The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-10

our Colonel NJ Hilton Head aud Beaufort. Who
Will forget that, 10 Us uumerciful Introductory
exercise-baTcback ridiugy By il many were
sorely wounded. To be sure, the wounds were
not deep aud would heal over during the night.
but 10 20 out day after day and be rcwouuded
Ia the same place was q trial Of patience of
which job had no conception. But we were
credited Afterwards with having good seats, and
might add tough ones thanks 10 our tutor,
who knew his business
May 30, 1862. two baltalions. under Lieut..
Col. Horace Kinney Sargent, were sent 20
join tie Cavalry Brigade Of tho Army Of the
Potomac, and they followed its fortunes most
actively from that time to the end. OF the
many fight in which We took part in Virginia
will speak Of but one, aud tina; briefly. This
took place az Aide, jane u, 1863. Here we
1 sustained our heaviest loss IL WAS about 3
p. M. that Gen. Fitzpatrick. misunderstanding
the enCmy's force, ordered the lst Mass. and
the % n. y. 10 gain those hills" pointing up
the road. Near the top Of said hills stood the
1 residence Of Sir. larE with rs usual accom-
/ pauiment Of outbuI.giuEs fences, etc, around
aud about which the enemy were posted in
force. The % n. y took 10 the woods 10 the left
/ Of the road, and soon walked up old Welkin 4"
and rang him vigorously, while the LIST Mass
my company lHl dcployed, went up on the
right Our course lay over clear fields, except
I ing ono OF two fences; 50 we were in full view
4 q the enemy from near our starting point 10
finish.
Whist a beautiful opportunity tie rebels had
1 70 practice on living targets, with at FIRST but
1 little danger 10 themselves. How we enYied
! the "a n. Y. their cover. Strange to say, but
few Of as were hurt They generally oyer-shot
! as.
When near the crest, we gained tho Inter.
/ Venlng space with rush, but encOunteriug a
! regiment OF the enemy, which appeared 20 nc
/ 90 be from 1000 10 10000 strong, we were
soon rushed back, as was squadron after squad
ron OF our boys as fast as sent in, resulting, Of
course iu knocking our regiment all 90 pieces
Then up came our support God save the
mark d who turned aud led the enemy. yelling
in triumph, into and through us, aud nearly 1
quarter ~ a mile beyond where we had held
them. But there tie scene shifted, for when
near our battery they ran into aud rudcly
jostled some Of the Jet Ne Cav who were iust
coming up. Great Scott how mad the Maine
boys got over H. Ia fact, IL seemed 20 me that
they always Travelled with chip" on their
shoulders. The result was that ere the enemy
reached place OF safety. which was far within
their own lines. they had received many stril.
ing reminders Of Maine grit, aud from tint time
on things went more to our liking.
That night our boys rested on their arms,
victorious. But Of this however / was moi
fully advised for ] was d tired, hungry fnd
crestlaileu prisoner fearing The worst for my
regiment t0T many II It's members were my
companions ia misery. Had we seen the fol
lowing returns our hearts would have sunl
within usi Aumbcr Of regiment present foi
duty June H. 1862. 296; killed, wounded and
prisoners, 1885, percentage Of loss GG.69 pei
cent; or virtually O. per cent
AT our last Reunion, lthe 25th,) held at Dos