The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

248 THE MAINE BUGLE.
began to waver, Capt. Hammond with his usual perception saw
the opportune moment to inflict a telHng blow on the partially
demoialized foe. He gave command for a charge which subse-
quently became famous in the regiment. As he and his brave
boys flew forward in the grand charge he cried in a clear, commanding
voice, "Give them your hardware, boys!" The order
was executed in the spirit in which it was given, and exhibited
a skill that reflected credit upon their instructors and their own
bravery. The enemy fled before these "hardware" dealers in
confusion leaving their dead and badly wounded in our hands
and fifty prisoners, including a major, captain and two lieuten-
ants, who informed us that they were a part of Col. Ashby's
old command. Owing to the near proximity of a large force
coming from Gordonsville, it was not considered judicious to
remain long at this point. The object of the expedition had
been gained which was information as to the mavement of Lee's
troops North. The cost of this encounter to the Fifth New
York Cavalry was the loss of John Ouinn, Company G, and
Conrad Bohrer, Company I, killed. The wounded were Corp.
Charles A. Morris, Conipany E; Sergt. W. T. V. Low, Company
G, and O. ^L Sergt. Archibald Fraser, Company L.
Our cavalry now fell back across the Rapidan where we rested
until the fourth, and then made a reconnoissance from Culpeper
to Madison Court House, and back to the Robertson river by
way of W'olftown and Stanards without meeting the enemy in
force. On the seventh, formed a line of pickets along the
Robertson river, Gen. Buford's division doing this duty above
or west of Barnett's Ford to Robertson F"ord, while Bayard
picketed as far below as Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan. Each
of these cavalry generals had reported the enemy advancing
from Orange Court House, where they had been concentrating
for several days past. On the evening of the eighth the
advance commenced crossing at Barnett's Ford led by Ewell's
division. At 9.45
.\. M. on the ninth. Gen. Banks received
orders from Gen. Pope, then present in person, with head-
quarters at Culpeper, to move his division to the front and