The National tribune., 1899-12-14
By CAPT. WILLARD GLAZIER.
FITZPATRICK WINS HIS STAR.


After Charlottesville, when Lee massed
his farces at Beverly Ford, before his army
his forces at Beverly Ford, before leading
his army northward, Gen. Pleansonton
was sent forward on reconnaissance, ana
again met the Confederate cavalry on the
field of Brandy Station. Gen. Gregg open
ed the battle at 1O:3C O'Clock in the morning,
and though his noble squadrons fought
well and bravely, their columns We're rolled
back, and for moment all seemed lost and
overwhelmed by the superior nu1nbersof
the enemy. But at this crisis fitzpatrick,
posted on u slight rise OF ground unfpricd
his battleflag 10 the breeze and his,buglcs
sounded the charge. He had under his
command the Harris Light" 10Th n, y.
Cav, and 1st Me. Cav.
One after another these regiments we're
hurled upon the Confederates until victory
was again the prize of the Union SquauronS.
On the following day Fitzpatrick was made
a aBrigauier General, and his brlSadereceiVed
special notice in the orders OF the Command
ing General.
Several engagements of minor import
ance succeeded Brandy Station, all leading
up to the battle OF Aide, which was 1ought
on the 18th of June. The village OF Aldle
is situated in a gap of the Bull hun Mount
aims and lay in the direct line OF our recon-
noissance southwark. Here we came upon
the adyance-guard OF the Confederate cav
airy, under fitzhugh Lee, and although the
encounter at this point was unexpected by
Fitzpatrick, still, he was equal TO the mo-
ment. Dashing TO the front he made
rapid survey of the situation and then
sounded the charge"
The rebels were at first taken by surprise,
and did not oppose his headlong advance,
but afterwards rallied ard fought deS-
talN- fnr hnggss IluTlnp ftiS cav
airy battle the enemy occupied strong
position on the crest % = till behind a barrl-
cade OF rails and halSIacks, and made
most determined StaIG. Fitzpatrick ordered
forward a battalion OF tine Harris Light,
pointed 10 the field OF haystacks, and said to
Maj. Mclryin, commanding: MAJOR, there
is the opportunity you have asked for; go
take that position"
Off galloped McIrvin at the head of his
battalion and a moment later charged and
drove the ConfederateS from the hayStackS
and OIL down the hill. But Lee rallied again
for last desperate attempt and success
for the Union arms now seemed doubtful
AT this crisis hilFatrick rushed to the recue
and at the head OF the LIST Me. Cav. swept
down upon the advancing columns OF the
foe with such i,TN that they reeled and
broke in confusion. Lee was dtiEen as lar
as MiddlebuIg, and night alone Ned the
remnant of his command.
A SERIES OF BRILLIANT VICTORIES.
On the day following the battle OF Aldie,
Gen. Pleasonton was anxious to push the
rebel cavalry back through the Bull hun
Mountains and to occupy the village OF
Middlebug. To Fitzpatrick and his dl-
vision was assigned this task, and Jdded as
we were, as well as our horses, by the ardu-
Gus vet glorious laborS of the previous day,
with mercury up 10 9S Fahrenheit in the
shade and 122 in the sun, and through
dust which many tramping hoofs made
almost intolerable, We marched into Pleas
ant Valley. The Confederates We're en-
countered near the town, and after an en-
gagement lasting between two and three
hours were repulSed and driven beyond
Middlebmg. In this action the Harris
Light" had the advance.
Aldie and Middleburg were succeeded by
Upperville on the 21st of June when, the
Cavalry Corps moved at S O'Clock IN the
morning in the direction of AShby'S Gap IN
the Blue Ridge. Three divisions, COM
manded respectively by Buford, Gregg and
Fitzpatrick, now composed the force under
PleaSonton-; -,--. = :.
As we moved toward Upperville, Kill
patrick again had the advance, with the
"Halis Light at the head OF the column.
We had not proceeded far before we en-
countered the1rebel pickets, which we drove
steadily before us. Their strength, how
ever, greatly increased as We moved forward,
and quite large force contested our ad-
vance when We entered Carrtown. From
this place to Upperyille the engagement
became general.
Although vigorously opposed, we pushed
ahead without being seriously retarded
until We reached Upperville. Here we were
met with great desperation, the rebels
charging US handsomely, but with no great
damage. When our forces had been
placed to advantage and the right time had
come, Fitzpatrick was ordered TO charge the
town.
With drawn sabers, weapons in which
the General always had confidence and
generally won success, and with yells
which made the hills and plains resound,
we rushed upon the enemy. Several times
the Confederates broke, but being rein
forced or falling back upon some better
position, again endeayored 20 baftie our
efforts. 1ney were not equal 10 the task,
however, and We drove them through the
village OF Paris and finally through Ash,
by'S Gap back upon their infantry columns
in the Shenandoah Valley. In this action
we captured two pieces of artillery, foul
caissons, several stands Of small arms anC
large number OF prisoners.
GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Soon after the fight at Upperville, Gen
Meade succeeded hooker as commander ol
the Army OF The Potomac, which led tc
many changes and Il thorough reorgani
Zation OF the cavalry. The harris Light,
now under Col. Otto Harbaus, was trans
ferred 10 the Second Cavalry Division, com
manded by Gen. Gregg.
From June - to July / this regiment
played an important part in the skirmishes
and minor engagements which preceded
the battle Of Gettysburg. We We're almoS
hourly engaged with the Confederates
under Stuart, titZhugh Lee, Imboden anC
John jenkins. The actions at Hanover
Hanover junction, the first day at Gettys
burg, the lights at Abbottstown and Hun
terstoWn on the second day, the splendlt
work Of the cavalry at Round Top on th
third, our pursuit OF the enemy IN hIs retrea
from Gettysburg, our capture Of between
1000 and 800 prisoners and Ewell'
entire wagon train on the night of July
are part OF the history OF that glOriou
campaign and establish The fact that tn
cavalry played no mean part at this crisi
IN the war Tor the Union.
In his dispatch 10 Washington, Gen
Meade says: The ID Ny. Cav. has been en-
gagged all day on both fianks OF the enemy
harassing and vigorously attacking him
with great success, Notwithstanding the,
encountered superior numbers, both 0
cavalry and artillery"
Gettysburg was followed in quick sue
cession by Smithburg, Boonsboro, Hagers
town, NilliamSport and Falling Waters, a
the Union cavalry pursued the retreatinl
columns OF the enemy 10 the south bank c
the Potomac. These engagements wer
succeeded by the Third Brandy Station
Culpeper, Raccoon L ord, Robertson Rive
Liberty Mills, james City, Fourth Brand