The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-22

S"SSPiHS BaiiOpl 10 hnTOW Ine TeRlElent
into, and II possible, beyond Stevens
buig in front of the enemy. On reach
Ing this point we found the enemy had
retired. / therefore detached Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Frank Hampton, with about
forty men, to move down the Richards
Ferry road and find out what force
was there, II any. He had not pro-
column of cavalry advancing. 1t turn
ed out to be Gregg's division, support
ed by Ames' Brigade Of infantry, ap-
preaching on the Richards Ferry road
1t looked like q desperate venture to
put one small regiment against such
largely superior force. but 1t was rather
a desperate situation, and nothing was
left but to make the best resistance pos
sible. Accordingly dispatched courers
to Generals Hampton and Stuart, who
were engaged some four or five miles
to our left. with other columns OF the
enemy. and made the best disposition
l could to check Gregg's advance. For
turately we had camped in that vicinity
the previous winter at, Sandy spring.
and were therefore familiar with the
country. A steep. thlckly wooded ridge
extended from and beyond the Richard S
Ferry road as far to the left as Hans
boiough's house. ! instructed Colonel
Hampton tp occupy the road where
the ridge crosses dt will, his mounted
race of anything thn)t came up the road >"
while ! deployed the remainder of the
regiment along the crest of the ridge
as far as Hansborough's house. On
Hampton's right the country was closed
by strong fences, over which mounted
troops could not operate without de-
lay. This gave US q strong position
which we could have held for some
time but for an untoward event, which
l VIII now explain at the risk Of being
tedious in giving details
AS ] have stated, left Lieutenant
Colonel Hampton with mounted de-
tachment in the Richards Ferry road
with the orders / have mentioned. de-
ployed the remainder of the regiment
dismounted in their order along the
crest of the hiil as far to the left as
Hansboroughs house, 80 as to get a
plunging fire on dhe enemy as It came
up the steep hill in front of our position
ata5or T. j. Lipscomb was placed in
charge of the left, while l occupied
about the centre of our line. We had
scarcely got the alignment completed
when Captain. William d. Farley. Of
General Stuart's STAFF, came to me from
Stuart to ascei tain and report to him the
s!tuatioEt About the SO me time Lieu
tenanh-Coionel afterwards Brigadier-
GeneraD William H. Payne. OF the
Fourth Virginia Cavalry, splendid.
chlvaaric soldier and gentleman, brought
me a message from Colonel Wickham
that he had arrived with his regiment,
the Fourth Virginia, and one piece Of
artillery. to support me. informed
Colonel Payne of the disposition / had
made of my own regiment. and request
ed him to say to Colonel Wickham.
masmuch as he ranked me, / would
cheerfully take up his orders Col.
paSne returned to Col Wtckham and
brought back the information that Col.
Wickham preferred that continue with
my plans of action. ] thereupon sug-
geAted that Col. Wickham move his
regiment up TO supporting distance of
Col. Hampton, prepared for mounted
service, except two squadrons, to be dis
mounted and deployed on Col Hamp-
tons right. and the piece of artillery
placed where II could render assistance.
that we could hold the left of Hamp-
tons position because of the great ad-
vantage over the enemy the high ridge
afforded. Just what was done by Col.
Nlckham in pursuance of these sugges-
lions have never known.
Very soon after Col. Paynes depar-
ture from this last interview a line of
mounted skirmishers attacked our po-
sltion, riding up to within thirty or
forty yards. We withheld our fire un-
I'll they came within that diskance.
when well delivered volley drove them
back. They made second attempt
with the same result.
Just he;e let me digress TO relate an
amusing incident. Companies G and I
OF my regiment were armed with long
rarGe Enfield rifles: the other com
panies with carbines Of different styles.
Farley was sitting mounted next 20
me on the line where Company G was
stationed when the bluecoat skirmishers
delivered their fire. Farley drew his
pistol and spurred his horse through
our line. firing as he advanced AS we
were the only two persons mounted on
that part of our line. / thought we were
exposed quite enough, so l ordered Far
ley Eack. About that time Fayette
Turner, of Company G. who was stand
ing within three feet OF me- discharpe
his gun. He turned to me and remark
ed very coolly: Colonel, / got that fcl-
low on the gray horse" / saw the
man ease himself down from his
horse and the gray hoise trot off TO
the rear. and I supposed he had dis
mounted to get behind tree or rock TO
open fire. So i replied rather sharply
to Turner: Reload your gun, sir: he
has dismounted to get US" But Tur-
ner was right; he had killed the man
who turned out to be an officer. Turner
wore striped souch hat, and alto
gcther presented rather debonair
devil-maY care air. which attracted INV
attention. 1t Was about this Incident
that Farley and ] were laughing when
we were struck later by the same shell
Satisfied with the condition of af
fairs on this part of the line, j rode as
rapidly as the thick woods would per
nit down the line towards where Hamp-