The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-01


Jerseyman of the hills. Fitzpatrick made
good start for fame. He was in the grad
uating class at West Point in the spring of
1861, and when Lincoln called for volun-
teers in April he and IL companion cadet pc
titioned the war department to skip the
usual ceremonies and send the class to the
front. His commencement day was passed
on tho battlefield of Big Bethel, Va,
June 10, and he was wounded there while
leading the advance of the famous Dur
yeas zouaves.
The Big Bethel wound changed Kipat-
rick's career He was at home recovering,
when the boom in cavalry recruiting was
at its height Bull Run had been fought,
and the fame of the Black Horse cavalry
was stirring the Yankee boys to emulate
the deeds of southern chivalry and thread
the path of glory on horseback. He re-
cruited in his own county of Sussex squad
ron for II regiment which took the field
In the fall of 1861 as the Second New York
Harris Light guardD. In the spring of
1862 he was colonel of the regiment and led
the advance of the army from Washington
TO the Rappahannock. While McDowclrs
army lay ut Falmouth in May and June,
with Mcclellan at the gates of Richmond
and Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah
valley, the Harris Light raidcd rs far as
James river and cut the railroad from
Richmond TO the valley, the forerunner of
exploits. more celebrated but never more
daring than that dash of Kilpatrick's weak
squadrons.
The first great Union raid was made by
Stoneman's cavalry corps in May and June,
1868. when Gen. Hooker sent it from
the camps on the Rappahannock around
Lees army lines on the Rapidan Detnch-
ments of two or three regiments scattered
IN various directions, nearly all upon cr-
rands that didn't take them fur from the
main body, but Fitzpatrick was sent to the
very gates of Richmond to burn the bridges
over Chickahominy river. He led but $50
men in all. He parOlcd captured Con-
fcderates within two miles of their capital
and dated the paroles City of Rich
mond Bridges and tracks were de-
stroyed inder the eyes of the enemys artil-
lerists, and the raiders fingered over the
this work until the whole region swarmed
with Confederates maneuvering to capture
the whole band alta swoop. Fitzpatrick put
his column across the Pnmunkcy river,
between Richmond and the Rappahannock,
destroyed all the boats and bridges be-
hind him, and with the laugh turned
OH his pursuers rode leisurely to n rem
devious down York river. The trip of
S00 miles was made in nine days with loss
of 40 men.
The actual fighting done on these wild
W
troopers were cornered and compelled to
cut their WAY out IL fate Fitzpatrick es-
capped for il time. His first combat worthy
the name WAS also the first of the cavalry
OF the Army Of the Potomuc-Brndy Sta
ton, Ju ne o, 1858 Fitzpatrick led three regi-
ments-his own, Harris Light, the Tenth
New York and the First Maine The full
mounted forces of both Hooker and Lee
were on the field The Union cavalry, on
nj 1. l, -. -
charge on Stuart who had chosen his
ground.
After repulsing an up hill charge of their
enemies the Confederates rushed down the
slopes in hot chase of the bafflcd Union
troops, and Fitzpatrick brought forward his
brigade i'll three columns to relieve the
beaten line. Opposing squadrons met him
on the plain, and the Harris Light and
Tenth New York recoilcd from the shock.
The First Maine was in the rear awaiting
its chance. Riding back 20 it, Fitzpatrick
said. Men of Maine, you must save the
dnyP' The fresh horsemcn galloped along
on one side of the defeated regiments, graz
ing the edges of the disortiercd ranks.
While passing, Fitzpatrick called out:
Back, Harris Light! Back, Tenth New
York; Reform squadrons and charger The
line swept over the field in the path of the
Maine boys and their fiery leader, and the
hill was carried, cannon lost in the previous
charge were retaken and Stuart's hcaduuar-
tiers baggage and dispatches seized