Episode 48: SGT Edward P. Tobie and the 1st Maine Cavalry at the Battle of Brandy Station

At the Battle of Brandy Station, 9 June 1863, SGT Edward P. Tobie of the 1st Maine Cavalry in the Left Wing of the Cavalry Corps attempt a double envelopment of MG J.E.B. Stuart’s Cavalry Division. After crossing the Rappahannock River and riding for several miles, SGT Tobie and the 1st Maine Cavalry formed with their brigade and charged upon Fleetwood Hill, the site of MG Stuart’s Headquarters.

Sources used for this episode:

Tobie, Edward P. History of the First Maine Cavalry, 1861-1865. Boston: Emery & Hughes, 1887. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=yale.39002002965516&seq=11.

Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 27, pt. 1: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077699761&view=1up&seq=3.

Scott, Robert N. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 27, pt. 2: Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1889. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077728255&view=1up&seq=3.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
The first main falters knot, butkeeps on its course.
A shell from a battery on theright comes screaming in with
harsh voice along the line,apparently directly over the
heads of the men, and seeming sonear as it to make it impossible
almost for the left of theregiment to escape its effects

(00:22):
and bursts a quarter of a mileaway.
This is followed by another andanother in quick succession on
they go and see the rebel forcethat a moment before has driven
the Harris light, now breaks andis in full retreat, and the
charge has turned into a chase.

(01:06):
hi, my name is Bill Coghlan andhost the first person Civil War
podcast.
While the generals of both sidesget most of the recognition, the
Civil War was fought by the menin the ranks, and they told
their stories during and afterthe war.
Follow me as I reveal what thesemen witnessed in the battles of

(01:26):
the Civil War.
Episode 48 is entitled SergeantEdward p Toby and the first Main
cavalry at the Battle of BrandyStation, and relies on his book
History of the First MainCavalry, 1861 to 1865, which he
published in 1887.

(01:50):
Edward Parsons, Toby Jr.
Was born on 18 March, 1838 inLewiston, Maine.
Prior to the war, he worked as aprinter at the local newspaper,
the Lewiston Journal, andeventually at a book publishing
business in Massachusetts.
The state of Maine was directedto raise 10 regiments at the

(02:11):
outbreak of the Civil War, whichit rapidly did.
It was not until the second callfor troops did the US government
authorize the state to raise aregiment of cavalry on 19
October, 1861, in his hometownof Lewiston, Edward Toby,
enlisted as a private incomp Gin order to report to Augusta,

(02:33):
Maine by early November, thefirst cavalry completed its
organization with a complimentof 12 companies.
The first main cavalry was sentto Virginia where they saw
combat at the first battle ofWinchester and the campaigns of
Second Bull Run, anti Teem andFredericksburg.

(02:55):
Following the battle, the UnionArmy underwent a reorganization
which resulted in the creationof the Cavalry Corps as the
battle of Chancellorville raged.
Now, Sergeant Toby and the firstmain cavalry participated in the
raid led by Major General GeorgeStoneman.
Following the Confederate Army'ssuccess at the Battle of

(03:18):
Chancellorville General, RobertE.
Lee decided to invade the northfor a second time with the
intent of entering Pennsylvaniaand destroying the army, the
Potomac in that state.
On three.
June, 1863, the army of NorthernVirginia began its march and
headed west toward theShenandoah Valley.

(03:38):
Once there, the army would marchup, what is known as the Great
Appalachian Valley intoPennsylvania.
The Union Army of the Potomac,after confirming the Confederate
army was on, the move began itsmarch on five June.
While initially unaware of theConfederate Army's full
intentions, the army of thePotomac would march between the

(03:59):
Confederates and Washington DCto ensure the safety of the
capitol.
Critical to the movement of botharmies was the use of cavalry
which could performreconnaissance to scout the
movement of the enemy and screento protect the movement of your
own army.
Both union and confederatearmies would employ cavalry in

(04:23):
the days and weeks of marchingahead.
And on eight June, 1863,sergeant Toby and the first main
cavalry received orders toconduct a reconnaissance of the
Confederate army as it movedtoward the Shenandoah.
The order to march was receivedabout noon on the eighth.

(04:43):
And in short time, the regimentwith the division was in motion
and moving toward the river allthat afternoon could be seen
immense clouds of dust acrossthe river indicating that large
forces of the enemy's troopswere also in motion, and the
boys felt there was hot work instore for them.
After a dusty, uncomfortablemarch, the regiment bivouacked

(05:07):
on a large tract of land in thevicinity of Kelly's Ford, where
the boys were treated to anunusual amount of getting into
position, or as they called itpoppy cocking.
And finally, were allowed tolight down to sleep with a cold
bite and holding the horses bythe bridles.

(05:28):
Sergeant Toby in the first maincavalry road in the first
brigade, commanded by ColonelJudson Kilpatrick of Brigadier
General David McCartey, Greg'sthird division of the left Wing,
also commanded by BrigadierGeneral Greg in Brigadier
General Alfred Pleasant'sCavalry Corps of the Army of the

(05:50):
Potomac, commanded by majorgeneral Joseph Hooker.
For the opening stage of theMarch North major General Jeb
Stewart, the Confederate Cavalrycommander.
Bival, whacked his entiredivision northeast of the small
town called Brandy Station,which was along the Orange and

(06:11):
Alexandria Railroad and on theWestern Bank of the Rappahannock
River.
The reason for such aconcentration was for show
Major.
General Stewart intended toconduct a grand review on five
June with General Lee inattendance, but was delayed to a
more subdued review for theGeneral on eight June with all

(06:33):
five of his brigadesparticipating, major General
Stewart was unaware that theentire Union Cavalry Corps had
discovered his position and wasencamped on the Eastern Bank of
the Rappahannock River on theevening of eight.
June.
At dawn, the next morning, theUnion Cavalry intended to cross
and engage with the unsuspectingConfederates.

(06:57):
On the morning of nine June,1863, the union right wing
crossed the Rappahannock Riverat Beverly's Ford and engaged
Brigadier General William eJones' and Brigadier General
William HF Lee's brigades.
The Battle of Brandy Station hadbegun.
The union plan of attack calledfor a double envelopment with

(07:18):
the right wing advancing downfrom the north while Sergeant
Toby, the first main cavalry andthe entire left wing, crossed
the river approximately sixmiles to the south and would
advance North toward BrandyStation.
A brief halt was made whenorders were received to tighten
the saddle girths, and load thecarine, which were rapidly

(07:41):
obeyed, and the regiment againstarted shortly after emerging
from the woods into a large openfield.
As soon as the regiment devouched from the woods, it
formed into squadrons at agallop drew saber.
And in a moment more wascharging across the field and

(08:01):
thus, before the boys were awareof it almost the regiment was in
its first cavalry charge as aregiment.
Major General Stewart.
Now aware of the situation,began to direct his forces on
the battlefield.
He sent one of his brigades ofcavalry down the Kelly's Ford
Road to block the Union Cavalry,who were already making their

(08:24):
crossing there.
But he was unaware that the leftwing had already divided and
taken several different routesonce across the river.
Major General Stewart, uponlearning that Union Cavalry were
advancing on a separate roadtoward his headquarters, summed
up the ground soon to be foughtover.
On a field geographically soextensive and much of it wooded

(08:48):
presented to the enemy.
So many avenues of approach.
I deemed it highly in judiciousto separate my command into
detachments, to guard all theapproaches as in such case, the
enemy could concentrate upon anyone and overwhelming it, take
the others in detail.
Especially as I was aware, thatthe entire cavalry force of the

(09:11):
enemy had crossed the river witha large portion of artillery and
supported by nine regiments onthe road to Kelly's and seven on
the road to Beverly's Ford.
I conceived it to be my policyto keep my command concentrated.
Accepting sufficient to watchand delay the enemy as to his
real move, and then strike himwith my whole force major RF

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Beckham, commander of JebStewart's horse artillery placed
several pieces on Pettus Hill,which face to the South, while
the brigades of BrigadierGeneral William E.
Jones.
And Brigadier General WadeHampton posted to the east of
the artillery and readiedthemselves.
For the impending fight, itwould be Stewart's headquarters

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and the Confederate artillery.
That would be the target ofSergeant Toby, the first main
cavalry and the entire union.
Third division.
At the left as far as the eyecould reach, were to be seen
bodies of Union cavalryadvancing with quick movements
toward the enemy's cavalry whowere also in full sight, and

(10:20):
apparently as active a little tothe right, to the front, near a
house surrounded by extensiveshrubbery.
Was a rebel battery, whichturned his attention to this
regiment as it emerged from thewoods.
I.
Keep this in mind, as thenarration continues as the Union

(10:40):
third division and theConfederates charged at each
other.
Sergeant Toby and the firstMaine were witnessing an
engagement of approximately 13regiments of cavalry, all vying
for possession of FleetwoodHill.
The whole plane was one vastfield of intense earnest action.

(11:01):
It was a scene to be witnessed,but once in a lifetime and one
well worth all the risks ofbattle to witness.
But the boys could not stop toenjoy this grand moving panorama
of war on they went amid theperfect tangle of sights and
sounds filled with such rare,whole sold excitement as seldom

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falls to the lot of man toexperience and thoughts of
danger were for the timefurthest from the mines.
Even the horses seemed to enterinto the spirit of the occasion
and strained every nerve to dotheir full duty.
In the day's strange deeds,obeying the least motion of rain
or spur with unusual promptness,as if feeling the superiority of

(11:46):
their rider in this terriblecommotion.
As the first main cavalry Bodown upon Fleetwood Hill, it was
the second New York cavalry,also known as the Harris Light
Cavalry and the 10th New Yorkcavalry that led the brigade.
They would have to contend withthe 12th Virginia Cavalry and

(12:07):
the 35th Virginia CavalryBattalion who arrived upon
Fleetwood Hill just prior to KPatrick's brigade.
Major General Stewart commendsthese men enforcing the New
Yorkers to retreat and regroup.
Sergeant Toby and the first maincavalry to the New Yorkers.
Immediate right met theVirginians on the top of the

(12:29):
hill.
The first main falters knot, butkeeps on its course.
A shell from a battery on theright comes screaming in with
harsh voice along the line,apparently directly over the
heads of the men, and seeming sonear as it to make it impossible
almost for the left of theregiment to escape its effects

(12:52):
and bursts a quarter of a mileaway.
This is followed by another andanother in quick succession on
they go and see the rebel forcethat a moment before has driven
the Harris light, now breaks andis in full retreat, and the
charge has turned into a chase.

(13:13):
Major General Stewart stilldirecting his cavalry from a
vantage point to the north ofFleetwood Hill, witness the
Clash of Union and ConfederateCavalry.
The contest for the hill wasprolonged and spirited Harmon's
regiment.
The 12th Virginia cavalryattacked the enemy.

(13:34):
Driving back is advance butbroken.
Confusion at the approach of theenemy's reserves.
And in doing so, deranged, verymuch White's column, which was
advancing to his support andlessened materially the force of
white's charge.
As the Union cavalry gained anupper hand on Fleetwood Hill,

(13:56):
the artillery on Pettus Hillsoon became the focal point of
several union charges.
Which included Sergeant Toby andthe first main cavalry.
On goes the regiment driving theenemy from the battery and
passing by the lonely and nowquiet guns.
That a moment before were soloudly talking on they go faster

(14:20):
and faster if that were possibleover fences and ditches driving
the enemy a mile or so.
Oh, it was grand.
And many, a man who was in thatcharge has at times fancy that
if he were allowed to choose, hewould say, let me bid this world
goodbye.
Amid the supreme excitement of aGrand exultant successful

(14:43):
cavalry charge like this.
Colonel Kilpatrick brigadecommander of the first main
expounded on the charge.
I sent orders to these twoofficers to withdraw and rally
their commands.
And with the first Maine sweptto the right and charged the

(15:04):
enemy in flank, they outnumberedus three to one, but cannot
withstand the heavy saber blowsof the sturdy men of Maine who
rode through them and over them,gained the hill, captured a
battle flag, which was the 12thVirginia Cavalry.
And many prisoners among them,rebel general stewards, adjuvant

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general.
From this moment, the fight wasa series of charges every
regiment of the brigadecharging, rallying, and again
charging until ordered toretire.
Each regiment left the fieldwith its organization preserved
and in good order.
The Union Cavalry, both left andright wings departed Brandy

(15:51):
Station after several hours offighting among the casualties
sustained that day was SergeantToby, who was captured at some
point in the fighting.
Though he did not share theexact manner of which he got
captured.
Sergeant Toby did highlight theimportance of the regiment as a
fighting unit during charges andcounter charges.

(16:14):
Never was.
The fact more clearlydemonstrated that in a battle it
is the safest as well as thebest for each individual to
stick to his command than it washere for those who remained
together, got off the field withsmall loss.
While those who scattered, manywere taken prisoners.

(16:35):
The Battle of Brandy Station wasthe largest, predominantly
cavalry engagement of the CivilWar, and at the end of the day,
the Confederates held the field.
The Union Cavalry were notsuccessful in their attempt of a
double in development, but theydid prove that the new Cavalry
Corps could fight against majorGeneral Jeb Stewart's Cavalry,

(16:57):
which was an organized force foralmost a year the Battle of
Brandy Station would haveunintended consequences for
Lee's second invasion of theNorth.
In the wake of the battle,Southern newspapers began to
criticize Major General Stewartof the circumstances leading up
to Brandy Station.

(17:17):
As the Union Cavalry were ableto get so close without being
detected, as both armies marchedtoward Pennsylvania, Jeb
Stewart's cavalry providedscreening and guarded the route
of March.
They even met the Union Cavalryagain at Aldi, Middleburg and
Upperville.
In the wake of theseengagements, major General

(17:39):
Stewart decided to depart fromthe army of Northern Virginia.
Jeb Stewart wanting to redeemhimself after Brandy Station.
Attempted to disrupt the UnionArmy's March, but was met with
limited success.
He took three brigades ofcavalry and rode between the
Union Army and Washington dcwhich meant Lee did not have

(18:02):
adequate cavalry to conductreconnaissance when his army
camps to the north and west of atown called Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania with no cavalry towarn of a union presence in
their immediate front.
A confederate division, whichincluded third Lieutenant Rogers
of the 47th North Carolina,attempted to march into the town

(18:22):
of Gettysburg to acquire shoes.
On one July, 1863.
On 26 September, 1872.
The survivors of the regimentheld their first reunion and
created the first main cavalryassociation.
The association appointed Edwardp Toby as historian and was

(18:44):
ordered to write a history atthe regiment, though appointed
with the task.
Various members of theassociation assisted him in
completing the history By 1877.
To all to the comrade whoprepared the foundation for more
than half the company rosters,or sent me the muster out roll

(19:06):
of his company or the monthlyreturns of the regiment, or
furnished the complete roster ofhis company.
To the comrade who gave me asingle story of camp or field or
prison experience or the list ofcasualties in his company in
some little skirmish or his ownrecord.
Or merely called to mind somealmost forgotten incident of the

(19:29):
service to each and all.
I can only say thank you and allthe comrades will thank you as I
do though they know not yournames.
10 years later in 1887, Edward pToby published history of the
first main cavalry, 1861 to 1865to the general public.

(19:54):
Thank you for listening to the48th episode.
Links to Sergeant Toby's bookand social media accounts are
now available on the podcastwebsite, first person Civil war
podcast.com.
While there, you'll also find alink to support the podcast
financially at the top left ofthe screen.

(20:15):
Any amount is welcome and goestoward the expenses of the
podcast.
On Facebook, Instagram, x andLinkedIn.
This week you will find apicture of Sergeant Toby
sometime during the war.

(20:40):
Since the Battle of BrandyStation opened the campaign.
I have decided to make the nextepisode a special episode, which
we'll release on two July withthe climactic battle of the
campaign i.
captain Frederick Otto Baron FonFri of Company, A 68th New York

(21:04):
Face Private, George WashingtonNichols of company D 61st
Georgia on one July at Barlow'sKnoll and Captain Neil w Ray of
Company D.
Sixth North Carolina at CemeteryHill on two July at the Battle

(21:31):
of Gettysburg.
My name is Bill Coghlan, andthank you for listening to First
Person Civil War Podcast.