The National tribune., 1895-04-11


two brigades of Stewards cavalry were found
there, but quickly driven from the town
and the LIST vi. thrown in the skirmish-line.
Our orders were to hold to our position,
but not to advance. As soon as Fitzpatrick
had established his line he took Clusters
Brigade and FASTENED TO Buford's support.
Fitzpatrick had not been gone very long
when we had all we could attend to- as
Stewart made arrangements to clear our
cavalry from his track. Soon we saw a
movement in the woods TO our right flank
preparations 10 charge and turn our flank.
i had just noticed this movement, and
cautioned my men to be ready TO mount up
at a moments notice. Gen. Custer came
riding up one side of our skirmish-line.
One of the men remarked:
General, your horse is shot"
He looked, and sure enough the horse was
bleeding profusely from a bullet-wound in
his side. Gen. Custer remarked it was the
third horse he had had shot under him
that morning.
The General then called our attention to
the enemy's cavalry manuvering on our
right flank, then he moved through our
lines to join his brigade.
Soon the eDemys cavalry came down
on the charge. They also charged on the
left flank. The firing became spirited. The
sldrmish-line curving back their right until
the line was shaped like a horse shoe, took
position at each and every fence and fired
until the enemy again fanked Us, then fell
back slowly and determinedly.
The whole line Of the enemy now adj
vanced, reinforced by two more brigades.
The skirmish became battle in good ear
nest. Our small brigade against two divi-
sion could not last. The enemy continued
to advance and the fighting on our side be-
came more desperate. We were losing
numbers fast, the enemy working well out
on both Of our tanks. 1t soon became a
hsnd-to-hand conflict; squadrOns and COM
panies fighting mounted until the enemy
cavalry were right amongst us, then cbarg-
ing them back, and their infantry again fall
ing back, forming behind each other, and
SO continued fighting all the afternoon.
About dusk we were quite badly scat
tered, but every man for himself still deter
mined. Our battery on the main road had
been doing grand work and were pretty
well cut up and nearly out of ammunition.
The enemy's infantry was pressing forward
at full run TO capture the guns. small
squad of the LIST Vi. on the right of the
road and 9Th n. Y. on The left, seeing the po-
sition of the battery, made a desperate stand,
ballooing the battery boys TO skip, which
] they did, but we were using sabers, clubs,
revolvers and anything to hold the ground,
and lost a number of men, but saved the
guns. Then we turned and followed the
/ guns. 1t was now dark, and the fighting
for the most part stopped.
This was a very stubborn cavalry fight on
our part against cavalry and infantry on the
enemy's. Our loss was heavy, the 1st Wis
alone upwards of % men and officers.
/ say nothing regarding the other regi-
ments Of the brigade, except as happened
TO see them. i was pretty well employed
/ looking after my own line This cavalry
engagement is hardly mentioned in history,
except in some Of the State histories which
had troops engaged.
Buford and Fitzpatrick failed to capture
the train Of Lees army, and all returned to
| B0oDsboro for the nights. A. CLARK, Co.
+, LIST VT Cav, Willow Lakes, S. ID.