The Republican journal., 1885-03-26
"Tne Bows IN a Fight 2,

line Boys IN Right y!
"REMINISCENCES OF THE MOST BRILLIANT
CAVALRY ENGAGEMENTS OF THE WAR;
BRANDY STATION.-ALDIE, MIDDLEBURY
AND UPPERvILLE.-THE 1ST MAINE CAvAL-
RY IN CRITICAL POSITION.
How our very nerves tngle with excitement
as memory turns nstinctively to the wood
crowned SUBMITS which encircle the sunny
plains of Brandy Station, and we recall the
weird, strange scenes and sights of that event.
ful morning which beheld the grandest, most
terrific cavalry sho ok of arms the western con-
tinent ever witnessed. The 2nd brigade of
Greggs division, under Windham, after a
brilliant assault, had been repulsed by an over
whelming force of the enemy, and its annihila-
ton seemed inevitable, when Fitzpatrick came
up with the 10th n. Y. and Harris Light''
which he quickly formed in echelon by squad
rons, and then flung them down upon the rebel
cavalry >warming on the plain below.
The 10th n. \. met and recoied before the
shock. Back. also, was hurled the Harris
Light" and Fitzpatrick was now wild with eX-
citemen' and almost beside himself with frenzy.
The l>t Maine Cavalry. acting as rear guard OF
the division. had not yet been engaged, and at
this moment debouched from the woods. form
ing >quadrons at the gallop. Fitzpatrick flew
to the head of our column, eXclaiming: ''COl.
DoutN, what can you do with your regiment" -
1 can tllNt lIt TpDt'lS 10 Uttl, Ttplleu lUt
brave Douty. and Fitzpatrick gave the order to
charge; and turning to our swiftly advancing
squadron>. he shouted: ''Men of Maine! you
must save the day!' The result give you
not in my own words, lest perhaps be accused
of Overdrawing the picture, but in the language
of Col. Moore of the 9th Penn. in "kilpatrck
and our Cavalry" (page 81 I'm one solid
mass this splendid regiment circled first to the
right, and then moving i'll straight line at d
run, struck the rebel column in flank. The
shock was terrific. Down went the rebels be-
fore this wild rush of maddened hcrse and bit
ing Sabres. On rode the men of Maine, and as
they passed the Harris Light and 10Th n. Y :.
now relieved from the attack in front. Kill
palrick'> voice rang loud and clear, Back the
Harris Light. Back the 10th n. u. Reform
your >quadrons and charge!' The hill was
won; Windham's guns lost in the first charge
recaptured. and the day was saved!''
\ few days later came the engagement al
Aldie, whose blood-stained heights are forever
enshrined in our Soldierlv memory by the prod
igies of Valor there performed. and by the death
OF our impetuous and gallant Douty and the
brave Sunmat. AT ! O'Clock on the morning OF
the 18th of jane, 1868, the First Maine Cavalry
under command of Col. Douty left Union
MlIl>. and marching over the old Bull Run bat
tIetield. % miles under a broiiing sun and amid
clouds OF sutfocating dust, reached Aldie while
the battle Was gong on arriving, too, at 8
critical luncture, when our troops were being
Oh the north side of the town, was IA high swell
of open ground intersected in every direction
by stone walls. Our infantry, in attempting to
carry this position, had been steadily repulsed
during the day by the enemN's murderous fire
and the first brigade of cavalry was now being
gradually forced back by overpowering num-
bers. On reporting to Gen. Gregg, Col. Douty
was directed to proceed with his regiment to a
position designated on the left, or south, of the
town. but before arriving there he was recalled
in haste. Wheeling about. the regiment re-
turned at The galop. left in front. and was i'm
mediatey ordered to charge. The spectacle of
cavalry charge in open field, is both grand
and awful, and this one was rendered especial
ly so. by the disparity of numbers and the diff
culie> of the position. On reaching the point
designated, a disheartening spectacle was pre-
sented to our view. The first brigade was
broken and dl>organized, and the field and the
day seemed lost. There was rot "a man in the
ranks but could see at a glance the peril of the
undertaking. yet such was the discipline of the
regiment, and such their confidence in them
selves and thci commander, that they advanced
a> ii on parade, and as our gallant colonel gave
the order to charge, three hearty cheers from
b, invincible troopers altested their readiness
to follow their ilon-hearted leader to the death.
The enemy's guns on the crest of the Hill cover
ed nearly every inch of the ground. The stone
walls Were lined with rebel ritlemen, eX posing
our men to a shifting cro>s-tire at every point.
'
WAS trembling in the balance-they felt that
this was the turning point of the battle.--that
II they failed now, all was lost. Back rushed
our men of the first brigade in wild confusion,
and ON came the Victorious rebel horsemen.
Fitzpatrick saw with anguish his fiving SOL
ders. but sending orders for the centre and
left 10 stand firm and for Randall to double
shot his guns, he waited the oncoming of the
old First Maine, which was da>hing to
the rescue. and his confidence in US was fully
justified when, IA moment later, our gallant
troopers, ntryed with daunte>s determination
to conquer. and with a shout heard above the
thunder of artillery and the roar of musketrv.
with re>l>lleSs lmpetuOSity swept up the hill
like ii whirlw Wind, in the face of that terrible
storm of lead and iron. The stone walls were
oVer-leaped, the summit was won. the enemy
Was hurried aside, and the field was ours, In
the words of the historian already quoted, (6S
p.) The same regiment that saved the day at
Brandy Station wa> destined TO save the day at
Aide. Ro>ser's men could not withstand the
charge but broke and fed But the shouts of
victory were hushed in the presence OF our IT.
reparable loss. and in the depths of our person
Ill grief, for Douty had fallen at the head of hi,
command, a glorious close Of noble life
>!ch an end as he would have coveted above all
others.
Comrades, do you remember Uppervle: Half
the long day had our troops vainiy struggled to
carry Tie town. Hour after hour had our in
the position. and each time recoiIed before the
stubborn defence OF the rebel foe. Efforts
equally gallant, equally futile. were made by
the disciplined >quadr0ns of the regular bri-
gade and by the troops of kilpatrick'> division,
unlll. at last. wearied by the delay and irritated
by repeated failures. the corps commander eX-
pressed his dissatisfaction TO Fitzpatrick, who
replied. Gen. Peasanton. there is one regi-
mtnt in the corps that can carry the town.
Give me the First Maine Cavalry, and I'll do
it, and Plea>anlon directed Gen. Gregg to
send The First Maine to Fitzpatrick.
Gen. Gregg protested against the order say
ing hat the regiment had been in the forefront
of The lighting for several days and he had lust
put 1t IN The reserve. Pea.anton replied some
what curtly, at is my order, sir' and the
First Maine reported to Fitzpatrick. and receiv-
ed orders To "charge the town, drive ont the
enemy and, if possible, get beyond AS we
passed corps headquarters with three ringing
cheers. Fitzpatrick turned TO Gen. Peasanton
and III his peculiar tone, remarked. THAT
FIRST MAINE CAVALRY WOULD CHARGE
STRAIGHT INTO HE'LL, If THEY WERE ORDER
ED TO-
Col. Smith Immediately formed his regiment
with sabreS drawn and despite the protest of
officers and men. put himself at the head of the
attacking column. In the middle of the single
wide street down which they must pass was a
large brass hoWiZer loaded with canister but
our men had seen such things before, and were
III Ho WAY tStOuCtTltu DN lHt prospect. / he
regiment advanced steadily, while every man
gathered his br,!le rein and held his sabre with
tirmer grip. and with tightly compressed lips
the First Maine moved down upon the foe
Suddenly the order "CHARGE." and forward
sprang the great column as the quvering arrow
is launched from the tightly drawn bow Never
mind the artillery! never mind the cannisters
never mind the rebel musketry! On, on, over
the gun. crushing the supports, down through
the town they sweep. SMITH leads the way and
the First Maine Cavalry will win or die Up
PERvILLE WAS CARRIED! From an address
Of the late Major j. ID. Myrck
"Morg' and "Morgew"
YOUNG MAN WHO WAS pARALYZED ON AC-
COUNT OF \ NEIGHBORHOOD DISAGREE
MENT.