The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-14
A TIGHT SQUEEZE.
Pennsylvania CavaIrymen in a Game of Fol
and Geese.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: After the
battle of Gettysburg, the Sd Pa. Cav, OF
which was at that time Sergeant-Maior
belonged to the First Brigade of Gen. Gregg's
Second Cavalry Division. Col. John B. Nc
Intosh was then in command of the brigade.
After skirmishing with the rear of Lees
army from Gettysburg to the Potomac, and
the aforementioned fight at Shepherds
town, we encamped on Bolivar Nights, and
on the 18th of July, 1868, we crossed the
Shenandoah at Harpers Ferry into Loudoun
County. Va, taking the Berlin q Middle
burg Pike through Hillsboro, camping out
side the village. We broke camp on the
following morning and for the next week or
10 days were encamped at the various towns
of Snickersville, Middleburg, Salem, War
renton, Amisville, Jefferson, Sulphur Springs,
and Warrenton, on the Waterloo pike, all
the while engaged in scouting and picket
duty.
About this time a general advance of the
Cavalry Corps was ordered south of the
Rappahannock, if possible to find the where
abOuts Of Lees army. Accordingly on the
18th of September our brigade crossed the
river at Sulphur Springs Ford, camping near
Jefferson.
The next day the enemy was found and
driven back by Oak Shade Church, across
Hazel River and on to Culpeper. Here the
enemy made determined stand and the
real fighting commenced, but with the assist
ance of Gen. Kilpatricks Division they were
forced back to Cedar Mountain and Rapidan
Station.
The Sd Pa, having been almost continu-
ously engaged for the past two days, found
their ammunition expended. Maj. Robin
son, who was then in command of the Sd
Pa, ordered me to take four men and go
back by Culpeper to Rappahannock Station
and bring up the ammunition wagons. /
accordingly detailed Corp1 Brady. of Co. F,
privates Jenkinson and Gilligan, of Co. 4,
and HOuk, of Co. c.
Nothing worthy of note happened until
we reached our pickets beyond Culpeper,
when the Captain of the picket refused TO
allow us to pass, for the reason that within
the previous hour a squadron of so or so
rebel cavalry had been seen outside the lines,
and that we would undoubtedly be captured
if we proceeded.
We accordingly returned to Rapidan Sta
ton and reported the facts to Maj. Robinson.
The Major few into a great rage, and cried,
With an oath:
Sergeant-Major, want you to bring up
that ammunition if you have to 60 To-
for it'll"
This was imperative, and, knowing his
disposition, there was no chance to argue
the point, or even ask any questions.
should say just here that Maj. Robinson
gave no instructions as to the route to be
taken to reach Rappahannock Station. was
entirely ignorant at that time of the geog-
graphy of the locality, and was not aware
that we had troops on any route but the one
by which the Second Division advanced.
We set out on our journey, feeling that
nothing but an interpostion of Providence
would prevent our being captured, as we
had some six or eight miles to traverse after
leaving our pickets until we reached Sui
phur Springs Ford, where we knew we should
reach our infantry pickets.
1t was about 3 p. m. when we arrived at
our picket-line north of Culpeper. The
Captain of the picket permitted US to pass
out. but ASSURED rs that we would land in
Libby, which, to say the least, was not very
consoling.
We pushed on rapidly until near Hazel
River. There stood large brick house some
200 yards back from the road 10 cur left.
About this house were hitched perhaps a
dozen rebel cavalry horses. We lost no time
contemplating the scene, but passed on,
knowing that these same cavalry would be
after us without much delay.
On our arrival at Hazel River we met a
man leading horse. The horse being wet,
1t was obvious that he had Just crossed the
river. To question the man answered
that he had just taken TWO young men over
the river.
We had no time to parley. knowing that
the two young men were probably rebel
soldiers, and would carry the news of our
approach to their camp, and lay for us.
Our hope was to push on as fast as posi-
bic and capture those fellows before they
reached their camp, which we supposed
would be at Oak Shade Church.
1t was now growing quite dark. We
approached Oak Shade cautiously, but found
no rebels there. Just beyond the church,
however, when going through deep cut in
the road, we heard a voice that brought us
TO halt. On looking up the bank we
could clearly see outlined against the sky
the head and shoulders of an old colored
man, leaning over the fence He said:
is you Yankee soldiers?"
! answered him that we were.
BE careful where yOu's gwine, 70 dey's
layin' low 70 you down in dat woods some
quarter of mile Distant Dey hab done
took % oh 20 men at de big gate-post"
L well remembered seeing the gate-post
On our advance The old man further in
formed US that there were between 80 and
40 Of the rebels in the timber in our front.
Rebels In our rear and rebels in front, and
darkness ali round, with all the horrors of
Libby and Andersonyille looming up before
us, and but little time for elaboration.
1t occurred to me just then that about
mile from where we then were the road
made sharp turn to the right, leading TO
Jefferson, and that, if we could get out of
The road to our right, we might cross the
angle, thus avoiding the rebels in the wood,
and strike the main road somewhere near
Jefferson. There was evidently no chance
to get by on the main road, for the two
young men had ample time to give notice
OF our approach, and the clatter of our
horses hoofs on the stony road would have
given us away.
We proceeded as quietly as possible to the
foot OF the hill, laid down the fence on our
right, and crossed over in what seemed TO be
pasture. After taking our bearings and
ordering advance carbine," we proceeded
When part way, and about opposite the posi-
ton OF the rebels, one Of the boys accident
ally snapped his carbine, but il was not dis
charged; we feared, however, that the ex-
plosiOn of the cap had betrayed our scheme
On arriving at the fence we laid open a
gap carefully, and TO our dismay found
deep, wide ditch OF creek, with stream of
water flowing through it. 1t seemed to be
at least six feet deep and 10 or II feet wide,
with banks so steep that TO cross at that
point was impossible. Here was dilemma.
"a