199

George Howard, of Company C. Colonel Johnson and Lieutenant-Colonel Brown
made narrow escapes, the former having his horse killed under him and his sabre
shot away, whilst the latter received several severe sabre cuts on the head while
gallantly endeavoring to pass his men through the gate which obstructed their
retreat. If unfortunate for the Maryland battalion, however, it was fortunate for
Baker, whose brigade of North Carolinians would most assuredly have been cut
to pieces had the enemy not been held in check for a full half hour, thereby
enabling them to escape. The force encountered turned out to be Custer's Brigade
of four thousand men, supported by the rest of Merritt's division of cavalry.