Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-09
DESPERATE CHARGES
THE FIRST VIRGINIA CAVALRY Al
GETTYSBURG.
IT WAS SABRE 10 SABRE, INDEED.
The sons of Confederate Veterans
The Programme for Their Meeti"s
10 Re Held in Charleston in May
CLARKE Courler.)

rhe recent death OF Colonel William a
Morgan. who commanded the First Nir-
sinia Cavalry during the civil war; recails
an article he wrote for the Philadeiphia
Times on the part his regiment took IN
the battle Of Gettysburg. The arucic
was written at the request OF CoionA
John Il. BatChelder. government HISTORIAN
and the following extracts will be read
with much interest, particularly by the
survivors Of the First Virginia After
making a comparison Of the Union and
Confederate cavalry, telling OF the maich
from Virginia to Gettysburg the Wii'eI
saws:
We were allowed 10 so into camp early
On the evening OF the "a IN position
somewhat protected by our inl@nt'f'
which had preceded our march into rem
eylvania by another and more wes'eiS
route. and had penetrated that Sta'e 40
far as York. Being much exhausted We
were allowed a good nights rest. lhc
next day-lne eyehtful 3d-we rsmai@ed
in-oarnp rcplenishing our ammunition aad
grooming horses until about O'Clock. ms
half-day's inactivity seemed 10 De par
ticipated in by the entire army as
far as l could learn--a most fatal mistake
that cost us the fearful and immense loss
we sustained in the afternoon, the dlSds
trous termination OF the Pennsylvania
campaign, and the return OF dlsplilltU
army TO Virginia. Had the cavalry osen
IN their saddle at daylight, striking for
the rear OF the enemy's position; had the
immortal Pickett led his brave DIVISION
up that fatal slope early in the morning.
and before the enemy had had time 10
concentrate and fortify their strong posi-
ton. the result might have been different
Moving out and forming by regiments
our brigade was preceded by the DIlsades
OF Jenkins and Chambhss, when moNeu
over toward the left OF the infantry me.
EweTs Corps held the left Of that line
confronting the then entrenched position
Of the enemy on Seminary Ridge Ihe
Second Virginia Infantry Of the stone vail
Brigade held his extreme left. Inc
brigades of jenkins and Chambhss TOOK
position to the left and the prolongddoh
o. the infantry line. Up 10 this time an
was quiet There was not an enemy IN
sight on the left flank, but TINS omihOU5
!ul preceded u fearful crash.
Dismounted sharpshooters from the brl-
rades of jenkins and Chambliss were AT
once formed and sent forward, connect
ing on the right with the infantry Inc
brigade Of Fitz Lee was halted in the
rear Of the left of Chambiss's Brigade
Eharpshooters were at once detailed ana
receiving an order from General Lee 10
take command OF the slurmishers and
advance in a certain direction indicated
by his staff officer ! at once formed ana
advanced. having about one hundred ana
thirty men In line. l struck out leaving
both TANKS exposed. At this time there
was not an enemy TO be seen IN my
front. The plain was nearly level and
ppen. with an occasional fence extending
hearty q mile in sight, then terminating.
We had advanced about three quarters OF
n mile In this direction without firing a
shot when we were confronted by line
of dismounted Federal cavalrymen equal
10 nv own in extent, who opened on us
NTH a yolley az close range from BEHIND
4 rail fence. My men instantly returned
their fire. when ! ordered an advance OF
their position at double quick, doing goo(
execution with our carbnes. We continu
ed TO advance. skiTmishing with then
some three or four hundred yards. Oh
approaching the woods on my right l saw
\ Federal battery wheeling into position
II soon opened on us with grape and CAMS
ter / at once ordered the men TO charg
the guns and shoot the horses OF tn
limbers. The men sprang forward with
ven. and were soon among the guns
which were deserted by their gunners.
then discovered. about two hundred yard
hack along the woods. a regiment O
front Directing the men 10 open o.
them. ] endeavored TO run the guns OF
by hand. when my attention was draw
10 the second regiment, coming from an
stiler direction. and forming in not hast'
I now Turned in the direction Of base
look for my support. With the eXceptlo
lf some dozen Of my wounded men
,snping in the rear there was not Col
federate soldier in sight. The view wa
f,r mil 10 a
then perceived that l had stirred up
hornets nest and a big one, too. But
knew the mettlo OF my men. Railyin
and closing the men on the centre, o.
dered right about, double quick We Ia
gone about one hundred and nifty yard
from the guns. which we reiinquishe'
when the first two squadrons Of the enc
my came laundering down on us.
Ordering a halt. right about waite
an Instant and with a steady weld
recteG fire in their faces. checked the
neadlong charge, throwing them into dis
prder and emptying some saddles The
taking advantage OF their confusion, m
une wheeled and were going again at n
double quick loading as they RAJ
rhe Fedorals, who were Clusters mer
reformed their line. and reinforced II b
what appeared 10 mo 10 be about thre
squadrons. The battery we had Just LEI
ma shell was poured into Us, apparent
ioing their mounted men as much hari
aud damage as It did us. But the cnem
was not fighting with his usual spirit an
Energy. There WAS no reason why the
Ihoulo not have anaihilated my htu
bard alone ana unsupported. as We The
ssre. Soon again they came on us wit
'neir eabfes giittering IN the bright SUI
shine Again ordered halt. and whec
ng about face, gave them sccon
rolley, with the same result as the frs
Seeing o. fence short distance of.
ordered the men 10 take and hold IL. II
he time my iina WAS formed behind III
ence the enemy was on us. and with III
pw fence between us desperate iigl
ook place. Casters men had now warE
I. 10 Up 10 the work. We were 20
mach exhausted TO retreat. Many OF III
rgs1y forced their horses over the fene
o De either shot down or Knocked iroi
Len with tho butts Of our carbness III
IISf1t.sg here was fierce and terrible. Tbs