The National tribune., 1886-11-25
BRANDY STATION.
COmrade WIles, 10th n. Y. Cav, sabered BY q
Marylander.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Being one OF
your many subscribers, / think / can say that
you have none who appreciate more than L
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE and the articles writ
ten by participants in the late war. l was
much interested in the article by G. w.
Wiles 10th y. Y. Cav, on Treyillian and
Brandy Station. The former did not partci-
pate in, but the latter did. Ny company lost
its Captain aud three men. My horse was
killed in one of the charges and was made a
prisoner.
Comrade Wiles says in substance: "0n the
morning of June 9, 1863, our camp near War
renton Junction was astir, with something
more serious than foraging. etc. The line of
march was toward the familiar Rappahannock.
the sound Of firing toward Beverly Ford indi-
eating that Gen. Gregg was having hot time
IN crossing. Our column pushed on 10 Brandy
Station. About noon Gregg Joined us and the
battle of Brandy Station was in full blast"
Now for my SAY" and if there are any sur
yivors OF the LIST n. J. Cav, 18th ILL., Cav. and
LIST Nd. Cav. they will bear me out in it.
On the evening of June s the above three regi-
ments of Greggs Division, commanded by Col.
Percy Windham, of the LIST n. j., broke camp
at Warrenton junction and marched to kelly's
Ford. Arriving there just at dark, we were or
dered 10 make no fires or noise. At sunrise of
the 9th Buford's guns-not Greggs-were
heard. We commenced crossing, and while
the rear of Stuart. A section of battery was in
position before gun was fired on COM
mand. My horse was killed at about 10 a. m,
and the loss in the company occurred before
that. So, If Comrade Wiles broke camp the
morning of the 9Th" our brigade was across
and engaged before he arrived at the ford See
what Swintons Army of Potomac" says, page
3l3:
Gen. Peasonton, with two divisions of cavalry
under Buford and Gregg. supported by infantry,
crossed the Rappahanuocll at Kelly 5 and Beverly
fOrds 10 Brandy Station. Crossing at Beverly
Ford Buiord Immediately encountered a Confed-
crate brigade under Jones, aud later Lee and Hamp-
tom but presently Stuart was compelled To draw
of To lace another force threatening his rear. This
threat came from the column under Gregg, which
had crossed at kelly's Ford aud advanced toward
Brandy Station, its progress being disputed 10y
llobeTson's Confederate Brigade. spirited pass
age AT arms took place for the possession OF the
nights. which were at length carried by Gregg.
Does this sound as if Gregg was at Beverly
Ford? Or does il look as if he came on the
field at noon? j say that at the crossing of the
ford IN the morning there was not a gun fired ;
for the evening of the 9Th / watercd my horse
at the ford and the next morning the command
crossed without opposition. We captured the
pickets in the timber, before we arrived on the
plain i'm the rear of Stuart. without firing a
shot. That is how we came so unexpectedly
in their rear. j will not forget the gallant
charges made by the LIST n. J. Cav. through the
brush fence on the hill and up TO the house
that was full of the enemy firing from doors
aud windows
So, Mr.. 10th n. Y, this all happened long be-
fore noon, and il was done by the above-named
regiments of Gregg's cOmmand.-WM. G. PAR
KER, First Sergeant, Co. L, LIST Md. Cav, Spring
field, Ill.