Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 3.

[344] right, and was Wallace's chief dependence in the protection of that flank. Clendennin and his cavalry watched the lower fords, and skirmishers were sent out some distance in advance of the Monocacy bridges. At a blockhouse near the railway was a rude earthwork, bearing a 24-pounder howitzer. Such was the disposition of Wallace's little force to resist the attack of what proved to be an army full twenty thousand strong, with a large park of artillery,¹ that advanced from Frederick at eight o'clock in the morning.

July 9 1864.

Three of Ricketts's regiments were yet behind, but were expected by railway at one o'clock in the afternoon.

Planting his Napoleon guns, sixteen in number, behind his skirmish line as he advanced, Early opened the battle at about nine o'clock. The contest rapidly grew warmer and more general as he drew near, and Brown soon found it difficult to maintain his position at the stone bridge. At the same time a large body of Confederates, moving by their right out of range of Ricketts's guns, forced a passage of the Monocacy at a ford on his left, and at half-past 10 moved upon him in battle order. Ricketts changed front to. meet the attack, his right resting on the river; but in so doing he exposed himself to an enfilading fire from Early's guns across the stream; and so over-matched was he in numbers, that he was likely to be soon enveloped. Perceiving this, the watchful Wallace sent, first, two of Tyler's guns to. Ricketts, and then every man that could be spared from other points.

The invader's first line made a furious charge, and was quickly thrown back. The second then charged, and after a more protracted struggle, was. also repulsed, and fled to the woods in confusion. So great was the disparity in numbers, that Wallace would have been justified in retreating at that time, and could easily have done so; but his desire was to develop the strength of the invaders, and to keep them at bay as long as possible. Expecting Ricketts's three fresh regiments at one o'clock, and believing that with them he might maintain his position, he stood firm and fought desperately until that time and an hour beyond. Then, having no tidings of the approaching troops,² and seeing the Confederates issuing from the woods in two strong columns to make another charge, he reluctantly ordered Ricketts to retreat by the Baltimore pike. That retreat began at four o'clock in the afternoon.

In the mean time, Tyler had been as gallantly fighting the foe on the right of the National line, and Brown yet possessed the stone bridge which Wallace had said must be held at all hazards until Ricketts could cross over to the Baltimore pike. This position was now of vital importance. Tyler sent Brown all of his reserves, and held his own position firmly, though pressed by an eager and vastly superior foe. He fought on with the greatest gallantry until Ricketts's column was safe, when at five o'clock Brown was compelled to abandon the bridge, and retreated down the Baltimore pike.