Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-29
How MAJOR ! n. ople LEO A CHARGE
A Graphic story OF Dash Through the
Federal Cavalry at Brandy station.

Federal Cavalry at Brandy station.
written for she Dispstch.l
What relate are facts which actually
hefel ma, no shenanngin about IL. The
greatest cavalry battle ever fought on the
American continent took place ut Brandy
station on tho 9th Of June. 1853. At early
dawn the Federal advance guard crossed
the Rappahannock river. and charged our
outposts with such vigor that they enter
ed our camp at their heels. Most OF my
regiment, Sixth Virginia, bad turned Their
horses out the evening before, so that not
more than fifty of AS were prepared 70
mount. Our revoille was the crack OF tho
pistol and oarbine OF the foe. These nifty
men we're quickly mounted, formed. and
ordered 10 charge. Not a moment was to
be lost, as some Of the enemy's advance
were ia our artillery camp.
AN UNNAMED HORSE.
was the unfortunate possessor OF an
untamed and untamsble Beecephalus that
Alexander might have ridden, but that no
rider Oh earth could control. had ex-
perienced this on three former OCCASIONS
NBut what could do, charge or not charge,
that was the question. Although 4 Knew
full well that my Wild charger would lead
the van OF course l must charge. In our
front was heayily-wooded forest OF pine
scrub and black Jack, through which ran
narrow country road. No time was 20 be
lost therefore there was little ceremony.
The usual commAnds-trot march, gailop,
ohArge--were omitted, and the gallant
shumate, who mustered the htty, Simply
yelled q Charge" and away we few down
fbe winding road through that dark and
dismal forest, ell yelling like 30 many Co-
manche Indians. As the arrow from the
Bonded bow few my fiery horse. l hsd
taken the precAution 10 put jsw-break-
ing bit on his bride. but 1t was OK no
avail.
FURIOUS RIDE.
He bowed his neck, and placing his
mouth AGAINST his breast l was helpless,
and away he fairly few. What must DO to
be saved? What could do? Jump. No;
pull OF the road could not stop could
not. Away. away We went; my morse
seemed Wild with fury. looked around;
but there was no one IN sisht. ne nsu
left the others far behind. knew that in
a few seconds one poor and solitary cav
alryman would be rushing into the MIDST
OF the Toe. oh, how l pulled, and now
often 1 said whoal whoa, sir may De
imagined, but oil in vain.
AckvLLRY LINE.
As the cyclone sweeps over the prairie
few INV mad horse. One moment more
and see drawn up across my path dou-
BE line of Federal cavalry. A moment
more and we will break that line or fall In
the unwilling effort. IL may be j thought.
they will see my predicament and let me
through; il may be they will not fire; but
bow could they know that my horse was
running away.
TEE HORSE KILLED.
They must have thought the devil was
coming, for up went at least hundred
carbines, a crash, q cloud OF smoke, and
with one terrible plunge and a groan my
furious steed fell in the woods, pierced by
several balls. How escaped God. only
knows. In few moments | heard our
BOYS come laundering down the road. A
voiley from the Federal line, but onward
they went, and mounting horse be-
longing TO lieutenant OF Com
pany II, who was killed here, Joined IN.
We broke this regiment, the Eighth New
York. Lieutenant Owen Allen killing its
brave commander, Colonel Davis. Then
came the Eighth Illinois, and quicker than
some of Us came we went
THE DASH.
That night after tho battle was oyer-for
il lasted all day--the bOys overwhelmed
me with compliments. Never saw such
dash such courage! Charles O'Malley,
Muratl and so on. But what was the
laughter and merriment when / innocent
ly observed. confound it, boys, my horse
ran away with me. JOHN n. OPIE'