The Maryland Line in the Confederate States Army.Goldsborough, W. W. (William Worthington)
History
The Maryland Line in the Confederate States Army.
Goldsborough, W. W. (William Worthington)
Confederate States of America. Army; Maryland -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
On the 11th the battery took position at Yellow Tavern, and noon after
the enemy made his appearance in force. A heavy encounter ensued, when
the battery was retired about half a mile. For a time there was a lull
in the fighting; but upon the arrival of General Stuart it was again
ordered forward supported by the cavalry, and took position to the left
of the Brook turnpike, directly in Sheridan’s front. The battle was then
renewed with great fury. Sheridan brought three batteries to bear on
Griffin at a range of not over eight hundred yards, and the rain of shot
and shrapnel became terrific, but the brave fellows never flinched, and
served their guns with great effect. Hour after hour this savage fight
was waged, but no man faltered at his post, though the groans of the
wounded and dying, and the shrieks of maimed and disemboweled horses,
were enough to appall the stoutest heart. But General Stuart was there,
watching with an anxious eye that little command, upon which so much
depended, and they fought on, undismayed, despite the frightful scenes
around them. At length the enemy massed a heavy body of cavalry,
determined, at any sacrifice, to capture the guns that were making such
dreadful havoc in their ranks. A charge was made upon him, when Griffin
resorted to grape and canister. At every discharge whole companies
melted away, and the enemy fell back in confusion. But again they
advanced, and the Confederate cavalry giving away at the instant, the
battery was left at the mercy of the enemy, who dashed upon it; but
there the brave men continued to stay, determined to remain at their
post to the last, for all knew the vital importance of the position; and
as the enemy pressed on they were met with that never ceasing hail of
canister, until they reached the guns and rode over the men, and sabred
and captured them at their pieces. Stuart had witnessed it all whilst
rallying his broken cavalry, when seizing the colors of the First
Virginia, he rode forward, exclaiming, “Charge, Virginians, and save
those brave Marylanders!” Alas, it was his last command on the field of
battle, for at the instant he received a pistol shot, and was conveyed
mortally wounded from the field, when his men precipitately retreated.
Nevertheless, in the confusion and excitement of the moment, Lieutenant
McNulty, with some of the gallant fellows, actually drove two pieces off
in triumph, despite the efforts of the enemy to prevent them.
In this desperate battle at Yellow Tavern, the battery suffered the loss
of many men and horses, and two guns, and its brave commander was a
prisoner in the enemy’s hands.
Many were the acts of individual heroism displayed whilst the battle
lasted, one of which I will narrate:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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