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

terestiug report. will proceed. In
the carly morning of the End of No.
vember We went into position cross.
ing a plateau below Philmont under
the direct fire Of the two Federal
batteries who the evening before had
by constant firing gotten the exaci
range OF our position. Notwith-
standing this murderous FIRE we
went into position Ia a gallop, with
nothing 70 protect US, not a bush or
q rock TO shield US from the fire oI
these tive batteries. We uulimber-
ed without moments delay, imme-
diately engaging these batteries.
We staid there-not man flinchinc
but all realizing the great danger
they were in. AT last after two oil
our bravest boys G. ID. Costigin and
John Philips had given up their
lives, we were ordered to timber up
and get out Of there in a gallop,
which we did. We, after passing
over the ravine. again went into
position, causing the Federal bat
teries to leave the heights of Phil
mont and come down on the plateau
that we had abandoned. In this
position the enemy made several at
tempts to flank US with cavalry and
infantry. We were at one time fir-
ing on both fanks and in our imme-
diate front. We were being pressed
very heavily but not one inch did
we move. One of our cassions
was exploded at this position by a
she'll from the enemy's artillery,
killing the horses of the caisson, and
burning the two men who were at
the cassion at the time, Melvin Boil
man and John Culbreth. The rap
idity with which We were throwing
iron into these Federal batteries
made it necessary to have two men
at the cassion-the timber of the gun
being exhausted Of it's ammunition.
A shell exploded in front OF my gun
(the 2nd) doing considerable damage
TO the piece, wounding three men.
One piece struck me on the left side
near the hip bone, bruising me very
much, making me very stiff and
clumsy for quite time. l kept up
with the piece, however, being as
sisted on my horse every day by my
dear schoo!mate, Robert L. Makali,
of Georgetown, ID. c., the color
bearer of the battery. Bob and my
self came south together, enlisting
in the Beauregard Rifles, company
from Washington commanded by
Capt. Frank Schader, formerly Capt.
of the celebrated National Rifles, of
Washington, ID. c.. This company
went to Alexandria, Va, where they
organized, and with the balance of
the Alexandria troops evacuated the
city, May 9th, 1861. On the follow
ing day, November 3rd, Pleasanton
was reinforced by the lst cavalry
brigade under General Averil, and
oy Tidball S battery of horse artil-
lery. Stuart received no reinforce
ments OF any kind, except battery
leaned by Genl. ID. H. Hill. A re-
connoisance made by Capt. W. w.
Blackford (engineer officer) disclosed
the tact that Mcclellan whole army
was in motion south ward. Stuart
instructions were in such j case, to
retire along the east side of the
mountains, observing and delaying
the enemy. Stuart retired TO Pied
mont that evening. The next morn
ing Pleasanton advanced upon Stu
arts new position, being met by
Stuart, who was always on the alert.
A sharp engagement took place, the
artillery being employed actively.
IL was late in the day before Pleas
anton gained Upperville. Stuart,
on retiring from the place, sent the
1st, 4th and 9th Va. cavalry on the
road to Piedmont, constituting rear
guard for his train, moving his two
remaining regiments, the 3rd and 9th
Va. cavalry back towards Paris gap,
the battery being with his portion OF
the command. One of our guns open
ed on the enemy at long range, the
Whitworth gun doing a good deal OF
damage. This same gun a few days
later killed Genl. George W. Bayard
while retiring towards Upperville.
Col. W. G. Wickham of the 4th Va.
cavalry was wounded in the neck by
a fragment of shell. The command
now devolved upon Col. Thomas L.
Rosser Of the 9th Va. cavalry. After
Pleasanton had occupied Upperville
be showed little disposition TO ad-
vance upon the gap beyond. Av-
erill's brigade was sent to Piedmont,
following the roads pursued by the
three regiments that Stuart had sent
to that point. Anticipating such a
movement, and fearing for the safety
of his trans, Stuart sent Rosser with
the horse artillery aud his remain
ing two regiments, the 3rd and 9Th