The Princeton union., 1896-08-27

BaQdle5 Dys a cannon Tammer, and The art1llery-
men did not abandon their pieces, which were
captured and recaptured several times
The critical moment Of the battle had now
arrived, as we soon ascertained that General
Gregg had crossed over Kelly's Ford, eluded
or pressed back our force on that route and
was hurrying on to place his whole division
directly across Stuart's path to the Court
House. The force at Beverly had its hands full
in preventing Buford from advancing, and as
General Gregg would in a few minutes be in g
position across Stuart's line Of retreat it
seemed as though we ought to be defeated un-
less. a blunder was committed by the enemy.
6tuart's .incredulity as to the Importance Of
the enemy s movement on Brandy Station had
disappeared. He hastened back, and there was
not a moment to lose. Gregg's main body had
arrived and formed line of battle on the slope
of the hill,s his men presenting a fine appear
hnce and waiting the order to advance with
put moving muscle. / was particularly
struck with this air of discipline and had q
good opportunity to observe it, as an unman-
Ageable horse carried me nearly into the midst
Of the Federal cavalry. In spite Of the fact
that passed to the front in close pistol shot,
which must have been tempting, Twas not
hred at. The men waited for orders, appar-
emily, in little things as we'll as in great.
Stuart reached this part of the field at the
critical moment when Gregg was advancing to
seize the road. The whole face of things had
changed. Fields and woods directly in front,
recently SO deserted, had suddenly become a
scene of agitation-of hurrying columns, dust
and uproar. Everything was concentrating
toward the range which was virtually occu-
pied by the Federal cavalry, while 400 yards
Bouthward was the threatening line of Gregg,
about to close like wise. With his cavalry scat
tered, Stuart was in imminent danger. Buford
was pressing hard at Beverly Ford. Gregg
was on his flank and rear. A confused combat
as going on in every direction, mixed with
shouts and the gallop of jaded horses. Alto.
gether it was such a melee as have rarely
witnessed. Stuart was in a state of great ex-
citement, his fine face wearing a very differ
emit expression from that had noticed in it
when he gave me the jocose order to so and
bag the artillery in his rear. His face was
flaming, and q vein in his forehead had turned
black. never saw eyes more like redhot
Goals. The Federal cavalry, within 800 or 400
yards, had already moved to the charge, and
he had but one gun in battery. This he aimed
in person, having thrown himself from his
horse for the purpose, and shell fired at the
charging line burst within a few feet of it.
The enemy had not broken into a trot, and the
fire created some confusion. The line paused
for a moment, and, when another shell was
fired, halted. Astonished at this I looked for
some other cause and soon discovered it, A
column of cavalry was advancing from the di-
rection OF Beverly Ford toward the right flank
of Gregg, and it was no doubt the appear
ance of this force which induced the hesita-
| tion about charging the artillery. When
pointed to the column, which could not see
plainly from the d ust it raised, and asked Stu
| art what it was, he exclaimed: TT is Hamp-
toni Bring him up like lightning!'
81 reached the column in a few minutes
and, finding the Cobb legion in front, gave the
order to my friend, General P. NJ. B. Young,
| who commanded. Ft was not necessary to ex-
plain to him what he was expected to do, and
certainly as unnecessary to doubt his doing
1t. One Of the pleasures of the gay and gallant
Georgian was q charge, and he turned in his
saddle and whirled his saber with the order
to gallop. AS he had been advancing almost
directly upon the flank Of the Federal column,
the advance brought him in front of it, and
| 1T was only necessary to face the column to
the left, where they were in line of battle
The order to charge was then given, and this
was done without firing. The movement had
been made so rapidly that the Federal line re-
ceiTed it standing. Thus the impetus carried
all before it, and the Federal force, after offer
ing brief resistance, gave way and scattered
over the field, pursued by Young. The engage
| ment was, from first to last, an unmixed fight
with sabers and some of the dead were cut
| through to the chin. Neither carbine nor pis-
tol was used in the fight, and probably the
| whole affair did not continue five minutes
! Calculating that it took ten minutes to form
| line and charge, this would give quarter Of
an hour, in which time the battle of Fleetwood
was decided. Gregg retired to the woods on
his right rear to form junction with Gener-
| al Buford, under q heavy shelling from the
artillery of Fleetwood, and Hampton followed
| steadily pressing him back toward the river
| This virtually ended the battle. Nearly the
Whole day had been spent in hard fighting al