Shreveport daily news., 1861-07-18
How One Man Chased a Thousand.

| written ny capt. w IN. IL. w erth, to
a friend in Richmond, gives graphic
account Of his daring onslaught on the
enemy, near Newport News, some
weeks since; and as it is the first au-
thorized version of a remarkable Incl
dent Of the war, which has been vigor-
ously reported, we give the statement
in full, in Capt. Werth's own words,
deeming it we'll worth 4 place in our
columns
left our encampment at Bethel in
command of 90 dragons, selected from
the Hampton Dragons, Capt. Philips,
himself making one of the party. Ny
object was close reconnaissance of
the enemy's position at Newport
News.
Having reached point about 80
miles from that post, I observed with
the aid Of my glass, eight men clus-
tered together on the shore, above the
enemy > works, and in IL moment af-
forwards saw them in full run towards
their encamplnent. AT the time of
making this observation l was acom-
panied bS Capt. Philips and three pri-
Yates, the remainder Of the detachment
being in the rear. It being indispen-
sable to the attainment Of my object
|, that this picket should be Intercepted
in order to prevent alarm at the post,
we dashed down the road (running
parallel with the river leading to New
port News) for some three miles in
pursuit, when | detachen Capt. Phil
ips and his three men to the right, to
cut off their retreat, while | pressed
on still further towards the fortifi-
cation to make sure Of intercepting
them if they escaped Capt. Phillips.
When within about three hundred
yards Of Newport News, and having
turned towards the river, / found my
self within fifty yards Of Il party OF
the enemy, engaged in cutting wood,
their lnuskets stacked around Il pine
tree. Not having been observed by
them, drew up under coverot thicket
and found the party to consist of
twenty-seven privates, one commis-
Sloict biictf aHtO one Eoii-ctHhHSN1on-
ed officer.
Just then the picket guard, which
Capt. Phillips party had failed to cut
off, rushed into the camp Of Massa-
chusetts regiment encamped outside
of the works and not more than one
hundred and sixty yards from where
| was, and sounded the alarm.
| saw that whatever l had to do
must be done quickly so I drew my
revolver, gave real Camanche war
whoop, and dashed into the party Of
twentv-nine all told. Ny first shot
was at the officer in command, who
fell dead my second at a private, with
the same result; my third missed its
aim. in consequence of my horse be-
coming very restive under the shout
ing and firing, and l killed Il mule
perhaps the most respectable individ-
ual of the whole party.
My shout being answered by Capt.
Philips and his party, the enemy con
ceived themselves attacked bya form
idable force, and yelling "look out
look out these Virginia horsemen are
upon us" They rushed in consterna-
ton towards their encampment, not
stopping even to seize their arms.
The Massachusetts regiment start
ed two companies down to protect
their party, but upon meeting them
flying in all directions, aud hearing
the firing and shouting, caught the
panic, and raising the cry of Virgin
ia Horsemen! Virginia Horseman !"
took the double quick also for camp.
In less than two minutes after my
shout and firing, my whole detach-
ment came up at thetop Of their speed,
when we sweptup the activity on the !