The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-05
CAVALRY
RAIDS
Four Great Ones Under
Stuart and Hampton.
DARING ENTERP RISES
A Readable Epitome of Some of the
~ Stirring Events in the History
Of the Cavalry Of the
A. NV

Substance Of an address delivered by
DR.. George w. Beale before the lawson
Ball Confederate Camp. OF Lancaster
county, on June oath, 1909
When the perfume OF the June roses
1n the year 1901 was waited from South
ern gardens and tho hooking birds sang
under tho full moon of that loveliest
,nontp the principal (armIcs Tn the
great conflict between the States con-
fronted each other on the opposite banks
of the Chiclzahominy. The Southern
cavalry, under Acknowledgement Stuart,
were encamped on the extreme left of the
long line occupied by the Confederatcs.
There had been some days of quietude
in the cavalry camps-a quietude dis
turhed only by the sound of many bu-
Elers deep down In the woods. practicing
the calls and marches under musical
director. when late one afternoon the dull
routine of camp life was broken. Fifteen
hundred cavalrymen and -four or five
pieces of horse artillery, with their COM
rement Of men, provided with three
days rations and well-filled cartridge
boxes. were In motion, and marching as
If to get around the right wing of the
Federal army. At daylight next morning.
when we'll in rear of that great army.
Their picket line was encountered near
Hanover Courthouse. and the regiment
on outpost duty was charged and put TO
flight with the loss on our part of the
gallant Captain Latanc
a PATH OF PERIL.
With Tho charge In which Latane fell
began Stuarts rapid and daring move
ment to ride around McClellan's entire
force. to cut his communications. to
threaten. and. II possible, destroy his
supplies. and to necessitate such changes
In the location of his troops rs would
favor an attack by both Lees and jack
sons armies The bold and daring char
acter of this enterprise may be UNDER
stood by remembering that tho deep
Pamunkey River flowed In rear Of the
line held by the Union army, leaving
I. between them only the narrow space of
six or eight miles open for Stuart's pas
sage along the entire rear of that army;
that the roads leading down through the
narrow strip were nj many points pick
eted and often obstructed by wagon
trains and ambulances; that not less than
ten thousand men We're within easy
reach OF any point at which an hours
fighting might occur. and that between
e Stuart and safety flowed the Chlcka-
hominy' River swollen beyond It's banks.
: past all hope of fordlng. and without a
bridge In addition to these Obstacles
behind the left of the Union army rnn
the York River Railway, over which
trains We're passing. and which could
easily transport In but few minutes
overwhelming forces and place them
right across stuart's pathway.
Notwithstanding the odds against him,
Stuart. by the CELEBRITY of his movements.
the Skill Of his manoeuvres and the bold
front which he constantly displayed, ac-
complshed his purpose and after de-
etroying many valuable supplies and cap
turing 800 horses and mules. returned
10 his camp with the loss of but ono
man.
Ont the basis In measure, OF the In
formation thus gained. and while Mo
Clellan sought to strengthen his COM
munications. to repair his damages. ia
guard his supplies. and to protect his
rear, General Lee delivered battle only
few days later, and executed In n
series of brilliant Victories tho plan
which Stuarts adventure assured him
TO be feasible and hopeful. And so was
performed by the cavalry n prelude tc
the seven days battles, in which this
infantry and artillery. through sue,
cession of bloody encounters. marked by