I've included 2 articles of the same event written by Shirley about 3 years apart. There are slight differences.
Grand Army Scout & Soldiers Mail December 27, 1884
Charge of the 11th Pa. Cavalry at Franklin, Virginia.
St. Patrick's Day, 1863.
By William S. Shirley.
Bennington, Pa.
At midnight of March 16, 1863 the 11th Penna. Cavalry was called out of its camp, at Suffolk, Va. to go to Franklin, to ascertain if the enemy was getting reinforcements, as had been reported by scouts and contrabands. The night was fearfully dark, and the distance was about 16 miles. We reached Carsville, a small railroad station at sunrise, and learned that the 2d Georgia Cavalry had been there the evening before, and had gone back to Franklin. We went on cautiously, throwing out a strong advance guard some distance ahead, for fear of an ambuscade. We got to within one-fourth a mile of their works, near the Blackwater, before we met their mounted pickets, we fired and fell back. Colonel Spear called a consultation of his officers, and soon Major Straton in command of four companies, marched ahead on the main road. Shortly they charged with a yell, close up to the enemy's works, behind which they had two 18 pound guns and a strong force of infantry. Major Straton's battalion fell back; the major being wounded in the shoulder, and a few men and horses being lost. Our howitzer battery then replied to their guns, and our band struck up "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning," two Confederate bands falling up with the same tune.
Capt. Roberts, of Co. B, now moved forward with four fresh companies for the second charge. "Forward, draw sabers, charge!" was the command, and away went the battalion. Soon we could see our men cutting and slashing the enemy who fought bravely. But our men carried the works on the north side of the river, and killed, wounded and captured several Confederates. Our losses heavy for the number engaged in the charge, both in men and horses, but it made the Confederate infantry believe the cavalry could jump their rifle pits, and ever afterwards made the 2d Georgia Cavalry remember the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Lieut. Mooday, a brave young officer of Co. B, with several others, lost their lives in this charge. We returned to camp satisfied that we knew the number of the enemy, and their fighting weight, which we afterwards tried on a better field, and with better success. The enemy was under the command of Jenkins, Ransom and Frisbee. Among the troops engaged for the famous 2d Palametto sharpshooters.
National Tribune May 26, 1887
"DRAW SABER -- CHARGE!"
A St. Patrick's Day -- of the 11th Pa. Cav. at Franklin, Va.
William J. Shirley, Co. G, 11th Pa. Cav.,
Altoona, Pa.
Editor National Tribune: At midnight of March 16, 1863. The 11th Pa. Cav. was called out of its camp at Suffolk, Va., to go to Franklin, on the Blackwater River, to ascertain if the enemy was getting reinforcements, as had been reported by scouts and contrabands. The night was dark, and the distance about 16 miles. We reached Carsville, a small railroad station, at sunrise, and learned that the 3rd N.C. Cav. Had been there the evening of the 16th and gone back over the river to Franklin. We went on cautiously, throwing out a strong advance-guard some distance ahead, for fear of an ambuscade. When within one-fourth of a mile of their works we met their mounted pickets, who fired and fell back. Our advance followed at a gallop until their infantry pickets were reached.
Col. S. P. Spear called his officers, and after a consultation Maj. Stratton was ordered, with one battalion of four companies, to advance on the main road. He commanded, "Draw sabers -- Gallop -- Charge!" And on when those brave men into the jaws of death. The enemy's line was in the shape of a horse shoe, with two cannon in the center and one on each end. There was a heavy fire of musketry from all slides. Stratton's battalion fell back, the Major wounded and several men and horses killed.
Our howitzer battery replied to their guns and our band struck up "St. Patrick's Day In the Morning," to Confederate bands answering with the same air. Capt. Roberts, of Co. B, requested the Colonel to let him try a charge with four more companies. He did so, and they went down through the field and over the breastworks. It was cut and slash, hand to hand, for some 10 minutes, and they finally drove the rebels. The latter's loss was as heavy as ours. We captured some 30 prisoners. Lieut. Moody, a brave young officer of Co. B, lost his life in this charge, as did some 10 or 12 others, and many were badly wounded.
We were turned to Suffolk, satisfied that we knew the number of the enemy and also their fighting weight, which we afterward tried on a better field and with more success. The enemy was under command of Gen. Jenkins. Among the troops engaged were the famous 2d S.C. Palmetto Sharpshooters.
MARCH 17, 1863.--Skirmish near Franklin, Va.
No. 2.--Report of Col. Samuel P. Spear, Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
HDQRS. ELEVENTH PENNSYLVANIA VOL. CAVALRY,
Camp Suffolk, Va., March 18, 1863.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of a reconnaissance
made by me in the direction of Franklin, &c.:
On the evening of the 16th I received orders from the commanding general,
through his assistant adjutant-general, to make a thorough investigation of
the ground occupied by a supposed force on the Blackwater, and opposite to,
on this side of the river from Franklin. I accordingly left Suffolk in
command of 350 cavalry and four pieces of Davis' battery, and: proceeding
very cautiously, arrived at and found the enemy's outer pickets at Hebron
Church, half a mile from Carrsville and 4½ miles this side of Franklin.
They at once fled to the woods, and undoubtedly, by a pathway, gave
information of my approach. I advanced, and at a point 1 mile this side of
Franklin found a small picket; captured a first lieutenant in charge and
sent him at once to your headquarters. Here I ordered a charge of three
companies, under Maj. F. A. Stratton, and he gallantly made the same, in
which, immediately under the breastworks of the enemy, he lost his horse
and full equipments. Some of his men were wounded and Lieut. Samuel L.
Monday was badly wounded in the abdomen. The party under command of Major
Stratton, after examining the enemy's defenses, &c., and in accordance to
orders, returned and joined my main body. Captain Davis was then directed
and threw about eighteen shells directly into the enemy's lines, which must
have done great destruction.
I then ordered cease firing and made a second charge of three companies,
under Maj. George T. Cornog, which was done in such a manner as to merit my
thanks. The enemy's intrenchments, masked battery, and rifle-pits were so
constructed as to be impassable for cavalry, and while no results could be
gained by me, enabled him to a very great advantage.
The fortifications, rifle-pits, &c., are about 200 yards from Blackwater
River and running nearly parallel with it, and it is estimated, by a minute
examination, that one regiment of infantry, about 250 cavalry, two
10-pounder rifled guns, and one section of rocket battery is the strength
of the enemy on this side of the river at that point.
Inclosed please find a list of wounded and missing,(*) and see note of some
since returned. Lieutenant Knight must, I think, have been thrown from his
horse, and is probably now a prisoner unhurt.
It gives me pleasure to commend highly the conduct of Majs. Franklin A.
Stratton and George T. Cornog for their prompt, energetic, and spirited
manner in conducting their respective charges, and unless these movements
had been made it would have been impossible to have given a correct or even
a slight account of the enemy's defenses, strength, &c.
Lieut. Samuel L. Monday was seriously wounded(*) while in the performance
of his duty, and I regret exceedingly this serious injury to an excellent
and promising officer.
Capt. Phineas A. Davis is deserving of great credit for his portion of duty
in the reconnaissance, and officers and men all behaved well.
Having performed the duty assigned me, I returned to camp at 7 last evening.
While I regret exceedingly the loss in missing I am positive that I could
not have carried out my instructions with less casualties.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. SPEAR,
Colonel Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.
Maj. B. B. FOSTER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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