History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, by Samuel P. Bates.

1864 THE WILDERNESS CAMPAIGN. 325
towards Richmond, the command made a bold attack upon the advanced works
before the city, but found the second line too strong to be carried by a cavalry
assault, and returned across the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge. It was here
attacked, in front and rear, by a considerable force of infantry, which was repulsed, and it proceeded, after destroying the railroad bridge, to Haxdal's
Landing, on the James River, arriving on the 14th. It rested here for a few
days, and after procuring supplies, leisurely returning via White House, and
Hanover Court House, rejoined the army on the 25th.
The Fifty-ninth participated in the fight at Hawes' Shop, on the afternoon
of the 28th, in which the cavalry led by Sheridan, worsted the rebels under
Fitz Hugh Lee and Hampton, routing them with heavy loss. On the 7th of
June, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Brinton, it was sent, with two
divisions of cavalry, around Lee's left, to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad
in his rear, which it successfully accomplished. It crossed the Pamunkey, and
broke the Fredericksburg Road at Chesterfield, and again struck the Central
at Trevilian, where a sanguinary engagement occurred, in which the rebel
General Rosser and Colonel M'Allister were killed. It suffered some loss in
killed, wounded, and prisoners; but inflicted equal, if not greater loss upon the
enemy. It also participated in the unsuccessful attempt to cut the rebel lines
near Gordonsville, in which Captain Walker, of company M, was killed. At
St. Mary's Church, on the 24th, where Wade Hampton attacked and attempted
to capture the wagon trains, on their way from White House to Harrison's
Landing, it fought gallantly, and the enemy was defeated and driven back.
The regiment shared in the heaviest of the fighting and received the special
commendations of both its brigade and division commanders for a dismounted
charge in line. The loss was severe, Captain Clement R. See being among the
wounded, and Lieutenants Dodge and Eastman captured.
General Sheridan's second grand raid having closed, the command returned to
the Army of the Potomac, crossed the James River at Long' Bridge, and confronted the enemy before Petersburg. It made a diversion on the right of the
lines at the time of the mine explosion, and subsequently re-crossed the river near
Bermuda Hundred, and participated in the engagements at Deep Bottom, and
at Malvern Hill on the 14th of August, and Charles City Cross Roads on the
16th. In the latter, it was supported by Mliles' Brigade of the Second Corps,
and drove the enemy some distance, killing its leader General Chambliss;
but was in turn driven back. Lieutenant Martin, of company K, was killed,
and Captain Stone, and Lieutenfants Dougherty, Sloan, Schwartz, and Witmer were captured. At Ream's Station it was heavily engaged, checking and
repelling the enemy. The loss of the regiment was two killed, five captured,
and several wounded. Since the crossing of the Rapidan, it had participated
in sixteen general engagements, and had lost three officers killed, eight wounded,
six captured, and a large number of enlisted men killed, wounded, and missing,
reducing its strength to about two hundred.
The subsequent career of the regiment is closely identified with the history
of the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac. It participated in the engagements
at Wyatt's Farm, Boydton Plank Road, M'Dowell's Hill and Five Forks, and
was present at the surrender at Appomattox Court House. On the 28th of
February, Lieutenant Colonel Brinton was honorably discharged, his term of
service having expired, and Joseph Steele, Junior Major, was promoted to fill
the vacancy, Captain Robert M. Brinton succeeding to the Majority. It par