Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-04-13

hhtss spiFlteu cnarEe OF the day.
Col. Ovens pressed them too far, al
most 20 Aldie. He was charged by
their reserve, and forced back. los
ing many Of the prisoners he had
taken. Major Henry Darlington
was taken prisoner at this point.
Col. Munford In his report Of this
affair says: Capt. Newten having
rallied his men, and q good many
from other commands, was again
ready to relieve Col. Owens as he
fell back, and by q timely charge re-
PEELED another effort to flank him.
As the enemy came up again the
sharpshoosers opened on them with
terrible elIects from the stone wall.
which they had regained. and check
ed him completely. I do not hesi-
tate to say that / have never seen as
many Yankees killed In the same
space of time in any fight or battle
ground that | have ever been over.
We held our ground until ordered
to retire by Major General Stuart,
and the Yankees had been so severe
ly punished that they did not follow.
The sharpshooters of the 9th Va,
cavalry were nearly all captured,
this regiment suffering more than
any other. Col. Munford reports
that he captured 138 prisoners. His
own total loss was 1l9, OF which the
9th Va, lost So men. Breathed's 3
gun lost two men-Heb Greenwell.
OF st. Mary's county, Md; Thomas
Parker, of Alabama. Major Stan
hope, OF the 9th Ohio, was mortally
wounded in this action. This affair
added to the laurels oI the gallant
I. I. Munford, already so well earn
ed. He fought this engagement
without any assistance from Gen.
Stuart and on his own responsibility.
The Federal cavalry who had 8 full
regiments of cavalry engaged and q
battery of 6 3 inch rifles. On the
Confederate side our force consisted
of 4 small regiments of cavalry.
Two squadrons were absent from
the 4th Va, and one from the End Va.
The old reliable 1st Va, cavalry with
the remaining guns of Breathed g
Battery were on the Middleberg
road. Munford retired by Gen.
Stuart's order, via Snickersville
road. and not because OF any pres.
sure from Gregg.
Middleberg and Upperville.
On the early morning Of the 18th,
Col. A. N. Duffie, of the 1st Rhode
Island cavalry received orders tax.
ing him across the Bull Run Noun
taius. at Thoroughfare Gap, with
instructions to camp at Middlebera
that night and to proceed the next
day across Nolan's Ferry. extending
his march as far as Snickersyille.
These instructions he attempted to
carry out. We will see how he sue.
ceeded. Col. Duffie, according to
his report, coached Thoroughfare
Gap at $50 A. NJ, the 17th, but was
delayed by Chambliss pickets in
passing through the gap. He sue
ceeded in going through at last and
was on his way to toMiddleberg, when
Stuart, who was always wide awake,
threw out pickets near MiddleberQ
for his own protection. Fortunately
for Stuart that he took the precau-
ton, for about 4 p. NJ, Duffie struck
his pickets and drove them in SO
rapidly that Stuart and his staff had
TO beat a hasty retreat into Middle
berg. Stuart's force being very
small, he retired in the direction of
Rector 8 x Roads, where Robertson q
Brigade was concentrated. Nun.
ford was appraised Of Duffie 8 proxi-
nifty. Robertson and Chambliss
were ordered to Middleberg at once.
Duffis finding Stuart In his front,
Immediately dismounted one-half of
his regiment behind a stone fence
peculiar TO that country hoping 70
hold his position until lreinforcements
might reach him, but he was DOOM
ed to disappointment, as the sequel
will show. Capt. Allen. of Duffie' g
staff, was sent to Gen. Kilpatricks
for assistance. He says in his re-
port that Gen. Fitzpatrick informed
him that his brigade was so worn
out that he could not send the rein
forcements, but he would report the
situation OF our regiment to Gen.
Gregg. Returning, he said that
Gen. Gregg had gone to state the
facts 70 Gen. Pleasonton, and direct
ed me TO remain az Aldie until he
had heard from Gen. Pleasonton. 1
remained, but received no further
orders.
At about P. NJ, he was attacked
by Robertson. who had come from
Rector's X Roads. Duffie fought
savagely TO hold his position. but
was driven back on the road that
they had advanced on. But alas for