Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-07-30
correspondence OF the Tobacco Plant.


Correspondence OF the Tobacco Plant
CAMP NrAH YORKTOWN, July IA, 1861.
To tie Editor eJ' tie ToJaeeo Plant:
DEAR SIa-I have thought it due to the
Boydton Cavalry that should report officially
an engagement between detachment Of the
company and a party of Federal troops which
took place in the vicinity Of Hampton, on Fri
day, the 1lth inst. About 10 o'clock Major
Hood, in command Of detachment, consisting
of forty Of the Boydton Cavalry, under COM
niand Of myself und Lieutenant SturdiTant,
together with small detuchments from other
companies was informed that there was par.
II Of Federal troops some mile or two in ad.
vance Of us. \ brisk march Of few minutes
brought US up with them. We found them well
posted utlder cover Of q thick body Of woods.
The detachment of our Cavalay brought up the
rear. We were Immediately however ordered
to the front, to dismount, and with our car.
lines TO open fire upon tho enemy. As we
advanced to the attack, they cheered loud
ly and definitely for the New York tn Regi'
Ineut, which was promptly returned on our
sido by cheer for the Mecklenburg Cavalry.
They Immediately opened upon us with hre
of muskets. The Cavalry then commenced
telling fire upon them, and though entirely
exposed in an open road, advanced steadily
Upon them The firing continued without ln-
termssion for three-qnarters Of an hour, When
the enemy were totally routed with loss OF
twenty seven killed, wounded and taken prls-
one1s Being pressed as we supposed by our
rear, we did rot take the time to search places
(Ihere the enemy had been seen to iai) Tor
their dead bodies, but only gathered up those
Immediately around us.
Alter the rout was complete, the mounted
de!achments were ordered to charge; they
we're however so far brhind, and it TOOK SO
much time to communicatc the order to them,
chat the Eoyd.on Cavalry, though dIsmounteo,
pressed on upon the enemy in advance, ano
captured certainly not less than out OF IL
prisoners before the mounted men came up.
! i is but Justice. however, to the mounted &c.
tachmen, 10 say, that they made bold and
| gallant charge, and were eager for the fray.
| Il is with heart over flowing with gratitude
to the God OF Battles that l am enabled te
say to YOU, that not single man on our side
received tic slightest injury, though the balls
Of the enemy H:w thick and fast around then
throughout the engagement Besides priso
| ners The cavalry took number Of arms ant
| trophies or wa. cpe.il'sau Of those I shal
preserve and have prcsvnted on behalf Of tho
| company to the county court Of Mccklenburg
| The nuIuber Of men engaged on our side wcr
g. Of the cavalry, Is Of our detachment being
engaged in holding the horses,) and some
others, making in oil S5.
cannot speak in terms too high of tn
coouess and bravery Of the members of ou
! c,valrr throughout the engagement The grea
difficulty was 10 prevent them from exposln
themselves unnecessarily to danger. 1t IS bu
al act Of justice to say tba: Lieut. r. F. Stur
divant bore himself gallantly, and rendere
efficient service throughout the engagement
For our victory ali acknowledge u great, 10
debtedness to the gallant bearing and sklillu
conduct Of Maj. Hood, who is every inch al
officer, and deserves we'll Of his country.
have thus in hurried and disconnecte
manucr, done what I conceived to be an act
Justice to the Boydton Cavalry.
OH very truly your friend,
TnoXAs F. GooDE.