The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-14
BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION,

where, perhaps, there was a larger
number of holsemen engaged than
ever before or since in our history.
In order that you may comprehend
more clearly its importance and signi-
fican ce, a hurried resume of events fol-
sometime preceding the fight may
not be inappropriate.
You will remember that the battle
fredericksburg was fought in Decem-
ber, 1862, in which Burnside's army
was shattered against the heights OF
that historic old city, and recoiled
after a desperate, bloody struggle
across the Rappahannock. Then came
the change of commanders, and
Hooker in the early part of the follow
ing May (lS63) decided "to try con-
clusions" with Gen. Lee at Chancell-
orsville. The result of that battle is
also well known to you, Gen. Hooker
retired discounted and also put the
Rappahannock between General Lees
and his army.
1t must have been about this time
that Gen. Lee determined to carry
the war into the enemies country and
to make his preparations for the move
ment. His cavalry under command OF
that knightly, dashing soldier, Gen. J.
E. B. Stuart, was guarding the passes
of the Rappahannock and its upper
tributaries. Early in June, 1868, about
the 7th or Sth, Gen Lee reviewed all
the cavalry in the broad, open fields
along the line of the Orange and Alex
andria railroad, between Brandy Sta.
tion and Culpepper &. H. The Bri-
gades present were. Hampton's. COM
posed of the lst So. Ca, Col. Jno. l..
Black, the md So. Ca, Col. NJ. G.
Butler the 1st n. c., Col l.. S.
Baker the Cobb Legion, Col. P. NIB.
Young; the Jeff Davis Legion, 1t.
Col Will E. Martin, and the Philips
Legion, 1t. Col. Ricle, and Harris
Battery, FitZ Lees Brigade, w. H. F.
Lees Brigade, Robertson's and Jones'
Brigades, five in all, three or four
Batteries of Horse Artillery, muster
ing, all told, between eight and ten
thousand men.
Gen. Lee took his position on q
slight eminence near an avenue OF
cedars on the public highway, The
cavalry in double line, with Brigade,
Regimental, Squadron and Company
distance, was stretched out way off
towards the John Minor Bolts house,
almost as far as the eye could reach.
Hampton's Brigade occupying the
right and Robertson's or Jones the eX-
treme left. 1t was sight for u mar
tial commander to contemplate. There
sat the great chieftain mounted with
perfect soldierly poise on his ever
faithful warhorse "Traveler," looking
with pride and composure on the gal.
liant, knightly horseman of his superb
army, and they in turn contemplating
with loyal confidence and admiration
the matchless General who directed
their movements.
We broke from line into column OF
squadrons and passed in review, first
in a walk, then trot, and finally q
gallop and charge, each Brigade and
Regimental Commander wheeling his
horse to Gen. Lees side, while his
command was passing. He doffed
his familiar black military hat in re-
sponse to the salutes of his faithful
sabreuxs as they passed.
autobiography had made the pro-
gress it has now reached, what series
of pictures an enterprising artist could
have made of that brilliant pageant OF
Southern horsemeu and their great
commander.
After the cavalry review had ended
Gen Lee ordered the light Batteries
to be put through series of field ma
noeuvres, firing blank cartridges with
quick and sharp rapidly, as if engaged
in lively artillery duel. The outposts
of the enemy were not more than
eight miles distant. the nearest OF
them, and we could not understand