USA > New York > Wayne County > Military history of Wayne County, N.Y. : the County in the Civil War > Part 44
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527
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
charge, we lost heavily. The national lines were drawn up in arc-like form, covering their bridges, and unable to move, stood awaiting night or the enemy. The latter came first. Towards evening their gray columns were seen in motion, and at 5 P. M., with a wild yell, the storm burst upon the Sixth corps. Neill's brigade bore the brunt of attack undis- mayed, and compelled a retreat. Re-forming his lines, Neill fell back to a new position, leaving behind a thousand men killed and wounded, to attest the stubborn and deadly nature of the battle. The retreat was accomplished, aided by the fire of the artillery. With night the re-crossing began, and at 8 A. M., the Thirty-third was on the northern bank. Two weeks had elapsed since five hundred and fifty men had marched in the ranks of the regiment to meet the enemy ; but three hundred remained. The loss in Company D, was three killed, eleven wounded, and ten missing. May 12th the regiment was discharged and ordered to Elmira, New York, for muster-out. The recruits, number- ing one hundred and sixty-three, were formed in one com- pany, under Captain Gifford, and attached to the Forty- ninth New York, where they performed essential and honorable service in the succeeding great engagements of the war in the east.
The regiment on returning to New York met with a warm welcome. Saturday, May 23d, it arrived at Geneva and was tendered a magnificent welcome by the citizens of that place. As the little steamer containing the men hove in sight they were greeted with the thunder of artillery mingled with the chimes of the various church bells and on disembarking at the wharf were met by the village authori- ties and a large deputation of citizens.
The regiment marched to the Park where an address of welcome was delivered by the Hon. Charles J. Folger, which was fitly responded to by Colonel Taylor. The recep- tion of Company B, at Palmyra, has already been given.
This regiment was organized at Elmira, N. Y., to serve for two years. The companies of which it it was composed were raised in the counties of Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates. It was mustered into the service of the United
528
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
States May 22, 1861. Mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service June 2, 1863. The battles in which the Thirty-third was engaged were: Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Mechanicsville, White Oak Swamp, Gaines' Mills, Savage Station, Malven, Grampton Gap, Antietam, Fredericks- burgh, Marye's Heights and Salem Heights.
We add in this case the Adjutant-General's official statement.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S REPORT, 1868.
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
NAME.
Date of Commission.
Date of Rank.
Remarks.
Colonel : Robert F. Taylor.
June 20,'61 May 22,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Lieutenant-Colonels : Calvin Walker ....
Joseph, W. Corning.
June 20,'61 May 22,'61 Resigned Oct. 3, '61. Nov. 1I,'61 Oct. 3,'61 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Majors : Robert J. Mann John S. Platner
June 20,'61 May 22,'61 Resigned Jan. 4, '62. Feb. 24,'62 Jan. 24,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Adjutants: Charles T. Sutton John W. Corning.
July 4,'61 May 22,'61 Resigned Oct. 16, '62. Nov. 17,'62 Oct. 17,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Quartermasters :
Hiram L. Suydam.
Henry L. Alexander.
July 4,'61 May 22,'61 Resigned Sept. 14, '61. Sept. 21,'61 Sept. 6,'61 Mnstered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Surgeons : T. Rush Spencer.
Sylvanus S. Mulford. D'Estaing Dickerson.
. Assistant Surgeons : Sylvanus S. Mulford.
D'Estaing Dickerson
Duncan McLacklen.
Richard Curran
Chaplains : George N. Cheeney
August H. Lung .. ..
July 4,'61 May 22,'61 Resigned Aug. 22, '61. Sept. 14,'61 Aug. 22,'61 Resigned Nov. 21, '62. Dec. 10,'62 Nov. 14,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
July 4,'61 May 22,'61 Promoted to Surgeon, Sept. 14, '61. Sept. 14,'61 Sept. 11,'61 Promoted to Surgeon Dec. 10, '62. Dec. 26,'62 Dec. 18,'62 Mustered out with regt. June Aug. 29,'62 Aug. 15,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. 2 '63. Resigned Jan. 22, '62.
July 4,'61 May 22,'61 Mustered out with regt. June Jan. 10,'62 Jan. 2,'62 2, '63.
529
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT-(Continued. )
NAME.
Date of Commission.
Date of Rank.
Remarks.
Captains :
George M. Guion.
July 4,'61 May
9,'61 Promoted to Lieut .- Col. 148th N. Y. Vols. Sept. 28, '62.
Edwin J. Tyler
Oct. 17,'62
Oct.
Joseph W. Corning.
July 4,'61
May
I,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. 9,'61 Promoted to Lieut .- Col. Nov. II, '61.
Josiah J. White
Dec.
2,'61
Oct.
3,'61
Resigned May 28, '64.
Henry J. Draime
May 22,'62
May 20,'62
Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. Resigned July 28, '61.
John F. Aikins. Chester H. Cole
July
4,'61
Apr. 30,'61
Aug. 9,'61
July 29,'61 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
John R. Cutler.
July 4,'61
May 7,'61 Discharged Feb. 5, '62.
Henry J. Gifford.
Mar. 13,'62
Feb.
5,'62
Transferred to 49th N. Y. Vols. June 2, '63.
Wilson B. Warford
July
4,'61
May 9,'61 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. May 13,'61 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. Not mustered.
Thaddeus Bodine.
Apr. 30,'61
Theodore B. Hamilton
July
4,'61
May 22,'61
George A. Gale.
Feb.
5,'63
Dec. 27,'62
Calvin Walker.
May 1,'61
John S. Platner
July
Alexander H. Drake
Mar. 13,'62 June 24,'62
James L. Letts.
July
4,'61
Edward E. Root.
Jan.
7,'62
Oct.
John W. Corning.
May 22,'62
May 20,'62
Lucius C. Mix ..
Nov. 17,'62
Oct. 17,'62
Chester H. Cole
July 4,'61 Apr. 30,'61
Robert H. Brett
Aug. 9,'61 July 29,'61
S. Thorn Duell.
July 4,'61 May 7,'61
Henry J. Gifford.
Aug. 14,'61 Aug. 1,'61
George W. Brown.
Brice W. Bailey
Moses Church.
July
First Lieutenants :
Edwin J. Tyler
July 4,'61 May 9,'61
Charles D. Rossiter
Oct. 17,'62
Oct. 13,'62
Josiah J. White
July 4,'61
May 9,'6 1
Henry J. Draime
Dec. 2,'61
Promoted to Capt. Oct. 17, '62. Died May 4. '64, of wounds received at Fredericksburgh. Promoted to Capt. Dec. 2, '61. 3,'61 Promoted to Capt. May 22, '62. Promoted to Adjt. Nov. 17,'62. Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. Promoted to Capt. Aug. 9, '61. Mustered out with regt. June 2. '63. Resigned Aug. 12, '61. Promoted to First Lieut. Mar. 13, '63.
Mar. 13,'62 Feb. 5,'62 Died May 21, '62, of wounds received in action at Wil- June 24,'62 May 21,'62 liamsburg, Va. Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. July 4,'61 May 9,'61 Died June 28, '62, of wounds.
James M. McNair
July
4,'61
Promoted to Lieut .- Col. 62d N. Y. V., Dec. 27, '62. Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. Promoted to Lieut .- Col. June 20, '61.
4,'61 May 25,'61 Promoted to Major Feb. 24,'62. Mustered out with regt. June May 14,'61 2, '63. Resigned Dec. 31, '61. Dec. 27,'61 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. 4,'61 May 18,'61 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Patrick McGraw.
530
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT-(Continued.)
NAME.
Date of Commission
Date of Rank.
Remarks.
John Gummer.
Aug 30,'62 June 28,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
George T. Hamilton
July 4,'61
May 13,'61
Resigned Feb. 6, '62.
Henry G. King
Feb. 26,'62 Feb. 6,'62 Resigned Dec. 27, '62.
Harry A. Hills.
Feb. 5,'63
Dec. 27,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
David G. Caywood.
Apr. 30,'6I
Not mustered as First Lieut.
Alexis E. Eustaphieve.
July 4,'61 May 22,'61 Resigned Oct. 15, '62.
George A. Gale.
Nov. 17,'62 Oct. 16,'62
Promoted to Capt. Feb. 5, '63.
George W. Marshall.
Feb. 5,'63
Dec. 27,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
John S. Platner
May I,'61 Promoted to Capt. May 25, '61.
Alexander H. Drake.
July 4,'61 May 25,'61 Promoted to Capt. March 13, '62.
Reuben C. Niles.
Mar. 13,'62
Jan. 24,'62
Discharged Nov. 5, '62.
Otis Cole.
Oct. 17,'62 Oct. 13,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Edward E Root.
July 4,'61 May 14,'61 Promoted to Capt. Jan. 7, '62.
William H. Long
Jan. 7,'62 Dec. 27,'61 Promoted to Capt. and A. A. G. Oct. 16, '62.
George Brennan ..
Feb. 2,'63 Dec. 5,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Bernard Byrne ...
July 4,'61 May 18,'61
Discharged June 26, '63.
Second Lieutenants :
Price W. Bailey.
July 4,'61 May 9,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. June 24, '62.
John J. Carter.
June 24,'62 May 21,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
Henry J. Draine.
July 4,'61 May 9,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Dec. Dec. 2,'61 21, '61. Nov. 30,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. May 22, '62. May 22,'62 May 20,'62 Promoted to First Lieut. Nov. 17, '62.
George W. Marshall
Byron F. Crain.
Andrew J. Schott.
Lucius C. Mix ..
Aug. 9,'61 July 29,'61
James E. Stebbins
Feb. 5,'63 Oct. 17,'62
Samuel A. Barras.
George W. Brown
July 4,'61 May 7,'61 Feb. 12,'62 Jan. 27,'62
Jefferson Bigelow Sylvester Porter
Mar. 13,'62 Feb. 6,'62 Nov. 17,'62 Oct. 16,'62
John Gummer.
July 4,'61 May 9,'61
Walter H. Smith
Henry G. King.
Aug. 30,'62 July
Promoted to First Lieut. Nov. I7, '62. Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. Resigned Jan. 6, '62. Promoted to First Lieut. Mar. 13, '62. Resigned Oct. 16, '62. Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. Promoted to First Lieut. Aug. June 28,'62 30, '62. Discharged Mar. 27, '63. 4,'61 May 13,'61 Promoted to First Lieut. Feb. 26, '62.
. Apr. 30,'61
Nov. 17,'62 Oct. 15,'62 Promoted to First Lieut. Feb. 5,'63 Dec. 27,'62 Mustered out with regt. June Feb. 5, '63. July 4,'61 2, '63. Resigned July 29, '61.
John W. Corning .
George A. Gale
53I
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT-(Continued. )
NAME.
Date of Commission.
Date of Rank.
Remarks.
Henry A. Hills
Feb. 26,'62 Feb. 6,'62 Promoted to First Lieut. Feb.
5, '63.
John F. Winship.
Feb.
5,'63 Dec. 27,'62
Mustered out with regt. June 2. '63.
James M. Foster.
Apr. 30,'61 Not mustered.
Ira V. Germain .
July 4,'61 May 22,'6I
William E. Roach
Oct. 17,'62 Oct. 13,'62 Transferred to Forty-Ninth N.
Y. Vols. June 2, '63.
Alexander H. Drake
May I,'6I
Reuben C. Niles.
July 4,'61 May 25,'6I
Promoted to First Lieut. May. 25, '61. Promoted to First Lieut. Mar. I3, 62.
J. Marshall Guion
Mar. 13,'62
Jan. 24,'62 Discharged Dec. 27, '62.
David G. Caywood.
Mar. 31,'63
Dec. 27,'62
Mustered out July 2, '63.
William H. Long
July 4,'61 May 14,'61
Promoted to First Lieut. Jan. 7, '62.
Charles Howe. .
Jan. 3,'62
Dec. 27,'61
Resigned Oct. 30, '62.
Thomas H. Sibbalds
Nov. 17,'62
Oct. 30,'62 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63. Resigned Aug. 6, '61.
Samuel Cary .
Sept. 21,'61 Sept. 20,'61 Mustered out with regt. June 2, '63.
FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY.
This regiment was better known as the " People's Ells- worth regiment." Its organization arose from a desire to honor the name of Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth who had just fallen at Alexandria, Va., and in a certain sense to avenge his death. It was recruited, as it was designed to be, from nearly every county in the State.
The number of men who joined its ranks from Wayne county entitle the regiment to at least a brief notice in a volume devoted especially to Wayne.
The Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, called the Peo- ple's Ellsworth Regiment, was to be composed of young men taken from every county in the State ; selections being made of those having superior fitness for military service. The regiment was fairly represented from Wayne county, and the men did not disappoint expectation. The regiment was organized at Albany, from August 30 to October 29, 1861, and was mustered out of service October 1I, 1864. The veterans and recruits were transferred to the One Hundred and Fortieth and the One Hundred and Forty-
Patrick R. Ryan.
July 4,'61 May 18,'61
532
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
sixth New York Volunteers. On the departure of the reg- iment for the seat of war, during October, a beautiful flag was presented to them at the hands of Mrs. Erastus Corn- ing, and its preservation was a test of their devotion. When on July 3, 1863, the great battle of Gettysburgh turned the wavering balance on the Union side, the Forty- fourth fought hard to win victory, and the heavy list of cas- ualties indicates perils boldly encountered. A brief record is all that we can give of their career. The well-known care taken during the first months of the war not to tres- pass upon private property even of a known enemy, and the guarding with strict orders of a rail fence and a patch of potatoes, were at variance with the ideas of soldiers, who could not see that property was more sacred than person, and regarded confiscation as right and commendable. Hence they viewed with approbation the dispatch of an expedition in charge of Quartermaster Mundy, upon the soil of Vir- ginia, which gleaned from the plantations one hundred and thirty-two wagon-loads of corn, hay and oats. For a time the regiment lay in camp at Hall's Hill, Virginia, studious of discipline and in daily practice of the evolutions and art of war ; perfecting that system which merges the individual in the mass and makes the force formidable. The quiet monotony of camp was broken on the evening of March 9, 1862, by the tidings of orders to prepare to march on the morrow. At I A. M., March Ioth, the Army of the Potomac was on the move. The Forty-fourth marched out from their home-like camp, and advanced in the direction of Manassas by way of Fairfax and Centerville. The Ellsworths had the advance of the right of the grand army-the post of honor. Their course lay over fields of mud and through patches of timber, to Fairfax. Here they were joined by their Colonel, and with loud cheers, moved out upon the road to Centerville, which place they were first to enter. " An hour's rest and on to Manassas, " was the order, and had it been carried out, a march of thirty-four miles would have signalized the first day's service. Manassas had been evacuated, and the movement was made too late. Counter- marching, a return was made to Fairfax, where the regiment
533
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
lay till the 15th when it proceeded to Alexandria, where it lay in camp till the 21st.
Porter's division in which was the Forty-fourth, was taken upon a fleet of twenty-four steamers, guarded by two gunboats and transported to Fortress Monroe. On the morning of March 24, the division disembarked, and marched within five miles of Big Bethel. A reconnoissance in force was made, with the Forty-fourth in advance. The men were deployed as they came in sight of the rebel position, and saw before them a line of rifle pits a mile and a half in extent, wherein were men in gray busily at work. The line advanced under cover of a close picket fence which was leveled, and at a double quick the regiment reached the ground, to find the rebels fled, with camp-fires burning. The forces under General Porter, on May 27, attacked the enemy at Hanover Court House, and after four hours hard fighting drove them from the field. The Forty-fourth left camp at two A. M., and marched some fifteen miles in a north- west direction, through a region of swamps,-mud to the knee, and rain falling constantly. Having arrived at a cross- roads four miles from the court-house, Allen's Fifth Massa- chusetts and Martin's Third Rhode Island batteries were put in position, and the Forty-fourth placed in support and in reserve. Meanwhile, Martindale's brigade and Berdan's Sharpshooters, pushing forward engaged sharply, and the enemy yielded in the front, swung round upon the rear, and prepared to profit by the situation. The Forty-fourth advanced to the support of a section of Allen's battery, as the presence of the rebels became known. Four companies, deployed to guard the left flank, were fired upon, while a North Carolina regiment was seen upon open ground advancing upon the Union Artillery, The skirmishers were gathered in at a double-quick, and the regiment drawn up to receive them. The enemy turned to the right-about and retired to the woods. Presently a hot fire was opened in front, and on the right, and the regiment retiring to the road, lay there for an hour and a half exposed to a severe cross-fire. The Ellsworths' and the Second Marine main- tained a galling fire, and kept the enemy at bay. Wounded
534
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
and dying, the soldiers gave utterance to expressions of fealty to the flag, and manifested heroic devotion. The men became wearied, and the fire upon them redoubled in sever- ity, when a few scattering shots, then a ripping volley, and finally a continuous crackling of musketry, told the glad story that the rebels were attacked by our returning troops, and speedily the action was at an end. Five hundred men went into action ; nineteen were killed and sixty-five wound- ed, eight of whom died. The colors were pierced by forty- three balls, and the staff by one, making the number of the regiment. Not a man had left the ranks, and men when wounded continued to fire their muskets. Upon the ground occupied by the enemy lay two hundred killed and wounded men, as evidence of the accuracy of the Union riflemen. On June 7, the regiment had advanced to the eastern bank of the Chickahominy, and took their turn upon the picket line. Those familiar with the history of the regiment know that it bore the brunt of many a battle, and sustained its name with honor. They were discharged upon the expiration of their term of service, September 30, 1864. Out of one thous- and of the best youth of the State who went out to support the Union cause three years before, but about one hundred were left to be mustered out. The few members from Wayne county bore an honorable part in the career of the Forty-fourth.
THE EIGHTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK CAVALRY.
The Eighth Regiment, New York Cavalry, was organized in the city of Rochester, in the fall of 1861, under Colonel Samuel J. Crooks, to serve for three years. Among the officers were, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles B. Babbitt, Majors William L. Maskell and William H. Benjamin; Regimental Adjutant, Albert L. Ford, and Chaplain John H. VanIngen. The regiment was ordered to Washington ; went into win- ter quarters at Camp Selden, and engaged in drill and camp routine. The men had enlisted to serve as cavalry, but for nearly a year were not mounted. They were called upon to do duty as infantry, but so strongly opposed this measure, that they were required but once to bear muskets. This was to picket along the canal from Harper's Ferry to
535 .
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Washington. Shortly after this they were furnished with Hall's carbine, an insufficient weapon, and sent in the spring to General Banks, in the valley of the Shenandoah. The regiment was posted along the Winchester & Potomac Railroad, upon guard duty, when, on the morning of May 24th, companies A, C, D, H and I were ordered to Win- chester to relieve the Sixteenth Maine. Four companies went by rail, Company I being left behind, and reached Winchester at 3 P. M. Company A, was placed on picket. Reveille was blown at daybreak, and the line was formed at half-past six. The enemy came on with superior numbers, plying cannon and muskets, while our men surged indis- criminately to the rear. The Eighth moved forward at half- past seven, and beheld troops of all arms rushing by. Balls whistled past. Finally the rebels appeared at a block's dis- tance, and the order was given to retire. A battery planted in their vacated position, gave the regiment its first experi- ence in shelling. Lieutenant-Colonel Babbitt withdrew, the last force to leave Winchester, and as he came from the town the danger was most threatening. A battery opened at twenty rods distance, while the gray ranks were seen advancing upon the right as well as rear. A double-quick was taken for a distance, when a halt was caused from a dis- abled field-piece blocking the road. The men then broke ranks and scattered. A number were captured. Part took to the woods parallel to the road, and reached Bolivar Heights at midnight; others took to the Blue Ridge moun- tains, but found their way back. Colonel Crooks had resigned in February, and Benjamin F. Davis, a captain in the regular army, had been commissioned June 7th, to command the regiment. In July the Eighth was stationed at the Relay House, between Washington and Baltimore. The Colonel soon had his men equipped, mounted and well disciplined, and hardly recognizable as the straggling band that fled to Harper's Ferry before Jackson. Recruiting had been actively carried on at home, and by September 9th, full six hundred men had joined the regiment.
September 11th, the Eighth were surrounded by Jack- son's force at Harper's Ferry. A demand to surrender was
536
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
made by Jackson upon Colonel Miles, and as it was seen that the place could not be held, Colonel Davis asked the privilege of making his escape with his regiment. He was refused permission. On the night of the 14th, he called his officers together and told them of his intention. At mid- night he led them across the pontoon bridge, and as soon as the Maryland bank was reached, the column dashed on at a breakneck pace over the rocky roads of the. Blue Ridge mountains, passing directly through the center of the army environing Harper's Ferry, and, in the darkness, regarded in the camp as rebel cavalry. At daylight they came upon Longstreet's ammunition train on its way to Antietam, cap- tured it, and turned in the direction of Greencastle, where the regiment arrived about noon of the 15th, and found McClellan advancing towards Antietam. In the afternoon of the 17th, the regiment was engaged until night. The Eighth followed the retreating army, and harassed their rear. A few days' rest was taken at Hagerstown, Maryland, and October Ist the rebel army was pursued up the Shenandoah towards the Rappahannock. An encounter took place at Snicker's Gap, Virginia, wherein a loss of men and horses was sustained. After this, in rapid succession, came the engagements of Philimont, Union, Upperville, Barber's Cross-Roads, and Amosville. The last named was the final action of the year 1862, and took place November 7th. The weather was cold, the men were tentless. The regiment went into camp at Belle Plain, where supplies were furnished, tents and clothing drawn, and a rest enjoyed. Picket duty was performed along the Rappahannock until after the bat- tle of Fredericksburgh, when the command was ordered to Stafford Court House, where winter quarters were built and occupied until April 13, 1863. During winter a regular routine of picket and patrol duty was performed. Feb- ruary 21st, three squadrons, including three new companies, came to Dumfries and camped four miles west of the place. The region was wild and sparsely settled, covered with a scrubby growth of pine, and infested with bushwhackers well acquainted with the ground. The cavalry picketed for a distance of six or eight miles, and foraged on the people.
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY. 537
March 2d, a foraging party was attacked, and two men captured. A more serious attack soon followed, involving a loss of sixteen men and twenty horses. Actions took place at Freeman's Ford, April 14th, and at Rapidan bridge, May 4th. A prominent part was taken at Chancellorsville, under Pleasanton, and heavy loss incurred.
June 8th, the regiment marched towards Beverly Ford, which was reached at midnight. At daybreak the Eighth, in advance of the division, and favored by a thick fog, dashed across the river. The foremost squadrons received a sharp volley from the rifle-pits. A ball struck Lieutenant Cutler, of Company B, killing him instantly. The pickets fled to the main camp, whose force was soon in position. The Eighth advanced in columns of fours for a quarter of a mile, when a fire was received from skirmishers in the woods on each side of the road, while down the road were seen a force of cavalry in line and a battery in position awaiting the order to open. The line could not be formed in that position and the regiment fell back to the rear of the Eighth Illinois and rallying reformed. While leading his men Colonel Davis was killed. A rebel soldier from behind a tree had fired two shots from a revolver without effect ; the third was fatal. Adjutant Parsons wheeling his horse by a right cut cleft the soldier's head. The action contin- ued till late at night. The regiment recrossed the river, having lost ten killed and eighteen wounded. Lee began his invasion of Pennsylvania, and close upon his columns came the division of cavalry which included the Eighth Regiment. They left Catlett Station June 14, and halted a night on the Bull Run field. Aldie was reached just as a fight between the First division and the command of Fitz- hugh Lee ended. The Eighth picketed the ground, and then moved on to Middleburg. The enemy were found in force, and the Eighth were drawn up on the extreme right in support of a battery. The enemy suffered severe loss and were driven eight or ten miles. Aldie was left June 26, and next morning the Potomac was crossed at Edward's Ferry. The column passed through Middletown and camped June 29th, beyond South Mountain. Next morning the cav- 35
*
538
MILITARY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.
alry started for Emmetsburg, Maryland. Scarcely halting, they rode on towards Gettysburgh, through which they pushed rapidly.
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