287

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 Courthouse, 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 Mary-
land 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.

On the loth of May, 1864, whilst encamped at Wick ham'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 Rich-
mond. 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 soon 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 shrapnell 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