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speedily in line again, and a few moments afterward fully retrieved their previously well-earned reputation.
These exceptions are always to be met with on every battle-field, and are liable to occur with the most experienced troops.
Of individual acts of gallantry I could write columns, if time permitted.
One of the most remarkable, perhaps, was a dash made by Major Martin, of the Ninth New-York cavalry, in Gen. Buford's command.
In front of their line were two belts of timber, extending from the main forest, the whole of which was occupied by the enemy in force, the line of skirmishers extending from one point of woods' to the other.
Major Martin was ordered to sweep in this line of skirmishers.
He did so by making one of the most brilliant and daring dashes on record.
First sending a detachment, commanded by Capt. Hanley, to clear one point of the woods of the enemy's carbineers, Major Martin, with three companies, dashed across the open space, in rear of the skirmishers, and forced in as prisoners nearly the whole line of rebel skirmishers, extending across the open space between the two belts of timber.
The spot was covered by artillery and the carbines of an immense rebel force.
Major Martin had two men killed and several wounded.
He escaped with a severe flesh-wound in the right shoulder.
Capts. Ayres and Dickson, and Lieutenants Burroughs, Bailey, and Herrick, who participated in this attack, were not injured.
Major Gasten, of the First Pennsylvania cavalry, attached to Gen. Gregg's staff, was captured, and his captors, while taking him to the rear, commenced to draw lots for his clothing and equipments.
His horse being a fast walker, he got a little ahead of his captors, when he turned about, bid them good day, and escaped.
Men often resort to curious expedients to escape being captured.
A sergeant of the Harris cavalry got within the enemy's lines.
To escape being captured he climbed a tree, and remained there until the enemy had fallen back.
A little bugler attached to the First Maine was captured, but during the night escaped and regained his regiment, then across the river.
A member of company M, First Maine, captured a mounted rebel, fully armed.
In making the capture, he pointed an empty pistol at the head of Mr. Reb, who surrendered at discretion.
On the way to the rear the same man took another rebel prisoner in the same way.
Lieut. Taylor, company M, First Maine, captured a man on foot.
The rebs pursued, and he made the man run before his horse.
When the man gave out he made him take hold of his horse's tail and run along.
He saved himself and prisoner.
In no single instance during the day did a rebel stand in single combat.
The moment one of our men approached one of the enemy standing alone, invariably the enemy fled.
This is no vain boasting, but a fact which was illustrated in my presence a number of times, and can be vouched for by hundreds of persons engaged in the conflict.
A negro held a position in the rebel line of skirmishers on the extreme left, directly in front of the Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry.
He was making some excellent shots when the Pennsylvania boys concluded to put a stop to him. One man fired while another stood ready to shoot the negro as he raised to fire again.
The plan succeeded, and the negro was killed.
In a previous letter the noble conduct of Lieut. Parsons in avenging the death of Col. Davis, of the Eighth New-York, was recorded.
A similar case occurred in the death of Captain Foot, of the Eighth New-York.
A skirmisher had fired three shots at the Captain, the third striking his horse.
He dismounted to see how much the animal was injured, and had just placed one foot in the stirrup to remount, when the same man fired again.
The ball this time struck the Captain in the back, he raised one hand and fell to the ground dead.
A private in Capt. Foot's company, named Cruthers, watched his opportunity and killed the man who had shot his captain.
Among the captures was a rebel flag, belonging to a North-Carolina regiment.
Corporal Drew, company A, First Maine, captured a rebel battleflag in the fight near the house occupied by Stuart.
A negro servant in the Sixth New-York cavalry got hold of a gun and fought valiantly in a line of skirmishers.
The loss sustained by Gen. Gregg's command, so far as at present ascertained, will not exceed two hundred and twenty-five.
In addition to the casualties already forwarded, I send you the following:
Capt. Davis, Sixth New-York cavalry--killed.
Lieutenant Halliday, Sixth New-York cavalry--missing.
Major Maurice, Sixth New-York cavalry--prisoner.
J. W. Ross, Third Virginia (rebel)--wounded in thigh.
David Lowes, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth New-York volunteers--ankle.
Thos. Lee, Sixth United States cavalry--right arm.
Soloman Grath, Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania--left leg.
O. D. Hess, Eighth Illinois cavalry--arm.
O. Richard, Sixth Pennsylvania cavalry--back.
C. Oleus, Fifth United States cavalry--back.
Lieut. Wade, Sixth United States cavalry--head, slight.
Lieut. Flynn, Second United States cavalry--slight.
Lieut. Phillips, Sixth New-York--right leg amputated.
Major Robins, one of General Pleasanton's staff, had two horses shot under him.
Capt. Sawyer, of the First New-Jersey cavalry, is missing; as also Major Forbes, commissary of Colonel Kilpatrick's brigade.
Another account.
headquarters First Maryland cavalry, Warrenton Junction, June 11, 1863.
You are already informed of the cavalry battle which took place between General Pleasanton's 