Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-22
Gales aud sketfhes.
A Wild Night Ride.
ONE OF THE SwIFTEsT MILITARY MOVE.
MENTs ON RECORD.

one OF THE SwIFTEsT MILITARY MOVE
MENTs ON RECORD.
The best artillery march that was ever
made, in this or any other country" said
the major, as he settled in cool corner.
II took part in in June. 1868. When the
Army of the Potomac was at Fairfax court
house and vicinity, in that year, two OF
NV batteries, with one from another divis-
ion, were sent to Washington to replace
such guns, limbers, caissons, harness and
horses as were disabled tor field work.
This was at the time Lee was racing
for the Susquehanna, and 'Jeb' Stuart,
with his hard riders. made dash down
through Baltimore. The commanding
officer was sent for in haste about noon
June % BY Gen. Barry, chief of artillery
of the army. to report in person at once
at his office The office was over the
/ grocery at the corner of Nineteenth ST..
| and Pennsylvania avenue, and the conn.,
mander reported before p. NJ. Gen Bar
nv informed him briefly that Stuart. who
was the best cavalryman OF the Confed-
eracv, was rushing down for Baltimore
which was understood, except by few
militia, and that he had already passed
/ Frederick How long would it take to
| load his three batteries on the cars and go
/ to the relief of Gen. Schenck, at Balti-
more
Estimates were rapidly made as to
| time in bringing the command back to the
depot, loading the guns, limbers, caissons
and wagons-dismounted, on the platform
cars and the horses and men in box cars
- and run them over. 1t would
take sixty hours, even if the re-
quste number of cars could be OBJ
tanned at once Good God said Gen.
Barry, with half groan, that will be too
late The major thought rapidly for a
moment, making another estimate. and
suggested to Barry that the command
could march over in less than twenty four
hours in twenty at most. The general
objected that there was no force to send
along for support. not even regiment
that could be spared.
1.-The suggestion was made in answer
to this, that the road to Baltimore from
here, was like paved street for the whole
distance; that night would fall before the
command could get far beyond Laurel
station. There would be no moon. and
while passing along the section where
there might be danger, the noise made by
so large force of artillery, would natu-
rally lead to the belief in the mind of a
neighboring enemy, that there was at the
very least a full division of infantry in
support and further, that even if Stuart
or one of his lieutenants should risk max
ing one of his characteristic dashes, the
caissons and lmbers could be run off into
the ditch, the guns put in action to right
or left on the road, as the case demanded
and the fire of eighteen guns, handled by
veterans from the Sixth corps, would
break the attack all up.
The general sat looking the major right
in the face for a moment, thinking, and
and then said, "Will you try it p''
Give me orders, and I'll 60" was
answered Barry's face frightened as he
rose and shook hands, saving, Go
on; get your command pulled out,
and I'll send your orders | rush.
ed down stairs. swung into the
saddle, and telling the bugler to
follow. struck right through H street at
a gallop straight away for Camp Barry,
and thence out the pike to camp. Boots
and saddles was sounded and then officers
call, and then all hands were at once busy
in doing a quicker job of breaking camp
! than have ever seen before or since. In
much less than an hour the command had
pulled out along the road, making as long
line as a full brigade of infantry. and
almost at the same time Gen. Barry's chief
of staff rode up with the orders.
"Forwardm was sounded. and the
column at once moved off. The horses
and men were in the very best condition
after the week of rest and extra good
feeding, and moved along at rafting
| good pace, so that the eastern branch al
Bladensburg was soon reached and forded
and by Z O'Clock the brigade was parked
at the right and left of the road on the
south bank of Laurel creek.
Here we rested exactly one hour tC
the minute before the leading gun Of
Shows battery pulled out again on the
road. the time being occupied in watering
and feeding the horses. and allowing the
men to get coffee and such food as was
possible in the time. BY the time we
were well clear of Laurel station, mile
or mere beyond, it was dark, and in an.
other hour it was so intensely dark thai
nothing could be seen but the white glare
of the turnpike that guided the column or
the road.
The column was kept steadily moving
not man being allowed to mount the
timber chests until it was evident that the
rapid pace had played him out, and but
four halts were made until after daylight
when the line was halted Just at the edge
of Baltimore halt an hour after daylight
on the morning of June 26. The halls
were each brief. only long enough to
breathe the horses. All the night, officer:
had alternated in walking and riding, SC
that the saddle horses should be spared a:
much as possible.
During the whole night hardly mar
had been seen; the few villages we passed
were locked in sleep. The command
moved on the road. from near Fort Abra
ham Lincoln, just at 435 p. NJ, of June
25. 1868, and reported in person to Gen
Schenck at his headquarters in the John
son house, in Monument square, at A. sc
A. NJ. the morning of June 26. The dis
lance of very nearly forty miles had beer
made in twelve hours and fifteen minutes
and in eleven hours actual marching time
1t was, believe. the best march ever
yet made, and Baltimore was saved from
capture, for Stuart, who was then at Gov.
ernor Bradford's burned mansion lust
north of the city, heard of our arrival
almost as soon as Gen. Schenck did, and
gave up at once the idea of an attack.
/ Gen. Barry was notified of our arrival