Daily Yellowstone journal., 1886-11-28
MoSBY'S FIGHT AT cHANTILlY.
Strategy and Dashing bravery Too Much
for the Federals-A Chase

for the Federsls-A Chase.
The post at Chantilly was only two
miles from the camp of a division of
cavalry, and fianked by strong support
ing parties or each side. When l got
within two or three miles OF it,
turned obliquely off to the right in Or
der to penetrate, il possible, between
them and Centerville, and gain their
rear. But they were looking out for me,
and found there was no chance for
surprise. despaired almost OF doing
anything, but as did not want to go
back without trying to do something,
ordered few men to chase in the pick
cts, in hopes that this would drive their
main body out for some distance. They
did so, and several were killed and cap
tured. From high position l saw
the reserve mount, form and move up
the pike. regained the pike also, so as
not to be cut off. got ready to charge
as soon as they were near, although
did not have half their number,
when discovered another large body
of cavalry that had heard the firing COM
ing rapidly from the direction OF Fry
ingpan to re-enforce them. These were
more than l had bargained to fight in
the open, so / ordered retreat at trot
up the turnpike. was certain that they
would pursue rapidly, thinking l was
running away, and, by getting strung
out along the pike, would lose their ad-
vantage in numbers, and give me a
chance to turn and strike back.
Ny calculation was right. kept my
men well closed up, with two some dis
tance behind to give me notice when
they got near. l had just passed over
hill, and was decending on the other
side, when one of my men dashed up
and said the enemy was right upon me.
| looked back. but they were not IN
sight. could distinctly hear their loud
cheers and the hoofstrokes of their
horses on the hard pike. ! had either
to suffer stampede or make fight.
The cavalry officer is like the woman
who deliberates-she's lost. II l had
gone a step farther, my retreat would
have degenerated into rout. My horses
We're jaded by long days march, while
the enemy's were fresh. l promptly or
dered the men to halt, right about wheel
and draw sabers. 1t was all done in the
twinkling of an eye. Fortunately, just
at the place where l halted was an
abattis, formed of fallen trees, which
had been made by the army the year be-
fore. The men formed behind these,
as knew that when they darted out it
would create the impression on my pur,
surers that had drawn them into AN
ambuscade. As they stood there calmly
waiting for me to give the word for the
outset
"A horrid front they formed
Still as the breeze, but dreadful as the
Storm
Ihad no faith in the saber as a weapon.
only made the men draw their sabers
to prevent them from wasting their fire
before they got to closer quarters.
knew that when my men got among
them the pistol would be used. My sue
cess had been SO uninterrupted that the
men thought that victory was chained to
my standard. Men who got into fight
under the influence of such feelings are
next to invincible and are generally
victors before it begins. We had hardly
got into position before the the head of
the pursuing column appeared over the
hill, less than 100 yards off. They had
expected to see our backs, and not our
faces. 1t was rule from which, dur
ing the war. never departed, not to
stand still and receive charge, but al
ways to act on the offensive. This was
the maxim of Frederick the Great, and
the key to the wonderful success he won
with his cavalry.
At the order to charge, my men
dashed forward with yell that startled
and stunned those who were foremost
in pursuit. saw them halt, and /
knew then that they had lost heart and
were beaten. Before they could wheel
my men were among them. Those
who were coming up behind them, see
ing those in front turn their backs, did
the same thing. They had no idea
they were running away from the
same number of men they had been
chasing, My men had returned their
sabers to their scabbards, and the death
dealing revolver was now doing its
work. The Union. cavalry had as
sumed, as thought they would, that
my retreat had only been feiSned. to
draw them into trap. They could not
understand why l ran away just TO
run back again. They had no time to
ascertain our numbers or to recover
from the shock of their surprise in
finding US drawn up to receive them. |
never witnessed more complete rout,
or one with less cause for it.-John 8.
Mosby in Rosfon Herald