The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-06-14

and placed his cayalay on three
roads leading to Richmond, with
directions to watch the movements
Of the enemy and engage him at
all hazards in order to prevent his
entrance into the city, and with the
understanding that the Confederate
cavalry should unite at Yellow
Tavern. Stuart accompanied the
march Of the brigade. Upon reach
ing the neighborhood Of Yellow
Tavern he found a strong picket of
the enemy, which he succeeded in
driving before him. At best, but a
temporary success, as he shortly
fell upon two brigades Of the Fed
erals drawn up in line to support
the picket. 1t was morning and the
fighting continued necessarily until
| noon with varied success. At noon
| there was a complete lull.
1t could be seen by the Confed-
| crates that the enemy had been
reinforced, and the one hope was
| that their own cavalry were occupy
ing him upon the other two roads.
From high noon until 3 o'clock the
fighting, which had been severe,
seemed to stop by common consent.
The field hospitals were established
and the men rested. At 3 o'clock
it was announced that the enemy
was advancing in stronger force
than had hitherto been seen. The
artillery was Immediately placed
upon an eminencc, by General
Stuart's order, for the purpose of
commanding the approach Of the
Federals. The cavalry was hur-
riedly mounted and moved to the
support of the artillery.
It was upon this eminence that
so many brave men were lost. 1t
was upon this emincnce that the
star of great and glorious officer
went down. Sheet after sheet Of
fame poured from the enemy's
guns and swept away like straws
men who were striving masterfully
to emulate the example of their
chief-men who faced death def
antly whilst he led. AS soon as
the artillery opened fire the enemy
could be distinguished by the naked
eye preparing to charge in full
force. Every effort was made by
the little brigade to meet this
charge, but it was thrown back
again and again by overwhelming
numbers. Stuart held his position
by the artillery, never leaving his
post, except to rally the men or
lead them back to the charge with
flaming sword. Nothing could have
surpassed the supreme courage dis
played by him. He alone was
cool and calm, and his commands
went forth clear and determined.
He fought without reference to
numbers until a cruel shot cut him
down where he stood battling for
the guns. Crash on crash pealed
forth, and some malignant shot hes
itated not to,touch the "bravest and
the tenderest." The first intimation
that the men received Of the fatal
truth was seeing him dismount from
his iron.gray horse, hold it by the
reins, his black plumes fitting to
one side as he staggered and fell
quietly down among the enemy.
The enemy seemed entirely uncon-
scious of the presence Of the cavalry
hero who had been a target for
their bullets, and who had met them
with such daring upon so many
contested fields. In the meanwhile
another brigade of the division
moved to the support of the little
brigade, and it was made known
for the first time along the line, as
a fact, that General Stuart had been
shot, and was, perhaps, dead and
in the hands of the enemy. The
| effect of these certain tidlngs upon
a body of men already overpowered
by continuous hard fighting can
hardly be imagined. Grief, deep
grief and despair were pictured up
on the face ofevery living man. The
command was rallied and formed
to make a final charge for the re-
covery of the body, alive or dead.
Captain Dorsey, commanding a
company of Maryland cavalry, re-
quested that he might have the
honor of leading the charge. 1t
was granted. The charge was made
amidst a fierce storm of bullets.
General Stuart was found lying
by the side Of his horse, PROSTATE,
4