Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-17
THE FAUQUIER BATTERY.
Intrepidy Of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Death of Private Joe Kendall.


Colonel T. NJ stribling in Warrenton
Index
August ,. 1862. McClellan's army was at
Harrlson's Landing, on James river;
Jackson had gone to Gordonsville TO see
after Pope the rest Of Lees army was
lying around Richmond, of which Gene
raj Toombs with his brigade and detach-
ments Of cavalry and artillery was in
advance at New Market Heights. OF
Toombs's command a regiment Of infan-
try and a battery Of artillery, az an out
living picket were stationed at Malvern
hin. five or six miles further down the
River road, in the direction or McClel-
lan's army.
on this day the Fourth Georgia Regi-
ment Of infantry and the Fauquier Ar
tillery composed the picket at that place.
our cavalry patroled the roads back
from the river. and were to give notice
OF the approach Of the enemy in tnat
direction.
About midnight Of the 81 cavalrymen
commenced 10 come in and reported con-
tinuously that the enemy. in large force
were fastening against US, on the Dach
road, by a night march.
When this information was sent 10
, General Toombs he ordered that the hill
must be held by all hazards; that he
wished TO make it the battle-ground, and
would move down his whole command
when assured that the enemy were in
force. The battery was arranged to meet
an attack from the direction or the caVal-
~ indicated, and the infantry disposed
as a support to it. In the position taken
their rear was towards the river, In nun
f.u W
tant.
At sunrise Hookers Corps composed OF
two divisions of infantry, one Of cavalry,
and several battaliOns of artillery, made
its appearance, and commenced 10 deploy.
Their cavalry promptly charged, ana
were repulsed, I'm confusion, before they
reached the guns. A battery Of artillery
was then thrown forward, and was ST.
fenced by our artillery fire before 1t could
fro more than two or three rounds. Next
they ran out from twelve 10 sixteen guns.
The four guns OF the Fauquier Artillery
engaged and fought them successfully
until about 1920 a. NJ, although within
the first hour two gunboats steamed up
and opened upon their rear, ana three OF
moro regiments Of infantry commenced
an advance in their front, and required
the chief attention Of the battery. During
the whole engagement not a single man
from General Toombs made his appear
ance. although no had been repeatedly IN
formed Of the strength OF the enemy.
About 1899 \. NJ, when their infantry
were close 10 us and we were making
arrangements 70 meet the final hazard
with bayonets and canister, we received
notice that a regiment of infantry ana
battery of artillery had arrived at tho
edge OF the wood on the River road
about a mile distant. It's commander
sent word that he could not get 10 us.
but would dispose his troops 10 cover
as best he could our retreat 10 them.
We tired our last round of ammunition
and retreated under cover Of its smoke.
We had TO run down the hill 10 the River
road. which passes by the wharf Off
which tho gunboats were lying. Their
cavalry was nearer the wood than we
were. but though they tried TO cut US on,
we made the run successfully. The two
commands then fell back slowly towards
New Market, delaying the advance OF the
enemy as much as possible by making re-
heated stands, so that II was midday
when we came in sight OF New Market.
Generals Lee and Longstreet had already
arrived, and the head OF the column Oh
their troops was IN sight. Hooker
Corps was leading the advance OF Mo