The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-28
THE WAYNESBORO FIGHT,
And the Part the ed n. Y. Cav. Took in the
Affair

To THE EDITOR :, Some two or three num-
bers back in your paper InOticed some remarks
by the Editor, to most of which could heartily
subscribe, but not all. In speaking of the mill
tary record of Maj. Compson, of the Sth N. Y.
Cav, you say, in substance Col Compson is
well worthy of any Office or mark of honor and
confidence which may be bestowed upon him.
At the battle of Wayneslloro he charged with
his regiment over the breastworks, took the
battery playing upon it, and captured Early's
army with several BATTLE flags: was thank be-
fore the army after the battle by Gen. Sheridan,
and sent to Washington with the captured ban
ners, where he was again thanked and given
medal by Congress for his gallantry." Now,
Mr. Editor, do not wish to take away single
laurel gracefully worn and well and nobly
earned by gallant Maj. Compson and that I'M
quail tiedly brave regiment the Sth N. Y. Cav.
! would rather add to than detract therefrom.
have been personally witness to their brill-
ant action and splendid bravery in the van of
an engagement. l was as early on the ground
in the engagement you speak of rs any; was
on the staff of the 22d N Y Cav, Maj. Brown
commanding The 22d N. Y. and Sth N. Y.
were in line of battle in front of the breast
works and batteries of Gen. Earlys army $500
strong. with six brass pieces. Their artillery
played on us continuously while we sat in our
saddles awaiting the initial movement by the
fianking party ordered around to the right by
Gen. Custer In about 30 minutes that move
ment was completed aud announced to us by
rapid volleys upon the right. Then, side by side,
went the Sth and 22d through that unfathomable
sea of mud, and while many a gallant stayed
perforce," stuck in the mud, the majority swept
Oh to the breastwOrks. from which already most
of the enemy had fled, and still the 22d kept
even pace with its plucky rival for hOnOrs,
and made its fair share of captures, too. Gen.
Custer said to the Colonel of the 1st n. H.,
who was to command the troops going back
with prisoners land upon whose staff | was):
Colonel. l give you one of the regiments
the 22d N. Y.-that was largely instrumental
in securing us this victory and in making these
captures. You will probably have plenty of
fighting, but / have no fears that you will not
be equal to the OCCASION" And, indeed, such
proved to be the case; for from Staunton we
fought and skirmished nearly all the way to
Winchester. At the crossing of the Shenandoah
We had more stubborn fight than at Waynes-
boro, breastworks being thrown up command
ing all the fords but i'll due time the command
reached Winchester and turned over more pris-
oners to Gen. Hancock than were present when
it left Waynesboro. Capt Lusk, of Co. II, and
Lieut.. Brown, same company, 22d, were among
the very first men to mount the works,
Lieut. Brown and two of his men alone bring
ing in 80 prisoners. l say these things, Mr..
Editor, because many of my comrades in the
GAR, knowing that was the war correspond
ent of the Rochester Express. desired me to do
so that they, too. might have their fair share
of observation-disclosures SpERRY, Captain and
A. II. q. NJ, 22d u. Y. Cav, Lock port, Ill.