The National tribune., 1890-05-29
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON D. g. THURSDAY MAY 49, 1890

| from his horse. He sat up on the ground, and,
though partially blinded by the blood, with in
domltable pluck fred il is said, first at his own
retreating troopers, and then empted his re-
volver at the enemy on the opposite side of the
| river.
While this was going on Gen. AvorelI had
! placed himself on little knoll to the left of
| the head of his column, aud from this point
| overlooked and directed all subsequent opera
tons He perceived that the enemy had dis
| mounted large number of his men and thrown
| them into n well-cOnstruCted rile-pit which
! thoroughly commanded the ford. The river at
! this point, ut this stage of water, is about 800
| feet wide. In addition TO the rife. pits the
enemy had thrown trees into the road on both
sides, and on the right bank had driven stakes
into the ground, interlacing them with brush
in such manner as TO prevent horses from
! getting out of tho ford at all.
| The left bank of tho river is travcrsed for o
short distance by sunken road, having been
worn away to the depth of about three feet by
long usage Into this Gen. Avcrell directed
the placing of 100 men, dismountod. with orders
to keep up a constant fire on the rifle pits oppo-
site with view TO preventing the men therein
from rising to take aim when they fred OF
course tho battery which had now come up
WOULD HAVE MADE SHORT WORK
of the deGenses behind which tho enemy
crouched, but the Gonoral wished to exhaust all
other means in efforts TO cross before using it.
ms the sound from his guns would have ap-
priscd Lee in his camps of the precise place at
which tho crossing was being made, as we'll rs
of the magnitude of the expedition. of both Of
which no was ignorant until the whole COM
mand had passed over.
The pioneers (axmen) of the brigade were now
ordered forward 10 clear away tho distractions
on one side of the river, under the command of
Lieut.. ID. NJ. Gilmore, Sd Pa. Cav. At this time
volunteers were called for by tho General TO
carry the crossing. The opportunity TO volunteer
Tor this duty was given TO the regiment nearest
him (the 1st X. H., and was responded TO by
the whole regiment moving TO the front. The
nearest platoon, that commanded by Lieut..
Simon A. Brown was selected and made ready
for The dash.
The fire from the sunken road was now keep
ing down that from the pits. and under its
protection the axmen partially succeeded in
making an opening TO the ford. Tho remain
der of the Rhode Island regiment was moved
up to Browns support, tho word was given
and away he went. The axmon, having left
their carbines behind them, bad their sabcrs
fastened to their saddles, the better TO facili-
tate mounting and dismouuting As they
dashed forward in the rear of, aud, indeed,
interminRling with Browns men, swinging
their axes above their heads the scene was
picturesque one, and suggested thoughts of the
ancient Roman and his battle.ax.
AS soon as Browns men and the pioneers be-
gan 10 approach the opposite shore the fire from
the sunken road had 10 be suspended aud this
gave the enemy an opportunity to increase his.
The axmen obIiqucd to the right slightly, going
up stream, after passing its middle point, some
OF the horses swimming, and emerging above
tho road went at the distractions with n will
OF the Is men Of Browns platoon who entered
the ford with him, but three came out on tho
enenly's side; all tho rest having been either
Killed or wounded or had their horses disa-
bled The horse of one Of the three private
Parker, Troop q. Ist K. H. was killed in the
water, and he swan and waded ashore.
Browns horse was shot in many places, but
being rs courageous as his rider. bore up under
him bravely. The Lieutenant rode up the
bank, and looking down the men in the pit
hred shot among them, and 1t is claimed
KILLED ONE OF THE ENEMY.
Turning he waved his sword 10 the balance of
his regiment, and called on them TO come on.
This they were already doing, and few of
The leading files arriving, they broke through
or over the distractions. In the meantime tho
enemy, pcrceiying their inability TO longer
hold their position, commenced retiring to-
ward their horses which were some distance
in the rear. They were pursued by the mount
ed men and p Of them made prisoners This
crossing was very conspicuous act Of gallantry
on the part of Lieut. Brown aud his men. and |
IN almost any service other than our own |
would have been rewarded by some substantial |
or sentimental recognition. Hiss clothing was !
cut in many places. aud his horse, n very con-
spicuous gray, bad Eve or six wounds. aud the |
oihcers escape seems miraculous. as will be-
seen by the letter of Capt. Moss TO DO quoted |
hereafter.
The remainder Of this brigade pushed rap. !
idly across the river the regiments forming |
promptly on the south side. Tho ammunition |
for the battery was carried over by tho cav |
alrymen in their nose bags the water being so /
as In le ion
delay was occasioned here rs il was necessary |
TO water the horses, and only those occupying |
the fording could be watored at one time. |
While this was going on tho remainder of the |
division was moving into the position assigned. |
the General galloped to the front with n detach.
ment and made hasty examination Of tho |
field. Satisfying himself that the proper place |
for the expected battle was farther from the |
river, the whole command was moved forward |
on the road TO Culpepor Courthouse via Brandy |
Station, on the Orange e. Alexandria Railroad |
The division. properly protected by stirmish. |
ishors. moved In order Of battle az nearly ms |
the conformation of the ground would permit |
Mcintosh having tho right aud Du1lc the LETT. |
while Reno commanded the reserves, composed |
of the detachments from the Regular cavalry. |
With him was the battery. After moving about |
three-fourths Of a mile from the fording, the |
advance Of the enemy WAS discovered coming |
rapidly from the direction Of tho railroad. |
rms was WIN NbH AFeIeII UAu hutCip pAteu, |
he tells US in his report
BY his order Mcintosh deployed his small |
brigade, with the 10th Pa. Cav. on his right, |
the Sd Pa. next, advancing tho meanwhile to |
ward the Whcatly house. which was In front |
OF thc right of Gen. Ayerell's line.
These two regiments were now a consider |
able distance 10 the right OF the road. Immedi- |
atey TO the right Of the road tho 4th N. Y was |
formed, aud its left the 4th Pa One sec.
tiou-twO Runs-of the battery was advanced
and went into position between tho left OF the |
30 Pa. and the right Of the 4th n. Y, a little |
retired, while Reno. in support Of the two
regiments on tho right and the guns, formed
little 20 the right and rear Of the latter.
The enemy wasBow advancing rapidly ia line
preceded by a heavy line Of mounted skirmsh-
ers, whose fire became very annoying 10 tho
two regiments near the road, and 10 which they
were now ordered TO reply, while the section in
position also opened.
UNDER THIS SEVERE FIRE
from tho Confederate sharpshoOters, now at
a halt, these two regiments, Gen. Averell
states in his report, page 40, Vol. 25. Part
i. Official Rccords,) exhibited Il little un-
steadiness, requiring some personal exertiOn
on the part Of himself and staff to correct. IL
was but momentary, however, as they regaincd
their steadincss quickly, and opened with effect
from their carbnes. This was the only ex-
hibition of nervousness or unsteadiness shown