The National tribune., 1897-04-15
ON THE FLANK.
Co. G, 1st n. Y. Dragons, yearly Escaped
Capture.

Co. G, LIST n. Y. Dragons, Nearly Escaped
Capture.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: A few days
before the battle of Winchester, in Septem-
Der, 1864, we met some of Early's men on
the banks of the Opequan. We had about
a corps of infantry, a brigade of cavalry, and
some artillery. The enemy had about the
same number of men.
Our infantry was back about 90 rods from
the creek, with the artillery back of them on
higher ground, shooting over the heads of
the infantry. The enemy occupied about
similar position. We of the cavalry were
still back of the artillery, where we had
good view of the enemy and of our own men.
We were thinking we should have good
chance to see battle without taking hand
in it, but we were mistaken, for the rebels
were soon reinforced, and Gen. Sheridan
wished to keep them from crossing the creek
until help, which he was expecting, should
arrive.
He ordered our squadron, Co. A and Co. q
of the LIST N. Y. Dragons, to dismount, leave
No. to hold horses, work our way down to
the creek toward covered bridge, there to
conceal ourselves in some houses and other
buildings, where we could get good rake
on the bridge in case the rebels attempted
to cross
We were to 60 few at time, and to keep
in some bushes and a ravine, in order not to
attract-the attention Of the enemy. Capt.
John p. Robinson, of Co. A, went with us.
1t took us some time to get into our places
of concealment. We had not remained long
in position when Lieut.. Chamberlin, of Co.
G, came running down to us from the main
line, telling us that the rebels had crossed
the creek farther down, and were now on our
flank; als0 that the army was retreating,
and the orders were for us to save ourselves
We went back up the hill as quickly as we
could, and found our men all gone but
part of light battery, which limbered up
and got away in a hurry We followed on,
| and soon the road ahead was full of rebels
II they looked back and saw us, no doubt
they thought we were some of their own
men, as our uniforms were very dusty but
we did not care if they did seem to slight US
just then.
Some Of the men advised our Captain to
tell his men to scatter and every man look
out for himself; but Capt Robinson said
No; all keep together and follow me-" He
led the way few rods out of the road into
the thick oak grubs. There we lay down
and kept still. We could hear the enemy
passing in the road for time.
When it got more quiet we moved farther
from the road, made long detour, and
finally came 10 where our led horses were
with the rest Of the regiment. We had been
mounted but a short time when orders
came to prepare to fight on foot. We were
then so tired that we painted like dogs, but
had to take hand with the rest of the regi-
| ment.
| Our reinforcements having come up, we
drove the enemy back across the creek. We
took the same position that the infantry
occupied in the morning Soon we were
ordered to make left-fank movement. AS
we were executing this order, q shell dropped
in between Ansel B. Smith and the writer
and exploded, stunning us, backing our
faces with burnt powder, and throwing dust
and gravel in them.-R. SALISBURY, Co. A,
LIST N. Y. Dragons, Center Road Station,
Pa