Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 7.
Frank Moore, Ed.

The following is a complete list of the casualties in the First New-Jersey cavalry, near Brandy Station, Va., June ninth, 1863:

Colonel Sir Percy Wyndham, wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel V. Brodrick, wounded and missing; Major J. H. Shelmire, wounded and missing; Captain Henry Sawyer, wounded; Lieutenant Hyde Crocker, wounded and missing; John Black, company A, missing; E. Crossdale, company A, missing, Charles E. Wilson, company A, missing; Henry Clark, company A, missing; Joseph Howard, company B, killed; Aaron Rake, company B, wounded; Sergeant S. P. Crossman, company B, missing; John Tynon, company B, John Casler, company B, missing; Thos. Boyle, company C, missing; Willlam McCune, company C, missing; Josiah Buchain, company D, wounded; Joseph Crane, company D, missing; Octave Antonio, company D, missing; Sergeant George W. Stewart, company E, wounded and missing; Sergeant James H. Palmater, company E, missing; Corporal Robert Williams, missing; T. L. Clement, missing; Daniel McCormick, missing; George Polston, company E, killed; Sergeant Samuel Rainear, company F, killed; Corporal Amos Poinsett, company F, wounded; Charles Cadot, company F, wounded; Nathan Moore, company F, missing; John C. Danty, company F, missing; Daniel Oliver, company F, missing; Sergeant Joseph Thibesdeau, company F, missing; Corporal R. S. Asay, company F, missing; R. Darnstad, company G, killed; A. A. Ringlop, company G, killed; Sergeant J. P. Brower, company G, wounded and missing; Sergeant B. G. Joline, company G, wounded and missing; W. P. Brown, company G, missing; John Finnigan, company G, missing; F. Craus, company G. missing; J. H. Stubbs, company G, wounded and missing; M. Summers, company G, wounded and missing; Corporal John Scaffer, company H. missing; W. H. H. Jackson, company H, missing; Douglass Grey, company H, missing; Timothy Mahoney, company H, wounded; Sergeant Chas. Earley, company I, wounded and missing; Sergeant F. Schall, company I, wounded; Philip Ham, company I, missing; Sergeant Robert Tuthill, company K, wounded and missing; Sergeant Richard Decker, company K, wounded; Jno. Hendershot, company K, wounded; John Hanley, company K, missing; James Linley, company M, missing; Horace Van Orden, company M, missing. Total — officers, five; men fifty-two--fifty-seven. Carried into action, twenty-two officers and two hundred and eighty-one men.

In justice to the gallant men who have fallen, to those who are still suffering from injuries received, as well as to the brave men who passed through the terrible ordeal of yesterday unscathed, and to-day stand ready at a moment's notice to meet the enemies of their country in deadly strife again, I shall endeavor to give a more detailed [22] account than you have yet received, of the movements and conduct of Gen. Gregg's command, with such scenes and incidents occurring in the whole of Gen. Pleasanton's command as came under my own observation, and as I have obtained from sources which I deem reliable.

Gen. Gregg moved from Warrenton Junction on Monday, the eighth, encamping that night near Kelly's Ford, a fording place on the Rappahannock River, six miles below the Orange and Alexandria Railroad bridge. His command consisted of the Second and Third divisions of cavalry, a section of artillery attached to each, and a force of one thousand five hundred foot-soldiers, the latter under the command of Gen. Russell. The movement across the river was commenced on Tuesday morning, at about six o'clock, the Second division, commanded by Col. Duffie, taking the advance, closely followed by Gen. Gregg's own division, the Third, and the infantry. By nine o'clock the whole force was safely on the right bank of the river, no opposition to the crossing having been met except such as could be given by a rebel picket of twenty badly scared men, who ran away at the very sight of a blue coat. Here the command was divided into three columns. Col. Duffie, with the Second division and a section of Tidball's old battery, commanded by Lieut.----, occupied the extreme left, and at once moved forward to Stevensburgh, where a regiment of the enemy was discovered, supporting a section of artillery stationed to oppose the advance of our troops. A brief but sanguinary struggle took place, resulting in the capturing of one hundred and fifty prisoners, and dispersing the balance of the force in front. Gen. Gregg, though sending frequently for this command, did not see it again until the movement to join Gen. Buford, who, as stated in a previous letter, had crossed the river at Beverly Ford, and was engaged with a superior force of the enemy. The Third division occupied the centre, and took a road leading to Brandy Station, and the infantry occupying the right, moved along near the river — the object being to unite the two wings of Gen. Pleasanton's command, on either side of the railroad. This was not effected, however, owing to the stubborn resistance of the enemy, they being present in large force, until after the fight at Brandy Station, some account of which will be given in the proper place. The Third division occupied the centre, and as it participated in some of the severest cavalry fighting of the war, I shall endeavor to give its movements somewhat in detail. The First brigade of this division, commanded by Col. Kilpatrick, was composed of his own regiment, the Second New-York cavalry, (Harris's Light,) First Maine cavalry, Col. Douty, and Tenth New-York cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Irvine. The Second brigade was commanded by Colonel Wyndham, and consisted of his own regiment, the First New-Jersey cavalry, First Maryland cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Deems, and First Pennsylvania cavalry, Lieut.-Col. Taylor. Each brigade was formed in three columns by squadrons, the First brigade on the right, and the Second on the left. The ground between Kelly's Ford and Brandy Station is rolling, interspersed with clumps of trees, and not the most desirable for cavalry operations; nevertheless the men of the different regiments succeeded in keeping in excellent order. The division moved toward Brandy Station. The first indication of the enemy in force was the discovery of a signal station on a hill to the right by Capt. J. W. Kester, Aid to Gen. Gregg. Just previous to this, and one mile from the station, a picket of two men was captured. Gen. Gregg, upon being satisfied by the working of the signal-flag that a force of the enemy was near by, ordered Col. Wyndham to advance with his brigade, find the enemy, and attack him. Col. Wyndham moved promptly forward, and when arrived nearly opposite, and to the south of the signal station, a two-gun battery was opened upon the command at short-range. The two guns attached to the brigade were soon in position and at work, and two or three squadrons were sent forward to secure the railroad — a train loaded with infantry was coming up from Culpeper. Our men turned a switch, and the train was run off the track; another train soon followed, but the enemy then had possession of the railroad, having forced the troops occupying the ground to retire. Captain Martin's two guns, with the First brigade, were ordered forward, and took a position south-east of Telegraph Hill. The rebels were soon forced to withdraw their battery, and they moved it across the railroad track to the vicinity of a house, in which it was subsequently ascertained were the rebel Gens. Stuart, Hampton, and Jones, the latter having just arrived from Winchester (the rebel prisoners say) to make arrangements to join the proposed expedition into Pennsylvania and Maryland. Upon this point it appears two rebel colums were approaching. The advance, Colonel Wyndham had attacked and driven back. Following up the advantage thus gained, the First Maryland was ordered to charge, which they did in the most gallant manner, surrounding the house in which the notorious rebel chieftains were plotting. The enemy fought desperately at this point, and several hand-to-hand conflicts took place. Our men were gaining the advantage, when a large rebel force advanced, and they were forced to retire. As soon as the First Maryland had got a little scattered in the melee, the First New-Jersey, Lieut.-Col. Broderick at their head, charged, and was followed in turn by the First Pennsylvania, led by Lieut.-Col. Taylor. At first, as each regiment came charging into the fight, the enemy were forced back, and though their force was much larger than ours, they continued to fall back until largely reenforced. On a rise just at the rear of the house before referred to, Colonel Wyndham's brigade captured two guns. When forced back to near Brandy Station, the guns were dragged along and placed with a section of our own artillery. The enemy dashed upon this battery, commanded by Capt. Martin, with great fury, and killed and wounded nine of the men at the guns with their sabres. By the order of Gen. Gregg, Capt. Kester placed a two-gun [23] battery so as to rake the position, and the rebels were forced to retire into the woods, when our men again got possession of the guns. The enemy was again reenforced, and another desperate conflict was had over the guns. One had burst, and another was rendered useless by a ball being rammed home in the excitement without a cartridge. Nearly all of the horses had been killed by the rebel sharp-shooters, and it was impossible to drag the remaining two guns away by hand. The enemy, again reenforced, made a final charge upon the guns, and succeeded in holding the position. In this melee--one of the most exciting and desperate that has occurred during the whole war — the sword, for the most part, was the only weapon used. Col. Wyndham, more conspicuous than the rest of the officers who mingled in the fight, by his dress and general appearance, was evidently recognized and made a target of, both by swordsmen and carbineers. He escaped with a ball in the calf of his right leg.

Gen. Gregg and staff advanced and ordered Col. Kilpatrick to support Col. Wyndham on the right. As the first regiment, Tenth New-York, Lieut-Col. Irvine, emerged from the woods, they charged upon the rebels formed near the railroad, and were closely followed by the Harris Light cavalry, (Second New-York,) Lieut-Col. Davies. They met with such firm resistance that they became somewhat scattered, and were ordered back — only a portion of them having crossed the railroad. At this juncture, the First Maine cavalry, commanded by Col. C. S. Douty, came upon the field. It was a critical moment. A line of skirmishers had been advanced to the railroad, a section of artillery thrown forward on the right; a superior force of the rebels had driven our forces from the hill on the left so gallantly taken by the Second brigade, the Tenth being on the left of the First brigade--the whole command rising in echelon; was ordered to charge and drive the enemy from the hill and hold it, when the whole line was threatened by a superior force. It was here Col. Irvine was seen to fall. Col. Davies, of the Harris Light cavalry, was ordered to attack the enemy in flank — their movements were checked by two columns of the enemy just beyond the railroad — and both regiments were thrown into some confusion, and they were called back to rally. It was just at this point that Colonel Douty emerged from the woods, when he was made aware of the attitude of affairs, and was called upon to charge the enemy in flank — the two previous attempts having proved failures. The force in front outnumbered ours two to one--but onward the sons of Maine swept, with drawn sabres and plumes waving in the air — a grander sight was seldom ever witnessed; across the railroad they dashed and drove every thing before them, and in a very few minutes the hill at the rear of Stuart's headquarters was carried; two cannon, a flag, and a large number of prisoners were captured. As the First Maine arrived at Stuart's quarters, the first battalion, under Lieut.-Col. Smith, passed to the left of the house, and Major Boothby, with the second battalion, swept round to the right over the hill; and on they rode for about three quarters of a mile beyond where the regiment was again formed. Here was another critical position; there was no one coming to their support, and they were not only to lose what they had, by their daring valor, gained, but there was a fair prospect of being cut off; the enemy were closing in upon them near the railroad, and to escape they had to pass between two sections of artillery and a cross-fire of carbines. The position was taken in at a glance — a dash was made toward one of the batteries, as if to take it, when on a sudden a detour was made, and the whole command passed around the rebels and rejoined the brigade. The section of artillery captured by this regiment could not be taken away, but the horses were all killed.

The several divisions then fell back toward Kelly's Ford, united and moved up the right of the Rappahannock, across the railroad, until the left of General Buford's command was reached some time during the afternoon. The fact that the rebels did not make a step toward following the command, though vastly superior in numbers, indicates very clearly that they had had quite enough of the Yankees for one day.

During the afternoon, the main object of the reconnoissance having been accomplished, our forces gradually recrossed the river at Beverly Ford--two miles above the Orange and Alexandria Railroad bridge — the rear covered by the Eighth Illinois cavalry and Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania infantry. The enemy kept up a desultory fire, but little damage was done. The troops retired at their leisure and in good order — every man, though fatigued, feeling fully satisfied with the result of the contest.

Just at dark, a rebel regiment made its appearance near the Rappahannock Railroad Station. One regiment crossed the river to see what they wanted, but the enemy ran away so fast they did not ascertain the special object of the untimely visit.

This being really the first cavalry fight in force which has been indulged in during the present war, it becomes a matter of interest to all to know how our troopers thus massed conducted themselves. As one who travelled quite extensively over the extended field while the troops were the most hotly engaged — from five o'clock A. M. until one o'clock P. M.--I can say with pleasure that I neither saw myself or heard of any thing but what was creditable alike to their manhood and the cause in which they were engaged. In two instances, squadrons were broken while charging and suddenly and unexpectedly coming upon superior forces. In one of these cases, two thirds of the men engaged were recruits, and had never been in a fight before. In the other instance, they were momentarily thrown into a panic by the death of their leader. Both of these commands quickly rallied, and subsequently, by their gallant conduct, wiped away whatever stigma any one might consider as having been attached to them for previous conduct. One or two regiments also got somewhat scattered after a charge, but they were [24] 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.

You are already informed of the cavalry battle which took place between General Pleasanton's [25] and Stuart's cavalry, at Beverly Ford, on the ninth instant, but it must certainly be of great interest to know how Maryland was represented by the behavior of its First regiment of cavalry, now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel James Deems. Let me tell you what part this gallant regiment played. The regiment, a part of the Second brigade, commanded by Colonel Wyndham, of the Third cavalry division, commanded by General Gregg, left Warrenton Junction on the eighth instant, and crossed Kelly's Ford at three o'clock A. M., on the ninth instant. Continual cannonading was heard on our right ever since five o'clock; it was at Beverly's Ford, where General Buford had engaged parts of Fitz-Hugh Lee's and Wade Hampton's divisions. After crossing the ford the whole division marched rapidly on the road leading to the right to Culpeper, and was near Brandy Station within an hour and a half. Coming out of the woods the enemy had placed several guns to the right of the road behind an embankment, and at once commenced shelling our column with great precision and in rapid succession. Their cavalry, supporting the artillery, was stationed behind several ruins of old farm-houses and the gardens and bushes surrounding them, close in rear of their guns. A section of the Sixth New-York artillery was immediately brought up, placed opposite, and opened a rapid succession of shells, but their firing, although effective, was not very precise. After a short artillery duel of this kind, the order was given to charge, and Colonel Deems at once ordered his squadrons forward. The men, eager for the fight, would have rushed on with fury, but he quieted them, and gave them orders to walk, draw sabre, then a slow trot, and finally a gallop charge, and on went our brave Maryland boys, jumping two fences, and not one shrinking back or wavering. Colonel Deems and all the officers most bravely ahead charged and met the enemy on the other side of the defences. The sabre was to decide, not the pistol; and, although the rebs fired their volleys in rapid succession, the cold steel blade decided. They were driven back. Following the retiring foe, their allies rushed out of the woods by thousands, and our brave boys retired. At the time the charge was made the enemy was trying to run off a railroad train, wagons, and ambulances. Colonel Deems at once ordered the third squadron, composed of companies H, E, and K, Lieutenant R. Norwood, of company K, commanding, toward Brandy Station. When about a hundred yards distant, Colonel Deems commanded a gallop, and accompanied the squadron a short distance beyond the station, where he halted with six men and sent eleven prisoners, captured by the squadron, to the rear. The remainder of the squadron, led by Major Russell, charged gallantly out the different roads leading from the station after the flying rebels. They were too late for the trains; but our gallant Major Russell, with a few men, captured an ambulance with General Stuart's plan of the intended raid which was to have been made into Maryland and Pennsylvania; also many other valuable papers were captured and secured.

This squadron, led by Major Russell, was repeatedly charged upon by squads of rebels; but by charging them in return and ordering reenforcements with loud voice (although none were very near) their overwhelming numbers were checked, or else they would have annihilated it. With the remainder of the squadron Major Russell and Lieutenant Norwood captured thirty-five prisoners, and in bringing them to the rear were entirely cut off by the advance of two rebel regiments, who retook twenty-two of the prisoners. Major Russell and Lieutenant Norwood made their way around the right flank of the enemy with the remaining thirteen prisoners. Major Russell here met the Hon. John Minor Botts, and shook hands with him.

The first squadron, commanded by Captain J. Hancock, and composed of companies F, G, and L, proceeded, by order of Colonel Wyndham, on the road to Germania Ford. When they came within a mile of the Culpeper and Fredericksburgh roads, they met the rebel pickets, and learned that since the sixth instant no force had passed up from Fredericksburgh. Captain Hancock, after a general reconnoissance, returned safely with his squadron, and joined in other useful operations on the road. Part of company A, in charge of Lieutenant Charles R. Bankard, by order of Major Russell, patroled the Fredericksburgh road, and the balance, with Lieutenant John Axer, who commanded the first platoon of the fourth squadron, took part in the charges toward Brandy Station.

Company B, belonging to the second squadron, commanded by First Lieutenant Henry Appel and Second Lieutenant C. E. Lyman, behaved with great valor throughout the whole engagement. This company, like company D, is composed entirely of Germans from the city of Baltimore. They behaved very gallantly, and really deserve praise. Company D, commanded by First Lieutenant Henry C. Erich, formed the centre of the second squadron, commanded by Captain John K. Buckley. Every member was at his post from the beginning to the end of the fight. Our forces suffering severely from a battery on a hill near Brandy Station, the attempt was made to take it. All acted with coolness and gallantry to the last of the fight. The rebels tried hard to take the flag from the color-bearer, Corporal Michael Karman, but the brave German defended it most furiously, now sticking its point into the enemy, then knocking one over the head with it, changing into the other hand, hitting with the butt one on the other side; and although hundreds of shots were fired at him, he remained unhurt, and the flag was carried off by him in triumph. The wounded in this company were comparatively few. Mortally wounded was private John Aich--a ball from a shrapnel struck his breast. Lieutenant Henry C. Erich received two light wounds from pistol-balls, and his horse was shot through the mouth. He was near being [26] killed by a rebel who approached him in the rear, and he was just about splitting his head with a sabre when private Klein, of company B, shot the rebel through the heart; he dropped the sabre, and falling back, his horse galloped off with the drying man. Corporal Richard Klein and private Daniel Gnord, of this company, are reported missing.

Captain John K. Buckley, of company C, commanding second squadron, composed of companies B, C, and D, was ordered by Colonel Wyndham to charge upon and take a battery on the hill facing the railroad. Captain Buckley ordered “draw sabre,” and onward they went. As soon as the rebels saw our men charge, they pulled the guns out of their position, and a brigade of rebel cavalry moved quickly in front of their guns, meeting our second squadron with drawn pistols. The fury with which our men charged broke the rebel line and turned the whole of their column, and drove them from the top of the hill, our men holding it for fifteen minutes. Captain Buckley was first on top of the hill, and waving his sabre cheered the men on, who bravely followed their gallant commander. Lieutenant-Colonel Broaderick, of the First New-Jersey, charged immediately, following with three squadrons on the left of our second squadron; but the enemy then brought up new forces, and, by overwhelming numbers, made our men retire, when they fell back on our battery, which was unsupported. Following our men, they took Captain Buckley and Colonel Deems prisoners, but both soon made their escape, our men having in the intermediate time rallied, and re-charged the enemy. As a strange instance it is worth mentioning that the sabre taken from Captain Buckley was an hour afterward recaptured by some colonel and handed back to the Captain.

Corporal James A. Campbell deserves great credit for charging on the rebels with his guidon, which he used as a lance, dealing severe blows on the enemy after he was twice severely wounded. Exhausted from the loss of blood, clasping his guidon, he finally fell from his horse, and has not been heard from since.

To company I was assigned the duty of supporting the brigade battery, which it did nobly, standing unflinchingly under a heavy artillery fire. After all the rest of the regiment had charged, and were being forced back by the very weight of men and horses brought against them, Colonel Wyndham ordered this company to charge the pursuing foe. The gallant and lamented Frank M. Creager led them, and they drove the enemy back until a fresh regiment was hurled against them. They fell back and rallied for a second charge with drawn sabres. Just as they were about to charge, Captain Creager fell, pierced by a bullet in the left breast. The command then devolved on Second Lieutenant R. J. Kimble. He fearlessly led them into the second charge; they were forced back. Again he rallied and led them to their third and last charge, on which they lost two privates killed, six wounded, and eight taken prisoners. Those of the latter were recaptured. Colonel Wyndham then gave the order to retire, but in retiring the gallant company I brought twenty prisoners off the field. While they were falling back Sergeant Hiseshew, whose horse had been wounded, was captured. A rebel officer raised his pistol to shoot him, when, seeing his gray trowsers he said: “Oh! You are all right, give them----.” “Indeed I will,” said the Sergeant, and he charged with the officer, and kept on charging until he reached our lines. Sergeant Embry was captured, and escaped by virtue of a gray blouse. Bugler S. W. Long received two sabre-cuts on the head whilst bravely fighting. The gallant bearing of Lieutenant Kimble throughout the whole affair cannot be too highly lauded.

Here I cannot forbear mentioning that when Major Russell captured General Stuart's ambulance, he and Corporal Brown Austin, of company H, were charging neck and neck. The Corporal succeeded in getting back to the regiment in time to join in the second charge, when again the dashing soldier pierced the rebel lines, firing in all directions, and wheeling his horse, he charged through their lines again and joined the regiment in perfect safety, although hundreds of bullets were discharged at him, and notwithstanding all these perils, our friend Brown still maintained his dignity. Although I might mention a number of instances of personal bravery, I forbear. In conclusion I wish to mention our excellent surgeon, T. J. Dunott, who did his best to care for our wounded and make them as comfortable as possible.