The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-02-27

four miles from the track Of the raiders,
was not touched. There were only 600
soldiers guarding the stores; half as
many rode with Stuart. Had he de-
stroyed the depot the siege against Rich
mond would have come to disaster
Rations for McClellan's army for weeks
ahead were piled up at the White
House, and those which he afterward
sent by water into James river to sus-
tain his army during the change of base
We're then in store, at the mercy Of the
raiders torch. But Stuart knew that
his enemies were alert, and that he
must not bring on battle, so he gal
loped off into unoccupied country to-
ward the James, making a complete
circuit Of the Union position.
Stuart's second raid around the Army
Of the Potomac was a feat of arms with
more purpose in it and more glory. It
is matter Of history how hes galloped
from the Potomac, with 1900 sabers,
to Chambersburg, Pa, and destroyed the
railway connections with Mcclellan S
base at Hagerstown, Md. In getting out
Of the trap into which he had plunged
SC boldly Stuart displayed his genius as
a cavalry leader. The entire Union
army lay between him and home. Max
ing feint toward Gettysburg. he set
out with the column to return and cross
the Potomac below McClellan's camps.
The Union cavalry of Pleasorton and
Stoneman was watching the fords and
roads leading to them.
An advance guard Of $50 picked men
Of the First Virginia rode with Stuart
These troopers were dressed in blue uni
forms captured during the raid. On the
road to Poolesville the raiders met a
hostile force under Pleasonton, and after
short parley the blue coated Virgin
ians charged and cleared the path. At
Whites ford a guard of 900 infantry
was sighted, and the cavalcade came to
a halt. One-half Of the advance guard
dismounted, and while a gun was placed
in position dashed into the Union camp
The road to the ford was thus secured,
and the raiders crossed in single file be-
fore Stoneman and Pleasonton could
unite forces for attack. s
Not until the third year Of the war
did cavalry fighting in earnest begin in
the east. Several battles were fought on
horseback during the movement of Lee
and Hooker from the Rappahannock to
Pennsylvania in. June, 1868, but all old
troopers recognize the combat On the
right flank at Gettysburg as the first
real cavalry battle. of the war. And sol
diers who survived that field agree that
the First Virginia fought the noblest of
any regiment there on either side.
Stuart's command had grown to be sew
eral brigades, and his old regiment
was still under Fitz Lee After some
long range shooting, chiefly with artil
lery, the Virginians swung loose from
Stuart's line and galloped down broad,
open space across the Rummel farm, di-
rectly upon Gregg's batteries. The First
New Jersey and Fifth Michigan cavalry
were in line on either side Of the path
way, and the Seventh Michigan, led by
Custer in person, stood across the end of
it, covering the guns. AS the Virginians
rode on between the lines of fire Custer
met them in countereharge, leading
his men in with the stirring cry, "Come
on, yeu w olverenes'' The columns met
at low stone fence, and across that,
with carbines and revolvers, the Cav.
alters and "Wolverenes'' fought at
S length. Custer was driven back,
and the Virginians followed almost to
the mouth Of the cannon. After terrible
punishment they in turn in drew back to
clear the road for Hampton's noted
charge. ~,
Reduced to battalion, the First Vir-
ginia kept the field to the end, and it
was Stuart's fortune to lead handful
Of them in his last battle and to fall
mortally wounded into the arms of a
co1nrade in that command. With his
squadrons surrounded, separated and
cut to pieces at Yellow Tavern, the lead
er was driven to corner, with about 80
of his Virginians around him, defend
ing the last battery. Custer charged
with his Wolverines" but avoided the
battery where Stuart remained cheer
ing on his men. Plucky to the last,