Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-04-08
Rebellion War Record.

Rebellion War Record.
We crossed the Potomac at Young S
Island Ford on the 25th of June and
proceeded thence through Frederick,
Md, to Hanover, Penn, which we
reached on the 29th. Stuart, with the
rebel cavalry, had not been idle. but
we did not know exactly where he
was. There had been change of di-
vision and brigade commanders. Gen.
Fitzpatrick was put in command of
the division, and Gems. Custer and
Farnsworth of the brigades. No
braver or better men ever sat in sad
dies. We were halted but not allow
ed to dismount at Hanover, for Stuart
was said to be both on our flank and
rear. The citizens had come out to
welcome us, and were supplying us
with all kinds of food, including deli
cacies we had not seen for many q
month. A young lady had taken me
in hand and was stuffiug lie with cake
and pie, and was in the act of putting
a wreath of flowers on my hat, when
a shell from one of Stuart's batteries
came whizzing in to admonish us that
it was time to forego the posy busi-
ness and bid adieu to the girls of
Hanover. Within the next two min
utes every woman and most of the
men went out of sight, and the boys
were wheeling into line to meet the
foe. Stuart was charging our men
but short distance in our rear. Gus
ter with the first brigade, Fitzpatrick
having gone on before us some miles,
arrived in the nick of time, and the
way he went in, and the way those
long yellow curls flew in the wind was
surprise to all who had not seen the
little chieftain in the hour of battle.
The rebs were driven back, but plant
ed themselves in good position out
side the town, where they had an ar
tillery duel with our batteries for two
hours. Stuart, finding himself at bay,
decided not to force the fighting, but
took long detour around by way of
York and did not reach Lees army
until the second day of the fighting at
Gettysburg.
Stuart's repulse at Hanover was no
doubt the reason his cavalry proved
of so little avail to Lee during the
great battle. We encamped that
night at Hanover, but started on a
roundabout course and reached Get
tysburg in the afternoon of July I'd
the second day of the battle. We
went to the extreme right of our
army where Custer made brave
charge with one of his regiments,
forcing the rebs back. The Vermont
ers were dismounted and went into
the picket line, but had no serious
fighting. In the morning we crossed
over to the other wing of the army.
In the afternoon of this bloody day
Gen. Fitzpatrick determined, if pos
sible, to turn the rebel fight. It was
an almost hazardous undertaking.
The rebel infantry was most strong.
ly posted under the intrepid Gen.
Hood and was we'll supported by ar
tillery. Col. Farnsworth, in command
of our brigade, after driving the reb-
ell pickets with some of the Vermont
cavalry, was asked by Fitzpatrick to
charge the rebel infantry lines.
Farnsworth demonstrated, knowing
the attempt foolhardy; but Kilpat-
rick insisted on the move, when the
brave Col. went in, making memoir
able fight, but lost his life with many
other valiant men.
This charge, SO far as / know, was
the last of the great battle. The next
day, after getting his division togeth-
er Fitzpatrick made speech in regard
to the brave men he had needlesslv
sacrificed by making the foolish at
temp to turn the rebel left flank with
few hundred cavalrymen. Fitzpatrick
started off again for the Potomac.
q To al, T
off his supply train and do great dam
age in this line, but was not quick
enough, and the defeated and dis
heartened army of Virginia passed /
the river with the loss of only few |
hundred captured near Williamsport.
Soon after crossing into Virginia, / |
was detailed with others to proceed /
to Vermont to act as recruiting agent,
with headquarters at Brattleboro
for about two months, returning to
find our regiment at Culpepper
Meade soon fell back and we went
into camp at Stevensburgh, where we
remained till March, doing quite Sc
we're picket duty all winter. My wife
made me quite long visit during the
winter, but returned when the roads
got in such condition as to permit of
active operations in the spring.
Our cavalry took part in Kilpat-
rick raid on Richmond, and after
over two weeks of dangerous and
wearisome work, returned by way of