The National tribune., 1908-12-24

almost impenetrable obscurity. The
Third Division had just hegun the cross
ing after the First, when most unex-
pectedly a battery opened upon Gen.
Caidwelps position from his rear, and
directly on the road which we were
this enenay was to US in the valley In
the mist and gray morning light, his
| view of our campfres on the hill was
clear and defined, and his fire told with
about IL. One shell killed seven men.
Gen. Caldwell moved his brigade quick
ly around the hill under cover. At the
same time Capt. Ricketts, Battery
changed front, and fired rapidly upon
the battery OF the enemy. Gen. Cald-
well says:
Notwithstanding the unexpected
ness Of the fire in the rear and their
unprepared state. the men showed but
little confusion, and kept their ranks
while moving around the hill. the con-
scripts moving nearly as steady an old
soldiers
'.The sound Of tho enemy's cannon
had already informed me that our in
| tended route was disputed. and Col.
Morgan, coming back from the head Of
the column, reported the substance Of
what i have Just quoted from Gen.
Caldwells and Gen. Hayes reports.
About the same time the dawning day
disclosed Gen. Gregg's Cavalry Division
on my left, already engaged with the
enemy.
"A Major of Cavalry, whose name I
did not know, came In great precipita-
ton, and informed me that the enemy
was advancing in three overwhelming
columns OF infantry from Warrenton.
here an affrighted man told mo that
he had been fired upon by the enemy.
who had already reached the crossing
OF the run at that place.
Attacked thus on every side, with
my command separated by Q consider
able stream, fncumbered with a wagon
train In the vicinity of the whole force
OF the enemy and whom the sound OF
actual conflict had already assured of
my position, to halt was to await anni-
hiiation, and to move as prescribed car
ried me along routes in valley COM
manded by the nights on each side
ut was atrying situation. The teams
were prepared to move forward or back
as necessity might require. Col. Car
rolls Brigade was directed to regain
and hold the crossing OF Cedar Run by
occupying the wooded hight on our left
OF II. Orders were sent to Gen. Hays
to move forward on the road with all
his force and clear away all obstacles,
and to Gen. Webb with his division to
pass the train and follow to the sup
port OF Gen. Hays.
''The actual condition Of things at
the moment was not 80 bad as report-
ed, for our movement had begun too
early for the enemy's preparations to be
completed. The report of the cavalry
officer was Incorrect Col Carroll
gained the position assigned him, and
found Col. Beavers command of Gen.
Caldwell's Division already there and
not the enemy. Gen. Hays had already,
as he reported. moved forward the en-
tire regiment of the 126th N. Y. COM
mandsd by Heut.-Col. ]. M. Bull, sup.
ported by the 18th N. J. In a short
time our force came In conflict with
the rebels. II was short, but very do
clsive. The rebel cavalry. led by Col.
Ihomas Ruffin, charged furiously upon
the depioyed l2sth. and were most gal
lantly repulsed, with the loss of their
leader. who was mortaily wounded
Under this attack and the fire of
capt. Ricketts's Battery the enemy's
cavalry fed, and Gen. Caldwell again
changed his front toward Warrenton.
from which direction the columns and
lines or skirmishers were now plainly
to be seen advancing along the west
side OF Cedar Run, and against them
our artillery opened fire Gen. Gregg's
force, partially dismounted. continued
TO skirmish with them on our left and
rear. and prevented the enemy advance
sus encept IN Iorce' winch required OF
him time to bring up ard depioy his
strength. Gen. Caldwell covered the
right of his front by Col. Brooke's Bril-
gade. which also met the advance OIL
the enemy in force coming down the
east branch of Cedar Run At almost
a. m. q messenger arrived from Gen.
Fitzpatrick. stating his position at Buck |
land Mills. and inquiring about the ma |
ture OF the firing which had been
heard by him."
The Corps Again Uaited.
Gen. Warren's report shows how skill
fully he managed to Withdraw Gen. !