_Jotted Down at the Time_
I find this incident in my notes (I suppose from "chinning" in hospital
with some sick or wounded soldier who knew of it):
When Kilpatrick and his forces were cut off at Brandy station (last
of September, '63, or thereabouts,) and the bands struck up "Yankee
Doodle," there were not cannon enough in the Southern Confederacy to
keep him and them "in." It was when Meade fell back. K. had his large
cavalry division (perhaps 5,000 men,) but the rebs, in superior force,
had surrounded them. Things look'd exceedingly desperate. K. had two
fine bands, and order'd them up immediately; they join'd and play'd
"Yankee Doodle" with a will! It went through the men like lightning--but
to inspire, not to unnerve. Every man seem'd a giant. They charged like
a cyclone, and cut their way out. Their loss was but 20. It was about
two in the afternoon.