Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-07
4 CRACK CAVALRY BRIGADE,
MORT HISTORY OF "BUTLERs'
SOUTH CAROLINA H0RsEMEN.
ILSO FOUGHT As INFANTRY.
macon Telegraph.)

In the spring OF 1864 the Fourth. Fifth
and Sixth regiments Of South Carolint
Cavalry were transferred from duty or
the seacoast OF South Carolina to yir
ginia, and constituted what was there
after known as 'I-utler's Brigade
though subsequently commanded by
Generals Dunovant, Law, and Logan
and Colonel Hugh K. Aiken. Being
armed with Enfield rifles. it's chief fight
for Itself throughout the Army of North
ern Virginia, as well as the Army of the
Potomac, the soubriquet of that fight
Ing cavalry from South Carolina" No
doubt the character and reputation OF
the brigade was due In great measure 70
the example and leadership of two such
generals NJ. c. Butler and Wade
Hampton. During the spring summer,
and fall OF 1864 this brigade was con-
rtantly engaged in active and arduous
service. as a reference to the battles in
which 1t was engaged will show.
Beginning with Drurys Bluff. Chester
Station. and Atlinson's farm, fought by
the Fifth Regiment, which served as in
fantry between Richmond and Petersburg
whilo awaiting the arrival OF the horses,
and the other regiments OF the brigade
from South Carolina, followed by the
battles OF Charles City Courthouse
Hawes's Shop and Cold Harbor, in May;
Trevill!on Station, White House. White
Oak Swamp, and Riddles Shop. In June;
Nance's Shop and Sappony Church, in
July; Gravelly Run. In August: Reams's
t.ation and the Vaughan Road, in Sep
TENDER. and Cummins's Farm and Bur
eesss Mil. In October, besides inaumera-
bic skirmishes. which, though sometimes
unpleasantly hot, did not attain to the
dignity or Importance OF being mentioned
as battles, and a record Is shown of q
pretty vigorous campaign
This constant service and fighting made
fearful havoc In the ranks OF both men
and horses. 1 do not remember the
losses OF the other regiments. but nv
own Che Fifth lost over 400 officers and
men In killed and wounded, besides about
% captured, during the six months above
mentioned. The chief fighting was done
on foot. with the rife but there were not
wanting the brilliant dash and headlong
charge with sabre and pistol, the shock
Of which the enemy seldom waited 10 |
meet. During this campaign Butler he'd |
peen promoted 10 be major general, to |
ccmmand Hampton's Division, and Colo |
mel John Dunovant, of the Fifth. TO the |
command OF the brigade
In the fall Of that year Wade Hampton. |
then lieutenant-generai, and command |
ing all the cavalry OF the Army of |
Northern Virginia. occupied with a part |
OF the corps the extreme right OF Lees
army. From Hatcher's run, ten miles
south OF Petersburg, his lines extend
ca Indefinitely to Stony creek and be-
yond, so as to protect the Southside rail-
road. and the Boydton plank road. and
mus TO Keep open the country from which
General Lee drew large part of his
supplies. The Southside railroad was |
Dne OF the main arteries by which sup
plies we're brought from Southern Vir-
ginia and North Carolina, and repeated
Anorts had been made by the enemy to
reach and destroy II. The first ttempt
,f eny strength was made by tho cavalry
'f Generals Wilson and Kautx, which,
however, was intercepted and literally
tut TO pieces by Hampton at Sappony
church. After this frequent attempts
we're made by the enemy to dlslodge our
'avalry on Vaughan road. and to cross
he Boydton plank road, in order to get
possession OF the White Oak road. in
he rear upon which they might advance
md destroy the Southside railroad, as
yell as 10 endeavor to turn Lees right
|ank. and force him 10 alter his lines,
or the defence of Petersburg and Rich
nond. or to evacuate them entirely
which General Grant finally succeeded
a accomplishing In April 1861
One of these demonstrations was made
D force on the morning OF October /.
ssi. but the enemy was driven back from
everal successive lines OF battle To Cum
,ins's farm, across Hatcher's run The
rave Dunovant was killed by 2 bullet
trough the brain while leading his bril- |
ode In brilliant charge on that day. !
ne last and most formidable attempt
, break our lines during that year 1850 !
ccurred on the 9th OF October. The :
Isemy's force. as we afterwards learned I
tom prisoners. consisted OF parts OF S
,ree army corps, numbering upwards of /
,op men. They advanced by several U
dads, which necessitated the retiring c
no concentration OF our cavalry at the a
q