The National tribune., 1893-09-21


so that an unobstructed view Of the field in
front could be obtained, the sight was ap-
palling. We were in the midst of the dead,
who were thickly strewn on every side and
gray were mingled together where they had
met and fallen.
As the fog rose higher, allowing our vision
to extend farther, it met the same unbroken
field of lifeleSs bodies. And squarely in
our front appeared long line of cavalry in
gray, facing US.
The thought occurred to us, Are we to meet
the enemy's cavalry in deadly strife, and
trample beneath our horses feet the already
mangled remains of the blue and gray
The command was given, "Draw sabers-
Forward-Guide right-March!
Slowly and carefully we guided our horses
between and over the fallen men. As the
distance between ourselves and the enemy
was lessened. each hand more firmly grasped
the hilt of his saber. We looked across the
little dry rayine that separated us, and saw
that the enemy was breaking by fours from
the right flank, and marching away. When
the last set of fours had broken away, cheer
after cheer from the line of blue broke the
solemn stiffness of the morning. The enemy
had gone. The field was ours.
The breakfast prepared by the citizens of
Culpeper for Ewell and his staff was left to
be eaten by Others much to the disgust of
the people who had prepared the reception
for their friends, the enemy, now retreating
beyond the Rapidan.
Although the cavalry was constantly on
the move nothing of importance occurred
until the 18th, when detachments of the
5th n. Y. and 1st Mich. Cav, Col. Broad
head commanding, were sent out on recon-
noissance to Louisa Courthouse. They start
ed alb ut the middle Of the afternoon, crossed
the Rapidan, and threw out skirmishers
In the thick undergrowth of pines our man
on the left became detached, and commenced
to hallOo for his right-hand man. Still
advancing, as he emerged into open space
his eye caught sight Of two guns of the
Burnside pattern leveled upon him.
He took in the situation at once. To ap-
pear to be alone meant
DEATH OR CAPTURE.
To run meant the same thing. He almost
instantly cried,
Here they are, boys; come on" and
sprang forward himself and demanded their
surrender. The two men came out Of the
brush without their guns
Now, 90 back and get your guns" was
the command, while his own was Ieveled
upon them. Now, throw the loads and
start for the rear, and / will follow
The course was directed to headquarters
Of Col. Broadhead. The skirmishers had
already come in and reported one man miss
ing as the missing man came in sight with
the two prisoners.
After asking few questions the Colonel
said:
Well done, my man. What is your
DameP" The answer was:
My name, sir, is w. G. Peckham, Co. E,
9th n. Y Cav"
The march being resumed, continued
nearly all night, by a circuitous route, in
y
before daylight the command came TO the
camp of Gen. J. L. B. Stewart, without chal-
lenge Of picket The main column was
halted and orders given to make coffee.
but not to build any fires; while the
advance-guard, composed of the 1st Mich
Cav, led by Maj. Gardner, of the n. Y,
Cav, made dash for the headquarters
tent of Gen. Stewart, capturing that Gen
erals Adjutant-General and Gen. Stewart.
hat, coat and belt, besides an autograph
letter OF Gen. r. +. Lee TO Stewart, dated
Gordonsville, Va, Aug. Is, 1862, which con
tanned the information of the disposition o.
his forces and instructions TO Stewart tc
take possession OF the fords along the Rapi
dan.
This indicated the determination of Gen
Lee to oyerwhelm and capture the army
under Gen. Pope, then concentrated around
Culpeper, before it could be reinforced by
any part of the army from the Peninsula.
Having met with success beyond our ex
pectatiOns, the command was not slow il
getting out Of that camp. In fact. tn.
1870 WIN "aNS ftSSOi1 piASiiSu III tSSS tlHD(
than it takes TO tell of it, and we aimed t,
put as much distance between ourselves apf
the enemy as possible before they coal6
make start Finally, we were on the sal,
side of the Rapidan.
During the night of the 18th and H..
sellowing day Gen. Pope made successfu
setreat to the north side of the Rappahan