The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-31

| arts cavalry. AT the SAINT e'A'~' 80 -
sired TO ascertain whether the main arm
of General x. Il. Lee, the commander-in
chief OF the confederates. had succeeds
In reaching the Rappahannock.
To carry out his undertaking, at his re
quest the infantry brigades, Ames an
Russell, were placed at his disposal, com
prislng eight regiments OF infantry, nn'
one battery.
General Pleasanton decided TO cross III
| river at two different points, end to at
! tack Stuarts cavalry subsequently, viii
united forces. lie also determined 10 ex
ccute his movements with the early dawn
| lie. therefore, divided his forces into two
parts.
The right column, which General Pleas
anton accompanied himself, was comman
ded by General Buford. and consisted oi
The first cavalry-divlsion. Buford. the cav
| alry-reserve, Whiting three mounted bat
| teries, the infantry brigade Ames. and one
battery, in all eleven regiments Of caval-
! ~. five regiments OF infantry and four
| batteries. This column crossed Beverly
/ Ford.
The left column was comm1n1ed by
| General Mem. Gregg. and was compos I'd
| Of the second cayalry-1ivision. Duihe, the
| third cavalry-diysicn, Gregg, two mount
| cd batteries. and the infantry brigade,
Russell. making a total OF twelve regi-
mcnts, and one company OF cavalry, three
regiments Of infantry. and two batteries.
This column crossed Kelly's Ford.
General Gregg had ordered his column
10 march, IN closed order. to Jonas-Run,
where the forces were 10 be divided. lie
himself intended to advance. suddenly,
with the third cavalry division, the right
under the cover Of the woods, 10 Brandy
Station, while the second cavalry-divisi1n
Duffe) was TO continue its march 10
Stevensburg, "A distance Of five miles
south Of Brandy Station. The infantry
had orders 20 follow.
The right column Buford) Immediately
after crossing Beverly Ford. ran against
the OutpOsts Of the brigade tones, and
its foremost squadrons alarmed the whole
camp. The advancing of Buford's troops,
almost before day-break was so utterly
unexpected that they came very near
capturing the larger part Of Stuarts
mounted artillery. which was drawn up
in bivOuac. only about a nile and a-half
from the river.
The saving Of these guns was only due
10 the energy Of General Jones, who COM
handed this part OF the forces, and who,
as fast as his horse could carry him, ap-
peared at the scene Of combat. lie quick
~ gathered what troops he could lay his
hands on, and was soon reinforced boy the
rapidly approaching squadrons Of Black $
cavalry regiment Of South Carolina, and
soon after, by the sixth and seventh cav
airy regiments Of Virginia. quickly thrown
to the front, by General Stuart The lat
ter at once deployed sharp shooters,
thereby resisting the cavalry forces. Of
BufOrd, and delaying their advancing for
several minutes.
Major Beckham. Of the artillery who
reached the scene in great haste, fully
recognizing the imminent danger, made
good use Of this respite, and after quickly
mounting his pieces. he carried them 10
an elevation near st. James church. There
he was not only safe against the immedi-
ate capture Of the batteries, being out Of
reach OF the fire Of Il sharp-shooters Of
the enemy. but he also found an advan-
tageous position for his guns. which. in
that manner, were enabled 10 take the
most active part in the continuation
Of the fight.
The advancing enemy. Of course. soon
pushed back the head of the Confederate
troops, but the well-directed fire OF Beck
hams mounted artillery assisted by the
gradually arriving fresh regiments
brought the fight again soon 70 stand
Still
These cavalry forces which advanced,
one by one. % the 'r3nt first consisted
chiefly of parts of the brigade jones,
whose camp was nearest 10 the crossing.
The eleventh Virginia cavalry regiment
OomaW which extended the line on the
left. ard he twelfth Virginia cavalry
regimen. ,Harmam on the risht. subse-
quently took part in the combat; soon af-
forwards. the thirty-hfth Virginia cavalry
battalion White) followed.
In that manner, the COnfelcrates not
only succeeded in OBTAINING The enemy but
I'm driving him back sufficiently TO pre-
vent his sha1p-shooters from reaching the
artillery. which. IN turn. Frustrated every
attempt of the enemy % enforce his adj
vance
on both SIDES the lines Continued 20
be reinforced: the Union forces drew adj
dtiOnal commands across the river. while
The ColfcCerates received assistance rom
the brgade5 and divisions arriving al
ready I'm close order.
Against the right wing Of the enemy
pressed the division W. II. Lee (son Of
General T. T.. Lee. cOmmander-in-chief, Of
Vmginia's army while on the left the line
was reinforced by the division Wade
Hampton, several regiments OF which,
however. had been s"nt directly into the
fire by G neral Stuart.
The dashiug General FitZ Lee, nephew
Of the commander-in-chief) being unfor-
tunata Fly laid mp with "A sore foot, his Iii
vlsiph Wos commanded by Colonel Mum
ford. Not beine used to lead larger forces.
the latter m1noeuvrcd I'm wavering
manner along the Hazel river, instead Of
taking an energetic part in the combat.
Not to strip himself Of an forces, stu
art retained. as reserves. the second Cav
airy Regiment Of South Carolina (Buter)
and the first Cavalry Regiment Of South
Carolina (Blacl), both Of HamptOn's di-
vision. the latter having been withdrawn
frcm the front. and formed them on The
road at Fleetwood Heights.
In the meantime, General Stuart had
received additional reports. which made
it appear doubtful whether Robertson
Rad been successful I'm preventing Gregs
from crossing Keily's Ford. and which in
formed him that at least some single coll
umus were not hindered IN their march to- |
wards Steyensburs.
Although the marching around his right /
wing might have become dangerous, |
Stuart. from what information he had re- |
,civcd. dld not believe il TO be an under /
taking OF any consequence, but merely re-
sarded it as sort OF demonstration.
Nevertheless. he detailed the regiment. |
Nickham, which had been detached from
he division fitz Lee Fourth cavalry reg
ment Of Virginia. and Buffers regiment ]
second cavalry regiment Of South Carroll
la) which had been held in reserve, 10
march by the way OF Brandy Station 20
itcvensburg, 10 meet the approaching col
lmn. As 20 any occurrences on his right
he felt perfectly at ease. knowing that
he brigade Robertson still remained on
hat side
,o-i9o. - III a..ou.d Nrofor tfcfuof. |