The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-07

tries to drive us out. It was a pretty tough struggle, a hand to hand fight. and we fell back from the Tavern, but held our position on the telegraph road leading to Richmond. was with the battery on the extreme left wing, and it was about 2 o'clock in the afternoon when orders came for the whole divis- ion. excepting the 1st virginians. to dismount, but hold their position.
 Tt did seem good, can tell you, af- ter so many hours in the saddle, to stretch out on the ground and take a smoke; that is. all who had anything to smoke. There was just One pipefuI among that whole battery, and the boy who owned 1t passed 1t. down the line. and each man took his turn at puffing 1t.
 When it was gone we all began to speculate on what deviltry Sheridan would be up to next and how Jeb Stuart would head him off. It wasn't long before some fellow wished for drink of/water.
 You know how 1t is, when one man wishes for water the whole company begins to swear they are dying of thirst. Jack Saunders and I took a bunch of canteens and started over the hill to a spring that he had seen that morning during our scrimmage with the Tanks.
 VI was on my hands and knees over the spring when I heard Saunders grunt of surprise. He was staring through the trees.
 There only a few hundred yards away was a considerable body of cav airy. Making sure that it was our right wing. I wondered to see them mounted and in ranks. Just then the voice of an officer rang out:
 Cavalry! Attention! Draw saber.
 The entire line moved forward at a quick walk, and as the officer wheeled his horse I saw his face. My God! It was Custeri
 me like flash. We threw down the canteens and started back to the bat tery on a dead run.
 "Trot!' Clusters voice rang out again. The pext instant he shouted: 'Charger
 with wild cheers his cavalry dashed forward in a sweeping gallop, attack ing out entire left wing at the same time. We saw our battery taken, our line broken and our men running like sheep.
 saunders ana I had but one thought ito join our fleeing company. As we reached the telegraph road above the din of the battle heard Jeb Stuarts voice.
 There he was, making a stand with a handful of men around him. Thank God. had sense enough to join them
 Tt seemed but moment before GUS ter's troops were coming back as tast as they had gone forward. They had met the 1st Virginias. We greeted them with the rebel yell and the last charge in our weapons.
 "Jeb Stuart cheered us on, ah, how he cheered usi I gave them my last shot and was following with my weap- on clubbed when 1 saw man, who had been dismounted and was running out, turn as he passed our rally and lire his pistol
 It was only for a moment, then ms voice rang out, cheering his struggling troops.
 "The enemy rallied just across the road and fired a volley into the little band gathered around Jeb stuart. His horse sprang forward with scream of; agony and sank down on its knees. As we lifted the general off. the young officer who was helping me exclaimed
 "My God, general, you are wounded! Your clothes are soaked With nlood! You must leave the field, sir!
 ".No,' General stuart answered; I will not leave until victory is assured. Get me another horse
 .Yhen I returned with the horse he was seated with his back against tree. and when he tried to get up. weakened by loss of blood he sank back again.
 "'Go! he commanded us. I am done for. Fttz Lee needs every man. or der you to go.' eral.' the young officer told him, and I never will forget the look that came over his face when he faced the gem eral. We must carry you to a place of safety, however the battle goes
 "It must not go against us, stuart renlied. and the thought seemed to put fresh vigor in his body. You must put ma on my horse and keep me there. l My men must not know that l am wounded
 we lifted him on his horse and, our own, we held him in his saddle When the tide of the pat tie turned, supported between us, he made a last effort to rally his fleeing troops.
 "tGo back. menr he cried. Go back, men! Go back and do your dutyF
 we felt him sway in his saddle: The young officer turned our horses heads to the rear and we carried our faintinE general from the field. still holding him upright in the saddle That was Jeb Stuart's last battle ana Suetar,s most brilliant charge"