The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-11-27
SAVING THE NATION.
The Story CT the War Retold for Our
Boys and Girls.
BY "cARLEToS."
rcoPyrlGHTED.-ALL RIGHTS REsERvEDl
Ii


He had heard the first crashing volley, the
uproar growing louder and coming nearer.
He is quick to act. He must recall Sickles.
He must throw a force in front of Jackson.
His OWE old division, which he led at VII
liamsburg, at Fair Oaks at the second Bull
Run. at antietam, is in reserve. Gen. Berry
commands It. He ordered it to advance. 1t
comes into position in the fields west OF
Charlottesville.
The retTeating troops formed behind this
tried and faithful division; the SD Ohio,
SD IL, 26th Wis, 157th n. Y, and other
regiments halted, dressed their lines, and
stood ready to face the foe once more.
NINE O'CLOCK.
DAYLIGHT has faded 1t is o'clock. The
Confederates have driven in the Eleventh
Corps. but not without great loss. The
stubborn resistance on the ridge at Dow
dall's has made sad havoc in Jacksons front
line. which has become disorganized. Bri-
gades and regiments are in such confusion
that Jackson is obliged to halt to reform
them.
I" In the advance" says Gen. Colston, " the
formation of the troops became very much
confused, and different regiments, brigades,
and divisions became very much mixed up"
At this hour let US go down to Hazel
Grove, south of Jacksons position. The
cavalry brigade, under Gen. Devin, is there,
sent out TO support Sickles. There are three
regiments-the 9Th and 18th Pa. and 9th \.
Y, with Martins horse battery. Although
Gen. Devin commands the brigade, Gen.
Pleasonton, who commands what little cav
airy has been left by Stoneman, is the rank
ing officer.
1t was nearly sunset when messager in
formed Gen. Pleasonton that the enemy had
attacked the Eleventh Corps.
STH PA.
The Sth Pa has halted in the woods wait
ing for orders. Maj. keenan,, Capt. Dudley,
Adi't Haddock and Lieut.. Wells are under
tree playing cards.
Mount" is the order from Maj. Huey,
commanding the regiment.
"You have spoiled a good game by the
ORDER" said Maj keenan,.
The regiment is ordered to report to Gen.
Howard.
You will find him near Wilderness
Church" said Gen. Pleasonton.
No word of disaster has reached them.
They have heard nothing of the firing. They
drifting towards Charlottesville, OF that
Jackson's lines are advancing towards Fair
view. The column winds along the road.
Maj. Huey, Maj. Keenan,, Capt. Arrowsmith,
Lieut.. Carpenter and Adi't Haddock are in
front. The regiment is in good spirits. They
have seen the Confederates retreating, as
they suppose, towards Gordonsville Maj.
Huey has not informed even his brother
officers that the Eleventh Corps has been
attacked. They have no thought of an i'm
pending engagement. Their sabers are in
their scabbards, and the men are riding list
lessly. Twilight is fading. They are NOV
Aing northwest. They reach the plank road,
ghen suddenly they are confronted by the
yancing Confederate line.
There are moments in battle when men
must think quick and act upon the instant !;
when moments delay is fatal. What shall
bedone? Cavalrymen and Confederates alike
are astounded.
:" Draw saberI"
In an instant the bright blsdes CLEAN in
the fading light
"Charge,"
The spurs prick the horses sides. Down
the road pll ges the column-the horses
Etraining every muscle, the men instantly
comprehending the greatness of the moment,
lifting their sabers high in air. In a moment
they are upon the astonished Confederates,
who stand motionless and irresolute. The
horses tramp them down. Saber blows fall
thick and fast. Some of the Confederates
throw down their guns and raise their hands
beseechingly.
Recovering from their astonishment the
Confederates open fire, and horse and rider
tumble headlong For 100 yards the cavalry
column plows its way through the Con-
federate ranks before it loses its aggressive
force. Il is The work of three minutes, but
IN that brief period so horses have gone
down and 50 cavalrynen have been killed
and wounded, and nearly as many Confed-
crates
Among the slain are Mai. Keenan,, Capt
Arrowsmith and Adj't Haddock. The regi-
ment cuts It's way out and reaches the open
field at Fairview.
Without doubt this unprecedented en-
gagement had an important bearing upon
Jackson contemplated movements; not be-
cause any great thing was accomplished, but
1t was an attack from an unexpected quarter,
and there was no knowing what might be
behind it. 1t was an attack upon his right
flank, which made him cautious.
GEN. sICKLEs.
We are to keep in mind the fact that Gen.
Sickles was far out from the main line, pre-
pairing to fall upon Lees left flank.
The enemy have attacked Howard and
driven him IL" was the message sent to
Sickles
That can't be-" was the reply. He had
heard no firing. He fully believed that
Jackson was retreating, and he was getting
ready to double up Lees flank.
Return at once" was the order from
Hooker by second messenger.
While Gen. Sickless troops are making
their way back towards Fairview, let us see
what is going on there. Berry's Division is
coming into position; the troops of the
Eleventh Corps are forming behind it. Cen
Slocum IS facing the troops of the Eleventh
Corps towards the west. Down by Hazel
Grove is the artillery of Whipple's Division
and Martins horse battery. The Confeder-
ates are adyancing-Archer's Brigade swing
ing down towards Hazel Grove. Capt.
Huntington, Of the 1st Ohio battery, orders
the artillery into position, and p guns are
turned toward the west. No infantry is near
10 support the artillery. The COnfederates
emerge from the woods, but storm of can
lister sends them quickly to the shelter OF
the forest.
CORRECTING HISTORY.
Il has gone into most of the histories of
the war that Gen. Pleasonton rendered a
great service in rcpelling this advance of
the CoI.ederates. 1t rests On his testimony
before the Committee on the Conduct of the