Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-07
FROM A WAR DIARY.
Thrilling Incidents of the Battle OF
TreyiIiinn's.

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
The enclosed diary of Charles ". Nc
Vicar, OF Winchester, former member
of Chew's Battery. afterwards Thomp-
sons Battery. will be interesting reading
70 all old soldiers, especially cavalrymen,
who well recollect that famous command.
1t will be remembered that Major Thomp-
son was killed at the High Bridge ADrii
g. 1866, on the retreat to Appomattox
Courthouse. He and Captain Breathed, or
the same command, Stuart Horse Artil-
lery. are buried in Stonevall Cemetery.
Winchester. side by side. What gallant
soldiers they were Is well known. On
recent trip TO winchester ] visited their
graves. / afterwards called on Mr.. Nc
Vicar. whom I had not seen since soon
after the war, and he showed me his
diary, written often in the field each
night, and / persuaded him to give me
copy Of part Of It relating to the battle
Of Trevillian's Station. Thinking it would
be interesting reading 1 send it TO you.
Respectfully, &c. Z. j. WHITE.
I forgot to say that Mr.. McVicar is
commander OF General Turner Ashby
Camp, Confederate Veterans. p. ]. w.
Winchester, Va.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN SOME
MOVEMENTS OF THOMPSON'S BAT
Terry OF STUARTS HORSE ARTIL-
LERY, FORMERLY COLONEL r.
PRESTON CHEW'S BATTERY; FROM
A DIARY, WRITTEN OFTEN ON
THE FIELD. JUNE 10, 1864:
Bugle sounded at o'clock A. NJ. Just
daylight. Wa are marching by the
Yellow-Tavern telegraph road. then near
the Central railroad, by Bumpass Sta
Ill NJ Eof NaNGr
have I seen IL rain harder for an hour.
Next day. through Louisa Courthouse,
near Treyilllan's Station, Saturday June
uth.
We have been marching parallel with
Sheridan, from two 10 five miles apart,
for tie last thirty-six hours. Often see
them. Their object is TO flank US, and
destroy the railroad. They have cut IN
between General Hamptons old division
and General F1tz. Lees division.
Custer has Ranked our left; General
Rosser is after him with QUE brigade,
leaving our battery with no support.
Custer found Rosser had headed him of.
and wheeled his brigade on US, capturing
our caissons, the cavalry-led horses, ana
our wagon-train. The battle Is despe-
rate-enemy on three sides OF us In the
woods. Major Chew ran seven guns to
n ktlOll IN n ldIEf1 lAtl4t anu NC blNH -
to the right, left, and front, as fast as
they break cover at any point. Had 70
cease firing north, as General Rosser Is
coming on Clusters rear. ard. under our
fire, Rosser has recaptured the led horses,
wagon-train, our caissons. and about 200
Yanks left TO guard them. The firing
very rapid. We are all tired, but working
with a will. Three O'Clock, mending our
lines. / am with the 2-pound Howitzer,
sent forward to be sacrificed, to give time
for a new line to be formed half q mile
I'm our rear.
We are lying down on the hot sand,
ammunition ready and every man at his
post for instant action, with double-shot-
ted grape. A hot fire OF shell is feeling
for us. General Rosser and staff have
been accommodating too close, and were
fired upon. They are coming this way.
Major Chew's mare is bleeding badly.
Two aides steadled General Rosser on
his horse. They stop in a small yard
near US. General Rosser is having his
wounds dressed. When we find him faint
ing several OF us run and help him Off
the horse on the grass. Find he Is shot
through the leg. Cut high cavalry boot
off him filed with coagulated blood. Put
rag tourniquet on his leg and got them
all away out OF danger.
Brtner, our gunner and / got on the
top Of a rail fence, and sat there looking
at the snemys movements; he on one
panel, on the next. a shell struck the
stake between US; he fell on one side.
on the other. Both stunned, but not
hurt l saw a splendid horse running
between the lines. Temptation too much.
Mounted and after It. Just as he leaped
the fence about one length ahead q shell
passed through him. L got down, took
saddle, martingale, breast-strap. and a
fine leather saddle valse. swung them
behind my saddle and mounted my Lare.
The enemy did not fire at me, although
only about one hundred years off, until
/ started back, then they sent hornets
nest Of bullets after me. Can almost
hear them tipping by yet. our gunner
sent our horses back. Enemy charged the
howitzer. Only ten OF US and the drivers.
No support. We gave them double
shotted grape They stopped to deploy,
and we ran the half mile 10 protection,
under the fire Of the rest OF our battery.
Night. Battery moved back. Found my
captured yalise (which was price. Two
all-wool cashmere shirts, two linen shirts,
drawers, socks, handkerchiefs, and a use
full hussy filled with needles, thread, but
tons, etc.-an officers outfit.
June l2th-Both sides strengthened lines
and feeling with artillery the others posi-
tons. General Fitz. has come in with his
division We are sure Of some hot work
to-day. Rails are being formed into bar
rcades. lines are doubled, wagons sent TO
tho rear. caissons not allowed 10 come
close, numerous signs Of hard lighting.
Boys cheerful and willing and full OF
jokes. TO me 10 looks as II some OF US
would fall before roll-call.
Noon, June l2th-kir5t section ordered
into action. They took position too near
a deep railroad cut OF six feet OF more
which was rapidly filed by a brigade Of
Yanks (dsmounted). They hardly eX-
posed a hatrim. The gun was some 200
yards from the railroad cut Corporal
Frank Rely from Summit Point, Jeffer-
son county "a cousin Of Captain James
Thompson). was acting No. >, and was
shot through tho breast. after which no
mechanically inserted the cartridge Qt
was rammed, then the shelD, and fell
dead without groan. He had his eye
shot out the year before at Barbours HILL
near Brandy Station. Then George
Nisewander had bullet 70 pass through
his left wrist-joint. They had to aban-
don the gun and take shelter behind the
old house. about thirty yards from the
gun. An order was sent back to the
second section 10 detail three men TO
take the place Of the dead and wounded.
Roberts jumped from the fence, which
We were sitting on docking at the ac-
ton In 'front.'. saying: There will be no
detail made here to help the boys am
Volunteer No. l." Powell and myself
also volunteered. and We mounted our
horses and rode off rapidly; gave our
horses to the householder, and ran be-
hind the old house. Jap. Pierce, OF Bal
timore Jour ensign, rodo up with the
colors and received two bullets. He
was sent back. / was ordered TO take
six men and bring the gun behind the
house by hand, and led them in that gall
ing fire Of death cau2ht the rinl,t