The National tribune., 1890-06-12


| ever reached their destination; as Sheridan in
| his Memoirs says "Greggsent me message after
message concerning his situation but the mes
| sengers never arrived. being either killed or
| captured, and / remained in total ignorance
! till dark Of the strait his division was in" lie
should have said brigade instead of division, as
our First Brigade was the only one on the
/ field; the Second Brigade not being able to get
/ the orders sent them 10 come to our assistance.
/ for the same reason Sheridan did not get the
reports sent him. The woods in our rear was
! guarded by squads of the enemy's cavalry, who
! picked mp any small party attempting to pass
/ through them.
The situation was becoming interesting and
desperate, and Gregg became SOLICITORS for the
turn affairs might take, rs they continued to
/ press us in front and flank, and so greatly out
numbered our forces, which, from the couriers
captured they must have known consisted of
only one brigade. So dismounting from his
own horse, he mounted that of an Orderly aud
drawing a cap over his head IN place of his
military hat and with feed bag dangling from
the saddle, he passed just in rear of our squad
ron and the two guns, on toward the right Of
the line. in few moments he returned, an
appeared satisfied that further resistance was
useless. The horses were ordered up to the
guns, but before reaching them ono of the
number was shot, then another fell, and soon
rs the balance could be freed were hurried back
tached TO the trails and the guns drawn back
by hand TO where the horses could be hitched
on.
Soon as the enemy discovered our guns with
drawing they manifested an exceedingly ag-
gressive disposition, and pressed ms in the vain
hope to stampede our Withdrawals; but while
they failed 10 accomplish as much as desired,
they nevertheless threw us into some COnfus-
ion; and although we fell back somewhat
hastily, still kept upa steady fire until reach
ing the woods 10 our rear And rs there was
but this one road for the brigade to use in leav-
ing the field. we were obliged 10 hold on tena-
clously near this point until our led horses and
artillery could get under way. Among the
killed that day was Adj't II. NJ Baldwin, of
the 9th, one OF the best officers the regiment
ever had. He was lifted upon n caissou in
hopes OF getting him from the field, but the
Earring over the rough ground was more than
he could endure; and the enemy charging Just
at that instant. he requested US 10 lay him at
the side of the road and save ourselves An
old negro living on the field, latter the enemy
retired, which they did directly after the battle
closed did what he could 10 make him com.
Portable, but he died during the night and was
buried on the field by this negro. 4 small party
from the 9th Ohio returned TO the field on the
morning of the 25lh with an ambulance TO see
II there were any Of our men requiring attcn-
ton who were too badly wounded 10 have been
AaAhfAl 4lbliE Is fIlsHHtTS DN the enemy. 90
not remember as to whether any were brought
in or not.
Scrg't p. II. Dubendorf OF Co. ] Scrg't Jos
Reed, of c; John Frolk, Of VI, were also among
The killed, and j remember Andrew Birreil,
OF NJ, was mortally wounded About 80
wounded, With think, nine taken prisoners,
part Of whom were wounded | never saw on
any other field SO many dead aud wounded
horses as on this, considering the numbers en-
gagged. Capt. LeemRns squadron when they
went IN counted of 66 men. mounted IL of
their horses were killed or wounded many of
them, " OF course" still able Tor duty. During
the battle we fired over their heads, and as
they were under great excitement, crowded
lightly TO one another almost crushing our
legs between them, and rs their heads were
well elevated, served good protection in
front, even If it was death TO them Many
that were unable 10 leave the field when the
ranks were omen, couldn't fall while thus
damned together, so held their riders until or
dered TO fall back. Ny own horse was among
the nniortunates, being shot in two places, one
leg being broken.
remember our present United States Con-
sui 10 Hong Kong, China, Oliver H. simons, at
that time Sergeant in Co f. had two horses
Killed under him that day. The squadron to
which he belonged was just 10 the right of our
section OF artillery. Shell and solid shot were |
bounding aud blowing over the field In ali |
directions, so about the safest place was on the
front line. Hiram Hull. Of Co G, started TO cross
the field, riding his own horse and leading one 1
already wounded, belonging 10 Serg't Charles /
q. Miller, when shell exploded directly un- |
der them, tearing both 10 pieces aud severely /
wounding Hull.
After We had commenced to retire, and had /
got back about halfway 10 the woods they /
came on mounted charge toward US, and AS /
most OF our men were now dismounted and /
FafH mt nut q
opened with our carbincs which checked all /
except one Major. whose horse was coming |
straight Tor our line under full speed. The |
MAYOR had lost his hat, his saber hung By the !
strap over his wrist, and he was making the |
most frantic Efforts TO stop the animal, which |
was frightened almost 10 death. As he came |
up one Of the other boys WHOM have now !
lorgoiten) and myself caught him by the |
bride stopping him so suddenly as TO almost |
unhorse tie Major, who was not little cha
grnned at the turn affairs had taken with /
him. We turned him over TO one Of the |
mounted men, who hustled him of 70 the |
rear
As we reached about the center of the woods. /
upon our rctrOgrade movement, we met Gen /
Irwin Gregg with the Second Brigade coming |
to our assistance. Although receiving no or
ders from Gen. D. N. Gregg, he judged, from
the fury Of tho battle, which he could hear
and from the shifting position Of the sound,
which was getting nearer, that we must be
falling back, and might be in need Of assist
ance. 30 he exceeded his orders Of the morn
ing, and FASTENED toward the field. but too late
20 render Us any assistance. Gen. Sheridan in
has MemoiTs, speaks very highly aud oompli-
mentaTy OF ID. NJ. Gregg aud his command upon
this occasion; and guess we earned it, for IN |
sherIdans notice Of the affair he gives US credit
for holding successfully in check four brigadcs,
while am only claiming we held three, as /
had supposed Gen. LOnax was not ia our front |
that day.
or course this is a very imperfect sketch of |
the affair 1t ST. Mays Church; but as have
contributed this much, let some other boy who
was there and felt lively interest in the oc-
currence tell little about what hc remembers. |
have lived away from the members Of the |
9TH Ohio Cav. ever since our service, and have
had no opportunity 10 refresh nay memory as |
those have who attend the Reunions aud have |
other meetings with the old members. Let US |
hear from you about some OF our numerous !
eneagcments.-WH. II. DAYIs A1jutant, 9th |
Ohio Cav, jamestown, ~ Y.
BefraudBg the Malls.
Gaggan-Are you going to post that letter.
P&tl
Pat-Yig.
Gaggan-WelI, why don't you put stamp
On IL?
Pat-Wbistl Dim goin' teh thry teh slim it