The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-05


mics faced each other In grim nrray of
battle, and tho tremendous issue mad
been Joined
The absence OF his cavalry must have
caused our great commander many All
anxious moment. For want of 1t he could
not be duly apprised OF the Foderal
movements Tho armies came together
unexpectedly. Lee was forced into bat
tie on ground not OF his own choosing
The raid towards Washington and the
capture Of the wagon train weighed heav-
lily against the fortunes Of the South.
Gettysburg furnished ~ significant ana
melancholy Illustration Of tho value OF
the cavalry arm III the operations oil
great army.
STUART AND LEE.
II, that noble address OF Lee to his
army, In which he assumed all RESPONSE
billtv and blame COR the issue of the
battle of Gettysburg, he doubtless had
respect for tho wide liberty and discre-
tionary powers which he had committed
to Stuart. and if the latter made mis-
take In the movement which he directed,
and which separated the cavalry so far
from the main army, It was not of kind
to impair in any wise the confidence
which the great commander imposed IN
his trusted and gallant general OF cav
airy Nor did It impair the confidence
and enthusiasm with which his men re-
garded and followed him. He continued
TIL his death to hold, and his secure ana
abiding fame will maintain. his position
as the Prince Rupert of Confederate
horsemen and the Chevaher Bayard OF
Southern valor and chivalry HIS laugh
Ing eye, robust figure and floating plume
as in bronze he bcstrides his steed, we
have good grounds to believe, Will en-
kIndle the gaze and stir the enthusiasm
OF our generous and ndniring youths IN
years to come even as his living and IN
spring presence stirred the hearts of the
men who followed him In battle.
The last great struggle through which
the Army OF Northern Virginia passed
was in conflict with an invisible foc-a
silent, stealthy grim, gaunt foe known
as privauon. or hunger. The standards
OF that heroic army never trailed and
their intrepid spirits never dropped until
the exhausted supplies of the Confeo-
cracy sent hunger to Enaw at their Hltnls
and tho ravenous wolf to howl at the
doors OF their homes Unhappy as were
the effects Of scant and Inadequate ra-
tions for men and horses on the physical
condition Of the army, the growing search
ty and want Mt Their homes, amongst
their wives, mothers and children, affected
the men worst Of all.
AS the cavalry had borne an active
part in the scouts and raids preliminary
to the great conflicts Of arms. 1t seems
fitting that they should bestir themselves
In behalf OF the last storm and dreaded
conflict with hunger, and this they rlght
nobly did.
THE BEEF RAID.
On the Ions line In front of Petersburg
In the autumn Of 1864. General Hampton,
with the cavalry. occupied position oppo-
site the extreme left of the Federal army.
ono OF our scouts returning from an eE-
pedition within the enemy's lines brought
one day a dispatch which he had taken
from a captured courier. What DISPOSE
ton he made OF the unfortunate courier
he did not infinitely explain. inc cap
tured dispatch indicated that 2 4S5 beeVes
had been landed for the commissaries, of
the Federal army, and additional guards
we're needed for their protection. Tho
observation made by tho scout went to
show there was chance to make val
liable capture.
Next morning early all Hampton's
availa BILE force was mounted and In mo-
ton, having been made ready with ra-
tions and ammunition for four days
march
OF the bold and perllous enterprise on
which Hampton set out with two of his
divisions It is enough, probably. to say
that several of his highest associate Of
fcers regarded the movement as violativc
OF the we'll established rules of prudent
warfare. It was necessary for him to
pass near the cavalry outposts on the
left Of Grants army, then to proceed
down the entire rear of that army well
into the apex Of the angle formed by Its
line and James River. It was necessary
on reaching the canal. where the beeves
were under guard to assault men pro-
tected behind barricades and abattis of
felIed pine trees. Moreover. when once
the movement was discovered tho entire
Federal cavalry were free to obstruct
and attack Hampton's cavalry, and there
was an almost absolute certainty that
after having secured the cattle tho line
OF escape would be occupied by Federal
troops and it would be needful to fight
way out.
HAMPToN's TRIUMPH.
Despite It's difficulties and hazards
Hampton conducted the expedition In lei
surely and orderly fashion. captured tho
entire herd and made prisoners OF nearly
the whole forco who were guarding them,
and when on his return serious opposi-
ton confronted him. he attacked the
enemy so boldly and by n flank maSoeuvre
got the herd around SO adroitly that no
suffered little or no loss.
Tho completeness OF his success was
we'll indica ted by the New York Tribune,
WHICH, III ucSEllplliS tlic fiidii ihNeliuuS's,
said that after entering the Confederate
lines Hampton learned that one lame
beef had been left ten miles behind In n
ditch. and when so learning, Immediately
turned portion Of his command about,
marched them back and triumphantly es-
corted the lame steer into his camp. What
a timely and comfortable acquisition
these beeves proved to Lees ill-fed mon
on the lines around Petersburg, 1t Is need
less to explain.
Prior to this the infantry. mindful of
the ranging opportunities of cavarymen,
and the ease with which they could dash
up TO farmhouse and ill their cantecns
from a dairy or springhouse, We're wont
to salute them In this fashion, Hello.
buttermilk brigade!' but after the cattle
raid they changed the salutation some
what, and respectfully said: "Hurrah.
beef boys"