Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29


main line fired over their heads at the
advancing cavalry. The fire was too hot
for them. and very few emerged from the
woods.
ORDERED A CHARGE.
Seeing this, General Hunton ordered q
charge. 1t was an inspiring sight 10 see
those nearly half-staryed men move
with quick step across that narrow field
into the woods beyond and drive Sher-
idans brag cavalry back until they had
forced them out of the woods. across
another field. and out of the road which
they had captured. Having recovered
the road. our line Of battle was formed
In the road, with the fence-ralis thrown
down and piled up on the side next TO
the enemy. The rOad-cut itself furnished
US on the right the very best protection
There we took our stand. and Kept the
eLemy at bay, in spite OF the most des-
perate attempts on their part TO drive
US away or to force us 10 surrender
An open field was in our immediate front,
leading down to a long stretch OF woods
beyond. over this field the cavalry
charged time and again, now on horse
back. now on foot; but each time they
advanced they recoiled before the WELL
directed musketry fire that greeted them.
In one OF these charges about a dozen
of their men dashed around Corse's Bril-
gade on our left, and came charging
down I'm the rear Of our line shooting
and yelling like demons 1t was their
last charge All Of them were killed,
one being knocked from his horse by
one of our ambulance corps. and his
head crushed with a stretcher Thus
the battle went on for some hours, until
the enemy ceased their assaults in front
and began 10 overlap and threaten our
right TO prevent this General Terry
was ordered TO take position with his
brigade on Hunton's right. He soon re-
ported that the enemy were gathering
in great numbers in the woods TO turn
his flank, and that he could not hold
his position. General Hunton, being
called to support Terry, SAID he would
send his old regiment around there, and
that they would hold the position. This
movement placed our regiment on the
extreme right Of our line, and under
the immediate command Of General
Terry. Our position was in the edge of
the woods, where the enemy were gather
ing, and with the open field just behind
us. We had been there only a short time
when General Pickett ordered q retreat.
II was now about the middle Of the after
noon, perhaps later. During all these
hours In which We had been holding the
cavalry al bay the Federal infantry and
artillery had been coming up, and were
now posted on the hill TO our left and
rear where we were resting that morn
ing when the battle began.
MEANT CERTAIN DESTRUCTION.
To remain where we were meant GER
tain destruction or capture. Our only
hope was in retreat. General Terry
placed himself at the head of our regi-
ment and led us out into the open fields
towards point a short distance off,
where the woods which we had just left
approached nearest TO the woods out of
which We had driven the cavalry that
morning. If l am not mistaken, Stuart's
Brigade moved out at the same time
from the left of our division, but we
could not see for the woods. Hunton and
Corse forming the centre Of our line.
siill he'd the road. 1t was expected
mat they would follow us at the right
time. AS we were marching we had
woods TO our right and woods to our left.
Passing through the opening between
them, we emerged into a large field and
saw General Pickett and staff moving
out or the woods TO our right. OFF TO
our left about thousand yards distant
we saw lot OF cavalry gathered about
some burning wagons. Just in front OF
us some six or seven hundred yards off
was large and dense woods. extend
ing, we knew not how far, Offering us the
that inviting forest we FASTENED at quick
step, but in good order. Presently we
heard firing and cheering in our rear,
ana looking back, we saw the Federal
cavalry charging down I'm rear of Hunton
ana Corse and cutting off their retreat.
our situation was extremely critical. A
large BODY OF victorious cavalry was but
short distance behind us. and would
soon pe after us. To our left the same
cavalry were gathering about the burn
ing wagons, evidently preparing for
charge. But so long as we kent in good
order and showed no signs of panic or
n'Snt they did nothing but cheer and
IRE at long range. The question which
was uppermost in every mans mind was
can we reach yonder woods before the
cavalry head us off%' l have always be-
neVed that the whole column could have
zone So but for one circumstance. When
VIC had gotten little more than half
way across the field a servant brought
General Terry his horse, which he mount
eu ana rode off towards Pickett
ana stan. leaving our regiment and his
own men under the command OF their
reglmental officers. This had a demoralfz-
ing eject on Terry's men, who. seeing
their general riding off. broke ranks and
crowded more and more upon our regt-
ment. which was in front under commend
THIS confusion in turn emboldened the
cavalry TO our left, for soon we hea I'd
the Dusle sounding the charge. and saw
them rushing towards the woods 10 head
US on our men broke into a double
quick and then into a run. The head
OF our column reached the woods first
put Deiore the hindmost could penetrate
'ne roIDst me cavalry were upon them.
WOULD HAVE TO SURRENDER.
After going about a hundred yards into
me woods Major Berkeley stopped. saw
IIiS that ne could go no farther and
would have TO surrender He had been
shot through the ankle az Gettvsh,,re,
and was never afterwards able TO endure
much marching. At the beginning of this
Gay battle he had sent his horse to the
rear ana was not so fortunate as General
Ierry 10 get 1t back in time to make his
escape. Not being able TO make a good
run ms safety was In surrender He re-
leased us all from his authority saving
that IL we did not wish 10 surrender wa
could go. There was an Immediate scat
tering OF the head OF the regiment. some
going down ravine. and others bearing
10 the right. How many tried TO escape
i do not know. Only some TWENTY-FIVE
or thirty OF our regiment succeeded
Among these were Captain John Gray
N"'N'~HN "oh1 Il. James, SerSeant
Thompson Furr, and Private James Van
Horn. Captain Cray and myself kept
close together. had held on TO my big
navy revolver, and we did not mean to
surrender to any one or two pursuers
our escape was very narrow. Captain
Bichsler was captured when we were in
fuil view OF him, not over fifty yards OF.
according TO his statement, and he always
wondered why the same fellows did not
catch Gray and myself, for they went
right on In our direction Twice, as the