The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-04

safety over this fatal ground. hut for
two blunders. Tho first mistake was in
|tul,ing tho right fork (thc longer road)
below Bruington, and the second WAS In
stopping at Hockey Neck an hour or
more to feed their hores when nigh had
elready set in. Thus Dahlgren gave ia
Lieutenant Pollnrd's little band, hitherto
annoying only his rear. opportunity to
get into his front; and gave time for
all opposing forces, few and scattered
as they were, to be brought together.
Accordingly they met. and posted them-
selves on the north side Of the road from
Stevcnsville to the courthouse, and on
ground exnctly opposite the end Of the
river road, where 1t meets the road from
Stcvensvillc.
The opposing force thus assembled was
made UP of Lieutenant Pollards twenty
five mem Captain Fox. with fifteen men;
Todd. with nine men, with seventy Of the
Forty second Virginia Battalion; Captain
Todd with nine men. and Captain Gagby.
with thirty-four of his "Home Guard
This plan of resistance was doubtless due
to Lieutenant Pollard, but he was not
present after tho men took their posi-
'tions, lie being sick with an ague, and
having. retired to Mr. John Bagby's, at
Steyensville, for comfortable night
rest.
HOW DAHLGREN FELL.
The force thus posted, with Captain
Fox in command. knowing full we'll that
Dahlgren must attempt to pass them OF
retrace his steps, awaited the approach
of the enemy. At length, just about
midnight the Federals came slowly down
the road. AS they drew near they dis
covered that there was some opposition
Immediately ahead. though In the dark
ness the nature and extent of 1t could
not be determined. There was some re-
coil; but Colonel Dahlsren, drawing his
pistol. and pushing to the front, called
his men to follow. rushed within a few
feet OF the opposing column. and resolute-
" demanded their surrender. Immediate-
ly the flash of firearms broke the mid
night shadows; which quickly gathered
again over the dead officer. lying pros
trate in the road. pierced by five bullets.
either one of which would probably have
ended his life.
For the remainder of the night neither
side made hostile demonstration. No one
slept, however, and through the earliest
morning twilight anxious eyes were peer
ing to see what conditions were about
them.
The brave commanders body was still
lying in the road. while the column from
the front OF Wnlcn lie nau SO suddenly
fallen was bivouacked in a field nearby,
and were ready to surrended. The cap
ture amounted to one hundred and thirty
five soldiers. forty negroes, besides
horses and arms.
DIR. BAGBY's CAPTURE.
Five commissioned officers among
them Major Cooke, left the command
during the night, and tried to escape on
foot. After wandering for twenty-four
hours or more in the forests OF the
neighborhood. they came out hungry
into the open upon the farm of Rev. DR..
Richard Hugh Bagby. the Baptist min
lister, and captain of the Home Guard"
who. as we have seen, was present two
nights before at the scene Of the Federal
disaster. They approached the over
seer's house and demanded a breakfast.
While the meal was in preparation the
overseer found opportunity to dispatch
secretly small coored boy to the res
idence of the master to let him know
the situation. Captain Bagby and his
son. John. seized their revolvers and
moved with quick and undiscovered