The National tribune., 1900-04-26
A RECONNAISSANCE.
4 Lively Call with Dahlgren at
Falmouth Station.
By e. 7. HEBB,
%. I, 1st Ind. Cav, Caldwell, Kan.

read in your Sparks from the Camp
fire" about Capt. Dahlgren's reconnois
sance at Fredericksburg. Allow me tc
Dahlgren was a staff officer of Gen. Sigel
Eharra was Captain of Co. /; Matthew of Co
K; Carr was Lieutenant of Co. X; L was
Orderly-Sergeant of Co. |. We started
from Headquarters in the morning, and
during the day picked up the 9th Ohio,
when Capt. Sharra ordered me to count the
force; did so by riding out of ranks, and
counting as they passed; there We're 54 OF
the horses. and SO of the 9th Ohio.
We rode until midnight, when we fed our
horses and then remounted. We arrived
at Falmouth Station between and 8 p. m.
Capt. Dahlgren sent the 9Th Ohio down to
guard the ferry near the burned bridge,
and we forded the river. After leaving
a small squad at road near where we
crossed, the balance of us rode leisurely
into the town. brown, our scout and
guide had been as far down as the depot;
returning, he asked for 10 men to go with
him to capture some stores. L went with
them. Lieut.. Carr rode by my side. We
all had our sabers Slung along on our
wrists, and our Colts revolvers in our
right hands, our horses being controlled
by our left. The grass did not grow under
our animals feet on that trip. The first
rebels were only two, and they left us, but
we found enough soon afterwards and
charged. l fired five shots from my re-
yoIver, keeping the sixth, fearing l might
need it. i caught up my saber, and my
first man / struck above the right ear.
l suppose | knocked him 10 feet. He was
on a large sorrel horse. A negro caught the
animal and brought it to me, but told him
O. keep it. My next man was bareheaded;
ke had a bald spot about the size of a silver
dollar on top OF his head, and l hit him
Ssst TO the left of it. / had ridden beyond
Ehe rebels by this time, and as | saw a
aMmber of them forming on my right |
rode over. The officer in command was
seated on his horse with his revolver rest
hg on the pommel. / took hold of his
Eeyolver and ordered him to surrender
81 eXclaimed:
'Are YOU, indeed, Yankees?"
"YeS" / replied; give up your gun"
81 give that up TO no man" he responded,
Hharply. At that left them and started
for assistance.
Arriving where we had made our charge,
found the squad had about 20 prisoners,
and there were fully as many helpless
Confederates lying on the ground. Lieut..
Carr had left, and | suppose joined the
company. Up the street was a squadron
of rebels. They wheeled by platoons.
filling up the street. and charged. Iordered
the men TO run for the ford. The pris-
oners refused to move. managed to bring
off one, and Comrade H. Eckiy another
The balance stayed with their friends.
The rebels chased us to the ford, cutting
down Serg't Warren in the race. Arriving
at the ford we rose in our stirrups, waved
our sabers and cheered. The rebs stopped
to reform, and we hastened to the other
side of the river. The rest of the boys
crossed by ferTying, bringing 80 prisoners
and two wagon-loads Of gray cloth. They
also had had a hot time. Bugler Gapen
had torn down the rebel flag, and had been
shot from behind before he reached his
horse. Corp1 Vickory ard private were
left in Falmouth with the flag of truce TO
return and bury Gapen, but they were
taken and sent to Richmond as prisoners.
Our loss was: Gapen killed, Serg't Warren
badly wounded and captured, and Corpl
Vickory and private Decker taken prisoners.
Our spoils were 40 rebels and two wagon
loads of gray cloth for rebel uniforms. A
more wornout set of troopers you never saw.
My horse lay down and did not get upon
his feet again for three weeks. But you
can bet all you are worth he did not suffer
for want of care in that time