Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-03-21

[FITz-HUGH LEE,Sf ; :::; Z: :,:.,
....' =, $50, ! FIRST HOT FIGHT |


vome time, the Federals holding on by
ble aid of artillery.
In the charge of the Virginians
Stuart lost his gallant boy artillerist,
Colonel John Pelham. Pelham's guns
were not in the fight, but he had
CHANGED to hear of the affair and rode
to the field with the head of column
along with his chief, who also was
there by accident. When tie Virginians
charged on the farmhouse, Pelham
rushed to the front, waving his sword
and urging on the troopers with wild
battle shout. He was struck dead by u
shell from AverelPs guns, and the fiery
cavalcade swept OH over his body:s
After it's repulse at the farmhouse
the Third Virginia was joined by Colo
mel T. L. Rossers Fifth Virginia, but
in a second effort both were driven
back by the rapid carbine fire of the
Pennsylvanians and Averell's guns.
Meanwhile Fitz-Hugh Lees right had
charged Averel's left and ridden al
most up to the battery. This charge
was also repulsed, the Federal troopers
making a gallant countercharge
Finding his force outnumbered three
to one, Fitz-Hugh Lee decided to meet
the foe on ground of his own choosing.
He drew back and formed his line at
the edge Of an open field 600 yards
wide. -Four cannon crowned a knoll
which overlooked the roadway. Aver
ellis column followed the retiring
Confederates rapidly and marching
through wood suddenly came upon
Lees battery and troopers in their new
position. The wide field on the Federal
side was covered with dry stubble,
which was on fire. Fitz-Hugh Lees
guns raked the roadway, but in the
face of it all the Federal troopers
rushed on, beating out the flames with
their overcoats and blankets as they
advanced.
On looking the ground over Averell
decided not to push the attack. From
appearances which were deceiving he
thought that the Confederate battery
was behind earthworks and the ground
was such that he could not carry it by
flank attack. His artillery ammunition
was imperfect, while that of Fitz-Hugh
Lee was terribly deadly. Whenever the
Confederate gunners made target Of
a flying troop of Federals they invaria-
bly, landed shot.
Seeing that Averell would not take
the initiative, Fitz-Hugh Lee ordered a
grand cavalry charge. 1t was a rash
venture and one he would not have un-
dertaken after the blue and gray had
crossed sabers few times, as they did
frequently thereafter in 1863. He put
every squadron in, leaving no reserve
and having nothing for his troopers to
rally on in case of defeat except the
four guns Of his battery. Averells bat
terry had $50 rounds of serviceable am
munition held in reserve in anticipa-
ton Of a charge. When Lees troopers
shell at 1900 yards, changing to spher-
ical case at 1000 yards ard to double
shotted canister at 400 yards.
Lees Fourth Virginia regiment en-
countered a rail fence when half way
across the field, and the troopers tore
it down under CALLING fire from the
Federal carbines. This regiment, with
the Second Virginia, constituted Lees
right wing. Together they aimed for
Averell's battery. Meanwhile Lees
left wing came to deep run, which
checked the line, and it was forced to
change from line formation to a col
umn Of tours under fire, file across the
stream and then deploy into line of
battle. Averell's cavalry met this
charge by firing at long range from the
woods screening that flank. The Con-
federates tried to sweep around and
reach the Federal guns which lay d.
rectly in front Of the Fourth and Sec
ond Virginia. Between this column and
the battery were two strong fences in
closing the main road of the region.
BY the time the troopers reached the
road they were broken up into small
squads and the impact of the charge
lost. The regiments, three in number
the First, Third and Fifth Virginia.
turned back and made their way to the
hill from which they started.
On the other flank the desperate
charge of the Second and Fourth Vir-
ginia met with stubborn resistance to
the last. After passing the fence these
troopers dashed for Averell's guns. The
gunners left their pieces, but oppor-
timely the First Rhode Island cavalry
rushed to the point of danger and in
sharp hand to hand fight drove off the
Virginiaps. The defeat of the Second
and Fourth Virginia was not rout
however. They rode back to the olu
ground to reform without molestation
Even the gallant Rhode Islanders, who
made the hardest fight in Averelrs col
umn, were satisfied to have rescued the
battery. ..--* -
With the retreat of the Second
and Fourth regiments came Ayerell's
chance to destroy Fitz Lees brigade.
Lees men had been beaten in fair
fighting. They were fewer in number
than the enemy by almost three to one
and had suffered most In the fighting.
But Averell excused himself from fur
Their attack on the ground that he had