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

290 THE MAINE BUGLE.
he writes that he and Thaxtcr had lieen over the old battlefields at Aldie, Middleliurg
and Upperville. In writing of the charge at Aldie he says that the distance we cov-
ered was a full mile. His letter has recalled to my memory a little episode in connec-
tion with this fight. C company charged out into the open field on our right and up the
hill until we came to an orchard enclosed by a rail fence. An opening was quickly
made, and as we passed through we were greeted with a heavy volley, but it was inef-
fectual, every shot went over our heads. We rushed on and reached a stone wall at
the further side of the orchard, when we quickly dismounted. We had not been long
here before the enemy made the mounted charge to dislodge us liut without success.
They met with such a reception from the contents of our carbines that they did not
make a second attempt. I wondered why they gave up the position, a fine one, so
readily. It was from this position they gave us the volley spoken of and then retired.
Afterwards they thought to regain it, but it was too late. Company C was there to
stay ! I remember that, just before we reached the orchard spoken of I observed Gen.
Kilpatrick across the field on our right flank coming through an opening in the fence.
He did not appear to have any force with him. I also noticed in this direction, iieyond
Kilpatrick, on the distant hil tops, that these points were active with mounted men.
I wonder if it was our forces so far in that direction. We were relieved liy K company.
As the columns passed each other, I distinctly recall the kindly greeting of good old
Sgt, Reuel B, Stinson—I had known him many years before the war^—who said to me,
«* Brother Libby, 1 am glad to see you are safe," I have been in the clutches of the
grip for a fortnight. I am strangely weak when I attempt to move about. I hope to
get out very soon.
Note.— Fox's Regimental Losses, p. 124, report : That
one hundred and forty-live of
our regiment died in Southern prisons — excluding evidently some of the First District of
Columbia Cavalry that died i)efore transfer. This same authority reports our killed
and died of wounds as fifteen officers and one hundred and fifty-nine men—a total of
one hundred and seventy-four. This account is more reliable as I have found some
mistakes in our roster.— J. P. C.
I HAVE READ THE BUGLE.
Albert II. Harris, Co. L, First Maine Cav., of .So. Merrimack, N. H., writes:
Please forward the History at earliest date. I have read the Bugles you have so
kindly sent me with great interest, and trust no obstacle will intrude itself in the way
of its continued publication. I cherish an unflagging love for the old organization
though I have never been al)le to attend any of the annual meetings, and seldom meet
one of the old comrades.
ONE MAN ONLY LOST ON PICKET.
Major Henry C. Hall, ist Me, Cav,, of Woburn, Mass,, writes:
At our regimental reunion at Eastport I think (ieneral Smith, in recounting the mil-
itary virtues of the First Maine Cavalry, stated that we had never lost a man on picket,
I thought then that had I been personally charged with that crime I should have been
compelled to plead guilty, i)ut not until to-day, while looking over some old letters I
wrote home during the war and which my mofher carefully preserved, could I recall
the fact and circumstances. I find that I wrote from Light House Point, Va., July
i8th, 1864: "We went on picket beyond the Gurley House on Monday, the nth inst.
and were on duty four days and four nights. I had command of the outposts, which