The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-10-03

place, we felt satisfied that the campaign
was over, and that the wished-for period
of rest was at hand.
We resumed our march, and, toward
evening, reached Bealton, and finally en-
| camped in beautiful pine wood, near
to the railroad, where, in a few days,
log huts were erected, and the 9th engaged
in completing their Winter quarters.
The 9Th remained encamped at Beal-
ton Station until April 80, 1864 (from
Maj. j. W. Mahan's record in Adjutant-
Generals reports, guarding that portion
of the Alexandria & Orange Railroad ly-
ing between Licking Run and Bealton,
and also picketng portion of the line
from Freedman's Ford, on the Rappahan-
mock, TO WarrentOn Junction.
The duties performed during these
winter months were very arduous, and
required the greatest vigilance, in conse-
quence of the frequent raids of Mosby's
guerrlllas, and also of the notorious COM
pany of BLACK Horse Cavalry The
latter force was the first COMPANY of
cavalry mustered into the service Of the
Confederate States. 1t took it's name
from the fact that its first Captain rode
splendid black charger; and the com
pany was always known, even prior to
the war, as the Black Horse Cavalry, and
formed part of the Virginia Militia.
Several attempts to cut the railroad and
fooled by the vigilance and valor of the
9th, and its services were appreciated by
the division commander in an appropriate
order.
IN THE WILDERNESS.
On April 80, early in the morning, the
9Th broke camp, and at night biVouacked
near Freedman's Ford. On the morning
of May 1 the regiment crossed to the
south side of the Rappahannock, and en-
pgmpp1
they marched TO Culpeper; and on the
morning of May a, shortly after day
break, our weary veterans crossed the
Rapidan, without opposition, and BIZ
vOuacked the same night in the ever-me-
morable Wilderness.
Here we would fain rest our pen, leav-
ing others to write the sad but glorious
remainder of our story-tO tell the sacri-
flee of our young braves, the true and
trusty, who dashed into battle in the light
of our stars, and with visions of home be-
fore them, fell in the front in victory!
But history, which is not written for
today, but for all time, does not allow the
exercise of useless regrets or vain sorrow
ingS. 1t demands consistent following
of the record, even if to pen it the |
wounds reopen, and the old sorrows re-
turn afresh.
On the morning of May the enemy
was reported moving on our lines, and the |
line of battle was formed, breastworks of |
logs were thrown up, and about / O'Clock |
Il the afternoon heavy skirmishing com
menced. Shortly after, the regiment was !
ordered to leave the works and support
the first line, then advancing to charge |
the enemy's position.
The advance was through a dense |
wood, from which the enemy was driven |
into a small plain. Beyond this plain was |
another piece of woods, where the enemy |
was found to be intrenched In the ad-
vance the gallant conduct Of the 9th was
splendidly apparent. The officers, cool |
and fearless, fell fast, cheering their men |
on in their heroic work, careless of life |
and only wishing for a victory.
Upon reaching the plain, the enemy |
were found TO be in possession of sec |
ton of artillery; and Lieut.-Col. Hanley, |
then commanding the regiment, in the
absence of Col. Guiney-who, terribly |
wounded by a mimic ball in the left eye |
which was totally destroyed, had been |
carried TO the rear-Ordered a charge to |
recover possession of it; and for some |
time the conflict ragged desperately. But
the enemy We're finally driven to their
works, from which they poured most
destructive fire Of musketry on our still |
advancing line.
BY some mistake of orders, the regi- !
ment on our right did not move to our
support, and being thus exposed to flank |
fire, Lieut.-Col. Hanley ordered the regi- ,
ment TO fall back TO the edge of the woods, |
which was done in good order, and the |
line reformed. The enemy again ad- |
yanced to repossess themselves of the |
plain, but they were once more driven TO |
seek the shelter of their works and the |
disputed ground was held by the regi- |
ment until orders came from Gen. Griffin |
to fall back TO the line of breastworks.
The fierce battles of the 9th and 18th OF |
May followed, and the 9th with its for |
tune, was constantly in the front line; but |
the nature of the ground was better, af- |
fordng more protection, and the loss was, |
slight.
On May 8, after marching all night. |
and without hating to partake of food, |
the regiment opened the battle of Laurel |
Hill, which lasted from u o'clock moon, |
until dark. resulting in a substantial vic