Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-13
For the ENQUIRER.
TOT IN6 LHYHTI''
~, ~. r. Muuford and his Cavalry.

soon Of the deeds Of heroIsm aud darlne o's'
nIarod in-the battle Of the 2lst, no mention
bac bcen made of tho squadron Of cavalry com
rnnndad NV Lieut.. Col. Thomas I. Muniord.
Il, ;S far from the intention Of the writer OF this
~ 5at-,ct one leaf from the well won wresths
hat nov deck the brows Of those who partlcl'
n,ted in the struggles and perils of that event
fnI dav. But simply to do what no considers
m oct of iusticc, to o most modest gentleman
ND cb;val2ous soldier. One from whom it will
revcr he known what part he played, and
others who arc acquainted with the facts, must
do him justice.
5oscd # the Chesterfield Troop, Capt. William
r Rail ard The Fanquier Black Horse, Capt
William II, Payne. Col. Munford formed his
command early in The morning, near Mltchelts
ford the scene of the fight Of the 18th. They
we're FIRST drawn up in the public road, but,
owing 10 the large quantity OF dust, were
ordsred to fall back to q thickct near by.
Where for more than two hours the balls OF
the cncmy's long range guns, passed directly
over their heads, making strange music, but
the men stood il like ~ar worn veterans. AN
order vas now sent that all the cavalry should
,rocecd at once higher up the Run to the scene
If actiop, which order Col. Munford executed
at once. On reaching the point designated he
found large bodies Of cavalry drawn up in
different parts of the field. lie promptly sta.
Toned his command in u position to secure
them from the enemy's fire and quietly awaited
further orders.
4 little before five in the evening Captain
Psvne, who had ridden over the hill to see how
the fight ragged, met with Col. George W. Lay,
of the Confederate army, on his way with an
order from Gen. Beaurcgard for the cavalry to
pursue the enemy; and, although hundreds of
tho wounded and dying had passed by, the
blood upon their persons telling the tale Of
danger and suffering that those who parlici-
patcd' in the fight might expect, there was no
holding back or hesitation manifested on the
part of off GERS or men. The squadron was
formed in g column Of fours, facing in the di.
rcc!iOn Of the turnpike over which the enemy
were flying. The Colonel who was at the head
| Of the column at once gave the order, 'gallop,
march," which was Instantly obeyed, and kept
up for more than o mile and L half, when the
squadron was halted and formed by p~latoons,
not being able to effect the formation while in
motion, being thea in n thick wood. Colonel
! Munford now ordered Captain Payne to take
twenty men and scout the turnpike road, think.
Ing his cen aand was ahead of the enemy
Capt. Payne, upon reaching tie turnpike,
found tha. the enemy had advanced opposite
Col. Munford's force. Capt Payne's party ar
rested two men, who were sent Immediately
to Col. NJ, who ordered them to be taken to
Manassa.
The order was TOW promptly given 10 charge
| in the direction of the turnpike. Each trusty
blade waved above The strong arms and steady
hearts that welded them, and with q war
whoop au Indian chief might have envied, they
rushed to the scene Of action. y good many
Of the enemy were killed in the first charge,
but q greater portion those first oVer.akcn,
| threw down their arms and asked for quarter,
which was At once given. At this point, sew.
eral wagons and ambulanccs, containing Inedi.
col stores, were taken and sent back. 4 large
number were now seen in u field some distance
of, and the order to charge them was given.
4 good many prisoners were taken froln this
farce, among them 4 Captain Griffin, Of the
Eighth. New York Regiment. lie was captured
BY Capt. Payne, whose charger carried him
Some distance in advance of his squadron. At
this point, they fell into m aEnbuscade but
owing to the iInpctuous charge that had been
made, which 50 alarmed The enemy that,
although there sas 9 full battalion concealed
III LIZ lIlllhC'Y tlsA bPSitSA g ~''N
upon Col. Munford's lines, not a man or horse
was Injured. lie was prevented from charging
| this party, by q high Stake1 and rydered fence.
Just then, a large body Of the enemy, with
baggage wagons and artillery, were discovered
a little distance 10 his left, and were bringing
their guns TO bear upon the squadron and
also Il column Of The enemy advancing IN his
rear. He then ordered his men TO fail back
over q hill Out Of sight, which was donc qui.
city and in perfect order; and Then conducted
them under the cover Of the hill, to a wood
near by. Soon after reaching the wood, ar.
tiElery was heard passing over the turnpike,
coming in The direction Of Col. Muniord's COM
mand. Several troopers were nov detached to
! iind out whether it was tho enemy Or our own
troops, who lad followed in pursuit,
lis scouts soon returned and reported that
| the troops passing down the road were a por-
ton OF the Second South Carolina Regiment,
under command Of Col. Kcrshaw, and two
pieces artillery from Cap. kcruper's battery,
commanded by Capt. kernplr in person. The
large force OF the enemy seen to the left, evil
dently being alarmed by Col. Munford's charge,
quickcncd their march to reach Cub Run
bridge, where they we're f1rced 10 cross with
their teams and artillery, the stream being Il
very rocky one and having few lordS upon it.
The enemy came into the pike a few hundred
yards above the bridge just as Capt Kemper
got bis guns in position. lie Immediately
opened fire upon them with terrible effect
Their CONSERVATION row became complete, and
everything was ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, guns, am
balances were ull deserted except by q few
s,ragslcrs, who remained behind, and
were put to fight by the Albemarle
Light Horse, commanded b. Major John
| Scott, Of the Confederate army, who had
followed on with Col. kershaw and Captain
kemper, and were stationed on the side Of the
turnpike, when they could advance rs soon as
the artillery ceased firing. As soon as Capt.
Kemper turned his guns to return to the Stone
Bridge Major Hill, Of the Confederate army,
rode up 10 Col. Munford's command and asked
for 4 troop of horse to assist Col. kershaw to
remove the guns from Cub Run bridge. Col.
Munford, who had gone to the point from
which the artillery fired, returned in a few
minutes md promptly complied with Major
Hills request, and proceeded at once to the
bridge, which was found 10 be perfectly BARI
caded by the guns and wagons which had been
left. When Col. Munford reached the bridge
none OF the guns had been removed. lie immedi.
a,cly ordered his men to diSmount and disengagc
he guns, saying 10 b. or Scott that he would SUI
perintcnd the removal. a portion Of his com
lnand, Capt. Paync's troop, had been out on
picket duty all day Saturday and Saturday
night, near the lines Of the enemy but worked
without complaining until alter two o'clock
A. NJ, d Smuggling The guns, and c~a!ssons and
taking them up the bill from the bridge, Col.
Iuniord remaining all the time and working
as hard as any trooper on the ground. They
reached tic ) one bridge with the prizes they
rad taken a little bslore dawn, which amount
ed to ten guns and :heir c~aissors, and among
them the large Scige gun called, understand
Tom. There were several which had to he left
for the want 0f cams 10 draw them. Leaving
the Stone brldsc Just ut dawn, the squadron
got into Maaassa ahou. h~alf-7aSt nine Monday
morning. and were greeted with cheer inter-
cheer as :iey passed the different encampn,ents
,I,rr ,i,n rni,. rrt, THO Stone bridge tn the