The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-08-02

N. c. Cavalry, which we record with pride and
pleasure.
= HEADQUARTERS, 4TH Me- CAVALRY,
Near Petersburg Va, June 20th, 1864
After the engagement of the 9th inst report
OF which has been rendered by me, this regiment
Was pacedsto watch the enemy on the Broadway
and the City Point road, and to guard the same.
Monoay the 18th an attempt was made by him to
capture my pickets, and to surprise my camp. In
this he was foed, and two of his men captured,
with their horses and equipments Tuesday |
threw some earthworks on the Bay lor Farm on the
City Point road, extending across the same, and
about three hundred yards in length. This work,
though not complete, was quite strong
At an early hour Wednesday morning tae enc
my, the 3rd New York mounted rifles attacked my
advanced pickets and drove them to the reserve
post. Captain James l. MITCHELL brave aud
gallant oficer-n charge of the pickets, fell back
slowly aud in good order to the entrenchments,
hghtng him most stubornly, and retarding his
movements. At quarter before FIVE a. m came
up with the command. By this time two necae of
Graham's battery arrived, which had been nrp.
viously ordered up by me; they were soon in posi-.
tion and well served. The regiment of cavalry
was beaten back, but only to give place after short
interval to much larger force aSinfantry-Over
four hours the contest now ragged: charge after
charge was made by the enemy, and as often re-
pulsed Their line long, and we'll dressed and
compact, in the beginning of the charge, rapidly
grew shorter and irregular as they advanced, clos
ing up their thinned ranks
At length, overpowered by numbers, and having
exhausted their ammunition, the men in the
trenches retired in good order: not however, until
the enemy on the left were in few yards of the
pit Nor did these on the>right wing leave until
halt OF the entrenchments on the left were filled
with the enemy, and their standards planted on the
embankments
During the engagement another section Of Gra-
hams battery was brought up and posted on the
right, and, under the management of its gallant of
fcers and men, did very effective service.
10 meet flank movement to my left on the
Broadway road, Capt Bell of company g. was senr
with about one hundred men. He fought the ene-
my with great coolness and spirit, keeping them in
check for hours and only yielding to overpoHering
numbers.
A number of prisoners, since captured from the
five reg ments that confronted me, report their loss
to be upwards of one thousand, n killed. wounded
and missing. My loss was two killed and eight
wounded
When we consider the numbers engaged, this
fight, though small, yet fruitful in its results
A large column of the enemy was held in check
over four hours Time wAs thus afforded to col
lect and distribute our forces to advantage; weak
points were securely guarded. Without this Ge-
lay, Petersburg must unquestionably have fallen,
and all her patriotism and phiauthropy-so kind
lyremembered by every soldier-havc met an Jude
served recompeuse. Thus the fourth North Caro-
lima cavalry, aided by Grahams battery, a second
times saved the city of Petersburg from the hands
of the enemy.
Valuable assistance was rendered me by It. Col
Cantwell by his attention and promptness in the
execution of orders OIL the field.
am Captain, most respectfully, your obt servt
ID. ID. FEREBEE,
Col 4th ~ G. Cavalry.
*Col Ferebee here .alludes to the fortunate ar
rival of his regiment in the streets of Petersburg
the 9th inst They had just reached the crest
of Reservoir hill, when the enemys cavalry, 1900
strong, under Kautz and Wilson driving tie Mill
tia before them arrived at the foot of the same bll
and within or near the corporate limits Graham
quickly unlimbering opened on the enemy with
grape and canister. Ferebee pushed forward
few dismounted men as skrmishers under Lit Col.
Cantwell- The enemy hesitated. Gen. Dearing
Immediately ordered Col Cantwell to charge them
with single mounted squadron. These sprang
forward with yell, when the enemy turned and
fed, leaving in our hands splendid piece of riH-