The National tribune., 1905-11-09

1
sagacity, wonderful powers of endur-
ance. and unsurpassed bravery. His
| loss was subject OF general lamenta-
| ton. He it was who led the cavalry
safely from Harper's Ferry, just before
Miles's surrender OF the place. and
who, on his way 10 Pennsylvania, cap
tured Longstreet's ammunition train.
Among our wounded was Col. Percy
| Wyndham. The enemy's killed includ-
ed Col. Saul Williams. Of the I'd n. c.,
and Lieut.-Col. Frank Hampton. OF the
s. G. Cav. The Confederates acknowl-
edged loss Of over 900 men.
Two important ends were reached by
this advance; namely, first. a cavalry
raid contemplated by Stuart who had
massed his forces near Culpeper, was
utterly frustrated; and, second. Gen.
| Pleasonton ascertained conclusively
| that Gen. Lee was marching his army
| northward, with the evident design OF
| invading the Northern States. Indeed,
| 1t was suspicion of such a movement
that led Gen. Hooker to order the re-
connoissance.
The day following this glorious fight.
/ in which the men Of the North had
proved themselves to be more than a
| match for the boasted Southern chiv-
airy, and had gained a name which
placed Pleasonton's command at tho
head OF the worlds cavalry forces
| Pleasonton was made Major-Genera3
and Fitzpatrick a Brigadier. Their
| stars were well deserved and proudly
| won.
Third Brandy station.
On the 11th Of September, 1868, Gen.
Meade ordered the cavalry to be with.
drawn from the various picket posts
along the Rappahannock, and INSTRUCT
| ed to be I'm readiness to take the ad.
vance in a forward movement against
the enemy. At an early hour on the
| following morning the entire Cavalry
Corps, acting as vanguard to the Army
or the Potomac, was advancing towards
the Rappahannock.
In order that the enemy might not
be prematurely warned of our designs.
the several commands were ordered to
make as little noise as possible. Con-
sequently, the bugle-calls were dis.
pensed with, and the officers conveyed
whisper.
The three division commanders, Bu-
ford, Gregg and Fitzpatrick, were in
structed to cross the river as follows:
Gregg at Sulphur Springs. Buford at
Rappahannock Bridge. and Fitzpatrick
at Kellys Ford.
At o'clock in the morning the "Har-
ris Light" plunged into the river at
Kelly's Ford, leading the advance, as
usual, when an engagement was ex-
pected at Brandy Station; in fact, the
officers and men Of the Harris Light
by former experiences here that 1t
was unQuestionabiy policy on the part
or the commander to assign to our reg
iment the work Of measuring the
ground and testing the strength of the
enemy.
A strong detachment OF Stuart's cav
airy, consisting Of pickets and reserves.
opposed our crossing with dogged per-
tinacity, but finally, yielding to the
deadly accuracy Of our carbines, gave
OF Brandy Station. The farther we ad.
vanced the stronger grew the ever-ac-
cumulating force of the enemy, who
disputed every inch of ground with
great stubbOrnness. On arriving near
the Station we found the enemy in
strong force. with artillery posted on
the surrounding hills. We saw clearly
that third cavalry fight was destined
to be fought on this historic field, and
we began to make preparations for the
onset.
We had not been fighting long before
the other divisions Joined US. At their
approach great enthusiasm among our
boys prevailed, and with our combined
force the enemy was quickly swept from
those plains like chaff before the whirl-
wind. They fed in the direction OF
Culpeper, a naturally strong and now
fortified position.
From Brandy Station Gen. Pleason-
ton directed Fitzpatrick to make a de-
tour via Stevensburg, in order to oper-
ate as flanking column upon the enc
my at the proper time. With the First
and Second Divisions, Pleasonton push
ed straight on to Culpeper, driving the
enemy before him without much re-
sistance until within about a mile OF
the town. Here our advance was ef-
fectually checked. A spirited artillery
duel now took place with varying for
tune. For some time the enemy baf-
fled all our efforts to dislodge him from
his strong position, and our men began
to look wishfully for the flankers. when
10. Kilpatrick's flags were seen advanc-
ing from the direction of Stevensburg
and his artillery was soon laundering
on the Confederate flank and rear. Un-
der this unexpected and well-directed
fire that portion of the enemy which
had kept our main column at bay fell
back I'm confusion into the town, and
before they had time to reform their
broken lines the Harris Light" 9Th y.
Y, 1st VI, and 1st Mich, led by Gen.
Custer, dashed upon the Confederates
in the streets, throwing the boast of the
chivalry into a perfect rout. Many
prisoners were captured, more or less
material of war, and three Blakely
guns. The Confederates retreated hasti-
ly in the direction of Pony Mountain
and Rapidan Bridge, whittier they were
closely pursued by our victorious troop
ers. The day following this brilliant
fords Of the Rapidan, extending his
pickets on our right as far forward as
the Hazel and Robertson Rivers
Fourth Brandy Station.
A little after sunrise on the 10th of
October, 1868, the Confederates in heavy
force came down upon our picketS
along the Robertson River, driving US
back in haste and occupying the fords.
The flank movement of Gen. Lee was
by this time fully understood. He had
crossed the Rapidan. advanced to Madi-
son Court House, and was tapping
around our right wing, threatening it
with destruction. Quick work on our
part was now necessary. Swift mes
sengers from officers high in command
brought orders to retire with prompt
ness. but in good order if possible.
Sharp skirmishing took place at the
river, and the successive crack of car
bInes afforded the music of our march
to James City, where the conflict deep
ened into battle, which for two hours
ragged with fury and slaughter. The
enemy, conscious of having outgener-
aled US In this instance, and having at
least a temporary advantage, was bold
Ia ,af