Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-06-08

bers Of the c. 8. cavalry" Heknew when
he made that statement that it wasfalse.
The C. s. cavalry had become so decimi-
mated that one brigade did not number
as many men as one Of Sheridan's regi-
ments. Butler soon met the enemy, and
with Harris battery drove him back upon
his main body. p. N. Young came up
with his brigade, driving them steadily.
Hampton, expecting to form junction
with Fftz Lee at Cayton's store, did not
press them tooiar. While Hampton was
driving Gregg, news came that theenemy
wasin his (Hampton's) rear. This proved
to he true. Custer had moved TO the left
and rear and had passed Through wood
ed lane in Hampton's rear, cutting In two
his division and Fitz Less, who had
befs dete:9ed near s~aiy C. II. Fir
Lee, when he discovered the situation Of
things, as was his wont, vigorously at
tackled Custer. Breathed went into ae-
tion Immediately and for about 2 hours
things were lively. We were about i'm
canister distance Of Pennington's bate
terry. The contest was stubborn, neither
battery being willing to Timber up as
long as there was round of ammunl-
ton in sight. Pennington in his report
states that he lost from the opposing
battery (Breathed'sJ IL men and off,
GERS" We had two men wounded. Gen.
L. l.. LOmax, who hocommanded a brigade
in Fitz Lees division in that action, i'm
letter to me under date OF Feb. 8, 1903.
states: ''At Trevilian's Station Breath
ed ran his battery close upon Sheridan's
right flank and added much to Sheridan's
defeat. It was in my hearing, on this
occasion, that when a shot would strike
near the battery, he gave the order:
Move up closer; they have got the range,
boys" Hampton had to change front,
moving around in the direction of Cor
louisville, facing Trevilian Station. While
this movement was going ON, Rosser
charged Custer. smiting him hip and
thigh, forcing him back upon Fitz Lee.
who was moving in the direction of the
Station. Fitz Lee Immediately attacked
his old classmate, Custer, capturing a
number Of wagons, ambulances, four of
PenningtOn's caissOns and Clusters head
quarter wagon, containing all of his Of
fetal papers and the celebrated Fanny
correspondence which the Richmond
papers had so much amusement out OF.
Things about this time were very much
mixed. Custer was between Hampton and
Fitz Lee, and riding like Tam O'Shanter
to get out of the mess. The lines of the
Coniederates were very peculiar, indeed.
Hampton was on the north or GordoHs-
vile side of the Station Sheridan was
between Hampton and Fitz Lee, who
was on the south side. Time after time
did Sheridan assault our position, but in
every case he was repulsed.. Night CON-
ing on put an end to the conflict. Fitz
Lee during the night moved by the left
flank, and by daylight had placed him
sell with Hampton, ready to meet the
great Sheridan whenever he considered
he was ready to start again for Char
louisville. General Hampton formed his
line OF battle Immediately upon the ar
rival OF Fitz Lee on the left side Of the
railroad, with Breathed's battery on his
right, Butler being ON the extreme right
with Hart's battery. In this position
we quietly awaited Sheridan's onward
march to Lynchburg. We waited until
nearly 3 p. NJ, when Hampton determ-
ined to give him battle. He advanced
his line steadily. Sheridan threw Tor
bert's division against Butler and Hart.
TOrbert was repulsed, Notwithstanding
his superior force. Time and time again
did Torbert try to brush Butler out oi
his path, but Butler would not be brushed.
Hart's battery moved Torbert's men
down at every discharge, until Torbert
gave it up, for awhile at least. Fitz Lee,
by Hampton's direction, sent Wickham's 4
brigade to the support of Butler, taking
position on Buffers left. Breathed ac.
companied the brigade, and as usual did
good service by disputing the right oI
Torbert. We held this position until we
discovered that the enemy had been Sc
verely handled and was contemplating
a flank attack, when the battery with.
drew and toak a position near the rail
road, close to Lomax. Torbert tells the
same old story: at was impossible to
drive them from their position except by
a large force, for they had been reinforc
ed by three regiments OF infantry. II
was not deemed expedient to make the
sacrifice, as we had as many wounded "A
we could take care OF; ammunition was
| getting short and rations shorter; was
ordered to suspend and withdraw t6
Trevilian's Station. A number of my
wounded had toleavefor want of trans
portation." Very fishy, indeed SOmuef
for Torbert. We will now return to Fit
Lee. Fitz Lee took Lomax's brigad.
across the Gordonsville road, SO as te
strike the enemy on his left flank. But
ler and Wickham threw their brigades
against the enemy's line in such way N
| to cover the flank movement OF Fitz Lee
who, on reaching the Gordonsvile road
threw Lomax and Breathed's battery
against Custer in such q way and in such
a determined manner that the result could
have been easily told. Breathed threw
double shots of canister in their ranks
the cavalry charging. The battery ad
vaneed with the cavalry, one section fir
ing while the other section advanced II
| a GALLON tn an advanced nosifinn Ger