The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-01-31
CHARGED BY CAVALRY.
How Squadron OF Federal Horsemcn AZ.
tackled Hctl's Whole Division.


We daily anticipated an attack from
Meade in pursuit, but none of his army put
in an appearance--that is, TO fght-until
we reached Falling Waters, near the Poto-
mac. On that day Heth's division stopped
on the road leading to the Potomac, distant
about two and half miles. We always
kept up a 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 abandoned
long ago. Our men had stacked their arms
some were lying on the ground asleep,
others were collected in groups. all feeling q
sense of security, as no enemy had yentured
in sight since we had left Hagerstown.
On a small eminence on the front OF our
Gne General Heth and Pettigrew and several
other officers, including myself, were look
ing back over the route we had travelled,
when we noticed small body of cavalry
emerge from a strip of woods distant about
two hundred and fifty yards After reach
ing the open space they halted and the Off
Ger in command rode TO the front as il to-
address the men. We observed them close
ly and our group concluded they were con-
federates. We saw them unfurl United
States flag. but we thought it was capture
that our friends were to carry to us and
make some ado over it. Presently they
started toward us at tolerably rapid pace,
and when they got within fifty yards of us
they advanced at a gallop with drawn sa-
bres, shouting Surrender! surrender ~
General Heth exclaimed Its the ene-
my's eavalryl" When opposite they rush.
cd over our little group, using their sabres
and firing their pistols (mortally wounding
General Pettigrew) and dashed among the
infantry, 1900 strong, shouting at the top of
their voices, Surrender! surrender |" At
first the confusion was great, our officers
calling upon their men to form and use the
bayonet, at the same time lodging 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 situation, and after they had reached
their guns, these daring fellows were quickly
despatched. In the height of the confusion
their officer galloped into our midst, and in
less time than it takes to relate the cireum.
stance he was rddled with bullets. He was
gallant looking fellow, riding magnif-
cent dark colored horse, but he and his men
were to man either killed or wounded in
this quick aud rash undertaking. There
was not more than 125 of them, but will
venture to say ihey came nearer stampeding
or capturing division than they ever did
before. Their horses were nearly nil killed
or SO badly crippled as to make them use
less. Only two or three were brought off
the field, though they were all captured. l
talked with one of the survivors of the regi-
ment to which this squadron belonged, ami
he told me their officer was promoted only
the day before for gallant aud meritorous
service. My recollection is that it was a part
of the Sixth Michigan cavalry. There was
large body of cavalry few miles behind
this squadron, and we remained at Falling
Waters about one hour diminishing with
these. We finally fell hack through woods
in line of battle TO the river, crossing it with
the loss of some stragglers and parts of
companies that were detached and lost their
way in the woods. u. II. Moore in tho
Philadelphia Weekly Times