The National tribune., 1908-03-04
CHARLOTTESVILLE.
CONTINUED from page two. }

80 sharpshooters. These succeeded in
repulSing three attempts to cross in
their faces, when at last a selected par
ty of 20 men, under the command of
Lieut.. Brown, LIST r. /. Cav, made a
determined push across the river, broke
the enemy's line. and captured rs pris-
oners. The little party lost heavily,
with Maj. Chamberlain, of AverelPs
staff, severely wounded in the head, one
Lieutenant and two men killed, five
wounded and / 3 horses killed or wound
ed. Averell, who had now about 2,1O0
men with him, knew that he was in
for fight or a foot race, as Gen. FitZ-
hugh Lee was not man to allow any
poaching on his preserves. Averell had
come over to fight, however, and was
quite willing to have that fight as near
the river as possible, so as to have his
horses and men in the freshest cOndi-
ton. About a mile from che crossing
was some high ground covered with
dense woods, and beyond this large
open field. The 4th N. Y. Cav. was sent
to the right to advance thru the woods
and open fire with their carbines, while
the 4th Pa. went to the left with SINH
lar orders.
The enemy was discovered coming
up at a trot over the open field, and a
sharp fire of carbines from both sides
opened the engagement. The enemy
sent some regiments to turn the Union
right, which Averell perceived, and
presently there was a tug of war for
the possession of frame house and
some outbuildings. The thanking col
| umns were driven back, the Union cav
airy advanced into the open field, and
Mcintosh and Gregg began a spirited
attack on the enemy's left. At the same
time Gen. DufTie formed the LIST r. L.,
4th Pa. and 9Th Ohio Cav. on the left,
and met the enemy with a counter
| charge. Two squadrons of the 5th u.
S. Cav. and McIntosh's command struck
the left flank of the enemy's charging
column, and after a savage, spirited
| fight the Confederates, to their surprise,
were badly torn to pieces and driven
| from the field. 1t was the first time
| that the Unon cavalrymen had achieved
| such success, and the vigorous way in
| which they used their sabers was a
great establishment and CONSERVATION
to their opponents.
| Halt to Reform.
Averell then halted for about a hall
hour to reform his command, take care
of his prisoners, wounded, etc. Then he
advanced again, and three-fourths of a
mile farther came upon the enemy, who
opened two field pieces upon him with
great effect, and sent out two columns
| against his TANKS. The column attack
ing the right was easily repulsed, but
out left was at first pushed back in
some confusion, the enemy reaching
within 400 yards of the battery while
it was unlimbering. But very quickly
| the battery got to work, and with the
| assistance of vigorous charges by the
reformed squadrons drove the enemy
from the field in disorder. They set
fire to the stubble in the field, but the
men beat it out with their overcoats
and continued to advance.
| Presently the enemy opened upon
| them with three guns from intrench-
ments, and it soon became apparent
that the cavalry was up against a con-
nected line Of field works. The light
guns brought along could do nothing
| with guns behind works, and, besides,
| the ammunition was running low. The
enemy's cavalry came out for renewed
attack, but We're again beaten off in a
very handsome. manner, and Mcintosh
and Gregg pushed forward until they
came directly up against the enemy's
| rifle pits.
By this time it was $50 D. m. of short
March day, the men and horses were
exhausted by the long fighting and
manuvering, and Averell decided to
withdraw, since he had given his men
success enough to inspirit them and
make a basis for confidence in future
operations. The withdrawal was con-
Quoted without the loss of a man, the
enemy seeming quite satisfied to have
the troublesome Yankees go back to
their own place across the river. No
pursuit was attempted. Averell report
ed his loss at six killed. SO wounded
and % missing. Many of the wounded
died. Including the prisoners, the Con-
| federates lost 10. This brilliant little
| action gave the greatest satisfaction in
Washington, as well as in the Army of
the Potomac, since it not only raised
| the character of the cavalry, but in
spired the army with confidence as to
| future successes. Secretary Stanton
ltelegraphed:
"Washington, d. c.,
March 10. 1868; 9:45 p. m.
| Maj. Hooker:
II congratulate you upon the success
of Gen. AverelPs expedition. 1t is good
for the first lick. You have drawn the
first blood. and hope now soon to see