The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-22
From The NatchcZ Democrat.
"Reminiscences OF the War.


Tho recollection of General Wade Hamp-
toms forav upon General Grants becf-pen.
in the fall of 1864, is still fresh in the
minds of the men who lay for so long a
time half starved in the trenches around
Petersburg II was quite a brilliant ana
well-executed affair. IIampton's chief oil
ecouts, Sergeant Shadburne, OF the Jen
Davis legion Of cavalry, had made daring
reconnaissance into the enemy's lines, ana
ascertained the exact position OF the bcel-
pcn. and assured the General that he could
Guide our command to within o mile OF the
camp Of the cavalry guard detailed by Grant
to watch his meat supplies. He was perfectly
familiar with all the roads and by-pathS
leading to Sycamore Church. at which point
the animals were being grazed. Sowe march
cd to within ten miles Of the church and
halted to rest men and horses, and to perfect
the details of the next morning s work. Pick
cts were posted, the scouts sent out to scolu
the roads leading to the church, and the
weary command lay down I" sleep. Some
hours before daylight the bugle sounded
merily "to horse and off We trotted.
feeling confident that our experienced
leader was up to something which would
rebound to the glory Of our arms and the
benefit of our cause. Just as day was
,Iawninc the charge was sounded, and the
front regiment dashed ahead upon the enc
my's vidette and into the camp Of the sleep
ing Federas, Shadburne and his gallant
band of scouts Mt the head. The cnemy's
yidette fired his piece, reused his COM
rades, and the shots few thick and fast Tor
a while. The wild shout of victory was
but the death-knell TO some of the bravest
spirits there, and many of the men and Off
GERS of both sides were killed. hasty
prayer for the flecting spirits Of the dying
comrades, and the men dashed on to where
the vast herd of splendid cattle stood stupid
" gazing at the wild rout into which their
Federal protectors were plunged. And then
began the plundering of the rich commissa-
nv and sutler stores. Men were seen every
where smoking the finest cigars, drinking
toasts to fine liquors, laden down with blan-
kets, boots, butter, cheese, and confused
mass, such as only q hungry, half-famishcd
rebel plundering Yankee camp could
gather up. The camp having been tho
roughly ransacked, Hampton ordered his
Generals-Rosser, bearing, and w. II.
T. Lec-to get their men together, and
then came the command, back to camp"
JOlOnci Nullt. VI tHC lu"lAS lOShS;
IN the advance with his splendid
battalion Of Virginia cavalry. Then
came the balance of Rosser's command,
then bearing, and far in the rear, to keep
danger away from the bovine prisoners
1900 strong-camc w. II. +. Lee, with his
division. The sun was sinking in the West,
but not down, when a courier from White
announced that lie had met the enemy's
cavalry on the Jerusalem plank-road, and
they were too many for him. The spurs
were dashed into the sides of the horses,
and soon the wild yell announced that Kos
ser's troopers had made Il charge under the
lead of that daring General. AS General
Hampton spurred to the scene OF action
courier was met, "on foaming steed, a."
from Rosser, saying he had dismounted
his men and fought on foot until
not ten rounds of ammunition re-
muined to the man. Courier after
courier was dispatched 10 hurry up
General Lee. The cattle were turned Oft
into another road, and in the mean time
our horse artillery had been placed in posi-
ton to respond to the shots Of the enemy.
Who that was there can ever forget the wild
grandeur OF that scene? The sun shedding
its parting beams upon the battling hosts,
the heavy plunging of the shot and shell
through the ranks of men and horses, the
waving of battle-fags, the galloping of staff
officers and couriers over the field the de-
FAINT shouts of our men calling to the IAN
kees to "come and get some beef for sup
per-" al made up Il scene strangely mill
cling the sublime and the ridiculous. The
enemy Left our front just at dark, and we
,,uiptly took IN orr line of march to camp
The hungry infantry in the trenches re-
coiyed the news Of our good fortune with
shouts of joy, and they did not call ques-
ton the fighting qualities of tue cavalry
any more. And yet we had only kept up
the brilliant reputation they had always
given us as foragers. Never had such
steaks and roastS been seen in the army
since our Pennsylvania campaign. 1t is
needless to add that everybody enjoyed the
beef. .aE
Olive Logan, who frequently says some
good thing, is disposed TO be charitable in