The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-11-15
A FREAK OF DARE DEVILS.
How II 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
dav 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
breastwork that had been abandon
ed long ago. Our men had stacked
their arms-some were lying on the
ground asleep, Others were collected
in groups, all feeling a sense Of Sc
curitv as no enemy bad ventured in
sight since we had left Hagerstown.
0n a small eminence on the front
of our line Gems. Heth and Petit
grew and several other officers, in
cluding myself, were back over the
route we had travelled, when we no.
ticed a small body of cavalry emerge
from a strip of woods, distant about
$50 yards. After reaching the open
space they halted and the officer in
command rode to the front as if TO
address the men. We observed
them closely, and our group conclud-
ed they were Confederates. We saw
them unfurl a United States flag,
but we thought it was a capture that
our friends were TO carry to us and
make some ado over it. Presently
they started towards us at a tolera-
bly, rapid space, and when they got
within fifty yards of MS they ad-
vanced at a gallop with drawn sa-
bres. shouting, Surrender y surren-
der" General Heth exclaimed:
"It's the enemv's cavalryw When
opposite they rushed over our lit
tie group, using their sabres and fir
ing their pistols (mortally wound
ing Gen, Pettigrew), and dashed
among the infantry, eighteen hun
dred strong, shouting at the top of
their voices: Surrender surren-
der ~
At first the confusion was great,
our officers calling upon their men
to form and use the bayonet, at the
same time dodging the sabre cuts
and using their pistols with great
effect. Lieutenant Baker killed two
and Captain Norris three men. As
soon as our men took in the situa-
ton and after they had reached their
guns these daring fellows were
quickly dispatched. In the height
of the confusion their officer gal
loped into our midst and in less
time than it takes to relate the cir
cumstance he was riddled with bull
lets. He was a gallant looking fell
low, riding a magnificent dark col
ored horse, but he and his men were
to a man either killed or wounded
in this quick and rash undertaking.
There was not more than 125 OF
them, but | will venture to say they
came nearer stampeding or captur-
ing a divising than they ever did
before. Their horses were nearly all
killed or So badly crippled as to
make them useless. Only two OF
three were brought off the field
though they were all captured.
| talked with one of the surviv-
ors of the regiment to which this
squadron belonged, and he told me
their officer was promoted only the
day before for gallant and merito-
rious service. Ny recollection is
that it was a part of the Sixth Mich
igan Cavalry. There was a large
body of cavalry a few miles behind
this squadron and we remained al
Falling Waters about one hour ssir-
mishing with them. We finally fell
back through woods in line Of bat
tie to the river, crossing 1t with The
loss CT some stragglers and parts OF
companies that were detached and
lost their way in the woods.