Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-06-08
A Me rnornble Charge
Mr.. Editor:


J. E. b. Stuart's cavalry charge at
First Manassas on July q, 1861, by .
portion of the First Virginia Cavalry.
Stuart led his command that day in
to the very heart of the Federal army
For boldness and audacity it eclipsed,
anything the writer witnessed during
the four years of the war. 1t was for
Torn hope, yet, it seems. 1t saved the
day for the Confederates.
On the morning of July 81, 1861, at
sunrise, boots and saddles was sound
ed, the regiment was quickly mounted
and drawn up in line. AS we sat upon
our horses we could hear the roar OF
musketry and booming of the ar
tillery warning us that the battle was
on. Our gallant colonel, waiting for
orders, chafed at delay, anxious to be
ordered in. Courier after courier was
sent to General Johnston for orders,
but none came. The firing seemed to
be getting nearer. At last a courier
dashed up with orders. Stuart faced
the regiment, told off five companies-
IL, b, |, X and f. Company X. was
known that time as the Clark Cavalry
Smart gave the command. "Forward,
marchn' We moved out at brisk trot
and then at gallop, following AMI old
road, which led us to the left and rear
of the enemy. We were now in heavy
piece Of timber. Here we halted a few
moments, and were then counter
then, turning to the right, made bee
line for the Lewis House, Here every
thing was in canfusion, stragglers
without weapons going to the rear
claiming that our army had been cut
to pieces, Stuart, at the head of the
command, was leading us at a fearful
rate. 1t seemed that the enemy was
fianking Elzeys left and was pressing
hard upon his lines. Reaching Elzey's
left. Stuart wheeled his command in
column to the right by tours, raising
in his stirrups. pointing to the enemy,
gave the command in voice that
could be heard above the din of battle:
"Draw sabers. Charged Quick as a
flash, $50 sabers leaped from their cab
bards and, like thunderbolt, the head
of the column dashed through their
ranks, hurting back and scattering
their forces in confusion. 1t was =
complete surprise to them, for they
did not see us until the charging col
umn was in their midst. The
charge was short-lived but terrible
A well-directed fire from the front at
close range nearly annihilated Com
pany II. commanded by Captain Car
ter. Then was witnessed scene hard
to describe.
When the first company went down
the halt was SO sudden that the man
who could keep his saddle was most
fortunate, as the enemy seemed to be
firing upon us from almost every di-
rection. The command was enveloped
in cloud of dust, so thick that it was
to tell whether the man in
ront was friend or foe, as we were jam
med in a narrow road. Horses rearing
and plunging, riderless horses strug-
CLING to get to the rear; many of The
men, having been endorsed, in danger
of being trampled to death by their
own men. Quicker than it takes to
tell, the men freed emselves from the
jam and were reformed in a field by
Colonel Stuart ready foranother charge
but not anxious, as his force numbere
not more than 100 men. 1t was then
that General Early came upon the
field with his brigade and formed on
the left OF General Elzey's forces. Col.
Stuart moved to the left of Early's
brigade, supported by Lieutenant
Beckham's battery.
1t is only of Colonel Stuart's charge
and its effect in turning the tide of bat
tie from defeat to victory of which |
wish to write. While the official re-
ports fail to give him due credit for the
service he rendered on that memorable
day, | shall endeavor to show by short
Ond meager reports by Generals j. K.
Johnston. jackson and Early that the
true story of the gallant charge by Col.
J. +. b. Stuart at First Manassas has
never been told.
General Johnston, in his report says:
"rhe enemy on my left assaulted my
lines five times and was repulsed. Col.
Stuart, with his cavalry, contributed
to one of these repulses by well-timed
and vigorous charge on the enemy s
right flank
General Jackson says; "Apprehen-
sive lest my TANKS should be turned,
sent orders to colonies Stuart and Rad
ford, of the Cavalry to secure them.
Col. Stewart with that part of his
command with him deserve great
praise for the promptness with
which they moved to the left and Sc
cured the flank by timely charging the