The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-05
From the Land we Love for November.
Cavalry Sketches
BY GEN. RUFUS BARRINGER of CHARLOTTE, N. c

y
BY GEN. RUFUS BARRINGER of CHARLOTTE, Nc
Confederate valor does not rest, in popular
estimation on the achievements of Confederate
cavalry The infantry is thought to have won
all the victories the cavalry is charged with our
heaviest defeats. Towards the close of the war
when forage and faith alike failed him, the South
ern trooper, poorly mounted, roughly armed, and
quantity equipped picturing Saneho Panza
rather than the ''gay cavalier" became, to some
extent, the jeer and jest Of the army. No doubt
too, few commands were better known as fora
gers than fighters. But the imputation is unjust
to the cavalry as whole. The fame of our
noted leaders-Stuart, Hampton, Forest, Fitz
Lee Wheeler, W. H. F. Lee, John Morgan, W.
E. Jones' Chalmers, Gordon Duke and Rosser
is not delusion and myth. The deeds they
performed Justly entitle them to high repute, and
fully vindcate their arm of the service from all
reproach.
Still some people feign to believe, the cavalry
never did real hard fighting; and distinguished
infantry General hit the popular idea, when he
wittily profered reward for dead man wah
spurs om The delusion proceeds from miscon-
ception of the duties of cavalry, and disregard
of the physical features of the country. The
latter forbade the naneuvering of mounted men
in large bodies, and required them to act mostly
in detail. Hence great battles furnish no
such mounted charges those of Alexander at
Arbela, Hasdrubal at Gamma, and Ney at Water
loo. The cavalry do not share with our infantry
the honors of Corinth, Charlottesville and
Chickamauga. Nor do they count their losses
at Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Murfreesboro
Fredericksburg and Franklin. 1t is, neverthe-
less true that immense numbers of the youth and
manhood of the South persisted in the cavalry
| service. The most part on the out-posts-far
| to the front, or distant on the flank: often in
single combat, and most usually in skirmishes
| and actions, of which the general public rarely
heard | claim for these fallen heroes, fighting
as they often did, without supports and without
the need of renown, the highest attributes Of
proves and patriotism.
TO vindicate the cavalry service, and to render
to the brave officers and men ofmy late COM
mand, a proper tribute of justice and respect, |
propose to publish occasional sketches of the ac-
| tions and adventures of the ''North Carolina
Cavalry Brigade" | begin with the
| Caoo1ry Fight at Chamberlain Ram.
| On the 9th of March, 1865, General Grant
was reinforced by Sheridan with 5000 addition
al cavalry from the Valley. Two days thereaf
ter, the Federal commander began to move
against Petersburg. On the evening of the goth,
Sheridan seized Dinwiddie Court House. The
right of our army was guarded by the cavalry
division of Major General W. I'll. f. Lee. 1t
consisted of Beales (Va.,) and my On. c., J
brigades, and then lay at Stony Creek Is miles
from the Court House. Rain had fallen in tor
rents, and our column was forced I'd make long
detour South and West of Dinwiddie, in order
to head Stony Greek. Marching night and day,
leaving our trains behind, we effected crossing
late Oh the 3Oth, and camped that night on the
| White Oak Road, near the famous Five Forks.
| This point is some six miles North West of Din
widdie Court House, and was then held by Major
General Fitz Lee, the ranking cavalry officer of
Army Northern Virginia. Next day, March
31st, We moved out to feel the enemy Our d.
vision marched to the right along the road cross
ing Chamberlain. Run near Mrs. Crowder's
The Run is about midway between the Five
Forks and the Court House 1t was very full,
past waist deep, and overlooking its low banks,
nearly one hundred yards. The enemy occupied
| in force, its east bank
This was my day to move in front. | had
with me the 1st North Carolina Colonel Check;
the I'd North Carolina Lieut.. Colonel Gaines
and the 9th North Carolina, Colonel McNeill-
about 900 men, My other regiment-the Sd
North Carolina, Lieutenant Colonel Moore-was
back, guarding the trains As we neared the
Run, l threw forward a squadron Captain En-
win OF tho 5th) to reconnoitre. AS soon as the
Federals saw this they crossed over a mounted
force, formed line, and advanced towards U.S. I
was ordered by General w. Fl. F. Lee to dis
mount my front reg iment, the 9Th and hold
them IN check. Protected by forest and under
growth, the enemy proved rather strong for Col,
Mcneil. was then ordered to dismount nv
whole command and attack. Colonel Mcneil
held the right, Col. Cheek the left and Lieut.
I Col. Gaines the centre-slirhtlv to the roar nj
| the lst and 9th, the whole supported by Beale S
brigade mounted and by McGrecor's battery
Yin reserve.) After short skirmsh, nv line
advanced, and under the personal direction of
Gen. W. Fl. +. Lee, rushed upon the enemy with
great spirit-the I'd pressing his centre, and the
LIST and 9th sweeping his TANKS Reaching the
Run, Colonels Cheek and Mcneil plunged into
the water above and below the fore. dashed
across under deadly fire, and carried the Federal
lines on the opposite side. Numbers of the enc
| my perlshed In crossing, and their whole force
fell back rapidly towards Dinwddie Court House.
10 finish their rout, General Lee ordered up his
| other brigade to make mounted charge Gen
| beale found difficulty in crossing the Run. on
account OF distractions in the ford especially the
Killed and wounded-men and horses-in,Ded-
ing the way His first squadron over. it was
hurled against the fleeing foe This small but
gallant force, led by Colonel Savage. of the 18th
Virginia, In person, was some how repulsed. and
recolled with heavy oss,-two-thirds falling in
the charge. Instantly the Yankees rallied; and.
just then, receiving reinforcements. they sud
| denly wheeled about: and, in turn. repulsed nv
| two advance regiments. General Lee. seein1
the advantage of the enemy, both in numbers
and position, quickly ordered his whole command
| to re-cross the Run, and hold the West bank
Off nkol aonh