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St. Patrick's Day Skirmish at Kelly's Ford

 


Image Detail
Ref No.: (Becker)CW-EF-VA-3/17/63
Artist: Forbes, Edwin
Date: March 17, 1863.
Medium: graphite on wove paper ;
Original Size: 11.5 x 8.5 in.
Transcribed Text:
  • Recto: "Sketch of Kelly's Ford, the scene of the brilliant cavalry fight on St. Patrick's Day (1) the ford on this side of the mill where the cavalry charged across. (2) Dense pine brush where the enemy's rifle pit was concealed. (3) Rifle pit. In the late fight our cavalry charged over their breastwork, driving them out into the open field. Before many of them had time to mount their horses. About thirty of them were captured at this point. Our forces then marched towards the right and entered the woods where the fence runs into the woods. They charged the enemy through them and into the open fields beyond, where the enemy opened a battery. After a hard fight our forces retired towards the ford and recrossed."
  • Verso: "bringing a large number or prisoners and horses. You can find the details in the daily papers. I started for Kelly's Ford with Gen. Stonemans Cavalry on Monday morning expecting that they would make a dash on Culpepper. The cavalry reached the ford on Tuesday morning at daybreak. Carbineers were sent down near the ford to annoy and, if possible, to dislodge their main body in the woods beyond the open field. two started out together at full, lying down on their horses necks and going at full speed, one of them was knocked off his horse, probably killed. His companion escaped, frightened considerably if one should judge by his actions. I could see everything plainly with my glass, as the distance was quite short. About midday the enemy opened with a single piece which they brought out of the woods. They fired about five shots and then withdrew into the woods again, apparently satisfied with drawing the fire of our artillery, which sent several shells in close proximity to their gun. I found out that it was absolutely necessary that I should be with the main army at Falmouth, so I started at half past one oclock. I hoped that I would find some cavarly returning to camp, but I had to go twelve miles of the road alone, most through dense pine woods. [Signed] E.F."
Condition: Rough paper along right marking; vertical fold.
Location: Kellys Ford, Culpeper, Virginia, United States