Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-17

saddled up and fed an hour before dawn.
and moving at a trot across the open
| fields TO the Berryville road and 10 John
Ston's assistance. There was not fence,
nor a house, nor a bush, nor a tree 10
obscure the view. Way off, more than
two miles, we could see the crest Of the
hill, covered with cloud of Yankee cav
airy, and in front of them 900 yards in
'front.' was a thin gray line moving off
in retreat solidly. and with perfect cool
hess and self-pOssesslon. As soon IS |
got TO realize what was goisg on I
quickened our gait, and when within
mile broke into a gallon. The scene
was as plain as day. A regiment OF
cavalry would deploy into line and
their bugles would sound the charge
and they would swoOp down on the thin
gray line Of North Carolinians. The in
slant the Yankee bugle sounded. North
Carolina would halt. face 10 the rear
rank, wait until the horse got within 100
yards, and then fire as deliberately and
coolly as if firing volleys on parade drill.
The cavalry would break and scamper
back, and North Carolina would about
face" and continue her march in retreat
as solemnly, stubbornly, and with as
much discipline and dignity as If march
ing in review But We got there just in
time. Cavalry aids the Tarheels Ger
tainly, half dozen charges had been made
al the retreating thin gray line and
each and every time the charging squad
rons had been driven back, when the
enemy sent his line with a rush at the
brigade of Tarheels and one squadron
overlapped the infantry line. and was
just passing IL when we got up. In an
other minute they would have been be-
hind the line, sabering the men from
the rear, while they were held by the
fight in front. But we struck a head
long strain and went through the Yankees
by the flank of North Carolina and
carried their adversaries back 90 the
crest of the hill back through the guns
Of their battery clear back 10 their in
fantry lines. In a moment they rallied /
and were charging us in front and on !
both TANKS, and back we went in a hurry, /
but the thin gray line Of old North ,
back to the rest OF the infantry. and
formed lines a right angles 70 the pike, ,
west Of Winchester.
rode up to Bob Johnston. very
''piert," as We say in North Carolina,
and said l: Pretty close call that, Mr.
Johnston. What do you think now OF
the Yankee cavalrys fighting qualites| (
And the rest OF the day we enjoyed our
selves. We could see everything that
was going on for miles around. The
was entirely open. The day was !
beautiful. clear. and brght-Septemb
the 18th. They would form for forward
lines, one after an
sedately along until they
got within touch Of our lines then raise
a hurrah and rush in n charge and i'm
two minutes the field would be covered
with running, flying Yankees. There
were $1,000 infantry and 1000 cavalry
and 5000 mounted gunner. The thing
began at daylight and kept up till dark.
when nanked. and WORKOUT, Early re-
treated TO escape being surrounded.
This IS the story OF the Thin Gray Line
Of North Carolina, and the cavalry
charge a feat of arms before which that
Of Sir Colin Campbelrs Highlanders fades
into insignihcance.
BRADLEY JOHNSON.
Of Maryland.
Confederate States
Army.