Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-06-02


Union and COME derate Armies, now
being published under act Of Con-
gress, Series ], Vol. 20. We make
few extracts complimentary to our
Jefferson soldiers. Gen. ).
Stuart, in: his report Of the Bristoe
campaign says
3, ia our rapid pursuit. Of the enemy
We found that We had passed an in.
fantry regiment Of the enemy, which,
had been on the outpost and was now
marching parallel to our column on
our right ia the direction OF CuIpeper
Court House. Every effort was made
10 close up the column, thus eIon-
gated by pursuit, SO IS 70 catch this
regiment, but experimenting that IL
would escape, the only cavalry i
could lay my hands on was ordered
to charge the regiment as it de-
bouched into the open ground. This
WAS calamity responded 70 by q COM
pany of the 18th Virgins, under
Lieut.. Baylor, and but for an impas-
sihle ditch these brave men would
have ridden over the enemy and cut
them down with the saber. They
charged within twentyor thirty yards
of the column and fired q voiIey into
Fit, but were forced from the nature of
the ground to retire, which was done
without the loss OF man or horse,
although the enemy's fire was deIiv-
cred almost in their faces. The enc
envy did not further contest the field.
/ They broke and ran. dropping guns
and knapsacks, and blankets, several
of their number being captured.
This was the second occasion in
/ twenty-four hours that our cavalry
had charged the enemy's infantry,
and in this last case equal numbers
would have triumphed over the OBJ
stacie of the ditch and captured the
whole regiment"
And again, speaking of the fight at
Warrenton Springs, Gen. Stuartsays !:
SCI ordered the 18th Virginia to
charge across the river, which was
gaIlantly done, Lieut.. Baylor's COM
lpanY leading in face of a heavy FIRE
of sharpshooters. Such was the inn
petuosity of the charge that the en-
| emy's sharpshooters, who had not
4 retired, we're speedily driven from
their favorable position on the hills
commanding the ford and consider
able number of them captured before
4 they could escape.
The charge of this little band Of
the 18th Virginia was worthy of spe-
cial praise, as 1t was made under cir
lcumstances of great embarrassment.
4 Charging first up to the piers Of the
bridge, it was discovered it had been
taken up, thus exposing them to q
dangerous fire from the enemy on the
lopposite side. Nothing dannted in
purpose, however, they turned about
and took the road to the ford below,
which they plunged into in the face
| of the enemy's fire without halt or
hesitation"
! Again he says:
"The special cases of personal
daring will be included in the detailed
reports of subordinate commanders,
but deem it proper TO mention here
the daring heroism of Private Bush-
lrod g. Washington, 18th Virginia
Cavalry, NOT only in combat, but in
| his extraordinary escape from his
captors at Rappahannock Bridge on
the night of October H.,
| In speaking of the night when our
cavalry force was surrounded at Au-
burn, the General says:
The six priyates who volunteered
to pass through the enemy's column
were Robert w. Goode, First vir-
lginia Cavalry, Sergts. Ashton, Chi
leicester and ShurIey, McGregor's
Battery, Privates Crockett Eddins
and Richard Baylor, Co. B, 18th Va.
/ Cavalry"
/ And in his report of the Mine Run
campaign Gen. Stuart, in recounttng
his losses, says:
Private Richard Baylor, Co. B,
18th Va. Cavalry, a soldier of dis
tinguished bravery, and one of those
who volunteered to pass through the
enemy at Auburn in October, was
among the killed"
Private Baylor was a BFother of
Capt. Gerge Baylor, of this place,
who is here spoken of as Lieut.. Baylor.