Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-14
THE BRIGADE FIGHTS vALIANTLY
Jones Cavalry, RecOnuOitering, Discover
the Advance and Fall Back on
the Main Body,
WHICH OPENS FIRE WITH MUCH EFFECT
Fair Visitors Look on at the Sham Battle and Cheer
the Lads on 70 Victory.

command, which has been encamped for the
last few days adjacent to the new town of
Kensington, short distance from this city,
had a severe encounter with the enemy YES
terday afternoon.
The engagement lasted about an hour,
during which the whole force was brougkt
into action. The losses on the Pennsyl-
vauia side was very heavy, but the enemy
was finally routed by brilliant charge of
the cavalry under Captain Jones.
Very much eclat was given to the occasion
by the presence in camp of goodly CON-
panv of far visitors, who. manticipatory of
Il sanguinary fight during the afternoon, had
journeyed down from the city TO see their
friends at Tie front. The presence of so
many bright eyes and patriotic hearts,
beating in sympathy with the rattle of
musketrv and the roar of cannon, for the
valorous defenders so hravely doing battle
for the Commonwealth. nerved the. meE to
greater deeds and fired them with zeal to
do or die. And it was witG much weeping
and heartrending anguish that the fair
spectators saw many of the brave fellows
die. But not-let ii go down to history as
sad and lamentable fact-at the hands of the
enemy, but from the fire, unintentionally
directed, of their own comrades Some
body blundered.
QUICKLY PLACED UNDER ARMS.
When information was received at head
quarters that the enemy was advancing in
force southwark along the banks of the
the river, the brigade was quickly placed
under arms The six regiments of infantry
We're placed in brigade formation, while the
Sheridan troop of cavalry was sent out as a
skrmshing line While the cavalry was
accommodating, the infantry was formed in
TWO lines Of battle front, the right wing,
consisting Of the Tenth, Fifteenth and
Eighteenth Regiments, under Colonel
Hawkins, form ng the first line, with left
flank resting on the tents: the left wing,
composed of the Fifth Sixteenth and Four
teenth. with Colonel Burchfield, forming
the second line. or reserve in the rear
Battery B, four guns, under Captain Hunt,
took up position on the left flank of the
right wing.
Presently the sounds of firing were heard
IN the distance, northward from brigade
headquarters, denoting that the skirmshng
party had come up with the advanced posts
OF the enemy. The cavalry used their ear.
LineS with good effect. but having accom-
flank and thus rested for further orders.
The right wing then threw forward line OF
skiuniskeTs who advance firing. but were
driven in on the main body after a bout
with the enemy. The first line poured vol
ley after volley on the enemy in cover, and
simultaneously the battery of field pieces
commenced practice, though rather prema-
turely, and to the hazard of the cavalry,
who had not cleared the range when the
firing began.
THE FIRE BRISKLY RETURNED.
The enemy returned the fire with inter-
est, and SO briskly, despite the heavy guns
that the advance of the right wing was
checked. The left wing was then brought
up and went into action, advancing in a
steady line across the PROSTATE men of the
first line, who Law down TO allow them to
pass. The small park of artillery still
blazed away, and as the reserve came up,
limhered up and took up fresh position in
front.
The left wing advanced in good order,
kneeling and firing. succeeded at length in
repulsIng the enemy which wavered, and
then broke under a gallant charge with
levelled hayOnets, by the gallant left wing.
Just when the victory had been so dearly
secured, occurred the sad mistake mentioned
above. The battery Of heavy guns did not
cease firing when the lett wing
advanced at the charge, and the result was
that the line of cheering blue-coats,
rushing on 10 victory was enfiladed by the
raking fire from the artillery with much loss
Of life. That is what would have happened
had the ammunition held ball in front of
The powder.
When the enemy had been thus routed,
the right and left wing of the attack de-
ploved to the right and rested or the hollow
under the rising ground near the railroad.
The left wing having passed the right in the
attack, the position of the troops was in
verted, and in this order were formed up
IN company front.
a MISTAKE IN THE FORMATION.
1t was then discovered that mistake had
been made in the the formation, and ma
neuverS occupying some little time were
necessary to get the six regiments into
proper position. This at length accom-
plished, the brigade was formed into col |
umns of companies. The necessity for re-
forming the line gave the brigade band and !
regimental band race of about mile. They |
had mustered on the right, and when it was |
found they were not in position they were |
ordered 10 double back to the left, a pro-
ceeding which took much efficiency and |
good deal OF wind out of the German musi- |
clans Of the brigade band.
While this was being done Battery b |
went through a series of evolutions, finally !
taking up position in rear of the column !
The Sheridan troop gave an exhibition of /
skirmlshing drill Immediately after the |
fight. They advanced firing on an imagin-
AIRY enemy from the right OF the camp, and i
then charged the length of the parade |
ground. The infantry drew up in the hol-
low, cheered vociferously at the troop, !
wheeled and returned.
Formed in column in the center of the |
ground and headed by the bands, massed,
the brigade passed in review before the !
brigade commander, and some 1000 people |
who lined The rising ground along the rail
road. The column advanced to the south, |
wheeled into the hollow and marched to
brigade headquarters and thence to positions
opposite each quarters. Some of the regi- |
1aents fired 4 volley or so before dismissing
\ number of distinguished visitors from /;
this city, including many ladies, viewed the
fight and subsequent march from the brigade
headquarters.
\ PLEASANT RECEPTION.
The brigade officers assembled at head
quarters at $50 o'clock in the evening in re-
sTonse to an order from the Brigadier General.
The Brigade Band PLAYED selection of choice
airs during the reception which followed
Quartemaster General Walter W. Green
land was presented with handsomely en-
Eraved sword by the brigade staff officers.
The Colonel Is an eX-staf officer of the
brigade and very popular He made his
ia a few solderly words
The pop" Of the sunset gun caused no
little alarm among the fair visitors at head
quarters They closed their dainty ears
while the string was pulled. There were
as many good looking women around head
quarters yesterday as would have formed