The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-02-18
AFTER THE WILDERNESS.
Mai. Gen. Fitzhugh Lees Cavalry-A
Brave Artillery Officer.

Mai. Gen. Fitzhugh Lees Cavairy-A
Brave Artillery Officer.
When Gen. Grant came over with his
hammer to batter the tough earthen
anvil in May, 1854, it was Maj. Gen. Fitz
Lee, as much or more than anybody else,
who prevented disastrous result after
the battles of the Wilderness. Stuart as
signed to his division the duty of OBJ
structing the Federal advance to
Spottsylvania Court House, and during
all the long hours of the night the young
officer obstinately resisted the Federal
progress with barricades and the crack
sharpshooters, falling back only to make
another stand, until time was given Gen,
Lees infantry tooccupy the line of the
Pc. Had it not had time to do so, Gen.
Grant would have interposed between
Leo and Richmond, the Confederate capi-
tai must have fallen, since there was no
force to protect it, and that this result
did not follow the rapid movement of
Gen. Grant southwark was due to the
soldiership of Gen. Fitz Lee and his
cavalry. .-
It is impossible in a brief article to;
give an adequate idea of this obstinate
fighting of Lees division between the
Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court
House. The cavalry and horse artillery
seemed to die rather than yield foot,
and when under orders they sullenly fell
back, it seemed, under bitter protest. A
single incident will give some idea of the
animus of Gen. Fitz Lees men, which he
related to me.
The cavalry had fought step by step
and had been ordered to fall back on
S.,ottsylvania Court House. Two pieces
of horse artillery were posted to cover the
retreat, and near them were seated on
their horses Gen. Fitz Lee and Maj.
Breathed, one of the bravest Of all Stu
arts brave artillerists. A line of Federal
sharpshooters was advancing on the guns,
and Gen. Lee said: ---...'
9Give them a round OF canister,
Breathed." .... ..
The guns thundered, sweeping the
slope, but the skirnisl.ers bravely con-
tinued to advance; and what was worse,
q line of infantry advanced to support
them. To remain longer was to lose the
guns and Gen. Fitz Lee exclaimed:
Take off the guns, Breathed!"
IA few more rounds, general, Breathed
pleaded, and turning to the gunners,
"Giye them canister!" he shouted. ';'-1-
Look out for your guns, Breathed!
Bring them off," Gen. Lee ordered, turn
ing his horse. -.
Timber to the rear!" was the order,
and one Of the guns went off at gallop.
The Federal infantry were now only a
= fe,y~yssslsofss and the second gun seemed
lost. Surrender the gun!" they shouted,
to which Breathed replied with a last
round of canister, and imbering up at
tempted to take the gun off. As he did
80 the drivers were shot one after an
other and fell from their horses, some of
which were also shot and fell in their
traces. Breathed cut the animals from
the traces, mounted one of the wheel
horses, and, striking them with his sabre,
brought off the gun in the midst of a
shower of bullets, from which, as Gen.
Lee said, 4he miraculously escaped un-
harmed 1t was by means of this reck-
less fighting that Gen. Grants column
was delayed il its advance and Gen. Lee
was enabled to- reach the court house and
occupy the line of the Po before the ar
rival. of his adyersary.-John Esten
Cooke in Philadelphia Times. -.