USA > Indiana > History of the Third Indiana cavalry > Part 7
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"The night of the 30th was a busy night for the division. No reliable information of value could be obtained from the inhabit- ants, and but for the untiring exertions of many different scouting parties, information of the enemy's movements and whereabouts could not have been gained in time to prevent him from getting into the town before our army could get up.
"By daylight on July 1, I had gained positive information of the enemy's position and movements, and my arrangements were made for entertaining him until General Reynolds could reach the
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scene. Between 8 and 9 a. m. reports came in from the First Brigade (Colonel Gamble's) that the enemy was coming from towards Cashtown in force. Colonel Gamble made an admirable line of battle, and moved off proudly to meet him. The two lines soon became hotly engaged, we having the advantage of posi- tion, he of numbers. The First Brigade held its position for more than two hours, and had literally to be dragged back a few hundred yards to a position more secure and better sheltered. Tidball's battery, commanded by Lieutenant Calef, Second U. S. Artillery, fought on this occasion as is seldom witnessed. At one time the enemy had a concentric fire on this battery from twelve guns, all at short range. Calef held his own gloriously, worked his guns deliberately, with great judgment and skill, and with wonderful effect upon the enemy. The First Brigade maintained this un- equal contest until the leading division of General Reynolds' corps came up to its assistance, and then most reluctantly did it give up the front. A portion of the Third Indiana found horse holders, borrowed muskets, and fought with the Wisconsin regiment that came to relieve them. While this left of my line was engaged, Devin's brigade, on the right, had its hands full. The enemy ad- vanced upon Devin by four roads and on each was checked and held until the leading division of the Eleventh Corps came to his relief. After the fall of General Reynolds, whose advance troops partially drove back the enemy and made heavy captures of pris- oners, the enemy brought up fresh troops and engaged General Doubleday's command, which fought bravely, but was greatly out- numbered and forced to fall back. Seeing our troops retiring, and their need of assistance, I immediately rushed Gamble's brigade to Doubleday's left and dismounted it in time to render great assist- ance to our infantry and to check and break the enemy's line. My troops at this place had partial shelter behind a low stone fence, and were in short carbine range. Their fire was perfectly terrific, causing the enemy to break and rally on their second line, which
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made no further advance towards my position. Shortly after this I placed my command on our extreme left, to watch and fight the enemy, should he make another attack, and went to Cemetery Hill for observation. While there General Hancock arrived and in a few moments he made superb disposition to resist any attack that might be made.
"My division bivouacked that night on the left of our position with pickets extending almost to Fairfield. The zeal, bravery and good behavior of the officers and men on the night of June 30 and during July 1 was commendable in the extreme. A heavy task was before us; we were equal to it; and shall ever remember with pride that at Gettysburg we did our country much service.
"July 2 the division became engaged with the enemy's sharp- shooters on our left and held its own until relieved by General Sickle's corps, after which it moved to Tawneytown and bivou- acked for the night. The next day, July 3, it moved to West- minster to guard the trains of the army at that point.
"July 4 the division marched towards Fredrick, en route to Williamsport. July 5 reached Fredrick, drew supplies and re- mained all night.
"July 6, the whole division (the Reserve Brigade having joined the night before) marched at 4 a. m. towards Williams- port, to destroy the enemy's trains, which were reported to be crossing the Potomac into Virginia. At about 5 p. m., when near St. James College, the enemy's pickets were discovered, driven in, and preparations made to capture the town. The enemy was driven handsomely to within half a mile of his trains at the town, when he came out strong enough to prevent our further progress. General Merritt's brigade with Graham's battery was on the right, Colonel Gamble's (First) brigade on the left and Colonel Devin's (Second) brigade on the left as rear reserve. The enemy made an attack upon Gamble, who had posted his men under shelter and who held their fire until the rebel line came within short
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carbine range, when he opened upon it, doing terrible execution and driving it back to its stronghold. This was repeated with similar success. In Merritt's front the enemy made no direct attack, but were so obstinate that General Merritt could not dis- lodge them without too much sacrifice. The enemy, however, attempted to turn our right with a brigade of infantry. This attempt was most admirably foiled by General Merritt. While our hottest contest was in progress General Kilpatrick's guns were heard in the direction of Hagerstown, and as they drew nearer I directed him to connect with my right for mutual support. The connection was made, but was of no consequence to either of us. Just before dark Kilpatrick's troops gave way, passing to my rear by the right, and were closely followed by the enemy. It now being dark, being outnumbered, and the First and Reserve Brigades being out of ammunition, Devin was ordered to relieve Gamble and a portion of Merritt's troops. This being done, I ordered the command to fall back, Devin to hold his ground until the entire road to Antietam was clear. Devin handsomely car- ried out his instructions, and the division bivouacked on the road to Boonesborough.
"The expedition had for its object the destruction of the enemy's trains, supposed to be at Williamsport. This, I regret to say, was not accomplished. The enemy was too strong for me, but he was severely punished for his obstinacy. His casual- ties were more than quadruple mine.
"Colonel Chapman, with his regiment, dashed off to the road leading from Falling Waters to Williamsport, destroyed a small train of grain and returned with about forty mules and their harness. At Williamsport Captain Graham fought his battery with marked ability and to the admiration of all witnesses. The officers and men behaved with their usual courage, displaying great unwillingness to fall back and requiring repeated orders before doing so.
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"July 7 the division moved to Boonesborough, the Reserve Brigade camping well in advance on the Hagerstown road, after having a successful cavalry brush with the enemy's advance. July 8 the enemy attacked at 5 a. m. and the fighting lasted until 5 p. m. He was driven back about four miles, when the division bivouacked for the night. July 9, attacked the enemy at 4 p. m. and drove him handsomely about two miles. July 10 attacked the enemy at 8 a. m. and drove him through Funkstown to his entrenchments beyond Antietam, when he came out with a heavy force of infantry and artillery and gave battle. The division held the crest on our side of the town like veterans until its ammuni- tion was exhausted. Howe's division of the Sixth Corps was in easy supporting distance, but had no orders to aid me. At 3 p. m. I could no longer reply with carbines, for want of cartridges, and consequently ordered the division to fall back. There was splendid fighting on the part of the division on the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th. There was no faltering or hesitation. Each man went to work determined to carry anything in reason.
"July 11 the First and Second Brigades moved in the after- noon in the vicinity of Bakersville. The reserve brigade was de- tached. July 12 and 13 remained at Bakersville and pushed pickets to within 800 yards of the enemy's entrenchments at Downsville. July 14 at 7 a. m. the division was ordered to advance and at 7:30 a. m. it was discovered the enemy had evacu- ated during the night. The few remaining scouts were run into the rear guard of Lee's army, which was soon seen in front of Kil- patrick, who had advanced from the north. Kilpatrick was en- gaged. I sent word to him that I would put my whole force in on the enemy's rear and flank and get possession of the road and bridge in their rear. The division succeeded in getting the road, and attacked the enemy in flank and rear, doing him great damage, scattering him in confusion through woods and ravines. Our spoils on this occasion were one ten-pounder Parrott gun,
1
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one caisson, over 500 prisoners and about 300 muskets. General Merritt came up in time to take the advance before the enemy had entirely crossed and made many captures. The enemy's bridge was protected by over a dozen guns in position and sharp- shooters on the Virginia side. As our troops neared the bridge the enemy cut the Maryland side loose and the bridge swung to the Virginia side.
"July 15 the division moved to Berlin. July 16 moved camp to Petersville. July 17 remained at Petersville. July 18 crossed during afternoon and encamped near Purcellville. July 19 marched through Philimont and encamped on Goose creek near Rectors Cross Roads. July 20 marched to Rectortown. Detached General Merritt with his brigade to hold Manassas Gap, Gamble to hold Chester Gap, and Devin with all the train moved to Salem. July 21 Merritt in Manassas Gap; Gamble near Chester Gap, finding it already in possession of a superior force of the enemy. General Merritt and Colonel Gamble each had a fight and made captures. July 22 wagon train sent to Warrentown in charge of Sixth New York Cavalry. Devin moved to Barbes Cross Roads. July 23 whole division concentrated at Barbes Cross Roads, re- maining until the 26th. On the 26th the division took possession of Warrentown and Fayetteville, picketing the Rappahannock river from Sulphur Springs to Kelleys Ford.
"During the whole campaign, from June 27 to July 31, there has been no shirking or hesitation, no tiring on the part of a single man so far as I have seen. To General Merritt, Colonels Gamble and Devin, brigade commanders, I give my heartfelt thanks for their zeal and hearty support. Neither of them ever doubted the feasibility of an order, but on its reception obeyed its dictates to the letter. The First Brigade captured 854 head of beef cattle and 602 sheep at Chesters Gap, which were turned over to the subsistence department at Markham, July 24.
"I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"JOHN BUFORD,
"Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding."
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No excuse could be required for inserting in this history the foregoing full account of the operations of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, to which the battalion of the Third Indiana belonged, written at the time by the brave, wise and well-beloved commander of the division to which it was attached. It is a faith- ful diary of what was done by our branch of the service during thirty-four days of most arduous service, at which time the greatest battle of the war-Gettysburg-was fought, for it was the turning point in the war.
But even more intimately was our battalion known by our gal- lant brigade commander, Col. William Gamble, of the grand old Eighth Illinois Cavalry, and we will not pass from Gettysburg until we have given his account of that mighty conflict as he saw and acted his part in it. From Vol. XXVII, page 934, we quote Colonel Gamble :
"About 8 o'clock on the morning of the 1st instant, while in camp at the seminary building, the officer commanding the squadron on picket gave me notice that the enemy, consisting of infantry and artillery in column, was approaching his pickets from the direction of Cashtown, with deployed skirmishers in strong force about three miles distant. This information was immediately communicated to the general commanding the division, who ordered my command to be in immediate readiness to fight the enemy. My brigade-consisting of the Eighth New York, Eighth Illinois, three squadrons of the Third Indiana and two squadrons of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, about 1,600 strong, and Tidball's battery, Second U. S. Artillery-was placed in line of battle about one mile in front of the seminary, the right resting on the railroad track and the left near the Middletown or Fairfax (Fairfield) road, the Cashtown road being a little to the right of the center at right angle with the line. Three squadrons, part dismounted, were ordered to the front and deployed as skirmishers to support the squadron on picket, now being driven
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back by the enemy's artillery and skirmishers. Our battery of six three-inch rifle guns was placed in position, one section on each side of the Cashtown road, covering the approaches of the enemy, and the other section on the right of the left regiment to cover that flank. The enemy cautiously approached in column on the road with three extended lines on each flank. His and our line of skir- mishers became engaged and our artillery opened on the enemy's advancing column, doing good execution. The enemy moved forward; two batteries opened on us and a sharp engagement of artillery took place. In a short time we were compelled by over- powering numbers to fall back about 200 yards to the next ridge and there make a stand. In the meantime our skirmishers, fight- ing under cover of trees and fences, were sharply engaged, did good execution and retarded the progress of the enemy as much as could possibly be expected, when it is known they were opposed by three divisions of Hill's corps. After checking and retarding the enemy's advance several hours, and falling back only about 200 yards from the first line of battle, our infantry advance of the First Corps arrived and relieved the cavalry brigade in its unequal contest with the enemy. In the afternoon the enemy being strongly reinforced extended his flanks and advanced on our left in three strong lines to turn that flank. The general com- manding the division ordered my brigade forward at a trot, to deploy in line on the ridge of the woods, with the seminary on our right. Half of the Eighth New York, Third Indiana and Twelfth Illinois were dismounted and placed behind a portion of a stone wall and under cover of trees. The enemy being close upon us, we opened a sharp and rapid carbine fire, which killed and wounded so many of the first line of the enemy that it fell back on the second line. Our men kept up the fire until the enemy in overwhelming numbers approached so near that in order to save my men and horses from capture they were ordered to mount and fall back rapidly to the next ridge on the left of the town, where
GEORGE MIDDLETON-AT 61.
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our artillery was posted. The stand which we made against the enemy prevented our left flank from being turned and saved a division of our infantry.
"My brigade fought well under disadvantageous circumstances against a largely superior force. Every officer and soldier did his duty. The list of casualties is large, but could not be less, con- sidering the position we occupied. Major Lemon, Third Indiana, was mortally wounded, since dead; Lieutenant Conroe, Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, killed; Captain Fisher and Lieutenant Voss, same regiment, wounded; Captain Follett, Eighth New York, severely wounded; Captain Martin, Third Indiana, wounded ; Captain Morris, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, serving on my staff, was wounded, and one of my orderlies was killed. Tidball's battery under Lieutenant Calef, attached to my brigade, was worked faithfully, did good execution and fully sustained its former high reputation. This brigade had the honor to commence the fight in the morning and close it in the evening.
"Near Williamsport, Md., July 6. This brigade was ordered to engage. the enemy on the left of the Boonesborough road, near Williamsport, the reserve brigade being on the right of the road. The Third Indiana Cavalry was ordered to capture and destroy a train of seven wagons of the enemy on our left on the Downsville road, which was successfully accomplished, making prisoners of the drivers and those in charge of the train. The brigade was then placed in line of battle, three-fourths of it dismounted to drive the enemy's skirmishers; Tidball's battery of four guns placed in position, supported by the balance of the mounted men, opened on the enemy, many times our superior in numbers, and did excellent execution; the dismounted men in the meantime keeping up a sharp carbine fire, drove the rebel pickets on their reserve. The dismounted men were under the immediate com- mand of the gallant and lamented Major Medill, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, who fell mortally wounded. We held our position until
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dark and were then relieved by Colonel Devin's brigade and ordered to fall back to Jones Cross Roads in the direction of Boonesborough, which we reached about midnight ; the delay being caused by Kilpatrick's division having been driven back in confu- sion from the direction of Hagerstown, completely blockading the road in our rear and making it impassable for several hours.
"Near Boonesborough, Md., July 8. The enemy was reported advancing on the Hagerstown road. General Buford ordered my brigade to take position on the crest of the ridge on the right of the road to Hagerstown, about one and one-half miles from Boonesborough, my dismounted men thrown out to the front and in a strip of woods on the right of the road ; the battery being in position on the center of the line, supported by the mounted men. The rebels moved forward to drive in our skirmishers, sup- ported by their battery, but after a sharp contest were unable to drive me from my position on the right. The enemy, however, gradually worked round on the left, driving the skirmishers of Kilpatrick's division ; placed a section of artillery so as to bring a crossfire on my brigade, when I was ordered to fall back on Boonesborough. Afterwards Kilpatrick's division was relieved on the left and placed on the right; but being unable to dislodge the enemy from the woods I formerly occupied, my brigade was ordered forward, the battery placed in position under a heavy fire. Three-fourths of the brigade were dismounted and ordered to drive the enemy out of the woods in front, which was accom- plished rapidly under a heavy fire of shell and musketry. Gen. Buford in person leading the advance line of skirmishers, drove the enemy three miles and across Beaver creek, on the Williams- port or Funkstown road. General Kilpatrick with two squadrons of his command galloped down the road within a short distance of the enemy, halted, looked at each other and retired, when the dis- mounted men of my brigade came up and drove the enemy across Beaver creek.
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"Near Funkstown, Md., July 10. The brigade having driven the rebels along the Hagerstown road from Beaver creek to within three miles of Funkstown on the 9th instant, we advanced again on the 10th instant with dismounted skirmishers and artillery, supported by the balance of the mounted men. The division ad- vanced in line of battle; reserve brigade on the right, First Brigade in the center and on both sides of the road, and the Second Brigade on the left. Drove the enemy rapidly under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry into Funkstown on a large reserve of the enemy. We occupied the heights above Funkstown with Tidball's battery, under Lieutenant Calef, which did good execution, and our skirmish line was advanced to the suburbs of the town. The enemy tried hard with a much superior force to dislodge us from our position, but so long as our ammunition lasted he was unable to do so. Our infantry finally arrived to within a half mile of our rear, and although we were hard pressed by the enemy and nearly all our ammunition expended, the in- fantry pitched their shelter tents and commenced cooking and eating in spite of repeated requests to the commanding officer of the infantry to occupy our excellent position and relieve us. When our ammunition was expended we were ordered by General Bu- ford to fall back. The rebels then occupied our position and our infantry afterwards had to retake it with the unnecessary loss of several killed and wounded.
"Near Falling Waters, Md., July 14. On the morning of the 14th instant the brigade was ordered to march on the enemy in the direction of Downsville from our camp near Bakersville. We proceeded in that direction, found the enemy's earthworks at Downsville abandoned, and were informed that the enemy had re- treated towards Falling Waters and Williamsport, so as to cross the Potomac during the night. The brigade marched rapidly towards Falling Waters, and when near there observed a division of the enemy intrenched on a hill covering the approach to the
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ford. The brigade, in connection with the other brigades of the First Cavalry Division, was ordered to move round to flank and attack the enemy in the rear, to cut them off from the ford and capture them, which we could easily have accomplished. During this movement I saw two small squadrons of General Kilpatrick's division gallop up the hill to the right of the rebel infantry, in line of battle behind their earthworks. Any competent cavalry officer of experience could foretell the result. These two squadrons were instantly scattered and destroyed by the fire of the rebel brigade ; not a single dead enemy could be found when the ground was examined a few hours afterward. This having alarmed the enemy, he fell back toward the ford before we could get round in his rear. We, however, with our dismounted men attacked him in flank on rough ground and had a sharp carbine engagement, taking about 511 prisoners, sixty-one of whom together with 300 stands of arms were turned over to an officer of Kilpatrick's division by mistake; also a three-inch Parrott gun, captured from the enemy by the Eighth New York Cavalry, which was after- wards sent by General Kilpatrick to the camp of this brigade, where it properly belonged.
"July 21 and 22. In obedience to orders this brigade marched from near Rectorstown, Va., to Chester Gap (about twenty miles), arriving in that vicinity at 3:30 p. m., July 21. About a mile from the Gap our advance line of skirmishers encountered the enemy's pickets. I dismounted six squadrons and drove the enemy's pickets to the crest of the Gap on their reserve, which was found to consist of Pickett's division of infantry, one regi- ment of Jones' cavalry and a battery of six guns, occupying the Gap on the crest of the mountain. Upon obtaining this informa- tion and not having a sufficient force to drive the enemy from the Gap, and having no support nearer than twenty miles, we fell back one and one-half miles from the Gap. We here took position so as to cover the two roads leading from the Gap, one towards
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Barbes Cross Roads and the other to Little Washington and Sperryville; placed the guns in battery and a strong line of pickets in front and flank. We captured to-day twenty-three pris- oners, eighty-four horses, twelve mules, 654 beef cattle, 602 sheep, all purchased and on the way to be delivered to the rebel army at the Gap, in charge of a commissary agent and his son, who were captured.
"July 22 at 8 a. m. my pickets reported the enemy advancing from the Gap in column with skirmishers on the road towards Sperryville. When the enemy's column came within easy range we opened fire on it with artillery and the carbines of the dis- mounted men so effectually that the column, with its wagon train, halted and fell back out of our range; his advance guard and skirmishers being still engaged with ours, continued firing, we holding our position and preventing the head of Longstreet's corps from moving forward from the Gap from 8 a. m. till 6 p. m. The enemy then brought five regiments of infantry around out of sight in the woods and, approaching my left flank, drove in our skir- mishers, and only by overwhelming numbers compelled me to fall back slowly towards Barbes Cross Roads, keeping my videttes and pickets watching the enemy.
"WILLIAM GAMBLE,
"Colonel Commanding First Brigade, First Cavalry Division. "Capt. T. C. BACON,
"Assistant Adjutant-General First Cavalry Division."
As will be seen by the list in another part of this volume, the Third Indiana Cavalry suffered severely in this great battle, both in killed and wounded; among the former being Maj. Charles Lemon, who had been with the regiment from the organization, - first as lieutenant, then captain of Company D and later as major by promotion in line. He was every inch a soldier, both wise in counsel and brave in action, and, while he was a strict disciplin- arian, the men well knew he never asked of them other than
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