Report of Col. Charles H. Town, 1st Michigan Cavalry

On the 3d of July the regiment, with others composing the 2d Brigade, was ordered to repel an attack on General Meade’s right. The position of the regiment was frequently changed during the day, but without meeting the enemy until about 4 P.M., when the 7th Michigan Cavalry, which had been deployed as skirmishers, was rapidly driven in by the enemy’s cavalry (Hampton’s brigade). The duty devolved upon the 1st Michigan of saving Battery M, and the day, which was then going against us. Nobly did the “Old 1st” do its duty. Charging in close column, the troopers using the saber only, the host rebel myrmidons were immediately swept from the field. Never before in the history of the war has one regiment of National cavalry met an entire brigade of Confederate cavalry (composed, as this brigade was, of regiments each of which equaled in point of numbers the 1st Michigan) in open field in a charge and defeated them. By the blessing of God this was done by the 1st Michigan. The enemy were not only defeated, but they were driven from the field in great confusion, and this regiment held the ground until the ground until ordered to a new position. I cannot say too much in praise of the officers and men of my command upon this occasion. That each did his duty is verified by the fact that the loss of the regiment in ten minutes was six officers and eighty men.

The division to which this regiment is attached moved early on the morning of the 4th of July to Emmettsburg; from thence it proceeded toward Monterey. Before reaching that place the enemy was discovered in force upon the hills to the right of the road. At Fountaindale, a small village some miles this side of Monterey, this regiment–being advance of the column–was sent on a road leading to the right of the town to Fairfield Gap. Upon reaching the Gap, the enemy was found occupying it. A charge was made by Lieutenant Colonel [Peter] Stagg, with one squadron, which, with the aid of the other portion of the regiment deployed as skirmishers, was successful in driving the enemy from the Gap. The regiment held the position until the entire column and train had passed, though the enemy made a strong effort, with superior numbers, to drive it out.

My command sustained a heavy loss here. Lieutenant Colonel Stagg, leading the charge, had his horse killed under him, and falling was seriously injured. Captain William R. Elliott, while bravely leading his company, was mortally wounded and died the next morning. Lieutenant James B. McElhenny, at that time commanding Company G, was killed instantly at Captain Elliott’s side. Seventeen men were also lost in this engagement. I must embrace the present opportunity of paying a party tribute to the memory of the noble men whose names I have mentioned above. Both of them had volunteered, impressed with the idea of the justness of the cause of the Union. They devoted their whole time to their duties, ever ready and faithful in their discharge. They died as the Union soldier loved to die, leading in the charge. They died, too, earnestly endeavoring to perpetuate the beloved institutions of our country on the anniversary day of its birth. Two officers and six men were lost the same evening at Monterey.

*****************************************************************************
On the 14th this regiment was first to come to the relief of the 6th Michigan Cavalry which had just engaged the enemy near Falling Waters. The brave [Major Peter] Weber [with a squadron of the 6th Michigan Cavalry] had just made his gallant charge as the regiment came up, joining with the 6th fighting on foot. The enemy were soon driven from the field. It was here that the Michigan brigade led by the general commanding (Kilpatrick) in person, did noble work. Each regiment vied with the other in deeds of daring. Five hundred prisoners, one gun, two caissons, three battle flags, and a large quantity of small arms attest the labor done. The 1st Michigan had the honor of capturing two of the three flags, and the 47th Regiment Virginia Infantry as well, at least so much as was on the field, being 56 men and and five officers.

This engagement was the last in which the regiment participated under my command. Since that time Major Brewer has had the command of it. Permit me here to speak of the late Captain Charles J. Snyder of my regiment, who was mortally woundedwhile gallantly leading a squadron of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the streets of Hagerstown on the 6th of July, and died of his wounds July 21st following. He had been detailed from the regiment for some days as an aid for General Kilpatrick, and was ordered by that officer to assist in the charge. Fearlessly he went upon his duty, and, as an eye witness informed me, nobly did he discharge it. Meeting six sturdy Confederates he engaged them single handed, cutting three of them out of the saddle and putting the rest to flight, though he received a pistol shot which caused his death, and a sabre cut upon the head as well early in the melee. The memory of this brave and noble hearted man will ever be cherished with brotherly fondness by officers and men of the 1st Michigan Cavalry.

*****************************************************************************
It was Sergeants Alfonso Chilson and James B. Lyon, of the 1st Michigan, who captured the 47th Virginia colors, together with a major and 70 men, at Falling Waters. The 47th was deployed, the major and 40 men were standing together in a hollow, when Sergeant Chilson marched up to the flag-bearer and seized the flag, at the same time Sergeant Lyon ordered the whole party to surrender, which order was very quickly obeyed, the rebels throwing down their arms. Passing then to the rear, Sergeants Chilson and Lyon captured 20 more men of the same regiment, all of whom they safely escorted to the rear. Privates Edward Ives and Edward Clark in the same battle captured the colors of the 40th Virginia Regiment, near the pontoon bridge, and while the rebels were destroying the bridge.