The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-10-19

in bivouac around Atlee's Station,
Hanover county, Virginia, the 1st day
of June, 1864. We had been there
one or two days, moving there after
the severe cavalry fight at Haw' S Shop.
Stuart had but recently been killed at
Yellow Tavern, and Hampton was
commanding the cavalry corps OF the
Army Of Northern Virginia. Riding
into my bivouac little after sunrise
on the morning Of the I'd Of June,
Hampton asked me to mount couple
Of regiments and ride with him in the
direction Of Hanover Court House.
Reaching point where a road coming
from Peaks Station crossed the road
we were on in the direction OF Ash
land, we found ourselves Immediately
in the rear Of division Of the enemys
cavalry which had passed on toward
Ashland and was thea just in front OF
us. The road was narrow and OBJ
structed by a thick, bushy forest, in
consequence Of which one could see
but a short distance, and while the
enemy was not in sight so recently
had the rear of his column passed that
the water from branch was still run
ming into the tracks made by his
horses in the mud ON its bank, not
having had time to fill.
General Hampton directed me to.
follow up in the rear Of the enemy
cautiously, and galloped back to
gather the balance Of his command,
with a view to making flank attack.
/ soon overlook the rear Of the enemy's
column, which had no rear guard out,
and completely surprised them, dashed
into the rear and captured a great
number Of them. The effect of this
rear attack was to scatter the enemy
in every direction through the woods,
breaking up his organization; but in
doing so ] incumbered my men with
prisoners, horses and wagons, and be-
fore General Hampton could relieve
me by the proposed flank attack, /
Was loaded down with my captures
and had but small force and very
hard fighting to do.
I had kept only two squadrons IN
the saddle unincumbered; the balance
Of the command was guarding the
prisoners and captured property.
Being in no condition to press the
enemy, I was preparing to halt and
strengthen my position SO that l
might hold it until Hampton could
create diversion on the flank in my
favor. But the enemy in the mean
time discovered my presence, rallied,
and came back at me with all he had
left. My men knew from the prison
ers that confronting me was division
Of cavalry under General Wilson.
General Wilson and his men did not
know who was confronting them, as
they had captured no prisoners.
When the head Of the attacking
column Of Wilson came in sight Of
my two little squadrons, it halted,
but within close pistol range, and the
head Of my column, which I was still
slowly moving to the front, also
halted, and the two opened pistol FIRE
on. each other. I knew if Wilson
succeeded in getting his men to make
the charge, my little command could
not Withstand his heavy column, and
would be captured, and all the prison
ers and property which I then held
would be recaptured. 1t was neces-
sary that should make an extraordi-
nary effort to save myself and my cap
lures. A curve in the road prevented
Wilson from seeing the rear OF my
command, he was therefore unable to
estimate it's strength, and not knowing
who was, and somewhat demorallzed
by rear attack, his men hesitated
about charging me. My men, how
ever, knew their numbers we're few,
and that the enemy in front was
numerous, and apprecating the situa-
tion were cautious, to say the least.
1t was important for me to make a
dash at the enemy, if nothing more,
to prevent him from laundering down
on me, for knew that if they sue
ceeded in charging me was lost. |
rode to the 'front.' exhorted my men,
and begged and implored them to
charge the enemy, firing at the enemy
myself with my pistol. The enemy
seeing my command hesitate, urged
his men forward" and they were on
the verge Of moving-had actually be-
gun to move-when one Of my couriers.
vouth about seventeen or eighteen