The National tribune., 1888-05-24

it and soon send it flying to the rear. Gen.
BufoTd came along the line saying, Boys we
must hold this position until Reynolds comes
up or die in the attempt" We did hold it for
two long and dreadful hours. At last our am
muntion began to give out, our guns became
hot by rapid firing, and the rebels more des-
perate. We began to say, "0h, if Reynolds
would only comet" At last there is lull for
a few minutes. We see Gen. Reynolds and staff
coming across the fields in gallOp. Soon his
men come running and painting, poor fellows,
having double-quicked it for the last three
miles. Gen. Reynolds comes riding along our
line, and as he passes he smiles and praises US.
He soon has his men in line, and we were
ordered back to rest awhile. Gen. Butord
thanks us, and we are satisfied that we have
done our duty. But, alas! how many of our
brave comrades have fallen. We rest Tor
short time, supply ourselves with ammunition,
and then we 60 at it again. At about O'Clock
p. m of the same day we were put on the left
flank, and when the rebels made their final at
tack for that day and gained their greatest adj
vantage, met and held Lanes rebel brigade IN
check until we were ordered to fall back TO
avoid being surrounded On the ID and Sd we
were sent here and there as occasion demanded.
After those three days of terrific lighting, Lee,
seeing that the star of destiny had left him, and
that be was unable to fight any longer at Gettys-
burg. ordered a retreat. Then the cavalry had
q duty to perform, !. e., harass his rear and
we did. We kept him in trouble all the way
back to Richmond. We hung on his TANKS and
rear and made him disgOrge his iligOtten gain.
We captured his wagOn-trains and thousands
of his wounded men. oar brigade struck at
him at WiiliamspOrt Nd, on July ., where we
captured a part of a wagon-tran. We hit him
again at BoousbOro, Md, on the 9th and at
Fnnktown and Falling Water on the llth and
I4th Of July, thus following him across the
Potomac River. Again we iickled his flank at
Chester Gap July Z and %. This was the last
blow we aimed at him on this campaign. We
were then permitted to rest a while, but not
long, for some time in September Sept 22) the
cavalry was ordered to make a reconnaissance
in force from Madison Courthouse to Orange
Courthouse and Gordonsville, Va.
Lee could not be inactive very long, so in
October we find him making forced marches
trying to get In Meade's rear-that IS between
him and Washington, ID. G.. Leaving Hood to
press Meade in front and divert his attention
from the main point of attack, Lee fastened by
a circuitous route TO try TO reach the old Bull
Ran battlefield. and thus put himself between
Meade and the Capital. But the eyer-Vigilant
cavalry unearthed Lees movements and Meade
fell back with all due haste, reaching the old
battlefield Of Bull Run only 40 minutes in ad-
vance Of Lee. The cavalry being left to guard
Meades large wagon-train had heavy task to
perform.
Hood with his corps and Stuart with his cav
airy seemed determined TO have that train,
aud we were Just as determined that he should
not. The train when on the march was over
eight miles long. Our first battle on what was
called Meaaes retreat was night attack on the
rebel rihe-pits near Mitchel's Ford, R3pdau
River, Oct. 10, 1868; next at Stephensburg, Oct.
II, and Brandy Station, Oct. II, 1863. These
were no small affairs ! assure you, but regular
battles between our cavalry on one side and
the rebel cavalry and infantry on the other.
After that We had skirmishng all the way
from Bealet0n Station TO Bull Run plains, Oct. -
TO Oct. 70, 563 When Lee found himself check
mated be fell slowly back toward his old camp
ing ground, Meade following cautiously. Then
the Union cavalry had some more harrassing
to do, continuing from Thoroughiare Gap to
Rappahanuock Station, and lasting from Oct
1 p TO Oct. ., 1863 Soon after our old 18th Ill.
/ Cav. was sent home to veteranize. by order OF
| the War Department at Washington, ID. C.
4 have mentioned only the battles in which the
I old 18th took an active part. There were many
/ other battles in which the other divisions and
/ brigades were engaged, not mentioned here
I We fought side by side with brave men in Other
I regiments, among them the 81 Ind. Cav, 8th
/ III. Cav, 9Th ~ T. Cav, I'd Ne. Cav, and last
\ but not least, the I'd n. J. CAV. NJ. GARD
I NER, Sergeant, Co. L, 18th III. Cav.