Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-04-06

We left Hampton after he had swept
the plains at the base Of Miller and Fleet
wood hills. Col Butler, of the 2nd s. c.,
/ and Col wiekham with the 4th Va. cav
airy were holding the extreme right of
our line near Steyensburg. Gregg had
again crossed the river and was moving
on the Stevensburg road from Kelly's
ford He had been reinforced by a brig
ade Of infantry under Col Russell, which
be left at Kelly's ford, pushing forward
to Buffers position between McDump-
ling and McHansborough, being about
X miles from Stevensburg. The Federal
command consisted of 1900 men under
the command under Col. Dufie, OF the 1st
Rhode Island cavalry. He came from
Kelly's ford, p as sin g Shackeliord's,
Stones, Willis Madden's, thence to But
ler's line near Stevensburg. The posi-
tion in which Butler awaited the attack
was well chosen. The woods concealed
his numbers and the sloping ground
masked 1t. Col. HamptOn's men, who
were mounted. The enemy's advance
was at first very cautious. Two at
tempts were made to break Hampton's
line, but were repulsed by the liberal use
OF the Enfield rifles with which the 2nd
s. c. were armed. The enemy failing in
this demonstration, turned their atten-
tion to Col. Hampton's position and pre-
pared to carry Thy n direct saber charge.
To meet this charge Col. Hampton dis
mounted his men, about half them, to
protect his TANKS, and only retained
about 20 mounted men to meet this
charge. At this moment Col. Wickham
with the 18th Va. arrived, he having been
detached from Fitz Lees brigade ear
ly in the morning. He had been mis-
directed by Capt. Farley, volunteer aid
to Gen. Stuart. Wickman found himself
on the right Of Buffers dismounted men,
the head Of his column resting ON the
main road east of Stevensburg, just in
rear OF the position maintained by Col.
Hampton. "Wickham was in an unfor-
tunate position-(see Mcclellan g book
hemmed in by thick timber his flanks,
owing to his want of information as to
the disposition of the troops. The enc
my in the meantime was advancing on
ths road with n heavy column. squad
rons ON each side of the road" At this
time the rear Of the 18th Va was emerg-
ing from the woods, and the orders, "by
1 sslk nh
The enemy (Bayardl seeing this move
ment OF Wickham, Immediately ordered
the charge. Col. Hampton Igain order
ed the right about wheel, placing himself
Mt the head of the column, but it was of
no avail. In moment they were swept
to the side OF the road and the full force
ofthe charge fell upon the 18th Va cavalry
Col. Hampton, while engaging one of the
enemy with his saber, WIS shot through
the body by another Yankee, being NOR
tally wounded. The enemy forced But
ler and Wickham back to a point near
Beckam's (west of Mt. Pony ON the op-
posite side OF Mountain run. Butler had
secured a good position, covering the
road to Brandy Station, and where he
might soon be reinforced by the 4th cav.
airy. The one gun that had followed
Wickham from Brandy Station (Hart's)
was now available. Butler proposed to
make a stand, but while in the road, side
by side with Capt. Farley, their hos
heads In opposite directions, a 81 = rom
one OF theenemy sguns struck ounu
near by, richochetted, c,s.-'"e ON butler
leg above the kps, f'assihS through ms
horso and -.hg off the leg of Capt Far
O.. Stuart's daring volunteer scout.
-aifie's command separated from the en-
emy's column, and being recalled by re-
peated orders from Gen. Gregg, he did
not press the advantage gained, but re-
tired from Stevensburg in the direction OF
the RappahannOck river, where it effected
a junction with Gregg, recrossing theriv-
er at the railroad bridge The severity
OF this fight lis shown by the losses sus-
tanned ia both commands. The Confed-
crate loss was 523 officers and men
killed, captured and wounded. As tro-
phies OF the fight there remained in Stu
arts hands 3 pieces of artillery 18th n.
T., Martin's,) six regimental and compa-
ny flags, 4S6 prisoners, the total Federal
loss being 936. The force engaged on
the Federal side were divisions of cav
airy, "a regiments, and brigades of in
fantry, 10 regiments in all 10. ISL. All
OF these troops, except perhaps RusselTs
brigade of infantry, Were engaged. On
the Confederate side there were five brig
AIDES OF cavalry, containing II regiments.
one of which was absent on picket and
not in reach of the field 1.-THE 9TH Va. Col
t. L. Rosser). These brigades report
ed total of s, 9,536 men for duty, includ-
ing the horse artillery. The number of
guns on each side were about equal
Robertson's brigade was not engaged at
any time. Why he was not engaged has
always been a mystery. Robertson's
report, dated June II, 1868, says: my
command, although opposed to the enc
my, was not at any time actively en-
gagged"
In closing this narration of the Fleet
wood fight | cannot refrain from pub
fishing extracts from reports of officers
ON the firing line of the good conduct of
Breathed's battery. Being a member
OF that organization, OF which am not
ashamed, must be excused when have