unted skirmishers to cover the crossing of the troops.

The scene at the ford was very picturesque. A lovely sunset shed its
cool light over the long columns of cavalry winding their way toward the
river, and the mounted skirmishers were thrown in bold relief against
the brilliant sky.

Captain Comey took his old position again, with his little band of
thirty men, on the north bank of the river, and remained there till
morning, when he rejoined the regiment.

Our bivouac the night of the battle was unusually cheerful, for we had
brought every officer of "ours" safely out of the fight alive and well.
Even Captain Frank Crowninshield, who generally got a bullet into him
somewhere, came off, like the Irishman at the fair, with only a hole in
the crown of his hat.

Many a fence rail was burned to give light to the conference which was
held over the events of the day. We had been so separated during the
fight that the experiences of each one had to be presented to the
assemblage in turn; and, with the assistance of some of the Third
Wisconsin officers, the comparing of notes was extended far into the
night.

Our forces had gained all they set out to accomplish. The momentous
cavalry schemes of the enemy were frustrated, and their troopers had
been severely punished by cavalry which they had always considered
inferior to their own.

The disheartening effect throughout the Confederacy may be guessed by
the following extract from a diary kept by Mr. I. D. Jones, the Rebel
War Clerk at Richmond:--

_June 12._--The surprise of Stuart on the Rappahannock has
chilled every heart, notwithstanding it does not appear that
we lost more than the enemy in the encounter. The question is
on every tongue, Have our generals relaxed in vigilance? If
so, sad is the prospect.

After the long period of mismanagement, disaster, sacrifice, blood, and
tears through which the Army of the Potomac had passed, with steadiness
of purpose and undaunted courage which has never been surpassed, the
turning-point came, at last, in the brilliant conflict at Beverly Ford,
or "Fleetwood," as the Rebel chief, Stuart, called it.

It was a severe blow to the enemy's cavalry at the right moment, and was
productive of important results, being followed by Pleasanton in the
battles of Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville, holding Stuart in check
and keeping Hooker fully informed as to the movements of the enemy;
while General Lee was in co