The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-07
From Brandy Station TO
the Heights of Get
tysburg.
Continued From Second Page. J

Stuart ordered all the covers removed
from the wagons, in which work he per-
sonally assisted, and the train followed
Fitz Lee. Learning of the capture of
my regiment 1 joined the wagon guard
and so continued until we reached Get
tysburg. We passed Carlisle on Wednes-
day night. Gen. Stuart demanded the
surrender of the forces there threatening
to burn the barracks, which he did upon
the commanding officer refusing to COM
ply with his demand. His object was to
gain time for his wagon train to pass;
in this he was successful. There was
fighting every day and hard marching at
night. Thursday p, m. about six o'clock
we carried the wagon train into Lee
lines not having lost a single vehicle.
Friday a. m. July Bird 1 gathered the
men of the End whom l could find not
employed as teamsters and went to the
cavalry corps. l found some twenty-five
officers and men acting with Capt. Glenn
ents' company of the 10th Virginia Caval-
ry. Capt C's comapny was from North
Carolina l had about forty men OF
whom / assumed command as senior of
ficcr present. We were about midday
depoyed on foot in an open field In the
hottest sunshine l ever felt, some four
of us put our heads under little bush
not two feet high nor so broad across.
About this time the artillery duel be-
gan. l do not suppose it ever has been
equalled by land forces in steadiness Of
discharge ard roar of guns.
A section of the horse artillery was
brought into action on our left and We
were moved into a piece OF open woods
to support it, While lying on the ground
holding my horse 1 was shot in the thigh
with minnie ball. About this time the
enemy in front advanced. Gen. Stuart
caused a portion of his line to give way,
the enemy passing, with the other por-
ton of his forces among which were the
End regiment he cut off and captured
those farthest to the front.
I was carried to barn, the field hos
pital'' where the hall was extracted
about sunset. The groans and means Of
those being operated upon and of the
dying made this an unpleasant place.
secured staff and hobbled to house
about one hundred yards off and spent
the night with a Dutchman who was not
at home, but his beds were all prepared
as if for company and / was not at all
lonesome as several others came in. Next
morning We did not know what would be
the next move, while it did not seem that
we had been victorious there was no
panic but Willingness to renew the con-
flict if ordered. The ambulances came to
carry the wounded. None were from my
regiment l secured the horse of a man
Of the 9th Va. Cavalry who was so badly
wounded that he could not sit up. I
found l could not ride horse back; the
only chance then was to sit by the driver
of the ambulance; this did to Williams
port where I found ambulances of the
regiment. Spent the night of the 4th of
July at Cashtown; travelled all next day
and night and day after until three
o'clock. When there was halt would
get out on the muddy ground and gain,
a few moments ease by lying down. ]
At Wiliamsport / procured one of the
regmental ambulances had my wound
dressed, detailed nurse and joined the
train for Staunton.
When l captured 1t. Shields on get
ting to the wagon train l gave one of my
men who was driving a wagon his sword
to keep until we got across the Potomac;
a day or two afterwards a portion of the
train was captured and he gave up the
sword. Shortly after this we recaptured
the wagons but not the man with the
sword. I hope it found its way back to
Lieut.. Shields.
My negro servant Edmond was faith
full to me all the way through and by
lodging the guard frequently brought in
rations which were very acceptable to
my comrades and self After reaching
Pennsylvania he went to store and
asked for a pair of boots No. 9. A pair
being shown be asked the price; on re-
ceiving answer that it was six 'dallars
replied "all right I'll take 'em just
charge 'em to me-"
I am indebted to Capt. Buxton Co. H.
for the account of the fight at Hanover
My horse was captured there with my
personal baggage, including a Bible given
me by lady friend. l hope it has ben
Gifted the person who got it.
The wagons were useful in bringing off
arms captured at Gettysburg and other
supplies. Not one was retaken.
If Stuart had not been encountered
with this train he would have passed
Hanover, which is not twenty miles from
Gettysburg ahead of Meades forces, and
if that had been done the probability is
that the battle would have been fought
elsewhere.