The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-01-02
WILSON'S CAVALRY FoRAGIYG.

29th the Second Brigade mounted and were
sent to the head Of the column. When APP
preaching Ream's Station, which we ex-
pected TO find in possession of Federal troops,
we ran against a rebel line battle (Gen.
Mahone's Diyisiop), and a fierce battle was
on.
The 18th was forced hack little by the
sudden attack, but instantly rallied. About
300 of the men were dismounted and sent
out TO the left of the road as skirmishers.
The 1st all dIsmOunted, and were sent
ahead on the right in skirmish-line. We
had barely got in line when brigade Of
Alabama troops, led by Col. Sanders,
charged along the whole line. But we
stopped their rush and yelling at the same
time The portion Of the 18th that re-
NAMED in the saddle went with the Skin
mish-line in counter-charge, and we drove
them back to the woods.
1t was in this fight the Johnnies got the
| impression that we loaded our guns one
day for a weeks shooting. The regiment
was armed with the Henry rife, 16 shooters,
and no doubt they were disagreeably sur
prised at our rapid firing. We held our
ground for an hour or so, and in the mean
time our artillery had come into the fight a
/ few hundred yards back Of our line.
In my front, a few rods away, was log
cabin with one large door in the center,
parallel with the side of the cabin were corn
rows, the stubble still standing. Between
| two of these rows j had lain down and com
menced pumping out the cartridges, feeling
comparatively safe, when of a sudden bull
lets commenced tipping in my front.
i saw the cabin door full of guns, all APP
pearing TO have the drop on me. Our bat
/ a,
rebs were having as soon as j did, for few
shells dropped into that cabin and distrib-
uted it, flying, over the cornield.
We maintained the fight for FIVE or six
hours, and until we were completely sur
rounded. The order came TO mount the
division. 1t was here and at this time SC
many negroes came to grief; it was pitiful
TO hear their cries for protection. We were
in about as nasty scrape as can be imag
ined.
The whole outfit was nearly exhausted
We had been nine days on the road, ant
:. when not fighting were in the saddle o.
smashing things What little sleep we 20
is not worth mentioning. 1t was almost i'm
possible for man or horse TO keep awake
! We were hungry. The Johnnies kept us OF
the Jump, and there was no time TO eat.
In the saddle we were ordered TO charg
line Of infantry. We did, and they mad
way for us. We rode through eight or tei
miles Of timber. Then we crossed a railroa
cut that was 100 feet, easy, from where W
approached 10 the rails, but about half a
!, steep on the opposite side. We did not sto
r to smash this railroad. My horse slid dow
gracefully, but there was fearful sight o
T the track-men and horses piled up so tha
e il appeared almost impossible TO get throug
/. or over them. Artillery began firing cal
!, lister and shells at us, and strong force
5 infantry popping away 10 swell the chorus
q got out of the saddle and led my hors
up the bank. He was helped some by
n shell exploding behind him, one of the piec,
IS tearing my blanket from the saddle. One
Il over the railroad we had a muddy river
cross. 1t was not very rapid or deep, bI
:. exhausted men and horses went down in ii
a stygan slush, and some Of them stage
d there. Across the river, then a swamp; bl
d we could take our time now.
Il The wild ride was over, for the rebe
lie shook US after crossing the river. My hors
d a noble six-year-old roam, had stood Il
racket bravely, but be absolutely refused
d move leg after leaving the swamp. i cou
u only take off my furniture, hide it as well
Dr. i could, and follow the procession on foc
Y, IT was a sorry-lookiDg outfit that came o
N of that swamp. Two days later i came in
le our old camp at Jones Landing, on 4
ID James River.
" We had confscated about 5000 hors
10 during the raid, many Of them barehoofe
e. Few Of them could stand the rapid marc
at and the most of them were abandoned
shot.
at 1t was late in the afternoon when Kau
III received the order from Wilson 10 cut loo