Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-06-27

had orders to proceed as far as possible
towards Richmond 1t being thought
possible to capture the whole detachment,
dispositions were accordingly made, but
upon the appearance of the second squad
ron of the Ninth Composed of the Caro-
lima Dragons, Captain Swan, and Lees
Light Horse, Lieut.. Hungerford COM
handing under command Of Captain
Sven, the enemy's outpost hastily gal
Hoped back, and their main body took to
fight, Captain Swans squadron dashing
after them down the road, making a
splendid race OF two miles at killing
pace, Having proceeded thus far, and
near the Court House, the enemy seemed
to have been reinforced, and made stand
on the road, and in fields to the right aud
left of it. Thinking to flank them, and
capture the whole force, Colonel Lee, of
the First, proceeded round their position
to cut off retreat, but the movement oc-
cupying longer time than desired, the
second squadron of the Ninth prepared
to charge. And as they trotted toward
the enemy the Federal leader could be
plainly seen and heard haranguing his
troops, urging and begging them to act
like men, and stand.
His eloquence was of no avail, and, as
the second squadron of the Ninth in
creased their pace, and came near to Them
with flashing sabres, the Federal officer
galloped toward them, thinking his men
would follow. Not SO, however, and as
he wheeled his horse back again, our
men we're upon him; he fell shot in the
head his men gave feeble volley with
pistols, and scampered off the field in
ludicrous style, leaving killed and wound
ed behind, and many prisoners. Cap
turing outposts and pickets in great
numbers, and, overtaking wearied horse
men, it was ascertained that the force
engaged were squadrons of the Fifth
United States Regulars, who had seen
hard service in Texas and the Indian
countries, and had never refused a charge
before. Their camps were reported to
be adjacent, and proceeding thither,
everything was destroyed and put to the
torch.
From several captured in and about
these camps, il was ascertained that sew
eral Regiments were waiting for our ad-
vance up the road, and as their pickets
were stronger aud more numerous than
usual, it was deemed advisable to halt.
The second squadron of the Ninth were
dismountod and thrown to the front, (on
the skirts of wood, to the right and left
Of the road, to act as skirmishers and
defend the artillery, which was moved up
aud took position commanding bridge
in the hollow-thc enemy's force and ours
being screened from view by rising
ground at either end Of the road---our
force being farther from the front
than theirs. Appearing IN considerable
force, the enemy advanced in admirable
order, but suddenly facing to tho right
about, were quickly retreating, when the
dismounted men poured CALLING yolley
into them, emptying many saddles and
causing much confusion. Reforming.
they were second time reinforced, aud
came on to the charge up the rise in gal
liant style.
Burning to distinguish themselves, the
third squadron of the Ninth Composed
of the Essex Light Dragons, Captain
Latane, and Mercer County Cavalry,
Lieut. Walker commanding, under com
mand of Captain Latane bad received
orders to charge the advancing enemy,
and, putting spurs to their steeds, dashed
calamity along the road, the brave La
tame fifteen PAGES in front. A." Cut and
thrust" shouted the Federal commander.
"On to them, boys" yelled Latanc, and
the meeting squadrons dashed in full
shock together. The front of either CO.
lumn were endorsed, and the fight be-
came instantly hot and bloody Captain
Latane singled out the Federal COM
mander, and cut off the officers bat close
to his head, but the Federal lodging the
cut. rode past, and, as he did so, dis
charged two revolver loads at Latanc,
killing him instantly. The enemy ra-
pidly giving way, our mon shouted in
triumph, and cut right aud left, pistoliag
the foe with frightful accuracy and havoc;
and seeing the Federal commander in
pursuit of Adjt. Robins, who was him
self in pursuit Of an enemy, a private
dashed after him and Glove his skull in
twain The battle between these rival
squadroDs, though Of short duration, was
fierce and sanguinary in the extreme.
Scattered in all directions, and apparent
ly paralyzcd by the relentless fury Of this
corps, the enemy fed in every direction,
leaving killed, wounded, horses, accou-
trements, &c, in profusion upon the
dusty roads Successful pursuit being
impossible, their camps were visited and
destroyed wagons on the road were
oyertaken and burned, and the entire
route from Ashland by Hanover Court
House and Old Church TO Station No.
20 (Tunstalls, VIC belieye,) on the York
River Railroad, was naugbt else but
continuous scene Of triumph and destruc..
ton. Commissary and quartormasters'
stores we're seized and burnt at every
-. .....nnara and Loraaa wpro Caplurcd