Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-11
THE RETREAT FROM GETTYSBURG
How 1t Was Covered and by What Com


mand-Generai Pcttigrew's Death.
The following communication explains
itself:
RICE DEPOT. VA, November 8. 1884
Major II. y. Mcclellan:
My Dear Sir,-I met an old cavalryman
to-day. and in a conversation many Incl
dents OF our war experiences were re-
lated. This so interested me. on getting
home for reference l got the history
Of Stuart's cavalry campaigns written
by YOURSELF, and for the first time read
General Stuarts report OF the recross-
ing OF the Potomac by Lees army on
its retreat from Gettysburg. As you
were the assistant adjutant-general OF
General Stuart, and doubtless, at his
dictation, wrote the report, l have adj
dressed this letter to you to call your
attention to an error in it which does
an Injustice to at least one OF the two
squadron commanders which covered the
retreat of that part OF the army which
crossed the river at Falling Waters
The report Is so lengthy that 1 shall
content myself with only e. short extract
therefrom, which refers to the particular
point under consideration to which
wish to call your attention. IL goes on
to say: "a pontoon bridge had been con-
structed at Falling Waters, some miles
below Willamsport, where Longstreets
and Hilrs corps were to cross, and
Ewelrs corps was to ford the river
at Williamsport, In the rear Of which last
after daylight the cavalry was also TO
cross except that Fitz Lees Brigade,
should he find the pontoon bridge clear
in time was to cross at the bridge, other
wise was 20 cross at the ford
at Willlamsport. The operation was sue
cessfully performed by the cavalry. Cen
eral Fitz Lee finding the bridge would
not be clear In time for his COMMAND
moved after daylight 10 the ford. send
ing two squadrons to cross in rear OF
the infantry nj the bridge. These squad
rons, mistoklng LOngstreets rear Tor lhe
rear OF the army on that route, crosseu
over in rear OF it. General HllIs troops
having been notified that these squadrons
would follow his rear, was deceived ny
some OF the enemy's cavalry, who APP
uroachel very near in consequence OF
their belief that they were our cavalry.
Although this unfortunate mistake de-
prlyed US OF the lamented General Pettl-
grew, who was mortaliy wounded, etc.
AT FAILING WATERS.
I am not aware that any squadron
other than nay own the Second Squadron
of the First Virginia Regimeno crossed
on the uontoon bridge at Falling Waters.
This squadron crossed under the follow
Ing circumstances: On the night previous
We were sent to the front 10 picket win
cr'srs 10 withdraw at daylight ana u
follow after the command; however, De-
fore daylight the order TO withdraw was
DFHla
stand TO our post until further orders.
Ahout daylight we were visited by Cen
tral Fltz. Lee, who remained with us
until the morning was far advanced. lie
kent himself busy urging on stragglerS
who had slept the night previous
ia harms and on the wayslie.
About noon General F'itz Lee lin perscn)
ordered me 20 draw in my pickets quickly
and t. march my squadron at once 70
the pontoon bridge, and to cross on H.
as / would be cut of before | could reach
WiIliamsport and warning me 10 lose
no time. dashed OF at n hard gallop TO
cross himself at Willlamsport with MS
command. OF course this command WAS
promptly obeyed, as no one can rea'iZc
the anxiety and solicitude OF the COM
mander OF a squadron covering inc re-
treat of an army, with the more power
full army of the enemy ready To pounce
unon him. except one who has under
gone the ordeal himself / shall always
hold in grateful remembrance General
Meade's forbearancc in not cro"dlng us
too closely on that occasion, as We natu-
rally Anticipated he would do. But
fear we were not so much indebted to MS
bowels OF compassion as to the TACT that
whilst his flesh was very strong ms spirit
was very weak, for "Marse Bob" had a
powerful knack of wonderfully depressing
the spirits OF his adyersarlcs for they
knew that "Marse Bob" didn't have blood
shot eyes sometimes for nothing. we
marched along the road leading tn the
bridge without overtaking even stragSler
until We reached the bottom lands OF the
Potomac.
IN LINE OF BATTLE
Here we came upon piece Of artillery
stuck fast In the mud, and the artillery
men were in the act of Abandoning IL
Near the river drawn up In line or bat
tie, was n small body OF infantry. I rode
up TO the officer commanding H. and
reported 10 him that my squadron was
the only force between him and the enc
my. lie simply replied every well, sir"
and we passed on TO the bridge. on
approaching il we were halted by an
elderly officer and forbidden to cross,
but when told that We were just or out
post duty. and we had just been Or
dered by General Fi;z Lee himself TO
cross at the bridge. as We would be cut
of before we could reach Williamsport,
he advanced few steps upon the en-
bankment which overhung the road 10
where General r. T.. Lee was sitting
but returned instantly, and directed me
to send one man over at time, as
] saw a chance to do so, so as not
to impede the crossing of the infantry.
Thus the squadron, with the sanction or
General Il. Il. Lee himself. crossed the
river, one man at time, along with
the rearmost infantry: and but FEW
moments elapsed after the last cavalry
man CmyselD crossed before the bridge
was taken up. We acted under the d.
rect orders OF our division commander
General Fitz Lee in crossing the bridge
when we did, and with the sanction or
General r. T.. Lee himself: and were ac-
tualiy the very rear or the army. Gene-
raj Il. F.. Lee and staff were among the
very last to cross. SO no blame can
possibly be attached to my squadron for
the death OF General Pettigrew. General
Fitzhugh Lee Is still alive and many or
the old squadron to attest the correct
ness Of my statement. II any OF Gene
raj Pettigrew's descendants are living,
II may be comfort and consolation 10
them TO know that their gallant progeni-
tor FELL not by the blunder OF his own
comrades. but in covering the rear or
retreating army. where his conspicuous
gallantry and the memorable fortune Oh
war had placed him. Very sincerely yours
+. w. SOUTHALL.
<1----
In an Old Garden.
Pall-Mall Budget)
Here, where Summer laid her hand
Invelika and idiv ktSsad