The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-05-22

pushing their way from Chancellors-
Vile. Va +. onward toward Richmond.
Every day since the 4th Of May had
been one Of carnage and bloodshcd.
The army of Northern Virgin MA under
Robert Il Lee was stubborply con-
testing every foot Of ground, and
pushing against the flank Of Grant s
advancing column.
1t was on the afternoon Of May 9th
that The following incident in my
army life occurred, and which has
caused me to write this article.
1t was beautiful afternoon, the
ac%c-s wcrc Ia bloom, ihe trees were
in full leaf, and the perfume of the
wild blossoms along the roadside lent
their fragrance to the worn and wear
led soldier. Our cavalry had been
fighting every day; sometimes We
were dismduntcd and forming our
squadrons in solid column, and with
flags unfurlcd We would fight back
Grants infantry and artillery, Until
our infantry would come to our relief.
Wc would then remount our horses
and push to the front again. AS /
have already stated, this was on the
9th Of May, 1864, and General William
G. Wickham was riding at the head Of
his brigade.
The Goochland company and my
own, the Madison cavalry, formed, if /
mistake not, the first squadron of the
Fourth regiment on that day. The
Goochland company was in our front.
was riding at the head Of my COM
pany by the side Of Lieutenant Hen
kcl, who was in command Of the com
pany at the time. lie was young,
handsome fellow and was engaged to u
beautiful and accomplished young
lady Of my ncighborhood. He vas
telling me all about their affair. We
rode together fur several miles and his
whole conversation was about this
lovely girl, who was, he hoped, soon
to become his bride.
Poor fellow! Little did he know
that few minutes more would ter
mina,c his earthly existence. We
were just turning n point i'll the old
fredericksburg road short distance
from Spottsylvania Court House, near
little place called Walters Tavern,
when we were brought face to face
with the Yankees, the Sixth Ohio
cavalry regiment, who were blocking
tho road in our front, on an opposite
hill some half mile distant. They
had deployod skirmishers co their
right and left, along the crest Of the
hill and IN front Of some timber on
both sides of the road. From where
VIC were the road ran dowa into bot
tom for a quarter of mile where
wooden bridge spanIed small
stream, and then ascending the oppo
site hill for about the same distance
tho road ran into the woods between
two high fences and down an incline
through deep cut into an old road
1t seems that tho Sixth Ohio cavalry
was the rear guard of body of Yam
kec cavalry who had fankcd us during
the night, cotton ahead Of US and we're
pushing their way toward Richmond.
We knew full we'll that fight was on
and VIC were prepared 10 make the
charge. General Wickham, who had
been to the front, met us and imme
diately ordered our squadron forward
and prepare for the charge.
We were soon at the bottom Of the
incline and crossing the stream. The
squadron was then ordered to charge,
and with flashing of sabers and drawn
pistols We dashed into the main col
umn Of the Yankees, who stood their
ground.
A hand to hand fight was on; friends
and foes were mixed up and pande-
monium rcignco. just then the gal
liant Lieutenant Henkel flashing his
sword above his head cried OUT ''Fol
low me, my men! Ten of us with
him dashed through the Yankee col
umn and down into the supken roau
after part Of the fleeing enemy
just then we were surrounded by
others coming in from on all sides
After we had emptied our pistols and
the sr ,ke had cleared away and I be-
gan to get my bearings found Lieut.
Henkel lying dead near me and the
balance Of our men dead, wounded or
captured. l saw that it was dcsper-
ate moment for me. The Yankees all
around. ~as in the road between
high fences on either side. To jump
a I. I