From this time to the 11th of October the battalion was occupied with picket duty, enlivened by an occasional skirmish with the enemy.
A few days prior to this date, General Lee’s movement to gain the rear of Meade’s army, then confronting along the line of the Rappahannock, had commenced.
On the 9th the cavalry division of Fitzhugh Lee broke camp, and sent the baggage to the rear, but bivouacked on the same ground until three o’clock on the morning of the 11th, at which time they moved out towards the Rappahannock, Lomax’s brigade marching upon Morton’s Ford, while Wickham’s brigade marched to Raccoon Ford.
General J. E. B. Stuart personally superintended the movement of the whole cavalry column higher up the river, advancing by way of Culpepper Court House. These dispositions were designed to cover General Lee’s movements, by interposing the cavalry between his line of march and the enemy.
Before Lomax’s brigade reached Morton’s Ford, reports from pickets represented the enemy as advancing in force, and upon reaching the river a heavy column was found occupying both sides. The collision between the hostile forces was abrupt and sudden, for to both it was unexpected. In a very few minutes the First Maryland was formed, and engaged heavily. The fight soon became general, and continued for more than three hours, the enemy using artillery freely, whilst Lomax was without a single piece. At length, by a sweeping charge of the whole line over the plain lying between the contending forces, the struggle was ended at that point, the enemy retiring slowly towards the river, followed by the victorious Confederates. About half way down to the river’s side the rear of their cavalry turned and covered the retreat of the main body by making a gallant charge, that struck the Maryland Battalion, which held the extreme left of the line, but it was handsomely repulsed, the brave officer who led it falling mortally wounded in their midst.
The main body retreated across the river, rapidly pursued by Lomax, who came up with them within a few miles, when a running fight ensued to Brandy Station, often before the scene of heavy cavalry fighting. Before reaching Brandy Station, the brigades of Lomax and Wickham united, as had also the two columns of the enemy, for Wickham had been heavily engaged at Raccoon Ford. Here the enemy’s cavalry met the infantry sent to support them, when they turned upon their pursuers, and the fight was renewed with redoubled fury, and charges and counter charges were made, until both sides paused from sheer exhaustion.
The left of the Confederate line then crossed the road leading from Culpepper C. H. to Brandy Station, and the battle was resumed. Whilst it was raging fiercely, a short time before dark, a heavy dust arose in the direction of Culpepper. This was soon ascertained to be the enemy’s cavalry, rapidly advancing from that town. Fearing an attack in the rear from this new enemy, General Fitz Lee immediately drew back his left, which was then in danger, and reformed parallel to the road by which they approached. Down he came in splendid style, his sabres drawn and flashing in the rays of the declining sun, and to an inexperienced observer it would have seemed as though everything would have been swept from before it. Not so the gallant men who stood in his way awaiting the attack. But the enemy was evidently not seeking a fight, for suddenly he moved to the left, upon discovering the Confederates in his path, and sought to pass without a collision. But this did not suit General Lee, who immediately ordered a charge, and Yankee and Confederate were soon dashing along in most admirable confusion, until the infantry was reached, when General Lee was compelled to retire out of range.
A short time after, General J. E. B. Stuart, with Hampton’s division, came down the Culpepper road, and then was ascertained the reason why the Yankees had wished to pass so rapidly. That General had defeated them at Culpepper, and was then in hot pursuit.
This was the first cavalry fight in which the Spencer repeating carbine was used by the enemy, but notwithstanding this advantage over the old muzzle loading gun, they were badly beaten, having been driven upon their infantry, and engaged from early dawn until night put an end to the conflict.
The loss of the First Maryland was severe, as they were engaged almost continually during the fight, both mounted and on foot.