The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-08-02
SOLDIERS BUDGET.
A Brave Deed.

lut COtlNiy buOuN ChiliNHNi SONlO
House, facing the Confederates.
The winter had been so severe that mil
itary operations of any magnitude in Nir-
gnia were not deemed practicable though
throughout the winter the cavalry were
kept employed, Oh the Union side ut least,
in watching nm extended line and from
time to time making reconnoisances to
develop the enemy, with a view to ascer-
tanning if any considerable part of his force
had been detached to other fields of oper-
alton further south.
On one of these reconnoisances the event
occurred which l am about to relate.
1t must be promised, to an understanding
of what follows, that when the object of
one army is to find out and develop facts as
to the other, then this last thwarts attempts
of the kind so far as possible in order to
keep the adversary in ignorance Thus if
General Meade desired to ascertain il the
Confederate army in his front had been re-
duced by sending regiments elsewhere, Gen
eral Lee equally desired that this informa-
ton should not be obtained by Meade.
On a stormy morning in February, 1864,
my division Of cavalry marched from its
camps in front of Culpeper Court House,
Va, with instructions to reconnoiter the
left of the enemy's line on the Rapidan
river and develop the force in that direction
WlIlOub DIlllElll8 Oll ~ SClltldl engagements
To reach the desired position it was nee
essary to march considerable distance to
the south and cross the Robinson river,
tributary of the Rapidan.
The division consisted of three brigades
of cavalry, each of the brigades being ac-
companed by II battery of light, or horse,
artillery. \ force of Confederate cavalry,
which was on picket duty on Robinson
river was easily driven in, and on the even
ing of the day we started we found our
selves face to face with The enemy, with the
Rapidan river between us.
The work of discovering the enemy's
strength was, owing to the lateness of the
hour put off till the following morning
After placing our pickets to insure against
surprise, we made ourselves as comfortable
for the night as the weather of an unusual
ly raw Virginia February would permit
Early the following morning the cavalry
and artillery moved toward the river in our
front, and lively skirmish with small
arms, accompanied by artillery, com
menced and was well sustained on both
sides.
The result was far from satisfactory. Do
what we would, the enemy persstently de
cined to show force beyond what was neces-
sary to engage our skirmish line, and lie
uncovered but a gun or two at intervals
along his lines to reply to our artillery.
We could plainly make out long and
formidable breastworks on the farther bank
of the river, but whether these were occu-
pied by many or few soldiers our best eff
forts and most ingenious plans failed to
discover The entire morning was spent in
these vain attempts
1t will be understood that loss of life on
the picket line and to less degree on rec
onnoissance is not directly decisive of war,
hence we speak of lives thrown away" in
these duties. However, in order to gather
information it may be necessary to expose
soldiers to danger, wounds and even death,
and we were now facing that necessity.
1t was finally decided that the only way
to make the enemy show his force was to
cross or try to cross the ford in our front.
If this succeeded, the enemy was to be driv
en- out of his works if possible; if not, he
would drive us back across the stream with
possibly severe loss to our troops.
Reluctantly under these circumstances
the division was organized for the work
Leading the advance guard, consisting of
squadron Of cavalry, was Captain Ash
destined to be the hero of the occasion. Fol
lowing this advance at a proper distance
were the cavalry and artillery of the divi-
sion, properly formed for effecting a lodg-
ment on the farther side of the river This
stream was not more than 80 yards across
in its broadcast part, and at this season was
easily fordable.
The instructions to Captain Ash contem-
plated the possible crossing of not more
than his advance guard, and not all of that
if what desired to discover could be eff
fected before all had crossed. In this event
the command was to be held so as to cover
his retreat and protect him from pursuit
by the enemy.
Ash advanced with his squadron amid
the stiffness of death. The skirmish firing
and booming of large guns which had at
tended our attempts of the morning were
hushed and the silence which prevailed
showed that the enemy was intent on keep
ing us in ignorance of their numbers and
determined to make us pay heavily for in
formation.
The anxiety was intense. We knew wher
the enemy opened lire at short range that
the loss would be great, and all felt that
the advance guard must be the first anC
greatest sufferers.
Ash with his small command moved on
The works in front, gloomy and silent, de
nuded and stained by IA winter of ,hawinG
and freezing, seemed deserted. Now til,
few mounted men thrown to the front o
the advance guard were entering the ford.
"Irot, marCh!' was the command as Asl
hurried his squadron forward to share thu
shock with his leading men.
Many strong man in our command
prayed at that moment for Ash and hi
men. He had now gained vantage posi-
ton where because of a turn in the rive
above he commanded a view of the int
rior of the Confederate breastworks. VIVA
he saw no one could tell.
But just then the enemy opened with
few scattering shots, and a whitening vol
ley followed. BY motion rather than
command Ash intimated to his squadron
TO seek cover when he, bending forwar,
on his horses neck, turned to the right ant
rode at a rapid ga.op along the river BAN
parallel to the enemy's works, followed a
he came opposite each new part of tn
breastworks with volley after volley.
There seemed no hope for him. and W
watched with intense anxiety, eXpectin
every moment to see horse and rider &
down. Yet both kept on amid the storr
of lead apparently unhurt. That somr
thing must be done to help him now was,
doubt not, the thought in every ones mint
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