Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-03-30


NslMR''' lery, three battle
flags and moro prisoners than it mustered
men in its own ranks.
AS is we'll known, cavalry was not
looked upon with favor in the early
days of the war. General Scott believed
that artillery would play the more i'm
portant part. Secretary Cameron, how
ever, had heard of Vermont's famous
Morgan horses and was familiar with
the military record of tho Green Noun
tain boys, who have always been among
the first on every field. He believed that
combination of these two clements
would mako cavalry regiment not to
be excelled and determined that tho cX-
pertinent SHOULD be tried. The state
legislature made no provision for tho
enlistment of mounted men, and the
regiment was raised under tho direct
authority of tho war department. In IL
days it was ready for the field, the first
full cavalry from New England. Its
brilliant charge at Gettysburg was one
of the most desperate of the whole war;
we'll deserving to be immortalized like
that of the Light brigade at Balaklava.
The First Vermont, with other regi-
ments of Farnsworth' S brigade, early on
the morning Of July B. took position on
the wooded hills southwest of Big
Round Top in front of the enemy s main
line. The portion of this line nearest to
the First Vermont was hold by the First
Texas infantry, while Bachmnn's S and
Reilly's batteries were stationed on the
east side of the pike and supported by
the Seventh and Ninth Georgia infan-
try. The ground between the lines and
in rear of the Confederate position was
rough and broken in the extreme. The
natural obstacles in the shape of rocks
and powders were supplemented by
fences of rails and stone, and when Gen
eral Farnsworth received orders to ad-
vance his brigade on that ground he
gave the opinion that it was desperate
thing to take mounted men into such o
place. General Fitzpatrick replied that
the orders were imperative, and that if
FarnswOrth did not care to lead his men
in the charge he would do it himself.
Farnsworth replied that he was not
afraid to go as far rs any man, and that
he could lead his men where any one
COulu. liz SCltClCNi tllC COl-
umn the second battalion of tho First
Vermont, under Major William Wells,
and the First West Virginia, under Colo
mel Richmond. Placing himself by Ma
jor Wells side at the head of column,
he led it forward through piece of
woods to ~ open field a little to the left
of the First Texas, where it received q
heavy fire from tho enemy's skirmish
line as it forced way through. Cross
ing the first field and leaping stone
wall, tho bold riders struck second
line OF infantry, which they broke
through, and rcined up within close
range of tie guns of Bachman s battery.
These opened with terrible effect. At
this point Colonel Richmond turned
back with his regiment, but Farnsworth,
with Major Wells and his Vprmonters,
rode straight on toward ''Dcvil's Den. +"
Meanwhile l<ilpatricli,. who SAW that
Farnswmtils $ path was besct on all sides
ordered tho remuindcr Of the regiment
to his support. Taking Captain Pason's =
Third battalion and Captain Growers
squadron ~ tho First battalion, Colonel
Preston mQvod ut a gallop down the
narrow farm road until he found it
blocked with harricadc Of fallen trees.
Turning into al open field Oh tho right
of the road, Colonel Preston formed col.
umn and charged down upon tho Con-
fedorato s.;iunish line, strongly posted
behind slGHo wall and concealed by n
hedge Of wild bushes. Over tho wall
pellmell, went Preston and his follow
ers, riding plump upon n Confederate
regiment shat had been hurried to tho
spot where Farnsworth charged through
for the purpose Of cutting OFF his re-
treat. Sabcr in hand tho Vermonters
out their way forward, taking many
prisoners, who, as matter of form,
were ordered to tho rear
Shortly after this tho two columns
united, and tho littlo band Of less than
400 men pressed on to what seemed Ger.
tain annihilation. Farnsworth's horse
was shot undtr him, but hc WAS again
remounted Nearing the Sluydcr House,
the fourth Alabama, which had been
moved down from the Easo of Round
Top, opened lire on them frtan the woods
along Plum Run. Quickly turning tc
the left and rear, Farnsworth charged
straight fer Bachman's 4 battery. As h(
rose above the crest of an intervening
ridge tho Ninth Georgia and tho two
batteries opened on him at short range
Unable TO contend with SO formidable {
force, ho turned toward the south an!
made for tho place where tho enemy
line had been broken in his first onset
This had new been closed, and turning
again toward tho cast lie dashed upol
the line Of the Fifteenth Alabama ant
ordered tho mon i'll front of him to sur
render. Tho reply was vollcy, and tn
gallant Farnsworth fell riddlod witt
bullets. Captains Parsons and Cushmal
were severely wounded, and many sad
dies wero emptied,
Formations had now come badl
broken up ly the rapid ride over rocl;
and fenees and the several companie