CHAPTER XXXV.

JUNE―JULY, 1863.

STONEMAN'S RAID-BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION-HEROISM OF KILPATRICK -CAVALRY BATTLES OF ALDIE AND UPPERVILLE-THE CONFEDERATES CROSS THE POTOMAC-GENERAL HOOKER RELIEVED OF THE COMMAND, AND GENERAL MEADE APPOINTED HIS SUCCESSOR-KILPATRICK DEFEATS STUART AT HANOVER, PENNSYLVANIA-FIRST DAY OF THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG-DEATH OF REYNOLDS-SECOND DAY'S FIGHT, AND ITS INCIDENTS THIRD DAY'S BATTLE-SPLENDID UNION VICTORY-THE SANITARY AND CHRISTIAN COMMISSIONS—THE COOPER SHOP VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON.

GENERAL STONEMAN was ordered by Hooker to cross the Rappahannock and Rapidan, to cut off the commu nications of the enemy, destroy bridges and railroads, and prevent their retreat in case of their being defeated, such a result being confidently anticipated by the loyal people. The cavalry corps consisted of three divisions, under Generals Pleasonton, Averill, and Gregg, and the regular brig ade, commanded by General John Buford. Leaving Pleasonton to co-operate with the main army, to which he rendered the important services already described, Stoneman, on the 27th of April, marched for the Rappahannock with three thousand cavalry, intending to cross at Beverly ford, and dispose of Stuart's rebel cavalry, before moving to the rear of Lee's army. High water and bad roads detained the expedition till the 29th, when, crossing at Kelly's ford, Stoneman moved his whole force (with the exception of a small body under General Averill) to and across the Rapidan, and struck the Virginia Central railroad, in the rear of Lee's army, on the morning of May 2d. Detachments were sent out in every direction, to destroy the railroad, culverts, and bridges, which was thoroughly done. Kilpatrick charged into Louisa Court House, and terrified the inhabitants, who, finding no insult offered, and private property respected, soon recovered from their panic.

At four o'clock the same day (Saturday, 2d), Stoneman moved on, and reached Thompsor's crossroads at eleven

o'clock P. M., and, from this point, sent out his principal officers to destroy the communications and the property of the enemy in every direction.

Colonel Percy Windham, with the First New Jersey and First Maine cavalry, five hundred men in all, was despatched south to Columbia, on the James river; Lieutenant-colonel Davis, with the Twelfth Illinois, to South Anna and Ashland, on the Fredericksburg road; Colonel Kilpatrick, with the Harris Light cavalry, to Hungary, on the Fredericksburg railroad, and below, on the Virginia Central; and General Buford proceeded west, toward the James river canal, at Cedar Point, and from thence passed near Gordonsville. The rest of the force scoured the region around Thompson's Four Corners and Yanceyville. All except Kilpatrick's and Davis's commands reached Kelly's ford in safety, early on Friday, May the 8th. This expedition was full of romantic adventures, and spoke volumes for the ability of the officers and men engaged in it. Colonel Davis lost in it, two commissioned officers and thirty-three men; and Colonel Kilpatrick lost Lieutenant Estes and fifteen men captured, but they were afterward recaptured by a reconnoitering party. The expedition destroyed twenty-two bridges, seven culverts, five ferries, broke the railroads in seven places, burned four supply trains, three depots, and four telegraph stations; destroyed one hundred and twenty-two wagons, captured three hundred horses and mules, cut telegraphs in five places, and liberated one hundred and fifty slaves.

The President visited the camp at Falmouth on the 7th of May, conferred with Hooker on future movements, and expressed himself gratified with the spirit and discipline of the troops. The remainder of May was not signalized by any important military movement.

Positive information having been received that Lee was oreaking up his camp and moving, Hooker determined on a reconnoissance in force across the Rappahannock, which was made by the Sixth Corps, and it was now determined to send General Alfred Pleasonton to attack General Stuart at Beverly ford, where, anticipating a movement of Lee to invade Maryland and Pennsylvania, he had massed a cavalry force of fifteen thousand men. Pleasonton's forces consisted of nine thousand men, composed of the First cavalry brig

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BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION.

ade, under General Gregg, the regular brigade, under General Buford, and the second cavalry brigade, under Colonel Duffie; two thousand infantry and two batteries made up the rest of the force. Gregg, with two divisions, crossed the Rappahannock at early dawn on the 9th of June, at Beverly ford, intending to move toward Stevensburg, and gain the enemy's flank and rear at Brandy Station. Pleasonton crossed the ford with Buford and Davis, and surprised the enemy in his camp. A desperate conflict took place, in which Davis fell in the centre of the camp, in leading a gallant charge. The infantry now came up, and fought side by side with the cavalry throughout the day.

Gregg came in sight of the combatants on the broad plains of Brandy Station, at ten o'clock. A splendid prospect now met the view. Here, in this romantic scene, the artillery was sending shot and shell from the low hills, through the squadrons of the enemy. There the bayonets gleamed, and shouts of friend and foe were borne to the ears of Gregg's troops, who for the first time had seen the dust and smoke of battle, and longed to mingle in the strife. Windham gallantly led them in a fierce charge, with flashing sabres, over and through Stuart's very head-quarters. The enemy was strongly reinforced, and the First New Jersey and First Pennsylvania, fighting bravely, were driven down the hill before superior numbers, and all seemed lost. At this critical moment, Colonel Kilpatrick brought up the Harris Light cavalry, the Tenth New York, and First Maine. Forming in echelons of squadrons by regiments, he rushed upon the foe in full career, and met a repulse. He now led up the First Maine, which had not yet been engaged, and at a run struck the rebel columns; in the dreadful shock, the latter were borne down before the wild charge. Passing the regiments, which had now recov ered, the gallant leader shouted, "Back, the Harris Light; back, the Tenth New York; reform your squadrons and charge." The hill was won, Windham's guns recaptured, aud the day was saved. At four P. M., Gregg joined Pleas onton. The victory was fairly won, and had Duffie come up at the time ordered, it might have been decisive. The enemy's infantry could now be seen coming from Culpepper, to aid their defeated cavalry. The Union loss was two hundred killed and wounded; the rebel loss six hundred.

CAVALRY BATTLE OF ALDIE.

355

The Union cavalry, in fair combat, had met the chivalry of the South in superior numbers, and defeated them. The object was accomplished, the raid of Stuart prevented, and the important information obtained that Lee was marching for Maryland. The victorious squadrons were withdrawn across the Rappahannock, and, on the following day, Pleasonton was promoted to a major-general, and Kilpatrick to a brigadier.

These reconnoissances discovered the intention of Lee to move on the Potomac, and cross at Harper's Ferry. Hooker did not attempt to prevent him, but watched all his movements by his effective cavalry, now one of the finest bodies in the world. The Union army now had its head-quarters at Fairfax Court House, from which Hooker pushed out his columns in the direction of Aldie and Thoroughfare Gap. He wanted to get the enemy where they could not retreat without a battle, and as Lee had not yet appeared on the banks of the Potomac, Pleasonton, on the 18th of June, was sent out with his cavalry to reconnoitre. Moving through the plain of Manassas, and the famous field of Groveton, he reached the high hills of Aldie at noon, and sent Kilpatrick with his brigade in advance. He instructed the latter to move through Aldie, thence to and through Ashby's Gap, and, after ascertaining the enemy's movements, to rejoin the cavalry corps at Nolen's Ferry, on the Potomac, while Colonel Duffie, with the First Rhode Island cavalry, was to move through Thoroughfare Gap, and join Kilpatrick in the valley beyond.

The advance of Kilpatrick encountered that of Fitzhugh Lee at Aldie. The Union leader saw the importance of occupying the hills that commanded the town, and in a brilliant dash had secured possession of them before his adversary could prevent it. A most terrible struggle for the possession of the hills ensued. The artillery on each side sent forth the death bolts, and the men fought most desperately. The enemy massed on the Union right, on which point a determined charge was made by General Rosser. The whole wing gave way, and Kilpatrick saw with anguish his troops fleeing in confusion before the enemy. He was equal to the emergency. Casting his rapid glance around, he ordered the left to stand firm, and Randall not to move, but to double shot his guns. Putting himself at the head of

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THE CONFEDERATES CROSS THE POTOMAC.

the First Maine, he gave the word "Forward!" The enemy went down before the impetuous charge, though the Union leader had his horse killed under him, and the gallant Colonel Doughty was slain. Remounted on a fresh horse, Kil. patrick ordered the buglers to sound an advance of the whole line. The Confederates were driven before the resist less charge in complete rout, toward Middleburg, and the approach of night saved the remnant of their forces.

After the fight at Aldie, Pleasonton resolved to push on through Ashby's Gap to Middleburg, and force back Stuart on the rebel infantry. The town was occupied by Colonel Craig, after a brief skirmish. On the 21st of June, Pleasonton advanced with his whole corps; Buford holding the right, and Gregg the left. The enemy were encountered at Upperville, by Kilpatrick, and routed in a bloody combat. The advance of Lee's army, meanwhile, was moving under Longstreet up the Shenandoah valley, toward Williamsport, where it crossed on the 27th. Pleasonton moved to Aldie, crossed at Harper's Ferry, and, with the main army under Hooker, proceeded to Frederick city, where, on the 28th, the latter general was relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and succeeded by General G. Meade. General Kilpatrick was now placed in command of five thousand cavalry, heretofore commanded by General Stahl, and assigned Generals Custer and Farnsworth to the command of his two brigades. The cavalry, which had done such important service, and was destined to be of still greater use hereafter, was now distributed into three great divisions, commanded by Generals Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick.

General Stuart had not crossed the Potomac with the rest of Lee's army, but had crossed near Harper's Ferry, and eluded every cavalry column sent after him, until he reached the town of Hanover, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of June. Here, after being defeated by Kilpatrick in a fierce engagement of eight hours, he moved on York.

While General Hooker was advancing from Falmouth to Manassas Junction and Fairfax, keeping the enemy from Washington and Baltimore, and crowding Lee to the west of the Bull Run range, thus compelling him to cross the Potomac higher up than he desired, the people of Pennsyl vania bittely complained that their towns were left unde

fended