The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-09
BRANDY'S BLOODY BATTLE
Today the 45h Anniversary of the Biggest Dstinctvey
 Cavalry Battle of the War Between the States.
BY COL. G. N. SAUSSY.

Anniversaries are like milestones-they mark with prominence the dates of events But a few days ago we celebrated the centennial of the birth of Americas fore most citizen, so June g marks the anni- versary of the severest dlstinctively cavalry battle during the great war be- tween the states.
 Never a brighter or more perfect day dawned upon the fair bosom of the Old Dominion than June 9, 1863. Nature seemed at her best. that bright, beautiful morning, while man was intent on mar ring it's splendor.
 On June tthe day previous) the great Virginian came to Brandy and reviewed the cavalry division. Seven thousand sabres passed in column before their great commander. Stuart began a salute of artillery, which General Lee quickly .stcpped, telling his cavalry commander fective work.
 Orders were issued that day June 8 for the cavalry division to proceed to the Upper Rappahannock early the next day.
 In pursuance of those orders, Ftz Lees brigade excepting the Fourth Vir glnia, had crossed the Hazel river and bjvouacked at Oak Shade, while all the batteries of the horse artillery parked at St. James church, north of Brandy. The Jew guns fired at the review the previous day seemed to have aroused the curiosity of Rockers cavalry commander, for he massed his troopers on the north bank of the Rappahannock that evening and before dawn of June had them in the saddle.
 Part of the Sixth Virginia Cavalry pcketed the river at Bevery's Ford. Here the gallant John Buford led the First division of Pleasanton's corps, stiffen- ca with Ames brigade of infantry, while D. McM. Gregg cautiously approached Kelly Ford, below, with the Second and Third divisions of cavalry, backed with Russells brigade of infantry. Robertson 5 North Carolina brigade guarded Kelly 5 on the Confederate side.
 By previous arrangement the assaults at the two lords were made just as the east began to brighten with approaching day, and so strong was each attacking column each secured with little difficulty these two crossings. The surprise was complete.
 At Beverly's the pickets stoutly resist co Buford and their active firing quickly aroused the commands nearest them Rooney Lees and Jones' brigades, while the drivers and gunners made haste to har- ness and hitch up the battery horses. Con- testing on a narrow road Company "A, ' Sixth Virginia, retarded the movement of Buford's division, headed by the Eighth New York and Eighth Illinois cavalry. Pressure was too great to halt the at tacking column, but Company A fought as best it could, until the gallant old Flournoy, with about 100 of the Sixth Virginia, threw himself upon the head of Buford and temporarily drove it back al the cost of 35 per cent of Flournoy' s men. In this hand to hand rally Lieut.. Allen Of Company 'D'' encountered Colonel Davis leading the federal advance and killed him in the encounter Weight of numbers told, and the Confederates were forced back almost upon their bivouac. The hastily mounted men of Jones' and Rooney Lees brigades now joined in the melee The artillery was greatly exposed. and but for Flournoy's charge must have fallen ltno the enemys hands.
 Hart hastily got two of his guns in the road and opened rapidly upon the advanc- ing foe, while the other batteries as quickly as harnessed up moved back to the line established near St. James church.
 Hart fought his guns literally to the rluzzles, and held the pressure back as he gradually retired to the line near the church.
 Hdnipton's brigade had bivouaced on the side of the road between Brandy and Stephensburg. Tie writer recalls the bright beautiful morn that dawned upon that memorable day. He was just re- turning from the brook across the field. After performing his morning abultion, with towel, soap and brush in hand, when the bugles rang out boots and saddles!' Fastening to his mount equipment and arms were soon adjusted, and his com n,and-the Jeff Davis Legion-moving at 2