The National tribune., 1888-05-24

ia y
~ 81 y ward-June 25, 1863
= ~ - Duties an q Stahls
- - were united, and con-
stituted the Third Di-
vision. under Gen. JadsOn Kilpstrick. The
First Division. Gen. Buford commanding
consisted of three brigades-Gamble's Deyinss
and Merritt's The First Brigade was composed
of three regimeuts-Sth H. Sd Ind. and l2th
Ill, if my memory serves me correctly.
ID 10 this time the theater of war was not
considered very favorable Tor cavalry. Men ac-
Customcd to the use Of both horses ana arms
were verv few IN the North, while in the South
men had been accustomed TO both all their
lives. and to the very end the best blood IN the
land rode after Stuart, Hampton and the Lees.
The strength Of the Union Cavalry Corps was
estimated at 5000 while the Confederate corps
numbered over 10000 effective men.
Early In June, 1868, Gen. Hooker ordered
Pleasouton 10 20 TO Culpeper and " beat up
Stuart. and learn, if possible, the position Of
Lees army June found Pleasonton with his
cavalry II WarrentOn junction, where he re-
manned uutil the 9th, when he ordered Bntord
to cross the RappahannocE at beverly FORD
and Greg and Dufiie at kely's Ford Alter
crossing The river ali were ordered to march for
Brandy station.
Brandy Station Is situated about halfway be-
tween the Bappahaunock River and Culpeper,
and about five miles distant from both. A few
hundred yards north Of Brandy Station IS Fleet
wood 1851 - commanding position. Gen
Greag found this position occupied by the enc
my. and some terrific Sighting drove them
away The enemy. receiving reiufoTcements
returned. aid drove Gregg from the position
and so they both kept il up for nearly the whole
day-frsI one would have il aud then the
other.
We win now leave Gregg and his men fight
ing like the devil and Tom Walker. and look
for Bufori and his men,
At davAreak ButOrd crossed and drove the
enemy uckets back 20 ST. James's Church,
where STUART was with the main body Of his
cavalry. Buford attacked him vigorously, and
gained ground steadily all day. The rebels
fought desperately, but Buiord was there TO
stay.
Right here I viii state, without danger
OF c0nt1a LECTION. that Gen. BufOrd was one Of
the very best Generals we had. He had not
the dash OF some other leaders, but his stay
ing qualities" more than compensated for that.
We felt assured when he had command that
we would not be called upon u 20 where he
would nc, lead and that he would not expose
rs to u.fueres sFv danger for the mere gain Of
glory for himself. de was cautious but sure,
and never threw away the lives Of his men for
nothing He was brave. but not to rashuess
lie was very popular with the boys, as much 50
Is Pap Thomas OF the West / have seen
him on the skirmish-line with the men, ell
couragiag them to " 20 forward and " hold
fast" have seen him with bis shirt OF Skin
mishing for gravbacks with the boys, too.
But must resume.
The First Families Of Y Virginia boys had their
match that day. il was nip and tuck " all
day long In one OF the charges Gen. w. H.
i. Lee was wounded IN front Of BufOrd. Some
time curing the afternoon Gen. Pleasonton,
having "a ptured some important orders and dis
patches belonging to the COnfederates con-
sideref BIS mission accomplished. and ordered
the WIT Of his entire command, which
was eleclcd leisuTely and without moesta-
sion. and at sunset the river again flowed be-
tween the opposing forces.
This had been, IN the main, q true cavalry
battle, which settled the question Of
BoE-sU PERIoRITY OF TIE REBEL CAVALRY
over ours.
In this respect, If no other the battle was
an important one. The Union cavalry remain
ed at NarFentoH Junction a few days, and then
was on he march again.
The 18th OF June found Stuart's cavalry
at Aldse, whore q fierce battle took place, Ia
which the Union cavalry were victorious
During the next four days there was con
tiauai frlt g0ingon. The battle near Middle
burg on the 18Th OF june was well contested
Al UpPerville Oh the zisJ Of June another ter
TiHc z-tfle was fought. when Stuart, finding
that be- could not gain any advantage, Tetrc2ted
After tnls the divisions were sent out on dif
fereBt routes and did theIr work separately fo
Some tiac.
Ny object in this sketch is 10 follow the oll
18TH Il iH its battles and skirmishes. As
have stated before, We we're put in the Firs
Brigade with the 9Th H. and ID Ind: Col
Gamble ~ the Sd, commanding the brigade
Col. Gau.aie just suited US for he was as IN
pretending as any old farmer, but drawer MAJ
never lived. He aud BulOrd were our idols
After leaving UFperviile Buf0rd's Division
Rugged tie Blue Ridge Mountains on the els
until j. reached the Potomac River AT Edwards
$50
June p % Frederick City Nd BufoTd stoppe
there long enough TO hang rebel spy or two
On June % he was al B0Onsb0ro on the Zgl
Al EmmittsbuFg, and on the afternoon Of I'd
Both rclc- ed Gettysburg. We found Getty;
burg Ocru H.ed by the rebels belonging 10 Ger
PettigTcu's Brigade who retired at our az
preach The citizens were very much rejoice
70 see us. and the ladies sang, waved thei
handkercliefs, and threw kisses to Us froI
every w.nd0w and balcony IN the town.
BufOrd seeing the Importance Of this pos
ton, assigned Gen. Devinss Brigade 70 Ii
country north OF the town, and Candles /
that ives. ln very short time our pickle
line extended along the east bank Of a crcel
from below a road running southwest tOwar
HagersLoWE, 70 the railroad cut northwes
and then east 20 another creek As ] hay
never been on the ground since the day OF tt
battle, co not remember the names Of tho.
creeks. Euf0rd sent out scouts on every ros
-
sent % Gen. Reynolds at Emm1tsburg, il
forming lim Of the condition Of things at la
time. We saw Lees pfFos northwest Of
about e Eht miles soon after midnight on q
1st Of Jglyi aHd we knew that his being up
early meant business: but we did not drea
that bis business would be with US f0r I
thought Dr. was on his way 70 Harrisburg +
We were Oh the alert, however. and about
O'Clock q. m. we saw a Teael Gag IN the far
t2nce coming toward us, and in less than O
hour from that time the first shot was fired
the advancing rebel column, which was az
near a. hand
II rera eu4ber correctly, IL was one Of the 6
H. cavalry boys that
FIRED THE FIRST SHOT,
for part of that regiment was on picket tn,
BulOFd ordered Gamble 20 hold his position
possible until Gen. Reynolds command cor
reach Us Bul0rd sent word TO REYNOLDS q
We were attacked by the enemy in force. "a
that DE would hold fast. if possible, IN
be lkeEu5idsj arrived. Gamble soon had us
dismOUutcd and ia line and then began one
the hardest battles of the war and might S
OF the world. for the battle Of Gettysburg Is
considered by good authority. The Union e
airy had proven itself more than q match
tie relic cavalry, and now il was 10 be DEM
stIate3. and that thoroughly. too, that il co
successfully compete with double its number
Tebe. iI.4 utTy. ] say this without Boosting
CORE statement OF the facts viii prove
assertions The rebels tried again aud az
20 drive us from the field, but ia vain.