While most of the men pursued the flying cavalry that had supported the battery, Col. White with a few others attempted to turn the guns, and work them on the Yankees who were rapidly closing in upon him in heavy force both on the right and left, not doubting for a moment that General Stuart would support him, but nothing seemed further from the General’s intention, and feeling that he was being wantonly sacrificed, Col. White rallied his men, and charging with desperation upon the enveloping ranks of the foe, cut through to safety again, but the deliverance cost half the number of the battalion.
In the battle of Brandy Station, the battalion had captured and brought out two regimental standards, (besides two others taken, but lost in the escape from the battery,) and upwards of one hundred prisoners, with a great quantity of arms and equipments and many horses, but many of its gallant men had been lost.
Capt. Geo. W. Chiswell was badly wounded, so badly that he was never again fit for service, and the brave Lieut. Watts, of Co. F, was mortally wounded, both of them in the charge upon the battery.
The whole loss was ninety men killed, wounded and missing, and but few of the latter ever returned to the command, some having died of wounds in U. S. hospitals, some in prison, and some escaping from the battle after being wounded died at the houses of citizens in the neighborhood; as it was, only four of the dead were found and buried by the battalion.
The following general order issued by Stuart, shows the conduct of the battle and the desperate valor of the men who fought and fell at Brandy Station, a name rendered famous forever as the scene of one of the greatest cavalry battles of modern times:
"Hd.-Qrs., Cav. Div., Army N. Va.,
"June 15th, 1863.}
"General Orders, No. 24.
"The Major-General commanding congratulates the Cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, upon the victory of “Fleetwood,” achieved under Providence, by the prowess of their arms, on the 9th instant.
"Comrades, two divisions of the enemy’s cavalry and artillery, escorted by a strong force of infantry, “tested your metal” and found it “proof steel.”
“Your sabre blows, inflicted on that glorious day, have taught them again the weight of Southern vengeance.