Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-27

sent home as trophies Whenever shell
failed to explode there was n scramble
10 sec who could get the prize. learn
ing 10 dodge bombs. on Matthias Point,
was Of special service to the boys
later on.
Some time in the latter part OF June
think II was. after shelling the point
for several hours, driving in our pickets.
the Freeborn, one or the gunboats that
had been harasslng US for some time,
approached to within fourth of a mile
10 shore. dropped anchor. and began to
land troops. The Sparta Grays, armed
with Sharp's rifles. under command Of
Major Ro. NJ Mayo and Lieutenant Will
liam NJ Saunders, made an attack
upon the Freedom. and not only routed
the Yankees that had landed, but poured
voliey after yolley into the gunboat
sIlencing her guns and killing Captain
Ward. a noted naval officer, who was in
command Of the vessel at the time, and
several others OF the gun crew. The at
tack was so sudden and persistent, and
managed with so much skill, that in less
than thirty minutes the Freedom had
cut anchor and drifted beyond the range
of our rifles. as we had no artillery.
While this charge upon the Freeborn
was, compared with subsequent events,
a small affair, yet II / mistake not. IL
was the second battle OF the war, and IS.
doubt not the only instance where a
company OF infantry forced a gunboat 10
cut anchor and retire with heavy loss.
During these stirring events l was deeply
! impressed with General Ruggles's SOL
dierly bearing. especially when he APP
peared among the soldiers I'm full uni
form. He was the first regular general
had ever seen. and have not forgotten
his somewhat gaudy uniform, shoulder
straps, and magnificent sword.
| Early one morning ]. with several
others, was detailed 10 relieve the picket
guard on the extreme point, but failed
in our mission, making a narrow escape
| from capture, as number OF the enemy
had landed and taken possession OF the
point. under cover OF the Pawnee and
other gunboats. As soon as We sue
/ ceeded in getting back within our lines
/ General Ruggles ordered US 10 report e
his Headquarters. lie received us kindly
/ but soon ascertained all we knew about
/ the enemy.
Just as the interview referred to was
ended a courier came up and reported
I that Yankees had landed some four miles
/ below and had set fire 10 the splendid
! residence OF Dr. white, erected IN Colo
NAL times. Thirty-five picked men
/ mounted, ana uAutl cOilliii~iI" y. -,
/ Mayo. went I'm pursuit, but too late. The
Yanks had returned TO the gunboats II
safety. and the residence, with It's con
/ tents. was a mass Of ruins
II mistake not. the troops, not onll
on Matthias Point, but all the way III
the Potomac to Aqua creek, were undo
the command Of General Ruggles unit
! a short while before tine first battle o
, Manassas. At that time the Spartf
/ Grays Company ID and the King Georg'
Guards with eight other companies
constituted the Thirtieth Virginia Reg
iment. under Colonel r. Milton Carey.
If time and your valuable space woult
| permit, / would he glad TO mention tn
! gallant conduct OF many Of the brave
boys who first saw service on Mathia
! Point. and sealed their devotion to Tn
| cause they loved by giving their life 70