Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-04-06
(WritteR for the Beaeoa.)
Pelham -Breathed Battery.
BY Fl. II. MATTHEWS.
The Great Caralry Fights Of the War,
FTeetvood Hill or Brandy Plains.
.Jsne o, 1863.
PART X.
Continued.

Gregg retired from Stuart s imme-
diate front defeated, butst;ll defiant.
Reforming his defeated troopers he
moved of to effect q junction with
Buffort, who was near St. James
Church. w. H. +. Lee, of whom we
have almost lost sight Of for the time
being, was at the Cunningham place
on the extreme left. Jones, with
drawing his regiments from w. H.
f. Lees line, caused that officer to
move by the right flank. in order to
close the gap caused by Jones reg
iments being Withdrawn. He had
TO protect the road near the Green
House leading to Beverly Ford. This
he soon accomplished, bringing up
the 7th Va. cavalry to his right
flank. His line now occupied the
hills overlooking the Thompson
House "a little S. w. Of Green 50 on
his right. The End N. c., dismount-
ed. formed connection with Jones,
while the 9th Va. under Chambliss;
10th Va, Col. ]. Lucius Davis, and
18th Va. extended the line, which
on the extreme left was facing We'll
ford's house aud ford.
At this time the old 1st brigade.
under the gallant Col. Tom T. Nun
ford, was expected to arrive at any
moment from Oak Shade on the up
per ford of the Rappahannoek river.
Oak Shade was located in that strip
OF land between the Hazel and Rap.
pahan mock rivers. in u straight line
distant about miles from Wexford S
house. 1t has always been a source
CT bitter disappointment To General
Munford that he was not able to par
ticipate in this great cavalry engage
ment and the defeat of the Fedcrals.
This old brigade had always shown
their mettle on many a field in which
the Army of Northern Virginia par
ticipated. After w. II. F. Lee had
established his line, feeble attempt
was made in his front, but was cas-
lily repulsed by the dismounted men.
At last Buford's two crack regi-
ments Of cavalry-the 9Th Pa and
the End regulars rode out with col
ors flying TO ride down w. Fl. +.
Lee. This charge was made in great
style, being met by the 9th Va. cav
airy, under the command of Col. r.
l.. Beal, supported by the 10th and
18th Va. regiments. The 9th Va.
broke the force of the charge. driv-
ing the blue coats back across the
stone fence in their rear. just as
the 9th Va. reached the fence it was
attacked on it's left flank, being in
turn driven back to the foot of the
hill, their starting point. The 9Th
was reinforced by the 10th and 18th
Va, cavalry. and in counter charge
drove the enemy back, and eventually
across the river at Beverly's ford
Ir this charge of the 9th Va. Gen
w. Fl. +. Lee was wnnaJed while
leadinghis old res'alentip the charge
He was y-anded just before tt~'
roa-l- the crest of the h''tover-
looking the ford and -ds carried
from the field. Col sol Williams, of
the End N. C cavalry, had begged
permission to go in with the 9th Va.
as everything was quiet in his 'front.'.
He went in on the right of the 9th
Va. and was shot through the head
dying instantly.
Thus did one more hero fall with
his face to the enemy, conscious OF
having done his duty. After Gen.
Lee was wounded Col. Chambliss.
of the 18th Va assumed command
of the brigade while the engagement
was going on. Col. T. T. Muuford,
with tde 1st brigade. came up, con-
sisting of the 1st, End and 3rd Va.
cavalry, the 4th Va. having been
detached, and was with Hampton
near Stevensburg. The brigade
rendered valuable service as sharp
shooters, taking position west OF the
Green house, and at right angles
with the line. Breathed had been
detached with section, and was on
his way to meet Munford when they
came ur The battery went into &C.
ton in front OF the Thompson house,
facing timber overlooking plateau.
We kept battery NJ. End U. S. ar.
tillery, from coming into position.
They had to change their location
several times. Our 3 inch shells
were coming too warm and eonstan,
TO suit their nervous condition.
They moved to our right, but not
finding things at all comfortable over
there they recrossed the Rappahan.
mock river. Every thing now being
in good shape and the enemy hav.
ing recrsssed the river at Beverly
and Norman s ford wiser people than
when: they came over in the morn
fS-p a..