Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-05-04

From Gettysburg to HagersfO.ca. WI
Transport and back 20 the Rapa-
hdnaock;.
On the 14th, no wonder we were tired
but we were never so tired that we could
not respond 20 any demand that was
made upon rs. When 1 look back and
recount the priyations and severe strains
that Were forced upon our bOyish frames
exposure to heat and cold, no shoes In
many instances, days without food;
wearing wet clothes in Winter and Sum.
mer for days at a time, 1 only wonder
that a single man who was I'm that
grand cid battery il aiise today. Whal
q magnificent body OF men composed the
army OF Northern Virginia. In it's ranks
Were the best men Of the South, and for
what? All for principle and honor, no.
thing Tor comfort and pleasure. eonsi-
der it great privilege TO have been an
humble eannoneer in that half-staryed,
ragged army of Marse Robert. and that
1 rode with Stuart, Fitz Lee and the
peerless Jim Breathed.
Gen. Stuart continues i'm his report:
Bakers brigade champion having been
wounded at Gettysburg was assigned
the duty of picketing the Potomac from
Failing Waters to Hedgesville. The 9TH
er brigades were eneamped around
Leetown. Robinson was sent to the
fords of the Shenandoah, where he had
already established a picket post. Upon
my arrival at the Bower" Learned that
a large force Of the enemy's cavalry was
between Sheperdstown and Leetown and
determined at once to attack them.
made dispositions accordingly, concen-
trating cavalry in their front, and early
on the morning of July 16, moved Fritz
Lees brigade down Sheperdstown pike.
supported by Chanbliss, who though
quite III, with that commendable spirit
that always distinguished him remained
at the head OF the brigade. Jenkins was
ordered to advance on the road leading
from Martinsburg TO Sheperdstown, 30
that Jones, who was near Charlestown.
might cooperate. The dispositions hay-
ing been made | was about to attack.
when received very urgent message
from the Commanding General to repair
ut once 10 headquarters. | therefore.
committed to Brigadier General Fitz Lee
the contamination Of my plans, and re-
ported at once to Gen. X Z. Lee, whom
l found at Bunker Hill. Returningin the
afternoon to the scene of conflict near
Leetown, found that Fitz Lees and
Chambliss brigades had driven the enc
my steadily to within a mile ofSheperds-
town. Jenkins brigade not having ap-
peared on the left. It however, soon ar
rived in Fitz Lees rear and moved up to
has support. i wish to say i'm this con-
nection that Breathefi's battery was ina
very hot place. supported by Jenkins
brigade. Time and time again did the
battery have to depend upon its GOODNESS
and canister to keep the enemy from
running over it."
Jenkins gave way and the old LIST Vir-
ginia came to our assistance as she al
ways did when we were ia danger, and
drove the enemy's column that had an
noyed us SO much back beyond the rail-
road, but not until the gallant Col. Jas.
I'll. Drake was killed. i saw him when
he fell. He was on our right FLANK i'm
the road at the head of his old regiment
when he was struck in the head by a pis-
tOl ball, and another noble soldier and
Virginia gentleman fell a martyr to the
Southern Cause. The ground was not
suitable for cavalry 50 the main body
and advanced in line of bat
tie. The enemy retired to a strong posi-
tion near Col. 8. p. Boteler's residence.
and being dark, we ceased firing to re.
new the attack next morning, but. day
light, found the enemy gone, having
retired in the directions of Harper's
Ferry. The enemy's loss in killed and
was heavy; ours small.
Gen. X. L. Lee was anxious that the
should move over into Loudon
but the recent heavy rains had
swollen the Shenandoah SO that it was
impossible to swim the horses, scouting
parties having to rum the rish of drown
ing in fording it.
In the interval between July 16 and %,
the enemy made a demonstration on
Hedgesville forcing back Bakers brigade.
was kept up on that front
for several days while our infantry was
engaged in tearing mp the b. & p. II. r..
near Martinsburg. Ii soon became ap-
parent that the enemy was moving on
our right flank, availing themselves Of
the swollen condition of the various
streams to interpose their army by q
march along the east side Of the Blue
Ridge, between our present position and
L0ngstreet's corps had al
ready moved to counteract this effort.
cavalry was sent under Robert
SON for the advance guard through the
Front Royal and Chester gaps, while
Baker was ordered to bring up the rear OF
Ewell's corps, and Jones was ordered to
picket the lower Shenandoah as long as
and then follow the move
ments of the army. FitE Lee, w. H.F.
Lee and Jenkins, by forced march from
the vicinity OF Leetown, through Mill
wood. endeayored to reach Manassas Gap
80 as to hold it on the TANKS of the army.
but it was already in possession Of the
enemy, and the Shenandoah, still high.
in order to be crossed without interIer
ence, had to be forded at Front ROYAL.
Our cavalry reached Chester Gan early
ON the 23rd, passing the army's left and
with great difficulty and forced march
that night below Gaines X
roads, holding the Rockford road and
pike, on which near Amis-
vile, the enemy had concentrated large
Iorce Of cavalry. July 24th, while NOV
ing forward to locate the enemy, artil-
lery firing was heard towards Newling's
\ roads, that was afterwards ascertain
I'd to be portion OF enemy's artillery fir
ing on Hills column, marching ON the
Richmond road. Before the cavalry
reached the scene of action, the enemy
had been driven on by the infantry and
on the 25th, the march wascontinued To
the Rappahannock river and the old line
The horse artillery went
into camp near Culpeper well satisfied
with its record in the campaign.