Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-06-30
To The Editors Of tie Enquirer:
HEADQUARTERS 9Tn Va. CAVALRY,
June %, 1868.

IEA DQl AkIERS 9TH ' y. SAN ALki, : q
June %, 1868.
Gentlemen: We beg brief indulgence in
YOUR. columns that few items, connected
with one Of the most brilliant lite affairs il,
the history Of the war, may he given to the
reading public.
On the morning of the l7th instant, the 9th
cavalry being cncampcd near Middlehurg Il
detail Of about forty men WAS made and sent
out in the charge of Lieutenant Ewell, actiug
rcsimcntal quartcrmastcr, in quest Of corn.
Having proceeded in an caStcrly course,
about one mile. the LIST Rhode Island cavalry
rushed from body of woods in our front,
about three hundred yards distant. and dcliy-
cred fire. We replied sharply for few min
utcs, when the enemy rctrcatcd hurricdly.-
Fifteen or twenty of the detail pursued,
Keeping mp constant fire. After "skc-
daddling' in hclter-Skclter order about
eight hundred yards, seeing the small
number Of the pursuing party, the foe halted
and began to rally. At this time we had
pushed up in about - yards Of their column,
and some were firing, while the remainder
We're cndcavor;ng to get the prisoners and
horses already captured farther in the rear.--
But moment elapsed ere the Yankees had
rcguincd order and were hurting themselves
upon us with great fury. We fell back lei
surely across the field some 100 yards in
width. under heavy fire, carrying most OF
the prisoners captured. Gaining cover of the
woods we turned about and gave them leaden
hail in the true Confederate" style But Il
few moments passed. and their lines were
broken. panic prevailed, and each man, true
TO the Yankee instinct, sought safety for 10. |
in fight.
AT this important .iuucturc, the 4th squad,
ron, composed of companies G., (Lunenburg
Cavalry and II, Lee Rangers the former
commanded by Lieutenant n: f. Davis,
the latter by 1t. Pollard, the whole command,
ed by Capt. Tom Haynes, came up, and push.
ed on in hot pursuit, for distance Of about
five miles, down the road leading from Middle
burg to Thoroughfare Gap. The enemy made
no further show of fight, but relied on flight for
rescue. Our boys rushed on gallantlyy dashing
right into their midst with drawn sabres, cutting
right and left, discharging the pistols of the
captured into the ranks of their flying com.
rades, with deadly effect.
At almost every advance, squads Of the ter.
rihed foe who had taken shelter under cover OF
the woods, on either side of the pathway, rush
cd out with uplifted arms, besccching the boys
not to kill them, which was always regarded in
the most generous and noble manner. After
pursuing until pursuit was useless and horses
painting for breath, we were brought to a halt
Gathering up prisoners, horses, sabrcs, carbincs
and other suntlreS, we returned to Middleburg
laden with trophies.
In less time than one hour and thirty min
uteS. with not more than so men, we had cap
turcd 1916 prisoners, Of horses, arms; horse
equpagc &C., besides killing and wounding
not less than 60 of the Vandals. We sustain
ed no loss Of consequence not man hurt.
and only two or three horses slightly shot,
The prisoners all agreed i'll expressing an ut
ter Indifference at being captured, but felt
deeply chagrincd that the regiment had dis
sraccd itself and was well nigh annihilated.
But while it is humiliating to the arms of the
enemy, it is ennobling to ours, and especially
to the 18th squadron. Never did men act bet
ter, and where all done so well, and deserve
so much of their country. special distinctions
arc unjust. Respectfully, a. }. f.