History of the Second Massachusetts Regiment of Infantry: Beverly Ford | Page 6

Daniel Oakey

wall, and at last summoned the commander of the infantry supports.
Although Stevenson commanded, he wished me to assist at the
audience; and we were at the General's side in a moment, looking over
the guns at the surrounding country.
"Do you see those people down there?" says Buford: "they've got to be
driven out. Do you think you can do it?"
We looked up and down the line, and rested our gaze upon a
wheat-field on the left of the stone wall (the enemy's right).
"It's about double our force," says Stevenson.
"Fully that," I replied, "if not more."
We looked again at the wheat-field, for that was the key to the position.
Something was said about "flanking" and "enfilading 'em."
"Mind," said the General, "I don't order you; but, if you think you can
do it, go in."
We thought we could. It would hardly do to back out in the presence of
so distinguished a cavalry audience, if there was a chance of success. A
number of the staff had gathered round to hear our conversation, and
showed a great deal of interest at the prospect of a little "side show," at

which they would have orchestra chairs, front row.
The General, with this group around him, was drawing the fire of the
stone wall people, and was urged to keep out of range, while the rest of
us scattered to less dangerous positions. Some of the staff came back
and watched the men "fall in," as if to see us off. Custer showed much
interest, and evidently would have enjoyed going with us.
We struck back into the country, and took a circuitous route behind
hedges and through corn-fields, Stevenson and myself running on
together, and the men following with their rifles as low as possible, and
crouching along to avoid attracting any notice.
We planned the attack as we went along, instructing sergeants, who in
turn fell back and gave orders to the men. Upon arriving at the
wheat-field, we all hugged the ground. Ten picked marksmen now
crawled forward with me into the wheat, while Captain Stevenson
deployed the rest of the men into as long a skirmish line as their
numbers would permit.
We despatched a messenger to notify Lieutenant Parker, whom we had
left near the guns, to join us at once. In justice to Parker, I must say that
he hated to be left out of a fight.
The ten marksmen crawled on through the wheat, till they were almost
"on the end" of the enemy's line; and then, crowding together so as to
rake the line, they fired at the signal, with terrible accuracy.
The Rebels were completely surprised, but turned and delivered a
scattering fire. My excellent Sergeant Nutting fell into my arms
mortally wounded. He was all pluck to the last moment. Although he
could not speak, he showed signs of wishing to bid us good-by, and
was evidently gratified at the manner in which we tenderly shook him
by the hand. It was a success for the company, but the men all seemed
to share my own feeling that it was dearly bought at such a price.
Meantime, Captain Stevenson was advancing through the wheat; and,
as soon as my party fired, he began making noise enough for two

regiments. We sprang over the fence into the open field; and there we
found Lieutenant Parker standing on the stone wall, pistol in hand, with
his two men and the messenger, demanding "unconditional surrender."
We could not help being amused at Parker's sudden appearance; but he
explained that he was afraid that he would be too late, and so "charged
the stone wall in front, and took the chances."
Stevenson's men were coming over the fence all the way down the
wheat; and the enemy, utterly deceived as to our numbers, had already
commenced dropping their weapons and giving themselves up. We
hurried them off as rapidly as possible, and gave all the care we could
to the wounded. Some of the Rebels at the other end of the wall tried to
escape; but Stevenson had swung his line round so promptly that he
covered them at short range, and persuaded the runaways to come in.
Having killed, wounded, and captured the entire party, we retired to a
rising ground to the left of our own guns, and covered the approaches
to the stone wall by posting some sharp-shooters with their pieces
sighted at three hundred yards. At this distance, two of the enemy's
dismounted troopers were killed. This seemed to be sufficient warning
to the rest, who made no further attempt to occupy the stone wall.
General Buford now advanced the right of the line, and pressed forward,
driving the enemy's cavalry before him toward Fleetwood Hill. General
Gregg,
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