Chapter 15

CAPTURE OF THE AUTHOR.

1863.--Fight at James City.--Music of Retreat.--Fourth Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station.--Critical Situation.--Kilpatrick Undaunted.--Davies and Custer.--The Grand Charge.--The Escape.--The Scene.--Subsequent Charges and Counter-charges. --The Cavalry Routed.--The Rappahannock Recrossed in Safety. --Infantry Reconnoissance to Brandy Station.--Comical Affair at Bealeton Station.--Thrilling Adventure of Stuart.--His Escape.--Battle of Bristoe.--Casualties.--Retreat Continued. --Destruction of Railroad by the Rebels.--Kilpatrick at Buckland Mills.--Unpleasant Surroundings.--Sagacity and Daring.--The Author's Capture.--Fall, Insensibility, Change of Scene.--The End.--Introduced to Prison Life. 327

List of Illustrations.

PAGE.

1. Portrait of the Author, Frontispiece.

2. Our Cavalry Leaders, 17

3. Cavalry Column on the March, 37

4. Night Attack on Falmouth Heights, 61

5. Burial of Captain Walters at Midnight, during Pope's Retreat, 87

6. Federal and Rebel Pickets Meeting on the Rappahannock, 119

7. Cavalry Scouting Party Halting for the Night, 173

8. Cavalry Fight at Brandy Station, 215

9. The Cavalry Bivouac, 277

10. Cavalry Battle at Buckland Mills, Va., and Capture of the Author, 323

THREE YEARS IN THE FEDERAL CAVALRY.