Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-07


cavalry We're getting into ba..le array.
The lines were formed near the station,
ana they began 10 move In our direction.
Evidently IL was the intention Of the enc
my TO CrCen our small force at once
with superior numbers. Column after
column was masscd I'm the meadow and
then sent forward. The ground was being
covered very rapidly b. the advancing
hosts. and the dead silence which pre-
vailed along my line as they got nearer
must nave deceived them. My orders
were for every man 90 keep on the ground
be.ind the breas, works, which were only
tNO cr three feet high, and when the
FIRST line Of the enemy had crossed the
ditch ia our front, the command would
DE given 10 fire. As already stated,
This ditch was not more than seventy
five yards IN our front, and when the men
rose with tie rebel yell and poured a
vOiley into the ranks of the enemy there
was great CONSERVATION and hasty
retreat.
DESPERATE CHARGES OF THE
ENEMY.
Tho battle was Joined in desperate
earnest, and when the Federals recovered
from IN -ir surprise there was a rally Of
he scattered forces. preparatory t.
another charge. The troops were massed
movements seemed quicker and more de-
termined but the fatal ditch was an OBJ
struction which they yer passed again.
Our men reserved their fire once more.
but they were growing impatient, and
did not wait TO see whether tn Fcderals
would attempt another crossing OF the
Gl.ch.
The second charge was rcpulsed with
equal gallantry, showing determined re-
time and heavier firing 70 drive them
back. Then followed a longer interval
between the charges, but for the third
time the e:fort was made b. the serried
ranks u tie enemy 20 press forward -
the goal OF their ambition. SO far as they
could see, there was TO impression being
made on our line, and they were no nearer
the capture OF the bridge than when
they first came I'm sight OF IL. This third
charge was resisted as before. and with
equal success.
The sun was going behind the hills. but
as yet there was no sign that General
W. II. T.. Lee had reached the enemys
rear His appearance on the scene would
mean relief Tor our little band, as we
knew that with the coming of night the
Fclcrals would have the advantage. for
they could easily make approaches TO our
line 10y digging riiic-pits, and BY this
means hem us in on three sides. Daylight
was important for the solution Of tn
problem, aud when the Fcdcrals gathered
for the fourth charge there Were mis-
gVings as 10 the result. On they came
however, and they were met with a gall
ing ire Of musketry. which grew even
more furious as their lines came nearer
At was during this charge that Lee and
his division struck the rear-guard Of the
Federals. and they were given an oppor-
tunlty Of lighting in opposite directions.
Only one result could ensue from this
state OF things which was their hasty
and immediate withdrawal from our front,
and preparation began FOR sudden re-
treat.
IN FULL RETREAT.
The road leading down to the river was
I'm their possession, and Il was soon flied
with a moving caravan OF wagons. am
balances. and troops. Their artillery on
the hills was turned the other way TO
prevent the advance of Lee and under
the cover Of a rapid fire from their guns
the retreat was speedily entered upon
ii was a tine Of suspense and anxiety
with ia. for we ala not know with GER
tainty that Lees command was in reality
on hand or whether IL was only a small
detachment which had caused the enc
my 10 f0rsake our frSnt. The sun had
gone down. and the shadows were thick
with the smoke OF battle. when IL grew
dusk there was positive ana unequivocal
relief, because one OF our videttes came
with the welcome tidings that the Fede-
rails were gone, and that Lee was occupy
ing the ground around the station. The
long. long day was ended, and the vic
tory was oursi
INCIDENTS OF THE FIGHT.
This account might be extended indef-
nitely with personal incidents and remi-
nisccnces. Only a few will be given.
however Colonel Henry L. Coleman. TO
whom The credit of the engagement Is
chiefly due. exhibited the highest qualities
Of q soldier. He was self-reliant. adj
nirably poised in manner and quick to
take advantage OF circumstances. l
WIS wounded rather early In the hight.
and was carried under the bridge, pro-
,acted nv the abutment Colonel Cole
man AZ once suggested that he would take
immediate command OF my END of the
line while he would pass the word along
tho trenches that ] was In charge OF
the left wing. and this was done. He
came and stood IN front Of me where l
was living on the ground and was re-
ccb-ing such attention as the surgeon
could give me. when ] SAW that he was
mourning great risk in remaining there
any longer. as the ihInit bhliS h'if
whistlinc by every moment, and he APP
reared unconscious OF the fact. i eau
toned him to step back one or two PAGES.
but his reply showed that he
did not appreciate the danger. and in
another minute he was brought up TO
the ground within few feet of me. a
bah had gone through the knee, and he
was disabled. like myself.
Ills stratagem had ended so far ms the
exchange OF commands was concerned,
and we had TO find another expedient,
which was 10 direct the fight jointly
through the young man who had been
made adJutGnt OF the commend. HIS
name was Lieutenant G. ID. Humphreys,
OF the First Florida Battalion. and he
had been detailed from my company.
After Colonel Coleman was wounded,
Lieutenant Humphreys most CALAMITY
met the responsibility upon him, and in
connection with the other officers faith
fully executed every order issued from
the disabled headquarters under the
bridge. Ny first lieutenant was j. q.
Moon. Company +. Thirteenth Mississippi,
ard he was detailed TO act as conmissary.
Hall af the t'.fty-firSt