CHAPTER XXVI. ALDIE. Hooker Entraps Lee-Reconnoissance of Pleasanton.-Aldie in Sight.-The Grand Charge.-Harris Light in the Van.-Fitzhugh Lee's Desperate Efforts.-The Desired Opportunity.—Battle of the Haystacks.-The Harris Light Wins.-Colonel Cesnola.-The Sword Presentation.-Last Desperate Attempt of the Enemy.Driven From the Field in Panic.-The Battle Won. THE HE second cavalry battle at Brandy Station, fought June ninth, 1863, exposed the real movements of Lee and convinced Hooker beyond question that it was the intention of his opponent to cross the Potomac at some point near Harper's Ferry and again lead his army into Maryland and Pennsylvania. No effort was made to prevent or check this advance. General Hooker contented himself with moving slowly on and carefully watching the development of the Confederate plans, until his various corps reached Fairfax Court House. Here he made his head-quarters for several days, pushing his columns well out towards Aldie and Thoroughfare Gap. This delay was purposely made, in order that Lee might have ample time to reach a point from which he could not retreat without a battle. The tardiness of the Confederate general in reaching the banks of the Potomac caused considerable uneasiness in the mind of Hooker. To solve this mystery, General Pleasan ton was instructed to make a reconnoisance in force. At six o'clock on the morning of June seventeenth, 1863, the Cavalry corps, with Kilpatrick's division in the advance, moved from its temporary encampment near Centreville. Taking the Warrenton Turnpike we soon crossed the memorable field of Bull Run, passed the famous Plains of Manassas, and at mid-day came in sight of the mountain heights surrounding the little village of Aldie. This place is situated in a gap of the Bull Run Mountains, and Kilpatrick had orders to pass southward through this gate, thence through the Blue Ridge at Ashby's Gap, and track the movements of Lee. : The force under Kilpatrick consisted of the Harris Light, Colonel Davies; Fourth New York, Colonel Cesnola The First Massachusetts, First Rhode Island, Sixth Ohio Cavalry, Colonel Duffie; and a section of artillery under Lieutenant Randall. The Harris Light led the division. We marched in column of fours, and on that day my squadron was the advance guard. As I was at that time chief of the first platoon, my place was at the head of the long column which wound down the road. As we came upon Aldie, the advance guard of the enemy under W. H. F. Lee was unexpectedly encountered. But Kilpatrick proved himself equal to the occasion and met the surprise gallantly. Dashing to the front, he made a rapid survey of the situation, and then came the command, in his clear, ringing tones, "Form platoons! Trot! March!" Down through the streets of the town we charged, and along the Middle burg Road leading over the low hill beyond. This fine position was gained so quickly and so successfully, that Fitzhugh Lee, taken by surprise, made no opposition to our brilliant advance; though immediately afterwards he rallied and fought desperately for two hours. to gain the lost position, while the guns of his battery blazed destruction upon our lines. But Randall's guns blazed in return, tearing open the Confederate ranks with their shot and shell, and our boys handsomely repulsed their attack. On the crest of the hill up which our platoons charged, there was a field of hay-stacks, not yet garnered, inclosed in a barricade of rails. Behind these the enemy occupied a strong position, and their sharpshooters had annoyed our lines to such an extent that they prevented our advance on the left. It was well known to the officers of the Harris Light, that our regiment had not met Kilpatrick's expectations, on the field of Brandy Station, and on the morning of this battle we had asked our General "for an opportunity to retrieve our reputation.” This chance came soon enough. Kilpatrick, ordering forward a battalion of the Harris Light, and giving the men a few words of encouragement, turned to Major McIrvin and pointing to the field of hay-stacks, said, “Major there is the opportunity you have asked for. Go take that position!" Away dashed this officer and his men. In a moment the enemy was reached, and the struggle began. The horses could not leap the barricade, but the men dismounted, scaled those formidable barriers, and with drawn sabres, rushed upon the hidden foe, who quickly asked for quarter. "Another incident occurred worth mentioning. Colonel Cesnola, of the Fourth New York Cavalry, had that morning, through mistake, been placed under arrest, and his sword being taken from him was without arms. But in one of these wild charges, made early in the contest, his regiment hesitated. Forgeting that he was under arrest, and without command, he flew to the head of his regiment, reassured his men, and, without a weapon to give or ward a blow, led them to the charge. This gallant act was seen by his general, who, meeting him on his return, said: 'Colonel, you are a brave man ; you are released from arrest; and, taking his own sword from his side, handed it to the colonel, saying: Here is my sword; wear it in honor of this day!' In the next charge Colonel Cesnola fell, desperately wounded and was taken prisoner." But the enemy, though repulsed and driven on every side, again rallied for a last desperate attempt. Massing a heavy force on our right, General Rosser led them in a wild charge upon our lines. The First Massachusetts, on the extreme right, received the shock of this terrible onset, and though compelled to fall back, they fought steadily and bravely until the rest of the right gave way. Then ensued a scene of confusion and flight that sickened the heart of their brave General. But Kilpatrick quickly rushed to the rescue and prevented the threatened disaster. Randall was ordered to double-shot the guns of his battery; the center and left were told to hold their ground, and placing himself at the head of the First Maine, he waited until the Confederate columns were within fifty yards of Randall's battery. "For ward!" was the order that then rung along the lines, aad with resistless fury they swept down on the advancing Rebel ranks, causing them to reel and break in confused and disordered flight. Kilpatrick's horse was killed under him, but determined to complete the victory, he mounted a fresh one and led his whole line in a last charge against the flying foe. For a short time Lee endeavored to withstand this fierce attack, but finding his effort useless, sounded a retreat which quickly became a rout. His troops were driven in confusion as far as Middleburg, and night alone saved the remnant of his command. "This was by far the most bloody cavalry battle of the war. The Rebel chivalry had again been beaten, and Kilpatrick, who was the only general on the field, at once took a proud stand among the most famous of our Union cavalry generals. The fame of our cavalry was now much enhanced, and caused the greatest joy to the Nation." Many a brave soul suffered death's sad eclipse at Aldie, whose hopes brimmed high on the morning of that eventful day; and many a one escaped the storm of bullets unscathed when to escape was marvelous. In looking back upon that desperate day, I have often wondered by what strange fatality I passed through its rain of fire unhurt, but the field which brought a harvest of death to so many others, marked an era in my own humble, military history which I recall with pride and pleasure; for from the battle of Aldie I date my first commission. The mantle of rank which fell from one whom death made a shining mark, on that ground, dropped upon my shoulders, and I was |