The National tribune., 1885-09-17
KILPATRICK'S CAVALRY
AT the Battle of Gettysbur-.

To THE EDITOR: Gen. Fitzpatrick was as
signed to the command of the Third Division
of Cavalry shortly after entering Maryland. The
division was composed of two brgades-First
Brigade 1st VT, 1st w. Va. 18th Pa, I'd n. Y.
and 5th n. Y. Cav. The First Brigade was
commanded by Gen. Farnsworth. The Second
Brigade was composed of the 1st, 5th, 9th and
9TH Mich. Cav, and was commanded by Gen.
Custer.
Our first fight under Fitzpatrick was at Han
over, Pa, quite a nice village. As we passed
through the people met US with sandwiches
and coffee, which was quite a contrast from the
way we were in the habit of being received in
Virginia towns. The 18th Pa Cav. was in the
rear and was attacked by Stuart's Cav. and
driven in, when the 5th N. Y, which was next
to them in line, formed, and, led by the gallant
Col. Hammond, drove the enemy out. Gen.
Fitzpatrick got the division in shape, and after
quite sklrmiSh Gen. Stuarts raiders were glad
to get away. There were quite q number
killed and wounded on both sides. We cap
tured As prisoners including Lieut.-Col. Payne,
and the colors of the 18th Va. Cav. Among our
killed was Adj't Gaul, Of the 5th N. Y. Cav, a
gallant officer, who rose from the ranks. The
9Th N. Y. received great praise from the citi-
zens of Hanover for this days work. The di-
vision bivouacked that night just outside the
town, and next day marched to Berlin, where
we remained all night Next morning July
y we reached Gettysburg. We marched to
Hunterstown, on the extreme right, where we
engaged the enemy, and had a severe fight.
We remained here until midnight, when we
returned, and were ordered on the extreme left
flank of our army, where we arrived about a.
N. Oh the morning of the Sd. Here we found
two brigades of Gen. Longstreet's infantry,
with battery of artillery, which kept us quite
busy all day. About p. our First Brigade
was ordered to charge in the woods, whore the
enemy had a battery. Gen. FarnswOrth thought
1t was useless 10 go. Gen. Fitzpatrick offered to
60 in his place, but Gen. Farnsworth said if his
brigade charged he should lead them. Tho
charge was made and we were driven back with
severe loss. Gen. Farnsworth was killed. He
had seven balls through his body. He was a
young man. and well loved by his men, though
he had not been with US long. Gen Fitzpatrick
in his official report, says: In this charge fell
the brave FarnswOrth. Short and brilliant was
his career. On the 29th of June promoted to
Brigadier- General on July baptized his star
in blood, and on the Sd, for the honor of his
brigade and the glory of his corps, he yielded
up his noble life" Before the sun went down
1t was evident that the Union troops were vic
tOrious, and We rested that night on the field
SO dearly won. Next day July A. we were Or
dered to capture the enemy's wagon train,
which was making for the Virginia shore,
loaded with plunder from the stores and gran
cries of Pennsylvania. We came up to them
about midnight on the summit of the South
Mountain, and succeeded in capturing the en-
tire train Of about 200 wagons and 1,700 prison.
ers, including one General. We arrived at Ha-
gerstown July 6, where we had q fight, and
fell back. II. A. Smith, Co. d, 9Th N. Y. Cav,
was cut off in the town, but was hidden by cit
izen for a week, the enemy occupying the town
during that time. The next day (the 7th) re-
moved to Boonsboro and bivouacked. July
We were attacked by Gen. Stuart, and quite a
hard battle was fought, lasting nearly all day.
Our division captured six pieces of artillery.
July IL we marched to Hagerstown, again
drove the enemy out, and occupied the town.
July Ia we were ordered to Falling Waters, on
the Potomac, where part of Gen. Lees army was
crossing into Virginia, and had quite little
skiGmish there. Maj Weber, with part OF the
9th Mich. Cav, charged the breastworks and
captured them. Gen. Pettigrew, in command
of the enemy at this point, was mortally
wounded. We captured about ] 800 prisoners.
This was a hard campaign on men and horses,
marching and fighting nearly every day.-GEo.
w. Tons, Sergeant, Co. h, 5th n. Y. Cav,
Stamford, Conn.