The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-27

The Fight at Blacks and Whites, June q
1864.


The Fight at Blacks and Whites, June 20,
1864.
tFrom sloan's North Carolina History. Unpub-
nshod.I
This raid was well planned. General Grant
had ordered Hunter to move from the Valley
against Lynchburg and Southwest Virginia,
Sheridan had gone to tear up the Virginia
Central railroad. To meet these movements
Hampton and fitZ Lee had taken the bulk OF
our cavalry near Richmond. General kautz
commanded the Federal cavalry around
Petersburg and led the raiders advance. but
the real commander OF the expedition was
Maior-(ieneral James H. Wilson. fresh from
sheridan and full of hope and confidence
Wilson's aim was ~ 10 unite WIN WIN
Hunter. and it successful CD to strike
"Danyille and Greensboro" and thus
utterly destroy General Lees main lines
for supply But General t. T.. Lee ut once
realized the extent OF his danger, and ordered
the home guards and local troops all along
the line Of the exposed roads TO rendezvous
especially at the StauntOn-rlyer bridge
Major General w. II. L. Lee soon found
from his first days experience that his small
force of about 800 cavalrymen, bearings
brigade and three OF BaTrlngers regiments,
with two light batteries (Graham's and Nc
GregOrs). was wholly unable TO cope with the
two full divisions of the enemy IN regular
fighting But General Barringer also found
from his numerous attacks on the Federal
rear during the I'D that the raiders did not
really seek to fight. If they could well avoid
it. With them despatch was all important.
General w. Ii. +. Lee therefore determined
to change his tactics and risk the very haz-
ardous experiment of assailing the lankee
column in flank while the railroad wreckeIs
were engaged IN tearing I'D the track. ms
was General bearings day to lead. Dearlng
was a young Nlrglnian OF wonderful dash anu
enterprise He knew the country and beamed
with delight when General Lee made
known his orders. 1t was agreed to
put bearings strongest regiment, the
Fourth North Carolina, Colonel fere-
bee (about 800 mem. to harass the red
era rear and keep up show of light. Dear
ing then marched with great haste and
secrecy on n long detour 10 the Federal right.
and was ordered on approaching the lanAee
column III their work OF destruction 10
await the arrival of BarnDger and the bat
teries His zeal led him too far. he hap
pened TO come out at Black and Whites On
the Southside railroad Just between the open
column of Wilson and kautz. With amazing
daring he threw his handful of 800 men on
the whole 5000 Yankees. OF cour o. and
the smoke and flames of burning crOss-tles
and blazing forests and fences. ne gained a
moment OF triumph. but ere his supports
came up the Yankees rallied aud swept hls
men back Ia utter disorder. Mounted and
dismounted they came rushing out. but
DfavCly IRItlu- tucJ Dct. ANU liiiS
scene BaIrlnser came up aud ordered h 8
front regiment. the Second North
Carolina. Colonel Andrews, 10 dash
around bearings right and stretch
itself square across the open space on
the railroad and so threaten the rear of tue
the troops driving bearing lie then ordered
Lieu, tenant Colonel s. Is. Evan. of the Fifth
North Carolina, 10 dism unit bis command
aud charge on foot through an open wood.
Colonel Lvans moved slowly. and before he
could get his men In line Colonel Cowles
came up with the First North Carolina and
was ordered 10 lead. Meantime General Lee
(nicknamed "Koony") had himself gotten
the batteries in position and they were belch-
ing forth volley after yolley with admirable
eject on the advancing host. squad OF
Yankees had reached some of the guns. but
McOregor continued 10 fire the others until
the First and Fifth came charging up.
moments pause ensued. each side trying
70 reform for the deadly onset when the
rebel yell" was suddenly heard amid the
sharp crash of carblnes in the raiders rear
Major Roberts. of the Second North Caro-
lima. with a section of his regiment. had not
only held bis ground on the railroad, but had
actually swung around on the rear O
the advancing blue coats" BY thi
time toe, bearing and Andrews hac
rallied their scattered forces anC
gained the line OF Cowles and Evans
Brisker aud briskcr the fight went on, ant