The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-10-07
(By a Private of the Sixth Virginia
Cavalry, c.. S. Al

(By a Private of the Sixth Virginia
Cavalry, c. S. A.
On the morning of the fight at Vel
low Tavern, May 1, 1864, was act
ing as one of Stuart's couriers. At
the beginning of it l was stationed in
front of the tavern, under one of a
row of trees that lined the way close
by. To my left, about four hundred
yards off, the enemy could be easily
seen emerging from a piece of woods
and forming for battle. A short dis
lance to my right, l saw an irregular
line of Confederates. Pretty soon
from the enemy came lively volleys
whistling through the trees and start
ing the dust in the road.
In few minutes / saw two horse
men approach from the Confederate
side. AS they drew near recognized
Gen Stuart and Col. Walter Hullion.
They halted nearby in the road, and
Stuart, taking out his field glass, de-
/ liberately watched the maneuvers of
the enemy, though balls were %hizz-
ing past him.
Presently, regardless of the in
creasing fire, which was now accom-
panied with shouts, Stuart put his
glass away, and taking out paper and
pencil, wrote an order Handing it to
Col. Hullion, he told him to take it to
Gen. LOmaX. That officer replied by
pointing to me and suggesting that
should carry it. Stuart assented, and
rode off in search of Gen Lomax.
The firing continued to increase,
and many squa6rons were in sight.
The enemy, awake to their superior
numbers, seemed about to make a
general advance, while our men were
Iavailing themselves of the character
of the ground to repel their attack.
After going a few rods to the rear,
my horse, excited by the firing, sud
denly stopped and refused to bulge
After several vain attempts with the
spur and the fiat side of my sword to
start him, | at last struck him will all
my strength right between the ears.
This "downeC" him, but he soon rose
and ran off at the top of his speed
l soon came to where Gen. Lomax
was, and, coming into collision with
his horse, gained his immediate at
tention. After reading the note he
told me to go back and tell Gen. Stu
art that the order had been delivered.
In few moments | rejoined Stuart.
He was sitting on his horse close be-
hind line of dismounted men, who
were firing at the advancing FEEDER
ais. The disparity of numbers be-
tween the opposing forces was very
great, to judge from appearances.
Our men seemed aware of their infer
ior strength, but were not dismayed.
The enemy confidently pressed for
ward with eXulting shouts, delivering
tremendous volleys. The Confeder-
ates returned their fire with yells OF
defiance.
Stuart, with pistol in hand, shot
over the heads of the troops, while
with words of cheer he encouraged
them. He kept saying: Steady men,
steady. Give it to them" Presently
he reeled in his saddle. His head was
bowed and his hat fell off. He turn
ed and said as | drew nearer: GO
and tell Gen. Lee and DR.. Fontaine to
come here"
l wheeled at once and went as fast
as | could to do his bidding Coming
to the part of the line where Gen.
Lomax was, l told him Stuart was
hurt, and that he wanted Gen. Fitz
Lee. He pointed to the left and told
me to hurry. Soon l found Gen. Lee,
and delivered the message. He was
riding a light gray, if | remember,
and instantly upon receipt of the
news went like an arrow down the
line.
When l returned, Stuart had been