Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-07-25
July S-,4. 1863
=,
copyright, 1903. by G. L. Kilmer.l

/ war IudI IL nOOcII Lee
stood for battle he should be
defeated and not allowed to get away.
The wires to the front and the iron
hoofs of couriers' steeds were kept hot
carrying the impatient message, Don't
let Lee get away" When Lee was de-
feated> at Gettysburg, in the heart of
Pennsylvania, the edict was repeated
with emphasis, yet Lee got back to
Dixie with all his material and cara
van Of wounded, besides droves Of
Federal captives.
Compared with the great retreats of
history, the escape was a marvellous
feat. The north, as a whole, was glad
to see the Confederates 60. and. If the
truth could be known, doubtless the
chiefs in Washington were secretly as
happy over the events as were the
bankers Of Philadelphia and New
York. Longstreet, speaking Of the stu
alton, says 1t is dangerous business
catching a runaway snake by the tail,
and that something. would have hap
pened had the Army Of the Potomac
pounced upon the Army of Northern
Virginia as it fled through the noun
tain passes west Of Gettysburg to
strike the trail homeward.
General Birney went out on the Fair
field road with part Of hisA Federal d.
vision on July s and tossed some shells
into the retreating foe, but was or
dered 0y Meade mot to bring on q
battle" OF course he obeyed. Sedg-
wick led his corps farther on and over
took the Confederate wagon trains
huddled In great confusion around
Fairfield pass, with only Early's d.
vision to keep of the pursuers. Sedg-
wick looked the ground over and said
the position was too strong to be car
ried by assault His chief never ques-
toned the verdict.
General Fitzpatrick also set out July
to head of Lee with three cavalry
brigades. He struck "Jeb" Stuart's
troopers in Monterey pass, and while
fighting them in front was attacked in
the rear by body of Lees infantry.
A few more Kilpatricks in the saddle
with three brigades of sabers each at
their backs and Lee would not have
escaped. The dashing cavalryman cut
his way through Stuart's lines and
rode off toward the Potomac with 1880
prisoners in his train.
Lees wagons were under a strong
escort commanded by General limbo
den. Colonel George w. Imboden's
regiment Of cavalry, the Eighteenth
Virginia, and some batteries comprised
the fighting force Of the escort XII
patrick often attacked the moving COL
umn SO boldly that 1mboden was COM
PEELED to use canister to save his train.
At one point the general was nearly
taken captive by fifty troopers in blue.
who would not stop for canister. Colo
mel 1mboden galloped to the rescue OF
his brother and captured the entire
party Of assai1ants.
Fitzpatrick reached Hagerstown, Nd,
and found it in possession of Stuart,
but he did not turn back. The gal
liant Uric Dahlgren, then a captain
on Kilpat1ick's staff, distinguished
himself by charge into the streets
packed with Stuart's troopers. Cap
tain Lindsay Of Company A, Eight
eenth Pennsylvania cavalry, had been
killed in hand to hand fight, and
Dahlgren led the survivors of the CON-
pany In a dash across the public
square. He lost leg in the exploit
and was given a colonel's commission
for gallantry.
1mboden's column of trains was
fourteen miles long. When it reached
the Potomac the river was so high on
account OF recent rains that crossing
by fords was impossible Lees bridge
had been destroyed behind him by
Federals. His artillery, including that
under 1mboden, was without ammuni-
ton, and If ever an army was in a
plight it was the Army of Northern
Virginia, facing flooded and bridge
less river with the foe closing in.
The town Of Williamsport was con-
verted into hospital for the Confed-
crate wounded. On July 6 Buford's
Federal cavalry rode up to the out.
posts, and lmboden turned to fight
Wagoners were formed in line and
ofhcered by wounded soldiers who
were able to handle a sword. Several
boxes of ammunition had been brought
over from Virginia in a boat and I'm
boden's guns met Buford's trooners
With doses OF canister. Imboden had
twenty-five guns, and with these and
sknlful disposition Of his men de-
cetved buford as to the strength Of his
hne. lss: .---.... s-1,t,.s3 ~
The guns fired furiously until nieht.
fall. and then a courier stole through
the lines to tell Imbotien that Stuart
was at hand. The news was received
With a yen. and this was followed BY
the sound of stuart's guns On tho
HaeeFstown road In rear Of Buford.
btuaFt was up; Lees trains were
saved e. Z :,'';@' a'+,o>1r4 49,. >.:...s. !.
Lee marched his infantry to Falling
Wstem. o. the Potomac, little suppos-
hg that Tie postoon bridge he had. left
there On the, march north had been d.
stroved whse be was fighting Meade
q, Gettysburg. It was gone, and the
Potomac swept over the forts In : re
SdstleeS food. Fortunately tho noai.