The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-31

forCe, ne turned toward the south and
made for the place whero tho enemy's
line had been broken III his first onset.
This had uow been closed, aud turning
again toward the east he dashed upon
the line of the Fifteenth Alabama and
ordered tho mon in front OF hini TO sur
render Tho reply was a volloy, and the
gallant Farnsworth fell riddlod with
bullets. Captains Parsons and Cnshnnun
were severely wounded, and many sad
dies wero emptiod.
Formations had now come badly
broken up by tho rapid rido over rocks
and fences. and tho several companies
made their way out rs best they could.
MajoT Wells. with the larger portion Of
tho command, turned toward tho south
and passed through gap in the eneny's
line. Others made their way out be-
tween the Round Tops, whilo few
slsirted tho base of Round Top and passed
through the skirmish line of tho old
Vermont brigade, each of tho parties
bringing in about as many prisoners as
they had men.
On the morning of Oct 10. 1864, the
First Vermont, with tho Eighth and
Twenty second New York, Il battalion
Of tho FRS, New Hampshire and squad
ron of the Third Indiana. composing
the Second brigade of Clusters cavalry
division. lay on the right of the Union
line guarding The fOrds at Cedar creek.
Colonel Wells of tho First Vermont com
mandod tho brigade. Tho men wero
aroused u littIo before daylight by rat
tie of muskotry in the direction OF tho
picket limo, which WAS nearly milo to
tho front, and i'll fow minutes they
verc in saddle ready for whatever tho
day might have in store for them. Dur
| ing tho forenoon the brigade and part of
the time the regiment alone under Gus
tcr's personal direction, gallopad from
point to point fighting with Rossers
cavalry. Before Shcridan's arrival at
midday Custor's whole division lad
broken through tho enemy $ right flank
and thrown Rossor's column off ON the
flank, separating it from tho Conlodcr-
ate infantry.
Tho lines Of the enemy rested along
the Union brcastwOrks on tho north
bank of Cedar creek. and General Sheri-
dan ordered Custer To charge tho breast
works, swing to tho loft and secure what
ho could. But so rapid were the Con-
fodcrates III their progress to the rear
| that before this movement could be ex-
ecnted they were nearly all safely across
tho creek, and but few prisoners wcro
secured. Colonel Wells, with the First
Vermont, moved down through mar
row wooded rav1no which led to ford
across Cedar creek. Captain Watson,
| commanding the first squadron, rode
across and finding the enemy still re-
treating called his men over, and they
advanced, skirmishing, until thoy
reached n stone wall, about 60 rods from
tho creek, whore they received "a vollcy
from some of Pegram's infantry who
| had rallied and wcrc cndeayurinr to
form behind tho wall. Captain Watson
was severely wounded in tho shoulder.
and tho squadron halted until the re-
malnder OF the regiment camo up. Just
ms the formation was completed General
Custer came up with the Fifth New
York cavalry. which was all tho force
that could thon be spared from tho first
brigade to assist tho Nermonters, now
more than . milo from any support.
The situation was desperate, and not "A
moment WINS 20 be lost Ten thousand
veteran infantry were within rife range,
and although broken and dispirited for
the timc they might, in very few
minutes, prepare successfully TO resist n
very much stronger force. Tho First
Vermont was on the right and tho Firth
New York on tho left OF the pike. AS
I y )