Taken from the National Tribune January 10, 1907 edition

A Brilliant Charge

Editor National Tribune: During the civil war there were many daring acts, gallant charges and brilliant scouts made by companies and individuals of which history says nothing. One of those brilliant charges I will now write about, hoping you will printed it your grand old paper for the comrades to read. On Aug. 23, 1864, while Spear's detachment of cavalry was picketing on the left of the Second Corps, after the battle of Ream's Station, Co. G of the 11th Pa. Cav. made one of the most gallant saber charges of the war. A body of rebel cavalry, on a scout, came out of a field near Ream's Station. Co. G, on picket at that point, was drawn up in line, and ordered to charge what appeared to be about equal number of Johnnies. Well, when Co. G charged they ran into a hornet's nest, and some of them got badly stung. We found a much greater number of the enemy than we expected, and a fierce fight was on. It did not last a great while, however, for having bitten off more than we could chew, and with the hornets stinging as with carbines, pistols and sabers, who were forced to fall back. We lost in number of the boys: Comrade Breth was wounded; Comrade Wm. Morrow feathers had his horse shot from under him, and had to catch another one whose rider had fallen in the fray. It was a gallant charge, in which every comrade showed he was a brave soldier and skillful saberer, but I believe the palm for the best saber action must be given to Barney Rupert. He went into the fight with his saber playing in a lightning fashion. It was too much for the rebs, and they gave way before him that every point. When engaged with one of the rebel officers, a miscreant off to one side shot him. Poor fellow! That ended brave Barney's career as a soldier, unless, indeed, he was reincarnated and fought again with Teddy at San Juan under some other name. Who knows? When the company returned to their station, Col. Skelly met them, and with tears in his eyes told them that he never expected any of them to come out of the fight alive. I wonder how many of the boys who were in that ruction are alive at this time. Let me hear from you, boys.