The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-12

cate we were 1H cam
in the woods about one mile east of Stevens
burg, where we remained until the morning of
October TO- when we left there and marched
through the woods over what was called Sand
Spring Ridge 10 Germanna Ford, where we
crossed TO the south side OF the Rapidan, then
turned to the right and marched up the river
to within about two miles Of Raccoon Ford,
where We biyocacked for the night unaware Of
any danger. We had good-nights rest after a
long all-day's march. The next morning DC.
tober II, the boys Of Co. q had good army
breakfast Of fresh mutton from the sheep that
Serg't Linsey and i brought into camp the
evening before; but before we could get time
to wash our dishes We heard the crack OF the
carbines on the pickei-line, which brought
every man into the saddle at once, with car
bines advanced, and in less time than it takes
20 write ii we were engaged with the rebels.
Then there was a little race between Col. Z. c.
Devin, OF the 9Th =. Y. Cav, then in command
Of cur brigade. and some OF Fitzbugh Lees
men, as TO VINO would get possession of the
ford first, but by the usual coolness and good
management of Col. Devin generally called
Old Tommy by the boys we got there in time
TO get tho ford. when Old Tommy ordered a
battery OF artillery to the north bank of the
river, and as the north bank at that ford is
much higher than on the south side that gave
the battery good opportunity to cover the
ford for the cavalry TO cross
We had 10 mere than got over the river
when we learned that we were being fanked
on oar right. and we had TO make for Stevens
burg, with heavy skirmishing all the way. At
Stevensburg We tried hard to check the ad-
vance OF the rebels, and there / saw regi-
mcnt ] think it was the Sd Ind. Cav, make
the most daring charge that ! have ever wit
messed. They were formed in line southwest
OF Normans Mill, just over a little rise of the
ground, and out of sight Of the advancing
rebels. They remained motionlcss in their
saddles until the advance OF the rebels got
within about 200 yards of them when the irst
squadron from the right of the regiment came
gailoping over the hill, fired their carbines at
the rebels. then wheeled TO the left like dust
in L hurricane, and ran parallel with the front
Of their regiment. with the rebs after them.
They continued TO run till the Johnnies got
directly III front of the balance of the regiment
when the HoosieT5 came over the hill with
their glittering sabers cutting all kinds of fig
ures in the air, and charged into at least three
Johnnies TO one Ho0sier.
This was about as daring charge as ever
was made by any regiment, think. The gal
ant regiment get out with the loss of some II en-
and few horses. By this time we were salts
fed that we coBld do no good there, and ST
once started for Brandy Station. The most oi
Ger command crossed Mountain Run over the
/ dam at NornIan's Mill, but the writer of this
was on the skirmish-iine with the rest Of his
company, aHd the most of US crossed at little
/ ford below the mill. Jus. at this juncture We
saw the rear of our infantry disappearing in
the woods az Brandy Station, but we had heavy
sl,irnishing ali the way with now and then a
shell bursting over Us, Till We got in the woods
st Brandy. IL seemed 10 be the longest six
miles that / ever travelled. When We got into
I the woods at Brandy Station, we made good
stand 10 check the advancing enemy. aud oul
/ brigade charged on the rebs Eve o. six times
/ one regiment at time, one after another.
/ Presently We heard cannonading toward: