, at the same
time lodging the saber cuts and using
their pistols with great effect. Lieut.,
Baker killed two and Captain Norris
three men. As soon as our men took
in the situation, and after they had
reached their guns these daring
fellows were quickly dispatched. In
the hight Of the confusion their
officer galloped in our midst, and in
less time than it takes to relate the
circumstance, he was riddled with
bullets. He was a gallant looking
fellow, riding a magnificent dark
colored horse, but he and his men
we're to ma1 either killed or wound
ed in this quick and drash undertaking.
There was not more than l25 OF them,
but will venture to say they came
nearer stampeding or capturing a
division than they ever did before.
There horses we're nearly all killed or
so badly crippled as to make them
useless. Only two or three we're
brought of the field, though they we're
all captured.
talked with one ofthe survivors Of
the regiment to which this squadron
belonged, and he told me their officer
was promoted only the day before for
gallant and peritorious service. My
recollection is that it was part of the
Sixth Michigan Cavalary. There was
a large body Of cavalry few miles be-
hind this squadron, and we remained
at Falling Waters about one hour
skirmishing with these. We finally
fell back through woods in line Of
battle to the river, crossing it with the
loss Of some stragglers and parts o.
companies that were detached and los
their way in the woods.