The National tribune., 1900-07-12
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What the Veterans Have TO Say
About Their Campaigns.
FIRST SABER CHARGE.
Lieut.. Col. Daviss Brisk Fight Against a
Superior Force in 1862.

SupcA1o 8SASS AA 4oo1.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The fol
lowing was written by Brighten. julius
White, and send it to you for pubica
ton, after proper shaping to suit the col
umns of your paper. 1t was read before
tho Illinois Loyal Legion some time ago:
Il have called the paper which is now
to be read the First Saber Charge of the
War" Something in the way Of explana
tion may be due to the participants i'll
cavalry charges which antedated the event
of which write, and which were worthy
OF special notice and prominence as gal
liant Internationally the charge Of
Lagonyi with the Fremont Guard through
the streets of Springfield, Mo, on Oct.
20, 1861, which was not distinctly battle
with saber, and although daring attack
on superior numbers was repulsed with
loss. There was a charge with drawn
sabers by the 9th Ill. Cav, Col. Albert G.
Bracket, in Arkansas, in June, 1862, sup
ported. however, by infantry and artillery,
and was successful, the enemy being
of this paper is intended to signify is the
priority of the fight of which it treats as
a charge and actual personal conflict under
an order given in the midst Of battle with
firearms to discard them and attack q
largely superior force with saber only.
After the compaign east of the Blue
Ridge, in the Summer of 1862, that was
closed by the second battle Of Bull Run,
the theater of military operations was
transferred to Maryland by Lees inva-
sion of that State, and the Shenandoah
Valley, down to the line of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad, as well rs the region
directly in front of Washington, was evac
uated by the Union troops. An attempt
was made, however, to hold the railroad,
as it was a very important means Of COM
munication with the West.
''At Martinsburg, w. Va, there were
stationed the 65th ILL.,, Col. Daniel Cam
eron; 125th N. Y, Col. George Willard;
terry NJ, I'd III. Art. Capt. ]. G. Phillips,
in all about 200 men, under command
of Brig Gen. White. There wers left in
the Valley by the enemy some unassigned
cavalry, consisting of Ashby's Regiment,
the 18th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, and
two or three companies Of mounted men
known as the Sd Nd. Line, all under the
general command Of Col. Ashby, who had
with his regiment acquired quite repu-
tation for activity, enterprise and fight
ing qualities. These troops were not slow
in making their appearance in front Of
our outposts, and there were frequent
skirmishes at and near the opposing lines.
18th lii. Cav, was stationed at an outpost
on the Winchester Turnpike about three
miles south of Martinsburg, with force
of 90 men. This force was distributed as
pickets and videttes in front and on either
flank, SO that there remained at the prin-
cipal post with Col Davis about 20 men,
principally Of Cos. and G.
Some skirmishing occurred on the 9th,
resulting in capture of six of the enemy.
On the 7th Col. Davis's videttes on the pike
were driven in at daylight; Lieut.. Logan,
Co. G, was ordered forward with IS men
to reconnoiter and if possible develop the
strength and position of the. enemy. This
fhnrnItDbIt, hat
the brave Lieutenant found himself COM
pletely surrounded, and was compelled to
fight his way back, being himself seriously
wounded. but suffering no other loss in his
command. p Ia
Upon receiving Logan's report Davis
sent to his regimental commander at Mar
tinsburg Col. Noss for reinforcement. Co.
\, 18th LII. Cav, under Capt Thomas W.
Grosvenor, was mounted and ordered to
report to Leut.=Col. Davis with all possi-
bic dispatch. Two other companies Of the
18th, four companies of the Goth Ill, un-
der Maj. Wood, and section Of Phillipss
Battery, were ordered to the front, but,
as will be seen, were not permitted to par
ticipate in the fighting, eager as they were
to do so and prompt as they were in reach
ing the field.
when Co. A reported to Col. Davis he
found himself in immediate command of
50 men, including officers, ready for ac
liOH II tueEli III toiuluu VI
Co. A in advance headed by Capt. Il. w.
GrosvenOr. with Lieut.. VIM. NJ. Luff in
charge of the leading platoon, rapid
march was begun, which, as the column
neared the advanced picket post of the
enemy, was increased to gallop. Strik
ing this post Of the enemy, one of the
rebels was engaged and twice wounded
with the saber by Lieut.. Luff, and was
killed by another person with the carbine.
One other rebel was here captured. The
remainder had rapidly retreated and gave
timely notice, so that, although the delay
had been brief, the main body Of the en-
emy were in line of battle at a small town
called Darkesville, about mile farther
on. upon street crossing the pike at q
right angle.
"When Davis came riding into the place
at a gallop, Front into line, was the Or
der, and his little force in an instant found
itself confronting force five or six times
greater than its own, with less than 100
yards of distance between the lines, and,
before completing the formation, received
the first volley from the enemy. At this
fire Capt. Grosvenor and Private Charles
ID. Clark, Co. A, who had been unable to
check the speed Of their horses, fell in
close proximity to the enemy's line and
were made targets for subsequent firing.
Clark. being near the enemy, held up his
hand in token OF surrender, but this was
unheeded: while lying on the ground ask
ing quarter he was again shot through the
body. Lieut.. Luff, whose horse was killed,
being dismouDted, helped to remove GrOs
venOr, who was wounded, to the rear,
which he accomplished amidst shower
of bullets.
"For short time the firing was rapid |
and destructive, the enemy suffering most; |
but it soon became evident to Col. Davis |
that such a contest would end only in
disaster to his command, because of the |
great numbers of the enemy. With the |
quicllness Of thought he saw he must force |
the fight or make a rapid retreat, leaving |
his wounded to the tender mercy of the |
enemy. He went there to fight, and in
less time than is required to write it his |
purpose was determined. Drop carbines. |
Draw Sabers. Charged were the COM
mands, swiftly following each other, and |
Davis, with his heroic following, swept |
down upon the foe in a tempest of war;
"The result fully justified the daring |
but deliberate act. After some firing by |
the enemy their line was ridden down and |
broken, the rapid and continuous cut of |
the saber resounding upon the heads and |
arms of those resisting, while most Of
them were soon in rapid retreat.
This was not the kind Of fighting |
which the famous Black Horse Cavalry |
had been accustomed to. The pursuit was
kept up for 10 or IL miles and prisoners |
were taken at frequent intervals. Three
of the enemy were pursued by Private
Chris Ward into small lot surrounded
nv n high fappa RrjpyiuD his carbina