Life of J. E. B. StuartWilliamson, Mary L. (Mary Lynn)
History
Life of J. E. B. Stuart
Williamson, Mary L. (Mary Lynn)
Stuart, Jeb, 1833-1864
In Major McClellan’s _Life of Stuart_ he gives us a very vivid and
accurate account of the combats which raged up and down and over the
crest of Fleetwood Hill. He says that every vestige of the camp had been
removed and there remained upon the hill only McClellan and the
couriers. A six-pound howitzer, which for want of ammunition had been
sent back from the fight going on at St. James Church, was halted at the
foot of the hill and later proved their salvation. As soon as the young
major saw the long Federal columns approaching, he dispatched a courier
to General Stuart with information of this movement. For fear that some
accident might befall the first courier, he sent a second, praying for
help lest the entire force be enclosed between the divisions of Buford
and Gregg.
Finding some round shot and imperfect shells in the limber chest, Major
McClellan ordered the howitzer to be brought up the hill and a slow fire
to be opened upon the rapidly-advancing Federals. The fire caused
surprise and a halt. It seemed to indicate the presence of a
considerable force.
General Gregg, therefore, made preparations for a serious attack upon
the hill, and opened fire with three rifled guns. But Major McClellan
and the men with their one gun, held the hill until help came.
Reenforcements promptly sent by General Stuart arrived just as the
lieutenant in charge of the gun had fired his last cartridge and the
Federal cavalry was advancing “in magnificent order of columns of
squadrons, with flags and guidons flying.”
There now followed a number of combats which for dash and bravery have
rarely been equaled. First the Confederates, then the Federals, seemed
to have possession of the hill. Stuart himself soon arrived, bringing
Hampton and Jones from the other firing line to help hold this important
position. Back and forth swept the blue and the gray, each fighting
stubbornly and well. For a brief space of time, the New Jersey cavalry
held the hill. Soon they were repulsed by a charge led by the Virginia
cavalry. There was a fierce contest at the foot of the hill over three
Federal guns. The Confederates charged and took the guns, but were
driven back by overwhelming numbers and forced to cut their way out.
About this time, Hampton came up with his four regiments formed in
columns of squadrons with a battery of four guns. As they advanced at a
gallop, they saw the crest of Fleetwood Hill covered with Federal
cavalry. Passing the eastern side of the hill, they struck the column
just beyond the railroad and there followed a fierce hand-to-hand fight.
When the smoke and dust of the conflict lifted, it was seen that Hampton
had won. The Federals were retiring. At the same time, a charge had been
made straight up the hill on the northeast side by Georgia and South
Carolina cavalry. A saber charge was made and the hill was cleared of
the opposing troops. As soon as the Confederates gained the summit of
the hill, three batteries were placed in position there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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