The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-12
ANNIVERSARY OF FIGHT.
Interesting Account of War Incfdent in
which Alexandria soldiers Took Part.


Interesting Account of Wnr Incident In
which Alexandria soldiers Took Part.
Believing that quite a number Of
your readers VIII be interested in the
following, and that 1t will stir up
memories within the hearts OF many
an old soldier, especially those OF the
Seventeenth Virginia Infantry, I give
II TO you
The incident recorded below occur
red forty-nins years ago Tomorrow
July Il, just after Lees army mad re-
turned from ths invasion Of Pennsyl-
vanis-
When the Army OF Northern Virginia
started cut on the Gettysburg cam
pzign, Corses Brigade o. Pickett's
Division. and perhaps tho strongest in
number In the division. while camped
near Hanover Junction. was ordered
TO remain behind for the purpose OF
keeping open nTnunicacons In viz
gtnia and defend the line Of railroad
from Richmond 10 GoEdo nsville. ano
Richmond itself from raiding parties
Of the enemy.
The brigade remained at winchester
a few days. when it was ordered To
proceed down the Valley in advance Of
July 20 towards Front Royal and halt
ed for the night at the village of Ce-
daryille. having marched about four
teen miles- II resumed the march the
next morning, being compelled 10 ford
the Shenandoah River. This was done
with great difficulty on account OF the
swollen streams and rapid current
Nevertheless they reached the opposite
bank IN safety and proceeded on TO
Front Royal
The enemy, rightly surrnising that
the Valley Pike would be strung with
the long trains Of Lees army. as 1t
slowly dehlsd behind the mountain
wall. pushed forward their cavalry
from this side into the gaps from Ash
by's to Thornton's, watching chance
to break through and attack The bri-
gade, Il seems. was sent forward 10
prevent this and defend the tanks OF
our army. On arrival at Front Royal
on the morning of July Il, 1859. the
weather was scorching hot. the Seven
teerrh Virginia was ceiac1ed from
The brigade and ordered to move up
into the mountain gap through which
the Manassas RAILROAD passes The
regiment took up its line Of march
on the dusty country road. and before
noon reached near the centre OF the
pass. when they fled into the woods
and stacked their arms Everything
looked quiet and peaceful and the men
little expecting the enemy 70 make
their appearance so early. were soon
busy IN the adjoining fields. gather
ing blackberries. which were growing
in profusiOn. These companies tmere
remnants) had been sent to 60 picket
duty over the mountain. and while
the bulk of the men were thus busy
and engaged and enjoying themselves.
Adjutant W. ". Zimmerman who had
gone out TO post the pickets. was seen
coming in. shouting as he came In
TO armsl Fall In; the enemy Is com
ing
There followed a helter-skelter race
from the fields By the men In their
efforts 20 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
trred our p!ckets come galloping in
sight from a crossroad abou; seventy
yards distant. firing at and shouting
Surrender" to one Of Company II, who
was mounted and ventuTed g ntue too
far TO the front The chase led across
the front Of the regiment where a
volley at close range from more thar
100 rtres rendered riderless more than
a dozs, saddles Of the First Uniteo
States Cavalry. which. with the Sec
ond and Fifth Regulars. composed the
cavalry brigade Of General derrett
which many tmes outnumoered the
little force Of about 275 men Of the
Aiexandris Regiment which was com
uanded By Colonel Arthur Herbert
This small force bad put up good
-
arrival Of achievements. which did
not arrivs until late IN the aftern oon-
and had more thar held The enemy In
check. for. besides REFUSING their sd-
xznces had made several successful
charges. driving them esch time The
only mention made % this Important
days work az "a as known. Is re
reports Of General Jongstrcet and Cen
ersl Merrett
From the formers report dated Cul-
peper CourLa 3uss- July y. 1883.
quote a. follows;
~Ou the night % the Goth reached
Wildwood TIE shcnzdosh was found
TO Dc psst fcrding On the following
day (JuIy 7i). the river SIN past ford
ing. the laying OF our bridges was be-
gun General Corse. who had been
hurried forward with his brigade had
succeeded In crossing the stream. he
defanhing a regiment 70 MANASSAS Gap.
PIE marched his main force 70 chestei
Cap. succeedinE IN getting possession
% the latter q few moments before
the enemy appeared The enemy W.
IN possession Of the east end q Ma
nassas Gap. but Colonel Arthur Her
bert. Of the Seventeenth Virginia Reg
ir1ent secured = strong position with
the regiment from which he held ths
enemy IN check Rcinforcemcrfs were
sent 60 Colonel Herbert when be drove