Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-07-20
Anniversary of Fight.
Continued from page three).

Continued from page tHleeJ.
efforts to get their positions in the
ranks and they had hardly succeeded
in doing so before the advance of the
enemy's cavalry who had already cap
tured our pickets came galloping in
sipht from a cross road about 70
yards distant, firing at and shouting
surrender" to one of company H, who
was mounted and ventured a little too
far to the front. The chase led across
the front of the regiment, where
volley at close range from more than
hundred rifles rendered riderless
more than a dozen saddles of the First
U. S. Cavalry which with the second
and fifth regulars composed the cav
airy brigade of General Merrett, which
many times outnumbered the little
force of about 225 men of the Alex
andria regiment, which was command
ed by Col. Arthur Herbert.
This small force had put up a good
fight during the day, previous to the
arrival of e-enforcements which old
not arrive until late in the afternoon,
mad more than held the enemy IN
heck, for besides repulsing their ad-
vances, had made several successful
charges driving them each time. The
only mention made Of this important
davis work as far as known is the re-
ports of General Longstreet and Cen
eral Merritt.
From the formers report, dated
Culpeper C. H., July 27-63. quote
as follows:
con the night of the goth reached
Milwood. The Shenandoah was
found to be past fording," on the fol
lowing day July 21) the river still
past fording, the laying of our Bird
res was begun; Gen. Corse who had
been hurried forward with his brl-
yade, had succeeded in crossing the
stream, he detaching regiment to
Manassas Gap he marched his man
force to Chester Gap, succeeding IN
,etting possession of the latter few
moments before the enemy appeared
The enemy was in possession OF the
east end of Manassas Gap, but Col.
Arthur Herbert Of the 18th Va. Regt.,
secured strong position with the reg
imcnt from which he held the enemy
in check"
Reinforcements were sent to Col.
Herbert when he drove back the en-
emy and secured as much Of the gap
As was desirable. Series |, vol.
XVIII, Gettysburg Reports.
General Merrett's report is as fol-
lows:
Manassas Gap, Va,
July 81, 1868, 8 P. NJ,
Evening of the fight
Captain:
We have had two small fights today
with the enemy at the west end OF the
gap. The first, in which the First Cav
airy was engaged, in attempting to
penetrate to Front Royal; the second,
N which the First Second and Fifth
were engaged, for the same object.
found the enemy in force at the west
end of the gap. l can learn nothing
further as regards Lees army more
than what I have already reported.
The only prisoners taken are all from
the Seventeenth Virginia Infantry,
and number about 20, including COM
missioned officers, The regiment is
!! about GOO strong, which of itself in
this country is enough to hold my en-
tire brigade in check, as cannot use
my artillery to advantage. The
wounds inflicted on the men OF my
brigade are very severe, and the arms
captured from the enemy are the
Springfield rifle.
Loncstreet is reported at Front
ROYAL, and it is said has sent out a
force this way, and towards Chester
Gap. l at first thought they had only
one regiment in my front, but am now
convinced that Hoover's brigade OF
Corse's Division is this side Of Front
ROYAL. The fact that we have cap
turcd prisoners from only one regi-
ment is attributed to this regiment be-
ing on picket duty
| will feel them again tomorrow.
W. MERRITT,
Bvie. Gen. of Vol. Conad.