The Jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 18??-1907, 1906-03-03

/ i
BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION.
by George H. Moffett, Parkersburg,
w. Va, in Confederate Veteran.
The Sth of June, 1868, was gala day
with the cavalry corps attached to the
Army of Northern Virginia. 1t was the
day of grand review at Brandy Station,
when Jeb Stuart's cavalrymen passed
in review before Gen. Robert E, Lee
and staff. For some days previously
there had been unusual hustle in the
camps of the several brigades compos-
ing this famous corps, There was
general polishing up of sabers, guns
and revolvers, the rubbing and curry
ing of horses, the busting of blankets
and saddles, all in preparation for
grand display when to be passed in re-
view before the eyes of the commander
in chief. Every eevalryman who could
be spared fssm the picket line along
the Bappahannock had been called into
camp to participate in the brilliant ma
neuvering. 1t was the preliminary pre-
paration for the invasion of Pennsylva-
mia. and at n time when Gen. Stuart's
corps had probably reached the maxi
mum, both as to number and equip
ment. There we're about eighteen
thousand msn n the saddle that day,
and for the most part the horses and
equipment were in first class condition.
They presented magnificent spectacle
and were. highly oomplimented by Gen,
Lee.
The corps was composed of the very
flower of young Southern manhood. In
every saddle wss seated gentleman,
proud of his family name. and intense
in his devotion toihis native Southland.
No knighthsr band ever followed
more chilvalric leader than the men
under Jeb Stuart. And it was observ-
ed that Gen. STARTS personal charms
never showed to better advantage than
on that day. Young, gay, and hand
some, dressed eat in his newest uni
form, his peliekaa sword flashing in the
sunlight, mounted on his favorite bay
mare in assdisat trappings, his long
black plume waving in response to the
kisses of the summer breeze, he was
superb i'm every movement, and the per-
, sonihcaion AZ grace and gallantry COM
: bined Such Was our Chevalier Bayard
Of the South. He was surrounded by a
, galaxy of sHSordinate officers who
| have carved their names with bright
sabers upon Fane's monument. There
were Fits Lea and Wade Hampton, d.
vision commander, nd"Rooney" Leo.
Tom RosseE, william E. Jones, Pres
Young, N. o. Butler, Beale, Lomax,
+ Dulaney, Mgafs4d, and others who had
contributed 30 the fame of the great
cavalry soyps.
Brandy stssi~a is on the Old Virginia
Midland (now seuthern) Railway about
six miles enthusiastically from Gull
pepper G. n. and mile south of the
Rappah anH4sk River. The surround
ing country Ia admirably adapted to
cavalry nsSasHvers, being undulating
plain spreading eat for six or eight
[ miles.
1t was the early morning after the
grand cavalry review before the sun
was risen. Vhsa ths camp was startled
by sharp picket firing at Rappahan-
, mock Ford. Ths bugles rang out "boots
and saddles" ard by the time the men
r nearest the river were in line, the enc
my were Hpsa then in great force. Just
= across the happaha anock, on the north
:: side. the Federal General Pleasanton
had sS5esnsrwaed his cavalry corps
about tHsKsy thoRsAad in number a
: fine body VI troOps and splendi''v
mouutss. Soaetisss ne Lad infcr...
ton through his scouts and signal
corps that some extraordinary move
ments among the Confederate cavalry
were in progress on the south side of
the river, 80 he determined to cross
over with his full corps to ascertain the
| meaning of these movements. General
William E. Jones was in immediate
command of the Confederate picket line
along the Rappahannock, and General
Jones bad his headquarters on the bluff
above the river in close proximity to the
ford. The Seventh Virginia Cavalry,
under Col. Dulaney, was on duty al
i this place. The enemy made such q