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

746 SEVENTIETH REIMENT-SIXTH CAVALRY. 1863
Hooler in getting his army to Chancellorsville. The track of the railway was
torn up, bridges and culverts destroyed, and stations and water tanks burned.
Commands were sent out in different directions, capturing and destroying contraband property, breaking up railroads and canals, and scattering the rebel
forces encountered. The work of the expedition having been effected, General
Stoneman called a council of war on the evening of the 4th, in which it was
decided to return, no intelligence having been received of the fate of Hooker,
and Averell having failed to communicate with the balance of the corps. The
Sixth marched with Buford's Division, and when near Louisa Court House
made a circuit to near Gordonsville. The enemy were met at different points on
the return; but as it was the policy now to avoid an engagement, the command
moved rapidly and. succeeded in shunning his columns.
Until the 8th of June the regiment was engaged in scout and picket duty,
frequently meeting irregular bands of rebels, and losing some men. On the
morning of that day it moved with the entire corps, now under command of
General Pleasanton, to Beverly Ford. The enemy's pickets were on the opposite side, but pushing boldly across, before dawn of the 9th, they were surprised and captured. Buford's Division, consisting of the First, Second, Fifth,
and Sixth Regulars, and Sixth Pennsylvania, had the advance. *" General
Buford having driven the enemy's pickets and skirmishers in the open fields
on the right of the road, sent in the Sixth Pennsylvania, supported by the Fifth
and Sixth Regulars, to charge this line on the flank. The Pennsylvanians
came up to their work in splendid style. This is the regiment formerly known
as the Lancers, and they had a matter of pride to settle in this charge. Steadily
and gallantly, they advanced out of the woods in excellent order, and then
dashed across the open field in an oblique direction towards the enemy's guns,
They went up almost to their very muzzles, through a storm of canister, and
would have taken them, when suddenly there dashed out of the woods on their
right flank, in almost the very spot from which they themselves had issued,
two whole regiments of the enemy on the full charge. Retreat was almost cut
off, but the regiments, now subjected to a fire in front and on both flanks, charged
back, cutting their way out with considerable loss. The Sixth Regulars came to
the rescue, but the fire was so severe that even these veterans could not stand it,
and they fell back with some loss." The demonstration of the regulars caused
the enemy on the right to move to receive them, and thus a way of escape was
opened. The regiment was withdrawn across the field through the woods, but
all the time exposed to a heavy fire from a battery within fifty yards. Buford
maintained an unequal contest until joined by Gregg, when the enemy was
driven and his camps were in possession of Pleasanton; but it was now found
that the rebel cavalry was supported by heavy forces of infantry. Pleasanton
accordingly withdrew. In this engagement the Sixth lost nearly half of its
effective force. Major Morris was captured and soon after died in Libby Prison.
Captain Charles B. Davis was among the killed. Captain Leiper and Lieutenant Ellis were among the wounded.
On the 14th of June the regiment arrived at Thoroughfare Gap, which was
held, and Captain Treichel, with his squadron, was sent on a reconnoissance
to Ashby's Gap, returning in the evening. On the 17th it met the enemy at
Aldie, and after a short engagement gained the pass, driving the enemy back
*Moore's Rebellion Record, Vol. VT1, p. 18, Does.