Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-02-02

OF their blue ovsrcoats thas they
had bad 10 wear, not from choice, but
from necessity. As soon as Stuart
was certain who was Ia his front he
ordered the charge. The Federal
squadron stood only long enough 20
ire one volley, when they TOOK 70
their heels and ran back 10 their
main body like a lot Of whipped ours.
Capt. Irving's horse was wounded
by this fire, but no other casualties
occurred. This charge was of the
greatest Importance to Stuart. BY
it be obtained possession Of the road
leading up 70 the little Monocacy
where high bluff extending nearly
to the river protected his left flank
and screened his movements. Ea
also gained commanding position
quarter OF O mile in advance of the
road by which Capt. White expected
TO approach Whites ford. Thus far
ali was well. In o gsllop the LIST
peice OF Breathed' g section was
ordered to the front, and supported
oy dismounted men, commanded by
Lieut.. q. w. Dorsey (who was really
the commander of the troop) of the
lst Va. cavalry, Co. K, opened fira
upon them on the other bank OF the
little Monocacy. At the same time
Col. W. FL. F. Lee, with Fitz Lee 5
old fighting brigade and the led
horses were turned oil to the left by
a farm road 10 the ford 2 miles dist
ant. w. <. Jones brigade followed
in the rear. Hampton held the rear
with section of the battery. Stuart 8
demonstration SO impressed Pleas
anton with the idea that Stuart
wished to cross the river at the
mouth of the Monocacy that he made
no attempt to attack him until rein
forced by Pennington s remaining
guns a pieces) and 4 company's OF
infantry. Stuart took advantage OF
the Federal cavalry's inactivity aud
quickened his pace accordingly.
AS Col. Lee approached the ford a
large body OF infantry had it la pos
session. Col. Lee sent word to Gen.
Stuart requesting his presence at
the ford Immediately. but Stuart on
ly replied that he was engaged and
could not come, but that the ford
must be carried at all hazards.
While making his disposition for
the attack Colonel Lee concluded he
would make little bluf. He wrote
a note 10 the Federal commander,
stating that Stuart with his whole
command was in his front, and that
he was called upon 10 surrender.
Fifteen minutes was granted him,
To.avoid bloodshed he must surren.
der at once. A courier with white
handkerchief on a stick conveyed
this note from Col. Lee to the Fede.
raj commander.
The fifteen minutes passed aud yet
there was no sign Of Q white DAG
along the enemy's line. Lee opened
with the battery. firing rapidly.
The artillerymen knowing the con-
dition OF affairs, went into this &C.
tion with a zeal, knowing that 10
our precision and accuracy In firing
depended much upon our getting
across the river. The cavalry ad.
vaDced under the fire Of our section.
In a moment We expected TO re-
ceive the fire of their infanty. But
could it be possible they were re-
With flags flying and
drums beating they abandoned their
marching eastward down
the river. Cheer alter cheer sroSs
from the Confederate rsnks when
they witnessed this movement o
the enemy. DGiiverance was indeeo
At hand. Up It's steep banks and
across the rugged ford We went.
One piece soon crowned the bluff ON
the Virginia side of the river. The
other guu was stationed 20 sweep
the towpath and other approaches
to the ford. The battery maintained
this position, firing in every direc-
tion on both tanks, keeping this up
until all but the rear guard had
crossed. Butler and the N. c. reg.
ime0ts had not arrived courier aft
er courier was dispatched, and still
no iidings of them. At last Colonel
Gen. Stuart's engineer
officer, volunteered to 90 ard see
what had become ofthem. He found
them at last, and discovered that
they were resisting large force OF
the enemy, who were crowding them.
Blackford delivered Stuart's 3 orders,
withdraw at once or be cut of.
Butler replied, "f don't think I can
bring that gun of; the horses are
given out and cannot
move them" To the amazemsnt Of
all the broken down horses respond.
ed TO whip and spur, and the No. 8
gun Of the old battery went whirl-
ing down the road, followed by But
Ter and his men.
AS he rounded the road near the
ford Pennington saluted him with
his 3 inch rifles, and as he neared
the ford he received the scattering
fire Of the enemy's infantry. The
section that had kept the enemy back
for SO long continued TO do 80 until
Butler arrived, when they retreated
across the river, glad 70 be at home
once more on Virginia's 3 soil.
When Gen. Stuart came 10 sight
he was greeted with rebel yell that
made the very earth tremble. The
march from Chambessburg was one
of the most remarkable on record.
Within q hours we had marched 81
miles, although encumbered by the
captured horses that were being led.
Gen. Stuart issued circular 70 his
men, complimenting them for the
manner in which they kept up and
the endurance they stood. One man
was wounded and two who dropped
out OF the line Of march captured
constituted our entire loss. After
O shcrt breathing spell we marched