After the affair at Mine Run, which soon followed that at Culpepper Court House, the battery was detached from the main army, and temporarily assigned to duty with General Young’s brigade of cavalry. On the 9th of October that General crossed the Rapidan, and advanced by way of Madison Court House. His progress was slow, as the march was by circuitous and concealed side roads in order to avoid the observations of the enemy. On the 10th Young met the advance of the enemy at James City, without an intimation of his approach, and their bands were regaling the citizens with patriotic airs, when a shot from Sergeant Harry Marston’s gun, of the Baltimore Light Artillery, plunged into their midst, and abruptly terminated the musical entertainment for that evening at least. In a short time a battery was brought up, and a severe artillery fight ensued. Soon another made its appearance and opened an enfilading fire upon Griffin, but notwithstanding, he stubbornly held his position. Whilst this was going on a large force of the enemy’s skirmishers attacked the Confederate flank, and threw the cavalry into some confusion by their unexpected onset from this quarter. Griffin at the instant wheeled his pieces, and opened with grape and canister upon this new enemy. This checked them until the supports came up, when the enemy were compelled to retreat precipitately.
On the 12th a sharp engagement took place near Brandy Station, where the enemy were driven across the Rappahannock, and pursued to the vicinity of Cub Run.
After this affair the army retraced its steps to Culpepper Court House, when the Baltimore Light Artillery was ordered to proceed to Hanover Junction, and report to Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, who had been directed to assemble the Maryland Line at that point, and keep open General Lee’s communication with Richmond.
The battery spent the winter and part of the spring here most delightfully, and by the 1st of May was ready for the field with recruited ranks, for Lieutenant John McNulty and many of the men captured in the battles of the preceding year had returned from Yankee prisons, and were once more ready for the fray.
CHAPTER IV.
On the 10th of May, 1864, whilst encamped at Wickham’s Park, the battery was ordered by General J. E. B. Stuart, to move up along the Rivanna, and join the forces there awaiting to intercept Sheridan, who was advancing towards Richmond. Reluctantly Colonel Johnson suffered it to go, for during the winter and spring he had reorganized and equipped it with much care; but the exigency of the occasion compelled him to acquiesce, General Stuart assuring him he would “borrow” it for but a few days, and “return it in good condition.”
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: