West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-09-03

action of long ago and for the
friends OF those who fell on that
memorable occasion.
CAMP NEAR BRANDY STATION.
Culpeper Co, Va. Dec. a. 1863.
AS some OF your readers are Interested
III all that pertains to the Seventh Virginia
regiment. trust you will give the following
communication an early insertion in your
paper. On the 26;h of November we re-.
ceived marching orders. and early IN the
morning were marching toward Germania
Ford on the Rapidan and in the afternoon
crossed II without any opposition and
moved forward on the plank road leading
to fredericksburg about tour or FIVE miles
where we camped for the night.
Next morning early we were again on the
road and soon left the plank road for the
pike leading to Orange &. II. On reaching
the pike we found the enemy's advance
cavalry skIrmishing with ours. the latter
driving the enemy's skrmishers handsome.
" Tor two or three miles. when we discov
cred the enemy In force about three. fourths
oil a mile from Robinsons Cross Roads.
toward Orange {. IL.
The enemy's position was a strong one and
well calculated to conceal their strength.
To ascertain their strength was the object
OF the first movement on our part. Our
brigade. the first Of the third division being
In advance and formed in line OF battle.
was ordered TO send two regiments forward
as skirmishers 20 feel the enemy and dis.
lodge them. The regiments chosen were
the Seventh Virginia. under command OF
Lieut.. Col Lockwood. and the Eighth OHIO.
under command OF Lieut.. Col. Sawyer. Ii
was now about 10 a. M; the morning was
very cold,a the men had marched pretty
nearly at double quick from the time we
started with but one short rest, to this
time The day was now pleasant and the
scenery beautiful for the season of the wear
and SO peaceful appeared all around that il
was hard to realize that soon the work OF
death would commence and that our regi-
ment should suffer so severely
Company OF our regiment under com.
mand OF Lieut.. Ravenscraft, and one COM
pany OF the Eighth Ohio were sent in ad-
vance and soon engaged the enemy's ski,-
mishers. driving them before them Later
| IN the day both the above regiments were
ordered to advance. the Eighth Ohio to the
right OF the pike. our regiment to the left
where the enemy was most in force, pro
tected by fence and a small grove of
thlckly set Young timber. The advance of
our regiment was watched with great anx-
iety by thousands OF spectators, all the gen.
| eral officers of our corps aud five British
ohCers oil high rauk In the British service.
Our boys advanced steadily and unflinch.
ingly under calling fire led by our brave
and veteran colonel. Soon the enemy were
driven from ridge held by them back
about 100 yards upon their reserves. and
soon the Seventh Virginia was in deadly
conflict with the Sixtieth Georgia, Aso
strong under Mai Jones. and part OF the
sixth North Carolina regiment A spirited
conflict ensued between the two forces. re-.
| sulting in the complete rout of the enemv
killing and wounding many of them and
| capturing some persons.
whist our boys thus engaged the enemy
IN front Col. SAWYER and the Eighth Ohio
were no6ly protecting our right against the
attacks Of the enemy We occupied the
ground held by the enemys sharpshooters
until relieved after night by the Fourteenth
about mile and a half within their breast
works.
am sorry to say that this skirmish. so
crediiable TO our regiment and adding an
other to the many laurels won by them. was
not gained without great loss TO us. Two
OF our brave boys were killed and twenty
six wounded, some severely il not mortaIlv
COL Lockwood had another narrow escape
~ this skirmish. a ball passing through his
Clothes, taking off 4 button from his coat
cannot say too much for the bravery and
courage OF Col Lockwood lie has been
with the regiment in all its battles. has
fought manfully by the side Of his men and
he's always led them to victory. lie has
been IN the service upwards OF two wears.
and yet only lieutenant colonel when
at least he ought to be brigadier general
! trust our congressman will see TO IL tbat
star IS speedily placed upon his shoulder.
lie deserves ~. and has won II by hard
service
Oi the officers aud men I also feel bound
to say something ~ their praise. They FIGHT
we'll, as their record proves. They have no,
ialierod IN the day OF battle and al Robin
'N'NNHH ~ NY opluiQus they
showed more courage than anywhere else.
Here there was not the excitement Of
great battle. but coolly and deliberately
these ago men marched to slmost destruc
ton scarcely man has escaped without
some evidence Of being in the struggle
caps haversa ks. blouses knapsacks. etc.
bear witness Of the conf Ct a list Of the
killed and wounded is given below. Among
the many brave boys wounded would men.
ton Lieut. Brown ard Sergt Mai Snick-
land. both young men snd brave. trust
thcy VII recover ~ tLcf wounds and sin
live TO serve theif cOintry man, years.
To- conclusion beg to say that the general
ohcers looking on. also the English officers
Sud that the charge made by our bows was
we'll done and that they deserved great
credit Tor what They had accomplished
Our regiment suffered more severely than
any 20 oor corps aud one that West Viz.
ginia may be- proud % Yours truly,
SAMUEL STEELE.
seventh W Va Vol Infantry.
tsi Brigade, 90 Division. al Corps.
west Virginia. Greene county fPa). Mon
roe county (O) paDefs please copy