Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-07-02
How On Nan Chased a Thousand.

ES(S oh AAah ShADSN
The following extract from a letter written
by Capt. VIM. II. Werth to q friend in this
city, gives a graphic account Of his daring on
slaught on the enemy near Newport News some
weeks since; and as it is the first authorized
version Of a remarkable incident Of the war,
which has been variously reported, we give the
statement in full in Capt. Werth's " words,
dceniug it well worth a place in our columns
81 left our encampment at Bethel in com
mand of 90 dragons, selected from the lamp
ton Dragons, Capt. P~hilips-himselr making
one Of the party. My object was a close re-
connoissance Of the enemy's position at New
port News.
Having reached q point about 81 miles FROM
that post, | observed. with the aid Of my glass,
eight men clustered together on the shore,
above the cnemy's works, and in q moment af.
forwards saw them in full run towards their
eBcampment. 1t the time Of making this OBJ
serration l was accompanied by Capt. Philips
and three ~privates, tho remainder OF the de-
tachment being in the rear. 1t being indis'
peosable to the attainment OF my 0oJect that
this picket should be intercepted In order to
prevent alarm at the post, we dashed down the
road, (%running parallel with the river anu
leading to Newport News,) for some three
| miles in pursuit, when 1 detached Capt. Philips
and his three men to the right to cut oil their
retreat, while / pressed on still further TO:
wards the fortibcation to mike sure OF
interccpting them if they escaped Capt. Z.
When within about three hundred yards OF
Newport News, and having turned towards
| the river, l found myself within 90 yards OF
i party Of the enemy, engaged in cutting wood,
| their muskets stacked around a pine tree
Not having been observed by them, | drew up
| under cover Of a thicket, and found the party
to consist OF twenty.seven prlvates. one con-.
missioned officer and one non-commissloned
Office
Just then the picket guard, which Captain
| Philips party had failed to cut oil, rushed into
the camp Of a Massachusetts, regiment encamp-
! ed outside Of the works and not more than lGO
Yards from where l was, and. sounded the
alarm. Isaw that whatever | had 10 do must
be done quickly so | drew my revolver, gave
q real Camanche war whocp, and dashed into
the party OFFS, all told. My first SHOT was at
| the ofi Ger in command, who fell dead my sec
ond a. q private, with the same result; my
tnirn missed its aim, in consequence OIL my
horse becoming very FESTIVE under the shouting
and firing, and killed a m~ulc-perhaps the
most respectable individual Of the whole party.
NV shout being answered by Capt Philips
and his party, the enemy conceived themselves
attacked by a formidable force, and yelling,
'look out! look out these Virginia horscmen
are upon us!' they rushed in CONSERVATION
towards their eucampmcnt, not stopping even
to seize their arms.
the Massachusetts Regiments started two COM
panies down to protect their party, but upon
meeting them flying in all directions, and hear.
ing the firing and shouting, caught the panic,
and raising the cry Of Virginia Horscmen!
Virginia Horsemcn !" took the double quick
also for camp, In less than two minutes after
nv shout and firing 10y whole detachment came
up at the top of their speed, when we swept up
the activity ON the left flank Of the MaSSachu-
sets Regiment, gave three cheers, within l50
Yards of a battery of two twelve pound pieces,
and retired at o walk until We reached the
woods.
it seems, from the report of a prisoner,
taken al the battle of Bethel, that ice stamped
ed the aohole regiment; as they all took refuge
from 1.-The Virginia Horseuen' within the for
tiflcations as fast rs their legs could carry
them. We suspected Us much at the time.
This is a correct statement OF an incident
that has been so Y~ariously stated in the papers.
Altogether it was the richest scene | ever wit
messed, and to hear the Hessians screaming,
Virginia Horsemen! Look out! look out!'
With only orc man after them, was worth a
whole week Of ones life.
Capt. Philips and his men proved themselves
on this occasion to be Of the very best matcri-
al for sny emergency.