Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-04
MARYLAND CAMPAIGN
THE CAVALRY FIGHT At BooNs-
noRo, GRAPHICALLY DESCRIBED.
The ninth Virginia and Eighth
Illiuois Regiments Cross sabres--
The Former suffer Severely hut
Capture some Prisoners.


1852 The Ninth virginia Cavalry was at
tached to the brigade commanded by Cen
eral Fjtz Lee. After nine days spent
among the fine hay and rich yellow corn
felds of Montgomery and Frederick
counties. the regiment crossed the "a
toctin mountain at Hamburg St dawn
on tho morning OF September 18th. Ham
burg was rude and scattering village Oh
the crest OF the mountain, where the ma"~
ufacture OF brandy seemed TO be the
chief employment OF the villagers. ana
at the early hour Of our passage through
the place both the men and women gave
proof that they were free imbibers OF the
product OF their stills. and II was not
easy to ind q sober inhabitant OF either
sex
To our troopers. descending the western
slope of the mountain, the peaeefui
valley below. dotted over with well-tilied
farms. with a bold stream winding down
among them. presented a scene Of un-
usual beauty and loveliness. Near
large grist-mill the command was hat-
ed. after a march OF several hours and'
here rested beneath the shade OF large
apple orchard until o'clock In the AFTER
noon. The distant boom Of artillery
assured us OF the bloody conflict going
VIC were ,n susnense TO know. The
march in the afternoon brought the
command TO the vicinity of Boonesboro'.
where brief halt was made after night
fall 10 rest and feed the horses. Near
midnight the march was resumed In the
direction Of the mountain pass above
Bconshoro'. The disaster 10 our arms
in the fight OF the previous day was now
made manifest as artillery, ambulances'
and infantry were met retreating down
the mountain The brigade. having as
cenacd a mile and a half. perhaps, above
the town. was held In readiness 10 charge
In column of tours. The nature or the
ground was ill-suited 10 the operation OF
ravairy. and much relief was felt whesl
1T dawn. we began to fall back towards
Boonsboro. Our retreat was none 100
rarly. for already the columns OF the
anemy, with their bright muskets gleam-
ing In the morning light. could be seen
As we entered Boonsboro'. More than
pnce we were faced about as we retreat
I'd. as II 10 repel threatened charge by
savalry.
Having been halted In streets of Boons-
bcro'. the men, after being so long In the
saddle were allowed 10 dismount. ana
Tor some time remained in this way, the
men standing by their horses or sitting
sown on the curbstones and holding their
bride reins. Suddenly, the order
Mount Mount resounded down the
rtreet, and simultaneously rapid hre
pf pistois and carbines was heard near
It hand. Before the men could mount
orI ~af q =
Ing at full speed, dashed into our already
confused column. and in an incredibly
short time the street became packed with
q mass OF horses and horsemen, so
TANNED together az TO make motion im-
possible for most of them. AT the same
time the upper windows in some of the
houses were hoisted and a voley Of pis-
tol shots poured down on our heads. The
Federal cavalry, quickly discovering our
situation, dashed up boldly and dis
charged their carbines into our struggling
and helpless ranks When the way was
opened. and retreat became possible,
general stampede followed. our whole
force rushing from the town down the
pike at a full gallop. This disorderly
movement was increased by the discoY-
cry that some OF the enemy's infantry
had almost succeeded in cutting off our
retreat and were firing from a corn field
into our flank.
We had scarcely gotten out of the town
before our coloners (W. II. F. Lee horse
was killed. and he. falling heavily on the
pike. had TO take fight. dust-covered and
bruised. through the field on the left.
Captain Hughlett's horse fell in like
manner on the edge of the town. and he.
leaping the railing. found concealment in
dense patch Of growing corn. In the
middle Of the turnpike were piles OF
broken stone. placed there for repairing
the roadway. On these. amidst the i'm
penetrable dust. many horses blindly
rushed. and falling. piled with their riders
one on another. Here and there In the
pell-mell race, blinded by the dust horses
and horsemen dashed against telegraph
posts and fen TO the ground. to be tram
pied by others behind.
When the open fields were reached and
we were beyond the range Of the infantry
a considerable force was rallied and the
Federal horsemen were charged In turn.
In this charge our lieutenant colo
ners horse was killed. and Sc
cond charge was led by Cap
tain Thomas Haynes. OF Company II.
in which a number OF prisoners belonging
10 the Eighth Illinois Cavalry were cap
tured and brought out. With this charge
pursuit by the enemy was checked, and
two battle-fags. about which some brave
men fell into ranks. with F'itz Lee in the
centre, served as a rallying point, where
>our regiments were quickly reformed. We
then withdrew leisurely in the direction
Of SharpsDurg and were not further
pressed.
THE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
In this brief and ill-starred encounter
% fxrro II
sixteen men killed and MORALLY wounded.
and ten men captured. Among the killed
were Lieutenant Fowlkes. Of Lunenburg.
and Frank Oliver, of Essex-two very
gallant men.
Captain Hughlett. who was dismounted
early In tie action by the falling OF his
horse, remained in concealment in the
corn throughout the day. and was a sad
and silent witness of the burial OF his
dead comrades by the enemy Under
cover OF darkness. he sought food at the
hands of a woman who was strongly
Union in sentiment, and had two sons in
the Federal army. She relieved his
hunger. and, strengthened az her hands.
he made his way into our lines. and reach
ed the regiment next day. having had
during the night several narrow escapes
from the enemys sertries.
On the morning OF the 10th OF September
the regiment was again in motion. after
spending a quiet and restful night i'm a
flne grove OF oaks and soon became salts
ned that the movements OF our army did
not mean an immediate retreat across
the Potomac. but preparation for battle
In the beautiful. winding valley OF the
Anfsetam. Our line OF march led us past
the position OF Hoods Division, the troops
OF which had already thrown up a slight
breasfwork OF rails. legs. stones, &c.
and lay on their arms. in readiness for
the enemy's advance. These gallant
men. who were destined TO meet the first