Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-09-17

the horses OF the limbers. The men
sprang forward with yell and were
soon among the guns, which were desert
ed by their gunners. l then discovered,
about two hundred yards back, along
the woods, a regiment of Federal cavalry
forming in squadron front. Directing
the men to open on them, endeavored
10 run the guns of by hand, having no
charges for them, when my attention
was drawn to the second regiment, COM
ing from another direction and forming
in hot haste. now turned in the direc-
ton of base TO look for my support.
With the exception of some dozen OF my
wounded men, limping in the rear,
there was not Confederate soldier In
sight. The view was unobstructed for
a mile to the rear. then perceived
that | had stirred up hornets nest
and big one, too. Isolated aud alone,
on foot, at least one mile in advance OF
our reserves, with less than one hun
dred and twenty men, confronted by at
least two regiments of mounted men,
our situation was any thing but comfort
able, and determined to make the best
OF our situation. But knew the mettie
of my men. Rallying and closing the
men on the centre, ordered right about,
Ill al
hundred and fifty yards from the guns
which We relinquished when the first
two squadrons Of the enemy came thun-
dering down on us.
ANOTHER BRAVE STAND.
Ordering halt, right about, waited
an instant, and with steady, well'di-
rected fire in .heir faces checked their
headlong charge, throwing them into
disorder and emptying some saddles.
Then taking advantage Of their confn-
sion, my line wheeled and were going
again at the donble. quick, loading as
they ran. The Federals, who were
Clusters men, reformed their line, and
reinforced it by what appeared to me TO
be about three squadrons. The battery
we had just left uninjured was again
manned and shot and shell were poured
into us, apparently doing their mounted
men as much harm and damage as 1t
did US. No aid appeared for us, no
friendly horsemen In sight to aid us in
our desperate attempt to regain our
lines. The men were brave aud cool,
oboying my orders with the precision
of the parade ground, but we're becom-
ing exhausted; occasionally one would
drop from the line, either killed or
wounded. The enemy was not fighting
with his usual spirit and energy. There
was no reason why they should not
have annihilated my little band alone
and unsupported as we then were. Soon
again they came OIL us with their sabres
glittering in the bright sunshine. Again
| ordered halt, and wheeling about
face gave them second volley, with
the same result as the first. Seeing
fence a short distance of, | ordered the
men to take and hold 1t. BY the time
nv line was formed behind the fence
the enemy were on us, and with this low
fence between us desperate fight took
place. Clusters men had now warmed
up to the work. We were too much eX-
hausted TO retreat further. Many OF
the enemy forced their horses over the
fence to be either shot down or knocked
from them with the butts of our car
bines. The fighting here was fierce
and terrible. They demanded our snr-
render, and we telling them to go to that
speculative region generally supposed
to be even hotter than TIE plains OF
Gettysburg then were. My men did
not have time to reload their carbines,
but were using them as clubs to ward
of the sabre thrusts.
DELIvERER APPEARS.
This state Of affairs could not lat
long, though both sides seemed deter
mined to fight it out to the death, when
suddenly the noble and commanding
figure OF Wade Hampton, with his col
ors i'm his hands, at the head OF his
column, came up like the wbirlwind.
| hailed him as our deliyerer, but just
as lac came to where was shell struck
his horse, and exploding severely
wounded him. The general was carried
bleeding from the field. Next the dash
ing Young, leading the Cobb Legion,
rushed upon the scene, very thunder
bolt of war. At this charge Custer's
people broke and were swept back for a
considerable distance, when they In
turn were reinforced by another regi-
ment from Gregg's Division. Being
now rescued and relieved hastily re-
formed my men and again advanced On
the right Of the Cobb Legion, who were
engaged in hand-to-hand sabre night.
We FASTENED to aid those who had just
saved us by their charge, forming on
their right and filing the space between
them and Chambliss' left. Gregg at
once hurled other fresh regiments Ia On
the right of Clusters men. These were
In turn met aud checked By the JEFF
Davis Legion, assisted on their left by
:he North Carolina Cavalry, which
charged in gallant style. Still other
Federal regiments came laundering In
on our left, extending the line Of battle
still further in that direction. IL was
now Fltz Lees opportunity. That grand
old brigade came up wit. the sabre, each
regiment charging in succession, meet
ing the enemy midway between the
woods on our left and his battery and
checking any further movement on the
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