Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-01-03
SHEPHERDSTOWN W. VA, TIL HURSDAY, JANUARY b 1901

their reserves, they opened upon US
with deadly effect.
When the First and Fourth Vir-
ginia made the charge that swept the
field, the First broke through the en-
emy's column, driving the greater por-
ton in the direction of their reserves,
which was followed and roughly han
died by the First Virginia. Those
that were cut off were all captured
except few who ran the gauntlet
and made their escape, one, a power
full Yankee, without hat, his hair
streaming in the wind, who had rid
den unobserved into the midst OF our
men, cutting right and left as be went.
General Stuart was close behind him,
calling at the top of his voice for some
one to shoot him. l looked back and
saw the Yankee just as he was about
TO saber John Grove, of Company +,
First Virginia. They were so close to
each other could not shoot. called
to Grove to lookout, but could not
make him understand. Quick as a
flash the Yankee dealt Grove power
ful blow across the head, but did not
unhorse him. A second later the
Yankee was tumbled from his horse
He had sabered several men before he
reached Grove. In Justice to the poor
fellow, I must say that he was brave
soldier
Our gallant little brigade was now
nearly exhausted, every man being
in two or more charges. Our losses
being very great IN men and horses,
it was thought best not to press our
advantage further. Owing to the con-
ditiou of the roads our artillery had
not yet arrived. Our commander
thoughtit best to retire to a more IA
vorable position and wait for the ar
tillery. Our line was formed across
the road leading from Brandy Station
to Kelly's Ford, in an open field,
gently sloping to the south. In our
front was a heavy piece of timber.
Captain Breathed's battery, which
had now arrived took its position on
the right of the line supported by the
Second and Fourth Virginia, the
First, Third and Fifth holding the
lett. The enemy pushed forward
their sharp-shooters aud opened a
heavy fire upon our line. General
General Fitz Lee waited some time,
expecting them to attack us, but see-
ing that Averlll showed no disposition
to advance, ordered his brigade to
charge The charge was made IN
line. 1t was a grand sight to see
those five OF SIX hundred Virginiaus
with drawn sabers as they charged
across the open field amid the thunder
of the artillery, the bursting shells
and the whistling bullets. The Sec,
oud and Fourth drove the gunners
from their battery, but it was retaken
again by the First Rhode Island
The First, Third and Fourth drove
the enemy back into the woods, but
were unable to press their advantage
any further. Our command retired
to reform upon the same grounds we
occupied before the charge. Now
was Averil's time. We had no re.
serves, and with his superior forces
if properly handled, he could have
routed Lees brigade. Averill after
having advanced little over a mile
fell back and recrossed the river
closely followed by Lees brigade
After having fought almost the entire
day the command returned to camp
which was reached about nine 0 clock
The men and horses had been without
food for more than twenty-four hours
Boots and saddle" had been sounded
at daylight and the command had
been rushed to the front without for
age or rations. 1t is an astonishing
fact that although contending against
superior numbers the entire day the
men returned to camp laughing and
Joking as f nothing unusual had hap.
pened. Our losses were very great
especially in horses, which Lee reports
to have been II killed, 81 wounded
y captured total 10.
General J. E. B. Stuart, although
present with US, was not in command
He aud Major Pelham were attending
a court-martiaI at Culpeper Court
House, and learning that the enemy
was advancing. both borrowed horses
and joined the brigade. Stuart took
an active part in several of the
charges. Major Pelham, as stated
before, was instantly killed while
leading the Third Regiment in
charge. ". J. 3.