Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-02-09

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towards Markham's. On theapproGch
OF Averil's division. Rosser and the
battery on approaching Piedmont in
the night and finding the town in
the possession OF the enemy, made a
detour TO Markham's S between which
place and Manassas gap he found the
regiments commanded by Major
Douglass.
Having reunited his brigade he
moved on Markham's and offered
battle 70 Averill. We engaged the
enemy for some time, the battery
doing their part whenever an occas
ion presented itself. We expended
nearly all OF our ammunition. Ros.
ser, after engaging Averill's divis-
ion and two batteries OF artillery,
and finding it useless thing to try
and drive a superior force back.
withdrew his command from the con
test. Stuart was not in command
here. being. in : another part OF the
field.
Gen. q. B. Mcclellan states in one
of his reports that Averill has sent
for assistance at Markham's s and re-.
ports having had q hard fight with
Stuart. l am moving forward to re-
inforce him." 1T would be well
to send some infantry here tonight,
says Pleasanton, and an hour later
he writes, Il have sent Col. Gregg
and the 9th cavalry to reinforce Av-
Grill at Markam's. Averill sends
me word that he had two guns and
800 prisoners at one time and then
lost them. l expect he has
had hard time. l have advised
him to be very careful" Aud an
hour still later he writes, "Averill's S
command is, 1 fear, a good deal Grip
pied. From his report he does rot
give me bis killed aud wounded, but
tells me one of his squadrons was
overwhelmed by superior numbers. "
Two OF our guns were surrounded
by Federal cavalry-the Napoleon
being especially attacked front and
rear-the gallant detachment sing
ing the Marsellaise Hymn while they
were fighting their gun with unfal-
tering courage until relieved from
their perilous position by . success.
full charge OF the oth Va. cavalry.
Rosser then retired to BARRIERS
Cross Roads, where he was Joined
by Stuart and Hampton s brigade of
cavalry.
On the night of the 4th Stuart thus
describes his position: The crest
OF the hill Immediately north of the
town (Markham 81 was occupied by
our artillery and sharpshooters, with
a view to rake the enemys column
as itmoved up the road; but the main
position for defense was just at the
crossroads, where the main bodv
was held in reserve. Towards 9 a
IN. the enemy advanced and a fierce
engagement took place, artillery CON-
ing to the front and engaging tho
enemy artillery 6ercely, lasting
some hours. The enemy approached
under cover of ravines and woods
and my command held tue position
near the crossroads, where our ar
tiliery had complete contro. of the
approaches. These cavalry opera
tions lasted several days, from Nov.
z to 10 inclusive. During that time
there was not day in which we
were not heavily engaged from dawn
TO dark. The conduct OF the South.
ern cavalry was certainly credita.
Ole" Gen. Stuart makes no undue
claim when he says:
"In all these operations deem il nv
duty to bear testimony to the gallant
PNs eAuha anSe oi Ine cavalry,
lighting every day in most unequal con.
fiicts, and successfully opposing for an
extraordinary period the onward march
OF Mcclellan. The Stuart horse ARTILLERY
comes in for full share of the praise, and
its gallant commander, Major John Pei.
ham, exhibited a skill and courage which
l have never seen surpassed. On this oc-
easion ! was more than struck with that
extraordinary coolness and mastery of
the situation which more eminently char
terized this youthful officer than any 9TH
er artillery officer who has attracted nv
attention. His coup d'eil was accurate
and comprehensive; his choice OF ground
made with the eye Of a military genius,
and his dispositions always such in re-
firing as to render it impossible for the
enemy to press Us without being severely
punished for his temerity.''
What a grand tribute tn the horse ar
tillery and its noble commander. History
does not present a parallel. Gen. Stu
arts love Tor his horse artillery and the
incompatible Pelham" was of the no.
bless character. 1t almost amounted to
idolatry. While Stuart had been operat-
ing on the flank OF Lees army in the
movements just described the country
between Warrenton and Fredericksburg
had been occupied by force Of cavalry
under Col. j. r. Chambliss of the 18th
Va. cavalry, who In addition TO his own