Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-21
A BRILLIAN { CHARGE
In which the Late Capt. WaIdhauer
Played the Leading Part.

In which the Late Capt. Waldhauer
Played the Leading Part.
AS one who rode beside Capt. Wald-
hauer in the charge in Inc streets of Fred
erick City, Md, on Sept. II, 1862, it is but
just to his memory to give a more explicit
account of the affair.
Gen. Lee in retiring toward and beyond
South Mountain, for the investment of
Harper's Ferry, had directed Gen. Stuart,
as far as he could, to impede McClellan's
advance On Sept. Il, 1852, the rear guard
of Stuart's troopers defended until D.
m. the fords of the MOnOcacy against the
advance guard of the Army of the POto-
mac, and about the hour named, were
fianked aooVe and below and rapidly. but
orderly retired through and beyond Fred
eTick. A provost guardcOmp0sed OF tWen-
ty-tour men and two officers, detailed from
Hamptou's brigade, polieed the city, and
were Unexpectedly made the rear guard
Of the Confederate forces.
Lieut.. Waldhauer had drawn up this
detachment, and was just about leaving
the town when the Federal column dashed
into the street. The citizens welcomed
the Federal cavalry with every demon
stratiOn Of joy. Windows and doors ex-
hibited their white banners, from hand
kerchief TO bed sheet,
To have retired with the Federal caVal
nv upon their heels would have resulted
in disaster. The only alternative was to
meet them. Ordering the detachment
"by fOurs, right about Wheel" the left was
thrown IN front. The movement caused
the Federals to halt, and instantly to open
fire with pistols and earbines. Gen. Hamp-
ton, who was present. promptly ordered
Lieut.. WaldaaueF to charge the enemy.
Adjusting himself with GOODNESS as If
on drill, he turned to his detachment and
quietly commanded, "Attention! draw
saDres, horses we'll in hand, forward
march,; then forty PAGES further on, "trOt,
march," then ''gatlOp, march," and al
most at the same time, "Chargep AS
soon as the Federal column noted the
movement they redOUbled their lire, but
before the Confederate troopers reached
them the head or their column
doubled in upon the column
and the whole were thrown into con.
fusion which left them at the mercy OF
their assailaBts (and there is not much
time for mercy in cavalry charge) J.
Down rode the Confederate troopers upon
the demoralized enemv, and piled sabre
and pistol with rapid effect. so sure was
the Federal commander of finding the
Confederate troops in hasty retreat, that
he had his cannon charged with canister,
prlmed ana Win lanyard ADJUSTED, ready
to unl4mOer ana pour the load into the re-
firing troopers. 10 the r0ut that ensued
a Federal troopers foot became entangled
In the lanyard, aud fired the charge into
their own ranks with fearful effect. The
result OF this brief but brilliant charge
was the capture OF ab0utfiiteen prisoners,
including the brigade commander, and
the killing aud wounding ofas many more.
Mai. Mcclellan, Ia his recent "Cam-
paigns OF Stuarps Cavalry" states the
Federal forces as Two squadrons OF cavalry
and the rhirtieth Ohio Infantry. Capt.
Waldhauer's detachment drove the Fede.
rails out and beyond the town and rode
over their artillery, but as the artillery
horses were nearly all shot down, he was
unable 10 bring tbe piece Oh.
His GODDESS aud cOufage well merited
the comuiehdat1Ou' OF bis brigade com.
mander, under whosefmhiediatep presence
the chargelwas 0nlered aud made.
When the,numbera engaged are Consid.
cred, aud the preBtlfe given 20 the Federal
column ia Tie reception by the town PEG.
pie. this acton viii take rank in bril-.
liancy ana elan with Others Of more preien.
tlous size. "A gsitsnJgold has gone "a
the "mystic encmpmeat.Y Peace to mis-
ashes. PERT.