Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-03-02


rear. l then perceived that | had
stirred up hornets nest and a big
one, too. But l knew the mettle of
my men. R4llying and closing the
men on the centre, I ordered right
about, double-quick. We had gone
about one hundred and fifty yards
from the guns which We relinquished
when the first two squadrons Of the
enemy came laundering down on US.
Ordering halt, right about, l wait
ed an instant, and with steady, we'll
directed fire in their faces checked
their headlong charge, throwing them
into disorder and emptying some sad
dies. Then taking advantage of their
confusion, my line wheeled and were
going again at the double-quick, load
ing as they ran. The Fsderal', who
were Custer men, reformed their line,
and reinforced it by what appeared
to m. to be about three squadrons.
The battery we had just left uninjured
was again manned and shot and shell
were poured into us, apparently doing
their mounted men as much harm and
damage as it did US. But the enemy
wa, not fighting with his usual spirit
and energy. There was no reason
why they should not have annihilated
my little band, alone and unsupported
as we then were. Soon again they
came on us with their sabre. glitter
ing in the bright sunshine. Again l
ordered a halt, and wheeling about
face gave them a second volley, with
the same result as the first. Seeing a
fence short distance off, ordered
the men to take and hold it. By the
time my line was formed behind the
fence the enemy was on us, and with
this low fence between US a desperate
fight took place. Clusters men had
now warmed up to the work. We
were too much exhausted to retreat.
Many of the enemy forced their horses
over the fence to be either shot down
or knocked from them with the butts
of onr carbines. The fighting here
was fierce and terrible. They demand
ed our surrender. My men did not
have time to reload their carblnes,
but were using them as clubs to ward
off the sabre thrusts.
This state of affairs could not last
long, though both sides seemed deter
mined to fight it out to the death,
when suddenly General Wade Hamp-
ton came up like the whirlwind. l
hailed him as our deliverer, but Just
as he came to where | was shell
struck his horse, and exploding Sc
verely wounded him. The General
was carried bleeding from the field.
Next the dashing Young, leading the
Cobb Legion, rushed upon the scene,
a very thunderbolt of war. At this
charge Clusters people broke and were
swept back for a considerable distance,
when they in turn were reinforced by
another regiment from Greggs Divis-
ion. Being now rescued and relieved
l hastily reformed my men and again
advanced on the right of the Cobb Le-
gion, who were now engaged IN a
hand-to-hand sabre fight. We hast
ened to aid those who had just save /
us by their charge, forming on their
right and filling the space between
them and Chambliss left. Gregg at
once hurled other fresh regiments in
on the right of Clusters men. These
were IN turn met and checked my the
Jeff Davis Legion, assisted on their
left by the North Carolina Cavalry,
which charged in gallant style. Still
other Federal regiments came thun-
derlng in on our left extending the
line of battle still further in that d.
rection. 1t was now Fitz Lees oppor-
tunity. The brigade came up with
the sabre, each regiment charging in
succession, meeting the enemy mid
way between the woods on our left
and his battery and checking any
further movement on the extreme left.
Our batteries by this time had taken
position and were firing rapidly. The
enemy also had opened batteries from
several points. Every available man
that Stuart had on this flank was in
up to the hilt, while plainly in view
was an entire brigade of Gregg's troops
unengaged, held in hand for pruden-
tial reasons.
The fighting now became furious.
Charge after charge was here given
and received. Each party reformed
only to charge again. Prisoners were
taken and retaken in a very few mo-