The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-06

- 5ECENTLY there was published in
tGXsS The CALL a poem entitled 1.-THE
ISAy Charge of the First at Cedar Noun
tain"
Since the publication, correspondent
writes: In THE SUNDAY CALL there is a
beautiful poem entitled ''The Charge of
the First at Cedar Mountain" Would you
kindly give the reason for such small
number, less than three hundred, charging
eight thousand? Was it military neces-
sity, or did some one blunder as at Bala-
klava? 1t certainly deserves as high place
in history as the noble six hundred.
Major Richard j. Falls, at present re-
tired sergeant of the police force, the man
who led that charge, on being shown the
note given above, said: "Ah, that never
to be forgotten charge at Cedar Mountain,
made on the 9th of August, 1862 by Troops
A. Lieutenant j. ii. Kelly in charge; B,
Lieutenant W. T. McEwen; C. Captain R.
j. McNitt, and d, commanded by Captain
Holbrook of the First Pennsylvania CAV
airy, under my immediate charge! had re-
ceiyed orders from our General to the effect
that Maior-General Banks directed General
Bayard's cavalry to make the charg e: and
as my battalion was the only cavalry pres
emf, General Bayard directed me to make
it, informing me at the same time that the
enemy were moving toward us for the pur-
pose of taking knapp's battery of General
CrawfOrd's division, and informing me
also as to where l would find the enemy re-
ferred to. at once formed squadron, and,
if / mistake not, Captain John p.
Taylor was in the lead, but be that as it
may, my command. the strength of which
all told was 264 men. including my orderly
and myself. after reforming was found to
number Y men, the balance having either
been killed, wounded, taken prisoners or
placed hors de combat Quite number of
the latter escaped to the woods in cloud
of dust. and when night set in rejoined
their respective companies, the gallant
John p Taylor being among the number.
His horse was killed under him just as we
emerged from the charge on our way back
precisely over the same ground that we
went in, and through the same three lines
of Confederate infantry, which were about
fifty yards apart. in, l think. single-rank
formation.
fter receiving orders from General Bay
ard to make the charge moved forward at
rapid gait from behind the point of
woods where L had been previously sta
toned up a rising ground that hid the
enemy from our view, finding myself
already under an enfilading fire from
source could not see, but probably from
the two extreme TANKS of the first line as
they advanced and intended for the battery
that they had been peppering all the after
noon. As soon as got sight Of the enemy
| gave the command to Charge having
squadron front.
Having previously cautioned my men
to depend entirely upon their sabers and
spurs and to keep their horses we'll in hand
/ also called the attention of the man that
carried my guidon, the only colors | had, to
the Importance OF that little national en-
blem. He replied that he fully recognized
the Importance and his responsibility. |
also called attention of the officers and nom
commissioned officers to the necessity of in
slant obedience to all orders might find it
necessary to give, and to have the same re-
peated In as loud tone as possible. no
sooner gave the order to charge than stimuli
taneously every one OF my men gave
cheer. That combined with the noise of the
horses thunderbolt speed. the clashing of
arms added to the enemy's fire of musketry,
coupled with the screams, of the manned
and wounded and dying, shook the very
heavens above and the earth beneath, pro-
duclng scene such as no mortal man could
reproduce on canvas or adequately describe.
l am satisfied that all that saved my
little band from utter annihilaIion - for
the enemy certainly did not lack
in bravery, even though they had
been taken by surprise-waS the fact that
/ was within two minutes Of the enemy's
first or front line before | gave the COM
mand charge, consequently they had
not the slightest knowledge that there was
Besides, the battle-ground was wheat-field
that had just been cut and shocked, and
which raised q dust so dense that it was
impossible for them to estimate our num-
berS or define our precise object, and having
cut through their first line they could not
fire directly upon us"without endaDgering
their own people. In the meantime my
command whizzed like meteor shot from
the skies through the two remaining lines,
after which l gave the command tours
right about Wheel an order which seemed
to be expected, Tor it was not only instantly
obeyed, but was executed with degree of
precision that almost paralyzed with aston
ishment even the Confederates; well it
might for the reason that up to that time
our Northern cavalry had not, as compared
with tho Southern cavalry, been a pro-
nounced success.
1.-TWO things are certain, first, those three
lines of Confederate infantry did not adj
vance another step after receiving that
charge that evening; second, they did not
accomplish what they set out to do, that Is
to take Knapp's battery"
Now, in the words of the correspondent,
was that charge necessity or a blunder?"
1T was" said the Major, "a military
necessity, sir. 1t was to save Knapp's bat
terry, and by saving that battery the Con-
federates were prevented from gaining
victory"