Milford chronicle., 1891-08-07
Tney Foueht 5000 Men.



While one is looking over the field Of
Gettysburg aud the operations Of the cavalry
about that memorable field he viii look in
vain for the FIRST fight of the great battle, and
now chronicle the fact when has never
been printed before, and upon which history
is sineularly silent, that the FIRST blow struck
at the foe on his crossing the Potomac was a
savage and impetuous attack upon the divis-
ion of General Stuart by one hundred and
eighty men Of the First Delaware Cavalry
under the command Of Major Knight A
brief recital Of this little affair may not be
inappropriate
on the goth Of June, the Delaware Cavalry
marched from quarters near Baltimore and
took up position at the junction of the road
leading towards the Potomac. They were
new troops, and as all new troops are, were
full Of fight On the morning Of the goth
their pickets reported the advance of body
Of men, but they could not say how many.
Boots and saddles" was at once sounded
and the battalion was ready. vidette had
been stationed on the road just over an ad-
Joining hin and now he came IN with the
news that the party only numbered fifty men
and were certainly rebels. A consultation
was held by tue officers and It was agreed to
attack the party at once.
Draw sabres." commanded the major
"Trot j." came next and the little band OF brave
Delawaiean dashed down the road.
There was not room enough for them to
advance in line of battle, but so anxious were
they to cross sabres with the foe that they
paid but little attention as to how they ad-
vanced It seemed TO lle only question OF
who should be the FIRST. On they went ana
with wild cheers they dashed into their foe,
who, it seems, had had no idea Of their pres
ence So impetuous had been their charge
that It was impossible for those in advance
to halt had they so desired, and hence the
fighting for a time was most spirited.
But look See who these 100 men have
attacked The whole Of J. +. B Stuart $
division now stood before them. They had
attacked Stuart's advance guard, charged
clean through it, and before they could
check themselves were confronted by the
entire command. They were instantly sur
rounded and questioned as TO their number.
They told the truth, but the truth seemed
so bald lie that Stuart would not believe
but what they were the advance Of the
Federal army. Who, he argued, had ever
seen a handful of men attack whole di-
vision The idea was preposterous, and lie
would have none of it. AT once the rebel
columns were halted and thrown into line Of
battle. and for some hours they stood and
awaited the advance Of the Federals None
made their appearance, however, and late
IN the afternoon stuart commenced 70 DelleNe
the truth.
"How many men are there Of you?' he
asked Of one of the prisoners.
About 200" said the man.
''Weu said Stuart, turning to one of his
staff, iii 200 men can halt 700 like those
fellows have done rs, l rather think Uncle
Bob has a bigger thing on his hands than
he counts on Parole these fellows" aud
riding up to his bugler he directed the
lines TO advance.
It was a fact. The First Delaware Cav
airy. of $50 men. had attacked and halted
J. i b. Stuarts division of 5000 men and
held them for some four or FIVE hours, and
this with a loss OF some eight or ten men in
killed ana wounded The Delawareans
were at once paroled, and thus commenced
the first fighting Of the cavalry on this side
Of the Potomac.
Several members OF that little company
are still living and are now amongst us. IT
is with pride that they now recall that
memorable day and Tecite their adventures.