Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-02-15
The Last Bull Run.
BY CAPT. GEORGE BAYLOR.

On April Sth (IS65l MoSbYS battalion
met at Upperville. and Companies D ant
H. were ordered on a scout down in Fair
fax AS Captain Glasscock. of Co. d
was my senior, upon him devolved the
command of the squadron, and response
bility of the venture. This was relei
to me. The men shared with the leader
equally in the glory of victory but the
leader alone must bear the shame an6
ignominy of defeat 1t was especially
pleasing on this occasion to have another
lift this burden from my shoulders, as the
expedition was bound to strange part OF
the country, and the aim and object, as
we'll as the great majority of the men,
were unknown to me.
The march was made to Salem (now
MarshalD on the Sth and the squadron
disbanded, with instructions to meet on
next day at Plains. Rest and refresh
ment was found by me at the hospitable
mansion, &" Waveland, where pleasure
and enjoyment could always be found
with the hosts of young company usually
collected there.
The meeting was had on the 9th at the
appointed time and place and there l
learned, to my great surprise, from a note
received from Captain G1asscock, that he
intended marrying in few days, and
would. in consequence, be unable to
accompany us, and turning over to me
the command. Having acquainted my
self with the destination ofthe expedition,
moved off across Bull Run Mountain and
camped that night at place called
Arundels, short distance from Fair
fax station. The rain was falling in tor
rents, and our preparations were rneager
for such weather
A bout the middle of the night was
informed by one of our officers, acquaint-
ed with the country and the people, that
house and some young ladies were
close by,and he proposed should go with
him, keep dry and enjoy pleasant visit.
The tempting solicitation could not be
Presisted. On reaching the house, found
quite a lot of our men had preceded me,
and were in possession of the premises
and the ladies. Soon ascertained the en-
tertainment and ladies were not con
genial, and having informed myself of
the situation and proximity of the enemy,
returned to the camp full of suspicion of
the loyalty of our hostesses.
Fearing a surprise, we passed the re-
mainder of the night in some fear and
trepidation, and gladly hailed the morn
ing light. At daybreak the squadron
was mounted, and marched in direction
of Burke's Station, trusting our presence
had not yet become known to the enemy.
But it seems the bird had flown and the
yankees apprised of our number, where
abouts and destination. AS Burke's Sta
ton was approached, the mule teams were
found Withdrawn. the object of our en-
terprise frustrated, and the enemy pre-
pairing for us a warm reception.
Seeing the expedition was fruitless we
began to retrace our steps, and had
reached Arundels. Lieutenant Carter
was in rear with some twenty men to pre-
vent surprise. Just as head of column
passed the Arundels house and Fairfax
Station road, our men were assailed in the
rear. The squadron was quickly faced
about and the enemy's charge repulsed.
But their reinforcement coming up at
this time our men were brought to bay,
and victory fingered in doubt. Recog-
nizing that bold dash would save us, 1
endeavored to urge our men to charge,
but they had now become somewhat dis
organized, and all efforts were futile. In
this effort was ably assisted by the officers
in the command. In a short time our line
began to break, and retreat was inevita-
bic. About two hundred yards from
Arundels was an open space of ground
favorable for cavalry movements. Here
proposing to make stand, had succeeded
in rallying about forty men, but when the
enemy approached and opened fire they
gave way and joined in the retreat. The
pursuit lasted until the Ocrouuan wa.
crossed at Swift Run Shoals, and it wa.
there that Lieut.. Wiltshire claims the
honor of having fired the last shot in the
war.
In this engagement my horse was sho
in nose and foreleg, and nearly succeeded
in unhorsing me. Co. D, in this fight
numbered about seventy-five men and +
about forty men. Opposing us wer,
companies G, H and K, Eighth Il1inoi!
Cavalry, under Colonel Albright, about
two hundred and fifty men. TIL,
loss on each side was near equal, as vii
be seen from the Federal account:
April 10th. 1865.
GENERAL GaMBLE-I have lust com
into camp from a fight with a battalion
of Mosby's men, under command o
Captain BAYLOR. whipped him lik,
thunder, (no doubt thunder was hell il
the old version,) captured number O
horses and some provisions Had a fey
men wounded and half dozen horse
killed. Will send full account at Al
early hour. CHARLES ALBRIGHT,
Colonel
He may have captured couple horse.
but where he found those provisions car
not imagine, as Mosby's men had neithe
wagons or even haversacks. They usual
f carried their provisions in their stomach.
and not much there on this occasion, a
we were without breakfast that morning
Colonel Albright then gives his ful
report of the affair:
FAIRFAx STATION ADril 10th 1865